I'm not sure the slump is over, but I've now read three books for the month. The latest, Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger was a two-day read. That is always good news, isn't it?
One other comment - I've got another book to add to my DNF stack - Touch the Dark by Karen Chance. Unlike the previous entry, however, I think this is one I want to try again. For the moment it's too... ambitious. There's too much going on in the first few chapters and it left me with a chaotic feeling. Not the best fit at the moment, so back into the pile it goes...
6.28.2009
Book Review: Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger
Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger
Simon and Schuster Pocket Books
390 Pages
Copyright 2007
Corcoran ‘Cork’ O’Connor is back. He’s resigned his position as sheriff in favor of being present in the lives of his children and his wife, without putting them in danger. Things, as always, don’t always work out the way Cork wants him to.
Henry Meloux – the Ojibwe medicine man who is Cork’s spiritual adviser and father-figure falls ill. When Cork goes to visit him, Henry tells him that there is a weight on his heart that has to do with the son he has never seen; a son who is now in his 70’s and has no idea Meloux is his father. He asks Cork to locate the son, which he does. Unfortunately, the son turns out to be a Howard Hughes wanna-be; rich, isolated, and germaphobic, who wants nothing to do with Cork or Meloux.
Upon Cork’s return to his small town in Minnesota, however, Meloux is attacked by a man who may or may not be working for the old man’s son. But, why? What is there about an old medicine man that would prompt such violence? Meloux informs Cork that they must return to Thunder Bay and Manitou Island in order for Meloux to help the son he has never seen.
Cork, who is having problems of his own involving his oldest daughter, can do little but agree to go. It turns out to be an adventure that will put their lives in danger as old, bitter jealousies and rivalries come festering to the surface.
This is the seventh in the series and so far, so good. Krueger hasn’t hit a sour note yet. I enjoy his writing style and there’s always a twist or two in the story that I didn’t see coming. Here’s my favorite passage in the book:
Simon and Schuster Pocket Books
390 Pages
Copyright 2007
Corcoran ‘Cork’ O’Connor is back. He’s resigned his position as sheriff in favor of being present in the lives of his children and his wife, without putting them in danger. Things, as always, don’t always work out the way Cork wants him to.
Henry Meloux – the Ojibwe medicine man who is Cork’s spiritual adviser and father-figure falls ill. When Cork goes to visit him, Henry tells him that there is a weight on his heart that has to do with the son he has never seen; a son who is now in his 70’s and has no idea Meloux is his father. He asks Cork to locate the son, which he does. Unfortunately, the son turns out to be a Howard Hughes wanna-be; rich, isolated, and germaphobic, who wants nothing to do with Cork or Meloux.
Upon Cork’s return to his small town in Minnesota, however, Meloux is attacked by a man who may or may not be working for the old man’s son. But, why? What is there about an old medicine man that would prompt such violence? Meloux informs Cork that they must return to Thunder Bay and Manitou Island in order for Meloux to help the son he has never seen.
Cork, who is having problems of his own involving his oldest daughter, can do little but agree to go. It turns out to be an adventure that will put their lives in danger as old, bitter jealousies and rivalries come festering to the surface.
This is the seventh in the series and so far, so good. Krueger hasn’t hit a sour note yet. I enjoy his writing style and there’s always a twist or two in the story that I didn’t see coming. Here’s my favorite passage in the book:
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of suspense and thrillers, this one is worth checking out. It kept me turning pages long after I should’ve been asleep and it will probably do the same for you.The biggest world in the human vocabulary has only four letters and no definition that’s ever been adequate. We love our dogs. We love our children. We love God and chocolate cake. We fall in love and fall out of love. We die for love and we kill for love. We can’t spend it. We can’t eat it when we’re starving or drink it when we’re dying of thirst. It’s no good against the bitter cold of winter, and even a cheap electric fan will do more for you on hot summer day. But ask most human beings what they value above all else in this life and five’ll get you ten, it’s love.
