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<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blog ...
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line 1, column 0: Unable to validate namespace: http://schemas.google.com/g/2005. See the Google Data specification at https://developers.google.com/gdata/docs/1.0/elements [help]
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<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266</id><updated>2024-03-14T07:10:10.359-04:00</updated><category term="Ireland"/><category term="Kentucky Derby"/><category term="Lace Makers"/><category term="North Carolina"/><category term="Southern fiction"/><category term="Steve Cline mystery series"/><category term="Traveling"/><category term="book challenges"/><category term="book lists"/><category term="caterers"/><category term="folklore"/><category term="gardens"/><category term="horse racing"/><title type='text'>Fiction Addiction</title><subtitle type='html'>Do librarians know books? Yes! Check out the latest fiction reviews from an Indiana librarian!</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default?start-index=26&max-results=25'/><author><name>Yvonne</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16696656970485239404</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>55</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-3014685276011658586</id><published>2011-10-24T10:44:00.004-04:00</published><updated>2011-10-24T10:49:20.931-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan mysteries</title><content type='html'>I have been caught up reading all of the books by Laura Lippman that are part of her Tess Monaghan mysteries. Tess is a very complex character who has been unlucky in love and in her work life. What keeps Tess from being a cardboard character is her outrageous wit. Along with a lot of colorful secondary characters you will be caught up just as I was.<br /><br />The titles in order are:<br />1. Baltimore Blues<br />2. Charm City<br />3. Butcher's Hill<br />4. In Big Trouble<br />5. The Sugar House<br />6. In a Strange City<br />7. The Last Place<br />8. No Good Deeds<br />9. Another Thing to Fall<br />10. Girl in the Green Raincoat<br /><br />Tess and her family and friends have been just the thing to read by the fire on a chilly fall evening.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/3014685276011658586/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=3014685276011658586&isPopup=true' title='9 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/3014685276011658586'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/3014685276011658586'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/10/laura-lippmans-tess-monaghan-mysteries.html' title='Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan mysteries'/><author><name>Yvonne</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16696656970485239404</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>9</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-7631335872914427676</id><published>2011-10-06T11:14:00.012-04:00</published><updated>2011-10-06T11:31:39.298-04:00</updated><title type='text'>"Putting Makeup On Dead People" by Jen violi</title><content type='html'>I have started to read selections from our Young Adult section. This is a section that I previously overlooked by thinking it wasn't very adult in content. Many of our adult patrons consistently choose "YA" titles and I decided to give it a try. I was wrong in my assessment of the section because there's a lot to interest the adult reader as well as the yound adult reader.<br />'Putting Makeup on Dead People" by Jen Violi is one of those stories that catches your attention as soon as you read the title.<br />Donna Parisi is a high school Senior, still missing her father who passed away from cancer four years ago. When a class mate unexpectedly dies, Donna finds herself at the same funeral home where her father's funeral was held. While at the funeral home she realizes that helping others deal with death might be something that she would be good at. She decides to explore the possibility of becoming a mortician.<br />Naturally her Mother is not in favor of Donna's decision and it causes serious friction between them. Also it's hard for her friends to understand as well. But Donna perseveres and ends up attending Mortuary School and having an internship at the above mentioned funeral home.<br />The book dealt with themes of death and grief and beginning a new life after the loss of a loved one. This is exactly what happens to Donna and to her mother too.<br />The book does deal with mortuary science practices. Rather than being morbid it de-mystifies what goes on at a funeral home and gives insights into why people choose mortuary science. I have a different perspective and appreciation for the people who work in this field, after having read it.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/7631335872914427676/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=7631335872914427676&isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/7631335872914427676'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/7631335872914427676'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/10/putting-makeup-on-dead-people-by-jen.html' title='"Putting Makeup On Dead People" by Jen violi'/><author><name>Yvonne</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16696656970485239404</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-893010474328213329</id><published>2011-09-21T14:06:00.008-04:00</published><updated>2011-09-21T14:18:04.771-04:00</updated><title type='text'>To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee</title><content type='html'>This classic book celebrated it's 50th anniversary last year! It has never been out of print since being published in 1960.<br />I remember my first reading experiencd with this book the summer between 5th and 6th grades. I sat on our front porch devouring the story of Scout, Jem, Dill and their unlikely "defender" Boo Radley.<br />I have read this book numerous times since that summer and each time I'ver read it, I've gotten something new from it.<br />As a child , I was entertained by Scout, Jem and Dill and didn't really pick up on the more serious themes of racism, class, courage, compassion and gender roles. I just thought it was a great story.<br />Our book discussion group is reading this for next month's meeting. As I started reading it-again- I wondered if I would enjoy it as much. I shouldn't have worried.<br />Scout's innocent narrative was as wonderful as I remembered. I loved her comment that their father, Atticus Finch, was a "satisfactory parent" -he played with them, read to them and treated them with "courteous detachment."<br />I found the other "stories" in the book such as "making Boo Radley come out" were still as affecting. Scout and Jem did indeed "make Boo Radley come out" but not in the manner they expected.<br />My only regret is that Harper Lee never wrote another book. Maybe she felt that after writing such a perfect book that she didn't feel the need to write further. After all, how do you follow up a story such as Scout and Jem's? In any event, this is still one of those books I will return to when I need to revisit the scene of Scout's childhood-and mine.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/893010474328213329/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=893010474328213329&isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/893010474328213329'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/893010474328213329'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/09/to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee.html' title='To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee'/><author><name>Yvonne</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16696656970485239404</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-2391808982826309084</id><published>2011-06-03T10:03:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2011-06-03T10:10:44.882-04:00</updated><title type='text'>A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iaPoIM11Tq-y1W4aVZLA4h6Lh6J2Y8kHMfr5BDIxHp75tXUBEhDgyClxzOQvTzwpatrc3L6FWPtCT9INxh7MNjBacnQYYLISImRM_J0HPJYCuage2WeX7etvbX2L7rwuUecc5Q/s1600/51flqe01C-L__SL160_AA160_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613994004283383378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iaPoIM11Tq-y1W4aVZLA4h6Lh6J2Y8kHMfr5BDIxHp75tXUBEhDgyClxzOQvTzwpatrc3L6FWPtCT9INxh7MNjBacnQYYLISImRM_J0HPJYCuage2WeX7etvbX2L7rwuUecc5Q/s320/51flqe01C-L__SL160_AA160_.