FOLLOW ME

Do you see that little "Follow Me" box in my right sidebar? I've clicked on this box on a lot of blogs to show the blogger that I'm reading their blog daily.

Now, I've seen a lot of blogs that have a lot of followers. Mine looks pitiful right now!

So, if you follow my blog, could you please click on the box and become a follower? Make my numbers go up, please! I'm starting to feel unwanted!

MARCH BOOKS

March turned out to be a really good reading month for me. Here's my list:

THE SECRET LIFE OF CEECEE WILKES (Diane Chamberlain) - Chunkster Challenge, Read Your Own Books Challenge, New Authors Challenge, Celebrate the Authors Challenge

DREK! (Yetta Emmes) - Jewish Literature Reading Challenge, New Authors Challenge

NEFERTITI (Michelle Moran) - Read Your Own Books Challenge, Read Your Name Challenge, Every Month is a Holiday Challenge, New Authors Challenge, Chunkster Challenge

HEART AND SOUL (Maeve Binchy) - Pub 2009 Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge

COLD ROCK RIVER (Jackie Lee Miles) - just for fun

THE SECOND OPINION (Michael Palmer) - Medical Mystery Madness Challenge, Pub 2009 Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge

WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS (Barbara Delinsky) - Pub 2009 Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge

AS SURE AS THE DAWN (Francine Rivers) - 9 Books for 2009 Challenge, Read Your Own Books Challenge, What's in a Name 2 Challenge, Chunkster Challenge

SEINLANGUAGE (Jerry Seinfeld) - Jewish Literature Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge, New Authors Challenge

THE INQUISITOR (Peter Clement) - Medical Mystery Madness Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge, New Author Challenge

LIVING DEAD GIRL (Elizabeth Scott) - New Authors Challenge, What's in a Name 2 Challenge

FIREFLY LANE (Kristin Hannah) - just for fun

COME WALK WITH ME (Joan Medlicott) - Read Your Own Books Challenge

ACT OF TREASON (Vince Flynn) - New Authors Challenge, Read Your Own Books Challenge


14 books for the month, 36 so far this year. Most of the books this month were good, but I could have lived without the Jerry Seinfeld book.

What did you read this month?

ACT OF TREASON

ACT OF TREASON by Vince Flynn was read for the New Authors Challenge and the Read Your Own Books Challenge.

From the book jacket:

It's a gorgeous autumn day in Georgetown. The Democratic candidates for president and vice president of the United States are dutifully glad-handing voters and the media outside a grand estate where a national security conference has just been held, bringing together the world's greatest minds to discuss the issues that are threatening the country. It's American politicking at its best. That's when all hell breaks loose.

When presidential candidate Josh Alexander's motorcade is ambushed by a group of terrorists, the nation is thrown into turmoil. Two weeks following the attack, Alexander is carried to victory by a sympathy vote, but his assailants have not been found. On the surface it appears to be the work of al-Qaeda, despite the tremendous job that the U.S. and her allies have done eliminating terrorist cells within the heart of America. While the FBI and the rest of the government begin scouring the world for jihadists, CIA director Irene Kennedy and Special Agent Skip McMahon are presented with classified information so toxic that they consider destoying it altogether, as it contains intelligence pointing to some of the most powerful players in Washington.

Enter Mitch Rapp, the one man reckless enough to follow the evidence to its explosive conclusion. His journey takes him through the shadowy world of contract killers, into the darkest corners of the globe, and eventually back to Washington, where the fragile pillars of power are shaken to their core.

This is the first time I've read anything by Vince Flynn. I had heard good things about his writing and I have to agree.

This story was fast moving. While the identity of the masterminds of the ambush was fairly obvious, there were hints that more people were involved. I was hoping that the book would have followed that path but it didn't. But that didn't take away from the overall impact of the story. The only problem I had with the book was the ending. I read the last few sentences then turned the page expecting more - but it just stopped dead. The story was finished, but it seemed to need a more "closing" end.

I really like political thrillers like this book. David Baldacci and his books about Washington politics are among my favorites. Now I can add Mr. Flynn to my list of authors whose books I want to read.

RIP KIRBY

My big goldfish, Kirby, just died. I found him floating in his tank.

He hadn't seemed himself the last day or so - he didn't come up right away for his food and was just hanging around the bottom of the tank.

RIP Kirby.

HAVE I READ THIS BOOK BEFORE??

Today's MUSING MONDAYS post is about recording your reading...

Do you keep track of what and/or how many books you read? How long have you been doing this? What's your tracking method, and why? If you don't keep track, why not? (question courtesy of MizB)


I've been keeping lists of every book I read in journals for the past 3 years. During the first year, I'd print out a synopsis of the book and paste it into the journal - to refresh my mind about the book. But since I've been blogging and posting my thoughts on books, I don't do that any more.

