Seaside Book Corner

Killing Lincoln: Book Review

2012-01-31T11:09:00.002-05:00

Killing Lincoln
By Bill O' Reilly
and Martin Dugard

Our book club selected to read, Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly for the month of February. Our book club stays in their comfort zone, and tends to read women's fiction, or suspense, not usually history.

This is the first book I read by Bill O'Reilly. I did not realize he was a history teacher. He's background improves he's credibility.

I am glad we went out of the comfort zone, and read something different. I wish we would read a few other non-fiction.   We have not selected any books for the upcoming months, lets see what is brought to the table on Monday.

Killing Lincoln, is about the plot to attempt to kidnap, and later to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the conspiracy, and the plot to overthrow the U. S. government.

The entire book you felt like you were reading a mystery, it felt like you were reading fiction.   It was light reading, not heavy on the scholarly side. This book is good for the average reader. I felt like I reading a newspaper article.

I thought I knew about the Assassination of Lincoln, and the assasin, John Wilkes Booth. I was surprised what also surfaced. I am not a history buff on the Civil War, and Lincoln, and the conspiracy, I can't tell you if it is historically accurate.

The Killing of Lincoln, starts at the end of the Civil War and continues with the assassination of President Lincoln, and ends with the capture of John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators.

On April 14th, 1865 at 10:15 PM at the Ford Theatre in Washington D. C. President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. John Wilkes Booth was a actor and a confederate sympathizer. He despised the Yankees, and was planning on kidnapping Lincoln. But, once the Civil War ended he's plans changed.

He had a group of men, other conspirators at the same time, he was planning on plotting to assassinate the president, he was plotting with others to help sabatoge the government and plot to kill V.P. Johnson, and State Secretary Seward.

Luckily the other conspirators were unable to carry out the hideous crimes. In the plan they were plotting to murder Grant, luckily he was going out of town.

One other conspirator, was a woman by the name of Mary Surratt, she owned a boarding house in Washington, D. C.. Booth repeately came to her home to see her son. To help plot the assassination and use Mary's home to store ammunition and weapons.

  She is the first women to hang. If you are interested you can rent the movie, the Conspirator. The movie is about Mary Surratt.

I remember when I was going to school, learning about Lincoln's assassination. All, I remember was JWB assassinated President Lincoln.

I don't recall my history teacher talking about conspiracy, and the other men involved. Killing Lincoln, gave me a new understanding what the feeling was between the country and the north and the south right after the Civil War.

The country was split between the north and the south after the war. They needed to unify the country. There was such hatred after the war. It was a time to mend fences.

I think, if it was not for Lincoln's assassination this would not have happened. The country after he's assassination became unified. This reminded me of what happened after the tragedy, of 9/11. Tragedy brings unification and mends fences. Perhaps this is why Bill O'Reilly wrote Killing Lincoln.

I will be posting after the book club.

I

Today's Incident: Bad Experience at Books A Million

2012-01-27T23:47:00.003-05:00

Books-A-Million, is one of my least favorite bookstores. It is very coporate, all business, the employees don't seem they want to be there, aren't book readers, the store does not have the comfy oversized chairs, etc, the set up of the coffee shop is not homey like Barnes and Noble.

The BN in Myrtle Beach, care about their customers, know their merchandise, are book readers, like the set up of their cafe, and the store itself.

I know most of you are independent bookstore supporters. But, because I no longer live in N.J. where there is a abundent number of bookstore. In Myrtle Beach, SC. there aren't many indenpendent book stores. Only Books A Million( which I detest), and Barnes and Noble. Not many book stores to pick and choose in a small tourist town.

I decided I had a bad day at work, I wanted to go to the mall. I was looking for slipcovers for my pillows. Could not find anything. So, instead I side tracked into Books-A-Million.

Anyway, like all of bibliophiles, and book bloggers, and lover of all things books. I finally selected my purchase, Gone With The Wind, and Running the Rift.

I was waiting in line to make my purchases. Then I was asked if I would like to buy a discount card from Books A Million. My answer was NO, and I thought that was the end of that.

But, than the cashier, proceeded to ask me, why not. Most people would leave it as that and end the transaction. Not this crazy cashier, he wanted a answer. Well, he does not know I am a book blogger, and I probably know more about the publishing world than he does, with all the research and reading I do about publishing and books. He was not ready for my answer.

I told him with hard covers coming out, and paperbacks coming out in 6 months, why? oh why? would I pay the same price for a digital book. When I know I can get a paper back for less than the digital book? When Books A Million will come out with a discount for a digital book than I would think about it.

He's answer is, That is not going to happen. He kept going on, and on. I was not trying out for the debating team. I just wanted to crawl under a rock, I was totally embarrassed why this employee wanted to argue about this.

Now, there were customers waiting, the line was getting longer and longer. I just wanted him to stop pressing the issue, and finish and let me leave. It was quite embarrassing. I don't know if he was just trying to impress the other customers on the benefit of the card since I told him my view.

Nobody should force someone's views on someone else, and that was what he was doing. For peat sake, I am the customer. He is waiting on me, not visa versa.

Next time, if I go into the store, and I am singled out again like that I will speak to the manager. There was no reason, to embarrass me, a customer.

I would rather go to BN, where I have been going there for years since I moved down here. They all know me in there, and treat me, with respect. But, now that I live farther away, working 40 hour week, with gas prices what they are and a 30 minute drive, I can only afford going down there every few weeks.

Just because he wanted to know why? I did not want to buy a Books A Million membership card.

Baker's Daughter: Launch Day

2012-01-24T10:05:00.002-05:00

Today is the day for the launch of Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy. I absolutely loved this novel. You can read my review here.

I don't usually do this, but for Baker's Daughter which I loved. I can't RAVE enough about it.

Sarah, has a website, and a blog that is wonderful to read. She is having a launch party, today on 1/24 on goodreads at 2PM, with another author Jael McHenry.

Jael McHenry is the author, of Kitchen Daughter Also a great read from last year. You can see my review here and recap of best books of 2011.

Y'all should check it out, she will be giving away some prizes, and a few of her books. You can also follow Sarah at twitter, and tell her that Susan at Seaside Book Corner sent you.

Congrats, Sarah, or as we say in hebrew Mazel Tov!!! You are awesome writer and I will be spreading the word everywhere, for anyone to hear me.

Readalong: GWTW Update

2012-01-18T10:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, now that I finished, chapter 1-7 of the read a long, I can now put my comments to paper, or in the blogger world, digital paper. I have never read, Gone With the Wind before. I have seen the movie several times, considered my favorite of all time with Wizard of Oz.

The book is much better than the movie of course. It fills the historical holes I did not understand. It also enriched the book about the family history. Scarlet's father was a poor Irish immigrant, and made he's fortune coming to the United States.

It never made sense why he did not have the southern manners, this explains it.

What she sees in Ashley I don't know. What a whimp. Both Ashley and Melanie deserve each other. They seem to be so emotional, and sugar and sweetness.

Scarlet, is opposite, self centered, compusive, and arrogant, she did not like books, and intellectual conversation bored her, especially politics, and the war.

Why throw yourself at him. This seems so totally out of character for Scarlet. She knew darn well, he was interested in marrying Melanie. The entire family knew that they marry cousins. Why fight it. I guess it was to prove she can change his mind and win, and her stubborness, and being a rebel.

She thought with her looks, she could win him over, and get her way. Was she just trying to prove something. Maybe she was not in love with Ashley, anyway.

She was looking for emotional suicide, I guess. I think I would have swallowed my pride, and went on to the next man.

I was shocked to find out that she became pregnant with Charles baby, her first marriage. Well, I will have to see how that plays out. If that makes a better story as a mother early on, or later.

One of the other members felt maybe she was experiencing postpartum depression. Come now, she was mean and self centered before, maybe a little more emotional after the baby. But, she did not care about her son. She was bad, bad, bad to the bone with or without post partum depression.

I was surprised with the ages. Could not believe Scarlet was 16, in the movie she looked like she was in her 20's.

Thank you for hosting, Kate at Literary Explorations, I am enjoying discussing as we read, very different than a book club.

Now on to chapter 8.

You Have To Read: Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy

2012-01-13T13:08:00.001-05:00

Baker's Daughter
By Sarah McCoy

The Baker's Daughter, takes place in Hitler's Germany with Elsie Schmidt, a 17 years old, and her family. They own a bakery shop.

At the same time we are introduced to Reba, a journalist in present day El Paso Texas. She has a boyfriend a Border Patrol Officer, Ricki.

She is asked by her editor, to get a heart warming story from the German Bakery in town. Reba tries to get the story from the owner, Elsie. But the owner is hesitant to tell the story. Instead Reba talks to her daughter, Jane.

Reba is not happy with the story, and continually comes back hoping to break the story. But, what develops is a friendship between Elsie, Jane and Reba.

The story goes back and forth in time. Reba realizes that there is not a happy heart warming story in Germany in 1945.

In Germany, in 1945, things were tough during the war. There is a incident that I will not disclose, you will just have to read it yourself. But, what I will tell you is Elsie accepts a proposal from her Nazi boyfriend., Josef. at a party both of them attend.

During the party, she hears a beautiful voice singing, by a Jewish boy named Tobias. Josef takes Elsie home, and she eventually meets Tobias, at her families bakery doorstep. She decides to hide him. This has proves to be a bad choice for Elsie, but heart and guilt can't allow him on the streets of Germany.

Elsie's sister, Hazel became involved with the Lebensborn Program in Germany. The Lesbensborn program was initiated because the German government believed the German population was decreasing. They wanted a a pure, Aryan race., blond hair, blue eyes.

Hazel, becomes involved with this program, at the time it was the right decision for most German women helping the fatherland. But, later on after the war, most women are sorry they were involved. She had a few children from a soldier she did not know. They were raised without their mother, in a home and strangers taught them the German way, they were indoctrinated, with strict rules how to be a '"Good German".
If you want to learn more about this, you can see the link above, it is a sad part of German history.

Reba, and her boyfriend Ricki and her early childhood intertwines into the story .The book seemed to parallel lives of each of their pasts. Your past, it will come to catch up with you, and haunt you until you learn to deal, and face, and do something to change it.

I want to warn you, that the copy I received was hard to read, it was a galley, and many misprints. I may not give the book the totally justice it deserves. But, I wrote, to the publisher and she told me she will send me a hard copy. As soon as the hard copy comes, I will do a update on my blog with Baker's Wife.

My Review: I saw this novel, on Goodreads and, it was recommended by Chris Bohjalian, one of my favorite authors. I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I saw that Edelweiss was looking for reviewers. I was so excited. But, now that I finished reading it, I have to shout and spread the word.

This is a novel, that kept me engrossed. A book that you don't want any interruptions. It kept the midnight oil burning, and you don't want to stop reading no matter what needs to be done, like work, housework, family, life, etc.

After reading a couple of dud in the last few weeks. I was happy to find Baker's Daughter. I don't know if I will find anything that lives up to this one.

The writing style, and prose was so beautifully written for example.

It hadn't taken long for their butter and sugar to come together outside the mixing bowl. For their love to mix together.

I thought her story was creativity, and unique. To use a story in Germany, and in present day America, was so different. I was getting annoyed, at times, because the author would switch back and forth, with the different characters, and then build up the momentum. But, I realized that this made you keep flipping the pages, to know what happens. This is a technique by some authors, that can be overused. But, it fit right with this story, to keep flipping the pages.

I loved how the author wrapped up the story and wrote the conclusion. The story was rich in historical detail. I liked that each chapter had dates, and places at the top of each chapter. Also what was interesting was the U. S. Border Patrol's job, and what their job entailed, and the story line of the illegals coming into the country.

The beginning of the novel, we enter the Bakery in El Paso, Tx. I think, the bakery was a important part of the story. I felt that the bakery was character. I loves books, that place becomes the character as well.

The sites, smells of the bakery was delectable, and I wanted to eat it up in the novel. If I could take it out of the pages and transport it while I was reading I would. Included in the back of the book was the recipes of the delectable, German pastries. Sounds so fattening.

The only thing missing, I thought, it would be nice to have detail of the historical events on about the Lebensborn program, and some historical background on illegals from Mexico coming into this country. Myself, I did not know about this, it would be nice to have it added at the end of the book.

The author used many parallel situations, comparing their situations.

Since I have always been a honest book blogger to my readers. The only part I have a problem with. It may just be me. I am sensitive to a story line like this because I am Jewish. The author seemed to try to compare the Holocaust to the illegals crossing the border from Mexico to Texas.

You can't compare the atrocity of the Nazi's to the Border Patrol's job. The U. S Border Patrol's, job is to make sure illegal and destructive activities did not take a foothold in the United States.

The Border patrol are there to protect people and our borders, and laws are imposed to prevent illegal drugs, criminals and terrorists trying to cross our borders. During the Holocaust, the third reich were there to kill anyone that was not of Aryan race.

If anyone would like to comment about this part of the novel, I would like to know if you thought the same. If anyone is a Jewish book blogger especially. I don't mean to offend anyone. But, this is my blog, and my thoughts and my interpretation of Baker's Daughter.

A interview with Sarah, and both of my favorite writers, Lisa See and Chris Bohjalian is written here. This is a interesting interview about the research, and the paralel lines of the story.

I don't think any novel, that I read this year, will live up to this one.

Gone with the Wind Read a Long

2012-01-13T11:21:00.000-05:00

This month, I am doing something totally different. I have joined a Readalong with Kate@ Literary Explorations. For the month of January we are reading Gone With the Wind, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the release of Margaret Mitchell's novel.

I have wanted to read Gone with the Wind too many years too count. But, unfortunately other books got in the way of reading. I have seen Gone with the Wind several times. But, always wanted to read the book. Unfortunately, I have seen it too many times, like every movie that is released after you see the book, I know what is going to happen. If I am going to see a movie adaption of the book, I either read the book first, or I don't read it at all, because I know what the conclusion is.

I decided anyway that I am going to join the read along. So far, though the book is not exactly following the movie. In the movie, it never explained the history of Tara, how it came to be. I am learning about the empty holes, and the history of Tara, and her Scarlett's heritage.

The book does follow her self centered life. I don't care about the war, You boys, stop talking about war, war, war or I am going to.....

Unfortunately, I think the read along is going to affect my book reviews for this month. I am going to see if I can possibly fit a couple of reviews in, but can't promise anything.

You can go to Literary Explorations hosted by Kate if you are interested in joining in. The actual discussion questions are on Goodreads.

World Book Night 2012

2012-01-04T10:26:00.001-05:00

To All Fellow Bloggers,and followers of my Book Blog of Seaside Book Corner. Y'all need to check out this awesome event.

The first World Book Night was held last year in the United Kingdom. There was such enthusiasm, that the hosts of this event decided to hold it again, and include the United States.
The World Book Night, is a response to promote reading in your community, that would not other wise have a book in their hand.

This is such a great idea, the idea is to get non-readers and light readers, and people in our communities that are less fortunate. To give them a book. It is geared to teens as well as adults.
It is also to promote people, that would not normally enter a library or a book store.

There are 30 books on the list that have been chosen to give a way. They have been donated by authors, publishers, other people in the book industry. The books will be specially made for this event. For more information, and how to participate go to World Book Night sight here.

The books I picked are:
Namesake by Jhumpa Lahita
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

The day was picked on April 23rd is International Day of the Book, chosen in honor of Shakespeare and Cervantes who both died on this day. It is also Shakespeare's birthday.

I am so excited about this event, this is a awesome way I can promote, my passion and love of reading to others that would not otherwise have a book in their hand. This could be busy mothers that don't have time to go to the library, to the busy executive, or the poor homeless person that doesn't have transportation to the library.

As far back as I can remember, I always had my nose glued to a book. That has not changed. Even if I am not picked as a giver, I still think this is a awesome event. Y'all who have the same passion of reading, check out the World Book Night sight, and check out the awesome list of books they are giving away.

Happy Reading!!!!

Judging The Book By It's Cover: Kitchen Daughter

2012-01-01T12:47:00.001-05:00

Which Cover do you prefer? The hardcover or the soft cover?

I prefer the hard cover book on the left. This is the cover that drew me in at first glance of the book. I understand why the change. Book covers can make the book or not. I think the first cover is much more mysterious. The second one, since I read it is decieving. The daughter is not a young child. I don't get the cover. In my view it should have been a young women, not a young child messing with the pots. But, who am I just a blogger. We bloggers, are much more interested in what is inside the pages rather, than a book jacket artist cover. Or are we? I just wonder who judges the cover and who has the final say so.

The paper back version a courtesy copy from Ayelet of Simon and Schuester. Thank you so much for the paper back version. I was curious to find out, if they would keep the art work of the hard back or not. I was hoping they would leave it alone. If they want a bloggers take.

This is my only criticism, is the cover.

The Kitchen Daughter, when the story opens Ginny's parents just pass away. Her sister, and the family come home to the funeral. Ginny is different she doesn't do well in social situations.She doesn't like to be touched by others. Ginny doesn't feel comfortable after the funeral with the relatives and friends visiting. The relatives, are interferring and her sister Ginny is domineering.

After they leave it is just her sister, Amanda and her left in the house. Amanda has family of her own, and lives a distance from Ginny.

Her sister doesn't feel comfortable with Ginny left in the house by herself. Ginny has Asperger's Syndrome. But, we learn later in the story, she was not diagnosed, it was just suspected.

As anxiety starts to take over, Ginny decides she is going to stir up some recipes. Each time she makes recipes from her dead relatives their spirits come to her. As soon as the smells disappear the spirits disappear.

My Thoughts: I am not going to ruin the rest of the story. First off I loved the book cover. That got me from the start. Isn't it unique?

I wasn't sure if I was going to like the story. It reminded me of another book, The Sadness of Lemon Cake. That one I could not relate to. This one I did. I just enjoyed reading about the spirits coming forth. It worked with the book.

The only person that Ginny relates to is Gert, she is a Jewish woman that has taken care of the house since Ginny was little. Gert asks Ginny to come with her to help set up a "shiva meal". She wants Ginny to help her with the cooking. Ginny agrees. This worked in the story, in Judiasm, there is lots of mysticm in our traditions. This worked for the story with the recipes stirred up the relatives.

There is a mystery that goes along with the story as well. This caused me to keep turning the pages. Even though if you are not a great fan in the spirits, or even cooking this was a lovely story.

Mixed into the story was the acceptance of her sister having Asperger's, letting her live on her own. Ginny's parent's never let Ginny out of their sight, never let her become independent. Her sister, Amanda did not trust her living alone.

I enjoyed reading Kitchen's Daughter, this is a awesome summer read. If you have a chance pick up a copy.

Book Review: Bean Tree by Barbara Kingslover

2012-01-01T08:57:00.001-05:00

The Bean Tree
By Barbara Kingslover

My own copy

The Bean Tree, is the story about Taylor. She is raised by her single mother. She thinks the world of her daughter and is glad, that she traded her husband for her.

Taylor doesn't want to be like the other teen age girls in the rural town of Kentucky, barefoot and pregnant at the age of 16.
Instead she chooses a different route, with her mother's encouragement, she gets a job in a hospital as a lab technician for 5 years. Until she buys herself a old dilapidated, old 1955, VW Bug, then she decides she wants to leave, and find her roots in Oklahoma, where her grandfather's roots are from, Cherokee blood.

She arrives in Oklahoma, and her car breaks down. While, there she is left with a Cherokee child, in her care. Which is ironic. Since, that was the reason she left Kentucky. Not be saddled with a child to begin with. She leaves Oklahoma, after the car is repaired with her new charge, named" Turtle", toward Arizona.

She arrives at a old tire shop, called Jesus is Lord Tire Shop. The tire shop owner named Mattie, she befriends and turns out that she runs a "Safe house for illegals". She becomes friends with a couple, named Estevan and Esperanza. They are illegals, from South America. They were forced to leave because of political tyranny.

Esperanza, has a void in her heart because she had to leave her daughter behind. She becomes very attached to Turtle.

In the meantime, Taylor becomes friendly with another fellow Kentuckian, LouAnn.
She just had a child, Ray. Her husband, a Mexican has left her.

LouAnn is a quiet, subdued young woman, she doesn't have confidence in herself.
Where as Taylor, is rebellious and upfront, and opinionated. They both decide it would be a good idea financially to live together.

Spoiler-Don't read any further if you plan to read The Bean Tree.

Turtle, is observed by LouAnn, and a few friends think something is wrong with Turtle.
She does talk, and very slow. It is slowly revealed that possible she was abused, sexual, and physically. Taylor takes Turtle to the doctor and reveals she is not 2, but actually 3 years old. There is a diagnosis" Failure to Thrive". This is due to poor nutrition, and poor interaction with people. But, because of Taylor's care and concern she eventually comes out of it.

