November Thankful - Day 25

Today I am thankful for books and a Mom who loves to read. She is always passing her books onto to me :-). Love that! I am never without a book to read. 

playdate book review

I had the opportunity to review a new book entitled PLAYDATE. This novel is by Thelma Adams. Here is a little synopsis of the book.

Thelma Adams, US Weekly’s film critic since 2000, has now written a funny, sexy and smart debut novel, PLAYDATE, about modern marriage and suburban family life. Already receiving fabulous early praise, PLAYDATE is a contemporary comedy of manners, which opens the door on a world that may exist just down the block or across the supermarket aisle.

Inside their privileged homes, the residents of Encinitas, a quiet San Diego suburb, are not quite what they seem. Lance is a former weatherman, who gave up his job so the family could relocate to Encinitas, where his businesswoman wife, Darlene, could open her newest “Darlene’s Diner” franchise. Happy to be a stay-at-home dad and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution, he dotes on his daughter, Belle, practices yoga, and tries to persuade Darlene to have another child. However, Darlene is a workaholic and has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter.

Just down the street are their neighbors, Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s expanding restaurant empire. His wife, Wren, is consumed with yoga and tantric sex and is ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance whenever possible. But Wren isn’t the only one in the house who’s preoccupied with the stay-at-home dad. Her babysitter, Julia, has her sights on him, too, and she’s far from discreet about it.

On the opening night of Darlene’s Diner, Belle’s birthday is celebrated as part of the evening’s festivities. However, looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires in the direction of Encinitas and the party. As the fires push closer, each couple’s relationship is also in danger of going up in flames as their passions, secrets, and lies ignite the night and force them to examine what’s really important to them. PLAYDATE shows that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses, and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.

Sassy, witty, and totally engaging, PLAYDATE is an irresistible debut novel.

I give this novel, PLAYDATE a 3(GoodReads rating). While I found the book light hearted and easy to read, I just had a hard time relating to the families/characters. As I have watched the marrieges of a few good friends unravel(due to infidelity) over the last year or two, it just breaks my heart to read about it (even though this novle is fictional). I did however like how the author ended the novel. The choices that Lance made when it all came down to the important things in life, made me happy. I am a firm believer that when you chose to marry someone, it is for forever. While there are bumps in the road, you work at your marriage and don't turn to another for comfort. I also loved how involved Lance was in his daughters life. He was the caregiver, the stay at home Dad. I loved their relationship and wish that type of kindess and love between a Father and Daughter for every young girl.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an review this novel.
You can find the novel here.

Happy Reading!

Gratitude on Friday

Today I am grateful for good books. I love to read and often wish I had more time in my day to snuggle down with a good book and get lost. Lately, I find myself reading a chapter in my current read at midnight. It is taking me a while to finish my current reads but I am doing something that I enjoy...it makes me happy. I am also thankful for friends and family who so willingly share their books with me...makes me feel frugal and green :-).
I am currently reading Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich. What are you reading today?

book review

I was contacted by Anne with AuhtorsOnTheWeb, asking if I would like a free copy of a book. I won't ever turn down the chance to read a new book :-). She sent me a copy of Dewey's Nine Lives to preview!

(Taken right from the Peguingroup.com website).
The cat that captured America's hearts returns, to share more of his special brand of magic.
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World was a blockbuster bestseller and a publishing phenomenon. It has sold nearly a million copies, spawned three children's books, and will be the basis for an upcoming movie. No doubt about it, Dewey has created a community. Dewey touched readers everywhere, who realized that no matter how difficult their lives might seem, or how ordinary their talents, they can-and should-make a positive difference to those around them. Now, Dewey is back, with even more heartwarming moments and life lessons to share.

Dewey's Nine Lives offers nine funny, inspiring, and heartwarming stories about cats--all told from the perspective of "Dewey's Mom," librarian Vicki Myron. The amazing felines in this book include Dewey, of course, whose further never-before-told adventures are shared, and several others who Vicki found out about when their owners reached out to her. Vicki learned, through extensive interviews and story sharing, what made these cats special, and how they fit into Dewey's community of perseverance and love. From a divorced mother in Alaska who saved a drowning kitten on Christmas Eve to a troubled Vietnam veteran whose heart was opened by his long relationship with a rescued cat, these Dewey-style stories will inspire readers to laugh, cry, care, and, most importantly, believe in the magic of animals to touch individual lives.


Even before I started this book, I immediately thought of my late Grandma Davis. She loved her cats and I am sure she would have loved this book. I think this book could have easily been titled Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover. Dewey's Nine Lives reminded me alot of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Each chapter features a humans relationship with their cat. Some of the stories are heartwarming and some were just plain ole sad. The underlying theme throughout Dewey's Nine Lives book was that these cats, these pets brought immense happiness to the lives of those who loved them the most.I am going to be honest...I am not a cat lover...Gasp!!! Even though I am not a huge cat fan, I did enjoy the short stories and the joy that these cats shared with their owners.

I rated this book a 3(liked it) on Goodreads.
It was a feel good, easy read.
A HUGE thanks to Anne for the opportunity to preview/read this book.

For my cat loving friends, here is a link for you to check out. They are having a contest, check it out!

I was pretty sure I was going to have to arm wrestle Tanner to be the first to read this book. We pre-ordered it from Amazon and it was in our mailbox today.















He is just lucky that I am still trying to finish a book I started two weeks ago. Reading at midnight doesn't get me very far. Tanner is half way through MOCKINGJAY and loving it. I am hoping to get my turn this weekend. Are you a fan of the Hunger Games series?

we have a winner

Thank you for all of the fun book suggestions. I loved reading what your all time favorites were. I am adding a few more "to read" books to my Goodreads list.

Tanner was my helper tonight. He even closed his eyes when he drew the name...it was fair and square :-).




I'm not going to make you wait any longer.
The winner of the Sandra Dallas, Whiter Than Snow novel is...


Congrats to Eve. I will email your address to Anne and she will get your book to you!
Happy Reading, friends!

calling all readers...

yes, that means you! I have had the opportunity to read and now review a new book. The best part of this deal is that I get to give one away to one of my friends, anyone who stops by my blog and leaves a comment(see details below). YEAH, I love give aways. I was contacted by Anne, from The Book Report Network in New York. As many of you know, I love to read and who doesn't love a free book?

The book that was mailed to me was Whiter than Snow by Sandra Dallas . Sandra Dallas is also the author(among many other novels) of the Persian Pickle Club, a book that I really loved reading!

Whiter Than Snow, Sandra’s ninth novel,opens in 1920 on a spring afternoon in Swandyke,a small town near Colorado’s Tenmile Range. Just moments after four o’clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, sweeping up everything in its path including nine young children who are walking home from school. But only four children survive. Whiter Than Snow takes you into the lives of each of these families. Ultimately, each story serves as an allegory to the greater theme of the novel by echoing that fate, chance, and perhaps even divine providence, are all woven into the fabric of everyday life. And it’s through each character’s defining moment in his or her past that the reader understands how each child has become its parent’s purpose for living. In the end, it’s a novel of forgiveness, redemption, survival, faith, and family.

I really enjoyed this book. When I finished it late last night, I really felt like I knew each character. I may not have related to each character or their situation personally but I came away with a better understanding of different people and where they have come from. This book covers all walks of life. Sandra Dallas dedicated a chapter to each character & that is what allowed me to really feel like I knew each character. Whiter than Snow made me really grateful to have been born when I was. Things have changed alot since 1920 and while I know the world is not perfect, I really do think we have come a long way since the early 1900's. I felt myself cheering on those characters who went out of their way to treat people with kindness even when society treated them different.
A powerful example of that kindness is on page 282 in Whiter Than Snow.

It reads " The book became a classic among folks who lived in mining towns along the spine of the Rocky Mountains, and there was not a house in Swandyke that didn't have a copy, most of them autographed by the author, back when she lived there. After she moved away, people in the town remembered her as the mine manager's wife, the woman who had opened her house to the town on the day of the April avalanche, who had asked that the bodies of the dead children be laid out in her home, who had taken in the prostitute mother and let her sleep in Grace's own bed".

That is how I want to be remembered...remembered as someone who was kind to everyone!

Another strong thread throughout Whiter Than Snow is that people can change. Hearts can be softened, friendships and families can be reunited even when all hope is thought to be lost. It may not be easy but it is definitely possible.

I thought I would rate this book the way I rate books over on Goodreads.
I give this book a 4...meaning I really liked it.

To be entered in the give away, please tell me what your favorite book of all time is. I will have my boys draw a winner in a few days, lets say on Thursday.

I want to thank Anne for the book and the opportunity to read and review it. What a treat.

Happy Reading.

Successful

Eve & I were successful @ obtaining our Breaking Dawn books last night.

We arrived @ Barnes & Noble @ about 10 pm. There were a ton of people there. Eve & I quickly realized that we were probably the oldest people there actually buying the book. There were lots of Moms trailing their teeny boppers but we discovered that we were the minority by the stamps that were placed on every ones right hand. We felt old. The evening was complete with lots of activities, the two hours passed quickly. There were trivia games for the previous 3 books, a werewolf, a character look alike contest, a wedding chapel, teams Edward & Jacob running around, & even a wedding cake.

We didn't have any cake, all of the red frosting kind of looked scary. There was lots of people watching to do too. Some of these kids really got into character. This bride won 1st place in the costume contest. We paid for our copies around 12:30 am & hit the road to go home. I could not stand around waiting for a book for two hours last night w/out reading some of it before heading to bed. So I read the entire thing...just kidding. I read the first chapter & dozed off to sleep.

Sadly enough, we have been so busy today, that I have not been able to read any more of my book. We have had the primary talent show, shopping, & yard work to attend to. I am hoping I can really get into it tonight.

The Primary talent show made for a fun morning. Tanner performed soccer moves & Carter told jokes. I am always in awe of my boys. I would have never, ever in a million years stood up in front of a crowd & told jokes or showed off my soccer skills (especially the soccer moves I did not have). Carter looked so comfortable up there. He told us afterwards that he was so nervous. His favorite joke from the morning was "What color is a burp"? Drum roll please..."BURPLE" of course! Let me know if you have a favorite joke that I can pass on to Carter for next years talent show.

Tanner did two very quick soccer moves & sat down. The only picture I was able to snap was very blury, hence no picture. He said he got stage fright right before. We have some very talented children in our ward. Many displayed art projects, Lego creations, piano #'s, & some leaders even performed a tap dance # to Blue Suede shoes.

Jamie & Connie rocked the tap shoes. Gerald even played the banjo & sang a song. It was a fun morning. Thanks Julianne, Steph, & Jamie for a successful morning that the whole family enjoyed.

Anxiously waiting

Is anyone else anxiously awaiting the release of this book? I need to hurry & finish the current book I am reading. I have about 30 pages left. I think I can pull it off between now & 10 pm tomorrow night. My friend Eve & I are heading over to Barnes & Noble for their release party. By midnight tomorrow night, we will have our copies in hand. Have you read the series & are you looking forward to book #4? I want to know if Bella becomes one of them! What's your prediction? Happy reading!

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Okay, so maybe it's not a jet plane. uummm, more like Southwest-LOL! I am flying out to Chicago for CHA in the morning (Craft, Hobby, Association). It is a HUGE trade show where companies release all of their new products/lines. Brandi (my co worker) & I are meeting up with the owners, our bosses at Green Tangerines. Can I just tell you that I am SOOOOOOO excited to be going. I get to spend 3 whole days, ooohhh-ing & aaahhh-ing(code for salivating) over all of the new papers, embellishments, stamps, ideas, samples, yummy colors,etc... On Monday, we will get to see Chicago (outside of the convention center) & shop before heading home. Again, I am so grateful for a husband who can hold the fort & troops down so I can escape, ugh I mean work for a few days -wink wink. I am so grateful for Kelly & Paula. Happy & grateful for the opportunity to tag along & represent Green Tangerines. WA-HOOOOOOO, I can't wait. I seriously hope I can sleep tonight.

{Kelly & Paula-aka visionary vixens}

Thank you for all of of your posts about your favorite books & what you are reading and enjoying right now. I finished EAT-PRAY-LOVE last night. While it was not my favorite book, it did pick up & she did have some great words of wisdom(like many of you commented on). That middle part of the book was very slow & hard for me to get through. Needless to say, I am glad I plowed through it.

I really loved everything she had to say on pg. 260. This is my favorite part, she said "People universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you are fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it." If you decide not to read the book, run down to Barnes & Noble & at least read pg. 260.

I also liked what she had to say on the very last page. She wrote, "In the end, though maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it is wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely for as long as we have voices". I love that! What a great reminder to be thankful for all that we have & are blessed with.

I have started the book COME BACK. Have any of you read this one?

I am off to fold the last load of laundry. Then I will be able to zip up my suitcase & head off to bed. I will be MIA on the blog for a few days. I know I will have a ton to report when I return home on Monday night! Have a fabulous weekend!

P.S. - If you see John out & about with the boys, tell him he's awesome & that his wife misses him & thank him for me, for being fabulous! I will miss these cutie-pa-tooties.

Books

I have always loved to read. One of my favorite birthdays ever, was when I was in the 5th grade. All I wanted for my birthday that year, were some new books. For part of my gifts that year, my Mom treated me to a shopping spree @ the local bookstore, Crown Books (If I remember correctly). I left with 4 new books & I was so delighted. I could not wait to get home, to crack that first new book open. Over the years, my reading as slowed down a bit. Instead of devouring a book in a day, it will now take me about a week to finish. As I've had new babies, or as those babies turned into active boys who are so busy with extra curricular activities, it is hard to find a good chunk of down time to sit & read. Right now, my reading happens late @ night before I fall asleep or on Sundays. I love Sundays, & all of the down time if gives me & our family. A day to relax, read & just be together. The boys are enjoying a few summer reading programs that we have signed up for around town. One is through our local library & the other is through Barnes & Noble. Carter has already earned two free books from the Barnes & Noble reading program. GO Carter.

One of my favorite quotes is : Books fall open--you fall in. David McCord
This quote is so true for me. It is so easy to get lost in a good book & I love when that happens.

{photo by Tanner. Boy, do I look tired or what?}

Right now I am reading a book that has not grasped my attention. I am having a really hard time getting into it & yet, I can't put it down. I have found that I can't stop reading a book, even if I don't really like it. I am always afraid that the good part might be coming up & that I'll miss out on the entire point of the book. The book I am currently reading is EAT -PRAY- LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert. Have any of you read this book? Did you like it? Did you hate it? At this point, I am just trying to get through it to finish it. Is that bad?

I just received an evite from my friend, Eve to http://www.goodreads.com/. Thanks Eve. It is a really cool site. You can create an account & keep track of the books you are reading, have read or the books you have on your list to read. You can even rate the book & write your thoughts/review on each book. If you decide to create an account, please don't forget to add me as a friend.

I would love to know what you are reading this summer. What has grabbed your attention? What's on your to read list? I would also love to know what your favorite book of all time is. Please share.