Read Along ~ Dreamhunter Part 5 Winner

Well gang, it's that time again, the end of another fun Read Along.  But have no fear I have not 1 not 2 but 3 books lined up for future read alongs, the only issue is figuring out the best time to do them.  I'm thinking the next one I do will be in September/October and then nothing until next year.  Any comments??? 

Anyway, onto the important part, the winners!

This week the winner has the option of a $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon, 1 PBS credit or the handmade item pictured below.

Drum roll please.....................................................................

Congratulations Cathy!

Please e-mail me at cmoh@earthlink.net or contact me via FB with which prize you would like.  If you want the Amazon gift card let me know your e-mail address, the PBS Credit I'll need your user name and if you want the handmade item please provide your address.

But that's not all for this week.  There was a left over handmade prize up for grabs. To get a chance to win it, you had to cast the book and boy were there some fantastic casts posted. 

This one is mine.

Cathy posted the following cast

Chorley Tiebold = Tom Hanks
Grace Tiebold = Judi Dench
Rose Tiebold = Marion Cotillard
Tziga Hame = Daniel Craig
Laura Hame = Scarlett Johansson
Sandy = Matthias Schoenaerts
Cas Doran = Kevin Spacey
Ru Doran = Macaulay Culkin
Mamie Doran = Elizabeth Banks
Marta Hame = Cher
Maze Plasir = Nicholas Cage

I am absolutely in love with her Sandy, Matthias is a major hottie and Cher, wow what a great cast for Marta Hame!

Wende Came up with this cast

GRACE - HELENA BONHAM CARTER
CHORLEY - GARY OLDMAN
TZIGA - JOHNNY DEPP
ROSE - BONNIE WRIGHT
LAURA - CHLOE GRACE MORETZ
SANDY - FREDDIE HIGHMORE
CAS DOREN - WOODY HARRELSON
MAMIE - EVANNA LYNCH
RU - JOSH HUTCHERSON
MARTA - SANDRA ELLIS LAFFERTY
MAZE - ALAN RICKMAN
SANDMAN - THOMAS HADEN CHURCH - HE PLAYED SANDMAN IN SPIDER MAN 3 AND THIS IS HOW I HAVE HAD SANDMAN PICTURED ALL THRU THE BOOK :)
MY SECOND PIC FOR SANDMAN WOULD BE - ROBBIE CULTRANE - HAGRID ! !

I think Wende and I were channeling the Sandman because Thomas Haden Church is exactly who I pictured and how I pictured the Sandman while reading.  I also love Alan Rickman he is one of my all time favorite actors, great pick for Maze!

Okay so I guess what you really want to know is who is the lucky winner...

Well, it was just Cathy's day

Congratulations Cathy!

On a side note one of the questions I asked last week was if you had any suggestions on improving the Read Alongs.  Discussion was one of the areas that seemed to be lacking, does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve this?  Should I start doing more through Facebook, start a Yahoo group just for the read alongs, or maybe skype?  Let me know what you think  so I can start getting things all lined up for the next read Along.

I am so glad everyone joined, I know this book was a bit difficult for many.  I would like to say that I enjoyed Dreamquake a lot more than Dreamhunter, so please do read on and let me know what you think.

Once again thanks for making this so much fun!



Read Along~ Dream Hunter, Part 5

Hello again, and welcome to the final part of this read along.  This week please read the section called The Rainbow Opera then answer the questions below for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift certificate OR 1 PBS Credit OR the handmade item below. 

This week I made a bolster pillow.  The grey fabric is hand died.  The word Dream I painted on using a fabric paint that is shimmery!  To finish it off I added a lovely black and grey flower and ruffles.   

As mentioned in prior posts, there is an extra handmade item left for one lucky winner.  For a chance to win my handmade book and The Dreamer's Dictionary create a cast for the book.  You can see my cast HERE.  For each character that you cast I will put your name in the hat to win this prize.  (If the above prize is not selected by this weeks winner I will pick another name out of the hat to win the pillow.) 

