Armchair BEA Day 4: Ethics & Non-Fiction

Welcome back to Armchair BEA! If you're not sure what it's all about be sure to visit the Armchair BEA headquarters.

After a fun-filled day of giveaway hops, we're back at the serious business with a discussion on ethics in blogging. Blogging (and doing anything on the web really) can be a risky business. You have to know the rules and agree to play by them in order to be taken seriously and keep out of trouble. Some simple rules of thumb are:

1. Ask permission. If you didn't create it and the creator hasn't already given full permission for something to be used, then ask. It is their creation and therefore they have rights over how and when it can be used for any purpose.
2. Credit the source! I don't care if it's a picture, an article, a quote, or something else entirely, be sure to give credit to where you found it. Pinterest has gotten into a lot of trouble recently for having misguided pins (the links didn't go to the original source) and for allowing users to pin anything from any site. I recently discovered that the reason some of my posts were so heavily trafficked is because they were pinned by readers. (To see if your blog is being pinned, check out these instructions from Mashable)
3. Be yourself and be respectful. No one will want to read your hard work if you aren't respectful. I'm not saying you can't defend your position or yourself, but meeting challenges and questions with respect will get you along a lot farther.
4. Take baby steps. No one jumps in knowing everything they need to in order to run a successful blog. Take your time to really set yourself up for success. I didn't immediately start tweeting and I still don't have a Facebook page, but that's fine by me. What I have works and that's all that matters.

There have been some pretty nasty blowups over the last year in blogging due to plagiarism and not citing sources. I think some of them went over better (where the person took responsibility, apologized, and we all moved forward) than others (when there was a huge fallout creating rifts in our community). What I really want to stress to everyone reading is that we all make mistakes. It's how you choose to fix those mistakes that really matters. If you want some good ideas on how to react to plagiarism, be sure to read Parajunkee's post on the subject. She's also got a good one about copyrighted images and artwork.

I am far from perfect. I know that in the past I used images that I just found online or clipart, but I made sure fix the situation once I learned that even that was a no-no. If anyone ever finds any that I missed, please be sure to inform me so I can correct the situation. In short, do your research, be authentic, and try to keep the fun in it!

The genre discussion for today is non-fiction. As I stated on Wednesday, I mainly read Young Adult books. Occasionally I will read a non-fiction book or two, but that's about it. Since I read so much for the blog, I don't necessarily have time for books that I don't think would interest my readers. I will say though that when I do read non-fiction I prefer memoirs, pop culture-based materials, & health books. From The Hiding Place to Finding Serenity (that last one is about Joss Whedon's fabulous space cowboy tv show "Firefly" and it's movie followup "Serenity") I prefer a diverse set of non-fiction books that still allow me to feel like I'm enjoying my reading, whether it's for fun or educational purposes.

What do you think about blogging ethics & non-fiction books?

What else have I been reading?

If the blog has seemed a little emptier than usual, I apologize. A lag in my ability to obtain YA books from my library has led me to read in other sections of the library & wade my way through the books I picked up when Borders was going out of business. GASP! While I may have enjoyed some of the titles I dabbled in, these are some of the lesser successes. Not many of them were complete failures mind you, but none of them really hit the mark with me.

First Kill by Heather Brewer
I resisted trying the Vlad Tod series because I just couldn't stand another vampire book. I go through spells where they're all I'm into, but this just never satisfied my need. When First Kill appeared as a book from the slayer's point of view I thought that it might bring me around. Alas it just didn't suit me. I found myself unable to really connect with the characters. Maybe I should have read the Vlad Tod series first... Who knows.




Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was amazing. It looked a little iffy to me since it's about a horribly blessed woman going through a rough patch in her life and how she decides to travel the world in search of something to believe in. While I loved Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love felt trite in comparison. I know it's her "memoir" so it should be self-centered, but I just couldn't stomach her belly-aching. After a while I just wanted to scream at her. While the settings were incredible and the people were fascinating, I just couldn't deal with this woman.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Having worked in a public library when this book came out and was ridiculously popular, most people are surprised I haven't read it. I'm that way about most popular books; either I read them before they are popular (like The Help) or I shy away until the hype dies down. Many people warned me that this book took a while to get into, but I just never did. I read the whole thing to the end just to see if there would be something to catch me & it just never happened. Maybe it's because I'm not much of a mystery (in the traditional sense of the genre) reader or maybe it was the utter confusion I felt about some of the more graphic/violent scenes. Either way, I can at least say that this was not my cup of tea.

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
I know that viewers often have issues adjusting their perception from film/tv to book format of something they love, but I was hoping that wouldn't be the case for me. I really admire Kathy Reichs for her work (since the books are based on her own experiences as a forensic anthropologist) and love the tv shows Bones, but I just couldn't get into this book. I only read about 1/3 of the book, so I may give it another shot at a later date, but it's painfully obvious that this is a new writer still working out her rhythm. I was even more surprised at how different the characters were. I was expecting replicas, but it's now obvious just how many liberties have been taken in the creation of the show.




Have you ever experienced this? What are some books you just couldn't get into? Sound off in the comments!

What else have I been reading?

If the blog has seemed a little emptier than usual, I apologize. A lag in my ability to obtain YA books from my library has led me to read in other sections of the library. GASP! While my target audience is teenagers & young adults, I think these books will be of particular interest to the young adults. I know some of the titles will be boring, but I've learned a lot recently about varying subjects and would encourage you to occasionally read outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you might discover you like or even love! These are the books that I enjoyed. Look forward to the post about the ones that didn't hit the mark.

Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School by Andrew Hallam 

This book gives your financial life a wake-up call. The author really is a teacher who has a portfolio valued at over a million dollars. There's nothing fancy about what he has to say, but he gets you on board at the ground level. Andrew lays it all out on the board: debt, savings, investments, sage advice. You name it, this book has it. The plain language he uses to cover all these seemingly head-spinning topics allowed me a clearer understanding of just where I want to be in my future & what I need to do to get there.



The Acid Reflux Solution: A Cookbook and Lifestyle Guide for Healing Heartburn Naturally
by Jorge E. Rodriguez, Susan Wyler, Susan Wyler, MPH, RD

Acid reflux is on the rise. Millions of Americans suffer with this painful ailment needlessly. I was recently diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) & eosinophilic esophagitis. GERD is a fancy way of saying persistent and frequent heartburn & the esophagitis is a slightly more severe symptom where my esophagus is having a sort of allergic reaction. Immediately after my diagnosis I went in search of things to help soothe my stomach and throat. This wonderful book was such an eye-opener. There are so many possible causes & triggers that I found myself overwhelmed, but this book helped me pin-point some of my harder to name triggers. It also contains many recipes that (with some personal tweaking) were great to add to my GERD & low-fat friendly recipe repertoire. If you or anyone you care about are suffering from frequent heartburn, be sure to see a doctor.

Living The Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman's Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living by Melissa Tosetti, Kevin Gibbons

This is another plain-speaking money book, but it's about more than just money. This book is also about living your life to the fullest. There are ideas about vacations, lifestyle changes, & planning for the future that I wouldn't have come with on my own. This book teaches you not to be a tight-wad, but how to cut your spending in unnecessary places so that you can spend it how you'd like in other necessary places. You choose your priorities without judgment in this book and learn how to live with satisfaction. It's got a very European feel to it.

The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell, Phyllis H. Klaus

I'm at that point in my life and marriage where many of my friends are starting to have babies. While we don't feel we're up to the challenge yet, it has gotten me thinking about what I believe. There are so many choices in life that it makes sense that you should have options when it comes to birthing and raising children. This is one of the required reading books for doulas to become certified, so I think it gives the clearest picture of what to expect from a doula. A truly moving book, it really helped to put into perspective everything that a pregnancy involves & just how special and magical a time it can be for not only the mother, but the newly-emerging family.


Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios by Lisa Bedford

I've been following The Survival Mom for quite a while. She was featured on Doomsday Preppers a while back and seemed to be one of the most level-headed folks I'd heard of talking about prepping. I enjoyed her book for the lessons I learned. She strongly recommends making 3 lists: to do, to buy, & to learn. I wholeheartedly agree with these lists. Since I live in the Midwest I figured it might be a good idea to be prepared for several difference emergencies and her book laid out what I needed to think about and how to get myself together.

So there you have some of the better, non-YA books I've been reading. Any recommendations? Anything is welcome as I'm learning to embrace the unknown in the publishing world.

The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine review

So as my first post back into blogging, I'm taking us down an unfamiliar road. You see, I've been hiding a secret. I am one of those coupon people. Not like the tv show, but I have managed to slash my grocery budget & nix spending in other areas too thanks in part to the Money Saving Mom. What started as a simple blog has blossomed over the years into a thriving website with more than just coupons & good deals. Even better is that the mom herself, Crystal Paine, has been able to write a book based on her knowledge.

This wonderful non-fiction, how-to guide is one of the most user-friendly books I have read in quite a while. Leaning on principles taught in many money saving systems, Crystal quickly & efficiently outlines what you need to do in order to get yourself back on track financially. What's so wonderful about the book is its all-encompassing nature. Crystal doesn't just fling numbers & formulas at you, she helps you understand how each aspect of your life (from your time management to your tidiness) affects your finances & how to regain control.

My favorite part of the book though are the worksheets. Crystal has featured her worksheets on her website for quite some time, and while some of them are a bit daunting in their detail, I think they are the most thorough & logical worksheets I have seen. They cover several key aspects for successful management. Not only are the worksheets great, but Crystal is such a natural cheerleader. Throughout the whole book she is doling out tips & tricks & offering encouragement. She knows that the subject matter she is tackling is sensitive & difficult for many people to work on, so she allows you to goof up & jump right back in.

While it might be too late to get this book for yourself or a loved one for Christmas (hard to believe that sneaked up on me) I would definitely keep this in mind for birthdays or any special occasion. It's great for busy moms & even for stressed college students. I think the sooner in life one can get their hands on this book the better. I hope you enjoy it & be sure to check out MoneySavingMom.com!

Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America's Apollo Landings by Alan Shepard, Deke Slayton, Jay Barbree, & Neil Armstrong review

July 20, 1969. Eight years after President John F. Kennedy promised America that the newly formed NASA would land a man on the moon, the crew of Apollo 11 touched down on the Sea of Tranquillity in triumph. Moon Shot is the never-before-told story of the courage, dedication and teamwork that made the journey possible - an intense human drama of the sacrifices and risks asked of a small but remarkable group of astronauts who put their lives on the line as they led the way to the lunar landscape 25 years ago.

Alan Shephard and Deke Slayton were perfectly placed to tell this inside story. Members of the original Mercury Seven team, they were part of America's pioneering space programme from the beginning, participating as astronauts and as key members of the astronaut office. Set against the backdrop of a race between two superpowers competing to establish dominance as the world's technological and scientific leader, Moon Shot takes us back to days of discovery and achievement, revealing the men behind the heroes, and the success, bitter disappointments and even tragedy that shaped the world of those who risked everything to tackle the unknown.

From Goodreads

I know I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but I was surprised at how easy a read this book turned out to be! Some of you know that I have a degree in French, but did you also know that my other major was in International Studies? It's true! While I mostly studied history rather than politics, I did have to take a few poli sci courses & believe it or not we actually discussed the Apollo missions' importance in relation to our nation's place in the world.

This book gives an in-depth, personal account of the Apollo missions' history & process from the inside out. These men risked everything (especially their lives) to make history & I think that is what says so much about us as a people. These men were willing to do what no one had ever successfully done in order to further our knowledge of our own world, while facing the ultimate reality that they might not ever make it back.

What made the book so accessible for the layman (and particularly for those of us who weren't alive when this all went down originally) are the re-created conversations between the astronauts. While I highly doubt they said these exact things, they lend the reader a sense of belonging because you can more fully understand what is being discussed. We get to see inside a rarely discussed world that had such a serious impact on daily life in the 1960's.

I hope some of you will spare this book a few minutes. I don't mean you need to read the whole thing, but just a few pages or chapters should be enough to convince you of the importance of this time & these events in our nation's history.

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook by Christy Dorrity

While I don't normally review non-fiction works, this one is very special; and not just because I'm one of the 25 featured reviewers. :)

Christy Dorrity of Dearest Dreams put together an wonderful cookbook of recipes to go along with popular YA books. There are recipes to compliment Shiver, The False Princess, and Before I Fall just to name a few. We start off with the book jacket description, then move into the explanation of why the recipe goes with the book, the recipe itself, & then blurbs about the book from book bloggers. There is a total of 25 book bloggers featured, including some personal favorites like Parajunkee's View & Mundie Moms.

The recipes in this book are quite easy to follow & taste really yummy! While I do not prefer the book layout (there is A LOT of white space), it's a fun book. I really wish it was a hard copy that I could put on my cookbook shelf. The blogger's notes on the books are also quite eloquent & add a little something extra to the cookbook.

All in all, I had fun reading this one & diving into the recipes. My personal favorite is the Fablehaven -based Fairy Touched Calico Brownies. Something about mint & chocolate is so yummy! Be sure to check out the other stops on the 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook blog tour for your chance to win a Kindle or a copy of this awesome book! Don't forget to stop by the 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook official site either. All the pertinent information can be found there!

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood

I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of non-fiction, but there are somethings that just beg to be read. When I heard about this book, and the non-profit that came out of this adventure, I was stunned and had to read it. I braced myself for the most boring, textbook-like reading that I was choosing to inflict upon myself. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite.

John Wood was a successful executive at Microsoft in the late 1990's (Director of Business Development for the Greater China Region). He had money, power, and success. Yet he found himself unfulfilled. John decided to take himself on a soul-searching vacation, but he definitely wasn't prepared for what he found.

In the Nepalese Himalayas, John discovered that he could combine his savvy corporate skills that had been honed by Microsoft and his compassion for the starved-for-books children he met on his trek. This book is the story of how he changed from a corporate executive to the head of one of the largest-growing non-profits in the nation, Room-to-Read.

It was fascinating to read about how John found the ability to create Room-to-Read. It was a long journey, with many complications, but he was dedicated to bringing these children the books and education that they so desperately wanted. The program started out small with just a few boxes of books sent to already existing schools and has evolved into a program that sends tens of thousands of donated books to schools & has even started building libraries and schools in countries like Sri Lanka, Laos, and Zambia.

This year Room-to-Read celebrates its "Year of Tens" 10 years, 10,000 libraries, 1,000 schools, and 10,000 girls educated. Head on over to the Room-to-Read website to check out how much they've grown and read up on all that they've done. The book was a great way to gain exposure and I'm sure we'll be seeing much more out of this wonderful organization.

Personal Note (PN): I fell so much in love with this organization that for my wedding, as favors, I made bookmarks to inform my guests that we would be making a donation in their honor to Room-to-Read. It was awesome!