Book Review: Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul
Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul
WaterBrook Press
339 Pages
Copyright 2004
From the back of the book:
Kale is a young girl who has a way with dragons. Actually, dragon eggs have a way with her – she finds herself drawn to them by a compulsion she cannot ignore. After her rescue, she discovers that she is already well-known and famous, something that is difficult for her to comprehend. While rescuing their captured companion, two dragon eggs hatch, giving Kale two small minor dragons to care for – Gymn, a green dragon with healing powers, and Metta, a purple singing dragon who can sooth or mesmerize the people around her. Before long, Kale finds herself facing Wizard Risto in a battle that will have long-lasting consequences for all the beings of Amara.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story like this one. I’d say the closest to it would be Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I wouldn’t, however, put the two books in the same group – Dragonspell is for young readers (grades 4 – 8). While I enjoyed the tale, I found it missing in some background details that I would’ve liked to have. It is also a Christian allegory, which didn’t make a difference to me but it might to some. I did like the two minor dragons, especially Gymn who has a habit of fainting when things frighten him, yet can be very brave when he has to be.
Recommendation: It’s an easy, enjoyable read. If you like questing adventures, this one is worth a look.
WaterBrook Press
339 Pages
Copyright 2004
From the back of the book:
One dragon egg holds the key to the future.
Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.
A desperate search begins...
A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begin to suspect...
Kale is a young girl who has a way with dragons. Actually, dragon eggs have a way with her – she finds herself drawn to them by a compulsion she cannot ignore. After her rescue, she discovers that she is already well-known and famous, something that is difficult for her to comprehend. While rescuing their captured companion, two dragon eggs hatch, giving Kale two small minor dragons to care for – Gymn, a green dragon with healing powers, and Metta, a purple singing dragon who can sooth or mesmerize the people around her. Before long, Kale finds herself facing Wizard Risto in a battle that will have long-lasting consequences for all the beings of Amara.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story like this one. I’d say the closest to it would be Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I wouldn’t, however, put the two books in the same group – Dragonspell is for young readers (grades 4 – 8). While I enjoyed the tale, I found it missing in some background details that I would’ve liked to have. It is also a Christian allegory, which didn’t make a difference to me but it might to some. I did like the two minor dragons, especially Gymn who has a habit of fainting when things frighten him, yet can be very brave when he has to be.
Recommendation: It’s an easy, enjoyable read. If you like questing adventures, this one is worth a look.
6.24.2009
Sifting Thoughts...
Summer may only be a couple of days old but it sure has come in with a vengeance! It's been in the mid-80's the last three days and it's supposed to carry on through the rest of the week.
No, I am not complaining. It's not supposed to last and I'll put up with it until it leaves. I'm more of a 70 - 75 girl.
The heat has increased activity for the cops around here. I keep thinking - aren't you glad it's summer? My schedule is backward - summer is pretty quiet up at work. For the general law enforcement community, however, things get a little nuts when the thermometer rises.
Here's are a couple of examples via central dispatch to various units in the city and the county:
We need you to do a well-being check on a woman. She called a neighbor to report that she was in the attic and having trouble getting out... but there is no attic according to the neighbor.
To any county unit on Six Mile - we've received a report of a car-bear accident...
The city officers had a repeat caller - a woman who was having trouble with her child. They finally ended up taking the teenager to the ER for evaluation by mental health people.
There were also numerous barking dog complaints, an 18-year-old girl being harrassed by her father while she was trying to move out, a child inside a parked car at a local gorcery store with the windows up, and at least two alarms at businesses. I guess even the alarms get cranky in the heat.
I've been to the beach - the real beach, not Ashmun Bay - the last two days and I'll probably head out again tomorrow. My sister and I have gone and the dogs have loved it. She works tomorrow but I'll probably go on my own. The water is still turn-your-legs-red cold but I might even see if I can duck under at least once.
This slump is getting ridiculous. I've read one book this month. One. Jeez.
Good news of the night - I have the next five days off! I'm really looking forward to it. Saturday and Sunday are horse show days so expect some bragging, hopefully.
One of the things I want to do over the next five days is clean my bedroom and that includes sorting through my TBR stack to see which ones I've truly lost interest in. There's no sense in beating myself up over a book I'm no longer interested in, is there?
Anyway, that's about it from here. I hope things are peaceful in your neck of the woods.
No, I am not complaining. It's not supposed to last and I'll put up with it until it leaves. I'm more of a 70 - 75 girl.
The heat has increased activity for the cops around here. I keep thinking - aren't you glad it's summer? My schedule is backward - summer is pretty quiet up at work. For the general law enforcement community, however, things get a little nuts when the thermometer rises.
