Impressions In Ink

Book Review: The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad

2012-02-05T10:57:00.000-06:00

The Bookseller of Kabul was written by a journalist from Norway, Asne Seierstad. In the fall of 2001 Asne was in Afghanistan traveling along with "the commandos of the Northern Alliance." After the Taliban fell she traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan. In Kabul she found a book shop and met the owner Sultan Khan (anonymous name). She asked him permission to live with his family in order to write a book about life in Afghanistan. Sultan graciously agreed. Sultan's entire family was gracious and hospitable to Asne during her stay with them. Sultan is the eldest son of his siblings, the husband of 2 wives, the father of several children. In his home 13 people live. His youngest sister Leila age 19 is the primary servant/slave. Her task-master's are the men, especially Sultan. The women cannot perceive a different life, for centuries men have been the dominant ruler. During the Taliban strictness and brutality became apart of their lives. The books theme is supposed to be about Sultan the owner of a book shop in Kabul. It is about his perseverance during the various regimes and occupations including Russia and then later the Taliban. It is also about his family and their way of life, including the women. Although after reading the book my perspective was focused on the women, especially Leila.

The points of the book I was most focused on was how the women dressed, especially life under the burka. The cooking and duties the women had. Strict traditions of courtship, purchase of brides, and weddings. The attitudes of men to women, of course some males are more strict than others. Many people both male and female have an attitude of despair: living in a country that is illiterate, poor, high mortality rate, lack of electricity and water, what the future holds.

The Bookseller of Kabul has received much attention; both good and bad. The author was sued by the "bookseller" in Afghanistan who's family the author lived with for several months in order to write this book. This family was aware the author was a journalist and would be writing a book about them. I believe both parties were naive in how this book would affect them. The author began writing this book on the cusp of that most dark and horrifying of days, 9/11. As we know now, most positively, 9/11 changed everything. Perspective is everything. What my perspective is as a reader is not necessarily the perspective of the next reader, I think we need to be reminded of that. A writer's perspective, what they see, just as what an artist sees and then paints, will not be the same as the next artist and or writer. We all bring with us our prejudices, feelings, intuitiveness, perceptions, personalities, religion, politics. Some might state, "well a good journalist would be a professional observer and would write judiciously." There are no perfect people, just as their are no perfect journalists. I feel it is both logical and rational to believe we "all" come to the table (so to speak) with our own perspective. What is there to be gleaned from understanding this "perspective" business? Tact. A short word with much meaning. Tact means we know when to be mindful of others feelings no matter whether we agree or disagree. My dictionary gives a definition of, "intuitive perception of the right thing to do or say." Asne Seierstad set out to write a book about a family in Afghanistan, with the emphasis on the Bookseller and the women in the family. There was not anything written that I'd not already heard about in what the culture is like in Afghanistan, and in Muslim families. Men rule, women serve. There are degrees to this, some families and some Islamic countries are more strict than others. But, men still rule and women serve. It was piercing to my heart to read about the non-choice, the enslavement, the brutality, unforgiveness, and crude environment of living conditions. The book is sobering, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Burqa_Afghanistan_01.jpg

Published first in Norway 2002, In Great Britain and United States 2003. Published by Back Bay Books or Little Brown and Company 2004.
Link @ Publisher:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316159418.htm320 pages
Non-Fiction/Afghanistan/Women

Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bookseller-Kabul-Asne-Seierstad/dp/0316159417/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328453311&sr=1-1
Paperback $10.96
Not available on Kindle

To read more information about this book, and events afterwards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bookseller_of_Kabul
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/jul/31/bookseller-of-kabul-interview-asne-seierstad

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

2012-02-03T15:21:00.000-06:00

Alice Pleasance Hargreaves is considered to be the real Alice of the story Alice in Wonderland. She was the 4th child and 2nd girl born to a large family. Most of her childhood was spent in Oxford, England. Her father was dean of Christ Church, domestic chaplain to Prince Albert, and headmaster of Westminster School in London. Alice's mother was a stoic, all starch and no emotions type woman. In Alice's mind she felt no affection from her mother, never felt she quite lived up to what she should be in her mother's eyes. In early childhood an attachment to Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) grew. Often he photographed her. He made her feel seen, important, loved. Their "excursions" to her were innocent. But, in reality he knew better, he was the adult, or supposed to be the adult. They were in fact extremely inappropriate. The author never comes bluntly out in the story to state they were intimate, it is certainly alluded to that Alice has been soiled. Alice's age during her young relationship with Mr. Dodgson was age 7-11. He was about 20 years older. I've shared more about this book than usual in my review, because I cannot recommend this book! If I'd known what it was about I would not have wasted my money, or rather my money became tarnished and soiled because of the underlying theme. I've known too many women that for the rest of their life they are conscious of the fact that an older adult abused them. To read a book that does not help in anyway a girl thats childhood was stolen from her, but instead makes it seem as if she were the vixen and enchantress........ I vomit.
I decided to stop on page 233, I've had enough.

Published by Bantam Books Trade Paperback A Division of Random House 2010, 400 pages

Link @ Publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/198588/alice-i-have-been-by-melanie-benjamin

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Alice-Have-Been-Random-Readers/dp/0385344147/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1328302308&sr=1-1
Paperback $11.25
Kindle $11.99

Authors site:
Melanie Benjamin

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon

2012-02-03T08:48:00.000-06:00

Mariella is the only child of well to do parents living outside London in the mid 1800's. It is the Victorian Period, and society and culture standards are as strict and suffocating as a too tight whale bone corset. Mariella learned to stitch and sew as a young girl from her "poor Aunt Eppie." Sewing is a hobby, escape, and creative and emotional outlet for Mariella. Eppie died leaving a young son Henry that grows up to be a surgeon. He has the appearance of being a successful and enterprising and mature young man. When the Crimean War begins Henry makes startling plans to help using his skills for the wounded. Mariella is consumed with worry for her dearly loved Henry. Rosa is a cousin of Mariella, they are closer than cousins or even friends. There is an emotionally dependent bordering on obsession with them. Mariella is a poster girl of a Victorian woman. Rosa is a woman who wants to leave the constraints of culture and make a positive difference in her life. Rosa is opinionated, bold, loyal, assertive, intelligent, brave, long-suffering, and beautiful. Rosa wants to leave with the group of nurses that are accompanying Florence Nightingale to the Crimean War. When letters become sporadic and then end from both Henry and Rosa, Mariella make an unusual decision to travel to this war region in order to find them.

There are some things that I liked about this book, and a few that I did not like.
What I disliked:
The author travels back and forth in time: 1840, 1844, 1854, 1855. It is difficult as a reader, even while taking notes, to keep up with this back and forth. The chapters are short and this helped with the time periods, but it did become tiring.
The ending did not wrap up neatly, I am aware that life is not neat, but I was left not fully understanding a few things. I also did not find out what happened to some of the lesser characters.
All through the book from the beginning of the relationship with Mariella and Rosa----what was up with them? Friends okay, but they were more than close. I wondered what had happened that the author had not shared with me yet about 1 of them or both, that had led to this deep attachment.
I wanted more information about nursing and what Rosa specifically did. I would have liked more historical information about the beginning of nursing.
The three main characters Mariella, Henry, and Rosa are all characters I would have liked independent of one another, I did not like them together in 1 book, and I have not decided yet why. Sorry.
What I liked:
The author did not tell us what is was like to live during this time period, she showed us by beautiful descriptive moving words.
Mariella was a woman that noticed clothing; its patterns, stitching, buttons. Mariella was attentive to a room, it decorations, cleanness, smell. Because she noticed these things the author allowed Mariella to tell us as well. What Mariella saw and experienced, we the reader did as well.
Mariella is naive, living in a small world not only because of culture standards, but also because of her own security and comfort. She is obsessive and fearful about dirt and disease. She diminishes and or hides her feelings, dissociates herself from those that are not of her class or religion. Yet, Mariella's character does develop well (positively) during the story.
The environment of London, Italy, and the Crimean areas are written about in depth. As well as travel accommodations during this period.
The Crimean War and the experiences of soldiers are lightly touched on, as well as after affects of war such as disease and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Published by Berkley Publisher--Penguin
Hardcover published 2009
Paperback published 2010
416 pages in paperback
Historical Fiction/Crimean War/1800's England/Victorian Period/Florence Nightingale

Link @ Berkley Publisher (Penguin):
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425232224,00.html?The_Rose_of_Sebastopol_Katharine_McMahon

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Sebastopol-Katharine-McMahon/dp/B0048BPGMY/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1328275398&sr=1-1
Paperback $6.00
Kindle $12.99

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Five Empresses, Court Life in Eighteenth-Century Russia by Evgenii V. Anisimov

2012-02-02T09:31:00.001-06:00

This is book 2 in my Winter Reading Challenge for 2012.

The emphasis of the book is on five Empresses of Russia that ruled during the 1700's. But, the book begins by telling us the story of Peter the Great. It was his strong legacy that these 5 Empresses followed and were thus measured by.

The 5 Empresses, each given a chapter, are as follows:
The Cinderella from Livland, Catherine I
The Poor Relative Who Became Empress, Anna Ioannovna
The Secret Prisoner and Her Children, Anna Leopol'dovna
The Russian Aphrodite, Elizabeth
The Sovereign of the North, Catherine the Great

Peter the Great married his 2nd wife Catherine I, after they'd had children. She was his 2nd wife. She was not beautiful, but rather frumpy and dumpy, and of peasant stock.Yet they were a match, or rather she had the inborn skills to deal with his personality. Peter the Great was demanding, a tyrant, cruel, he had fits of rage which could produce seizures, he had periods of depression. He was gone often on quests and wars. Catherine chose personally his mistresses that he took with him when he traveled. Catherine had several pregnancies, but only 2 lived to be adults. Peter died without leaving a valid will. Catherine took over as ruler of Russia, she was Catherine I Empress of Russia. The author stated that Catherine I reign was humane. Within 2 years Catherine died probably of consumption.

Anna Ioannovna was the middle daughter of Ivan IV the older brother and co-ruler of Peter the Great. She was chosen to be the next ruler of Russia. The year was 1730. Anna had gone to bed a duchess but awoke an empress on the morning of January 19, 1730. She loved operas, shooting wild game, sleigh rides. She could be "vindictive and suspicious." She was not a states-person, not a strong ruler--"she did not want to be disturbed with these kind of problems." She reigned a little over 10 years, dieing in late 1740.

Anna Leopol'dovna was inadequately trained to be ruler of Russia. She took the throne only to have it taken from her by the next Empress of Russia, Elizabeth. Anna's husband and children as well as herself were basically imprisoned. Her children that lived to adulthood, "all had physical ailments," but each of them were "clever, likable, kind."

Elizabeth was the younger daughter of Peter the Great. Her advantage in usurping the throne was in her popularity with the lower ranking military. She was a majestic horsewoman, savvy, power hungry, expensive taste, arrogant, vain, prideful, obsessive. She could be cruel, selfish, abusive, superstitious, crude. She tried to control all aspects of conversation to what she wanted to talk about. She made time for many, many affairs. She reigned for 20 years, during her reign her interest was in entertainment not in ruling duties over Russia. She had made her nephew her heir. This nephew was child-like, preferring to play with his toys in bed as opposed to co-noodling with his wife. His reign was more than short lived, it was pushed to the side hurriedly by close connections with clout, and done for the sake of the nation of Russia and the next Empress, Catherine the Great.

Catherine the Great had been born in a German province but as a young girl traveled with her star-struck mother to Russia to marry the nephew of Empress Elizabeth. Catherine's job was of course to produce an heir. Catherine more than any of the other Empresses had intelligence in dealing with her boy-husband, and in dealing with the tyrannical Empress Elizabeth. She was not considered a beautiful woman, her voice and presence made people comfortable and instantly like her. She was not religious, but adhered to Voltaire and his teaching. She had a son Paul. Later in life her grandchildren were most precious to her. She reigned 34 years, dieing of a stroke in late 1796.

It would be impossible for me to not compare this book with the previous book by Massie on Catherine The Great. Massie's book is an in-depth, entertaining, educational book on Catherine The Great Empress of Russia.
Anisimov's book should be considered a brief look at each of these 5 Empresses. There was little information I gleaned that I had not already read about in Massie's book.
There were some interesting stories about other women---princesses. These women who had no control on whom they were married to, or what monastery they were subsequently to reside in because they were in the way. Their life was in someone else's hands.
Anisimov wrote a bit of history about court jester's, persecution of Quaker's and Muslim's and Jew's, continuing lengthy wars with Turkey, how music and ballet came to Russia.
What I dislike the most about this book is the price, good grief even the Kindle price is outrageous. If you are interested in reading this book, check the library.

Published by Praeger November 2004
384 pages
Non-Fiction/Russian History/Empresses of Russia/1700's Russia/Biography

Link @ Publisher:
http://www.abc-clio.com/product.aspx?isbn=9780275984649
Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Five-Empresses-Court-Eighteenth-Century-Russia/dp/0313361738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328190254&sr=1-1
Hardcover $49.95
Paperback $25.00
Kindle $22.50

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Catherine The Great, Portrait Of A Woman by Robert K. Massie

2012-01-14T12:54:00.002-06:00

Catherine was born Sophia Augusta Fredericka on April 21, 1729. Her parents were Prince Christian Augustus of Anhalt-Zerbst and Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Their principalities were apart of Germany. Christian and Johanna were not of high noble families. Christian was a professional soldier. He waited to marry until he was 37. His bride was 15. Their marriage was poorly matched. He was older, mature, settled, reserved, disciplined. He was not interested in gossip, or an extravagant lifestyle. His bride was the reverse of his temperament and beliefs. Sophia was their first child. Eighteen months later they had a son, and then much later another son and daughter. Sophia grew up in a home where she was pushed aside, because of her mothers adoration of her brother eighteen months younger than her. Yet, Sophia was lovely and had a bright and quick mind. When Sophia was fourteen she and her mother were summoned by Empress Elizabeth of Russia. Sophia's mother instinctively knew why the had been summoned. She quickly went to work in trying to control every extravagant aspect of their trip, her focus primarily on herself. At the age of fourteen Sophia was betrothed to the future Tsar Peter III of Russia. The Empress Elizabeth changed Sophia's name to Catherine. Peter was the nephew of Empress Elizabeth, she did not have children of her own, and he was her proclaimed heir. In order for lineage to continue through Peter he must have a bride, and they must produce an heir. Young inexperienced Catherine was eager to meet this challenge and future life. Catherine and Peter's wedding was a golden jeweled elaborate display of royal wealth and extravagance. Catherine left her Lutheran church behind and embraced The Orthodox Church. She also embraced whole-heartedly Russia. Catherine would produce one heir to the throne, Paul. She would become Catherine II, The Great Empress of Russia.
This is a narrative biography, borrowing much from a diary Catherine kept, as well as letters and diaries from those that knew her--both friends and enemies.
During her reign we are shown her achievements and disappointments, her heart-aches and fears.
The reader is given a great history lesson in seventeenth century Russia.
Weaved in to Catherine's story is the history of Cossacks, smallpox and plague outbreaks, intermarriage of royal families in Europe, political intrigue, campaigns, wars, and the extreme polarity of wealthy upper class landowners and or noble families versus the poor serfs and peasants.
We read about a man named Pugachev that in-resurrected an uprising of serf's, peasants, and other malcontent's that had hatred for the wealthy land-owner's and royal family. Their vile cruel terror in the outer area of far Russia miscalculated the Catherine and the Russian army.
I loved this book! It is wonderfully written, it swept me away and I had a difficult time putting it down.
This book is number 6 on the New York Times hardcover non-fiction best seller list.
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html

Published by Random House November 2011
656 pages
Non-Fiction/Narrative Biography/Russia/Royalty/Eastern Europe/Prussia/18th Century

Link @Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Great-Portrait-Robert-Massie/dp/0679456724/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326560274&sr=1-1
Hardcover $19.33
Kindle $14.99

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: All Our Worldly Goods by Irene Nemirovsky

2012-01-12T10:17:00.001-06:00

"People draw strength from adversity and the greater the struggle, the stronger they grow...She was engulfed by the profound darkness of war, a darkness from which it seemed there would be no escape, a war that would last until the end of time itself."

All Our Worldly Goods begins in 1910 with Agnes and Pierre very much in love, but Pierre is engaged to marry Simone. His parents are pleased with his betrothed, his grandfather the stoic and controlling Julien Hardelot is pleased with Pierre's betrothed, but Pierre is not. Pierre only sees in Simone a fleshly, plump, red-haired young woman. Simone, "made him feel nauseous, like a meal that is too heavy, too sweet. Nevertheless, they were engaged." When Agnes and Pierre finally express their love to each other and that they wish to risk it all in order to marry, their families are shocked and angry. Simone is devastated by the quick break-off. The book follows Agnes and Pierre showing the troubles brought on by parents and other family that never quite took to this (what they feel) mis-matched marriage. Simone's duress brings sympathy from Pierre's family, especially from the grandfather---old man Hardelot. World War I begins and Pierre joins the French army, occasionally he is able to come home to his wife and young son, then he is gone as quickly as if he'd just arrived. The book continues to follow this family until 1940, when the German's invaded and occupied Paris and most areas of France. The town that Agnes and Pierre lived in through most of the story is Saint Elme, France. The conditions brought on by the war's are written about in depth. The fear, evacuations, bombings, sickness, lack of food, destruction of homes, and death are brought to the reader's visual attention. The culture and society from 1910-1940 are brought in to the story, including how the older generations felt about the "changing times" about what was once not acceptable is now laissez-fare. Once again in All Our Worldly Goods the author gives a panoramic view of life in France (similar to her book Suite Francaise) especially focusing in on society standards. The story is fixated though on Agnes and Pierre, their love for each other and the transformation of their marriage through the years.

I loved this book and was quickly swept away by this story. I could easily relate to Agnes and Pierre's marriage beginnings, the depth of love they had for each other, the growing realizations of the transformation in their marriage, the quickness of time, and the anxieties over children and the choices they'd made. My curiosity was satisfied in what life was like for French citizens during World War I, the aftermath of the "Great War," and then World War II. It was was more difficult for me to understand the stickler society standards of marring beneath ones social status, or in marrying someone my parents had chosen for me----yet through this story, I better understood what it must have been like during past era's. Irene's writing was exceptionally beautiful and eloquent. If you have not read one of her books I highly recommend that you do, her prose is moving--it enraptures your heart.

"In Europe, it had already been three years since the final gust of victory had drifted away. A gnawing, worrying sense of anxiety gripped everyone. The world resembled a sick man who awakens with a moan, turns over in his bed and tries to forget his troubles, but in vain." page 128-129

All Our World Goods by Irene Nemirovsky was published September 2011 by Vintage International, A Division of Random House
First Published 1947 in France
272 Pages
Fiction but with historical context/World War I/World War II/France/Love Story/Society and Culture

Website for more information about author:
http://www.irenenemirovsky.guillaumedelaby.com/en_index.html
Other books written by Irene Nemirovsky:
Suite Francaise
Dimanche and Other Stories
Fire in the Blood
The Ball, Snow in Autumn, The Courilof Affair

Link @ Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Worldly-Goods-Vintage-International-Original/dp/0307743292/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326377975&sr=1-1
$7.92
Not available on Kindle

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Website on History of London

2011-12-19T08:45:00.001-06:00

I came across a great website on the history of London.
http://www.locatinglondon.org/

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

2011-12-08T07:31:00.001-06:00

"He executed a handsome bow. You look lovely tonight, he told her. Just like you fell out of the sky. He lifted her small hand, bent low to kiss it, and slipped away into the crowd." page 9

In 19th century Italy 18 year old Contessa Carolina Fantoni is going blind, no one believes her except her friend Turri. Carolina has known her neighbor Turri since she was a young girl. Their friendship grows and strengthens, she feels a kindred soul in him. Turri is a creative, imaginative, brilliant inventor. He is married and has a son. Meanwhile Carolina's parents do not believe her when she states she believes she is going blind. They encourage her to proceed with marrying handsome Pietro. As Carolina's peripheral vision disappears and her sight world diminishes, she depends more on her memory and on those whom she feels she can trust most.
What I loved most about this story was Carolina's descriptions of scents, smells, and even visual images until her sight world turns dark. For example: scents of lemon, lily, basil, spicy cigar smoke. Mention of her Robin's egg blue brocade dress. And her dress "shone in the morning sun like a piece of the sky."
Carolina's character is perceived to be a delicate fragile butterfly. She is an introvert, a thinker, obedient to her parents, pleasing, and kind. As the story unfolds her courage and fortitude comes to the surface of her personality. She is a character that I felt great empathy for, she is a character that could easily be taken advantage of. At times I wondered who in her life was trustworthy, not by their words, but in their actions that were hidden from her easily because of her blindness.
There is no story development in Turri's wife or son. There is little development with Carolina's parents except in brief conversations with Carolina.
The front book cover is enchanting! Luscious!

Reprint June 28, 2011/Originally Published 2010 by Penguin
224 pages
Fiction/Italy/Romance

Link @ Publisher:
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780143119319,00.html?The_Blind_Contessa%27s_New_Machine_Carey_Wallace#
Paperback $14.00
eBook $9.99

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Contessas-New-Machine-Novel/dp/0143119311/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1323351206&sr=1-1-catcorr
Paperback $11.90
Kindle $9.99

Short Biography on New Author Carey Wallace:
http://careywallace.com/biography/biography.html

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Winter Reading Theme 2012

2011-12-02T10:03:00.001-06:00

Red Square---Saint Basile

Just after the New Year I will be starting a new reading theme, Russia.
I have the following books to read:
Catherine The Great, Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
Five Empresses, Court Life in Eighteenth-Century Russia by Evgenii V. Anisimov
Notes From The Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Chekhov Seven Short Novels by Anton Chekhov Translated by Barbara Makanowitzky
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
And, if I'm really ambitious......War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

There is a new book about Tolstoy:
http://www.amazon.com/Tolstoy-Russian-Life-Rosamund-Bartlett/dp/0151014388/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322842794&sr=1-10
I would love to read this book too! It's on my wish list over at Amazon.

In past years I read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, The Idiot and The House of the Dead and Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky, also Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. I'll not be reading those books again this time.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

2011-11-18T11:53:00.001-06:00

Superstition--1. credulity regarding the supernatural. 2. an irrational fear of the unknown. 3. misdirected reverence. 4. a practice, opinion, or religion based on these tendencies. 5. a widely held but unjustified idea.
Oxford Pocket American Dictionary of Current English.

Blind belief, warped notion, fallacy, mare's nest; illusion, delusion, mote in the eye; prejudice, prepossession, fanaticism, irrational fear, belief in omens, obsession; myth, fable, old wives' tale.
Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale

Examination of a witch by T.H. Matteson 1853

For more historical information about the Salem Witch Trials:
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm
Commentary of the trials:
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM
More information:
http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html

Cotton Mather 1663-1728, A New England Puritan Minister that was influential in role of condemning and adding to hysteria. He was not repentant for his part in the Salem Witchcraft Trials.

For more information about The Heretic's Daughter:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/hereticsdaughter/index.htm

The book begins in December 1690, Massachusetts. The Carrier family is moving from Billerica to another nearby town, Andover. Sarah Carrier is 9 years old. Her parents are Thomas and Martha Carrier. Their children are Richard, Andrew, Tom, Sarah, and young Hannah. They are moving in with Martha's mother, and Thomas Carrier would be "plying his trade as a farmer." The Carrier family is eyed with suspicion by the neighbors. As the story progresses the people of Andover treat the Carrier family as outsider's, not to be trusted. Puritan's were suspicious of any new person; would this person bring a sickness, would they be full of the devil? Minister's preached messages of the devil being everywhere and in wait to harm someone through a disease. This thought pattern gave birth to hysteria, which then produced the Salem Witchcraft Trials. There were 29 people convicted in 1692, 19 were hung, 1 elderly man was crushed to death by heavy stones. Those that were convicted professed their innocence. Many more were imprisoned, some were young children, most were women. The Heretic's Daughter is based on the authors family. She has taken the research and information she gleaned and then added fiction work to it. Martha Carrier the mother is a stoic, stern, resilient, strong-willed, prone to be quick-tempered, a quick biting verbal retort is always ready. She and her daughter Sarah maybe more alike than Sarah perceives as a young child. Both have many of the same personality qualities, because of this they clash. It seems the harder one pushed the harder the other one pushed back, metaphorically. Thomas Carrier the father is almost seven feet tall and of course towers over people, this must have been an intimidating feeling to his already suspicious neighbor's. He rarely speaks, his facial expressions are blank, yet I wondered as the story revealed itself would the love for his family break through the chiseled face. The family is beset by hardship immediately. I was amazed at the resilience of Martha and of her strength and determination. Sarah does not see these qualities in her mother.
The book was written with the primary intent of telling the story of the Carrier family during The Salem Witchcraft Trials. Yet, I was taken in immediately by this seemingly stoic family. Behind each of their unmoving faces is a dark sea of hidden emotions from life's hardships.
When I began reading The Heretic's Daughter I knew little about The Salem Witchcraft Trials. I'm not sure that I studied this historical period back when I was in public school. It is a dark and mysterious subject. Some are frightened by it. If they only knew that it was all brought on by ignorance and hysteria.
My heart ached for the innocent people, especially the aged and little children that were imprisoned, tortured, starved. It was a horrendous act that these men who stated they were Christian's did.
The Heretic's Daughter is not a horror story, some movies have presented The Salem Witchcraft Trials to be devilish and full of horror.
The story is not creepy, nor scary, nor suspenseful.
It is a sobering reminder that our Puritan ancestor's and I include my own ancestry were not the clean, homespun, Christ-like, reserved, pious people that have often been portrayed to be.
My maiden name is Hart, and on my mothers side there is the surname Morgan. Both go back to the mid 1600's in America. After reading this book I wondered if they in anyway were apart of The Salem Witchcraft Trials?

www.kathleenkent.com

A second book is available in paperback:
The Traitor's Wife originally published as The Wolves of Andover

Published by Little Brown and Company Back Bay Books September 3, 2008
352 pages
Historical Non-Fiction/Salem Witch Trials/Puritan America

Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Heretics-Daughter-Novel-Kathleen-Kent/dp/0316024481
Paperback $10.98
Kindle $9.99

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Shadows Walking by Douglas R. Skopp

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

"...indifference to the sufferings that one causes...,even if it is given other names, is a terrible and permanent form of cruelty." Marcel Proust

The foreword was written by E. Thomas Moran, Ph.D.
In the foreword a statement is made that profoundly lays the ground work for the book Shadows Walking.
"No comprehensible explanation for the Holocaust. It was as indifferent to human suffering as an earthquake that indiscriminately swallows lives...But...the Shoah was conceived and carried out by human beings who could see into the eyes and hear the cries of those they willfully destroyed."

Shadows Walking is the story of two men: Johann Brenner and Philipp Stein. Each of these men are given a voice in the story, but it will be Johann that is the prominent character. These men had known each other since they were children. Their friendship continued through medical school--each taking the Hippocratic Oath. Philipp made a comment once in that "who wants to be a saint, being a doctor is close enough." Philipp's remark is a haunting and acerbic premonition of things to come.
When the book begins Johann is a janitor working in the building where the Nuremberg trials are being held after World War II. Johann is apparently in hiding. He often stops his work to sit in the courtroom and listen to the trials. While listening to the testimonies of those on trial, Johann remembers his own past and holds court in his mind.

This is not a feel good book, not a book that when your finished you go ahhhh what a wonderful story.
Yet, this is an exceptionally realistic and haunting story.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book!
I have read many books on the Holocaust and World War II. In a fiction story of this genre a love story is often interjected, I guess to make the story more like-able. This is not a romantic tale. The focus of Shadows Walking is the serious and life-altering choices that were made by two men, what led up to their choices, and what the result of their choices were.
In Shadows Walking I was pleased that the author did not try and make either character like-able or unlikeable, he told their stories from their own voices and thoughts, which gave the reader all the information needed to abhor and condemn, or to clamor the injustice.
Through Johann and Philipp the history of Germany between the two world wars is given, the feelings that German's had and the economic hardship. He described their fear of the future, starvation, bartering, poverty, hopelessness, anger over the boundary changes in the German territory, and the betrayal and stinging pride from their defeat.
The book explores the feelings that many German's had, in that they felt the Jew's were to blame for all of their troubles. This was a horrifying excuse. Even though the book gives an explanation, this does not mean the book is in agreement that this excuse could ever justify their murderous actions.
The book follows the years of Hitler's gaining popularity in the 1920's, his control and dominance during the 1930's, and the years of World War II from Poland's defeat until the ultimate surrender of Germany.
The destruction of Germany during World War II is described, as well as the experiences and feelings of the civilians during the war and afterwards.
I felt Shadows Walking is a psychological analysis in trying to explain why people chose (especially those that were physicians) to take part in murdering the Jew's during the Holocaust.
Shadow's Walking is absorbing, I felt as if I was apart of the story or at least in a front row seat watching the characters become swept up in the frenzy of Hitler's march against humanity.

Thank you to Douglas R. Skopp and Amy Bruno at Historical Fiction Blog Tours for my free review copy!

Printed by CreateSpace 2010
482 pages
Historical Fiction/World War II/Holocaust/Nuremberg Trials

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Walking-Douglas-R-Skopp/dp/1439231990/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320422625&sr=8-1
Paperback $16.20
Kindle $7.77

Link to Douglas R. Skopp's WEBSITE: http://www.shadowswalking.com/Shadows_Walking/Welcome.html
Twitter Event Hashtag: #ShadowsWalkingVirtualBookTour

SYNOPSIS: Johann Brenner, an idealistic physician and ardent German nationalist, has joined the Nazi Party and willingly participated in its "crimes against humanity." His Jewish childhood friend, Philipp Stein, has also become a doctor. Their lives inevitably intersect until their last, fateful meeting.

After the war, Brenner, with stolen papers and a new name, has become a janitor in the courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials are being held. Hoping to "heal himself" and wishing to begin a new life with his estranged wife, he decides that he must write her a letter telling what he has done and why.

Brenner's letter sets the theme for each chapter of Shadows Walking. Through his letter, we see him admit his choices and their consequences as he slips deeper and deeper into the brutality of the Third Reich.

Shadows Walking Virtual Tour Schedule

Monday, November 7th
Review at Impressions in Ink

Thursday, November 10th
Review at Small World Reads

Monday, November 14th
Review at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, November 17th
Review at The Book Garden

Monday, November 21st
Author Interview at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, November 24th
Review at Confessions of a Book Hoarder

Monday, November 28th
Author Guest Post at Confessions of a Book Hoarder

Blissful Reading!

Annette

Book Review: Marlene, Marlene Dietrich A Personal Biography by Charlotte Chandler

2011-10-17T11:03:00.001-05:00

From the movie that started her career:

Der Blaue Engel or The Blue Angel 1929-1930 is the movie that launched Marlene Dietrich's career as a movie star. She had made several low key movies in Germany that she'd considered unimportant and really preferred to not discuss. She came to America in 1930 leaving her husband Rudi and young daughter Marie in Germany. Later Marlene relocated her husband and young daughter to America to be near her. Marlene's mother and sister refused to leave Germany. Nazi Germany was a big reason why Marlene left, she despised what Germany had become in its politics and societal beliefs. She also understood the devious nature of Hitler. Marlene and Rudi Sieber married young and had one daughter Marie. Marlene and Rudi, although she stated they loved each other, had an open marriage. Most of the years of their lengthy marriage, they lived apart. For 33 years Rudi had an affair with a former Russian chorus girl. After making Blue Angel Marlene went on to make Morocco. In this movie she wore mens clothing (which was shocking in the 1930's). Women just did not wear pants, it was considered male attire and risqué. In this break out role, Marlene set new standards and liberties that had not been taken before. The book mentions all the movies she appeared in. Marlene was an entertainer on the front line in Europe during World War II. My dad saw her perform in St.Vie Belgium December 1944--this was right before The Battle of the Bulge. Dad was disappointed that he did not get to "see" her famous legs! The book also includes the years she sang on stage with the leadership and guidance of Burt Bacharach. In her later life she was plagued with painful and debilitating injuries living out her last years in a Paris apartment.

Born 27 December 1901 and Died 6 May 1992

I noticed at Amazon the book has not received good reviews. Of course I've not read the biography written by Marlene's daughter Marie Riva which has better reviews. And, I am by-far NOT an expert on Marlene Dietrich's history.
My only dislike of this book is I was left with several unanswered questions such as: why did Marlene and Rudi live apart so much, even in their later years, and especially after she stated several times in the book how much they'd loved each other? She stated their love was passionate in the early years, did this not continue? I also wandered why she and her sister did not reconcile. If Marlene loved her as she stated why would she cut her sister out of a photograph as if she were dead?
I guess the explanation could be that Marlene may not have known either, meaning she didn't want to deal with these particularly harsh relationship issues, so avoidance was her answer.
What I did like is that Marlene in her interview by the author was allowed to speak with little breaking in by the author. It was as if we too were in the room listening to Marlene tell "her story".
I also like it that other people that had known Marlene intimately were interviewed: her youngest grandson, Mae West, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ted Kennedy and Ray Milland.
The book does talk about her various affairs. If you noticed I left out love, she stated the only other man besides her husband she loved was the actor Jean Gabin.
Her bisexuality is only sparsely explained in one paragraph.
To Marlene (as is probably most actor's) image was most important to her. Her beauty, great legs, porcelain skin, svelte figure, all diminished when she was older. Because of her age, fading beauty, and health problems she rarely left her Paris apartment. Her six phone-lines in her apartment was her only link to the outside world.

Published March 29, 2011 by Simon and Schuster
320 pages/Biography/Hollywood Actress/World War II/Germany

Link for the book @ Simon and Schuster:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Marlene/Charlotte-Chandler/9781439188354
$26.00 for Hardcover

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Marlene-Dietrich-Personal-Biography/dp/1439188351/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318866951&sr=8-1
Hardcover $16.81

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

2011-09-09T08:17:00.000-05:00

My sister came to visit me recently and brought this book with her. I read it in one evening.
Yes, it is engrossing, hard to put down.
But it is also disturbing, it was very difficult for me to read this book. It is difficult in that what happened to Jaycee was unimaginable, it is hard for my mind and heart to grasp why another human would be so evil as to steal a child with the intent to abuse her, imprison her, and impregnate her. I am aghast!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Life-Memoir-Jaycee-Dugard/dp/1451629184/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315489001&sr=8-1
Hardcover $14.60
Kindle $11.99

Published by Simon and Schuster July 12, 2011
288 pages
Non-Fiction/Biography

June 10, 1991 Jaycee at age 11 was walking to school and a car slowly pulled up beside her. Even though she felt unsure about strangers in a car pulling up next to her she approached the car. A stun gun was used on her. She wanted to fight back, to speak out, but she could not. That feeling of wanting to speak out and fight back carried over in to 18 years of captivity by her pedophile abuser and his wife/accomplice.
We've heard the news reports of Jaycee's life under the imprisonment of a pedophile. We know that for 18 years she lived under horrific conditions. We've heard she had 2 children by this man. But the details of her life has now been written by Jaycee in A Stolen Life.

Two things I noticed as soon as I started reading:
1. The book is completely from the voice of Jaycee. Sometimes a biography is written by another writer who helps the person who's story is told. In this process the book is written more eloquently (I guess that is the right word) or maybe professionally would be a better word. Instead, A Stolen Life is from the voice of Jaycee Dugard.
2. It is noticeable by the words that she uses--her expressions, that she is still that 11 year old child that was stolen.

She has tried desperately to understand why these perpetrators abducted and abused her. Maybe in some way this book has been cathartic.
She admits she had turned a switch off emotionally so that she could survive.
It has been asked by many why she stayed when she had chances to leave? In A Stolen Life Jaycee answers this question; yet it is important for us to understand the beaten down, degraded, hopeless feelings of a child that was literally hidden away for years. "They" were all she had for food and shelter. She was conditioned and stripped away from all that was sacred, and left to scavenge from her abuser's.

I was even more saddened to read that her abuser's even stripped away and robbed her of a right interpretation of the Bible. The Bible was interpreted by this pedophile in a twisted and vile way.

This is not a book that while you are reading it, nor when you read the last page, you are able to say, "I'm glad I read this book." Instead you are speechless, your mind still trying to absorb all that you've read. Of course feelings vacillating between anger and deep sadness plague your mind. It is a deeply troubling story.

This is not a book for children, nor any adult that is sensitive. It will take me a long time to "recover".
It is an excellent book for anyone in the mental health field to study this story of Jaycee in order to help others who have similar stories.

My prayers for Jaycee is that she and her children will continue therapy, working towards full recovery and I hope that is possible.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: How To Be A Movie Star, Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood by William J. Mann

2011-09-02T08:42:00.001-05:00

I've not decided if I liked this book or not. In honesty I neither liked it nor disliked it. I did finish reading it, it was interesting. But, I cannot say that I felt it was a gem.

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Movie-Star-Elizabeth-Hollywood/dp/B004X8W4UY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1314968016&sr=8-15
Hardback $4.99
Paperback $3.83
Kindle $2.98

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2009
528 pages
Biography/Hollywood/Film Industry/Actor

Another review:
http://misadventuresofmoppet.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/how-to-be-a-movie-star-elizabeth-taylor-in-hollywood-by-william-j-mann/

Elizabeth Taylor was born to Sara Warmbrodt a former stage actress and Francis Taylor. They had 2 children: Elizabeth and her older brother Howard. Because of an "uncle" they were able to have a more lavish lifestyle, considering the hardship of so many during The Great Depression. Sara was more than a strong influence she was the driving force in Elizabeth becoming an actress at a young age, and a Hollywood star. Elizabeth attended the Little Red School house on the MGM lot. She acted in National Velvet, which was the movie that launched her career. Her mother continued to dominate her life until Elizabeth acted in the movie A Place in the Sun with Montgomery Clift. During this movie Elizabeth started rebelling against certain standards that her mother had held. Elizabeth and Monty became close friends. Elizabeth and Roddy McDowell had met in National Velvet, they too were life long friends. Elizabeth maintained close friends with several gay men. The author alludes to the possibility she felt she could be herself, relax, not feel as if they were out to sleep with her. The author also felt her father was gay. The book does not give a full life story of Elizabeth Taylor, instead certain peak moments of her life are examined; such as during the making of the movie Cleopatra she began an affair with Richard Burton.

As I stated above I neither liked this book or disliked it.
It was an interesting read, it did hold my attention. Reading about Elizabeth Taylor was rather like reading a very long article in a celebrity magazine.
She was such a beautiful person, just stunning. With her beauty and sweet voice you'd have thought she was lady-like. But, their was nothing lady-like about her. She was bold and brassy, curse words flew out of her mouth like a drunk sailor.
She was a woman with not just an agenda but with the attitude of the heck with anyone else. When she wanted something she got it. And, yet the author summed her life up as this attitude was to be expected because she was a star!
I do believe it is true that she was kind-hearted to certain close friends.
I also believe that her labor of love during the early years of HIV and AIDS awareness and education to me was her greatest achievement in life. She made a daring step forward during a time when many in the world were either uninformed, prejudice, afraid, or all the above.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Empire of The Summer Moon, Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne

2011-07-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

In the desolate plains area of west Texas, a boy who's mother was Nautdah or Cynthia Ann Parker and his father was Pete Nocona, grew up to become a powerful Comanche chief. From the mid 1700's until about 1850 the Comanche's ruled the southern plains. They were greatly feared by both the Spanish and white settler's that came to inhabit Texas. It would be a long battle between the Comanche's and the white military. At the end of the bitter war the Comanche's would be faced with living on land that was not "fit" for white settlers, and eating foods that were not palatable for any human. But, for a time, the Comanche's had been the most powerful Indian tribe in American History.

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Summer-Moon-Comanches-Powerful/dp/1416591060/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311099245&sr=1-1
Paperback $8.00
Kindle $9.99

Authors site:
http://scgwynne.com/

Link for a review from Dallas Morning News:
http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/headlines/20100530-Book-review-Empire-of-8113.ece

Empire of the Summer Moon was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for General Non-Fiction 2011
And a Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award 2011
Winner of Texas Book Award and Oklahoma Book Award

Published by Scribner Reprint May 2011
Non-Fiction/Texas History/Native American History/The Old West
384 pages

Quanah Parker was the son of Cynthia Ann Parker, that was captured by Comanche Indians at the Parker Fort located in central Texas in 1836 when she was 9 years old. The Comanche's adopted her, and when she grew older her husband was Peta Nocona a Comanche chief, they had 3 children. Quanah was Cynthia's oldest child. Quanah would also become a chief.
The author does not just tell the story of Quanah Parker and Cynthia Ann Parker.
We are given a dramatic kaleidoscope of Texas; from the buffalo that ate the prairie grass, to the various Indian battles in Texas, other Indian tribes and how they were in relation to the Comanche's, the Texas settler's that came to Texas to grasp hold of free land, the life of the plains Indians, the introduction of the horse to the plains Indians, the history of the Texas Rangers, and the cattle business in Texas.

"They came from the high country, in the place we now call Wyoming, above the headwaters of the Arkansas River. They called themselves "Nermernuh," which in their Shoshone language meant, simply, "People." They were of the mountains: short, dark-skinned, and barrel-chested. They were descendants of the primitive hunters who had crossed the land bridge from Asia to America in successive migrations between 11,000 and 5,000 BC, and in the millennia that followed they had scarcely advanced at all." page 27

"Thus positioned, a Comanche warrior could loose twenty arrows in the time it took a soldier to load and fire one round from his musket; each of those arrows could kill a man at thirty yards." page 33

"One thinks of Cynthia Ann on the immensity of the plains, a small figure in buckskin bending to her chores by a diamond-clear stream. It is late autumn, the end of warring and buffalo hunting. Above her looms a single cottonwood tree, gone bright yellow in the season, its leaves and branches framing a deep blue sky. Maybe she lifts her head to see the children and dogs playing in the prairie grass and, beyond them, the coils of smoke rising in to the gathering twilight from a hundred lodge fires. And maybe she thinks, just for a moment, that all is right in the world." page 193

Photograph taken by me at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco

I loved this book! I feel it is one of the best non-fiction books I've read.
I loved reading about my home state.
I loved reading about people that were not depicted in order to persuade the reader as either good or bad. The author did not entangle himself in the criticism of whether the people white or Native American were good or evil. He left those feelings to the reader.
There is much, much, much research that went in to the writing of this book. I could tell that the writer has a passion for Texas history. His passion is contagious!
The characters come alive off of the white pages written in dull black ink.
At times it did not "feel" as if it was a non-fiction book, but more of a literary novel that has swept the reader away with its tenacity.
Kit Carson, Sam Houston, Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, the Texas Rangers, the weighty Spanish Conquistador's, The Parker family, Peta Nocona, Charles Goodnight, John Coffee Hays, and Cynthia, Quanah, Peanut, and Prairie Flower. These people were each described in such vividness, that I easily pictured them in my mind, and I swear I could almost smell them!
This is an awesome book and would make a great summer read!
I feel it should be required reading in school for American History.

Texas Ranger Museum in Waco

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Boone, A Biography by Robert Morgan

2011-06-29T12:24:00.000-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Boone-Biography-Robert-Morgan/dp/1565124553/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1309360931&sr=8-1
Hardcover $20.97
Paperback $12.50
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.workman.com/products/9781565126152/

Authors website:
http://www.robert-morgan.com/

Published by Shannon Ravenel Book, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in 2007
Non-fiction/American History/The Old West/Frontier
538 pages

Daniel Boone did not really wear a coonskin hat, he wore a beaver felt hat in order to keep the sun and rain off of his head. He was a gypsy, nomadic in lifestyle, often gone for long periods of time, so long that his wife thought he might have been dead. He had a happy easy going personality, disliked fighting and arguments. When the fall of the year would come his heart drove him to the woods to hunt and trap. Just as a poet is led to write poetry, Daniel Boone was driven to roam the forests in search of game or new land.
Daniel Boone for my generation knew him through a weekly television show created in the 1960's. The shows song became apart of those jingles that stay with you, that are apart of the nostalgia from growing up.
The real Daniel Boone does not match the Hollywood version. Robert Morgan's detailed book works to debunk many of the myths and legends that Hollywood and previous writer's have instilled in the public.
The Daniel Boone of history was born in Pennsylvania in 1734. His parents were Quakers. His father's family was from England and his mother was a Morgan from Wales. Daniel's appearance and personality was more like his mother. He was tall, dark haired, and had a happy easy going personality. Even as a young boy he would be gone for hours or overnight in the woods. Even as a young man he was an excellent marksman, trapper, hunter. For Daniel Boone the woods were his church, his sanctuary. When still a young man he met the young and beautiful Rebecca Bryan. They would marry and eventually have 10 children, including several nieces and nephews that came to live with them. Rebecca would be the full parent in the relationship, Daniel was gone more often than he was home. Daniel was a scout and land surveyor. He tried his hand at owning a tavern and store, also farming; but he was never satisfied unless he was in the woods. He spent most of his adult life in debt, only at the end were those debts rectified.
In my opinion Hollywood and other writer's did not need to change up Daniel Boone's story, nor glamorize him. He "lived" a life of radical adventure.

When I began reading this book I wondered how long it would take me to read it, at 538 pages it is not a minuscule read. I read it in 4 days.
I also wondered if the authors detailed almost college course education on Daniel Boone would be exhausting to me. I was propelled to continue reading because of the entertainment of it. Another words Daniel Boone was not a historical figure written about on white pages in black ink--rather dry and anemic. Robert Morgan gave a well-rounded convincing image to me of Daniel Boone, he is not described singularly as heroic nor cavalier, but a blend of personality and action that gave him an earthy quality.
At the end of his life he was surrounded by his beloved family that he had no qualms or indifference's with.
To me Daniel Boone was a remarkable individual, human with faults as we all have, yet remarkable in his legacy as a frontiersman.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Old West Update

2011-06-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

I have a few more books on The Old West to read before "riding-off in to the sunset" to another genre.

1. Boone, A Biography by Robert Morgan
2. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
3. Empire of The Summer Moon, Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne
4. Brave Companions, Portraits in History by David McCullough
5. Blood And Thunder, The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West by Hampton Sides
6. Crazy Horse and Custer, The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors by Stephen E. Ambrose

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Children Of The West, Family Life On The Frontier by Cathy Luchetti

2011-06-24T14:47:00.000-05:00

Authors site:
http://www.cathyluchetti.com/children.html

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Children-West-Family-Life-Frontier/dp/0393049132
Hardback $28.05

Link for the book at publisher:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/Children-of-the-West/
Published by W W Norton and Company May 2001
256 pages/ Non-fiction/Children of the West/American History/The Old West

The first wagon birth occurred in 1843. I cannot imagine giving birth to a baby in the middle of no-where, with no physician, maybe no other women to help, and knowing that my baby may not survive the birth nor I.
Yet, many women traveled by covered wagon following their husbands out west. They settled in California and Oregon. Many settled in Nebraska, Colorado, Montana or the Dakota Territory.
The book Children Of The West delivers (no pun intended) a thorough job in educating the reader about what life was like for a child born in the west during the trip, or for a child that lived thorough the memorable experience of traveling by wagon to their western destination, or in living in the frontier.
Whether the child is Caucasian, African American, Mexican American, Chinese American,----all children have "their" own important life stories.
I was happy that the author included the histories of other racial groups and did not dwell on Caucasian children.
I learned about how children were treated for sickness. Hot fried onions were used for phlegm. Mustard poultices or greased up with goose grease prevented taking a cold. Rhubarb and magnesia was given for diarrhea. Catnip tea was given for colic.
I learned about some things I did not expect to learn about such as contraception use, which was more available in the city, and abortion methods.

A quote: "Early American discipline presumed that children should be invisible, women submissive, and men the natural, moral authority of the family."

Children Of The West is a sobering look at children's lives during the westward expansion of the 19th Century.
This is a book about children but not a book for children. Death and sickness and many sad stories are told.
The book is a large library size hardback book.
Many photographs are throughout the book, with photographs on every page.
The photographs themselves tell stories.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Faith and Betrayal, A Pioneer Woman's Passage in the American West by Sally Denton

2011-06-17T09:35:00.001-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Betrayal-Pioneer-Passage-American/dp/140004135X/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0
Hardcover available for .99 and up from used book store
Paperback $11.20
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/39577/faith-and-betrayal-by-sally-denton/ebook
Paperback $14.00

Published by Knopf April 2005/240 Pages
Non-fiction/Pioneer Women/The Old West/Mormon

Jean Rio Griffith's was born in 1810 in Scotland. An only child to a mother of French aristocratic birth (surviving the French revolution) and to a father that was of Scottish aristocracy. Jean Rio grew up having the best of education and the best in piano and voice instruction. She later gave piano performances in concert halls in Europe. She married a Henry Baker of London and they lived near St. Paul's Cathedral. Together they had 9 children. Jean Rio lived a life of luxury and stability. Yet, she was disenchanted with the Anglican Church and with aristocratic society. It was a mix of not feeling fulfilled in her church and amongst the society she had always lived in, and feeling as if there was something more. Mormon missionaries came to England, Scotland and Wales in the 1840's proselytizing, and gaining followers predominantly with the poor and uneducated, but also with those from the upper society who like Jean Rio were disillusioned with their life. After her husband died she made a huge decision to move with her children and other family members to Zion in Utah, where the Mormon church had established a community. Jean Rio had a large income and had made a large profit by selling much of her possessions in London before leaving. The travel to Zion is journaled by her, then there is a long lull of no journal activity. The author who is a descendant of Jean Rio believes there was a continued journal but that journal was never found.
The author stated in the book that her "goal was to give voice to this woman. The Mormon church has used her as a recruitment tool even though she had left this religion." The author wanted what she felt was the true story to be written and published.
There is historical information about the Mormon church, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young. Information about what it would have been like to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, and across the United States to Zion in Utah. Jean Rio actually landed in New Orleans and then traveled by riverboat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri. Then across the plains and mountains to Zion in Utah. Jean Rio was 40 years old when she made this trip.

This book is not written in a journal format, nor is it from Jean Rio's voice perse. The book is written not academically either. The book is written more biographically the author stating her goal in wanting the truth to be told about her ancestor.

I found the book to be interesting.
There is information given about the Mormon church that I did not know about. Surely that part of history with the Mormon church is a dark period for them.
Depending on which side of the fence the reader sits on with Mormonism would be how they felt about the authors story.
The author stated that the Mormon church have told a side of the story of Jean Rio that would give a favorable light to them.
Whereas the author wrote Jean Rio's story that gives the Mormon church a description in that they are a cult that has been led to flourish in America for generations.
I never felt I really got to know through this story the woman Jean Rio, she was analyzed by the author from a distance. The author wrote more on the infamous Brigham Young and the history of the Mormon church than on Jean Rio. I was left feeling as if Jean Rio is still an uncaptured historical character in a black and white photograph. Another words she did not live and breath in the pages of this book.
I am glad I did read this book, it opened up my eyes to a religion I knew little about, albeit through the eyes of the author Sally Denton.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Calamity Jane of the Western Trails by J. Leonard Jennewein

2011-06-10T10:59:00.002-05:00

"Little about Calamity is provable, and how much that has been told is most inaccurate, or even fanciful."
James McLaird in the foreword

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Calamity-western-trails-Leonard-Jennewein/dp/0912410116/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1307717245&sr=8-1
Paperback $7.93

Published by Dakota West Books First Edition 1953, Fourth Edition 1991
48 pages
Non-fiction/The Old West/Pioneer Women

Calamity Jane was a rough and tough, chewed tobacco, drank whiskey to excess, spit, cursed, solid looking big-boned gal. She could crack a bull whip and ride a horse like a man. She preferred the company of men. She was an anomaly in a culture and age where women were women and men were men....and they did not cross the line over to the other.
On the other hand she was quick to help those who were sick or in need. And even though she was course and rough as sandpaper, she had many friends that through her life helped her.
Calamity Jane for most of her life was a drifter, never staying in one place for long.
She worked various jobs: laundress, cook, teamster, bull-whacker, caring for sick, and prostitute.
What we know for sure, she died on August 1, 1903 and is buried in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Where she was born and who her parents and siblings were is only a guess. The author believes she was probably born in or near Princeton, Missouri.
She was married, or common law, to a Texan named Clinton Burke.
We know more about the dramatics and showmanship of her life than the truth.

At 48 pages this book is more like a pamphlet that you would find in a souvenir gift shop while traveling out west.
The author's aim in writing this book is to debunk the false information given about Calamity Jane. He spoke with those that knew her, or remembered her, or lived in the same towns as she did.
He made mention of the various author's that have written books about her and that he felt most had not backed up what they wrote with solid information.
At times he writes tongue and cheek about Calamity Jane's lifestyle---as it was unusual for a woman to live as a man, and more than that to be as abrasive and dramatic as she was.
I wonder if beneath that facade of tough exterior was a sensitive person. Another words that tough exterior was a cover to hide a deep hurt.
At 48 pages this is a quick read, interesting, entertaining, and I'm glad that I found this little gem in our public library---almost didn't see it because it was hidden between 2 big books!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Volume 2 Covered Wagon Women, Diaries and Letters From The Western Trails, 1850 Edited and Compiled by Kenneth L. Holmes

2011-06-08T14:31:00.000-05:00

"The historian who would read women's diaries must 'hear' what is not written, and understand what is spoken only by allusion and indirection." Lillian Schlissel

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Covered-Wagon-Women-Diaries-Letters/dp/080327274X/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Paperback $13.46
Kindle $9.99

Published by Bison Books 1996/296 pages
Non-fiction/History/Pioneer Women/Diaries and Journals/Westward Expansion
Volume 2 of 3 Books on Pioneer Women and their Diaries, Letters

Before reading this book and the previous reviewed book on Pioneer women---I thought most women of this age were domestic, passive, servitude towards men. I guess some were, but certainly not all. Even for those women who did obediently do what their husbands or fathers wanted, they all had feelings and opinions. Inside their mind they may have been quaking with anger or fear, but society standards and the inability for most women to not be able to provide financially for themselves, they remained silent. By reading this compilation of 6 different women's diaries from the mid 1850's-----all that traveled west-----I understand them a little better. Regardless of the times we live in, or the education we've had, or the environment we live in, or even the culture and religion-----all women are basically the same-----meaning we all have feelings, hopes, dreams, anxieties, fears, personalities, quirks. It must have been extremely difficult for a lone woman living amongst men and or children without any other woman for support. Women need each other. If anything we need the encouragement and comfort and friendship of each other. Men are wonderful, but they do not fill the gap that another gal can provide in the way of girl talk, not to mention birthing babies.
I loved this book! I wish I owned it, but it is library copy.
The diary kept by Margaret A. Fink wife of Ledyard Fink was my favorite. Her writing compares more to a professional authors book. She wrote eloquently noticing details about the countryside she saw, the weather, what they ate and where they slept, the people she encountered. She wrote of the distances they traveled and how much further they had to go. She spoke of the, "rushing and boiling and yellow with mud, a mile wide, and in many places of unknown depth. The bed was of quicksand-this was the worst difficulty." When I read that last sentence I too was fearful of crossing that river. At times she was somber in speaking of those deaths from cholera. At times she was comical. She was a savvy woman and a person I just know I would have wanted to be friends with.
I admired that the editor left the women's diaries intact, he did not change the mis-spelled words nor grammatical or capitalization errors. He stated that spaces were added to help the reader.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Pioneer Women, The Lives of Women on the Frontier by Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith

2011-06-08T12:13:00.001-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Women-Lives-Frontier/dp/0806130547
Paperback $17.79
Not Available on Kindle

Published by University of Oklahoma 1998/144 pages
Non-fiction/History/Pioneer Women/The Old West

"Americans have always had itching feet." John Mack Faragher
And I might add when men have itching feet to move, their wives move with them.
In the 2 books I've read so far on Pioneer women, it was the husbands that initiated the plan to move westward. Their wives without a choice in the matter moved with them.
Yes, there were some women that moved west because of business ventures whether owning a saloon, or working as a prostitute, or following the gold rush for opportunities there.
There were also women that were sold as slaves and brought to America from another country mainly China.
These women worked in prostitution, they were considered the low tier of this trade. Their cubicle of work was called a crib measuring 4x6. These women earned 38 cents per day, working 7 or more customers.
In Pioneer Women a full spectrum of women's stories are told. Women that owned business's (of various kinds), women that were wives and mothers, women that worked in saloons and or as prostitutes, women that against a society without equal rights--they became lawyer's and doctor's.
Martha Jane Canary aka Calamity Jane was not the person created on the Warner Brothers screen by Doris Day in 1953. The real Calamity Jane was a tough talking, push it to the limit, crass, abusive, cantankerous, not to mention she had a big problem with alcohol. She also worked as a prostitute.
Several times in the beginning of the book the authors mentioned that "Frontier history was known as his-story." I'd never thought of that, but I believe it is true, most books and movies are portrayed as rough cowboy mountain man type macho men.We are told less about women unless they add to the story a romantic interest.
I really liked this book! I could not put the book down. I was easily transported back in time to the real women of the west, not the fictional portrayal from Hollywood.
There are black and white photograph's on every page.
As I looked in to the eyes of the women in the photograph's I wondered what stories they did not share, what had they held back? What had they witnessed or lived through that was too painful to describe? Maybe I think too much?

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Preview to Pioneer Women

2011-06-08T11:09:00.000-05:00

When I was a girl I was fascinated by the stories my grandmother's told me. Stories of drawing water from a well for daily use, wearing a bonnet, layers of petticoats under long dresses, riding in a wagon and not a car, cooking and baking in a wood stove, going to bed shortly after dark and waking up before dawn, house dances, courting, picking cotton, and the endearing way my maternal grandmother called her daddy "papa". My grandmother's were both born in the early 1900's. My maternal grandmother's mother died when my grandmother was 4 years old. It was her oldest sister Bertha that took over as "mother and homemaker".
My paternal grandmother was 1 of 14 children. Her paternal grandfather fought in the Civil War and relocated to Texas after that war. I love history and I love stories. I especially love stories and history of women. Women that against the odds of their environment, or family circumstances, or education, or the age in which they were born, they became strong women, women of not necessarily outward beauty, but beauty that comes from an inner fire of stamina and strength and determination.
In the 2 books that I will be reviewing this week--Pioneer Women, The Lives of Women on the Frontier and Covered Wagon Women, Diaries and Letters From The Western Trails, 1850--these books are true stories of women that lived. I was amazed at the endurance and fortitude they had. I was amazed at their adventurous spirit. The books are taken from diaries, journals, tape recordings, and interviews of women that lived and took part in the westward expansion to the west.

Interesting article about young children on the pioneer trail.
http://www.americanheritage.com/content/youngest-pioneers

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

67th Anniversary of D-day

2011-06-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 67th anniversary of D-day Normandy 6th of June. Veteran's of this battle are becoming smaller in number with each passing year. My dad is a D-day Veteran and is still living at age 88.

As a child growing up my dad would often talk of some of his experiences of World War II with mom and I. Most often he would share during our evening supper meal when we were all gathered together. Dad was selective in what he shared because I was a child, but as I grew older he shared more of his experiences with me. Yet, I know that it is impossible to fully express what combat is like, only a person that has experienced it first hand understands.

Photo by S. Gaulin

As I've gotten older and more mature, with each passing anniversary I hold my dad's heroism during D-day more precious. He is my daddy, age 88, with many aches and pains. I carry a list with me at all times with information on his lengthy history of past surgeries and current medications. He has become more frail and falls easily, and our trips to the doctor have become more frequent. But 67 years ago in 1944, he was a young man with hopes and dreams, he had a young body full of vibrance and strength. Yet, it is by the grace of God that he survived that day, and that he is still with us. He is such a blessing to me and on this day I honor him.
Thank you daddy.

Links for more information on D-day the 6th of June.
http://www.army.mil/d-day/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dday/
http://www.dday.org/
http://www.worldwar2history.info/D-Day/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43225629/ns/travel-destination_travel/
http://americandday.org/

The above 6 photograph's were taken during our trip to Normandy Omaha Beach in 1999. My dad is the man with the tan jacket. On that day in late October it was windy and with light rain. In the last picture the lone person on the beach, near the water is me. My thoughts at that moment were of what my dad went through. I thought about how long the beach front was, how far he had to go with a sniper rifles and machine guns shooting at him. I thought about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. From that moment on no longer was it a story that my dad had told us, but it became more real to me, more tangible. The memory I have of that day on Normandy Omaha Beach is forever emblazoned in my mind.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Causes, Reconstruction America, 1863-1877 by Tonya Bolden

2011-06-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Cause-Reconstruction-1863-1877-Tonya-Bolden/dp/0375827951
Hardcover $15.56

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/15624/cause-by-tonya-bolden/9780375827952/?view=print
Hardcover $19.95

Author's site with synopsis:
http://www.tonyaboldenbooks.com/cause-reconstruction-america/

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers December 2005/144 pages
Non-fiction/Civil War/Reconstruction After Civil War/American History
For ages 9-12...but I'm much older than 12.

This book was written for young adult readers, but I'm posting this book on this blog as well as my blog for children/young adult books.

This year I've taken part in a Civil War Reading Challenge through War Through The Generations. This is my 3rd year to take part in a War Through The Generations Challenge hosted by fellow blogger's--Serena and Anna. Thank you to Serena and Anna both for hosting these challenges!

Books on the Reconstruction can be one-sided, meaning an author can express his own feelings about the Civil War through the pages of their book. I did not feel that Cause by Tonya Bolden was written in anyway slanting to one side or the other. Views are expressed by those people that lived during this time period from both sides of the Civil War. Views are expressed from the Presidents that were in office during this period.
Views are expressed from freed slaves that lived during this time period. I feel this is a balanced book from any angle.
The author stated early in the book that "more than 60,000 books have been published on the Civil War Reconstruction ." At this point what more could anyone add?
This year marks 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War. We do not mark this anniversary as if it is a celebration, but rather as a remembrance of America's history. And all Americans whether white or black or red or brown are American. We each have our own feelings, our own views, our own thoughts, and especially and praise God our own VOICE. I guess that is the answer as to why we have 60,000 books on this subject-----because we have a VOICE.

I usually give a synopsis on the book and then I share my feelings about the book. This time I'm going to share what I learned from this book that I did not know before reading it, as well as my feelings about the book.

Even though the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were written and became apart of the Constitution there were many Americans that were either against or were in a quandary as to what to now do with the freed slaves. I am specifically referring to people who lived in the north and even President Abraham Lincoln.
I did not know that he pondered over sending freed slaves to West Africa and or Central America.
I find this odd because by the mid 1800's the freed slaves had been in America long enough that by sending them back to Africa would have been absurd. Absurd to think they would be able to survive in a land that they did not know. They knew, the land of America.
I did not know that after John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln he shouted out in Latin, "Thus always to tyrants."
I did not know...and want to read more about this, that the Chinese came to this country not just because of the gold rush, but many were brought here by the railroad promising jobs. There were areas of China that were in a famine and men were eager to work. There duties in building the railroad were "chisel/pick/shovel/blast tunnels", for low wages.
I did not know that President Andrew Johnson was "stubborn, combative, shrewd, and sometimes crude."
I do know that if he were President during our age he would not be considered politically correct.

I really liked this book!
It is not too much to digest. Just the right information for a young reader, including an adult that wants a quick book to read on this subject.
There are many photograph's, black and white.
I read this book late one night, staying up because it held my interest.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

A Story of a Real Cowboy Life

2011-06-04T10:54:00.000-05:00

I read this article recently in the Dallas Morning News. I found it an interesting article about a man that is now 106. He lived the life of a real cowboy in the western area of Texas. I wanted to include this article as apart of The Old West theme of books I'm reading this summer.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/06/02/2041700/ashes-of-a-texas-life-at-106-cowboy.html

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

I'll Soon Be Moving Out of the Civl War Theme Books and Heading West

2011-05-31T22:07:00.000-05:00

I have ONE more book on the Civil War to read---Cause, Reconstruction America, 1863-1877 by Tonya Bolden. Then I'm headed west (metaphorically, not physically), starting with Daniel Boone---Boone, A Biography by Robert T. Morgan. I have a few other books in my TBR pile that I'll be introducing soon on this new theme. The books that I'll be reading will be about western expansion and exploration, Native Americans, and Cowboys.
This will be my summer reading theme---The Old West!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Everyday Life During The Civil War, A Guide For Writers, Students and Historians by Michael J. Varhola

2011-05-31T21:42:00.000-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-During-Civil-Writers-Guide/dp/0898799228/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1306894915&sr=8-1

New Edition and Just Published Copy in 2011
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Civil-America-Michael-Varhola/dp/1440310866/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
Paperback $15.47

The copy I read was published in 1999 listed as first link.

Published by Writers Digest Books 1999
274 pages
Non-fiction/Civil War/19th Century

Synopsis of book written by author:
http://www.writersdigest.com/article/Everyday_Life_During_the_Civil_War/?print=1

This is a book that I don't feel is meant to be read from cover to cover, it's focus is to be used as a reference guide for those wanting information about life during the Civil War.
I speed read this book.
There are a few pen and ink drawings.
Examples of information given: the clothing that women wore, the different types of weapons and artillery that were used, medical equipment and the advancement of medicine because of the war, what people ate, prices of clothing and foods from the beginning of the war through to end showing the inflation of prices, and information about the states of the Union and Confederate.

I felt this book was okay. It gave me some information that I did not know about this time period. For example the large amount of soldiers that became addicted to opiate pain killers because of injuries during the Civil War. I had no idea that opiates could be purchased at drug stores during this time period.
I would have liked to have read and reviewed the newer edition but that copy is not available at my public library.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Civil War Wives, The Lives & Times of Angelina Grimke Weld, Varina Howell Davis & Julia Dent Grant by Carol Berkin

2011-05-31T21:14:00.001-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Wives-Angelina-Grimke/dp/1400044464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306891723&sr=8-1
Hardcover $20.07
Not available on Kindle

Link for the book @ Publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/search/search.php?title_subtitle_auth=civil+War+Wives&x=0&y=0
Hardcover $28.95
Trade Paperback $16.00

Published by Alfred A. Knopf September 2009/384 pages/Non-fiction/Civil War/ 19th Century/History

Three women that each had varying differences in personality, lifestyle, political and religious beliefs, and each with their own stance on slavery. The common denominator that each of them had is that they were apart of the history of the Civil War.
Angelina Grimke Weld was born to a wealthy South Carolina plantation owner. Her family was well-known, political, educated. Yet, as a young woman she became involved with the crusade to abolish slavery. For a time she left her Episcopal Church and became a Quaker. She moved away from her plantation home and lived independently during an age when few women were able to do so. Her family resented her chastisement of them in wanting them to believe as she did about human equality. Her life's mission was not only for the abolishment of slavery, but she was an advocate of women equality.
Varina Howell Davis was the wife of Jefferson Davis the Confederate President. Varina was a beautiful woman that was independent in spirit. Her husband was staunchly opposed to any outspoken view from her and he expected obedience. She was devoted to him during his imprisonment and worked tirelessly to have him released. Their marriage was long lasting, but not a pleasant arrangement.
Julia Dent Grant was born in Missouri to a family that was close-nit. Her father was especially devoted to her. Julia and Ulysses marriage was not only enduring but a loving court ship for the rest of their lives. They were devoted to each other and were friends and confidantes. I found it interesting that Julia grew up with slaves in her home, she had a slave that helped her with her children; yet her husband was General of the Northern army during the Civil War.

I was not quite sure I liked this book during the first chapter. The person Angelina Grimke Weld is rather dry. I appreciated her views and work in abolishing slavery, but she was like bland toast to me. I'm glad the author started with her life story first. The next 2 characters on Varina Howell Davis and Julia Dent Grant were more colorful in personality and lives. I especially appreciated knowing that Julia and Ulysses Grant enjoyed a happy marriage.
I felt the book was fully researched, and the author has a background that explains full well why she knows her stuff. Carol Berkin has a lengthy education in history, including a PHD.
Civil War Wives to me gave a well-rounded picture of 3 women of varying backgrounds that gave glimpses of women during the Civil War. Most books it seems are about the men of the Civil War.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

A Taste of Emily Dickinson

2011-04-26T13:03:00.000-05:00

A thought went up my mind to-day
That I have had before,
But did not finish,--some way back,
I could not fix the year,

Nor where it went, nor why it came
The second time to me,
Nor definitely what it was,
Have I the art to say.

But somewhere in my soul, I know
I've met the thing before;
It just reminded me--'t was all--
And came my way no more.

Before you thought of spring,
Except as a surmise,
You see, God bless his suddenness,
A fellow in the skies
Of independent hues,
A little weather-worn,
Inspiriting habiliments
Of indigo and brown.

With specimens of song,
As if for you to choose,
Discretion in the interval,
With gay delays he goes
To some superior tree
Without a single leaf,
And shouts for joy to nobody
But his seraphic self!

I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity.

Nor had I time to love, but since
Some industry must be,
The little toil of love, I thought,
Was large enough for me.

They say that 'time assuages,'--
   Time never did assuage;
An actual suffering strengthens,
   As sinews do, with age.

Time is a test of trouble,
   But not a remedy.
If such it prove, it prove too
   There was no malady.

Poems by Emily Dickinson

http://www.mith2.umd.edu/WomensStudies/ReadingRoom/Poetry/Dickinson/

Blissful Blogging!

Annette

April is National Poetry Month

2011-04-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

Serena @ Savy Verse & Wit is celebrating Poetry month by encouraging bloggers to interview poets, or review poetry or post about a poem---during the month of April.

For more information about National Poetry Month:
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41
http://teacher.scholastic.com/poetry/index.htm

I follow another blog as well as Savy Verse & Wit that showcases poems in their posts:
http://ravingabouttheregency.blogspot.com/

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Civil War Soldiers, Their Declarations and Their Expectations by Reid Mitchell

2011-03-15T14:32:00.000-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Soldiers-Reid-Mitchell/dp/0140263330/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Paperback $19.00
Not available on Kindle

Published by Viking Penguin Group in 1988/288 pages
Non-Fiction/Civil War/Memoirs

I love to read books by historical researchers that do not just give information from what they've studied, but they give the voice from those that lived through the historical period.
In Civil War Soldiers the book is almost entirely the voices of the soldiers from the Civil War, both from the North and from the South, from the private to the officer. Their voices are from the letters and diaries that were kept by these men.
Their feelings are expressed about the food they ate, their clothing, missing their families, how they felt about the war itself and their enemy.
I was most interested by their pre-conceived ideas about each other.
The Northern soldiers were shocked and horrified by the living conditions of the southern peoples. That a slave owner may own several slaves for farming yet live in a small and sparsely furnished home. The Southern slave owner was cashed out on the slaves he owned.
The Northern soldier also saw many of the whites they encountered to be small in intelligence and filthy.
Whereas the Southern soldier when they were in a Northern state such as Pennsylvania thought that the people they saw were ugly and filthy.
There was much prejudice and even odd beliefs held about each other.
I think the most shocking of all that I read is that most of the northern soldiers, even though they were fighting a war they believed to be justified, did not agree in emancipation because they did not know and even feared what would become of the slaves that were now free.

I found this book to be fascinating. I felt that the book was alive with the voice of men that fought in a war long ago and still seared in to the minds of Americans.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Ides of March

2011-03-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

Our pear tree is in full bloom!

Book Review: American Scripture, Making the Declaration of Independence by Pauline Maier

2011-03-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Scripture-Making-Declaration-Independence/dp/0679779086
Paperback $10.85
Kindle $11.99

Link for the book @ Publisher--Alfred A. Knopf:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679779087
$15.95

Published on May 26, 1998 by Alfred A. Knopf/336 pages
Non-Fiction/American History/Declaration of Independence

Be honest, have you read the Declaration of Independence? In its entirety? Not just the preamble? Have you read the entire Declaration of Independence aloud?
For several years I've had a large framed print of the Declaration of Independence hanging on the wall just a few inches in front of where I sit now, at my desk, and my opened lap top even touches the print. Yet, I had never read it, except for the first opening paragraph.
In the past few weeks I have been working on my genealogy and have traced back my maiden name, Hart, all the way to the mid 1700's in America. It appears my Hart ancestor's did come over early in America's history, and they did fight in the American Revolution as well as the war of 1812 and the Civil War.
Reading and studying books on the history of the Civil War---for the War Through the Generations Challenge, and working on my genealogy, has led me to read about the American Revolution and the beginnings of our government and culture and society during early American history.
I am refreshed and invigorated in knowing my family had an active part in the history of this nation.
I am hoping to read several books in 2011 on early American History.

This book was so packed full of information, I realized how much I did not know.

American Scripture begins with the meeting of the 1st Continental Congress and with those delegates that met, then moves on to April of 1775 when Paul Revere warned that British troops were coming, the French Indian Wars had recently ended and the early Americans were switching over to friendship with the French instead of with their British soon to be ex-sovereignty. There were growing pains in America, the infant America was maturing outside of the British rule. Many Americans did not want a complete break with Britain, because there was a source of pride that they were apart of this great nation. Yet, they wanted a constitutional Independence. They felt kicked around, treated harshly, and they were ticked, they'd had it. Britain called us the defiant rebellious Colonist's. We were defiant, but only because of how we'd been treated. Now we know it was to be, we were meant to be our own Nation Under God.

A few things I'd not known but was educated by reading this book:
That Thomas Jefferson had only been a delegate in Virginia a short time when the 2nd Continental Congress took charge as a country at war.
That reconciliation was hoped for with Britain, they did not want complete separation.
It was actually a 5 man committee that worked on this document.
Thomas Jefferson did not read well aloud.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day, July 4, 1826.
The Declaration of Independence traveled to various towns in the colonies and was read aloud.
It would be Abraham Lincoln that would solidify this document as a living document for all Americans.

In the back of the book is the complete draft of the Declaration of Independence, with lines scratched through and clarifications and editing shown---I found this interesting.
I did not read this book word for word as I would a fictional book or biography, etc.
I do feel that I learned more from this book than all the years of public school and college I've had.

I did read the entirety of the Declaration of Independence, aloud!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

More Information on the Civil War

2011-02-25T13:23:00.000-06:00

I found several links that maybe of interest to you.

http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/la/la003.html

http://www.civilwaralbum.com/louisiana/batonrouge.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1862/september/battle-baton-rouge.htm

http://www.lib.lsu.edu/special/findaid/Suydam/batonrouge1.html

http://www.civilwar.com/

http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/

http://www.civil-war.net/

http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html

http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/

Slaves were considered contraband by the Union.

This was a postcard.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Sarah Morgan The Civil War Diary Of A Southern Woman edited by Charles East

2011-02-25T12:55:00.001-06:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Morgan-Civil-Diary-Southern/dp/0671785036/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1298654068&sr=8-15
Paperback $13.60

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Sarah-Morgan/Charles-East/9780671785031

Published by Touchstone--Simon and Schuster October 1992/672 pages
Non-fiction/Memoir/Civil War/Journal/Louisiana History

When I read a book that has been edited from a journal I still feel as if I'm ease dropping in to intimacies of a persons life that I need to stay out of. The author of this journal encouraged its publication.
She lived a long life, a life filled with both happy times and sad times---I guess this could be sad for most of us. Although most of us cannot state we have lived through a war in our own front yard.
Sarah Ida Fowler Morgan was born February 28, 1842.
She was the 7th child and the youngest of 4 daughters.
Her father was a judge and they lived in the town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She was age 19 when the war began and not quite 20 when she started her diary.
The first entry is January 10, 1862. The previous year had held not just the beginnings of the war, but the deaths of her 2 closest family members.
The journal has its moments when Sarah is full of all the angst and drama of a young woman her age. For the most part the journal is a first hand serious look at how a Southern civilian felt and lived during the Civil War.
The term "The Yankee's are coming!" is not just a cliche that has been used in movies, but was a real statement that was used.
Sarah and her family would flee the approaching army of Union soldiers taking only what they could carry, when they were able to return home they would find their homes in complete disaray. Clothing, letters, books, food, and any other object whether personal or not, was stolen and or destroyed.
The Morgan family home was a large Southern style home.
They had slaves only 1 I remember being mentioned by name, Tiche.
They were an educated family, book readers.
Their parents were originally from the north, but felt identified as southerner's.
She writes of various battles, the men that she knew that were in battle and this included her brother's.
She wrote of the bitter feelings she had of President Lincoln, the Yankee's, the inability to hear often from her family that was scattered, and food shortages.
She often reminisced of her dear ones that were no longer living.
She had an accident later in the book and was unable to walk or care for herself, after a lengthy recovery she was able once again to move about and go on with her life.
The editor in the preface and introduction wrote a synopsis her life and family, it made it easier to follow along with her journal and I was never at a loss.
The editor also included her family tree. She would write of various relatives and I was able to look at the family tree and comprehend.
Several photograph's of her family are included.
The book is lengthy at 672 pages, 5 of her journals are in one binding.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

E-Book Review: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

2011-02-17T19:35:00.000-06:00

Kindle edition @Amazon is .89 cents:
http://www.amazon.com/William-Shakespeare-Romeo-Juliet-ebook/dp/B002I61F8U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1297969528&sr=1-2
There are free Kindle downloads available as well.

2553 words

Way back in high school as a class we read Romeo and Juliet, but I did not, back then I was the gal sitting way in the back of the class in the corner---I woke up in college.
Romeo and Juliet is not a favorite of mine from Shakespeare, my favorite is Macbeth.
Besides Macbeth I've read Hamlet, Love's Labour's Lost, and Julius Caesar. I have Othello sitting in my to be read pile.

The story is of 2 young people that fall quickly and passionately in love with each other. Their names are Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague. The houses of Capulet and Montague are at enmity towards each other.
Juliet's parents wish her to marry another boy, Paris. Juliet is crushed, she takes a risky venture by pretending to die, but then when Romeo finds her he drinks a poison in order to be with her in death, in waking up from her "sleep", Juliet takes Romeo's dagger and stabs herself, falling on top of Romeo's body in death.
Most of us know the story of Romeo and Juliet, even if you've never read the story---you know the basics of it.

What I did not know until I read the story is that it is Juliet that has the best lines, the best voice in the story. She also is the character that is the valiant one. Romeo take poison, yet Juliet with his dagger stabs herself in her abdomen. Juliet is the one with the plan, where Romeo is the one that seems to sulk.
Even some of the other characters such as Friar Laurence and Juliet's Nurse are light weights, superfluous. Both of these characters give bad advice to the lover's.

Act 2 Scene 2 has some of the most famous lines:
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!....See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! That I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!" Romeo

I felt that there was definitely sensuousness in some of the words that were used, which would make sense since this is a love story not just a tragedy.
Some examples are: "a lover may bestride gossamer that idles in the wanton summer air, And yet not fall; so light is vanity."
and
"To blazon it, then sweet with thy breath."

My favorite quote would come from Juliet's voice,
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep, the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite."


Balcony at Giulietta's house in Verona, Italy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Bloom's Guides Comprehensive Research and Study Guides--William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Edited and Introduction by Harold Bloom

2011-02-17T11:55:00.000-06:00

I found the eBook for the hardback book that I read:
http://www.infobasepublishing.com/Bookdetail.aspx?ISBN=1438114761&eBooks=1&tab=RelatedTitles

I have to admit I speed read this book. I'd thought when I'd checked this book out of the library that it was specifically the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, but it was a critical analysis of it as well.
I enjoyed reading the Story Behind The Story of Romeo and Juliet, such as the fact that this story has been in European literature for several centuries. Variations of the story began as far back as the 5th century in Ephesus. In the late 1500's it was re-written by a poet in France. This poem was then adapted in to Shakespeare's play.
I did not care for the dissecting of Romeo and Juliet by various professors in the back of the book.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Juliet by Anne Fortier

2011-02-17T11:29:00.001-06:00

I did not plan to read 3 books on the Romeo and Juliet story during Valentine week, but it coincidentally turned out that way.
This review is the first book in a series of 3 for review this week.

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Juliet-Anne-Fortier/dp/0345516109
Hardcover $14.16
Paperback $9.69
Kindle $9.00

Published by Ballantine Books August 14, 2010/464 pages
Fiction/Love Story/Suspense/Mystery/Travel/Update on a Classic Story

Julie and Janice Jacobs are 25 year old twins, and they are as different as night and day. Julie is the older of the two, yet she has always felt intimated and in the shadow of her sister Janice. Janice is a wild child, as bold as a bee. Since they were young children they've been raised by their aunt Rose. Aunt Rose has now died and after her funeral and the estate is settled they each receive shocking news. Julie only receives a lone key from her aunt Rose. Umberto who had helped Rose to care for Julie and Janice, encourages Julie in her quest of finding out where the key leads to that her aunt left her. This quest takes her to Siena, Italy. Siena is where Julie and Janice were born, it also leads Julie to the work that their parents were involved in when they died. In the process Julie finds out her real name is Giulietta Tolomei and this was also the name of her ancestor from 1340. Giulietta and Romeo was a famous story that began in Siena, Italy and was the basis for Shakespeare's play.
I loved this story!
The story just covers it all: suspense, travel, mystery, love story, re-make on a classic, and family saga.
There are twists and turns, surprises, rekindling of relationships, and strength in family.
Great character development and multi-sides are seen. Sometimes those characters that are thought of as bad, come through in other ways.
I had a hard time putting the book down, at 464 pages I finished the book in about 3 days.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: An Illustrated History of The Civil War, Images of an American Tragedy by William J. Miller and Brian C. Pohanka

2011-02-10T11:16:00.001-06:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-History-Civil-War-American/dp/073703162X
no picture on the US Amazon

I had a difficult time finding this book Online, I even googled the name of the authors.

Published by Time Life Books Alexandria Virginia in 2000/454 pages

This is a wonderful book! I poured through the pages, gazing at the large photographs--I was amazed at their preservation and descriptive quality! The information given about the entire history of the Civil War was engrossing and I felt as if I'd sat through an American History class--albeit more interesting.
The book is coffee table size and heavy. The book is a keeper an investment, but a grand one!

622,000 Americans died and 3/4 of a million were wounded because of the Civil War.
At the end of the 4 year war Congress was bent on punishing the rebellious and defiant South.
Carpetbagger's called this because of their suitcases that were made from carpet. These bone picker's came to the South wanting to seek fortune, but according to my great-grandfather many were shot and the bodies disappeared.

Jefferson Davis the man that was President of the Confederate States was captured by Federal Troops shortly after the war ended. He was released on bail 2 years later, and at the end of 1868 he was pardoned. During the course of the book it gives details about the war battles, and at the end of the book is a list of the battles by state.

President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth April 14, 1865 at Ford's Theater in Washington D. C. Twelve days later Booth was captured and killed. Booth's conspirators a total of 3 men and 1 woman were hanged on July 7, 1865. John Surratt the son of Mary Surratt is believed to have also been one of the conspirators, but he fled the country after the assassination on Lincoln.

Mary Surratt

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Reading Lolita In Tehran by Azar Nafisi

2011-01-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

Link for the paperback @ Amazon--price is $10.20, Kindle is $8.10:
http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Lolita-Tehran-Memoir-Books/dp/081297106X

author's site:
http://azarnafisi.com/

Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks 2003/384 pages

Professor Azar Nafisi chose 7 of her best students (women) from the University of Tehran in Iran, to meet with her in her own home 1 morning a week to discuss literature. The authors and literature they discussed were: Vladimir Nabokov (Lolita), Henry James (Daisy Miller), Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Gustav Flaubert (Madame Bovary) and F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby). The group touched on several more authors, a lengthy list is in the back of the book. The theme of their discussions was the relation between fiction and reality---their reality under the Islamic Republic of Iran. Throughout the book life under the Islamic regime is portrayed in the lives of these women. The 1 morning a week when the women walk through the threshold of the door to Azar's home, the women disrobe their outer garments, but they also disrobe their pent up feelings of despair and even anger. The women are all of various temperaments and personalities, and each of them different in how strictly they follow the Sharia law. Azar writes of these women both as her students and as their friend. Azar Nafisi writes of their home lives, ambitions, dreams, education, and manner in which they survive in a world where women are considered less than 1/2 the worth of a man. Azar writes of the war between Iran and Iraq that was from 1980 until 1988, and of the bombs which fell near her home. Eventually Azar and her family immigrated to America.

This is an absorbing book, in that I was blown away by the standards set by mere men in a policed fanatical regime, Iran. I take so much for granted living in America, I take it for granted because I've never lived anywhere else, I've traveled to other countries, but I've never lived where I am told how I must dress (or face possibly jail) in order to not sexually arouse man. Not only are the women told how to dress---to cover up most of their bodies; but they cannot eat an apple or ice cream in public, it might sexually arouse a man. The marriage age has been lowered to 9. How could a 9 year old girl be married, and further more be married so that she would produce children.
I loved the writing style of Azar Nafisi. She is an artist creating beauty with words.
"We were to borrow from Nabokov, to experience how the ordinary pebble of ordinary life could be transformed into a jewel through the magic eye of fiction."
Azar writes of a magician she visits, another man. I'm still not understanding what this was all about. At the end of the book she alludes to the fact that in retrospect maybe it was not a real relationship, maybe it was like a dream.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Coal Miner's Daughter by Loretta Lynn with George Vecsey

2011-01-26T13:50:00.000-06:00

Link for eReader @ Border's:
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0307741230
$8.69
Paperback is $15.00

Link for the NookBook @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Loretta-Lynn/Loretta-Lynn/e/9780307742681/?itm=7&USRI=coal+miner+daughter
$9.99
Paperback is $10.59

Link for the Kindle edition @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Loretta-Lynn-Miners-Daughter-ebook/dp/B003WUYPAQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1296067761&sr=1-1
$8.25
Paperback is $10.20

Published by Vintage Books, Random House a reprint edition in 2010. Originally published in 1976.
240 pages/Memoir/Country Music
The film Coal Miner's Daughter featuring Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones was in 1980.

Most of us know the story of Loretta Webb Lynn. A child of a hard working family in Butcher Holler, Kentucky. Her daddy worked the coal mine, her mother kept house and raised 8 children. When Loretta was 13 she married the older and wilder Doo, also known as Mooney, also known as Doolittle Lynn,
correct name was Oliver Vanetta Lynn. At age 14 she had her first baby, then had 3 more before she was 19, was a grandmother by the time she was 29. Mooney loved the way she sang and bought her a guitar and then pushed her to sing live in bars. Later she made a record and they traveled around the country in order to promote it. With much hard work and help from people along the way that believed in her, she eventually made it to The Grand Ole Opry .

Even though I'd seen the film so many times..... I've lost count! I know that when you read the book there are things written that may or may not be in the film, or that the film because of screen adaption, etc. may even be different than that which was in the original book.
The book and the film are nearly identical.
After reading the book I am more familiar with Loretta's mother and daddy and their life story. I understand the names of her siblings and smidgens of their life stories. I know the names of her children and grandchildren and Loretta's reflection on them, then and now. Loretta reflects about her and Doo's life together.
Her memoir is hard to put down. She writes as if she has pulled up a chair next to you and with liveliness in her facial expressions and hands, she matter of factly tells you her story. I did not feel anything was embroidered, or needed to be pumped up with riveting verbs. Loretta has lived a full life, a life of hard work, pain, excitement, and fulfilled dreams.
I believe one of the top reasons people love her so much is she is tangible, touchable, people can relate. Most of us did not start off life with being given everything to us on a silver platter. We are working people, and we have to work hard by the brow of our sweat. Loretta is the epitome of a hard working gal that made a successful career in Country music.
Loretta's songs are a reflection of her life, they are stories in song.
I loved this book and it was a joy to read about Loretta Lynn.
I admire her tenacity and grit.
She also does not have a problem being humble enough to speak her mind about her own life choices, whether she felt they were good or bad.

Loretta Lynn's website:
http://www.lorettalynn.com/50/
For information on her ranch:
http://www.lorettalynn.com/images/ranch/2010/LL_RANCH_2010.pdf

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

2011-01-26T12:02:00.000-06:00

Published by Washington Square Press, Pocket Books--1992
Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D. C.,
Julius Caesar may have been written for production in the new Globe theater 1599. During this time period, late 1500's to early 1600's, people were interested in the story of Caesar's murder. The people debated as to what truly happened, who the murderer of Caesar really was, and if in fact the so called murderer was really heroic in nature.

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Julius-Caesar/William-Shakespeare/Folger-Shakespeare-Library/9781439196717
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Julius-Caesar-Folger-Shakespeare-Library/dp/0743484932/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296060561&sr=1-1
Paperback $6.49

For your Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/JULIUS-CAESAR-ebook/dp/B004JF4MK6/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1296060682&sr=1-19
$1.99
There are also several to choose from that are less than a dollar.

You can find a free copy for your eReader through www.globusz.com, or
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

When I write a review on a book such as Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare I feel intimated. After all, who am I to give a review on Shakespeare? I do not hold a PHD in literature, nor have I poured over studying Shakespeare for years.
I'm just Annette, middle age woman, known as Nana to my grandkids; but I am a powerhouse reader, and I just can't help myself I love Shakespeare.
I've read in years past Hamlet, Macbeth, and Love's Labour's Lost. By far Macbeth is my favorite. I love the dark spiney wretched story.
I'm hoping to read Romeo and Juliet this year. I probably was "supposed" to read it back in high school; but I was preoccupied with my own Romeo's at the time.

The synopsis of Julius Caesar is that it is a tragedy, a play, it was performed in the Globe theater in 1599. It was first printed in 1623 in a collection of plays entitled First Folio. Although Julius Caesar is written for us in book form, it it really best if the reader reads it aloud. There is a huge difference when you read it aloud as opposed to silently reading it (ho-hum) to yourself. The play comes to life with vibrancy when you read it aloud!
Julius Caesar was murdered by a group men that conspired against him, because they felt he was moving his position in to a monarchy as opposed to a republic. Marcus Brutus was Julius' close friend, yet he turned against Julius by taking part in his death. The question has been whether these men committed cold blooded murder, or were they justified if even a little in their belief that monarchy was in Julius Caesar's plans.
Mark Anthony escapes death, yet he uses this opportunity for his advantage.
This is a play of political intrigue, power, conspiracy, psychological mystique, justification, loyalty, and passion---in murder.
I loved this play, loved it!

Some of my favorite quotes:
"Farewell to you and you and you."
"I dreampt tonight that I did feast with Caesar."
"Lend me your ears....the evil that men do lives after them."
"Men at sometime are masters of their fates, the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings."
"Beware the ides of March."

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Historical Atlas of Britain, The End of the Middle Ages to the Georgian Era by Jeremy Black

2010-12-20T15:36:00.000-06:00

This is a luscious book!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Atlas-Great-Britain-National/dp/0750921285/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292699843&sr=1-1
Book available from other sellers but not from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0750921285/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&qid=1292699843&sr=1-1&condition=all

Author's web page:
http://www.jeremyblack.co.uk/index.html

Published by Sutton Publishing in 2000/215 pages
British History/Historical Maps

This is a lovely book to view. It is a large hardback book, adequate for display on a coffee table, would be a great gift for a person that loves British history.
The author begins with the end of the middle ages. During this time period the population has decreased because of the plagues, resulting in whole villages sometimes being wiped out, which then led to a decrease in farm production. Henry the IV and V were kings during this period, their lives as well as other monarchs throughout the book are examined briefly. Even though a briefness is given on the monarch's I felt that sufficient information was given. The Tudor's are examined (one of my favorite time periods). Henry VIII was the first king to be addressed as Majesty. Of all of the books that I've read on the Tudor's this was a piece of information that I did not know. The beginnings of the colonies in America are explored, and I love it when Americans are referred to as the rebellious colonist's.
Vivid and engaging photographs of historical maps, portrait paintings, castles, churches; they are all a standout in this book.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

List of Books Read 2010

2010-12-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

I have read a total of 35 1/2 books on this blog.
You maybe thinking only 35 1/2 books? The 1/2 is the Eudora Welty book that I've not finished.
I have 2 other blogs: @ A Well-Watered Garden the total count is 61------
@ A Garden of Books the total count is 52.
That means so far this year I've read a whopping----148 1/2 books! That astounds even me! And to think I had no idea until I added all of them up today!

Non-Fiction:
1. Facing Learning Disability In The Adult Years by Jean Shapiro and Rebecca Rich
2. The Little Guide To Your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen
3. The Blood of Lambs by Kamal Saleem
4. How To Read A Book, The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren
5. The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi
6. And If I Perish, Front-line U. S. Army Nurses In World War II by Evelyn M. Monahan and Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee
7. With The Old Breed by E. B. Sledge
8. The Secret Holocaust Diaries, The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister by Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin
9. German Boy, A Child in War by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel
10. The Lost, A Search For Six Of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn
11. Jane's Fame, How Jane Austen Conquered The World by Claire Harman
12. Charlemagne by Derek Wilson
13. A Short History of Scotland by Richard Killeen
14. 1215 The Year of Magna Carta by Danny Danziger and John Gillingham
15. How The Irish Saved Civilization, The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role From The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill
16. The Lady in the Tower, The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir
17. The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser
18. How To Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
19. 13 Cent Killers The 5th Marine Snipers in Vietnam by John J. Culbertson
20. Semper Cool, One Marine's Fond Memories of Vietnam by Barry Fixler
21. Historical Atlas of Britain, The End of the Middle Ages to the Georgian Era by Jeremy Black

Fiction:
1. The Pearl by John Steinbeck
2. The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty (have read 1/2 of the stories in the book)
3. Serena by Ron Rash
4. All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
5. Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
7. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
8. Precious by Sapphire
9. A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
10. Murder on Lexington Avenue--A Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson
11. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
12. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
13. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
14. Girl In A Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold
15. Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

I read more non-fiction books this year because of the books on the World War II time period, plus books I read on British history. Most recently I've read 2 books on the Vietnam War---I'm scrambling to finish a 3rd.

I have 1 book that I am reading on my Kindle for Charles Weinblatt--Jacob's Courage, I am hoping to have this book reviewed in the new year.

Of the non-fiction books that were most memorable to me:
With The Old Breed by E. B. Sledge---after watching The Pacific on HBO, I had to read this memoir. This book is a testament to a young Marine that did more than give his all, he a testament of sacrifice for all of the freedoms that we so often take for granted.
And If I Perish, Front-line U. S. Army Nurses In World War II by Evelyn M. Monahan and Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee----Nurses that were not afraid of doing whatever was necessary to provide nursing care to our military in harms way.
German Boy, A Child in War by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel. I will not forget this boy who was just a child during World War II. He was not responsible for the violent onslaught of Nazi Germany, yet he certainly paid a heavy price.
The Lost, A Search For Six Of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn. One mans search for his family that were lost amongst so many Jews that were murdered by the Nazi's.

Of the fiction that was most memorable to me:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Help by Kathryn Stockett would be at the top of my list in fiction.They are both books with strong characters, strong story, and a strong social and moral statement.
Serena by Ron Rash had the best villain I've read in a long time (fiction that is).
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, is a great story that stays with you. It is a story that shares with the readers what the people in England went through during the Blitz by Germany, and during the occupation of Guernsey island.
Precious by Sapphire was so gut wrenching I cried.
All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque was a haunting war....not a story....but the reality of war.

I am looking forward to 2011 and what new books I'll read!
Stay tuned for a review on Historical Atlas of Britain by Jeremy Black and The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

More Challenges for 2011

2010-12-20T13:52:00.001-06:00

I have joined 3 more challenges; but do not plan to join anymore unless by duress.

and


http://shakespearereadingchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/11/sign-up-page-rules.html

A Reading Challenge for 2011

2010-12-18T13:53:00.000-06:00

I just signed up to take part in the E-Book Challenge hosted by The Lady Bug Reads.

Link for the challenge:
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-e-book-reading-challenge.html

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Semper Cool, One Marine's Fond Memories of Vietnam by Barry Fixler

2010-12-18T13:09:00.000-06:00

This is my 2nd book for this challenge.

Semper Cool website including the jewelry store robbery footage from YouTube.
http://www.sempercool.com/

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982518404?ie=UTF8&tag=sales0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0982518404
Hardcover $19.53 temporarily out of stock at this time
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Semper-Cool/Barry-Fixler/e/9780982518403/?itm=1&USRI=semper+cool+one+marine%27s+fond+memories+of+vietnam
Hardcover $20.18
Nook e-read not available

Published by Exalt Press November 1, 2010/320 pages
Non-fiction/Memoir/Military/Marine/Vietnam

Thanks to Exalt Press and Lisa Feuer Publicist for my free advanced reader copy for reading/review.

100% of proceeds of this book will go to wounded combat Veterans and their families and the children of warriors that were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For this Barry I owe you a hug! I'm the mother of a combat Veteran of Iraq.

The book begins with a robbery that happened at the author Barry Fixler's jewelry store. Barry tells us the beginnings of this encounter, then moves on with his story of when he was growing up in New York, his parents and younger sister, his teenage years, Marine boot camp after high school graduation, and then the real deal in Vietnam. Barry will finish the story of the jewelry store robbery later in the book.
Barry tells his story matter of factly, without any fanfare. He tells the readers of his amazement in what he witnessed in Vietnam during combat, his shock, and the choice to push that aside in order to finish his job.
Barry to me was born with a confident personality, this is a trait that I find admirable. Being in the Marine's solidified this in that he carried out whatever was needed of him to do.
The book is written from the view of a Marine that experienced Khe Sanh, Phu Bai, Quang Tri, Dong Ha.
Barry tells us of the daily Marine life during Boot Camp and of the life of a combat Marine.
I really liked this book, and I so admire Barry for giving 100% of the proceeds to other combat Veterans!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Happy Birthday Dear Jane

2010-12-16T20:06:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Jane Austen
16 December 1775

Book Review: 13 Cent Killers, The 5th Marine Snipers in Vietnam by John J. Culbertson

2010-12-06T10:54:00.000-06:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/13-Cent-Killers-Snipers-Vietnam/dp/0345459148
Paperback $7.99
Kindle $6.29

I borrowed this book from the library for reading/review.

Yes, I know this is December; but this is the first book I've read this year for the
War Through The Generations Challenge--2010--Vietnam War. I have 2 more books in my to be read pile to read for this challenge. Last year the challenge was World War II and I have continued to read books on this subject through this year as well (see the list on the side bar of this blog).

I have to be honest in that I would not know if what the author wrote in this book was accurate or not; I am inept, daft, dim, when it comes to firearms and ammunition. Even though I have grown up around firearms my whole life, these tools were my dad's and my husband's.
The language used by the author, his slang, I've heard many times especially from a brother in-law (who has now passed from this life). This language was not something new to me and I was not shocked, or lost.
The author made mention about the M-14 rifle that it was a battle proven dependable firearm, these were replaced with cheap pieces of plastic the M-16. I had heard my brother in-law make mention of this before, but in more colorful language.
My memories of the Vietnam War was from the evening news while we ate supper. I was born in 1964 and I grew up knowing about Vietnam; but I was a kid, Vietnam was far away from my suburban life in Houston, Texas. And what did I know or understand about war? I had not known anyone who had served in Vietnam until I started dating my now husband, and I met his older sisters husband Buddy. Buddy was in the Army and he served from 1967-1968 in Vietnam. Buddy told many stories about what he had experienced, I listened dumb-founded, albeit quietly. Buddy always treated me with loving respect as if I were his own daughter, but Buddy was not someone that you should ever cross, not ever. Quietly and quickly like a panther he would take you down.
Back to the current book I just finished on the Vietnam War Challenge!

Published by Presidio Press, Ballantine Books--Random House January 2003, 288 pages
Vietnam War/Marines/Military/Weapons

13 Cent Killers is about the 5th Marine Regiment Sniper Platoon during late 1966 and into 1967 in the Vietnam War. The author stated early in the book that 1967 was the height of the Vietnam War, there were 150 battles fought in I Corp and 4000 combat patrols that year. In 13 Cent Killers the author gives his own interpretation: in our government and the decisions that were made for the war, the weaponry that was chosen, the history of the Vietnam War, and the protesting back in the states. He also gives the reader information on how the sniper school was started in California during this time period. It was at first a 3 week course, but was then shortened to 2 weeks. This course was taught by a retired World War II and Korean War Veteran. The author during the course of the book gives information on the combat patrols that they took part in, how the battles played out, those that were injured and those that did not make it. The author gives the reader adequate definitions on common words used: Vietcong, North Vietnamese, NVA---there is a glossary in the back of the book.
I felt this was an interesting book. I am glad that I read it. I feel it was a good jumping off point for me in reading a book on the Vietnam War (considering it was my first introduction to this war).
The book has much of the author's own opinions and feelings not only for the Marines that he proudly served with, but with the American government, and with the protester's that were back in the states.
There are points in the book that colorful language is used, but not words that I've not heard before--another words I did not need a glossary for them.

For all of those who have served, thank you!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-12-05T18:23:00.000-06:00

The past week I finished reading Dr. Zhivago and Girl In A Blue Dress and posted reviews on both. I have finished reading 13 Cent Killers by John J. Culbertson and will be posting a review tomorrow. 13 Cent Killers is my first book read for the War Through The Generations Challenge-Vietnam War. Yes, I know it's December, but better late than not at all. I hope to have 2 more books read by the end of this month on the Vietnam War. I made a trip to the library earlier in the week and have several really interesting reads.
Emily's Ghost by Denise Giardina
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
The Rebellion of Jane Clarke by Sally Gunning
An Accomplished Woman by Jude Morgan
Historical Atlas of Britain, The End Of The Middle Ages To The Georgian Era by Jeremy Black

I am also reading an ebook Jacob's Courage by Charles Weinblatt.

Tonight I'll be decorating the Christmas tree and watching the DVD Dr. Zhivago the 1965 version with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. I had to really search all over my town in order to find a copy to purchase. Yes, I know I could've bought a copy through Amazon, but I did not want to wait.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Girl In A Blue Dress: A Novel Inspired by the Life and Marriage of Charles Dickens by Gaynor Arnold

2010-12-03T08:00:00.007-06:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Blue-Dress-Inspired-Marriage/dp/0307463028/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Hardback $19.56
Paperback $10.20
Kindle $8.69

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780307463029.html
Paperback $15.00

Published by Three Rivers Press in 2008, 432 pages
Fiction, Victorian Era,

The author has taken the real life circumstances of Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine, and then fictionalized it in to different names, and also fictionalizing a few other details. In the book Girl In A Blue Dress the character Alfred is the persona of Charles Dickens, Dorothea or Dodo is Catherine his estranged wife.
In the Dickens family 10 children were born. In the Alfred and Dorothea Gibson family 8 children are born and lived. The book begins with Alfred's death. Kitty the eldest daughter of the Gibson children is married to Augustus a gambling louse. Kitty was close to her father and her father left his books to her after his death. Kitty has remained close to her mother. The other children have not kept a close relationship with their mother. After Alfred decided that he and Dodo would separate, Dodo moved to an apartment. At this time some of the children were grown, and some stayed in the home with their father. All throughout the book Dodo reflects back on when she met Alfred and their courtship, then marriage, and years of having children. She literally dissects their marriage, remembering Alfred's entanglements of inappropriate relationships with other women. She reflects on his neglect of Dodo and the children, because of his writing. Alfred is a profound writer, but a flibberty-jibbet as far as his depth of maturity of character. He tends to follow his emotions, his lust; but not his intelligence. Some might would say he was in love with love and then poof he is done. Even though Dodo was the wounded pushed aside wife, she does well in controlling any emotional outbursts. What stood out to me the most in this book is the long term consequences of the choice that Alfred made in pushing aside his wife for his temporary happiness. The affects on the children were painfully obvious by the choices they made in their lives.
I liked this book and enjoyed reading it. I felt the book was well written in that I became apart of the story, sympathizing with most of the characters. In the character Dodo (proper name Dorothea) I saw a real tangible woman. She was naive and inexperienced as a young woman, became involved against her parents advice with a man that she devotedly loved. It seemed the more she caressed him the more he pushed her away, as if he was embarrassed by her; ironically he was the one who had to have her! But Dodo in reflecting back on her life and the choices they made and experiences she had, she grew and she was a gracious person.
Alfred may have been the famous author; but it was Dodo that was the hero to me.

This book was purchased by me for reading/reviewing.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

2010-12-01T11:40:00.000-06:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Zhivago-Everymans-Library-Pasternak/dp/0679407596
Hardback $14.96
Paperback $11.53
Not Available on Kindle

Link for the book @ Barnes and Nobles
Online price Hardback $17.21
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Doctor-Zhivago/Boris-Pasternak/e/9780679407591

@ Publisher the book is $22.00 for Hardback
http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/classics/catalog/results.pperl?title_subtitle_auth_isbn=dr+Zhivago

For more information on the author:
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1958/pasternak-bio.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/zhivago/ei_pasternak.html
Dr. Zhivago was first published in 1957 under an Italian translation, then in 1958 was translated in to English.

My copy of the book was borrowed from the library.
Published by Everyman's Library Alfred A. Knopf 1991/544 pages/Fiction, Russian History, Russian Revolution,

Most of you have probably seen the movie Dr. Zhivago, or at least you are familiar with the story. I've seen the movie several times; but I can finally state with pride that I've read the book.
The only problem that I had in reading this epic novel at 544 pages, is the Russian names of the characters. In the front of the book is a list, yet so I did not have to keep flipping to the front of the book I wrote the various names in order for me to quickly reference them. Russian names not only have surnames, proper names, but nic-names or familiar names as well. Throughout the book these names are used, I would have been confused if I'd not had an easy reference.
There are parts of the writing in the story that are beautiful,
"They loved each other greatly. Most people experience love, without noticing that there is anything remarkable about it. To them-and this made them unusual-the moments when passion visited their doomed human existence like a breath of timelessness were moments of revelation, of ever greater understanding of life and of themselves."
The books main focus is the love story between Zhivago and Lara. It also is of Zhivago himself: his life from early childhood when he was orphaned, through his years of schooling, and then early marriage to Tonya and their family life. Zhivago was a doctor during the War with Germany, and then during the Revolutionary period when he was taken by a partisan group. The book is a perfect historical piece on what the Russian people lived through during the early 1900's leading up to the Revolution, and then the years proceeding the Revolution which would be during the early years of Stalin. Zhivago and Lara's love affair is the center of the book; yet the turmoil of war and poverty and starvation and mass murders and fear and panic, are swirling around them. Lara for Zhivago is his center, his comfort, his peace.
Zhivago is tortured by his love affair with Lara because he loves and is devoted to his wife Tonya and their children; but he is drawn to Lara. The consequences of the war and turmoil in the country and of Zhivago's life choices some of which he had no control over, leaves Zhivago and the the story ill fated.
I loved this book! It is exceptionally written, memorable, haunting.
This is a perfect book to read while curled up in your favorite chair with a cup of tea.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-11-28T08:25:00.000-06:00

My Sunday Salon will be brief, I'm feeling pretty bad with a cold. I came down with a cold yesterday.
I've not read any of my current readings, I've been too busy with the preparations of the holiday, and now with feeling sick.
Hope all of you are well and rested!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Newest Book Club on Twitter

2010-11-19T10:44:00.000-06:00

There is a new book club and it's on Twitter:
Named One Book, One Twitter.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Quote

2010-11-19T10:33:00.000-06:00

"Clutter is the poetry of our homes. It is an intimate view that is not always perfect-a few dishes in the sink, books piled next to the bed. Everything in its place may give a certain satisfaction, but a lived in room exudes comfort and warmth."
Mary Randolph Carter
From A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign of a Misspent Life

Sunday Salon

2010-11-14T20:04:00.000-06:00

Today has been a cloudy and chilly day, it's expected to be in the low 40's tonight with possible rain. Great weather for curling up in my favorite chair with a blanky and a cup of tea, reading my current book which is Dr. Zhivago. I've seen more than one version of the movie Dr. Zhivago, but never read the book. So far I really like it. I have felt anxious in trying to finish reading books from my TBR stack since the end of the year is approaching. I have two Vietnam War books to read for the War Through the Generations Challenge.
I also promised an author I'd read an ebook I have, Jacob's Courage by Charles Weinblatt. I've decided that those 3 books will be read next after Dr. Zhivago.
Stay warm!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T15:11:00.001-06:00

In honor of Veteran's Day---thank you! To say thank you does not seem adequate enough.

Thank you to my dad and to my son, both combat Veteran's of the United States Army.

Dad receiving the bronze star after the D-day Campaign, Normandy Omaha Beach.


My dad is the soldier looking at the Life Magazine photographer, this picture was in the August 1944 issue.


Dad holding our copy of that Life Magazine that has his photo in it.

My son David.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Holiday Plan

2010-11-09T11:46:00.000-06:00

I have plans during the holiday season to post a few holiday food memories of mine. I also plan to post recipes.
I would like for you as well to take part.
If you leave a comment with a recipe or holiday memory, I will re-post for all to read.
Or you can email me.
bellevieanne@gmail.com

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-11-07T18:44:00.000-06:00

How are you on this first Sunday in November? Have you planned your Thanksgiving Day menu? Maybe you are traveling to another home for the holiday meal?
I will be cooking and baking the entire traditional Thanksgiving Day meal by myself, there will be 4 of us eating. I look forward to this big day! The hardest part is making sure everything is warm and ready to serve at the same time. I will start baking pies and 2 pans of cornbread (needed for southern style dressing) the day before Thanksgiving. During all of the preparing and cooking and baking, I often think of my mother. Mother died of end stage Alzheimer's in early 2008, the last Thanksgiving Day meal she was able to cook was in 1993. Interesting what memories we have that are associated with food, especially during the holidays.
What foods do you eat or bake during the holidays that are extra special because of the special memory that they hold?

I have been playing catch up with Christian fiction and non-fiction books. I am making a big dent in my to be read stack. Some of these books have been in the stack for a few years. I am determined to either read and review them, or donate them.

The books that I'm reading for this blog are:
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
and
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
My copy of Cranford was purchased at an estate sale, the copyright on this edition is 1916--and in excellent condition!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Poem: Take Each Day As It Comes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

2010-11-04T11:33:00.000-05:00

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Today is a king in disguise.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with worry, fret, and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with to high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on the yesterday."

Book Review: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

2010-11-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

@Publisher the hardback is $25.95

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Particular-Sadness-Lemon-Cake-Novel/dp/0385501129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288886300&sr=8-1
Hardback $17.13
Kindle $9.99

Published June 1, 2010--304 pages--Fiction/Coming of Age Story/Food

My sister passed this book on to me for reading/reviewing.

Rose Edelstein on the evening before her 9th birthday begins an unusual lifelong gift of tasting through food other peoples emotions. Her mother is the hub of the family, the one with the penchant for cooking, the happy and approachable parent. Rose's father is a reserved quiet man. Older brother Joseph loves astronomy.
The book follows the story of Rose from age 9 through her young adult years. In some ways it is a coming of age story in that we are given glimpses of Rose's school life, her friends, and feelings of growing up. Rose's gift gives her insight into her family's secrets and this puts her on edge as to how to handle certain things that she "knows."
I liked the creative plot of the story, this gift that Rose has is intriguing and I wanted to know where the story
would go and that kept me reading till the end. It is a quick read, I read it in the car on the way to Colorado.
The book did not move me, nor would I have purchased it, my sister passed the book on to me.
Rose is the only character that I found of interest, at least until Joseph's character began to become more interesting (I do wish we'd been given a little more story on him).

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Vacation!

2010-10-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

I'll be leaving early Saturday for Colorado. My husband and son Paul and I are driving there. I'll be gone several days. My sister will be staying with dad, my dogie, and fluffy cat. Look for a new posting from me in the first week of November.

Why is it so difficult to settle on what books to take on vacation?
I only have 1 paperback settled on to take and it is a book about Kit Carson. I'm also taking my Kindle which has several books on it.
I just received by FedEx a Book on CD that I won: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I'm looking forward to listening to the book and looking out the car window at boring west Texas, desolate New Mexico, and the rugged mountain peaks of the southern part of the Rocky Mountains.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Autumn Poems

2010-10-14T12:58:00.000-05:00

"There is a harmony
In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,
Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be,
As if it had not been!"
Percy Bysshe Shelley

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on,
And produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings,
As now in October."
Nathaniel Hawthorne

"The sweet calm sunshine of October, now
Warms the low spot; upon its grassy mold
The purple oak leaf falls; the birchen bough
Drop its bright spoil like arrow-heads of gold."
William Cullen Bryant

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."
Albert Camus

"A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away
And all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think,
I too, have known autumn too long."
E. E. Cummings

"Now autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt."
William Allingham

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
George Eliot

"October is a symphony of permanence and change."
Bonaro W. Overstreet

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The chestnuts, oaks, and maples
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss weather led the dancing,
Professor wind the band."
George Cooper

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree."
Emily Bronte

"There are days which occur in this climate, at almost any season of the year, where in the world reaches it's perfection, when the air, the heavenly bodies, and the earth make a harmony, as if nature would indulge her offspring;...when everything that has life gives signs of satisfaction, and the cattle that is on the ground seem to have great and tranquil thoughts, these. These halcyons may be looked for with a little more assurance in that pure October weather, which we distinguish by the name of Indian Summer. The day, immeasurable long, sleeps over the broad hills and warm wide fields. To have lived through all its sunny hours seems longevity enough."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"It is now October, and the lofty winds bare the trees of their leaves, while the hogs in the woods grow fat on fallen acorns. The hare on the hill makes a fair meal for the greyhound, and the fox in the woods calls the hounds to full cry. Kind hearts and true lovers lie close to keep off the cold. The titmouse now remains in the hollow of a tree and the black bird takes refuge in the bottom of a hedge."
Nicholas Breton

"No Spring, Nor Summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face."
John Donne

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

2010-10-07T16:19:00.000-05:00

Published by Harper Collins, Paperback 2003, 336 pages
Non-fiction/Reading Literature

Link for book @ Publisher:
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/How-to-Read-Literature-Like-a-Professor-Thomas-C-Foster?isbn=9780060009427&HCHP=TB_How+to+Read+Literature+Like+a+Professor

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006000942X?ie=UTF8%20&tag=harpercollinspub&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006000942X
Paperback $7.69
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Borders:
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=006000942X
Paperback $7.69
ebook $9.99

I purchased this book for reading/reviewing.

With light-heartedness and approachable teaching, Thomas C. Foster teaches how to decipher the "real" literary meanings behind fictional novels. I think back to when I was in College taking English literature that we could never just read a novel or short story, we had to pick it apart in order to find the hidden morsels of information that author was trying to commend to its readers. At times in exasperation I wanted to yell out, "lets just read the (expletive) story! But alas, years later in visiting a Borders book store I would dare to pick up and purchase and buy.... gasp! a book on this same subject. I hope this does not mean that I'm getting old!
From ghost and vampire stories to seasons to Shakespeare---Thomas Foster writes short explanatory chapters on the real meanings behind these subjects in a story. He also writes that there is "no such thing a wholly original work of literature." All stories are evolved from another poem or story.
I read this book in 1 day. It is easy to read, non-threatening. I found it to be interesting and informative.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Anniversary

2010-10-07T15:21:00.000-05:00

It will be 5 years on October 31!

Book Review: How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn

2010-10-05T15:45:00.002-05:00

Originally published in 1939, it was the first novel that Richard Llewellyn (1906-1983) wrote.

Original Cover:

My copy was published in 1997 by Scribner Paperback Fiction--Simon and Schuster New York
512 pages
Fiction/Wales/Coal Mine/Coming of Age Story
Paperback $14.00

Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Green-Was-My-Valley/dp/0684825554
Paperback $11.56

Link for book @ Publisher:
http://www.simonandschuster.com/search?term=how+green+was+my+valley
Paperback $17.00

This book was bought by me for reading/reviewing.

I've had the book How Green Was My Valley sitting on my book shelf for a long time. I would often look at it, plan to read it, then it would be put to the back of my TBR pile. Two weeks ago I made up my mind to finally read it!

Many of you have seen the film How Green Was My Valley, made in 1941. Several well known actor's portrayed characters: Walter Pigeon, Maureen O'Hara, Roddy McDowell, Anna Lee.
I've never watched the film completely through, only catching scenes here and there.

How Green Was My Valley was written from the feelings, thoughts, perspective--voice of a boy named Huw Morgan. When the book begins he is 6 years old. He has 5 older brothers: Ivor, Ianto, Davy, Owen, Gwilym. He has 2 older sisters: Angharad and Ceridwen, later a younger sister is born, Olwen. The parents are Gwilym and Beth Morgan. They live in a small village in south Wales. The time period was during the time of Queen Victoria, I believe the later part of her reign---probably the late 1800's. The coal mine is the source of income for nearly all of the men in the valley. Church, family, morality, perseverance and determination are all supreme amongst the people of this region. Neighbors help one another, people stand up for what is right and what they feel is wrong. At times they are rigid and harsh in their judgments against others---yet they feel embattled against the the demise of their little community's moral standing.
The Morgan family's love for one another is tender, despite the strong arguments and difference of opinions among them. The men work in the coal mine and the women are the mistresses of the home. Huw observes his older brothers and sisters in their home life, love life, angst of making a living in the coal mine, and fighting for fair wages and strength in union. Huw is the often unobserved one; the quiet, reflective, and trustworthy sibling. The book follows Huw's life until he becomes a young man, the book does not tell how old he is at the finish of the book, it is rather vague as to the rest of his life.
This is a beautifully written book. The story is haunting, memorable. The love that Huw had for the mountain and the valley were described with tender affection and fluid words that caressed my heart. Huw is a boy that is pliable, touchable, honest, endearing. Each member of the family, including those that join the family as in-law's have their own life stories that the reader is given glimpses of. Yet, the story is mainly from Huw's own personal life.

Two of my favorite quotes from the book:

"O, there is lovely to feel a book, a good book, firm in the hand, for its fatness holds rich promise, and you are hot inside to think of good hours to come."

"How green was my valley, then, and the valley of them that have gone."

Morgan is a family name on my mother's side of the family. I know that they came from Wales. I thought of that often while reading this book of the Morgan family.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-10-03T19:22:00.000-05:00

My daughter in-law and I went to see a high school performance of Jane Eyre last Friday night. It was actually really good. Both of the actor's that portrayed Jane Eyre (one as a young girl and another as an adult) were excellent in their portrayal of this somber, stoic, intelligent character. The actor that portrayed St. John Rivers, a clergyman at Marsh End was also wonderful in his portrayal. There were no problems with sound or lighting. I could hear all of the actor's clearly and I was sitting towards the back of the auditorium. The special effects of the smoke in 2 scenes disturbed a few on the front rows (I could hear coughing). The actor that portrayed the mentally ill wife Bertha Mason Rochester had an ear piercing laugh and scream that could peel the paint off the walls. The end was a perfect recitation of the final words from the book of Jane Eyre.
I felt it was an enjoyable performance!

I am 100 pages from finishing How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn.
I am also 1/2 way through reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster.

Last week I posted a review on Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson over @
http://missdaisyanne.blogspot.com/2010/10/book-review-speak-by-laurie-halse.html

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-09-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Good Sunday morning to you!
There is a hint of autumn in the central Texas air today. A norther has brought a cooler breeze, the temperatures are still too warm for me--77 at nearly noon, but the breeze from the north is wonderful!
Tonight the predicted low is to be 53...maybe I won't need that second fan.

I've been busy this past week with my dad. Last Monday he had a basal cell skin cancer removed from his right cheek, the scar is 3 inches long--it runs the length of his cheek. Everyday I've changed his bandage, a prescription ointment is applied twice a day. On October 4 I'll take dad back to the dermatologist to have the stitches removed and to find out the results of the pathology report.
The blister that dad had on his right heel has healed. Dad is a diabetic and a small thing like a blister on the foot can become a major thing to a diabetic.
In the last month I've taken dad to a doctor 5 times.

I've not finished How Green Was My Valley, deadlines on book reviews have kept me busy with Christian fiction and non-fiction which I post on my Blog @ A Well-Watered Garden.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-09-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Good Sunday morning to you!
This has been a long week for me, my husband is still ill and if he is not better by tomorrow his doctor wants to put him in the hospital. He has pneumonia, complicated by asthma. Our son Paul is ill with a bad case of bronchitis. Early tomorrow morning I'll take my dad to the dermatologist to have a skin cancer removed from his cheek, plus he has other little areas on his arms and neck for the doctor to look at.
I'm holding up.

In the last week I focused more on finishing books for review on the 2 other Blogs that I have.
The books I finished last week were:

Cotton Mill Girl by Flora Ann Scearce
http://missdaisyanne.blogspot.com/2010/09/cotton-mill-girl-by-flora-ann-scearce.html
Solitary by Travis Thrasher
http://missdaisyanne.blogspot.com/2010/09/solitary-solitary-tales-book-1-by.html

Be Still and Let God be God by Robert Paul Baeyens
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/09/be-still-and-let-god-be-god-writings.html

I also wrote a post on What Does It Really Mean To Follow Jesus.
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-does-it-really-mean-to-follow.html

I am almost finished with Petra by T.L. Higley, 1/2 finished with Detox For the Overly Religious by David Putman, and have just started reading Nudge by Leonard Sweet. All 3 of these books will be reviewed @
A Well-Watered Garden.
I am reading 2 books that will be reviewed on this blog:
How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn and
Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold

Did you participate in BBAW--Book Blogger Appreciation Week?
How do you feel about Blogger awards?

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

This Week Is Book Blogger Appreciation Week

2010-09-13T07:16:00.002-05:00

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-09-12T11:03:00.001-05:00

Last week was eventful with tropical storm Hermine (Internet and electricity outages, flooding), a sick husband, our grandson to the ER with stomach pain (a virus), dad with a blister on the his right heel (he is a diabetic), and various doctor appointments for my dad.
On this sunny but humid morning I am washing laundry, reading the newspaper, and baking banana chocolate chip bread. I'm hoping it will be an enjoyable day.
Last week I finished 3 books and have posted on 2 of them: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen on this blog, Valeria's Cross by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales: link for review
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/09/valerias-cross-by-kathie-macias-and.html
I finished reading Solitary by Travis Thrasher and will be posting the review soon on my blog @
A Garden of Books. This book I am so excited about, a phenomenal read. I stayed up till late at night to finish reading it. It is suspenseful, scary, mysterious, love story, a little comical (the main character has a sense of humor, sarcastic). The book has everything! It was written for young adults; but is a novel worthy of any adult reader.
I have started reading How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. On my Kindle I'm reading My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. I've had How Green Was My Valley on my shelf for several years, wanting to read it, yet I kept getting side-tracked by other books. So far I love it! My Name is Mary Sutter is about a mid-wife during the Civil War that wants to become a doctor desperately. She is a protagonist that I'm happy to say is not a beauty. Have you noticed that most of the time the lead female character is beautiful, or has a great figure, etc, etc, ad nauseam. It is nice to read of a character that instead is realistic to what most of us are, not a beauty pageant winner, just an average enough looking gal with a dream.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

2010-09-10T10:17:00.001-05:00

Water for Elephants is being made in to a movie, the link for more information:
http://www.algonquinbooksblog.com/tag/water-for-elephants-movie/

Link for more information on the book @ publisher: $14.95
http://www.workman.com/products/9781565125605/

Link for the book @ Amazon: $8.49
http://www.amazon.com/Water-Elephants-Novel-Sara-Gruen/dp/1565125606/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284125889&sr=1-1
Published by Algonquin in 2006, Paperback, 350 pages, Fiction/Circus Life/The Great Depression

I purchased my paperback copy from Target for reading/reviewing.

Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob Jankowski. When the book begins Jacob is a 93 year old man living in a nursing home. He reflects back on his life during the early part of the depression years when he worked in a circus. As an elderly man Jacob is a feisty, independent, charming, comical character. My favorite part of the book is of Jacob as an elderly man reflecting on his youth. I felt the writer did an excellent job is describing what it must be like to be elderly and dependent on others to care for them; also in his feelings of frailty and the uncertainty of each day. I enjoyed reading about a topic I know nothing about, the circus. I have never been to a circus, but have always wanted to. The various jobs, temperaments of both people and animals, caring and training of the animals, and the individual life stories of each of the characters were created vividly in my mind. About a third of the way in to the book is Jacob's sexual escapades. I was not impressed, actually brushing my teeth is more exciting. I'm not really sure why writers feel the need to insert some kind of sex act. Maybe because sex sells; it is tantalizing and can be comical. I felt it gave a raunchiness to the book that was unnecessary. Obviously many readers did not mind because this book has been on the bestseller list for a long time and is being made in to a movie. Over all I liked this book, the best part being the elderly Jacob---I would love to bring him to my home to live. He and my elderly dad that I care for could entertain each other!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Holiday

2010-09-02T13:28:00.000-05:00

I will be taking a break for the Labor Day weekend, I'll return Tuesday September 7.
I hope that your holiday will be relaxing!
For my readers on the east coast I'm hoping Hurricane Earl is only a minimal glance.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser

2010-09-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

Alfred A. Knopf, reprint 1998--originally published 1975
The edition I read was a hardback library copy--1975 edition with a different cover than pictured above.
384 pages, now published by University of California Press

Link for the book @ Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Queens-England-Revised-Updated/dp/0520219384/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0

Beginning in 1025 with William I-- The Conqueror, (in the beginning he was called William the Bastard). The book progresses through all of the kings and queens of England up till the current monarch Elizabeth II.
Each monarch is given 2-4 pages in average for the history on them. With such a mammoth of information it did not stop me from progressing quickly through the book.
I will choose a couple of my favorite monarchs to review on:
William I--The Conqueror sounds much nicer than what he was originally called. He was a great knight, he was intelligent and shrewd, he had a faithful marriage to Matilda (only 4' 2"), they had nine children.
He lived in Normandy most of his reign.
Elizabeth Woodville a widow of a Lancastrian knight with two sons, refused to have sex with Edward IV until he married her. She was calculating and after the marriage brought "all" of her family with her.
Richard III was a thorn not only in Elizabeth Woodville's flesh; but he was a man with many enemies.
Later Elizabeth's own daughter married Henry Tudor.
Then came the War of the Roses, Henry Tudor became Henry VII.
James I of England also James IV of Scotland. He was the only child of Mary Queen of Scots that Elizabeth I had condemned and beheaded. After Elizabeth I death, James was the heir of both England and Scotland.
James to me was a conflicting and troubled man. He was indifferent to religion yet he had the King James Bible written. He had contempt for women, yet he did his duty by siring six children.
I wonder how much of his character and life choices were the result of the complete loss of his mother.
It is difficult to imagine letting someone else nurse and raise my children; but this was common with royalty. A child would only see their parent on brief occasions and with formality. I believe that Victoria would be the first monarch to have her children close to her.
I thought this was a grand book, huge undertaking to write on all of the monarchs through William I until Elizabeth II. I felt that I gained much insight--sometimes in the vividness in their manic lives.

This book was borrowed from the library for reading/reviewing.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Lady in the Tower, The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir

2010-09-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

Published by Ballantine Books--A Division of Random House in 2010, 464 pages, Hardback
Non-fiction/Biography/Tudor History/British History/British Monarchy

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345453211

Anne Boleyn was the enigmatic second wife of Henry VIII. I used the verb enigmatic because Anne Boleyn is a historical character that has been written about many times, all with variations in her temperament, morality, and reputation.
She was condemned to death because of charges adultery (including with her own brother) and conspiring the kings death.
What has been written in every book I've read that is a fact is that Henry VIII was desperate for a son, an heir; Anne Boleyn had not performed her duty in this. Anne Boleyn was pregnant four times during her marriage to Henry VIII, only the first pregnancy Elizabeth lived.
Before Anne died Henry VIII already had a third wife picked, Jane Seymour.
Anne was a woman of strong character, she was not meek. She was not a complacent wife, she had a bite. She was a modern woman in an age where women were expected to be long suffering and close lipped.
The Lady in the Tower is written of Anne's last days, starting just a few days before she was charged and arrested. In other books I've read on Anne the author went back in her lineage, or at least to her birth and childhood.
What I was most impressed with in this written account was the final two days of her life. I've not read of her final statements, the full in-depth writing of those witnesses that watched her death. I'd also not read of those men (those condemned for having adultery with Anne) final statements, or bits of biographical information on them.
The final few pages I read last Thursday night before bedtime---specifically her agonizing death by decapitation. I slept little that night. I've since thought about her and the travesty and tragedy of what happened. In her final days her courage, gracefulness and composure would create a new legend, even her enemies were in awe.

This book was borrowed from the library for reading/reviewing.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2010-08-26T21:30:00.001-05:00

Earlier this summer Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews and I decided to do a Buddy Book Review. We chose To Kill a Mockingbird as our first read.
Becky's review was posted earlier this week, the link for the review is:
http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/to-kill-mockingbird.html

Amazon link for the book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061743526/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0446310786&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BERQT4E6T9G9PY0EEHX

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/?isbn=9780061743528

Link for those interested in reading along with others or to obtain a widget:
http://tokillamockingbird50year.com/?cm_sp=bookpage-_-tout-_-XMSAD_TKAM

Published by Harper Collins 50th Anniversary edition 11 May 2010, 336 pages, Fiction/Coming of Age Story/Classic
Originally published on 11 July 1960
I purchased this edition--hardback--on the very day that was the 50th Anniversary--11 July 2010

When To Kill a Mockingbird was published (1960) Jim Crow laws were in force. Blacks could only drink out of water fountains designated "For Colored Only", sitting in the back of the bus was the only option, whites and blacks did not mix in public schools, in the movie theaters a specific area was, "For Colored Only"--or in the town I live in they were not allowed at all in the four movie theaters in town. Most people did not talk about it, it was, "just the way things were". A new generation of people during the 1960's put words and actions in to the streets and newspapers and books and television. They did not cease in their mission for equality and freedom for all people--regardless of the color of their skin.

When Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird she wrote what on first appearance is a coming of age story, of a brother named Jem and his sister named Scout growing up in a small town in Alabama during the depression years. It is a large story though that touches on several life issues: single parent, poverty, abuse, alcoholism, mental illness, ignorance, illiteracy, racial hatred and prejudice, loneliness, grieving a death, childhood angst, bullying, wanting to be accepted.
It is also a story that reminds all of us of when we were children: long hot summer days with little to do, walking barefoot everywhere, actually allowing our imagination to carry us away in thought, first day of school, teachers that we know "for sure" have it in for us, taking joy in small treasurers, innocence, spying on our siblings, cooties.
There is something in the story that all readers can identify with--personalize--and in this it becomes apart of you. It is a story that you always remember, and when you do think of it, there is a feeling of tenderness and warmth.

If I had to choose which character was my favorite, I don't know who I would pick.
I love Jem for his brotherly protection of Scout. He seems to me to be a man in a young boys body, an old soul.
I love Scout because she is bold and honest, resourceful, insightful, precocious.
I love Atticus because he lives what he believes. There is no pretentiousness in him. He is the definition of quiet unmoving strength. He is not a demonstrative man, yet the love for his children is always apparent.
I love Calpurnia because she loves this family--Jem and Scout are "her children".
I love Boo Radley he is thought of as the "unknown entity" a "phantom", he is a significant character that is talked about throughout the book, yet does not make a fleshly appearance until the end.

I am the leader of my churches book club, we will be meeting in early November to discuss To Kill a Mockingbird. I have enjoyed immensely reading this story again, glad that Becky and I chose this book to Buddy Review.

I have two favorite quotes from the book.
"Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer's day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum."

"He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning."

Blissful Reading!
Annette

How The Irish Saved Civilization, The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill

2010-08-24T13:35:00.001-05:00

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Irish-Saved-Civilization-Hinges-History/dp/0385418493

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385418492

Link for information about Thomas Cahill @
http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=4014
Published by Anchor Books A division of Random House, paperback edition--1996, 256 pages
Non-fiction/British History/Irish History/ Middle Ages/Roman History

I recently purchased Mysteries of the Middle Ages, And the Beginning of the Modern World Part V by Thomas Cahill. I was charmed by the beautiful photographs in the book (not the usual reason for my purchasing a book). I have not started reading this book yet.
Last week I was in the pubic library and came upon the first book in the series The Hinges of History that Thomas Cahill has written---How The Irish Saved Civilization. There are a total of five in this series that have been written, two more are planned.
Thomas Cahill's biography link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/cahill/bio.html

Thomas Cahill believes that the Irish Monks during the 500's saved civilization by copying ancient works of poetry, history, and other literary works.Thus, they preserved for all time these works of art and history.
How The Irish Saved Civilization travels back to when the Romans lived in Britainnia--Britain, our present England. The 400's were the period when Rome was disintegrating from the bands of northern peoples that invaded Rome. Rome was "sacked" by king Alaric (king of the Visigoth's a Germanic leader) in 410. In about 476 the last western emperors ended their reign. Rome left Britain, later the Celts from central Europe came, and the Angles and Saxons. In this fascinating history of Britain, Cahill writes of an adolescent named Patricius. Later we come to understand his name and learn of his strong Christian influence, St. Patrick. I had never read the story of this amazing man. He changed the course of Ireland. We are also introduced to Columbanus who was a missionary that traveled to western Europe preaching holiness, and bringing skills in bookmaking and copying.
I found this book to be fascinating and interesting. It is a quick read.
I do believe that Thomas Cahill loves his ancestry Ireland, and is proud of its rich history.
As I am not a doctorate in history I have no idea if the dates and details of his historical accuracy is correct.
I am just a gal that loves to read about British History.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

55 Quirky Questions for Readers

2010-08-23T12:22:00.000-05:00

Created by:
http://theliterarylollipop.wordpress.com/
Her questions and answers can be found @;
http://theliterarylollipop.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/55-quirky-questions-for-readers/

Joy @ Edgy Inspirational Romance also took part, her link for answers are:
http://edgyinspirational.blogspot.com/2010/08/41-quirky-questions-for-readers.html

1. Favorite childhood book? Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

2. What are you reading now? Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir, The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser, The Crusades by Harold Lamb, and Guardians of Ga'Hoole The Capture by Kathryn Lasky.
3. What books do you have on request at the library? None
4. Bad book habit? I have stacks of books I've bought, received from authors and media companies for reading/review, and also library books.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir, The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser, The Crusades by Harold Lamb, and How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill.
6. Do you have an e-reader? Yes, a Kindle.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once? I prefer to have several books at once, I like the challenge.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Yes, I read faster and I have better reading comprehension. I also read books that I would never have thought about reading before.
9. Least favorite book you read this year? The Heavenly Host by Cheryl Dellasega.
10. Favorite book I've read this year? German Boy, A Child in War by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel

And a tie with The Help by by Kathryn Stockett

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Comfort zone, hmmm. I have not even thought about that, I read books that I want to read and thats that. I don't worry about a comfort zone. I look at books as a choice in reading, a pleasure, a joy; I'm not going to read a book that I dislike.
12. What is your reading comfort zone? There we go again with the comfort zone, hmmm.
13. Can you read on the bus? I've never had the chance; but I enjoy reading on the plane and on a train and in a car and in a boat----I sound a bit like a Dr. Seuss book.
14. Favorite place to read? My comfy cozy rocker chair in my quiet bedroom surrounded by my books.
15. What is your policy on book lending? I try not to, people tend to forget to return them.
16. Do you dog ear your books? Absolutely not!
17. Do you write notes in the margins of your books? Again no!
18. Do you break or crack the spine of your books? NO!
19. What is your favorite language to read? English---Southern writers especially and I'll read the book aloud.
20.What makes you love a book? Memorable characters, a surprising twist.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? If I fell in love with the book and I feel others would like it as well.
22. Favorite genre? Historical fiction or a history book, although these would tie with Classic Literature.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)? Mystery.
24. Favorite biography? German Boy by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel (picture above) is my favorite biography of 2010.
Another favorite biography from my past is:
Elizabeth by David Starkey- my copy was bought at W H Smith Bookshop @ Waverly Station in Edinburgh, Scotland.

25. Have you ever read a self help book? And it was actually helpful? A really long time ago, before I started keeping journals and lists of the books I've read.
26. Favorite cookbook? Yummy question.

27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? I have another blog @
A Well-Watered Garden which is devoted to Christian fiction and non-fiction. I have a favorite in both categories.
Favorite Inspirational Fiction:

Favorite Inspirational Non-fiction:
Stumbling Souls: Is Love Enough? by Chris Plekenpol

28. Favorite reading snack? Twizzlers and a cup of tea.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience? The Shack.
30. How often do you agree with the critics about a book? Rarely, I have an independent mind.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? I try and be as tactful and honest as possible. If I dislike a book then I give reasons for my feelings.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose? Hebrew.
33. Most intimidating book I've read? William Faulkner's triple set of books--As I Lay Dying, The Sound and the Fury, and Light in August. I read all of them and later I was so glad that I did.
34. Most intimidating book I'm too nervous to begin? Can't think of any.
35. Favorite poet? Robert Burns, Emily Dickinson, John Keats, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out from the library at any given time? Several, 4-6.
37. How often do you return books to the library? I almost always re-check the books another round.
38. Favorite fictional character? Jane Eyre and David Copperfield.
39. Favorite villain? Serena in the book Serena by Ron Rash.

40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation? I pick and choose the books I am currently reading, I do not read another genre specifically for a vacation read.
41. The longest I've gone with out reading? The first three weeks after I'd had my double mastectomy.
42. Name a book you could/would not finish? Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell--I've tried to read this book twice and became bogged down with the dialect.

43. What distracts you easily when you're reading? Noise.
44. Favorite film adaption? Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
45. Most disappointing film adaption? I can't think of one.
46. Most money I've ever spent at a book store? $100.00
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Always.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book 1/2 way through? I cannot enjoy the book, I just cannot endure it any longer.
49. Do you like your books organized? Yes.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away? I keep most non-fiction books, poetry and Classic Literature, and any other books that were a fav.
51. Are there any books that you've been avoiding? The Twilight series.
52. Name a book that made you angry? Precious by Sapphire.
53. A book I didn't expect to like but did? The Road by Carmac McCarthy.
54. A book I expected to like but didn't? I liked The Shack it was okay, but did not fall in gushy love with it like it seems most people did.
55. Favorite guilt free guilty pleasure reading? Cookbooks--especially baking books.

Sunday Salon

2010-08-23T10:14:00.001-05:00

I finished reading last night How the Irish Saved Civilization, The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill.

I will be reviewing this book soon.

Last night I started reading Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold. The authors inspiration for writing this book came from the marriage of Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine. After having several children Charles Dickens left his wife for a younger mistress. The author Gaynor Arnold writes a fictional story and only uses the Dickens marriage as a loose foundation for the protagonists Dorothea and Alfred Gibson in Girl in a Blue Dress.

I am 1/2 way finished with The Lives of The Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser. This book gives a quick biography on each of the Kings and Queens of England spanning the years 1066 William I through Elizabeth II. Original copyright on this book is 1975.
A 1999 edition is shown and is available through Amazon:

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Queens-England-Revised-Updated/dp/0520224604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282576112&sr=8-1
The book that I am reading is hardcover and from the library, the following link @ Amazon is of the book I am currently reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Kings-Queens-England/dp/B000GOLIII/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282576112&sr=8-2

Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews and I are doing a buddy/read/review on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. She will be posting a review in the next couple of days and I will post my review on Friday. Stay tuned!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

1215 The Year of Magna Carta

2010-08-20T14:37:00.000-05:00

Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/1215-Magna-Carta-Danny-Danziger/dp/0743257782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282222872&sr=8-1
Hardcover 24.00, Paperback 9.50

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.simonandschuster.com/search?term=1215+the+year+of+magna+carta

Published by Touchstone--Simon & Schuster 2004, 336 pages, hardback book

Book was borrowed from the library for reading/reviewing.

In 1215 King John ruled as King of England, after the death of his older brother Richard I (also known as Richard the Lion Heart). John was the 5th son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. King John was the king during the writing of the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta was a charter that was first known as Charter of Liberties, and was written by English Barons in order to protect themselves from unjust seizures and mistreatment from the King. The King did sign the charter but reluctantly. In the beginning the charter was not popular; but later as it was updated and modified and republished, then it was considered in confidence as a good thing.
There are 4 known full copies of the Magna Carta that exist. One copy is in the British Museum and Library.
There are 63 clauses in the Magna Carta. This charter was instrumental in writing The Bill of Rights.
1215 The Year of Magna Carta looks more at the year and the time period of the Middle Ages, rather than focusing on the charter itself. The book describes everyday life in 1215: food that was eaten and how it was prepared, the church, The Crusades, average income, bathroom facilities or lack of, how churches and homes were built, and a mini-history on the few Jew's that lived in England.
I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it for anyone of interest in British history, or the Middle Ages.
It is fascinating and well written.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Blogger Hop!

2010-08-20T11:44:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and Book Blogger Hop! Crazy-For-Books is the creator of this weekly event that starts on Fridays. This week I visited:

http://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com/

http://www.just-one-more-chapter.com/

The question for the week is, "How many blogs do you follow?
I follow 100. Almost everyday I check my blog reader and read the titles of the blog posts for that day. Many of these posts I read, some I scan. At least every month I do a post entitled Roundabout on my blog @ A Well-Watered Garden, posting the noteworthy blogs for the past few weeks I'd found. This takes a long time for me to make my complete rounds; yet I feel it is necessary not only for the post but for my own knowledge about what is going on in blogger sphere.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Next Up!

2010-08-18T14:23:00.004-05:00

The next books I'll be reviewing is 1215 The Year of Magna Carta by Danny Danziger and John Gillingham,
The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir, and Mysteries of the Middle Ages by Thomas Cahill.
And.....To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

A Short History of Scotland by Richard Killeen

2010-08-18T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Battle of Culloden

Robert Burns

Sir William Wallace

Bonnie Prince Charlie

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Scotland-Richard-Killeen/dp/0717126455/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282156991&sr=1-2
Paperback 12.95

Link for the book @ publisher--Gill & Macmillan 1998, paperback, 72 pages

This is a small nearly pocket size book on the history of Scotland; small in size and large in information.
Beginning with the Neolithic or New Stone Age period the book takes the reader through to the technological advancements of the 20th Century.
What I found of most interest was the Pict people. They were named Pict (a Roman word meaning painted people). These people painted their faces before a battle. The Pict's were the tribes that lived in Caledonia (a Latin name given by the Romans to the area of northern Scotland). Eventually the Pict's would be absorbed by other advancing people groups such as the Scotti of Dalriada (from the northeast kingdom of Ireland).
This is a perfect book for any reader wanting a history of Scotland and do not wish to read a more in-depth albeit longer book.

This book is a paperback library copy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Charlemagne by Derek Wilson

2010-08-18T12:15:00.003-05:00

Links for other biography's of Charlemagne:
http://www.chronique.com/Library/MedHistory/charlemagne.htm

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96apr/charlemagne.html

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/einhard.html

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/106546/Charlemagne

Link for the book @ publishers Vintage Books--Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307274809

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Charlemagne-Vintage-Derek-Wilson/dp/0307274802/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282144964&sr=8-1
Prices: Hardback 18.98, Paperback 10.17, Kindle 9.89

The book I reviewed is paperback and from the public library.

Charlemagne by Derek Wilson published 2007, 256 pages

I had never before been interested in reading about the Middle Ages. I love the Romantic and Victorian Period of history, as well as the time period of The Great Depression and World War II. In the past two weeks I've developed a great interest in the Middle Ages; I am hoping in the near future to read books on The Crusades and the history of the Muslims.
I am reminded of a beloved quote,
"It is books that are a key to the wide world, if you can't do anything else, read all you can."
Jane Hamilton
Books are my key to understanding people--whether from another land or another era.

I am afraid that some readers maybe a little timid about reading this book I am reviewing, they may feel it is too full of dates and college type stuffy material. Oh that is so not the case. I found this book to be extremely interesting, pleasant and enjoyable to read. After reading this one book on Charlemagne and the Middle Ages, I feel more knowledgeable about the people that lived during this period.
The author has breathed life in to a historical character that was born in 742 and died in 814. Charlemagne was the son of the Frank king Pepin; and for a time after his fathers death Charlemagne and his brother Carloman co-ruled until his brothers death at age 20. Charlemagne had long dynasty and he became a man of legend after his death. He was eulogized as the father of Europe. He had several children that he doted on and was protective of, enticing his daughters to continue to live at home even after the age of their ability to marry. He had a perfect blending of intelligence, foresight, wisdom, energy, diplomacy, shrewdness, zeal, and he felt that he was appointed by God. He was considered the ultimate personification in a Christian king. His kingdom was most of western Europe.

In the centuries after Charlemagne's death other historical figures such as Otto III, and Charles VIII and Napoleon, wanted to be Charlemagne reincarnated (his image, power and glory).
It was not long after his death that his vast kingdom was divided, never again to be under the influence of one king.

I loved this book!
I feel that this is a great read for anyone that is interested in reading about the man and king Charlemagne. I felt it gave a great history lesson on life in the Middle Ages, the spread of Christianity in western Europe, the Catholic Churches strong influence and yet many of them lived sordid personal lives.
The book touched on the history of Saxons, Lombard's, Byzantine, and Barbarian's. In the final few chapters the author wrote of Charlemagne's influence through the centuries, and a mini history lesson is given up in to the 20th Century.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Sunday Salon

2010-08-15T07:00:00.005-05:00

I've started a new mini-reading-study!
I made another trip to the library on Thursday and brought home:
1215 The Year of Magna Carta by Danny Danziger and John Gillingham,
Charlemagne by Derek Wilson
A History of Everyday Things in England 1500-1799 by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell
A History of Everyday Things in England 1851-1914 by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell
The Lives of The Kings and Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser
I have already started reading the book on Charlemagne and I have found it to be a great read. Some of the things I am reading about were briefly touched on in a previous book I just read on a history of Scotland---
A Short History of Scotland by Richard Killeen.
In my previous post I mentioned a book that Jane Austen's nephew wrote about her, the name of the book is Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh--the Kindle edition is only .99 cents. I bought this edition and hope to start reading it soon.
I have started reading The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir. Alison Weir is one of my absolute favorite writers on the British monarchy. I've read most of her books.
In answer to my first sentence, my new study in reading is of course British History, with the exception of the Frankish king Charlemagne...but he is such a wonderful historical figure to read about!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

2010-08-14T09:39:00.002-05:00

Take the Quiz here!

Jane's Fame, How Jane Austen Conquered The World by Claire Harman

2010-08-12T18:56:00.004-05:00

A John MacRae Book Henry Holt and Company New York in 2010, 304 pages, Non-fiction/Biography/19th Century, Hardcover

Link for book @ publisher:
http://us.macmillan.com/janesfame

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Janes-Fame-Austen-Conquered-World/dp/0805082581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281624582&sr=8-1

I borrowed this book from the library for reading/reviewing.

I made a trip to the public library today looking for other books on Jane Austen's life, I was not succesful. There was a book written by her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh published in 1870, the name of the book is A Memoir of Jane Austen: And Other Family Recollections--available from Amazon.
The author of Jane's Fame Claire Harman addresses the above mentioned book, in that the family had previously been restrictive in giving biographical information about Jane. The little bit of infomation that was released after her death was miniscule, and the family felt that that should be sufficient, and the public should accept it. Of course through the course of time the public's interest on Jane has morphed in to a celebrated heroine. Movies, books, articles, figurines, coffee cups, book marks, reusable book bags, blogs, all continue Jane Austen's legacy. Jane Austen is a beloved author that has endured throughout the generations of readers.
When I read a biography a foremost thought is what am I learning about the individual that I did not know before. The above mentioned paragraph about Jane's family was not known to me; the family wishing to remain private on Jane and wanting the public to accept this. A second thing that I learned was I had heard many readers state opinions on whether they were a Austen or Bronte fan. I enjoy reading both authors; but it appears that there have been readers that are outspoken critics against Jane's restraint in her writing, another words they felt her novels were too tame. Then again Bronte's characters needed Prozac.
Claire Harman has written a delish book for all Janite or Austen fans. I enjoyed every mosel of information that she gave about Jane. Jane is a difficult subject to write on, because there is scant information about her.
Claire did much research pouring over any of Jane's personal letters that were left (many were destroyed or lost). I loved this book and even though I have already returned this book to the library, I may just have to purchase it.

Jane Austen born at Steventon, Hampshire, England on 16 December 1775 and died in Winchester, Hampshire, England 18 July 1817. She was the second daughter and seventh child. Her father was the rector of an Anglican church. Jane and her older sister Cassandra were extremely close, neither married. There is uncertainty of what Jane died of, some have thought cancer, or maybe Addison's disease.

List of Jane Austen's novels:
Sense and Sensibility published 1811
Pride and Prejudice published 1813
Mansfield Park published 1814
Emma published 1816
Northanger Abbey published 1818
Persuasion published 1818
Lady Susan written about 1803, published 1871
The Watsons written in 1803-1805, published in 1871
Sanditon written in 1817 in the last year of her life, I'm usure of the date of publication could be 1871 as the two above were published then.

Link to read her works online:
http://www.austen.com/novels.htm

Jane Austen links:

http://austenprose.com/

http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/

http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/

Jane Austen Quote of the Day Has not been updated in a while.

http://austenblog.com/

http://www.pemberley.com/

http://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/

http://www.jasna.org/

http://www.chawton.org/

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-11T11:31:00.001-05:00

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

2010-08-10T12:03:00.001-05:00

Published by Vanguard Press in 2009, 208 pages, hardcover book, historical fiction/Regency Period/Romance

Link for the book @ Publisher:
http://www.vanguardpressbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781593155544

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593155549/
Website link for the book:
A Matter of Class

Author site:
Mary Balogh

This book was borrowed from the library for reading/reviewing.

Lady Annabelle Ashton is a young woman thats reputation is tarnished by an indiscretion. She is the only child of parents that wish to marry her well, actually very well. The next door neighbors are the Mason's, they are not of the aristocracy, they are considered "new money". During the British Regency Era 1811-1820 society standards rule. As a way of increasing the Mason name and position on the society ladder, and because of Annabelle's tarnished image, an arranged marriage between Reginald Mason and Lady Annabelle is made. Neither party is rejoicing in this, yet both Reginald and Annabelle feel cornered and without ability to say no.

In my opinion this is actually a short story. I read this book in one evening, total of 208 small size pages.
The book is a splendid romantic tale. I do not feel that it is a sweeping historical fiction novel, yet it is easy to read and entertaining. Women in the upper society during this time period were pawns to be used for advantage situations. I believe it would be rare for them to contemplate otherwise, the risks were to great.
To marry for love was a rare exception during this period.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Murder on Lexington Avenue by Victoria Thompson

2010-08-10T11:29:00.002-05:00

A Gaslight Mystery series
Published by The Berkley Publishing Group--Penguin Group USA in 2010, 336 pages

Link for the book @ Publisher:
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425234372,00.html?Murder_on_Lexington_Avenue_Victoria_Thompson

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Lexington-Avenue-Gaslight-Mystery/dp/0425234371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281451219&sr=8-1

Authors Website: Victoria Thompson

The copy that I read was a hardback book and borrowed from the library for reading/reviewing.

Mystery books are a genre that I am not well read in; I believe this book Murder on Lexington Avenue maybe the second mystery book to read in my lifetime. I enjoyed this book and will be scouting for more of the Gaslight Mystery books at the library and bookstore.

New York City Detective, Sergeant Frank Malloy, is investigating a murdered man in an office building. The time period is early 20th Century. The murdered business man has a daughter that is deaf and this makes it personal to Malloy because his own son is deaf. Malloy in his investigation interviews family and business colleagues; those that are interviewed are haughty, aloof and uncooperative. Sgt. Malloy has a friend Sarah Brandt that is a midwife and both of them work together to solve the mystery of this crime.

I really liked this book and read it in two days. It was interesting to read in story the socio-economic differences between the wealthy and the working class in the early 20th Century. I liked the character traits of Sgt. Malloy and Sarah Brandt. Malloy a typical detective personality: cool, contemplative, attentive to detail. Sarah as a midwife has been in situations that have allowed her to be savvy and perceptive of people.
The layout of the story reveals more than solving the crime of the murder; the Murder on Lexington Avenue describes a mix of people that are from all walks of life and yet have their own secrets and quandaries.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

2010-08-08T19:01:00.000-05:00

I've never taken part in a Sunday Salon and I'm not exactly sure of the rules. I believe it is a post made on Sundays that talk about what books I'm reading and those I'd like to read, or books I've seen other bloggers are reading, etc. The official Sunday Salon is not accepting any new members, I hope it is okay for me to continue on without becoming an official member.

I already had stacks and stacks of books to read, but I went to the library last Thursday and could not help myself by bringing home several books from the "new" books shelf.

1. A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
2. Murder on Lexington Avenue by Victoria Thompson
3. Jane's Fame, How Jane Austen Conquered The World by Claire Harman
4. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
5. The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir

I probably am taking on too much, but being surrounded by books...is like being surrounded by dear friends.

Currently on my Kindle I'm reading Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne
This book is such a gem! So much more than a book about "cowboys and Indians". I am more than 1/2 way finished reading it and I can't wait to review it for you!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Blogger Hop!

2010-08-08T14:37:00.000-05:00

Book Blogger Hop! Is the creation of Crazy-For-Books. It was created to be a way for book bloggers to meet and encourage one another. A new round starts every Friday!

This weeks question is---- do I listen to music while I read?
I don't listen to music while I read, I prefer the quiet. I do prefer though to read in my favorite chair with my stacks and piles of books surrounding me.

This week I visited:
http://theprairielibrary.blogspot.com/2010/08/book-blogger-hop-gets-musical.html
http://100booksin100weeks.blogspot.com/2010/08/hop-hop-hippety-hop.html#comment-form
http://between-thepages.blogspot.com/

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2010-08-04T19:14:00.002-05:00

Published by Amy Einhorn Books by G.P. Putnam's Sons a member of Penguin Group USA Inc.
The publishers link including extra information about author and book:
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/thehelp/index.php

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280963309&sr=8-1

Published 2009, 464 pages, hardback cover book

Steven Spielberg and his DreamWorks Studio is filming the movie now in Mississippi. Most of the movie will be filmed in the town of Greenwood even though the setting of the book is Jackson. There are two actors I've found playing parts: Emma Stone and Viola Davis.

I bought this book to read/review and for my book club group to discuss.

If you follow bestseller lists than you are aware that The Help has been in the top for months. Amazon ranks The Help as number 7 (for 526 days), sales rank at Barnes and Nobles 101 (not sure whats up with that), New York Times Bestseller number 3 in hardcover.

For several months I'd heard people talking about the book The Help: I knew it was about the period of time during the early 1960's, it was based in the south, the characters in the book were women, and that I was told "I had to read the book it was wonderful!" At the last book discussion (February 28) several members nominated this book to read. Our latest meeting was August 1, I'd bought the book a few months ago, put off reading it, but finally finished it last week. The book discussion we had was wonderful, wish you were there! Some of the women in the group told "their" stories. As my grandmother used to say "I just fell off of a turnip truck" because I had no idea there was such a thing as black women that worked as maids and nanny's in white homes. I was born in early 1964 and my mother and grandmothers did it all with no outside help. I knew no other relatives or neighbors that had help. I grew up in Houston, Texas--maybe we were not in the deep south and this was why. At the book group discussion these women shared "their" stories, they were from Baton Rogue Louisiana, a small town in central Texas, and Georgia. I was fascinated with their memories of the black women that worked in their homes helping their mothers, and of the way that their parents in prejudice treated them. One woman remembers as a little girl asking her mother why couldn't the little children of their hired help not go with her to school and ride the bus she road, she was told to hush!
I was born during the time period of the book The Help, I do not have memories of segregation like my older siblings have (they were born 1949-1954). My oldest sister JoAnn that was born in 1949 as a little child wondered about these signs that stated for "colored only". This is a world that seems so far removed (thankfully) from the time we are now living in.

The time period is 1962-1963 in Jackson, Mississippi. The Help is the story of a young woman that has just returned home after graduating from college, her name is Skeeter. Growing up Skeeter had had a beloved black maid in her home named Constantine. Skeeter loved her deeply. Shortly before Skeeter came home Constantine was fired. Skeeter is not given a sufficient reason considering all of the years that Constantine worked for her family. Skeeter begins to ask questions of other maids that knew Constantine. She meets Aibileen and Manny. All three of them then begin a project that opens up a unknown world to many, but also puts them in a treacherous situation.

This book is a classic.
According to Edith Wharton:
"A classic is a classic not because it conforms to a certain structural rules, or fits certain definitions (of which its author had quite probably never heard). It is a classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness."

The Help is a freshness---originality, sparkle. It is original in that I know of no other book that has been written from the black maids voice (a voice that sings of tales before unheard), it sparkles because of the three dimensional, walk off the pages characters.

Aibileen is a woman I would want to know, be my friend, be my prayer partner, not to mention I'd like to ask her advice on a few homemaking issues. She has a biting sense of humor, quick wit, heart of gold.
Minny is saucy, she could flatten you with a role of her eyeballs and her pointed index finger...not to mention her biting remarks if you cross her.
Skeeter, oh Skeeter, this girl needs encouragement, encouragement to dream her own dreams, not those that are apart of her fixed culture. I was inspired by her tenacity, honesty, and determination to finish the project.
The Help has other characters that make up those that are needed for the plot... some I'd like to snatch bald headed.
The story focuses on civil rights, but the rights for women are explored. The 1960's was a platform for both of these issues, it was a turbulent time period because there were those who fought against freedom and change.
The book was difficult for me to set aside once I started reading it. I felt a kinship with the characters, they were not just names in a book they felt to me as real tangible people.

I loved this book, loved it, loved it! The next book my book group will be reading is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T15:10:00.000-05:00

Precious, Based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire

2010-08-04T14:55:00.001-05:00

Published by Vintage Contemporaries/Vintage Books A Division of Random House, Inc.
Link for the book @ Publishers:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780307474841.html

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Push-Movie-Vintage-Contemporaries/dp/0307474844/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280949836&sr=1-1

Trade paperback first reprint published 2009--original copyright of the book PUSH 1996
192 pages,

http://www.weareallprecious.com/

This book was given to me as a gift, I chose to read/review.

Precious Jones was born November 4, 1970 to parents that were horrifically abusive to her. She grew up believing that she was "nuffin" she mattered to no one. At the age of 16 she is expecting her second baby, she is illiterate. She lives with her mother in poverty, abuse in every form, a trash heap of so called humanity.
Precious is able with the help of a teacher to become involved in a program for young girls and the life as she has known it may be about to change.

More people have probably seen the movie than read the book. I read the book in 1 evening, I could not put the book down---I had to know what would happen to Precious. This is not a book that you read because it is a "feel good" escape. It is raw, biting, acrid, emotional, exhausting and at times putrid. It is a book that a person reads in order to understand what abuse and illiteracy and poverty is like. I read this book because I wanted to "know". I wanted to get out of my white middle class box....well lower middle class. How in the world do we understand other people if we are never introduced to their world? More importantly if we don't know then we can't acknowledge there is a problem, and thus be apart of rising up in being involved in helping.

This book should not be read for the faint of heart, there is a curse word an expletive on every page. It was written in the street language and language of Precious--it is her voice in this book, her feelings, her vehement nauseating emotions of how she feels about her life. The book is descriptive in the abuse that she suffered. I want to cry at that last sentence....I just cannot imagine in my mind and don't want to. The books intent and I believe it has been successful, is in showing what ignorance and illiteracy and abuse does to a person, it causes demoralizing despair.

Blissful Reading!
Annette