A Great Read!

This week I'm helping with the care of my neighbor's beautiful golden retriever, Rosie.  Yesterday when I went over to let her out, my neighbor had left a book  for me to read.  Her note said it was great so I couldn't wait to start it. I opened it around 4:00 p.m. and didn't put it down until I finished at 1:30 a.m.  That's how good it was!  The fact that it was large print was a bonus.

 

 

The Lost Wife is  well-written Holocaust fiction and a terrific love story.  However, because of the subject matter, it's not for someone looking for light, "happy", reading.  The author, Alyson Richman, is an amazing author and I'd say this is at the top of my list of favorites!

 

Don't forget to comment on my previous post so your name will be in the hat for my blogiversary giveaway on August 1.

A Great Day for Reading!

 

Recently a friend I met through my blog recommended this book by Beth Hoffman.  I don't know about you, but it was hard for me to focus on any projects today.  The tragedy in Boston yesterday left me feeling somewhat empty.  I decided the pile of mulch at the end of my driveway could wait and I started reading Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt.  I couldn't put it down and finished the entire book before I stopped reading.  The story is very sweet and I love the author's writing style.  Thanks, Bonnie, for suggesting it to me.

 

My daughters and I were in Boston a few years back around this same time.  It is a city rich in history and charm and beautiful in the springtime.  I still can't believe this horrific act happened!

 

A Great Book and Movie

 

 

 

About a month ago I read Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio and loved it.  Last night I started  her  book, Violets of March, and read until 4:00 a.m. because I couldn't put it down until I knew how it ended.  I enjoyed it even more than Blackberry Winter.  I have my name of the waiting list at my library for her third book, Bungalow.

 

I saw Safe Haven, a movie based on the last Nicholas Sparks book, on Valentine's Day.  It was very good.  The setting was a small NC coastal town and the scenery was beautiful.  The story is not the typical Nicholas Sparks love story and has some violent scenes.  It's probably my favorite of the movies made from his books.



Feeling Pretty Lousy!

The last few days, I've been "under the weather" with a serious sinus infection.  I've spent most of the time lounging around, watching TV and reading.  I'm one of those people who can't be still too long so I frequently jump up and put some Christmas decorations away.

 

Yesterday I started the book, Blackberry Winter, by Sarah Jio.  I couldn't put it down and finished it last night.  The term  "blackberry winter" is an old fashioned weather term for a late season cold snap.  The novel is based on the disappearance of a three year old boy in May, 1933.  This is the first book by this author that I've read.  I think I'll check at the library tomorrow for another one.

 

I haven't felt like taking pictures of my projects but will post about them soon. 

Catching Up on My Reading

 

 

I'm sure it was over ten years ago that I read the first five books in the Mitford series which are written by Jan Karon.  These books are easy reading with sweet small town characters and mindless tales of their lives.

 

Last week I came across a copy of the first of the Father Tim novels in a new series that she has written.  (Father Tim was the main character in the Mitford series).  The book is titled Home to Holly Springs and is about his return to his childhood hometown in Mississippi after his retirement.  I read the entire book in 24 hours.  It was refreshing and heartwarming!  Actually, it was "just what the doctor ordered" with all the evil things going on around us these days. 

 

Hope you're having a relaxing holiday season and will have some time to read.

Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope

Today I finally got caught up enough with my projects to spend some time reading.   I haven't read a book for a few months and I've missed it.

Several weeks ago I saw an interview by Diane Sawyer with Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.  She is the most remarkable woman!  I decided I wanted to read Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope which was penned by her husband.  This book describes her months of intense therapy and her emotional up and downs.  So far, the book is great!  She is definitely an inspiration to all of us.

Falling Leaves

Earlier this week I had an email from a friend in California.  About once a month, she and I exchange info on the latest books we've read or movies we've seen.  She just finished reading Falling Leaves by Adeline Yeh Mah who is a Chinese American author and physician who lives in California.  I picked up a copy at the library this afternoon and started reading it tonight.  Below is a review I copied from Amazon:

In 1937, Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her. Because of this, she was considered "bad luck", tormented by her siblings and shunned by her father. Her father soon remarried a beautiful, young Eurasian woman who was cruel and manipulative. She treated all five of her stepchildren badly, but saved her real hatred for Adeline. Falling Leaves is the powerful, riveting memoir of emotional abuse and isolation that Ms Yen Mah suffered at the hands of her stepmother. At this point, most would say, "Why would I want to torture myself by reading a book about child abuse?" The answer is simple...Adeline Yen Mah didn't just survive her childhood, she triumphed. With great wisdom and insight, she tells a story not just about her life, but the life of China, before and after the cultural revolution and how both were changed forever. Despite her miserable childhood, she excelled, became a doctor, married and found freedom and a new life in America. This is an amazing, compelling story, told by an amazing woman who was not only able to put the past behind her, but was able to celebrate life and move forward.

I have always been fascinated by the Chinese culture. In my earlier years, I read The Good Earth and several other books by author, Pearl Buck.  I think after I finish reading Falling Leaves, I will reread some of her books.

Rainy Days and Reading...

We've had several days of rain this week as the aftermath of hurricane Lee moves up the East Coast.  Rain and reading always seem to be a perfect match for me. I've been reading Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen which is a wonderful love story, romantic love and love between horses and their owners.  I also want to read Flying Changes which  is a sequel to Riding Lessons.  I think Sara Gruen's most popular  book is Water For Elephants.

Sarah's Key

I read  Sarah's Key last winter and went to see the film yesterday.  It was excellent!  Even though the book is fictional, it is based on a sad, dark time in Paris in the 1940's.  The story is very moving and the acting is superb!  Be sure you take your tissues!

And, I had quite a once in a lifetime (I hope) experience today.  The state of Virginia experienced the largest earthquake since the 1800's.  I was dusting  in my dining room and every piece of china in the cabinet started to rattle.  At first I thought it was a large plane since I'm not  far from a major airport.  But I soon realized what was happening.  It actually felt like my house was moving.  There were no injuries or major damages in my area. However. the epicenter was about 50 miles away and there were damages reported in that county but no major injuries.  Several historic brick structures were damaged significantly.

HOPALONG JACK AND THE BLUE BUNNIES

I received this book as a gift this week and just had to tell you about it.  It is written and illustrated by Jeri Landers of Hopalong Hollow Gazette blog.  The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the story is so sweet.  I have a small collection of children's book which includes a signed copy of the Corgiville Kidnapping by Tasha Tudor.  I'm so excited to add Jeri's book and Hooper Finds a Family. 

I love books!  Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. 

HOOPER FINDS A FAMILY

My friend in California told me about this adorable children's book that was written by her sister-in-law. It is based on a true story about a lab puppy who survived hurricane Katrina.  The author, Jane Paley, and Hooper were on the CBS morning show a few  weeks ago.  The following is a description of the story from one of the online book stores:

Here comes Hooper, one plucky, spunky dog whose warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible. Hooper tells his own dramatic rescue tale after being left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York to meet his new family. He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina, his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a city far from home. As Hooper struggles to find his place, he learns to overcome his fear of water and faces down feisty squirrels as well as the resident bully and top dog in his new neighborhood. In a moving tale of adventure and triumph based on a true story, meet this tenacious puppy who makes an incredible journey in search of home.

Singing With the Top Down

Sunday was a very quiet day for me so I decided to start reading Singing with the Top Down by Debrah Williamson.  This was the first book that she wrote that I've read and I like her writing style. The story took place in the 50's and was heartwarming and funny.  It's easy reading and I finished it Sunday night.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I think I'd give it about a 7.

Thanks, Brenda, for sharing this book with me!

A Great Book!

I just finished reading The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd and loved it!  She also wrote The Secret Life of Bees which I enjoyed also.

I haven't been reading much in the last few months but I know this book is going to be the beginning of my summer reading marathon.  It's already too hot  to work in my flower gardens, so I 'll have lots of time to read.  Let me know if you have any recommendations.

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

Yesterday I had planned to go to the plant sale at the botanical gardens, but the weather was so unpredictable and there were tornado warnings in nearby counties.   I decided instead that  it was a great afternoon to read  Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson that my friend had brought me earlier in the week.

This book is wonderfully written and so romantic!  The entire story conveyed the message that we have to find joy in every day!  I started the book around 1:00 and was finished before dinner.  It was very easy reading!

Water for Elephants

I have to say that I was disappointed in this book.  To me it was very dark with too many bizarre and cruel things happening to the animals and people. I expected some of this  because of the circus setting, but it was depressing after a while. 

Has anyone read a good book lately that you can recommend? 

Water for Elephants

Tonight I'm going to start reading Water for Elephants.  I always get excited when I start a  book, it's like going on a new adventure.  Sara Gruen, the author is originally from Canada and now lives in NC with her husband, two dogs, four cats, two horses and a goat.  Anyone who has that many animals has to be wonderful, don't you think?

Friday I'll be "junkin" all day with my friend.  Maybe I'll have some things to show you on Saturday.

Have a great weekend!

Half Broke Horses

Yesterday I started reading Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls, around the middle of the afternoon.  I finished the book about 1:00 a.m.  I read The Glass Castle by the same author last summer and loved it.   I'd say that Half Broke Horses is equally as good.  Jeannette Walls has a very unique writing style and in some ways reminds me of the Irish author, Frank McCourt, who wrote Angela's Ashes.  I love reading and one of my favorite things about retirement is having more time for it.

Delightful Reading!

Amy at the Verde Farm blog recently recommended The Tale of Hill Top Farm  which is the first in a series written by Susan Wittig Albert.  It's a fun and light reading mystery that  I'd describe  as an adult fairy tale.  The author of the Peter Rabbit books, Beatrix Potter, is the main character.  All of the animals in her books are part of the story and actually talk. 

Safe Haven

  

I haven't been reading much during the holidays so yesterday I decided to start the latest Nicholas Sparks novel.  I've always enjoyed his books but find them slightly predictable and haven't read one that I just couldn't put down.  Well, Safe Haven is the one! I started reading around 10:00 a.m. and finished around 11:30 p.m.  Of course, I stopped long enough to eat, let the dogs out, let the cat in, answer the phone and all the usual things that go on  at my house.  The book is  suspenseful  and has a few very surprising twists.   I'd recommend it!