Memories of July...barbecues, watching the 4th of July fireworks, going to the beach, and just relaxing. We have made it beyond the halfway point of the year..and we still have several months of summer weather to go.
July is also a great time to pick up those great summer reads. I can't think of anything more relaxing than sitting out in your chaise lounge with a big ole glass of ice tea or maybe wine and reading a really good book!
July is also the birth month of many authors and poets: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Bronte, Emma Lazarus, Ernest Hemingway, George Bernard Shaw, and J.K. Rowling to name a few.
So sit back read a book and feel patriotic....:)
"God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night, with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America! My Home Sweet Home!"
Irving Berlin
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
It's Summertime...well almost! Time for June trivia!
Well, it's finally June and summer...well almost! Time to start up the barbie and roast some hotdogs and burgers...which in my case would be veggie burgers. But did you know that June is known for many things other than cholesterol-ridden foods, swimming, sunburns, and Speedo swimsuits?
The following is a list of fun facts about June:
June is known for being the wedding month.
June has many celebrity birthdays:
Marilyn Monroe
Andy Griffith
Morgan Freeman
Rene Auberjonois
Brian Cox
Jonathan Pryce
Dana Carvey
June gemstones are:
Pearls
Moonstone
Alexandrite
And some little known holidays:
National Accordion Awareness Month
This should be good news for those who love polka music or who get all goose-pimply listening to old Lawrence Welk albums. National Accordion Month first came about in 1989, its aim being to "educate" the American people on the history and charms of this sometimes misunderstood musical instrument.
National Bubba Day- June 2
This special day honors anybody whose name is "Bubba".
Old Maid's Day- June 4
Old Maid's Day was launched in 1946, following the end of World War II. It seems that there were a number of single females around at the time who had not been fortunate enough to snap up one of those returning soldiers as a husband, so social events, such as dances, were held with the hopes of getting them hooked up, thus the beginning of Old Maid's Day.
National Yo-Yo Day June 10th
National Yo-Yo day honors Donald F. Duncan, Sr., who first started making yo-yos back in the early 20th century, all for the express purpose of annoying the heck out of everybody.
National Hollerin' Contest Day- June 16
So let the summer fun begin and while your busy having that summer fun, remember to pick up some great summer reading to take with you!
I am anxiously awaiting the next Rizzoli and Isles book from Tess Gerritsen and the new Nora Roberts book. If you have any summer read recommendations, please feel free to join my blog and indicate your reading suggestions!
The following is a list of fun facts about June:
June is known for being the wedding month.
June has many celebrity birthdays:
Marilyn Monroe
Andy Griffith
Morgan Freeman
Rene Auberjonois
Brian Cox
Jonathan Pryce
Dana Carvey
June gemstones are:
Pearls
Moonstone
Alexandrite
And some little known holidays:
National Accordion Awareness Month
This should be good news for those who love polka music or who get all goose-pimply listening to old Lawrence Welk albums. National Accordion Month first came about in 1989, its aim being to "educate" the American people on the history and charms of this sometimes misunderstood musical instrument.
National Bubba Day- June 2
This special day honors anybody whose name is "Bubba".
Old Maid's Day- June 4
Old Maid's Day was launched in 1946, following the end of World War II. It seems that there were a number of single females around at the time who had not been fortunate enough to snap up one of those returning soldiers as a husband, so social events, such as dances, were held with the hopes of getting them hooked up, thus the beginning of Old Maid's Day.
National Yo-Yo Day June 10th
National Yo-Yo day honors Donald F. Duncan, Sr., who first started making yo-yos back in the early 20th century, all for the express purpose of annoying the heck out of everybody.
National Hollerin' Contest Day- June 16
So let the summer fun begin and while your busy having that summer fun, remember to pick up some great summer reading to take with you!
