Books Coming out In December!!

It's the start of a new month!  In fact, it's the last month of 2014!  What a great way to finish off the year.  So many amazing books are coming out this month it shouldn't be hard to find a gift for that reader in your life.  I know what books I'm excited for ... what about you?  What are you looking forward to reading to finish off 2014?

Keep reading to find out more about the books coming out this month.

"Kindness Party" Week!

As you may already know, this Thursday is "World Kindness Day" and here at My Title Wave we are having a "Kindness Party" this week!

Hopefully all of you are trying to figure out some act of kindness you can do.  It would be amazing to see a little more thoughtfulness ... an outreached hand to lift up those in need ... in the world today.  Try to focus this week on "small-acts-of-kindness" or "pay-it-forward" moments you can create!  Because ...

Recently I read an article that focused on kindness.  In it, they talked about all the benefits we can give our children by teaching them to be kind to others.  Not only does it help those on the receiving end, but it also helps the one giving the service.  Without going into tons of details, here are the things your child will learn from being kind.

They will be more happy and caring.

They will have increased peer acceptance.

They will have a greater sense of belonging and improved self-esteem.

They will have improved health and less stress.

They will have increased feelings of gratitude.

They will have better concentration and improved results.

There will be a reduction in depression.

And ultimately ... there will be less bullying.

In the article, Patty O'Grady, PhD, an expert in neuroscience, emotional learning, and positive psychology ... stated this:

“Kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it.”

That got me thinking.  What better way to get a child to "feel" something than by reading them a story.  I find so many expressions can be felt by the written word.  I have read books with my family where we have laughed together, swooned together, were scared together, and cried together.  So, in honor of our "Week of Kindness" on My Title Wave, I compiled a list of books that children will love!  Each book has a similar message ... being kind to others.

My challenge to you is to pick one book to read together with your children.  However, don't just read it ... stop and discuss what they are hearing.  Get them to express their feelings to you.  And at the end, ask them what they learned from listening to the story.  You will be amazed at what insight these precious young ones may have.

Read further to learn more about the books pictured.

TOMORROW IS FACTION DAY!

Tomorrow is the day!!!  October 22nd is “Faction Day”!

Have you made your plans for the day yet?  Have you picked out what you are going to wear?  Or ... have you decided what faction you belong with?  Not sure yet?  Time is running out!  Well, this post may help you decide!  Today, we are focusing on the last faction … Dauntless!

Ready to jump off the train and face your fears … then Dauntless is your faction!  In this faction you will be worked into your tip top physical shape.  They accept nothing but the best of the best in Dauntless. You must be brave.

What kind of books would they be reading?  Here are some from our list:

These books might get members of the Dauntless faction in Divergent to take a break from jumping off trains or practicing knife-throwing long enough to read because they feature brave characters going on adventures and are full of action.

Keep reading and you can find out more about these books!  Here's a look:

Another Give-Away And The Vegas Valley Book Festival

Yes ... it's time for another GIVE-AWAY!!!  Want a peek at what we are sending your way if you win?  Here it is ...

(Signed bookmarks ... pins ... "The Twisted Take of Ruby Hood" bracelet ... "So Many Books So Little Time" charm necklace ... and Princess For Hire by one of our favorite authors!)

SOOOO CUTE!  I actually want it for myself but it's yours ... if you enter ... and if your name is drawn.  We LOVE giving out fun books and amazing items to go with it!  And this time ... I am so thrilled with our latest one!  So keep reading and we will tell you how to enter!

This past weekend, Christmas hit early!  We had the opportunity to attend the "Vegas Valley Book Festival" and it was AMAZING!!!  Armed with our suitcases full of books, we hopped around from tent to tent, listening to authors and getting our books signed.

The Festival kicked off Thursday evening at 7:00 pm.  B.J. Novak was the keynote speaker.  He spent the hour talking about his time on The Office and the behind the scenes writing process.  He also spoke about his first book, One More Thing: Stories And Other Stories.  He read passages from his novel and we all laughed.  He also introduced his children's book ... The Book With No Pictures.  He asked all the kids in the audience to come on stage and he proceeded to read the story to them.  They, as well as all of us in the audience, were pulled into his tale and we laughed along with each line he read.

Saturday was our busy day!  Young Adult authors from all over the country came to speak to those gathered about their latest books.  They also shared with us news about upcoming projects they are working on and gave helpful hints to aspiring authors.  We also found out that Channing Tatum was in town filming Magic Mike 2!  (Look at all the helpful information we came away with.  haha)  It was AWESOME!  The authors all took the time to speak with us as a group and each individually.  They were so nice and kept us entertained the entire time.

By the end of the day, we were exhausted!  However, we walked away with smiles on our faces and arms full of books.  Here are the books we picked up this year:

Let the reading fun begin!!!

OK ... so here is your part ... how do you enter?!  Go down to the very bottom of this post and simply ENTER!!!  You have almost two weeks!!!

Here are some of the authors who came to the Vegas Valley Book Festival this year:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To see a list of the authors who attended, keep reading ...

Faction Day Is Almost Here!

Another week ... another faction!  October 22nd will be here before you know it.  Have you made your plans for the day yet?  Have you picked out what you are going to wear?  Or ... have you decided what faction you belong with?  Not sure yet?  Well, this post may help you decide!  Today, we are focusing on Candor.

Members of the Candor faction believe truth will set you free!  Candor is the faction known for honesty, so it is the most truthful of the Divergent Factions.

What kind of books would they be reading?  Here are some from our list:

These books feature characters who exhibit characteristics the Candor faction in Divergent values: truthfulness and honesty or plots where characters learn the importance of the truth.

Keep reading and you can find out more about these books!  Here's a look:

Four Weeks And Counting ... To Faction Day!

Another week ... another faction!  October 22nd will be here before you know it.  Have you made your plans for the day yet?  Have you picked out what you are going to wear?  Or ... have you decided what faction you belong with?  Not sure yet?  Well, this post may help you decide!  Today, we are focusing on Amity.

Citizens who blamed aggression for war joined Amity.  In the Amity faction, they live for peace and fun. Amity loves to smile and tend to choose professions such as counselors and caretakers.  They are kind, loving and free!

What kind of books would they be reading?  Here are some from our list:

These books feature characters who exhibit characteristics the Amity faction in Divergent values: peacefulness or a longing for peace, a commitment to democracy, a willingness to serve or help others, and happiness.  Since Amity is also an agricultural community, some books are set on farms.

Let us know other novels you think could be added to our list!  And let us know if you agree with our choices ... we do have good reasons why these made Amity's "Must Read" list.  ; )

Keep reading and you can find out more about these books!  Here's a look:

Counting Down To Faction Day

Calling all Divergent fans!  My Title Wave is joining the fun!!!  October 22 is "FACTION DAY" and we are starting the countdown now.

What is "Faction Day"?  By now, you have probably thought about ... talk about ... or decided what Divergent Faction you would have picked if you were in Tris Prior's position.  On the 22nd of October you can join us all as we let everyone know where we stand.  All fans are asked to wear the color of their faction.  What color will you be wearing that fall day?

In further celebration of this day ... and as a fun way to countdown and get you pumped up ... we are going to list books that each faction would most likely read.  (We have five weeks - so that means five factions ... PERFECT!)  To kick it off ... we have ABNEGATION!

Members of the Abnegation faction put the common good above all other concerns, and the needs of others above themselves.  They bring their selfless outlook to politics and make for great leaders.  What kind of books would they be reading?  Here are some from our list:

These books feature characters who exhibit characteristics the Abnegation faction in Divergent values: volunteering to help others (especially those less fortunate), self-sacrifice, duty, and kindness.

Let us know other novels you think could be added to our list!  And let us know if you agree with our choices ... we do have good reasons why these made Abnegation's "Must Read" list.  ; )

Read more to learn about these books:

"Mora na maidine dhuit" ... Top Of The Morning To You!

In honor of "Longing For Home" this week, we felt like we needed to add a little "Irish" to our day!  Here's the perfect cozy-night-in, curl-up-with-a-good-book meal.  There's something about stew + home + reading, that = PERFECT!  And to make it even that much better ... a dash of Irish and the "luck of the Irish" will be in your home!  ENJOY!!!

Irish Beef Stew Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. Cook: 3-1/4 hours

Ingredients

8 bacon strips, diced

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 pound whole fresh mushrooms, quartered

3 medium leeks (white portion only), chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

1/4 cup chopped celery

1 tablespoon canola oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

4 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

1 cup dark stout beer or additional reduced-sodium beef broth

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

1 cup frozen peas

• 
  

Directions

In a stock pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. Brown beef in the bacon drippings. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, saute the mushrooms, leeks, carrots and celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste until blended. Add the broth, beer/additional broth, bay leaves, thyme, parsley and rosemary. Return beef and bacon to pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours or until beef is tender.

Add potatoes. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour longer or until potatoes are tender. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add peas; heat through. Discard bay leaves.

Yield: 15 servings (3-3/4 quarts).

Check the recipe here:

"Back To School"

FAMILIES THAT PLAY TOGETHER

Now that everyone has settled back into the “school routine”, it seems like life gets crazy once again.  Our days are filled with being a taxi driver and our evenings are filled with homework.  

When talking to adults about books, the most common comment I hear is, “Reading!  Who has time!!!”  I totally understand that feeling.  However, I love to read so I manage to find time … even if I only get through a few pages.

The bigger problem than finding time for us to read is instilling in our family members the same love for books.  Some kids and some spouses, come naturally by it.  Others … not so much.   So here’s a fun way I found to help encourage reading with your family.  BINGO!

Print out a Bingo card for each member in your family and come up with a big prize or reward for the winner.  You can play “Reading Bingo” any way you like.  Kids can start by getting one line.  Others can try for the outside edges or even fill in the entire card!  Just have fun with it and let us know how it goes!

ADULT CARDS

YA CARDS

KID CARDS

Below are some reasons why reading and kids are an important combination:

Book News and Food - What More Could We Ask For!

Okay - I'm going to start out with Happy news!!!  Straight from the mouth of Kiera Cass, here is the announcement ...

"We are writing a fourth novella about Marlee entitled "The Favorite"!  The Queen and The Favorite will be out in a paperback bind up early 2015!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!

I'm so pleased to announce that we are writing TWO MORE FULL LENGTH SELECTION NOVELS!  The first of them, entitled "The Heir", will be out Spring 2015!

I hope you guys are just as excited as I am!  More to come soon!"
-Kiera Cass-

Let's just take a moment to let that all sink in ... ahhhhhh ... I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED!  HAPPY DANCE!

Now for the next purpose of this post:  Yesterday we had a wonderful review for the book "Ruby Red".  In honor of the book I am going to share a yummy recipe so we can all get cozy, curl up with the novel and eat some delicious pancakes.  You will love these as much as I do!  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  I would love to hear from you!

Ruby Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Topping

4

oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

1/4

cup butter, softened

3

tablespoons milk

2

cups powdered sugar

Pancakes

2

cups Original Bisquick™ mix

1

tablespoon granulated sugar

1

tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa

1

cup milk

1

to 1 1/2 teaspoons red paste food color*

2

eggs

Powdered sugar, if desired

Directions

• 1In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and 3 tablespoons milk with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until topping is smooth. Cover; set aside.
• 2In large bowl, stir all pancake ingredients except powdered sugar with wire whisk until well blended. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.) Brush with vegetable oil if necessary or spray with cooking spray before heating.
• 3For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbles form on top and edges are dry. Turn; cook other side until golden brown.
• 4Spoon cream cheese topping into resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut off tiny corner of bag; squeeze bag to drizzle topping over pancakes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.