Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron



Genre:
Non-Fiction

Publisher:
Random House Audio

Format:
Audio

Release Date:
November, 2010

Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction...

Nora Ephron returns with her first book since the astounding success of I Feel Bad About My Neck, taking a cold, hard, hilarious look at the past, the present, and the future, bemoaning the vicissitudes of modern life, and recalling with her signature clarity and wisdom everything she hasn't (yet) forgotten.

Even as she's listing 'What I Won't Miss' and 'What I Will Miss' - making the final tally - Ephron reaches back to recount falling hard for a way of life ('Journalism: A Love Story' ) and breaking up even harder with the men in her life ('The D Word' ), a long- anticipated inheritance with entirely unanticipated results ('My Life as an Heiress' ), and the evolution, a decade after she wrote and directed You've Got Mail, of her relationship with her in-box ('The Six Stages of E- mail' ). All the while, she gives candid, charming voice to everything women who have reached a certain age have been thinking . . . but have rarely acknowledged.

Filled with insights and observations that instantly ring true - and could have come only from Nora Ephron - I Remember Nothing is a pure delight.

My thoughts...

Another fun book to listen to. I'm glad I listened to both her books on CDs. It's especially fun since the author narrates the books herself. I can easily identify with so many of her situations, even though she's older than me :) Overall, these are fun books to list to.



For reading challenge:

Audio Reading Challenge

Teaser Tuesdays - January 31st



If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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 participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week I'm reading...


"A girl's got to have the right shoes to show off her legs," Lila Mae defended.

"That beauty queen title was forty-plus years ago, Lila Mae. You are no longer classified as a 'girl.' You qualify for all of the senior citizen discounts, which you refuse, I might add," Madge heckled.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Musing Mondays - Next Read?


If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.


This week’s musing asks…

How far along are you in your current read before you start thinking about what you’ll read next?

My answer...

I'm always thinking ahead, which isn't always a good thing. I need to concentrate on what I'm currently reading so I can enjoy it more than thinking ahead to the next book. I'm always thinking ahead because of the review books waiting for me. Before I started reviewing, I didn't usually think ahead and plan what my next read would be so often. I need to relax more while I'm reading, this is supposed to be fun.

funny pictures - PATIENCE LITTLE ONE!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Last week I finished...


and finished listening to...


Currently reading...


and listening to...



I'm not sure what I'll read next, but I'm sure I'll figure it out :)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Less You Know by Jenny Ashley



Genre:
Suspense

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Smashwords

Release Date:
October 2011






Cecelia Parkinson is a bail bondswoman. When one of her clients disappears, she has to leave the country to re-apprehend him. She cannot fail or she’ll lost her home, since she mortgaged it for this guy.

She’s stunned when an unwelcome acquaintance from her past shows up to help in her search. Robert Lewis isn’t going away and sticks by Cecelia’s side against her wishes. Cecelia has to keep her head together around the sexy guy, but she ends up in the middle of her clients’ drug dealings and finds she needs all the help she can get.

This is a fast-paced adventure that I wish was longer. By the end of the book, I found myself wanting more (this is a good thing!) The characters were well-developed, interesting and the plot was a roller coaster of action, mystery and romance all jumbled together in one exciting story.

I’m looking forward to reading more stories by this new-to-me author.




For Reading Challenges:
2012 ARC Reading Challenge
2012 EBook Reading Challenge


FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

I feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron



Genre:
Non-Fiction

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Random House

Release Date:
April 2008






Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction:

With her disarming, intimate, completely accessible voice, and dry sense of humor, Nora Ephron shares with us her ups and downs in I Feel Bad About My Neck, a candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life itself.

Ephron chronicles her life as an obsessed cook, passionate city dweller, and hapless parent. But mostly she speaks frankly and uproariously about life as a woman of a certain age. Utterly courageous, uproariously funny, and unexpectedly moving in its truth telling, I Feel Bad About My Neck is a scrumptious, irresistible treat of a book, full of truths, laugh out loud moments that will appeal to readers of all ages.

My thoughts…

I listened to the audio version on my way to and from work. It was a fun read. Some situations I really identified with…not so much about the neck. I never felt bad about my neck. I actually never thought about my neck. LOL It made for an entertaining listen and I need something entertaining when I go to work. I’m now listening to the second book.







For reading challenge:
Audio Reading Challenge

FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library for my own enjoyment.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Theme Thursday - VERY

Theme Thursdays


This is a new meme hosted by kavyen at Reading between Pages.. “Theme Thursdays” will be open from one thursday to the next and anyone can post it. The rules are simple:

* A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
* Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
* Post it and don’t forget to mention the author and the title of the book
* Since we may take a few days to finish a book, this event is open for one whole week

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week’s theme is – Very


A tall, thin and very attractive woman was leaning against the balcony sipping a glass of something next to him.

Booking Through Thursday - Writing or Riveting?



If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

What’s more important: Good writing? Or a good story?

(Of course, a book should have BOTH, but…)

My answer...

This is a hard one because both go hand in hand. I really don't see how you can have one without the other. There could be great writing but if the story bores me, I won't bother with it. OTOH, if it's a good story but the writing is poor, I won't bother either. Poor writing is distracting (bad grammar, using the wrong names or tenses, misspelled words)can annoy me through the entire book.

If I had to choose one over the other, I guess I'd say good writing is more important but honestly I feel this is one of those Catch 22 questions and you really need both to make a good book.

funny pictures - Cyoot Kitteh of teh Day: Kitteh Sandwich
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Cat Thursday - January 25th



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

funny pictures - Don't worry guys,  I saw this in a movie once
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays - January 24th



If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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 participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week I'm reading...


