Tuesday - First Chapter - First Paragraph - Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Each Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first part of a book that she is reading or thinking about reading.  This week I'm sharing the first few paragraphs of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  I have been meaning to read this book and, indeed, the whole series for quite some time.  Since the movie adaptation comes out later this month, this seems a good time.  Plus, this will fit in the R.I.P. XI venue quite nicely.  See what you think:

I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen.  The first of these came as a terrible shock and, like anything that changes you forever, split my life into halves: Before and After.  Like many of the extraordinary things to come, it involved my grandfather, Abraham Portman.

Growing up, Grandpa Portman was the most fascinating person I knew.  He had lived in an orphanage, fought in wars, crossed oceans by steamship and deserts on horseback, performed in circuses, knew everything about guns and self-defense and surviving in the wilderness, and spoke at least three languages that weren't English.  It all seemed unfathomably exotic to a kid who'd never left Florida, and I begged him to regale me with stories whenever I saw him.  He always obliged, telling them like secrets that could be entrusted only to me.


Blurb:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of peculiar photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its decaying bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that Miss Peregrine’s children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

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Have you read this one?  Planning on seeing the movie?  Think the photos are beyond creepy?  The author says that this book comes out of his love for vintage photography and bizarro stories.  I'll say.

Weekly Update - 9/12/16 - Family dinners, volunteering, mystery book group and A Great Reckoning...

Howdy!  I'm here to share a little bit of this and a little bit of that from my life recently.  Hope this format will work well with everyone.  I'll try to do this every week or two just to catch up on things - life in general, life in reading, and maybe a bit of what's coming up.


Life in General...

Last weekend was our Labor Day Holiday here in the US.  We had my husband's family over for a cookout on Monday and also celebrated a couple of family birthdays.  It was a fun time for all, especially because my hubby decided he would not only cook the burgers, but make these tasty little salted caramel brownie trifle things.  He found the recipe somewhere and they were very good.  Maybe not so great for birthday candles, but we managed.

On Friday, I began a new volunteering opportunity at one of our local libraries.  It was a little tiresome to get my schedule and their orientation schedule sorted, but I finally began actually 'working'.  It's not a complicated deal at all - shelving books and other materials.  Well, I've done that before.  In fact, that was my first actual paid job at the Austin Public Library, being what they called a 'page'.  It had a been a while since I had shelved almost 3 hours straight.  Part of it was in the children's section and shelves are low.  Lots of up and down and up and down.  I decided I should have worn my fitness tracking device to see how many 'steps' and 'calories' I expended.  Next time.


Life in Reading...

Mystery book group met on Wednesday evening and it was one of our 'food' meetings.  Always fun.  We had 4 new people and after we convinced them that they could indeed stay and eat, even if they hadn't brought anything, all went well.  Our theme was 'Cozies in the Kitchen' and we read cozy mysteries that had a food theme.  There was the option of bringing a food item that you found in your reading.  It went pretty well and some did prepare recipes they found in their cozy reading.  I was not so inspired and my contribution was guacamole and tortilla chips.  Guess it was OK as very little was left.  Ha!

I'm not a big cozy reader anymore, but I did reread 3 books that I had enjoyed in the past.  Jenn McKinlay's first Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Sprinkle With Murder, is a fun one.  This series is set in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is a humorous one.  Great cupcake recipes and a few bodies.  Jenn also writes several other mystery series.

Karen MacInerney (local author to us in Austin) writes The Gray Whale Inn Mysteries, which begins with Murder On The Rocks.  Protagonist Natalie Barnes leaves Central Texas and takes a chance on a Maine bed and breakfast called The Gray Whale Inn.  Lots of B&B food offerings and a nice mystery as well.  I like this series.

Lastly, I reread Julie Hyzy's first White House Chef mystery, State Of The Onion.  Olivia Paras is an assistant chef at the White House and this series is filled with all kinds of inside info about the kitchens, guests, and staff doings in the White House.  It a little 'tougher' because of including Secret Service and threats of all kinds.  Sadly, this series is at an end, but several of our group have read it and give a thumbs up.  

We had some interesting comments made about food cozies in general and specifically.  Some of our group enjoy cozies and some are not big fans.  Along with some tasty treats and new members, we had a lot to talk about.


Life in Three Pines...

I recently finished reading Louise Penny's 12th mystery in her Armand Gamache/Three Pines series, A Great Reckoning.  I had looked forward to this one and took my time reading it.  I love the way this author tells a story, her language, her symbolism, her aims.  She uses poetry very deftly and inserts it in such a way that the story flows around it smoothly.  This book brought us to Three Pines, but also to other new locations.  All the usual gang was included and a few more characters that I hope we see again.  In each book, more and more layers are revealed and I marvel that Louise can surprise, delight, and horrify me all in one book.  If you have never read a book by this highly gifted author, start with Still Life.  It's a series that begs to be read in order.


Life in coming days...

I'm participating in the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XI during September and October.  My post about it is here.  Fall is the perfect time to sample mysterious, horrifying, Gothic, suspenseful, ghostly tales.  If this sounds like fun to you, join in.  You can sign up on Carl's blog (link in my post).  I'm going to try to read at least some of the books I showed.  Got lots of encouragement to pick up Daisy In Chains and The Woman In Cabin 10.  We'll see what piques my interest next.

Until next time....Happy Reading!! 

R.I.P. XI

It's time for R.I.P. XI, otherwise known as R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril, Number 11.  And I'm in.  This wonderful challenge has been hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings for all by one of the years.  The great artwork is courtesy of Hugo Award winning artist, Abigail Larson.

What is this challenge?  Well, it's where we choose to read or watch  or listen to these things:

 

Mystery

Suspense

Thriller

Dark Fantasy

Gothic

Horror

Supernatural

These are the things that I love to read most of the time and certainly in the fall.  This challenge runs from September 1 until October 31.  The only 'rules' involve 'having fun' and 'sharing your fun with others'.  I think I can do that.  My picture below is very ambitious and, of course, it doesn't include books on my Kindle.  In fact, I think it includes at least one book from my picture for this event last year.  Anyway, this is at least a starting point.  And, did you see the Stephen King TV adaptations?  Yes, I own those and watch them periodically.  I really like all 3 of them and hope to watch again as the days grow short and the nights get darker and spookier!!  To join in, just visit Carl's blog and see what you think!

Waiting On Wednesday - Garden Of Lamentations

This is a weekly event that highlights a book we can't wait to be published.  It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I love Deborah Crombie's mystery series featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James.  Love it!  However, she does take quite a long time to write the books.  I'm so happy to know that the next in the series, number 17, will be available in early 2017.  Yay!  This week I'm waiting on:

Garden Of Lamentations

by Deborah Crombie

Publication Date: February 7th

Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing—and deadly—complications for their own lives in this powerful mystery in the bestselling series.

On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill’s private gardens. To passersby, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she’s sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma and Kincaid’s son.

Gemma soon discovers that Reagan’s death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, a young boy died in a tragic accident. But when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are more sinister forces at play. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer before another innocent life is taken.

While his wife is consumed with her new case, Kincaid finds himself plagued by disturbing questions about several previous—and seemingly unrelated—cases involving members of the force. If his suspicions are correct and the crimes are linked, are his family and friends in mortal danger as well? Kincaid’s hunch turns to certainty when a Metropolitan Police officer close to him is brutally attacked. There’s a traitor in the ranks, and now Kincaid wonders if he can trust anyone.

As Gemma begins to see a solution to her case, she realizes she holds a child’s fate in her hands. Can she do the right thing? And can Kincaid rely on his friends, both inside and outside the Scotland Yard force, to stand beside him as he faces the deadliest challenge of his career?

Tuesday - First Chapter - First Paragraph - A Love Letter To Texas Women

Each Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first part of a book that she is reading or thinking about reading.  This week I'm sharing the first few paragraphs of A Love Letter To Texas Women by Sarah Bird. This is a very short little book, a tribute to the women of Texas.  Sarah Bird is a local author for me and I've discussed more than one of her books at book groups.  When I heard about this book, I knew I'd need to have it.  See what you think:

Me and the Texas Woman, it was not love at first sight.  In fact, my match with her was a bit of an arranged marriage.  One with a rocky start, potholed by cultural misunderstandings and distrust.  It took decades of observation to fully appreciate the Yellow Rose in all her glories.  All her contradictions.  All her glorious contradictions.

Was she Southern?  All belles and balls?  Or was she Western?  Ready to rope and ride and shoot the head off a rattler?  You already know the answer.  You know, that like sulfur, charcoal, and bat guano, the ingredients don't really pop until they're mixed up together into gunpowder.  The Texas Woman is a hybrid with all the vigor that comes from the perfect pairing of the best of two species.  She is Southern but with the Western grit handed down by her foremothers, who could give birth during a Comanche attack, help out when it came time to turn the bulls into steers, and still end up producing more Miss USAs than any other state in the union.

     
Blurb:  

What is it that distinguishes Texas women—the famous Yellow Rose and her descendants? Is it that combination of graciousness and grit that Lady Bird Johnson displayed in beautifying highways and facing down hecklers on the campaign trail? The rapier-sharp wit that Ann Richards and Molly Ivins used to skewer the good ole boy establishment? The moral righteousness with which Barbara Jordan defended the US constitution? An unnatural fondness for Dr Pepper and queso?

In her inimitable style, Sarah Bird pays tribute to the Texas Woman in all her glory and all her contradictions. She humorously recalls her own early bewildered attempts to understand Rosa xanthina, from the big-haired, perfectly made-up ladies at the Hyde Park Beauty Salon to her intellectual, quinoa-eating roommates at Seneca House Co-op for Graduate Women. After decades of observing Texas women, Bird knows the species as few others do. A Love Letter to Texas Women is a must-have field guide for newcomers to the state and the ideal gift to tell any Rosa xanthina how special she is.

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Yes, she had me at the Dr. Pepper and queso.  Ha!  And no, I've never been in a beauty pageant or turned a bull into a steer.  However, I am a native Texan and so definitely a 'Texas Woman'.

And it's fall...

Hello everyone!  Can you believe that it's already September?  Amazing!  This year seems to have flown by.  Hope you are all well.  I have been reading blogs, but know my commenting has been nonexistent.  I'm still trying to decide about blogging.  Should I or not....and I continue to be on the fence about it.  I need to figure out a way not to be 'overly scheduled', but instead be spontaneous.  Sadly, spontaneity is not something I was gifted with.  Sigh.

We've spent some time this summer in New Mexico and I'll share some pictures below from our vacation there.  We'll be returning for another week later this fall.  The climate is cool and lovely in those mountains and it's just about perfect for me.  I took most of the pictures on long walks.

So, what's the 'non plan' here?  Well, we shall see.  Maybe a couple of weekly check-ins and maybe some 'themed' posts like 'Bookish Nostalgia' and Diane's Tuesday First Chapter event.  I'll likely also participate in R.I.P. XI.  Look for a post about that later next week.  Still deciding about 'Waiting On Wednesday', though that does let me highlight some upcoming books that I'm looking for.

I feel like the 'formal' reviews may be in my past.  I suspect that Litsy has spoiled me for that.  I'm thinking perhaps a weekly or every other week post updating my reading, my life, my TV watching, etc., with little blurbs about whatever strikes me.  I enjoy reading those that others write and so that's what I'll do.

Hey, if you are still here...I do appreciate it.  I've had fun on Litsy this summer.  Know it's not for everyone, but I also know that they are close to being available for Android (in beta testing).  Just FYI.  If you are in the US, have a good Labor Day weekend.  The end of summer, yes?  Talk to you soon!

 

How's your summer going? And Litsy...

Just a quick check in to say that I'm still around - still reading books - still reading blogs.  Not commenting, but definitely keeping up with things.  I will say that I did cut back a bit on the number of blogs that I read.  Had to delete some because I just had way, way too many to keep up with.  There's only so much time, right?  And one would like to have some time to actually read - not just read about reading.

Beth Fish Reads had a great interview today with the guys who started Litsy - an app that I've been hearing about for quite some time.  I had considered trying it, but when I cut back on my online presence decided not to join in.  Well, Candace convinced me.  I joined Litsy and you can find me here - @kaysreadinglife.  It's a place to do short little updates, reviews, blurbs and such on books and reading.

I do want to say that I'm planning on being back with posts on this blog by the end of the summer.  I've missed it, but we'll be out of town quite a bit in upcoming weeks and I don't like doing posts from my iPad.  Look for me to be back with some regularity by the latter part of August or early September.

My life is going pretty well.  I did have a bad ear infection a few weeks ago that messed up my inner ear a bunch.  Caused vertigo and that was no fun at all.  I had a really hard time sitting at my computer without feeling like I was tipping over or getting a bit queasy.  It has resolved itself though and for that I am so grateful.  You know, I was a kid with motion sickness and am also an adult with a tendency toward it.  I don't want to spend my life loopy on Dramamine, but I also hate that slightly nauseous feeling.

I'm currently reading Monday, Monday by Elizabeth Crook for a book group meeting in couple of weeks.  It's a reread and I'm enjoying it again.  Lots of local color from my part of the world, which is fun.  The story is good enough, but I'm really in it for the Austin and Texas stuff.  Am listening to The Stranger You Know by Jane Casey - another reread.  Loving this series again, but in audio format.

Take care everyone.  If you are in the US, enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend.  I'll see you in a few weeks!!

My break continues....

I'm going to continue my blogging break for now.  Possibly through the summer.  Am I saying I'm finished with blogging? - well, maybe.  We'll see.  Will leave this blog up  - just in case.  You never know.  I may get the blogging 'bug' again, but I'm content for now.

Life is fine.  We've had a few bumps with family health (mostly my mother-in-law).  We've been out of town and will be gone again off and on during the summer.  I'm reading and enjoying my book groups.  I am reading blogs, but not commenting much.  However, the blog reading has slowed to a couple of times a week.  For now, less time staring at a screen seems to be better for me.

Hope everyone has a fun summer!  Take care and keep on reading!

Kay's spring break....back in a few weeks...

It's that time again.  Time for me to take a break from blogging and concentrate on some other things for a few weeks.  Just life stuff and family needs.  I may be back by the end of May.  Take care and enjoy your April showers and May flowers.  I know I will!

Bookish Nostalgia - April 2016

Yes, yes, we are doing Bookish Nostalgia for April on the very first day of the month!!  So, Happy April and no, I have no April Fool's Day tricks for you.  Honestly, I've never really liked those that much.  Always just seems like a chance to be mean with impunity.  How do you feel about it?  Although I do remember my mother telling me that she and my father had their first date as teens on April 1st.  She said she thought that he was just teasing her.  Not so much though as they were married for 62 years!  Let's see what I've read in April over the years:

 
April 1996 - Montana Sky by Nora Roberts - I have read a lot of Nora Roberts' books over the years, but I must admit that I am much more a fan of her trilogies than her stand alone novels.  Or I really, really like her J. D. Robb persona.  However, Montana Sky might have been the first of her books that I read.  It's set in - wait for it - Montana, and is the story of a rancher named Jack Mercy who dies and leaves his vast holdings to his 3 daughters.  Each daughter was the product of one of Jack's marriages and his will gives specifics for sharing in the inheritance - like coming to live on the ranch for a year.  In the course of the year, they get to know each other and also are placed in danger.  Someone doesn't want the Mercy sisters to have that ranch.  Of course, there's romance - it's Nora Roberts after all - and the mystery is a pretty good one.  This book was made into a TV movie that was decent as I recall.

April 2001 - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - I bet I'm not the only one who has read Anita Diamant's story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob of Israel.  It was very popular with readers for quite some time.  Yes, this is the Jacob of the Bible and Dinah was the only daughter mentioned in the Biblical story.  Of course, there were 12 sons as well.  The red tent referred to the place that the women retreated to when they were considered 'unclean' - during births, monthly cycles, that sort of thing.  Dinah comes to know more about her mother and her father's other wives as the women share their stories and their religious practices.  An interesting fictional look at the culture of Biblical times.  I was fascinated.

 
April 2006 - Our Lady of Pain by Marion Chesney - If you've ever read any of M. C. Beaton's mystery series - Hamish Macbeth or Agatha Raisin - you probably don't realize that her 'real' name is Marion Chesney and that she wrote a short series set in Edwardian times.  I read that 4-book series and really enjoyed it a lot.  It was quite funny, as I recall.  It told about Lady Rose Summer, a debutante of the time, who kept getting into 'situations' and not doing as her father would wish.  Also starring Captain Harry Cathcart, a sort of 'fixer' for wealthy gentlemen.  Their paths cross and obviously, they clash.  With romantic implications.  Anyway, Our Lady of Pain was the last book in the series.  I really don't remember much about it except that Lady Rose has become engaged to Harry, but it's really just to keep her father from making her marry someone else of his choosing.  Harry squires another woman around London and then the woman ends up dead, with Rose standing over the body.  I can see that I need to go back and reread this short series.  If you like Daisy Dalrymple, you might like Rose Summers.

April 2011 - Night Road by Kristin Hannah - I remember Night Road as being a really emotional book.  Lexi is a teenage girl that has been raised mostly in foster care because of her drug-addicted mother.  She comes to Seattle to stay with a great-aunt and slowly tries to fit in to the local high school.  On her first day, she meets Mia, quiet and shy, and the two girls become very close.  Mia has a twin brother, Zach, who is much more outgoing, but who also becomes friends with Lexi.  Their mother, Jude, is so pleased that Mia has a friend, she includes Lexi into their lives.  And then the dynamic changes.  I won't say any more, but I just remember this being a book that I couldn't put down.  Teenagers bring all kinds of drama to many stories don't they?  I know many have read Kristin Hannah's recent book The Nightingale and really loved it.  Well, this is an earlier work, but I think it shows her talent for keeping the reader interested.  It certainly did me.

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That's it for the April offerings.  Maybe you've read one of these.  Maybe this will make you investigate to see if you want to read one.  I hope so.  See you next month for May's Bookish Nostalgia.  No foolin'!