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