I am anxiously awaiting the next Rizzoli and Isles book from Tess Gerritsen and the new Nora Roberts book. If you have any summer read recommendations, please feel free to join my blog and indicate your reading suggestions!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Recommended Reading for Mystery Lovers - Tess Gerritsen ***Author of the Month***
If you are a fan of great mystery writers and stories that you can't put down...then pick up any of my recommended books by author Tess Gerritsen. She has a new book coming out in early July called "Ice Cold".
Also big news for the Rizzoli and Isles fans among us, TNT network has a new series coming out based on these two characters which will air this summer.
http://www.tessgerritsen.com/
Also big news for the Rizzoli and Isles fans among us, TNT network has a new series coming out based on these two characters which will air this summer.
http://www.tessgerritsen.com/
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Possible recommendation for May...."Dead In The Family" by Charlaine Harris
Well, I just finished the 10th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, "Dead In The Family".
http://www.charlaineharris.com/
Synopsis: Sookie Stackhouse, telepath, part-fairy, and barmaid, is involved with vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, and fairies yet again. This book picks up where the last book left off, Sookie recovering from the physical and emotional wounds she received from two evil fairies. Not only is Sookie dealing with her own healing, she is still bonded by blood to Eric Northman, Vampire Sheriff of Area 5 who's authority is being questioned by the new vampire king's second in command, Victor. Eric's maker Ocella shows up in this book, with Eric's "blood brother" Alexei, Tsarevitch of Russia, yes, that would be Czar Nicholas' son. In addition, the political climate is heating up around the shifters "coming out". And though the door to the Fae world has been closed, apparently several fairies are still out and about looking for Sookie. Lastly, Bill Compton is still in the picture as Sookie's ex-boyfriend, lover, and friend. As you will recall from the last book, Bill was horribly injured by the silver-toothed fairies that were attacking Sookie. He is still in love with her, and she still harbors feelings for him. With all this going on, it's hard to believe there would be something missing from this book but there is, the book suffers from a lack of love scenes between Eric and Sookie. Oh well, guess you can't have everything.
Well, it's off to the library for me to look for my next book.
Bibliophiles Unite!
Colleen
http://www.charlaineharris.com/
Synopsis: Sookie Stackhouse, telepath, part-fairy, and barmaid, is involved with vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, and fairies yet again. This book picks up where the last book left off, Sookie recovering from the physical and emotional wounds she received from two evil fairies. Not only is Sookie dealing with her own healing, she is still bonded by blood to Eric Northman, Vampire Sheriff of Area 5 who's authority is being questioned by the new vampire king's second in command, Victor. Eric's maker Ocella shows up in this book, with Eric's "blood brother" Alexei, Tsarevitch of Russia, yes, that would be Czar Nicholas' son. In addition, the political climate is heating up around the shifters "coming out". And though the door to the Fae world has been closed, apparently several fairies are still out and about looking for Sookie. Lastly, Bill Compton is still in the picture as Sookie's ex-boyfriend, lover, and friend. As you will recall from the last book, Bill was horribly injured by the silver-toothed fairies that were attacking Sookie. He is still in love with her, and she still harbors feelings for him. With all this going on, it's hard to believe there would be something missing from this book but there is, the book suffers from a lack of love scenes between Eric and Sookie. Oh well, guess you can't have everything.
Well, it's off to the library for me to look for my next book.
Bibliophiles Unite!
Colleen
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Recommendation for May....with a twist...."Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane
Hi All: Just finished the Dennis Lehane book "Shutter Island". http://www.dennislehanebooks.com/
This book was definitely a more darker book then I usually read, but I enjoyed the plot twists all the same. There is a surprise ending to this book, that you may or may not figure out along the way with the little plot hints and codes given by the writer. The book is definitely better than the movie of the same name.
Synopsis: The story takes place in 1954 on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, called as you would guess, Shutter Island. The island is the home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. The lead character is U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels who has come with his new partner, Chuck Aule to investigate the disappearance of multiple murderess, Rachel Solando. Just as a hurricane is bearing down on the island, Teddy and Chuck find hints of medical experimentation and government cover-ups by the hospital, its Board, and the head psychiatrist, Dr. Cawley. Nothing on Shutter Island is as it appears.
Next up if I can grab a copy of the newly released book by Charlaine Harris is, "Dead In The Family". This is book 10 in the Sookie Stackhouse series and is the basis for the HBO series "True Blood", which will be starting season 3 in June.
This book was definitely a more darker book then I usually read, but I enjoyed the plot twists all the same. There is a surprise ending to this book, that you may or may not figure out along the way with the little plot hints and codes given by the writer. The book is definitely better than the movie of the same name.
Synopsis: The story takes place in 1954 on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, called as you would guess, Shutter Island. The island is the home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. The lead character is U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels who has come with his new partner, Chuck Aule to investigate the disappearance of multiple murderess, Rachel Solando. Just as a hurricane is bearing down on the island, Teddy and Chuck find hints of medical experimentation and government cover-ups by the hospital, its Board, and the head psychiatrist, Dr. Cawley. Nothing on Shutter Island is as it appears.
Next up if I can grab a copy of the newly released book by Charlaine Harris is, "Dead In The Family". This is book 10 in the Sookie Stackhouse series and is the basis for the HBO series "True Blood", which will be starting season 3 in June.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Recommendation for April....."House Rules" by Jodi Picoult
As promised here are my comments on "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult. Just finished this book last night and loved it. http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Synopsis: The story is centered around 18-year old Jacob Hunt who was diagnosed with Aspberger's Syndrome when he was a small boy. Asperberger's Syndrome is a form of autism in which the affected person is high-functioning with a high IQ (sometimes genius-level). But he also has problems reading social cues, communication, social interaction, maintaining eye contact, and lives by a regimented and ordered routine. For instance, Jacob has to be home and in front of the TV set by 4:30pm each weekday to watch his favorite show "Crimebusters", if this routine varies in anyway, Jacob has a meltdown.
As with all Aspberger's sufferers, Jacob is focused on one thing, for Jacob that is forensic science and crime scene investigations. As the story progresses, Jacob shows up at various crime scenes in order to help the CSI's read the clues. Jacob is often able to solve the crime, before the professionals do. The story takes a turn for the worse, when Jacob's social skills teacher is found dead. After a lengthy search, the police are alerted to the location of her body by a 911 call from her cell phone and when they arrive are treated to a staged crime scene. When Jacob is unable to answer questions by the police he becomes a suspect in the investigation.
The book gives insight into the difficulty of raising a child with a disability and the power and resilience of a family's love.
Next up: "Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane. Just started reading this book last night and will, as always, provide my input in the near future. For now, keep on reading and enjoying your book selections.
See you at the library!
Colleen
Synopsis: The story is centered around 18-year old Jacob Hunt who was diagnosed with Aspberger's Syndrome when he was a small boy. Asperberger's Syndrome is a form of autism in which the affected person is high-functioning with a high IQ (sometimes genius-level). But he also has problems reading social cues, communication, social interaction, maintaining eye contact, and lives by a regimented and ordered routine. For instance, Jacob has to be home and in front of the TV set by 4:30pm each weekday to watch his favorite show "Crimebusters", if this routine varies in anyway, Jacob has a meltdown.
As with all Aspberger's sufferers, Jacob is focused on one thing, for Jacob that is forensic science and crime scene investigations. As the story progresses, Jacob shows up at various crime scenes in order to help the CSI's read the clues. Jacob is often able to solve the crime, before the professionals do. The story takes a turn for the worse, when Jacob's social skills teacher is found dead. After a lengthy search, the police are alerted to the location of her body by a 911 call from her cell phone and when they arrive are treated to a staged crime scene. When Jacob is unable to answer questions by the police he becomes a suspect in the investigation.
The book gives insight into the difficulty of raising a child with a disability and the power and resilience of a family's love.
Next up: "Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane. Just started reading this book last night and will, as always, provide my input in the near future. For now, keep on reading and enjoying your book selections.
See you at the library!
Colleen
Friday, April 16, 2010
Must Reads for the month of April.....
Reminder: April is poetry month....so in deference to the importance of poetry, I offer this little poem:
A Silly Poem by Spike Milligan
Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I'll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B?
_______________________________________________________
Here are my must read recommendations for April:
Number One:
JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) - If you have never read the series of "________ In Death" books, you should pick one of these up. There are currently 30 books in print in this series including her most recent book: "Fantasy In Death".
The futuristic plot of these books revolves around Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYPD and her husband mega-rich entrepreneur Roarke (who has a very shady past). Eve as she is known by, since we do not know her real name, was abused as a child by her father and found near his dead body with a knife in her hand. She was taken into the foster care system and has made herself into a superior police officer and victim's-advocate. Roarke who was born in Ireland, also suffered abuse at the hands of his criminal father and made himself into a high-power businessman who sometimes does things that might be considered a bit shady, but his intentions are always virtuous. Of course, as in all Roberts/Robb books there is romance intertwined throughout the story.
In "Fantasy In Death", Eve investigates the death of a young "Bill Gates type" entrepreneur of futuristic games played in the virtual world. The victim is found alone in his private holo-room with his head severed from his body. Eve must investigate what happened to this well-liked young businessman who was on the verge of releasing a state-of-the-art game called "Fantastical". Who would want him dead? Is it his loyal partners or a competitor company which includes one owned by her husband Roarke?
I am a big fan of this series and highly recommend the book!
Number Two:
http://www.tchevalier.com/I have just finished reading the book: "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier author of "Girl with a Pearl Earring".
This is a true story of fossil-finder Mary Anning(1799-1847) who lived in Lyme Regis, England and was responsible for many significant fossil finds during the
19th century. While this book is a work of fiction, the story is true, and what makes this book highly readable is the mutual admiration that develops between Mary and her friend Elizabeth Philpot (a fossil finder in her own right). Through her words, Chevalier makes us feel what it was like to be a woman living within the rigid moral and social confines of the 19th century.
I highly recommend this book!
I am currently reading the book "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult and will let you know what I think in my next update.
Happy reading to you all!
A Silly Poem by Spike Milligan
Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I'll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B?
_______________________________________________________
Here are my must read recommendations for April:
Number One:
JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) - If you have never read the series of "________ In Death" books, you should pick one of these up. There are currently 30 books in print in this series including her most recent book: "Fantasy In Death".
The futuristic plot of these books revolves around Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYPD and her husband mega-rich entrepreneur Roarke (who has a very shady past). Eve as she is known by, since we do not know her real name, was abused as a child by her father and found near his dead body with a knife in her hand. She was taken into the foster care system and has made herself into a superior police officer and victim's-advocate. Roarke who was born in Ireland, also suffered abuse at the hands of his criminal father and made himself into a high-power businessman who sometimes does things that might be considered a bit shady, but his intentions are always virtuous. Of course, as in all Roberts/Robb books there is romance intertwined throughout the story.
In "Fantasy In Death", Eve investigates the death of a young "Bill Gates type" entrepreneur of futuristic games played in the virtual world. The victim is found alone in his private holo-room with his head severed from his body. Eve must investigate what happened to this well-liked young businessman who was on the verge of releasing a state-of-the-art game called "Fantastical". Who would want him dead? Is it his loyal partners or a competitor company which includes one owned by her husband Roarke?
I am a big fan of this series and highly recommend the book!
Number Two:
http://www.tchevalier.com/I have just finished reading the book: "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier author of "Girl with a Pearl Earring".
This is a true story of fossil-finder Mary Anning(1799-1847) who lived in Lyme Regis, England and was responsible for many significant fossil finds during the
19th century. While this book is a work of fiction, the story is true, and what makes this book highly readable is the mutual admiration that develops between Mary and her friend Elizabeth Philpot (a fossil finder in her own right). Through her words, Chevalier makes us feel what it was like to be a woman living within the rigid moral and social confines of the 19th century.
I highly recommend this book!
I am currently reading the book "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult and will let you know what I think in my next update.
Happy reading to you all!
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