LouAnn finally starts taking a stand for herself and gets a job at a Salsa Company. She becomes her own person, and learns to become self reliant, and independent. She develops a friendship that develops, and possible will blossom to something more, LouAnn hopes.

Taylor has to take Turtle to the physician because of a incident. Here she eventually is exposed. The social worker in Arizona find out. She has two options search out Turtle's true parents, and ask her to be adopted by her, and give her up to be taken in foster care.

The other, is Estevan and Esperanza have to leave Mattie's Safe House. Taylor at the same time has to go back to Oklahoma to search for Turtle's parents, she takes Esperanza and Estefan with her.

My Thoughts: I have been wanting to read, The Bean Trees for a very long time. It has been on my pile of books for years. Finally by my recommendation we are reading The Bean Trees for our book club. This is my first book I am posting for the new year of 2012. It is going on both of my challenges that I am participating in. Where are You Reading 2012, and Southern Fiction Challenge.

I am glad I read this novel, it was very different kind of book that I am used to reading. It was a breath of fresh air. It was at times sad, but uplifting at the same time. The author, knew how to combine the two to not make this not a depressing novel. She does make a stand, with her issues of illegal immigration, feminism, sexual and physical abuse and harassment, ecology, vegetarianism, and her science education, and Kentucky roots. But, she does not make it, so overpowering obvious.

The novel, was written over 20 years ago. Oops! This age me.

The book reminded me of living in the 1960's. I got the feeling of a hippie age, beatnik, take a stand, revolution. You remember the Beatles song, REVOLUTION? That song kept popping in my head, while I was reading The Bean Trees. This would have been a perfect book, for college students during the 1960's. With lots of social issues.

Motherhood, and community, was the large theme. what is the definition of a traditional family? What makes up a family? Several places in the book, I saw what Kingslover was trying to connect.

I l enjoyed the metaphors, similarities, comparisons, and symbols. Now, that I am out of school, I noticed the literary tools we used to have to find in our English classes. Isn't funny, that I notice it now, rather than years ago in English class some eons ago.

The part of the story that sticks out is the description of the Bean tree, and how it thrives.

The Title, of The Bean Tree, came from the description of the similarities of the Bean. The Bean needs to thrive from bacteria to make it grow. This is the same for friends and family allowing you to mature, physically and psychologically with emotional support. I loved this explanation. This is the author's science knowledge comes shining through.

My next post will be the book club reaction to the Bean Tree in a few days. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. If anyone has read The Bean Tree I would love to hear what your thoughts were.

Where Are You Reading 2012 Challenge

2012-01-01T08:45:00.000-05:00

This year, 2012 I am entering a challenging"Challenge". You ask, what do you mean? Because I am computer challenged, I entered a challenge that I could not last year. Because of the poor computer skills. It was Where Are You Reading 2011.

But this year, 2012 I decided I am going to challenge myself. It is not so much the books. But, to set up google maps. It is such a neat idea, I just had to do it this year. No matter how challenging it is. I forced myself to figure it out. I am 3/4 there already. It took me a entire day to figure it out.

The only thing, I have not yet figured out, is how to link up the blog post to the pix on the map. I did a google search, but nothing popped out. It is not terribly important, because I could leave with that until the end. Then figure it out. If any one can help me, I would appreciate it.

I am excited to start. It is your own literary journey for the year. I have wanted to read books that center not so much on the east coast, because it seems that is mostly where I read. I would like to read books that are on the west coast, and the middle states. I find most of my reading is where I am from the East coast. I don't know, if it is where most of the authors are from, or it's the publishing houses.

My first post, is going to be from Ky, I just finished reading Barbara Kingslover's novel, The Bean Tree. My post will come up today. If you would like to participate in the challenge, Where are you Reading 2012, just go over and pop in, and visit Sheila, at Book Journey.

                                 Happy New Year 2012 to all my readers, and fellow bloggers.
                                                To good health, peace, and happiness to all.
                                                   Hope we all have a great year in books.

End of Year Book Survey

2011-12-26T20:40:00.001-05:00

This Year I am doing something different, for the fist time on my blog I am evaluating my reading habits, and books I have read for the year, on Seaside Book Corner. I would like to thank Perpetual Page Turner for hosting, 2011 End of Year Book Survey.
1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

Unfortunately, there are too many books that I have read this year, too really pick one. So, I am going to give you a few reads, that I think meant something, or inspired me, and was a book to shout about.

This is not in any order:
Saving Cee Cee Honeycut by Beth Hoffman
Butterfly's Daughter by Alice Monroe
The Kitchen's Daughter by Jael McHenry

The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharyn McCrumb was not totally out of my comfort zone. Because I love history, and new cultures. But, because of the setting, I never cared about the culture there. Most likely, because of the stereotyping from this area. It totally surprised me. It is rich in history, and culture. I am spreading my wings in new tastes of books. I will most likely read more of this author.

HOW do you pick a favorite!?
I picked these top one's because they either inspired me, and did something to open my spirit. These books, helped me explore my inner soul.

Also, these books were out of my comfort zone, and made me think another way of picking my books.

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

Has to be Lipstick in Afghanistan. It was about a nurse that decides she wants to work as a nurse in the military. It was more of a romance novel, than anything else. Very dissappointed. I thought because the author was a nurse in Afghanistan that it would be more realistic. Very dissappointing.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry, I did not expect it be so well written. I just loved it.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

Butterfly's Daughter again. I recommended it on Facebook, and passed it on by word of mouth,and wanted to read it for our book club discussion, which we did.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Jael McHenry, Kitchen Daughter, I loved her writing style, and the story with truism mixed with mysticm. I only recently started reading books like this. I actually enjoy reading them.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Too my exicitement, lightbulbs, and fireworks ending for 2011,with the book by Sharyn McCrumb, The Ballad of Tom Dooley. I don't usually go out of my comfort zone. For some reason, I felt like I needed too. I am glad I did. I have never read her novels, and did not expect the book I did . I was expecting a mystery.

Also, Kitchens Daughter by Jael McHenry was out of my comfort zone.
9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

I would have to say, Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. I have read most of his novels, even before Oprah. I discovered his first book, Midwives while on vacation to Martha's Vineyard in a small book store, called Bunches of Grapes.

The book, was not what I expected. You can go to my blog and read my review. All I will say, it was very different from Chris's other books, it was out of his comfort zone, and I still liked it.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

11. Most memorable character in 2011?
Cee Cee Honeycutt has to be my favorite character. A young girl, living with her schizophrenic mother. Has a hard time dealing with her mother's death. Then lives with her aunt in Georgia. She has the courage to move on.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

The most beautifully written has to be Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe. How she described the butterfly's migration from the United States to the mountains in Mexico, was so beautiful, and poetic.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
I have to say again Butterfly's Daughter really moved me, and loved the spiritualism and mysticm of the story of the migration that paralleled with the story of Abuel's grand daughter from Millaukee to Mexico.

14. Book you can't believe you waited to 2011
That is one, thing I want to do different. I want to start reading books that have been in back of my mind to read. That has been published in the last 10 years. For example, Jane Smiley, 1000 Acres, John Irving, Margaret Atwood-, and Bean Tree by Barbara Kingslover I am finally reading, now for my book club.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody about?
Has to be the Ballad of Tom Dooley, to another person that loves the history and culture of the land of the United States.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

My best event that I had participated in, was when I went to see Mary Alice Monroe. She has to be the most generous person. I had sent a email to her asking her if she would like to donate to our temple auction. She sent me a couple books. That had to be the most memorable thing. The other was, when I went to the Moveable Feast, She actually took the time, to shake everyone's hand and get to know them on a personal level. I have been to book signing, in NJ. I have never seen a author do that. I think that will stick out in my mind forever.

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?

I have always, wanted to go to BEA, but unfortunately, this year and since I have been blogging I most likely won't for quite a while. But, I did enjoy the virtual BEA from Armchair BEA. I enjoyed reading everyone's posts, and what was going on, and the authors, and books, and the publishers that I have met online through my email. Thanks to Armchair, I would not have gotten so close. I love reading and sometimes participating from the sidelines.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
I think I was so excited when Beth Hoffman commented on my blog. It was on my review about Saving Cee Cee, and had more reviews than I had in a long time.

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.

I found several, but a few stick out in my mind, is Bookmovement, and Edelweiss. Found out what books are coming out soon.

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I set my goal at 20 books, on Goodreads. I did not want to set my goals too high. I finished the Southern Reading Challenge, and I did not realize I have read alot of southern fiction.

1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012

I want to read Gone With The Wind, in 2012. There is a readalong as well, in January. I hope I will be able to follow through.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, it is takes place in Alaska. One place I have not read. I have been reading novels that have realism mixed with magic. Like Kitchen's Daughter. Which I loved.

A couple creates a child out of snow. When she appears on their doorstep as a little girl, wild and secretive, their lives are changed forever.
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for a couple who have never been able to conceive. Jack and Mabel are drifting apart—he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone, but they catch sight of an elusive, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.
This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and leaves blizzards in her wake. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who seems to have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in the Alaska wilderness, life and death are inextricable, and what they eventually learn about Faina changes their lives forever.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
I would like to read novels, that take place all over the country of the United States. I read mainly the east coast, New England, and the South. I would like to read books that take place in different places in the country, such as the middle west, and West coast. More books that are Jewish themed. I also would like to attempt the Where are you reading challenge hosted by Reading Journey.

The other thing, I want to be more active in the book blogging community, with challenges, and memes. I will have to see.

I still want to thank one of my faithful readers, that always comments on my of my posts. Bermuda Onion. Even though I don't have a large following, I feel alone out there. I have thought about quitting my book blog. Then Bermuda comes along to write a comment.

Book Review: Ballad of Tom Dooley

2011-12-24T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Ballad of Tom Dooley
By Sharyn McCrumb

Library copy

This is the story of a murder, that takes place in Wilkes County, N.C. in 1866. The murder of Laura Foster was made into a ballad by the Kingston Trio. This is what intrigued me at first to read this.

The Ballad of Tom Dooley was recommended by a event that I went to in November, hosted by Litchfield Books, in Litchfield SC, The Moveable Feast.

The other reason, I chose to read this book, was I was getting bored, reading the same thing. I wanted a change. The Ballad of Tom Dooley, was totally out of my comfort zone. At my age, you are set in your tastes of reading. Quess What, folks!! I was wrong. I enjoyed reading The Ballad of Tom Dooley.

Y'all think you know the story of Tom Dooley, I thought I did. But, after reading Sharyn McCrumb's version, the Kingston Trio's version falls apart at the seams. Sharyn McCrumb did her own research, with the help of many people, including college professors, map experts, war veterans, etc. The only reason this is not non-fiction and is considered fiction because, there was not any documentation of facts and dialog written anywhere.

Tom Dooley, know actually as Tom Dula, and his lover Anna were accused of the murder of Laura Foster.

He was a Confederate soldier, returning from the Civil war.

Laura, and Tom were childhood sweethearts, she was a raving beauty, but she was very self centered. Anna married James, after Tom went off to fight in the Civil War, she knew he was not a good provider.

James Melton, was too busy working as a homesteader, he did not notice his wife fooling around with Tom, or he just turned a blinds eye, but the Appalachian Community noticed that she was fooling around.

To add to the story, you had the narrative of two voices, Pauline was the cousin of Anna and Laua, she was a conniving, tongue wagging trouble maker, that instigated the trouble between Laura and Anna. She moved in with Anna, while she was getting treatment for Syphillis, and stayed for exchange for her house work.

The other narrator was the lawyer defending Tom Dula, he eventually after the trial became the NC governor.

Both of the young ladies, if you want to call them ladies, did not have any dignity, or ethics of what was right or wrong. I think that was the way they were brought up. As well, as Tom he was a good for nothing, he did not work, and was extremely lazy, and laid on the fat of the land, and slept around. Everyone seemed to know what was going on, but it was accepted.

It seemed, that both parents knew that their adult 22 year old children were sleeping around, but they did not care. But, when the horse was stolen that is when Laura's father was upset, and wanted her to be found.

Pauline knew that Laura and Tom were not eloping, instead she knew that Laura had a beau, and she was planning on eloping the next day. Pauline asked Laura how was she going to elope. . Pauline suggested steal her father's horse. That actually was death, if you stole a horse at that time, and in that community. Her Beau was a black man by the name of Jackson, but for some reason, Pauline kept quiet.

This ultimately was the demise of Tom. Tom ultimately told his attorney that he was the only one that stabbed Laura, that Anna had nothing to do with the killing and the murder.

I am excited, as a book lover, and a book blogger that I discovered a new author. It does not happen often. Finding someone that you would like to read again. Too bad, I discovered her too early, this year to put in my challenge.because I wanted to use this author on my challenge that I entered, Where Are You Challenge. Oh, well.

Her writing, I did not expect to appreciate as much as I did. I had heard that she writes mysteries. But, I found that the stories she writes are adapted from a true crime event.

From a Yankee's perspective, I did not appreciate the Appalachian mountain culture, history, and the care these people had of their land.. After I read this novel, it changed my view point of the community of that area. The only thing I knew of the Applaccian mountains, was when I was a young girl, going to Florida, we passed the mountain side of Ky, and Tn. and saw the houses on the side of the mountains. Also watching the show, The Waltons. I never had any other exposure to their culture, and have never been there.

Most of the character's I did not care for. Because all of the characters, did not have any morals, or ethics and were not educated, knowing the difference of right or wrong.

What I liked, at the end of the book is the author's note. She told all the different perspectives and scenerios that were possible and not possible and why. The people that helped her with the research. The author's note explained the holes I did not understand.

It seems, that I am reading alot of Southern fiction lately, and I hope to find other books that capture me. I am so happy that I read this. Happy to discover a new author at the end of 2011. I am happy to say this is probably one of my favorite books of the year. I plan on posting in a few day a recap of my reading experience of 2011, with my favorite books. This is probably the fist time, that I can say, I discovered some author's that I loved, some I hated. Which I never explored before.

Happy Holidays To All My Readers, hope your reading experience this year was as good as mine. Thank you for following, and reading my blog this year. I hope you continue reading, as I do...

Very Valentine, Book Club Read

2011-12-13T10:07:00.001-05:00

Very Valentine
By Adrianna Trigianni

Very Valentine opens with Valentine Roncalli, a 33 year old living in New York City. is a member of a large Italian- American family.
Valentine, is a shoe apprentice, she lives and works with her grandmother,Teodora, a master shoe maker in Greenwich Village in New York City, called Angelina Shoes, founded in 1903.

Valentine is spyed on by a neighbor, on the roof of ther tenement, Roman. Valentine and Roman meet each other by her grandmother. They eventually become romantically involved with each other. Roman owned a busy restaurant, in town. Between her romance of Roman, and her shoe business she tries to juggle both.

During their courtship, Valentine learns that their family owned business, Angelina Shoes, is about to go into financial collapse. Angelina Shoes, are custom made bridal shoes that was started by her grandmother, and her grandfather since 1903.

But, of course Valentine wants no part of this. She is going to fight tooth and nail to save the business from ruin. Her brother, Albert wants their 80 year old grandmother to retire.

Valentine is invited to participate in a shoe contest. This is not just, any contest. Many of the major custom shoe factories are participating, but Valentine is not aware of the competition.

In the meantime, Valentine and her grandmother go on a business trip to Italy. During the trip Roman is unable to go to Italy immediately. Instead he will meet her in Capri for her birthday.

Her grandmother, while in Italy meets a old flame, and his son. She learns about her grandmother's love interest, and why it was hidden from her family. The father, and Valentine's grandmother become romantically involved again, after so many year.

While this is happening, the son takes Valentine under his wing and teaches her the art of shoe making. He teaches Valentine all that he knows about shoe making. She learns, to look at shoe making in a new way. As a art, and an expression of her love of shoes. She takes her shoe design at a new level.

I am not going to tell you any more of the story, you will just have to read it for yourself.

My Review: We read this book for our book club. I don't think I would have picked it up, for any other reason. I have read the Stone Gap books, the first one and I was not impressed. I could not connect to the characters. But, what a 360 turn around, I loved this book. I connected with the characters immediately. The story, just flowed for me.

Valentine's family was a bit quirky, but you fell in love with them. Her mother was something else, and Valentine's grandmother was a gutsy lady. You felt like you were one of them.
The story was full of warmth, and you could feel the love that was pouring out by the author.

The book, reminded me of Greek Fat Wedding, with the entire family getting in everybody's business. Everyone meddling, which was none of their adult daughter's affair.

I was given a copy of Brava Valentine, before reading Very Valentine. I was not thinking about reading it. Well, now that I have read, Very Valentine I am enchanted by the author's work. Maybe, not so much by Stone Gap, but her other works. I am going to pick up Brava Valentine, which is the next one in the series.

I recommend it highly, and give it 5 thumbs up!!!

Jewish Southern Experience: Home in the Morning

2011-12-01T09:15:00.001-05:00

Home in the Morning
By Mary Glickman
Courtesy of Open Road Media

Home in the Morning takes place in the turbulant years of the 1950's and 60's, in Guilford, Mississippi. The Sassaport's, are a well to do Jewish southern family living in Mississippi.
Jackson, is the eldest son, and is overly protected by his mother, a genteel southern lady.

Living in the south during the 1960's was horrible enough, but in this story the divide of White, Black, Christian or Jewish was worse. There were hazing, beatings, civil rights movement, and anything to cause the divide of White and Black. He becomes friends with a Afro-American boy, named Lil Bo'key.

In the house is Katherine Marie, a Afro American housekeeper. They become close friends. He's friend Lil Bo'key and Katherine Marie become boyfriend and girlfriend.

Jackson, a reform Jew eventually does leave Mississippi, to go to college at Yale University. He meets Stella Godwin a Orthodox Jew. They eventual marry and move back to the south. Where he rebuilds his friendships with Katherine Marie.

Jackson, has a younger brother that is coddled by his mother. He is troubled, lazy, and is often in trouble for one thing or another. But, he's mother always seems to help him out of the trouble he gets out of by paying someone off.

My Review: I read this novel, because the author is from Charleston, SC. Not too far from my house.

I picked up the novel, Home in the Morning because I liked the synopsis of the Jewish Southern experience during the 1960's. Has to be a great read, right. Sorry to say it was a let down.

Anyway, it took me about 100 pages in to finally connect with the characters, and finally understand what was going on.

Finally after the 100 pages, I was captivated by the story. I kept wanting to flip the pages, it was getting intense. But, by the end of the book, what a let down. I am not going to tell you, just in case you may want to give it a try. I did not like the ending it ended abruptly.

I think the author had a good story, but it just did not go anywhere. I really enjoyed one part of the story when the cousin, Lil Mo and Jackson ganged up and threatened his brother. I wish the author had done more about this part of the book. Also if she wrote about the Jewish Southern experience during the 60's, and Jewish-black divide. This would have enriched the novel, she did snipets but nothing more.

I really wanted to like this book, because of the reasons stated above. I really cared though for the characters except for Jackson's brother. There are many other readers that did enjoy reading this. I would still give it three stars.

Lost in Shangri-La: Book Review

2011-11-23T11:08:00.001-05:00

Lost in Shangri-La
By Mitchell Zuckoff

Lost in Shangri-La, takes place in New Guinea. There is a military army base at the end of WW2. On May 13, 1945, 24 military men, and women decide they want to take a fun trip. They want to take a pleasure trip into the valley, known as Shangri-La. There is plenty stories that has come out of the valley.

They are flying on the Gremlin Special into the valley, and then a fatal crash occurs. Of the 24 men and women, only three survive the plane crash. The three are hurt very badly, Margaret Hastings, John McCollum, and Kenneth Decker, are severely wounded.

How they trek on foot with their multiple injuries in the jungle. Worried they will succumb to health problems. Such as gangrene, sepsis, and eventually loosing their leg, and possibly death. How they were able to survive.

But, not only do they have to worry about the Japanese, and the jungle elements. But, the natives from a "lost Civilization". They come upon natives that are friendly as well as cannibals and headhunters.

It is a interesting story about how these three connect with the natives. The natives think they are g-ds that fell from the sky. They are from a lost civilization, where life is primitive.

We learn about how the rescue happened instead of a plane they used the invention of a glider, into the jungle. How they found the right people for the rescue team, and what difficulties happened along the way.

