It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Kingsolver & Monk Kidd

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. She provides us a place to share the books we are reading or hope to start soon. Join us .... it will definitely add to the list of books you want to read!


This week I will start Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. My Face to Face book club read Animal Dreams earlier this year. I really enjoyed it and one of the members stated that Kingsolver is one of her favorite authors. So when I ran across this one the other day, as I was browsing the library shelves, I decided to check it out.

Today I picked up Traveling With Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor. I need another non-fiction book for a challenge I am doing and also need a book with a food in the title. I really enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings., so I think it is a win/win for me. 

This week it is supposed to get really cold in our area. Good weather to stay indoors and read. However, I am attending a quilting retreat, the 17th  through the 19th, so I need to prep my projects for that time. Since I don't cut well with others ( smile) I will cut my fabric before I go. I will work on two Christmas quilts. One is in progress and the other is a new project that has been on deck for a bit. It is a small tabletop or wall hanging size. So it should be fun. 

Until next time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

A Happy Read: The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch

I am linking this review to the Nonfiction Reading Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader.


The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap: A Memoir of Friendship, Community, and the Uncommon Pleasure of a Good Book by Wendy Welch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As of this date, Goodreads says this edition has 500 pages. It does not, only 391. That being said I read this book in a fairly short time. I really became engaged to the character of this story, mainly Wendy, Jack and the cats, Beulah and Val-Kyttie.

Wendy Welch and her husband, Scottish-born Jack Beck, leave the Snake Pit of her current job to find a quiet, more relaxed life. Their search leads them to a struggling Virginia coal-mining town and a wonderful "old" house that seems perfect. They soon find that they are ill prepared for the logistics of their endeavor , but with grace and good old-fashioned chutzpah they soldier on.

As they struggle to build inventory, they find friends and a few foes that help them in their journey. Wendy Welch tells their story with humor, candor and love. This book makes me want to continue to support my local businesses and wish for a used bookstore, like Tales of the Lonesome Pine, in my hometown.


View all my reviews


Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday!. What Are You Reading? Yellow Crocus & The Little Bookstore in Big Stone Gap

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Join us and link up your current reading list. I guarantee you'll add to your reading lists.

Saturday I started two new books. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap is the November selection of my F2F book club. It was recommended by the daughters of our oldest member. So we decided it might be worth a look. I put on hold a copy from our library and when I picked it up, it was a Big Print edition. Yea for me! I don't normally find books I want to read in Large Print, but sometimes it a rest for these old tired eyes. And I am really liking the story so far.

A book about losing your place, finding your purpose, and immersing yourself in what holds community, and humanity, together—books

Wendy Welch and her husband had always dreamed of owning a bookstore. When the opportunity to escape a toxic work environment and run to a struggling Virginia coal mining town presented itself, they took it. And took the plunge into starting their dream as well. They chose to ignore the “death of the book,” the closing of bookstores across the nation, and the difficult economic environment, and six years later they have carved a bookstore—and a life—out of an Appalachian mountain community.

A story of beating bad odds with grace, ingenuity, good books, and single malt, this memoir chronicles two bibliophiles discovering unlikely ways in which daily living and literature intertwine. Their customers—"Bob the Mad Irishman," "Wee Willie," and "The Lady Who Liked Romances," to name a few—come to the shop looking for the kind of interactive wisdom Kindles don't spark, and they find friendship, community, and the uncommon pleasure of a good book in good company.
The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap will make you want to run to the local bookstore, and curl up in an arm chair with a treasure in bound pages.

And I downloaded Yellow Crocus on my Kindle back in August. I was needing to read a book whose title started with Y as part of The Mega Mix II Challenge on Goodreads. I know, I know but I like this particular challenge. It stretches me. I have read lots of books I would never have tried with out the challenges that I participate in. I had no real idea what this book was about, but it had a gorgeous cover and the title started with Y and it was not expensive to download. I am really enjoying it, so I guess I "did good"!!

Mattie was never truly mine. That knowledge must have filled me as quickly and surely as the milk from her breasts. Although my family ‘owned’ her, although she occupied the center of my universe, her deepest affections lay elsewhere. So along with the comfort of her came the fear that I would lose her some day. This is our story...

So begins Lisbeth Wainwright’s compelling tale of coming-of-age in antebellum Virginia. Born to white plantation owners but raised by her enslaved black wet nurse, Mattie, Lisbeth’s childhood unfolds on the line between two very different worlds.
Growing up under the tender care of Mattie, Lisbeth adopts her surrogate mother’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring. In time, Lisbeth realizes she has freedoms and opportunities that Mattie does not have, though she’s confined by the societal expectations placed on women born to privilege. As Lisbeth grows up, she struggles to reconcile her love for her caregiver with her parents’ expectations, a task made all the more difficult as she becomes increasingly aware of the ugly realities of the American slavery system. When Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Lisbeth realizes she must make a choice, one that will require every ounce of the courage she learned from her beloved Mattie.

This compelling historical novel is a richly evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption set during one of the most sinister chapters of American history.

This week I also will put the finishing touches on a quilt for a challenge in my quilt group. I will post a picture after I do "show and tell" on November 2nd. 


Until next time, 
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Letter To My Daughter - Maya Angelou

Hosted by Jennifer at The Introverted Reader this annual challenge is a place to share all the nonfiction books you are reading. Link up with Jen at her sign up post and join the fun. This is my 9th entry in this challenge. I signed up at the Explorer Level = 6-10 books.





Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a quick fun read. Set up in short letter style pages, Ms Angelou tells about life lessons she learned but chooses not to give advice, or give a moral to her stories. It is for you or me to take these life lessons and apply them.

Maya Angelou uses her superb story telling skills, her command of language to share her life and the lessons she learned. I wish I could have heard it in her own unique voice. I loved listening to her large husky voice.

I checked this book out from our local library. But I know now that I must own this volume. I read this in one day, taking a few breaks to process and share what I read. I will re read and re read. I want it on my shelves!

Review: Dream New Dreams by Jai Pausch

I just finished this book this afternoon. I read most of the afternoon away. That is a treat for me, I normally feel pulled in different " but first, I have to ....." directions.  I first put this book on my TBR list, shortly after I read Randy Pausch's  The Last Lecture. I don't know why I put off reading Jai's book until now.  I am sharing my review as I posted it to Goodreads.

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Dream New Dreams: Reimagining My Life After Loss by Jai Pausch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put it down.

As a cancer survivor myself, I now know that the role of caregiver is a difficult one. In reading Jai Pausch's memoir I relived my cancer treatment journey.

In a lot of respect's Jai's journey was atypical. She had a strong husband, who had an amazing ability to set the stage for her and her children. They had plenty of financial stability, they had strong family and friend support, they had opportunities and options because of Randy Pausch's notoriety. That being said, I don't mean to downplay her grief, or her fear in raising her children.  She still had to face her alone demons all alone. And she shared what worked for her, thereby giving others at least the opportunity to consider an idea.

I enjoyed her book very much. I am glad she is dreaming new dreams, and I am glad she is giving back to the community that supported her.



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In closing, I only have a few other comments. Jai's book is not necessarily written chronologically. Basically it is, but in each chapter to goes back to talking about Randy and his cancer fight and then discusses her dealing with that part of their lives. It was a little disconcerting at first.  But I think she intended to put her life into specific chapters and ideas, ie Shattered Dreams, Cancer Blindsides Us Again, Talking to Children about Cancer and Death. In each of these chapters she relives the parts of their lives that comprise these ideas.

I do recommend it to all. One in three of us will experience cancer somehow. That means we may very well be a patient or a caregiver. I helps to know that we are not alone and that there are a myriad of ways to battle this awful disease.

Non- Fiction Reading Challenge #5 and #6

I participated in this challenge in 2013 and wanted to do it again. When I signed up at The Introverted Reader the link did not link back to my sign up post. So I added a section to my 2014 Challenges page. I will keep a list of the nonfiction books I read and link back to my reviews. Hope this works. Challenges keep me focused!  You can join any time through out the entire year, so why not link up and see how many non-fiction books you can read this year.?



The Prescribed Burn by Laryssa Wirstiuk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We meet Veda in this collection of 15 short stories. I sort of feels like a novel because it involves the same main character and her family and friends. The stories are not told in chronological order, I am not sure why the author did that, but it doesn't detract from the reading at all. It's a bit like sneaking a peek in someones diary at various times and you just open it to a random page and sneak a read.

Veda's story is told with candor and open-mindedness. She is a young woman experiencing unthinking adults in her life, accepting her body as a young teen, her first boyfriend, being on the pill, having a job, trying to get her life in order ( whatever that means).
I enjoyed the reading of these short stories.

Laryssa Wirstiuk tells it like it is or at least was for her probably. To be able to go through these painful times in our lives and then write about it is a wonder to me. I hope Ms. Wirstiuk continues to write and be published. I especially like the bonus materials in this book. There are 15 color photographs, a crowd sourced story that is very interesting, book club discussion questions and creative writing exercises.  





The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As non-fiction goes, this was ok. It was full of facts, but Grisham managed to make it sound like a story too. I was getting really upset with the way the judicial system was handled in Ada, Oklahoma. I hope that isn't the norm. My brother who has a degree in Criminal Justice and works in the system in our home town would say it most often works as it is intended.

John Grisham was a lawyer and he makes a statement at the end of the audio, explaining how he researched the details and how the Innocence Project works. I was glad to hear about that.




Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Non Fiction Reading Challenge Entries #3 & #4

Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anne Lamott writes a frank nothing is sacred little book about the 3 essential kinds of prayer. She thinks that all prayer falls into these 3 catagories.  Help - Please, God help me get through this!
Thanks - Thankyouthankyouthankyou for helping me accept this situation.   And Wow!- I'm speechless, God, that sunset is awesome!

This book is not written just for Christians although Anne Lamott professes to be a Christian. She explores all types of higher power.

I grinned and really enjoyed this small easily read book. Yes, I agree, most prayers are Help, Thanks or Wow, but maybe I needed a little nudge to remember that I do pray all day. And that is the way, my God says I should.

I am glad I have this little book. I will re read it often.  I recommend this book to all who believe in some higher power, be it my Christian God, an agnostic's "somebody up there", or something else. 

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I want to believe, I really do!
Dr. Alexander writes a compelling memoir of his 7 day coma, NDE and reawakening. He had awesome medical support and care at Lynchberg General Hospital in Virginia. He experienced and is able to articulate his experiences in a way we can all understand ( almost). Some of the medical jargon and the explanation of his NDE is hard to follow. But I know, somewhere in my deepest inner thoughts, that NDEs are possible. I am just finding it hard to fully accept. Not sure why, not sure I even want to know why. 

The Telling Room by Michael Paterniti

The Telling Room, A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge and The World's Greatest Piece of Cheese by Michael Paternitt.

From the Front Flap:
In the picturesque village of Guzman, Spain, in a cave dug into a hillside on the edge of town, an ancient door leads to a cramped limestone chamber known as "the telling room". Containing nothing but a wooden table and two benches, this is where villagers have gathered for centuries to share their stories and secrets--usually accompanied by copious amounts of wine.

It was here, in the summer of 2000, that Michael Paterniti found himself listening to a larger-than-life Spanish cheesemaker named Ambrosio Molinos de las Heras as he spun an odd and compelling tale about a piece of cheese.



