A Reliable Wife- My Thoughts

A Reliable Wife
by Robert Goolrick
Published: 2009
Pages: 291 fast-paced, quickly read pages!!

From the inside jacket: A condensed version

For Ralph Truitt, the wealthy businessman who had advertised for "a reliable wife," this was to be a new beginning. Years of solitude, denial, and remorse would be erased, and Catherine Land, whoever she might be, would be the vessel of his desires, the keeper of his secrets, the means to recover what was lost. That was his plan. This is a story of two people, each plagued by a heart filled with anger and guilt, each with a destiny in mind. But neither anticipates what develops between them........



My thoughts:

I read this book during the early morning hours last Saturda . Once I opened the pages I was lost in the cold, white, endless winter world of Wisconsin. The beginning seems to be slow and very wordy, but after you get past that point you realize that the author wants you to feel the pain of the cold, and to envision how months of winter can drive people to commit heinous acts against those that they love. I was totally engrossed in the lives of Ralph and Catherine. I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it, which is a pretty good sign that I loved it. This story is one of mystery, love, death, murder, and ultimately human connections. But throughout the book there is a subtle vibration of menace. For me, this story at times, made me recall how I felt while reading "The Tell-Tale Heart." Because you know something bad happened or will happen, it's right there for you to see, yet you still feel that tension of impending doom.

She might wound him, she might lie to him, and still he would do anything to hear one word of kindness from her lips, to feel his flesh touch her flesh without humiliation. He was willing to take the chance. And all this because she had stepped from the train with a small scarlet bird in a cage, and she was coming home to him, bringing a fluttering life. He was at last waiting for someone whose name was known to him. People saw her come home to him, people in his town. She smiled at him, and he knew then that he would die for her.

p.192

I wish I would've read this book during a blizzard, for then I would have been able to totally immerse myself into the story, but even though I read it during a spring day, I still felt the harshness and bleakness of the Wisconsin landscape. This is an author that I would read again without hesitation and one that I totally recommend to my friends!!! You won't be disappointed!!

Other reviews:
Devourer of Books
The Booklady's Blog

If you've reviewed A Reliable Wife let me know so that I can add your link!!

Library Loot- April 29

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I've been pretty good this past week and have only added 6 new books to my library stash!! I really feel like I'm making a dent in my pile. It didn't hurt that I was without power over the weekend. Saturday was gorgeous here in Michigan until around 2 pm so I spent the morning reading outside and finished two books. On Sunday, I finished another one!! What that tells me is I spend way tooooooo much time on the internet and not enough time reading!! Here's what I brought home this week!!


Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

- I can't remember who told me about this book but they recommended it to me because I loved 84 Charing Road and Guernsey so much. This one is written in diary form, letters, and bit and pieces of Joey's life growing up in the 40's. Can't wait to get to it!



Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

- I blame this one on anyone who did a review of this book!! Too many to count but after reading them I felt compelled to get this one.






The Help by Kathryn Stockett

-Who hasn't read this book and loved it? So because I've read tons of great reviews about this one I added it to my stack. I would like to pass some blame along to Lisa from Books and Cooks and Lesley of Lesley's Book Nook. Their reviews are the ones that pushed me over the edge!!





Willow by Julia Hoban

- I read about this book in the ALA magazine and then the author sent me an email when she noticed that I had marked it as a must-read on my Goodreads page for 2009. I found her to be really easy and fun to talk to. I've read some great reviews on this book and I had to wait for what felt like forever to finally get this from the library!!!


Nation by Terry Pratchett

- I've heard so many good things about Pratchett from Nymeth and Chris so when this won the Printz Award I knew that I needed to get my hands on this and read my very first Pratchett book ever!!





Talking with My Mouth Full by Bonny Wolf

-I saw this book on Janel's blog- Janel's Jumble and was immediately taken in by the cover. Each chapter starts out with stories from the kitchen and this is the type of cookbook I like. One that makes me really feel like a participant in their life and through that leads me to their cooking!! I'm totally blaming Janel for this one!!!




To Read List Total today 4/29/2009: 703
Last Week's To Read List total 4/15/2009: 701
Books Read in 2009 to date: 62
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 29

Tuesday Teasers and It's Tuesday Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Saint Serena, on her knees, doing penance.
I often amused myself this way, with small mean-minded bitter jokes about her; but not for long. It doesn't do to linger, watching Serena Joy, from behind.
What I coveted was the shears.

p. 153 from The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood



____________________________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I'm not liking where I'm at all. I've lost my husband and daughter and the United States has changed as we know it. It has become a place where men rule and women serve. Who you are depends on what color of dress you were given...my dress is RED. That means I am a vessel for breeding! So whenever the commander wants to "try" to conceive I must lay there and let him do what he wants. I'm not sure how much of that I can take without someone coming to harm. And to add insult to injury, READING is forbidden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Where has your reading taken you today?

Power Outage

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that we experienced one heck of a storm yesterday and have been without power since Saturday early afternoon. We're not expected to get it back until sometime Monday. That means I'm running on my little battery pack and I'm trying to conserve the juice!! So I won't be posting my reviews today or tomorrow and the most important part is that I won't be able to stop by and comment on anyone's blog until tomorrow night!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that we have power then!!!

I really just want to take a hot shower! Hope your day is sunny and warm!!

Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie
Genre: YA
Published: 2007
Pages: 230 of some of the best writing I've ever read!!

From Goodreads:
In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.






My Thoughts:

My son read this book last year and told me how much he loved it. I'd been meaning to get to it sometime but kept letting other books get in the way. Saturday during the Read-a-Thon this book was in my short list of possible reads. Marc came in to check on my progress and said, "Mom, you have to read this book next." So I did and I have to tell you that it blew me away!! I can see why it won the National Book Award. This is a story of a young man who has only known life on the "rez." This life encompasses poverty, alcoholism, funerals, and a school where not much is expected or given in return. Junior is smart, too smart for reservation school. His teacher tells him that he must get out of the rez so that he can be saved. The only way for him to do that is to go to an all-white school 20 miles away. When he decides to do this he experiences racism ,not only from the white kids, which he expected, but also from his own people. Through this ordeal Junior deals with his emotions and experiences by expressing himself with his art. The added bonus in this book is the marvelous illustrations. You will cry, laugh, and root for Junior every step of the way. His journey will give you hope. You will want everyone you know to read this book so that they too can be inspired by this special kid who didn't let anything stand in his way of becoming a better person. This book is at the top of my all-time favorite YA books and one of the best books I've read this year. Run don't walk to the library to get your hands on this one!!

Library Loot- April 22

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

Yes, you're reading this post right...I only have 2 books to post!!! But don't let that fool you, my check-out numbers are still out-of-control!! Here's what I picked up this last week:

BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker

- I've read a lot of Dekker in the past and this story sounds totally fascinating. After reading Dar's great review I knew that I couldn't put off reading this book.
Have you noticed how Dar gets blamed a lot on my Library Loot posts?






The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice

-No one to blame for this one. I must have seen it somewhere and read the story description and thought it sounded interesting. I'm reading this one right now and really enjoying it so far!!






To Read List Total today 4/22/2009: 701
Last Week's To Read List total 4/15/2009: 695
Books Read in 2009 to date: 58
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 33

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where are you?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

A beehive-shaped pile of dirt is mounded behind the tent, waiting for the end of the service. The grave diggers will dump the dirt in the hole to keep Cassie from floating to the surface and running away.

p.133- Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson







Carrie used to write to Aunt Katherine, who is definitely the black sheep in the family. Just because my mother and she had a "falling-out" didn't mean Carrie couldn't be in touch.

p. 79- The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice





____________________________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

Well, I'm a teen again but this time I have a lot of problems. One is my best friend has just died. Two, I'm slowing killing myself and I can't stop. I'm also in Newport hanging out with the "old-money" crowd and trying to keep my family together. At least what is left of my family, after the death of my husband. I'm also trying to re-connect with my sister who I haven't spoken to in years......

