2014 Reading…

January 2014

1.  My Story by Elizabeth Smart with Chris Stewart

2.  Inexpensive Meals:  The Ultimate Recipe Guide by Encore Publishing

3.  Healthy Slow Cooker Soups and Stews by Mike and Molly Malone

Authors That Are New To Me:

Elizabeth Smart

Reading From My Bookcases…

Last year I managed to read 36 book from my bookcases…once read they disappeared to either the library in my building, the regular library for their sale, or the used bookstore for credit…

This year – not so good – seems like a lot of books have been coming out that I’ve wanted to read – either new authors, authors I love, or books that look great…so I’ve been using the library a lot…

But, I am keeping a list for this year…and here it is…I promise to update…

1.  Just Take My Heart – by Mary Higgins Clark – used bookstore

2.  Empty Promises:  Ann Rule’s Crime Files: Vol. 7 – by Ann Rule – used bookstore

3. Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James – shipped to my daughter

4.  The Immortals by J. T. Ellison – used bookstore

5.  So Close the Hand of Death by J. T. Ellison – used bookstore

6.  Where All The Dead Lie by J. T. Ellison – used bookstore

7.  I’ll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark – to a neighbor

8.  Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark – used bookstore

Book & Dishcloth Swaps…

Lots of goodies arrived in February – some coffee, a rabbit, candy, dishcloth, a sheep bell, and the Diane Keaton book: Then Again.

A pretty dishcloth and hot plate holder, a great recipe, and the book:  Container Gardening for Dummies! 

And, finally April’s swap – some book-plate, a sheep egg cozy, a worm bookmark and the book:  House Rules by Jodi Picoult.

Great reads all of them…and I so enjoy playing along monthly…Can’t wait to see what May will bring…

Swap…

The Book and dishcloth swap on Ravelry for January was such fun.  My partner really pegged me by picking one of my favorite authors.  I sort of think she was part mind reader as I had the book she sent me in my hand the day before and was debating whether or not to buy it.

Here is what she sent me:

Really looking forward to reading it…

2012 – A New Start…

I am thrilled to see 2011 go!  It was a complicated year!  One filled with doctor visits, Emergency Room visits, and a stay for a week in my local hospital – due in part to my asthma and COPD plus my lower back which just seemed to decide to create havoc with my body. 

The asthma and COPD seem to be under control with the new medicine (Singulair)…plus I will be seeing a pulmanologist on January 4th…

The lower back is coming along well and I try to do the exercises as prescribed…It will take a little time…

And,  I hope not to have to be visiting my doctor or the ER this year!!!!

No resolutions this year…but that does not mean that I do not have any plans and ideas for the New Year.

Last year I managed to read 71 books…and found some new authors (Jodi Picoult, Mary Higgins Clark, Carlene Thompson – to name a few).   The plan continues to remain in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks group on Ravelry…

Block of the Month (Quilting) – well, actually, I was not going to participate in my local quilt store’s BOM program this year…then they made the mistake of showing me the fabric…I’m in…

I’ve never taken an on-line class – and this year I have decided to take the BOM class at Craftsy.com.  The class is free and is taught through video and interactive questions and answers with the teacher.  What I really like about it is that it is also a techniques class – and I am looking forward to learning some new things.

Embroidery has always been something that I have enjoyed – but, have never known much about the stitches other than the simple ones- so, I’m going to be learning by taking another on-line class called Take a Stitch Tuesday.   Each Tuesday a new stitch will be shown and we can practice it during the week.  Think it will be fun.

The agenda this year calls for trying to knit 12 pair of socks!!!!  That’s a pair a month…Plus some other knitting as well.   Maybe even get some weaving in this year…

That about covers the reading and crafty part of my life for the coming year…What are you planning on doing????

10 Favorite Books of 2010

Someone asked me what my ten favorite books from 2010 were.  Now, I have read 60 books so far this year and while it was tough to pick out just ten – I did it!

The Map of True Places – Brunonia Barry
Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation – Ellen Fitzpatrick
Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine – Ann Hood
The Red Thread – Ann Hood
Entombed – Linda Fairstein
A Reliable Wife – Robert Goolrick
The Girl Who Chased the Moon – Sara Addison Allen
The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship – Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel
The Knitting Circle – Ann Hood
The Cold Room – J. T. Ellison

So, there you go – if you read or have read any of these do let me know…

June Reading list…

Meant to settle in and end the month of June with my reading list – but, June 30th just slipped right by me…

Only managed to read four books in June – which puts me behind from what I read last year…or at least that is what Shelfari keeps reminding me of.

So what did I read?

Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart:  A Midwife’s Saga by Carol Leonard. 

It was a really interesting book on the beginning of the midwives organizing and being accepted here in New Hampshire.

The 9th Judgement by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Another Women’s Murder Club – the latest in the series.  They are always quick and interesting reads.

Entombed by Linda Fairstein

Another good mystery.  I love the way she puts together a mystery … and how all the pieces go together when it is all over…

k.d.lang: All You Get Is Me by Victoria Starr.

This book was published in 1994 – so it took you through the beginning of her career until that time…Ending album was Ingenue.  It was a very good book for those of us who like her music but didn’t know much about her early career and life.

Four books and four magazines – were read in June…not as much as I usually read – but they were all good!