The story is not just about the survivor's survival, but a lost civilization of natives they met.
The author uses Margaret's journal that was found, to thell about their survival, the planned rescue, the culture of the natives, that lived in Shangri-La.

After the rescue this lost civilization, what happened to the lost civilization of Shangri-La? During the time the three were living in Shangri-La, there was air drops of necessities. The natives were curious of course. They wanted to become civilized. The world came to them, and modernized the natives.

The ending tells what happened to the natives, the survivors, and the rescuers. What fame did to them, etc. The book reminded me of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I wanted to read this because, I wanted to read something different. If you want to read to transport you,to someplace else than this is it. I am glad I read this book. I highly recommend.

If you want to supplement your reading, go to the author's website. There are videos that show the interesting rescue of the three survivors on the Gremlin Special.

This copy was borrowed from the library.

A Bit Late: Book Tribute to Moms

2011-11-21T20:29:00.001-05:00

Please Look After Mom
By kyung-sook shin

One day a elderly woman is lost on the subway in Seoul. One minute she is behind her husband the next minute he can't find her. The story narrative is each childs thoughts and feeling of their mother's journey during the time she is lost.

Where did she go all this time? Why can't we find her? How can our father loose our mother, and not know where she went? These are questions are asked all through the novel.

One of the children could not separate their mother from the kitchen. The one son thought her mother had no life, but living in the kitchen.

Her daughter thought her mother was in misery, but she was happy in her life.

Her eldest son needs a important certificate. But, it can't get to him. So, she decides she is going to trek and get it for him. What a mother will do to sacrifice for her own child.

Her children, I thought were very selfish, and did not have the time to appreciate, and care what happened to their mother. But, come to the realization while they are trying to find their mother, that she was a selfless, devoted and caring, and, do almost anything if her child needed her,

All the children realize toward the end of the story that they really don't know their mother.

At the end do we really know our mothers? Do we know they have another life outside of their children and their husband? Would we make sacrifices for our children? Most mothers do.

I don't want to tell you the end of the story. It has a unique ending. I thought this book was a nice effort to give tribute to all mothers. It is a mystery, suspense, and a literary story.

Would I rare about it, probably not. But, I am still glad I read it, becuase it made me appreciate my mother. I hope there will be other books that will be a love story to our mothers. Here is the NYTimes thoughts on this novel.

Book Club Discussion: Left Neglected

2011-11-15T17:20:00.001-05:00

Our book club had their discussion with Left Neglected. We had 14 people come to the meeting. It was a bit too much. There is one lady, she is our favorite. She is a snowbird, so everyone was glad to see her. But, the true problem she was talking to one of the members almost the entire time. It was disturbing the others. I did not want to say anything, because we were all glad to see her. But, maybe next time who ever is leading will say something.

I was the moderator for this meeting. I loved this book and knew there would be alot to talk about. The story was about a woman that was career oriented, overachiever, that wanted it all. She wanted to be able to have a family, and work 80 hours a week. Which is impossible in todays world. Something has to give. She was pressured from all sides, and felt guilty she could not give enough to her children. At the same time, she learns that her son, Chalie may have ADHD. One day, Sarah turns her attention to her cell phone, and everything stops.
What we loved about the book was how do you juggle both your work and family? Is it possible to do both? What was brought up, can a mother be a good mother working, and family at the same time. Some said yes, others said quality time is enough.

We all loved the relationship of the mother and the daughter. We all thought she made a more high powered independent woman because of her mother. Her mother was not there for Sara as she was growing up.

We like the rehabilitation phase, as this is when she learned about her self, and how to slow down and pay attention, and what was important to her.

Left Neglect is a true complication from a head trauma or brain injury. Your right side is effected, this makes your left side not aware of anything on your left side. This leads to washing half of your face, Shaving half of your beard, half of your makeup, and see only half of your plate, you did not realize the other half.

We all liked the comparison between Sara's craziness and her son Charlie's ADHD. We liked how they were both hyper- couldn't concentrate, but by the end of the book the both they were able to calm down.
Some members including myself talked about our children with ADHD.

Some women did not care for her Sarah, and very critical, they voiced that Sarah had no business being a mother. You either be a mother or a career woman. You can't do both. This was a hot topic as you can imagine.

What we all liked was almost at the end of the book, how Sara was able to change her life, and take a breather and finally pay attention and take notice of things that really mattered.

We all enjoyed Left Neglected, and we would recommend it to everyone. It makes you take stock, and learn, what to pay attention to. Good discussion for a book club. You can find Lisa's website at http://lisagenova.com

Scary Read: Night Stranger

2011-11-05T22:31:00.000-04:00

The Night Stranger
By Chris Bohjalian

Chip Linton, his wife Emily, and his two twin daughter, Hallie, and Garnet live in Pa.

Chip has been a accomplished pilot for years. On his last flight tragedy occurs. Some geese fly into the engines of the plane, and a forced landing occurs because of the stalled engines. The plane strikes the water, and crashes into Lake Champlain in NY.   39 passenger die from the accident, including a few children.

Of course,after the accident Chip has tremendous guilt, and sadness and loss caused by the accident. He can't live without thinking about the victims.

His wife, Emily wants to uproot the family and start all over in NH. Strange things start happening when the family move in.

Chip notices a door in the basement with 39 bolts. The same number of passengers that died on his flight. He later learns that there are bones in the shaft behind the door, human bones. You find out, eventually about the house. The house takes it own personality. The house had a family with twins. Whats up with twins? You keep reading, In the house, was it a suicide of one of the twins? Or was it murder?

Is Chip seeing ghosts,? or is he having a melt down?

The community of rural NH is strange. The town, the people, the women are not what they seem. Are they really herbalists?   What is going on in this town?

My Review:

I recieved a copy from Chris Bohjalian. I am a big fan of all his writing even before Oprah. I discovered his writing when I visited Martha's Vineyard many years ago. I have read most of his books. He's books are social commentary novels, not ghost stories.  Psychological suspense is not my genre, but willing to give it a try.

I thought it was interesting for the setting to be in NH, Since the area is very secluded, this worked for the setting of the book as well as the character of so called herbalists, and witches.

The one part that annoyed me, was telling the story in the second person. I don't usually like to read book as second person. Second person gets me a bit confused, and have to reread the paragraph to get who they are talking about.

SPOILER:

The novel is slow moving at first then builds up momentum of suspense, the 3/4 of the book it turns to something more. Are the communal of herbalists, friends or foe? Why are the herbalists so friendly to the children? We find out later why the communal of women need the Linton family children.

   IT IS STEPFORD WIVES MEET STEPHEN KING. These community of women reminded me of the Stepford Wives, why you ask? They were living in a area with a small population. The community of women and a few men were in on it.   Knowing what they were planning to do. But the main characters had no idea what was happening until it was too late, to get out. That is why I said, that the NH was the perfect setting secluded, it would not have worked anywhere else.

I finished The Night Stranger last night, a perfect setting, of freezing cold, and blistery wind whipping through my house. This is the perfect read for this kind of setting. I just wish I had a cozy fireplace.

The story scared me, gave me goose bumps, and I practically jumped out of me skin when my son touched me, towards the end of the novel. I still enjoyed it, and I am still thinking about it after a few days.

I thought Chris was very creative and original writing The Night Stranger. I would recommend this novel if you like more than gothic, ghosts and psychological suspense.

Pursue My Career

2011-11-01T22:08:00.000-04:00

Today, I have to post something that has been troubling me for the last few days.

There has been a lot of changes in my life, in the past few months. Many years ago, I left my profession of nursing, 1990. When my son was born. I was burned out... I did not think I would ever want to go back to nursing again( RN). Big Mistake.

I worked as a floor nurse in 1980's. I worked on a surgical floor, then cardiac, and then worked as a Psychiatric nurse, in the VA Hosp in Florida. It just got to me. I decided to become a stay at home mom till my son was 14. Then I decided to try being a caregiver to a elderly woman. I then decided to go back to school, and pursue something in the medical field again.

I tried Medical Coding, and decided the business end of the hospital was just not for me. I liked the patient-nurse contact. Then I decided to go back to nursing.

I could not pursue, nursing as my license lapsed. I talked to the board of nursing. I felt like I forgot everything. I decided I wanted to go back to nursing school and start over.

All my friends were cheering me on, to go for it. I decided to do it. I went back to college, and take some classes. I thought I could go right back into the nursing program, since it was 20 years, not so simple. I got accepted in the nursing program, but thought I could re-learn everything since I have not practiced. I found out, I can't do it that way. Since, I already graduated nursing school, the only way is take a refresher course, or take the NCLEX again.

It turns out my friend, that was gongho for me to take courses and pursue my dream, is not so gongho.
I don't why but now, she is telling me I am crazy!! I am too old to think of this. Most people think about retiring now, not going back to nursing. I am much younger than her. I don't know why she turned totally 360 degrees.

I don't know if she is jealous, because she lost her dream. She is always telling me she is going to do something, to jumpstart her career, but then she procrastinates. She has a idea, then she totally drops it. Then you don't hear about again. Then a few months later you hear about something else.

In the next few months, the refresher course will start. I plan on going for it. But, she acts like I am not in reality. Do you realize how much it is going to cost? She then says, How are you going to pay for lodging? How are you going to get there? She thinks I am a child, I quess. I have considered all these things. I don't know what her problem is saying this to me.

In January, I plan on going through with this. Finding out what I need to do. But, I don't need some friend bursting my bubble. Telling me it is ridiculous for a 53 year old woman to pursue her dream. I know plenty of women my age, that decide later in life to go back to their profession.

The review course I have to take will take me the most 6 months. But, so what, at least I am attempting it. If you sit back and don't try, you regret it for the rest of your life.

Thank you for letting me vent. I usually don't post things like this but I had to get it off my chest. Wish me luck!!

Sweeping Historical Novel: 22 Britannia Road

2011-10-28T22:25:00.000-04:00

22 Britannia Road
By Amanda Hodgkinson

This is the story of a newly married Polish couple, Janusz and his wife Silvana. Both swept up by the war, Janusz must leave his newly married wife and child Aurek, and report for duty. They are separated during the war.

Silvana and their son Aurek are forced to flee their home. They are forced into hiding in places you wouldn't dream of. They were forced to go from place to place and hope for the best. At times they were kept safe. But, toward the end of the war they were forced into the forest to live like animals.

Then, in alternating chapters we learn that Janusz is is hurt and separated from his unit. A family finds him, and their beautiful daughter, Helene nursing him back to health. They both fall in love. You don't find out what happens to Helene till the end of the story.

Janusz reaches England and asks the Red Cross to find his family. The Red Cross brings them to England and they are reunited.

Both Silvana and Janusz want to move on and forgot their past, and move on to 22 Britannia Road. But, it is not possible till they can forgive each other and accept what each one has done and heal each other, separately, and together.

Most of the story I can't devulged without ruining the story. I will tell you there are alot of twists and turns and surprises. The entire book played out like a movie in my mind.

One part of the story I was upset what happened. I thought to myself no mother would do that. But, once I was immersed in the story, and got deeper and drew me in, I forgot about it, and got over it.

In the beginning I did not care for the characters, but once I was captivated. I was just swept in by the story. Something like, "Calgon take me away". I think the story became more important than the character flaws.

What worked was the alternating time of place of Janusz and Silvana in Poland, and then in England.

I was very surprised reading this. I thought it would be a literary read. But, it was I felt a mixed bag of things, and I can't put my finger on it. But, it worked and I enjoyed reading 22 Britannia Road.

The Year We Left Home: Book Review

2011-10-19T13:59:00.002-04:00

The Year We Left Home
By Jean Thompson

This is the story of the Erikson family in Iowa, in 1973. The story spans 30 years from the time they are coming of age into adulthood, to their middle age years.

The story is about each individual family member, Anita, Blake, Torrie, Ryan and their cousin Chip, and of course their parents. Each of them, leave home, in different situations. The affect it has on them for them when they reach their 50's.

The confrontations, the battles, the tragedies, and the ties that bind them as individuals and as a family.What happens to this family, and turns the family to extended family, as Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother, Cousin, Nephew, Neice, etc.

There are three children, Blake, Torrie, Anita, and Ryan, and their cousin, Chip. At the opening scene, Anita is getting married. She pictures a perfect marriage and family. A house, with a white picket fence, with of course a dog and 2.2 children. Just like everyone else did, in the 70's. But, unfortunately, life does not go as planned. Her husband becomes a alcholic.

Ryan, has to find himself and his dream. He ends up working in computers. Somewhat of a loner. He marries, and has kids. Later in their marriage, they end up divorced, and he feels the kids don't care about him.

Torrie, the youngest daughter, is in a car accident. Torrie, is left handicapped with physical disabilities. Torrie feels her mother, smothering her and does allow her to be as independent. Torrie escapes by finding her creativity, in photography. Her mother allows her independence and leaves home.

Blake, has not much to talk about. He is just there in the background. He has a happy life. At the end of the story we learn his son, wants to join the military.

Their cousin, Chip is a drifter. He doesn't seem to ever get it together. The Vietnam War, has forever changed him.

My thoughts, I enjoyed reading this novel. I connected from the start. The Year We Left Home, is not for everyone. There is historical background, and politics that appear in the story. It is slow moving, but it was fluid, and came together. There was not any part of the novel that was disjointed.

I may have connected to the story, because I am middle aged. I don't think a younger person would have enjoyed, or related to the Erikson's as much. That is just my personal opinion.

I loved the ending of the story, and the character development. The author, did a good job writing this novel. I have never read any of her books before. I hope to read her other one's in the future.
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The only critque, I have is why Blake is not developed more in the story? For what reason, she did not give Blake more story line, and why Chip is in the story? I am not sure if Chip made the story more interesting or not, or was the author trying to put another spin to the story.

The borrowed this book from the library.

Book Review: Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt

2011-10-14T17:27:00.002-04:00

Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt
By Beth Hoffman

Cee Cee, is living in Ohio. She is a 12 year old young girl. She has to grow up fast because of her mother's psycotic ways. Her father, is rarely around for Cee Cee.

Her mother, Camille struts in to town most days in a tiara on top of her head and her old prom gown that she wore in a pagent in 1954.

When Cee Cee was small she did not know any better. She appreciated her mother's eccentric and crazy behaviors. But, as Cee Cee became aware of her mother's crazy behavior, she became aware that her mother was not normal. Her father conviently left town when things got tough for Cee Cee. Cee Cee was forced to grow up fast, and to learn to develop a tough skin, because of the gossip, and humiliation, and embarrassement her mother caused.

Her only friend was Ms. Odell, the elderly next door neighbor. She always watched over Cee Cee, giving her hugs, and grandmotherly advise. Her other escape was reading, she loved to escape into books.

One afternoon, her mother decides she wants to walk into town with her usual attire, her tiara and her colorful prom dress. Unfortunately, she is hit by a car.

Her father realizes, he can not raise Cee Cee. He decides the best thing, is for her to live with her Aunt Tootie, in Savannah Georgia.

Aunt Tootie, is a elderly, wealthy, and eccentric woman. Cee Cee meets Aunt Tootie's friends and neighbors. All of them are colorful and eccentric, and a bit off.

Cee meets her Aunt Tootie's housekeeper, Oletta Jones, her neighbor, Mrs. Goodpepper, and the town hussy, Mrs. Hobbs.

Her Aunt Tootie's housekeeper, Olletta Jones, is a godsend for Cee Cee. She finally learns to live, laugh, and have fun, and learn life lessons from all these colorful characters. Cee Cee has a entire summer to learn these life lessons.

My Review: I would like my readers to know that this novel was not sent by a publisher, but borrowed from the library. I truly did not know what to think about this small novel at first. I usually don't read books about coming of age. I am glad I read, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, I loved it.

Reading a story about a young girl coming of age from the south, in her perspective was refreshing. This book blew me away. I just loved the small little tidbits of wisdom, Mrs. Odell and Oletta gave her.

There were tears, laughter, joy, and heartache, I felt for Cee Cee, and all the quirky characters. Especially at the end, was all those mixed emotions.

Aunt Tootie had the garden party. It all came to a head, a confrontation between Mrs. Goodpepper, and Mrs. Hobbs, the town hussy.

I could see all these upper class ladies tongues wagging with gossip, and gawking at the spectcle.

The entire book, I was cheering on the side lines for Cee Cee. Cee Cee was haunted by her
mother's illness, and her past, but with the help of these women she was able to finally let go of her mother's past, and heal emotionally. With all these women chararcters giving her love, support, and encouragement along the way, especially Oletta, Cee Cee was able to let go and move on.

The book was a fun and great read, I recommend it highly. I am going to spread the word, and recommend our book club to read it.

The Story of Beautiful Girl

2011-10-04T08:10:00.001-04:00

The Story of Beautiful Girl
By Rachel Simon

This is the story about how four peoples lives intercept at a single night in 1968, and how it changes their lives forever.

Lynnie, is developmentally challenged, young woman, and Homan is a Afro American deaf young man. They are on the run after escaping,The School for the Incurable and Feeble Minded.

They find a farm house, and Martha a elderly widow. But, unfortunately, the authorties find them.

Lynnie is caught, before she is taken away she whispers something in Martha's ear, hide her.

This statement changes Martha's life. She names the baby girl, Julia and moves away.
Homan, in the dark night escapes the authorities. He discovers a new way of life, and learns life lessons, and makes new friends.

Lynnie is caught and taken back to the intstitution.   After a few years, society learns of the atrocities of the condition of The School for the Incurable and Feeble Minded. The school is closed down. Lynnie learns to live a semi- independent life.

Then they lives intercept again. I am not going to tell you how since that may spoil it for you. This book is so good, I am hoping you will read it.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed reading The Story of Beautiful Girl. It is slow in the beginning, but it grabs you from the start, and doesn't let go til the end. There is a bit of Jewish themes immersed in the novel, which made the story more interesting.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. The author used the voices of what she thought Lynnie and Homan would think and talk. At first I had a hard time grasping it, but after a while I started getting pulled in.

The story begins from 1968 to the present. I enjoyed reading Homan, and Lynnie's true voice, the separate lives they had, and what was happening to them. This made you want to keep flipping the pages, and wanting to stay up in the wee hours of the night.

The Story of Beautiful Girl, was part mystery, part suspense, part romance, and also social history, and social commentary, of what happed to the physically and mentally challenged during the 1960's.

When you were physically or mentally challenged, you were usually put away in a institution and forgotten and never spoken about again. The autrocities in these places were unspeakable.

Thanks to JFK, new laws were put in place to protect the mentally and physically challenged. The citizens that were physically and mentally challenged were not easily put in institutions. They finally had rights. Institutions started to close up.

Unfortunately, this left some of them with not a place to go, and left them homeless, and without medical care. You were fortunate if you had family to care for you, or at least look out for your welfare.

The author, Rachel Simon read a story about a deaf, Afro American man escaping a institution. She wanted to give him a voice, and tell his story what it was like.
But, also her sister, is developmentally challenged. She wanted to discuss the treatment and conditions of the developmentally challanged during the 1960's when she was growing up. How some people autrocized, and how society treated them before laws were changed. Her sister was lucky, her parents never thought to give up her sister to a institution.

The Story of Beautiful Girl, would be a good discussion for a book club. There is so much to talk about. I can't see why no one would enjoy this book, it has everything, like I said before, romance, mystery, love story, suspense, and history, and social commentary, and social history.   The social issue part of the story, stirs up your juices and gives you a voice. I can see many arguments in anger during this discussion, if our group decided to select, The Story of a Beautiful Girl.

Spoiler******
The only thing I did not like was the end, it was too predictable. The conclusion made a romantic happy ever after ending. But, still recommend this to my blog readers.

I am very glad I read, The Story of Beautiful Girl.   Thank you, Rachel Simon for a copy,

Little Bride: Book Review

2011-09-20T11:08:00.001-04:00

The Little Bride
By Anna Solomon

The Little Bride, is about Minna Losk, 16 year old, living in Odessa, the old country. She wants to leave the old country for a better life in America, as a mail order bride.
When she is little her mother leaves the family, and her father works in the coal mines, where he eventually dies tragically. Minna is forced as a young child to work as a maid sevant.

She then decides to become a mail order bride. She dreams of a wealthy life, with a wealthy husband and a beautiful house.

But, when she arrives to America she is sadly mistaken. She arrives to be picked up by her to-be-husband teenage son, Jacob. When she meets Max, her to-be-husband, all her dreams are shattered. Max is a strict religious Jew, much older than her, penniless, and a shabby house.

She was hoping to be living in NYC, in a beautiful house, instead she is in a desolute plains of "Sodokata". Max, has signed a contract called the Am Olam. This is a movement of Jews go out of the crowded city of New York, and move west to become farmers.

