I think it was on my list but I haven't read it yet. What did you think?
I'm currently reading "The Last Lecture" (can't remember author & my baby is screaming in his bed so I should get off the computer and go see why he's not sleeping!!).
JU
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hi everyone. Haven't been online much the past few weeks due to computer issues. I read "Peace Like a River" - may have been from Julia's list. Also more books by Elizabeth Enright about the Melendys. Currently I'm reading Josh's book...."Snowball", a biography of Warren Buffett. I love biographies and he is an interesting person.
That's all for now. When my computer is working again I will get my library list up and running again!!
That's all for now. When my computer is working again I will get my library list up and running again!!
My Newest Favorite
Okay, I just finished reading "A Candle in the Darkness" by Lynn Austin! SO AWESOME!! Seriously, I've been needing one of those "stay up way past bedtime and make you cry" books and this was it!! It probably won't make all (or any) of you cry, that's just ME . . . BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK!! It's a Civil War historical fiction, with an amazing heroine and a beautiful love story intertwined. It was just perfect!! Oh, and it's a trilogy apparently, so tomorrow I will be checking out the other two . . . I'll let you know how they are.
There's my review. Hope you read it!
JU
There's my review. Hope you read it!
JU
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Prizewinner
The movie of that book is awesome/amazing/sad. I've been meaning to read the book for awhile.
For Kami, who asked me for a run-down of the best Shinn books:
YA category:
1) Summers at Castle Auburn--I think I have a soft spot for it since it is the one I read first.
2) The Shape-Changer's Wife--fabulous, very weird and darkish.
The rest of the YA stuff was good, but I don't think you (Kami) would think they were worth your time. They are pretty young. Ana might enjoy The Dream-Makers Magic.
Adult:
1) Mystic and Rider--this is the first Twelfth House book and it works very well as a stand-alone, and I LOVED it. I just gave my copy to Megan to read.
2)Fortune and Fate--the Twelfth House series has four books. This is a book chronologically after those four books, but placed in the same world. I think you'd enjoy it more if you'd read the others because it references other characters and what they are up to, but it also would work beautifully as a stand-alone and I LOVED it.
3) Reader and Raelynx: it is the fourth in the Twelfth House quartet. Fantastic. Actually, while I enjoyed the second and third, you could easily just read the first and fourth, which are the best ones, because you can easily figure out what happened in the other two.
So far, those are my favorite. I haven't read them all. I'm planning on reading them all. I'll keep you posted.
For Kami, who asked me for a run-down of the best Shinn books:
YA category:
1) Summers at Castle Auburn--I think I have a soft spot for it since it is the one I read first.
2) The Shape-Changer's Wife--fabulous, very weird and darkish.
The rest of the YA stuff was good, but I don't think you (Kami) would think they were worth your time. They are pretty young. Ana might enjoy The Dream-Makers Magic.
Adult:
1) Mystic and Rider--this is the first Twelfth House book and it works very well as a stand-alone, and I LOVED it. I just gave my copy to Megan to read.
2)Fortune and Fate--the Twelfth House series has four books. This is a book chronologically after those four books, but placed in the same world. I think you'd enjoy it more if you'd read the others because it references other characters and what they are up to, but it also would work beautifully as a stand-alone and I LOVED it.
3) Reader and Raelynx: it is the fourth in the Twelfth House quartet. Fantastic. Actually, while I enjoyed the second and third, you could easily just read the first and fourth, which are the best ones, because you can easily figure out what happened in the other two.
So far, those are my favorite. I haven't read them all. I'm planning on reading them all. I'll keep you posted.
25 Words or Less
HI Gals!
I just read (skimmed a lot) a remarkable and interesting book!
It's called Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less. It was basically about this mother of ten and wife of a drunk husband who helped support her family by writing ditties and jingles for contests during the "contest era" after WWII. It was so fascinating!
I also just finished reading The Hobit for our RS book group reading. So loved it! I might be a fantasy reader after all. :-)
I'm currently reading Love Comes Softly and really enjoying it.
There you have it!
JULIA
I just read (skimmed a lot) a remarkable and interesting book!
It's called Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less. It was basically about this mother of ten and wife of a drunk husband who helped support her family by writing ditties and jingles for contests during the "contest era" after WWII. It was so fascinating!
I also just finished reading The Hobit for our RS book group reading. So loved it! I might be a fantasy reader after all. :-)
I'm currently reading Love Comes Softly and really enjoying it.
There you have it!
JULIA
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hugo Cabret
I actually tried reading this with the kids last summer and it didn't go too well. We didn't get very far and they weren't all too interested. I've been watning to try again, but I guess it's just not the right time.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Fortune and Fate
I went to the library trying to find Wrapt in Crystal by Sharon Shinn (the main character is named Cowen Drake--sweet), but they didn't have it. They DID have Fortune and Fate, the extra book in the Twelfth House series. It is set in the same place but the main character isn't one of the original six. I loved it. One of my favorite of the Twelfth House books. Good, good, good.
I also read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. You've probaby all heard about it and/or read it as it made quite the splash when it came out. I got it for Timothy for Christmas and we've both read it. It takes less than an hour to read despite looking quite sizeable. It was okay. I though the pictures would add to the story more, but really, they were just illustrations. The plot was pretty simple and at the end I was left without any real desire to recommend it to anyone. I toyed with reading it to Miriam since it does have all the pictures--but I couldn't convince myself that the plot was interesting enough to hold her interest. I do think the 8 year old crowd might really like it as it looks so large, but has so many pictures.
I also read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. You've probaby all heard about it and/or read it as it made quite the splash when it came out. I got it for Timothy for Christmas and we've both read it. It takes less than an hour to read despite looking quite sizeable. It was okay. I though the pictures would add to the story more, but really, they were just illustrations. The plot was pretty simple and at the end I was left without any real desire to recommend it to anyone. I toyed with reading it to Miriam since it does have all the pictures--but I couldn't convince myself that the plot was interesting enough to hold her interest. I do think the 8 year old crowd might really like it as it looks so large, but has so many pictures.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Banning Books for Children!!!
Hey Guys,
I'm still checking to see how legit this is, but I didn't think it would hurt to let a few more people know until I know what the real scoop is. I can't imagine it would be that bad . . . but then, in this world, just just never know!
Julia
The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned
---
Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.
Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.
What does this mean to the homeschooling family?
Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.
No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" -- libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.
(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)
Just how serious is this new law?
Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu- facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.
I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.
(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)
So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children’s books? Or that homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items?
ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:
1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov
2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa- tion, just enter your zip code. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/
3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
4) Sign the petition. http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.
---
For the complete story, read the following links:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries
Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require- ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html
Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html
Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf
Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html
There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/
I'm still checking to see how legit this is, but I didn't think it would hurt to let a few more people know until I know what the real scoop is. I can't imagine it would be that bad . . . but then, in this world, just just never know!
Julia
The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned
---
Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.
Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.
What does this mean to the homeschooling family?
Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.
No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" -- libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.
(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)
Just how serious is this new law?
Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu- facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.
I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.
(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)
So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children’s books? Or that homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items?
ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:
1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov
2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa- tion, just enter your zip code. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/
3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
4) Sign the petition. http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.
---
For the complete story, read the following links:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries
Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require- ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html
Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html
Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf
Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html
There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Response to Ju
Sharon Shinn is more a girly fantasy writer in that there is lots of romance. However, they are definitely more fantasy than Enchanted Chocolate Pot and less fantasy than Tolkien. So--there you go.
Just Finished
Just finished the Mysterious Benedict Society. It was worth reading. But I must say a tad bit repetative . . . like the kids would discover what they already knew. And the ending started to have a great climax but then fizzled out (for me). I did like it. It is/was on the New York Best Seller's list and I would reccommend it. I might even read the second one. BUT, I wouldn't say it was my favorite.
I forgot to mention we're also reading The Hobbit for our RS book group. Should be interesting. I'll be starting that today.
Ans - - how "fantasy" are the Twelfth books? Are they for me? Were they like Enchanted Chocolate pot or more like Lord of the Rings style?
Ju
I forgot to mention we're also reading The Hobbit for our RS book group. Should be interesting. I'll be starting that today.
Ans - - how "fantasy" are the Twelfth books? Are they for me? Were they like Enchanted Chocolate pot or more like Lord of the Rings style?
Ju
Monday, January 5, 2009
What I've Been Reading
I read the first half of How Stupid Are We. The one about the American voter. I wasn't a fan. Basically, it was used as another Bush-bashing venue. I quit reading it.
Then I read the Twelfth House series by Sharon Shinn. FANTASTIC!!! I loved it--especially the first and last (there were four). The first one is a must-read for all fantasy fans--and it works as a stand-alone if you don't want to read the rest. Of course, after you read the first one, you'll want to finish them all. But . . . in case you don't, the first one really does work as a stand-alone. The main character in the first book (Mystic and Rider) is a mystic who can control fire. She gets really mad in a few scenes and what she does with fire is way cool. The other main character is a King's Rider--one of the most elite fighting force in the kingdom. He's sweet--in a teenager "sweet!" sort of way. Loved them.
Thanks for updating us Julia--I think it is fun to hear what people are reading.
Then I read the Twelfth House series by Sharon Shinn. FANTASTIC!!! I loved it--especially the first and last (there were four). The first one is a must-read for all fantasy fans--and it works as a stand-alone if you don't want to read the rest. Of course, after you read the first one, you'll want to finish them all. But . . . in case you don't, the first one really does work as a stand-alone. The main character in the first book (Mystic and Rider) is a mystic who can control fire. She gets really mad in a few scenes and what she does with fire is way cool. The other main character is a King's Rider--one of the most elite fighting force in the kingdom. He's sweet--in a teenager "sweet!" sort of way. Loved them.
Thanks for updating us Julia--I think it is fun to hear what people are reading.
What I've been Reading
Here's my latest update:
I'm currently reading The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
So far so good! It's taken me 300 pages to finally have that "can't put this book down" feeling, but I think it is very clevery and a great book.
I just finished reading, "This year I will . . . " by M.J. Ryan. Basically a great book on setting goals and how to actually follow through and accomplish them. The main thing it inspired me was to recognize the small steps taken toward your goal rather than trying to finish it in a day and thus not finishing it at all! Great book!
And, I have a book I've started and plan to read ASAP - - it's called "Get Everyone in Your Boat Rowing in the Same Direction: 5 Leadership Principles to Follwo so Others will Follow You" by Bob Boylan. It's mainly for corporate managers and such, but I figure, HEY Mom's run their own mini coroporations, so I'm assuming it will be helpful. :-) hee-hee
Last but not least, I just read "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" (can't remember author). Have any of you read this?? I would LOVE to add this to our book chat someday. It's a very intriguing book. Definitely worth reading, but better if you have someone to discuss it with!
Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas! Post about your New Year's Goals . . . I'd love to hear what you're all working on. LOL JULIA
I'm currently reading The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
So far so good! It's taken me 300 pages to finally have that "can't put this book down" feeling, but I think it is very clevery and a great book.
I just finished reading, "This year I will . . . " by M.J. Ryan. Basically a great book on setting goals and how to actually follow through and accomplish them. The main thing it inspired me was to recognize the small steps taken toward your goal rather than trying to finish it in a day and thus not finishing it at all! Great book!
And, I have a book I've started and plan to read ASAP - - it's called "Get Everyone in Your Boat Rowing in the Same Direction: 5 Leadership Principles to Follwo so Others will Follow You" by Bob Boylan. It's mainly for corporate managers and such, but I figure, HEY Mom's run their own mini coroporations, so I'm assuming it will be helpful. :-) hee-hee
Last but not least, I just read "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" (can't remember author). Have any of you read this?? I would LOVE to add this to our book chat someday. It's a very intriguing book. Definitely worth reading, but better if you have someone to discuss it with!
Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas! Post about your New Year's Goals . . . I'd love to hear what you're all working on. LOL JULIA
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