Here's are a couple of examples via central dispatch to various units in the city and the county:
We need you to do a well-being check on a woman. She called a neighbor to report that she was in the attic and having trouble getting out... but there is no attic according to the neighbor.
To any county unit on Six Mile - we've received a report of a car-bear accident...
The city officers had a repeat caller - a woman who was having trouble with her child. They finally ended up taking the teenager to the ER for evaluation by mental health people.
There were also numerous barking dog complaints, an 18-year-old girl being harrassed by her father while she was trying to move out, a child inside a parked car at a local gorcery store with the windows up, and at least two alarms at businesses. I guess even the alarms get cranky in the heat.
I've been to the beach - the real beach, not Ashmun Bay - the last two days and I'll probably head out again tomorrow. My sister and I have gone and the dogs have loved it. She works tomorrow but I'll probably go on my own. The water is still turn-your-legs-red cold but I might even see if I can duck under at least once.
This slump is getting ridiculous. I've read one book this month. One. Jeez.
Good news of the night - I have the next five days off! I'm really looking forward to it. Saturday and Sunday are horse show days so expect some bragging, hopefully.
One of the things I want to do over the next five days is clean my bedroom and that includes sorting through my TBR stack to see which ones I've truly lost interest in. There's no sense in beating myself up over a book I'm no longer interested in, is there?
Anyway, that's about it from here. I hope things are peaceful in your neck of the woods.
6.22.2009
Music Mundays 5
It's still officially Monday so let's get to it...
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic this week, so I thought I'd revisit some of the musicians I've seen in concert.
First up: Bon Jovi
This was the first big concert I went to. I wasn't crazy about going to this kind of concert but I'd promised a friend if Bon Jovi ever played "The Castle" we'd go. They did and we did.
The reason I wasn't crazy about going? It wasn't the music - I loved Bon Jovi. It was the crowd. Police officers and concerts like these don't necessarily mix and, even back then, the smell of marijuana gave me a migraine.
The concert, however, was great. I remember watching Richie Sambora on the big screens totally amazed by what he was able to do with a guitar.
Then there was John Denver:
I still love his music today, especially this song. The concert I attended was shortly after the Challenger disaster and at one point in the show the stage went black and John started to play the song he'd written to honor the astronauts. The lights came up and when he finished the song, the stage went black again. The applause was deafening. When the lights came back up again, he said "I'd fly with them tomorrow." I completely agreed.
The entire concert was him and his guitar. It's still my favorite to this day.
Then, there was Jonny Lang:
If you don't know his music, he's a blues guitarist who had his first hit album when he was 16. I love this ballad, which, as far as I know, he only does in concert. In the middle of it at the concert I went to, he suddenly said "Don't you hate it when you forget the words." One of his band members prompted him and he picked right up and finished the song.
And, because he's really not a ballad sort of guy, here's my favorite song by Jonny - Lie to Me
And finally, Tim McGraw:
I mainly went to this one with my sister and my nieces because they had an extra ticket. I kept saying I didn't know Tim McGraw all that well and wasn't really a fan...
But, for almost every song he sang, I looked at my sister and said "He does this?" I had a blast. And, I came away thinking Faith Hill was one lucky girl...
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic this week, so I thought I'd revisit some of the musicians I've seen in concert.
First up: Bon Jovi
This was the first big concert I went to. I wasn't crazy about going to this kind of concert but I'd promised a friend if Bon Jovi ever played "The Castle" we'd go. They did and we did.
The reason I wasn't crazy about going? It wasn't the music - I loved Bon Jovi. It was the crowd. Police officers and concerts like these don't necessarily mix and, even back then, the smell of marijuana gave me a migraine.
The concert, however, was great. I remember watching Richie Sambora on the big screens totally amazed by what he was able to do with a guitar.
Then there was John Denver:
I still love his music today, especially this song. The concert I attended was shortly after the Challenger disaster and at one point in the show the stage went black and John started to play the song he'd written to honor the astronauts. The lights came up and when he finished the song, the stage went black again. The applause was deafening. When the lights came back up again, he said "I'd fly with them tomorrow." I completely agreed.
The entire concert was him and his guitar. It's still my favorite to this day.