When she arrives, she finds Max, has two strapping teen age sons, the same age as her. She is attracted to his son, Samuel.

After a few weeks she marries Max, and settles into the life, and accepts what happens to her.
But, when the winter arrives, she realizes the hardship, and difficulties she is against during the grueling winter.

My Thoughts: I wanted to like Little Bride, especially since I had communicated with her. I feel pretty bad, about this review, since I communicated with the author. I have heard from others, that they liked. But, everyone has different taste.

Unfortunately, I could not find anything I liked about it. I The novel felt like a romance novel I used to read years ago. The novel was predictable, I was hoping for a better story, with intrigue, and depth. Most books, I read I like to read something new. I hope to learn something.

When I was reading this, I was seeing the TV show, Little House on the Prarie. I wanted something original. I read a book, a few years ago called Away by Amy Bloom. In the beginning it reminded me of that same novel. The hardship the young girl goes through. But, that is where it ends. In Away, I cared about the characters, this story I did not like any of the characters, and I could not connect with the story or the characters. There was something missing.

There was one part of the book, some of the scenes were far fetched. One part of the story when Minna marries Max, she is hidden by a lace scarf through out the ceremony, and into the dinner. That is far fetched.

I recently went to my first Jewish orthodox wedding. It is true that the bride's face is covered. But, after the ceremony the lace covering is taken off.

In the book, it is covered the entire time, and she dribbled everything all over her. I think after that, I really lost it. Books, don't have to be entirely accurate for a historical novel, but it just lost it for me after.

What We Have: Book Review

2011-09-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

What We Have
By Amy Boesky

What We Have is the story of a family of women. Most of the women in the family are predisposed to ovarian cancer, this haunts the author constantly.

Amy is a young woman in her thirties, she is a professor at a top college. She is on a time clock, because she is worried for herself, and her sisters. She is recently married, and would like to have children right away. Because if she waits she realizes she may not be able to have children. She is worried that she will succumb to Ovarian Cancer, like the rest of her family.

Amy's mother had Ovarian treatment long ago. She then went on with her life. But, researchers, were not aware of is, that just because you were "CURED" of Ovarian Cancer, doesn't mean that you can't get another cancer, Breast cancer.

Amy and her sisters,and father watched their mother succumb to the disease. There was nothing that could be done. She eventually passed away.

After her mother's death, Amy and her sisters had to decide if they wanted the blood test for the gene BRCA1 and BRCA2. If they find out the results are positive, do they go further with this and have the surgery to prevent the spread of cancer? What about their children? grandchildren? Sons?

My Thoughts: When I saw this memoir, I knew I had to read this. This story is my story in certain ways. My Mother, Grandmother, and Great Aunt all have a history of breast cancer. My Grandma and Great Aunt both had Mastectomies, and lived on for many more years. My Mother had a lump removed from her breast and had lympthectomy done on that side of the breast. For me, in my forties I had a benign biopsy, so far nothing yet has developed. But, I am waiting.

The memoir, does not take place now, this happened in the 1980's. This story is not just about the disease. But, also how the family coped with their predisposition to the illness, as well as their mother succumbing to the illness, and her eventual death. But about the close knit family, and how they coped with their mother's illness. How they became closer and what they did with their knowledge about the disease.

After I read this memoir, I wondered to myself about my family's predisposition of breast cancer. My I would not have the test to determine if I am predisposed to breast cancer. I also would not have the preventive surgery either.

I also thought of my brother's, even though it seems it runs on the female side. It also seems that there is a high percentage of prostate cancer that sons could get it. Also Jewish families.

The first 100 pages, I did not love the book. She was talking about marriage and babies. I was not interested. I was hoping the memoir was about women that are previvors. But, the book changed after to what I was looking for. I am happy that I continued on to read this book.

If you want to read more about the illness, you can visit the author's website. There are a few articles. This book is good for book discussions. To discuss the illness, with your families, and sisters. Good book to read alongs with family members( sisters, mothers etc.). I had a good discussion with my mother about this book.

I would recommend this to many people I know.

Favorite Novel as a Young Child

2011-08-11T22:42:00.002-04:00

Random House Readers Circle, posed a question today, and I started thinking about the books I have read since I was a book worm, and how my tastes have changed.

This is the first book I remember reading as a 16 year old. I have to say my tastes have changed. When I was a teenager, I loved to read gothic novels. Penmarric had a impact, because I can remember it was a 700 page novel. Since, then I loved to read romance. But, luckily my tastes have changed to literary style novels. During that time, I would read Victoria Holt, Susan Howatch, and other gothic, victorian romance novels, then I switched to romance. Now, I look at a Harlequin, or Danielle Steel with distate. How I read those novels back then.

Here is a bio on Susan Howatch : a British novelist, has given the world some great books over the past 30+ years.
First there were her family sagas: Penmarric, Cashelmara, The Rich are Different, Sins of the Fathers, The Wheel of Fortune.

Random House, also asked what was your first novel as a child you can remember. Did you like or not like the book? I remember reading, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms. What a wholesome book.

But, my two favorites were Charlotte's Web, and Pippy Longstockings.

As a young child, I remember Snowy Day as one of my favorite picture books.

What do you remember reading? any favorites? as a child, or as a adolescent?

Happy Reading, leave your comments. Would love to know.

Book Giveaway Winner

2011-08-07T18:25:00.002-04:00

Congratulations Dawn, of Too Fond of Books. you are the winner of Left Neglected by Lisa Genova.
Ayelet, of Simon & Schuster will be getting in touch with you. You are in for a great ride, right before the end of the summer.

Left Neglected Book Tour and Giveaway

2011-07-30T13:11:00.005-04:00

Left Neglected
By Lisa Genova

Dear readers, please forgive this review. I have had a problem posting with blogger at least four different days. I have been upset, because I had a lot to say about this novel. But, most of it has faded away. This is my favorite novel for the summer, beside Butterfly's Daughter. I like to read a book that has something to say, with some research mixed in. I could tell Ms. Genova did her research.

Thank goodness I had posted some thoughts on Goodreads. I am posting it from there. Please forgive me this time. As my life is topsy-turvy right now with moving, and finding a new job, and lots of different changes. I am sad about these life changes. But, I always have believed there is a reason for everything. So, I don't know what it is yet, but I am sure it will come to me.

Read on to my review: I may go back and revise in a few weeks when my life is not so crazy. I would like to apologize to my readers and to Ayelet from Simon and Schuester. I promised this would be up this week.

I am having a giveaway for Left Neglected. Leave a comment the one thing that causes you the greatest stress and did you do anything about it. The giveaway starts Monday August 1st, my son's b-day, till Friday August 5th. I will let you know the winner, on August 8th after I move.

I love the book cover of the paper back better than the hard cover. I like the texture of the paperback, and the color. Rather than the hard back of the navy blue.

Lisa Genova, is the author that wrote Still Alice, which I highly recommend as well. Lisa Genova is a psychologist and her expertise lies in neuroscience.

Sara and her husband, Bob have 3 children. Linus 8 months, and their other school age children, Charlie, and Lucy.

Both Sara and Bob have high powering, stressful jobs, and trying to juggle home life and work simultaneously.

While driving home, Sara has a important call to answer. But, the one second trying to find the phone changes her life.

She gets into a car accident, and everything changes.

In todays world, of computers, and phones, we are always multi-tasking and juggle everything in our daily life. Something has to give sometime. In this case it did.

Sara has not been paying attention in her daily life. She has not had time to pay attention and absorb anything in her life. Like the title of the novel, her life has been NEGLECTED,before the accident.

Since the accident the complication of problems with the right side of her brain, causes her not see anything on her left, or do anything on her left side of her brain does not register. This is truly a true disorder.

What she endures in therapy gives her a time to stop and absorb and think about her rushed life. Before she hadn't anytime to care about herself, or her family and her relationship with her husband, mother, and her children.

Also before Sara gets into the accident, her son has been having difficulties in the classroom. Sara and her husband are both asked to come to the school to for a school conference about their son, Charlie. The teacher observes Charlie's poor behavior with the other students and he's behavior in the classroom. What they learn is there is a possibility that he has symptoms of ADHD.

This is the first time I have read a novel that talks about ADHD. I have a connection and felt sympathy for the family. I understood what Sara and Bob were going through when they first learned about their son, Charlie's diagnosis.

I went through the same thing with my son at school. With being so proud when my son accomplished something. But, ADHD causes the child to be different and a outcast. The author touched based on this. She hit it on the nail how, us parents feel.

I liked the similarities of Sara needing to slow down as well as her son's diagnosis resulted in his behavior slowing down, I liked the parallel. Her son, Charlie, in the beginning of the story was fidgety, could not concentrate and always moving sounded similar to Sara's fast track life.

The only part I did not like was the ending. The story fit, happily ever after. I would have given the story 5 stars if it was not for this part. But, overall I liked the book and I kept wanted to flip the pages.

Thank you Avelet for allowing me to read, and review and host a giveaway. I hear that Lisa Genova is writing another one. I am not going to give you a hint you will just have to go to her website or her facebook page. She discusses her book there.

Good reading!!!

Borders Closing

2011-07-21T19:13:00.000-04:00

rders is closing, see what NPR has to say.

Sorry I posted below, but for some reason blogger is not allowing me to edit anything lately. I am really thinking of closing shop on blogger. Starting over on another host. Ever since blogger has changed their format, I can't change posts. My posts are not formatted right. I want to edit a post and it won't. So bear with me until, I get this straightened out. I hope this does not affect me loosing my readers. Sorry,

Post below is my thoughts on Borders Book Store.

Another One Hits The Dust: Borders Book Store

2011-07-21T19:01:00.000-04:00

Today is a sad day for the publishing industry and the book business. Most of the stores that are still in existance are questioning, will we still be in business, with E-books on the rise. Will patrons still buy a physical book. What happened to Borders? Will it happen to us?

My experience with Borders was living up north, in Paramus NJ. Beside Borders at Garden State Mall, we had two, yes I said two Barnes and Noble one different sides of the road, on Rt. 17, a mile apart.
We also did have a few independent book stores, one in Ridgewood, NJ, called Bookends. Then another one in Wycoff. Don't remember the name of that one.

I preferred going to BN, instead of Borders. I liked going to Borders for the the events. But, I did not like the layout. Barnes and Noble had the large couches and oversized chairs, and it had a comfy feeling. Borders did not, and either does the Indies. I left NJ about 10 years ago.

Now, that I live in Myrtle Beach, SC. We do have a Barnes and Noble, It used to be in Myrtle Beach, but since 2 years ago BN moved at the Market Commons( upscale shopping). The new store is sharp, and modern. With lots of chairs, and comfy. We also have a nice coffee shop there.

Most of the employees there, I have known for years. Since I moved to SC. It is the same people and feels like home. Sorry, to say I am not going to miss Borders. But, it is sad to hear of the closing.

It makes you wonder what happened. Did the competition of the big book chains cause the defunk. I am talking of BN, Amazon.

What is going to happen to the physical stores? Is what is going to happen to Blockbuster going to happen to the book stores? You will use the store to download your books? Personally, I don't think this is the end of the physical book. I have the Nook, and use it occassionally. But, I still love the physical book. I like when you can flip the pages back if you forget something. I can't figure the fangled thing, and takes too long to highlight. I would rather take a marker and highlight a book. But, I like a nook when I am going to the beach, or if I was traveling.

I think with the closing of Borders, publishers, and authors are taking stock. Thinking the end of book stores is near. I hope not!! Maybe the next generation. My generation still likes the physical book.

Turn of Mind: Book Review

2011-07-14T18:03:00.003-04:00

Turn of Mind

Alice La Plante

Copy as ebook

by Netgalley

Lately, many authors are writing novels about memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. It could be that the baby boomers are getting to middle age. This was a interesting read.

Turn of Mind is the story, about Jennifer, 64 year old widow, with Alzheimer's Disease. She has a daughter Fiona, and a son Mark. She has a caretaker 24/7, Magdelena staying at her home. Her friend Amanda, her neighbor is killed with 4 fingers severed off her hand.

Most of the time, Jennifer has a notebook that she carries around with her everywhere. But, it is unrealiable.

Police think Jennifer was responsible. But the problem is Jennifer's memory is detoriating. It is very interesting how the author plays with the confusion. There are several times myself I was confused and had to flip back the pages to understand what was going on. I think the author's technique of writing was very unique.

Out of the blue, Jennifer loses time. You are reading something, then all of sudden she is in the middle of the street with oncoming traffic. How did she get there? There are many times that the author had Jennifer come in the middle of a situation. Try and think of yourself, sometimes when you drift off and find yourself drifting back. How do you feel? A bit disoriented until you get your bearing.

Another time, when Jennifer left the facility, she befriends a couple of homeless men. They realize her facilities are not all there. But, they think they can con her.

After this incidence she takes a cab with not any money and she doesn't have shoes on. She arrives at her clinic ready to work. But she doesn't have her license any longer. Her fellow physicians recognize her. One of her fellow physicians says, I thought you retired. Then they all kept working. No one called to report something was amiss. I just think this did not fit the story.

There is a twist at the end of the story, I am not going to tell you.

The story is written in four parts. The first part when she is being cared by a care taker. The second part is when she taken to a nursing home. The third part when she escapes the nursing home wandering. The fourth part when she is taken back and the mystery is solved.

The novel is more about the illness, than the mystery of her friend Amanda. I enjoyed reading the story. Going into Jennifer's head, going from sanity to confusion to senility to confusion.

Going back in time when she was a little girl. At one point she thought her mother and sister were still alive. That I am sure can be frustrating to convince someone that they are living in the past.

But, like all other books dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, it is difficult to read, because of the subject matter. Visit NYTimes website for a nice review of Turn of Mind.

After you read this one, you may want to read another novel, that is very good it is written like a memoir, about Alzheimer's you should check out Lisa Genova's Still Alice. Very hard to read but is excellent.

Books, and More Books Arriving This Week

2011-07-14T14:29:00.015-04:00

Wow, this week has been a winner with all the books and gifts I recieved. First I recieved compliments of Book Club Girl, a tote bag with books authored by Mary Kay Andrews, Deep Dish. But, what I was really excited about was, Summer Rental. How great is that!! Check it out below.

These are the books that came this week:

Left Neglect by Lisa Genova
Storm Chasers by Jenna Blum
Maine by J.Courtney Sullivan
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
I Gave My Heart to Know This, Ellen Baker

Happy Reading!!!

Book Club Discussion: Butterfly's Daughter

2011-07-13T21:28:00.002-04:00

I thought I would post this for a laugh today. Look Above.

Our book club, 38th Ave. Diva Readers, met today.

What a book club it was. The last time we had this kind of meeting, was when Benay hosted it at our temple. We had 18 ladies attend. As you can imagine, when many ladies show up, it is a gathering.

The one thing I decided if more than 8 ladies were showing up, I would do just the usual munchies. But, because I thought only 6-8 were coming I would make it more elaborate. What a mistake, all of sudden 11 people show up. like always, some people didn't RSVP. Luckily I had made enough food.

But despite the large number of 11 ladies, only two did not show up. I was hosting this one. If you follow this blog you all know I read this a few months ago. One of the book club rules: you must read the book before suggesting it.

I personally don't like this rule, because I don't like re-reading the book again.

I decided I was going to do a food theme, based on the book, Mexican. There was lots of food themes to go with the book. But, I decided, main course would be Taco Salad. I modified the recipe added cilantro, black beans, and corn with the meat mixture, then added lime. I got the greatest compliments. Our members called to find out my secret ingredients, LOL!!, We are all Jewish ladies, some of our book club ladies follows kosher dietary laws. I decided to make Tuna Fish Taco Salad for the ladies that follow Kosher dietary rules.

I love flan, when I lived in Miami I used to be able to get it easily. But, in Myrtle Beach, not as easy. I found a recipe on line was intimidated. My son's Friend Dylan, helped me make the flan. I am not a baker, I did not realize you can liquify sugar. Learn something new everyday,me dummy. Anyway, he did a great job. Every one loved it. There was none left.

On to the discussion. The person that suggests the book is the person that leads the discussion and hosts it, thats me this month. Most everyone enjoyed reading the book. Because of learning about the metamorphisis of the butterfly, the migration, etc.

The parallel story about the Journey of Luz and her friends. Reminded me of Thelma and Louise. The life lessons Luz learned along the way.

Some members did recall, something amazing happening. One of our members, Benay recalled when her sister died, a butterfly showed up. She told us she did not believe it was her sister, but her daughter's spirit. But then two other butterfly's showed up, she believed it was her parent's spirit. This book is amazing and brings up so many beliefs and emotions.

A couple members felt the story was so contrived. I did not pay attention to that. I just liked the story, the hidden meanings, the journey, and traditions, carrying on the family.

One group member that has not been at our meetings for a while, showed up. She has monopolized the book club, always interupting everyone, and taking over. She did not do it this time. What a relief.

Our book club this month was successful. Everyone was respectful, and not one person interupted each other. Our book club had a lot to discuss with this novel. Our book club met for two hours.

I would recommend this novel, Butterfly's Daughter for a book club, lots to talk about. I had contacted Mary Alice Monroe a few months ago for the discussion questions. I am sure by now, it must be on her website. I also contacted MAM, for the milkweed seeds, and book marks to go with this book.

I would like to thank MAM, for all her help with receiving the book marks, the discussion questions, and milkweed seeds.

Kitchen's Daughter

2011-07-12T23:34:00.002-04:00

Kitchen Daughter
By Jael McHenry

I recieved copy from the publisher

This review is going to be short and sweet. I read this a few weeks ago, and don't recall all of the details.

The Kitchen Daughter, when the story opens Ginny's parents just pass away. Her sister, and the family come home to the funeral. Ginny is different she doesn't do well in social situations.She doesn't like to be touched by others. Ginny doesn't feel comfortable after the funeral with the relatives and friends visiting. The relatives, are interferring and her sister Ginny is domineering.

After they leave it is just her sister, Amanda and her left in the house. Amanda has family of her own, and lives a distance from Ginny.

Her sister doesn't feel comfortable with Ginny left in the house by herself.   Ginny has Asperger's Syndrome. But, we learn later in the story, she was not diagnosed, it was just suspected.

As anxiety starts to take over, Ginny decides she is going to stir up some recipes. Each time she makes recipes from her dead relatives their spirits come to her. As soon as the smells disappear the spirits disappear.

My Thoughts: I am not going to ruin the rest of the story.   First off I loved the book cover. That got me from the start. Isn't it unique?

I wasn't sure if I was going to like the story. It reminded me of another book, The Sadness of Lemon Cake. That one I could not relate to. This one I did. I just enjoyed reading about the spirits coming forth. It worked with the book.

The only person that Ginny relates to is Gert, she is a Jewish woman that has taken care of the house since Ginny was little. Gert asks Ginny to come with her to help set up a "shiva meal". She wants Ginny to help her with the cooking. Ginny agrees. This worked in the story, in Judiasm, there is lots of mysticm in our traditions. This worked for the story with the recipes stirred up the relatives.

There is a mystery that goes along with the story as well. This caused me to keep turning the pages. Even though if you are not a great fan in the spirits, or even cooking this was a lovely story.

Mixed into the story was the acceptance of her sister having Asperger's, letting her live on her own. Ginny's parent's never let Ginny out of their sight, never let her become independent. Her sister, Amanda did not trust her living alone.

I enjoyed reading Kitchen's Daughter, this is a awesome summer read. If you have a chance pick up a copy.

Book Giveaway

2011-07-05T11:27:00.000-04:00

Hi Y'all to all my fellow readers, I am hosting a book giveaway.
The book is The Talk-Funny Girl.

Here is the synopsis of The Talk-Funny Girl:

In one of the poorest parts of rural New Hampshire, teenage girls have been disappearing, snatched from back country roads, never to be seen alive again. For seventeen-year-old Marjorie Richards, the fear raised by these abductions is the backdrop to what she lives with her own home, every day. Marjorie has been raised by parents so intentionally isolated from normal society that they have developed their own dialect, a kind of mountain hybrid of English that displays both their ignorance of and disdain for the wider world. Marjorie is tormented by her classmates, who call her “The Talk-funny girl,” but as the nearby factory town sinks deeper into economic ruin and as her parents fall more completely under the influence of a sadistic cult leader, her options for escape dwindle. But then, thanks to a loving aunt, Marjorie is hired by a man, himself a victim of abuse, who is building what he calls “a cathedral,” right in the center of town.

Day by day, Marjorie’s skills as a stoneworker increase, and so too does her intolerance for the bitter rules of her family life. Gradually, through exposure to the world beyond her parents’ wood cabin thanks to the kindness of her aunt and her boss, and an almost superhuman determination, she discovers what is loveable within herself. This newfound confidence and self-esteem ultimately allows her to break free from the bleak life she has known, to find love, to start a family, and to try to heal her old, deep wounds without passing that pain on to her husband and children.

By turns darkly menacing and bright with love and resilience, The Talk-Funny Girl is the story of one young woman’s remarkable courage, a kind of road map for the healing of early abuse, and a testament to the power of kindness and love.

If you would like to be participate in the book giveaway, here are the rules:

The giveaway starts today till Sunday July 12th. Write a comment why you would like to read this book. Become a follower of my blog. Thats it.

Thank you for joining the giveaway, and good luck!!

We Band of Angels: Book Review

2011-07-03T21:09:00.002-04:00

Band of Angels
By Elizabeth M. Norman

We Band of Angels, is the true story of our forgotten women during World War 2. 88 nurse's were trained, by the Army Nurse Corp, and also the Navy, but not for combat.

They came to the Phillipines, for travel. adventure, warm weather, and action, and fun. But they did not know what they were going to have to use their intuition, their experience, and street smarts.

Here is the background history of the Phillipines:

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Americans and Phillipino's were in the Phillipines, on a base in Manilla. After a few days, the Japanese bombed Manilla. This forced the American and Phillipino troops to go to Battan. Once the military was in Battan, they were forced to the south of the Phillipines. Once there the Japanese forced the death march of thousands of Phillipino, and American military.

The famous death march caused terrible relations after the war for years. Because of this even, now Americans have a hard time letting go of this part of history. There were 8-10,000 men died in the death march. The Japanese military tortured American POW's many by starvation, torture, and physical torture. These men came down with terrible diseases of the tropics, Dysentery, and Malaria. The death march was a 65 mile trac to walk. Many men died. The the American POW's were treated terribl

We Band of Angels was written by Elizabeth M. Norman. Her parents were in the military. But she has never served in the military. The hard part getting her research was finding out if the military nurse's were still alive. Most of the nurse's were in their 80's. Ms. Norman was surprised that they memories were still intact.

The nurse's were not trained in combat. Most military did not know what to make of them. The nurse's did not even have uniform until the war. The uniforms they wore were not practical for war.

The nurse's set up Hospital #1, then Hospital #2. Both hospitals had several thousand men. The hospitals were not buildings. But were setup like camps in the Civil War. No walls, no roofs. They had anesthesia in the beginning of the war. But, towards the end it was so bad they had to use Ether. The last time Ether was used was during the Civil War.

In between the hospitals were tunnels( caticombs). Where supplies, and the nurse's slept, and some patients were staying there as well.

The nurse's were not prepared for what was ahead of them. Unfortunately they were not trained, or prepared for combat. They had inadequate supplies, low stock of medication, the nurse's worked 24/7 no matter if they were sick with dehydration or not. There wasn't any sanitation, the nurse's heard the bombing constantly. Soldiers, and nurses's were exposed to Malaria, Dysentery,Beri-Beri( protein defiency cause you not to be able to move your muscles.).

The Japanese rationed the food at first to 1000 cal./day by the end of the war is was less than 500 cal. /day. They had money in the beginning they were using to get food and supplies. But towards the end it was practically nothing.

Many Americans blame McArthur for abandoning our nurses and soldiers. He left and went to Australia.

The story of these band of Women was so unique, and their bravery speak volumes. Thank to them many soldiers survived and came home. The nurses did not want to leave the men when they came for them. What happened to these nurse's, and the soldiers was a turn of World War two, and changed the way we think of women in the military.

When some of the nurses were able to leave and come back to the states, The military was trying to glamourize the nurse's experience. By glamourizing their experience hoping to increase the recruitment of nurses. Around the time this happened one of the nurse's wrote a book about it, one of studios wanted to produce a movie called, So Proudly We Hail. Most of the women were not happy about it. They felt it demoralized them. They made up facts as well.

This is a unique story. I always heard of the terrible conditions, and the treatment of our men. But did no know how or when this happened. The story connected the dots. I am sorry it took me so long to read this book. It took 10 years to read it, and I am glad I did. If you are interested in this part of history, you would most likely read this book. I certainly did, learn about these brave women.

I am happy that Mrs. Norman told us what happened to them after the war. They did recieve a medal, but not the medal they deserved.

Still Alice

2011-07-02T21:47:00.003-04:00

Still Alice
By Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova, is a psychologist with a Ph.D in neuroscience. She self published her novel, and sold her books by word of mouth, and from the trunk of her car.

Alice is a 50 year old, married with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Her husband is a research scientist. She has three adult children already living away from home.

The book feels like you are reading a memoir. Each chapter, is set in the next month as we see Alice regress further and further from herself. The novel, starts before diagnosis to when she looses herself.

It starts with she can't find her keys, where her cell phone is, forgets what she is covering in class.  Not being able to recognize where she is. She chalks it up to the stress, getting older, menopause setting it. But, this is not the case as she is diagnosed.

As the disease progresses we see what happens to Alice, and how it affects her and her family. Alice loses her self and who she is. The only one that seems to help Alice with her feelings and emotions is her daughter, Lydia.

After a year passes, Harvard is concerned about her teaching. The director of her department is recieving evaluations from her students. The reviews are terrible, but honest. The dean decides she would be more useful in a advisory role, not in teaching.

   The story goes into Alice's head dealing with her feelings, anger, and her frustration as she looses her faculties.

My thought: This is a hard book to describe what I thought about it. I read this book because I like reading books that deal with mental disorders.

The book reads like it is non-fiction. Sometimes you forget you are reading a novel. What makes the novel unique is that she made her characters, into very educated people.

Alice, being a psychologist more interesting. This gave the book more depth.

I have always wanted to know what people with Alzheimer's are thinking. Because several times I am taking care of them. They look empty, they look like they are somewhere else.  Where did they go?? Are they regressing back to early time? What I have wondered why they can recall their long term memory? Is this because they can't remember short term memory? Or because they want to remember when they were little because it is a happier and safer time?

I have been talking to a few friends of mine about this book. What do you think of a book club reading and discussing this?

I can't see any of my members reading this. Possibly because if you have a medical disease, even if it is terminally. There is always hope. With Alzheimer's Disease it is a death sentence. You know there is not a cure, there is isn't any hope.

We have had a few member's that have family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Yes, they can connect with this novel. But I am sure it stirs up bad memories. They don't want to remember how their parent was.

This is a hard book to get through. I think anyone that is taking care of someone with Alzheimer's, or wanting to know more about it would become more aware what it is like.

I would like to praise this book, but at the same time it is hard to read. I hope this review doesn't stop people from reading it. Because I still think this is a awesome novel. I would also like to recommend a novel, that I am also finished reading is, Turn of Mind. A different perspective of Alzheimer's Disease. I will be posting on that soon.

Happy 75th B-day to Gone With The Wind

2011-06-30T19:01:00.002-04:00

Today marks the anniversary of the publication of Gone With The Wind.
There is special documentary, American Rebel. After the program there is a live chat on television broadcasting in Georgia. You don't have to travel far, just go to your computer. Here is the link to the program it starts tonight only at 8 PM.

If you are interested google, Margaret Mitchell and Gone With The Wind. There is are many resources on Margaret Mitchell and her book( only book written). There is a interesting site called, The Margaret Mitchell House, in Atlanta Georgia. If you are a fan, and live near the area that is a nice place to start

. She was a fascinating woman. She was a rebel, and a feminist before there was a name for that.

I have been a big fan of Margaret Mitchell. Loved the movie. But never read it. I think it is time to read it. It has been sitting at my TBR for quite awhile. There is a biography written recently also, if you are interested.

Winners of the Midsummer Hop

2011-06-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

Congrats to the winners of Midsummer hop, and my blogaversary giveaway.
Congratulations to Crystal, you won Ms. Haigh's novel, Faith what a great read. You will not be dissappointed.

The winners of the Midsummer hop for Best Staged Plans by Claire Cook, congrats go to Mamabunny 13, and Judy for Butterfly's Daughter. Please let me know your addresses within the end of the week. If I don't hear from you, I will be picking another name. Thanks for joining me at the hop. Till next time. I hope y'all enjoy your books and let me know what you think.

David Baldacci at Pawleys Island, SC

2011-06-25T21:07:00.003-04:00

I went with my friend Amy to go to see David Baldacci, at his book tour, One Summer. I have never read any of his books. But, I have heard that he writes awesome stories.
I have recieved a few books as galleys from publishers, but have not had a chance to read any of his work.

I have been to several book events at different book stores, where I lived, in northern New Jersey. I had seen some authors, through the independent book stores. I was able to see Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson, and the greatest Sidney Sheldon. My knowledge, how book events are run is not a novel thing.

I have been to Farleigh Dickinson University, where I have seen some great literary giants, such as Margaret Atwood.   At these events you learn how they write, and learn about the writer.

In the last couple years I have gone to the Moveable Feast, it is hosted by the independent book store called Litchfield Books, and the local gallery, in Pawleys Island in SC.

The Moveable Feast is geared more for the retirees that live here in the tourist area of the Grand Strand.
A luncheon, and the guest speaker( the author). The cost to attend is a hefty price tag of $25. This does not include the book. Both times I was happy about the guest speaker, but the meal was not worth the time. But, the guest speaker made up for the value of the meal.

A couple of years ago, I went to see Sue Monk Kidd speak at Pawleys Island Community Church. This year, I decided to go with my friend to see Mr. Baldacci. You could either buy the book and this included the book event at Pawleys Island. I did not buy the book, I paid $10 entrance fee to see him.

The book tour was very different than what I was used to. He was very entertaining. He did not talk much about his books. He talked about his charitable organizations for literacy, called Wish You Well, and what he does for the local food banks. What we found out a bit late, if you wanted to donate books, there was a box to place books to his organization. He also is planning with a couple other authors, like Jodi Picoult, and one other author, raising money for Mark Twain Foundation in the fall, at one of the universities in Conn.

Mr. Baldacci, I found out in most likely in his 50's. Too good looking to be that age. Unless he had plastic surgery, which may be possible. I could not stop staring.

He talked about his beginnings as a writer. When people started reading his books. What it was like to get on a airplane, and they were reading his novels. Compare him to John Grisham, pretty funny. He mentioned that one fan, told him he's books were too predictable. He did not find that out till the last page, but it was still predictable. The story, that stands out to me was when he was with President Bush senior, and his wife in Maine. It was pretty unbelievable. The parachute story was pretty funny as well. If you plan on going to Mr. Baldacci's book tour, plan to be laughing the entire time.

I was not expecting this at the event. I thought he was going to talk about his books. He was more of a comedian.   Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. But, I go for the literary talks rather than comedy. But, I still had fun.

There was something published a week ago in The New York Times. The question came out should book stores charge for authors coming? First, I did not know that most authors the publishers pay for their expenses. I don't know what is right or wrong. But, when you buy something, you want to see it first, like a car. You want to test it out, the same goes for the book.

Most people want to buy a cheaper book somewhere else. But, when you are buying the book cheaper you are supporting the author, and the publisher.  But, shouldn't a person get to see the author since he or she bought the book.?but online. In some respects I do see the independent book stores view, they do need to make their money. But then the buyer is out in the cold. She/he did buy the book, but not from the seller. I wonder what is right.

But, here is SC,We don't have a lot of choices. So I pay. But up north, there are other options. Personally, I want to help the independent book store. But, I hear alot from my book store friends they are angry. That he charges. What do you think? Leave your comment. This is a heated subject, if you get vulgar, nasty I will delete it, fair warning.

Hope You are having a nice weekend....

The Snowman : Book Review

2011-06-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

The Snowman
By Jo Nesbo
Ebook version

Bought by me

I bought this book on Ebook-nook version. The Snowman was out of my comfort zone. But I thought I would give it a try. Especially the reference of snow, would cool me down in the hot summer heat. I have not read any Steig Larson novels. It sounded very similar and decided to give it a try. Everyone was raving about his novels. I did see the foreign versions. I did not care for either, too gory, and too much violent sex. I thought I was missing something. Most of our book club members are in their 60's. Thought something was wrong with me, I have to give this one a try.

Wrong: It was very gory, bloody, raw sex, and everything in between. I assume most books that are written in Europe are more open about this. It was ok, for them. But, this is just not my style. I would prefer a good old fashioned Agatha Christy Mystery anytime.

For now I am going back to my familar genre literary fiction next.

It was about a story of someone is killing women with children at the first snow fall. Someone was leaving their signature, A snowman. Great time to read, about a snowman. Get away from the Sweltering, sun of Myrtle Beach.
I had a difficult time following all the characters, their foreign names. I think perhaps next time, I will write the names down and outline everything if I decide to read another book like this. The story did draw me in at first, but then after awhile I could not focus in. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Hard time following the story, and understand what was going on.

Perhaps that was because of the un necessary vulgur language, raw sex, It was heart wrenching, and heart pounding in the beginning. But somewhere I lost it. If you are intimidated by blood I would not recommend this book.

Everyone has different tastes. This one just did not do it for me. I struggled through the entire book. Perhaps because I bought it and I wanted to use my Nook.

There is another mystery that I will plan to read this summer, called Sisters. Hopefully that one won't be so gory, and vulgar.

Now, at this time I am going to read a Beach Read, I need a breath of fresh air. If anyone has read this I would, anyone care to explain to me parts I did not understand. leave a email.

Blogaversary Giveaway

2011-06-22T13:29:00.001-04:00

I was reminded today, it is my blogaversary. It just flew right by me. I can't believe a reader of my blog had to remind me. That was awefully sweet.   Beside the Midsummer Hop giveaway, I would like to giveaway a copy of Faith By Jennifer Haigh. Comment on my review below, on Faith and you will be in the drawing. The drawing will be today till next Sunday night at 12 AM.

I can't believe it is three years since I started blogging. I love the connection with fellow bloggers. The readers that stop by just to say, hi.   The author's and publishers that ask me to review their books, that most of the time I can't say no.

I am not kidding you I must have taken about three hundred, YES, I said three hundred books to CASA( Women's Shelter, to the hospitals, and a couple nursing homes).

This coming year, I would like to re-design my blog.

I hope to go to SIBA, in Charleston SC. It is a tradeshow,( Southern Independent Book Association) scale down from BEA. The BEA looks a bit intimidating to me. For someone that has not been there.

    I would like to connect to the local independent book sellers in Litchfield, called Litchfield Books close to Pawleys Island.   To promote, my  independent book store on my blog and the spread of good books. Not sure yet, how to approach this.   If any blogger does this, I would love a comment on your experience.

Thank you for stopping by...

Midsummer Eve Giveaway Hop

2011-06-17T11:05:00.008-04:00

I am participating for the first time a blog hop. It is being hosted by I AM A Reader Not A Writer.
The Midsummer Eve's Giveaway Hop is being run from June 21- June 24th. To participate you need to go to I Am A Reader Not A Writer's blog to hop along each blog.

Over 240 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. The hop runs from Monday June 21st to Friday June 24th.

What you need to do is become a follower on Seaside Book Corner on my blog, Network blog does not work is not considered a follower. Leave a comment on which book you would like to win and why.

I have Claire Cook's novel Best Staged Plans,
and Butterfly's Daughter to giveaway for the Midsummer Hop:

You have two chances of winning:
Go to which book you would like a chance to win.
Butterfly's Daughter, or Best Staged Plans. Go to my review and comment on my post and become a follower on my blog at Seaside Book Corner.

Have a good time at the Midsummer Blog Hop!!!

Book Review: Faith

2011-06-16T10:46:00.193-04:00

Faith
By Jennifer Haigh

Review copy sent by Harper Collins
Thank you Jennifer

Warning: This is a different kind of post. It is of course a review of the book. But, I am posting about my memories of a place that both the author and I share, Nantasket Beach outside of Boston.

Jennifer Haigh's new novel, Faith is about a scandal that happen's to a Irish, Catholic family.  The scandal is the molestation of a child by a prominent priest named Art. It is the story from each of the family member's perspective that draws the readers in bit, by bit.   Art, is the step brother from the previous marriage. Then Sheila, and Mike from another marriage.

The family grew up in a rough part of South Boston( which is termed, Southie). All of them have secrets hidden about their childhood. It was not a easy life for their mother and each of them.

Shiela has always been close to her brother Art. She comes back to Boston to help Art, by proving his innocence. Mike, Art's half brother believes his brother is guilty.   Art is asked to leave the parish, he doesn't fight for his innocence.   The family has a hard time understanding why, Art just sits back unless, he is guilty.

My Thoughts: I love Jennifer Haigh's writing. I first discovered her writing from her book, Mrs. Kimble. Which I would highly recommend as well.

Ms. Haigh draws you in right from the start of the book. I could see the reels moving. The entire book, I saw it in movie form. In both books this is how I view her books. I don't know why it has not been picked up for production.

Originally, I did not want to read this book. I thought it would go into religion.
But, surprised it didn't. But, she did write about some catholic rituals. But, even if you don't understand what she is speaking about, you will still understand the story.

I remember the scandal from a few years ago with the archidiocese cover up. Do I really want to read about it again? But, I was surprised the book, Faith was not about so much of the scandal, but the faith you have in people you know. Do you really know them? You lived with them for years growing up, do you really know what makes them tick? Do you think they would do something they are accused of? or wouldn' t they? That is the basis of the story.

I liked the techniques of each of the character's view of their brother. This drew you in and would not let you go till the end.

The story is a page turning, and suspense and twist and turns that you would expect from Ms. Haigh's books.  It kept my interest just like, with Mrs. Kimble.    I was not expecting the story to go as it did.   I will say, I was suprised by a few things, Sheila, and Mike discovered about their brother, Art.

I will be having a guest post with Jennifer soon.

One thing, Ms. Haigh and I share is the love of the South Shore in Massachusettes.
I enjoyed reading her discription of place. It reminded me of several movies that describe Southie.
I was unaware that she lived near Nantasket Beach, Hingham, Quincy, Braintree, that brings back fond memories when I was growing up. What a surprise, when I read her book and she mentioned the places I knew when I was little. If you ar Bostonian's, have you heard of Nantasket Beach(not Nantucket), or Paragon Park? If you have leave me a message to share.

My grandparents had a summer house there. Every summer when I was growing up, my parents would send me there. It brings back found memories.

My grandmother would take me to the beach everyday. Or on the otherside was the bay, we had to wear old sneakers, because of the clams that were implanted on shore.

My grandfather and I would go fishing and skin the fish. Yuck! Always ask him to bait the fish for me. Then my grandmother would skin the fish, another yuck! The smell was disgusting.

But, then the other smells, the baking would make up for it. My grandma Hilda's kitchen home made blueberry and Apple Pies. Think of wholesome(Father Knows Best). Grandma Hilda would measure crisco with water to make the pie shells. My mouth would water. Remembering one day, she left the pies out at the window, and nobody knows what happened, but a pie thief came by. That ended the sweet dream of a wonderful pie accompanied by the Brisket. Seriously, everyone from the neighborhood came by after dinner and come for a slice of pie, a la mode, or with velveeta cheese.

The Penny Candy store, this was a ritual for me every year, my grandparents would take me. The store looked like a orange pumpkin, with the eyes, as the window, and the door as the mouth.

Going to the bakery, for the black and white cookies, and the challah. Boy, the smells that came out of the bakery was awesome. I remember the corner drug store, with the fountain all silver interior. Think of Happy Days( tv show).
The best part was going to Paragon Park, the rides included were the Congo, and the Kooky Castle, the train ride, and the beautiful Carosel.  At the end of the day we would go to the Lobster Stand that was across the street to get a bite.

Unfortunately, I heard Paragon Park is not there any longer, and there aren't summer homes any longer. But, year long homes.

Can't post without a mention of the Hull Library.
One of my fondest memories was the library. The library was at the end of the town called Hull. You could see the cliffs. The ocean waves would hit the rocks. The library, must have been a old victorian home( gothic looking). It had the wooden floors, and smelled like books!!!. I remember, trying to find Rebecca, at Sunny Brook Farms.

I I hope you will forgive me posting about my my fondest memories, but I could not help myself.
If you would like to share your thoughts of Faith, please do. I would love to hear what other readers and book bloggers have to say about this novel.

Jerusalem Maiden: Book Review

2011-06-10T13:32:00.185-04:00

Jerusalem Maiden
By Talia Carner

Jerusalem Maiden, is about a young ultra orthodox Jewish girl, Esther Kaminsky. She is living in Jerusalem before the fall of the Ottoman Empire(this is today known as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Israel, etc). Young Ultra orthodox girls, are known as Jerusalem Maidens. They become of age at the age of 12 in the Jewish religion. Once they hit this age it is their duty to marry young and have many male children to hasten the arrival of the messiah.

Esther, the main character of the story has a artistic hand. Her art teacher notices her passion. She encourages her to pursue her art. But, the Jewish religion,
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"

She continues to draw without any one's knowledge. Her cousin Asher has a plan. Asher also wants to follow his art, music. He has a plan, marry me and we both can pursue our dreams and passions.

But, then tragedy strikes her mother, she dies. She believes it is her fault. G-d has punished her, because her mother dies. She puts down her art. Her father has arranged a marriage to a wealthy gentleman. At the wedding, just like Jacob, in the bible she thinks she is marrying Asher. Until her veil is lifted.

She becomes a dutiful married ultra orthodox woman, with many children and household chores. But, it is not as bad as the other women because she has married a wealthy man. Most women in Jerusalem are poor, and suffer the hands of the Ottoman empire, and their brutal husbands. . She does not understand the traditions and rituals of her husband. Because he doesn't follow them he isn't as strict with the traditions and rituals of the Jewish traditions.

Then opportunity knocks, she gets the chance to go on a trip to France. Then everything changes. Does she pursue her dream and passion of art? Should she forget about her responsibilities at home in Jerusalem? Live as how she was raised a Orthodox woman? or as a gentile?

My Thoughts: I did enjoy reading this book. I think this is a good Jewish book read. I will most likely recommend this to our book club. It is a great jumping off point to talk about women(especially Orthodox vs. other jewish women).

It did bother me when something tragic or something that did go the way she planned. This was g-d's plan. The synagouge, I attended since I was a young girl, always taught us you make your choices don't blame it on g-d. You can always do something about it.

I am a Jewish feminist. I don't believe religion and men should dictate and tell you what to do. Me, myself I don't think g-d wants to restict women. I think he wants women to express themselves and do what you believe in, as long as it does not hurt anyone else.   I think the entire message of the book, BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!! thats it...

When I was reading this book, I knew where this book was leading. Talia Carner, believes in women's rights in other countries. She also has worked for women's magazines.

SPOILER*******
The novel, reminded me of a book, Loving Frank. In both books the main character's left their children for their passion. In loving Frank, it was a man. In Jerusalem Maiden, it was her art.

But, that was the point of the story. I am sure there are many people that do pick up, at times in their life and are reckless and not take responsibility.

I enjoyed reading what life was like in pre-Israel, the religion, the culture. I was aware of traditions and rituals of the Jewish religion in the middle east compared to the United States is different.

I found it interesting to read about life in Paris for the art community in the early 20th century.   This is very interesting to me because modern art was just starting to take off.   I enjoyed reading about the incident of Picasso.

Also around this time in history, literary authors were coming from the U.S. to France, such as Hemingway, Fitzgerald and other famous authors.

But, most of all I enjoyed reading about the character's, and the different people that lived in pre-Jerusalem. There is a love interest and there are explicit sexual scenes. But, I think this is necessary for the book.

The book is separated in different sections of Esther's life, How the story intensified in different sections. I don't think I have ever read a book like this before. Jerusalem Maiden held my interest and won't be forgotten for a long time.  I wanted to keep reading and not stop. I am sorry the book ended. I loved the surprise ended.

This is not a beach read, and at times sad. The novel is based on the author's grandmothers life. I don't know if this book was aimed at the Jewish community. But, because I am Jewish, I immediately connected and knew the traditions and rituals of Jewish girls, and women.

But, I think for the general public, a glossary of Jewish terms is needed. Perhaps the author on her website can put a short glossary there.  But, there is another option, the book does change the type on words that do need translation. You need a computer handy, just google it.

Thank you Talia, for the review copy.

Book Club: Funny

2011-06-10T13:26:00.010-04:00

I would like to share this caption I found on cyberspace this morning. I can relate. Can you?
Post what you think.

Whats With Blogger

2011-06-10T13:18:00.006-04:00

First off, let me say I am not happy with blogger at the moment. Blogger just revamped the blogger posting site. I don't like it at all. I don't know what possesssed them. I can't figure out how to lay out my graphics to the post. It is harder to delete posts, now it is not close by. I do though, like the idea that it is no longer in a box. Anybody else I would like to know what you think.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-06-09T00:20:00.019-04:00

Hey everybody, Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday. WoW, is hosting by Breaking the Spine. What book are you anticipating for release. I am looking forward to reading Oriental Wife by Evelyn Toynton. It will be released in July by Other Press.

This novel is about two assimilated Jewish children from Nuremberg who flee Hitler’s Germany and struggle to put down roots elsewhere.

What book are you can't wait to be published.

It's Monday What Are You Reading

2011-06-06T12:27:00.000-04:00

Hi, Everybody to all my readers. It is Monday again. Go over to Book Journey to read what what other book bloggers are reading this week.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Book Journey, a weekly meme.

Last week I read:

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and Best Staged Plans
Both read and posted on my blog this past week.
This week I am reading:

Jerusalem Maiden
By Talia Carner

Esther Kaminsky knows that her duty is to marry young and produce many sons to help hasten the Messiah's arrival; that is what is expected of young
ultra-orthodox women in Jerusalem at the end of the Ottoman empire's rule.

But when her French teacher catches Esther' extrodinary doodling and gives her colored pencils and art lessons, Esther wonders of G-d has a special destiny for her. Maybe she is meant to be a artist, not a mother. Maybe she meant to travel to Paris, not stay in Jerusalem. However when tragedy strikes her family, Esther takes it as his warning. Sacrificing her yearning to paint, she devotes herself instead to following G-ds path. In the coming years, Esther struggles finding both comfort and repression in G-d's decrees. Trusting the rituals of faith while supressing her desires until a surprising opportunity forces itself into her prerordained path.

Skinny
By Diane Spechler

After her father's death 26 year old Gray Lachmann findes herself compulsively eating. Desperate to stop bingeing, she abandons her life in NYC for a job at a southern weight-loss camp. There caught among the warring egos of her devious co couselors, Sheena; the self aggrandizing camp director; Lewis, his attractive assistant. Bennett; and throng of combative teenage campers she is confronted by a camptivating mystery; her teenage half sister, Eden , whom Gray never knew existed. Now, while unraveling her father's lies, Gray must tackle her owne self-deceptions and take control of her body and her life.

The Beach Tree
Karen White

Julie first knew loss at the age of 12, when her younger sister disappeared from their backyard never to be found. At her once close knit family grew apart, Julie's mother obsessively searched for the young girl, and when her mother died, Julie took up the search. Even as she went on with life, discovering a love for art that she attributes to her painter great grand father, she never let go of the hope that she might find her sister.

Then while working at an auction house in NY, Julie meets Monica Guidry. A struggling artist and single mother who reminds Julie so much of her sister that she can't help feeling drawn to her and even a bit protective. Monica paints a vivid picture of her southern family throught stories, but never says why or how she lost contact with them. And she has another secret a heart condition that will soon take her life.

Feeling as if she's lost her sister a second time, Julie inherits from Monica a valuable portrait-as well as custody of her young son. taking him to Bilouxi, Mississippi, to meet the faimily he's never known, Jukie discovers a connection of her own. The portrait, which depicts a prominent Guldry family member, was done by her great grandfather and unlocks a surprising family history.

Can't wait to dive right in. What are you reading? or expecting to read this week?
I would love to know.

Great Summer Read

2011-06-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

Best Staged Plans
By Claire Cook

In a Boston suburb, lives Sandy and her husband Gregg, and their grown son. He lives with them in the" bat cave'. Sandy and Greg want to put their house on the market to downsize.

Sandy, is a house stager, a house stager is hired to design the house with furniture and decor to stage for the buyer.

Sandy is getting very uptight trying to get the house ready to put on the market. With shelves to be fixed, and floor to be re-done, and painting of the walls. Her husband and her son are not fixing the house fast enough and good enough for her expectations.

So when opportunity knocks on her door, " calgon take me away moment". She does what any woman that wants to pull out her hair and scream, ESCAPE. Escape, she does, she leaves Boston, to go to stage a hotel, in Atlanta. Thanks to her friend, Denise's friendship, she lands a job at a boutique hotel.

Sandy is very excited, this is her opportunity to see her newly married daughter, Shannon and her son-in-law, Chase. Sandy thinks this would be a nice time to catch up with mother-daughter relationship. But unfortunately, it does not work out that way. Shannon has to leave, for job training. Of all places back home in Boston. You talk about switch reversal, how funny.

She and her son-in-law are stuck together. He does, not call her mom, or mame, but a cross between. Her daughter calls her and asks her one night to make a home cooked meal for Chase. Sandy's idea of a home cooked meal is, going to Trader Joe's, to prepare one of those pre-prepared meals. She does pull it off. Her son-in-law, loves the dessert so much he wants the recipe. He doesn't even realize how simple it is. He thinks Sandy slaved over for hours making him a nice meal.

My Thoughts: This is my favorite time of year for reading. This is the time, I look at my stacks of books. Picked out my summer reading. This is my most reading I get done for the year. Mainly because of school.

I enjoyed reading Best staged Plans. It did not have alot of substance. But, for what kind of mood I was in. It was enjoyable. I loved the title of the book, it fits what was going on in Sandy's life. Does things go as planned when we want something bad enough? It always seems when something we want bad enough, there is a hitch.

There is a moral to the story, but not too deep, that it takes away from the story line.

Sandy life as a house stager is hired to fix home to prepare for the buyer. But, her home life is in chaos, at least she thinks so.

"I sat there and tried to let it all sink in. My house wasn't perfect, and neither was my life. And there's an emotional cost to new beginnings, a scary kind of letting go and heading into the unknown that fights with the part of me that wants to believe all the world can and should be staged. "

I enjoyed reading, Best Staged Plans. It was a fun romp of Sandy's crazy family and her best friend Denise. There was a incident that I am not going to disclose. But, it was so fun to read. They both did something, none of us would dare do in our right mind. But, in a book you can write anything. It is fiction. What I enjoyed, was reading about her escapes in Trader Joes.

I was sent this novel by the publisher. Best Staged Plans will be released next week, on June 7th. Thank you Claire, I hope y'all have a great summer line up of books to read, and lots of beach fun.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-06-01T13:17:00.001-04:00

This is the first time I am participating on Waiting on Wednesday meme, hosted by Breaking The Spine.

I have been anticipating Elin Hilderbrand's summer novels every summer. I like to read books that are not fluffy, but have substance to them. Elin Hilderbrand is my kind of author. The book I am anticipating is Silver Girl, it will be published this month. Looking forward to it.

Synopsis taken off from the website:

A sparkling summertime novel about best friends, love, and money from New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.

Meredith Martin Delinn just lost everything: her friends, her homes, her social standing—because her husband Freddy cheated rich investors out of billions of dollars.

Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie’s had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can’t offer complete escape, and they’re plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie’s brother Toby—Meredith’s high school boyfriend—arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had. Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: Book Review

2011-05-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
By Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Meet Major Pettigrew, 68 year old British gentleman. He was born during the colonial era, in India. He lives in Britain at Edgecombe St. Mary, in Rose Cottage. He is a staunch, uptight, obligated to his family, and opinionated gentleman, and clings to the old staunchly ways of the British.

At first he seems to be a proper gentleman. Think of PBS Masterpiece Theatre. You do, get the picture. Then as the story develops, you see the Major's character peel away like a onion. As you get deeper, layer by layer.

There is also Roger, Major Pettigrew's adult son. A selfish, a young gent. He has a American girlfriend.

Then you meet Mrs. Ali. A Pakistani woman, born in England. She owns a tea shop. A bit younger than Mr. Pettigrew. Their friendship savours over time. Also, in her shop is her nephew. Very traditional and observant in his traditions. This causes friction with them, and also Major Pettigrew, and Mrs. Ali's relationship as it grows.

In the meantime, you meet the villagers. They treat Mrs. Ali, as a outsider, but she is British born. But in reality who is the outsider? I think we are all at times we feel like outsiders. I think that is the point of the story.

At times, probably because I am a American, I did feel offended by what the character's thought of Roger's girlfriends behavior. I can't believe the author lives in the United States now.

The novel, was in the beginning starts with the death of his brother Bertie. After the funeral Major Pettigrew has a meeting with the lawyer to talk about the situation of Bertie, and Major Pettigrew's guns. He's father before his death told Major Pettigrew his wishes. He does not want the guns separated. If one brother dies, he wanted to keep the guns in the family.

My Thoughts: I read this for my book club. I usually don't pick up a story that is character driven. I enjoyed reading the novel. I cared about what happened to all the characters. You must savour this with a cup of hot tea and a scone. The story just peels away, like the characters like a onion. I loved how the author did this. There was a comedy of manners written in to the story that made it a nice read.

At first I did not care for Major Pettigrew, but he grew on you by the end of the story you started to care for and root for this gentleman to win over Mrs. Ali. You will have to find out that part by reading it yourself. The characters grow on you. I am still thinking about this after the story ended.

The story had romance, class status, gossip, culture differences, and a character study. I recommend this book, but you can't read this as a fast read, but savour it, s-l-o-w-l-y.

I loved how the author described Rose Cottage, and was very descriptive in explaining the house and the garden. Mrs. Simonson, gave me a "take me away Colgon moment". ( sorry if you don't know what Calgon is)

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was purchased by me.

If you read Major Pettigrew I would love to hear what you thought of it.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-05-30T10:23:00.000-04:00

I decided to start participating in one meme. I have never participated in any memes before.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by bookjourney.
The weekly meme, Is to share what we are reading this week, and what books we plan on reading next. Also visit 10 other participants blog for a chance to win a prize.

I am almost finished with reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. This was our book club pick for June.

Then I plan on reading a ARC of Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner, and Skinny by Diana Spechler. What are you reading this week?

Book Review: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

2011-05-21T20:43:00.002-04:00

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
By Gayle Tzemack Lemmon

Gayle Tzemack Lemmon, is a fellow and Deputy Director of the Women and Foreign Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2004 she left ABC News to earn her MBA at Harvard, where she began to writing about women entreprenerus in conflict and post conflict zones., including Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Rwanda. Her reporting on entreprenueurs in these countries has been published by the NYT, CNN.com, and the Daily Beast.

I enjoyed reading Ms. Lemmon's book about Afghani women. It is not just about the Afghani women. It also gives you some back history. For instance, I did not know during the 50's ,it was exceptable to wear European clothing.

In 1992, the Mujadeen took over, your heads had to be covered. The Mujadeen began fighting in the streets, with competing factions. . I learned about the history leading up to 9/11, the Russian occupation.

Before 9/11, I don't know about anywhere else. But, in the U. S, most people did not hear of Afghanistan or care about it till after 9/11. " Afghanistan was forgotten by the rest of the world. Turned off, but after 9/11, the United States notices them."

Most girls were allowed out with out a chaperone. Kamilia's father believed all of his children should be educated, including the girls. But, by the Taliban came into power, Girls were not allowed to be educated. They were not allowed out of the house. Kamilia became a teacher, but by then most women had been confined to their homes. They could not work.

They had to be covered head to toe. They had to be covered with the well know "burqa". They were prohibited in wearing high heels, no make up, Jewelry.

They could not speak to a man that was not related. They had to speak softly. They could not go to the market, without being accompanied by a male.

They could not be measured by a tailor, there wasn't any music, or any movies they were allowed to see. Not any fancy clothes. Or you would be beaten in front of everyone to see.They had to be made a example. Any woman had to be accompanied by a chaperone.( male or a girl younger than 13).

Most of the men that were left behind, were too old, they were killed, or taken to fight with the Taliban. Most women, still had to survive and if they were caught walking the streets they were beaten.

Ms. Lemmon decided to search out and find out if there were businesses run by women that were flourishing. She found one such woman. Her name was Kamilia Sidiqi, she is 17. She owned a shop that made clothing.

Both their parents left Kabul, to go up north. Because her father was a important politician that was retired in the old regime. But, her family was afraid that the taliban would think he would sell secrets. He was a danger to the Taliban. He, and and his wife went up north, and left their 11 children to their own devices. Except one of their son's left because he was at the age to be fighting along with the Taliban.

Kamilia was the responsible one. She knew she had to do something for them to survive. She decided she wanted to learn a trade. She wanted to learn to sew, this would bring income to the family. She realized that the economy was collapsing. But, women still needed simple clothing.

She decided she and her brother, Rahim( chaperone) would go with her to talk to the shopkeeper in the bazaar. He put his small order in. She was so excited. All her sisters and brothers went to work to make the order. Kamilia then went to a tailor shop. The owner was a friend, and he put his order in.

They realized that the business was growing. One room was their communal room, was now made into the business. All the material was laid down, and they got to work. Their sister, Malika was making wedding gowns as well. Their business started to thrive. Kamilia learned to have good business skills that made her business grow. Word got around and many people were putting their order in.

Other women in the community got wind of this, and came to Kamilia looking for work. The business was getting so overwhelming. Kamilia got a brain storm, to run a sewing school.

My Thoughts:

I would have been scared. I can see how many women would have given up. Women were not allowed outside without a chaperone. Most men were taken away from their homes. They were either killed or forced to be in the Taliban. Many women,were beaten on the streets, if they did not have burqa( if it was not covering head to toe), including the shoes they wore, if their shoes made noises, if there hands showed, if they shopped alone. Anything that would draw attention to themselves.

What could you do if you had no one at home, not a chaperone. What if you were living by your self. Kamilia's family was very lucky she had 11 brothers and sisters. But, what about women that did not have anyone at home?

You needed to get food and supplies for your yourself. What terrible conditions they lived in. But, Kamilia and her sisters found a way. What inspiration. I truly loved reading this bookThis book gave us a inside view of what Afghanistan is like for young women.

She was a good inspiration for her family and the people of Afghanistan. To show even in hard times there were women that survived and able to do good for her community.

I enjoyed reading Dressmaker of Khair Khana, it gave us a open eye view what it was like for women in Afghanistan before and after 9/11. She gave us the politics, and the history of Afghanistan,women's hardships.

I am very glad I read this book and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in Woman's rights, and Women's health issues, and the issues of Afghanistan. There is a nice article you can read here about her work in Afghanistan.

Book Review: Lipstick in Afghanistan

2011-05-16T14:08:00.002-04:00

Lipstick in Afghanistan
By Robeta Gately

Gripped by haunting magazine images of starving refugees, Elsa has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a teenager. Of leaving her humble working-class Boston neighborhood to help people whose lives are far more difficult than her own. No one in her family has ever escaped poverty, but Elsa has a secret weapon: a tube of lipstick she found in her older sister's bureau. Wearing it never fails to raise her spirits and cement her determination. With lipstick on, she can do anything-even travel alone to war-torn Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11.

But violent nights as an ER nurse in South Boston could not prepare Elsa for the devastation she witnesses at the small medical clinic she runs in Bamiyan. As she struggles to prove herself to the Afghan doctors and local villagers she begins a forbidden romance with her only confidant, a charming special forces soldier. Then a tube of lipstick she finds in the aftermath of a tragic bus bombing leads her to another life-changing friendship. In her neighbor Parween, Elsa finds a kindred spirit, fiery and generous. Together, the two women risk their lives to save friends and family from the worst excesses of the Taliban. But when the war waging around them threatens their own survival, Elsa discovers her only hope is to unveil the warrior within.

My Thoughts: My brother, Robert Curtis has been a photojournalist for the Military Times, before 9/11. I wanted to know what it was like for him over there, just to get a taste.

I contacted Roberta Gately after seeing the novel in the book store. I wanted to read a story not   from a journalist's view, and not from the military standpoint.

The story, about a nurse I thought would get the human side of the the Afghan's people. The story of a nurse going to Afghanistan after 9/11 intrigued me.

First off I loved the title of the book. That grabbed me right from the start. The story was about four women, Parween, Mariam, Elsa, and Amina.   How, she was able to form a bound with these four women because of a tube of lipstick. I liked that aspect of the story.

I wished that there were more aspects of the story about the families, the poverty and the devastation of the Afghan's people.  I was expecting to read about the health conditions of the people, the health care, the illnesses.

But, the author wrote minimally about this. Perhaps, she decided not write about this because that was not her focus. Her focus if you read her biography is about the Afghan's people, and the perception that Americans have about them.

But, because I am in the health profession, I wanted to read about this. Instead, she wrote about friendships of women. How hard it is to live in a country where women are shunned. Which I still liked, but I wanted more.

Elsa, met a soldier( special forces) and she became romantically involved with.

Spoilers: Be Warned:

Elsa helped Parween get a interview for a teacher's position. After the interview, Elsa and Parween decide to visit a site that they thought would be a perfect spot for a school. It was very dangerous, and they knew they should not go. Parween dressed like a boy, and Elsa in her Burqa went into the danger.

Once they got there. The villagers already spread word about the foreigners. The Taliban got wind of this.

Why would they both go to a place where they are putting themselves in danger. Yes, Parween was tired of the Taliban creating havoc. But would you do this, not thinking of your two children and mother? I think most mother's would step back from the situation and think about it. Parween never thought about her children, and her responsibilities.

I was so angry at this point reading this. I threw the book across the room, "Are You Crazy". Then realizing this is not true, but fiction. I would think Elsa, would have more brains and tell her friend this is not as important. Finding a site for a school as your life. We won't do this. But instead she went along with her friends scheme, without a argument.
Putting every one's life in jeopardy, was just crazy.

I don't think this would ever happen. I just can't think anyone being so naive. They can just walk into a dangerous village, full of Taliban.

Roberta Gately, wrote this novel based on her experiences in Afghanistan. She has written several articles about her experiences in Afghanistan, with the BBC. This is her first novel. You can read a article about her here.

Butterflys Daughter- Part 2

2011-05-11T00:13:00.004-04:00

     Butterflys Daughter
     By Mary Alice Monroe
     Gallery Books

Complimentary copy given to me by Mary Alice Monroe

LIFE IS MORE ABOUT THE JOURNEY THAN THE DESTINATION.

Butterflys Daughter, takes place in Milwaukee. It is the story of Luz( means light), Esperanza(star), her Abuela. Her Abuela is the Butterfly lady, she teaches the children about the monarch butterflies.

Her Abuela has taught her as a small child mexican folklore and traditions. But, Luz only wants to be American. Her Abuela has been raising her since she was a little girl, since her mother died.

Luz, works in the local factory trying to make ends meet for herself and her grandmother. Her grandmother told her her mother passed away many years ago. Her father left her when she was born.

One day out of the blue, her Abuela tells her we should take a trip to Mexico. We need to follow the butterflies to the sanctuaries in Mexico, and to celebrate the El Dia de Muerta. (the day of the dead). She want to see the family. (There is alliterative motive, we find out later in the book, what).  Abuela starts to make arrangements. She buys Luz a orange VW bug, that is old as the hills. She spends the last of their money. Luz doesn't understand her grandmother's incidence to go to Mexico.

Ultimately her grandmother dies.   All her relatives she has that she knows of is in Mexico, except for her Tia Maria. The family has lost touch for years. She can't get in touch with any of her relations. she feels totally alone. She does not know anything about her family.   She walks into the garden, and sees a Monarch butterfly. The butterfly doesn't want to leave the garden. Luz believes this is her grandmother's spirit sending her a message.

She believes that her Abuela is sending her a message to go down to Mexico to bury her ashes, and to follow the Monarch butterflies migration to the mountainous sanctuaries of Mexico. Luz feels guilty that she kept putting her grandmother off. Now, she decides she will honor her grandmother and go.   She tells her boyfriend she is going in the VW, beetle called El Toro.(the bull). Sully, her boyfriend doesn't want her to go.

She doesn't get far, and the El Toro breaks down. In the meantime she gets a waitressing job, temporarily. She befriends a pregnant waitress, named Ofelia. and is able to work until the El Toro is fixed.

Once the car is fixed, she talks Ofelia to travel with her.They travel to Kansas to find, Ophelia's mother. But, her mother is gone. But, she ends up staying. During the time she is in Kansas, Luz befriends Margaret. She asks Margaret to take a chance and come with her. They both travel on to a camping ground where they meet Stacie. Stacie is a colorful person and a bit rough around the edges. Stacie travels with them for a short distance.

I am not going to spoil anything else. There is a twist that may surprise you. Because I was surprised where Mary Alice Monroe was taking us. But, I enjoyed the journey.

During the trip the woman make the same journey as the Monarch butterfly. We learn that butterflies migrate like birds. They migrate south in winter, and come back in the spring. The whole entire trip takes four generations. When they migrate, they travel, like it is a traffic jam during thanksgiving. They come all at once. Do you know they migrate to the mountains in the sanctuaries in the mountains.

Luz travels to Texas then on to Mexico. She learns about her families Mexican traditions, myths etc. We also learn about the spirits of the dead departed during the celebration of El Dia de Muerto. This celebration is during the first few days of November.

My Thoughts:

I communicated with Mary Alice Monroe for our Temple's Auction. I had asked while communicating if she would be interested in allowing me to review her next novel. I did not know what to expect. I thought it would be another "chick-lit", or another southern read. I was totally off. It was nothing like that. It was a total enjoyment, a breath of fresh air. I have never read a book that so, satisfied my "soul", and moving, and awe inspiring. When I finished the novel, all I could say is "Wow". I have been telling everyone that will listen you must read this book.

The story is full of hidden meaning, playing on words, with traditions, folklore, mysticm, and spritualism.
The novel is a mother-daughter-grandmother novel. It is a good novel to give to someone you totally care about. The book is up lifting, and full of warmth and love. You can tell the author put all of herself into this novel, and did her research. I did enjoy reading the prologue of the myth of the monarch butterfly. Also in the beginning of each chapter it tells you the change of the monarch butterfly has to endure.

Another thing through the entire novel, which is rare. The last time I did this was when Sidney Sheldon was still alive and writing. I would see his novels as a movie. That is how I read this book. It is very vivid and fluid, and poetic, and discriptive.   I could see the monarch butterflies flying through the sanctuaries like a blanket of orange covering the mountain sanctuaries.   How beautiful. I wish I could go there to see it. The closest I will be is in my mind and imagination.

Luz follows the migration of the monarch butterfly on her journey as a caterpillar to a butterfly. She goes through her own metamorphosis from a scared, lonely child to a beautiful independent, resilient, confident woman of self discovery with the help of her four compadres. She travels to Mexico and learns about the old Aztec folklore, and meets her many cousins and aunts and uncles.   There she travels to the butterfly sanctuary, she has metamorphosed and accepted her mother's past.

Mary Alice Monroe, is a author and a conservationist. She has written many novels based on endangered species. Such as the turtles, birds of prey, and now the monarch butterfly that is threatened. Mary Alice is on a book tour, and during the tour she is giving away milkweed seeds to her readers to plant in her garden.

I went to the luncheon hosted by the Moveable Feast in Litchfield. I met Mary Alice Monroe. What a treat to listen to her speak about her research about the butterflies and how she put her novel together. She is not what you expect.

I have gone to several author signings up north in NJ where I am from. I have gone to a few luncheons with the moveable feast. I have never seen a author come up to you and introduce her/himself, and chatting away. It just blew me away. Most authors I have seen, just plop themselves at the podium look bored and wait to start. She was so friendly, and was very interested in what people said to her. Not bored with the conversation. If you can try to come out to see her if she is coming out to your area. Mary Alice will be attending the SC Literary Festival this weekend. She will be at Brookgreen Gardens, in Litchfield to release the butterflies in the butterfly sanctuary at the end of May.

You can also go down to my other post to read about the novel at the first half of the novel. I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing this post. Leave your comments. I would love to know what you think.

Our book club, 38th Ave. Diva Readers has selected Butterflys Daughter for July. I am leading the discussion. I am so hoping that Mary Alice will speak to us through speaker phone.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog
Happy Reading:)

Keep the Faith Susan and Abby

2011-05-10T20:12:00.003-04:00

I would like to share with my book bloggers and readers, Jewish and non- Jewish readers. You can read the article on CNN. Susan has been a good friend to me when I moved to Myrtle Beach.

She has been tested so many different times in the last few years. I still remember how happy Susan was anticipating both her two daughters giving birth a few months apart. She was so excited. Everything was fine.

Susan and a few of us went to the movies. Right before we went in she recieved news that everything was fine. She was leaving to go to California in the next few days. Susan's husband, Paul a physician came a few days later. As far as they knew everything was fine

When they arrived at the hospital they recieved the devasting news. The hospital made a terrible mistake. I am still not sure, why but she gave birth to triplets naturally.   After the birth she hemmorraged in her brain that left her in a coma.

I called Susan, the next day not knowing what happened. I heard screaming in the background when I called. That must have been the terrible news Susan recieved when I called.

She has had many different kinds of rehabilitation and treatments. The medical care has been extensive. Before Susan came back to Myrtle Beach with her daughter, they renovated the house to fit Abby's needs.

Since then Susan has been fighting for her daughter's well being. She has a powerful faith, and determination to help her daughter get better.   Abby, has come a long way since 2005.

But, the sad story is there a legal battle between her daughter, and son-in-law. All they want is for their daughter to be able to see their children. What possible reason could a father not allow his children to see their mother. The longer they are not allowed to see their children, the harder it will be for them later on.

I don't think Dan Dorn sees the ramifications of not allowing visitation rights for his children. I don't think he has his children's interests at heart.   In the long run his children will despise him for not allowing them not to see her. Not telling them the truth. Who is he really protecting??
But, she never gives up her powerful faith, and, power of love to Abby. Susan keeps on fighting.

The lawsuit will be going to trial on May 13th. Hashem will be protecting the Cohen family and g-d willing the Judge will allow Abby to see her children finally.

DON'T GIVE UP ABBY !!! You GO Girl!!! GO ON TO ABBY DORN'S FACEBOOK PAGE to give your support.

2011-05-10T11:22:00.000-04:00

Our book club discussed Cutting For Stone, for May. Many of our members did not finish the book because it was a bit dauting, more than 600 plus pages. Including myself. Not because it was long, but with our busy lives most of us can read 400 pages, but 600 is long.

My reason, I just finished school a few days before and couldn't start the book. Another member had a problem because of the vocabulary, the writing was too sophistocated for her. There were a couple members that did not like reading about the surgeries, and the medical care. Myself, personally I am going to try and pick up this novel after my other commitments in reading for reviews that have been promised.

If possibly we had the book club broken up in two months maybe it could have worked. Most of the members that started the book did like the story.

The story takes place in Ethiopia during the 1950's. What was discussed was the conditions of living in Ethiopia. The medical care that was giving to women. Many women had developed bladder problems. Young girls having circumcisions. Immigrant life of all the cultures that intertwined in Ethiopia. How food ties in with the ethnic groups of Ethopia.
Ethopian food is not eatten with a fork, or spoon, rather the bread is used as a tool.

Since the book took place in the middle east. We seem to drift off and talk about the middle east situation. One member has been to the middle east and talked about the conditions and what it was like being a tourist. The treatment of women by the middle eastern men. This led to talking about the journalist that was raped in Egypt a few months ago.

We still had a interesting book club talking about the events of the middle east. There were medical subjects that were brought up for discussion.

We discussed that we want to change the time and date. The books that we will be reading in the next couple months are, what I call summer reads. I am glad about that, not too heavy. I like to read heavier books in the fall, winter, and spring and prefer lighter reading in the summer.

These are the books we are reading:
In June we will be reading Booked to Die by John Dunning
I am excited to be discussing for July, Butterflys Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe.
August will be discussing, Star Girl by Carl Hiassen.

Happy Reading!!!

Water for Elephants: Movie Review

2011-05-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

Water for Elephants: The movie.
I saw the movie, Water for Elephants about a week ago. I was so looking forward to seeing this movie. I couldn't wait, since I was in love with the book. I loved the character piece, depression era. Not many books have characters in the circus. Those are the few points that I liked.

This is the things I was not particularly found of:

Reminded me of the Titanic. It was nice to see Hal Holbrook. Old movie veteran( great actor). But, I did not like they took the aspect of the circus and talked about the past. The old man reminicing about the past. Like in the Titanic, it was Old Rose reminicing about her past.

The main characters were pleasant to look at. But, the characters were so flat, and dull. I felt like it was a waste of two hours of my time. It could have been the anticipation of the movie. Knowing what was going to happen anyway.

Charlie the Ranch Dog: Children's Book Review

2011-05-06T09:02:00.001-04:00

Charlie the Ranch Dog
By Dee Drummond

Charlie, is a ranch dog on Ree Drummond's farm. Ree, manages and owns her blog, called Pioneer Woman. If you have never been to the her site you should check it out. Full of her experiences with her cowboy, and her kids, and their farm. She has many recipes to share as well. She has written a cookbook and a memoir. This is her first children's book. It is marvelous.
The picture book is lovely. The illustrations are not too childish. I loved the story of Charlie and Suzy. Charlie makes you think he does all the work. Getting up early in the morning, chasing the cows where they are suppose to be, cattle to round up, sniffing for critters, helping with the garden, etc. But, who do you think really is doing the work? Does Charlie save the day? You will have to read Charlie, the Ranch hand to find o
This is a simple story that I would think all children would love. Especially Charlie and the droopy ears,
I don't have small children in my house any longer, but my grown son of 20 thought it was a cute story. I showed him the book and he read it. He said he liked the illustrations. This is a "boy's book".

This is my first time reviewing a picture book. Tell me what you think? What would you like me to focus on. I know how to write reviews for adults. But, children's books are different.
I would like to thank Harper Collins for sending me, Charlie The Ranch Hand...

Below is a picture of the real Charlie, you can follow his antics on Pioneer Woman's blog.

Preview Review ofButterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe

2011-04-06T07:50:00.001-04:00

Butterfly's Daughter
By Mary Alice Monroe
ARC generously given to me
by Galley Books.

Four very different women embark on a transformational journey that follows the migrating monarchs across the United States to Mexico. The story begins when Luz Avila's grandmother, the local butterfly lady, purchases an old, orange VW bug for a road trip home to Mexico. When she unexpectedly dies, Luz is inspired to take her grandmother's ashes home. In the manner of the Aztec myth of the goddess who brings light to the world, Luz attracts a collection of lost women, each seeking change in their lives. The Mexican people believe the monarchs are the spirits of the recently departed and Luz taps into ancient rituals and myths as she follows the spectacular, glittering river of orange monarchs in the sky to home.

I usually don't do a review on a book till I have read the book through its entirety. But because Mary Alice Monroe is a local author, near Charleston. I had to sing out praises for this one. Her novel, Butterfly's Daughter will be published on May 3rd. Of course I am still going to review the entire book.

I have never read Mary Alice Monroe's novels before. All I knew she is a ecology activist. Her novels are based on the turtles. Many turtles in SC have died because of lack of knowledge about the survival of the turtles.

Now that said, I will tell you I am loving this novel from from the first word. The book opened my heart. Already I am emotional during my read. I laughed, cried, and that is only on pg. 50
.
First off, let me tell you this is not Chich-lit or a Beach Read!!

The book is so vivid, I could see Luz, and her Abuela(grandmother) in front of me. Mary Alice's description of the character's, physically and emotionally is so vivid. How she describes their home I can see it vividly. The writing is so fluid.

I am the type of reader that does not like descriptive writing. But for some reason this work with this novel. I am not a professional reviewer or writer. I am sure you can tell that by reading my blog. I usually don't write about the writing style. I don't notice most of the time about the writing. But, for some reason in this novel I notice.

I am not the kind a person that reads books with supernatural, and mystism in it. It grabbed me right from the start of the novel. I am a straight forward person. I think this novel may surprise you, as it did me. But, because Mary Alice Monroe is a local author I thought to give her a try. I was surprised.

I plan to post on the literary road trip. Local bloggers write about the local author's they read by spreading the word and sharing their reading experiences with others.

I was fortunate to recieve this novel from Mary Alice and her publicist before the release date.
Stay tuned for the entire review in a couple of weeks. If you want more info. about the book and the author you may visit her webpage here.

Happy Reading,

Sarah's Key - The Official Trailer HD

2011-04-06T06:17:00.001-04:00

Book Review: Pictures of You

2011-04-05T00:04:00.001-04:00

Pictures of You
By Caroline Leavitt

The story is about two women, April and Isabelle. April is unhappily married to Charlie, with a young asthmatic child, named Sam.

Isabelle, married very young. She wanted to pursue a degree in photography. But instead she works in a photography studio. Whats worse is Luke, her husband got a another woman pregnant. Through all this Isabelle wants more from life, than this.

Both women are on a collision course. Both women are on a different path. Their lives intersect on a foggy road. Their lives, are on a collision course, literally. April is killed, April's son Sam survives the accident.

The story is multi layered about all kinds of relationships. Relationships of mothers, fathers, friends, acquaintances, lovers, and friendships. It also raises the question about guilt and forgiveness.

The story was a fast read, what I would call a beach read. It was a faced paced novel with lots of what if's and could have and would haves. It was hard to put this novel down. There were many unexplained events that you find out about later on in the book. You don't find out till much later why April was out that foggy night.

I like how the author kept us in suspense about this till much later. It was a great technique. If we found out earlier in the book, I am sure the story would have been" so what".

The one part I will say, I am glad that Isabelle came to her senses. She kept rushing to Charlie's side. Charlie did not want her there. He only wanted her when it was convenient for him. I was like, stop beating a dead horse. Leave him already.. Thank g-d she came to her senses.

She was offered a scholarship from a college in NYC. She finally was pursuing her dream and no one and nothing was finally going to get in her way, not even guilt( love of Sam or Charlie).

Charlie, was so wimpy at this point he did not know what he wanted. One minute he wanted Isabelle, the next he was conflicting about his love of his wife, April. By then it was too late.

Some parts of the story I felt sorry for him. Because I think genuinely, he was scared that he would loose his son. But, I think part he was just using his son's illness as a excuse.

These are the few things that bothered me about the book. Really, do you really think that a Charlie would have a relationship with Isabelle( the woman that caused the accident). I had to keep telling myself this is fiction. This did make a good story though.

I don't think it was necessary to fast forward to Sam as a adult. The meeting was unbelievable I felt. I don't know any man that kept going over blame and guilt several times.

My comment, to that end I still enjoyed reading this The depth of character was very multi layered. There would be lots to discuss for a book club, even though I felt it was a beach read.

Thanks for reading and stopping by,

Donate Books to Our Military

2011-04-03T18:39:00.000-04:00

I have been wanting to send care packages to our military. I finally found my way of thanking our military. Everyone that knows me understands I enjoy sharing my adventure of reading. I would enjoy sharing my books, knowing it would go to a soldier, marine, air force, navy, coast guard that has some spare time to read.

I receive many books from publishers. What a nice way to send them, and pass them on to someone that would enjoy them. If you would also like to get involved, you may go to their website, book for soldiers.

Book Readers You Must See This

2011-03-31T17:11:00.002-04:00

SIMPLY DROP DEAD GOURGEOUS!!!

You wouldn't believe this, unless you saw it for yourself. Do you remember, those little golden books our parent's and grandparents read to us, when we were children??

Look!! The gown is made from Golden Books, You can see the gorgeous dress how it was made
here.

Nice Goodies Came Today

2011-03-27T23:53:00.000-04:00

These are the books that came to my mail box last week, I was thrilled, so many books so little time

Instrument of Darkness
By Imogen Robertson

From the flap:

In the year 1780, Sussex England, Thornleigh Hall, the ornate and forbidding seat of the Earl of Sussex, dominates the surrounding countryside. Thought its heir has been missing for fifteen years, and the once vigorous family is reduced to a cripple, his whore and his alcoholic secound son, its power remains. When dead bodies begin turning up, the stage is set for an unlikely forensic duo to uncover the family's deadly secrets.

Sounds like a great gothic read.

The Other Life
By Ellen Miester

From the publisher notes:

Meister introduces Quinn Branverman, a young married mother, who is keeping two secrets from her loving husband, Lewis. One is that the real reason she chose him over Eugene, her neurotic, semi-famous ex-boyfriend, was to prove to her mother that she could have a happy, stable relationship with the guy next door.

The other is that Quinn knows another life exists in which she made stayed with Eugene. The two lives run in parallel lines, like highways on either side of a mountain. On one side, the Quinn who stayed with Eugene is speeding through her high drama, childless life in Manhattan. On the other, Quinn who married Lewis lives in the suburbs, drives a Volvo, and has an adorable young son and another baby on the way.
But, the most important part of the secret- the part that terrifies and thrills her- is that Quinn knows it's possible to cross from one life to another. So, far she played it safe, never seeing what's on the other side. Then a shocking turn of events rattles.

Lipstick in Afghanistan
By Roberta Gately

This novel was written by a author's own experiences as a nurse in third world war zones.

Gripped by hauting magazine images of starving refugees, Elsa has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a teenager. Of leaving her humble working class- Boston neighborhood to help people whose lives are far more difficult than her own. No one in her family has escaped poverty, but Elsa has a secret weapon: a tube of lipstick she found in her older sister's bureau. Wearing it never fails to raise her spirits and cement her determination. With lipstick on, she can do anything- even travel alone to war torn Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11.

But Violent nights as an ER nurse in S. Boston could not prepare Elsa for the devastation she witnesses at the small medical clinic she runs in Bamiyan. As she struggles to prove herself to the Afghan Drs, and local villagers.

I can't wait to read this one. Since I was a nurse this novel interests me. My brother is a photo journalist for the Army Times(part of Garnett publishing). He was embedded with Army with 101, after 9/11, at the Kandahar Airport. He took many pictures of the military and civilian life there. Saw how bad the living conditions were. Took many pictures. This novel, will give me a glimpse of what Afghanistan is like.

The Madonnas of Echo Park
By, Brando Skyhorse

The novel is the story of a L. A. neighborhood and the intimate glimpse into the lives of the men and women who struggle to lose their ethnic identity in pursuit of the american dream. Felicia, a housekeeper, and her daughter, Aurora Esperanza are caught in a gang shooting crossfire and struggle to find common ground in its aftermath. Aurora's estranged father, Hector, a day laborer, witnesses a murder and must choose between deportation and complicity.

The Bird Sisters
By Rebecca Rasmussen

Milly and Twiss are known to everyone in Spring Green, Wisconsin, as the bird sisters, for their special gift for nursing injured birds- and sometimes, the damaged owners- back to health. But it wasn't always this way. In the summer, 1947. Milly, Goldilocks, because of her beautiful hair, and Twiss, the explorer, pretended she and her gold pro father were Lewis and Clark out on the course. Milly and Twiss's mother dreamed of drinking Chateau Margaux on the banks of the Seine, as she once did in Parism and their father, a dreamer and charismatic philanderer, desperately hopes to recover his golf swing, which hasn't been the same since his car acccident.

Along with the immediate family, the author paints a vivid picture of the unique folks in Spring Green, whose lives intersect with Milly and Twiss's that fateful summer.

When Tito Loved Clara
By Jon Michard

This novel is written by the head librarian of the New Yorker. This is his debut novel. It is rich in mystery, passion, secrets, and heartbreak. A lively novel with themes centered on immigrant experience and identity.

Clara grew up in a home that would have rattled the most grounded of children. Brought to NY from a pastoral childhood in the Dominican Republic, she was raised in grim circumstances in northern Manhattan. Through brains and determination, she long ago slipped the bonds of confining neighborhood and since made a quiet life for herself and her American husband and young son in the suburbs of NJ. However librarian Clara's desire for a existance as orderly as the Dewey Decimal System is constantly being thwarted by her hugely entertaining constellation of relatives who don't understand her gringa ways.

When Clara meets up with Tito, her old flame. The blast from the past meet up with her. He was destined to stay in the old neighborhood. While Clara went off to Cornell University on a full scholarship. But now 15 yrs. later, a series of coincidences throw these people together again Clara harbors a secret from the past. Their reacquaintance set in motion an unraveling in both their lives and reveals what the cost of assimulation- or the absence of it - has meant for each of them.

Claude and Camille
A novel of Monet
By Stephanie Cowell

In the mid 19th century, a young man Claude Money decided that he would rather endure a difficult life painting landscapes than take over his father's nautical business in a french seaside town. Against his father's will and with nothing to but a dream and a insatible urge to create a new style of art that repudiated the classical realism of the time, he set off for Paris.

I appreciated Monet's art work, and did not know the story of the man. I am looking forward to this. His art work with the landscapes are beautiful.

Caleb's Crossing
By Geraldine Brooks
will be published in May

In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard. He became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College. Upon this factual snippet of facts, comes the story of this young man from Martha's Vineyard.

The narrator of the story is Berthia Mayfield, growing up in the tiny settlement of Great Harbor amid a small band of pioneers and Puritans. Possessed of a restless spirit and quick curious mind, she years after an education that is close to her by her sex. As often ash seh can, slips away to explore the island's glistening beaches and observe its native Wampanoag inhabitants. At 12, she encounters Caleb, the young son of a cheiftain, and the two forge, a tentative, secret friendship that draws each into the alien world of the other.

Her father, a minister tries to convert the Indian nation to Calvinism, awakening the wrath of the tribe's leader.
One of his projects becomes the education of Caleb, and a year later, Caleb is in Cambridge, studying Latin and Greek among the colonial elite. There, Bethia finds herself reluctantly indentured as a housekeeper and can closely observe Caleb's intellectual and spiritual crossing of cultures with it's risks and losses, triumphs and turmoil.

I am looking forward to this one. This novel sounds rich in history. I always wondered how inhabitants came to be in Martha's Vineyard. The formation of the island( from the very earliest beginning to the coming of inhabitants). I have always had a interest.

I was at Martha's Vineyard, twice. Very different going to the main land in a tourist area in the summer, compared to being on the main land during the summer. Very different. Can't explain it, but you feel a difference being at Cape Cod and Marha's Vineyard.

The Man from Saigon
By Marti Leimbach

It is 1967 and Susan Gifford is one of the first female correspondents in Saigon, dedicated to her job and passionately in love with an American TV reporter. Son, is a Vietnamese photographer anxious to get his work to the American press. Together they cover every aspect of the war from combat missions to the workings of field hospitals, Then one November morning, after narrowly escaping death, Susan and son find themselves the prisoners of three Vietcong soldiers. Helpless in the hands of the enemy, they face the jungle, living always with the threat of being killed and the slow realization that their complicated relationship is the only thing, sustaining them both.

Lately I have been seeing many novels set during the Vietnam war. This novel intrigued me. Lately I have been seeing many novels about Vietnam. It is about time. Probably because it is not a sore subject in the general public. Safe to talk about it. Rather than write about what is going in the middle east right now. I hope more novelists will be writing about this time period. I was very little when Vietnam started. I did not know what was going on. I was too young too comprehend.

My house is busting at the seams with all these books.
Happy Reading!!!

Elizabeth Taylor Passes, at 79

2011-03-23T17:15:00.002-04:00

Elizabeth Taylor, is from old Hollywood. Old Hollywood, contracted their stars. They were locked in to a certain studio, unless you were borrowed out. Studios don't contract stars any longer. It is harder to get into the business. But, back in her time you were with a studio, for( Elizabeth Taylor was with a studio for 7 years) x about of years.

When you think of Elizabeth Taylor, What do you think of? Luxury, Extravagence, money, many husbands, glamor, scandals, and most of all a gutsy, DIVA. She had many health problems. She was married 8 times. Yes, you heard me 8 times. She was married to a senator, married to Richard Burton twice
(us middle age society, should remember this). Her husband Todd died very young. She hooked up with Eddie Fisher(Debbie Reynold's husband and the daughter of Carrie Fisher). That was a big scandal in the 1950's.

She had many health issues, starting with a fall, during the the production of National Velvet. She had several other health issues, as well.

Her work in charity was enormous. Her close friendship with Rock Hudson, ( a hollywood actor), led her on her crusade work with AIDS. Her questionable relationship with Michael Jackson, and some other actors as well.

She received two Oscars for her work, Butterfly 8, and The Cat on the Hot Tin Roof.

Here are some of the movies I remember her in. She was in many more, but I am a bit young to remember her older movies.

National Velvet( if you never saw it, you should check it out)
A couple Lassie Movies
Jane Eyre
Little Women
Father of the Bride( loved it).
Place in the Sun
Suddenly Last Summer
Cleopatra( highest production movie). With Richard Burton. Time when the scandal of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor( Both were married to other people).
Rain Tree County
Giant( great movie)

Later on in her life she stopped acting in movies. But, she acted on T. V. Soap Operas. She loved General Hospital. She asked to be fitted in the show a few times. She loved, the Luke and Laura story.

She became involved with producing perfumes, one you may know as White Diamonds. She produced her own jewelry. She is known for extravagances of beautiful clothes, jewels and furs. Her gutsy attitudes. There will never be another person like Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was very ill the last few years. Her face was on the cover, of the Enquierer a coupe weeks ago. I didn't want to remember her that way. I walked right by the magazine ignoring it. Thinking another tabloid, trying to make a mighty buck. But, this time they were right she was ill. But I did not want to believe it.

She passed away from Congestive Heart Failure. She was at home with her family at her beside when she passed away. I will remember you, LIZ. You did it your way.

Anyone that wants to add any thing in my comments you are welcome. If you want to add your thoughts too. Please do.

Update on Kitty

2011-03-22T22:04:00.001-04:00

This is so coincidental. I connected to a someone in Columbia, SC. She told me about a breeder near Augusta, Ga. The funny thing, she adopted two Burmese cats. I went on facebook on the Burmese Rescue page to ask if anyone knew anyone that had a Burmese. I did some searching from one breeder in Ga((Stagelight Cattery). I connected to the same breeder. Now, that is coincidence. The funny thing, she wanted to also know about my Jewish blog, Bagels, Books, and Schmooze. Bagels blog is going inactive soon.

But anyhow, the coincidence, she is Jewish from Columbia, SC. She also lived in South Florida. I used to live there too. That is where I connected and fell in love with the Burmese.

The other thing I am hoping to go to the S.C. Literary Book Festival in May. It is being held in Columbia. Maybe I can meet her there.

Thank goodness for Facebook. It is so amazing who you will meet on facebook.

On A Mission For Kitty

2011-03-20T19:52:00.000-04:00

I have been on a mission for the last couple weeks. I have been searching and searching for a new addition to our family. The Siamese, Snow Shoe, or Burmese.

When I lived in Miami, David and I went to a cat show. Since then we have been fascinated with a certain breed, " The Burmese". They are so gorgeous.

The cat show, I was introduced with the Burmese, it is love at first sight. They are very friendly, lap cats. The many cattery sites I have been on are the same in description of the Burmese. They come in sable, champagne, cream, and chocolate. Originally I wanted sable for a long time. But, I realize all of them are beautiful. I contacted a few catteries. But, the one I think I found is in N. Carolina. I will just have to see and put myself on the waiting list.

Also, the Snow Shoes are friendly as well, they are part siamse.

I would just like to rescue a cat. But, unfortunately I had a bad experience with one. The cat was ferrell. I don't want to go through that again.

If any one knows any one with a Burmese, Siamese, or Snowshoe, let me know your experience, and what you thought. If you know of a reputable cattery in North Carolina, or S. Carolina that has any of these breeds let me know. I am looking for a pet, not a show cat.

The breeders I found for the snow shoe is in Georgia, she has pet quality for one color. The bi-color are a bit more pricey. I would have to travel over 4 hours. I have been wanting one for a long while. But not to go for four hours. I will just have to think about it.

The Burmese, are located in N. Carolina I found two catteries, one close by a hour a way. The other a bit further. They have more of a variety of colors. Should I care? If I love the breed it should not matter.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Official Trailer 2011 HD

2011-03-16T22:46:00.002-04:00

\\\

Fun With Books This Week

2011-03-16T18:02:00.000-04:00

I had a busy week, not with school or work this time, but with my blogging and books. First I have been trying to update my blog by adding a few more blogging friends to my blog roll. I actually was reading a few posts on the blogs and the professional book bloggers as well.

Tara and I went to my favorite book store, Litchfield Books( Independent book store in Litchfield, SC). I had a great time. Spent too much of course that I shouldn't have. I love getting recommendations from the ladies. It was the first time they asked me about the buzz in cyberspace. WOW, that made me feel good. The ladies told me that they were so close to get Lisa See to come to Litchfield, but that didn't work out.

The books, that were recommended to me were:
Of Course, The Tiger Wife by Tea Obert
Underfishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings
Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada
Friday's Daughter by Patricia Sprinkle
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemack Lemmon.

I like to read the independent book circular put out by Indie Bound. It is full of recommendations. For the book clubs, they recommended Still Alice, The Help and Half Broken Horse, Olive Kitteridge, Fludd, Same Kind of Different of Me, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter& Sweet, and Sarah's Key.

I broke down and bought The Tea Wife and Sworn to Silence( finally came out in paper back).

The ladies in the book store were talking about the SC Literary Book Festival set for May. I hope to go this time. There are many authors I would like to see. The last time I went to a book festival, it was in Miami Fl. about 16 years ago. It was a blast, and a lot of fun. That is when I did not know anything about the book world. I only knew about reading books.

It is two hours to get to Columbia from Myrtle Beach. If anyone has ever been please leave comments to tell me your experience.

I recieved in my mailbox this week two Jewish books.
One already out called the Curable Romantic by Joseph Skilball. This book, has been nominated for Sami Rohr Award for fiction. These other authors have been nominated:
This year’s finalists for the fifth annual Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature are:

Allison Amend – Stations West
Nadia Kalman – The Cosmopolitans
Julie Orringer – The Invisible Bridge
Austin Ratner – The Jump Artist
Joseph Skibell – A Curable Romantic

I can't wait to read this one. I recieved a review copy. I am so looking forward to this one. Below you will find a impressive bio of Talia Carner. I will be writing more about her book on my Jewish reads. You may find her on face book, her book is to be released by Harper Collins on May 31.

The other novel by Talia Carner called Jerusalem Maiden. I am looking forward to both books. I will tell you more about both book on my Jewish Reviews in a couple days. Jerusalem Maiden is published by Harper Collins, it will be published on May 31. I am sure it will be a fabulous read. Her bio is very impressive.

A FULL BIO

Before turning to fiction writing, Talia Carner worked for Redbook magazine and served as the publisher of Savvy Woman magazine.

Carner’s activities in women’s organizations led to her participation at the 1995 International Women’s Conference in Beijing, where she learned of the atrocities of The Dying Rooms—the Chinese orphanages where the documented death rate was 80%—and about the U.S.’s courts betrayal of molested children. Helping African women to develop a campaign against clitoridectomy, she was exposed to the plight of women in societies that subjected millions of girls to this brutal mutilation. Her education about violence against women continued when she assisted Indian women in a campaign to end the burning of brides over dowry disputes.

For my blog, I have been working on my blog and adding other blogs to my blog roll, and just reading around cyberspace. But, alas I have to work tomorrow. I have been trying to catch up on my reading.
I am half down with my book club book that is done soon. I am enjoying reading this one. I am reading All Other Nights by Dara Horn.

Great news, spring break is this week. I am surrounded by happy people!! Must be the time change. College students are here for spring break too. Seems like Spring IS IN THE AIR!!! The Pear Trees are blooming and I am seeing daffodils.

Happy Reading!!!

Short List for the Orange Prize

2011-03-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

I am happy to see the winners of the long list of the Orange Prize in the UK. See below the entire long list. It is going to be a hard choice to narrow it down.

I have seen much chatter about The Tiger Wife. There have been great reviews for a young author as a debut author. I am looking out for Room, which had a lot of conversation earlier this fall. I am going to watch out for two Jewish Women author's, the Invisible Bridge, and Great House, Congratualations to all these wonderful authors. I will be looking out for the short list soon.

http://www.orangeprize.co.uk/prize.html

The Orange Prize for Fiction, the UK's only annual book award for fiction written by a woman, today announces the 2011 longlist. Celebrating its sixteenth anniversary this year, the Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in women's writing throughout the world.

Leila Aboulela - Lyrics Alley
Carol Birch - Jamrach's Menagerie
Emma Donoghue - Room
Tishani Doshi - The Pleasure Seekers
Louise Doughty - Whatever You Love
Jennifer Egan - A Visit from the Goon Squad
Aminatta Forna - The Memory of Love
Tessa Hadley - The London Train
Emma Henderson - Grace Williams Says it Loud
Samantha Hunt - The Seas
Joanna Kavenna - The Birth of Love
Nicole Krauss - Great House
Wendy Law-Yone - The Road to Wanting
Téa Obreht - The Tiger's Wife
Julie Orringer - The Invisible Bridge
Anne Peile - Repeat it Today with Tears
Karen Russell - Swamplandia!
Lola Shoneyin - The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Roma Tearne - The Swimmer
Kathleen Winter - Annabel

2011-02-21T19:47:00.000-05:00

Alice I Have Been
By Melanie Benjamin
http://www.melaniebenjamin.com/

First of all, this is my first book review. My name is Tara, and I am the girlfriend of Susan's son, David. I have been reading some books out of her massive collection and she asked if i would like to write on her blog as well. Of course I said yes, tho I am nervous as to how my first review will turn out.

Alice I Have Been, tells the story of Alice Liddell Hargreaves approaching 81 and looking back on her life. For those of you who are known to have a bit of precipitation around the eye area in the midst of a somewhat saddening book, be forewarned. You should expect cloudy with a light drizzle when reading this book. Do not expect a happy ending, because this is NOT the fairy tale of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, but rather the real Alice. The one for whom the story was written, the story of Alice Liddell in the 3 most signifying and relevant stages of her life.
The story starts out when she is a young girl. She was wild, outgoing, and crazy in love for someone quite a bit older than she. This part will make you wonder a bit and then drop off suddenly just as you're expecting it to tell you exactly what happens. But fret not, it will eventually let you in on the secret. After a brief expedition into her childhood, it moves on to when she is in her early 20's and a bit more ladylike and practical then her younger self, but doesn't that usually happen to us all? This part of the novel tells you about her quest for love and marriage and then the sudden unexpected loss of 2 loves in her life. (HINT: One is a family member and the other is the loss of the marriage she thought she would have.) Then after that saddening beat-down, it picks back up in her older years, telling of the man she ended up marrying and the children they had. This part also includes some very saddening losses as well.
Nearing the end of the book, she spends most of her time sad and thinking back on her life, and eventually accepting her title as Alice, the girl who went to Wonderland. I felt this was a very good, well thought out book. It will definitely keep you guessing and wondering what happens next. It leaves you hanging sometimes, but don't freak out, everything is explained in the end and it will all make sense. Enjoy. Let me know how you liked my blog. And if you read the book, let me know your thoughts and opinions on it.

Thanks for reading!
Tara of Seaside Book Corner

February Book Club

2011-02-15T09:32:00.001-05:00

We met yesterday for our monthly book club. We have a couple of snow birds join us. What a treat it is to have new blood energize our book club each year.

We discussed the book, The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard. I was a bit late arriving because of school. But, what I gathered everyone enjoyed reading the book. I have been raving about Joyce's books since I read both of them. I am so glad everyone enjoyed reading her latest book.

I did not have time to read the book again. I could not remember much from the book since it has been quite awhile since I read it. You can read my review at my blog here.

One member, did some research and found out that the writer, JD Salinger( author of Catcher in the Rye) had a affair with Joyce during her college years. Bohemian life, flower child, free love in the 60's.She summed up the reason for Joyce's book, thinking she had such a scandalous life, it shows in her novels. I don't know about that, I just enjoyed reading
her books.

I am not sure if I agree with our book club's rules. We have to read the book before recommending it. I don't agree. Because, then you have to read the book again. There are many books out there. But unfortunately, I have not read any to recommend.

Our snow bird recommended, Dinner with Anna Karenina. She actually know the author personally. We will be reading in March. Not sure if I will like since it is under the genre, romance. I will let you know next month.

In April we will be discussing Dara Horn's novel, All Other Nights. I am so excited that we are reading this novel. I wanted our book club to honor her for donating two sets of books. This is a nice way to do this, by reading and discussing her novel.

Bookreporter.com brought up a few months ago if anyone has brought in the discussion about the e-readers. I thought never would our book club even discuss that. Since most of our members are of the above 60 crowd.

I was wrong, the discussion was brought up, who has a E-reader, and which one do you own? What is the difference between all the other readers? I found at least 4 members have one. It is slowly infiltrating our discussion group. This was a great discussion. We told everyone we each would bring our at the next meeting. It was discussed which is better the Kindle or the Nook?

We discussed the differences. My reason for the Nook was the technical support at Barnes and Noble. The Kindle, you don't get face to face contact.

The only thing, I find is that the books are a bit more money. Next month, we all our bringing our electronic devices to our next meeting.
I think it is just so funny, that it is infiltrating our book club. I did not think it would.

I don't like the electronic devices when I am reading a book for the book club. I find I don't have the patience to find the page and highlight. It is too tedious for me, and time consuming. Reading a book for enjoyment is one thing. But taking notes is still the best finding the physical page, and writing it on sticky notes for the book club.

What do y'all think??
Happy Reading
Susan of Carolina Gal's Literary Cafe