"Hitchhiker's Guide" series to ride again
Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:19pm EDT
LONDON (Reuters) - Children's author Eoin Colfer is to write a sixth novel in the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series, seven years after the death of its creator Douglas Adams, publishers Penguin said on Wednesday.
The Irish writer, best known for his Artemis Fowl fairy stories, has the blessing of Adams' widow, Jane Belson, to continue the bestselling science fiction saga.
Called "And Another Thing...," the new novel will be published in October 2009. Colfer said he was a big fan of the original books, which started as a BBC radio serial.
"For years I have been finishing this incredible story in my head and now I have the opportunity to do it in the real world," he said in a statement. "It is a gift from the gods. So, thank you Thor and Odin."
The satirical books tell the story of a hapless Englishman called Arthur Dent who travels the universe after the Earth is demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass.
The saga centers on the search for the answer to "life, the universe and everything," which after a long wait turns out to be 42. Penguin Managing Director Helen Fraser said she hoped Colfer would attract new readers to the books.
Adams died from a heart attack in California in 2001 at the age of 49. He had hoped to finish the series with a sixth novel.
"Five seems to be a wrong kind of number; six is a better kind of number," he once said.
(Reporting by Peter Griffiths; editing by Steve Addison and Paul Casciato)
© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
SPOILERS!!!! don't read the review if you want the whole book experience!!!!!!~~!
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de RosnayMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
First Reads Giveaway book...expected in mail any time now...Will post review when I get thru reading it.
Received today, 26 August 2008...will start reading today! The only thing I think I am dreading about the book is the fate of the brother left in the locked closet. The rest I can steel myself against, LOL.
This is, I believe, the one of the BEST book I have read in a very long time!!! And I normally avoid books with the Holocaust as even a remote topic. Just because I get disgusted with how despicable we can be to each other.
But this book? I loved it. The author has a smooth, fluid, comfortable way of expressing the emotions and plot lines of this story. There are books that are favorites of mine that are not so smoothly told.
The heartbreaking, heartwrenching stories of both Julia and Sarah are so eloquently related to us that it is just too easy to put ourselves in their place. Sarah's worry about her little brother Michel, left locked in the cupboard for safety while she and her parents are rounded up by the French police in compliance to the wishes of the Nazi occupiers. Her despair at watching her parents being ripped away from her, the conditions of Vel d'Hiv and the move to Beaune-la-Rolande and escape from the camp with a girl named Rachel. The immediate aftermath of the escape is despairing and leads to a lifetime of guilt and withdrawing on Sarah's part.
Julia is stuck in a very dysfunctional marriage to a Frenchman who is rarely faithful and "there for her." She has a wonderful, bright daughter in Zoe, but rather distant from her in-laws, who always call her "The American". Her husband plans on remodeling his grandmother's apartment after Mame' is placed in a nursing home because of Alzheimer's. She is then given a story to research for the magazine she works. She is to do a "companion" piece for the commemoration of the tragedy of Vel d'Hiv. During her research, she learns that the apartment was part of one of the families story, linking that family to her in-laws'. She is told repeatedly by her father in law and her husband to drop the story, don't dig any deeper. She ignore's their advice and follows what her conscience tells her is right.
She finds that not many Parisians, let alone French citizens, are aware of this part of their past, nor are interested in learning about it. She finds it disturbing and commits to researching more.
To say anymore would be to give away too much more of the story. Let's just say that the story is a haunting one. And enlightens the reader to a period of history that is rarely, if ever taught.
Favorite passages:
p.68-69 (too long to type out here, takes up so much of the pages.
p.88
So maybe that's how it worked. That's how all this had happened. Hating people so much that you wanted to kill them. Hating them because they wore a yellow star. It made her shiver. She felt as if all the evil, all the hatred in the world was concentrated right here, stocked up all around her, in the policemen's hard faces, in their indifference, their disdain. And outside the camp, did everybody hate Jew's too? Is this what her life was going to be about from now on?
p195-197 (The letter to Alain from Genevieve) especially the following passage:
Yes, the war is over, at last over, but for your father and me, nothing is the same. Nothing will ever be the same. Peace has a bitter taste. And the future is foreboding. The events that have taken place have changed the face of the world. And of France. France is still recovering from her darkest years. Will she ever recover, I wonder? This is no longer the France I knew when I was a little girl. This is another France that I don't recognize. I am old now, and I know my days are numbered. But Sarah, Gaspard, and Nicolas are still young. They will have to live in this new France. I pity them, and I fear what lies ahead.
This last passage I find eerily similar to my feelings of the world today. And I fear that my son, who is now 23, will never be assured that our "leaders" have enough sense to not blow the world up just on a whim.
Okay, pessimism aside, READ THIS BOOK! Supposedly, the movie rights have been acquired. I hope so and they movie producers do it justice. I will definitely buy the DVD!
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Email funny from Uncle Sam and Aunt Sue
Subject: Fwd: 1st GRADERS
A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!
1. Don't change horses until they stop running.
2. Strike while the bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but How?
6.Don't bite the hand that looks dirty.
7. No news is impossible
8. A miss is as good as a Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust Me.
12. The pen is mightier than the pigs.
13. An idle mind is the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's pollution.
15. Happy the bride who gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is not much.
17. Two's company, three's the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and You have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you See in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.
25. A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.
And the WINNER and last one!
26. Better late than Pregnant
A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!
1. Don't change horses until they stop running.
2. Strike while the bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but How?
6.Don't bite the hand that looks dirty.
7. No news is impossible
8. A miss is as good as a Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust Me.
12. The pen is mightier than the pigs.
13. An idle mind is the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's pollution.
15. Happy the bride who gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is not much.
17. Two's company, three's the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and You have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you See in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.
25. A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.
And the WINNER and last one!
26. Better late than Pregnant
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Lost blogs
I somehow or another have lost my entire list of friends and relatives blogroll. I'm starting from scratch and am trying to "repopulate" it. If you should check in and were there and now are not, please put a comment on any post with your blog address and help me put you back where I need you, please....
Michelle
Michelle
Tatiana de Rosnay: Sarah's Key
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de RosnayMy review
First Reads Giveaway book from GoodReads...expected in mail any time now...Will post review when I get thru reading it.
Received today, 26 August 2008...will start reading today! The only thing I think I am dreading about the book is the fate of the brother left in the locked closet. The rest I can steel myself against, LOL.
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Update:::: India Edghill: The Ivory Gate (Samson and Delilah)
Handy thing, Feedjit, I was able to trace back a search on this very thing and got my own update! Love it!
So here it is:
Samson and Delilah by India Edghill
Hardcover
$24.95
Item released on May 01, 2009
Coming later in 2008 is India's next novel, THE IVORY GATE.
A retelling of the story of Samson and Delilah, THE IVORY GATE completes what turned in to an loosely-knit trilogy: THE IVORY GATE, QUEENMAKER, and WISDOM'S DAUGHTER.
Read and excerpt here:
http://indiaedghill.com/ivory_gate_ex.html
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So here it is:
Samson and Delilah by India Edghill
Hardcover
$24.95
Item released on May 01, 2009
Coming later in 2008 is India's next novel, THE IVORY GATE.
A retelling of the story of Samson and Delilah, THE IVORY GATE completes what turned in to an loosely-knit trilogy: THE IVORY GATE, QUEENMAKER, and WISDOM'S DAUGHTER.
Read and excerpt here:
http://indiaedghill.com/ivory_gate_ex.html
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Doomed, Again, by the Space-Time Continuum
TV Review 'Primeval'
Doomed, Again, by the Space-Time Continuum
ITV/Impossible Pictures
Juliet Aubrey and Douglas Henshall in "Primeval," a new BBC America science-fiction series that has its debut on Saturday.
By GINIA BELLAFANTE
Published: August 7, 2008
Over the past few years BBC America has emerged second only to the Sci-Fi Channel as the television outlet most committed to covering all the inconveniences that time travel can produce. It has brought us "Life on Mars," a revised "Doctor Who," and its spinoff, "Torchwood," as if to say, "And you thought airport security lines were a big drag!" British science-fiction television allows for plenty of American cultural imperiousness. The camp factor churned out is fairly high, and with "Primeval," a new series starting Saturday on BBC America, it climbs up Big Ben and right on over the top of the London Eye.
"Primeval" imagines an England threatened by creatures hundreds of millions of years old that look an awful lot like overgrown leftovers from a dinner at Red Lobster. How do they make it to the present day? Well, they're not taking Virgin Atlantic. They are careering through tears in the space-time continuum, and then ravaging their way through the London Underground and suburban housing developments and eating people in public swimming pools. (I wish for once that a space-time hole could deliver someone nice, this time from the future; someone who could show everybody how to eat a whole lemon meringue pie and still lose six pounds by the next day.)
The holes go by the name of anomalies here, and they look vaguely like shattering ice sculptures. Rip through the space-time rift, and you will find yourself at a wedding at Leonard's of Great Neck.
There are good guys and there are bad guys, and they are all fairly easy to pinpoint with the sound off. Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall) is an evolutionary zoologist who, with his team of acolytes and Indiana Jones outfits, is battling the looming national crisis and trying to figure out what his scientist wife (Juliet Aubrey) is doing back from what he thought was the dead. She's been gone eight years, and when he greets her again — thank you, tear in the space-time continuum — they both behave as if one or the other merely spent too much time going out for a bagel. Don't expect any of the racy sex from "Torchwood."
But do expect other varieties of derivative silliness. Working against Cutter's interest are bureaucratic cronies in the Home Office who most of all want to avert a public-relations disaster by keeping the good people of Britain in the dark about all the paleontological terror. James Lester (Ben Miller) wants to throw an innocent woman in prison for the killing of a man chewed up and spit out by a prehistoric shark. The sense of Lester's evil is largely conveyed by his lantern jaw and further depicted by lines like this: "The correct decision is often painful. That's the burden of government."
Maybe "Primeval" wants to serve as an exploration of the People's Right to Know. Or maybe it wants to give rise to its own theme parks.
But it definitely won't make you forget about "Lost."
PRIMEVAL
BBC America, Saturday nights at 9, Eastern and Pacific times; 8 Central time.
Created by Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges; Mr. Haines, executive producer; Mr. Hodges, lead writer; directed by Cilla Ware; Cameron McAllister, producer. An Impossible Pictures production for ITV/ProSieben/M6.
WITH: Douglas Henshall (Professor Nick Cutter), James Murray (Stephen Hart), Andrew-Lee Potts (Connor Temple), Lucy Brown (Claudia Brown), Hannah Spearritt (Abby Maitland), Juliet Aubrey (Helen Cutter), Ben Miller (James Lester) and Mark Wakeling (Tom Ryan).
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/arts/television/08prim.html
Doomed, Again, by the Space-Time Continuum
ITV/Impossible Pictures
Juliet Aubrey and Douglas Henshall in "Primeval," a new BBC America science-fiction series that has its debut on Saturday.
By GINIA BELLAFANTE
Published: August 7, 2008
Over the past few years BBC America has emerged second only to the Sci-Fi Channel as the television outlet most committed to covering all the inconveniences that time travel can produce. It has brought us "Life on Mars," a revised "Doctor Who," and its spinoff, "Torchwood," as if to say, "And you thought airport security lines were a big drag!" British science-fiction television allows for plenty of American cultural imperiousness. The camp factor churned out is fairly high, and with "Primeval," a new series starting Saturday on BBC America, it climbs up Big Ben and right on over the top of the London Eye.
"Primeval" imagines an England threatened by creatures hundreds of millions of years old that look an awful lot like overgrown leftovers from a dinner at Red Lobster. How do they make it to the present day? Well, they're not taking Virgin Atlantic. They are careering through tears in the space-time continuum, and then ravaging their way through the London Underground and suburban housing developments and eating people in public swimming pools. (I wish for once that a space-time hole could deliver someone nice, this time from the future; someone who could show everybody how to eat a whole lemon meringue pie and still lose six pounds by the next day.)
The holes go by the name of anomalies here, and they look vaguely like shattering ice sculptures. Rip through the space-time rift, and you will find yourself at a wedding at Leonard's of Great Neck.
There are good guys and there are bad guys, and they are all fairly easy to pinpoint with the sound off. Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall) is an evolutionary zoologist who, with his team of acolytes and Indiana Jones outfits, is battling the looming national crisis and trying to figure out what his scientist wife (Juliet Aubrey) is doing back from what he thought was the dead. She's been gone eight years, and when he greets her again — thank you, tear in the space-time continuum — they both behave as if one or the other merely spent too much time going out for a bagel. Don't expect any of the racy sex from "Torchwood."
But do expect other varieties of derivative silliness. Working against Cutter's interest are bureaucratic cronies in the Home Office who most of all want to avert a public-relations disaster by keeping the good people of Britain in the dark about all the paleontological terror. James Lester (Ben Miller) wants to throw an innocent woman in prison for the killing of a man chewed up and spit out by a prehistoric shark. The sense of Lester's evil is largely conveyed by his lantern jaw and further depicted by lines like this: "The correct decision is often painful. That's the burden of government."
Maybe "Primeval" wants to serve as an exploration of the People's Right to Know. Or maybe it wants to give rise to its own theme parks.
But it definitely won't make you forget about "Lost."
PRIMEVAL
BBC America, Saturday nights at 9, Eastern and Pacific times; 8 Central time.
Created by Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges; Mr. Haines, executive producer; Mr. Hodges, lead writer; directed by Cilla Ware; Cameron McAllister, producer. An Impossible Pictures production for ITV/ProSieben/M6.
WITH: Douglas Henshall (Professor Nick Cutter), James Murray (Stephen Hart), Andrew-Lee Potts (Connor Temple), Lucy Brown (Claudia Brown), Hannah Spearritt (Abby Maitland), Juliet Aubrey (Helen Cutter), Ben Miller (James Lester) and Mark Wakeling (Tom Ryan).
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/arts/television/08prim.html
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Quote
Love this quote from Einstein:
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
— Albert Einstein
~~~~
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
— Albert Einstein
~~~~
Monday, August 11, 2008
Persian Mirrors by Elaine Sciolino
Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran by Elaine SciolinoMy review
Ooh, want to read this one, I remember how this period of time affected some of my schoolmates. They, when asked where they were from, would sometimes reply "Persia" rather than Iran due to the fear of reprecussions from classmates. Finding out what was REALLY happening in Iran at the time is intriguing.
View all my reviews.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sherrilyn Kenyon: Acheron
Acheron by Sherrilyn KenyonMy review Spoilers below, don't read if you don't wanna know!!!!!!
rating: 5 of 5 stars
So far just barely started the book and I can tell I'm going to love it. I've enjoyed virtually all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter, etc. books. They are in the romance section, but to me they are just good stories.
This one, as warned by the author, may be a little bit difficult for those who've suffered childhood abuse. And so far I've found this to be a true enough warning, though I didn't suffer that kind of abuse myself.
