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.