I list each book, the author, and the number of pages. I keep a running total of number of books and pages read for the month and the year. I also list all the different challenges that I'm doing and the books for each.

And since I'm completely anal, I also keep a spreadsheet on the computer of challenges and books that I plan to read for the year, broken down into months. That's the only way I can be sure that I'll finish each challenge in the time allotted.

Too many times in the past, I have started to read a book, gotten a chapter or two into it, then realized I had read it before. Now I can just check the title in a journal if it sounds familiar. It's also a great way to keep track of books in series to see if I'm up to date.

Check out Just One More Page for more Musing Mondays responses.

NOVA ON TOP AGAIN

Villanova to the Final Four

COME WALK WITH ME

COME WALK WITH ME by Joan Medlicott was read for the Read Your Own Books Challenge.

From the back of the book:

When Claire Bennett's husband died, she felt directionless. Their thriving antiques business and beautiful house in the Hamptons, the social scene and her volunteer work - all seemed empty without Phillip. Estranged from her adult daughter and son, Claire knows that in the depths of her heart she still mourns a terrible loss from a tragic accident years ago.

Fleeing her memories, Claire moves to a condo in Florida, then impulsively leaves to visit her engaged daughter in North Carolina. From the sandy beaches of Boca Raton to a tiny farm tucked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Claire gains self-awareness through the unexpected kindness of strangers, and finally forces herself to confront some hard truths from the past.

Finding a joy in life that has been missing for many years, Claire at last reaches out to her son and daughter. And when the healing of old wounds leads her to a new love, Claire realizes that her travels have brought her to a place where she will never again walk alone.

I've read the Ladies of Covington books by Ms. Medlicott and enjoyed them. But this book left me completely flat. I didn't like Claire at all. She was written as a very self-centered woman who finally made changes in her life. But even after the changes, I still didn't like her. And I didn't' care for her daughter either. The whole book seemed "off."

I think I'll just wait for the next Covington book and pass on Ms. Medlicott's other books.

FIREFLY LANE

FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah was read just for fun - no challenges this time.

From the book jacket:

In the summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and want to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all - beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate doomed to be forever uncool,with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn; Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer's end they've become TullyandKate. Inseparable.

So begins Kristin Hannah's magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, FIREFLY LANE is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the mainstay of their lives.

FIREFLY LANE is for anyone who ever drank Boone's Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it's the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It's about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you - and knows what has the power to hurt you ... and heal you. FIREFLY LANE is a story you'll never forget ... one you'll want to pass on to your best friend.

Loved this book! Kate, who lived in Tully's shadow until she finally did what she wanted to do, and then thought she was missing something in life. And Tully, who outwardly had everything, but deep inside knew she was missing something very important. Their lives were intertwined over years and miles. And they were there for each other when it really mattered.

I've read one other book by Ms. Hannah, and I'll definitely be looking for more.

A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS

Donna's flight to Japan landed safely early this morning. She's now at her friend's house and probably out having fun right now. I stayed up and tracked her plane until I knew it had arrived.

I can't believe my daughter - my baby daughter - is half way around the world!

Now I usually don't stay up late, but last night was an exception. I had the computer on in one room tracking the plane and the TV on in the living room - watching March Madness. Villanova destroyed Duke 77-54 and has moved on to the Elite Eight. They'll play their Big East rival Pitt on Saturday. A win will put them in the Final Four. Villanova beat Pitt by 10 points during the regular season.

I was a little scared before the game. When I did the laundry the other day, I washed my Villanova good luck shirt by mistake. I was afraid I had washed out the good luck!

Good things come in three's. What's next?

GOTTA KEEP BUSY

Donna's flight to Japan just took off about 10 minutes ago. You know that I'll be tracking that plane all the way until it lands - around midnight our time. I'm not going to relax until I know she's safe.

So for now, I'm cleaning. I just finished one bathroom and I'm working on another. Then I'm attacking the bedrooms. And if I still have any nervous energy left, I'll do the kitchen, then the living room and dining room.

If it weren't raining today (which just makes me even more nervous) I'd be doing the outside of the windows.

Gotta keep busy ...

ALMOST AT THE TOP

Our bowling season is winding down. We have one more week, then we bowl a position round. That's where the teams bowl according to their league standings - the first place team bowls the second place team, third bowls fourth, etc.

We did really well today. We tied the first game, then won the next two games and total pins. We're now just 2 points out of first place. If we do well next week and the first place team loses a game or two, we can be sitting on top of the standings.

The last week of the season will be a roll-off between the winner of the first half and the winner of the second half. If my team wins the second half, we'll bowl for the league championship. I won't be able to bowl that week - I'll be in Hilton Head. As much as I love to bowl, I'm not giving up Hilton Head for that!