So without further ado

1.  What is the dream about that Tziga wanted Laura to catch?

2.  What was the whole point of Rose's campaign of making friends with Mamie?

3.  What happens to the Sandman during Laura and his escape from the Rainbow Opera?

4.  What dream does Secretary Doran have up his sleeve?

5.  What does erasing the 1st N in Nown's name do?

Discussion:

1.  Do you think people that are frightened feel pity?

2.  Are you surprised to learn that Laura's convict dream is about something that will happen in the future?

3.  Will you read Dreamquake, the finally to this series?

4.  Would you participate in another read along?  Any suggestions?





Read ALong ~ Dreamhunter Part 4 Winner

Hey gang, another week has come and gone which means it's time to announce another winner!

This week the winner gets to choose between a $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon OR 1 PBS Credit OR the handmade gift pictured below.

So without further ado, the winner is

WingsPawsNMagick

Congratulations!

You can e-mail me at cmoh@earthlink.net with the prize you would like or contact me via Facebook.  Please let me know your e-mail address is you want the Amazon Gift Certificate, your user name if you want the PBS credit or your address is you would like the homemade item.  Note on homemade items, I will mail them out at the end of the Read Along (in case you win more than one).

Okay now onto more fun.  Last week I said to start thinking about how you would Cast Dreamhunter.  For each character that you cast I'll put your name in the hat to win the left over handmade items (This is only for the handmade items).  The below item is available and there may be others, I'll let you know soon.

Okay onto my cast.  You can view my cast at StoryCasting.com you can create a cast there or you can just list your characters and the actors you have selected.

Chorley Tiebold = Aaron Eckhart

Grace Tiebold = Julianna Moore

Rose Tiebold = Emma Stone

Tziga Hame = Paul Bettany

Laura Hame = Saoirse Ronan

Sandy = Chris Zylka

Cas Doran = Colin Firth

Ru Doran = Kevin Zegers

Mamie Doran = ????

Marta Hame = Catherine Zeta Jones

Maze Plasir = Steve Bucsemi

Looking forward to seeing your cast.  Now I am off to finish up tomorrows prize.

Read Along ~ Dreamhunter Part 4

Hey! So glad you are joining me again. This week please read the sections called Open Secrets and The Measures then answer the questions below for a chance to win one of the 3 fabulous prizes: 1 PBS credit, $5 Amazon Gift Certificate, or a Handmade gift.

This week for the handmade gift I decided to mix up some Bath Salts.  What could be better than winning these and soaking away the day with a book.  Prepare for a tranquil and serein night with this anti insomnia bath salt. The lavender fragrance with sweet-spicy undertones of apple and nutmeg will surround you and stay with you all night.

Questions:
1.  What did Sandy Mason change his name to and why?
2.  What are the 7 types of Dreamhunter abilities and what do they each do?
3.  What did Sandy name the dream he and Laura caught instead of Starry Beach?
4.  What language did Laura sing to her Uncle in?
5.  Who is the letter Marta writes too and what are the contents?

Discussion: 
1.  Why do you think the author included Sandy's character?
2.  If you were a Dreamhunter what type or combination would you want to be and why?
3.  Do you feel like the author was clear enough in her explanation of what Plazar did for Tziga?  Remember this is a YA book.

Next week when I announce the winner I will be sharing my cast for an extra oportunity to win the final prize come up with a cast yourself.  Each character you cast will be one extra entry.  You can go to storycasting like I do or just list your cast next week.

Read Along ~ Dreamhunter, Part 3 Winner

Hey Gang!  So another week has come and gone and this past week we had some great discussion, some of which I want to highlight.

A few weeks ago Wende said that this book reminded her of a cross between The Hunger Games and Harry Potter.  This week Jenny said that it reminded her of the movie Inception (which I love!).  Does anyone else see the connections, does it remind y'all of anything? 

Jenny sees the world as kind of Steampunky and is bothered by the timeline.  I never saw the world as Steampunkish but because of the date header at the start of the book I always had trouble seeing it as anything but East Coast beach town in the early 1900's when I often wondered what New Zealand (where the author comes from) looked like then.  Because I very much doubt she wanted her readers to give her characters Bostonian accents.  I too struggled with how organized everything was, after all The Place was discovered less than 20 years prior to when the book takes place. 

Anyone have any comments?

Okay onto the fun stuff, the prize.  As always the winner this week will have a choice between a $5 Amazon Gift Certificate, 1 PBS Credit or the handmade gift shown bellow.

And the winner is

Jenny

Congratulations!  You can e-mail me at cmoh@earthlink.net or contact me via FB to let me know what prize you would like.  If you want the Amazon gift card please leave me the e-mail address you would like it sent to.  If you want the PBS credit please give me your screen name, and I will need your address if you would like the handmade item.

Onto a bit of fun.  I created a Treasury listing of things that reminded me of this book.  Take a minute to check it out, see some of the wonderful handmade creations.  I have almost bought the shirt a few times, now the only thing stopping me is that it is hot outside.

Read Along ~ Dreamhunter, Part 3, The Sandman

Hey!  So glad you are joining me again.  This week please read the section called The Sandman and answer the questions below for a chance to win one of the 3 fabulous prizes: 1 PBS credit, $5 Amazon Gift Certificate, or a Handmade gift.

This week for the Handmade gift I have a copy of the Sequel to Dreamhunter, Dreamquake (which I enjoyed more than Dreamhunter) a bookmark and 3 fabulous glittered close pin magnets.

1.  Who remembers where Chorley's camera is and where is it?
2.  What is the plant life in the Place like? 
3.  What 3 letters are on the Sandman's head?  What letter does Laura add?
4.  How does Nown see people in the Place?
5.  How does Laura undo the Sandman when Rose and Chorley are about to discover him?

Discussion:
1.  Do you think because Rose has lived with Dreamhunters that she is more likely to doubt what is in her mind, like information about John Gregg?
2.  How does learning more about the physical description of the Place change your mental picture?  Do you think the author left this description to late in the story?
3.  With all the mystery and fantasy of the Place do you feel the added element of magic to be too much?

Dreamhunter Read Along Part 2 Winner!

It's that time again, time to announce another Read Along winner! 

Last week we read Part 2, The Try and I was thrilled when Wendy said

"I'm really enjoying the book it's like Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games." 

Does anyone else see the similarities?  Or does it remind you of a different combination of books? 

Okay okay, moving on :)

This week the winner can choose from one of the following 3 prizes, 1 PBS Credit, $5.00 Gift Certificate from Amazon of the Handmade Gift pictured below. 

And the Winner is...

Susan

That's 2 in a Row!  Way to go Susan!  Don't give up everyone else the gifts just get better and better and Susan can't win them all (I use Random.org to select the winners).

Onto a bit of fun.  Last week I shared my Pinterest Board for Dreamhunter with y'all and opened it up to anyone that wanted to add to it.  This board will always be available so just drop me a comment if you want me to add you to it or if you need an invite to Pinterest.

Nerdup aka Mali pinned two wonderful images.

The above image she saw as a place where Rose and Laura would eat "conversation cake, mint tea, and ice cream."  Isn't it a fabulous photo!  It makes me wish there were still places around like this and wonder why we moved from that to in and out Starbucks chains.

Bellow is Nerdups "crank car model T it comes in every color you want as long as you want black."

I'd want black!  After all that's what color my car is now. 

thanks so much Nerdup for the fabulous additions.  Congratulations Susan!  Wendy I am so thrilled that you are enjoying the book, I have to admit I was very worried about this read along.  Can't wait to see what y'all have to say about next weeks reading!

 

Dreamhunter Read Along Prize 2 update

So the fog that has invaded my brain in the form of a bad sinus/allergy thing caused me to mess up Part 2's prize.  This is the correct prize.

The Dreamer's Dictionary and a handmade book by me to write down all your dreams and analyze them. 

Remember to be eligible to win this weeks prize make sure you have your answers for part 2's Dreamhunter read Along submitted by Monday.  

Read Along ~ Dreamhunter Part 2, The Try

Hello, and welcome to Week 2 of the Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox Read Along.  This week please read the second part of the book, The Try, and answer the following questions to get a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes, $5 gift certificate for Amazon, 1 PBS Credit or a handmade item.  Submit your answers by leaving a comment (your comment will not post right away, I approve all my comments) no later than Monday April 30th.  Winner will be announced Tuesday May 1st.

This weeks handmade item is 3 Glittered Magnetic Clothespins and to go along with it a copy of The Dreamer's Dictionary. I believe this copy is the first paperback publication of this book.

1.  What color hats do the girls wear to the Try?
2.  What is Maze Plasir's dreamhunter talent?
3.  When Chorley inquire3d about Tziga what news did the Director give him?  What was unusual about the form of recorded intentions the Director showed Chorley?
4.  How did John Gregg win the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
5.  What is Grace & Chorley's plan to get Laura to stay in school?

Discussion Questions:
1.  Do the results of the try surprise you?  Why or why not?
2.  Do you think its odd that there is no grave for Tziga?  Do you believe the Dr. is telling the truth that Tziga is dead?
3.  Do you think Grace & Chorley's plan to get Laura away from Dreamhunting will work?  Do you think it is fair to Rose?

And Just for Fun...I got an e-mail that someone had a nightmare about the Sandman so I decided to look up a few things in The Dreamer's Dictionary.

Sand:  Whether the sand you dreamed of was on a beach, in your food, or in your shoes, it is warning you to be wary of a new acquaintance who will try to exploit you see also desert

Man: A dream featuring mankind as a whole is a warning of nervous depression due to work; either slow down or take a vacation.  To dream of a strange man augers well for family affairs, but the meaning is modified to some extent by the details of his appearance (if you were aware of them) and his actions (if any), so these factors should be considered.  see also Hair, Height, eye color, etc.

So, that was one interesting dream our fellow Read Alonger had!  Is there anything anyone wants looked up before I mail out this fabulous gift?  Let me know.

Read Along Part 1 Winner!

Hello fabulous Read Alongers.  I am so excited about how many people took part this week!  I've gotten a few e-mails from people that have said this particular book is just not for them and I know some of you are struggling a bit, hang in there until you just can't anymore and then toss the book against the wall and move on, this is supposed to be fun. 

I was very intrigued with some of the answers from the Discussion Question

"The story of the survivors from the Island of Elpurs, does it remind you of anything?"

Some of us were on the same page with Pompeii but Susan brought up a very interesting point, she thought it sounded like the immigrants coming to America.  I love this take on the story. 

Well onto what you are all really interested in, the winner of this weeks prize of either $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon, 1 PBS credit or the handmade item shown below. 

And the winner is

Susan

Congratulations Susan, please e-mail me or message me on FB what item you would like and your address.  cmoh@earthlink.net

Now onto some extra fun. 

 I have put together a board on Pinterest of some of the images I've run across, recipes etc that remind me of Dreamhunter.  Come on over and take a look and add some of your own (I might have to add your name to the list so just leave me a comment and I will do that).  Or share it here in a comment.



Looking forward to tomorrow.  Hope everyone is enjoying the book.  As always if there is a question you would like to submit for discussion let me know. 

Have a Great Day!

Read Along Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox, Part 1 A Talented Family

Hello and welcome to my third Read Along!  I am so glad you are joining. 

Here is how it works, answer the questions below, for each correct response >I will enter your name for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes (a handmade item, a PBS Credit or a $5 Gift certificate from Amazon). You have until Monday April 23rd to answer this set of questions. 

Leave your answers in a comment with a way for me to get in touch with you.

This weeks handmade prize is a Dreamhunter themed bookmark and 3 magnetic glittered clothespins. 

This week please read the first section of the book, Part 1, A talented Family and then answer the following questions

1.  Who in the family are dreamhunters and what do dreamhunters so?

2.  What is the Try?  How old does someone have to be to try?

3.  Who discovered the Place?

4.  What is a penumbra? (I will accept 2 answers if both given extra entry)

5.  What did Tziga do instead of sharing his dream with the prisoners?

Discussion Questions

1.  The story of the survivors from the Island of Elpurs, does it remind you of anything?

2.  Do you feel like the explanation of the Place and how it works came at the appropriate time in the book?

3.  How do you see the characters?  Do you think the author left too much scenery/physical description out and relied on the date header to form the readers mental picture?  Are you having trouble visualizing some of the scenes?

Just for fun, I thought I would share some of the various covers for this book.  Do you like one more than the others?  If so why?

American Paperback cover

New Zealand

Hardback Large Print

I'm also working on my dream cast for this book and having a hard time with Tziga Hame so far I have a handful of actors that I think would be good, I would love to hear what you have to say.  How do you picture him, do you think one of the actors I picked would be good or someone totally different?

My picks are

Paul Bettany

Leonardo Dicaprio

Johnny Depp

Woddy Harrelson

I hope you are enjoying the book, please feel free to leave any type of comment about the book (so if you don't like it please let us know and let us know why). I'm looking forward to your answers and this discussion.

Dreamhunter Read Along ~ 1st Winner!

It's been one week since I announced my next read along and I am thrilled with the level of interest!  I can't wait to get started but before that happens I have a copy of the book to give away to one lucky winner.  I used Randomizer to select the winner.



Kristen

Congratulations!  e-mail cmoh@earthlink.net your address and I'll post the book on Monday. 



Dreamhunter ~ Read Along & Prize

It's that time again, time for another Read Along

This time you asked and I listened, a YA SciFi

Dreamhunter

by: Elizabeth Knox

Laura comes from a world similar to our own except for one difference: It is next to the Place, an unfathomable land that fosters dreams of every kind and is inaccessible to all but a select few, the dreamhunters. These are individuals with the ability to catch larger-than-life dreams and relay them to audiences in the magnificent dream palace. People travel from all around to experience the benefits of the hunters’ unique visions.

Now, fifteen-year-old Laura and her cousin Rose, daughters of dreamhunters, are old enough to find out if they qualify to enter the Place. But nothing can prepare them for what they are about to discover. In the midst of a fascinating landscape, Laura’s dreamy childhood is ending, and a nightmare is beginning.

 

How will this read along work?

On Wednesday, April 18th I will post some questions for the first section of the book you have until the following Monday to answer the questions in a comment. I will put your name in a pot and select a weekly winner on the following Tuesday. The prizes will be one of the following, a PBS credit, a $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon or a handmade item.

 

But before we get started I have a special prize One Copy of Dreamhunter to give away to a lucky Ready Alonger. 

 

This is a paperback copy, ISBN 9780312535711, In very good condition. 

Leave a comment here saying that you are planning on participating in this read along and you will be entered.  I will draw a winner on the 7th of April.

Proposed Schedule

April 18th  Part 1 (The Talented Family) Questions posted

April 23rd Part 1 Answers Due

April 24th Part 1 winner announced

April 25th Part 2 (The Try) Questions posted

April 30th Part 2 Answers Due

May 1st Part 2 Winner Announced

May 2nd Part 3 (The Sandman) Questions posted

May 7th Part 3 Answers Due

May 8th Part 3 Winner Announced

May 9th Part 4 (Open Secrets & The Measures) Questions posted

May 14th Part 4 Answers due

May 15th Part 4 Winner Announced

May 16th Part 5 (The Rainbow Opera) Questions posted

May 21st Part 5 Answers Due

May 22nd Winner Announced

 

 

Read Along ~ Part 3 Winner and a Bit of Fun

Hello most fabulous Read Alongers.  Today is a bitter sweet post, I am so pleased with how this read along turned out but at the same time I am sad to see it end.  I think we had some great discussions this round and I am pleased to hear that many of you enjoyed the book. 

Thank you all that answered the bonus question last week.  I have placed a poll in the Left sidebar of my blog at the top.  It will stay open throughout February to see if I can drum up more interest and get some more input.  Right now most of you would like the Young Adult sci/fi Fantasy and I've got one picked out. 

Please tell all your friends.  The more people that participate in this the more likely I am to continue.  I do enjoy it, but it is also quite a bit of work. 

*     *     *

Okay onto the winner of last weeks prise. 

A PBS credit OR $5.00 Amazon Gift Certificate OR the handmade Tote bag pictured below. 

The Winner is

WingsPawsNMagick

Congratulations!

Please e-mail me at cmoh@earthlink.net and let me know what prize you would like. 

Didn't win, well I have another tote in my Etsy shop, different design, It's French inspired.  Remember items in my Etsy store are on sale to all Read Along participants, use coupon code MermaidRA.  Sale ends Feb 17th.

*     *     *

Now for a bit of fun.  Guess what I found out!?!  Mermaid is going to be a Movie!  HERE is what Carolyn has to say about this. 

I have a web site that I really enjoy.  It is called Storycasting and the entire premise behind it is to cast books.  I asked them to add Mermaid to their database but I didn't ask in time :(  so it's not available today but maybe sometime in the future.  But I have decided to cast it anyway. 

Here is my dream Cast, what do you think?  Who would you cast?

Natalie Portman

as

Lenia

Emily Blunt

as

Margrethe

Scarlett Johansson

as

Sybil

(imagine her with long wavy vixen red hair)

Believe it or not I actually thought about Lindsey Lohan for this role I like her look but not her acting.

and

James Franco

as

Christopher

Well, that's my cast. 

I have had a great time this read along, hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did and I'm looking forward to the next one. 



Read Along ~ Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon, Part 3 Chapters 17-End

Welcome to the final week of this Read Along.  I'm so glad you are back or joining us for the first time. 

A quick recap as to how this all works, answer the questions below, for each correct response I will enter your name for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes (a handmade item, a PBS Credit or a $5 Gift certificate from Amazon). You have until Monday January 30th to answer this set of questions. 

Leave your answers in a comment with a way for me to get in touch with you.

This weeks Handmade prize is a big one! 

This one of a kind, hand died, stamped, painted and ruffled tote.  I embellished it with pearls and the ruffle is also hand died.  The mermaid and fish are hand painted with a lovely shimmery paint.

1.  What is unusual about Lenia's pregnancy?
2.  What book is Margarethe reading when Christopher comes to talk to her?
3.  Who does Lenia think she sees in Agnes when she is trying to explain that she needs to have the baby early?
4.  What do they name the baby?  Who is she named after?
5.  What price did the sisters have to pay to find out how to save Lenia?

Bonus:  If I do another read along what type of book would you like?  Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction or a Young Adult Science Fiction/ Fantasy (for answering this question you get an extra name in the drawing for this weeks prize)

Discussion (2 and 3 taken from the readers guide at the back of my copy of Mermaid):
1.  Do you think the price the sisters had to pay to get the knowledge needed to save Lenia was sufficient?  What do you think of the price Lenia had to pay?  How much would you pay for a chance at true love?
2.  What do you think of retelling of Fairy Tales?  Why do you think they are so popular?  Do you think there is any special power in taking a known story and envisioning it in a new way? 
3.  Mermaids are an incredibly popular subject in many cultures.  What do you think accounts for there appeal?  What makes mermaids such a rich subject for the imagination?  Can you think of other books in which mermaids play an important role?