One True Thing by Anna Quindlen

I just finished this and wanted to share.

This is actually the first paragraph in the prologue.


"Jail is not as bad as you might imagine. When I say jail, I don't mean prison. Prison is the kind of place you see in old movies or public television documentaries, those enormous gray places with guard towers at each corner and curly strips of razor wire going round and round like a loop-the-loop atop the high fence. Prison is where they hit the bars with metal spoons, plan insurrection in the yard, and take the smallest boy--the one in on the first offense--into the shower room, while the guards pretend not to look and leave him to find his own way out, (...) the shadow at the backs of his eyes changed forever." 



I left out a particular graphic part of the last sentence. None of us need to read that to know what happened. Although this scene is intense and others are too, I really, really liked this book. I recommend it for all. We all can understand the mother daughter relationship between Kate and Ellen Gulden.

This is not a new book, probably many have read it. But if not, I think it is worth a look.


Til next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

En Provence Mystery Quilt by Bonnie Hunter Clue #2

Bonnie Hunter posted clue #2 for this years Mystery Quilt on Friday, the 2nd of December. This Triangle in a square block is one I have never made before. So I am using the Tri Rec rulers for the first time. I was a bit intimidated with the angles, but the rulers made it "sew" easy. I always have a bit of a problem with ruler slippage, I think due to the fact that I don't have good strength in my hands anymore. Usually I can solve it with small sandpaper disks, but this time I tried a hint from Pat Spaeth. I used a scrap of shelf liner.  In this picture you can see the little dots I usually use and then the green heart shaped scrap of shelf liner that I am using this time. There is not significance to the shape of the green liner...just liked it.

Here are some pictures of more four patches from Clue #1 and the triangle in a square blocks. I have 10 complete and 15 ready to sew.

All the inside triangle are neutrals in the center and a constant of magenta making the square.

You can't see it very well here, but the fabric on the yellow cutting mat is a neutral with french words and images on it. Score!!!,,, it was in my stash! 

I'll spend the rest of the week, completing these two clues. I am only making 1/2 the amount, so I will get a smaller ( maybe lap size) quilt. 

Hopefully I will be able to keep up and to complete this fun mystery.  Link up HERE to check out what the others are doing. 

Until next time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

PS: Book related:  I finished " A Man Called Ove"  by Fredik Backman and narrated by George Newbern and so enjoyed it. Now I am listening to "The Opposite of Everyone" by Joshilyn Jackson. I am liking it. 

Review: The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book after a passionate review from Sheila at The Book Journey. I was not disappointed.

Joe Talbert is a college student at the University of Minnesota with a writing assignment. He is to interview a stranger and write a short biography of the persons life. Joe decides to go to a nearby nursing home and find a old person who will tell his/her story. At the nursing home, Joe is referred to Carl Iverson. He is a Vietnam war veteran with a Purple Heart. Carl is also a convicted murderer spending his last days dying of cancer at the nursing home, because the prison could not provide final days care.

As Joe begins to hear Carl's story and researches the backgound on his own, he begins to believe that there is something missing. A neighbor, Lila Nash, is pulled into his life when he brings his autistic brother Jeremy home for a visit. He has been interested in Lila for some time, but she does not return his words in the hallway. She does however, respond to Jeremy and thus they find a way to spend time together.

As Joe and Lila start to piece Carl's story together they discover a huge mistake made by the defense 30 years ago. Their passion for "doing the right thing" leads them on a path of interesting discovery and danger.

This book is part criminal mystery, part feel good story. I recommend it to anyone who likes a really great story, told by a really great writer, and in my case, read by a really great narrator.


View all my reviews

The Cat Sitter's Whiskers by Blaize and John Clement

The Cat Sitter's Whiskers by Blaize Clement
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dixie Hemingway lives in Sarasota Florida. She is a cat/dog sitter for the mostly rich and famous who live on Siesta Key, a sliver of sand that hugs the shoreline of Sarasota. She lives in the upstairs apartment over the garage of her older brother's house. Micheal and his partner Paco, are her port in a storm. And she has had a few storms. She used to be a police officer, but after her husband and young daughter were killed in a car accident, she couldn't go back.  That doesn't keep her from having a cop's instincts. She reads people well, most people like her and she is fearless. This can help or hinder her in the situations that seem to surround her.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it is the 10th in the Dixie Hemingway series, I did not feel as if I had missed anything. The author uses the main characters, memories and thought processes to add her back story to the current story. I will read more of this cozy mystery series. Thanks to Cathy at Kittling Books for the giveaway.

I am linking this up to

You can find this challenge here,

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2016 is hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews

 And you can check out this challenge at The Worm Hole, this link will go to the page "Profession".

Or you can see all my challenges by clicking on  the 2016 Challenges tab at the top of my blog page.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? June 13th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Share what you are reading, what you read recently or what you hope to get to in the coming week and then link up with Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great place to see what is going on in the blogosphere and to add to your reading lists.

 Still working on this collection, the first in the group is Ghostly Paws by Leighann Dobbs. 

I will like it I am sure, if I can just pick up my Kindle and get to it. 

I am enjoying this one too. Although it is the 10th in the Dixie Hemingway series, it doesn't feel as though I have missed anything. Dixie tells her back story, or least parts of it, well enough that I do not feel lost at all. I am pretty sure I will gladly pick up the first several in this series. ( This one was won in a Giveaway at Cathy's blog, Kittling: Books.Thanks again Cathy)


Next I will select either:  Broad Influence by Jay Newton-Small,  one of my book club's summer selections

2016 will be one of the most historic years in politics: It marks the potential for the first female President of the United States, and the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress. Additionally, in 2016, single women will be one of the most pivotal voting groups heading into the general election, being courted by both Democrats and Republicans.

or The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini, a series I started years ago and then let fall away. 

  

Hope your week is productive on the reading front and enjoyable too. 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

February Month in Review

Goodreads reports that I  am one book behind in reaching my goal of 60 books this year. Since I have only read 8 books that really means I am 2 books behind if I aim for 5 books per month. January is here.


February:

6. Here Today, GoneTamale by Rebecca Adler

    1. New to me author
    2. Women's Literary Fiction Challenge
    3. Cozy Mystery Challenge
    4.  Paperback
    5. Already Owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare
 

7. Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar

    1.  New to me author
    2.  Non-fiction
    3.  E-book
    4.  Already Owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare
    5.  Read the Books You Buy Challenge


8.  The Liar's Club by Mary Karr

       1. New to me author
       2. Memoir  by a woman
       3. Paperback
       4. Already Owned:  TBR Triple Dog Dare
       5. Read the Books You Buy Challenge


I am linking this quick review with Kathryn at Book Date.

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/29/16

IMWAYR is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Share what you are reading, what you read recently or what you hope to get to in the coming week and then link up with Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great place to see what is going on in the blogosphere and to add to your reading lists or piles of titles to be read.

It's Leap Year so today is extra time to read. I guess you could spend it doing chores but why not chose to spend it reading or maybe in the Northern Hemisphere, taking a walk in anticipation of Spring. I am not sure what it is like in the Southern Hemisphere, is it working it's way into Fall? Is it cooling off a bit? However you chose to spend your extra day, I hope it is a great day.


Today I will!

Finish: The link will take you to the Goodreads page-

The Liar's Club

Mary Karr

Last night I stayed up too long watching the Academy Awards and so only read about 10 pages again before my eyes got sleepy. I am not sure yet how I feel about this book. I won't write a review until after my book club meets for discussion. It is raw and gritty. It is a memoir after all, but wow it is unbelievably real. The life Ms Karr experienced and endured is something.  

I hope to listen and read: 

Emma

Jane Austen

My library had an MP3 CD copy of the audio version. I haven't tried yet to insert it into my laptop or CD player, so I hope it works. Speaking of audio books, I have discovered I somehow got a trial at Audible.com and I do not remember signing up. And so then I did not cancel it after the 30 days and so I have purchased a new month.  I have tried audible.com in the past but do not like listening on my Kindle. I can't hear it well enough to do other things while listening and isn't that the point of audio books? I got a CG at Amazon for my birthday, so maybe I should invest in wireless/Bluetooth speakers. If I upgrade my phone in 2016, I will make sure it supports a reading app. Then it will be more portable. 

Also, on the horizon is to dig into:

Of Moths & Butterflies

V.R. Christensen

Happy Leap Year Day

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wondrous Words Wednesday 2/17/16

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, write a post then go to Kathy's blog and add your link to Mr. Linky.  Don't forget to grab the button while you are there. 

I have been a bit absent in this meme.  I haven't found many words in my reading lately. Last Wednesday I spent the day serving on a jury for our county circuit court. It only took one very long day, but now I am free from having to serve again, at least for this court and this term. It's not that I really mind, it is just that I have a hard time judging another's actions and trying to decide what turn their life will take dependent on the usually sketchy facts that the lawyers present in the courtroom.This is my third time serving in recent years. That being said, I did hear a word that I have heard every time I have served and never understood. I had  not seen it written so was unclear as to what the judge or the attorneys  were saying. The bailiff, in this case, was nice enough to help me understand.  It is from French - to speak the truth. 

voir dire

/vwɑː ˈdɪə/

noun, Law.

1.

an oath administered to a proposed witness or juror by which he or she is

 sworn to speak the truth in an examination to ascertain his or her competence.

2.

the examination itself.

Have you ever served on a jury? I have friends who have not served in the 30+ years they have been in our community. Mr Busy has only been called once. Yet my name keeps coming up in the rotation. My daughter says I am the right demographic: mature, women, unemployed! Ha!



Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Here Today, Gone Tamale Rebecca Adler

Here Today, Gone Tamale
Rebecca Adler
Berkley Prime Crime 2015


This is the first in a new Taste of Texas Mystery.  Josie Callahan grew up in Broken Boot, Texas. She moved to Austin for a newspaper job and was engaged. However, her life changes after she loses her job at the Gazette and her fiance unfriends her on Facebook, leaving her with fuschia pew bows and matching thank you notes. She packs up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and high tails it back home.  She'll help her Aunt Linda and Uncle Eddie in their Tex-Mex Restaurant.

After a night of tamale making with the  Wild Wild West Festival committee, a local jewelry designer is found dead next to the dumpster outside the restaurant. Josie falls back into reporter mode and immediately begins to look for clues to whom the murderer might be.

After the newest waiter, Anthony is arrested for the murder,  Josie enlists the help of her high school friend Patti Parez to track down clues she thinks will help exonerate Anthony and put the real killer behind bars. The local sheriff and his handsome deputy are none too pleased to have their help! She's a bit of a buttinski! 


I really wanted to like this story. I did like the protagonist, Josie Callahan. She is witty and loyal and a bit of a flake! I don't think the story was very believable in the description of the murder. I feel like the details that helped Josie solve the murder were left out  and other unnecessary details were rehashed. We did get to know a few of the other lesser characters who will probably resurface in the next installments. I will give this series another try. I think there is great potential.

I am adding this to my Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Challenge, hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews. 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Intros - The Nightingale

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. It's a place to share the first paragraph or two from a book you are currently reading or hope to start soon. Share a book you are reading, then link up to Diane's blog.

The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah

St Martin's Press

ONE

April 9, 1995
The Oregon Coast

If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are. Today's young people what to know everything about everyone.They think talking about a problem with solve it. I come from a quieter generation. We understand the value of forgetting, the lure of reinvention. 



I have had this on my Kindle for awhile now. I love reading Kristin Hannah. I've read lots of historical fiction set in WW II. I have been reluctant to read another. But my friends have been praising this one lately, so I will get to it soon. Tomorrow it has been out for one year. Maybe I will get to start it tomorrow.

What do you think? Have you read The Nightingale?


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday - Here Today, Gone Tamale by Rebecca Adler

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. It's a place to share the first paragraph or two from a book you are currently reading or hope to start soon. Share a book you are reading, then link up at Diane's blog.

I received this cozy mystery in a giveaway at Beth Fish Reads in December. I am anxious to start it.

Here Today, Gone Tamale
Rebecca Adler
Berkley Prime Crime
      / Imprint of Penguin Random House



Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Josie!" Aunt Linda's high-pitched drawl soared like a heat-seeking missile up the wooden stairs from our restaurant below, through my quaint living room and into my sweet but tiny bedroom. 

   There are three things Aunt Linda and Uncle Eddie have in common with tamales: they're unpretentious, comforting, and fattening when consumed in excess. 

So would you read this cozy mystery?  I already like the sounds of this one. Can't you just hear Aunt Lydia?

I'll have a review when I have finished. And thanks again to Beth Fish Reads and Penguin Random House. 

Wondrous Words Wednesday 12/2/15

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, write a post then go to Kathy's blog, BermudaOnion's Weblog and link up.

I came across this word while reading the blurb and intro from Laurel-Rain Snow's post about The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian.
What she does not expect is this: bacchanalian drunkenness, her husband sharing a dangerously intimate moment in the guest room, and two women stabbing and killing their Russian bodyguards before driving off into the night.

I was pretty sure I understood the word as used in the sentence , but I was unfamiliar with the word. So I went to my Merriam Webster online dictionary.

bacchanalia - noun : A Roman of festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, song and revelry and as an adjective.   bacchanalian . The dictionary also defines this word as orgy 2 and orgy 3. I probably don't need to go into the definitions of this word. Either 2 or 3.  

Another word from my MW Word of the Day: from November 27th  -  

Minatory  - adj.        having a menacing quality. 

In the moonlight, the twisted winter trees took on a particularly baleful and minatory appearance.

Did you find any extra special words this week? 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros 9-29-15 Trail Mix

I am linking up this post with Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea. Diane offers a place to share the first paragraph of the first chapter from a book you are currently reading or want to start soon. If you read my Monday post and my last review, then you know I have been reading heavy depressing stories. I needed a change. As I was perusing my Kindle at bedtime last night I remembered I had downloaded Trail Mix by Paulita Kincer. Paulita is a fellow blogger and I have read her other books and enjoyed them. So I clicked it open and here are the first two paragraphs of the prologue.

Trail Mix

Paulita Kincer

2014 

Raindrops trickled down Jess' nose. Her sodden boots plodded along, squooshing the mud with each step. 

"Why did I do this?" She threw her head back, her face raised in lament to the sky. The hood of her rain poncho slipped off.  The empty forest around her offered no answer, just a steady rain. Then, far above the treetops, she glimpsed a bolt of lightning streaking toward a nearby mountain and heard an answering boom of thunder. She cringed and scuttled faster down the trail.  

I am going to really enjoy this book. Although Jess and Andi are the ages of my daughter, I remember being the mom of teenagers and college bound, unhappy with my then life. Not seriously unhappy,  just in need of a new adventure. How about you, does this book speak to you? Would you read more?


Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Shem Creek by Dorothea Benton Frank

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first paragraph (or maybe two) of the first chapter in a book she is currently reading or hopes to start soon. She invites us to join her. Just share your first paragraph and link up at Diane's blog.

Shem Creek
Dorothea Benton Frank
Berkley Publishing Group
  a division of Penguin Group
August 2004

A Post Card from Linda

Can I just tell you why I am so deliriously happy to drive all through the night from New Jersey to South Carolina? Here we are, boxed in between this wall of eighteen-wheelers on our left and right, in front and behind, in this little pocket of flying road, racing down I-95 at seventy-six miles an hour. My daughters are asleep beside me and in the backseat. On another night, I would be terrified out of my skin by the blasting of horns. But not tonight. Let me tell you something. These trucks are like huge guardian angels rushing us to safety and the rain is washing us clean. Life has been a little rough around the edges and it was time to break out. Yeah. A little rough would be one way of understating it. 

Oh, eventually you'll hear the whole story, because this is a long ride and there ain't much to do besides tell secrets and link about life. Thinking about life is what I had been doing for a very long time. I finally decided to quit the thinking nonsense and do something. I mean, I was even driving myself crazy from my own whining.  Then I came to this conclusion.  You don't like your life? Go get another one and the shut the heck up already, right?

So what do you think?  Would you continue with this one?

I am already hooked!  I have not read Dorothea Benton Frank in the past, but I like the voice of this Linda person very much. I am pretty sure I will like this one.

When I finish and write a review this will complete the What's In A Name 2015 challenge of a book with a body of water in the title. It is also a library loan, so it will add to my library list. Whoop! Whoop!!  3 in 1.

Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56

I haven't played along in awhile, but here is the beginning and the "56" of my current read. If you want to join in, go to Rose City Reader and link up your Book Beginning and then share your page 56 or 56% at Freda's Voice.  There you will find a myriad of other bloggers who have shared their Book Beginnings on Fridays and their Friday 56. Fun!!

 Prologue

1979

Fifteen-year-old Winona Grey stared out at the waterfront ranch that had been in her family for four generations, looking for something that had changed.



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pg 56

Dad grunted something unintelligible and got up from the table. Without looking back, he headed into his study and closed the door behind him.

Winona sat there, irritated once again  that she'd let herself expect something from him. Gratitude at the very least.


I may be one of the few people who haven't read this book. I have read other of her titles, Firefly Lane, On Mystic Lake, Winter Garden, Night Road, so I am pretty sure I will enjoy this one as well.

For the next week or two I am going to concentrate on reading the titles I need to finish the Mega Mix Challenge II on Goodreads. You can check my progress HERE.

There are 6 books I need to read to complete the challenge. They are: Wildflower Hill, True Colors, Fifty Shades Freed, Our Lady of the Lost and Found, Cat Trick or The Three Kitties That Saved My Life, and Fire on the Mountain.

And then there will be life getting in the way too I am sure.

Stay Busy and Stay Happy