Great Book

I was attracted to this book because of the title, The Undertaker's Wife, probably because  my favorite aunt was married to an undertaker for many years.  I spent quite a bit of time with her at "the funeral home".  The Undertaker's Wife treats the subject of a spouse's death from both the perspective of a wife and a person who works in the funeral industry.  We all know that the death of a spouse is one of the hardest things we will ever have to deal with and Dee Oliver tells it like it is, including a lot of things that most of us probably wouldn't think of until we are in that situation.  After finishing the  book I made my husband sit down and talk to me about some his wishes in case he "goes first".  I also talked to him about my wishes.  Some of these things we had talked about but some we hadn't.  We also discussed some financial issues and what we needed to do, like make our wills something that is long overdue.  I think every woman needs to read this book, it definitely gave me a lot to think about.  

New (to me) Author

 Sometimes you are aware of an author and for whatever reason you just have never read any of their books.  One of those author's for me is Dorothea Benton Frank. Over the years people have told me how wonderful her books are but I just never picked up one to read.  That changed when about a month ago, my brother told me he had just read Folly Beach and how much he enjoyed it.  I decided then that I had to read it.  Oh, I have been missing out on some wonderful stories.  It is now one of my favorite books.  After reading that one, I checked out Bull's Island and The Last Original Wife from the  public library.  I really enjoyed both of them, but absolutely loved The Last Original Wife.  I can't remember the last time I laughed so  much while reading a book.  Will definitely be on the lookout for other books by this author.

Book or ereader

I always take a book on vacation especially if I am flying, face it what else is there to  do while you are on a plane, other than sleep.  Last week I took my Kindle, I had downloaded three new books so I knew that I would have plenty to read.  I boarded the plane, settled into my seat, and started reading.  About 15 minutes after the plane took off, I saw the message that my device was shutting down and it needed to be connected to the charger.  Charger?  I totally forgot to bring my charger.  I had the one for my camera, and my phone, but never once thought about the one for the kindle.  Since I couldn't read on the plane I decided to take a nap.  I knew that I would have to get a book somewhere or something to read.  The first place DH and I went was the visitor center at Colonial Williamsburg to get our tickets for the next day.  Luckily there was a huge bookstore inside the visitor's center, I found several books I wanted, but knew that I only needed one to see me through the next few evenings.  I purchased the Kitchen House, I had wanted to read this but had never managed to find it at the library.  I finished it last night, what a great book.  It is the story of Belle and Lavina.  Belle is the daughter of a slave and her master, Lavina is an Irish orphan that was given to Belle by her father.  Lavinia grows up living with Belle, her parents and brothers and sisters. Lavinia reaches the age where she is sent to Williamsburg to live with relatives of the master.  While there she is educated with Meg, the daughter of the family she is living with.  What follows is a lovely tragic story,  it is the plantation version of The Help.  I would highly recommend this book, even if you don't like historical fiction it is a great book

Two great books

As you know I absolutely love books and the last two that I read are the best, in very different ways.  Marie Bostwick's new Cobbled Court series, Apart at the Seams is  the perfect take me away book.  Gayla finds that her husband had at one time wanted a divorce and she just can't imagine that he was unhappy and would tell her this in a memo!!  The cad!!!  She moves into their cottage in New Bern and becomes a part of the Cobbled Court Quilt Circle.  Once again quilting comes to the rescue and helps Gayla reconnect with herself and with her husband.  This is a really good book, one that I would definitely recommend.

Natchez Burning is at the opposite end of the reading spectrum.  This is not a book that you can just relax and read for enjoyment.  I have waited on this book to be published for the last three years.  I love anything written by Greg Iles and had read that he was working on this book, however he was involved in a horrific car accident that interrupted his writing, he is lucky to be alive.   This book involves the 1960's, the KKK and how events from that turbulent era still can affect us today.  This book has special significance for me since I was born in Mississippi and lived there until my early 20's.  I personally didn't have any contact with people like this but I have heard stories about people like this all of my life.  This is the best book I have read this year.    What good books have you read this year?

Lots of Reading this weekend

 

Flu germs are still floating around my house, I am finally feeling better, however; DH now has the flu and bronchitis.  I had huge plans for this weekend, since we are out of school on Monday, looks like most of my plans will stay just that--- plans.  I have done a lot of reading this last week and weekend.  I just finished Jennifer Chiverini's new book, Mrs. Lincoln's Rival.  I really enjoy her quilting series and enjoyed Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker.  This one not so much.  I never could really get into it.  I wanted to get to know the characters and why they were such rivals.  Mrs. Chiverini definitely does her research, and does a great job of transporting you to the Civil War era, maybe too much so.  I wanted to know more  Kate Sprague, but by the time I finished the book, I didn't really know anything more than at the beginning of the book.  It was also never made clear why she and Mrs. Lincoln were such great rivals.  I have to admit that by the end of the book I was skimming some of the pages just to finish. 

 

Before starting Mrs. Lincoln's Rival I read Sycamore row by John Grisham.  I have read all of his books and have liked some better than others.  This was one of the better ones.  It was more like his first novels, a true page turner.  Couldn't put this one down.  Would definitely recommend this one over Mrs. Lincoln's Rival.  Happy reading!!

Not much going on

After my last post a couple of weeks ago I told myself that I was going to be much better about blogging, both posting and reading.  As you can tell at least the posting part hasn't happened, I have managed to do some reading each night.  My job is just wearing me out this year.  I don't even have time to sew.  I have been doing some reading.  I just finished the latest installment of the Someday Quilts Mystery series.  I really enjoy this series.  It is light, entertaining reading.  In this one, Nell is busy preparing for her grandmother's wedding, when Jesse's (Nell's boyfriend)

former partner is found murdered outside of his house.  If that wasn't enough, Nell's parents decide to come to the wedding. You will have to read it to find out if the wedding takes place and if by chance it is a double wedding!!

 

Great New Reads

Now that school is back in session, I have to be honest, not a  lot is getting done at my house.  This year is really different for me, as a media specialist my job (until this year) consisted of running the media center and all that entails.  However, this year I am teaching 4 specials (classes) a day, ranging from kindergarten to 3 grade.  It is definitely an adjustment!!!  I am exhausted everyday when I get home, hopefully that will change soon as a I get adjusted to this schedule.  One thing I have been doing is some reading and I have discovered a new author that I really like, Emily March.  Her books are very similar to Robin Carr in a way, the first in the series is Angel's Rest.  These stories take place in the fictional town of Eternity Springs in Colorado with quite a cast of characters.  I  found this entirely by accident when scanning the shelves at the library a few weeks ago.  Luckily the first two of the series were available, the second title is Hummingbird Lake.  I enjoyed these two so much that I purchased the third one for my Nook.


Second in the series, Hummingbird Lake.
 

Another great book that I just finished is The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café.  What made me pick this one up was this  "if you like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society you will like this one".  Since I liked that book I had to try this one out.  It is really one of those feel good books, the setting is small town Beacon, Maine.  The main character, Ellen travels there to deliver a letter from her recently deceased grandmother to  her first love.  You just know that this is not going to be a simple delivery when on the first page Ellen almost drowns and is rescued by the first love's grandson (although she doesn't know it at the time).  This is just the first of  many encounters Ellen has with Roy while looking for his grandfather and discovering what she really wants out of her life.  A very quick and feel good read.

Great new read

I just finished Marie Bostwick's new book, Between Heaven and Texas, this is a prequel to her Cobbled Court series.  I am a huge fan of that series and didn't know if I would like this one or not.  I did and would highly recommend it. Between Heave and Texas, takes place in Too Much "where the women are strong and the men are handsome but shiftless"  (LOVE THAT DESCRIPTION).  The story focuses on twins Mary Dell and Lydia Dale who share two traits a talent for sewing and a weakness for men.  Lydia Dale marries and has children, Mary Dale wishes for children but doesn't get exactly what she wishes for, she gets much more.  This is a truly uplifting story, can't wait for the next one. 

First great read of 2013

I had been wanting to read this book and it was on my Christmas list, my brother gave it to me for Christmas.  I waited until the New Year to start it and it is great!!  It is the story of Tom and Isabel, light house keepers in Australia in the late 1920's.  Tom is a survivor of WWI, who finds solace in the isolation of his job.  When he meets and marries Isabel feels extremely lucky to have both  the perfect job and wife. Problems arise when Isabel has a miscarriage, followed fairly quickly by a second miscarriage then the stillbirth of a child.  Just days following the stillbirth a boat washes up on shore with the body of a man, and a living child.  Isabel talks Tom into keeping the child.  This changes not only Tom and Isabel's lives but the lives of numerous other people.  Won't give away anyone, but will say that I cried at the end.  Great Read.

Quilts of Love

Two of my favorite things together, Christmas and quilting.  During the Christmas season I love to read any type of holiday book (sometimes I even read them in the summer).  While at the browsing at the library a few weeks ago I came across a new series, Quilts of Love.  Each book is written by a different author, with a quilt somehow featuring in the story,  this one was A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.  It was a very quick read and very good.  I don't usually read books that are labeled inspirational but I am glad that I made an exception for this one.  I will definitely be on the lookout for other titles in this series.



To Read or Quilt, that is the question

Some days it is a struggle to decide how to spend free time, (with school winding down, free time is something that I don't have a lot of now)  do I read or do I quilt.  Lately the reading has been winning the contest.  I have read several really good books and a few just ok ones.  My friend Becky loaned me Quilt by Assocition by Arlene Sachitano, it is part of the Harriett Truman series.  Last year while in Houston, Becky and I met Mrs. Sachitano; I purchased one book, the first in the series Quilt as Desired, while Becky got this one.  We are just now getting around to trading.  I like this series, it is one that you can read and really not have to think about.  (believe me at this time of year that's a good thing.)  Harriet Truman, a widow, has moved into her Aunt's home and taken over her long arm quilting business.  It doesn't take Harriet long to find her niche in the community, especially when she becomes involved in solving a murder. 

I also just read Red Mist  by Patricia Cornwell.  I have to admit this was not my favorite Scarpetta novel.  At one time I was a huge fan, but the last few in the series haven't been able to hold my attention. For me,this one was too long, and moved way too slow.  After I read it a friend told me that you really needed to read the prior one in the series before you read this one.  Of course I haven't read it.  If I  had I might have liked this one better.   This one has the usual cast of characters, Kay, Marino, Lucy, and Benton.  Kay is looking into the death of a former colleague, Jack Fielding.  Don't want to give too much away, if you like this series and read the one before this, you will probably like it.  However,   I think I will take a break from the Scarpetta books for a while.

I really, really enjoyed Fall from Grace by Richard North Patterson,  it is a good old fashioned mystery.  The book opens with the main character Adam returning to Martha's Vineyard after the death ( or possible murder) of his father, a famous writer.  After the funeral Adam discovers that his father disinherited his wife, brother, and uncle in favor of his mistress, and Adam's former college girlfriend.  Adam,  the executor of  the will decides to stay long enough to find out why his father changed his will and why.  The book is full of surprises and several different twists and turns.  Would make a great beach read.

I discovered this series by accident a couple of years ago and have become quite attached to Theo and all of her crime solving friends.  In this installment Theo is falls under suspicion when her former flame, Parker is found dead in an aquarium.  It doesn't take her long to realize that she must try to solve the case or end up in prison.  Great summer time read.

What is not to like about this book.  It is one of those books that makes you feel good when you finish reading it.  The book opens on Margot's 40 birthday, not a great day for her since she is still single and desperately wants a family.  Her friend Abigal starts playing matchmaker, and you know that all will turn out well in the end.  A new character is introduced, Phillipa, the new minister in town.  Phillipa is a widow, daughter of a very famous minister, and not a great speaker.  The two women become friends as they face life's difficulties. 

Great New Read

I love to read books by Southern authors, and Terry Kay is one of my favorites.  Most people are familiar with his book, To Dance With the White Dog, which was made into a  movie several years ago.  I have read all of his books and have been lucky enough to meet and talk with  him several times.  His new book, Bogmeadow's Wish, is a different type of  book for him, not as serious as his last few have been; but very enjoyable.  I just finished it this morning while eating breakfast, I tried to last night but was too tired.  It makes you believe in magic again, I will definitely be looking for a leprechaun.  I didn't write the summary below, cut and paste is a wonderful thing.  I do highly recommend this book, and any of his other titles. 

When Cooper Coghlan arrives in Ireland with the cremains of his grandfather, Finn Coghlan, he has one instruction: Let my ashes blow in the wind. You'll know the place when you come to it. I'll be there, telling you. He also has the tender memories of his grandfather's exaggerated stories of Irish wonder and magic – stories of leprechauns and legends and the mysterious power of fate. But he does not have the story of why his grandfather left Ireland as a young man. That is to be the wonder of his discovery.

Mesmerized by his romantic vision of Ireland, Cooper begins his search with the unknowing help of friends in America who have employed a charming, down-on-his-luck Irish actor named Sandy McAfee to con his way into Cooper's life as his guide. Yet neither is prepared for the presence of Kathleen O'Reilly, a public relations specialist whose tour on behalf of the NewTree campaign is eerily parallel to the travels that Sandy plots in leading Cooper on his hunt for his grandfather's ghost. And in those landmarks – Waterford, Youghal, Cork, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Tralee, Kenmare, Dingle – the fate of the Irish that Finn Coghlan talked of, magically brings Cooper and Kathleen together.

Yet, there is a truth between the two of them that not even the enchanting tale of Finn McCool and Sally Cavanaugh, or of Patrick the Believer, can resolve. For that, Cooper must use the one gift bestowed on him as a child by his grandfather – Bogmeadow's wish.

Great Funny Read

My clerk said yesterday that since I read such a variety of books how did I decide what to read?  I thought about it before I answered and then said, I did lots of window shopping a the public library.  In some cases the books are wonderful and I discover a new author, in some cases the books don't do it for me and I don't even finish them.   Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton is one of those books that I devoured and didn't want to end. It has been a long time since I laughed out loud while reading a book.   My husband kept asking me what I was laughing at, and it just didn't translate well.  The main character Leelee Satterfield leaves her home in Memphis, TN to help hubby run an Inn in Vermont.  Needless to say, things don't go very smoothly for this Southern Bell in Yankee land.  I think one reason I loved it is because I grew up about 90 miles from Memphis, so I could relate.  If you are looking for a quick funny read I would definitely recommend this one.  I am anxiously awaiting the sequel this fall.