Then, there was Jonny Lang:
If you don't know his music, he's a blues guitarist who had his first hit album when he was 16. I love this ballad, which, as far as I know, he only does in concert. In the middle of it at the concert I went to, he suddenly said "Don't you hate it when you forget the words." One of his band members prompted him and he picked right up and finished the song.
And, because he's really not a ballad sort of guy, here's my favorite song by Jonny - Lie to Me
And finally, Tim McGraw:
I mainly went to this one with my sister and my nieces because they had an extra ticket. I kept saying I didn't know Tim McGraw all that well and wasn't really a fan...
But, for almost every song he sang, I looked at my sister and said "He does this?" I had a blast. And, I came away thinking Faith Hill was one lucky girl...
6.17.2009
It seems to be official
I am in a slump.
Nothing I'm reading is compelling enough to keep me reading. I pick up a book and lose interest after a few pages. A different book, same thing. I have no idea why.
Anyway, since I'm not reading much, I thought I'd take a page from DesLily's book, so to speak, and treat you to a couple more photos. They were all taken at the bay while I was on a walk with the dog.
First, the remains of a dock. I really liked the composition for some unknown reason. It's like that with photos at times, isn't it?
Then we have some forget-me-nots. They're all over around here in the spring and I do love them.
Another one that appeals to me without my knowing why. It's not spectacular, but there's just something about it.
And finally, one more of Little Miss Houdini. The minute I open the windows, she camps out on the sill, especially in the kitchen where the sun is. There are days when I would love to be able to join her...
Nothing I'm reading is compelling enough to keep me reading. I pick up a book and lose interest after a few pages. A different book, same thing. I have no idea why.
Anyway, since I'm not reading much, I thought I'd take a page from DesLily's book, so to speak, and treat you to a couple more photos. They were all taken at the bay while I was on a walk with the dog.
First, the remains of a dock. I really liked the composition for some unknown reason. It's like that with photos at times, isn't it?
Then we have some forget-me-nots. They're all over around here in the spring and I do love them.
Another one that appeals to me without my knowing why. It's not spectacular, but there's just something about it.
And finally, one more of Little Miss Houdini. The minute I open the windows, she camps out on the sill, especially in the kitchen where the sun is. There are days when I would love to be able to join her...
6.14.2009
Sunday sunshine drifting...
It's a beautiful day today. At the moment it's 67F, which may not seem like much to most of you, but for my neck of the woods this summer, it's perfect. Riley and I just got back from a walk and a swim - her, not me. She's happy, I'm happy. We're both sorta drifting until I go to work.
So, I figure I'd share a few more spring time photographs with you.
Here's another of the apple tree in my backyard. It's done now but it sure was pretty for awhile
Here's Maddie with that tulip I posted before. It lasted forever! And yes, my lawn needs a haircut but my mower is out of service at the moment...
The lilacs have finally shown up! This is one of the bushes in my backyard. The ones out front are three or four days behind blossom-wise. No idea what causes that but it does keep them around longer.
And one final shot - this one of the star of the show. She'd just dropped her beat-up, dirty ball at my feet wanting me to throw it for her. If you go back up to the photo of Little Miss Houdini, there's an orange ball in that photo - that would be the one.
So, I figure I'd share a few more spring time photographs with you.
Here's another of the apple tree in my backyard. It's done now but it sure was pretty for awhile
Here's Maddie with that tulip I posted before. It lasted forever! And yes, my lawn needs a haircut but my mower is out of service at the moment...
The lilacs have finally shown up! This is one of the bushes in my backyard. The ones out front are three or four days behind blossom-wise. No idea what causes that but it does keep them around longer.
And one final shot - this one of the star of the show. She'd just dropped her beat-up, dirty ball at my feet wanting me to throw it for her. If you go back up to the photo of Little Miss Houdini, there's an orange ball in that photo - that would be the one.
I have a dilemma...
I recently received an email from a young lady who stated she'd been here and as a result "I created a gift card for your readers which gives them $30 to spend on our website".
The website sells boots. They look like very nice boots but... I know nothing about them.
So, I thought I'd put it out to you. Should I post the information and if you want to take advantage you can?
What do you think?
The website sells boots. They look like very nice boots but... I know nothing about them.
So, I thought I'd put it out to you. Should I post the information and if you want to take advantage you can?
What do you think?
6.10.2009
Book Review: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Ace Books
312 Pages
Copyright 2009
Once again Sookie Stackhouse has a lot to deal with. The were and shape shifter population has decided to stage a world-wide ‘coming out’ party, beginning with a woman on television and ending, for Sookie, with her boss and friend Sam, shifting in front of the patrons of his bar.
At first, things seem to be going okay. Then anger and resentment begin to surface; families, friends, and neighbors have trouble accepting the fact that those people they loved and trusted were keeping such a huge secret from them.
While Sam is away dealing with the fallout within his family, Sookie finds herself in charge of the bar. She also finds herself involved with the murder of Crystal, her brother’s estranged werepanther wife. Crystal’s body is found at the bar, brother may be the prime suspect, and Eric has pulled another fast one, binding Sookie even more tightly to him.
And, as if that’s not enough, Niall is back and there is a war brewing between members of a race more powerful, more secretive, and older than either the vampires or the weres and Sookie is stuck in the middle.
Here’s a favorite passage:
Sookie, on her telepathic abilities:
Recommendation:
I’m strangely torn on this one. First, I read it in one sitting, starting it at around eight in the evening and finishing it at around three in the morning. Obviously, I didn’t want to put it down. But, I was left feeling there was something lacking. What, I’m not sure. Overall, however, I’d say give it a read and if you do, I’d be interested in your take on it.
Ace Books
312 Pages
Copyright 2009
Once again Sookie Stackhouse has a lot to deal with. The were and shape shifter population has decided to stage a world-wide ‘coming out’ party, beginning with a woman on television and ending, for Sookie, with her boss and friend Sam, shifting in front of the patrons of his bar.
At first, things seem to be going okay. Then anger and resentment begin to surface; families, friends, and neighbors have trouble accepting the fact that those people they loved and trusted were keeping such a huge secret from them.
While Sam is away dealing with the fallout within his family, Sookie finds herself in charge of the bar. She also finds herself involved with the murder of Crystal, her brother’s estranged werepanther wife. Crystal’s body is found at the bar, brother may be the prime suspect, and Eric has pulled another fast one, binding Sookie even more tightly to him.
And, as if that’s not enough, Niall is back and there is a war brewing between members of a race more powerful, more secretive, and older than either the vampires or the weres and Sookie is stuck in the middle.
Here’s a favorite passage:
Sookie, on her telepathic abilities:
People all had secrets, and I was in a position to know most of them. Being a telepath is not any fun. You hear the tawdry, the sad, the disgusting, the petty . . . the things we all want to keep hidden from our fellow humans, so they’ll keep their image of us intact.
Recommendation:
I’m strangely torn on this one. First, I read it in one sitting, starting it at around eight in the evening and finishing it at around three in the morning. Obviously, I didn’t want to put it down. But, I was left feeling there was something lacking. What, I’m not sure. Overall, however, I’d say give it a read and if you do, I’d be interested in your take on it.
6.08.2009
Music Mundays 4
Music lost one of the great ones this past week.
KoKo Taylor was born in 1928 in a sharecropper's cabin. She was an orphan by the age of 11. She began singing in the Chicago blues clubs in the 1950's. In 1965 she was signed by Chess Records and her version of "Wang Dang Doodle" hit number four on the R & B charts and sold over a million copies. Along the way she earned the title of Queen of the Blues... and I can't argue with that.
Here are a couple of videos featuring this amazing woman:
This includes a brief interview where KoKo explains what the blues are...
Another example of her amazing voice:
And finally, one more. This was her performance at the Kennedy Center when Morgan Freeman was honored. The audio isn't all that great but it's still worth a listen.
So, that band in Heaven just got one heck'va lead singer and those of us here will miss her something fierce.
6.06.2009
More signs of spring
I realize y'all have probably been through your spring by now but it's just busting out around here. Riley and I went out and about for a bit yesterday and I couldn't resist taking the following pictures:
This grand tree is on the way into the Ashmun Bay boat launch. It's another place where I take Riley when time is on the short side. She gets a bit of a run and then a swim. The beach from the other day is across the bay from the launch.
I think this is one of the prettiest trees I've seen, even more so than the one in my yard.
Here's a close-up of the blossoms:
This beautiful tree is located at the corner of my favorite 'corner store'. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was yesterday.
And finally, one look at Little Miss Houdini sneaking around in the yard.
