Thank you and catch up on current reading

Thank you to all my friends and loved ones who had conversations last week about the joy and passion of reading. My dear friend, April in New Jersey had a small and enthusiastic group discuss reading. Two favorite comments were from two older women. One thought of reading as a treat which she “allowed” herself throughout the day rather than only at special times.  Another gave herself permission NOT to finish a book that didn’t interest her. I LOVE these “tips”.

I simply MUST give you the short version of what I have been reading- too many books are piling up and I must get them back to the Library.

Eva Moves the Furniture by Margot Livesey deals with the “imaginary” friends of a seven-year-old girl. Born in rural Scotland in 1920, Eva’s mother dies of the influenza soon after Eva’s birth. Loved, but a lonely child, Eva yearns for friends. Two “ghosts” join her in the garden one day and come to stay. They even follow her into adulthood. Why? Read this and find out !  

Recommended by my friend, John C., The Camel Club by David Baldacci deals with terrorism (both international and of the home-grown variety).  John said I would like the characters in this thriller and I really, really do ! A page turner with people you want to know more about- I highly recommend this book.

Garden Dreams is a graphic novel by Fumi Yoshi.  A young Arab finds himself the squire of a French Baron during the Crusades.  This book is romantic, historical, and deals with real emotions.  A good introduction to the graphic novel format. Although (I admit that reading the book from back to front was a challenge- and I enjoyed the story.

I love Janet Evanovich’s “naughty” humor and I am so glad that she does the “Between the Numbers” series of books that feature Stephanie Plum and the mysterious “Diesel”. Is he an angel, a devil, a god, a lunatic, just very, very mysterious or all of the above? Plum Lucky  features a self-proclaimed leprechaun and his missing bag of gold. Laugh out loud moments with the ususal crew of Lula, Grandma Mazur, and Connie. The scene with the rocket launcher is NOT to be missed !

 

 

 

 

I’m Baaaack !

This is embarrassing?! After, getting such a flying start with my blog- I haven’t done a thing for a long time ! Ah well, back in the saddle again !

Three things I have really enjoyed recently: 

 Persepolis is a wonderful movie. Using illustration, it very effectively translates to the screen the autobiography of an Iranian woman which was published as a graphic novel.

 The Monk Downstairs and The Monk Upstairs by Tim Farrington are a gentle reads !  I found “Upstairs” first and read this sequel before I read the previous title (A National Book Award winner).  In it, the monk (Mike) is marrying his landlady and lover.  Mike was a cloistered Roman Catholic monk for twenty years and Rebecca is truly worried that, at forty-years-old, he will not be able to “make it”. Truth is, she may chicken out first.  Mike’s love and care for Rebecca, her eight-year-old daughter, and Rebecca’s handicapped (because of a stroke) mother, are delightful.  I can hardly wait to start “Downstairs” !  I recommend this book for people who like to read Jan Karon and Sue Monk Kidd.

Finally, I froliced all last week with people affiliated with the Arizona Aloha Festival.  I was lucky enough to meet and greet the major entertainers and spent last weekend at the Festival itself.  More about this in my next blog.