Our team is already assured of $60 per person prize money for the first half. We can add another $60-64 each for the second half. Not too shabby! There's also extra prize money for team high games (we'll probably get another $5 each for that), and I think I'll get another $5 for an individual high game. And I'll get a nice check for being the league secretary.

Our summer league is going to start on April 29. We're hoping to have at least 8 teams of 3 each, possibly more. I've bowled the summer league for the past 3 summers - and have won first place each year!

I'm amazed at the number of people who bowl on a regular basis. It's not a sport just for middle-aged, beer-belly men any more!

I SWORE I WOULDN'T DO THIS, BUT ...

Trish is hosting this year's Non Fiction Five Challenge which runs from May through September. I had done this one previously when Joy was hosting and enjoyed reading different types of books.

I had sworn to myself that I wouldn't join any more challenges until the annual Holiday Reading Challenge, but this one called out to me. I had 3 books already planned to read this year, and it was easy to find 2 more on my bookshelves.

Here are the 5 I have chosen:

TO HELL AND BACK (Audie Murphy)
FOUNDING BROTHERS (Joseph J. Ellis)
YOU TURN (Dr. Nancy Irwin)
WHEN OUR GROWN KIDS DISAPPOINT US (Jane Adams, Ph.D.)
TEACHER MAN (Frank McCourt)

Be sure to visit Trish here to sign up for this fun challenge.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE ...

No, not me. My daughter Donna is leaving on Thursday morning for a 10 day vacation in Japan.

I'm trying really hard not to stress about this. After all, she's a grown woman and knows what she's doing.

But she's getting on an airplane and flying 15+ hours - by herself. She's going to a country where she doesn't speak the language and can't read the language. Luckily, she's staying with an old friend who lives there and will be showing her around.

She's so excited. This is her first trip out of the country, and other than for work, she's never traveled alone before. This is quite an adventure for her and I'm sure she's going to have a wonderful time.

But a mom still worries.

BOOKSTORES

Today's MUSING MONDAYS post is about bookstores ...

How many bookstores do you frequent? Do you have a favorite? If so, which one and what makes it so?


Near my home, there are a Barnes and Noble and a Borders, in addition to a small independent bookstore called Humpus Bumpus. I'll visit these stores occasionally to browse, but I do almost all of my book buying online.

I mainly use Amazon.com but I also have a discount card for Books-A-Million. And when I buy books, I always spend $25 so I can get free shipping. Call me cheap, but I find better deals online.

Visit Rebecca at Just One More Page for more Musing Mondays responses.

LIVING DEAD GIRL

LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott was read for the New Authors Challenge and the What's in a Name 2 Challenge (medical condition).

From the book jacket:

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends - her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Wow! This is a short book, only 170 pages. But there is so much in those pages. Pain, fear, hatred. Definitely a story I will never forget.

THE INQUISITOR

THE INQUISITOR by Peter Clement was read for the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge, the Support Your Local Library Challenge, and the New Author Challenge.

From the book jacket:

It's spring in Buffalo, New York. At sprawling St. Paul's Hospital, new interns rush through the halls, staff doctors scramble to catch their proteges' mistakes, and everyone is aware of one unrelenting threat: A new and vicious strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has hit America hard and is menacing the hospital like a wolf at the door. Wrapped in spacesuit-like garb to search for every possible source of infections, the hospital staff desperately tries to protect its patients - and each other. Yet despite St. Paul's best efforts, people are dying.

In this chilling medical landscape, no one notices the slight spike in the death rate in a palliative care ward. The prevailing attitude is "They're supposed to die. That's why we call them terminal." And when some patients complain of terrifying near-death experiences, the hospital staff attributes it to delirium caused by medication. But then ER chief Dr. Earl Garnet gets blamed for the unexpected death of a patient. Defying protocol. he opens an independent investigation, and quickly becomes suspicious that something far more sinister than disease is killing the hospital's most vulnerable patients.

For Garnet, looking into the deaths means rattling relationships that have been built over years - relationships which colleagues that he once trusted by now must doubt. With the SARS epidemic spinning out of control and a storm of suspicion, fear, and mistrust raging through the corridors of St. Paul's, the hospital is rocked by a horrifying crime: A respected researcher is found brutally murdered. And his executioner may be ready to strike again.

I usually love medical mysteries. This one was just so-so for me. The story was a little bit too far-fetched for my liking. I guessed the "whodunnit" but didn't guess the reason for the killings. Too many people were involved in the murders in lesser ways. And the whole SARS epidemic played much less of a role than the synopsis indicated; it really seemed to have no place in the story.