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>The setting is 1907 wisconsin. Our main characters are Ralph Truitt and Catherine Land.</div><br /><div>Catherine answers a personal ad placed by Ralph for a "reliable" wife. Ralph is not looking for a romantic relationship. His desire is to have a wife to keep him company during the long Wisconsin winters.</div><br /><div>The main thrust of the novel is the fact that Catherine is not who she says she is and neither is Ralph. During the course of the story you find out all of their secrets and the plot takes many twists and turns before it concludes.</div><br /><div>The book has elements of the gothic novel "Rebecca" included in the fact that Ralph's first wife is dead. There are elements of the novel "Moll Flanders" in the fact that Catherine is a woman with a shady past that lives by her wits.</div><br /><div>The plot is fast paced and I kept turning pages to find out how things would be resolved for Ralph and Catherine. Even though there are some dark aspects to the novel I still enjoyed it and it was great entertainment for an evening of reading outside on my deck.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/2391808982826309084/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=2391808982826309084&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2391808982826309084'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2391808982826309084'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/06/reliable-wife-by-robert-goolrick.html' title='A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iaPoIM11Tq-y1W4aVZLA4h6Lh6J2Y8kHMfr5BDIxHp75tXUBEhDgyClxzOQvTzwpatrc3L6FWPtCT9INxh7MNjBacnQYYLISImRM_J0HPJYCuage2WeX7etvbX2L7rwuUecc5Q/s72-c/51flqe01C-L__SL160_AA160_.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-610307396005613372</id><published>2011-06-01T11:17:00.005-04:00</published><updated>2011-06-01T11:31:18.952-04:00</updated><title type='text'>The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Eus4ys8aIf6Ymre8aXX7yPaKynYGcS7IxuiWthMDkD1kQBB3tdL1R0td6dPl3NTw7Kn2BDoVgDyPmXa9B2QMzlltM9ed0TC15IPyR4Cq88AywG3hryQJ0D4NPMOj3zgtn_LBkg/s1600/97813861.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613271929566551538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Eus4ys8aIf6Ymre8aXX7yPaKynYGcS7IxuiWthMDkD1kQBB3tdL1R0td6dPl3NTw7Kn2BDoVgDyPmXa9B2QMzlltM9ed0TC15IPyR4Cq88AywG3hryQJ0D4NPMOj3zgtn_LBkg/s320/97813861.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGzsG138jn96UNfGO6vElB7bzMesisCoetmxIaqt56iPnNoCpnvk1nAm-_tgYarXHMDCFvNsoRgVpm67dNO3hfyQz3xhkpIe8jyX-CXeCKX8KvaQ7F2MQngJfgccqgpsZw0gb6g/s1600/51gf7MCJU7L__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg"></a><br /><div><br /><br />At age 22 Brianna Karp had a great job that she loved as an Executive Assistant. In 2009 she lost her job due to the recession and soon found herself homeless. Her only assets were her car, laptop and a travel trailer that she inherited from her father when he died.</div><br /><div>This is an affecting story that gives a face to those who are homeless. But unlike many homeless people Brianna does not give up on the American Dream. Over the course of the book I couldn't help but be devastated for her when something unfortunate happened and cheer for her when her life improved.</div><br /><div>This book helps erase many stereotypes we may have about homeless people. Not all are homeless by choice, mentally ill or drug addicts. The ways that Brianna finds to survive being homeless are no less than ingenious and at the end of the book I could only wish for the best for her. </div><br /><div>What impressed me about her story is that she never whined. She just gave us the details of her life , no matter how gritty they were. It would have been very easy for her to give up on bettering her life, considering the things she went through. Even though she is young, she is wise beyond her years, and you won't be sorry that you read her story.<br /></div><br /><div></div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/610307396005613372/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=610307396005613372&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/610307396005613372'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/610307396005613372'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/06/girls-guide-to-homelessness-by-brianna.html' title='The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Eus4ys8aIf6Ymre8aXX7yPaKynYGcS7IxuiWthMDkD1kQBB3tdL1R0td6dPl3NTw7Kn2BDoVgDyPmXa9B2QMzlltM9ed0TC15IPyR4Cq88AywG3hryQJ0D4NPMOj3zgtn_LBkg/s72-c/97813861.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-753665877861855976</id><published>2011-03-23T10:50:00.010-04:00</published><updated>2011-03-23T11:14:38.220-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJpi8KqqQaAljK9bdez0p2EYU_pAhHjeFLH0o4dkMN-HRkbsiDKKE3ZWTUFeY1HS-QavwieN0VWOWe_6IopZJ3ErmhJ_mj2Ws4grc8HzSJ-rfnLANTpT1iiBqYGmnwOW4nEa1ag/s1600/51RmBUpE1OL__SL160_AA160_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587288132968944658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJpi8KqqQaAljK9bdez0p2EYU_pAhHjeFLH0o4dkMN-HRkbsiDKKE3ZWTUFeY1HS-QavwieN0VWOWe_6IopZJ3ErmhJ_mj2Ws4grc8HzSJ-rfnLANTpT1iiBqYGmnwOW4nEa1ag/s320/51RmBUpE1OL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" /></a> I have always been an Elizabeth Berg fan and "The Last Time I Saw You" only adds to my list of books of hers that have been great reads. All of her books have quirky characters and the plot lines never fail to keep you wondering how the story will conclude.<br /><br />If you everydaydreamed about what all the "poular people" from your high school were like decades later , then you will have much to enjoy in this story. It revolves around the classmates that attend their 40th high school reunion. Dorthy is newly divorced, Pete is still the class heartthrob and Candy is still the class beauty. Also attending are some of the more "ordinary" classmates like Mary Alice, the plain girl and Lester the math nerd that is now a vet.<br /> During the course of the reunion you come to know each character and find out how their lives have turned out since graduation. Have some of them gotten past their high school reputations and are some of them still stuck in old habits and personalities? In the course of the story you will find out the answers to the above questions and some of those answers might surprise you. Save an evening to enjoy this sweet story and you might want to pull out your own old high school yearbook and wonder "Whatever happened to...."</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/753665877861855976/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=753665877861855976&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/753665877861855976'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/753665877861855976'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-time-i-saw-you-by-elizabeth-berg.html' title='Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJpi8KqqQaAljK9bdez0p2EYU_pAhHjeFLH0o4dkMN-HRkbsiDKKE3ZWTUFeY1HS-QavwieN0VWOWe_6IopZJ3ErmhJ_mj2Ws4grc8HzSJ-rfnLANTpT1iiBqYGmnwOW4nEa1ag/s72-c/51RmBUpE1OL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-9104506440089383220</id><published>2011-03-17T13:22:00.007-04:00</published><updated>2011-03-17T13:40:40.807-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyylLqa-d8YVREF18-MSXfP1AFJIPt1tsiU6Vbnbrj6q7WtvlxY7Yptl4rAOct_1lol9rX9P5RB-Py32Jr8XF7_V7k-hZfFEKeI_9WffgP2Agk074hWBtE8uMmYtct1belWg4TQ/s1600/9780312382186.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 64px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585100906326810754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyylLqa-d8YVREF18-MSXfP1AFJIPt1tsiU6Vbnbrj6q7WtvlxY7Yptl4rAOct_1lol9rX9P5RB-Py32Jr8XF7_V7k-hZfFEKeI_9WffgP2Agk074hWBtE8uMmYtct1belWg4TQ/s320/9780312382186.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If you haven't any Irish Pubs to frequent this Saint Patrick's Day may I suggest you spend an evening with a really wonderful book ? There might not be any green beer involved but I guarantee you a good time.</div><div> Emily's life has spiraled out of control. Her rich and handsome husband, Sandy, has just been killed in an auto accident and his family wants her evited from the family owned apartment. She is overwhelmed by grief and she has problems at her work as well.</div><div> Sandy, Emily's husband, has his own problem. At the time of his accident he was on his way to tell Emily that he is tired of her and wants a divorce. If it isn't evident I'll let you know that Sandy isn't the husband that Emily thought she had. After Sandy's untimely demise, he has been given the task of trying to redeem himself by "the old Man". Is "is the old Man" God you ask? I'll let you decide that for yourself. If it is God, he has a sense of humor. As a result Sandy's soul is inhabiting the body of Einstein, a dog. His task is to help Emily get over her loss and to go on with her life.