tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834960759795689132012-01-17T15:36:49.181-05:00~ Anonymous ~Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.comBlogger7101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-13988335194179759392012-01-10T12:22:00.000-05:002012-01-10T12:22:27.698-05:00

"One you've read a book, you and it belong to each other for life. Did you not know that?" Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman(Chapter 6, pg 70)

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-91798442641733466342012-01-07T11:27:00.000-05:002012-01-07T11:27:42.960-05:00

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." ~ Walt Disney

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-50384775458147092202011-12-31T12:00:00.003-05:002011-12-31T12:02:47.915-05:00

So here we are at the end of the year and as I reflect back I am amazed at all that has occurred. I wonder how I even found time to read. Between my pregnancy and our traveling I had little attention span and even less time. I guess that accounts for all the "light" reading I did (lots and lots of "cozy-mystery" stories). In fact, I find it interesting to note that my reading total for 2011 is

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-47309989115680352532011-12-18T15:00:00.000-05:002011-12-18T15:04:34.318-05:00

304 pages Published 2011 by Knopf Books for Young Readers  The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is the third in a coming-of-age series about the Penderwick family (a widower dad and his five daughters) by  Jeanne Birdsall. I first discovered the series in 2008 when I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. The next

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-84591872992113323622011-12-17T15:12:00.000-05:002011-12-17T15:12:06.114-05:00

Looking for a cozy or festive book to read this holiday season? Might I offer up a few recomendations? In 2008 and 2010 I posted several titles that I have read and enjoyed and wanted to recommend for other reader's enjoyment. You can find the the 2008 list here at: Christmas Stories and the 2010 list here at: Recommended Reading for the Holidays. Titles include: A Christmas Carol, The Story of

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-73300437990038985932011-12-12T20:33:00.000-05:002011-12-12T20:33:18.255-05:00

So remember all those plans I made last month for this holiday season? I am happy to report that while my blog has been silent I have been busy at home. The biggest news of course was that we welcomed our newest member to the family, a little girl born Saturday, November 19. Jenna Main Photography In addition to this (and with many thanks to my husband who was able to work from home for two

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-33637693280537717702011-11-20T07:24:00.000-05:002011-11-20T07:24:26.305-05:00

The newest little girl bookworm has joined our family.11/19/117lb, 9.5 oz.18.5"

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-41488696501241570222011-11-16T20:06:00.001-05:002011-11-16T20:26:40.678-05:00

Last year I had great aspirations for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Last year I really wanted to start some specific traditions with my daughter, but alas a few unexpected turn of events prevented me from doing more than the bare minimum. But I am stating it here and now: THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT! And I'm not just saying that. It really is a fact. Things WILL be different this year.

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-34594426456492009602011-11-11T07:14:00.000-05:002011-11-11T10:22:13.705-05:00

Good news! If you have not gotten your hands on the new Betsy-Tacy Treasury there is still a chance you could win a copy! Audrey at The Betsy-Tacy Encycolopedia blog is giving away a copy to one lucky reader!   Click on the link above to check out her blog and read the rules for entry. This giveaway will run until Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Good luck!

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-34910256014448357042011-11-08T10:31:00.001-05:002011-11-08T11:00:13.459-05:00

One final posting because I definitely had to share this news with you. As you know, TODAY The Betsy-Tacy Treasury is officially available (in print and e-book) online and at your local bookstore! To learn more about this wonderful collection of the first four Betsy-Tacy books please visit Harper Collins Publisher's website. And while you're browsing the world wide web, you'll want to

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-50765063520800802962011-11-08T06:20:00.003-05:002011-11-08T06:20:00.251-05:00

"What are you reading?' Victoria made a slight grimace. 'You don't have much choice of light fiction here. Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, and The Mill on the Floss. I'm reading the Tale of Two Cities.' 'Never read it before?' 'Never. I always thought Dickens would be stuffy.' 'What an idea!' 'I'm finding it most exciting!"Books within Books ~ They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie (pg

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-91792748921121090592011-11-07T15:00:00.002-05:002011-11-07T15:14:44.249-05:00

A day late, but here we are with the official announcement of the winners of the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge Give-Away #4. Congratulations to our winners! These individuals participated in the 2011 reading challenge and have not yet won during the previous three give-aways that I have hosted. They were drawn at random selection and given their prizes based on their requested

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-82340011790778898782011-11-06T19:50:00.000-05:002011-11-06T19:50:35.062-05:00

There's been a slight and quite unforeseen circumstances which have caused a delay in today's posting. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Please check back on MONDAY, November 7 for the  posting of all final winners in the last give-away for the 3rd annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. Thank you! ~ Sarah

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-3836181580665957032011-11-03T07:15:00.000-04:002011-11-03T07:15:00.450-04:00

245 pages Published 1969 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston New York NY As most of you know by now, I have been a fan of D. E. Stevenson novels for a couple years now. My introduction was was in the fall of 2009 when a friend sent me the link to a delightful book titled, Miss Buncle's Book. From the moment I picked up Miss Buncle and began reading I became a life-long fan of Ms. Stevenson and now I

