RAT Hours 5-12 Update

        
What I've been up to during these hours:

• watching MSU play like the winners they are!
• eating soup
• running my son to his dinner party before the dance
• running another child to the dance 
• finally sitting down to watch the DVRd' version of the football game
• Books completed: 1
• Up next to read: Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton

HOMECOMING DANCE PICTURES

The boys posing as male models

Marc and Shelby

Marc and Collin- brothers from other mothers

BOWL OF SOUP- Recipe from JoAnn's blog

Do yourself a favor and click on the above link- this soup is delicious!

RAT Hours 1-4 Update

What I've done so far today:

• Completed 1 book ~ Mr. Darcy's Diary
• went for a ride with my son on the RZR...what a gorgeous day outside!!!
• Getting ready to start making my soup because in less than 2 hours the GAME will be starting!
• Haven't decided yet what I will read next. 

Hope everyone is having fun so far!!!

Let the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon begin!!

Plans for today:

• Start my morning off right with some coffee, blueberry muffins, and a little Darcy on the side!
• Running to the greenhouse to pick up a corsage and then to the library
• Make Tuscan Bean soup and get in some more reading
• Watch the Michigan vs. Michigan State game- Go Spartans!
• Take my son to a friend's house where all the boys and girls are meeting up before the Homecoming Dance tonight. They're having dinner. I will take lots of photos!!
• See my husband off to work and get back to reading.
• Popping in every once in a while to see how my buddies are doing!!

HAVE FUN TODAY!!

'Running Around (and Such)' by Linda Byler

Genre: Amish Fiction

About: (From FSB Associates)
Lizzie Glick longs to fit into her quiet Amish community. Her sisters, Emma and Mandy, are ready to get married and settle into the traditional rhythm of having children and keeping house. But Lizzie isn't sure that's what she wants for her future. It isn't that Lizzie doesn't want to stay Amish.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• It's no secret that I love books that feature the Amish way of life, so when I was offered the chance to read Amish fiction written by an ACTUAL Amish woman I immediately said yes!

What worked for me:

•  The promise of a great story about a strong-willed young girl who wonders if being Amish is what she wants out of life.
• 
  

What didn't work for me:

• Pretty much everything...the story was boring and very unimaginative.
• The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!! 
• The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere! 
•  Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter.
•  I just felt that there was no depth to this book. Maybe I'm unfairly comparing this one to other Amish fiction that I've read and for that I apologize.

Recommend? Unfortunately I would not recommend this book to friends. I barely made it through this one and it felt like a chore instead of an escape into the Amish world.

My Rating: 2/5

Because of my low rating I feel the need to post links from other blogger's who read this one and enjoyed it. Please visit this site so that you get a balanced look at this novel.
Cindy's Love of Books

Source:  Julie of FSB Associates
Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1
By Linda Byler
Published by Good Books
May 2010;$13.99US; 978-1-56148-688-5

 

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Take a Chance on Me' by Jill Mansell

Genre: Fun and engaging Contemporary British Chic' Lit

About: (From Sourcebooks)
Living in a small town like Channings Hill, there are some people you just can’t avoid, no matter how much you really, really want to. When Cleo’s job throws her into constant contact with her childhood nemesis, Johnny LaVenture, she can’t leave the past behind. But for someone she’d rather have nothing to do with, Johnny is impossible to ignore… Then shocking discoveries of past scandals, unrequited loves, old grudges, and not-so-ex-wives throw Cleo’s family and friends into chaos. And as always, you can count on Jill Mansell to have a lively cast of secondary characters that try to steal the show! Life in sleepy Channings Hill may be about to get very complicated, but it’s definitely never been more exciting.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• The whole storyline sounded like it would be a fun time and I have read so many favorable reviews on books from this author that I just wanted to read her work.

What worked for me:

•  The setting of the book. I've never been to England, but I just know that I would love it to pieces. I love books that take me there!!
• I felt like I was watching Notting Hill (the movie) and I really liked the whole cast of characters. Remember that scene where Hugh's character is having dinner with all of his friends?? Well, I love that scene because I would love to live in an area where my friends could drop by daily and where we would frequently have dinners together. This book gives off that same comfortable friend feeling.
• I need to find a pub like the one in this book. Heck, I want to live in the small town of Channings Hill. 
• I liked getting to know Cleo and her sister Abbie. I admired the way Cleo handled a very sticky situation and wished that I could be a bit more like her at times.

What didn't work for me: (everything pretty much worked, the following is just me being cheeky!)

• The British Slang. I love it, but bloody hell I need a dictionary when I'm reading these books!! I wish they would put a glossary in the back for the US editions!!
• I want pictures of Johnny LaVenture. It should be illegal for authors to create such tantalizing and hot characters without pictures to go along with the book!! 

Recommend? I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to friends. What a fun, fresh romp with some delightful characters!! I will be reading more Jill Mansell in the future!!

My Rating: 4/5


Source:  Danielle @ Sourcebooks, Inc Publicity
Author: Jill Mansell- click on her name to visit her website

Published: October, 2010

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Landmark

Pages: 412 (Uncorrected ARC)

Genre: Contemporary British Women's Fiction

ISBN: 9781402237515

 

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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@Barrie Summy

September totals at a glance

Books Read:

• Dracula in Love- 4/5 loved it!
• The Amish Cook- great glimpse into the Amish life-  4/5
• Waking the Witch- great paranormal/urban fantasy book 4/5
• Vanishing and other stories- good selection of short stories 4/5
• Hot House Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire- excellent story, pure fun! 5/5
• Shoulder Bags and Shootings- just didn't work for me 2/5
• For the King's Favor- great into to Chadwick's historical fiction 4/5
• The Financial Lives of Poets- I'm a new fan of this author! 4.5/5
• A Hope Undaunted- great start to a new series!! 4/5

Total Pages: 3150
Favorite Book: Hot House Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What are you reading?

             
Mailbox Monday is hosted by
She Reads and reads (October Host)
This is when we share what books
arrived in our mailbox over the week!

A Cottage by the Sea- won from Jen @ Jenny Loves to Read
Desiree- review book from Sourcebooks

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Hosted by Sheila
One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Fallout- great ending to a series 4/5

The Financial Lives of Poets- so out of my comfort reading zone, but it worked for me! 4.5/5

Tentative reviews/posts this week:

September Reading Totals-Tuesday

Take a Chance on Me -Wednesday Book Club

Running Around (and Such)- Thursday

Fitness Friday Update #9 

Saturday- 24 Hour RAT!!!

Books on my nightstand: