Wondrous Words Wednesday is hosted by BermudaOnion each week. It's an opportunity to share new words you've encountered in your reading, or highlight words that you particularly enjoy.

Here are two of my favorites new-to-me words from some of my recent reads. All definitions are from Merriam Webster Dictionary. 

From : The Park Service by Ryan Whitfield  ( reading for 2013 Ebook Challenge)

" I shout, my voice louder than I expected and echoing back to us from the caldera walls."  I immediately thought of cauldron, and the Merriam Webster Dictionary on my laptop says the origin is Spanish caldron. 

Caldera - noun

: a volcanic crater that has a diameter many times that of the vent and is formed by collapse of the central part of a volcano or by explosions of extraordinary violence



From: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott  (reading for January BotM side read challenge on Love of Reading)

"That a coterie of snobs can deny you entry into this stiff-backed saloon?"

Coterie - noun

: an intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose 

synonyms:  gang, bunch, clique


What new amazing words have you found this week?


Until Next Time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Judy

2013 Ebook #2

This is the second Ebook I have read in 2013. I needed to read it for a challenge for a group at Goodreads and decided rather than trek to the library again, I would see if it was available for my Kindle. It was and so I downloaded it. I gave it 5 stars. I liked it so much, I wanted to share with my sister. She is new to e-readers, so I wanted to suggest a book I knew she would like. But alas, I cannot share or loan this title. Maybe I will have to gift it to her with an online gift card.

Victoria Jones is the main character. She broke my heart and then she made me want to hold her tight. The story starts when she is being emancipated as a 18 year old. The story does go back and forth in time , but it was not hard to follow. We follow Victoria back to when she was just a little girl and her constant moving from foster home to foster home. We learn maybe why she is the person she is. I could not put this book down. I was totally enamored by Victoria and her foster mother, Elizabeth, her wonderfully accepting employer, Renata and her solid always there love interest Grant.  This story shares themes of forgiveness, second chances, love and family. In a review, Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife, says,"Vanessa Diffenbaugh shows us a corner of experience hidden to most, with an astonishing degree of insight and compassion. So hold on, and keep the tissue box nearby. This is a book you won't soon forget". I know I won't soon forget this book. I will be one of my favorites.

So Until Next Time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Judy

1-28 Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week(s) and explore great book blogs.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at Hooked by A Book (formerly The Printed Page) and is on tour for the month of January at Lori's Reading Corner

Read the Mailbox Monday story HERE

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This week the only book that came into my life was a free edition on Amazon from Bette Lee Crosby: The Twelfth Child for my Kindle.  I have read another book by Bette Lee, Cupid's Christmas. I enjoyed it very much. I have not started The  Twelfth Child as of today, but will soon. 

This week, I finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, which I give 4 stars. I also read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh , and I gave it 5 stars. I've been reading a lot of really great books lately. 

My challenge quilt is ready to send on to the next participant. I am basically satisfied with it. I always second guess projects like this. Could I add something, does it need more embellishment ?  It is quilted, bound and labeled. I guess is it complete!

Until next time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

   ps: I apologize for the weird look of this post. Not sure what I did and everything I tried in order to fix it, failed. :(

Jan Mailbox Monday 1-21

Nothing in my mailbox this week. But I did go to the library and check out Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The book jacket says, "Jamie Ford's first novel explores the age-old conflicts between father and son, the beauty and sadness of what happened to Japanese Americans in the Seattle area during World War II and the depths and longing of deep-heart love. An impressive, bitter and sweet debut." Lisa See. 
It is the January read for Love of Reading group on Goodreads and the February read for Ladies and Literature on Goodreads. I am about half way through it and am captivated.

I also picked up The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott. It is the alternate read for the Love of Reading group, but I wanted to read it too. I have not started it yet, but soon.







Ladies and Literature's read for January is The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. So I downloaded it to my Kindle.  I started it last night and it is really good. I know I will like it a lot.

So many books, so little time.!!!!  I keep saying that and nothing changes. I keep adding books to read !!!

I must get my challenge quilt nearer completion this week. I finished the stitching on a table topper I started a while back, so I would like to complete that too. And I volunteered to do some piecing for the NEW raffle quilt for the show planned for October 2013..........again, over committed.


I guess my mantra is

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

2013 Ebook Challenge #1

Well, its Saturday again.. It's been a busy week. I am wondering if I will ever feel like my life is in order. I have these thoughts every January. I need to get rid of the clutter in my home, I need to get a handle on my stitchery and quilting. I need to let go of all the challenges I want to participate in with my book reading. That is probably my biggest weakness......I want to do it all!