I might someday look for another of Dr. Clement's books, but right now there are plenty more books to read first.

'NOVA NATION

Villanova 89 - UCLA 69

Back in the Sweet 16

GOING UP ...

Weight and blood pressure. My numbers are up.

I knew my weight was going up. I've been really slack about it. My clothes haven't been fitting and I've felt fat.

But today, when I had a doctor's appointment, I found my blood pressure has been slowly increasing. In fact, it's been increasing during the same period that my weight has been increasing.

Coincidence? No way.

So now I need to get serious. If the weight gain had just been cosmetic, not having causing any medical problem, I could deal with it. But now I have a real reason to get that weight off.

This weekend, I'll be cleaning out the refrigerator and the pantry. Cakes and pastries - so long! Candy - see ya! Chips and cheese dip - out of here! I'll be stocking up on healthy snacks, fruits and vegetables, fish and chicken. This will be good for Dom, too. He could stand to lose a few also.

And I'm going to walk. Not a nice leisurely walk in the evening with Dom - no, I'm going for the get-my-heart-rate-up kind of walk. If I don't want to go outside for some reason, Leslie Sansone and her Walk Away the Pounds DVDs are here waiting for me.

It's time to pull my head out of the sand and face this problem.

JEWISH LITERATURE CHALLENGE COMPLETED

I just completed the Jewish Literature Challenge for 2008-2009.

The five books read were:

SEINLANGUAGE by Jerry Seinfeld
DREK! by Yetta Emmes
CROSSING DELANCEY by Susan Sandler
CONVICTION by Leonard Levitt
SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana deRosnay

Thanks to Callista for hosting this challenge - I'll be looking forward to the 2009-2010 edition.

SEINLANGUAGE

SEINLANGUAGE by Jerry Seinfeld was read for the Jewish Literature Challenge, the Support Your Local Library Challenge, and the New Authors Challenge.

We've all seen the Seinfeld TV show. Remember in the earlier shows, at the beginning of the show, Jerry would be on stage, doing his act - his observations of life? That's what this book is - observations on various stages of life.

When Dom and I would watch the show, we could gauge how funny the show would be by the amount of hair on George's head -- much hair, not funny - little hair, funny. I think George had a full head of hair when this book was written.

There was one funny bit in this book on page 177. I'm going to post it now to save you the time and trouble of reading through this book to find something to bring a small chuckle.

To me, the thing about old people is that everything about them gets smaller. You know, their bodies get smaller, they move into smaller places, they sleep less time, they eat smaller meals ... except the car. The older they get, the bigger their car gets. They're all driving these Detroit behemoths. I've never understood that. And old people have a way of backing out of the driveway. They don't turn from side to side. Their attitude is "I'm old and I'm coming back." "I've been around a while, now. You watch out for be, buddy, I survived, let's see you do it."

And then once they get out there, they drive so slowly. I would think the less time you have left in life, the faster you would want to go. I think old people should be allowed to drive their age. If you're eighty, do eighty. If you're a hundred, go a hundred.

They can't see where they're going anyway, let them have a little fun out there.

Now, after reading that, you can feel you've read the entire book. You can thank me - I've saved you time and money!

AS SURE AS THE DAWN

AS SURE AS THE DAWN by Francine Rivers was read for the 9 Books for 2009 Challenge (distance), the Read Your Own Books Challenge, the What's in a Name 2 Challenge (time of day), and the Chunkster Challenge.

A review by Lee of Thomasville, GA, found on Amazon.com:

AS SURE AS THE DAWN is the third and final book of Francine Rivers' series of fictional Christian novels. Rizpah, a young Christian widow living in Ephesus, is given an unwanted baby shortly after the tragic death of her husband and only child. The baby, named Caleb by Rizpah, is the son of a renowned ex-gladiator name Atretes. Caleb's real mother lied to Atretes and said the baby died during childbirth. When Atretes finds out his son is alive, he demands to have him back. Because of Rizpah's love for Caleb, she is hesitant to return him. Although Rizpah gives the baby back, Atretes still needs her to feed Caleb because of the baby's refusal to nurse from anyone else. When Atretes decides to return to his home in Germany with his son Rizpah follows. Theophilus, a Christian and retired Roman centurion, guides them to Germany. The journey they take is not only physical but more importantly spiritual. In Germany the group spreads the gospel to those who will listen and overcome their own personal dilemmas.

I had read the first two books of the Mark of the Lion trilogy last year and considered them excellent books. This one was not quite as interesting as the first two, but still a good book. It brought back characters from the first book and finished their stories.

It's hard to describe Christian fiction books. All I can say is, as a Christian, these books had a profound effect upon me.

WHY DID I EVER READ THIS BOOK?