She felt irrationally angry all of a sudden. The flight alone had come out of her paycheck, and not only was she tired and cranky already, she was not in the mood for a party and putting on a fake smile and parading around in an uncomfortable dress all evening.

Musing Mondays - Young Adult Books


If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.


This week’s musing asks…

Why do you think that the Young Adult genre is so popular with even the adult readers? Do you read YA books, yourself?

My answer...

I don't usually read YA. I think adults like it for a change of pace. They are usually quick, light reads. Sometimes it's nice to go out of your comfort zone and read something different - if it's a lighter read, it makes it much easier to read outside what you are used to. A few of the YA borders on being adult fiction anyway. If they weren't labeled "YA", I wouldn't have even known.

funny pictures - Shhhhhh  We're trying to be modern art
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Last week I finished...


and I finished listening to...


I'm currently reading...


and listening to...


and hopefully I will get around to reading this one next...

Dogs Don’t Lie by Clea Simon


Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Publisher:
Poisoned Pen Press

Format:
EBook (Available in paperback)

Release date:
April 2011







Pru Marlowe recently returned to her beautiful hometown in the Berkshires for some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, that’s the last thing she’s going to get. Pru has a gift. She can communicate with animals.

As an animal behaviorist Pru has a variety of different pet clients including Lily, a rescue dog, who was taken in and given a home by Charles, one of the local citizens. Lily is a pit bull who loves her human, but tragedy strikes when Charles is killed and Lily is accused of his murder. Pru is the only one who believes in Lily’s innocence while the rest of the town is ready to get rid of her.

Pru uses her animal psychic abilities to talk to the animals in town, along with her live-in tabby Wallis – they set out to find a murderer.

This is the first book in the “Pet Noir” mysteries. I know a lot of people don’t like books with talking animals, but this one is different. The only one the animals talk to is Pru and that’s because of her special abilities. Otherwise the animals appear as ordinary animals to everyone else in town.

It’s a fun book with a mystery and even a dash of romance thrown together. The relationship between Pru and Wallis is just priceless. They are like two old friends instead of pet and human. I do admit that I was able to figure out who the culprit was but I enjoyed figuring it out with Pru and Wallis. It’s an enjoyable, fast-paced mystery and I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.







FTC Disclosure: I read this book from my own collection for my own enjoyment.


For reading challenges:

2012 Just For Fun Reading Challenge
Where Are You Reading? Challenge

Sunday Salon - First snow fall!



If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

We finally had our first snow fall - we must have had about 6 inches of the white stuff. Fortunately it's not a work day so I didn't have to worry about getting to work. I just stayed home and did stuff around here...the usual boring household things. Next week our temps are supposed to be around 50 - the weather just doesn't know what it wants to do this year.

This week I managed to finish two books...

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke
Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris

Both books were good, especially Melinda and the Wild West. What a great book and it's not even my normal reading genre!

I'm currently reading Dogs Don't Lie by Clea Simon...a really good mystery featuring both dogs and cats.

I'm probably going to join The Stephen King Challenge. I've been wanting to read his books again (it's been so long since I've read them)and since this is a perpetual challenge, I can take all the time I want :)

I'm going to be having some blog tours coming up - some will have book giveaways. Check out the schedule on my sidebar.

I do hope you all have a great week and read many great books!

funny pictures - Happy National Hugging Day!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Stephen King Challenge


I was so done with joining reading challenges, but then Michelle at The True Book Addict had to go ahead and start one that I was looking for a couple of months ago and couldn't find.

I used to love Stephen King's books but over the years I kind of got away from them. Recently I saw the TV movie Bag of Bones and my interest was back. The good thing about this challenge is that it's a perpetual challenge and I can take as long as I like to read them. Sounds good to me :)

I will list the books as I read them here...


1. Quitters, Inc (Click for review.)
2.
3.
4.


If you'd like to join us, check out the great blog that was created just for this challenge by clicking here.

Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris


Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Publisher:
Wf Howes

Format:
Audio

Release Date:
December 2010





This is the synopsis from Fantastic Fiction:


Lily Bard is a loner. Fiercely protective of her independence, she concentrates on her karate skills and her work as the proprietor of a cleaning and errand-running service, and pays little attention to the town around her. When her landlord is murdered, though, she looks like the prime suspect. Uncovering the real killer may be the only way to prove her innocence, and Lily realizes that she must focus on the other residents of tiny Shakespeare. Her job gives her easy access to people's private lives, and she begins to snoop, finding plenty of skeleton-filled closets, and exposing herself to the unwanted attentions of a murderer.

My thoughts...

This is the first book in the Lily Bard series. I love Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books so I had to try this one. Lily has her own cleaning service and lives in an apartment building with a quirky group of neighbors. It has all the ingredients I enjoy in my cozy mysteries - A strong heroine who feels compelled to stick her nose into a local murder mystery as she can't trust the police to do their job, a cast of characters that send her on one wild goose chase after another and an intricate mystery that can go in all different directions until the case is solved. Lily even has a few secrets in her own past that she's determined to keep hidden. What a great idea for an amateur sleuth to be the local cleaning woman. She gets to come and go into everyone's house without drawing too much suspicion so she can snoop.

I listened to this one on audio and plan to listen to the rest of them on audio. This made for fun listening on my way to work. I can't wait to hear all about Lily's next adventure.







For Reading Challenges:

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Merely Mystery Reading Challenge
Audio Book Reading Challenge
Where are you reading? challenge (Arkansas)
A to Z Reading Challenge