That being said, there are a few challenges that I am doing. I finished reading Anne of Green Gables on my Kindle last week. How on earth did I get to be this old and never have read that wonderful story. I love Anne's  ( with an E) long drawn out narratives.Though I suppose if I were the adult in here world, I too would have tired of it. The author did a great job in creating the characters and the surroundings. I did some research on L.M. Montgomery and she had a rather austere lonely life. I'm sure her writing colored her drab dreary world. I hope to read some of the other Anne of Green Gable stories. This book is the first in my 2013 Ebook challenge group.

I am currently reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I am enjoying it, when I can give it more than 3 minutes at a time.

Wondrous Word Wednesday 1-16

Wondrous Words Wednesday is hosted by BermudaOnion each week. It's an opportunity to share new words you've encountered in your reading, or highlight words that you particularly enjoy.

Currently I am reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I have encountered lots of unknown words. Some I can figure out , because of the way they are used in the sentence and in the context of the story.

These two were unknown and I couldn't decide what they might mean. So I had to look them up. I was reading in bed, I keep a small notebook and pen on the bedside table, so I just wrote them down and the page number they were on. Then I took the time to look them up the next day.



Unctuousness:

Adjective

1. a. of, like, or characteristic of an ointment or unguent; oily or greasy

b. made up of or containing fat or oil



2. like oil, soap, or grease to the touch: said of certain minerals

3. soft and rich: said of soil

4. plastic; moldable

5. characterized by a smug, smooth pretense of spiritual feeling, fervor, or earnestness, as in seeking to persuade; too suave or oily in speech or manner

In the book, page 84 the sentence reads: “Josip had risen as an administrator because of a charming manner that sometimes bordered on unctuousness.”

So , the #5 definition applies here.



Incunabula:

plural noun sing. incunabulum
1. the very first stages of anything; infancy; beginnings

2. early printed books; esp., books printed before 1500

The first two sentences on page 85 : When they arrived at the library Faber nodded curtly and spoke for the first time. “Let me see your Jewish manuscripts and incunabula.”

When I see the #2 definition, it now makes more sense. Both definitions come from my online dictionary, Webster’s New World Dictionary.
This is a good story, and refers to some of the same time as other historical fiction I have been reading lately. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett and Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay.



Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday 1-15

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph of the current book you are reading.

I have Joy School by Elizabeth Berg on my TBR shelf. A teacher friend loaned me a copy of True to Form by Elizabeth Berg. When I got to looking at it, I found it was the 3rd in a trilogy. I HAVE to read trilogies in order, so on PBS I found copies of Durable Goods ( Katie Nash #1) which I now have read, and Joy School which I hope to start the first of Feb. The trilogy will be a completion of one of the sections of the Mega Mix Challenge from Love on Reading on Goodreads.  I have a January challenge going at the moment so must finish it first, before going on to the next one. I think I may have over committed!!!

"The housekeeper is ironing and I am lying on the floor beside her, trying secretly to look up her dress. I can't see anything but her slip. It is white, a skinny line of lace trim at the bottom, which I already knew because it was hanging out when she first got here, snowing down south. I had a thought to tell her, in a nice way. But what would be the point, it's only us two her and I'm not offended. "

"I used to think you had to be rich to have a housekeeper, but it's not true. Sometimes you are rich, but sometimes you only have a need and that is when you get messy housekeepers like this one. Not that I don't like her. Ginger is her name, like the dancer, and her hair is blond like that dancer too. She wear socks that fall down into the backs of her loafers -thin, white, wrong ones , though she is done with school so it isn't so important. I found out at my new high school, where I am a freshman, about wearing wrong socks and I had to quit wearing them. Of course the is only the tip of the iceberg."

This is the first and second paragraph from Joy School. I so enjoyed the first book in the trilogy, I look forward to the second.

What about you? Would you keep reading?



Tonight, is the January meeting of my f2f book club. I always enjoy the discussion that the selection inspires. We read Russian Winter  by Daphne Kalotay. I gave it 5 stars!  Great story, wonderfully told. 

Also this week, I am working on my secret quilt challenge. What a challenge it is! WAY outside my comfort zone!  I will post pictures when it is complete, the whole challenge that is. If your interested you can read what I wrote about it on a previous post, here.

I am headed to the grocery store. They are predicting snow and blowing snow, up to 40 mph winds. I want to get done before that starts!


So until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

2013 Mailbox Monday 1-14

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share their new book acquisitions each week. January's host is Lori of   Lori's Reading Corner. 

I received 3 books in the mail this week. They came all in one package from PBS. I had some credits to spend there, so I picked these:

From the author's website:
Annie Colwater's husband has just confessed that he's in love with a younger woman. Devastated, Annie retreats to the small town where she grew up. There, she is reunited with her first love, Nick Delacroix, a recent widower who is unable to cope with his silent, emotionally scarred young daughter. Together, the three of them begin to heal. But just when Annie believes she's been given a second chance at happiness, her world is turned upside down again, and she is forced to make a choice that no woman in love should ever have to make…

True Colors is New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah’s most provocative, compelling, and heart-wrenching story yet. With the luminous writing and unforgettable characters that are her trademarks, she tells the story of three sisters whose once-solid world is broken apart by jealousy, betrayal, and the kind of passion that rarely comes along.

With breathtaking pace and penetrating emotional insight, True Colors is an unforgettable novel about sisters, rivalry, forgiveness, redemption---and ultimately, what it means to be a family.

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.

I copied the above descriptions directly from Kristin Hannah's website. I am anxious to read these 3 titles. I really enjoyed Night Road. 

2013 Wondrous Words Wednesday Jan 9

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, go to Kathy's Blog  grab the button, write a post and link up to see what wondrous words others have found.


My words this week come from Russian Winter  by Daphne Kalotay
.
1. balletomane – “As a young lawyer and balletomane, he had insinuated himself into Nina's life in a gentle, measured way,.."

A balletomane is a devotee of the ballet.

Russian baletoman, from balet  ballet+o+man, from maniya, mania

First known use: 1930

When I saw this word, I knew it had something to do with the ballet, Nina is a ballerina, but I wasn't sure exactly what it meant.

_____________________________________________________

2. oeuvre – “It's not an enormous oeuvre, by the way."

noun : a substantial body of work constituting the lifework of a writer, an artist, or a composer

I can't imagine myself ever using these words in my everyday conversation, but you never know!!.

Mailbox Monday 1-7-13

Mailbox Monday is a social meme that encourages us to share our new books. Created by Marcia who has set up various book blogs as well as a Mailbox Monday blog, it's been a "traveling" meme for the past few years.Lori at Lori's Reading Corner is the host of Mailbox Monday for the month of January. What books landed in your mailbox recently?

This week my outdoor mailbox held a win I received in a giveaway at Unabridged Chick. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I am looking forward to it. 

I also added several books to my new Kindle:

 My friend Lynn recommended Anne of Green Gables to me. I had not read it previously. I am enjoying it.

 Blind Your Ponies was recommended to me by members of my F2F bookclub. It is not one of our recommended reads, but some members had read in separately.

 This one I saw featured on Facebook. My DIL talked about it. She is an aspiring writer, so I thought I would download it and see.

 Don't really know why I chose this one. The cover caught my eye and it is an international bestseller.And it was a bargain!

The author contacted me on FB so I succumbed to the request. Also, I am a pushover for a trilogy! All of these will help fulfill my Ebook Challenge. 

I have my reading time pretty well filled up. I also have my quilt challenge in the works. I really need to continue to work on it, so I can get it completed. 

Until Next Time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

WONDROUS WORDS WEDNESDAY #1

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, go to Kathy's blog and link up. You'll learn something new and wondrous every Wednesday.

Today I had to go to my online dictionary to find a word. Merriam-Webster has a new word of the day every day. They also give a pronunciation, that helps me a lot.


HELIACIAL

adjective:   relating to or near the sun — used especially of the last setting of a star before and its first rising after invisibility due to conjunction with the sun's rising and setting

The heliacial rising of Pleiades marked the beginning of summer in the Old Julian calendar.


Today my focus in on the quilt challenge that I signed up for. It has taken me quite a bit of planning to get to the actual "putting together". Hopefully today I will get all the pieces on the background today.

Until Next Time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Happy New Year

I am so excited to begin 2013. My TBR list in a monster, and my actual TBR stack has my husband shaking his head. I think he thought the addition of the Kindle would make the print books go away. Silly man!

I am excited to start new reading challenges and new sewing projects challenges. It seems lately my posts have been mosted about reading, but I hope to post about both of my hobbies in the coming year. We don't have any travel plans for 2013, but I hope we get to do some. Because we have moved my MIL to our city, to an assisted/independent living facility we have that added obligation. And now my husband has decided to go back to work after 3 1/2 years of retirement. I'm not sure if he was just bored or since I retired he is tired of so much time spent with me!  I always teased him after his retirement, that retirement meant "Twice as much husband and half as much money". Maybe he was feeling the "Twice as much wife" part!.

I hope everyone has a wonder new year, and that 2013 brings all of us new adventures, new friends and new peace. 


Until Next Time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy