What's In A Name 2014 - Completed

I joined this challenge again this year. It is one of my favorite, if not THE Favorite.  Charlie at The Worm Hole did an amazing job this year, picking categories. 

The challenge runs from January to December. During this time you choose a book to read from each of the following categories (examples of books you could choose are in brackets):

• A reference to time (Eleven Minutes, Before Ever After)
• A position of royalty (The People’s Queen, The Last Empress, The Curse Of The Pharaoh)
• A number written in letters (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, A Tale Of Two Cities)
• A forename or names (Rebecca, Eleanor & Park, The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D.)
• A type or element of weather (Gone With The Wind, Red Earth Pouring Rain)

Late in February, Charlie added a sixth category: book with a school subject in the title ( The History Boys by Alan Bennett, Angelology by Danielle Trussoni, Mastering The Art Of Soviet Cooking by Anya Von Bremzen. 

Tonight I finished the 6th book to complete this challenge. Since January 1, I read:

• A reference to time : A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury
• A position of royalty : The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
• A number written in letters: One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
• A forename or names : Peony in Love by Lisa See
• A type or element of weather: The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
• A school subject:  The Driving Lesson by Ben Rehder

Thanks Charlie for taking over this challenge. It was great. I will look forward to 2015. 

Until next time,

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Driving Lesson : What's In A Name 2014 - Bonus

The Driving Lesson by Ben Rehder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did not know what to expect after the first paragraph. But it turned out to be a wonderful coming of age story about a grandparent and his 14 year old grandson.

Charlie Dunbar is the only son of Glen and Sarah Dunbar. Charlie is what I would call a typical 14 year old. He knows right from wrong, but he can be "bullied" into making a wrong choice by someone calling him names. So starts the journey of Charlie and his Opa.

As they travel across country from Abilene TX to Seattle WA and stops in between, Charlie "Bud" and his grandfather learn to trust each other, learn to be honest with each other and generally have a great time.

This story touched me. I am a grandparent. I wonder if I would have made the choice Charlie's grandfather made if my diagnosis had been terminal? Would I have been brave enough to share with a young, almost adult grandchild. I doubt it. This is a great story. I cried, I laughed and shook my head in amazement. I recommend it for all.


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First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Distant Heart

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By The Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where she shares the first paragraph or (a few) of a book she is reading or thinking of reading soon. I love to join this meme as often as I can. If you want to join in the fun, go to Diane's blog and link your post, for all of us to read.

Today I am sharing the first two paragraphs of the book I just started yesterday. It is a book I picked up from the clearance shelf at our local book store and it will help me complete The Mega Mix Challenge II that is sponsored on Goodreads by the Love of Reading Group.

Distant Heart

Tracey Bateman

Avon Inspire - an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

One
Toni held her breath, biting back the scream that fought to tear itself from her dry, aching throat. Bronze, nearly naked bodies sat regally, cruelly, atop painted ponies, as fearsome as the masters who rode them. Under a flag of truce these warriors had ridden into camp; wanted to make a trade. And, unless Toni missed her guess, she was the one they had come to acquire. 

"Don't worry." Standing next to Toni, her friend and traveling companion, Fannie Caldwell, slipped her trembling hand into Toni's damp palm and nearly squeezed the blood from her fingers. She spoke with a confidence Toni was far from feeling. " Sam and Blake will never let them take you. Even if they have to kill every last one of those half-naked savages." 

This book is in the Christian fiction genre, so I am anticipating an easy touching read. What about you, would you continue with this book?

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8-4-14

Every Monday, Sheila at Book Journey hosts a weekly meme that allows us a place to showcase the books were are currently reading or plan to read soon. It also gives us an opportunity to check in to see what others are reading. Join us and share your current reads.  Warning though!  It will add to your want-to-read list!

This week I am reading

Toni Rodden has escaped a life of prostitution and vows she'll never let a man control her again. After months on the wagon train, she's finally earned her place, albeit grudgingly from some, and has found a surrogate family in Fannie Caldwell and her two siblings. For the first time she can taste freedom and the possibilities of a new life. But as Fannie prepares to marry wagon master Blake Tanner, Toni realizes how alone she is and questions whether she'll ever find acceptance, or true love.

Despite Toni's conviction that no man will be able to see beyond her marred past, Sam Two-Feathers, the half-Indian wagon scout and acting preacher for the train, seems to know of a love that forgives sins and values much more than outward appearances. Will Sam have the confidence to declare his love? Will Toni be able to trust in a love that can forgive even the darkest past?

So far, it reminds me of One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.  Cheyenne Indians, Wagon Train, "soiled dove" woman afraid of being given to the savages!  I picked this book from the clearance rack at our local bookstore and did not realize is was #2 in a series. I hope it is a stand alone story, if not I will have to stop until I can read #1   Defiant Heart. I'm a bit OCD about that!  :)

I hope also to read on my Kindle :   The Driving Lesson by Ben Rehder. It will help complete the What's In A Name 2014 challenge.  Check out that challenge now being sponsored by Charlie at The Worm Hole.  

