Living to Think

First WWI Book

2012-01-12T01:36:00.001-06:00

Well, this year I had decided not to join any book challenges. Then the ladies over at War Through The Generations posted this years war and, yeah, I have to "Wade" into World War I. I chose to wade in and read at least 4 books this year. And guess what, I have finished my first book-go me!

I am not sure why I had Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse on hold, but that cover was so gorgeous I had to see what was inside. I'll be honest, I am not a literary reader and I assumed the book was about abstract thoughts on living ghosts but no real haunts or spooks. You know, people who are alive but not living life. And yes, that is part of the story of Freddie but there are spooks in the book too.

Freddie was the younger child of a nearly perfect English family prior to WWI. When older brother George is lost and presumed dead on the battlefield, things shatter for the family. Within 10 years Freddie has been institutionalized and both parents died within months of each other. After recovering from his breakdown, Freddie decides a tour of France in the cold winter months might do him good. It is there, through an accident, that he lands in a village that is haunted by 600 year old ghosts and tragedy. Do you see the parallels? So it's up to Freddie to learn the story from so many years ago and set both the village and his ghosts free.

WWI is nearly a third character in the book. The war weaves itself through Freddie's heart and soul. We read about his parents receiving the news that George is lost and presumed dead. We see the effect of Freddie's hopes that George will be found alive. The war never really ended for Freddie even though he was too young to fight.

This is a really slim book and it's not as physically wide as most books. It kinda felt like when a report was due in college and you couldn't say enough on your subject and so you fiddled with font to make it appear fuller. This is nearly a novella length if it was a traditional sized book but it doesn't mean that it's any less of a story.

I really enjoyed this, but I am so hesitant to recommend the book because it is rather dark. Nervous breakdowns, thoughts of suicide, ghost of villagers plus great descriptive writing on winter time means this in nearly Nordic in it's feel. It's not Winter's Bone or Dragon Tattoo dark but it isn't chick lit either. Because it is so slender, I would encourage any to give this a shot.

Oh, and yes, this is book 1 of my WWI challenge!

New Year New Goals

2012-01-08T23:23:00.001-06:00

Well, we've got one week of 2012 under our belts and about to start the second week. I have read two books and tossed one on the Didn't Finish pile. If you'll notice on the right, I am using Goodreads this year to track my books.

A few thoughts on my reading for the coming, in no particular order:

Read deliberately. Minimize the holds at the library and read from the books at the house. I have a tendency to put a bunch of stuff on hold but not able to get it read.
Finish the Top 100 Picture Poll. I have 50 to go. I know that this will tip my numbers over my goal (85 this year). And while, I will count these to my grand total, in the end I want my total to be 85 (or more)+50 picture books.
Work on the Louis L'Amour back catalog. I have a list of the books by year published that I have been working on. Two years ago I started reading these again and somehow I got derailed. I am, in fact, reading Sitka right now and am hoping to read at least 12 this year.
Work on getting caught up on at least a couple of series. I am only on number 7 on the 87th Precinct by Ed McBain-this series has 55 novels! I have let a couple (or more) series go in the past few months as I have felt unmotivated and overwhelmed. It's time to get reacquainted with these guys. By the way, if you love series-mystery, historical, fiction, sci-fi-Fictfact is totally awesome and highly recommended!
To have more fun this year. I have learned to send stuff back and know I can get it later. In fact, I have been sending a lot of stuff back as it just doesn't fit into what I want to read, or am reading at this juncture. For instance, I have Sharon Kay Penman's Lionheart at home. Looks super good but it's a bit chunky-this won't be a quick read. I am in the middle of one book, have another one at the house, plus I have another chunkster that'll be in this week. So Lionheart is going back with thoughts of another day. This is huge for me, because before I would totally stress and try to read all my library books.

I also want a more regular blogging schedule. Honestly though I am not sure what to blog about besides books. There's the thought, that if I blog about what I am going to read next, it could change. Maybe a series book comes in, or I just can't get to something and it needs to be returned. I'll come up with something :)

In the meantime, what are you reading this week?

End of the Year

2011-12-29T23:40:00.000-06:00

Time for a yearly wrap up post. 2011 seemed to be the year that tried to break me. Or at least drive me crazy. On so many fronts, 2011 was challenging, frustrating, and hard. I am, however, ending the year focused on the good things and good memories of the year. Also, taking with me into the future, what worked and didn't work this year. I think sometimes we just have to let go of our expectations and accept what life throws at us.

With that said, my reading sucked this year. My normal yearly goal is 100 books. Fairly easy for me to accomplish, usually. I read about 2 books a week, roughly, so I make 100 books with time for a chunkster or those times of no time to read. This year, though, was long patches of not finishing a book or even not reading with slight periods of voracious reading. For some reason, this year, I just didn't get much reading done. It felt like such a chore sometimes to read. I gave myself permission in November to read whatever and while I have lots I want to read, I don't want to read. Not sure how I want to fill my time, but if I am not reading, then who am I?

I read 82 books this year, probably 83 by the time new years rolls around. The book I am reading right now is intimidating to me for some freaky reason. And so I am not reading like I normally do. However, I do have a list of my 10 favorite reads for 2011. Hopefully some of these will make your to be read list for 2012!

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson is a one-night thriller about an amnesiac who's brain resets every night as she sleeps. A secret diary leads her on a daily discovery of who she is and what her story is, even if she can't remember it the next morning. Watson does a great job with premise and makes it very believable.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs was a roller coaster ride that I really enjoyed. The pictures in this was fantastic, the story believable (even in the face of the unbelievable), and the end a true cliff-hanger. This was just one of the many young adult fantasy/sci-fi books that I enjoyed this year.

Wonder Girl by Don Van Natta Jr was one of those books that I just couldn't stop reading. And you know, golf/basketball/track and field is not my normal reading material. But the story of Babe Didrikson Zaharias was so fascinating. As a girl in her time she was not suppose to do anything but keep house and love her man. But Babe accomplished so much and really paved the way for women athletes to come later. I didn't realize she and her husband were one of the founders of the LPGA. If you can't join 'em, then create your own organization!

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson was right in my wheel house-non fiction, WWII (or just prior too). The story of an American Ambassador to Germany trying to pacify and deal with Hitler and the changes occurring in Germany while having little to no support from the Diplomatic Corp plus a daughter who's cuddling up to every Nazi she can. Really got a feel for Germany and politics that led to WWII. After reading this, I finally got around to watching the miniseries Band of Brothers.

3 Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer was a revelation of Greg Mortenson and how he was not doing what he was saying he was doing in regards to raising money and schools in Asia. Now, I haven't read 3 Cups of Tea and I probably won't after reading this to be honest. I don't care to sit through 300 some odd pages and wonder how much is wishful thinking, preplanning that fell through, and outright lies. Krakauer comes across as hurt but on a mission to uncover exactly what's going on with Mortenson's nonprofit organization and takes us along for a ride. The shortest book on this list but one that has really stuck with me.

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley was a real favorite and one I talked up to my co-workers and we twitted about it (which the author retweeted! Awesomeness!). I just really fell into this book and the lives of it's two main characters, Ryder and Falpian and the story set in the winter would make great summer reading when it's 110 in the shade. I really hope there's a sequel but I am interested in whatever Ms Coakley has to write about next.

Time for a confession: We read Hunger Games for book club and I hated it. Absolutely hated it. In fact, I wouldn't have finished it except for the fact that it was book club. Now, the movie has Jennifer Lawrence and I fell in love with her in the movie Winter Bone so I will go see the movie. The next book is Graceling by Kristin Cashore and this book was so much better than Hunger Games and yet it seemed to cover some of the same ground. The story of Katsa so enthralled me I think the book went everywhere I went. Next to the stove, the bathroom, the bed, in front of the TV. This is why I read-to find these fantastically awesome books I fall head over heels in love with and can't stop reading. I didn't get this for Christmas so for my birthday, I want a copy. Oh, and if you haven't read this, go get a copy. You'll thank me later.

Bricklayer by Noah Boyd was one I picked up due to the fact that it has been optioned into a move and Gerald Butler has been attached to star. Mr Butler is rather yummy and I do love a good mystery so I decided to give it a shot before it comes out (if it ever does). It's a quick read with great characters and it reminded me of Lee Child's Reacher's books in some ways. Although Steve Vail, main character, is more settled with a job and an apartment the Reacher. It felt they both don't care one bit for the bureaucracies they left but occasionally get pulled into. There are two books out and supposedly a third one finished but unreleased. As Mr Boyd has passed away this year, this series is set at 2-3 books and for mystery fans should be a series you try out.

Sword in Her Hand by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem and Pat van Beirs and has been translated into the English by John Nieuwenhuizen. This is another book about strong women in times there were not suppose to be strong. Yes, I am seeing a pattern to books I have read this year. This is based on a true story of Marguerite of Flanders but we don't have a lot of details about her life. So the authors filled in and the story is wonderful. Marguerite is strong, willful, and an excellent swords-woman. This is another young adult book that really drew me and kept me turning pages.

Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin was read in one night. I love Southern writing (and Southern cooking, and movies set in the South) and this one is set in Mississippi with alternating storylines set in present times and the late 70s. Friendship, life, racial relations, and an unsolved missing person all swirl in one story of redemption and friendship. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading it again for book club.

Did you guys have any spectacular reads this year?

Computerless

2011-12-07T13:19:00.001-06:00

Well, my cheap end laptop finally died. It was a long and excurciating death both for me and the laptop. I have buried it in the backyard (after beating it with a baseball bat) and am know going through laptop withdraw. It isn't pretty!

I do have a few limited options. I have my Kindle so I can update book status and check news. My phone has a decent enough Facebook app. Otherwise, I am showing up early for work or running over to hubs work to work on a few things. I am making things work. Albiet, grudgingly and try not to whine. It is what it is and I just have to wait for the first of the year to get a new laptop.

Just a few things I miss the most about not having a laptop/netbook/computer: easy access to Evernote and Delicious (where all my recipes to try are saved), the loss of easy Google search (who's that actor to substitutes for buttermilk, I Google-fu), playing my Facebook games, being able to search the library website and place holds. I miss wasting time online, checking my RSS Feeds, and the connectivity. Yes, I prefer online connection to meeting people in person.

Which is why things are going to be quiet on this blog for a bit. I can't blog at work and I just feel like maybe now is a good time to step back a bit. Blog every week instead of every 2-3 days. Bear with me, but things may be slow around here. Besides, it's Christmas-go take a drive and look at Christmas lights. Spend time with those you love. Maybe getting off the computer a bit will be good for me!

My New Year

2011-11-24T22:52:00.001-06:00

I think I may live in an alternate universe most of the time. But it's feeling like a new year has begun for me. Lets just say my psyche follows the liturgical calendar. With the upcoming Christmas season and Advent it just feels like I have started a new year. So I am rolling with it.

I like the concept of living a word for the coming year. Last year, I was "fearless." I tried fish at a restaurant for the first time in maybe ever, I stepped up more at work, I visited the gynecologist for the first time. There's one thing I have yet to do-enroll and go back to school. I will get this accomplished and set up for sometime in the 2012 school year.

I have my word for this year. I am not sharing it-it feels personal and between my hubs and me. That's okay. It's gonna be another year where I step up to the plate and take some big swings.

Another thing that I have done in relation to a new year, is new reading. I have two unfinished challenges and you know what, I am not going to finish them. This year, I have really struggled with material. I have had long periods where nothing really suited me. There have been books that have really sung to me and books I have enjoyed. But it feels like a lot of slogging through stuff this year. I am done reading stuff because I impose and sign up for challenges. It has taken my joy out of reading. I want to read what I want to read and not because I need to finish a challenge.

I recently finished Lady of the Rivers by Phillipa Gregory and I have to say I have loved her trilogy of The Cousins War. It has sparked my interest in British history. Now in high school, I was a complete dork about American history and have very found memories of losing myself in subjects. There was a Civil War period about middle school years. Then WWII just after that (mostly POWs and Nazi not so much on the battle). Then there was a period of soldier (mostly Vietnam era) bios that happen just post high school. I just can't remember losing myself in a subject since then. I have always compiled a reading list and I have driven myself to read of it for so long that I have nearly forgotten the joy of just reading on a subject that interests me.

Well, I have decided to do just that. I have gotten interested in British history thanks to Gregory and wanting to read more about the monarchy and kings/queens of British history. So I turned everything I had out-thankful I was between books! And I went looking at my local library for British history and monarchy. I am about 14% into British History for Dummies and I have to say I am intrigued. Really enjoying this and I haven't even hit the first monarch yet!

I will of course update with blurbs once I get stuff read. But you know what-it feels good to let go and read what I want.

Does the new year start on January 1st for you or another date/season?

Playing Catch-Up

2011-11-14T15:40:00.001-06:00

This fall seems to be baseball oriented more than most falls. Not complaining though :) By the end of December, I will be pulling out my never ending to be read and to be seen (books and movies I haven't seen) to see what is baseball related. This year, I plan on watching Ken Burn's Baseball documentary. There's always a baseball movie or two I haven't seen, plus I have to watch Field of Dreams. Book-wise, this winter I plan on reading the Mickey Mantle bio that has come out. Nope, not obsessed with baseball at all :)

As for what I have read here lately one has been so-so, one not so great, and one was fabulous. I have been waiting for The Sister's Brothers since, easily, June. I have heard so many good things about this book. It's similar to the Coen brother's movies I heard. It's funny and it's hysterical. I, myself, got 3/4 of the way through it and wondered what the heck is wrong with me. Honestly, it felt way too hipsterish. Kinda like watching a guy in skinny jeans, slip on canvas shoes, and a cardigan-you can't help but wonder why in God's green earth is this considered cool. Yes, maybe I just don't get it. Let's blame it on my upbringing which included healthy doses of John Wayne and Louis L'Amour-guys who wear the white hat and are inherently good. I did finish this which is rather rare for me to finish something I don't like. Patrick deWitt can write-I just wasn't crazy with this one.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to The Invention Of Hugo Caberet. Hugo blew me away-it is such a great mix of drawings and story and movies. Wonderstruck was just okay. The story about a boy who has never known his father and his mother has recently died, traveling to NYC to find his father is a classic storyline. The use of museums and collecting was cool. After all, all boys have collections where it's Pokemon or Hot Wheels or rocks. If you like Hugo, I would definitely encourage y'all to pick this up and give it a shot. As usual, the combination of drawings and story is fantastic and worth the price of admission.

Witchlanders by Lena coakley is a debut book and I am in love with it! I have been gushing about this book at work and I will now proceed to gush here about this book. The first few chapters, remind me of Hunger Games and Graceling. It's really an old story about borders, war, effects of war and peace, and mistrust of your neighboring country. I also really enjoyed the fact this was about two boys who are told from birth that they are enemies but end up striking up a friendship. Oh-and another great thing about this book is the lack of romance! Great for boys looking for something similar to Hunger Games with out the love and romance.

I am just about done with Lady of the Rivers by Phillipa Gregory and then I have just a few days to get read Tony Horowitz's new book about John Brown.

What are you reading?

Stocking Up for Sick Times

2011-11-04T19:54:00.000-05:00

I have been so sick this week. Sinus infections are not fun! I did manage to finish a couple of books that I will talk about soon. In the meantime, I want to present my five must stock up items for the upcoming cold/flu/sinus season. These items make these times somewhat bearable.

Soup, juice, and honey. Eclectic I know but having soup in the cabinet when your under the weather is so wonderful. Now, you could always make and freeze homemade soup. But it doesn't matter what you have, soup is wonderful. Juice is a no-brainer here and I am also planning on stocking up on the those little bottles of 7-Up when they go on sale and hide them away. The honey goes in hot black tea and feels great on a rough throat.
Kleenexes. Not just any Kleenexes but the super good ones that are a tad expensive. When my nose started to copiously drip I bought some Kleenex Cool Touch tissues and these things are fantastic! No Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer when I go back to work. Buy a couple of boxes of good tissues for when your nose is running faster than the kids! (I am not paid or compensated for my endorsement of said tissues, I just really love them!)
Lysol or similar germ killing stuff. My house smells like fresh linen. The bed, pillows, couches and couch pillows. Just about anything and everything has been sprayed at least once and I was never contagious! Make sure you have a can around the house this time year.
Meds-if you do go to your doctor and he prescribes meds I have one thing to say: take it all and take it on time! I had a mild sinus infection at the end of September and instead of taking the Amoxicillin I just let it set on the microwave. Then all October I just didn't feel 100% and finally this beast took me down. Now I am on 3 meds, including a stronger antibotic, and missed a week of work. Take your meds, okay?
Entertainment. Set aside some movies, add movies to your instant watch (Netflix, Amazon), visit your library. Send the kids or the hubby to the library or video store. Now is a great time to pick up your favorite entertainment items to stare at all glassy eyed. We watched Delores Claiborne on Netflix instant watch Tuesday morning and for 2 hours it really took me away from my fever, sore throat, and general crappy feeling. Once I started getting better, I read two books (though I am a fast reader) and have started and dabbled with a couple more. Pick up some magazines, set aside some books.

I am not big on stock up on meds. Now if we had a bigger family I might. The cough drops we bought for this round will probably be around in 2 years. I would almost rather find some good hard candy to set back. I might try finding these honey hard candy or ordering them as I can use them even when I am not sick.

The great thing about going ahead and getting these things now is that you can buy at a price point you like and who likes to shop (or send the hubby) when you are sick. I hope that you make it through the winter without sickness, but these are good things to have around in case of snow/ice/sleet/ polar bears. You know, Oklahoma winters can be brutal!

What are some of your go-to sicky items?

13 Treasures

2011-10-28T02:01:00.000-05:00

I seem to be on a bit of children's/young adult lit kick here lately. 13 Treasures by Michelle Harris was a charming book that took on bad fairies and evil fairies. I have to say I enjoyed the change of pace with the bad vs good fairy realm.

I really don't know much mythology or history of fairies. In fact, I went to my boss, who's a sci-fi/fantasy geek and asked her about changelings. I have to say it was a very intriguing conversation about dealing with losing a young child and dealing/coping mechanisms.

The basic premise is that Tanya has second sight that allows her to see fairy folk. She doesn't know anything about the fairies beyond the fact that they are mean and spiteful. After one too many incidents at her mom's apartment in London, her mom takes her to grandma's manor in the country. There, Tanya and the groundskeepers son, Fabian, end up looking to solve the mysteries in the manor and the woods next to the manor. It's a mystery and fantasy blend that worked for me.

As I ended this book, I wondered what was going to happen to Tanya and upon my research for this review discovered this is the first of a trilogy. I have added those books, 13 Curses and 13 Secrets, to my Never-Ending TBR.

This is being linked up to R.I.P. IV and What's in a Name Challenges.

The Other Side

2011-10-28T01:33:00.000-05:00

What happens to good books when a reader gets hit by a bad slump? It took me nearly three weeks to conquer The Other Side of Darkness by Sarah Smith and it shouldn't have taken that long.

This young adult novel covers a lot of heavy ground including slavery, reparations, ghosts, and mental illness. Law and Katie fight each other, themselves, their parents, and society to uncover the truth about a historic Boston home that is scheduled for demolition.

This is great ghost story with Katie able to see and talk to ghosts. As you can imagine, this is both good and bad and she is able to sketch out what she sees when she sees ghosts. This book was written to have you see both sides of the story-both Law and Katie's. However, I felt that Law was really more the central character. Without Law, the story would falter. But I like Katie. I can't help but admire her growth through the novel and how she slays her personal demons to uncover her gift in the second sight she has been given. I also like the fact, this is set in Boston and not the South.

Yes, I am doing short and sweet reviews. I had/have three to get posted and I've procrastinated enough. Three-for Friday.

Oh, this one is being linked to the R.I.P. IV challenge.

Spooky Stories

2011-10-28T01:14:00.000-05:00

Since I joined Carl's RIP challenge, I have had a collection of spooky stories in the bathroom. Which may not be a great idea since watching Candyman. I know have to walk out of the bathroom and then turn the light off thanks to the movie. So spooky stories on top of my phobias may not be my most brilliant idea.

However, The Kingfisher Treasury of Spooky Stories is just about perfect in every way. The stories are short, not too scary (this is a kid's collection), and are entertaining. This would be a perfect book for kids as it's not so scary and at times challenges our thoughts of ghosts. For example, in The House That Lacked a Bogle by Sorche Nic Leodhas, is about a family in Scotland that has a home without a ghost and is considered Persona non Grata because of that fact.

There's a wide variety of authors, most of whom I had never read before with the exception of the Grimm Brothers. I would have enjoyed this collection as a child and also think this would be perfect for a readathon.

I know this is short and sweet but so is this book. If you have kids, this is great Halloween reading. Or grab the nieces and nephews for a few spooky tales. This is definitely a fun, quick read.

This is being linked to the R.I.P. IV site.

October

2011-10-03T23:03:00.000-05:00

Is it October already? Must be-baseball is in playoff mode! I have a couple of book reviews to get to this week. Plus I want to chat a bit about other things I have read. So this is going to be a book week here on Living to Think.

Most important thing with October is that it's time to think about Domestic Violence. See the ribbon on the side? And this was last years post where I crawled up on my soap box. Still believe it and wanna preach it again this year.

I have been watching my new fall TV shows but Ken Burns has a new mini series on PBS about the Prohibition. Been watching that along with new shows. This being PBS, they will replay this quit a bit in the late night hours or you can mosey over to PBS.org and watch it there. Most interesting thing was that most people drank 2% beer with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We must have been a nation of booze hounds!

My library has acquired the Kindle downloads for eBooks. I have already read a couple of books on my Kindle from the library. The best part of the downloads is that if I want a fluffy romance book or Suzanne Brockman (I am working through her Troubleshooters series) then I can get them anonymously and not have my co-workers giving me grief.

I have cans of pumpkin in the cabinet ready for some fall baking. I need to pick up some apples also tomorrow when I get groceries. The first success of the season with this pumpkin bread. It makes three loaves-or one loaf and a small cake pan. Work and my parents really enjoyed this; I loved the spicy pumpkin flavor. By the way, I used this as payment for my dad coming over and fixing my dripping faucets. Thanks dad!

I am reading my third book of the RIP VI challenge and a mystery on the Kindle. It feels so good to be making dents on my reading challenges. What are you reading?

Musical Monday

2011-09-20T01:56:00.000-05:00

Too many book reviews so today, a musical video. Tonight it's been Lady Day on the playlist so how about some great retro music.

Billie Holiday doing They Can't Take That Away From Me:

Miss Peregrine

2011-09-16T00:16:00.000-05:00

I started this book with just a couple of days before it was due. I thought, either I will finish it (meaning it really sucked me in and kept me up at night) or it's gonna go back and I'll get it again. The first fifty pages or so were good and set up the premise and storyline fairly well. And then we go to Wales. I apologize to whomever has been waiting for me to finish this book, cause once we went to Wales, I wasn't letting this book go!

The premise is fairly simple. Is Jacob's grandpa a fruitloop or a great storyteller? The fantastic stories of odd children in a home in Wales send young Jacob into nightmares. But as Jacob grows he begins to doubt his grandfathers stories. Until grandpa is killed and Jacob and his dad make the trek to Wales.

I really enjoyed this book. It's creepy in places but mostly gothic. It reminded me of Graveyard Book and in some ways Harry Potter. In good ways though. Let me say that it merely reminded me of elements of Harry, this is not a Harry Potter knock off.

I don't want to give a lot of the plot away, so I will simply urge that this is a great time of year to pick up this book. Plus, the photos in this book really rock and they really help to tell the story.

I have heard there will be a sequel (which, once I finished it I declared there had to be a sequel) and it's been option for the movies. Another book, that if done right, will be fabulous on the big screen!

I am linking this to Books with a Life Stage, and RIP VI.

Wicked Bugs

2011-09-15T23:46:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed Amy Stewart's book Wicked Plants, so when I heard she had another out called Wicked Bugs I hopped on the hold list. I was not disappointed in this foray into nasty mean bugs.

This is a great book to dip into for a short period. The chapters typically last 2-3 pages so this makes great bathroom and bedtime reading. Each chapter includes a beautiful line drawing of the bug and these pictures are enough to give you the chills!

This covered a wide variety of bugs from scorpions to spiders, parasites to mosquitoes. Between this book and Discover Health TV show called Monsters Inside Me I have decided that nature isn't my friend.

Although this covers a wide variety of bugs found in the world, the scariest thing was finding out that some head lice are now becoming immune to the boxes of chemicals. So if you are infected with said lice, your best bet is vegetable oil and fine tooth comb. That just makes my head itch!

Short and fun, a great read if you are looking for something easy!

Oh, and I linking this to Evil in the Title!

Book Challenges

2011-09-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have signed up for two book challenges and have just signed up for a third. So the next few weeks I am gonna focus on those challenges. In addition, I have a pile by the bed and our next book club read is a chunkster. So the challenges I am signed up for, details, and websites just so you guys know why you are going to see more individual book reviews (as I have to link the book review back to the challenge).

The first one I signed up for this year was War Through The Generations. They focus on a different war every year and this year is the Civil War. I need to read at least 3 and up to 5 books that focus on in some way on the Civil War. I have two that I pulled out of my TBR shelves. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and Story of the Confederacy by Robert Selph Henry. Then I just need to get another Civil War book from the library. Tony Horowitz (Confederates in the Attic) has a new book out or coming out about John Brown and the start of the Civil War.

The next challenge is called What's In a Name and the premise is pretty simple. She gives you six words and as you read, if the tittle fits, you write a review and link it back. There's honestly no reason I shouldn't have this about done. Lazyness and a crappy summer is my excuse(s). I am figuring some of my titles from other challenges should overlap.

The third challenge and the one I just signed up for is called RIP (Readers Imbibing Peril VI). From September 1-October 31 you need to read something that's spooky, horror, thriller, or suspenseful. I am going to sign up to read 4 books before Halloween. I have pulled a copy of Kingfisher Spooky Stories. Yes it's a kid book, but it was on my shelves. I also pulled off of my shelves Haunting of Louisiana by Barbara Sillery and I got a copy of The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith from the library.I also have, and need to read, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Then I just need one more-perhaps some Steven King or I have American Gods by Gaiman I have been trying to get to for a while now.

And this is maybe half of what is on my bedside at the time. Wilder Life by Wendy McClure is good but slow. Then there's A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion, Agent X, Book Thief, Soul of the Sacred Earth, Thrifty, and Sitka. That's enough variety to please a small group of readers!

Mad Libs Book Style

2011-09-03T11:42:00.000-05:00

Pop Culture Nerd has done a mad libs style open ended questions that you answer with book titles. This is always fun. So below are my answers!

One Time at band/summer camp: In the Garden of Beasts (Larsen)
Cliques, cliches, and preteen/tween girls. It had it's moments.

Weekends at my house are: Three Nights of Sin (Mallery).
If you're married though, is it sin?

My neighbor is: Where the Dead Lay (Levien)
My neighbor is actually AWOL after some crazy crap next door.

My boss is: The Red Queen (Gregory)
She is a red head :)

My ex is: Dead Zero (Hunter)
I actually never did date before I met the hubs.

My superhero secret identity is: Fire (Cashore)
Mainly because I haven't read any books with anger in the title!

You wouldn't like me when I am angry because: A Sword in her Hand ( van Rijckeghem)
Or a frying pan or a just a knife-I am versatile that way.

I'd win a gold medal in: Silent Mercy (Fairstein)
I like to do good without anyone knowing it.

I'd pay good money for: Maps of Hell (Johnston)
So I could avoid Hell.

If I were president, I would: Sworn to Silence (Castillo)
Just think about all he knows but can't say!

When I don't have good books, I: Go(ing) Crazy in Public (Emerson)
Usually as I madly search for something somewhere to read.

Loud talkers at the movies should be: Silenced (Battles)
And Battles has written the perfect clean up guy to deal with the bodies.

Well this was fun! How would yours turn out?

I am Lazy

2011-08-28T18:37:00.000-05:00

I just seem to have lost my get up and go. I think it went on an extended vacation and is setting on a Florida beach somewhere. Lucky.

I seem to blog but once a week. I am not hardly cooking and somehow putting dinner on the table despite not having a menu plan. Work is kicking my butt three ways to Sunday.

There's a part of me that just feels pissed off and there's a part of me that's just tired. I think it's vacation time but don't want to use what I have in case I need surgery next year.

Oh, and my Cards are sucking. St Louis Cardinals are my team. Now, I halfway follow Mizzou (Missouri Tigers) football because I am in college football hell. But I am a baseball girl and my team is the Cards. Right now, there is little hope for post-season with 30 some odd games to go. Now, the Brewers could have a meltdown similar to the Cubs but I ain't betting on it. It's also gonna be a relief when the season is over and I can quit counting the ways the Cards can throw games away.

My hubs asked me the other day why I didn't have a back up team. I looked at him like he had an alien sprouting out of his head. I don't like the Cards, I LOVE the Cards. Even when they are losing and causing me heartache. The history, the players, the respect of the elders and the stories. They are a part of me. This is my team and I am a proud member of Cardinal Nation. No way I could love another team. Bad seasons happen-there will always be next year.

All is not horrible in my world. I have Spotify and am able to stream the Pistol Annie's new album until I am able to purchase the album. Chris has been an absolute sweet pea and he has had me laughing so much here lately. God bless the hubs :)

I keep making treats to take into work. It's funny but I can take a cake in the door and within 3 hours it's nearly gone. It's like there's a rumor mill that kicks in and people come out of the woodwork for a bite. Last week I made an applesauce spice cake that was very autumnal and it disappeared.

I keep trying to find one good thing about every day. It's so easy to get caught up in what is going to pot around you. Somedays, I count that good thing as not assaulting the general public. Other days, it's for my crock pot, a hubs that does dishes, or the DVR. Today, the good thing is a batch of chicken salad for sandwiches this week. And the possibility of brownies being made :)

So how about yall? Any late summer funk?

Classic Classical Music

2011-08-23T02:40:00.001-05:00

So I picked up at work today 1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die. Guess I am in the mood for some enlightened listening. The first selection is in the pre-1700s and is Carmina burana. There is a great concert by UC Davis on Youtube if your interested in the hour long music. Carmina burana is actually a collection of Latin and Early German songs compiled in 1847 by Johann Andreas Schmeller. This is not church music, although I don't know Latin or Early German so I have to take the word of the book. The first two or three minutes, though, everyone knows. Just play the Youtube video play and you'll have an "Aha" moment

Wikipedia lists a few ways this has been used recently. Here's some highlights.

Glee-showdown between Will and Sue in Season 1, Episode 7
Hunt for Red October soundtrack
Used in trailers for Waterworld, Paul Blart Mall Cop, and Nutty Professor.
Tons of sports teams and a couple of wrestlers use it. Graduation classes have used it.

Let's face it, it's everywhere. At least now, we now what we are hearing in the next movie trailer!

What a Summer!

2011-08-08T01:36:00.001-05:00

Seems summer is kicking all of our butts with record heat recorded in all 50 states this past July. So far, August is looking warm. Weathermen are calling for upper 90's late this week-who knew that would sound good?

I seem to have caught a snag in my book reading. I got Wuthering Heights, something I have never read, and the first three chapters took me, easily, the better part of a week to get through. From what I could find out about the book, it flows better and reads faster after the first few chapters. Now that I am up to chapter 6, it is moving a bit better. This will be my break book at work.

I also started a half dozen books and I have two that I will be reading in the evening. One is a book on happiness and the science of happiness for a small group discussion at the library. The other is by Darcy O'Brien called Dark and Bloody Ground-it's a true crime book from the 80s that is fairly intriguing so far. It's a nice change of pace from the Bronte novel. I also have a half dozen books that are on hold. Good Lord only knows when those are going to come in.

We haven't been watching as many movies. We had to buy another cheap DVD player as our old one was crapping on us. We go through a DVD player in about 18 months. Yes, we watch way too many movies! I have been really watching the Instant Watch on Netflix (via the Wii). Right now, I have been sucked into a short TV series called Camelot.

Dinner's have been on the easy side. I know close two nights a week at work and so I am having to find easy stuff or crock pot meals so the hubs can eat. He leaves the house about 940 pm and I walk in the door at 920 pm so there's not a lot of time for supper together. He can do stir fry, spaghetti, and rice. So I have been working within those. He's also done tacos for me one night. Monday night is gonna be a Tortellini/Tomato salad that all he has to do is dish up and add chicken if he desires. Easy peasy.

I have to admit I am already looking forward to the fall. There are so many things I want to do once the temps drop. I am ready to start living again, instead of hiding out in A/C!

How's your summer going?

Cocktail Time

2011-08-03T21:39:00.000-05:00

One of my summer goals was to make a cocktail. Well to make a cocktail that I would like enough to make again. This first one, Apple JouJou, was just okay but the classic Mudslide really did it for me. So I am sharing both cocktails with you tonight.

The Apple JouJou came from the book Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations by Denise Gee.

You'll need lemonade (1/2 cup), Southern Comfort (2 oz.), and apple schnapps (2 oz.). Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled ice. Shake well. Strain into 2 old fashion glasses filled with ice. Garnish with apple slices.

How we did it: dump everything into a clean cup. Sip and add ice when it starts getting warm. Real high class over here!

This was good; my hubs liked it better than I did. You don't really taste the lemonade but if and when I make it again it will be with better lemonade.

The classic mudslide, as prescribed by the book The Essential Cocktail by Dale DeGroff is made with heavy cream. I don't have any heavy cream but I do have milk. Improvise and overcome!

The recipe calls for 1 oz each of the following: vodka, Kahlua (I prefer Cafe Lolita), Baileys Irish Cream (we had Emmet's), and heavy cream (or milk). The suggestion was to also substitute the heavy cream for ice cream and blend for frozen goodness. I haven't tried this yet.

This is rather strong for me, but I am a light weight when it comes to alcohol. So I add milk till it's sipping strength.

What's your favorite cocktail?

Why Do I Read Series That I Can't Stand?

2011-07-29T18:32:00.002-05:00

I just recently finished Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo. It's the third book in the series featuring Chief Kate Burkholder. The first two, if you want to start in order are Sworn to Silence and Pray for Silence. I wanna talk about this series. If you want to read these books, I would skip this post. I try not to give plot away but it's best not to read this if you do wanna read the books.

First of all, I finished Sworn to Silence in an evening-probably four-five hours spent reading this. The second book was also a one night stand. The third one has taken me a bit of time though-a couple of days versus one night.

So let's dive right in, shall we? Linda Castillo got her break by writing Harlequin novels. Nothing against Harlequin but it made me pause about picking up the mainstream mystery novels she writes.

Kate Burkholder is the main character and was born and raised Amish in Painter's Mill, Ohio. At 14 she is raped and kills her attacker. Her dad and brothers covers up her crime and life moves on. Kate never joined the Amish church and by 17 she is living on the streets in Cincinnati. Long story short, she becomes a dispatcher and then a cop. After a short stint with Cincinnati PD she gets the offer of chief of police for Painter's Mill. So Kate comes home.

The first book, Sworn to Silence, features raped and tortured women who are killed. Kate of course has to solve this case and this allows her past to come up. Only she doesn't divulge what she knows to her office, she tells Tomasetti, a Ohio Bureau of Investigation detective/agent who's been sent to assist. Of course, Tomasetti is been down some dark and hairy paths of his own and this is his last chance to keep his job. They solve the case and end up in bed. Every main character needs a love interest, right?

The next book, Pray for Silence, a whole family is wiped out with the two teenage daughters showing evidence of torture just before their death. Once again Tomasetti rides along and once again, the past and present collide in Kate making her more of a liability than cop.

Breaking Silence features a sociopathic female that's not revealed till the end. But this one brings up babies and pregnancy (surprise, surprise Kate has had an abortion) and once again Kate has to deal with her past while solving the case. Also, another appearance by Tomasetti.

While these books are very readable, they are violent and feature of a lot of Kate's past. Having read a lot of mysteries and thrillers, there is just something about these books that make me wrinkle my nose after inhaling them. I find the occasional look into Tomasetti interesting, but it never really clicks for me since it's so brief. Usually we are in Tomasetti's head as a way to show that T is riding into town and then we don't get into his head for the rest of the book.

I find the romance between them believable but don't buy the whole they-are-good-for-each-other crap that Castillo is making it out to be. In my opinion, these two scarred people with demons and penchant for booze should be an incoming train wreck. Instead, T has made a remake recovery to being almost normal and well, three novels of Kate dealing with past would make one seem that she has faced a lot her past.

What really bugs me, is that Castillo is writing mysteries that delve into Kate. In essence, each book has been about revealing, dissecting, and solving a part of Kate and her past. The cases don't reveal a part of Kate, they are about Kate. And yet, I am not describing this right. Instead of being thrown into Kate, I would have preferred a couple of books introducing me to the people and cops of Painter's Mill. Great mystery series are not just about the main character, it's the extras that make the book shine. Castillo dove right into Kate and has made Kate the main character of the book.There's no sense of place, nothing about Painter's Mill that doesn't fit a thousand small towns. Perhaps the true settings for these books are the Amish farms. I also don't get a huge sense of the other characters. Glock, yes a cop, has come across as quiet and competant. Pickles is older and grumpy. But they don't play a huge role in the books. This is the Kate show.

The other thing that bothers me about this series is that occasionally the the writing really takes me out of the flow. Occasionally she will have Kate and someone talking and then there's this paragraph in the middle of the conversation. For instance, Kate and Tomasetti are at a bar discussing the case. Tomasetti is trying to get Kate to talk to him about what the case is bringing up.

"When we first met, I was the one who had my shit together. You were pretty much a walking disaster." [Kate says this.]
"An attractive walking disaster."

That makes me smile, and I'm thankful I have Tomasetti to help me keep things in perspective.
His gaze sharpens on mine. "So talk to me."

I'm careful about the information I reveal to other people. I don't like anyone knowing too much about what's inside my head. Or, God forbid, in all those deeper, darker recesses. But Tomasetti isn't just other people. He's a friend. My lover. I trust him. I know about his past, he knows most of mine, and we've been through a lot together. But old habits die hard, and I find myself wanting to close the lid on the can he's trying to open.

"I guess I've sort of put those kids on a pedestal," I admit.

I can just imagine this playing in real life. "So talk to me," he demands and Kate looks out over the barroom and there's five minutes of silence. I can't tell if Tomesetti is incredibly patient or Castillo can't figure out how to incorporate this much into the dialoge. So let me try :)

"When we first met, I was the one who had my shit together. You were pretty much a walking disaster." [Kate]

"An attractive walking disaster." [Tomasetti]

That makes me smile, and I'm thankful I have Tomasetti to help me keep things in perspective
His gaze sharpens on mine. "So talk to me."

"That's usually my line," I retort with a grin.

"Kate, you're my friend. My lover. You know more about me than anyone else. Let me in."
I look out over the barroom full of people laughing and having a great night. I look back at Tomasetti debating how much to tell him.

"I guess I've sort of put those kids on a pedestal," I say, as an offering.

To me, that flows so much better and that huge paragraph in the middle that broke up the flow is gone. Of course, I don't get paid to write so it may vary well be crap (what I came up with).

My only other issue with these books are the violence against women and the brokenness Kate has in her life. I know that violence against women is a huge issue. However, after two novels of raping and killing women and a third book featuring a sociopathic woman I don't think these books are too friendly to women. I do have to say, that these books may have been even better if Kate just left the Amish and we didn't get the whole torrid back story. Who says main character women detectives/cops/PIs have to be so damaged?

I realize this is way long. If you made it this far, thank you. At this point I will move on. Who knows, I just may pick up book 4 when it comes. I can be a glutton for punishment!

July's Books

2011-07-20T00:17:00.000-05:00

This heat and I are not friends. In fact, the heat is my enemy. I simple can't make friends with anything that makes me this miserable. And thinking about the fact that August is coming and is probably gonna be just as bad-well, I can't thank about it. Because I will end up in the fetal position crying. The only good thing to come out of the heat is the fact that reading takes place indoors in the A/C. I have plowed through 8 books in the past 2 and half weeks and with another week and a half to go, July is gonna be record breaking not just in heat but also in books read.

So, today is "What I Have Read" with a bit of blurb. Hopefully something sounds good to you!

Dorothea Benton Frank writes what is total beach reads. Her books are like Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (the movie, cause I haven't read the book)-women's angst and the men that love and leave them. Throw in family dysfunction, coming home, and seeing people from the past in a new light and you have the majority of her books. However, I enjoy reading these. They are fairly quick and they have great setting (usually the Low Country of the Carolinas). It's really a great piece of writing that falls somewhere between fluff and literature.

Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart will definitely have you looking twice at any plant you cross. I was expecting a non-fiction narrative and instead this is extremely short (2-3 pages generally) chapters on different plants, bushes, or trees. This was a great book to dip in and out of it. I finished it in a week just by dipping in at bedtime and reading it at lunch one day at work.

Paul Johnston's Maps of Hell was one of those things I found checking in and decided to give it a try. Apparently there are more of these based on the main character. Although I am pretty diligent about researching a new book and whether it's part of a series, this one wasn't listed in Fantastic Fiction. So I started it and you know the feeling that the author is trying to introduce you to a character he introduced several books back-yeah, that feeling was pretty prevalent in this book. I liked the beginning of the book-he's amnesiac who's stuck in a cult compound being tortured and escapes. But who is he and who can he trust? In some ways, it reminded me of the first Bourne movie where Matt Damon is surviving on skills he doesn't know he has and following leads to more leads.

Maps of Hell, though lost me about halfway through. There was this plot with a girl that was sorta helpful and wasn't entirely necessary. The girl's mom was very intriguing and would love to have seen her be featured more in this book. I really had to force myself to finish the last 50 pages or so. I am putting this one out there since the beginning was so strong.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie was finished today. I have added this to the list of recommendations for the book club. I am a sucker for books about books. While I don't read much Asian/Chinese books or authors, I picked this one up because that cover is really striking (does that make me shallow?). This is a coming of age story set in Mao China circa 1970's and the re-education program that sends two boys to the interior of China where they meet two people. One is also a re-education boy who has a suitcase of forbidden Western novels written in Chinese. The other is the girl in the title, the Seamstress. This was very enjoyable and I am actually looking forward to rereading this if and when we read it for book club.

The last one for today is the one I really, really liked. In fact, I have talked this up a bit at work. I have discovered that I really like my mysteries and non-fiction. Give me a topic, and I go running for the non-fiction shelves. This book, I saw a blurb somewhere and added it to my never-ending TBR. Before I read this, I can't say I knew anything about Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Afterwards, I feel like I lived the first half of the century with her.

Babe was a tomboy who was always trying to beat the boys in whatever neighborhood game was going on at the time. By the time high school had come around she had become excellent at basketball and played professional ball for a while, becoming an All-American selection. Then she conquered track and field and busted records and set records that still stand.

Eventually, Babe got into golf. And fought the fight to play amateur golf, which at the time (1940s) was a rich woman's game. The women were all well-dressed, well-behaved, and total sharks. At the time, there really wasn't a pro-circuit for women golfers. In fact, profesional women's athletics was not really an option.

I could really rattle on about this book. But the two things that I really stick with me, is that Babe, her husband, and a small group started the LPGA. Also, Babe was diagnosed with cancer and at a time when people didn't talk about cancer, Babe became a spokewoman for cancer treatment and awareness. She also played pro-golf with a colostmy bag. I can't even imagine.

This book really sucked me in from the beginning and I started this waiting for my neurosurgeon appointment. So, yeah, this book takes off like a shot and doesn't let up.

I still have a couple of more books I want to talk about, including a series that I have issues with and yet still read. So maybe in a couple days I will put that together.

What are you reading this summer?

Musical Monday

2011-07-19T00:34:00.001-05:00

This week I am highlighting Norah Jones and her compilation CD ...And Featuring Norah Jones. Much like Alison Krauss, Nora Jones is an in-demand singer.

The CD kicks off with a track from the project she was involved with called the Little Willies called Love Me.

I love the retro sound to this and the organ wailing away makes me happy. This reminds me I need to get my hands on a copy of the Little Willies!

Virginia Moon has this incredible lush sound to it that would make it just as home in the 60's as today. This is done with the Foo Fighters which has Dave Grohl on lead. Dave was in the 90's grunge band Nirvana. Perhaps this is why I am intrigued not only by the music by the musicians doing this fabulous music.

I am a fan of Linda Ronstadt's Blue Bayou and find the strip down version Norah does with M. Ward is very interesting. This is great music to dance across the kitchen to!

My mom is a big fan of Dolly Parton and I have to say her duet on Creepin In is wonderful. Love the guitar work in this-I find myself chair dancing as this plays!

My favorite on this album has to be Bullrider. Something about this just makes me happy and it just may be the music in this-it's got this great amblin' Old West trot to it. If you only choose one song to listen to, I encourage you to listen to this one. Good stuff!

As a side note, I am trying something different in place of Youtube videos. Let me know what you think of the players. And if any of this has caught your ears, I would recommend ...Featuring Norah Jones.

What are you listening to today?

Read A Series

2011-07-12T00:52:00.001-05:00

I think book series are a part of most genres of writing but none more so than mystery books. Perhaps that's why I love fictfact so much! It helps me keep my series organized by listing what the next title is and when new titles are arriving.

However, this week I have picked up two books in series I have started previously. Theodore Boone by Grisham has a brand new book out. Now, I enjoyed this first one. At least I enjoyed the book enough to put the second on hold the minute the library added the book to our collection. I have read some negative reviews about this series but I just didn't see the negatives in the first one. Now the second T Boone was another matter all together. In this scene, Theo is being questioned by the cops on the disappearance of his best friend, April.

"I don't recall anything like that," Theo said, and it was the truth because "in the past few days" could mean almost anything; thus, the question was too vague to require a definite answer on his part. He had seen this time and time again in trials. In his opinion, Sergeant Bolick and the detective were begin far too sloppy with their questions.

Really, Theo/Grisham-too sloppy with their questions. Theo is what 11 or 12 and he knows what sloppy questioning is-why don't we just give the boy a law degree. Yes, this is written for kids. But with the glut of crime scene/law and order type TV shows kids today are going to be turned off by this. My suspicion is that Grisham is cashing in on his name and the YA or Tween label that is so hot right now.

The second book was a series that I vaguely remember from at least five years ago. I tried the first twenty pages and decided too much had gone by. I don't remember the first novel, the main character, and I just don't care to get into this book. So back that one goes.

So having learned the lesson that I need to read a series within a short time to catch up and enjoy the ongoing personalities, I placed books two and three of the Kate Burkholder series on hold. Burkholder is a character created by Linda Castillo and I remember finishing this book and thinking I rather enjoyed the book. A fast pace read with a great lead character it was fun. After thinking about the book, there was a couple of rather big issues I had but I don't want to ruin the plot. However, I am willing to give book 2 and possibly 3 a chance. By the way, Castillo writes exactly what I want-a detective or lead character that is not a white, fit, big city, detective. Castillo's main character is Kate Burkholder-a woman who grew up Amish but was traumatized and left the Amish and ended up being cop.

Next up is a non-series book: The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. Then who knows, I have probably 5-6 books on hold I am waiting on either a waitlist or for the library to process the books.

What are some of your favorite series?

Musical Monday

2011-07-11T03:12:00.004-05:00

In the interest of being a blog about cooking, reading and general life I thought I would venture outside of my normal two topics and write about some of my favorite musicians or albums. Not sure this will be regular because I have a tendency to not follow through on blogging things on regular days. But we shall see. Oh, and all links lead to Youtube or an online video.

I am a sucker for compilation/greatest hits albums. I like having one album with most of my favorites on it. Between me and the hubs we have nearly 1000 albums on the external drive and I try to cull that fairly regularly. So yes, lots compilation/greatest hits types of albums.

I like country music-now not the more recent poppy/country crap that's out there although I am sure I'll have something that falls into that category. I like the older country; specifically the outlaw sound of the 70's and I like the music of the 80's/90's which was my childhood. I remember Brooks and Dunn's first video, Brand New Man, and remember liking what I was hearing.

Brooks and Dunn had a string of hits in the 90's that I really enjoyed: Boot Scootin Boogie, Rock My World, and You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone. All of their videos seem to be mini-movies.

Their music has been the background of my growing up. As I was listening to this album of 30 hits I knew every word and it has good music vibes. It's that sense of familiarity I think that makes me enjoy this album.

I could easily overloaded my MP3 player with B&D music but settled for a handful of songs, including some of their newer hits. Lost and Found, Husbands and Wives (which is a Roger Miller cover), and Hillbilly Deluxe. I actually hated Hillbilly Deluxe when the video came out but compared to the current spate of "I am outlaw/country/hillbilly," Brooks and Dunn aren't advertise the country-ness rather just talking about a typical Saturday night. That's something some of these current songwriters need to learn.

My favorite Brooks and Dunn song though is fairly recent and as typical of me, slow and sad. I am sucker for the blues :) No words of introduction, just the video:

What's your favorite Brooks and Dunn song?

Where Have I Been

2011-07-06T13:02:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while but sometimes life keeps me away from here. A lot of times it because things are going on that I can't/don't want to discuss. I don't talk about work or family on here because both my family and my boss reads this! I also have been sucked into Grey's Anatomy and have watched all 7 seasons from early April to late June. I even have blog ideas in my head to blog about so I can't blame my absence on blogger's block!

Besides Grey's Anatomy I haven't been up to much. I read, I watch TV, I deal with the hubs, and I cook. It's a normal easy going life and sometimes the lack of excitement makes it harder to write about. With nothing happening, the days blur together. The trick is to live each day fulling and deeply as those days that pass by make up the life we are living.

It's been hot in Oklahoma and we have another month or two to go before the weather breaks for good. I am already ready to move to either Maine or go park my rear end in the sand in Florida. Surprisingly, the heat itself hasn't bothered me much but I try to stay near A/C at all times! Summer is the time of baseball on TV and books.

Well, I need to go cook the hubs dinner and get the chicken diced for meals this week. Have y'all read anything good here lately?

Books and Reading

2011-06-06T03:04:00.000-05:00

This weekend, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) ran an article about the darkness of Young Adult (YA) literature. How the entire genre, if you will, is filled with dark images and dark situations and any God-fearing, decent parent out there can't find a thing for their kids to read.

I first became aware of the article when our branch YA librarian posted a link to the article on Facebook along with his scathing remarks. Then Twitter exploded with the hashtag YASaves. Responses like the one from Libbrabray make me want to cheer. WSJ collected some of the Twitter responses and posted them on one site. And the Los Angeles Review of Books has waded into the fray.

I have to say, as a librarian and as reader I am so glad young adults are reading today. They read anything and everything. The read above their reading level, they read vampires and Manga/Anime, they read Harry Potter and Pretty Little Liars. I think the true challenge isn't what these kids read, but talking about what they read in way that makes them want to open up and share. I don't believe censorship is ever a solution, but I am all for parents taking a vested interest in what their kids are reading, what they are getting out of it, and how this applies to their lives.

In some ways, I am jealous of these kids. I grew up in the 90's and I don't remember a dedicated YA section at either the public library or the school library. One day I am reading Nancy Drew and the next day it was Patricia Cornwell.

As a teen, I read deep and wide. I would (and still do) read anytime, anyplace. The books I read in high school-some of it was bad, some good, and some inappropriate. But I learned and I grew without needing to rebel and try things out.

I read Go Ask Alice and decided drugs weren't for me. I read The Bell Jar and understood the depression and hopelessness one experiences. I read bodice rippers and romance novels-Angel by Johanna Lindsey was the first but not the last.

I read Ann Rule, Helter Skelter, and In Cold Blood. I inhaled the Time-Life collection of True Crime Library. I didn't date either after reading all this!

I devoured books on the Civil War at one point, then World War II, and at the tale end of high school it was bios of Vietnam vets. I still remember Hiroshima where someone tried to pull somebody out of the rubble and the skin came off of the arm. Hiroshima was also required reading.

I read Dean Koontz and couldn't sleep. I read Amityville Horror and had nightmares. I reread The Dollhouse Murders and got creeped out again and again.

I read a couple of Star Trek The Next Generation books but never really got into sci-fi. I read classics and Gone with the Wind. I would sit down on the floor at the local libraries new shelf and pursue that shelf for half hour just picking up what looked good.

I loved Louis L'Amour and Tony Hillerman. Read John Jakes North and South to spot the differences from the miniseries.

If I knew mom wasn't going to like what I was reading I hid it in my book bag and read on the bus. It was a quiet rebellion.

Reading so much from so many genres and authors didn't ruin me. It didn't turn me into a murderer. If anything, it made me understand that my little corner of my world was tiny compared to all the stories in the world and that I could only be a bigger person for having been opened to so many different worlds and ideas.

So yes, YA saves. In reality, all reading saves. It makes one a richer person for having taken the travels described in books. Gives us an alternate universe that is as rich and real as the one we are living. Books tell us stories, tell us we aren't the only ones, that we aren't alone. We need uncensored access to books if for no other reason than to start open dialog with everyone that is different from yourself.

Weather Nerd

2011-05-24T02:01:00.000-05:00

I have to admit I am a bit of a weather nerd. I get all excite about hurricane season. Mainly because I live in Oklahoma and well, hurricanes aren't going to happen here. I like to be up to date about what is going on and I like to think that I have gotten pretty good at reading a radar. If you're not from the Midwest just ask me about super cells and hook echos!

I have several Twitter feeds that are weather related and watched last month as warning after warning was going up in Alabama and South-East US. The pictures afterwards broke my heart. I almost felt like I was doing a storm chase from my computer!

Then this Sunday I was away from the computer till the evening. I was shocked and amazed by the destruction in Joplin. I just can't seem to turn away from the pictures and video footage that is coming out of Southwest Missouri.

Tomorrow, the Midwest is being told that we are going to go yet another round with Mother Nature. As the US National Weather Service out of Norman Ok says on Facebook:

Dangerous severe storms with tornadoes and damaging hail are expected Tuesday afternoon and evening. It's important that you stay in touch with weather information all through the day tomorrow. Think about where you will be between 3pm and 8pm and make sure you have ways to hear a tornado warning. Let your friends and family know about the threat.

I live in Tulsa Oklahoma and grew up in West Central Missouri. Tornado sirens are nothing new. I wonder if we are getting to complacent in the Midwest with tornado warnings and watches. Sirens go off and most people I know go straight to the back porch or window to see the sky. If it's a rain wrapped tornado you may not see anything but rain.

So here's my public service announcement for the month: Don't take chances when the sirens go off, take cover immediately. Be prepared for bad weather-the weather service is letting us know in Oklahoma there is a chance. So-where will you go and what will you do? What do you need to take with you to safe shelter? If you live in a mobile home, is there someplace close you can go to if needed?

If I was going to be home tomorrow afternoon I would place my tennis shoes, with socks tucked inside, in the bathroom (my safe place). I would place extra pillows and a blanket in the bathtub. And yes, I would place my purse in the bathroom. ID, cash, debit cards, and insurance cards are all needed in case something happened. I would charge my phone in the morning and place my charger in my purse. And since I am a bookworm, I would grab a couple of books and/or my Kindle. You can get paranoid enough to place medications in a baggie and put in the bathroom on in an easy to grab place on the way to the bathroom. Thinking ahead can save your life! I don't have a battery operated radio that has batteries (that needs to go on the grocery list!) and I don't have any bottled water.

Since I don't have a radio to use in case the power goes off, I need to be prepared to get my information some other way. I can access the web on my phone (it's not a high-tech Android/iPhone though) and I can get updates from Twitter.

Yes, Twitter. Twitter is free and easy to set up. You don't even have to Twit! I know people who have a Twitter account just to follow people. Now the great thing is every one is on Twitter. Like your local newscasters and meteorologist. Or national guys who give national warnings. It is up to you how much info you want to see every day.

I am going to share some favorite Twitter weather feeds. I hope you find at least one or two feeds to add to your Twitter line-up.

Tulsa

James Aydelott-Fox23 weather guy
Tulsa City Weather-Weather bulletins from National Weather Service
Fox23-Weather and news from Tulsa.
Rick Smith-Warning coordinator from National Weather Service, Norman.
News on 6-Tulsa's CBS station
2News-Tulsa's NBC station.

National

Severe Studios-Tornado warnings around the nation.
Weather Underground-Warnings and info.
Jim Cantore-you know, the weather guy from the Weather Channel.
Justin Kenney-NOAA guy in DC
Sky News Break-not just national but international. While watching the warnings on Twitter Monday afternoon, they were reporting about Tripoli.
TWC Breaking-as it says, breaking weather from the Weather Channel
Breaking News -News from around the globe as it happens.
CNN Breaking News-Okay, this one is from CNN.

If anything, I am disappointed by the lack of local meteorologists updating. If there are four or five weather guys in the studio you would think someone could be assigned the task of updating Twitter as warnings and watches are rolled out. One thing I have noticed is that every local station seems to have an app for your iWhatever or Android and yet they don't update Twitter. Not everyone has the capabilities to run the app but most phones can access the net and Twitter. However, I do feel well informed by the Twitter feeds listed above. So thank you to those above who Twitter!

Are you going to do anything different tomorrow? How do you get your weather information?

Finally Reading

2011-05-22T21:04:00.001-05:00

I am finally starting to finish some books. I have read 2 this week alone and have finished three for the month. I felt sure I had read more! I have a huge stack by my bed to read in the next couple of weeks. Including a book I gave up on but kept thinking about, so I will finish it before taking it back to the library.

I get on the wait list for Sandford the second his new Davenport mystery shows up. I love Davenport but I seem to be getting restless with this series. As much as I enjoy the settled down Davenport, I miss the womanizing, door kicking, play by no rules Davenport this series began with. Buried Prey is a tale of a murder mystery that began in 1985 and became the case that got Davenport into the Detectives Bureau. However, he was never happy with the way the case was settled and the two kidnapped girls at the heart of the story was never found.

Fast forward to current times, and in the midst of some deconstruction bodies are found. This flings Davenport and crew into the past. I really enjoyed the look into the past and riding along an unsure Davenport as he's learning investigations. This was a great entry into this long running series.

So, I've been coming across people passionate about Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. That it's wonderful, fantastic, unsolvable and got them into mysteries. So I decided to go along and picked this one up. I have never read this-I got into mysteries via Nancy Drew and some Encyclopedia Brown. I have to admit, this was readable and fun. I never read to figure out the mystery-just one of my many quirks. So I didn't expect to figure it out (and I didn't) and was just reading for the story. I have to say, this was just okay. In some ways it reminded me of Harriet the Spy but for an adult who didn't read this as kid-I would be hesitant to recommend this.

I lead a Reader's Advisory group at my branch of the local library (we're a large system with 25 branches). In May we covered young adult and had our YA Librarian come talk to our small group. The talk about how to serve teens was great and I came away with lots to think about. Love those types of meetings!

So, for our meetings I try to read one book on the subject. I always check Flashlight Worthy to see if they have a list on our subject. I came across Fire by Kristin Cashore. I found that on our shelves and read the flap on it and discovered it was book 2! So I had to put on hold Graceling. Graceling was in my hands in just a couple of days but I kept putting off reading it, for some reason. The first few pages, I will admit, was a little slow for me as it was back story. I kept thinking, "Just get to the story!" And then the story took off. All I can say about this book is: Read IT!! Don't let the fact that it is YA or labeled as Sci-Fi/Fantasy deter you. Just read this.

The story of Katsa and Po and Bitterblue is so fantastic. And yet it speaks to so much more and topics that relate to our current times. I want this book. Someone, somewhere should remember this book and get it for Christmas or birthday or Labor Day or just because. I love this book.

Up next? I still have McBain and he may very well be my next selection since it will only take me a couple of days to conquer that. Then I need to read Kate Atkinson for book club on the 1st. I also have an insane amount of library books that I need to read.

What have you read recently?

Music Meme #2

2011-05-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

I am going to do three days at once on the music memoirs. Just so I feel a little caught up :) I have a couple of reviews to write on some recent reads and have some links to share. Hopefully I can start blogging more consistently.

Day 2: Song you hate. Well, as I have pondered this for a couple of days and I keep coming back to one song. And I have to admit it's catchy. And if I don't flip the channel, I will sing along.

Take a Letter, Maria by RB Greaves is unfortunately one of the songs I hate. The reason I hate it is because of the lyrics-the guy gets home at 1030 (assuming pm) and his wife is sleeping with someone. So he packs some clothes and heads back to the office where he encounters his secretary and demands she starts writing a letter to his soon-to-be ex-wife. Does anybody else wonder why the secretary is at the office that late? And what was he working on at the hour? Yeah. I don't believe he's the innocent party in all this. In fact, her story could probably be the lyrics to Daytime Friends, Nighttime Lovers by Kenny Rogers. Yes, I overthink lyrics.