* Wintergirls
* The Geometry of Sisters

Hour 24: Update

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 18!! I was a goner, fell asleep on the couch with my book on my chest!!!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? They were all interesting...but my body is old and so is my mind and they were screaming out to sleep!!
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I thought it was fantastic!!!!!!!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The communication was out of this world. excellent scheduling and follow-up!!
5. How many books did you read? 3.25
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Perfect by Natasha Friend
Shug by jenny Han
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
and started If I Stay by Gayle Forman
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Part-Time Indian
8. Which did you enjoy least? Perfect but it was still good!!
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
Yes, I was a cheerleader. My advice is to make sure you have high-speed before attempting to visit everyone!! :)
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? I will absolutely participate again!!! What role would you be likely to take next time? Reader and cheering for sure!! I'm brainstorming for a much better challenge too!!

You Know You're Participating in a Read-A-Thon Mini Challenge

Hey everyone!! We're more than halfway through the Dewey 24 Hour Read-a-Thon and I'm sure that some of us are walking around like zombies and needing a boost of caffeine right about now. So my challenge will not try to tax your mind too much.

Here's your prompt:

You know you're participating in a READ-A-THON when:

Be creative...use pictures, poetry, haiku, free-flow, rap, whatever strikes your fancy and just have fun with it. And don't worry if it doesn't make too much sense because I have a feeling there will be plenty of readers out there that at this point are getting a little slap-happy!!!
The winner will receive a $15 e-gift card from me to use at Amazon.com. Feel free to leave your entry in the comments or post on your blog, but don't forget to leave me a link in the comment box!!

ROCK ON READERS!!!

Mid-Event Survey

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2. How many books have you read so far? 3

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The Chosen One and Wintergirls

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? I just told my hubby and son that they were on their own!! LOL!

5. Have you had many interruptions? Only the ones that I imposed on myself. I played b-ball with my son earlier tonight and just got back from visiting the neighbors for an hour. How did you deal with those? Welcomed them!!

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much fun it has been!!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not so far!! I think the trio has done an awesome job of putting this together!!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Next time I will definitely have high speed internet!!!

9. Are you getting tired yet? uh, yes!! It's 10:30 pm and I've been at this since 8 am. My own mini-challenge is coming up at midnight, so I plan on staying awake until 2 am then getting some shut-eye for a few hours!

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? No, sorry no words of wisdom to spread!

Hours 10 & 11: Update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Perfect by Natasha Friend, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Shug
  
• Number of books read since you started: 3
• Pages read since last update:168
• Running total of pages read since you started:730
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 60 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 305 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme, Bart's Cover Quiz, Love Your Library and Read-a-Thon Guess First Line
  
• Other participants you’ve visited: I've cheered for 3 hours today and I'm off to make some more rounds and see what challenges are going on!! I snoozed outside in the sun for about 30 minutes earlier this evening!!
  

Hours 8 & 9 : Update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Perfect by Natasha Friend, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
  
• Number of books read since you started: 2
• Pages read since last update:80
• Running total of pages read since you started:562
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 245 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme, Bart's Cover Quiz, Love Your Library and Read-a-Thon Guess First Line
  
• Other participants you’ve visited: spent 3 hours cheering and visiting other blogs so far today...I would be able to go faster if I had high-speed but I live in the boonies so it's still dial-up for me, please forgive me if I haven't visited you yet!!
  

Read-a-Thon Mini Challenge

Hosted by Elizabeth at As Usual, I need more bookshelves



've compiled a list of great first lines from great books over the years, and it's your job to tell me what books they are from! Sounds easy, right? The first 10 are from books that I would consider "classics" - books that have stood the test of time for years. The second 10 are contemporary favorites - books I've read and enjoyed that were published since I've been alive. =) I tried to pick titles that were fairly well-known, so even if you haven't read something, you have probably heard of it

Here are my answers and I didn't look at anyone else's comments!!!


1. no idea
2. Phantom of the Opera
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Little Women
5. no clue
6. The Hobbit
7. no clue
8. Secret Garden
9. no clue
10. no clue
11. Wicked
12. Bridget Jone's Diary
13. HP and the Sorcerer's Stone
14. I should know this one but I am stumped
15-20 I have absolutely no idea!!!!!!!!

Love your Library - mini challenge

Mini-Challenge is hosted by Jessica at the Curious Reader

1. What is the name of your local library? St. Clair County Public Libary What city is it located in? There are branches everywhere but I visit a small one in a small town.
   
2. How often do you go to the library? On a weekly basis! If you're a regular, do the staff know you? um, yes they do!!! and they know what I like to read too!!
   
3. Do you browse while you're there or just pick up items you have placed on reserve? I always browse, even though I say I'm not going to which leads me to get more books than I can humanly read!!
   
4. What is your favorite thing about your local library?It's a warm and friendly place and they almost always have the best and newest books available. I also love being able to do so much online!!
   

Hour 7 :Update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Perfect by Natasha Friend, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
  
• Number of books read since you started: 2
• Pages read since last update:482
• Running total of pages read since you started:482
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 0 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 200 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme, Bart's Cover Quiz
  
• Other participants you’ve visited: spent 3 hours cheering and visiting other blogs so far today...I would be able to go faster if I had high-speed but I live in the boonies so it's still dial-up for me, please forgive me if I haven't visited you yet!!
  
• It's 3:06 here in the thumb of Michigan, the weather is warm and sunny. I'm heading outside with book #3 and a full glass of Diet Dr. Pepper. My eyes are getting a little tired so I just may fall asleep out there!!
  

Hours 5 & 6: Update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Perfect by Natasha Friend
• working on Absolutely True Diary of a
  
• Part-Time Indian
  
• Number of books read since you started: 1
• Pages read since last update: 210
• Running total of pages read since you started:482
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 55 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 200 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme, Bart's Cover Quiz
  
• Other participants you’ve visited: visited 18 bloggers and left comments
  
• Prize you’ve won: none yet :)
• had lunch...tuna melts and I'm almost done with True Diary of a Part-Time Indian....will be cheering this hour!!
  

Hour 4 :Dewey Read-a-thon update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Perfect by Natasha Friend
• working on Absolutely True Diary of a
  
• Part-Time Indian
  
• Number of books read since you started: 1
• Pages read since last update: 100
• Running total of pages read since you started:272
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 55 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 145 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme, Bart's Cover Quiz
  
• Other participants you’ve visited: visited 18 bloggers and left comments
  
• Prize you’ve won: none yet :)
• will be breaking for lunch and posting again at hour 6!!
  

You Must Do BART'S Challenge!!

Everyone: Stop what you are doing and go to Bart's awesome mini -challenge!! I did and it is fun, fun, fun!!!!

Read-A-Thon Mini Challenge- Cover Quiz

Hour 3: Dewey Read-A-Thon Update

• Title of book(s) read since last update: Finished Perfect
• Number of books read since you started: 1
• Pages read since last update: 172
• Running total of pages read since you started:172
• Amount of time spent reading since last update: 55 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 90 minutes
• Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme
• Other participants you’ve visited: will visit and cheer during Hour 3
• Prize you’ve won: none yet :)

Hour 2: Update

Title of book(s) read since last update: Still reading Perfect
Number of books read since you started: still working on my first one
Pages read since last update: page 56
Running total of pages read since you started:56
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 35 minutes, slow start this morning plus I still have dial up!!!!! UGH!
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 35 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: introduction meme
Other participants you’ve visited: will visit and cheer during Hour 3
Prize you’ve won: none yet :)

Let the Reading Madness Begin

I've been trying to upload my photos but with dial-up I might be here the entire 24 hours so instead I'm going to play along with the first challenge.

Darcie wrote a few read-a-thons ago

Where are you reading from today? I'm starting off with Perfect by Natasha Friend

3 facts about me … 1) I love to read

2) I'm a morning person

3) I enjoy being outside reading and drinking coffee which is where I'm headed when I'm done posting.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 6 but I have many many more in the wings

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? This is my first read-a-thon so I'm just going to have fun with it!! I'm donating 5 cents per page to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation in honor of my dear friend Heather Korneffel who is battling this disease for the 2nd time!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?

Book Review: Pretty Little Liars

Pretty Little Liars
by Sara Shepard
Published 2006
Genre: YA
304 pages

From Goodreads:

In the exclusive Philadelphia suburb of Rosewood, Alison is the Queen Bee of her elite seventh grade hive. BFs Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily vie for her attention, even as each of them hides a hideous secret only Alison knows. So when Alison goes missing after a slumber party, never to be seen again, each girl is heartbroken, but also a little relieved. Now it is three years later, and though the four girls have grown apart, they are each still hiding something.When the girls begin receiving threatening text messages and emails that from someone known only as "A," they must confront the fact that against all odds, it appears Alison is back. Could Alison still be alive? And if so, why is she so determined to uncover all their dirty little secrets?

My thoughts:

I had passed this book several times when I was browsing at Barnes and Noble and I have to admit that the cover with the Barbie doll girl made me think "FLUFF" immediately. Boy was I wrong!! This book is smartly written with characters that come to life within the pages of the story. You get a peek into each of the girls lives since Alison has went missing and you learn little by little each of their dirty little secrets. Hiding in the background though is an even bigger secret that is shared by all of the girls, including Alison and someone out there knows all!!! The mystery behind the story has captivated me and I need to know what the 'SECRET' is and who is behind it all...could it be Alison? If you enjoy a great mystery with interesting characters and fast plot line then you just may enjoy this book which is the first in a series of 5 books to date.

Check out Pretty Little Liars Website for more information on this fantastic YA series!


Other Reviews:

J. Kaye's Book Blog
Book Girl's Bookshelf
Peeking Between the Pages

If I missed your review, let me know and I will link you!!!

Library Loot- April 15

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

So, after last week I was feel pretty ashamed of myself for checking out soooo many books. I think I've gotten a little bit of a handle on the problem and my list will be sort of visual proof to everyone that I'm working on it....I'm taking baby steps!! So here's what I brought home last week:

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
--Blame is being assigned to Reviewer X. If she hadn't done such a knock-out book review I wouldn't have been compelled to get this!!






A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
-This book is the fault of Devourer of Books Blog. I loved her review so I knew I had to read this book!!!








The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini
-I only have myself to blame for this one. I've been following this series from the very beginning. Some I've loved, while others were just so-so. I hoping that this one won't disappoint!!!







The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Lori R. King
-This one is entirely Lenore's fault. She just writes the best reviews and makes me get that feeling inside that if I don't read this book then I'm missing out on something. So after reading her post this book made it home with me!!!






-To Read List Total today 4/15/2009: 695
Last Week's To Read List total 4/8/2009: 686
Books Read in 2009 to date: 52
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 28

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where are you?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

"What would they think if I told them Miss Evangeline's own uncle done this to me?" Joanna said bitterly one night in Tavia's cabin, after the young mistress had humiliated her before a crowd of friends and admirers. "My scar might not be so funny if they knew the truth."

p.125 from The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini

____________________________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I am going between the 1860's and current day. In the current day I'm looking at some old letters found inside a desk that might give me clues as to who the maker of a mystery quilt might be. This clue could also hold the key as to my real ancestors....is Joanna, a runaway slave, my great-grandmother? When I go back in time, I'm Joanna running from the slave catchers trying to get back to my newborn son that I had to leave behind in the care of a family who hid me for months.
~ The Lost Quilter: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mailbox Monday- April 13

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

I have my sister-in-law Heather to thank for all the books that arrived via the mail for me this past week. Not only did she make me that wonderful quilt but she scoured my HUGE to-read list on Goodreads and picked up these following books for me from Bookmooch:

.
The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted : And Other Acts of Small Liberations
by Elizabeth Berg
--can't wait to read this one and follow some of the advice in it. Added bonus it is an autographed copy!!!







The Perfect Summer by Luanne Rice
-Heather really liked this one so she thought I needed to read it because I wasn't that crazy about Edge of Winter. I blame part of it on the audio book and the narrator. I'm always willing to give authors another chance!!






The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz
-not sure where I heard about this but the story sounds like a good read!








Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
--Some ladies over at a scrapbooking site read this book and liked it so I had marked it to read.







The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
--I know, I know...I'm really behind on reading this great book!!!









I've had a pesky nephew leave me comments about the gifts his mom sent me

Alex said...

that's only half of your belayed
birthday present!

so I wanted to publicly acknowledge the other half of my belayed (Alex's term, not mine) presents. Here they are Alex...are you happy now?

What showed up in your mailbox last week?

Quilt of Life

This post is dedicated to my wonderful Sister-in-Law Heather. The other day the mail lady pulled into my driveway to deliver a box that came for me. I really couldn't figure out why Heather would be sending me anything but I rushed inside to see what kind of surprise was inside. And to my shock and amazement this is what the box contained:


She had made me my very own quilt for my birthday!!! The back of this quilt is a beautiful red and these pictures don't do it enough justice because it is gorgeous. Enclosed she wrote me a wonderful letter and I just want to share what she said about this quilt.

Every quilt has a name and I've named this one "Life" as in the road of life. The white represents the good times you've had and the colored rows the not so good times. Sometimes there are big stretches of good and sometimes big stretches of bad. Getting through the days are like the quilting stitches-crooked and sometimes messed up. Everybody's life gets screwed up every now and then. The back looks like a brick wall (somewhat) so let this quilt act like a shield and block out all the bad in your life. When you are cuddled up with it on the couch with one of your MANY good books, block out all the nasties in life and enjoy yourself with that book or your laptop!

I've been blessed with a sister that gets me and God knew that I needed that special thought that day because there are things in my life that are very stressful and I don't always handle them well. So Heather, I want to thank you again for all the time you spent creating this masterpiece for me and for the name of the quilt and the significance behind it. You're not only a wonderful sister-in-law but also a great friend.

I love you!

Review: The Secret by Beverly Lewis

The Secret
Author: Beverly Lewis
Pages: 352
Published: March 2009
Genre: Christian Fiction

From Goodreads:
In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered. Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment. Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County--the last place she and her mother had visited together. Will Heather find healing for body and spirit? As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.


My Thoughts:

Reading a Beverly Lewis book is like being welcomed back home with open arms from all of your loved ones. Her writing is simple but beautiful. She depicts the Amish and Mennonite community in a very favorable light, but she also shows us that they too, are human and have their flaws. She makes me savor those times in my life when I actually slow down and listen to the world around me. This morning I was sitting on my back steps, reading a book, and just enjoying the sun on my face. While doing that I closed my eyes and really tried to concentrate on the sounds around me. Did you know that there must be hundreds of different bird tweets? That is what reading one of her books will do for you...make you stop, listen, and savor the sweet, simple things in life. Of all of her books, this one is my favorite to date. I love that the story this time around is centered around the mother, Grace and her secret that she's hiding from her family. Having a secret in an Amish community is so much different than in the English world, believe me. Do we have to worry about being shunned? Nope. For the first time ever, I actually feel compassion for the father figure in the Amish family. In the past I've always felt that they were too controlling, and too rigid, but I feel Lewis has concentrated on showing us that Amish men can be vulnerable and can love with all of their hearts. If you haven't read a Beverly Lewis book because you think they may be preachy or such, please disregard that and just try one. Try this book and read it with an open heart and mind. I'm sure if you do, you'll be back for the second and third. And not only that, you too may find yourself closing your eyes and savoring all the beauty that our world has to offer.

Before I sign off I want to leave you with two passages that made me feel such empathy for Judah, the husband.

Judah stood at the footboard and stared at Lettie's side of the bed, his eyes lingering on her pillow. How long had it been since they'd held each other? Turning, he reached for the Good Book, bearing its weight to his chair near the bureau. He sat with a groan. Opening to the Proverbs, he read: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

p. 278

"Judah, what's happening?" asked Preacher Josiah Smucker. "Ain't rightly sure...." He uttered words that made no sense, as though someone else were speaking for him.
Great drops fell from his eyes, down his face, and into the thickness of his beard. He crossed his arms over his chest while his sorrow and confusion poured forth.
"I cannot go on...." His breath no longer supported his words. And he was sobbing.

p.313

If you're interested in finding out about the other books Beverly Lewis has written, then visit her website here: Beverly Lewis


If you've reviewed this book please let me so that I can post your link!!

Library Loot- April 8

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

Let me start off this post by stating the obvious...I'm a tad obsessed with books. Just a tad, and I didn't realize how bad it was until I gathered all of lovely little gems into a pile to do this post, that I realized how far out of control my obsession has become. Once you see my list I think you will concur with my little obsession problem. So, as I type this my face is beet red because I'm really a little bit embarrassed to share ALL of my library loot this week....for one of the first times ever I think I have TOO MANY BOOKS CHECKED OUT AT THE LIBRARY!!! Whew, that felt good to just let it out there....here's hoping that you will stay with me until the end of my long, exhaustive list of my library finds this week! Meet back up with you in a few........


The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
- o.k. so I wasn't even going to get this book until sometime this summer and the only reason I know about it, is because Dar wrote a fantastic review that made me feel that I would be missing out on some great friendships. Women and knitting...how better can it get?




Fruits Baskets and Vampire Knight
--venturing into more manga for fun, these were recommended by ALA so I thought I would see if I liked them as much as I did the Emma Manga series.







Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
--This book I will blame entirely on JoAnn. I would've never known about its existence if she didn't follow my goodreads books so closely. After seeing that I loved 84 Charing and Guernsey, which are episolatory form, (just wanted to sound smart there with the "e" word, I had to look it up!!) she recommended this book which is a novel in letters. I wasn't looking for it at all Monday morning..I was just browsing and there it was. It promptly went into my little bag!!



Undercover by Beth Kephart
-This book is Lenore and Amy's fault. If neither one of these lovely ladies hadn't post such great reviews then I wouldn't have had to get it!!!







No One You Know by Michelle Richmond
--the blame for this one is squarely on all of you who left me comments last week about A Year of Fog and then told me how much you loved this one...thanks a lot...enablers!!






In The Woods by Tana French
--First off, I wanted to read this because like, geez, everyone who is cool has read it, so I wanted to quit feeling like a big LOSER. Then I read this kick-butt review of her other book, The Likeness, over at Books I Done Read and that pushed me over the edge!





Cassandra & Jane by Jill Pitkeathley
-I'm not going to do a total full-fledged blame game on this one because I love anything that remotely concerns Jane Austen. So I was game before I read Dar's review at Peeking Between the Pages. Dar has great taste in books and she liked it, so when I happened upon it I snatched it up immediately!!





Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
- I have to thank Susan, a friend from Scrap In Style and Goodreads ,who just asked me the other day if I had read this book yet. I replied back that I was hoping to get to it this summer. See how I'm setting the story up here? Anyway, she sublimely (sp?) put that book title into my head so while I was browsing the shelves what do you think jumped out at me? Yeah, you guessed it...Poison Study...I think I could be hypnotized very easily!!



Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter
--Here's a case of reading the review the day before you go to the library...it totally bit me in the butt!! I hadn't planned on getting this one either but I looked down at the bottom shelf and there was the title, blinking at me!! Have you ever felt that if you didn't grab the book right then, that you just might forget how much you wanted to read it and then never ever check it out? That was the thought that went through my mind...so I popped it into my bag!! Blaming rights go to the Printed Page and My Friend Amy...very naughty bloggers!!

Getting tired? I still have 2 to go.....don't leave!!! You may be getting blamed next!!


Evermore by Alyson Noel
-just have myself to blame here. I read about this in the Booklist Feb. 9 Issue...can I sue them for adding to my OC Disorder?







Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan
--blame goes to Linda from Silly Little Mischief. When I posted my Manga/Graphic Novel review, she left me with a few suggestions. This is one of them! My son Marc already read it and he said it was great!!







See, what did I tell you...totally obsessed with acquiring books on a weekly basis!!

To Read List Total today 4/8/2009: 686
Last Week's To Read List total 4/1/2009: 670
Books Read in 2009 to date: 49
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 35