</div><div> The book is told in alternating chapters using Emily's perspective and that of Sandy/Einstein. I can tell you what happens next is sweet and uplifting. Even though Emily has problems you can tell that she is a good, loving person and didn't deserve the hits her life is taking. It's really amusing to read Sandy's/Einstein's chapters beginning with Sandy's disbelief that he's come back as a lowly dog. Did I say already that Sandy isn't the husband that Emily believed him to be? Or that he might not be a good man?</div><div> Over the course of the book, which is filled with new friends, job problems and the dispute with Sandy's remaining family , you come to care for Emily and root for her and wish her the best. At the end of the book you have to grudgingly admit that Sandy has changed and you almost feel sorry for him being a dog. </div><div> So if you want to know what happens to Emily or to find out if Sandy stays a dog forever take the time to treat yourself to this charming story about second chances in life.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/9104506440089383220/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=9104506440089383220&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9104506440089383220'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9104506440089383220'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/03/emily-and-einstein-by-linda-francis-lee.html' title='Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyylLqa-d8YVREF18-MSXfP1AFJIPt1tsiU6Vbnbrj6q7WtvlxY7Yptl4rAOct_1lol9rX9P5RB-Py32Jr8XF7_V7k-hZfFEKeI_9WffgP2Agk074hWBtE8uMmYtct1belWg4TQ/s72-c/9780312382186.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-5736542395183758454</id><published>2011-03-11T11:55:00.007-05:00</published><updated>2011-03-11T12:12:05.291-05:00</updated><title type='text'>"An Object of Beauty" by Steve Martin</title><content type='html'>"An Object of Beauty" is the latest offering from talented actor and musician Steve Martin.<br />I have never read any of his previous works but knew that he was a writer as well as an actor. When I started the book I was pleasantly surprised. He is a talented and entertaining author!<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo1U3gnEmVCHkpnsL6CtM4irX8co-RJ72lxA2sgn0j0oVSYfrmyJ1UOF4q33hwjCBwrmpO7T4ET0cc71mxkxXW0vx1EmSzGSbAc63kMi0LKRFJkdC8dZ5UBiGSmDI9rLCyVoJ3A/s1600/9781607886129.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 90px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582867489407698162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo1U3gnEmVCHkpnsL6CtM4irX8co-RJ72lxA2sgn0j0oVSYfrmyJ1UOF4q33hwjCBwrmpO7T4ET0cc71mxkxXW0vx1EmSzGSbAc63kMi0LKRFJkdC8dZ5UBiGSmDI9rLCyVoJ3A/s320/9781607886129.jpg" /></a> This particular book is abut the art world. The buying and selling and history of art to be exact. Initially it sounded a little boring but it was far from it. Martin used a fictional story as a vehicle to give the reader a lot if interesting information about art.<br /> Our "heroine" is Lacey Yeager, who wants a career in the art world in New York. Lacey is young enough and ambituous enough to do whatever it takes to succeed. And she ruthlessly does anything.<br /> The story is told by Daniel Franks, a writer for an art magazine that had a "one night encounter" with Lacey and can't seem to get over her. As a result, he meets Lacey for countless lunches and dinners and continues as Lacey's friend and confidant. He'd still like the relationship to be different and hopes fruitlessly that Lacey will view him in a different way.<br /> During the course of the story , you realize that sometimes Lacey isn't very nice or even very honest in her career and romantic dealings. She becomes successful at her career at the expense of others and she is never really close to anyone, not even her family.<br /> I enjoyed reading Lacey and Daniel's stories but couldn't help but feel that Lacey was a person heading for a big fall and a life of being alone. To say anymore about that would spoil the story.<br /> I read a review about the book and the reviewer complained that the plot was skimpy but I would respectfuly disagree on that point. There was plenty to keep me interested in. I wanted to find out how the lives of Lacey and Daniel ended up. There is a good resolution to the story and even a surprise at the end.<br /> This book would be a good one for a book group because there's a lot of interesting art information as well as an entertaining story</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/5736542395183758454/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=5736542395183758454&isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5736542395183758454'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5736542395183758454'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/03/object-of-beauty-by-steve-martin.html' title='"An Object of Beauty" by Steve Martin'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo1U3gnEmVCHkpnsL6CtM4irX8co-RJ72lxA2sgn0j0oVSYfrmyJ1UOF4q33hwjCBwrmpO7T4ET0cc71mxkxXW0vx1EmSzGSbAc63kMi0LKRFJkdC8dZ5UBiGSmDI9rLCyVoJ3A/s72-c/9781607886129.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-6600900310248831913</id><published>2011-02-25T13:55:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2011-02-25T14:05:14.461-05:00</updated><title type='text'>The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dFQrgaXr4GdI2PRQbs7FJ20X_5uzNz0U1-7u5FmmFQw6Fx2n2NAV3GLoWR-6TTg-XufQi7A5Fk3D1wjme2NtA39v6u2mNrM32Q3R4efAM2TdHgjN4-E5ZaEpETspTuUM91rZ5w/s1600/9780446555722.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 65px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577703050807857698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dFQrgaXr4GdI2PRQbs7FJ20X_5uzNz0U1-7u5FmmFQw6Fx2n2NAV3GLoWR-6TTg-XufQi7A5Fk3D1wjme2NtA39v6u2mNrM32Q3R4efAM2TdHgjN4-E5ZaEpETspTuUM91rZ5w/s320/9780446555722.jpg" /></a><br /><div> If you're looking for a great story to get involved in, this is the book for you. It was so good that I read it all in one sitting, late into the night.</div><div> Dora, a college junior, finds herself rushing home to Forsyth, NC, when Mimi, the grandmother who raised her suffers a stroke. Dora was orphaned at age 3 and Mimi is the closest thing to a mother that she has ever had. </div><div>Dora was lucky to have Mimi to raise her. Mimi raises Dora to think for herself even if she makes mistakes. When Dora gets old enough she helps out Mimi in her vintage clothing shop that sounds so wonderful that it's a shame it's not real! I would shop there if it were real!</div><div> Mimi is gravely ill and Dora takes on the managing of the shop while hoping that Mimi will recover. To say much more about the story would spoil it! But if you enjoy warm hearted stories about love, friendship and a great wardrobe then "The Secret Lives of Dresses" will be a "perfect fit" for you!</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/6600900310248831913/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=6600900310248831913&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6600900310248831913'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6600900310248831913'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/02/secret-lives-of-dresses-by-erin-mckean.html' title='The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dFQrgaXr4GdI2PRQbs7FJ20X_5uzNz0U1-7u5FmmFQw6Fx2n2NAV3GLoWR-6TTg-XufQi7A5Fk3D1wjme2NtA39v6u2mNrM32Q3R4efAM2TdHgjN4-E5ZaEpETspTuUM91rZ5w/s72-c/9780446555722.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-5953720252059996080</id><published>2011-01-21T11:08:00.006-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-21T12:20:07.204-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Left Neglected by Lisa Genova</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCm-oXr_PB0clRdEasA2fepA0-ZMooH-5ldJMVoD797Sa41aUta1hgH-MgCajuyZm-ra3Pp8qHfty7eV30x2OAaM9miPA967hhJapunM6jpzHGmCddcZnt8Rjm2gaRAOE0uTaJQ/s1600/9781439164631.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 64px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564672012428835682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCm-oXr_PB0clRdEasA2fepA0-ZMooH-5ldJMVoD797Sa41aUta1hgH-MgCajuyZm-ra3Pp8qHfty7eV30x2OAaM9miPA967hhJapunM6jpzHGmCddcZnt8Rjm2gaRAOE0uTaJQ/s320/9781439164631.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Lisa Genova is the author of a riveting book about Alzheimer's called "Still Alice" which I read last year and still think about periodically. I can say that I will also be thinking about "Left Neglected" in the same way months from now.