My Thoughts:

The book started slow for me. I could not decide why on earth this young journalist wanted to write the story of a cheese maker from Spain. It didn't seem all that interesting to me. I mean, yes, it afforded him an opportunity to visit Spain. But he barely spoke or understood Spanish, so why put himself through that? Evan as I struggled to understand, I kept wondering Why? Who cares? What is interesting about a cheese and the man who made it in the small village in the Central Plateau of Spain.

Gradually as the book progressed, I came to understand that it wasn't just about the cheese. It wasn't even just about the the cheese maker. It was about this young husband and father finding his voice as a storyteller. And what a journey it was. He is passionate, articulate and able to humanize the everyday of life. He treats his subject with respect, curiosity and empathy.

This was the March selection for my local bookclub and I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more discussion. Most had not finished the book, so that may be why. I think it was a slow start for most as it was for me, and too, some had trouble finding the book. The library had one copy that was checked out and not returned on time. Our one and only bookstore did not have it in stock, but could order it by the end of March ( that would be too late). So in fairness, it was a difficult book to discuss.


Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

"Quiet!" I said " Be Quiet"

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Though this isn't a book I loved, it was a good read. I was startled when at 78% my kindle said "you're finished!" It's not that it ends abruptly, it's just that there is a whole lot of acknowledgements, a large bibliography, and stuff at the end. Susan Cain certainly did her research.

I always thought of myself as an introvert, my sister doesn't think so. I used to think she was an extrovert, but she thinks she is an introvert. After reading this book, I have decided we are both right. We are a mix.

I enjoyed this book in the sense that it validated my feelings at times. That it is OK to want to work alone instead of always in a group. How it its important to have your own space. Something that is even more apparent to me now that I am older and spending every moment with my husband of very nearly 50 years.

Read this book, if you think you are an introvert. Read it if you live with an introvert. Read it if your children or loved ones are introverts. It is full of information, good information.


View all my reviews

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #7 Challenges met and challenges failed!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. As she says, it’s “a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!”

I am writing this on Friday, so I can post it Monday morning before we climb in the car and drive to Colorado for Christmas with our daughter and her family.  

If all goes according to plan I will have finished reading:

 and returned it and State Fair by Earlene Fowler back to the library, and will be starting on 

   The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. It is the January selection for my F2F book club. I am looking forward to reading it. I have not read any of the Harry Potter books, so this will be a first read for me of J.K. Rowling ( Robert Galbraith)

 It is on my Kindle and easier to transport and read as we travel. I haven't finished listening to The Book Thief on CD, but will finish it when I get home .  My DH tried to listen with me but kept falling asleep, that wouldn't be a good one to put into the car CD player, so I will listen on my own. 

I have signed up for several challenges for 2014. I hope to be as successful as I was in 2013. 

The only challenge I failed was the Goodreads Challenge to read 80 books. It looks like I will only reach 73.  I read 61 in 2012, 12 over my challenge of 50 and I was optimistic to jump to a goal of 80 for 2013. Guess I will stay with 80 again in 2014. 

Today, my plan is to "plan to pack" and make a few sweet treats to take to our Christmas gathering. I am going to try a recipe I found on Jodi Nelson's blog, Pleasant Home,  called Melt in your Mouth Crock-pot Candy. 

Until next time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

ps: this addendum is Sunday night while watching Sunday Night Football. I did not get started on The Cuckoo's Calling, but did start on  

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.  The Cuckoo's Calling is on my Kindle and when I crawled into bed to read last night, it was "dead".  I had it plugged in on Thursday, but ?????.  Anyway, I turned to the bookcase headboard on our bed, and A Lesson Before Dying was on top. It is a small book, but borrowed from a member of my F2F book club and she recommended it. So far I am liking the writing and the story line is compelling. So I will continue it and take my Kindle with me to Colorado.  

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

The Devil in the White City - Non Fiction Reading Challenge 4/5

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My library did not have a print copy of this title, so I chose the audio book. I had a large hand stitching project and decided I could do two things at once if I could read and stitch. Needless to say, I finished the stitching project before the audio book was done. This is a very dark book and at the same time full of interesting historical information.

As now that I have finished this book, I enjoyed the historical references way more than the description of the psychopath's murders and all the details. The author Erik Larson did extensive research in libraries, archives, cemeteries and historical societies.

This was indeed an interesting non-fiction story. So much of our architectural history, and manufacturing history got its start at the 1893 Chicago's World Fair. I gave it 4 stars because of all the history presented that I did not know.


View all my reviews

Friday 7-5 Still Plugging Away

Good Friday Morning.

I am still sloughing through

Devil in the White City.. is dark and full of historical detail. I have it on an audio book and am using a "boombox" to listen. I set it up in one room and the next thing I know I am in another room and have lost tough. I did not realize I was such a wanderer!.  I thought I would listen and sew but I can't hear it over the sewing machine so I must sit still and hand sew or something today. It is due back at the library today, so I will renew it and try to finish over the weekend. 

I still haven't finished the intro to Grapes of Wrath. I don't seem to get to it until bedtime and have been falling asleep while reading. What's up with that?

Anyway, the holiday is over and I should be able to find some reading time soon. I am cleaning closets, a bit late for Spring Cleaning, but it had to be done. Hopefully our new storm/screen door will be installed this week. Golly I miss being able to have my front door open without letting in all the flies and miller moths. 

Until next time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

What's In a Name 6 : FIRE

Yesterday I finished reading Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. This book will satisfy 3 challenges. What's in a Name 6:  a title with Fire or an equivalent, hosted by Beth at Beth Fish Reads, and 2013 Ebook Challenge hosted by Sarah at Workaday Reads and a Non-Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Jen at The Introverted Reader.  I am excited to hit this 3 in 1 in my reading challenges.




Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book relates an amazing story of a young journalist's journey into madness and recovery. Susannah Cahalan was a promising young journalist for the New York Post. She had a supportive family, though her parents are divorced, an amazing boyfriend and a wonderful network of friends. The book is a memoir or as close to a memoir as she can get. Susannah does not remember much of her ordeal, but because she is a journalist she knows how to do her research. So as part of her recovery she researched her disease, she interview her doctors, she talked to family and friends. Her father kept a diary, and the hospital had video, so she could read about and see what she did not remember.
I felt that the author was truthful in her telling of her story. It certainly was an eye opener for me.


View all my reviews

This review is on Goodreads. I just recently figured out how to write one review and post it to my blog. Now I really need to get better at the reviewing part. I recommend this book as both an informative read and an enjoyable one. Not that is enjoyable reading about another's illness, but she writes with wit and humor and it is a great journey.

Until Next Time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up on the Big Dry

The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up on The Big Dry by Joe Wilkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Joe Wilkins writes in beautiful prose of his life in Eastern Montana.  He tells a story in each chapter as if a certain subject Lake Water, Sky, Slow Breath or person his mother, Bruce Wheatry, Kelly Dempsey, each brought to his mind pictures and lessons learned.  Wilkins writing is almost like reading poetry. It is descriptive, poignant, sometime sad and sometimes hilarious.  Life on the Big Dry was certainly hard, but from all of it he gained a knowledge of self, family, those who treated him like family. This is a must read for all who seek to find something important in their own lives. Sometimes the smallest most mundane things are important. In the retelling of his life on the Big Dry, Joe Wilkins finds his father, finds himself.

I rated this book with 5 stars because I came away changed by Mr. Wilkins' stories.




This book fulfills What's in a Name 6:  Read a book with Up or Down in the title. This challenge is hosted by Beth at Beth Fish Reads.  You can link up to the challenge by clicking on the button in the right hand sidebar. It is also a non-fiction memoir so it is my second nonfiction read for the Non-Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader



Until Next Time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy