Happy 2012! I hope 2012 will be a lot better than 2011. I was so sick for most of it that I don’t remember a lot of it. I am happy to say I am much, much better and no cancer!! YAY! I have meds I have to take but the most important thing is I am healthy and ready to tackle 2012. I am so ready to be back reading and having fun in the book blog community. I am back to stay! I have some changes this year. Being sick shows you that life is way too short! So I started a sister blog to ‘Til We Read Again called ‘Til We Write Again. This is a blog just for my writing and I will be participating in the Blog Dare by Blogging Moms. I do not anticipate a ton of followers but it is just something I want to do. I want to start writing again and I have put it on hold for so long being a mom, and doing this and that. I can’t anymore. I mean if I had died last year my dream would have been gone forever. You can find the blog here: (just in case you want to follow it) http://tilwewriteagain.blogspot.com

Another new change is my look! Do you like it? I have really, really gotten into designing blogs and flash websites. So when I made my sister site I wanted everything uniform and ta-da! I am loving it, I miss The Wizard of Oz but this one is cleaner and really reflects what the blog is about!

I am starting back accepting book reviews and I have a few of them coming up. Some wonderful books I got the privilege to read. I am hoping TLC book tours will take me back. I so loved being a part of that and the girls are so great, I really missed interacting with them.

However, the first book of 2012 will be this little gem right here

I have been wanting to read this for days. I got this back in November when it was first released but with the holidays and everything I haven’t had time to read it but I do now. I am so anxious to dive in! I won’t be posting every day; I really see no need in it. Also, giveaways will be far and few between. I really want to get back to doing the reviews and reading. That is why I started this blog J

I have missed everyone. Also, I would love to thank the two bloggers that wrote me on and off the last 8 months to see how I was feeling and to see if I needed anything. You guys were awesome and I love you for it!

‘Til We Read Again,

Bobbie

When I was approached to review this book and take part in the book tour I couldn’t jump at it fast enough. It is funny how fate or whatever you want to call it can knock on your door without even realizing it. When I accepted it was because I was intrigued. See when my daughter was five years old she had a major medical emergency and for the year and half after that she could not eat, anything. She was on a feeding tube and it was a nightmare. Dinners out were hell because she couldn’t eat and at 5 years old kids just don’t understand why they can’t do something. I wanted to read Mr. Reiner’s experiences. How did he feel? What did he think? How did he deal with no food? Then, the whole out look of this tour took a different turn. While not the same it is kind of close and enough for me to say “Was I meant to read this book?” I have been out of blogging for so long because of being sick and then I get asked to do this particular tour. Call it what you will but this is how it happened.

About a week after getting the book I still hadn’t read it. As many of you know I have been sick since Christmas. I have lost weight, no appetite, etc. Severe bouts of stomach cramps, the whole 9 yards. Finally the GI ordered a whole series of tests. I was diagnosed but am not comfortable with telling personal details but here is the kicker, I was put on a diet. I know you may be saying so what? However, this diet is torture for me. No meat, no dairy products, no processed foods, low sodium, low fat...you get the picture. Everything I love to eat was taken in a total of 60 seconds and I am mad. I love to eat and I love to eat good food. Now I am stuck on a vegetarian diet with vegan undertones that I do not want to be on and do not like. However, if I don't want to be sick I have to do it. Fast forward a couple of days.

I finally picked up this book and yes I have admitted the situation was different; however I found comfort in this book. Mr. Reiner is an inspiration. He went through hell and emerged. I now look at this a total different way thanks to him. This struck me in particular “I must lick this French fry. It’s calling me and I have no choice.” The day my diet changed my girls had been treated to McDonalds. I almost bribed my oldest with 20.00 if she would give me a chicken nugget. I knew what it would do to me but yet I still wanted it. It was calling me, I needed it. My body was rebelling against my common sense. It’s hard.

I love Mr. Reiner’s food awareness, as he calls it. In my opinion you’re not aware of the most basic things until it is taken away from you. I can’t stress how much this book was an inspiration. You must read it just for the memoir. It will stick with you long after you turn the page. During the holidays when you are sampling this, eating that this book will be with you. Every bite you take you will say thank you and you will be aware.

I am writing about my journey here: http://www.thoughtsofamotherwifeanddaughter.com/search/label/My%20Journey

GiveAway:

I am giving this book away. Rules are so very simple.

1. No PO Boxes, US addies only.

2. All you have to do is leave a comment below and a way to get in touch with you if you win.

3. Contest ends: December 15th 2011 at 12 AM EST

Til’ We Read Again,

Bobbie