First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday All The Light We Cannot See - 8-18-15

Every Tuesday I try to join fellow bloggers at Diane's blog, Bibliophile by the Sea, to share the first paragraph or two of the current book I am reading on First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. This week I am starting again on The Ticket by Karen Schutte. I shared the first paragraph of this 1st in a trilogy here.

I am also listening to All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Because this is an audio book I am using the Look Inside feature at Amazon to share the first paragraph.


17 August 1944
Leaflets

At dusk they pour from the sky. They blow across the ramparts, turn cartwheels over rooftops, flutter into the ravines between houses.Entire streets swirl with them, flashing white against the cobbles. Urgent message to the inhabitants of this town, they say. Depart immediately for open country. 


I am enjoying this listen. Though parts of it are sad and hard to listen to, most is beautifully written. The story of a sixteen year old blind girl living in Paris with her father. It is very descriptive so you can see her world as Marie-Laure sees it. Not only with your eyes, but with your ears, your nose and your fingers. So would you read more?

Wondrous Words Wednesday 8-12-15

I am joining Kathy at Wondrous Words Wednesday. It is a place to share words you found while reading or words you just want to share.

My words today come from Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

ameliorate - verb - to make something, such as a problem, better, less painful

"The police were so intent on deporting the maximum number of Jews that they decided to ameliorate the orders, so they arrested all those little children, the ones born in France, French children?"

arrondissement - noun-   : an administrative district of some large French cities.
                                          : the largest division of a French department

" It wasn't fantastically paid, but it was enough for me to stay on, living in the eighteenth arrondissement, sharing a place with two French gay men, Herve and Christophe, who became long-lasting friends."

I could sort of figure out the meaning of these two words due to the use in the sentences, but I looked them up so I could pronounce them correctly. I was OK on ameliorate, but had the accent all wrong on arrondissement.

So what new words did you find recently?

Currently Reading and Listening To: Sarah's Key and All The Light We Cannot See

Last week at the library I picked up a bound copy of Sarah's Key

 and the audio version of All The Light We Cannot See.

 I have had both on my TBR list for some time and though I wasn't really searching for those title in particularly, they both were available. Mr Busy and I were planning a 3 hr road trip last Saturday and we usually check out an audio book to listen to. Usually we chose a title he is interested in, David Baldacci, Dan Brown, C.J. Box and that is OK. He did not have a certain book he wanted to listen to , so I got to chose.

As it turned out we had a friend of his ride with us, so no audio. I know now, he would not have enjoyed listening while driving to this title.  Anyway, I am listening to it, in my sewing room while putting the binding on a table runner.

I also am reading Sarah's Key. I am really enjoying that one too. I find it interesting that both books take place in Paris and other cities in France at about the same time period, 1936-1942. Of course Sarah's Key also has the present time component. I did not realize the similarity. Both are moving, sometimes sad stories.

Today I am linking up with

at An Accidental Blog  . Every Monday Paulita hosts this place to post anything Dreaming of France. I don't cook at lot, have not visited France, don't have a chance to eat much authentic French cuisine, but once in a while I do read books set in France. So today I will join in the fun.  

Until next time,

Stay Busy and  Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Self-Help (I hope)

There is a place to share the first paragraph or two in the first chapter of a book you are reading or thinking of reading soon. Write a post and link it up with Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea.

The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life
Dr. Robin Zasio
Published by Rodale Books, 2011

Introduction

Not long ago, I was sitting at my vanity getting ready for my day. It was very early on a Monday morning, which is always my busiest day of the week. On this particular day I was not going into the office, but heading directly to my client Kate's house. This was to be the first time that she allowed me inside. We'd worked together off and on for months in my clinic, The Anxiety Treatment Center of Sacramento, but until now she'd been very resistance to letting me see exactly the state of her environment. She was on my mind as I applies make-up and fixed my hair.

I chose to feature the Introduction of this book rather than the first paragraph of the first chapter. The first several chapter are mostly citing case studies and though interesting are not particularly attention grabbing. Maybe the intro isn't either, but my sister has been urging me to read this book for the last year or two.


This is the year I have decided to "downsize", "declutter" or just plain "get rid of stuff" so I thought I would see if the library had it. It was checked out. Then along came the Fall Quarterly Back to School Challenge at Love of Reading over at Goodreads. The categories follow school subjects and there it was, pick a book from a genre you haven't read or at least not for a long time. So "self-help" it is. I checked the library and it was available.  Karma?!

So have you ever thought of reading a book like this? Do you have to scurry through the house throwing stuff in a basket, to hide in the closet, when someone shows up to visit unannounced? My house isn't like that anymore, but after 51 years of marriage there is definitely closets that need to be cleared of clothes that I will never wear and kitchen drawers that need to be rid of the clutter of utensils I will never use. And as of this day, we will not talk about my "stash" of fabric in my sewing room, although I am giving away a myriad of magazines!


Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

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Hail to the Chef (White House Chef Mystery #2) Cruisin Thru the Cozies.

I'm linking this review to Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews.

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second in the White House Chef Mysteries, finds newly appointed Executive Chef Olivia "Ollie" Paras about to embark on her first White House Holiday Season as the one in charge. Dinner parties are planned, receptions are on the books, small intimate family gatherings are also on the agenda. Everything must be perfect.

Her small staff works well together, even if there is a bit of snarkiness from Bucky, her senior chef. She will enlist the help of some temporary chefs and a few additional members of the household staff. Everything seems to be going as planned until Ollie suddenly finds herself ushered off to the bunker with the First Lady and her nephew, Sean, by two black clad Secret Service agents.

Further intrigues ensues as Ollie becomes privy to some internal happenings involving the First Lady and her nephew. After the all clear Ollie returns to the kitchen to continue to prepare for Thursday's small Thanksgiving dinner. As the preparations continue, chief electrician is killed in an accidental electrocution. Ollie finds herself involved in the why such an accident could happen to a skilled journeyman electrician. Then the First Lady's nephew is found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

All the drama continues as the Secret Service and Special Agents in Charge cover the White House looking for clues to the deaths. Ollie tries to continue under stressful circumstances, but with the help of a few friends and acquaintances, she still is suspicious of some strange happenings in the kitchen and the White House dining rooms.

Saturday Snapshots At the County Fair

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads. The rules are few, check them out at Melinda's blog.

Thursday evening we went to the County Fair. I always like to look at the exhibits of quilts, and photography, and paintings. We had our granddaughter, her husband and her son with us. Daddy decided JR would like to ride the ponies.  He did not agree. The man running the pony ride was very kind. After about 4 times around, he stopped the ponies and let Daddy take JR off.  Maybe another year! :)

They also feed the goats in the petting pen, but those goats were very persistent.  They had a baby pot bellied pig, a calf and a young alpaca. Momma did most of the feeding. JR just watched.

He really enjoyed chasing the bubbles from the bubble tower, but I did not get a picture of that!  Bad Great Gramma!


We did enjoy our time together, and that is the most important thing.



Does your family attend the County Fair in your area?

Wondrous Word Wednesday 7-29

Sharing Wondrous Words found while reading is definitely fun and a learning experience. Diane at BermudaOnion's Weblog gives us a place to do that. Come join the fun. 


This classic bildungsroman tells the story of Philip Carey, a sensitive boy born with a clubfoot who is orphaned and raised by a religious aunt and uncle.
 
Yesterday, as I was reading the posts at First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, I came across this word.   This classic bildungsroman tells the story of Philip Carey, a sensitive boy born with a clubfoot who is orphaned and raised by a religious aunt and uncle.

Sandra  at  Writing With a Texas Twang was sharing  her current read Of Human Bondage. She included the synopsis from Goodreads and even linked it to the definition. 

         noun  :  a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character. 



What Wondrous Words did you find in your reading this week?



Stay Busy and Stay Happy