</div><div></div><div>The title is a "play on words" in my opinion. Our herioine Sarah Nickerson is a 30 something yuppie living the fast life in Boston, Massachessetts. She is married to Bob and has 3 children that keep her busy as well as a very demanding job. In many ways Sarah has "left neglected" areas of her life. She doesn't get to enjoy her family or the second home she and Bob have because she is so busy working to pay for it all. </div><div></div><div>Fate takes a hand in changing Sarah's perception of the world. On a rainy day She is involved in a traffic accident which leaves her with a serious head injury. When she wakes up 8 days later she finds out she suffers from "left neglect". It is a common condition for people who have suffered damage to the right hemisphere of the brain. Sarah's brain doesn't recognize anything that is on the left side of her. "Left" doesn't exist for her. As a result of this she must spend time in a rehabilitation facility to help her cope with her loss.</div><div></div><div>I had never heard of such a condition before and it was so interesting to read Sarah's story and find out how this affects her ordinary life. Being forced to concentrate her thoughts on getting well makes her realize that her life has been out of her control for a long time. She also starts to question the life style she and her family have had up until now. She knows if she doesn't return to work soon that they won't be able to afford the style of living they've had. She starts to think that this might not be a bad thing.</div><div></div><div>I couldn't stop reading Sarah's story because she and her family were such likeable people and you wanted things to end well for them. I won't tell you how it all ends. Read and find out on your own. You definately won't be sorry that you did.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/5953720252059996080/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=5953720252059996080&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5953720252059996080'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5953720252059996080'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/left-neglected-by-lisa-genova.html' title='Left Neglected by Lisa Genova'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCm-oXr_PB0clRdEasA2fepA0-ZMooH-5ldJMVoD797Sa41aUta1hgH-MgCajuyZm-ra3Pp8qHfty7eV30x2OAaM9miPA967hhJapunM6jpzHGmCddcZnt8Rjm2gaRAOE0uTaJQ/s72-c/9781439164631.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-2844788616537673835</id><published>2011-01-18T10:25:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-18T10:37:33.794-05:00</updated><title type='text'>House Rules by Jodi Picoult</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-UxmyIxz1iPn9qutp9WluyBM3K3l5EV6PlgTxt-2pTb2XZ-BH5Buf0p7NT6z6AHKrcgD_lhP1Quo930_bLvKGkcpMqyiVScXQSngayyfdyW_OnupAwUP7kMRoBN1TYFedTKo3g/s1600/9780743296434.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 65px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563547690950936498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-UxmyIxz1iPn9qutp9WluyBM3K3l5EV6PlgTxt-2pTb2XZ-BH5Buf0p7NT6z6AHKrcgD_lhP1Quo930_bLvKGkcpMqyiVScXQSngayyfdyW_OnupAwUP7kMRoBN1TYFedTKo3g/s320/9780743296434.jpg" /></a><br /><div> I have enjoyed reading Jodi Picoult's books previously and this one is no exception. In fact I'd say it was one of the best that she has done.</div><div> Picoult always has interesting characters and situations in her work. In this one the subject of Asperger's syndrome is central to the story. Jacob Hunt is a teenage boy who suffers from this. He has a younger brother Theo who feels less important because their single mother Emma spends most of her time dealing with Jacob's issues.</div><div> The story takes off when Jacob is accused of the murder of his tutor Jess, a graduate student who Jacob is close to. The book keeps you guessing as to what really happened. Jess has a boyfriend, Mark, who admits to shoving Jess around. Jacob's brother Theo has his own secret concerning Jess.</div><div> What I particularily liked was how the book was written. It was told in alternating chapters of Jacob, Emma, Theo , Oliver-Jacob's attorney and Rich the detective that is assigned to Jess's murder case. At one point it appeared that the only ones without a motive for Jess's murder were Emma and Oliver.</div><div> In addition to being a "mystery" there is a lot of information about Asperger's syndrome and how hard it is for people who suffer from it to function in society. I do have to warn you, if you start to read this book plan on staying up late to finish it. As the book reached the climax I couldn't put it down and also wished it didn't have to end. Great read!</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/2844788616537673835/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=2844788616537673835&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2844788616537673835'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2844788616537673835'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/house-rules-by-jodi-picoult.html' title='House Rules by Jodi Picoult'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-UxmyIxz1iPn9qutp9WluyBM3K3l5EV6PlgTxt-2pTb2XZ-BH5Buf0p7NT6z6AHKrcgD_lhP1Quo930_bLvKGkcpMqyiVScXQSngayyfdyW_OnupAwUP7kMRoBN1TYFedTKo3g/s72-c/9780743296434.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-5931561498880655281</id><published>2011-01-13T15:47:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-13T16:00:15.423-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-zHffsri6vdiw7jHkvJ1xQqkBwwHw4A6bGi-AnoslHRO5xpxZdRA9UlkE6sB5iHhOUlFqvyV17aVTRJ-O1JsBuFCG2qImdw8AUsbz2tWcncizIK_t1lEfMhQvjvYVfYvfdpb_g/s1600/14765761.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561775298851375826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-zHffsri6vdiw7jHkvJ1xQqkBwwHw4A6bGi-AnoslHRO5xpxZdRA9UlkE6sB5iHhOUlFqvyV17aVTRJ-O1JsBuFCG2qImdw8AUsbz2tWcncizIK_t1lEfMhQvjvYVfYvfdpb_g/s320/14765761.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I read this book when I was a teenager and loved it then. I found it was back in print and couldn't resist taking it home and giving it another read .</div><div></div><div>The story takes place in the early 1960's in a little town in Georgia. July and Bo Jo are dating and find themselves in a predicament. After prom night July finds herself pregnant. What will she and Bo Jo do? She's only 16 and he's 17 and they didn't plan for their lives to turn out this way.</div><div></div><div>Even though the book is a little dated the basic themes are still relevant. The author captured quite well the thoughts and feelings that teenagers would have had when they found theirselves in this predicament.</div><div></div><div>When I read it in high school I predominately related to the teen agers. I was interested to see how the adults were presented now that I am a parent myself. I confess they didn't seem too nice to me, but then again this book took place during a time period that was much more conservative and roles for men and women were more rigidly enforced.</div><div></div><div>All in all I still liked July and Bo Jo's story. During the course of the story you see them mature and take charge of their own destiny. It's a bittersweet story but one you won't be sorry that you took time to explore.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/5931561498880655281/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=5931561498880655281&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5931561498880655281'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5931561498880655281'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/mr-and-mrs-bo-jo-jones-by-ann-head.html' title='Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-zHffsri6vdiw7jHkvJ1xQqkBwwHw4A6bGi-AnoslHRO5xpxZdRA9UlkE6sB5iHhOUlFqvyV17aVTRJ-O1JsBuFCG2qImdw8AUsbz2tWcncizIK_t1lEfMhQvjvYVfYvfdpb_g/s72-c/14765761.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-4296455279197603867</id><published>2011-01-12T09:43:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-12T10:05:45.401-05:00</updated><title type='text'>I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOEeDX7xWXcSU7KTGWcHtJhlHy5wqVMAZt0MVkgxNgK4sOg4q0AdTaqqrTd4B93QKwig1F-9jnXGsPK53OHlKOFspmhyfV5EfI7lu6C_slXg_rwhUDbPKt6G6XVQqCz1Fx0h0UA/s1600/5121KFGU7gL__SL160_AA160_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561310133316584498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOEeDX7xWXcSU7KTGWcHtJhlHy5wqVMAZt0MVkgxNgK4sOg4q0AdTaqqrTd4B93QKwig1F-9jnXGsPK53OHlKOFspmhyfV5EfI7lu6C_slXg_rwhUDbPKt6G6XVQqCz1Fx0h0UA/s320/5121KFGU7gL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have been a long time fan of Fannie Flagg and her latest book doesn't disappoint. </div><div> </div><div>Maggie Fortenberry is 60, a former Miss Alabama, and has a problem. She feels that she has nothing to look forward to. in life. She's still pretty but she knows it's a matter of time before that beauty fades, her real estate company is limping along in recession time Birmingham, Alabama. So what does Maggie decide to do? Her solution to all her problems is to commit suicide. There's just one snag to her solution. Ironically, life keeps intruding on Maggie's exit plans. It's all of the "intrusions" that keep her from "leaving" and makes this story a page turner. You keep wondering does she or doesn't she go through with her plans? How will the story end for Maggie and her friends? If you enjoy stories that make you feel like the characters are your own friends or that the author is writing about your hometown then you will be charmed by Fannie Flaggs latest effort. </div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/4296455279197603867/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=4296455279197603867&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/4296455279197603867'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/4296455279197603867'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-still-dream-about-you-by-fannie-flagg.html' title='I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOEeDX7xWXcSU7KTGWcHtJhlHy5wqVMAZt0MVkgxNgK4sOg4q0AdTaqqrTd4B93QKwig1F-9jnXGsPK53OHlKOFspmhyfV5EfI7lu6C_slXg_rwhUDbPKt6G6XVQqCz1Fx0h0UA/s72-c/5121KFGU7gL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-4124208823970248017</id><published>2011-01-11T10:48:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-11T11:04:24.324-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOa_xl12uxvCsSPSposyw1kJyVAqM5uERAue_BU88Tm6ZVX68CH5Ns_IcNjbSfMgk3FA7OOrlB8v9W5Bsitc_3VY1M29VBOQ0xkyMFvWfYYszRGoEvt6t81UT6E3qYKqvvaecvg/s1600/51D-lgzxBJL__SL160_AA160_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560955819336806178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOa_xl12uxvCsSPSposyw1kJyVAqM5uERAue_BU88Tm6ZVX68CH5Ns_IcNjbSfMgk3FA7OOrlB8v9W5Bsitc_3VY1M29VBOQ0xkyMFvWfYYszRGoEvt6t81UT6E3qYKqvvaecvg/s320/51D-lgzxBJL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" /></a> I have repeatedly read all of Sarah Ban Breathnach's books and was pleased when I read that she had a new book out. I made a special "book store run" in order to try and find it.<br /><br />This book runs along the lines of her hugely popular "Simple Abundance" book that was a "household word" in the 1990's. I am enjoying it but there's "just a little something off" about it, and it leaves me a little dissapointed.<br /><br />This book's main topic is money and is a timely issue during these recession times. The basic premise is "What do you do when you have somehow lost your money?" I was amazed that the hugely wealthy Ban Breathnach could find herself in this predicament. I was also amazed at how honest she was about it. She took a huge leap of faith by letting her readers in on her own personal monetary woes. I admire her for that.<br /><br /> My only criticism of the book is that it takes off slowly. I read a little too much about her plight. It was hard for "middle class" me to understand how "hugely wealthy" Sarah could let her fortune trickle away. I know that part of it is due to a divorce but her discussion of her spending habits made "bargain hunter me" turn pale. Having given that criticism I do give her credit for her positive thinking about this experience and will always read anything she writes. This particular book is about her 'rags to riches to rags again" story. I have no doubt that she will soon be on the road to riches again. She also gives positive, doable actions that anyone can use to improve their financial well being.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/4124208823970248017/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=4124208823970248017&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/4124208823970248017'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/4124208823970248017'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/peace-and-plenty-by-sarah-ban_11.html' title='Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOa_xl12uxvCsSPSposyw1kJyVAqM5uERAue_BU88Tm6ZVX68CH5Ns_IcNjbSfMgk3FA7OOrlB8v9W5Bsitc_3VY1M29VBOQ0xkyMFvWfYYszRGoEvt6t81UT6E3qYKqvvaecvg/s72-c/51D-lgzxBJL__SL160_AA160_.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-8458031214285485495</id><published>2011-01-07T09:38:00.006-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-07T09:56:23.093-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Oogy by Larry Levin</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqijDSEXzwUmxxbUUwxnT_Dc8nHuXgw3CYjusUUqkiA64EBXDZyQqaEQXiluSFFeByGAsib6W6Fx5Ngr2uzPPWVBnuPo0jEJR6cvfxNwQSUrHDVd3mjlkTOB33TGYLRrVxj5X2A/s1600/9780446546317.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 63px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559453516519349890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqijDSEXzwUmxxbUUwxnT_Dc8nHuXgw3CYjusUUqkiA64EBXDZyQqaEQXiluSFFeByGAsib6W6Fx5Ngr2uzPPWVBnuPo0jEJR6cvfxNwQSUrHDVd3mjlkTOB33TGYLRrVxj5X2A/s320/9780446546317.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I read a review about this book and was pleasantly surprised when I found it available on our shelf at the library. If you enjoy "animal stories" along the lines of "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World" by Vicki Myron or any of the books written by James Herriot you will enjoy"Oogy".</div><div></div><div>The story revolves around a rescued part pit bull that had been involved in dog fights. Oogy was a dog that wouldn't fight and as a result was used as a "bait dog" to sharpen the predatory skills of the more agressive dogs. The book gives a lot of detail about the dog fighting world and its' close ties to the drug underworld.</div><div></div><div>Oogy was found during a raid and was taken to an ASPCA anima shelter. He was seriously injured and was missing an ear and part of his jaw. The vets couldn't decide whether to try to save the dog. Their reasoning was the dog would be so grossly disfigured that it would probably be unadoptable. A shelter worker saw that this particular dog even being badly hurt had a wonderful, trusting personality. Reluctantly the vets operate on Oogy and miraculously the dog survives.</div><div></div><div>The Levin family visits the animal shelter when they make the sad decision to have their ailing, elderly cat put to sleep. During the course of the visit the family sees Oogy being walked by one of the shelter workers. One thing leads to another and the Levin family adopts him. </div><div></div><div>The story takes off from there and it is a good one. If you enjoy stories about animals or stories that have themes of loyalty, family and compassion then you'll surely enjoy Oogy's story. The cover picture of the book is irresistable. I dare you not to like "Oogy".</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/8458031214285485495/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=8458031214285485495&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/8458031214285485495'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/8458031214285485495'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/oogy-by-larr-levin.html' title='Oogy by Larry Levin'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqijDSEXzwUmxxbUUwxnT_Dc8nHuXgw3CYjusUUqkiA64EBXDZyQqaEQXiluSFFeByGAsib6W6Fx5Ngr2uzPPWVBnuPo0jEJR6cvfxNwQSUrHDVd3mjlkTOB33TGYLRrVxj5X2A/s72-c/9780446546317.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-9137565709616080422</id><published>2011-01-05T12:27:00.009-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-05T12:47:46.614-05:00</updated><title type='text'>First list of books to be read for 2011</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7BVkVdOBmo7qvlouNTN8yt2JO_bm6CRkMpXlUzT-L3YQbbwCDbEsFkgHntbLkdtWHaqw8SzqFNg0mnxbq6UHC9LPuSub65F1o9h1avNHkMRS0wa-KwXNSDwDMzuo5h2DS4-Q5w/s1600/9780758229557.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 66px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558758159119077410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7BVkVdOBmo7qvlouNTN8yt2JO_bm6CRkMpXlUzT-L3YQbbwCDbEsFkgHntbLkdtWHaqw8SzqFNg0mnxbq6UHC9LPuSub65F1o9h1avNHkMRS0wa-KwXNSDwDMzuo5h2DS4-Q5w/s320/9780758229557.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpfpdJCW7QxqZ4V0HDRP-LOnjxH9aFWVbVL1TOHiUyeMv6MeoayjBIrTdoBsAtdQyL4LzLEm7J1X6R5ZYm2Jml0zhVGugT_dLH8XI3SrdhvOVRa6o73DABY_1hf2pwwABe7h21A/s1600/9780446509411.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 64px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558758013220687842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpfpdJCW7QxqZ4V0HDRP-LOnjxH9aFWVbVL1TOHiUyeMv6MeoayjBIrTdoBsAtdQyL4LzLEm7J1X6R5ZYm2Jml0zhVGugT_dLH8XI3SrdhvOVRa6o73DABY_1hf2pwwABe7h21A/s320/9780446509411.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAJCUNC9Yji5IHkea96P1oKGAgw_RJKoskdQAojruG6sp3At6RVUtvU_KWmbS2Xnuuy0FEQBVONncI8k9G-0jcM7fdWw4FBxKfzQU7mNTl2fG8kjUkYFxUCZkGL-CEywQxsBUJw/s1600/69091266.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558757860837481202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAJCUNC9Yji5IHkea96P1oKGAgw_RJKoskdQAojruG6sp3At6RVUtvU_KWmbS2Xnuuy0FEQBVONncI8k9G-0jcM7fdWw4FBxKfzQU7mNTl2fG8kjUkYFxUCZkGL-CEywQxsBUJw/s320/69091266.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NqeKU1Dh3AK7XU8xvMSTADY_U_70OUp4MrqEzKw3S3sf7gmVxkW1xCGhCa_ipWAJe24mTENxIcSCAwzdKjyQFl0BRDpnhlZauRgQcCZcrqLnnt1FnqKNDh1UjLmvqs3XXdMfEQ/s1600/58101992.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558757743017918066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NqeKU1Dh3AK7XU8xvMSTADY_U_70OUp4MrqEzKw3S3sf7gmVxkW1xCGhCa_ipWAJe24mTENxIcSCAwzdKjyQFl0BRDpnhlZauRgQcCZcrqLnnt1FnqKNDh1UjLmvqs3XXdMfEQ/s320/58101992.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmgCRfs0HlbPUHNOXMQGw-6xb6ipEa5gBRx45xbKA618wLitIRjrOmUqU8Re9zl_sxVs2aLlhBAcb2Tu5H_ILgvT8i3jDC8HTUhnCU16hO3Ny0CbXeYHJKnD3W3KVyp7QU3X78w/s1600/50789044.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558757643457935762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmgCRfs0HlbPUHNOXMQGw-6xb6ipEa5gBRx45xbKA618wLitIRjrOmUqU8Re9zl_sxVs2aLlhBAcb2Tu5H_ILgvT8i3jDC8HTUhnCU16hO3Ny0CbXeYHJKnD3W3KVyp7QU3X78w/s320/50789044.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I am always on the look out for good books to read. I like to wander the library shelves for a few minutes each day and see what is available. The books pictured above are the ones that I found yesterday during a "quick look". I admit I initially look at bookcovers. Then if I like the cover I read the inside description. Then I decide if it "makes my list" or not. These did.</div><div> </div><div>For 2011 I have sorta/kinda decided to try to read at least 100 books. That's only about 9 books a month right? Surely I can do that. We'll see. I make no promises but it's kind of fun to have the idea in the back of my head that I have challenged myself to that number. Another thing I'd like to do this year is read books from genres that I haven't tried before such as Science Fiction, Inspirational fiction and biographies. I'll let you know how it works out.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/9137565709616080422/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=9137565709616080422&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9137565709616080422'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9137565709616080422'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/first-list-of-books-to-be-read-for-2011.html' title='First list of books to be read for 2011'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7BVkVdOBmo7qvlouNTN8yt2JO_bm6CRkMpXlUzT-L3YQbbwCDbEsFkgHntbLkdtWHaqw8SzqFNg0mnxbq6UHC9LPuSub65F1o9h1avNHkMRS0wa-KwXNSDwDMzuo5h2DS4-Q5w/s72-c/9780758229557.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-1474889780778289197</id><published>2011-01-03T13:38:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2011-01-03T13:48:16.338-05:00</updated><title type='text'>"Peace and Plenty" by Sarah Ban Breathnach</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikg98v6XJxovXo4BOCBYNATjlZah74iVlq5um3dHBHG_Sf9Ep1t0ane6os_nciVdvDQaxjlWmUTjSkrNBJTXks6LlPwPJqG8vTN0f3MnNqC57v4X1lsbrJfEcFQUBHf1osxcZcxg/s1600/51D-lgzxBJL__AA160_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558031075480118034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikg98v6XJxovXo4BOCBYNATjlZah74iVlq5um3dHBHG_Sf9Ep1t0ane6os_nciVdvDQaxjlWmUTjSkrNBJTXks6LlPwPJqG8vTN0f3MnNqC57v4X1lsbrJfEcFQUBHf1osxcZcxg/s320/51D-lgzxBJL__AA160_.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I purchased this book as soon as I heard of it's publication. I have been a big fan of Ban Breathnach's books since she wrote "Simple Abundance" back in the 1990's.</div><div> </div><div>I haven't finished it yet but I wanted to blog about it, because I have conflicting opinions about it. I have alway's enjoyed the writing "style" of these books and this one doesn't disappoint in that respect. Her folksy, friendly tone of voice is still present.</div><div> </div><div>What I am finding a little difficult to digest are the passages in the book that sound a little "whiny" for loss of another word to use. I think maybe I thought Sarah Ban Breathnace was "perfect" and to read her writing about her financial reverses and divorce was a little jarring. I should probably cut her a little slack because after all she's human like the rest of us and we all make mistakes. I suppose I was just disappointed on her behalf that she wasn't "carrying on in her usual simply abundant way." I hope for better times to come her way that that she will continue to write . I will let you know if my opinions about this book change after I finish it.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/1474889780778289197/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=1474889780778289197&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/1474889780778289197'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/1474889780778289197'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2011/01/peace-and-plenty-by-sarah-ban.html' title='"Peace and Plenty" by Sarah Ban Breathnach'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikg98v6XJxovXo4BOCBYNATjlZah74iVlq5um3dHBHG_Sf9Ep1t0ane6os_nciVdvDQaxjlWmUTjSkrNBJTXks6LlPwPJqG8vTN0f3MnNqC57v4X1lsbrJfEcFQUBHf1osxcZcxg/s72-c/51D-lgzxBJL__AA160_.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-6554421033892675647</id><published>2010-12-28T13:36:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2010-12-28T13:44:57.138-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Cherries in Winter by Suzan Colon</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKhGsOFQ142sO9ebZzoPuorkPnZI8JkMYc4OgTYc3-QFvLXd8v_TbdaASJR5thsIrzlRtmILcCMxkXB3CQEUxO1NazFQ0KDsVbRE7KozUV2vUft5lmE2APfsPvr1o6sZePAcr8Q/s1600/54975125.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555804017211530626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKhGsOFQ142sO9ebZzoPuorkPnZI8JkMYc4OgTYc3-QFvLXd8v_TbdaASJR5thsIrzlRtmILcCMxkXB3CQEUxO1NazFQ0KDsVbRE7KozUV2vUft5lmE2APfsPvr1o6sZePAcr8Q/s320/54975125.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I always enjoy reading fiction. I've even named this blog "Fiction Addiction", but I also love reading well written memoir. I came across this little gem by chance and I'm really glad I did.</div><div> </div><div>Suzan Colon's story about weathering a job loss during the recent recession is definately a timely story. What makes her story unique is how she coped with her loss. She went into the kitchen and prepared many of the "comfort foods" that the women in her family have prepared for decades.</div><div> </div><div>In the process she tells us her family stories about strong women who made it through such tough times as the Great Depression and World War II. While reading this book I felt like I was sitting in Suzan's kitchen while she made a tasty dish for me to devour. This book is the "tasty dish" I devoured.</div><div> One of the main points of her book is that bad things happen to all of us and sometimes all you can do is "hunker down and hold on". By holding on we get through the bad times and before you know it they have passed. This would be the perfect book to curl up with on New Year's Eve if you don't care to go out and want a warm, comforting night at home.</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/6554421033892675647/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=6554421033892675647&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6554421033892675647'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6554421033892675647'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/12/cherries-in-winter-by-suzan-colon.html' title='Cherries in Winter by Suzan Colon'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKhGsOFQ142sO9ebZzoPuorkPnZI8JkMYc4OgTYc3-QFvLXd8v_TbdaASJR5thsIrzlRtmILcCMxkXB3CQEUxO1NazFQ0KDsVbRE7KozUV2vUft5lmE2APfsPvr1o6sZePAcr8Q/s72-c/54975125.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-9048776734111284201</id><published>2010-12-08T10:45:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2010-12-08T10:50:50.592-05:00</updated><title type='text'>A Reading Challenge for 2011</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA0B4j80JuI4-T5ebOV4iOHFc2-VeyhU1GxIqX046q8bPyLEDsmXkvPWEXgIsXIhLm5FwQlQjbi8JS9TEyoeFpECewr2TV0SufM5sSYQ_VBRURiKAie-8BGhlpefjsLMJfs6IQw/s1600/Ladyeading_Kennington.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548338307293083026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA0B4j80JuI4-T5ebOV4iOHFc2-VeyhU1GxIqX046q8bPyLEDsmXkvPWEXgIsXIhLm5FwQlQjbi8JS9TEyoeFpECewr2TV0SufM5sSYQ_VBRURiKAie-8BGhlpefjsLMJfs6IQw/s320/Ladyeading_Kennington.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://subtlemelodrama.blogspot.com/p/victorian-literature-challenge.html">http://subtlemelodrama.blogspot.com/p/victorian-literature-challenge.html</a></div><br /><div>I have never done a reading challenge before and when I read about this one on another blog I thought it sounded like a challenge that I could complete. So I am making it official that I will commit to reading 5-9 books from Victorian authors. Check out the link above and think about joining me in this challenge. Now all I have to do is decide what books to read....</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/9048776734111284201/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=9048776734111284201&isPopup=true' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9048776734111284201'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9048776734111284201'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/12/reading-challenge-for-2011.html' title='A Reading Challenge for 2011'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA0B4j80JuI4-T5ebOV4iOHFc2-VeyhU1GxIqX046q8bPyLEDsmXkvPWEXgIsXIhLm5FwQlQjbi8JS9TEyoeFpECewr2TV0SufM5sSYQ_VBRURiKAie-8BGhlpefjsLMJfs6IQw/s72-c/Ladyeading_Kennington.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-5812675778106516830</id><published>2010-11-18T15:51:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2010-11-18T16:06:13.497-05:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="book challenges"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="book lists"/><title type='text'>List of books read in 2010</title><content type='html'>I notice there are many book challenges offered on the internet and I'm always tempted to join. In particular was the 100 books challenge 2010. Alas ! I'm falling far short of 100 books for the year. I have enjoyed the books I HAVE read but the number is a meager 44 to date. But below is my list of titles in the order that I read them. They range from literary novels, mysteries and some classic novels. Maybe in 2011 I can get up the energy to join the 100 books challenge.<br /><br />2010 book list<br />Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant<br />Fired Up by Jayne Ann Krentz<br />Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs<br />Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb<br />Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs<br />Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazill<br />Rather Lovely Inheritance<br />Rather Curious Engagement<br />Rather Charming Invitation all by CA Belmond<br />Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben<br />The Courtesan by Susan Carroll<br />Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout<br />Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker<br />The Silver Rose by Susan Carroll<br />The Help by Kathryn Stockett<br />Still Alice by LIsa Genova<br />Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci<br />The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsen<br />Our Lady of Immaculate Deception by Nancy Martin<br />Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb<br />The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn<br />Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem<br />How to Murder a Millionaire by Nancy Martin<br />Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds by Nancy Martin<br />The Girls by Lori Lansens<br />Some Like It Lethal by Nancy Martin<br />Twilight of a Queen by Susan Carroll<br />The Search by Nora Roberts<br />A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolft<br />The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White<br />The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen<br />Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die by Nancy Martin<br />Have Your Cake and Kill Him too by Nancy Martin<br />Polar Shift by Clive Cussler<br />Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh<br />Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskill<br />Crazy Little Thing Called Death by Nancy Martin<br />Murder Melts in Your Mouth by Nancy Martin<br />Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguru<br />The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova<br />In Cold Blood by Truman Capote<br />Fiber and Murder by Laura Childs<br />Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/5812675778106516830/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=5812675778106516830&isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5812675778106516830'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/5812675778106516830'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/11/list-of-books-read-in-2010.html' title='List of books read in 2010'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-6232437699708440038</id><published>2010-10-25T09:54:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2010-10-25T10:10:10.490-04:00</updated><title type='text'>In Cold Blood by Truman Capote</title><content type='html'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58k5WPGRFDPBpWdMYCHbwnvUk8JpEXPLPgIDxlFGAEkxXMqL0HNjorSSsFE9Z1TF5MJdiesBPfhj_jykmcjKK22wQm-BvbeOpGR9Klq6qTctJ097B5u2R_U_gBiXz2Eu8VBazeA/s1600/067960023X.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 64px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531981930815064498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58k5WPGRFDPBpWdMYCHbwnvUk8JpEXPLPgIDxlFGAEkxXMqL0HNjorSSsFE9Z1TF5MJdiesBPfhj_jykmcjKK22wQm-BvbeOpGR9Klq6qTctJ097B5u2R_U_gBiXz2Eu8VBazeA/s320/067960023X.jpg" /></a><br /><div> Every October I enjoy reading at least one mystery "in honor" of the Holloween season. While shelving books at the library I came accross "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote and knew I had the perfect selection.</div><div> It tells the story of the 4 members of the Clutter family who lived in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959. The family is well regarded and popular in their sleepy, little farming town. Their brutal murder in November, 1959 left the town stunned and wondering who would be attacked next. Some town residents relocated to other places after several weeks went by and there was little progress made toward solving the murder.</div><div> This was a ground breaking story, for Capote told the story of a very real murder in a way that reads like a fiction novel. His book lead the way for other writers such as Ann Rule and Vincent Bugliosi to make the"true crime" genre popular. In my opinion this is the best example of this genre.</div><div> The book follows the investigation of the murders and the lasting effects they have on the town. The narrative of the eventual capture and trials of the 2 young assassins-Perry Smith and Dick Hickock is compulsively readable. My firest reaction while reading the book was why did they do such a horrible thing and more importantly HOW COULD THEY be so brutal to fellow human beings that they had no connection to? At the conclusion of the book I had the answers to all my questions and had a new respect and liking for Capote's work.</div><div> One piece of "literary trivia" about this book is the rumor that Harper Lee, his childhood friend and author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" secretly wrote the book. At present Capote has passed away and Harper Lee has never spoken about anything more than being good friends with Capote. </div><div> So, if you'd like a suspense filled story that will keep you reading way past your bedtime "In Cold Blood" is a great choice. Happy Halloween!</div></content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/6232437699708440038/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=6232437699708440038&isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6232437699708440038'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6232437699708440038'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-cold-blood-by-truman-capote.html' title='In Cold Blood by Truman Capote'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58k5WPGRFDPBpWdMYCHbwnvUk8JpEXPLPgIDxlFGAEkxXMqL0HNjorSSsFE9Z1TF5MJdiesBPfhj_jykmcjKK22wQm-BvbeOpGR9Klq6qTctJ097B5u2R_U_gBiXz2Eu8VBazeA/s72-c/067960023X.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-9037325705137432753</id><published>2010-08-26T11:38:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2010-08-26T11:50:22.955-04:00</updated><title type='text'>How do you keep track of your reading?</title><content type='html'>A question I always like to ask reading friends is "How do you keep track of your reading?" If you're like me you may be in one or more book discussion groups in addition to the regular list of books you'd like to read.<br /> Many friends have shared their book logs with me and it has always been fun to see how different their "systems" have been.<br /> For myself I have two different composition notebooks. One book has all the information and discussion materials for the book discussion that I lead. Is is totally seperate from the other book that I keep. In the other one I have listed all the books that I have read by year. This goes back to 2002. Wish I'd started it earlier it didn't occur to me. I also keep lists of books that I want to read. That is an ongoing list. I also have a section for "reader's advisory" notes. I am a mystery fan and sometimes it's hard to keep track of all books in a particular series. So I have a section that I devote to that. One other section is a list of books that I'd like to give to others for gifts. Numerous times I've read a book that I have thought would appeal to a friend or family member and forgotten about it. By writing it down I don't forget and always have some "potential gift" ideas right on hand.<br /> Not everyone keeps track of these things in the manner that I do. Maybe it's the "Librarian" in me that possesses me me to do it in this fashion. Any way you do it is perfectly fine. There are no rules to this . Some friends keep track of their reading in a small spiral book that they keep in their purse. Others keep their list on index cards. Some even devote a whole page in a notebook to making notes about each book read. Frankly I haven't been able to stay motivated to do that on a steady basis but I admire those who do.<br /> No matter how you choose to keep track of your reading, or maybe you don't keep track at all, don't forget the whole point of reading..the enjoyment of new ideas and stories.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/9037325705137432753/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=9037325705137432753&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9037325705137432753'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/9037325705137432753'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-do-you-keep-track-of-your-reading.html' title='How do you keep track of your reading?'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-6426463762082821740</id><published>2010-08-16T10:15:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-08-16T10:25:51.448-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Great Titles from past book discussion meetings</title><content type='html'>I am the facilitator of a long running book discussion group at my library. Over the past 10 years I have enjoyed leading many animated discussions. I thought you would enjoy reading some of the titles from our list. Here they are:<br /><br />The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards<br />Forever by Pete Hamill<br />The Girls by Lori Lanseus<br />Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard<br />Red River by Lalita Tademy<br />Montana 1948 by Larry Watson<br />Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout<br />An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg<br />Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani<br />Bean Blossom Dreams by Sallyann Murphy<br />I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith<br /><br />All of these titles have proven to be good choices for book discussions.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/6426463762082821740/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=6426463762082821740&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6426463762082821740'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/6426463762082821740'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/08/great-titles-from-past-book-discussion.html' title='Great Titles from past book discussion meetings'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-3579554293442660537</id><published>2010-08-12T12:44:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-08-12T12:58:31.541-04:00</updated><title type='text'>I'm a repeat reader!</title><content type='html'>I seem to be in the mood to make book lists these days. Todays' list is a short list of some of the books that I have read more than one time. Most of these remind me of a particular time in my life. So not only am I revisiting a favorite title I'm remembering what was going on in my life at that time. <br /><br /> Here's the list, in no particular order:<br /><br />1. The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart- I enjoy anything written by her. I checked out all her books from my high school library when I was a freshman.<br />2. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery-I read this series when I was in Junior High but I re read them again when I was hugely pregnant and bored at home. Anne kept my mind off of my swelling ankles!<br />3. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd-This is a recent additon to this list. I read it the summer that it came out and have revisited it several times. Great story! Great characters.<br />4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand-This was reccommended to me when I was a Sophmore in college. It took some doing but I compulsively read it. I confess I "skimmed" the 200 page political theory that the character "John Gault" presented toward the end of the book. <br />5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte-I read this when I was in 7th grade and has always been a favorite of mine. <br />6. To Kill a Mocikingbird by Harper Lee-Who doesn't love this book? I also read this in 7th grade while sitting on my front porch one summer waiting on the "paper boy" who I also had a crush on. The book had a more lasting impression on me than the boy did.<br />7. An Unfinished Woman by Lillian Hellman-I read this during my college sorority days when I was exploring books written only by women. Hellman's writing is so lyrical and riviting that I would read her work after a long evening of studying.<br /><br /> I still have my original copies of the books on my list above. Some of them are a little shabby looking and some of the pages are yellowed, but they'll never be thrown out!</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/3579554293442660537/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=3579554293442660537&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/3579554293442660537'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/3579554293442660537'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/08/im-repeat-reader.html' title='I'm a repeat reader!'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35510266.post-2670628289127794831</id><published>2010-08-10T14:03:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-08-10T14:08:45.437-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Vacation Reading</title><content type='html'>Last week I read 6 books while on vacation at our lake house. All of the books were picked solely for their entertainment value. Included in this list were mysteries, romance and general fiction. All of them were winners in my book because they kept me turning pages and were very entertaining.<br /><br />Here's the list:<br />The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White<br />Polar Shift by Clive Cussler<br />The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen<br />The Search by Nora Roberts<br />Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die by Nancy Martin<br />A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/feeds/2670628289127794831/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35510266&postID=2670628289127794831&isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2670628289127794831'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/35510266/posts/default/2670628289127794831'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lpladult.blogspot.com/2010/08/vacation-reading.html' title='Vacation Reading'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>

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