Day 3 asks us to list a song that makes us happy. This has to be my current happy song that gets me to jammin in the kitchen.

Now, believe it or not, this is a Lennon-McCartney song and was released by the Beatles on the White Album. Lowell Fulson released this version a year later in 1969. I have to say, it sounds like a blues original doesn't it?

Day 4 is all about sad songs. I like downer music-don't know why just not a huge fan of loud, happy rock songs. My MP3 is full of soft, slow, sad songs. But I chose Cross Canadian Ragweed's Sick and Tired.

I love this video and I remember setting breakfast at hotels with CMT on, hoping they would play this song.

Like my choices? Wanna disagree?

Favorite Song?

2011-05-09T22:45:00.001-05:00

I can be a sucker for memes. Memes are those question and answer things that make the rounds every so often. Well there's one called the 30 Day Music Challenge and apparently it started on Facebook. And yes, I thought I would join in and do this for some odd reason. I may not do 30 straight days but we will get the answers even if I have to double up some days :)

Day 1 asks what is your favorite song?

What a minute-favorite song? This is an impossible mission! There are so many contenders!

Maybe It was Memphis by Pam Tillis

Yep, I was a teenager in the 90s! Something about this just appeals to me and I still love to catch this song.

Old Dan's Records by Gordon Lightfoot

No good videos of this so bear with it as the song kicks in at about the minute mark. My dad loves Gordon and I grew up on his records, especially Gord's Gold. This is one of my absolute favorites of his.

Gimme Some Lovin-Spencer Davis Group

Oh man, I love this intro and the music just takes me to my happy spot. I always flash back to Iron Eagle when I hear this!

Too Cold at Home-Mark Chesnutt

I remember buying this cassette tape when we made the hour drive to Columbia Missouri to go to the mall. Going to the mall was a treat and when I got to pick out a cassette this is what I choose. Love this song, this album, and the video.

Miss You-Stones

Probably my favorite Stones song as of right now. Don't know what is better-the Puerto Rican girls or walking through Central Park in this song-just fantastic. And I love that bass line in this song!

Ides of March-Vehicle

Just really like this one-like the brass in it.

Whipping Post-Allman Brothers Band

Love the intro and I love ABB. I find myself singing this when I am stressed at work :)

In a Sentimental Mood

Complete change of genres! I can't tell you how many times I have listened to this on my MP3 player up really loud. I have a tendency to follow the drum and the repeat really listen for the sax. Over and over and over, I will play this song. Just one of my favorites of all times.

This Guy is in Love with You-Herb Alpert

Oh Lord this is cheesy but for some reason it's just fantastic! And it's introduced by the Carpenters!

But in all of this, one song kept coming back to me-November Rain by GNR. This is my answer to everything-good mood, crappy mood, bad day at work, fussing with the hubs. It's 9+ minutes of perfection!

So, whats your favorite song? Does one stick out or does a wide variety?

Movie Lover

2011-04-27T00:45:00.000-05:00

I love movies. I am not hugely picky but I tend to avoid sci-fi and horror stuff. We have seen 79 movies so far in 2011. Between Netflix and the library this is the cheapest entertainment option for us. By the way, we are on track to watch between 150-200 movies this year alone. That's a lot of movies.

Some random favorites of 2011:

Conviction (Hilary Swank goes to law school to get her innocent brother out of prison.)
Secretariat (Diane Lane puts family on hold to take a horse to a Triple Crown.)
Fair Game (Naomi Watts gets exposed as a CIA operative.)
Country Strong (Country stars, songs, and alcoholism all on a crash course.)
Black Swan (I liked this look into someones degenerating mental health, hubby didn't)
Steal this Movie (Abbie Hoffman, 60's counterculture star, biopic.)
Lincoln Lawyer (Wasn't crazy about the book but the movie was wonderful.)
127 Hours (I wasn't eager to see this but it turned into a really tense movie.)
Next 3 Days (Russell Crowe-I will see anything with him in it :) This one was a great film.)
Reservoir Dogs (My first movie of Tarantino's and I actually enjoyed this one.)
Unstoppable (Denzel Washington on a train ride that doesn't stop.)
Despicable Me (I like animated films and found this funny and cute. Loved the scene when he is reading the book to the kids.)
Marie (Older movie that reminded me of Norma Rae and Silkwood. All great movies about women forcing change.)
Blood Done Signed My Name (Rick Schroeder plays a preacher in the South during the 70's.)
The A Team (Loved the series, wanted to hate this. Was laughing too much to hate it.)

One of my favorite things to do while watching movies is to rank movies on Flickchart. Flickchart is an easy website that presents you two movies. You can click on the haven't seen button or you can make your choice. For instance, Eight Below vs. Wedding Singer. I haven't seen Eight Below so I click on haven't seen. That brings up National Lampoon's Animal House. So now do I choose Adam Sandler or John Belushi. I have to go with National Lampoon's this time, so I click on that one and it tells me that movie moved up in my rankings from 464 to 377.

These rankings are fun to watch as things move up and down. My top five are: Sneakers, Smokey and the Bandit, Almost Famous, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Cars. Rather interesting top five isn't it?

Once you get enough movies rated you can see you rankings based on various factors. Americana films from the 2000s? Mine are Remember the Titans, Prairie Home Companion, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Astronaut Famer, and Final Season.

You'll also discover that although I may not be a big horror fan, the 1970's seem to be a good decade for me. With Halloween, Jaws, Carrie, Exorcist, and Don't Look Know it seems I have seen a handful of 70's horror.

If you decide to join or just check out Flickchart you can find me here. My favorite part is that they give you movie posters to click on and those movies posters are intermingled with international posters.

What are some of your favorite movies?

Two Weeks and Counting

2011-04-19T23:28:00.000-05:00

I am thoroughly addicted to reading. I will read during a movie, while cooking supper, while eating. I go to bed with a book. I keep magazines in the bathroom to read. I read approximately 100 books a year, give or take. Anyone that knows me, knows that I have a book close by at all times.

However, it's been two weeks since I last finished a book. Well, last week I read 5 kids books on the Holocaust for my Reader's Advisory group. They were great books, but they took me ten minutes to read apiece. I haven't read anything of any length in two weeks. I am thinking it's time to call the men in white coats.

I brought home another 87th Precinct book from Ed McBain, the second Flavia de Luce mystery, and The Red Queen. I also am attempting to get through my book club book. Did I mention the two tall bookcases of books that I haven't read?

I have plenty of books around. I have tried to read three other books. Nothing is working! Nothing reads good anymore! I am going crazy!

I started on Voodoo Conspiracy but found the author's voice off-putting and when he quote Latin, I was done. Do I really want to read a whole book by a guy who give's Occam's Razor in Latin? No! Come on dude, it's a book about conspiracy theory not a thesis!

I have to admit to liking Diane Ackerman's Dawn Light but found myself wanting to write in a book. This urge doesn't happen often and quite frankly, I am not in a mood to be making copious notes about the book. I will be trying this again.

Since April is Poetry Month I picked up some poetry. It's sitting unopened on the kitchen table. Perhaps I will get to it. Odds are it'll go back to the library without me reading it though.

So here's hoping that McBain, Gregory, or Bradley can pull me out of my funk. Cause quit frankly, my sleep is suffering. You see, I can't seem to sleep without reading first. And since I am not reading, I am watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix Instant Watch. Man, what a soap! But I still find myself watching episodes into the wee hours of the morning. And then I spend an hour wandering the house in search of something, anything to read. I search my Kindle hoping something will catch my interest. But by 5 am I grab my MP3 player and headphones and fall asleep to the blues.

I really have to start reading soon. Or I may actually start talking to my hubby, and we all know that wouldn't be any good.

What are you addicted to and what do you do when the addiction isn't working anymore?

Books I Would Recommend

2011-03-28T23:08:00.001-05:00

I have recently read and loved a few books and thought I would pass on a couple of brief blurbs about the books. Hopefully, you'll find something interesting to read!

Steven F Havill writes one of my favorite mystery series. This series is set in a small, rural county in New Mexico that borders Mexico. The series started with Undersheriff Bill Gastner and when he retired the series was turned over to the new Undersheriff Estelle Guzman. Double Prey is another fine installment in this series.

Peach Keeper is Sarah Addison Allen's newest book. Allen is one of the few authors that write stand alone novels that I read as soon as they are out. Peach Keeper is typical of her work with human drama, magical realism, and finding one's place in society. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a good book.

Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin is one amazing book. I picked this up at 1 am one morning expecting to read a chapter or two and found myself at 6 am finishing this book. I just couldn't stop reading this book. The tale of two men in southern Mississippi-one white, one black-who have to face the past to move forward, but it's so much more than that. In a cool Tulsa evening I was transported by Mr Franklin's writing to a hot, muggy Mississippi summer. Franklin weaves the past into the present in such a wonderful way. I so loved this book and just can't put it down. I also talked it up at work, convincing a co-worker to read it. So far, they are loving it. I am going to recommend this for book club.

Does any sound interesting to you? Have you read anything interesting recently?

Tulsa! Book Review

2011-03-27T23:08:00.000-05:00

I have been chewing on how to review this book for a while now and I still have no answers. Tulsa! was written by Danney Goble; a history professor in Oklahoma colleges who was hired to write a biography of Tulsa for Tulsa's 100 year celebration. The result was a book that is rich, detailed, and reads like a story book. I found myself taking copious notes during this book although I don't know what I will do with those notes.

I picked this up for my hometown challenge to learn more about Tulsa. And boy, did I learn a lot about my new home. It was a combination of fascination, impression, and anger. The racism that is rampant through Tulsa's history is not unique to Tulsa-you can find that through most town across America-but it still angers me the length white Tulsans went to keep down anyone who wasn't white. The amazing growth and the oil-and profit-that came to Tulsa and from Tulsa is amazing.

I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in Tulsa history.

Brain Explosion

2011-03-06T23:30:00.000-06:00

I feel like I have read so much here lately that my brain is about to exploded. Actually you add the number of movies I have seen in two months, plus all the pages I have been furiously reading, I do feel like my brain is in fact exploded or imploded. But it sure feels like it's about give up on retaining any more info!

At one point, just around the beginning of the month I had multiple books going. I was halfway through Tulsa! by Danney Gobbel, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Con Man by McBain, Moonspinners by Mary Stewart, and got in Double Prey by Steven Havill. I was feeling seriously overwhelmed.

In addition, I had several cookbooks from the library I was trying to mark. I mark them with Post-It notes, take them to work and photocopy, and then return them. But I had several on the coffee table waiting on me.

In addition I got a Kindle for my birthday. I have been adding mostly free books like a fiend. I have read one book, a Christian tween book, on it. It was a great experience and it alleviated a lot of my fears that reading on the Kindle would feel like I was reading something on the computer. For me, the Kindle disappears and it becomes about the story and the words.

I read Hunger Games and I have to say I did not like it at all. And I was prepared to like this because it seems every other blogger that has read it has loved it. I just could not sympathize at all with Katniss. I kept trying to remind myself that she was a teenager, but my God. What a bitch! She has a chip on her shoulder the size of Cincinnati and no self-confidence. Okay, so most teenagers have to figure out the whole self-esteem thing, but she didn't live in ordinary times. And she was a brave, smart girl who could figure things out. Too bad her attitude sucked! Obviously, this wasn't for me. My book club was also split on this. I will say, I am proud to a part of a group that reads such diverse work. From Olive Kitteredge to The Help to Hunger Games to this months selection Winter's Bone, it's obvious we enjoy trying a wide variety of stuff. We may not like it or agree with it but at least we try.

I plan on writing up a review of Tulsa! for the Hometown Challenge. Moonspinners was a bit slower than expected, but overall I really the book and am going to add more Mary Stewart to my TBR. I also have the Hayley Mills movie waiting for me to watch.

Steven F Havill writes a fantastic series set in Posadas County, NM that evokes place oh-so well. I love these characters and the way they become old friends. Double Prey is number seventeen series and all of these books are just great. If you love mysteries with a strong sense of place and character, pick this up! You won't regret it!

I haven't finished Con Man yet but I am halfway through this book. I like McBain and even though these novels are at least 50 years old, they really pull me in and make me read way too late into the night. Good stuff.

It feels good to finally be catching up with my reading! I have come to realize that I love to stress myself out by putting too much on hold and having too much pile up on my nightstand. Not cool anymore! So after I finish Con Man I will have just one more library book waiting for me. I also got picked to get an advanced readers copy (ARC) of Peach Keeper by Sarah Allan Addison, which I had on hold at the library. Can't wait for that one to come in! I also almost have all the library cookbooks gone through. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The question now is what do I read after? The answer will probably be in a hold that I have on something!

Have you read anything fantastic lately?

Hi!

2011-02-13T17:22:00.000-06:00

What a month this has started out to be! I think it has flown by for all of us stuck in our houses, even though some of those days seemed to drag!

We are starting to see some significant snow meltage here in Tulsa and I think I have spotted my front yard again. As much as I love winter and snow, this round was ridiculous. I am so ready for some spring time.

We have watched a ridiculous amount of movies here lately. While some of have been good, others were just okay. After 6 weeks of some solid movie watching my brain is starting to feel like mush. Too much sitting on the couch, unengaged from everything going on. Too much inactivity and too much living like we are teenagers (lots of junk food, lots of mess, not a lot of discipline).

I have been telling myself to not spend the time Chris is at work just watching my shows and movies. I have been making an effort to pick up the house a bit in the evening, to do that load of dishes, and start that laundry. Also, I have been making an effort to read more.

Yes, if you know me you are probably shaking your heads at me making an effort to read more. However, I feel like I am just putzing at getting things read. Taking time to savor what you are reading is one thing, to spend 3 weeks with a book for me is just me being lazy and not spending time reading. So, today my goal is to finish Dead Zero by Stephen Hunter. This week I will finish my Tulsa history book and Hunger Games. I have an Ed McBain checked out along with Moonspinners. Moonspinners is by Mary Stewart and was made into a Disney movie with Hayley Mills, which I haven't seen. If I can get all that read in the next week to week and a half, I will be happy. I am still working on making progress on the stack of books on my bedside table-it's a never ending battle.

So, what have you got planned for the week? Anything for Valentine's Day?

Great Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-02T00:17:00.000-06:00

Chances are, you or someone you know has been affected by the great Blizzard of 2011. Hello February, Hello Snow :)

My work has been closed for Tuesday and Wednesday, which combined with regular days off on Thursday and Friday gives me a 4 day week to stay home and enjoy myself.

Day One, aka Tuesday, was spent being lazy. Anyone suprised?

My hubby Chris got off at 6 am and was home just before 7 am. I opened the garage for him and this is what I saw.

Chris had to park the car on the street instead of the driveway. Tomorrow we may get out and clear enough of the driveway to get the car in the garage.

I put a veggie tomato soup in the crockpot and let it warm all day. We dipped in and out of it as we got hungry this afternoon. It's also the reason we ate a late dinner!

The day involved a lot of napping. Here, Chris and Ginny sleep away on the sofa. Our bed was also kept warm through out the day. Sometimes you just need a lazy day!

Homemade cheese biscuits for dinner. I sprayed the pan with nonstick but they still stuck :( The biscuits were good though!

(Quick recipe: 2 cups self rising flour plus 3-4 tablespoons butter mixed. Then add 1 cup milk and stir till moistened. Add 1 cup cheese if desired. Bake 15-20 minutes at 450 degrees.)

Puzzle time! The table is a card table picked up at Wal-Mart on their clearance aisle. Originally $50, we got the table for $15! Love clearance sales!

What day isn't complete with Facebook, computer time (and games!), and TV. Nothing like watching the local newscasters totally freak out at 14-15 inches of snow on the ground! The newest drinking game should be that every time someone on the local news says to stay home, take a drink! That way you can't drive any where :)

So what did you first snow day look like? Tomorrow I want to get out and get some pics of the snow, clear the driveway some, and perhaps a little baking.

And in case your wondering, I am off to bed to assess my book situation. With no book club tomorrow I can start a new book-but what? Oh the questions I face :)

Dog Tired

2011-01-26T13:52:00.000-06:00

I am not visiting with you guys for one simple reason: I am working too much :) I have been getting extra hours several weeks in a row, which means the paycheck will look good. However, my jobs is physical demanding and there have been several days where I'm either crashing after getting off or just vegging on the couch.

I am reading and I am cooking like a fiend but getting enough mental energy together to blog just isn't happening. I just wanted to let you guys know that I am still around, albeit just not here. After this week, things should start to get a little saner (so far, just 4 hours of overtime next week) and then after next week, I may actually get a normal week. Although I am expecting someone to need some emergency time off! Bear with me and I will hopefully get a post up some time this weekend.

Haunted Tulsa

2011-01-20T14:43:00.000-06:00

I had yet to read a book on Tulsa history for the hometown challenge and when Tulsa's Haunted Memories came out I just had to get my hands on a copy. Teri French presents the book as a little bit of history and a little bit of ghost story about the different locations, buildings, and areas in and around Tulsa.

As a native Missourian stuck in Tulsa, I really don't know much about Tulsa (or Oklahoma) history. However, I do know that Tulsa has a rich history that is really a mirror of what the state has experienced. From being a small outpost in Indian Terrority, to a booming town during the land rush, to oil discovery-Tulsa has seen it all. And with that, if you believe in the paranormal, comes ghosts.

Early Tulsa was mainly the now downtown district and the town grew slowly from there. There were cowboys shooting at lights, brothels and prostitutes, and decent folk all existing in the town. When oil was discovered very early 1900's it brought in oilmen looking to get rich quick. And some of these oil men did get rich. They built magnificent homes and built up downtown with skyscrapers and Art Deco buildings.

I enjoyed the story of Cherry Street and how it came to be known as Cherry Street (hint: it was the red light district with brothels and gambling houses in the beginning!). Also the stories of oilman Tate Brady was interesting. Brady built his house in what became Brady Heights and built a separate garage to house his cars. This garage was bought and sold a couple of times and eventually bought by a man named Cain's. Thus becoming Cain's Ballroom. Which, Cain's Ballroom is said to be haunted by none other than Bob Wills.

French also covers some of the suburbs of Tulsa and local lakes. For instance, Old Prue was covered by water when Keystone Lake was created and some swear they can see lights flickering under the water. That would be a little spooky. Leon Russell had property on Grand Lake that included a recording studio in the basement that is supposedly haunted.

I really enjoyed this slim book and am interested in reading more about Tulsa history. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys books on haunted cities or anyone living in Tulsa looking for a little history.

Books

2011-01-08T10:39:00.001-06:00

So, first book of the year read. My next book-well, I am having a hard time getting into something. I have a book with holds on it that I am just not getting into. Right now I have 5 days to read it and I just don't know if it will happen. I have the last Percy Jackson on the night stand along with a historical fiction novel by Alison Weir. After seeing the trailer for Lincoln Lawyer I pulled that out of my shelves and added it to my teetering stack.

I like a lot of the actors in this and love Matthew McC when he is in serious roles. So yeah, wanna read the book before the movie comes out.

The kicker, I can't seem to get into anything. Now I brought Lincoln Lawyer with me but I am instead going out to eat for lunch with the siblings. And I can't seem to get any reading done on the weekends with the hubs around so perhaps by Sunday night I will be ready to pick something up.

I do have to say, that getting my review up of The Rite helped get it out of my head. So hopefully we can move forward.

Do you guys have any big plans for the weekend or are you just going to enjoy a leisurely weekend?

How to Become an Exorcist

2011-01-08T09:43:00.000-06:00

The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio is one amazing book. I started this at the tail end of 2010 and was unable to finish it before the new year. It is one of those books that you read three pages and have to set it aside to think and ponder. This is not a quick read although it is fairly slim in size.

Father Gary Thomas is a priest in California who takes a sabbatical to Rome to participate in some continuing education classes the church offers through different universities. While in Rome, he participates, at the blessing of his bishop, in a class teaching exorcism to priests.

Baglio sits in on the class and takes us through the basics of exorcism including basics of Catholic beliefs concerning demons, Satan, possession, and obsession. There is so much information present this book should feel heavy or like a textbook. Instead it reads fairly quickly, although I found myself frequently setting the book down for a few hours to contemplate what I had read.

