Wondrous Words Wednesday 10-30

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 some words I ran across in my reading this week. 

VASCULUM - noun   A covered metal case, often cylindrical, used by botanists to carry specimen plants. 

This is from The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. I would share the exact sentence here, but I returned the book to the library. I found these two images on the internet. One is very beautiful, the other, obviously more utilitarian. 

Also from The Kitchen House , "supercilious abandon".  I had seen this word before, but could not remember it's definition.

SUPERCILIOUS - adj.  disdainful or contemptuous; full of or characterized by pride or scorn, haughty.

I liked  The Kitchen House very much. I recommend it highly.


And from a completely different kind of book:   Four to Score by Janet Evanovich.  This is #4 in the Stephanie Plum series and I like them a lot too!

" Connie's domain was this one room where friends and relatives of miscreants came to beg money."


MISCREANTS - noun.  an evil person or a person who behaves badly, gets into trouble, breaks the law.

Four to Score is about the adventures of Stephanie Plum, a bungling bounty hunter or bond enforcement office as she likes to say when trying to look like an upstanding citizen.

What new words did you discover this week?


Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday - Four to Score

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 (or2) of the current book you are reading.

Four to Score - Janet Evanovich

St Martins Press - 1998

"Living in Trenton in July is like living inside a big pizza oven. Hot, airless, aromatic. 

Because I didn't want to miss any of the summer experience I had the sunroof open on my Honda CRX. My brown hair was pulled up into a wind-snarled, curls-gone-to-frizz ponytail. The sun baked the top of my head, and sweat trickled under my black spandex sports bra. I was wearing matching spandex shorts and a sleeveless oversized Trenton Thunders baseball jersey. It was an excellent outfit except it gave me no place to stick my .38. Which meant I was going to have to borrow a gun to shoot my cousin Vinnie. "

I just started this 4th in the series. I had been looking for this copy for awhile and all of a sudden it is on the library shelf. Might have been a donation, anyway I am glad to get my hands on it.

How about you?  Have you read this series?  Does this intro grab you?


Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday, What are you Reading #3

Last night I started reading,

Publisher's synopsis from the back cover:

Stephanie Plum, Trenton New Jersey's favorite pistol-packing, condom-carrying bounty hunter is back - and on the trail of a revenge-seeking waitress who's skipped bail. With the help of 73-year-old Grandma Mazur, ex-hooker Lula, a transvestite musician named Sally Sweet , and the all-too-hospitable, all-too-sexy Joe Morelli, Stephanie might just catch her woman. The again, with more mishaps than there are on the New Jersey Turnpike - including murders, firebombs and Stephanie's arch-rival bounty hunter chasing after the same fugitive - Stephanie better watch her back big-time if she wast to live to crack this case. 

This fun filled faced-paced thriller is just what I needed after finishing Rebecca by Daphen DuMaurier and The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom.  You can read my reviews of Rebecca and The Kitchen House on Goodreads, HERE.

I am also listening to Skipping Christmas by John Grisham and Split Second by David Baldacci. 

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

W...W...W... Wednesday - my 1st!

To play along just answer the following three (3) questions:

What are you currently reading?

What  did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

Then pop on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment or a link to your post in the comment section.

 

Currently I am reading:  I am about 1/2 way through and enjoying it very much. It is the November selection for my F2F bookclub.

I recently finished: 

This is not the cover of the edition that my library had, but it is close. 

Goodreads Synopsis:

Rebecca, a dark psychological tale of secrets and betrayal, is Daphne du Mauriers best-loved work and was named Best Novel of the 20th Century at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. After a whirlwind romance and a honeymoon in Italy, the innocent young heroine and the dashing Maxim de Winter return to his country estate, Manderley. But the unsettling memory of Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter, still lingers within. The timid bride must overcome her husbands oppressive silences and the sullen hostility of the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, to confront the emotional horror of the past.

I loved this book. Everyone said I would and they were correct. The writing is so descriptive, so colorful,
so almost poetic. I think it is strange that we never know the heroine's name. Rebecca is the book's namesake and she is definitely a major presence in the story. When Mrs Danvers suggested that the timid young bride dress in the white dress and hat of the late Caroline de Winter, her new husbands great grandmother for the upcoming fancy dress ball,  I screamed, "no no don't do it!".  Turns out I was right!.  Evil Mrs, Danvers! From that point on the story escalates to include secrets, murder, blackmail and destruction. And the ending.............?

Next I will read:
Which I checked out at the library when I picked up The Kitchen House. I want to read them all and I am waaaay  behind!.


Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

JUDY

Wondrous Words 10-22 Dear Congressman!

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.

rapprochement  noun

an establishing, or esp. a restoring, of harmony and friendly relations

Origin: Fr < rapprocher, to bring together: see re-, approach, & -ment   from Webster's New World Dictionary. 

I think the US Congress and Senate could make use of this word. The government is back in session, but again only temporarily. 

from Caitlin at Chaotic Compendiums 's review of The Death of Santini. 

I love the sound of this word. Click HERE for the link then click the speaker icon to hear it. 


My recent reads have not revealed any new words. So I was glad to find this one reading Caitlin's review.  I just started The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, maybe I'll find some unknown or fun words for next week. 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intro - Oct 22

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 (or2) of the current book you are reading.

Prologue

1810

Lavinia

There was a strong smell of smoke, and new fear fueled me. Now on the familiar path, I raced ahead, unmindful of my daughter behind me, trying to keep up. My legs were numb, unused to this speed, and my lungs felt as though they were scorched. I forbade myself to think I was too late and focused all my strength on moving toward home.

Would you keep reading? I will, this is the November selection from my F2F bookclub and it was on my TBR list .

Have you read it?  What did you think? ( no spoilers, please).



Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

 

Three Titles Complete........

Winter of the World by Ken Follett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Winter of the World picked up where Fall of Giantsleft off. We follow the 5 families as they enter the century of the 2nd World War. A time of great change. We learn how the economic turmoil, the rise of the Third Reich, the dramas of WWII and the atomic bomb, affected the members of these 5 families personally. The book is just as well written as Fall of Giants and I want to know what happens to these 5 families as the next century evolves.

All the ladies in this book are amazingly strong and driven women. The men live through atrocious war conditions. Each family is entwined with the other. I thought I knew about this century, but Ken Follett's research showed me that I didn't know it as well as I thought.
 This book was the summer read for my F2F book club. It took me most of 2 months, I did read other books too.

Roses by Leila Meacham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leila Meacham tells a story that is as big as the Texas setting. The stories of three generations of DuMonts, Tolivers and Warwicks, this story has passion,secrets, tragedies as well as love, honor, and respect. Following these 3 families from 1916 to 1985 provides a look into the lives of the rich and nearly rich. I, at first, did not like the main characters. Mary and Percy seemed stubborn, rebellious and clueless about the rest of the world around them. Slowly though I came to understand them. What drove them and why they made the choices that they did.

I am looking forward to reading the next part of the story in Tumbleweeds. As all good authors do, Ms Meacham left me wanting more of the story of the Tolivers and the Warwicks.

The read Roses for a Buddy read for Ladies and Literature on Goodreads. .

Friends in Deed  The Story of Quaker Social Reform in America by Susan Sachs Goldman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I learned some things I did not know. But it was a little like reading a history book.

This books was not what I had expected. I had hoped for more stories of the history of the Quakers. I got lots and lots of facts, not so much a story. This was the October selection of my F2F book club and was recommended after a member heard an interview with the author on NPR. She thought the interview was fascinating, but was disappointed by the book.  

This book will be added to my Non-fiction Reading Challenge. Hope the next one that I read is more enjoyable.

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wondrous Words Wednesday Winter of the World finally finished

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 a few that I found in one of my current read. This book is filled with new and interesting  words. 
There were no real journalists, either, just scribbling sycophants.   

page 487    Winter of the World. 

noun

A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people.

from  American Heritage Dictionary.

This word was new to me. I wonder if I could find a place to use it my every day speech? 

His supercilious air had gone. It was a remarkable transformation.

page 490   Winter of the World

The definition of supercilious is someone who feels or acts like they are better than everyone else.adjective

from Your Dictionary  ( online)   


   I had seen supercilious, but I like the sound of this word, so wanted to share it. 

There was no mistaking those high cheekbones, that scimitar nose, the luxuriant dark hair, the skin the color and smoothness of cafe au lait. 

page 507    Winter of the World. 

noun     a short, curved sword with an edge on the convex side, used chiefly by Turks and Arabs

I did not know this word. I guess that would mean that Joanne had a rather sharp nose. 

Sorry I missed posting last week. It was a busy and exhausting week for me. Not much reading time, and though I did read some I did not get a chance to look up the words I wrote in my "WORDS JOURNAL". 

Until next time 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros Rebecca

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 (or2) of the current book you are reading.

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter, for the way was barred to me. There was a padlock and a chain upon the gate. I called in my dream to the lodge-keeper, and had no answer, and peering closer through the rusted spokes of the gate I saw that the lodge was uninhabited.

Am I the only one on the planet that has not read this classic?  Do you recognize it? I feel like it should have been included in my high school required reading, but it was not. It was a long time ago, but I would have remembered I am sure. I did not go to college and continued reading current books and never did go back to classics.  I am looking forward to reading this story.

 I checked it out from our library. This is not the exact cover, but close. It is a Staff Pick from our library, but the librarian looked slightly amused that I was checking it out!  How did he know I wasn't going to read it to a granddaughter or something.  Anyway, I am sure I will enjoy it. 

So, would you read on or read again?

Until next time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What are You Reading? #4 Roses & Quakers

Sheila at Book Journey sponsors this Monday Morning Meme. Click on over to discover what other voracious readers are devouring and add your link to the long list. Get ready, your own list will grow as you find titles and authors you simply MUST add to your want list.

I am finishing Roses by Leila Meacham. I have really gotten into it and though I know what happens next,at least I think I do,  the why has me fascinated. Passion and revenge, who can resist. I also started reading the October selection for my local book club which meets tomorrow night. I will not be finished, but I have read enough that I can participate in the discussion, I think. We are reading Friends in Deed : The Story of Quaker Social Reform in America. It sounded rather dry and boring, but Susan Sachs Goldman has creatively documented the history of Quaker social action through compelling stories and insightful commentary. I am anxious to hear what the other members think of it.

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wordless Wednesday

Winter is early this year. 

What Are You Reading #3 Roses, Winter of the Worlds,??

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Click on over to her blog, and check out the other links to see what everyone else is reading. Be aware, that your TBR list will grow!

I have two books on my night stand and beside my reading chair. I tend to carry them around the house with me along with my cell phone. I am still reading Winter of the World and Roses.

 I picked up Rebecca from the library. It is a suggested read for one of the groups I belong to on Goodreads.  This isn't the cover that is on my edition, but I searched all 175 editions on Goodreads and could not find the exact one. This is close.

 And my order came from Amazon. The current read for my Face to Face book club. My library did not have this book, nor did any other library in the inter library system, and our local Hastings did not carry this title. UUmm, what were they thinking when they selected this book?

 Anyway I ordered 4, for me and 3 other members. I must deliver them today if possible.

We were in the middle of Winter Storm Atlas, and although we are able to move around our town, we have lots of cleaning up to do. Downed branches and leaves are everywhere. My MIL(she is 89) has been staying with my husband's sister in So Dakota, and we need to drive over to bring her home. They have had no power for several days. The interstate is finally open, so we will try. She is out of her meds - we need to get her home.

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Safe

Early October - Saturday Snapshot

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at  westmetromommy.blogspot.com To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky (at West Metro Mommy). Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

These are pictures from our Friday Snow Day. Level III snow emergency in our small community. 

 Poor old tree, this is our second heavy wet snowstorm and it has now lost 4 large limbs.

 Looking across the street to the stately spruce tree in our neighbors yard. Early morning, still snowing.

 Another tree in our back yard, and snow on top of a BBQ grill and garden sheds.

Our deck is plastered with wet heavy snow. Weird snow sculpture!

This Saturday morning the sun is shining and the sky is blue. It will all melt away today, then we can begin the clean up.   YUCK!

Until  next time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy