mini book reviews

This morning I posted this to Scarlet Threads, but thought I'd share here too! I don't think I've posted book reviews in quite a while, despite the fact that I read all the time! I've read several great books recently, and wanted to post about the tones I really loved!

The Secret Keeper is the newest novel from Australian writer Kate Morton. She has three earlier books, all of which I've read and enjoyed, but I think this was by far my favorite. I've posted about them before, actually. It just came out about two weeks ago, and I managed to grab it from my local library the same week! I devoured it, finishing it in just a few days. Typical of me, really!

The Secret Keeper weaves back into time, along with present day, telling the story of Laurel Nicolson. We meet her as a sixteen year old living in the English countryside, as she witnesses a shocking crime within her family. Fifty years later, she is a successful actress in London, and her family gathers for her mother's 90th birthday party. She wants to learn the secret that has haunted her mother all these years. We also meet her mother, Dorothy, as a young woman in pre-WWII London, through the Blitz and then beyond. We meet Jimmy and Vivian, all from very different lives, but we see how they are intertwined, and will be, forever. While I found myself guessing parts of the ending, I was certainly thrown off by several aspects of what happened, and that is something that I love. 

It was a wonderful story, as are Morton's other three books! 

Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal is another recent favorite. 

Also taking place in wartime London, Mr. Churchill's Secretary introduces us to Maggie Hope, born in Britian, but raised in America. Maggie lost her parents at a young age, and was raised by her aunt, but goes to London to settle the estate of her recently departed grandmother. She graduates at the top of her class from a highly regarded university, but as a female, can only find work as a typist, leading her to 10 Downing Street to work for the newly sworn-in Winston Churchill. This position puts her in a unique position to learn a great deal of information, both about the inner-workings of a government at war, as well as within her own family. Maggie's knowledge of mathmatics, codes, and languages soon assist her in carving a new role for herself as she finds herself in the middle of an assasin plot against the Prime Minister himself. This is very much an edge-of-your-seat type of book, and I loved all of the twists and turns- I never quite knew what to expect, 

but I had a good feeling about our Maggie. 

When I finished the book, I was a bit sad, as I hate when a good book comes to an end, though I soon learned that the sequel to this book, called Princess Elizabeth's Spy just came out this past week! I cannot wait to get a copy of that one! Also, Susan Elia MacNeal, the author, is on twitter (linked above!), and she and I chatted a bit. She's writing the third installment of this book now, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Also, she let me know that Royal Corgis make an appearance in the second book. Anything with corgis is a good thing!

Not a novel, but a cookbook! This is a family favorite, actually, and I recently pulled my battered old copy from my cookbook collection to make the beef stew recipe. The Tasha Tudor Cookbook is a wonderful collection of some of the Tudor Family's favorite recipes, with drawings by Tasha Tudor herself. This means more corgis! Yes, I have a bit of a corgi obsession, but that is another story for another day. 

Growing up, my sister, brother and I each had our own author. My mother decided that on each birthday/Christmas/Easter, we'd receive a book by "our" author. I had Beatrix Potter, my sister had Tasha Tudor, and my brother had Tomie dePaola. Now, as an adult, I have the entire collection of stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Likewise, my sister has an amazing collection of Tasha Tudor books, many of which are now out of print. 

I bought a copy of the cookbook for myself one day, since it brings back happy childhood memories. Last weekend, I made the beef stew recipe for dinner, and it was as wonderful as I had remembered it to be. 

Have you read Gone Girl yet? Everyone has been talking about it recently, so I wanted to see what the fuss was. I requested it from the library, and was no. 247 in the queue. I waited and waited, and finally got an email that it was waiting for me, but I was out of town, and didn't pick it up in time, and it was released! Ugh! I re-requested it, and was then no. 329 in the queue. Who says DC doesn't read?! Finally, it was there for me again, and I wasted no time in running over to the DC Public Library to pick it up. Now, I am about a third of the way into it, and so far, so good. 

What are you reading right now? Anything I should look for?

ten on tuesday: the bookworm edition

1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?

I recently read a book called The Kitchen House, which I really enjoyed. It reminded me a bit of The Help, for those of you who loved that one. Another recent read was The House at Riverton, which I really enjoyed and could not put down! Another one that I read a while ago but has still been haunting me was Sarah's Key, which is worth a read.

2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?

My mother is a librarian, so yes, I am a library lover! Of course, I do buy books from time to time, but usually just favorites, something like that. If an author I like is in the area for a signing, I like to get a hardback copy.

3. E-readers, yay or nay?

BIG FAT NAY. I will never get one. Never, never, never. Don't try to convince me. End of story.

4. What was your favorite book as a child?

Oh gosh! I LOVED the Ramona books, I loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, I loved The Secret Garden, the Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Miss Rumphius...

5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?

Ramona, I think :) When I get a corgi, I am totally naming her Ramona. DO NOT STEAL MY PUPPY NAME!!!!

6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?

While I was reading it, I was thinking that The House at Riverton would make a great movie. It is about the making of a movie!

Synopsis

Grace Bradley went to work at Riverton House as a servant when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they-and Grace-know the truth.

In 1999, when Grace is ninety-eight years old and living out her last days in a nursing home, she is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback, this is the story of Grace's youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant twenties, and the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.

The novel is full of secrets-some revealed, others hidden forever, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne Du Maurier. It is also a meditation on memory, the devastation of war, and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.

Originally published to critical acclaim in Australia, already sold in ten countries and a #1 bestseller in England, The House at Riverton is a vivid, page-turning novel of suspense and passion, with characters-and an ending-the reader won't soon forget.

7. What is your all-time favorite book?

Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Gone With the Wind, Miss Rumphius

8. How many books do you read at once?

It depends, usually two, maybe three and a cookbook :)

9. What is your favorite book genre?

Mostly fiction and historical fiction. I read a lot of cookbooks too, and children's books! I read a lot about the Holocaust (memoirs and such). I don't read a lot of biographies, I don't know why. Maybe I should? Any you loved?

10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?

I didn't read them at all, believe it or not. I know, I know......

from your secret crush

Isn't this just the sweetest????

Love it!

But, as you know, I love anything to do with libraries...

Source

PS. Keep an eye out for a giveaway later this week!

all the cool kids will be there

Please come to this event! I'll be there, and so will Liz and Rachel!








D.C. Charity Chicks' Spring event will benefit Room to Read, a non-profit focused on literacy and education in the developing world. Room to Read builds schools and libraries, publishes local-language books, and provides scholarships to young girls in Asia and Africa.

There will be a silent auction and raffle at the event to help raise additional support for Room to Read’s activities. Event tickets are $25.00 and include one raffle entry. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased for $5.00, or five for $20.00 For more information on the silent auction and raffle items, as well as various event packages, please RSVP below or visit our Events page.

Cocktails for a Cause will be a fun night out with friends, music, food, and drink specials all evening. If you are unable to attend the event, you can still support D.C. Charity Chicks and Room to Read by making a donation on our site.Please forward this invitation to family and friends, and share it online.

Where---
Mezza Luna
1140 19th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036
(two blocks from Farragut West metro station)

When---
Tuesday, May 11, 20105:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets RSVP to purchase your event and raffle tickets.

library love

As you know, I am a lover of anthropologie, so it would make sense that I follow them on twitter. Recently, they tweeted about library love, in the form of card catalog pulls.

I'm pretty much in love with them.

When I was there the other week, I picked one up. Adorable, yes?

My plan is to find a dresser/nightstand, maybe on craigslist and use these as the drawer pulls. I'd like something with a shabby chic/antique look to it. I'm not a huge DIYer, but I think it would be cute!

I'd also LOVE to find an actual old library card catalog too. I see those from time to time on craigslist, but they are usually pretty pricy, around $800 or so. I saw one recently not far from here for only $200, but when I emailed the owner, I never got a reply. Oh well, I'll keep looking! I think it would be such a stunning piece for a living room.

I know just where I'd put it too...

feeling like poo

Ughhh. I'm a sick Lexi. When I am sick, I get a bit whiny (ask Steve!), and I am a bit of a baby about it too. I don't mean to be, but I am. I stayed home today, as I was up all night, not feeling well. I'm a bit better now, though my head still hurts, a lot. I actually slept from 8am until almost 2pm and am still exhausted, but if I sleep more, I'll never fall asleep tonight. I hate that too, that is the worst, when you can't fall asleep at night. I have trouble sleeping enough as it is, so I don't want to make it worse.

This isn't good, as I have a lot going on this week. Last night I was supposed to go the the info session for the teaching fellows program that I mentioned, but I didn't go. I just didn't feel like metroing all the way to Hyattsville and then finding their library. There will be others, I will go to another one. I have dinner plans tomorrow night with some of my favorite girls and then an old friend from home is in DC on business, so I am supposed to see her later in the week. I haven't seen her in years, so it will be nice to catch up. Oh, and I decided not to go to Iowa this weekend for the pirate wedding. I'll be there for Thanksgiving, which will be fine, but this weekend, I really just need a quiet weekend to myself. I have several things to do, so I'll be busy.