Charlie Dunbar had big plans for the summer break, but becoming a fugitive was nowhere on the list. Even more unexpected, his partner in crime is his own ailing grandfather. Now they're on the run, trying to make it across the country to see a special kind of doctor, while the world becomes mesmerized by their journey. They are the subject of heated debates on cable news channels. Thousands of people voice their support on Facebook fan pages. And Charlie's own parents appear on live TV to plead for him to come home safely. But Charlie isn't ready yet. He's determined to get his grandfather to Seattle. The only question is, will the police stop him first? **Recommended for ages 13 to adult.**

I finally finished listening to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It was 32 hours on my Kindle. About half way through it became a real chore. I loved the beginning, and the ending was beautifully written . The whole book was written well, but it was too too long in my opinion. 

I also finished The Potting Shed Quilt by Ann Hazelwood.  I liked this cozy mystery story, but the writing was a real distraction. What a contrast between these two books!

This last week was a bit quite in our house. Our granddaughter and her husband and baby son, finally were able to move into their house. I miss the activity and the happy baby smiles and noises. But that being said, I was able to finish a table runner and placemats that I have been making for our son and DIL. I participate in a quilting challenge too. I know I know!  Crazy, right?  Anyway, my quilting group has an annual challenge where we sign up to commit to to complete 6 previously unfinished projects. We donate 6  $1 bills to a pot and then if we complete our selected project for the current 2 month period, we get the dollar back. If we fail, the dollar get donated to the "kitty" and at the end of the year we will draw from the collection of names of those who finished.  Not big bucks, but the challenge is in  the peer pressure to complete not the money involved. It has been fun and most of us have gotten our projects out of the UFO box and completed. A really good feeling!

Until next time

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wondrous Words Wednesday Peony in Love

I am sharing words from Peony in Love by Lisa See today. If you want to join in the fun link up with Wondrous Words Wednesday and  Kathy at Bermuda Onion.  It's always fun to learn new words or to share words you really like. 

1. unfilial


It was naughty, but I had lived fifteen years without having committed a single act that anyone in my family could call unfilial. 

Unfilial means unlike, or unsuitable to, a loving daughter or son


2. somnolence

His elegance and somnolence reminded me of a cat: long, slim. perfectly groomed, knowledgeable and very contained.

a state of drowsiness or sleepiness    from The American Heritage Dictionary

I'm not sure about the description as used in this sentence. I need to look in another dictionary. I was unsuccessful in finding a more appropriate definition, so I guess Peony's "heartthrob" was elegant and sleepy! 

3. obsequious


"From the afterworld she looks to your future", the lesser concubine said, in an obsequious tone. 

The definition of obsequious is showing too much willingness to serve someone or something. from Webster's New World College Dictionary

or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning    from The American Heritage Dictionary




There are several more interesting words from Lisa See's novel. I will share more next time. 




Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Secret Life of Bees The Book

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I was a bit skeptical in the beginning. A young girl obviously uncared for by her father and so in need of a mother's guidance and love.

But the story gets so much better. Set in 1964, just at Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, the story deals with issues of racial unrest, unconditional love,acceptance and the true meaning of family.

I fell in love with Lily Owens from the opening chapter. She is spunky and awkward, yet street smart and vulnerable. The Boatwright sisters made the book for me. What wonderful examples of womanhood, love and solidarity.

If you haven't already done so, read this book. My next plan is to see the movie. It must be very good, how can you go wrong with Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson.


View all my reviews

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Secret Life of Bees The Movie

I finished the book last week and decided I wanted to see the movie. I checked with our library and they do not have it. It is in the inter-library loan system.  I mentioned to my granddaughter, they were living with us up until Sunday night, that I wanted to see it. She looked on Netflix and I think HULU, but did not find it. We checked the one store in our town to rent it. They only had it to buy, so I splurged the $12.00 and bought it. Friday night she and I watched it. We had an almost girls night. Her husband, my husband and her dad left Friday morning with 3 vehicles and trailers in tow, to drive to Ft Collins CO to pick  up the rest of their furniture and belongings. They have moved to our town and have been renovating a house. We did have baby great grandson, but he went to bed early so we watched the movie.                                                  

Anyway, back to the movie. Both of us enjoyed it very much. I don't know how you can go wrong with Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo. Queen Latifah was wonderful as August Boatwright, and Jennifer Hudson was really good as Rosaleen Daise.   I thought it followed the book really well, but of course I loved the book more. The detail was better in the book, as always. I will recommend the movie to others and share it ( now that I own it) but I will encourage others to read the book too!

If you haven't read the book, I urge you to do so. If you haven't seen the movie I encourage you to try to secure a copy. Both remind us of a more tumultuous time in our history and show us that real love, honest love knows no boundaries.

I am really looking forward to reading Sue Monk Kidd's new novel, The Invention of Wings. It is the first read for my F2F book club when we meet again in the fall.


Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy