First line: “There has to be a better way,” I muttered, as I replaced the phone receiver on its cradle. From the back cover: On the outside, Nick O’Reilly has it all: a high-flying legal career, as a partner of an elite Wall Street law firm, and financial security, with an apartment overlooking Central Park. Having grown up in a working-class family, as far back as Nick can remember this…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Tuesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: When you read a book, do you read EVERYTHING? In other words, do you read the dedication, the acknowledgment, the foreword, the afterword, the prologue, the epilogue, the appendices, etc.? Or do you just read the “meat” of the book? Or is your approach somewhere in between? I read almost…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (2) Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent Library (0) Purchased (0) – From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (0) – ***While my mailbox is quite light this week, I am ecstatic that I received the new Christine…
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First line: November 1984. I am in Austria. From the inside cover: In Persepolis, heralded by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the freshest and most original memoirs of our day,” Marjane Satrapi dazzled us with her heartrending memoir-in-comic-strips about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Here is the continuation of her fascinating story. In 1984, Marjane flees fundamentalism and the war with Iraq to begin a…
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First line: This is me when I was ten years old. From the inside cover: Originally published to wide critical acclaim in France, where it elicited comparisons to Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years…
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Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “K” My book is: Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson Synopsis from Amazon: Eight-year-old Jane Popyncourt travels with her mother from France to the English court of Henry VII. She…
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A Week in Books WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading? Don’t Blink by James Patterson What did you recently finish reading? Devil’s Food Cake by Josi S. Kilpack What do you think…
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First tip: Always keep your cooking area clean to prevent cross contamination. About the book: Denise Burroughs combines her rich Italian heritage with years of southern tradition in Let’s Eat!, her debut cookbook. Her love for cooking shines through in this comprehensive book, suitable for all levels of cooking experience. Let’s Eat! provides readers with simple, inexpensive dishes. Recipes range from “Potato Flake Chicken” to “Chocolate Italian Cookies.” Her strong…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Tuesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: Do you ever dog-ear the corners of book pages to mark your spot? Or are you a faithful bookmark user, refusing to damage the pages of your books? OR do you have another way to keep track of where you are in a book? I am a faithful bookmark user.…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other…
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First line: In the fall of 1995, after resigning from my last academic post, I decided to indulge myself and fulfill a dream. From the back cover: Every Thursday morning for two years in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a bold and inspired teacher named Azar Nafisi secretly gathered seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. As Islamic morality squads staged arbitrary raids in Tehran,…
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This week’s musing asks: Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks. **MUSING MONDAYS is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading The short answer is it all depends…there…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (1) The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate Library (1) The Big Short by Michael Lewis Purchased (1) – Killer Heat by Brenda Novak Borrowed from family member (2) Peony in Love by Lisa See Charade by Sandra Brown …
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Tuesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: Do you eat/drink while reading? If so, do you have some favorite reading snacks? The short answer is yes to the drink and sometimes to the food. I always have a drink near me – either a glass of water or a cuppa tea or sometimes a glass…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (2) The Life O’Reilly by Brian Cohen Perfection by Julie Metz Library (0) Purchased (0) – Borrowed from family member (1) The White Queen by Philippa Gregory From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (0) – What’s in your mailbox?
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First line: “Agh, you guys are so lucky,” Kelsey said. From the back cover: A chance encounter in a Rome hotel, two tremendously damaging photographs, and Hilton Joliet’s life is instantly altered. Previously working a dead-end job as an assistant in a portrait studio, she is now a freelance photographer for Game Set Match magazine, “the Us Weekly of tennis,” as she calls it. Thrown rapidly into a jet-setting life…
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Please join me in welcoming Daisy Jordan, author of Love Means Zero to Always With a Book! I will be reviewing Love Means Zero tomorrow. Today Daisy guest blogs about the characters we love to hate. The Characters You Love to Hate All of my books have hateable characters. Haidin, Aubrey, Natalie, Melanie, Brooke…these are a few that stand out to me. And readers really dohatethese characters. I give out…
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Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “I” My book is: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff Synopsis from Amazon: When vintage clothing expert Phoebe Swift decides to abandon her career as a Sotheby’s auctioneer, she opens London’s Village Vintage, selling only…
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A Week in Books WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading? Love Means Zero by Daisy Jordan What did you recently finish reading? Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Tuesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: What do you think about e-books? Do you engage in e-reading or do you prefer to stick to good ol’ physical books? I do not have an e-reader and am 50/50 about getting one. I love the feel and smell of new books and even older ones for…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (1) Let’s Eat by Denise Burroughs Library (2) Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi Purchased (1) – Don’t Blink by James Patterson From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (0) – What’s in your…
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Thank you to all of you who entered to become a finalist in the Wind Warrior Giveaway. I have selected the 5 finalists from this site who while be entered into the Grand Prize drawing and be notified by Cynthia Roberts if they have won on October 2nd. Spamgirl Michele Dani Jan Pippirose Good luck to all of you!
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Here are my reading stats for September! Books read: 11 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review) The House on Olive Street* by Robyn Carr Mennonite in a Little Black Dress* by Rhoda Janzen The Wife’s Tale* by Lori Lansens The Summerhouse* by Jude Deveraux Stay* by Allie Larkin Return to the Summerhouse* by Jude Deveraux The Postcard Killers* by James Patterson The Calligrapher’s Daughter* by…
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First line: Sam Cooper’s stomach grumbled at the sight of the blue-and-yellow umbrellas shading his favorite hot dog stand from the blazing sun. From the back cover: Sam Cooper (“Coop”) has just become the most eligible bachelor in New York City. Now that he has foiled a jewelry-store robbery and has been rewarded with the ring of choice, single women all over the city are fawning over the crime reporter.…
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First line: I learned I had no name on the same day I learned fear. From the back cover: In early twentieth-century Korea, Najin Han, the privileged daughter of a calligrapher, longs to choose her own destiny. But her country is in tumult under Japan’s harsh occupation, and her family’s traditions, entitlements, and wealth crumble. Narrowly escaping an arranged marriage, Najin becomes a companion to a young princess, until Korea’s…
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Today’s Booking Through Thursday question asks: If you read series, do you ever find a series “jumping the shark?” How do you feel about that? And, do you keep reading anyway? I love reading series – I feel that you really become invested in the characters and am always sad to see a series end. I tend to be very anal about series – I need to start…
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First line: “It’s very small,” the Englishwoman said, sounding disappointed. From the insider cover: NYPD detective Jacob Kanon is on a tour of Europe’s most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren’t what draw him – he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each cafe through the eyes of his daughter’s killer. Kanon’s daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris,…
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Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “G” My book is: True Colors by Kristin Hannah Synopsis from Amazon: True Colors is New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah’s most provocative, compelling, and heart-wrenching story yet. With the luminous writing and unforgettable…
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A Week in Books WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading? Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi – this is for my book club. What did you recently finish reading? Kiss Me…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Tuesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: What do you think is the biggest obstacle to your reading? What prevents you from reading as much as you’d like? Well, my biggest obstacle tends to be the internet…I go on to check email, facebook, and the other great blogs out there and soon realize a hour or more…
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For those of you are interested in the Cynthia Roberts Giveaway, you will need to read the rules here and once you have fulfilled the rules leave your name and email address. I’ll be choosing five potential winners to take part in the Grand Prize Drawing on September 30th and will post their names and email the entrants to get their mailing addresses later on. Head here to enter. Good luck to…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (1) Love Means Zero by Daisy Jordan Library (0) Purchased (0) – From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (1) – The Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal (from CMash Loves to Read) What’s in your mailbox?
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Today’s Booking Through Thursday question asks: What are you reading right now? What made you choose it? Are you enjoying it? Would you recommend it? (And, by all means, discuss everything, if you’re reading more than one thing!) Right now I am reading Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips. This is from her newest series of books, the Bachelor Blog series. I love it, as…
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Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting the Fall Into Reading Challenge. The challenge is to pick books you would like to read this fall and then keep a record of how you do. The challenge runs from September 22 to December 20. If you’d like to join, head over here to sign up. Here’s my list as of now: Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar…
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Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “G” My book is: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory Synopsis from Amazon: Sisterly rivalry is the basis of this fresh, wonderfully vivid retelling of the story of Anne Boleyn. Anne, her sister Mary…
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This is the first challenge to come to a close that I am participating in and I think I did pretty well. As you can see from my list, I read 24 out of the 25 books I had listed, plus I read 8 additional books for a total read from June 21 to September 21 of 32 books!!! Here’s my original list: Sand in My Eyes by Christine Lemmon…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (1) What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen Library (1) Ann of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery Purchased (1) – Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (going to get this autographed Monday night!!!) From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (6) – all…
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First line: Amy closed her suitcase and looked around the bedroom she shared with her husband, Stephen. From the back cover: Magic most definitely resides in the Maine summerhouse where the mysterious Madame Zoya has granted the innermost wishes of its visitors. Now, three women have come to this special place with one thing in common: a painful past they would each like to rewrite. Amy, who hides a heartbreaking…
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First line: Leslie Headrick looked out her kitchen window at the old summerhouse in the back. From the back cover: Three best friends, all with the same birthday, are about to turn forty. Celebrating this turning point at a summerhouse in Maine, Leslie Headrick, Madison Appleby, and Ellie Abbott are taking stock of their lives , their loves, and their choices. But none of them expects the gift that awaits…
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A Week in Books WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading? Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux What did you recently finish reading? Stay by Allie Larkin What do you think…
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Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “F” My book is: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler Synopsis from Amazon: Fowler, a captivating and good-hearted satirist, exuberantly pays homage to and matches wits with Jane Austen in her most…
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First line: Six years ago, Peter and I were having one of our weekly dinners at this little Italian restaurant just off campus. From the inside cover: Savannah “Van” Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the alter, Van is…
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MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…
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This week’s musing asks: Where do you get/buy most of your books? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks. **MUSING MONDAYS is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading I tend to go in spurts where I buy a lot of books, from either Barnes…
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First line: Alone in the evenings, when the light had drained from the slate roof of her small rural home, and when her husband was working late, Mary Gooch would perform a striptease for the stars at the open bedroom window: shifting out of rumpled bottoms, slipping off blousy tops, liberating breasts, peeling panties, her creamy flesh spilling forth until she was completely, exquisitely nude. From the inside cover: On…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review (0) Library (1) Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapri Purchased (3) – 1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber Love Me If You Dare by Carly Phillips Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison From Paperback Swap – (0)…
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