Suggested by Janet:

How about, “What’s the worst ‘best’ book you’ve ever read — the one everyone says is so great, but you can’t figure out why?”

I read THE LAST TIME THEY MET by Anita Shreve with an on-line reading group. I don't know if this would be considered a "great" book, but I absolutely HATED it. In fact, when I finished it, I heaved it across the room into the wall - and left a mark I had to repaint. Then it went into the trash - which is something I NEVER do.

Go over here for more responses!

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY - SUMMER ON BLOSSOM STREET

Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Breaking the Spine, highlights new books that are soon to be released. Be sure to stop over and see what new books are being highlighted this week.

Here's another one that I've been waiting for:


SUMMER ON BLOSSOM STREET by Debbie Macomber is scheduled to be released on May 1, 2009. This is the 5th book in the series centered around Blossom Street - a quaint street with several small businesses.

The "action" takes place at Lydia's knit shop, A Good Yarn, where people gather for knitting lessons. In this book, the knitting classes are called Knit to Quit, so everyone in the class will be quitting something or someone in their lives.

I love reading Ms. Macomber's books. They're always fun, clean, and full of interesting characters. This one looks like it will be another good one!

ALL TOGETHER NOW ...

AWWW!!!

UPDATE

The Zoo Atlanta's Panda Cam will be back starting Friday, March 20. It will be on Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. Earthcam and a generous gift from Mara Strock of Burke, VA have brought back the Cam. Now I can watch this sweet little boy each day!

ÉIRINN GO BRÁCH

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

MUSING MONDAYS - TALKING TO STRANGERS

Today's MUSING MONDAYS post is about talking to strangers ...

We were all warned as children to 'never talk to strangers,' but how do you feel about book-talk with random people? When you see people reading, do you ask what it is? Do you talk to people in the book store or the library? Why or why not? What do you do if people talk to you? (question courtesy of Dena)

I love to talk to people about books. If I see someone standing by a book display, looking at a book I've read and liked, I'll start a conversation about how much I enjoyed that particular book. This usually leads to mentioning other books that we've liker or disliked. I can get a lot of good book recommendations that way.

I've started conversations with people sitting by the pool, at the airport, almost anywhere. If a book cover looks interesting, I'll ask about the book title. It's very easy to talk to people about books. And I love it if someone asks about a book that I'm reading.

Be sure to visit Just One More Page for other answers to these questions.

SOME STUFF

Mary of Bookfan-Mary give me this award a few days ago. Thank you so much, Mary.

"This blog invests and believes in the Proximity - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

I'm supposed to pick 8 bloggers to pass this on to, so here's my list:

• Jess at Jessica's World
• Sarah at BritGal in the USA
• Kari at Just Livin' Large
• The Empress Bee at Muffin 53
• Kat at Just a BeachKat
• Gail at More Than a Song
• Pea at Pea's Corner
• Tina at VioletLady at Home

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Dom and I love to watch Villanova University men's basketball - Dom graduated from Villanova many years ago. This week, Villanova lost in the semi-finals of the Big East Championship to Louisville. That's OK, they had a great season.

They'll be playing this week - Thursday I think - in the NCAA's March Madness. I'm hoping that they'll make the Sweet 16 at least, like they did last year. They're a good team and could go even higher. Go Cats!

*********************************************

Here's a little something I learned the other day. It doesn't matter if you pay a hair stylist $15 or $65 for a haircut - they still don't listen to what you say and will cut it the way they want. Just saying!

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But now, I'm off to go bowling.

WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS

WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS by Barbara Delinsky was read for the Pub 2009 Challenge and the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

From the book jacket:

Molly and Robin Snow are sisters, and like all sisters they share a deep bond that sustains them through good times and bad. Their careers are flourishing - Molly is a horticulturist and Robin is a world-class runner - and they are in the prime of their lives. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, she couldn't be more shocked. At the hospital, the Snow family receives a grim prognosis: Robin may never regain consciousness.

As Robin's parents and siblings struggle to cope, the complex nature of their relationship is put to the ultimate test. Molly has always lived in Robin's shadow, and her feelings for her have run the gamut, from love to resentment and back. The last time they spoke, they argued. But now there is so much more at stake. Molly's parents fold under the devastating circumstances, and her brother retreats into the cool reserve that is shattering his own family. It's up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon makes discoveries that destroy some of her most cherished beliefs about the sister she thought she knew.

Once again New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky brings us a masterful family portrait, filled with thought-provoking ideas about the nature of life itself, how emotions affect the decisions we make, and how letting go can be the hardest thing to do and the greatest expression of love all at the same time.

This was a good book, but the subject matter made it hard to read. No one likes to think about possible death and the details that must be handled at the time. And when a parent has to make these decisions about a child, even an adult child, it must be unbearable.

I think Ms. Delinsky handled the emotional status of the family very well. Each member of the family reacted in a different way, and they were all written in a realistic manner.

This is the second book by Ms. Delinsky that I have read, and I have another of her books planned for a challenge later this year.

THE SECOND OPINION

THE SECOND OPINION by Michael Palmer was read for 3 challenges: the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge, the Pub 2009 Challenge, and the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

From the book jacket:

Dr. Thea Sperelakis has always been an outsider. She has a brilliant medical mind and a remarkable ability to recall details, but her difficulty in dealing with hidden agendas and interpersonal conflicts has led her to leave the complex, money-driven dynamics of a hospital and to embrace working with the poor. Her father, Petros, is one of the most celebrated internal medicine specialists in the world and the founder of the cutting-edge Sperelakis Center for Diagnostic Medicine at Boston's sprawling, powerful Beaumont Clinic.

When Petros is severely injured by a hit-and-run driver, no one thinks he will survive. Two of Petros's other children, both physicians, battle Thea and their eccentric brother, Dimitri, by demanding that treatment for their father be withheld. Meanwhile Petros lingers in the Beaumont Clinic's intensive care unit, where Thea is his only advocate.

As Thea uncovers the facts surrounding the disaster, it seems more and more to be no accident. Petros himself is the only witness. Who would want him dead? The answers are trapped in his brain ... until he looks at Thea and begins to slowly blink a terrifying message.

In THE SECOND OPINION, Michael Palmer has created a cat-and-mouse game where one woman must confront a conspiracy of doctors to uncover an evil practice that touches every single person who ever has a medical test. With unforgettable characters and twists and betrayals that come from the most unlikely places, THE SECOND OPINION will keep you guessing ... and looking over your shoulder.

This is, I think, the 4th book by Mr. Palmer that I have read, and it's a good one. I didn't see the twist at the end coming - the identity of the "bad guy" took me by surprise.

Following Petros's accident, it was determined that he had locked-in syndrome, "a condition in which a patient is aware and awake, but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body." (Read this article in Wikipedia.) The case of Jean-Dominique Bauby was mentioned in this book.

Thea, and probably Dimitri, suffered from Asperger syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum. Mr. Palmer's son suffers from this syndrome, and in the Author's Note at the end of the book there is an interview with Dania Jekel and Nomi Kaim from the Asperger's Association of New England. There was some very interesting information in this interview.

Reading a good book and learning something new - what could be better than that?

COLD ROCK RIVER

COLD ROCK RIVER by Jackie Lee Miles was read just for fun.

From the book flap:

In 1963 rural Georgia, with the Vietnam War cranking up. seventeen-year-old Adie Jenkins discovers the diary of seventeen-year-old Tempe Jordan, a slave girl, begun as the Civil Was was winding down. Adie is haunted by the memory of her dead sister; Tempe is grief-stricken over the sale of her three children sired by her master.

Adie - married to Buck, her baby's skirt-chasing father - is unprepared for marriage and motherhood. She spends her days with her new baby, Grace Annie. Buck spends his with the conniving daughter of his boss. Adie welcomes the friendship of midwife Willa Mae Satterfield. Having grown close to her after Grace Annie's birth, Adie confides that her baby sister, Annie, survived choking on a jelly bean only to drown in Cold Rock River a few months later. Willa Mae replies, "My two little chillins Georgia and Calvin drowns in that river, too." What she won't say is how and why...

As COLD ROCK RIVER rushes to its surprising, shocking ending, questions of family, race, love, loss and longing are loosed from the mysterious secrets that have been kept too long. And the depth of the connection between two women united by place and separated by race - and a century - is revealed.

This was a nice quick read. The story was interesting; I liked how the journal entries were interspersed throughout the book. Poor Adie - trouble followed her but she managed to come out on the winning end. The ending of the book tied together a lot of loose ends, but I wouldn't have classified it as shocking. I figured out the connections before I got to the end of the book.

Also included were quite a few recipes for jams and jellies and vegetables. Most were geared for canning purposes and sounded delicious.

Ms. Miles also wrote a book called ROSEFLOWER CREEK that I have on my wish list.

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES

Tami inspired this week’s question:

What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?

Or, What book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?

I'd love to see the Stephanie Plum books made into movies. I can see Sandra Bullock as Stephanie and Queen Latifa as Lulu. I would have loved Estelle Getty as Grandma Mazur, but unfortunately she's passed away. I have no idea about Joe and Ranger though.

One book that I love has been made into a TV movie - IDA MAE TUTWEILER AND THE TRAVELING TEA PARTY by Ginnie Siena Bivona. It was on the Hallmark Channel last Saturday night and will be on again tomorrow night. The movie is titled Bound by a Secret, starring Meredith Baxter and Lesley Ann Warren. The story line was changed some, but the basic concept of friendship and family is there.

See more Booking Through Thursday posts here.

SNIP SNIP

I have an appointment today for a haircut.

My hair tends to go through 3 phases:

Just cut - looks great
Needs a cut soon - starting to be hard to style
Needs a cut IMMEDIATELY - completely out of control

Yesterday, I entered phase 3. I had gotten to the super-urgent phase and needed it cut immediately. I had scheduled an appointment a few days ago (when I was at phase 2) for next week, but changed it to today when I hit phase 3 with a vengeance.

So wouldn't you know it? Right after I made the appointment, I washed my hair, dried it, and used my flat iron - and it looked perfect (phase 1)! And it still looks good this morning.

But I'm still going today, because the very second I would cancel the appointment, I'd go back to phase 3. It's called Pistilli luck!

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY - THE 8TH CONFESSION

Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Breaking the Spine, highlights new books that are soon to be released.

Here's one I'm waiting for - THE 8TH CONFESSION by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.


I don't know why I'm waiting for this book. I've read the first 7 in this series. I liked the earlier ones, but the more recent ones felt like they were phoned in by the authors. But I do have this one scheduled for a couple of challenges.

I think this one will be the deciding one as to whether or not I'll continue this series. I really hate to give up on series, but I also hate wasting time on books that I don't like. So Mr. Patterson and Ms. Paetro - this is your last chance.

Check Breaking the Spine for more Waiting on Wednesday choices.

HE'S SO CUTE!

Dom and I just got back from the zoo. Our timing was perfect. Just as we got to the Panda exhibit, the zoo volunteer hustled us into the enclosure to see Xi Lan and Mom Lun Lun playing. He would try to climb the structure - she would pull him down. He would go one way - she would grab him by the neck or leg and drag him another way.

He came up to the glass a few times. I tried to get one picture just as he had his nose on the glass, but that was the exact moment that a little boy decided to put his head right in front of my camera.

Is that not the cutest face?


See how big I'm getting?

When Mom does this, she gets treats. Think I'll try it!

Mom's got me in a leg lock!

I've had a rough morning - time for a little nap!

Zoo Atlanta's 10 year contract with China for the pandas is up in November. If they can't renegotiate, all 4 pandas will have to go back to China then. I'm sure hoping that they will get to stay another 5 or 10 years!

HEART AND SOUL

HEART AND SOUL by Maeve Binchy was read for the Pub 2009 Challenge and the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

From the book jacket:

With the insight, humor, and compassion we have come to expect from her, Maeve Binchy tells a story of family, friends, patients, and staff who are part of a heart clinic in a community caught between the old and the new Ireland.

Dr. Clara Casey has been offered the thankless job of establishing the underfunded clinic and agrees to take it on for a year. She has plenty on her plate already - two difficult adult daughters and the unwanted attentions of her ex-husband - but she assembles a wonderfully diverse staff devoted to helping their demanding, often difficult patients.

Before long the clinic is established as an essential part of the community, and Clara must decide whether or not to leave a place where lives are saved, courage is rewarded, and humor and optimism triumph over greed and self-pity.

HEART AND SOUL is Maeve Binchy at her irrestible best.

What a fun book! Ms. Binchy brought back characters from previous books - SCARLET FEATHER, QUENTINS, EVENING CLASS, NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS, and WHITETHORN WOODS. It was just like a big family reunion. And she introduced many new characters that I hope to learn more about in future books.

This was a simple story. Nice people - with one or two stinkers thrown in for fun. A little bit of romance, some family disagreements, and a wedding at the end.

I've loved all of Ms. Binchy's books and this one will rank up there with the best of them.

SOME OF THIS, SOME OF THAT ...

Today's MUSING MONDAYS post is about new authors ... What is your policy when it comes to new authors? Do you feel comfortable purchasing a book or do you prefer to borrow new authors from the library? How often do you "try out" a new author?

Since I began this blog, I've found a lot of new authors. If a book review sounds interesting and the author is new to me, I'll start looking for the book - usually on Amazon. If the book is only available in hardcover, I'll probably try to borrow it from the library. If in trade paperback, most times I'll add it to my wish list or just buy it outright. I'll often check the book aisle in Target - trade paperbacks only - and if I see something that looks good by a new author, into my cart it goes.

I've joined the New Author Challenge this year and so far I've read 12 new authors. I'm sure by the end of the year, that number will probably triple. Some of the authors have been so good that I'm already looking for new books by them.


Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny and warm here in Atlanta. So I told Dom that we are going out. We're going to visit a 6-month old little boy. We haven't seen this little boy since he's been born, just have seen pictures and videos. I decided it's time to visit in person.

Can you guess who we're going to see? Here's a hint - he's about 25 pounds now and is black, white and fuzzy!

Being this cute is a heavy burden.
-Rita Edwards, Alabaster, Alabama

I've got my camera charged and I plan on taking a lot of pictures of Xi Lan, Mei Lan, Lun Lun and Yang Yang.

But for now, I'm off to work on a new jigsaw puzzle and read.

NEFERTITI

NEFERTITI by Michelle Moran was read for 5 challenges: the Read Your Own Books Challenge, the Read Your Name Challenge (letter N), the Every Month is a Holiday Challenge (Unique Name), the New Authors Challenge, and the Chunkster Challenge. Whew!

From the back of the book:

Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped that her strong personality will temper the young ruler's heretical desire to forsake Egypt's ancient gods.

From the moment of her arrival in Theses, Nefertiti is beloved by the people but fails to see that powerful priests are plotting against her husband's rule. The only person brave enough to warn the queen is her younger sister, yet remaining loyal to Nefertiti will force Mutnodjmet into a dangerous political game; one that could cost her everything she holds dear.

I like reading historical fiction, and this book was a good one. Nefertiti's family reminded me a lot of the Boleyn family from THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. The influential father who chose who the daughter would marry to keep the family in control, the strong-willed daughter who didn't always listen to the father, the sister pulled into the political scene even when she didn't want to be involved. I'm not saying that this book was intended to be a "copy" of the other book. No, it just seems that all political families seem to be run the same way.

I had known very little about Nefertiti before reading this book. I had heard her name mentioned in regard to King Tut when I visited the King Tut exhibit a while ago. Reading about the sculptures, the paintings, the gold, the jewels - it brought back images of all I had seen at the exhibit.

Ms. Moran made the characters in this book so vivid and real - at times I just wanted to reach out and slap Nefertiti upside the head to knock a little sense into her. I was fully involved in all their lives from page one. A family tree was included which helped with the family ties; also a glossary which defines many of the Egyptian terms.

Ms. Moran has written a follow-up book titled THE HERETIC QUEEN - the story of Nefertari (niece of Nefertiti) and Ramses II. It's already on my wish list!

DON'T FORGET ...

BOUND BY A SECRET

One of my favorite books is IDA MAE TUTWEILER AND THE TRAVELING TEA PARTY by Ginnie Siena Bivona. I've read this book over and over and have sent copies to my dearest friends.

Showing tonight on the Hallmark Channel is a movie called Bound by a Secret starring Meredith Baxter and Lesley Ann Warren that is based on this book.

I cheated and found the movie online - I couldn't wait until tonight to watch it. Truth is, I was afraid I couldn't stay awake long enough to see it!

The movie was good - a real tear jerker. It was a lot different than the book, but the general idea of the two best friends carried through. And Ginnie was even in one scene!

Having carried on a written correspondence with Ginnie, I consider her a friend. And I'm so happy to see this movie produced. Hopefully, it will bring more people to her book.

This book and movie might not appeal to everyone. But if you like stories about family and friends, please watch. And read the book. It might be a little hard to find, but Ginnie has copies available at her website.

Way to go Ginnie!!

THE BEST BOOKS I HAVEN'T READ...YET

We’ve all seen the lists, we’ve all thought, “I should really read that someday,” but for all of us, there are still books on “The List” that we haven’t actually gotten around to reading. Even though we know they’re fabulous. Even though we know that we’ll like them. Or that we’ll learn from them. Or just that they’re supposed to be worthy. We just … haven’t gotten around to them yet.

What’s the best book that YOU haven’t read yet?

I have a few books that are scheduled for challenges this year that I have been putting off reading for a long time - for whatever reason. But I'll definitely get to them this year:

• THE HISTORIAN (Elizabeth Kostova)
• WORLD WITHOUT END (Ken Follett)
• ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN (Mark Twain)

And there are a few more that I'd really like to read:

• DRACULA (Bram Stoker)
• JOHN ADAMS (David McCullough)
• HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET (Jamie Ford)

Check here to see what other books people haven't read yet!

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY - IN A GILDED CAGE

This is a feature that highlights different books that readers are "waiting on." You can go here to see what others have listed.



One book I'm waiting on is IN A GILDED CAGE by Rhys Bowen. This is the newest book in the Molly Murphy series - about an Irish girl in New York City in the early 1900's. I've read all of the 7 previous books and really liked them. Molly gets herself in a heap of trouble, but always manages to find a way out. The lady has a lot of spunk. This new book is due to be released on March 17 - St. Patrick's Day. How perfect is that!

Be sure to check out Breaking the Spine for other new releases.