Happy New Year - 2014

Happy New Year to all! Wishing everyone a health and happy 2014. Hopefully for me it will be a better January than last year when my dad died. I am looking forward to a couple of great trips, one on my bucket list. And many many books to enjoy. I am not familiar with Brad Paisley but saw this quote on another blog and thought is was perfect.

Merry Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas to all and good bye to 2013. Enjoy the holiday.

Snow Ice and Winter

Snowing today. Icy yesterday. Winter has arrived!! Last night was my book club's annual Christmas Potluck Dinner and Yankee Swap. What a mouthful! We always eat very well. And have a lot fun especially was we swap our grab bag gifts. Last night there were some pretty interesting gift ideas. There was a white wine cooler rod

which we all decided looked rather phallic! A planter of rosemary with ceramic herb labels in the shape of aloe leaves. A couple of scarves- always a hit. My two Banned book mugs were not a hit. First the one who "got" them doesn't drink coffee or tea and then the one who ended up with them didn't really need mugs. Who doesn't need more mugs? Oh well. Maybe next year I will figure out a popular gift- one that everyone wants! There was very little book discussion- in fact I actually missed it. I won't comment on the fact that it wasn't really well lead etc. We were all having too much fun. Which reinforces the fact that we don't do well with a book in December and the person hosting should not be the one leading the discussion!! Oh well. Our next book has been selected by none other than me!! Breaking one of our cardinal rules (you must read the book before recommending it)

A friend of mine suggested it to me this summer and she has yet to fail me….hope this isn't a first!

Bernadette and Charlie

Our next book is Where'd You Go Bernadette? I read this about 6 months ago so I will need to do a little review before next Monday's meeting. It is also our annual Potluck and Yankee Swap which is always fun. I finished Life After Life this afternoon. It was a very slow start and read for me. But once the main character Ursula grew up I found it more interesting. It took me awhile to get used to the idea of reincarnation as the tool to move the story along. Interesting twist on historical fiction. I was asked to sit on a committee for a one town one read project. Our town has a fabulous children's librarian who has lots of energy and tons of ideas. She suggested Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which was originally published in 1964.

as the book will be 50 years old next year! It will be fun with lots of hard work to pull this off.

"> Happy Thanksgiving to all!

It's National Book Lover's Day!

I copied this from RJ Julia Bookstore but all good reasons to love books! 1. Books can be your best friend. 2. Books are zero calories and don't require any batteries or charging. 3. Books make great conversation-starters. 4. Books mean never having to say goodbye. 5. Books are portable. 6. Books are instant entertainment. 7. Books transport you to wonderful places. While it is beautiful today- warm (for fall) and sunny and bright and the fall colors are spectacular (

have I mentioned that I think this is one of the BEST falls for leaf color in years). Too nice to be inside to be reading but I suspect the weather will change.

October post

My book group met Monday night to discuss A Paris Wife. Good discussion and my friend leading the discussion was really organized, had lots of information and had also read A Moveable Feast written by EH. Very interesting. And being Halloween (or close to it) the host had some Halloween themed goodies and decorations.

Here I am borrowing her bat tiara! Our next book is Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann. I have put in a request at the library so hoping it comes in soon. Meanwhile I am reading a book by David Hosp a somewhat local author. Set in Boston about the Irish Mob- a very exciting, murder/mystery. The fall this year was especially pretty with lots of color. Just a couple of pics taken one of the last times I played golf.

The pictures really don't do justice to the beauty.

Libraries

I have always loved libraries. Not sure why. But I do remember the excitement and fun of borrowing a book or books. I guess I grew up in a family that encouraged reading and learning but we didn't spend our money on buying books. And of course there was no internet and shopping was a big deal- you didn't run out to buy something just because you could or you wanted that item. Shopping malls weren't as plentiful- we had shopping plazas- strips of stores. Pretty ugly by today's standards. Anyway, I loved spending time in libraries. And still do. And I think I have instilled the love of reading in my two children who love to spend my / their money on buying books. One of the criteria when looking at colleges was checking out the library and was it any good, was the building beautiful (both inside and outside). Pictured is the library at Vassar College when my son was a student. Beautiful right? While today's libraries offer many new and different services from those of my childhood they are still a place of refuge, and learning and excitement. Books on tape, videos, computer services, inter-library loaning, online ordering and reserving and renewal ( I LOVE online searches and renewals!). This article that appeared in The Guardian by Neil Gaiman really resonated with me. Hopefully you will be able to open it. He gets libraries. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

It's been a long, long time

Well it has been a long time since I last blogged- almost a month. I have been reading- The Double Bind. Really good read- still trying to figure out the ending. Started The Paris Wife which is my book club's selection for October. Pictured is Hadley and Ernest early in their marriage.

It is a book that I have walked by in the store, past it in the library - just couldn't muster interest in it. Surprisingly I am liking it although I don't think I like Ernest Hemingway. Anyway, so far it is interesting and I have read a couple of reviews and learned a bit more about Hadley and Ernest. I did get around to organizing some of the piles and bags of books that have cluttered in the bedroom. I have a habit of collecting books and then either stacking them by the bed or putting them in bags where they collect dust until I go through the bag and pull out a couple to read. I removed a chair where I put things- because I just didn't bother to put them away. There was also a lamp. The original idea was I would sit and read in front of the fire place in the cooler months. HA! Never happened. So I took out the chair and the lamp and my husband put together a bookcase that we had gotten for my son for his dorm room (but then didn't need). I emptied two bags and pulled a few books off the floor.

I am enjoying the "less cluttered" look.

In memory of September 11th- twelve years ago.

End of Summer

Not exactly a beach day. So much for the last days of summer. It has been foggy, humid, grey, and drizzly for the past three days. The boats are out of the water and the beach box has been removed from the beach.

Finished The Golem and The Jinni- really liked it. Sorry to have it end. Returned it to the library and another new book caught my eye (when will I learn to just drop the book in the drop box.....?) The Kashmir Shawl. A little slow to start but now getting into it. My friend recommended The Lemon Tree so I requested that from the library. It was listed as on the shelf so hopefully that will come in next week. Looking forward to my book club weekend in Rhode Island in two weeks.

Surprise book

I spied on the new book shelf at my library The Golem and The Jinni. I heard a lot about this first time novelist and read a couple of reviews but I was not really sure it was a tale that I would enjoy. But for some inexplicable reason I picked it up and checked it out. What a surprise. I am really enjoying it. I like the writing, I like the story and in spite of the length, I can't wait to see how it ends. I had to renew it because I couldn't finish it in two weeks.

Prior to starting that I listened to The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohajalian. This is a historical fiction novel set in 1915-16 Syria and present day Bronxville New York with a focus on the Armenian genocide. Horrifying, and intense- I know little about the genocide but the book (even on tape) was riveting. Amazing to learn how awful people can be to each other. I don't usually listen to audio books because I find there are too many interruptions- I don't drive long distances etc but I found myself listening while I walked each morning. I had not read Chris Bohajalian before this but I think I will go back and read more of his work.

Book Lover's Day

Phew! Haven't posted in quite a while but thought today is a good day to write. Happy National Book Lover's Day!! It is pouring rain- blowing hard- so it is definitely a cup of tea with a good book day. I started listening to an audiobook on my drive to RI yesterday. The Sandcastle Girls. First, I can't remember requesting this title from the library and second I don't remember requesting an audiobook. It is so tiny- like a MP3 player. Just add earphones! Hopefully I will stay awake and focused on the story. Have read several really good books in the last few weeks. First, Afterwards.

A heartbreaking story of a mother and her daughter who are in the hospital after being rescued from a burning school building. Told from their perspectives (the mother is in a coma and the daughter needs a heart) it is moving, and compelling and a bit of a mystery as they (and the police) try to find the cause for the fire. They learn that people, families and relationships are not always what they seem. The ending was gut wrenching. I was hoping for a happy ending.....The next great read was Me Before You.

This is another tear jerker. I could not put it down. Even with house guests arriving - I just had to finish it. Amazing. Hooked from the first page. The story is of Lou who takes a job as a caregiver to a quadriplegic young man who wishes to die. Will not say more to avoid giving away any of the story. The third great read was recommended to me by a good friend who has not disappointed with her book suggestions. Another hit. The book is A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena

This story is of the Chechnya wars- a doctor whose sister had gone missing. A young girl whose father is taken away in the middle of the night and she escapes into the woods. And the neighbor who befriends her and takes her to the hospital where he hopes the doctor with care for her. There are several characters to follow and the story flips back and forth in time which took some getting used to but- wow. So intense, so horrifying (how can people do so many awful things to each other?) and so interesting. I knew so little about the wars but this has definitely tweaked my interest. Well I think that catches me up with reading. Time for a cuppa!

"Summer time and the living is easy..."

Finally feels like it is summer. Have been sailing on Sundays (as crew for a friend). Finished Code Name Verity. Not sure why I struggled with it. I usually love historical fiction especially of WWII but for some reason I just struggled. Anyway, it was a good read but slow for me. I then read The Roots of the Olive Tree which took only 2 days- hooked right away and really enjoyed the story of 5 generations of women who were long lived- their lives, their problems, their relationships. Have started Shine a YA book about a gay teen who is a victim of a hate crime and his friend a young woman who has been raped. I try to walk every day while in RI and sometimes I get some pretty good pics with the iphone while walking. This picture of a butterfly on a butterf

ly bush was taken in our backyard. Sometimes I surprise myself! I always say that I document an event- I am not the best photographer. Last night I went to my 40th high school reunion.

Almost didn't go- too tired, not sure who was going to be there etc. But so glad I did. Got caught up with a few classmates that I had not seen in years! The group that organized it did a great job. So hard to believe that it was 40 years ago we all graduated. We are all dealing with similar life issues- aging parents, kids in college and grad school, some with grand babies! A fun time.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July. The day started foggy and misty and cloudy and very humid. I walked in the morning, about 3 miles which is a nice way to begin my day. By lunchtime the sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and but still humid. Spent the afternoon at the beach- beautiful. The water was warmer than I expected and while I didn't go in "all the way" I stood in the water for quite a while. Just lovely. Have read several books- one an older Jodi Picoult- Vanishing Acts- quite good. Have started Code Name Verity which a friend recommended. I have (like so many) books to read. Looking forward to the lazy hazy days of summer.

Another year wraps up

Last night my book club met for the annual end of the year pot luck dinner. As a group we certainly dine well. We had a small discussion about Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I had read it about a year ago and remembered that I enjoyed it. But I also realized last week that I really didn't remember much of it! So I panicked and got a copy from the library and was frantically reading since Friday so I could contribute something to the discussion. The discussion was better than I expected considering a few hadn't read the book and usually when we do this meeting we don't discuss a book. When I look back at our year it had some ups and downs. Ups- weekend in Rhode Island, holiday party and celebratory dinner in May. Downs- Hurricane Sandy,blizzard in February, no meeting in April.

Rainy day

Well Tropical storm Andrea arrived. It rained pretty steadily all day Friday. Have been watching the hockey playoffs- rooting for the Bruins (my daughter lives in Boston). Reading The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. I had some trouble getting into it but it is still pretty good. The problem I have with a series of books is at some point they seem to be so contrived. I also picked up the latest Maisie Dobbs book and my husband gave me the second book in the Frieda Klein series Tuesday Gone. The first book Blue Monday left me really spooked. I almost never figure out "who done it" but even knowing who did it I was still left feeling very unsettled and "creeped out". My husband celebrated a big birthday last week. So he went and bought himself a trailer. He will use it to haul stuff which has already happened-mulch, a tractor tire. Oh and you can't imagine how many people think it is great ( because, you know, they might need to have something hauled....). The church altar guild held a recognition tea for my mom and another woman- two people who really got the altar guild organized and taught members of the guild how to arrange flowers, take care of linens etc. The flowers were the centerpiece for the tea.The sun is finally shining. Should be a nice weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend

Almost every Memorial Day weekend we head to our home in Rhode Island. When the kids were in school we had to stay around until Saturday afternoon, after they had marched (in band) in the parade. But now we can go up whenever. This usually means Friday or when the weather looks good. This weekend Friday and Saturday were supposed to be cold and rainy. So we didn't drive up until Saturday. Saturday actually turned out to be drier than predicted. Sunday I walked with my RI walking buddies (our kids sailed and taught sailing together for years). We had lots to catch up on. Both kids were there and we had two delicious dinners- steak kabobs Saturday night and grilled salmon Sunday night. We also streamed the playoff hockey games. Sunday while my husband was mowing and trimming around the rocks he uncovered a Jack-in-the-pulpit. Can't remember the last time we saw one. I did some reading- trying to finish Perks of A Wallflower. Interesting book but it really didn't grab me. I was reading it because I had heard a lot about it and now there is the movie. Thankfully it wasn't a long book. I had 3 coupons to Barnes and Noble so I stalked my reading buddies on Goodreads to see what they were recommending. I also checked my library catalog so I could see which books were available through any of the public libraries in the consortium. This is the view from our porch- Sunday afternoon and Monday were beautiful days.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, moms to be, step-moms and wanna be moms! We celebrated with a small cook out with my mom and her good friend who was visiting from Florida. We also celebrated her 91st birthday! Three generations pictured.I had a chance to do a little reading and finished Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store. I enjoyed it- a little slow to start but I kept with it and liked it. Maybe a 3.5 rating....starting The Supremes' at Earl's All You Can Eat. Last week I looked online for several books at my library. All four books had holds on them between 35- 50! I figured it would take maybe 2-3 weeks for any to come in. So I found 4 books on the shelf to take home. Well within 3 days all my requests had been filled so I have a lot of reading to do!

Celebratory dinner

Tuesday night my book group celebrated 15 years of reading together. We figured we had read at least 109 books as a group beginning with Memoirs of a Geisha. Over the years we have added and lost other members but have had a total of 21 people involved.We don't have too many rules but originally we did have one- you had to read the book before recommending it to the group. Later we added a couple of more rules- books should be available in paperback (clearly we formed before kindles), the host should not be the same person who selected the book- too much to guide the discussion and make sure everyone is well fed and glasses are filled, books that were over 400 pages should be suggested summer reads, and the person who selects the book is encouraged to provide some information about the author and have questions to generate discussion. A few years ago we instituted a time at the beginning of our meeting for catching up ( limited to about 30-40 minutes). We learned a little bit more about each other. Many of us had kids in the same school(s) and played the same sports (soccer, tennis). We have a holiday party with a Yankee Swap (usually no book discussion), a June potluck dinner with summer reading suggestions, and recently we have been meeting at my home in September, in Rhode Island, for a weekend gathering to kick off another year and select books for the year with the understanding that there might be a change or two but at least we have an idea of what we will be reading and can plan accordingly. We had a beautiful delicious catered dinner (Small Kitchen Big Taste- check out Karen's blog!) Our dinner started with and this then we had a yummy salad. We selected two main entrees- one of roasted pork and the other lemon salmon. Of course there were a few of us who wanted both so some plates had both with the roasted vegetables and polenta.. We were having so much fun I forgot to take a picture of dessert which was a brown butter roasted plum tart with brown sugar whipped cream. Delicious! It was a wonderful evening.

Update on reading challenge

My husband and I recently spent two weeks in Maui- after tax season. The weather was perfect- hot and sunny. The water was warm also. We saw turtles, dolphins and whales. Very relaxing. This is a picture of Makena Big Beach which is a state park. I really love seeing the orchids in the wild. I brought back two orchid plants- one that was a gift and the other for my mom who will be celebrating her 91st birthday next Sunday. Three books that I really enjoyed and could not put down were The Orphan Train The Language of Flowers and Blue Monday. Tuesday night my book group is having a celebratory dinner - 15 years of being together and reading together. Lots of ups and downs- mostly ups. Our dinner will be catered by a food blogger that I follow. Should be great!

Tragedy in Boston

Today was an awful day in Boston as I am sure everyone by now knows. Bombs exploding at the Boston Marathon finish line and at the JFK library injuring at least 73 and killing three. Horrible. My daughter, who lives, works and studies in Boston, called me to tell me she was okay. I was unaware of the bombs until her call. I have grown to love Boston as she has been living there (or close by) for the last 7 years. A city without that big city feel. Even though we joke about the crazy drivers and the Boston accent I like it. And now. Well now it isn't the same. I hope it can be determined who orchestrated this (although I have my own opinion I will wait and see if I am correct). I hope who ever it is is persecuted and jailed. I am sorry for those who died and their families, for those injured. I am thankful that there were so many first responders at the scene so quickly. While I am saddened by this tragedy I am also mad. Mad that this has happened. My daughter has always felt safe in Boston but now that feeling has been compromised. For her and for so many. My prayers are with those families who are suffering.

Another one down

On my journey to read a book a week I finally finished My Beloved World, Sonia Sotomayor's bio. Very good. Really very good. Very well written as to be expected, entertaining and insightful. Ms Sotomayor's journey to becoming a Supreme Court Justice was not an easy one but her dedication to learning and overcoming many obstacles is impressive. A glimpse into what it takes to even be considered for a position on the Supreme Court. Wow. I am not one to read many biographies but this was well worth it. In fact it was a library book and I returned it 5 days overdue because I had to finish it. I then picked up Wonder a YA book.. The book tells the story of a young man born with a facial deformity who has been home schooled for his entire life until he enters middle school. The story is told from different perspectives- August the young man with the deformity, Jack and Summer, two students who befriend August, his sister and well that is as far as I have gotten. It is the story of bullying and how people react. I am intrigued and saddened as I am sure anyone who reads this will be able to think of a situation in which a simple act of kindness could have made a difference but wasn't done. The author, J. Palacio, has called the book "a meditation on kindness" and it is about acceptance and tolerance. Can't wait to finish it.

On to the next book

Yesterday I finished The Casual Vacancy and A Brew to A Kill. Well I think I may have grown tired of Claire Cosi and company. I just wasn't driven to read this book and found it too similar to the Goldy Schultz series by Diane Mott Davidson. Not a bad story but just not great. My book club met last night to discuss Salvage The Bones. Well I was definitely in the minority - I didn't love the book, found it depressing in spite of being beautifully written and while glad I read it, since it has gotten awards and lots of hype, I was particularly grateful it was a short read. We did spend some time planning our 15th anniversary dinner party. I have been following the blog Small Kitchen, Big Taste and the blogger lives in the next town. So I contacted her and we have created a fabulous (sounding) menu for our celebration in May. Sorta exciting. Well why not? Food, drinks, good friends. Should be fun. And we don't have to cook or clean up! I started Sonia Sotomayer's book last night. So far so good.....

Moving on

This morning I finished listening to The Casual Vacancy. I had borrowed this audiobook from the library and could only renew it once so I was anxious to finish it before the due date. I learned a couple of things about myself and books on tape/CD. One, I really have to just listen to the story-not multi task as I tend to forget or not process what I am hearing. Two, car rides, long car rides, are best for me to listen to an audiobook. Captive audience. So I was able to listen to several CDs on Saturday when my husband and I drove to Boston to have dinner with our daughter, her roommate and her roommate's parents who were visiting from Charleston. I was advised to listen to The Casual Vacancy instead of reading it and I think I agree with this advice. It was okay- maybe JK Rowling was trying a little too hard to make a novel really different from Harry Potter and to make sure it was adult in content. Lots of adult themes- sex, substance abuse, angst, infidelity, teen issues (bullying, acting out,growing up,cutting, drinking, smoking, etc). The story takes place in a small English town and tells what happens when a member of the town council suddenly dies leaving his seat vacant. A real domino affect on the lives of several families. Things escalate and spiral out of control until the rather sad and dramatic end. I think I would have had a difficult time staying focused and interested in the print version but when listening (and it was well done) it was more captivating. Dinner was nice at The Melting Pot. The restaurant is fondue themed- so we started with a cheddar cheese fondue, followed by a house salad, beef fondu (coq au vin style to cook the beef) with vegetables and ended with a flaming chocolate turtle fondue (marshmallows, fruit, rice krispy treats etc to dunk). Very good. We always have a great time with our daughter and enjoyed meeting her roomie's parents. Now to finish my Cleo Coyle book so I can then move on to My Beloved World the next book club selection. Oh and book club meets tonight to discuss Salvage The Bones. I did watch Beasts of the Southern Wild which is a similar story. Just not my cup of tea.

18 and counting...

Finished The Storyteller last night. Another JP book that I couldn't put down once I opened it. I started A Brew to A Kill, a Coffeehouse mystery book by Cleo Coyle. This is a series my daughter introduced me too a few years back. Cleo Coyle is the pen name for Alice Afonsi who writes with her husband Marc Cerasini. A fun series set in a NYC coffeehouse. Now after finishing My Sister's Keeper I counted the number of books read so far this year. Remember my challenge of reading 52 books, 52 weeks? Well I have read 18 books in 11 weeks!! Off to a great start.

Finishing The Storyteller and Pi Day

Finished The Storyteller last night. Excellent. Really enjoyed it. Can't believe I had not read any of Jodi Picoult's books until this one. I did question the ending and the motive of Josef. Not to give anything away but I had to wonder why he assumed the identity of his brother? Hmmm. I immediately started My Sister's Keeper which most people consider one of her best. Totally hooked from the very beginning. And of course now that I started that the library called with a book I requested that needs to be picked up within three days. And today is Pi Day. 3.14. And tomorrow I will be a Pi Judge at the high school. My good friend is a math teacher and is the teacher in charge of the math honor society. Every year there is a pie contest on Pi Day (or the day closest to March 14th). Kids and parents can bake a pie, and there are 4-5 judges with a rubric (appearance, taste, slice appearance etc). I don't eat peanut butter so I don't taste any pie using that. One year my daughter won. The best part- well one of the best parts- is you get to taste all the pies.

Sunny Sunday

Today I woke up early - like 2AM OLD time, 3 AM new time...finally got up later than planned a sunny day. Most of the snow has melted. I read most of today's papers and then I had a burst of energy and vacuumed, dusted and in general picked up. I am not the best at keeping up with any kind of housekeeping as there is always something else I would rather do- read, sew, organize my sewing area, go through books. I have been listening to The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling as I work in my sewing room. I am enjoying it. 15 discs!! And I only have it for 2 weeks.

More snow

Today was a free day. It snowed last night and when I woke up there was about six inches and it was still snowing. Everything was cancelled- classes at the gym, meetings. Big soft flakes coming down. This is a picture of my street early this morning. Since I was away for The Blizzard I am not tired of the snow. Especially when it is this pretty. I put out more bird seed for the birds. And I just hunkered down. I did a little bit of organizing in my sewing area. And I continued to read The Storyteller. I am enjoying it. Why have I not read Jodi Picoult before this? The other night I baked gluten free banana bread using a recipe that my son had found on Yammie's Noshery. Very good. It passed the husband and son taste test.