In the second half of the book we go with Father Gary as he becomes an apprentice to an exorcist working in a church in Rome. Believe it or not, there was little pea green vomit, spinning heads, or house calls made. All the exorcism were done in an office in the church. Most of those coming to Father Carmine had friends, spouses, or family there with them. While Father Gary experienced some of the more dramatic signs we recognize from Hollywood-levitating, facial or body contortions, voices changing dramatically-most of the exorcisms were not as dramatic and became routine for Father Gary.

Depending on your personal beliefs and how you were raised, the questions raised by this book may be different then the ones I have. I am interested to find a counterpoint about demons and Satan written from a Pentecostal/non-denominational perspective.

I did pick up this book to read as the movie is coming out very soon. I like Anthony Hopkins and was intrigued to see what it was all about. The preview I saw for the movie (just before the movie True Grit which was an odd combo) just upset my apple cart. Everything this book is about has been twisted for Hollywood's satisfaction and that, quite frankly, pisses me off. There is no mention of cats in the book, or pregnant possessed women, or possessed priest. Why does Hollywood do this? If you want to create a fictional movie why base it on a book-because as far as I can tell this book and this movie are about as different as can be. Reminds me of what Hollywood did to one of my favorite books (Point of Impact rocks and the movie Shooter is just meh).

So, I would recommend, without seeing the movie, to skip the movie and go read the book. That is if you are interested in this type of thing.

2010 Wrap Up

2010-12-31T00:43:00.000-06:00

Typically I do one big round up at the end of the year. This year I am breaking all sort of my personal rules. I am not going to finish the book I am reading (unless a miracle happens). I am not doing a round up of my favorite reads. If you're really interested in what I read, check out my 2010 reads on LibraryThing

A quick overview of 2010 in books:

I fell in love with Percy Jackson (and am almost done with the series).
It was the year of the Dragon Tattoo movies (seen at an art-house in the original Swedish). I also finished the series this year.
I fell in love with Craig Johnson and his Walt Longmire series (coming to A&E apparently).
I finished two challenges: War through the Generations and the Colorful Challenge.
I joined a book club and read books I hated (hello, Olive Kitteredge and Pink Carnation). Finish books I hate doesn't usually happen. The group of ladies in this book club are a hoot and holler so I definitely look forward to the first Wednesday of the month.
Winter's Bone blew me away in such a good way.

2010 personally was the best of times and the worst of times. Okay, perhaps not the worst of times but it wasn't the best year at times.

Best thing that happened this year?

I finally got to see the beach! Landlocked, Midwestern girl for 30 years was amazed at the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida shore. The trip there-a road trip-totally sucked but the few hours spent at the beach was amazing.

We had a great Christmas, being blessed beyond all we could imagine.

We have been blessed with lots of second cousins and a nephew this year.

We didn't move (which I have come to hate).

I am looking forward to 2011. I am hoping and believing for good things, good timing, blessings and miracles, and the settling of some lingering issues (and stresses).

What good things are you looking forward to in 2011?

Colorful Wrap Up

2010-12-31T00:11:00.000-06:00

I have finished the Colorful Challenge (and just in time!). I read 9 books with various colors in the title ranging from pink to brass to black. This was a fun challenge, even if it was challenging to push myself to finish the last few books. Lesson learned and next year I plan on making some changes with how I read for challenges. Instead of trying to read a set amount a month and thus conquering challenges at once I plan on focusing on one challenge at a time, finishing a challenge every few months. We shall see how that goes :)

The books read for the Colorful Challenge:

Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle
Green River Running Red by Ann Rule
Blue Lonesome by Bill Proznini
Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
White Queen by Phillipa Gregory
Yellow Tape by Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch
Eye of the Red Tsar by Sam Eastland
Black Hearts and Slow Dancing by Earl W Emerson
The Brass Wall by David Kocieniewski

I enjoyed seven books and two were bombs. Silver Bough and Pink Carnation were both books that I just didn't get into and enjoy. Phillipa Gregory, Eastland, and Emerson are all authors I am going to be checking out in the coming months.

I had great fun coming up with books for this and reading through them. If Rebecca hosts this again next year, I will definitely sign up :)

Cops Gone Wrong

2010-12-29T10:44:00.002-06:00

Last book for the Colorful Challenge was The Brass Wall by David Kocieniewski. A harrowing look of undercover narcotic detectives, a fireman's death, Internal Affairs, and NYPD in a perilous time in it's history.

Detective 4126 is Vincent Armanti and is pseudonym. Armanti, as he is called throughout the book, is a hard hitting New Yorker who has gone undercover mutliple times scoring multiple drug deals and arrests through out his career. But he never encountered anything quite like the investigation into the death of fireman Lt Thomas Williams. Williams death occured at a mobster's clothing store and so Armanti went undercover to uncover evidence against Tommy Tocco and the brothers Ferranti, Mario and Joey. What he didn't count on was the neighborhood. Ferrnati brothers and Tocco grew up in a section of Brooklyn called Throgs Neck. Intermixed with the mobsters and good families was James Wrynn and his family. Wrynn was a Inspector in the NYPD and was in Internal Affairs. His son, John, although known to associate with Tocco and other low level mobsters in the neighborhood was also a cop.

As Armanti assumed his identity as Vinnie Blue Eyes and worked to infiltrate Throgs Neck he was backed by officers from Internal Affairs, Detective Eddie Dowd, FBI agent Piel, and some fire marshalls. Unfortunately the case was hampered by IAB (Internal Affairs) and was ultimately a disaster.

There is a lot of background in this book and it's necessary to understand the culture of what the NYPD was in the mid 90s. NYPD is a paramilitary unit from top to bottom and there is a lot of family traditions in the NYPD. Fathers, sons, cousins, uncles aren't unusual from what I understand. So if dad is a high ranking member of IAB the son is given a bit of a skate and is given choice assignment whether he deserves them or not. Also, there's this sense that if dad is untouchable it's career suicide to go after the son, even if the son is aiding and abetting known criminals. Or releasing the identity of undercover officers, which he did with Armanti.

As this case wound it's way slowly to court, more and more was being revealed about the NYPD culture and Rudolph Giuliani was elected to Mayor and brought more spotlight to the NYPD. The police force was in chaos as officers was doing and dealing drugs, was shaking down prostitutes, and committing crimes. The IAB was ineffective and rarely went after the known rogue cops. Add to that protection of family members, cronyism, and general butt kissing and you can understand how hard it would be to bring this case to trial since it involved peripherally a father/son cop combo with friends in high places.

This was a great read about police corruption, undercover narcotics work, and the inner workings of the largest police force in the US. Highly recommend for fans of true crime, mysteries, and those that loved the movie Serpico.

Back in Black

2010-12-28T22:43:00.000-06:00

Desperately searching for books to finish the Colorful challenge I came across Earl Emerson and the first Mac Fontana novel, Black Hearts and Slow Dancing. I have issues with this book but yet I find myself wanting to read more in this series. So this review is going to be a bit odd.

Mac Fontana is a former firefighter is an unnamed Eastern town. After professional problems Fontana heads west to Seattle to see friends and ends up settling in fictional Staircase Washington with his son. Fontana works in the small fire department and spends time contemplating his life. However, Staircase needs a sheriff, even a temporary one, as Staircase has a murder Seattle firefighter on its hands. Fontana ends up roped into the role and ends up dogging the case to the ragged end revealing corruption in the Seattle fire department along with getting the bad guy.

I enjoyed this first peek at Fontana and will be picking up the next in the series. The addition of a young son was something you don't see in every mystery series-in fact I don't know of any other single dads. The addition of an older neighbor who is willing to watch his child when duty calls was a nice way to provide a grandmotherly influence on both father and son. The story was a quick read and included a few nice surprises that turned tradition on it's ear.

What bothered me about this book was some of Fontana's decisions in the book. For instance he sleeps with a girl that has been at least twice prior in the book as flaky and insane. I still can't figure out if all guys are this stupid or this was just a character flaw.

And can I ask why all girls in novels, if described, are tall, thin, leggy and gorgeous. If not they are grandmas or moms, a girl friend (who will never become a girlfriend), or they are up to no good. I am drawn to characters who aren't perfect like Carl Houseman (from writer Donald Harstad) or Bill Gastner (from writer Steven F Havill). Although those examples are men who are older and overweight.

To digress, though, Black Hearts and Slow Dancing is a solid mystery novel that could be the start of a decent series and if that's you're thing then I would recommend this. I am hoping that Fontana gets better with time.

Can't Wait Till They are Released

2010-12-22T15:36:00.000-06:00

Holiday Break Reading Challenge, HRBC, has a great idea for today. We have to post about a book we are eagerly awaiting in 2011. I can't pick so I am going to do blurbs about 4 books.

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen is another stand alone novel. This one is due March 22 and Amazon has no info on what the book is about. I love Allen's work so I will get on the wait list for this one (as soon as the library adds it!).

The Silenced by Brett Battles is the 4th in a series and comes out March 22 also. No info on this book but the series is about Jonathon Quinn, a professional clean-up guy. By clean-up I mean he goes in after a hit/assassination/killing and cleans up all evidence and disposes of the body. He also ends up in some sticky spots. It's like Bond meets Bourne without a lot of spying. Love this series.

The Red Coffin is by Sam Eastland and second in his Inspector Pekkela series. I really enjoyed the first book, Eye of the Red Tsar. This one comes out February 22nd and I uber-excited to see what is next for Pekkela.

Comes a Time for Burning is by Steven F Havill. Havill is the author of the Bill Gastner series. This book is part of a new series set in Washington state circa 1890's and it's main character is a young doctor. The first book, Race for the Dying, was a great historical mystery novel that I enjoyed. I am looking forward to spend more time with Dr Parks.

So, what are you looking forward to reading next year?

Eye of the Red Tsar

2010-12-19T11:53:00.000-06:00

From Finland, when it was a Russian colony, comes one brother to join the Finnish Guard at St Petersburg. After being rusticated out, the other brother is sent. Pekkela, as he is known throughout the story, doesn’t finish training for the Finish Guard himself. Instead he becomes known to Nicholas Romanov and under Romanov’s direction, Pekkela is trained in investigations. He eventually becomes the Emerald Eye and one of the most powerful men in Russia.

During the Revolution, the Romanovs were killed and Pekkela was sent to Siberia. Eastland wasn’t content to just send him to a gulag in Siberia, Pekkela becomes a recluse living in the forest, painting trees red as markers for the crews of tree cutters. After years in the forest, he is recalled to service by Stalin to find out what happened to the Romanovs.
Pekkela is reunited with his brother, Anton, and Soviet solider Kirov joins the party as the hunt is on for what happened to the Romanovs. Did Alexi survive? Where were they buried? What secrets are being hidden by everyone in this novel? What will happen to Pekkela afterward?

I was desperate for a mystery novel featuring a color in the title. Spending some time flipping between Amazon and my library website, I stumbled across this one. A historical novel with a mystery aspect set in post-revolution Russia seemed to be something I could finish. I have to admit, as compelling as the beginning is, it took me a few days to actually get into this novel. I think that is because I am close to book burnout.

Once I devoted a chunk of time to just reading for the fun of it, I quickly became enamored with this book. I would set the book down and look up the Romanovs on Wikipedia. I searched for ways to pronounce Pekkela. I ended up listening to a Orthodox Russian Choral channel on Pandora while reading (I really didn’t think Rolling Stone station on pandora was going to help me concentrate on this book). For me, a book that makes me reach out to external sources is a sign of a good book.

Tsar alternates between the past (written in italics) and the present day, where eventually they collide. While the back story is necessary and relevant to the present, there is a lot of back story that is given. I still can’t decide if I like this type of storytelling or not. It’s almost like it’s two novellas put together, which isn’t too say it doesn’t work-it does in this book. I know that some people don’t care for books written this way.

Another potential issue is that Eastland plays fast and loose with historical facts. For me, I decided this was a fictional book and as such I would allow the author to weave this story for me. At the end of the book Eastland gives a timeline of what happened to the Romanovs and books for further reading. And yeah, I added a couple of more books to my never-ending to-be-read list.

This is the first in a planned series with Pekkela. The second novel is due in February of 2011. FictFact (my favorite book site discovery of this year) has a page for the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or mysteries, loves reading books set in Russia, or has an interest in the Romanovs.

Pictograph of Current Read

2010-12-18T09:38:00.000-06:00

Activity number 2 from Holiday Break Reading Challenge is to use pictures to explain your current read. I am only a few pages into my book and so I have no idea yet what is going on beyond the cover blurb.

My current read is Black Hearts and Slow Dancing by Earl Emerson.

It is set in the fictional town of Staircase, Washington.

Main character is Mac Fontana, a former firefight.

He has a murder in Staircase of a Seattle firefighter and apparently ends up in Seattle trying to solve his case.

Other notable characters I've run into include a feisty town manager, a dame straight out of noir, and a great location.

Holiday Challenge

2010-12-18T08:52:00.000-06:00

Holiday Break Reading Challenge may just getting me posting fairly regularly :) HBRC is a great blog that gives you some fun topics to blog about and the possibility to win some prizes. Now, in reality, I don't get too lucky but I love to participate in these things.

Friday's challenge was to list our holiday goals. Now, I am working hot and heavy (and have been) up to Christmas. Starting the 28th I have 5 days off to wrap up 2010. So my holiday goals:

Finish my last two colorful books by next week.
Get reviews posted of said books and link to Rebecca.
Prioritize my reading challenges for 2011.
Take a reading break!

I try to finish all current books with a least 24 hours left in the year. I just like starting the year with a fresh book. And more times than not, I am carrying that book to bed in the wee hours of January 1 :)

How about y'all-any must-dos before the end of year?

Mid Winters Rest

2010-12-07T22:57:00.002-06:00

It happens every year at this time. Hibernation instincts kick in and my productivity rate plummets. I don't want to read, or do the zillion things I should do, I don't want to "do" Christmas, and I don't want to cook. I just want the couch or my bed with remote in hand please. Unfortunately my boss expects me to show up and my husband expects to have dinner. And I have three more books to read for an online challenge.

I know I haven't been blogging like I should or like I want to. In part it's because I spend too much time on the laptop doing other things. Like going through the blogs I keep track of-although I recently did a big decluttered and dropped nearly 100 feeds. I also spend a lot of my time on Tumblr, or finding pictures I put on my Tumblr. I also spend way too much time on my Facebook games. And then I spend a few minutes here and there checking out Twitter. Oh, don't forget reading books on top of that. Yeah, I've not been too productive. In fact that bear there is pretty much me unless I am expected to be doing something.

So let's still be friends, even though I may not post a bunch between here and the New Year. I will post some book related posts and have a cooking post in my head. Just wanted to let you know things are going to be slow around here for a bit.

Yellow Tape

2010-12-03T09:34:00.001-06:00

Behind the Yellow Tape by Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch is a look into how real CSIs across the country perform their job. All of the men and women we are introduced to in the book went through the National Forensic Academy in Sevierville Tennessee. Hallcox and Welch were both instructors at the school and take a cross-country trip to meet with graduates across the country from various police agencies.

Hallcox and Welch have a bit of cop humor/language at times which could be a turn off to those expecting a more clinical book. This is a "where the rubber meets the road" type of book where we don't necessarily worry about politics or sheriffs/chiefs it's about the men and women who process the evidence at the crime scene.

I liked the variety of different cities and states. NYC is going to have a whole different set of "problems" then Duluth Minnesota will have in processing crime. In fact, NYC seemed to be overworked, underpaid, and under funded with the tools to the job. You would think that the biggest police department in the country would be a very modern place.

Duluth MN is leading the way on underwater recovery of bodies simply because there are so many waterways (lakes, rivers, streams) in the state. Also Duluth deals with snow and winter conditions. The authors covered the challenges that are unique in those conditions.

That is one of the things I really enjoyed overall with the book. It seemed that the authors weren't out to prove or disprove any one pet theory but simply showed up and took copious notes. This way you're reading about digging bodies out of the mountains of the east, riding along with the Texas Rangers, recovery snow fingerprints in Minnesota, and spotting how many Starbucks there are in crime scene photos in Seattle.

This was a quick read-especially since my copy was large print! I did learn and have some new things to think about but overall, I wouldn't recommend this unless you have an interest in forensics. It might have helped to read the authors first book Bodies We've Buried. Overall, though this was an enjoyable read for the Colorful Challenge!

Colorful White

2010-12-01T09:21:00.000-06:00

I was originally going to read The Red Queen by Phillipa Gregory but discovered that is the second book of the Cousin's War series so I started with the first book: The White Queen.

The White Queen is set in the time of the War of the Roses or the Cousins War in the late 1400s (just prior to the Tudor time). I really haven't read much in UK (by which I mean England, Wales, Scotland or Irish) history and haven't read anything set in the Medieval time period. Well, beyond a few romance novels set in Scotland which I read in high school. What prompted me to pick this up is two reasons: I see a lot of these types of books coming and going in the library and they look interesting.The other reason I picked this up was because I was interested in this author and the Colorful Challenge gave me a reason to pick this up now instead of months later. That's one of the reasons I like doing challenges is because it can get me to read some interesting stuff that has been sitting on TBR list for a long time.

The White Queen is the story of Elizabeth Woodeville and her rise to power as the queen of England. She marries the newly crowned king, Edward IV, and proceeds to have several children with her husband including two princes. In addition, Elizabeth was a widow and brought into the marriage her two children from a previous marriage. As her husband begins his reign Elizabeth and her mother work to secure their position mainly by marrying and engaging Elizabeth's many siblings and cousins.

The book is told from Elizabeth's view and it's a good thing. Elizabeth comes across as someone who passionately loves her husband and children, her family, and her crown. When it comes to business, Elizabeth seems to be ambitious, shrewd, and perhaps just a little bit of a hellion. I definitely wouldn't want to cross her or her family.

This book was so detailed but so engaging. I ended up reading more online about Elizabeth, her time period, and the other kings and queens of this time period. It has really sparked an interest for me in this time period. I am eagerly awaiting The Red Queen but will hold off for next year (it's got a color in the title!).

I would definitely recommend White Queen and have already suggested it for a book club read.

Finishing Books!

2010-11-30T00:36:00.000-06:00

Feels so good to be finishing books this past week. Right now, I have completed three books and will be starting another book this evening.

I am not a big reviewer of books because I feel books are so subjective. Right time, right place, right plot and the book is exactly what you needed at the time. And the wrong anything-time, place or plot-can totally ruin the book. What I think of a book could be the exact opposite of someone else. So that leaves me wondering if I can word what I think of a book in a way that other people can "get". There are so many book bloggers out there I wonder if a small review from me matters in the long run. So my rule is to talk about those I read for challenges, or I loved, or I hated. Hopefully I can simply point out books that could be interesting.

With that out of the way, I am going to talk about the newest book by John Grisham, The Confession. In all honesty, I hated it. Okay, maybe I didn't totally hate it because Grisham can write in the way that Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts can write. It may all be the trashiest, most formulaic crap you've read this week but the story really does fly.

The Confession is set in Texas which is a departure from Grisham typical setting of Mempis or Mississippi. Missing white popular girl presumed to be raped and killed and the fall guy is a black football player. Donte Drum is convicted without the body found.

In Kansas, small town Kansas preacher and his wife are introduced to a felon who is living at the halfway house. He spins a tale that I'm sure y'all can piece together. Will the preacher and the felon make the trip to Texas? Will they be able to stop the execution of an innocent man? Will her body be found?

Lord save me from formulaic crap! I could write something this bad. In fact, I would put the book down and try to figure out what I would do differently. How about focus on either Drum' lawyer or the preacher-the split view just doesn't work for me. Or focus on the fact that getting Drum convicted without blood evidence, a body, a crime scene, or a weapon was one hell of a trick for the prosecutor. Either Drum has totally lousy representation or the DA is totally awesome.

Perhaps I am not the only one that does this. I usually know what I am getting when I request a book, but I still read the jacket flap before starting a book. It's like looking at map of your long journey from Tulsa to Albuquerque. You don't plan on being in Albuquerque that night, but it's an overview. And during my journey with a book I stop and look at the book flap again, the cover, and the author bio trying to discern where the book is going, where has it been, and how the journey has been. A little introspection never hurt anyone.

I got roughly halfway through the book before I read the bio under Grisham's name on the back flap. And that's when I started hating this book.

John Grisham is the author of twenty-two novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and a novel for young readers. He is on the Board of Directors of the Innocence Project in New York and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Innocence Project at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi.

With a sickening feeling I suddenly knew where this book was going and why it felt so "preachy". This isn't just a work of fiction, folks. It's someone on a soap box rallying against the injustices of the world. I have a hard time believing this book was created as a story first. I truly believe Grisham started out with the intent to prove how evil the death penalty is and created a story around that concept. Too bad I felt like I was being hit over the head with his rhetoric by the time the story ended.

Oh, and where he takes the preacher and his wife-just made me howl with frustration. This is not the Grisham we all knew in the early 1990's. This is the suave, political, millionaire preaching his beliefs in a rather crude story form.

Obviously I just didn't like this one. I don't mean to sound harsh so I will stop there. If you are a Grisham fan or a proponent of change to death row then read this. If not, avoid this one.

Up next, I will get two more books reviewed both for the Colorful Challenge. This is going to be a book week!

Oh Grisham

2010-11-22T19:23:00.001-06:00

I am so so slowly making progress in The Confession by John Grisham. I loved Grisham from the first book and inhaled everything he wrote. Somewhere along the line, I started becoming wary of his latest book. Playing for Pizza was not what I was expecting. The Appeal and The Associate felt rehashed. I have to admit that Theodore Boone was rather enjoyable.

So when I received the newest book (The Confession) I was excited. I was hoping it would be a return to form for Grisham; but so far it isn't. The story is two or three sides of the same episode being told so that you have multiple views of the case. I like the pastor and his wife but I don't like the defense attorney, Robbi Flak. As for the victims mom, Reeva, well that could either become interesting or soap opera-ish.

In theory I am at the point in the story were I should be getting into the story and reading along. The sad tale of Donte Drumm has been told and we readers know the truth! But will truth prevail or will an innocent man die? Will the preacher and his wife be able to connect what the know (and who they know) with the defense team and the state? And what surprises does Grisham have up his sleeve?

In reality, I am having a hard time connecting with the story. I read 3 or 4 pages in bed and I am asleep. I feel guilty like I should be reading but just don't. It's even harder to give this up because I have read everything by this author. What if I give up and his next book rocks? And why is it so important to me to have read his oeuvre?

I have to admit to having started Orange Sunshine just to see if it was me having issues reading. This is going to be a fun book. Dope and acid smuggling hippie nation in Southern California with appearances by Timothy Leary. I like these type of nonfiction stories-the ones so crazy and wild that you just couldn't make this stuff up.

Now the question is, which will I finish first-Grisham or hippies?

Books and Reading

2010-11-16T00:33:00.000-06:00

Well here it is two weeks into November. We have (as of the 15th) 46 days left in the year. Just over 6 weeks left in the year.

For all of us reading for online challenges that can make one shudder. I have one challenge that ends at the end of the year and I still have just a few books left. Yes, that number of books is small compared to how much I will probably read this year. However, I would like to finish this up.

To top things off I am not reading like I should. I got the latest Lee Child in and devoured it. I liked it but wish we could warm up in this series. Seems like there's been a lot a cold weather here lately. Maybe Virginia will be warmer or Child will skip Virginia and move Reacher to somewhere warm-south Texas or Arizona would be nice. I've noticed here lately that John Sandford is doing the same thing-that there seems to be several books in a row set in the winter (I say seems because I am too lazy to go check).

In looking back at my books read, I finished the 2nd Percy Jackson on October 27 and finished Lee Child on November 6 which is almost 2 weeks. I haven't finished a book since then. Heck, I can't seem to pick one up despite having a ton to read!

Reading is like anything with periods where you are finishing a book almost every other day and then there are times when you just can't seem to pick up anything. I have to send back the new Father Tim novel (I got about 1/4 of the way through it) and I got Room but didn't even start it. Both are due and will be going back tomorrow. I got Hunger Games in but that's on the book club list to read in a bit so I will send it back unread.

I am going to start with Percy Jackson number 3. I should have Grisham's newest one (The Confession) come in to the library within the next couple of days. Don't judge-I have read everything by Grisham. After that it's books with colors in the titles:

Red Suite Diaries-Ed Butchart
White Queen-Philippa Gregory
Behind the Yellow Tape-Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch
Orange Sunshine-Nicholas Schou
The Anthropology of Turquoise-Ellen Meloy

I am really hoping these books are one I can finish for the challenge :)

I also have an ARC I need to read, Grimm's Fairy Tales to finish, a tiny book called Traditions of Christmas, and Fighting for Your Marriage on tap. Quite frankly, I need to get reading.

But right now, I am retiring to the couch with Fix it and Enjoy it and some instant Netflix via the Wii.

Are you reading tons right now or in a slow down?

Book Challenge Completed!

2010-11-09T14:41:00.000-06:00

I finished the War Challenge and wanted to post a round up of my reviews, plus some thoughts and other books.

I read: I, Sniper, Fallen Angels, Falling Through The Earth, 365 Days, A Piece of My Heart. Each link goes to the review. My favorite had to be A Piece of My Heart and I think my lengthy review says it all.

The War Through the Generations challenge has it's own blog and I would encourage you to go visit. The book lists for both Vietnam and WWII books are amazing and extensive.

I checked out twice and returned twice two books that I simply couldn't/wouldn't/didn't get to: Graham Greene's The Quiet American and Marine Sniper by Charles Henderson. Both of these will be read eventually.

I enjoyed this challenge and it truly was a challenge for me. I read a ton of soldier bios just after high school and found myself all these years later still burnt out. In fact, I had a bit of a hard time finding books to catch my attention in the beginning. That's where I had to think outside of the box.

I have a tendency to use the Internet for everything. I will type a subject into LibraryThing to see what books are on my TBR that it pulls up. I Google, I Amazon, I Google Blogs. In the end, a trip to the stacks at my library to see what was on the shelves gave me the last three I needed. Sometimes, I think wandering the local library can be a good thing!

I am awaiting news on what war will be next years challenge before making plans to repeat this. However, this may be one of the two challenges I complete next year as I do enjoy the challenge.

A Piece of My Heart

2010-11-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

26 short memoirs fill "A Piece of My Heart" with heartbreak, casualties, love, and war. The women profiled served in a variety of jobs from nurses to American Red Cross, intelligence officers to entertainers. Each story is taken from recorded conversations with veterans from across the country. A powerful book about the effects of war on women.

My fifth and final War Challenge book was a collection of memoir short stories from women who served in Vietnam. This one has really stuck with me on so many levels. It really reaches out and gives you not only the war experience but the after-effects. I love how the dates that the women serve range from the early years through Tet to the last few years. You can really see a difference in how things were administered as the war progressed. For example, the women who served in the military in the early years (say 66 or so through 68 or 69) were able to hop lifts on choppers to go to other bases for socializing. It seems after Tet, these joy rides were curtailed.

I enjoyed the variety of stories presented in this book. There were a lot of nurse stories but they ranged up and down the country. A lot of nurses signed up either through a desire to "make a difference" or boredom or they signed up to help pay for their nurse schooling. Because these women were college graduates they were officers and most went through officer candidate school. These nurses talk about being on the hospital floors for 14-15 hour shifts and then turning around and doing it again the next day. In fact, most talked about working 6 days a week for that many hours. Add to that the overwhelming number of wounded coming in-especially during Tet or a big offensive maneuver and it really strikes home how these nurses would have to put aside everything just to function.

A lot of the nurses profiled would have to fill in for doctors. The doctors would do their rounds and leave and unless it was an emergency the nurses were under orders not to disturb a doctor. So you had nurses doing jobs that in a civilian world would not be allowed. This of course caused issues when the nurses came home and found jobs in a civilian hospital.

Most of the nurses talk about being adrenaline junkies when they came home. Nearly all talked about broken marriages, nightmares, job issues, and overall symptoms of PTSD. There was nearly unanimous desire to speak to womens vets as they reached out to the VA. Many of these women had to be their own advocates and start programs through the VA to reach other women vets.

There were stories of civilians in Vietnam. A Quaker relief agency worked, American Red Cross, USO, a member of a band that went around putting on shows, a DJ on Armed Forces Network that went multiple times, and a flight attendant that flew from the states (San Francisco I believe) to Japan to Vietnam and back many times. For me, this really highlighted that it doesn't matter if you were military or not, if you were there for any period of time Vietnam seemed to leave an indelible mark on those that went.

Many of those that went, especially the ones in the military, talked about the Iran hostages being released and the small military skirmishes in the 80's that brought a lot of emotions up. Also, many talked about the Vietnam Memorial Wall and whether they could or couldn't attend (and if they couldn't most was because of the emotions). Most of these women, came home and put on a happy face and attempted to pick up their lives. Attempt because eventually these women have had to face the war.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend that if you do pick this up, read 2 or 3 a night because this book gets emotionally heavy. A lot of pain and hurt come across in these pages. There's also a lot of pride and most of the women don't regret going and serving. I have to say, it's probably a good thing I didn't read this in high school cause I flirted with the notion of being a nurse and would probably have joined the military after reading this!

If you're looking for one last book for the War challenge, looking for books about Vietnam beyond soldier stories, or just looking for a good read I would heartily recommend this one!

Mountain Escapades

2010-10-28T15:00:00.000-05:00

K2 is one of the fiercest mountains ever to be climbed. In 1939 a rag-tag American group gather to scale the mountain. The group was inexperienced, under-equipped, and ultimately a disaster. Last Man on the Mountain makes 1939 feel current and you are right there fighting frostbite on the mountain.

I was handed this book and told it was really good. Now, I love a good disaster book (hurricanes, twisters, The Perfect Storm) but wasn't sure about a mountaineering novel. Don't think I've read something like this before and wasn't sure it was going to grab my attention.

Despite my complete lack of knowledge about mountain climbing, this one was very easy to get into and read. Jennifer Jordan writes a book that you don't need any experience to read. She also makes the story very personal drawing on years of research.

If there was one thing about the book that I would criticize it's that you know from the beginning things are going to get bad. There isn't much tension in the book, it's more of a curl up by the fire and spend Saturday reading type of book.

I did enjoy this tale of extreme heights, extreme cold, and yes, extreme climbing. Thanks for recommending this one to me!

365 Days

2010-10-26T15:00:00.008-05:00

Ronald Glasser was a pediatrician sent to Japan to treat the kids of American military and government in the area. Instead, he treated American wounded coming out of Vietnam. The title refers to how long a man served in-country before he was allowed to go home.

I really enjoyed this quick read. It came across as mostly sketches of the soldiers. For a quick book it leaves an impact and I can recall the horror of a burnt soldier being debridement. Also, how a soldier was patch together and then thrown back at the front lines.

How the doctors quickly learn how to circumvent the system was a really interesting point. The doctors would sometimes hold guys longer than needed so he could be shipped home. Then the doctors would stand up to command saying they were ill. All too buy the soldiers more time out of battle and to get them home in one piece.

A powerful book that I would recommend to anyone wanting to experience a doctors view of war.

Murder in Seattle

2010-10-25T15:00:00.004-05:00

Seattle, and the Green River, was home to one of America's deadliest serial killers. For 20 years Gary Ridgeway patrolled the seamier side of town preying on prostitutes. Although we will never know just how many, estimates are that he killed at least 49 victims over that 20 year span. Ann Rule writes the story of those victims and in the process attempts to understand Ridgeway.

Quit frankly, this is a gruesome book. Not that there is violent murders splashed over the page but the sense that someone could kill so many women for so long without capture is chilling. I like that Rule gives names and faces and stories to as many women as possible. These were kids of the early 80's and most of them were in a tough spot and making some bad choices.The on-going theme of so many children hitting puberty and going wild, of bad marriages and bad parents, or of too little or too late affection led most of these kids out to the streets. There they become involved with pimps and boyfriends who cared little for their safety and more about drugs and money.

In the beginning, missing prostitutes were not a priority for the cops but as more kids disappeared and more missing reports were made, topped with finding bones in the river and the forest made it apparent that there was something to going on.

Just like Stranger Beside Me, this is a personal book for Rule and it shows. She inserts herself into her story but it's done in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the book. It's not about Rule and she knows it and doesn't writes it that way.

If you like true crime or have an interest in the Seattle area I would recommend this book.

Playing Catch-Up

2010-10-24T20:49:00.000-05:00

I have been reading like crazy however being sick last week really made me unwilling to blog. This week I hope to do several microburst reviews. I have read three books for online challenges and need to get these up.

Danielle Trussoni survived a tough childhood marred by a father haunted by Vietnam, divorced parents, and nights spent at a local dive. Danielle survived and years later went to Vietnam to see for herself what haunted her dad. A memoir of the price families pay for war.

Danielle Trussoni writes of a childhood that was by all accounts tough and designed, in a way, to toughen her up. The war weaves itself through this book first as a child finding her dad's war photos, and the stories that are told but also as a dad who drank heavily-perhaps to avoid the war.

I picked this up for the War Through the Generations challenge and really enjoyed this book. Trussoni's father was a "tunnel rat" which was one of the guys that went down into the tunnels looking for enemy combatants. When Trussoni goes back and goes down into a tunnel, I had bated breath waiting for something to go wrong. Nothing does and she returns to the surface with a much clearer view of what her father experienced in Vietnam. This book was richly layered and beautifully written allowing me to experience what Trussoni went through.

If you're looking for something a little bit different about the war, I would recommend this one.

Feeling Under the Weather

2010-10-19T01:26:00.000-05:00

I actually called in sick today. That's how under the weather I am. It's merely a sinus/congestion thing but I don't think the general public wants their librarian to have snot running down her face.

I am working on something related to what we librarians call RA or reader's advisory or what I as a reader would call it "really cool books sites." Alas, between feeling bad and my laptop temporarily crashing on me (it's a mechanical thing and not a computer thing) it may be another week. I am also wanting to do a post on some Halloween/spook/creepy books and movies. That too is on the back burner for now.

I am drinking large doses of water and resting a lot. Hopefully I will be back on Wednesday with a recipe. Have a great week!

Favorite Chocolate Cake

2010-10-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite chocolate cakes. I usually add a little instant coffee to the cake and make a coffee-flavored icing. It goes over well and generally gets rave reviews. Plus, you don't have to set down and soften butter to make this-which is wonderful for last minute baking.

Saucepan Cocoa Cake

2 cups flour
1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk (or soured milk)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1tablespoon instant coffee (optional but totally needs it)

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
3-4 teaspoon milk
2-3 teaspoon coffee (again, optional but makes it a cappuccino icing)

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking soda.
In a 2 1/2 quart saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa (and coffee if using). Bring to a boil Remove from heat. Let cool for a minute.
Add chocolate to flour mixture, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
Pour into a greased 9*13 pan and bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Cool

To prepare frosting, in a large bowl cream butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar. If using the coffee, warm milk and coffee in microwave till coffee is liquid. Add to sugar and butter. Add vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy,
Spread over cake.

Bobbi’s Notes: Can also bake this is a sheet pan-make sure to decrease cooking time. I made this in a 11x17 pan and cooked it for 20 minutes.

Readathon Wrap-Up

2010-10-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a full day of work for me and I collapsed once I got home. I had all these fragments in my mind to blog about but was unable to type them out. After several hours of solid sleep I know have no idea what I was planning on saying!

If you're new here, you'll notice that the posts just below this are readathon posts. The 24 hour Readathon that I participated in is hosted by several volunteers at Dewey's Readathon. It's held twice a year, online, and people around the world gather by their computers to read, read, read! I haven't made it a full 24 hours yet and I've participated twice now.

This year, I was up for 19 hours, and read 12 of those hours. The other 7 hours I don't know where they went. I managed to read 3 books plus a few pages in another book I quit and 60 pages in another book before I quit for the night. I read a total of 818 pages which is the equivalent of chunkster!

So, what worked and what didn't work? I would highly recommend starting with something that is easy to read. A young adult or children's novel, short stories, or anthology. I think I spent a lot of time on Twitter the first few hours and not enough getting into my novel. If you like genre novels (sci-fi, fantasy, mystery/thrillers, romance) this is a great time to knock out a couple of books. I got one book read in a series I am catching up on but was hesitant to read any more by this author as I have a hard time reading the same series back-to-back.

I found that about halfway through my second book I was getting restless. Listen to that inner voice. Perhaps set the book down and go do something. (Laundry was what I did!) Change positions-if you're on the couch try another room or if the weather is nice, head outside. I saw several participants on Twitter mention they were headed to the library to read.

I took a nap in the afternoon and that helped a bunch. Don't be afraid to nap. Or call it quits. All of us have families and obligations, so participate and read but if you have to go be with your family.

I have always thought it would be cool to have a readathon at work for 24 hours with librarian cheerleaders coming and checking on us, bringing goodies and making coffee. We have a large quiet room at work that we could bring in some comfy chairs and advertise that we are raising money for some library sponsored group (literacy office perhaps). Perhaps do a sign up for some tag-team reading if some of my co-workers didn't want to commit to twenty four hours.

Is there anyone you know that you could buddy up with for the Readathon? Perhaps a sister or mom (you're lucky if so, because I am the only hard-core reader in my family!). Perhaps a friend or a book club. Something to think about.

The next readathon should be in April and as of right now, I am not going to commit to this one. It depends on a lot of factors and I should know closer to time.

Oh, what I read quick recap:

Wicked Appetite by Evanovich is a new series featuring Diesel from the Plum books. Laugh out loud moments coupled by a paranomal-light story. This one reminded me why the Plum books are starting to bother me so bad. I can't recommend it but if you like her writing you might give it a shot.

Ghost Town Tales of Oklahoma by Jim Etter was a fairly quick read that featured stories of towns that have since disappeared or are so tiny they are no longer on any state map. These towns all played a part in Oklahoma history. If you like history and especially Okie history you might give this a shot. By the way, I found this when I was looking up anthologies of ghost stories at the library!

I love Craig Johnson. I enjoy his writing, his sense of humor, his characters. It makes me want to move to Wyoming and become a cop. And that is the best recommendation, I think, that anyone can give a series. The setting is so real, you want to visit. Another Man's Moccasins is the fourth in the series. I would highly recommend starting at the first book The Cold Dish. Great stuff.

I started but tossed In Odd We Trust and started but didn't finish Grimm's Fairy Tales. I currently have two books going (plus Grimms), so I am going to go read a bit before work tonight.

Are you interested in the readathon? Anything interesting that you're reading at the moment?

Goodnight!!

2010-10-10T01:54:00.000-05:00

I am finally going to call it a night. Yes, I have only 5 hours till the 24 hour mark but I have work tomorrow afternoon and words are starting to dance on the page. If it wasn't for work, yeah I would try something else but I am done.

Read books:

Wicked Appetite- Evanovich
Another Man's Moccasins-Johnson
Ghost Towns of Oklahoma-Etter

Dropped books:

In Odd We Trust-Koontz

Started but didn't finish:

Grimm's Fairy Tales

I read for 771 minutes or just over 12 hours. I read 818 pages.

I am hoping that come April, I can participate again. God (and husband!) willing and the creek don't rise :)

Goodnight all and thanks for a great Readathon!

Update 4

2010-10-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

After a nap this afternoon, I felt much better and accomplished my second book. Ghost Town Tales of Oklahoma was an intriguing read. Next up is In Odd We Trust-I am hoping to quick get through this one and then start on Wicked Appetite but it all depends on the hubs. I will need to crawl into bed sometime tonight as I have work tomorrow and need to get a couple hours of rest.

We had soup about 4 pm and Subway sandwich about 830 pm. I have started some laundry-I should have been doing this all along. Oh well, I am hoping to get at least two loads done so I have clean britches tomorrow.

I am going to do some surfing and tweeting before delving into my next read.

Update #3

2010-10-09T12:38:00.000-05:00

I have finished book number one!! Woohoo for me! I am going to wait till tomorrow to insert this book into my reading spreadsheets. For now, it's just a giddy knowledge that I have finished one book.

I have been listening to a bonfire on MoodTurn as I read. It's been enjoyable.

I don't know yet what is next. I am going to break and take dishes back to the kitchen. I am needing a nap so whatever I start, will be interrupted by a nap!

How's your readathon going?

Blog update #2

2010-10-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are-3 hours in and I am going strong.
I had a rather restless night last night and was up to early. I am thinking there may be a nap in my future.
I just finished frying up some hamburger and got some 'Buger Veggie Soup in the crockpot for supper. Hubby is already want to get into it!
I have read 145 pages of my book and have read for 141 minutes so am averaging a page a minute. Which isn't bad timing for me.

Still reading Another Man's Moccasins by Johnson. Drinking coffee, water nearby, and I am ready to delve back in! See you guys probably at lunch time!

Update #1

2010-10-09T08:46:00.001-05:00

I am on page 87 of Another Man’s Moccasins by Craig Johnson and I am loving this book. No suprises, that I love this as this is a series I adore.

I have stopped for some food. Decided tuna fish, mayo, spicy mustard, and sweet relish mixed together sounded good. I think I needed some protein as I feel perkier than I did. The saltines are the perfect counterpoint to the salad and feeling more awake.

I think I am going to take a few minutes and update and blog hop a bit.

Happy reading y’all!

Readathon!!

2010-10-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the big readathon! I am uber-excited! We rearranged some furniture tonight to give me a place to read and I am so happy to have a reading nook!!

This is me in my new reading area. I scooted the guest bed over and put the chair in the corner. I have a nice window to the right that looks over the front lawn. To my left, I brought in this three-shelf cart to have a place to put drinks, plates, books etc on it during the readathon. I have my library books on the second shelf and a radio/CD player on the bottom shelf.

This is my currently checked out stack from the library. I have the last 3 books in the series by Craig Johnson. I have an anima/magna novel (In Odd We Trust-Koontz). The last few books to finish up the war reading challenge. Green River Running Red is for the colorful challenge. The Last Man on the Mountain is recommended by my boss. There's some Grimm fairy tales, ghost town tales of Oklahoma, and a haunted house book (perfect for October!). And if nothing catches my fancy, then there's The Bookcase that I face when I sit in my chair.

Go ahead, click on the picture for full-scale deliciousness. Four shelves of double packed, not yet read books. Yes, I am an addict. Most of these I have dragged home from my job, and as I read them I take them back to be enjoyed by others through our book sale.

I have not done laundry, cleaned kitchen real well, cleaned the house, prepped for dinner tomorrow, or done things to make tomorrow an all-read day. But that's okay. Taking a few minutes every hour or so to do something will help me focus better when I am reading. I have decided to put a hamburger veggie soup in the crockpot tomorrow and I picked up a couple of the small frozen pizzas. We have plenty of chocolate in the house. Plus, crackers, cheese, chips and dip, and whatever else I can find.

Have I mentioned I am excited about tomorrow?

By the way, I will be blogging every couple of hours tomorrow, while I am participating in the readathon. I apologize now for the massive postings tomorrow!

October, Already?

2010-09-29T02:20:00.000-05:00

Well Friday is October 1st.

That means fall, pumpkins, cooler weather. Halloween stuff everywhere, plans for chili and pumpkin pie.

It also means pink ribbons everywhere. I hate pink ribbons. Safe to say, I hate cancer. But I still refuse to buy anything with a pink ribbon splashed on it. Can someone tell me what tomato soup has to do with breast cancer?

It bothers me that everyone from Campbells to Kitchen Aid, HoMedics to Yoplait is splashing pink ribbons on their merchandise.

In defense, I am wary of anything that says, “A percentage of profits goes to (fill in the blank).” My cynical side figures it’s pennies on the dollar.

Seems a guy with the Houston Chronicle has the same concerns I do about all this.

A really cool site that I found: Think Before You Pink (I am checking this out in-depth later!)

And seems I was on my own soap box two years ago about this. Last year, I was freaking out and preparing to move into my own home.

At work we have gotten the annual donate this much to wear jeans this many days email. I hate that email. It always starts with a true story from one of my co-workers who has had breast cancer. I understand that she is passionate about this cause, but the other part me (the bad, mean, sarcastic, bitchy person I try to keep under wraps) wants to scream out loud. I am so sorry you had cancer, I am so sorry you had to go through that, I am so glad you're so passionate about this, but get the hell out of my inbox!!!

What pisses me off about work is that this is the only money raising we do for a specific cause. There’s no prostate awareness activities (September is their month) or perhaps American Heart Association Go Red! campaign in February. The only charity we support in this way is breast cancer.

Here’s another reason I am double pissed this year: Tulsa’s shelters have been nearly or completely full since last spring! There’s no room for you if your spouse withholds money, verbally abuses you, and then tells you God will send you to hell if you ever think about leaving. Cause if it’s a violent situation, they will make room. Otherwise, I would recommend a frying pan to that boy’s head. (Um, just remember that you could be charged with assault, aggravated assault, or attempted homicide unless you get a good lawyer. Just a little disclaimer, you know.)

A list of the warning signs of domestic violence. Not all of these mean you are involved in a bad situation (Chris and I were married six months to the day we started dating and neither one of us is abusive). It's something to read and evaluate and think about.

I found a listing of resources available in the state of Oklahoma. If you need help outside of Oklahoma, I would recommed a little Googling for your city/county/state.

So, I am turning this blog purple to support domestic violence. Thursday night or Friday morning the color will change for one month.

One more thing, if you have a strong belief in a cause, I would recommend a donation and/or volunteering directly to the cause. Unless you just like pink.

Book links

2010-09-27T22:40:00.000-05:00

I've got a couple of book links to share with you today.

Now, I am a techie and love using websites to enhance and enrich my offline reading. I think I have shared one of my favorite sites but I am going to revisit that site and show a new site today.

I use LibraryThing to maintain my to be read list and my have read lists (broken up by year read).

When I find a new author or series, I check out Fantastic Fiction. I use their RSS feeds to be alerted when new books by favorite authrs are arriving. Fantastic Fiction usually adds these books as soon as info is released for example, there are several 2011 releases that have arrived in my RSS feed. If I'm lucky and checking every week, I may get close to the top of the holds list.

The new discovery is a book series site called FictFact. Once you sign up (painless and free) you can add series you are reading. Then you can mark how many of the books you read. For instance I am up to date on Harry Potter but have finished 3 of 55 in the 87th Precinct books by McBain for a total of 5% on that series. Once you add a few series it will show you (and you can edit) what is next and what books are coming out in the series. For instance my next three books should be: Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson, Flashover by Suzanne Chazin, and In the Company of Others by Jan Karon (this is the next Father Tim novel!). In the coming soon file is Worth Dying For by Lee Child (21!! days), In the Company of Others by Jan Karon, and Indulgence in Death by JD Robb (I haven't even started this series!!). I like being able to see where I am and what is coming out in my series side-by-side.

Quite frankly I have fallen for FictFact and keep playing with the site. I love being able to keep my series organized and know what I need to accomplish next. I think 2011 may be the year I try to conquer my long list of series I want to check out.

Have you found any cool sites to help track your reading?

It's Fall

2010-09-21T02:23:00.000-05:00

New season on TV, chili in the crock pot and still in the 90s in Tulsa. Yep, fall is arriving :) I have enjoyed a new show and a returning TV show tonight. So good to see Castle again and Chase caught my eye tonight. Cannot wait for Thursday and Bones.

Tonight, I finished Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson. The third installment in the Walt Longmire series found us out of Wyoming and in Philly and a murder-mystery swirling around Longmire's daughter Cady. I really enjoyed this book and I've been loving this series. I would highly recommend this series if you like mysteries.

My next selection is my book club selection: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. I have my reservations about this book but will give it an honest shot. I also have several children's books to get read this week. After that I have a couple of books (Rosanne Cash memoir and Grimm's Fairy Tales) plus I went and picked up the books needed to finish the war challenge. A hearty load but one I am giving myself some time to get through.

October 9 is the next Dewey Readathon. Since I am off, I am going to give myself the day to read. Chris will have to make do or get out for a bit-I plan to read all day! No plans on books and I am not going to plan on too much (I may just get the last 3 Craig Johnson books!) as I have very full book shelves. Vietnam war challenge, Craig Johnson, and clearing out some of my unread stacks is the plan.

What are you reading? Is fall finally arriving in your neck of the woods?

Full Brain

2010-09-16T03:06:00.000-05:00

Hopefully no zombies around :)

I know I am not blogging like I want to but my brain just feels full. Nothing earth shattering or any really big decisions, that I know of, are looming in my brain. It's more like I am processing things and as a result, I am withdrawing into myself.

I finished The Shining. It only took nearly 2 weeks. Which is an insane amount of time to spend on any one book. I picked up The Pusher by Ed McBain (it's like number 3 in the series). I am slowly-and I mean slowly-reading this one.

The Shining. So everyone has talked about this one and/or seen the movie. I am sure you're aware of the basic plot.

Lonely hotel/resort in the Colorado mountains drives it's caretaker crazy. Will the caretaker succeed in killing his family? And does his son's psychic ability have anything or everything to do with the hotel/resort trying to make them kill themselves?

Perhaps I should see if Harlequin is hiring blurb writers :)

I don't like roller coasters, horror movies, the unknown, ghost/paranormal stories, or really anything the jumps off of the page and scares the daylights out of me. Yet, I have an odd affinity for Ann Rule, true crime novels, and mystery stories. I read The Shining during the day. When Chris was home. Which meant it took forever to gain any ground in the novel. The two Saturdays I worked on reading (and trying to cover some serious reading ground) my hubs complained that all I did was read.

Beside sarcastic responses to my hubs, I had to read when it was sunshiney and/or he was home. This book scared me but not like the Candyman movie. It was more of a thriller. Yet, there was this aspect to it, that King didn't have to write in any more thumps and bumps then he did because this thing is so richly atmospheric. The loneliness, the impending craziness, the winter coming on, and the images seen by the child all add to the book a certain sense of gothicness (if such a word exists).

I do have to say I was waiting for the creepy twins and the pages and pages of All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I was disappointed. Thanks Kubrick for adding that in! Also, the first 10-15 pages I kept seeing Jack Nicholson in the main character's shoes. Then King took the character away from Kubrick and Nicholson and Jack Torrence was simply himself. Thinking about it now, I would cast this guy as the main guy:

Christian Bale. Seems nearly normal in most of his films. I can see him pulling off the drunk on the wagon, desperate for a another chance, nearly broke and out of options, loving father and husband. I can also see him morphing into the crazy man in the script. Anyhoo, just wanted to say that something like this guy was in my head as I read this.

This book has stayed with me. For example as I read the Wikipedia article on the book the familiar sense of creeping dread would come on me. Then I was checking around me every five minutes, sitting and just listening to the house, and generally creeping myself out. Great. What is it with this book?

I can't put my finger on exactly why it does that to me-the sense of dread. Perhaps that is why it's still in my head. I am still trying to understand my reaction to the book. So I am maybe still working it over my mental coals for a while now.

But for now, there's a bed in my future and The Pusher to get read.

What book has stuck with you for a while?

Done!

2010-09-12T19:07:00.000-05:00

Well, with The Shining at last. I think I've been reading this one for nearly 2 weeks which is pretty well insane for me. So much rattling around in my head.

I have tomorrow off-yea! I am making cinnamon rolls this evening. Dinner is cooking (drumsticks with Greek Vinaigrette dressing from Kraft) and going to heat up the left over mash potatoes. Right now life is good.

I will blog tomorrow and I hope that I have some thoughts worked out on The Shining.

Have a great rest of the day!

Still here :)

2010-09-07T02:45:00.002-05:00

I'm still here. It's coming into the fall and I find myself wanting to sit and stare out the window. Or sit on the patio or sit with a book (do we see a pattern?).
I am slowly finishing this:

Tonight I am rewatching (for the zillionth time!) this movie:

And I've been listening to this, which just seems perfect for the fall:

Oh, and it's crazy but I've decided to join the Hometown Challenge. Living in Tulsa for a few years, I am going to read at least one book on the Race Riot in the 20's. Other than that I have a few ideas but we shall see.

Anything fall related going on in your corner of the world?

Goodbye August!

2010-08-31T02:38:00.000-05:00

Well this has been the longest month in some aspects and the shortest in others. I am glad to see the high temperatures that ushered in August left us a couple of weeks ago. Although I am looking to cooler temps then what we have right now.

I finished August with 7 adult books and 6 children's books. Not a bad tally. The book I am currently reading is The Shining and it's my first foray in novel-length King. I read Nightmares and Dreamscapes in high school (on the bus since mom would flip if she knew I had it) and loved it. Not far enough in, yet, to give diagnosis on the book yet.

Finished Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle for the Colorful Reading Challenge. Set in Scotland in a small town on a island connected to the mainland by a small spit of land the book revolves around 3 American women (yeah, set in a small Scottish town and we have 3 American women as main characaters-totally realistic!). I really wasn't thrilled with this one as it was a slow starter that just didn't ever really move too quickly. I liked the potential of the story but the actual story just wasn't for me.

Finally got on board and read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and I have to say I love this one. Alan Bradley's new series about a girl/tween in England in the 1950's was a great read. I do have to say, this lagged in a couple of spots but Flavia really carries the story and the fact that she's a budding chemist really adds sparkle to this series. I am looking forward to picking up the next in the series very soon

An Indie film called Winter's Bone is out in tiny theaters and when the book came through without holds, I grabbed it. I didn't expect to fall head over heals in love with this one but I did. Daniel Woodrell writes a chilling, haunting story set in the Ozarks of Missouri with an incredibly strong protagonist, Ree Dolly.
Growing up in west-central Missouri, I could totally identify with the characters and places and the linguistics used in this book. I loved it. All I need to say.

Just finished Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady which is his second book. I love Grady's writing and find the paramedic fiction he writes intriguing. Grady writes from a Christian perspective but it's not cloying. It really reads very clean even though there is explosion and deception in the book. Very good stuff.

I also finished the second book by Craig Johnson, Death Without Company. Just love this series! This one focused on the Basque sheepherders in the area (Absaroka Range of the Rockies, MT). All the regulars makes appearances plus the introduction of a new character. This series is a favorite!

What have you read in August? Anything exciting and interesting?

August 22, 2010

2010-08-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

Outside my window...Warm and Sunshine...beautiful late summer day.

I am thinking...That todays STL Cardinals game is good!

I am thankful for...Tylenol!

From the kitchen...Fresh Watermelon and tomatoes

I am wearing...Blue jean capris and a blue shirt

I am creating...Ways to deal with sinus pain-although it's not been to successful!

I am going...Nowhere for the rest of the day.

I am reading...Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle

I am hoping...The pain goes away. Don't want to see a doctor for this!

On my mind...Lots but little I want to share.

Noticing that...the cats is in the bathroom cabinet again. Gotta child proof that door for the cat!

Pondering the words...“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

I am hearing...baseball game on the TV

Around the house...thinking about a garage sale on Saturday and needing to get the office cleaned up.

One of my favorite things...Watermelon!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Survive! Work is normal for both of us so hoping for a low key week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Bowl of tomatoes and a bowl of watermelon (in a cherry bowl!) spells summer goodness for me!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

2010-08-18T20:49:00.000-05:00

So, the question was what to post tonight. Then someone commented on the food blog I still have up. I do have all those recipes in the archives over here so feel free to browse. The comment was along the lines of not going homemade. "Use a can of Manwhich stupid!" was just about the quote. Hey, idiot, go rain on someone else's parade!

I don't always have a can of Manwhich and sometimes sloppy joes sound good. Chris isn't a huge fan so I don't plan on making them on a regular basis, which is why I need a sloppy joe recipe. There comes the occasional evening that I've got 1/2 pound of hamburger and supper to make and I'm just flat out of ideas. That's were this recipe comes in handy. Or when I've not had time to cook and sent Chris out the door with leftovers.

This makes approximately enough for 2 people if using 1/2 pound of hamburger. The recipe is written for a full pound but I never have a full pound. I always split my hamburger up into 1/2 pound chunks, place in ziploc bags and freeze. The good news is this scales up and down easily.

Sloppy Joes to make you forget the canned stuff

1 onion, cut up
1 teaspoon garlic
1 pound hambuger

Brown all together then drain.

Add 1 cup ketcup, 1 cup water with 1/4 cup brown sugar dissolved, and 1 tablespoon molasses. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and wait to thicken.

I love the flavor of this and it's good over just about anything-mashed potatoes, bread, Fritos. On occasion this just hasn't thickened too much for me-I just use a slotted spoon :)

What is your favorite quick and painless hamburger dish?

No Bueno!

2010-08-18T00:05:00.000-05:00

Sorry to have disappeared.

This has been me here lately. Nothing specific beyond aches and pains. Plus a rather nasty suspected sinus infection. The good news is that the weather "broke" today. Temps were 10-15 degrees cooler and we had a great rain storm this morning. Unsurprisingly, I felt better and better as the day went on.

However, after all the pain, all the meds, all the sleeplessness from the pain I am just plain wore out.

Tomorrow, I will share a recipe with y'all. Don't know what yet but I'll figure something out. Just wanted to update and let y'all know what's up.

Has the weather been affecting you and how are you coping?

Banana Bread

2010-08-11T23:13:00.000-05:00

No picture of the bread because I'm always giving it away! I love this bread but my hubs isn't a fan (no chocolate, no try!) so I eat a couple of slices and give it away. I actually baked two loaves of this and delivered one loaf to grandma (and mom and dad!) and one loaf went to work. The loaf at work disappeared and I had lots of positive comments.

It's always good to hear the positive comments especially when it's the recipe you grew up with. Banana bread is one of those items that it seems everyone has a recipe for, but if you're looking for something different/easier/simplistic you just might want to give this a try. My mom has had this recipe many moons (probably 30 years!) and so there's no way to know where it came from. It's simple, easy, and beautiful.

Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter (softened or nuked for 20 seconds on a plate in it's wrapper)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
2 over-ripe bananas
1/2 cup nuts-optional

Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Stir together soda nad flour; add to mixture. Mash bananas and mix with creamed mixture. Add nuts if desired. Bake one hour is 325 oven.

I always rub the top of my fresh, hot bread with butter. Let cool for ten minutes and then turn out of pan onto wire racks to cool.

That's it!

Do you have any other way to use up browned bananas?

Books and other important stuff

2010-08-10T01:17:00.000-05:00

I have a stack of kids books I need to read tonight-if only I can get off the internet :)

We ended up not having book club for August (the heat has been brutal) and we may discuss the book next month. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See was a book I gave up after 100 pages. While it was book club book, life is just too short to read horrible books. I found the main character to naive, innocent, and not a voice I could get into and follow. There was a point in the book that was pretty brutal and it finished turning me off the book. I know war is hell and if anyone suffers it's civilians. I didn't need that scene. Really, I didn't need that. Read enough non-fiction and seen enough war movies to know that war itself is brutal.

The next book picked up was Andrew Grant's newest book Die Twice. Grant is the brother of Lee Child who writes the Jack Reacher novels. Grant's first two novels feature David Trevellyan who is a British spy. The first book, Even, was pretty good and I was looking forward to another outing with Trevellyan. Guess what-I had the ending guessed about halfway through the novel. Yes, I finished it to find out the small details. I hate it when I read books with a critical eye. So, I liked Grant's first one, but the second book was just so-so. I am hoping it's simply a sophomore slump.

I finished this weekend Answering 911 by Carolyn Burau and I really liked this one. A memoir of Burau's time as a 911 dispatcher. This is one of the books where being an outside-or feeling like an outsider-really helps to create some distance and prerogative. Her stories of the stress and boredom of the job was really enjoyable and I have to say if you like memoirs, true crime novels or true cop stories give this one a try.

So I have the stack of kids books I am going to work on and I've got to get Silver Bough read sometime (it's for the Colorful Challenge) and I've got Eat, Pray, Love in (and it's got holds-so read fast!) but I went with Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I love this book. I promise I'll talk more next week about it. This book, though, rocks!

Oh, and I tried adding book covers but Blogger hates me tonight!
Have you read anything really interesting here lately?

Daybook for August 8

2010-08-08T18:47:00.000-05:00

As always check out other daybooks at Peggy's!

Outside my window...Hot and sticky-100 degrees with heat index of 110 degrees!
I am thinking...This weekend wasn't long enough. How I would love to have tomorrow off-I would drag the hubs to the lake for a late summer soak!
I am thankful for...Decent credit and financing. We were able to buy a car with A/C this week. Feeling very blessed and thankful!
From the kitchen...Gonna make banana bread later, craving homemade cinnamon rolls but those may happen later this week.
I am wearing...Tank top-it's a little warm in the house but trying not to crank the A/C too high.
I am creating...Not much at the moment. Been a crazy week or two-time to decompress!
I am going...Nowhere! We got groceries earlier so we are set.
I am reading...About to start a new book-got two possibilities: Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie or Silver Bough.
I am hoping...For a good week.
On my mind..Not much, besides just wondering when my hubs will want dinner (spaghetti) tonight. He's napping right now and then goes into work about 945 pm.

Noticing that...I need to spot treat the carpet. And check about these stacks of library CDs. Need to find out what goes back tomorrow and what stays.
Pondering the words...Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Mark Twain

I am hearing...Marshall Tucker Band, A/C kicking in-rather quiet at the moment :)
Around the house...Need to conquer the office this week.
One of my favorite things...New to us car :) A/C in the car!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Weird work this week as my schedule is a little more screwy than normal. Just hoping to have some time for me this week.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Our new-to-us car. A 2006 Chevy Malibu.

My Tulsa

2010-08-03T23:47:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to remember to take my camera with me when I go anywhere.
I'm not always successful. However, today I did grab my camera and I got lucky. Tulsa Vette Set met at the library tonight and I grabbed a few shots.
I do wanna do this again (they meet every month at the library I work at). Today was just too hot to worry about what I capturing.

Love the plates on the yellow car!


Vette, Vette, Vette, Vette, truck! Yep-it's Okie-homa!


Three red Corvettes in a row!

Well Hello August!

2010-08-02T02:27:00.000-05:00

I was on fire for part of the month. The past few days though I have slow down.

You see, I have been trying to get through Shanghai Girls by Lisa See this weekend. I hated it by page 20 and I found myself on 100 and am thinking, "200 more pages? Really?" This is a tough book for book club!

I am then going to finish a couple of books I got that have holds behind me and I wanna read more on the Terror Timeline. Kinda backed up and find myself longing for some McBain.

I am finishing, as I type, season one of Hill Street Blues. Considering I was 2 years old when this came out, I am obviously watching this for the first time around. I have to say, I am really enjoying this series.

Are you doing more reading or less because of the heat?

MIA

2010-07-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I kinda disappeared. Sorry.

This is the last week of summer reading program and it has been slightly loony at work. I am also working on a display that I'll set up for the month of August. Then there's the never-ending new books-which is a great thing. I love processing new books.

Needless to say, I've been rather distracted. When I got home in the evening I've got just enough to make dinner and collapse on the couch watching DVR. Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars, and Pickers have been interesting enough. Then I carry my tired body to bed and watch an episode or two of Hill Street Blues. Somehow, I've been reading (not as intensely as I was reading) although I have until next Wednesday to finish my book club book.

So, tonights dinner was simple, easy, and fast. Baltimore Hash may have an odd name but this is pretty good. I use southern hash browns in place of the potatoes and thing work out. Served with bread and butter and some cottage cheese, this was an easy night. Dessert was butter cake mix and frosting out of a can. Something I haven't done in like 15 years. However, I wanted something baked and chocolate so bad, that I went the easy route tonight.

Tomorrow is my Friday and supper will include ham+peas+leftover spaghetti noodles+Parmesan cheese.Friday is pay day and right now no plans. Just trying to survive the week!

How is your week going?

2010-07-25T04:13:00.000-05:00

So there's been a neat little Summer Break Reading Challenge going on that I somehow missed. I loved this assignment as seen on another blog and just had to jump in and do my own. The rules are to get a random name, verb, and picture (she gives links to get your own randomness) and then to edit the photo as a book (which there are also directions on the site).
So, my book is not in book size. Deal with it. If this was Penguin they could resize and make it look professional. I cropped my original photo down, did some pretty simple photo tricks and viola! Synopsis follows.
By the way, this is totally off the top of my head. My synopsis ended up sounding like a James Bond/Jason Bourne mash-up. My question is, how innocent is my main character? And what company did he work for-could that be involved? No, I don't plan on writing this. :)

For Robert Tressler losing his job today was just one problem. Instead of going home and informing his wife of his job loss he wanders through Old Town. Perhaps the cobblestone streets and the Bay will give him the courage to tell his wife.
Then he notices the stranger that seems to follow him. Black overcoat, black satchel; the stranger nearly fades into the crowds. But Robert notices and he's worried by the near constant surveillance.
When a car explodes in front of him and a cadre of dark suited gentlemen whisk him into a dark SUV, Robert knows his bad day is going to get worse.
Now he must THINK! What did he see? What did he hear?
And most importantly, who are the bad guys and who are the good guys.
It's a run for Robert's life with no clear answers. All Robert can depend on is to THINK his way out-if he can.

Day Book for July 23

2010-07-23T19:18:00.000-05:00

See more Daybooks at Peggys!

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Warm evening-mid 90's with heat index near 100 degrees. Hot and muggy!

I am thinking...How much my eyeballs are bothering me...contacts+allegries=no bueno!

I am thankful for...That I can always run to my Father.

From the kitchen...Cacciatore. We still have some leftover Coffee Cinnamon Cake

I am wearing...Blue Jean capris, grey tee shirt, and bare foot as usual!

I am creating...A clean house-slowly but surely!

I am going...Work tomorrow, church perhaps on Sunday.

I am reading...Terror Timeline is what I am currently reading, I need to read Shanghai Girls this week, and my copy of The Sadness of Lemon Cake came in-whew!

I am hoping...For rest tonight so I am not fighting exhaustion tomorrow.

On my mind...Books, the Word of God, and supper.

Noticing that...Lily has pretty much stopped the incessant loud meowing. Thank God!

Pondering the words... The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14. Pondering how much worrying I've done and am doing and how I need to be at peace, be still and let God work.

I am hearing...Cicadas and the A/C

Around the house...Kitchen looks good again, and the dining room table looks better than usual. Guess it's time to conquer the living room!

One of my favorite things...Fresh tomatoes!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Normal week for me, work wise. Looking forward to payday on Friday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...The night sky before another round of thunderstorms this past week. Just love the silhouettes!

Wednesday Already?

2010-07-21T05:55:00.000-05:00

This week just flies by! I was going to make pork chops for dinner last night but ended up not fixing dinner. In fact, when I got home at 7 pm, I crawled into bed for a minute and didn't get out till 430 am! So I guess it's pork chops for dinner tonight.

I really haven't done much cooking or baking here lately. Perhaps it's this oppressive Oklahoma heat getting to me. I made the chocolate peanut butter bars last week and took them to work on Monday. They definitely appreciated the treats.

I did make some hamburger gravy from Taste of Home and I have to say, I did like this. This recipe is so versatile and easy to adapt. It uses cream of mushroom but you can use chicken if you don't like mushroom. You could also do a white sauce or even true gravy in place of the cream soup. It calls for a can of mushrooms but why not use fresh and fry them with the hamburger or just leave out if you don't like mushrooms. I also added some garlic salt in place of regular salt. Reminded me beef stroganoff for the broke and need a quick meal.

Plans for the week is mainly for easy meals. Just not up to anything complicated. When the heat index is still 100+ degrees at 7 pm (when I get out of work), I just don't feel up to anything when I get home. I have to work on Saturday so I don't see any baking in my future. I do have some bananas slowly going brown I am going to have to do something with soon.

Any big plans for your kitchen? Tried anything new that was fantastic?

Reading Fiend

2010-07-19T21:49:00.000-05:00

Take at look at the left where I track the books read for the month. I am sitting at 10 books for July. 10! I just can't seem to stop reading!

Currently Reading: Terror Timeline by Paul Thompson. I am enjoying this book, although the subject isn't light. Thompson took published sources to piece together a current history of Al Qaeda terrorism with a focus on America and Americans. This book starts at the late 70's when we start supplying money and arms to Afghans to fight the USSR. Very interesting.

Just finished: The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson. I picked this up due to the news that TNT is developing a series out of this. That link is written by Johnson and gives you a good clue about his "voice" which I just love. This is the way I wish I could write. The line that still gets me chucking; "gargle with razor blades." Yes pulling it out of context probably kills it but I love the humor in it. I am eager to pick up the next one in the series. Good stuff maynard!

I have read 5 childrens books (technically easy pictures) and one tween novel. I have read 28 of the 100 Children's Books and am trying to get through this within a year (December would be great, I'll be happy with finishing by May). The tween novel is part of my ongoing 1001 Children's Books.

I have used an online site to keep track of my reading habits for a while now (probably at least 5 years). While I liked the site I was using it had a tendency of crashing about every 2 months (usually at the beginning of the month) and would be down for up to a week or two. No bueno for me. I am not into the social aspects of some of these sites. I've tried several and looked at lots of sites including: Shelfari, GoodReads, and Gurulib.

I ended up using LibraryThing. I like that it doesn't seem too social. That it's easy to review a book and/or to star the book. I like that you can see whether the book you just read is part of a series and what other books in there series there are. The site is limited to 200 books unless you pay for the unlimited, which is 25 dollars for a lifetime membership. After playing with the site and adding my 2010 Read Books, I have to say that when I get paid, I am plunking down my money. Once I have my unlimited membership I am going to add my 2009 and 2008 read lists.

Read anything fantastic here lately? How do you keep track of your read books or do you keep track?

Daybook for July 16, 2010

2010-07-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

Outside my window...Overcast-more storms? Lord, we do not need more rain. The humidity and heat is bad but the rain only makes it worse.
I am thinking...My baseball game is on TV-need to turn on the tube.
I am thankful for...Summer heat and the A/C to cool things off.
From the kitchen...Hmmm, just made the grocery list. Still not sure if we are going to cook or go out for supper tonight.
I am wearing...Blue jean capris and red tee shirt, barefoot as usual.
I am creating...Not much here lately!
I am going...Grocery store sometime in the next 24 hours and the farmers market tomorrow am.
I am reading...Cold Dish-Craig Johnson
I am hoping...For some time to read today and something to eat-getting hungry!
On my mind...Making sure the finances match the spreadsheet. That we get better at being good stewards of the pay we make.
Noticing that...It sure looks like rain till you go outside.
Pondering the words...“If there is no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Teresa

I am hearing...Brad Paisley, cicada's, and the A/C
Around the house...Need to hit the kitchen but it's not at all as bad as it is usually.
One of my favorite things...Dr Pepper :)
A few plans for the rest of the week: Busy week with me working Sunday, two extra shifts during the week, and working next Saturday.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... My in-laws got a new fridge and donated their old one to us. My dad came over to put a filter on the water line. My dad is on the left in black, Chris' dad is on the right in green. Their help was appreciated and we love the new-to-us fridge!

No Bakes

2010-07-14T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am actually going to share two recipes for two different no bake type of dessert. Perfect for summer heat when you want a treat but don't want to turn the oven on. Actually, I could eat these year round as I love both of these recipes!

I made tonight Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares tonight and have to say I love this! This takes a bit of peanut butter so make sure you have either a super jar or a new jar on hand. These rocked!

And I am going to share my recipe for No Bake Cookes. Or as they are known in my household, "Depression Cookies." Trust me, when it's 9 pm and your feeling like everything sucks these will pick you up!

Depression Cookies

Boil together
     1 1/2 cups sugar (original recipe calls for 2 cups but the reduction works)
     1 stick of butter
     1/2 cup of milk
   1 teaspoon vanilla
     1/4 cup cocoa

Bring to rolling boil and remove from heat. Add 3 cups oats. Stir till combined. Drop by spoonfuls on greased sheets and refrigerate.

Oh, and be careful licking the spoon and saucepan as this is very hot and can scorch.

Both of these last no time in our household.

Do you have a favorite no-bake recipe?

Lazy weekends

2010-07-12T23:10:00.000-05:00

It's not just the summer time I am lazy-pretty well the laziest book worm you can find :) I do have to say, that with the heat and humidity I am not functioning well when it comes to outside activities. Quite simply, I hate to sweat, I hate being icky, and I hate feeling hot. So with temps in the mid-80's and upwards with humidity levels pushing the feel-like temp to the 100's or more, I am staying inside more. Am I reading more? Uh, no. I am finding myself easily bored and listless here lately and so, the reading thing is getting pushed aside.

With that said, I do want to talk about 3 currently read books that I have finished here lately.

Summer time means it's time for a new Plum book. Janet Evanovich releases a Stephanie Plum novel every June and this is pure beach reading fluff. However, it feels that Evanovich has been writing the same character without any real growth over the course of several novels. Honestly, I felt like I was coming to the end of my adventures with Stephanie Plum as I just couldn't continue to read this with little payoff. This was the make or break book for this series. You know what, Evanovich really pulled this one off. The ending of the book really makes me curious to see where the characters go from here. And while there is still no decision on Morelli vs. Ranger, I can live with that being open if Stephanie and crew grow and evolve. Here's to more changes!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Selznick had me enthralled. This was off of my 1001 Children's Books book and I loved it. Here's the thing, though, I don't think I would have picked this up without this book. And while I was reading this, news of the movie version started coming out. Uh, yeah, gonna go see that next December! Cabret focuses on a Parisian thief, an early movie director, a toy story, and takes place in a train station in the early 1930's. I loved this one and encourage y'all to pick this up. Don't let the heft of the book scare you, their are pretty pictures and the text is simple and beautiful.

Last up was Internal Combustion by Joyce Maynard. The true story of an elementary teacher accused and convicted of her killing her husband. Honestly, I had some issues with this book. It was more along the lines of In Cold Blood than Ann Rule. I have read and devoured most of Ann Rule and love her impersonal telling of the crime. Maynard injected herself as much as possible into this story and it felt like non-fiction that was biographical or memoir-ish (is that a word?) rather than true crime. The crime was horrific along with how she got caught (the teacher not the author). I kept waiting for some sort of infidelity of the wife to show up or some reason why she decided after 30 years to kill her husband, but this was never discussed. I really think the case is interesting but I didn't like this treatment.I understand that writing this with no real input from family or friends must have been trying but in the end this just didn't work for me.

I am finishing We are Still Married by Garrison Keillor and eyeing the stack of library materials. The last week of the month I need to read the book club book. Plus, I have a few coming due so I really need to read faster!

What have you read recently? Anything good?

Day Book for July 10

2010-07-10T19:26:00.000-05:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...Cloudy and humid, mid 80's feeling like lower 90's

I am thinking...Not much really-this has been a lazy weekend.

I am thankful for...Air conditioning! My hubs and pets. Lazy weekends :)

From the kitchen...Not much. Gonna make a banana cake this evening.

I am wearing...Blue jean capris and fuchsia tee shirt-low key and casual

I am creating...A cleaner house, slowly but surely

I am going...to church tomorrow

I am reading...We are Still Married-Keillor

I am hoping...that we get some thunderstorms even though my lawn does not need it!

On my mind...finances.

Noticing that...I cannot seem to get rid of piles of crap!

Pondering the words... “Everything else you grow out of, but you never recover from childhood.”

Beryl Bainbridge

I am hearing...Sam Cooke and the wash machine

Around the house...Cleaning up our room. With me working afternoons and the hubs working evenings the only time our room gets picked up is the weekends!

One of my favorite things...Chocolate cookies, banana cake, fresh coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week: Looking forward to the All-Star Game on Tuesday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... My nightstand! Some are mine, some are the library. This is a little much! Must read faster :) (Click on the pic for a larger view.)

Chicken and Rolls

2010-07-07T07:42:00.000-05:00

I was wanting to share this last week but got lazy at the last minute.

Our anniversary is June 26. Towards the end of the month there just wasn't funds for a nice dinner out. So, I checked my cookbooks, pantry and fridge and came up with Garlic Chicken 'n' Gravy recipe from Taste of Home. This was in my Simple and Delicious cookbook.

This chicken was awesome! The gravy was very flavorful and overall I have to say this was a hit.

The rolls-I made them! Homemade Rolls were good. I don't think these were "the one" that will be my good to recipe. However, these were a solid effort and it was great to be mixing yeast rolls up. My house smelled good!

The recipe calls for them to be rolled out and rolled up like croissants. I did half my dough that way and half like Parker House rolls (rolling three balls of dough per muffin cup). I liked the Parker House style better. These went over well, with my dad giving these rave reviews.

When was the last time you baked bread from scratch?

Good Times

2010-07-05T19:39:00.001-05:00

Perhaps too much good times, if that is possible, for me to think today.
It's been a really lazy Monday.

Hope everyone enjoyed thier Fourth celebrations!

Even the trees were celebrating at my parents last night!

June Round-Up

2010-06-28T19:29:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know we've got a few days until the end of June but I want to go ahead and do a June round up of movies and books. This was a slow month for me in both movies and books. I blame vacation :)

In books I finished six books: 3 easy pictures, 1 kids chapter book, and 2 adult books. I am hoping to finish one more book in the next day or so. The easy pictures books were: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Bark, George. George was the least favorite and I have to say I loved both Chicka and Frances. The kids chapter book was John Grisham's entry in children's publishing. Theodore Boone is an only child of lawyers who loves the law, the law offices of his parents, and the courthouse. He knows many of the secretaries and judges in the courthouse. Grisham uses a big trial and Theo to introduce a trial and various courtroom terms. I, obviously, loved this one. I hope to see Theo appear again.

Ok, Mr Larsson's last novel in the Millennium series was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. This took me 3 weeks to read (which is crazy!) and I only finished it because I was determined to find out what happened. Larsson comes alive when he is writing about women and women in particular who are not necessarily the "nice little girls" all of our mama's tried to make us grow up to be. The downside is that Lisbeth Salander is either in lock down at the hospital or in jail. While the story is hers it's told be a lot of other characters. I have to say Nora Ephron summed up everything that irritated me about this final chapter in this series. It was also good to finally laugh.

The other book I finished was Triumph by Carolyn Jessup. I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as Escape. I would recommend Escape. Jessop gives some great tips on overcoming any abusive situation and what worked for her in overcoming the cult mentality of the FLDS. It was good to hear more details of her situation and that she and her children are making great strides in living a healthy normal life.

I hope to finish The Mugger by Ed McBain in the next day or so. It's actually due at the library today so I really need to read and read fast. Next book will be either 61 Hours or White Teeth. White Teeth is an attempt at an another book for the Colorful Challenge.

So. movies watched this month is 9. I will probably get at least one more watched. Extraordinary Measure (Harrison Ford, Brandon Fraser) was a good decent movie. Robin Hood was really really good. We both liked Russell Crowe's version. Crazy on the Outside was a Tim Allen movie and was better than I expected. Edge of Darkness was just so-so. I just felt like I was watching a Cliff Notes version and later found out this was a British mini-series.

Have you read or watched anything good this month?

Simple Woman Daybook

2010-06-26T08:32:00.001-05:00

FOR TODAY:
Check out Peggy's Daybooks from around the blogosphere above!
Outside my window...Sunny and Warm, heat advisory has been in place all week.
I am thinking...am I ever going to sleep? I slept a lot yesterday and haven't crashed yet!
I am thankful for...My hubby! It's our 4th Anniversary today!
From the kitchen...Some sort of chicken for dinner tonight.
I am wearing...Blue knit shorts and a red tee. My sleeping outfit!
I am creating...Lists! Trying to organize things a bit around here.
I am going...to bed sooner or later!
I am reading...Golden Legacy-about the Little Golden Books
I am hoping...for a nap and a nice day with the hubs
On my mind...plans for the future
Noticing that...The table needs a good clearing off...again :)
Pondering the words...“When late morning rolls around and you’re feeling a bit out of sorts, don’t worry; you’re probably just a little eleven o’clockish.” ~Winnie the Pooh
I am hearing...Dishwasher, AccuJazz, and the hubs
Around the house...Hanging some outdoor lights today and doing some pickup.
One of my favorite things...Dark chocolate peanut M&Ms
A few plans for the rest of the week: Odd week for me work wise, Thursday is payday, celebrating our anniversary next weekend.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Lily hanging out in my kitchen window. I wasn't fast enough to get just her tail poking out but I still think this is cute!

Summer Salad Tip

2010-06-23T08:26:00.001-05:00

Who says I need to post a recipe on Wednesday? How about a brilliant a-ha moment from my kitchen.

The backdrop: hot Oklahoma summer results in more salads. Lettuce, pasta, and anything else I can throw together. I have always thrown my lettuce salad (a.k.a. chef salad) into a bowl.

The top part would be awesome! Then I started getting more lettuce than toppings and less dressing.

As I was prepping my veggies I had my a-aha moment.

Instead of salad bowls-use a plate!

Ok, sounds simple. The ratio of veggies to lettuce to dressing to cheese was ideal! Every bite had yummy goodness in it and I was very happy.

The question is, what do you like the concept of but not the execution. While most of us dice up watermelon to avoid the juice-what else could you change to make dinner ideal?