This grand tree is on the way into the Ashmun Bay boat launch. It's another place where I take Riley when time is on the short side. She gets a bit of a run and then a swim. The beach from the other day is across the bay from the launch.
I think this is one of the prettiest trees I've seen, even more so than the one in my yard.
Here's a close-up of the blossoms:
This beautiful tree is located at the corner of my favorite 'corner store'. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was yesterday.
And finally, one look at Little Miss Houdini sneaking around in the yard.
6.05.2009
Friday Fill - ins 50
And...here we go!
1. It's always good to be home.
2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been whatever takes the least effort to fix.
3. Oh, it's the mailman! That means I must bark! bark! bark! (So says Riley...)
4. A nice long walk with my four-footed friend is a preview of Heavan, I think.
5. Please, can we have some good news?
6. When all is said and done, I want to hear God say: Well done, good and faithful servant.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the Tigers, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and Sunday, I want to readjust to being back at work!
6.04.2009
These are days that give you hope...
Yesterday was my 50th birthday and the anniversary of when I intended to start my blog. I think I actually started a couple of days earlier but the third is my symbolic date.
Yesterday was alson one of those absolutely beautiful days that seem to have disappeared around here. It was sunny and warm - not hot - but it wasn't raining! I took the day off of work (no one should have to work on their 50th birthday!) and did mostly nothing.
Riley and I did, however, manage to get out for a walk. Over the past winter I managed to mess up both my knees and walking has been difficult because of it. Yesterday, however was simply too nice to ignore so she and I went to Ashmun Bay. It was wonderful and it helped recharge my batteries. Here are a couple of photos:
That's the demented dog doing what she loves best - chasing a rock. Not one I threw her but one she found and promptly obsessed over. Those hills in the background, by the way, are in Canada.
Here's a picture of the bay in general. It is wide and shallow, which makes it an ideal place for the dog to romp... when I can get her away from the rocks, that is.
One final shot: this is the 'beach' which these days is testiment to oldn days when there was a sawmill on the bay. There was also a tannery. Both are long gone but the remnants still wash up on the days when the wind blows and the water rages.
All-in-all it wasn't a bad way to spend my birthday.
Yesterday was alson one of those absolutely beautiful days that seem to have disappeared around here. It was sunny and warm - not hot - but it wasn't raining! I took the day off of work (no one should have to work on their 50th birthday!) and did mostly nothing.
Riley and I did, however, manage to get out for a walk. Over the past winter I managed to mess up both my knees and walking has been difficult because of it. Yesterday, however was simply too nice to ignore so she and I went to Ashmun Bay. It was wonderful and it helped recharge my batteries. Here are a couple of photos:
That's the demented dog doing what she loves best - chasing a rock. Not one I threw her but one she found and promptly obsessed over. Those hills in the background, by the way, are in Canada.
Here's a picture of the bay in general. It is wide and shallow, which makes it an ideal place for the dog to romp... when I can get her away from the rocks, that is.
One final shot: this is the 'beach' which these days is testiment to oldn days when there was a sawmill on the bay. There was also a tannery. Both are long gone but the remnants still wash up on the days when the wind blows and the water rages.
All-in-all it wasn't a bad way to spend my birthday.
Booking Through Thursday
It's Thursday and I feel like Booking Through Thursday today!
Here are my 15, in no particular order:
1. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
2. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
3. Boy's Life - Robert McCammon
4. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
5. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova
6. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
7. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
8. Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen
9. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
10. Snow Country - Yasunari Kawabata
11. Firestorm At Peshtigo - Denise Gess and William Lutz
12. The Shack - William P. Young
13. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
14. The Black Stallion - Walter Farley
15. Goodnight, Moon - Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Sticky June 4, 2009
Filed under: Wordpress — --Deb @ 1:43 am
I saw this over at Shelley’s, and thought it sounded like a great question for all of you:“This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.”
Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!
Here are my 15, in no particular order:
1. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
2. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
3. Boy's Life - Robert McCammon
4. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
5. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova
6. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
7. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
8. Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen
9. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
10. Snow Country - Yasunari Kawabata
11. Firestorm At Peshtigo - Denise Gess and William Lutz
12. The Shack - William P. Young
13. The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
14. The Black Stallion - Walter Farley
15. Goodnight, Moon - Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
6.01.2009
May Wrap-Up
I read a total of seven books during the month of May. It started out strong but then the day shift hit me and I lost track. It literally leaves me too tired in the evenings to do much reading. I can add that to another reason I hate the day shift...