Look forward to the rest of this HUUUUUGGGGE book.
Sunday August 10, 2008
I finished this book in the wee hours of the morning...This was one great, huge (700+pages) book. But worth every last page.
You get Acheron's entire past and how he got so involved with Artemis and how horribly his family treated him. The one person in his human family that cared for him was his sister Ryssa (and later her baby son).
Kenyon does manage to leave a whole new path open of unanswered questions. Due to Acheron no longer being bound to Artemis, and Artemis refusing to allow any more Dark Hunters to go free, Soteria leaves us with a glimpse of there being other ways to get around the issue. And Nick and Artemis winding up together??? That should be interesting.
Here is my question, does the whole Greek pantheon feed on each other or just Apollo and Artemis? (And thus Archeron and Soteria and the Dark Hunters) If not, why just them? And why is Artemis so needy? What is making her react the way she does? If I remember correctly Cupid and Psyche get along with others just fine... Zeus has always been a butt, and a few other gods as well, but what makes Apollo and Artemis the way they are...
And was Acheron just hallucinating when locked in Artemis' little room when he heard Ryssa's voice? Or will she reappear later.. kind a hope so , hope she and her son are able to be brought back...I really liked them, but am not counting on it. Even as reincarnated beings...
And will Acheron and Soteria have kids? Time will tell...But I did like how how Acheron found out he had more friends, and real friends, than he thought...
the story of Jaden is supposed to come soon. That should be interesting.
View all my reviews.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Jane Yolen: Briar Rose
Briar Rose by Jane YolenMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is listed as a young adult book...I disagree, it is for everyone from their teens upwards. A most excellent telling of a young girls revelations about her grandmother's past.
The details of her grandmothers experiences during the Holocaust are harrowing and a bit devastating. Definitely a book that should be put on the must read list for high school, during the same period of reading Anne Frank.
Cannot recommend this book, and it's author enough. I have been a fan of Jane Yolen for longer than I can remember. I don't even remember what the first book of hers is that I read, LOL.
But Briar Rose is a deep, thought provoking story that needs to be read.
View all my reviews.
Raphael Patai: The Hebrew Goddess
The Hebrew Goddess 3rd Enlarged Edition by Raphael PataiMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This has been recommended from several sources, most notably, Patricia Monaghan, and the members of the yahoo group Jewitch.
Birthday gift from my sister, August 2008. Yeaaaaaa!
Thanks, sis!!!!
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Also arriving soon
Boudicca (from Kelli)
Oya (6") coming this fall
And from Kelli's most talented wonderfully creative daughter, Lady Rhanna, comes these adorable pillows.
Oya (6") coming this fall
And from Kelli's most talented wonderfully creative daughter, Lady Rhanna, comes these adorable pillows.
My newest additions!
Isn't she just beautiful!!! My newest addition to my dancinggoddessdoll.com family. Kelli made this as a special order for me. I wanted to commemorate the most blissful moment in my life for my 43rd birthday. She custom made an Ajysit doll for me...a blue swaddled baby to represent my son John, shell-headband to represent my name, a green necklace to represent my birthstone of Peridot, and a green dress as it is one of my favorite colors. The hair has a story too, with strands of brown, blond and red throughout and a streak of gray right over the right temple. I am enamored with her and she hasn't even arrived yet, Kelli said she mailed it yesterday and I should get it anytime. I cannot wait!!!
She arrived today (7 August 2008). And I'm in love!
Here she is in all her glory (well, as well as a picture of mine can give her.)
And this is my other present to myself: A Pompasita Bottle by antb (Antonia). I saw this on her esty site Ant's Pottery and I nearly died laughing. I knew then and there I had to have it. Humor being in short supply here, anything that makes me laugh is welcome, and I'm sure that it will continue to bring a chuckle or giggle or two as time goes by. She has a couple of other pieces I have my eye on, but will have to wait a good while for.
She arrived today (7 August 2008). And I'm in love!
Here she is in all her glory (well, as well as a picture of mine can give her.)
And this is my other present to myself: A Pompasita Bottle by antb (Antonia). I saw this on her esty site Ant's Pottery and I nearly died laughing. I knew then and there I had to have it. Humor being in short supply here, anything that makes me laugh is welcome, and I'm sure that it will continue to bring a chuckle or giggle or two as time goes by. She has a couple of other pieces I have my eye on, but will have to wait a good while for.
The Seventh Unicorn by Kelly JonesMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Was a pretty good read, a wee, tiny bit slow to get into it, but once you are...
Very much a tale regarding the origins of the well known medeival tapestries. Interesting viewpoint, and not entirely without merit.
It does flip back and forth between the past and the present, and the ties between them.
View all my reviews.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Jenny McCarthy: Belly Laughs
Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthyMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book,as well as her others, is too too funny. Any woman who has EVER given birth will appreciate her perspective. Any woman who is thinking about having a baby should read it, as long as it doesn't scare you off, LOL. She approaches the less appealing aspects of motherhood with sarcasm and wit.
If you need a laugh, this is for you.
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Joanne Harris: Chocolat
Chocolat by Joanne HarrisMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the book and I loved the movie equally. Read the book first (after buying the dvd) and they really aren't the same...similar, but not the same...
But I loved them both. I count the movie as one of my all time favorites (with Whale Rider and Roman Holiday). The movie is beautifully done and tells the story it is meant to tell.
But the characters in the book! Wow! I just loved them all, well nearly all...the priest was a bit of a jerk.
There are basic similarities to Like Water for Chocolate in that the alchemy of emotions and cooking are prevalent in both.
Read the book, watch the movie, and enjoy both! Can't wait to read the sequel to this book, plus the 2 or 3 others of hers sitting on my shelf whispering my name.
View all my reviews.
Scott O'Dell: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'DellMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had, and read, this book as a child and it has stayed with me since. I absolutely loved this book. So much so that even recently I researched the true story the book is based on...which I have to say does not end so well, really making me wish I hadn't looked it up.
As with most aboriginal tribes in North America coming in contact with other peoples, her culture was wiped out. No one really knows what happened to them, whether they were assimilated into another tribe thru capture, or died due to exposure to relatively minor diseases of the european descended settlers.
Mr. O'Dell does a wonderful job with this story for young readers. The pictures he weaves with words still stays with me nearly 30 years later. This is one of the FEW books on the required/accelerated reading lists that I think really belongs for younger readers. Usually the books are so depressing and grim, that they really aren't appropriate for youngsters who are undergoing such tremendous changes anyway...
View all my reviews.
quote
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
The memory should be specially taxed in youth, since it is then that it is strongest and most tenacious. But in choosing the things that should be committed to memory the utmost care and forethought must be exercised; as lessons well learnt in youth are never forgotten.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer
The memory should be specially taxed in youth, since it is then that it is strongest and most tenacious. But in choosing the things that should be committed to memory the utmost care and forethought must be exercised; as lessons well learnt in youth are never forgotten.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Kathleen McGowan: The Expected One
The Expected One: A Novel by Kathleen McGowanMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
NOTE::::: not for those who won't accept the possibility of MM and Jesus having a bloodline that still possibly exists.
Started this book, decided after reading the afterward and author's notes that I need one to highlight. So will return to library and keep an eye out for my own copy.
Okay, now half-way thru,changed my mind about buying it for myself...will just read the library book and when the sequels come out will do the same.
It is pretty well written, and rehashes some "theories" already out there, but a little different take than The DaVinci Code. Definitely harsh on Paul (in my mind that's okay by me, don't care for him anyhow), John the Baptist, and several others. Also doesn't idealizes DaVinci like the other book did.
I guess learning a bit more about the author has tinted my view of the book, as I was actually enjoying it before googling her and then "hearing" some of her actual beliefs from her own posts...I actually suppose that if I could speak to her face to face she wouldn't seem so....out there. But to read it without tone and inflection, she sounds a little loony. But her right and that's okay. She actually sounds like people I used to hang around a lot with before I moved to "small-town" America.
Some of the plot themes are now hindering my enjoyment of the book as well, but if it had been written about entirely fictional characters, would not be bothering me...so I adjust my thinking for that.
I don't want to turn anyone off the book, it isn't bad at all. Just my own preconceived notions block my complete enjoyment of the book.
I can accept the possibility of MM and Easa being wed and having children, that, in my mind, is NOT outside the realm of possibility. Nor is the presumption that she may have held a more "pure" interpretation of Easa's teachings. That also is firmly entrenched in my brain as not only acceptable, but probable.
But for the executions of Marie Antoinette and Louis as part of a grand scheme to wipe out the bloodline, ordered by the RC church seems just a wee bit farfetched...but that's okay too...whatever moves the plot along. And I know that some believe all the "theories" surrounding the legend of MM. But bits and pieces of it bug me, and I cannot explain why.
So read the book, make your own mind up...but it is most assuredly NOT FOR the most conservative christian mind.
Update:::: 1 August 2008
Finished book. Enjoyed it so much better there at the last half of the book. While it does go over SOME of the same material as DaVinci Code, it takes quite a few sudden turns away from it as well. As noted before, the issue of DaVinci is quite a bit different.
The author relates in the AUTHOR'S NOTE at the end of the book that it is based much on her own experiences. This is where I had a minor problem. Not a problem for me now, but it was while in the midst of reading it. Despite that, if even half of what she puts forward in this book is, in fact, well, factual and real, then it is impressive and hopeful. I am looking forward to the next part of the series.
The ONLY reservations I had with this book is the fact that I am overly skeptical when I cannot discern tone and intent because of no "face to face" interaction. Many of her, for lack of a better word, theories I do hold with. A lot of them I grew up believing, in some depth or another.
I have always had a problem with the church's stance on women's roles, Paul's theology, the lack of info on the female's in Jesus' life, and the dismissal of even the possiblity that Jesus could have married and had a family. Being a Jew of the times, it would have been strange if he did not. And Pope Gregory, I think it was, that made Mary Magdalene a prostitute did a great disservice to her. She was the one, the only one, who witnessed Jesus' return after the crucifixion. She was also termed the Apostle to the Apostles. And Jesus' closest companion. I believe these are all mentioned in the accepted form of the Bible. For her to be so denigrated as she has been for 2000 years is reprehensible and disgraceful. Not only for her, but for the church and for women everywhere.
I still am a bit skeptical of the author's assertions about Marie Antoinette, the Borgia's and various artists, but then I've never really done much research on the aforementioned people due to lack of interest.
Read this book with a somewhat open mind. The author writes a good story, whether or not you believe it is a fictional account of her own experiences.
View all my reviews.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Bill Bryson: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill BrysonMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Anyone who has EVER backpacked, had anything to do with roughing in camping, the Appalachian Trail, should get a kick out of this book.
Bryson has a wit about him that I truly appreciate. You can visualize the various incidents and the frustrations and absurdity behind each one.
This book is just plain humorous, like most of Bryson's books!
View all my reviews.
Edain McCoy: Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses
Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses by Edain McCoyMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Some people don't like Edain McCoy's books, they relegate them to "fluffy-bunny" status. I personally despise that term and think that the ones who use it are self-important wanna be know-it-alls. There, I said it, LOL. Whatever level ANYONE is in their own search for faith and spirituality should never be demeaned and condescended to as these people who use such a term tend to do.
I liked this book, it was more of a dictionary for me of some of the lesser known (to me) deities and figures in celtic mythos. The rituals would be helpful to those who use them, I personally would only use someone else's to build upon to make my own, if I were so inclined. But this is her, McCoy's, path and choice. She did a pretty decent job in this book.
Although the elitist crowd will still look down on her work, if you are just beginning your studies into Celtic Myth, then this is a good reference.
Also look into Patricia Monaghan!
View all my reviews.
Jo Frost: Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children
Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children by Jo FrostMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Really, it's just common sense parenting tips. At least it was in my family as I was growing up. Well, partly. And of all the idiot reality shows out there, hers ranks as one of the few that are worth watching to me... though it is painful to watch at times, LOL.
Should be read BEFORE you have kids, or at least before they start talking and walking... because it is so much easier to start at the beginning than to change gears in mid-trip.
View all my reviews.
Jill Churchill, Grace and Favor: In The Still Of The Night
In the Still of the Night: A Grace and Favor Mystery by Jill ChurchillMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first I read of the Grace and Favor books, book 2 I believe. It was the only one at the nearest library they had (the other one had most of the others). This one got me hooked, but it isn't my favorite, Someone To Watch Over Me is my favorite.
The plot of this one, if I remember (being a few months ago that I read the one's I've read) was pretty good. It wasn't the easiest one I've read, so that's good.
Again, as with the other Grace and Favor books, you get a bit of a history lesson with your read.
Blurb from Author's site:
In the Still of the Night
Lily Brewster and her brother Robert have all the appearances of being rich even though the family fortune went out the window with the crash of 1929. But thanks to great-uncle Horatio who left them Grace and Favor Cottage, a huge mansion, the Brewsters live in the style which they had become accustomed. To make sure they didn't go back to being society bums, crafty old Horatio attached some strings to his bequest–the poor Brewsters have to work for money to survive When Lily came up with the ideas to turn a profit by luring their society friends to Grace and Favor for a paying weekend, she didn't plan on a who-dun-it with one guest dead, one missing, and Lily and Robert chasing a murderer.
View all my reviews.
Jill Churchill, Grace and Favor: Someone To Watch Over Me
Someone to Watch Over Me by Jill ChurchillMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I liked this book the best of all the Grace and Favor books. The author enlightened me to even more of 1930's history, such as The Bonus Army, the despicable actions of Hoover and MacArthur (yes, THAT MacArthur) with the somewhat unwilling participation of Eisenhower as well. (this last bit I found out while researching the Bonus Army and the horrid things they went thru due to the mistreatment and disregard of the government...sound familiar?)
Of all of Jill Churchill's books, this one I most recommend. This one has a period of our history that we forgot and need to remember, especially during our own time of war today. We need to make sure, irregardless of our own opinions of the war- for or against- that those that fight and defend us in the USA and other places are treated with respect and dignity and taken care of when they return.
Blurb from Author's Site:
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Lily and Robert each have a murder to solve. Robert’s is discovered when he’s got helpers taking down the old ice house in the woods to reuse the wood. It’s an almost mummified body of a well-dressed man. Robert can’t stand not knowing how and when and why he got there.
Meanwhile, Lily is at the Voorburg Ladies League meeting when Police Chief Walker arrives to tell one of the other women her husband’s been killed. Lily is determined to get to the bottom of this before the Police Chief can.
While lots of people’s old secrets are revealed and picked apart by the brother and the sister, Jack Summer has gone to take a first hand look at the Bonus March going on in Washington D.C. and gets into the thick of the horror there.
There are some surprising twists and turns as all three stories are resolved.
View all my reviews.
Jill Churchill, Grace and Favor: Love For Sale
Love for Sale: A Grace & Favor Mystery by Jill ChurchillMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
As much as I like the Grace and Favor books, this one just didn't live up to the others as much. But it is still good and I do recommend.
It was a weird, convoluted read, and while you may pick the "bad guy" out early on, and the reasons behind it, it still takes you for a mental rollercoaster of a ride trying to sort out the stories.
Blurb from Author's site:
LOVE FOR SALE
Sister and brother Lily and Robert Brewster raised in the lap of luxury, may no longer have a penny to their names. But at least they have a roof over their heads — which is more than may can say in this bleak November of 1932. And now there’s even some cash rolling in, since the Brewsters have taken part time teaching duties at the local grade school.
But their luck turns sour when a mysteriously and badly disguised stranger comes to Grace and Favor wishing to pay generously to have a very secret meeting there shortly before the national election of either Hoover or Roosevelt. Are they gangsters? Pretty Boy Floyd is rumored to be somewhere near. Worse yet, are they a rabid political group trying to stop Roosevelt being elected at last minute by making up some real dirt about him?
When one of the mystery guests is murdered in his bath, and Mary Towerton’s little boy is kidnapped, the pace becomes hectic. In the end a local woman Lily has made friends with, a secretary from upriver, and one of the children at the school provide the vital clues that allow Lily to put two and two together, but only after a wild car chase with three women drivers.
View all my reviews.
Jill Churchill, Grace and Favor: It Had To Be You
Who's Sorry Now?: A Grace & Favor Mystery by Jill ChurchillMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoy Jill Churchill's Grace and Favor books, but haven't read nearly enough of them, LOL. I learned a lot of history just by researching some of the social situations she mentions and/or alludes to in her books.
This book was a really good read, but I did kind of wonder about the swastika mentioned in the book. I wondered if that really would have had such an impact before WWII as after. That would be my only real criticism.
Recommended for any who enjoy mysteries set in the depression era, or anyone who loves cozies.
Blurb from Author's site (www.cozybooks.com):
WHO'S SORRY NOW?
Sister and Brother duo Lily and Robert Brewster may not have a penny to their names, but at least they are in good company. Times are bad for the whole country in 1933. The town's post office burned down and wasn't replaced, so the mail gets dumped off in bags by trains going up the Hudson River, and people have to rummage for their letters and packages.
When a shocked Robert hears a group of gossipy old women going through other people's mail and even threatening to destroy it, he knows something must be don. Perhaps the kindly porter at the train station who recently help haul bags and trunks for a young woman and her newly arrived German Grandfather, would sort throught the mail in a orderly and private fashion.
But when the porter is found dead, and a red swastika is painted on the German's tailor's new shop window, Robert knows that something deeper and more sinister is going on. Even back at Grace and Favor, the town's best handymen, Harry and Jim Harbinger, are hired to pull out some dead bushes in front of the house, a very old skeleton is is found tanlgled in the roots, which Lily finds interesting when a visiting archeologist carefully unearths it. Robert's not happy about this.
View all my reviews.
Jill Churchill, Grace and Favor: Who's Sorry Now, Bk
It Had to Be You: A Grace & Favor Mystery by Jill ChurchillMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I must say, I like the Grace and Favor books better than the Jane Jeffrey books (not that I dislike them). In these books, I learned a bit of history I didn't learn in high school. But then that isn't hard considering that in the south that I grew up in most of American History classes revolved around the Civil War. The era just before FDR came to be president is a bit of a blur. Churchill's books, while fiction, helped fill in some details...and trust me, I checked if some of these were real incidents or not. And they were.
These are not "heavy thinking" books, they are cozies to be enjoyed as a relatively quick read. Despite that, I really recommend these books for history buffs as well as cozy readers.
Here is the blurb from the author's site:
IT HAD TO BE YOU
CIt’s the 3rd of March 1933, the day before Franklin Roosevelt’s inauguration and Robert goes to Washington D.C. for the event. While he’s gone, Lily is visiting a nursing home close to Grace and Favor. The owner, Miss Twibell, an experienced nurse who owns it, is minus an assistant nurse. She wants to hire Lily and Robert.
One of the patients, a nasty old man, Sean Connor, is the only patient who is seriously ill, and not expected to live very much longer. The first day the Brewster’s work there, he goes into a coma and dies. Nobody’s surprised until it’s revealed that he’s been murdered. Chief of Police Walker can’t imagine why somebody would bother to murder old Mr. Connor when he had only hours to live. Several people visited that morning.
Walker also has another crime to deal with. A young man was reported to have been pushed into an almost frozen lake near a town upriver before last Christmas. No body was found. Now, when the ice started the spring break-up, a body came to the surface, so deteriorated that nobody can figure out who it might be. Walker interviews some of the neighbors. Then having given the temporarily disabled chief of police a bit of advice, before going back to Voorburg.
Walker, helped along by Lily and Robert’s snooping, begins to see the patterns in both crimes starting to turn into good theories. But lacking solid proof, he has to call on Lily and Robert to acquire a vital piece of evidence.
View all my reviews.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nice video
Cat had this posted on her blog and I loved it, so I snitched it, LOL...enjoy this youtube video. To quote Cat:
Next time you have trouble blessing the earth, or loving your fellow human, remember this. Watch it again. Yeah, you can see signs of how troubled we all are--there's poverty, and women and girls are noticeably absent from shots from some cultures.
But what there is not is anyone to hate. What there is not is any enemy, anywhere. And, guess what? That's really true. (I know; God told me so.)
There's only us. There's only us--a little broken, maybe. A little silly looking even, when we dance alone. But we can laugh, and we can dance.
L'chaim, everybody. Blessed be.(And thanks to deborah oak, for posting this, and to Matt Harding, for crafting it.)
Cleo Coyle
Cleo Coyle
Pseudonym for Alice Kimberly.
Cleo Coyle is the pen name for Alice Alfonsi, who writes with her husband, Marc Cerasini.
This popular married writing team was born and raised in Pittsburgh, met in New York City, and married in Las Vegas.
Together they've authored a number of bestselling books.
As Cleo Coyle, they write The Coffeehouse Mysteries.
As Alice Kimberly, they write The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.
website: http://www.coffeehousemysteries.com/
______________________________________
Pseudonym for Alice Kimberly.
Cleo Coyle is the pen name for Alice Alfonsi, who writes with her husband, Marc Cerasini.
This popular married writing team was born and raised in Pittsburgh, met in New York City, and married in Las Vegas.
Together they've authored a number of bestselling books.
As Cleo Coyle, they write The Coffeehouse Mysteries.
As Alice Kimberly, they write The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.
website: http://www.coffeehousemysteries.com/
______________________________________
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law Artwork
The beautiful artwork of Stephanie Pui-Mun Law: http://www.shadowscapes.com/
Here are a couple of examples:
The Empress
The Queen of Cups
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Here are a couple of examples:
The Empress
The Queen of Cups
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Great blog
I found this blog thru another blog, and really liked it, so thought I would share here...take a look, especially if you like cute crocheted critters and yummy looking vegetarian cooking.
http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/
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http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/
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When Women Were Priests: Women's Leadership in the Early Church and the Scandal of Their Subordination in by Karen J. TorjesenMy review
Wow, just checked my book and it's a first edition, wouldn't ya know...
I've had this book for quite a while, started reading it a long time ago (there is a book marker in there where I took a note on a showing of Riverdance, hmmmm)
If anyone is interested in the roles of women in the early Catholic church, this would be a good book to read.
View all my reviews.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Another book I want
The Hebrew Goddess 3rd Enlarged Edition by Raphael PataiMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This has been recommended from several sources, most notably, Patricia Monaghan, and the members of the yahoo group Jewitch. Need to find it first.
If anyone has a copy of this book and would like to sell, at a reasonable price, i.e. not as high as amazon or such, I'd be willing to buy.
View all my reviews.
Selected bibliography from wikipedia
Patai, Raphael. (1998) Arab folktales from Palestine and Israel. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael; (1998) The children of Noah: Jewish seafaring in ancient times. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1997) Jadåid al-Islām: The Jewish "new Muslims" of Meshhed Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1996) The Jewish mind. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1996) The Jews of Hungary: History, culture, psychology. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, József; Patai, Raphael. (1995) Souls and secrets: Hasidic stories. Northvale, N.J.: J. Aronson.
Patai, Raphael; Goldsmith, Emanuel S.. (1995) Events and movements in Modern Judaism. New York: Paragon House.
Patai, Raphael. (1994) The Jewish alchemists: A history and source book. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Patai, Raphael; Goldsmith, Emanuel S.. (1994) Thinkers and teachers of modern Judaism. New York, N.Y.: Paragon House.
Brauer, Erich; Patai, Raphael. (1993) The Jews of Kurdistan. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1990) The Hebrew Goddess. 3rd enl. / edition. Detroit, Mich.: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael; Patai, Jennifer. (1989) The myth of the Jewish race. Rev. edition. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1988) Gates to the Old City: A book of Jewish legends. Northvale, N.J.: J. Aronson.
Patai, Raphael. (1988) Apprentice in Budapest: Memories of a world that is no more. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press.reprint
Goldziher, Ignác; Patai, Raphael. (1987) Ignaz Goldziher and his Oriental diary: A translation and psychological portrait. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1987) Nahum Goldmann: His missions to the Gentiles. University, Ala.: University of Alabama Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1987) The seed of Abraham: Jews and Arabs in contact and conflict. 1st paperback edition. New York: Scribner.
Patai, Raphael. (1986) The seed of Abraham: Jews and Arabs in contact and conflict. Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1984) The Kingdom of Jordan. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
Graves, Robert; Patai, Raphael. (1983) Hebrew myths: The book of Genesis. New York: Greenwich House.
Patai, Raphael. (197; 1983; 2002) The Arab Mind. Rev. edition. New York: Scribner. Reprint with introduction by Norvell de Atkine, Hatherleigh Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1983) On Jewish folklore. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Sanua, Victor D.; (ed.). (1983) Fields of offerings: Studies in honor of Raphael Patai. Rutherford N.J.: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1981) Gates to the Old City: A book of Jewish legends. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael; Rosow, Eugene; Kleiman, Vivian. (1981) The vanished worlds of Jewry. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
Patai, Raphael. (1980) The vanished worlds of Jewry. 1st American edition. New York: Macmillan.
Patai, Raphael. (1980) Gates to the Old City: A book of Jewish legends. New York, N.Y.: Avon.
Patai, Raphael. (1979) The Messiah texts. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1979) The Messiah texts. New York: Avon.
Patai, Raphael. (1977) "The Jewish Mind. New York: Scribner.
Patai, Raphael. (1976) The Arab Mind. New York: Scribner.
Patai, Raphael; Patai, Jennifer. (1975) The myth of the Jewish race. New York: Scribner.
Patai, Raphael. (1973) The Arab Mind. New York: Scribner.
Patai, Raphael. (1973) Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria: An annotated bibliography. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Patai, Raphael; Utley, Francis Lee; Noy, Dov. (1973) Studies in Biblical and Jewish folklore. New York: Haskell House Publishers.
Patai, Raphael. (1971) Tents of Jacob: The Diaspora, yesterday and today. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Patai, Raphael. (1971) Encyclopedia of Zionism and Israel. New York: Herzl Press.
Patai, Raphael (ed.) (1971) Essays in Zionist history and thought. New York: Herzl Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1968) The Hebrew goddess. New York: Ktav Publishing House. reprint with an introduction by Merlin Stone
Patai, Raphael. (1967) Golden River to Golden Road: Society, culture, and change in the Middle East 2nd edition. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1967) Women in the modern world. New York: Free Press.
Graves, Robert; Patai, Raphael. (1964) Hebrew myths: The book of Genesis. 1st edition. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.
Patai, Raphael. (1959) Sex and the Family in the Bible and the Middle East. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.
Patai, Raphael. (1958) The Kingdom of Jordan. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Patai, Raphael. (1947) Man and Temple in Ancient Jewish Myth and Ritual. New York: Nelson.
Friday, July 18, 2008
My friends blog entry
She makes a valid point on dealing with doctors and chronic illnesses. They are butts, but anywho.
Here's the link to her post:
http://www.lemon-aideonline.com/?p=31
She says that astronomers ought to be doctors because they always like exploring the unknown!
Here's the link to her post:
http://www.lemon-aideonline.com/?p=31
She says that astronomers ought to be doctors because they always like exploring the unknown!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Undiscovered by Debra WingerMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just checked this out of the library and am only a few pages into it. I'm impressed so far. I will have to say that I am surprised, because I remember that Debra Winger had a "reputation" of being difficult to work with. But after I saw her, briefly, on The View, and saw this book, I think the label was not exactly deserved. Or rather misunderstood.
But she has sketches, poems and other stuff in the book too, at least so far. She also includes a snippet from "Shadowlands", a really good movie with her and Anthony Hopkins about CS Lewis and Joy (can't remember her last name)
will write more on this later!
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
From "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List"
page 42
"Cozy" refers to the tone of a mystery and is most often used to describe mysteries in the amateur sleuth subgenre. In a cozy mystery, vilence and graphic language are kept to a minimum. The mood of the story is gentle, civilized, and refined. Most of the characters know each other, and the murder takes place in a closed environment, such as a countery estate or small town."
page 208
Julia Child a spy? Yes! Child met her future husband Paul Child during World War II when they were both stationed in Thailand working in the OSS (the precursor to the CIA).
"Cozy" refers to the tone of a mystery and is most often used to describe mysteries in the amateur sleuth subgenre. In a cozy mystery, vilence and graphic language are kept to a minimum. The mood of the story is gentle, civilized, and refined. Most of the characters know each other, and the murder takes place in a closed environment, such as a countery estate or small town."
page 208
Julia Child a spy? Yes! Child met her future husband Paul Child during World War II when they were both stationed in Thailand working in the OSS (the precursor to the CIA).
Childs, Laura: Frill Kill
Book Description from Goodreads.com
published October 2nd 2007 by Berkley Hardcover
binding Hardcover
isbn 0425217302 (isbn13: 9780425217306)
pages 288
This Halloween, the bestselling mystery author makes New Orleans even spookier than usual. Carmela's friend Ava is having a Halloween bash at her scrapbooking store, and she hires a sexy Tarot reader named Giovanni to work the crowd. What he doesn't foretell is that on her way home Carmela will find the body of a beautiful model behind a Dumpster, and be attacked herself. But he's the one who appears to save her-or was he already there? Giovanni's the number one suspect, but Ava is determined to stand by her employee...even if he does have a way of dodging questions. Ava and Carmela have plenty of other strange leads to follow up, like the tooth marks around the victim's neck, and the non-human hairs found at the scene. As the witching hour draws closer, Carmela must discover what's lurking in the shadows of the French Quarter-or the only thing left to scrapbook will be her death certificate.
Book excerpts:
Chapter 4, page 31-
Flicking the lights on, Carmela's eyes fell upon a collection of miniature paper theaters. Those little half-completed objects made her smile again. Her regulars were always pressing her for new and creative projects, projects that incorporated scrapbooking, paper arts, rubber stamping, embossing, tag art, and even calligraphy. And after a little consideration, Carmela had come up with these crazy little paper theaters.
First made popular in the eighteenth century, paper theaters re-created opera sets, Punch and Judy shows, fairy tales, tales of Greek mythology, Wild West shows, children's stories, and pretty much anything you could think of.
Gabby had turned a fourteen-by-fourteen-inch wooden box into a Venetian theater, complete with marbleized columns, tiny velvet curtains, movable pieces of scenery, and a top cornice that included a small clock flanked by gilded masks. Her cast of miniature cardboard characters included clowns, minstrels, circus performers, and magicians.
Carmela herself had taken a cardboard gift box with top flaps, flipped it on end, and was working on turning it into a Theatre de la Vampyr. Looking very much like a triptych now, she had a added a purple velvet backdrop, black and silver paint, and a miniature lamppost. Spooky castle turrets out of plastic modeling clay. She was going to add wax seals, purple tassels, and miniature iron gates to the proscenium and was searching for some bits of black lace to really stylize it.
Chapter 15, page 142-3
Carmela took a sheet of paper and spread it across the tombstone, taping it in position with strips of masking tape. Then she carefully ran a hand over the paper to ensure no bubbles or bumps would interfere with her rubbing.
"I think a charcoal gray would offer the most contrast on white," she said, selecting a piece of chalk.
"Wouldn't black work better?"
"First we'll get the words and details down," explained Carmela. "Then later, back at my shop, I can always use black to outline the letters and carvings, really make 'em pop."
"So you just use regular chalk?" asked Ava.
"Archival chalk. It's softer and will capture the best impression from the stone."
"Sidewalk chalk's not good enough, huh?" sad Ava.
....
"This chalk's better," said Carmela. "Watch." She bent over and started rubbing the chalk against the paper. She started off slowly, then moved on to bolder and larger strokes. Amazingly, the impression of the stone began to appear in even greater detail than it had originally looked to the naked eye. Cracks and fine lines materialized, making the flat sheet of paper seem almost three-dimensional.
Chapter 17, page 159-160
"Do you have a new idea?" asked Tandy, looking interested.
Carmella nodded. "I was going to save this project for my Dream Weaver classes, but it might be fun to take a test run."
"On what?" asked Baby.
Carmela stood up, slid out one of the drawers in her flat file, and pulled out two white cardboard templates. "They're templates for purses," she said, laying the pieces in front of Baby and Tandy. "I've got these two all ready to go." She paused. "Here's the thing. First you stamp and decorate them, which is a lot trickier than it sounds. Then you fold them up so they really look like a constructed handbag. See, I've already made dotted lines for folding. to finish them off, you add side tabs, a handle, and maybe a fancy closure."
"What's the finished size?" asked Baby. She was already folding her template, eager to get a sense of what her little purse would look like when it was finished.
"About eight inches long, six inches tall," said Carmela.
"A purse," said Tandy, slowly warming up to the idea. "For what purpose?"
"Decorated with beads and fibers, they make adorable gift bags," said Carmela. "For jewelry or candles. Or a piece of lingerie. Or maybe even some homade cookies."
p.162
Carmela figured she'd procrastinated as much as she could and now had to buckle down. So she dragged her papier-mache pumpkins out from her office.
"YOu're doing more pumpkins?" asked Baby.
"For Halloween luminarias," said Carmela. "To line the runway at Moda Chadron."
....
She was busy painting the papier-mache pumkin with a coat of adhesive.
....
Gabby slit open a package of gold foil and handed a piece to Carmela. It was thin, flimsy material and required a delicate touch.
Carmela put a finger to her adhesive, testing it. Perfect. Tacky, but no longer wet. She took the sheet of gold foil and applied it to the surface of the pumpkin. Then she worked the foil carefully, patting it, smoothing out wrinkles as she went along.
"That looks good," said Gabby.
Carmela eased another piece on, continued to smooth it gently. When the entire pumpkin was covered, she'd take a small dry rag and wipe it all over the surface. That technique would smooth out any final wrinkles, flake off any extraneous pieces.
Chapter 23, page 226
"Ephemera. I keep hearing about it as the newest thing, but I'm not sure exactly..."
"Carmela?" said Gabby. "Do you want to ..."
"Ephemera is and isn't new," said Carmela. "It's new as a kind of hot topic in scrapbooking and collecting, but it's really about old things."
"Explain please," said the woman, looking even more interested.
"The term, ephemera, is meant to define something short-lived or transitory. Particularly paper documents. And by that I mean sheet music, vintage postcards, old maps, tourist brochures, antique valentines, catalog pages, and such."
"I get it," said the woman, nodding.
"Some people love to incorporate ephemera into their scrapbooks," said Carmela. "There ws a woman in here last week who was doing a scrapbook for her future daughter-in-law. She mixed photos of her son as a child with things like his old report cards, his Captain Midnight manual, a book report, and some old postcards he had sent from camp."
"What a wonderful idea," said the woman.
"Of course," said Carmela, "you can use just a piece or two to enhance a scrapbook page. An old valentine juxtaposed with a wedding photo, and antique playbill with a school play, an old map for a scrapbook page detailing a vacation."
The above are excerpts from the book that looked like interesting projects. There are other tips and some recipes in the back of the book (I just photocopied them, mostly so I can read them, even do it to the ones I buy, check the book out of the library and copy them as my eyes now hate me, LOL)...as with all her books there are always extras in the back!!
Chapter 4, page 31-
Flicking the lights on, Carmela's eyes fell upon a collection of miniature paper theaters. Those little half-completed objects made her smile again. Her regulars were always pressing her for new and creative projects, projects that incorporated scrapbooking, paper arts, rubber stamping, embossing, tag art, and even calligraphy. And after a little consideration, Carmela had come up with these crazy little paper theaters.
First made popular in the eighteenth century, paper theaters re-created opera sets, Punch and Judy shows, fairy tales, tales of Greek mythology, Wild West shows, children's stories, and pretty much anything you could think of.
Gabby had turned a fourteen-by-fourteen-inch wooden box into a Venetian theater, complete with marbleized columns, tiny velvet curtains, movable pieces of scenery, and a top cornice that included a small clock flanked by gilded masks. Her cast of miniature cardboard characters included clowns, minstrels, circus performers, and magicians.
Carmela herself had taken a cardboard gift box with top flaps, flipped it on end, and was working on turning it into a Theatre de la Vampyr. Looking very much like a triptych now, she had a added a purple velvet backdrop, black and silver paint, and a miniature lamppost. Spooky castle turrets out of plastic modeling clay. She was going to add wax seals, purple tassels, and miniature iron gates to the proscenium and was searching for some bits of black lace to really stylize it.
Chapter 15, page 142-3
Carmela took a sheet of paper and spread it across the tombstone, taping it in position with strips of masking tape. Then she carefully ran a hand over the paper to ensure no bubbles or bumps would interfere with her rubbing.
"I think a charcoal gray would offer the most contrast on white," she said, selecting a piece of chalk.
"Wouldn't black work better?"
"First we'll get the words and details down," explained Carmela. "Then later, back at my shop, I can always use black to outline the letters and carvings, really make 'em pop."
"So you just use regular chalk?" asked Ava.
"Archival chalk. It's softer and will capture the best impression from the stone."
"Sidewalk chalk's not good enough, huh?" sad Ava.
....
"This chalk's better," said Carmela. "Watch." She bent over and started rubbing the chalk against the paper. She started off slowly, then moved on to bolder and larger strokes. Amazingly, the impression of the stone began to appear in even greater detail than it had originally looked to the naked eye. Cracks and fine lines materialized, making the flat sheet of paper seem almost three-dimensional.
Chapter 17, page 159-160
"Do you have a new idea?" asked Tandy, looking interested.
Carmella nodded. "I was going to save this project for my Dream Weaver classes, but it might be fun to take a test run."
"On what?" asked Baby.
Carmela stood up, slid out one of the drawers in her flat file, and pulled out two white cardboard templates. "They're templates for purses," she said, laying the pieces in front of Baby and Tandy. "I've got these two all ready to go." She paused. "Here's the thing. First you stamp and decorate them, which is a lot trickier than it sounds. Then you fold them up so they really look like a constructed handbag. See, I've already made dotted lines for folding. to finish them off, you add side tabs, a handle, and maybe a fancy closure."
"What's the finished size?" asked Baby. She was already folding her template, eager to get a sense of what her little purse would look like when it was finished.
"About eight inches long, six inches tall," said Carmela.
"A purse," said Tandy, slowly warming up to the idea. "For what purpose?"
"Decorated with beads and fibers, they make adorable gift bags," said Carmela. "For jewelry or candles. Or a piece of lingerie. Or maybe even some homade cookies."
p.162
Carmela figured she'd procrastinated as much as she could and now had to buckle down. So she dragged her papier-mache pumpkins out from her office.
"YOu're doing more pumpkins?" asked Baby.
"For Halloween luminarias," said Carmela. "To line the runway at Moda Chadron."
....
She was busy painting the papier-mache pumkin with a coat of adhesive.
....
Gabby slit open a package of gold foil and handed a piece to Carmela. It was thin, flimsy material and required a delicate touch.
Carmela put a finger to her adhesive, testing it. Perfect. Tacky, but no longer wet. She took the sheet of gold foil and applied it to the surface of the pumpkin. Then she worked the foil carefully, patting it, smoothing out wrinkles as she went along.
"That looks good," said Gabby.
Carmela eased another piece on, continued to smooth it gently. When the entire pumpkin was covered, she'd take a small dry rag and wipe it all over the surface. That technique would smooth out any final wrinkles, flake off any extraneous pieces.
Chapter 23, page 226
"Ephemera. I keep hearing about it as the newest thing, but I'm not sure exactly..."
"Carmela?" said Gabby. "Do you want to ..."
"Ephemera is and isn't new," said Carmela. "It's new as a kind of hot topic in scrapbooking and collecting, but it's really about old things."
"Explain please," said the woman, looking even more interested.
"The term, ephemera, is meant to define something short-lived or transitory. Particularly paper documents. And by that I mean sheet music, vintage postcards, old maps, tourist brochures, antique valentines, catalog pages, and such."
"I get it," said the woman, nodding.
"Some people love to incorporate ephemera into their scrapbooks," said Carmela. "There ws a woman in here last week who was doing a scrapbook for her future daughter-in-law. She mixed photos of her son as a child with things like his old report cards, his Captain Midnight manual, a book report, and some old postcards he had sent from camp."
"What a wonderful idea," said the woman.
"Of course," said Carmela, "you can use just a piece or two to enhance a scrapbook page. An old valentine juxtaposed with a wedding photo, and antique playbill with a school play, an old map for a scrapbook page detailing a vacation."
The above are excerpts from the book that looked like interesting projects. There are other tips and some recipes in the back of the book (I just photocopied them, mostly so I can read them, even do it to the ones I buy, check the book out of the library and copy them as my eyes now hate me, LOL)...as with all her books there are always extras in the back!!
***********************************************************
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Secrets of the Dead: Amazon Warrior Women
Just watched this program on our local PBS station. It is 4 years old, and I think I have it recorded somewhere, but this is my first time watching it. I enjoyed it, if you can say that. I have been interested in archaeology/anthropology since childhood, and it was one of the professions I was truly interested in going into, but it wasn't recommended, no jobs they said... Crap. Should have done what I wanted, would have been much happier, and probably more successful. Instead, I thought at the time that having a job that paid well was more important than doing what you were interested in. Got that from my mom I think, though I don't think that was the impression she was trying to give. Just my perception. Was also interested in mythos/folklore and didn't see a future in that either. Oh well, the past is the past I guess.
So anyway, this program, as noted, was about the Amazons and what might have become of them. And Jeannine Davis-Kimball pretty much found out, in the western steppes of Mongolia. And proved it thru mitochondrial DNA. Love this stuff. Any way, here is the link to the site for the program:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/case_amazon/index.html
(((((
So anyway, this program, as noted, was about the Amazons and what might have become of them. And Jeannine Davis-Kimball pretty much found out, in the western steppes of Mongolia. And proved it thru mitochondrial DNA. Love this stuff. Any way, here is the link to the site for the program:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/case_amazon/index.html
(((((
I Want this book!!!!!!!!!!
Pitching My Tent: On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship, and Other Leaps of Faith by Anita DiamantMy review
I WANT THIS BOOK!!! Really badly. I have it checked out from the library, and quite frankly, had to quit reading as I really need my own copy that I can notate places in the book!
3 pages in and already decided!!!! EEEEEKKKKKSSSS!
View all my reviews.
Friday, July 18, 2008:::::Returned it to the library yesterday, didn't want to, wonder if I could sneak it out and keep it, LOL!
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer BradleyMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don't know as I actually read the book, I own it, but did listen to it on audiotape...literally. I have a set of cassette tapes with the book acted out with a cast. Loved it!
I actually like the personifications of the legendary characters in this book better than the traditional tellings. While very much imbued with magic and sorcery, it seems much for a propos of the actual times it would have occured.
Never did buy into the whole "women/evil man/misguided fool" of the original telling. This retelling fills out their stories better, gives more "valid" reasons for the actions of particular characters. And the fact that there really isn't a "bad guy" atmosphere, more of a clash of cultures.
View all my reviews.
A Dilly of a Death by Susan Wittig AlbertMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have FINALLY finished this book. I bought it a few years back, but must have been distracted because I never got past the first few pages. I have managed to read all the latter books from the library, and then checked this one out and thought, hmmm, this looks familiar. Went and checked my bookshelves and lo and behold, there it was. So took the library copy back and pick this up and read it.
Very good book, kinda figured out who-dun-it early on, but then doubted myself several times with the "red-herrings" the author set out.
And the recipes?! I'll have to try some of them, but finding some of the ingredients is going to be difficult. Like rose hibiscus (I think that's it) leaves. Where am I supposed to find something like that? I can't find bulk herbs of the more common variety around here, much less this. So off to the web I go to do a search.
If you like Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series, you might also like these series:
Laura Childs teashop and scrapbooking series.
Cleo Coyle's coffeshop series
Tim Myers' soapmaking and candlemaking series as well as the card making series he writes under the name of Elizabeth Bright.
There are a few others, but right now can't remember names.
If anyone has any suggestions for like-minded series, please leave me a comment telling me of them.
View all my reviews.
Last Chance to See by Douglas AdamsMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, don't get me wrong, I like the Hitchhiker and Dirk Gently books too. But this book is by far the best book that Douglas Adams wrote. And it's non-fiction.
Adams is on tour for the BBC to do a documentary on vanishing species around the world. His snarky jabs at humanity and its lack of caring for how humanities actions are very often detrimental to the wellbeing of the planet.
He looks for lemurs in Madagascar, komodo dragons, the kinkajou (spelling is off there) and several other species. His journey, and all the comical escapades he and his entourage go thru makes this a must read!
View all my reviews.
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