This past weekend I went to the used book sale at the Arlington Library that I'm sure I've mentioned before. We went Sunday afternoon, and on Sunday, everything is half-price. I bought 19 books for a whopping $25. I found two great quilting books and several Christmas-y books about holiday recipes, crafts, etc, so those will be nice. I also found a few children's books and two different copies of A Christmas Carol by Dickens, which is something I collect, along with 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. They are both on my favorites list and of course, supporting the library is fun. Funny though, when I was packing up my books, I had brought along a canvas tote bag from my library at home in NH. The girl ringing me up saw it, and asked if I was from NH...I said yes, and turned out, she is from a town about five towns away! Small world, this city sure is.

I bought a super cute pair of shoe from Target too. I will have to post a picture, but I am waiting, because I may have ordered a pair of boots from there too, so I will post them all at once. I am really hard on shoes. I don't know why, but I end up destroying them, so I find myself often needing shoes. It's an actual legitimate need too; not just me saying how much I need a puppy (which I do too!) My mother even notices and tells me to go shoe shopping, haha.

I need to do some quilting over the weekend too. I have several quilt tops that are finished, but I need to finish them! I've still been finding some great fabrics from etsy and have been reading many quilting blogs for ideas. Several people post patterns and tutorials, which is nice, since most of the time, I don't know what I am doing :) When I finish some things, I will post pictures, though right now, I don't have too much to show for myself. I did organize my fabric last weekend, and I found a great basket in my closet that is perfect for scraps, so that was an excellent thing.

Oh yes, and I have a new World Vision baby! She's a two-year old from South Africa called Boikokobetso and she's just the sweetest thing you've ever seen. I know a bit about South Africa and their educational system. They have 11 national languages (!!!), so I wondered which one she speaks. I wrote to WV and they responded and said that she speaks Northern Sotho, so I will need to find some books written in N.S. to send to her! She lives with her single mother, three sisters and one brother. I don't know the ages of her siblings, I hope to find out. I'm excited to get to know my new family member! Does anyone have any insight about South Africa that they could share?

How was your weekend? What did you do? Are you doing anything for Halloween? Want to bring over some ginger ale and rye toast for me?

Room to Read in DC events!

I've mentioned my recent involvement with Room to Read before and am so excited that things are getting off the ground. There are three upcoming events here in DC and I'd love it if you came to one! I'll be at two of them, the second and third dates.

For some reason, blogger won't let me place the actual invitation into this post, so I can't link to it. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I will email it to you, as you do need to register for the events. There will be wine and hors d'oeurves served and space is limited. There are some really exciting things happening and you may love being involved! There are many ways to be a part of it, so come and check things out!


Join the DC Chapter of Room to Read for a 90-minute event to learn more about Room to Read's recent accomplishments, future expansion plans, and how you can be a part of this worldwide movement.


ARLINGTON, VA \ OCTOBER 10TH \ 7:00 PMNRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Boulevard



BETHESDA, MD \ OCTOBER 17TH \ 7:00 PM Sharon Fine Gallery, 5504 Cornish Road


WASHINGTON, DC \ OCTOBER 22ND \ 6:00 PMThe Law Offices of Seyfarth Shaw, 975 F Street NW

I scream, you scream (but not in the library!)

Just saw this on twitter....

I'd be even more in love with the wonders that is Ben & Jerry's if they did this....

The libraries of the world are feeling under-appreciated, it seems. And it’s not because folks are ignoring them en masse, or talking loudly in their aisles—all they want is an ice-cream flavor they can call their own. A Facebook group called “People for a library-themed Ben & Jerry’s flavor!” has attracted nearly four thousand members, and is bent on petitioning the ice-cream company into submission.

The logic behind the cause is unassailable:

(1) Libraries are awesome;
(2) Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is tasty;therefore:
(3) A library-themed Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream would be tasty awesome.

The suggestions are, indeed, tasty awesome. Among them:

Gooey Decimal System: Dark fudge alphabet letters with caramel swirls in hazelnut ice cream.

Sh-sh-sh-Sherbet!: Key Lime or a chocolate/vanilla combination.

Rocky Read: Vanilla with chocolate-covered nuts, chocolate chunks and raisins.

And because such an opportunity presents itself but once in a lifetime, we came up with a few of our own:

Writer’s Block: Coffee with fudge chunks and nicotine stains.

Chick Lit: Fat-free Peach-Mango swirl with pieces of Chicklet chewing gum.

Chexy Librarian: Demure vanilla on the outside, chocolate-covered cherries and Chex cereal pieces on the inside.

Twilit: Pale-white lemon sorbet with red shoestring licorice and the hair of Robert Pattinson.

Over-Goo Fudge: Chocolate with marshmallow and fudge.

Bookworm: Vanilla with gummy worms and annelid chunks.

Periodicals Cream: Glossy strawberry syrup, some eye-popping sprinkles, but mostly regular vanilla.

Chocolate Chip Bookie-Dough: Banana with chocolate-chip cookie dough. Decent odds.

Of Ice and M&M: M&Ms, Chocolate powder, Vanilla, Fresh bananas. It’s a good plan, but it never fully works.

Out-of-Print Pistachio: Even the nuts have freezer burn!

Reading Rainbow: PBS-sponsored Rainbow sherbet.



What would you add to this list?

PS. None of these are my ideas, I can't take credit for them at all! They are from the article I linked above :)

huzzah!

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted about one of my favorite orgs, Room to Read, and said they were beginning a DC chapter? Well, I have a meeting Monday after work with the chapter leader to discuss the DC chapter and how I can be involved! Hooray!

My day just got a bit better :)

buy a book, support your library

If you are in DC, check out the spring book sale at the Arlington Library this weekend! Really, it's amazing. They have THOUSANDS of books for sale, all organized by subject (of course!) for just a few dollars. I've seen loads of books for just one or two dollars each, hardcovers as well as paperbacks and I don't think I've ever seen one priced higher then $6.

The sale is held twice a year; fall and spring and I've gone for the last several, missing only fall 2007, as I was in London. On average, I spend about $55 and come away with a good 30 books! Love it. It's at the central library in Arlington, at 1015 No. Quincy St.


Friends' Book Sales: Arlington's longest running recycling program
The spring version of Arlington ReReads BOOK SALE is set to run April 23-26 2009. Thursday is member's only, 5:30-9 pm. Friday and Saturday the sale is open to all from 10 am - 6 pm. Sunday noon - 6 pm all items are half price. Mark your calendars!
The Friends hold two mammoth book sales annually on the top level of the parking garage of the Central Library. Friends Book Corners or Stores are continuous in all libraries. Used materials are sold during library open hours.

More info can be found here

See you tomorrow :)

dance of joy!

One of my favorite organizations, Room to Read, FINALLY has a DC chapter up and running! Maybe now I can go to some of the fabulous events they have!!!

Don't know Room to Read? Briefly....

We partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls. We seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education empowers people to improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries and future generations. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.

What's not to love about that?

Who wants to volunteer with me???

discussion du jour

Here is an article I just read in one of the NH newspapers I read. Read it, and share your thoughts.

This just makes me so sad. I find it so ironic that they are saying that libraries are not essential in today's economy. Frankly, I find it even more so! Right now, people don't have the extra cash to stop by Borders and buy new books, so they'll get them at the library! If the book they want isn't available, they will add their name to the wait list. Libraries also have resources for job seekers; job postings, internet access and other useful tools. Why wouldn't you want to learn something new every day and what better place to do so, then your local library?

Are libraries becoming obsolete and an unessential service? Do they intimidate you? Or, are you a proud and happy library user, where you will someday take your children to, and teach them all the wonderful aspects of your pocal public library?

***12:30pm edit-

Take a look at this and just try to convince me that places this amazing shouldn't exist! go on, I dare you!

on ways I love my library

So as I mentioned in my previous post, I had a bit of an overdue fine at my library. You know me, I love libraries...I just don't always remember to return the books in time! In this case, it was two books that had slid under my bed and remained there for several months before I realized it. Oooops.

I stopped at the Southeast branch on my way home from work today (love Eastern Market!) and had planned to pay part of it. I knew the fine was a bit, um, high, but I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I had some cash, could have used my debit card, didn't have my checkbook with me (does anyone still write many checks these days?). Turns out, my fine was $70. Ooops. I had $35 in cash, they didn't take debits. The librarian looked at my record and told me she'd waive the rest of the fine! Woo hoo!

New self-imposed rule: Lexi, until you are a good library patron again, you may borrow no more then three books at once.