Anyway, I read a total of 2162 pages for a daily total of 70 pages. Again, not inspiring but it is what it is. Of the seven, three were from my TBR pile. I loved Jim Butcher's new one, enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's new one, and was disappointed by Nevada Barr's latest effort. Lilith Saintcrow's new one seemed very much like an old favorite and if there's another one, I'll have to think about buying it or not. The Day The Sun Rose Twice was fascinating and I enjoyed the next book in L'Engle's amazing series. Unfortunately, I'm still trying to figure out how I felt about Carol Lea Benjamin's book. Hopefully I'll have it figured out by the time I write my review.
Anyway, I read a total of 2162 pages for a daily total of 70 pages. Again, not inspiring but it is what it is. Of the seven, three were from my TBR pile. I loved Jim Butcher's new one, enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's new one, and was disappointed by Nevada Barr's latest effort. Lilith Saintcrow's new one seemed very much like an old favorite and if there's another one, I'll have to think about buying it or not. The Day The Sun Rose Twice was fascinating and I enjoyed the next book in L'Engle's amazing series. Unfortunately, I'm still trying to figure out how I felt about Carol Lea Benjamin's book. Hopefully I'll have it figured out by the time I write my review.
I hope May was a good month for all and that June will be even better.
43. The Hard Way by Carol Lea Benjamin
42. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle
41. The Day The Sun Rose Twice by Ferenc Morton Szasz
40. The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow
39. Borderline by Nevada Barr
38. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
37. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
43. The Hard Way by Carol Lea Benjamin
42. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle
41. The Day The Sun Rose Twice by Ferenc Morton Szasz
40. The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow
39. Borderline by Nevada Barr
38. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
37. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
Music Mundays 3
My birthday is this week.
I will be 50.
Funny how that once sounded so very, very old... It doesn't any more. Really. I told my dispatcher this morning that about the only thing that feels 50 are my knees. The rest of me doesn't feel much different than I did 10 or 20 years ago.
Anyway, what in the world does this have to do with music?
Just this.
I have had a rich and varied musical experience in my 50 years on this planet. I'm not talking the music itself, though it certainly holds true in that regard also.
I'm talking about the actual forms of my music.
I started with these:
That is a 78 rpm album. The ones I listened to belonged to my parents. I remember them as being ridiculously thick yet extremely fragile at the same time. The sound was scratchy but oh, what sounds! The Ink Spots, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey... I could go on and on. My father would put an old 78 on the recorder player at our cabin and dance with us. I loved those old records, in spite of their flaws.
Then, for me came this:
The 45. It cost 50 cents at Woolworth's and I would agonize over which one I had to have. The very first one I bought, by myself, was CCR's Looking Out My Back Door.
If you were going to listen to your 45's, however, you usually had to have one of these:
It snapped into the big hole in the center of the 45 to allow it to be played on the long, narrow spindle of a record player. You could put a whole stack of them on and when one finished, the next one dropped down to be played. I shudder to think of how bad that was for the actual record now.
After 45's, I moved on to these:
The LP - long playing - 33 1/3 rpm record. This one, in the photo, is on sale at:
www.fansanity.com/ for $198.99, by the way. Alice Cooper was a favorite (still is, really). So was Bob Seger - you can't beat Old Time Rock N Roll - the music or his song by the title. The most amazing thing about Seger - at 60 something, his voice is still an amazing instrument.
Then came cassettes and music became portable. We bought huge, clunky cases to put 30 or 40 of our favorite cassettes in to take everywhere with us. We had to have that box shoved under the seat. Same artists, some times the exact same album but on cassette. Boot-legging occurred but it was generally the owner of an LP copying it onto a cassette to make it portable. Cassettes were great... until the tape twisted or broke.
Now, I've moved on to:
CD's. The sound quality is amazing. They're easier to store and they're portable. Now, instead of a box, they go into plastic sleeves in 'photo' type albums to get shoved under the front seat of the car. But...
I'm still buying the same music I already have... just in another form.
I'm not complaining. Not really. Just wondering how many more times I'll be buying my favorite music before I'm done.
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