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-4028239505242003552011-11-01T06:05:00.001-04:002011-11-01T06:05:00.134-04:00

Wow! October just came and went I can hardly believe it is already the first of November and thus time to wrap-up the third Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. As I stated last year; when I first created this reading challenge in 2009 I only intended it to be a medium of sorts where I could share with other readers my love for all things Betsy-Tacy since that time it has grown to be so much

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-86596288314800474082011-10-30T18:30:00.000-04:002011-10-30T18:30:00.088-04:00

This week's give-away is actually quite special as it allows for multiple winners! Because I wanted to give more of you a chance to win something special during this year's challenge I decided to order four items from the Betsy-Tacy Society Gift Shop and offer them during the final week of this year's reading challenge. To learn more about each item in this week's give-away all you have to do

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-11597307582375026312011-10-30T16:17:00.001-04:002011-10-30T16:25:29.121-04:00

This week was another big give-away as the winning participant will receive a complete set of the Deep Valley books by Maud Hart Lovelace as published by Harper Collins Publishers in the fall of 2010. The Deep Valley books are "companion" novels to the Betsy-Tacy series and wildly popular amongst Betsy-Tacy fans.  And now, without further delay... The winner (drawn completely at random) of

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-35783855544567377762011-10-28T07:40:00.026-04:002011-10-28T07:40:00.423-04:00

180 pages Published in 1958 by Thomas Y. Crowell Company New York, NY Perhaps students of California history are familiar with the name Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, but having spent my school years on the east coast, I was not. So who exactly was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and why did Maud Hart Lovelace write a book about him? What Cabrillo Found by Maud Hart Lovelace is a little known children's

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-16115354965844074382011-10-27T07:30:00.000-04:002011-10-27T07:30:00.959-04:00

"To find Deep Valley in this bustling modern city, you have to close your eyes to the airport, to the streams of automobiles, and to many beautiful new homes and schools and shops. You have to imagine horses and carriages, ladies with trailing skirts and ruffled parasols and children in long black stockings."~  Maud Hart Lovelace (1961) As if there wasn't already enough to be excited about I

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-24619323627654007692011-10-26T07:00:00.003-04:002011-10-26T07:00:12.060-04:00

The month of October may be quickly coming to an end and with it the 3rd annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge, but there is some good news for those readers who just can't get enough of "all things Betsy-Tacy." Mark your calendars! Because from July 19-22, 2012 you can join fellow Betsy-Tacy fans of all ages for a four day fun-filled time in Mankato, MN at the 2012 Betsy-Tacy

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-2520713706793211562011-10-25T07:30:00.007-04:002011-10-25T09:58:04.544-04:00

Another month comes to a close. Between last month's nightstand post and this month's I read four books, three of which were on my nightstand when I posted in September, the rest... well I either gave up on them or they are still sitting there waiting to be read at some point in the future. Those I did finish included:  They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie Tramp for the Lord by Corie ten Boom

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-28704994501281150022011-10-24T07:01:00.000-04:002011-10-24T10:09:25.481-04:00

It's been a little while since I referenced Kerrie's Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival. It runs every month and is a place where readers can link up their reviews of all things Agatha Christie. I read and reviewed Agatha Christie's little known spy thriller, They Came to Baghdad just in time to participate this month. You can read my link here, but be sure to stop by the Agatha

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-89595187226098725362011-10-23T20:00:00.004-04:002011-10-24T10:18:57.962-04:00

We're beginning the final week of October, which means we are also fast approaching the end of the third annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. We have just two more give-aways (10/23-10/30 and 10/30-11/2). For those of you who have yet to win there is still a chance you could finish the month with a fabulous gift! I am once again happy to announce that one lucky reader will soon be the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-1149241911257437412011-10-23T19:45:00.001-04:002011-10-23T23:07:13.926-04:00

This week was a BIG give-away as the winning participant will receive a complete set of the "high school and beyond" books within the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace as published by Harper Collins Publishers in the fall of 2009.   And now, without further delay... The winner (drawn at random) of this coveted set is.... JNCL Congratulations to JNCL! Please email me {

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-9118964829101886542011-10-16T14:15:00.004-04:002011-10-23T23:07:30.636-04:00

If you thought last week's give-away was exciting then you will probably love this week's give-away. Thanks once again to Harper Collins Publishers I am happy to announce one lucky reader will soon be the proud owner of the three volume set of Betsy-Tacy books! These volumes contain the "high school and beyond" books in the series and were reprinted in this format for the first time in October

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-11570181500030540952011-10-16T13:46:00.002-04:002011-11-06T19:46:29.839-05:00

So we had quite a few entries for this week's contest. The winner will receive a brand new copy of The Betsy-Tacy Treasury published by Harper Collins Publishers on November 8, 2011. The treasury contains the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. And now, without further delay... The winner (drawn at random) of this coveted treasury is.... KAREN Y. LEE   (Note:

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-75055148642057940652011-10-11T21:06:00.000-04:002011-10-11T21:06:35.845-04:00

As you know, this is my third year hosting the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge and while many of you are new to this challenge others of you are joining me for the third time and thus I find myself in a bit of a quandary. How do I present information about this wonderful author so it interests those who've already read my previous posts and at the same time cover the basics for those

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-88602822707908268982011-10-09T11:43:00.004-04:002011-10-23T23:08:11.319-04:00

It's time for the first give-away. This week participants of the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge can enter to win their own copy of The Betsy-Tacy Treasury! The Treasury is a collection of the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace and will be released by Harper Collins Publishers on November 8, 2011. To learn more about The Betsy-Tacy Treasury check out the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-78583620604188351702011-10-05T08:20:00.000-04:002011-10-05T08:20:00.127-04:00

280 pages Published by Dodd, Mead & Company in 1951 Reprinted in  2002 by St. Martin's Paperbacks of St. martin's Press New York, NY I must confess I was a little hesitant when I picked up They Came to Baghdad from my local library. All summer long I had suffered from a sort of reading-funk which has kept me from finishing little more than a dozen books. So when I saw this novel, written by one

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-84678010795106632962011-10-04T22:19:00.021-04:002011-10-04T22:31:31.661-04:00

My introduction to Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series came when my mother gave me a copy of Betsy-Tacy to me when I was eight or so years old. Although I enjoyed the book, I didn't get another chance to get to know Betsy and Tacy until I was in high school and from that point I became a life-long fan. Still, I think there is something to be said about starting at the beginning and having the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-48314848027668405612011-10-01T00:02:00.002-04:002011-10-01T00:02:00.142-04:00

Another year has flown by and it's once again time for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge! This challenge will run here at A Library is a Hospital for the Mind from October 1 through October 31 and will include book reviews, trivia posts, and give-aways! Here are the "rules" to participate: 1. Select which Lovelace book (or books) you wish to read during the coming month. 2. Write a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-10848791743599160282011-09-27T10:00:00.002-04:002011-09-28T00:00:33.438-04:00

Well, I almost nearly bombed my August nightstand list by not finishing any of the books I claimed I would read... nearly because I did finish one. I keep telling myself that this lack of reading and blogging is just a passing funk; or perhaps I need a reality check and it's the time of life I am in and thus I should just put an end to it. In reality I don't think it helps that since the spring

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-59074352761706540052011-09-27T06:45:00.006-04:002011-09-27T06:45:00.938-04:00

Myrtle Reed Happy birthday to Myrtle Reed! Today, September 27, 2011 marks the 137th birthday of American author, Myrtle Reed. Although Myrtle Reed is no longer a name you find populating the shelves of your local library or bookstore, she was a highly popular author during the first decade of the 20th century. During this time she penned seventeen novels and a number of cook books (the latter

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-4998424641205584822011-09-26T21:31:00.003-04:002011-09-26T21:32:46.921-04:00

It's been a very busy summer and even with the passage of Labor Day the pace of my hectic life has not slowed down. I had hoped to take a breath before jumping into the next thing, but here we are the last week of September and it's nearly time for the annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge! Check back THIS Saturday, October 1 to sign up for this year's reading challenge and to learn more

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-31952059830873469952011-09-05T20:01:00.004-04:002011-09-05T20:39:17.969-04:00

233 pages Originally published in 1933 Reprinted by Moyer Bell in 2008 Kingston, RI & Lancaster, England I first discovered the delightfully witty writings of Angela Thirkell when I stumbled upon Wild Strawberries in early 2010. I enjoyed the book so much I checked to see if there were other stories the included the same characters and was pleased to find Wild Strawberries was one of several

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-34672904749661958402011-08-30T06:56:00.003-04:002011-08-30T15:55:25.979-04:00

69 pages Reprinted in 2005 by Eerdmans Publishing Company Are Women Human? Penetrating, Sensible, and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society is just that -- a compilation of speeches and essays written by Dorothy L. Sayers around the same time she was penning her famed Lord Peter Wimsey novels. Of course, Ms. Sayers wrote more than just the Lord Peter books. Her bibliography includes a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-47472340312412383742011-08-28T07:00:00.002-04:002011-08-28T07:00:02.467-04:00

501 pages Published 1935 by Gollancz Reprinted by Harper Collins Publishers in 1995 New York, NY It's no secret, I love a good mystery read. And yet somehow I had managed to get nearly three decades into my life with books without once picking up a novel by Dorothy L. Sayers. That is, until this year when several of the ladies in my book club strongly encouraged our group to not only read

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-42515626449983784372011-08-25T22:32:00.005-04:002011-08-25T23:07:46.390-04:00

239 pages Published in 1922 by E. P. Dutton & Company I don't recall now where or when I first learned of The Red House Mystery. I might have stumbled upon it while looking for an audio book to listen to during a long flight delay. Or it is possible I found it while perusing the list of books written by one of the world's most cherished children's authors, A. A. Milne. Because, of course when

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-44469586102749156842011-08-23T21:19:00.002-04:002011-08-23T23:02:00.170-04:00

It's been a bizarre August. It is the 23rd of the month and I truly feel as though just this past weekend it was the start of August. Where has the time gone? I've not done much reading this month. That is to say, the reading I have done has been purely for fun and easy. Towards the end of July I read another Agatha Christie novel, A Murder is Announced (a relaxing puzzler for the mind). I also

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-21517357055667214702011-08-15T17:34:00.000-04:002011-08-15T17:34:01.960-04:00

"The more one reads the more one sees we have to read." ~ John Adams to Abigail Adams in a letter dated December 28, 1794.

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-5463811247187890252011-08-10T10:00:00.001-04:002011-08-10T13:49:45.609-04:00

Attention readers! Spread the word! The original Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge will be returning to A Library is a Hospital for the Mind blog this October! This will be the third year I've had the honor of hosting this reading challenge and I am just as excited as I was last year. As was the case in 2009 and 2010 this year's reading challenge will include book reviews (and posts where

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-7525731480149385242011-08-09T22:01:00.000-04:002011-08-09T22:01:33.447-04:00

"Lord Peter's library was one of the most delightful bachelor rooms in London. Its scheme was black and primrose; its walls were lined with rare editions, and its chairs and Chesterfield sofa suggested the embraces of the houris. In one corner stood a black baby grand, a wood fire leaped on a wide old-fashioned hearth, and the Sevres vases on the chimney-piece were filled with ruddy and gold

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-12036036209375964132011-08-02T06:05:00.001-04:002011-08-02T06:05:01.110-04:00

"We have no time to waste on insignificant books, hollow books, books that are here to please.We have no time for those sloppy, hurried books of the 'Go on, I need it for July, and in September we'll give you a proper launch and sell one hundred thousand copies, it's in the bag' variety. We want books that are written for those of us who doubt everything, who cry over the least little thing, who

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-42539244281761942632011-07-31T16:48:00.013-04:002011-07-31T21:01:58.282-04:00

416 pages Published in 2010 by Europa Editions New York, NY The Plot: A quaint little bookshop called The Good Novel, which specializes in selling only novels that are deemed truly worthwhile pieces of literature by the owners and a secret advising committee, has opened its doors to the world from a quiet corner of Paris, France and is proving to be quite the successful enterprise... Until

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-53844442280772580832011-07-29T17:39:00.005-04:002011-07-29T19:52:58.848-04:00

Hello mystery lovers, what could possibly be better on a hot summer day than a chilling read by Agatha Christie? Perhaps the chance to win ten of her crime novels as reissued by HarperCollins Publishers. To learn more (and enter to win) check out the US Agatha Christie website for official information and community and to register to receive the US Christie newsletter, which will automatically

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-29767402475448125612011-07-27T06:40:00.002-04:002011-07-27T09:00:27.225-04:00

It's the end of July and we are in the midst of a very hot summer. Yesterday was the "What's On Your Nightstand" monthly posting at 5 Minutes for Books and I missed posting... so better late than never! Perhaps it's the heat, or perhaps it's the fact that I'm 5.2 months pregnant at any rate I'm in a reading and blogging funk. My reading has been light and sparodic for the last month and my

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-76030218017900767752011-07-12T23:10:00.006-04:002011-07-12T23:15:57.301-04:00

389 pages Published in 1964 by Sierra Printing & Publishing Company  Sacramento, CA My first encounter with Edna Walker Chandler was through the pages of her Cowboy Sam series. As a child my mother would borrow the Cowboy Sam books from our local library to assist with my early reading, and later with my brother as he too learned to read. Although the Cowboy Sam books are now out of print and

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-35519447302170205322011-07-01T22:15:00.001-04:002011-07-01T22:23:10.557-04:00

I have taken this post idea from Carrie at Reading To Know, who in turn got the idea from Bluerose's Heart. Each one of our lists differ, so when you're done checking mine out be sure to click the above links and see what ten classics made these ladies' lists. On Reading Classics Over the last decade I have read quite a few classics and I know that is all due to the ladies in my book club.

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-38523397707988998542011-06-29T07:17:00.001-04:002011-06-29T11:08:26.528-04:00

832 pages Published by Sentinel, a Penguin Group in 2011 New York, NY "My life has spanned more than one third of the history of the United States. As I thought more about this memoir and a title, the idea of the known and the unknown seemed to fit. Not only are there things in this book people believe they known about my life, but there are also things that may surprise and differ from what

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-7750436083783348012011-06-28T07:34:00.002-04:002011-06-28T10:05:27.402-04:00

Generally speaking I don't give much thought to how quickly time seems to pass until I get ready to do something like write the monthly "What's On Your Nightstand" post as hosted by 5 Minutes for Books. It is at this point I stop and exclaim, "Wait!? It's the end of the month? Where did ____ go!?" In this case I can hardly believe it's the end of June and in a week's time we'll be past the 4th of

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-34682281363724224862011-06-14T12:20:00.000-04:002011-06-14T14:58:41.253-04:00

288 pagesPublished in 1946 by Dodd, Mead & CompanyReprinted in 2007 by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers The Hollow is the 37th crime novel by Agatha Christie and the 22nd to include Hercule Poirot as lead detective. It also marks the return of Poirot after a four year absence (1942-1946). The Plot:"Lady Angkatell, intrigued by the criminal mind, has invited Hercule Poirot to her estate for a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-2713973047552516082011-06-14T06:47:00.000-04:002011-06-14T09:48:53.388-04:00

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-25385885685283467172011-06-10T07:35:00.007-04:002011-06-10T11:55:22.726-04:00

406 pages Published in 2010 by Random House For the last couple weeks I have thought over how exactly I was to review Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. I wanted to be careful in how much I gave away about the story because it came to me with little information and thus was a surprise read. For that reason I think it's almost best to keep

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-6289266914017738902011-06-08T07:40:00.008-04:002011-06-08T08:22:43.186-04:00

278 pagesPublished in 1945 by G. P. Putnam's SonsReprinted in 2011 by St. Martin's Paperbacks"At a round table in the Luxembourg nightclub six people sit down to dinner at a table laid for seven. In front of the empty place is a sprig of rosemary – in solemn memory of Rosemary Barton who died at the same table exactly one year previously. No one present on that fateful night would ever forget

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-46612938819558023132011-05-31T07:55:00.002-04:002011-05-31T09:44:51.904-04:00

194 pagesPublished in 1944, reprinted in 2002by Minotaur Books Although best known for her Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries, it may come as a surprise to some readers that Dame Agatha Christie also penned a historical murder mystery set in ancient Egypt. Because of its setting Death Comes As the End is a unique novel amongst Agatha Christie's canon. It is the only historical mystery

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-4819540367420340032011-05-26T06:21:00.000-04:002011-05-26T09:32:50.334-04:00

I don't know about you, but for me when it gets unbearably hot in the late Spring or early Summer I just want to find a cool quiet place and read. One of my favorite reads at these times is of course a good mystery, but often times I find myself reading more "meatier" books during the Summer months... At least reads that I wouldn't normally have time to pick up the rest of the year. It was

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-48160576875113453902011-05-24T14:00:00.000-04:002011-05-24T14:00:29.979-04:00

Another month drawing to an end and I am happy to report I read all three of the books I mentioned in my April Nightstand post! Ah, these little accomplishments in life sometimes make everything seem less stressful. It's been an extremely busy spring for my family and I. What I expected to be a quiet February through May ended up packed with house-sitting, a family funeral, long-distance

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-23858937089613095412011-05-20T13:04:00.003-04:002011-05-20T13:08:42.920-04:00

256 pages Published in 1942, reprinted in 1970 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston When it comes to books I love a good spy thriller and Crooked Adam by D. E. Stevenson is just that. Departing from her typical novel format that consists of romance, quaint English and Scottish neighborhoods, and the occasional family drama, Crooked Adam is set in Scotland during the early years of World War II and is a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-17282785979652922762011-05-16T21:00:00.011-04:002011-05-16T21:22:09.422-04:00

350 pagesPublished 2010 by Twelve, a Hachette Book Group New York, NY When I learned that first time author, Graham Moore had written a novel entwining Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a modern setting I was definitely intrigued and I was certainly expecting something along the lines of "mystery reader balm" -- you know the type of novel where a mystery is set, but it's driven by

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-17174573680264478802011-04-28T07:22:00.000-04:002011-04-28T16:44:02.126-04:00

I am late with this post, I know. I admit I completely lost track of time over the last two weeks as my family and I have faced two sudden trips within the span of a week and a half. But here I am, and in my opinion, better late than never! In April I had some time to read, in fact I nearly completed reading all three books that were on my nightstand from last month's post! Give me the last two

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-36262983809409044482011-04-26T16:52:00.000-04:002011-04-26T20:02:06.821-04:00

1892-1980  Today marks the 119th birthday of one of my favorite authors, Maud Hart Lovelace. For those interested you can learn all about Maud by visiting my post "So Who is Maud Hart Lovelace", "All Things Maud" and "Friday Fave Five: Maud Hart Lovelace Style". More information about the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge can be found in my post Attention Readers!.. (*Note: I am planning a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-21718257801725280652011-04-16T18:50:00.000-04:002011-04-16T18:50:56.517-04:00

Last year I posted that our local library was undergoing a major change -- total demolition to make way for a brand new "green" library that would be 6x's the size of the old building. Today was the grand opening of the new building. We missed the ribbon cutting ceremony, but arrived in time for some of the final children's activities, including a great music time/story telling/puppet show by a

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-32320626799047424112011-04-13T07:49:00.000-04:002011-04-13T09:59:48.828-04:00

184 pages First published by Newnes in 1939  Reprinted by Mammoth in 1997. London, England "They unlatched the gate and stood in the lane. they could see the trees in the wood, and hear them talking their strange tree-talk: 'Wish-wisha-wisha-wisha!' 'I feel as if there are adventures about,' said Jo. 'Come on! Over the ditch we go-- and into the Enchanted Wood!'" The Plot: "Jo, Bessie and Fanny

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-20337229149399694132011-04-12T21:48:00.003-04:002011-04-12T21:49:18.223-04:00

“Children want to do what the grownups do. Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.” ~ Beverly Cleary Beverly Cleary's Official Website Complete list of books by Beverly Cleary  New York Times: The Ageless Appeal of Beverly Cleary LA Times: A Few Words with Beverly Cleary on her 95th Birthday

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-81414743582248756772011-04-12T07:35:00.002-04:002011-04-12T10:45:12.161-04:00

This morning I realized it has been over a week since my last blog post. The lack of posting has nothing to do with a lack of reading. I am working my way through a 800 page book, which due to its length and the limited time frame in which I have to read leaves me little time for blogging. Stay tuned as I expect to surface by the end of the week and I am already planning some book reviews and

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-40098101853032352602011-04-04T07:59:00.059-04:002011-04-04T10:20:29.082-04:00

During my rather brief and rather random internet browsing this week I came upon a few items that I wanted to share with you. Enjoy! Book Blog Happenings: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About 5 Minutes for Books. April is National Poetry Month: Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, every April is now "National Poetry Month" - a time to read, celebrate and share poetry.

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-11796169608698791842011-04-01T08:45:00.001-04:002011-04-01T10:50:15.981-04:00

224 pages Published in October 2010 by Lyons Press A division of Globe Pequot Press Guilford, CT "The longer I live and work as a vet, the more i have come to realize that all creatures have a right to life, and that I should do everything in my power to save them." ~ Dr. Roy Aronson Tales From An African Vet is a new release (available within the US as of 2011) and the freshman work of Dr. Roy

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-3112014848381889152011-03-30T06:31:00.002-04:002011-03-30T06:31:00.193-04:00

The Plot:"Violet is looking forward to attending the 'Pink Girls Pink-nic' with her mom. Dressed from head to toe in her favorite color, she thinks about the crafts they will make and the games they will play. All that changes when her mom wakes up that morning covered with pink spots. The only other female in the family is the cat, but Pinky can't take her. Fortunately, Violet's dad doesn't

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-39431715635846748602011-03-29T06:07:00.003-04:002011-03-29T11:03:25.145-04:00

481 pagesPublished in 2010By Crown PublishersNew York, NY"The nature of the presidency is that sometimes you don't choose which challenges come to your desk. You do decide how to respond." - George W. BushDecision Points is not your typical memoir, that is not if you're expecting a chronological retelling of George W. Bush's life. Instead, President Bush chose to focus on key decision points

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-44974115185058045852011-03-25T06:44:00.013-04:002011-03-26T18:52:10.344-04:00

372 pagesPublished in 2004 byBarnes & Noble BooksNew York, NY(Originally published in 1859by Chapham & Hall, London, England)"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-39178027842721790012011-03-23T07:30:00.002-04:002011-03-23T07:34:13.544-04:00

353 pagesPublished in 1905 by G. P. Putnam's SonsNew York and LondonThe Knickerbocker PressIt's been a long time since I've reviewed a Myrtle Reed novel. I was first introduced to Ms. Reed in 2009 by a good friend who is also an avid reader. For those unfamiliar with Ms. Reed's writing, she was a best selling author at the turn of the last century who wrote mostly novels, but also dabbled in the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-56935217980480599052011-03-22T00:50:00.000-04:002011-03-22T00:50:56.585-04:00

I did it! I not only finished all three books from February's nightstand posting, but of those three I finished one that had been waiting on my nightstand (both literally and figuratively) for the last two years: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. And best of all I read it in time for the upcoming book club meeting (tomorrow night). I cannot wait to discuss this book and then to post my own

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-44245959345728300542011-03-18T08:34:00.001-04:002011-03-18T10:17:58.816-04:00

It's been a while since I have been able to participate in the weekly Friday's Fave Five as hosted by Living to Tell the Story. Once you're done reading here be sure to head over to post your own favorite five from the last week or see what other bloggers are listing.This week my Friday fave five are:1. A decade of memories. I rarely post personal information on this blog, I try to keep focused

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-18520900684849168862011-03-17T10:00:00.004-04:002011-03-17T10:24:10.500-04:00

"For this sun which we see rises daily for us because He commands so, but it will never reign, nor will its splendour last; what is more, those wretches who adore it will be miserably punished. Not so we, who believe in, and worship, the true sun — Christ — who will never perish, nor will he who doeth His will; but he will abide for ever as Christ abideth for ever, who reigns with God the Father

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-16372481493334372742011-03-15T20:33:00.002-04:002011-03-15T20:35:36.613-04:00

"The longer I live and work as a vet, the more I have come to realize that all creatures have a right to life, and that I should do everything in my power to save them." ~ Dr. Roy Aronson, Tales From An African Vet, Chpt 14, pg 155

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-62469150986263558142011-03-14T06:58:00.001-04:002011-03-14T10:52:17.996-04:00

This week's musing at Should Be Reading asks...Do you have a favorite children's book? Either one that you loved as a child, or one that you discovered and still enjoy? Tell us about it!What a difficult question! I have so many favorites, but if I had to pick one it would be:Caps For Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slodbodkina.Close runners up would be:

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-73519742775318389192011-03-13T22:06:00.001-04:002011-03-13T22:13:22.002-04:00

562 pagesPublished November 2010Atria Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.New York, NYI was very excited when I learned last autumn that Australian author Kate Morton had a new novel that would be released in November. I had plans to read and review it while still hot off the presses so I got my hands on a copy as quickly as possible and started reading... But then life happened. When it

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-26348126708641204932011-03-08T20:45:00.002-05:002011-03-08T21:55:54.381-05:00

177 pagesPublished in 1956by New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company Note: This is another book that I read in 2010, but I am only now getting around to reviewing. Please pardon the delay.As regular readers of this blog will remember I am a big fan of Maud Hart Lovelace, so much so that I host an annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge every autumn. In the months leading up to the 2009 challenge

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-45938535554712458582011-03-05T21:01:00.005-05:002011-03-05T22:46:57.218-05:00

276 pagesPublished by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in 1944Reprinted in 2001 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks New York, NY“I love a good detective story, but they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that." ~ Towards Zero by Agatha ChristieThe Plot:"What is the connection between a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-81628059645445055222011-03-01T06:04:00.000-05:002011-03-01T06:04:00.028-05:00

Published in 1952, reprinted in 1974By Holt, Rinehart & WinstonNew York, NY284 pagesMrs. Tim Flies Home is the final book in D. E. Stevenson’s four-part Mrs. Tim series. For those not yet familiar with the lovable Hester Christie, a.k.a. “Mrs. Tim” stop reading this review and go read my reviews of Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, Mrs. Tim Carries On, and Mrs. Tim gets a Job. Although the Mrs. Tim books

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-61198276949565293342011-02-28T08:14:00.000-05:002011-02-28T12:00:29.435-05:00

Every reader is different. Some prefer to watch the movie before they have the slightest interest in reading the book, others are hardcore readers and won't go near a film adaptation for fear it will destroy the story they've come to love. My own tastes are somewhat varied. On the average I am the type of person who prefers to read the book before I watch the movie, but there have been a number

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-28423838691106551522011-02-23T20:23:00.006-05:002011-02-23T21:02:36.159-05:00

In my brief and rather random internet browsing today I came upon three items that I wanted to share with you. I'm calling them "The historical, the monumental, and the bizarre." Enjoy!The historical....David McCullough has a new book! The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, 1830-1900 tells the story of American artists and scientists who studied in Paris and how they impacted and changed

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-13434376130980593932011-02-22T15:42:00.005-05:002011-02-22T16:06:27.611-05:00

As you all know, February is a short month which often means it's not the most productive month for reading. For me it was rather average for the type of year I am having. I was pleased to have finished two out of three books listed on my nightstand from last month. And yet I cannot believe we're nearly done with another month. But onward we go...Carrying over from last month I have:A Tale of Two

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-55209073652189497102011-02-19T21:35:00.002-05:002011-02-22T15:38:08.399-05:00

322 pagesPublished 1916by Macmillan Companyin New York, NY"Well, that's exactly what he did have. He had my luck, I mean the luck I ought to have had, all the time, from the beginning to the very end. But there is one thing he can't take from me, and that is the telling of this story."The Plot:The Belfry, told in three "books" is the story of one Tasker "Jimmy" Jevons. In the first "book" the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-58609972180922220262011-02-14T20:48:00.005-05:002011-02-14T21:32:33.816-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!The following is my sixth and final installment in the post series of Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads. There are countless of books and passages I could have quoted, the six I chose were just particular favorites of mine. Enjoy!---------------Really and truly there are so many quotable passages within Pride and Prejudice that I almost had a difficult time choosing just

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-26987228365829926582011-02-13T07:45:00.000-05:002011-02-13T07:45:01.106-05:00

I had a little difficulty deciding upon my next selection. I wanted a passage from one of Myrtle Reed's novels, but which one? In the end I settled with Old Rose and Silver a charming story set at the turn of the last century. It is a story of unrequited love on the part of the heroine, who, rather than pursue her love selfishly, takes herself away so that the man she loves can be with someone

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-36423512382173635332011-02-12T08:23:00.000-05:002011-02-12T08:23:00.331-05:00

The Book: North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Chpt. 27The Setting: 1850s, London, EnglandThe Scene: John Thornton and Margaret Hale reach an understanding.. at last! "While she sought for this paper, her very heart-pulse was arrested by the tone in which Mr. Thornton spoke. His voice was hoarse, and trembling with tender passion, as he said:---'Margaret!'For an instant she looked up; and then

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-40085492312443333082011-02-11T05:45:00.000-05:002011-02-11T05:57:36.321-05:00

I had a difficult time selecting just a single passage for my next pick. In the end I settled for two quotes from two books within the Anne series. I believe these establish not only the romance between Gilbert and Anne as a young couple, but how alive their love was after several children and 15 years of marriage. I hope you enjoy!The Book: Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery, Chpt. 4The

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-52843432350704023002011-02-10T06:31:00.001-05:002011-02-10T09:04:00.289-05:00

My next choice is from Jane Austen's Persuasion, which is arguably my favorite of her novels, well, maybe second only to Pride and Prejudice.The book: Persuasionon by Jane Austen, Chapter 23The setting: Early 19th century EnglandThe scene: A letter from Captain Wentworth to Anne Elliot"On the contents of that letter depended all which this world could do for her! Any thing was possible, any

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-62056791429314551892011-02-09T07:38:00.000-05:002011-02-09T09:06:01.596-05:00

It seems everywhere I turn people are talking about Valentine's Day. Stores are decked out with red, white and pink candy, cookies, cupcakes and flowers. TV shows and music are tuned to tales of love and romance.In light of this I thought it might be fun to reflect upon a few romantic scenes from some of my favorite reads. I confess this was not a completely original idea. I was inspired with

S Mehrensnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-78995640466700254622011-02-06T15:05:00.004-05:002011-02-06T16:45:35.506-05:00

510 pagesPublished in 1868"Do you feel an uncomfortable heat at the pit of your stomach, sir? and a nasty thumping at the top of your head? AH! not yet? It will lay hold of you at Cobb's Hole, Mr. Franklin. I call it the detective-fever; and I first caught it in the company of Sergeant Cuff." (Part 2, Chpt 3, pg 325)I love a good mystery and The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is probably one of the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-60082865980202736272011-02-04T16:37:00.002-05:002011-02-06T16:45:45.062-05:00

418 pagesPublished in 2010by Dial Press a trademark ofThe Random House Publishing GroupNew York, NYMini Shopaholic is the sixth in a series of chick-lit/romantic-comedy-of-errors novels by British author, Sophie Kinsella.The Plot:"Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true a shopping friend for life! But it's trickier than

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-23853408594525266562011-02-02T13:06:00.008-05:002011-02-04T17:12:35.218-05:00

Perhaps I'm behind the times, but I just learned this morning that Jim Carrey will be starring in a 2011 adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book: Mr. Popper's Penguins.I am not yet certain if this is good or bad news for the book. Mainly because I have mixed feelings about the movies Mr. Carrey stars in. Some are surprisingly good and far too many (especially those from the

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-68752254727819595062011-02-01T13:31:00.003-05:002011-02-01T13:34:35.032-05:00

"'Books are meant to be read. They like being read,' says my visitor seriously. 'I always feel sorry for books that are too valuable to be read -- books with uncut pages. I'm sure they would rather be just ordinary so that ordinary people could read them.'" - Mrs. Tim Flies Home by D. E. Stevenson, Saturday, July 21. Pg 136-137

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-29119068178804986582011-01-30T21:53:00.002-05:002011-02-04T17:12:07.449-05:00

Happy birthday to Angela Thirkell!Born January 30, 1890 in London, England, Angela was the author of over 30 books during her lifetime (1890-1961). She began writing simply because she was in need of money. What began as articles and short stories in London papers led to stories for children and eventually to novels for adults.What is interesting to note is that most of Angela's novels are set in

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-36964431447209611472011-01-29T16:42:00.005-05:002011-03-29T16:48:51.220-04:00

283 pagesPublished 1948Charles Scribner's SonsNew York, NY"Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-84708870188614562912011-01-25T23:32:00.006-05:002011-01-25T23:57:34.884-05:00

Today being Tuesday and the fourth one of the month that means it is time for the monthly What's On Your Nightstand? posting at 5 Minutes for Books. It's been a while, but I wanted to participate this month.I've started to read again. (I have finished two books since the start of the year!) It feels good to pick up a book and immerse myself in the world contained within. Reading, there's nothing

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-19057076921110587902011-01-18T17:20:00.003-05:002011-01-18T17:40:50.317-05:00

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."~ Robert BurnsAs is evident from my silence for the last month plus the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 did not go exactly as I had hoped. It's still a little early to say whether life will permit me to return to a regular schedule of posting in this blogging world, but for now I will take what I can get.Before we get any further into the year

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-79184962050269736142010-12-03T14:09:00.006-05:002010-12-03T14:19:42.217-05:00

I have been putting of making this announcement for some time because I kept hoping my life would change and I could return to my regular schedule, but it has not and I now must face the facts. With everything that is expected of me I do not have any downtime to maintain a blog, let alone do anything much for entertainment. I don't even have time to read. (HORRORS!!!)This phase of life should be

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683496075979568913.post-89655859265487608722010-12-01T06:32:00.001-05:002010-12-01T06:32:00.673-05:00

It is the first of December and as you all know that means there are less than 25 days until Christmas and in just four short weeks it will be the end of the year.I love this time of year, yet sadly it always seems to be the busiest. There is so much that has to be done, so much you would like to do and ever so much you just don't have time to think about, let alone do. Personally I love to be

Sarah M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com2