Wordless Wednesday: Happy Valentine’s Day
Jack often buys my flowers–usually on the days when I am least expecting them–and I love coming home to a gorgeous bouquet in bloom. Valentine’s Day was no different. What a guy!
Wordless Wednesday: Putting the Pieces Together
For my birthday, Jack and I made plans for a romantic weekend away. When I came down with a terrible cold, we had to cancel… so we ended up putting together this 2,000-piece puzzle!
Wordless Wednesday: Happy Birthday to Me!
Wordless Wednesday: Flowers from Jack
Readathon 2011: Bring On the Reading!
This weekend, beginning at 8 am tomorrow (Saturday) morning, I will be partially participating in Dewey’s 24-hour-readathon. I look forward to this readathon every spring and fall, and even though I’ll be traveling to Delaware this weekend, I’m still planning on getting plenty read.
Top Ten Favorites to Re-read
I rarely re-read books. There are hundreds–thousands–of book out there that I want desperately to read, and my bookshelves are lined with dozens of tomes that taunt me when I walk by. (In a good way. I think.)
“Next to Love” by Ellen Feldman
Babe, Millie, and Grace have been friends for as long as they can remember. They have their differences—pugnacious Babe grew up in the poor section of town and never met with approval from Grace’s upper-class mother, while sweet Millie dealt with the loss of her parents at a young age. But now, as World War II summons their husbands and boyfriends, the women must come to terms with the reality of an America at war, where romance and joy are replaced with grief and loss and then with strength and wisdom.
“Fodor’s Thailand” by Hana Borrowman
Back in February, Jack and I spent two fast-paced weeks in Thailand on vacation. When we decided to travel there, we checked out from the library two guidebooks on the country: Lonely Planet Thailand and Fodor’s Thailand. We decided to buy our own copy of the latter to bring with us.
“The Heroes” by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie’s new fantasy novel The Heroes continues in the world set in The First Law Trilogy. This time, he takes us to a single battle fought between the comparatively modern Union and the barbarians of the North. The story is told from the perspective of three Union and three Northern characters who all fight in the battle one way or another. Like Abercrombie’s previous novel, Best Served Cold, a few familiar faces from the first trilogy appear.
The Prince of Nothing Trilogy by R. Scott Bakker
R. Scott Bakker’s Prince of Nothing trilogy consists of The Darkness That Comes Before, The Warrior Prophet, and The Thousandfold Thought. These three epic fantasy books form a completed trilogy, although the series continues twenty years later with The Judging Eye (review coming soon).
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie’s inaugural work was The Blade Itself in 2006. He followed this up with Before They Are Hanged in 2007 and Last Argument of Kings in 2008. The three books form the First Law Trilogy.
Guest Review! “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke
The book has its strong points, but ultimately I was disappointed. A few interesting scenes involving magic and politics cannot redeem the generally glacial pace of the story. I can’t say I’m going to recommend this to anyone, even though the story is a unique accomplishment.
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
While it was fun to read and act out a play together, perhaps Jack and I chose the wrong work; neither of us particularly liked this one. The entire play seemed very disjointed, like there was a scene or even an act missing.
Melody Schreiber 