Epitaph Quiz – guessing closed

February 19, 2013February 25, 201320 Comments

I hope that you’ll try your hand at my (mostly) bookish quizzes every week, but it’s okay if you just want to play when the quiz interests you. If you play you are eligible for a prize at the end of the round (sometime in June). For all of the details, click here. Submit your answers in the comment section – I will stop by and hide them throughout the week but try not to copy off anyone else You have til Sunday to guess.

Identify these famous writers by the inscription on their tomb.

Your choices-Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost, JRR Tolkien, Jack London, F Scott Fitzgerald, Kurt Vonnegut, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, HG Wells, Emily Dickinson

1. “I told you so, you damned fools.” HG Wells

2. “Beren” JRR Tolkien

3. “The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music.” Kurt Vonnegut

oops! I forgot #4! and it was the one everyone would have known 🙂

5. “I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.” Robert Frost

6. “Called Back” Emily Dickinson

7. “The Stone the Builders Rejected” Jack London

8. “Steel True, Blade Straight” Sir Arthur Conana Doyle

9. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” F Scott Fitzgerald

10. “And alien tears will fill for him, Pity’s long, unbroken urn. For his mourners will be outcast men, And outcasts always mourn.” Oscar Wilde

Answers to last week’s Heart Week Quiz here. Rules and Leaderboard here.

With love on Valentine’s Day, Grandma

February 14, 201332 Comments

We all have grandmothers. Some were gone before we came and some we never saw, and others, if you are lucky, show you the deep love of age and wisdom. I am one of the lucky ones. My grandma died today at the age of 90. While not a surprise, it is still hard to know she is no longer here, that Gage will probably not remember her.

She was the second oldest of 9 and mother of 6 (all of which she had in a 10 year pear period). She married my grandfather when she was 19 and he built her a house up the street from his family (he was the oldest of 12) where they lived their lives together. And when I say he built her a house that’s what I mean, handmade with love, no contractors or shortcuts. My grandfather died in 1992 and my grandmother never considered another man. Her life was full of family and church.

She was a strong woman full of unshakeable faith in God and was generous to a fault. Her door was always open (and if it wasn’t everyone in the world knew where to find the key) to anyone who wanted to talk or was in need. She was a formidable woman and the older I got the more I appreciated the authentic and full life she lived. It was and is inspiring. Family came first, but she never met a stranger and she kept her mind sharp over the years with crossword puzzles and chronicling her life for her kids and grandkids. And she received all of the love she gave out ten-fold at the end of her life. In hospice care for a year and a half, three meals a day were fed to her by her children or grandchildren and she was not ever alone in the days before her death, with the family holding vigil for her.

She instilled a love of family and God in her children that will be seen for many, many generations to come. She was a rock. She was love and faith. She was my grandmother and I will miss her.

I love photo of Gage meeting his great-grandma for the first time.

Heart Week Quiz – again

February 13, 2013February 17, 20134 Comments

I know that yesterday’s heart covers were challenging (I didn’t know how challenging til you all started leaving your answers yesterday!) and I wanted to remind you that if you come across any of these covers this week you can come back and leave your answers even if you’ve already submitted titles. Just make sure you leave the answers on the original post here.

Heart Week Quiz – guessing closed

February 12, 2013February 17, 201319 Comments

Do you recognize these covers? 6 points for title, 2 points for author. (Sorry about the quality of the pictures!)

1. Between the Plums-Janet Evanovich

2. Another Piece of My Heart-Jane Green

3. Maybe This Time-Jennifer Crusie

4. The Lovers-John Connolly

5. Dope Thief-Dennis Tafoya

6. This Is How You Lose Her-Junot Diaz

7. The Man Who Ate the 747-Ben Sherwood

8. Heartsick-Chelsea Cain

9. Stay-Allie Larkin

10. Swin Back to Me-Ann Packer

11. The Naked King-Sally MacKenzie

12. By Bread Alone-Sarah-Kate Lynch

13. Landing-Emma Donoghue

14. Heartburn-Nora Ephron

Answers to last week’s Writers Lost in 2012 quiz here.

Timeless Desire by Gwyn Cready and why reading on the iPhone isn’t the best use of technology

February 7, 201317 Comments

Timeless Desire. Finished 2-6-13, rating 3.75/5, romance, pub. 2012

I added this to my wishlist when I read Mary’s review and then she posted again when the ebook went on sale for 99 cents. Never one to pass up a deal I bought it. Keep in mind that I received a Nook for my birthday in October and have read only a few books on it. I got caught at the salon (having my hair cut and colored for the first time in over 6 months. Yikes!) with NO BOOK. But I did have my iPhone and the Nook app so it took me seconds to download this one but forever to read. So here’s my deal, I think the further away from actual books I get the less enjoyment that I receive from reading them. I like my Nook fine and find it great when I have insomnia but don’t want to wake Jason or leave bed, BUT I’ll still choose a real, honest to goodness book given the choice. As for reading a book on the iPhone, I cannot possibly recommend it. Yes, I always had a book with me, but it really didn’t feel like a book. It felt like I was reading in between important things and for mere minutes at a time. I’m glad I tried it and I’m not crazy enough to say I will never do it again, but my expectations for enjoyment are low. Okay, just wanted to share so that you understand that my thoughts on this one are probably influenced by ADD iPhone reading.

Panna is modern librarian who buried her much loved husband two years ago and is still resisting getting close to another man. At least until she finds a passageway that leads her to Captain Jamie Bridgewater in the early 1700’s. Jamie is living on the border of England and Scotland and has the heritage of both and Panna’s arrival is catalyst for change.

I thought this was a fun time travel romance. The sex scenes were imaginative for sure but I really hate the ‘it’s all a dream or fantasy’ sex scenes. What’s the point? Anyway, other than that I thought it was fun and I will definitely read more by Cready. In paper this time.

I can recommend this for any romance lover. The characters are sexy and Jamie and Panna’s stories were both compelling and worthwhile.

Writers Lost in 2012 Quiz – guessing closed

February 5, 2013February 10, 201326 Comments

Tuesday Quizzes are back!! I hope that you’ll try your hand at my (mostly) bookish quizzes every week, but it’s okay if you just want to play when the quiz interests you. If you play you are eligible for a prize at the end of the round (sometime in June). For all of the details, click here. Submit your answers in the comment section – I will stop by and hide them throughout the week but try not to copy off anyone else 🙂 You have til Sunday to guess.

These writers all died last year. Oh, and no googling!!! This is just for fun, for pete’s sake!

1. This screenwriter, producer, journalist, and author was responsible for some of my favorite movies (When Harry Met Sally being one) and her 1983 novel Heartburn chronicled some of her married life with Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein. Nora Ephron 5-19-1941/6-26-12

2. Science fiction found a new voice with the publication of the The Martian Chronicles in 1950. This powerhouse also wrote a famous book about burning books. Ray Bradbury 8-22-1920/6-5-2012

3. Who will know where the wild things are now? Maurice Sendak 6-10-1928/5-8-2012

4. He may be the last of a generation of authors who served in WWII. His specialty was the historical novel, including titles like Lincoln, Julian, and Burr, but he also wrote many screenplays, including Ben Hur. Gore Vidal 10-3-1925/7-31-2012

5. One of Ireland’s best-loved writers wrote 16 novels. Her first, Light a Penny Candle (1982), Circle of Friends (1990), and an Oprah book club selection in 1999 being a few favorites. Maeve Binchy 5-28-1940/7-30-2012

6. Without him people would not know these 7 habits of annoyingly effective people. Steven Covey 10-24-1932/7-16-2012

7. He died in a car accident while touring for his own book, but he was also a well-known co-author on such books as The Last Lecture as well as books with Captain Sully Sullenberger and Gabrielle Giffords. Jeffrey Zaslow 10-6-1958/2-10-2012

8. This Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years also wrote the bestseller Sex and the Single Girl in 1962. Helen Gurley Brown 2-18-1922/8-13-2012

9. This Canadian turned New York writer wrote three collections of essays, all of them winning awards. David Rakoff 11-27-1964/8-9-2012

10. This motivational speaker wrote See You at the Top and Selling 101. Plus he has cool initials. Zig Ziglar 11-6-1926/11-28-2012

Gage reads Pansy at the Palace by Cynthia Bardes

February 3, 2013March 23, 201320 Comments

Pansy at the Palace-A Beverly Hills Mystery, written by Cynthia Barnes and illustrated by Kim Weissenborn was sent to us by the publicist.

Pansy’s life blossoms when she is adopted from an animal shelter by a loving family and little girl named Avery. Swept into her new life at the Palace Hotel in Beverly Hills, this smart and courageous puppy saves the day by solving a mysterious theft. Pansy at the Palace celebrates the spirit of curiosity and exploration, and teaches us that no one is too small to make a difference in the lives of many!

32 pages casebound with jacket, full color published by Octobre Press (from PansyAtThePalace.com)

We went out to Buffalo Wild Wings (a great chain restaurant that does an excellent job with an allergy-free menu) last night and took Pansy with us. Gage was less enamored with the book than I was only because I think it is just out of his age level at 2 and as much as I loved the illustrations he sometimes found them too busy, probably because it was just out of his range. He did like the simpler illustrations and there was about the right amount of reading on the each page for him, so I can see us trying this agin in a month or two and having it be more fun for him.

Here’s what I loved. The book itself is wonderfully done. Hardcover with great dust jacket and the pages are thick with beautiful, colorful illustrations.

The story itself of a dog being rescued from a shelter is perfect for kids. I think if you are going to go to a shelter to choose a dog or cat then this book would really teach your child what a great thing rescuing animals is and to feel great about having a rescue at home. And what dog doesn’t want to be rescued and taken to live in luxury hotel in Beverly Hills? It doesn’t hurt that Pansy is adorable and smart.

And there is a mystery involving stolen jewelry, so if you want to turn your young one into a mystery lover than this is a great place start. I loved it.

Pansy at the Palace Fun fact whenever I see Beverly Hills in a book I always fondly remember the one day I worked there many moons ago. I made cold calls to businesses to try to get them to buy office supplies. Every girl who was working there had to say that her name was Linda Black so that when you transferred them for the sale the manager didn’t have to think about who to say. I had to take 2 buses to get there and then I had to say I was Linda Black all day long. I didn’t go back for day two. I’m glad that it worked out better for Pansy 🙂

January’s 5 word movie reviews – with money for charity

February 1, 2013April 11, 201823 Comments

It’s a new year for the monthy 5 word movie reviews and your chance to win money for charity. You know the drill, add your 5 words to mine and earn $1 for charity. Once we get to $100 the person with the most reviews will choose the charity. Click here to see the past winners and the charities they chose and to see the other reviews you can add to. Let’s start 2013 off with a bang! (and I promise I’ll watch better movies next month!)

Zero Dark Thirty, 2012 (Cast-Jessica Chastain, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Ehle) Grade B

Tortuous beginning with satisfying finish.

Intense Provocative Intelligent Modern Conversation. (Jenners)

Great production zero emotional connection. (Louise)

Note to Jessica Chastain: dark. (Tony)

Sexiest CIA operative ever. Winning! (Brendan)

Skyfall, 2011 (Cast-Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes) Grade B/B-

Javier, divine. Studly, aging 007.

Love that Bond, even aging. (Kay)

Bond – lean, mean, but tender. (Nise)

Home Alone only spy style. (Heather)

Javier, most interesting villain around! (Harvee)

Daniel Craig hottest Bond ever (Sheree)

Possibly the best Bond ever. (Louise)

This one was too slick. (Tony)

Larry Crowne, 2011 (Cast-Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts) Grade B-

Decent Tom and Julia romcom.

Had potential…but fizzled out. (Heather)

Julia and Tom had chemistry. (Michelle)

Love the actors, not movie. (Debbie)

Everyone’s charming, but also low-key. (Tony)

In Time, 2011 (Cast- Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Johnny Galecki, Olivia Wilde) Grade C

Money is Time. Wasted potential.

It needed a time out. (Heather)

Inventive, sad, long, but enjoyable. (Jenny)

Fabulous idea but rubbish film. (Louise)

Neat idea, but glad DVD. (Debbie)

The Sitter, 2011 (Cast-Jonah Hill, Sam Rockwell) Grade C-

Won’t be Gagesitting for sure!

Before Jonah Hill lost weight. (Michelle)

Obnoxiously funny, OK on DVD. (Debbie)

A Thousand Words, 2011 (Cast-Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington, Clark Duke) Grade C-

999 words too many.

Eddie Murphy: words can’t describe. (Tony)

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen, just what I needed

January 30, 201318 Comments

The Girl Who Chased the Moon. Finished 1-29-13, rating 4.5/5, magical realism, 269 pages, pub. 2010

Something suddenly caught her eye. She quickly stepped to the balustrade. She thought she saw something in the woodline beyond the gazebo in the overgrown backyard.

There! There is was again. It was a bright white light-a quick, zippy flash-darting between the trees. Gradually, the light faded, moving back into the darkness of the wood until it disappeared completely.

Welcome to Mullaby, North Carolina, she thought. Home of ghost lights, giants, and jewelry thieves.

Chapter One

Emily recently lost her mother, the only family she has ever known, and is shipped off to her grandfather in North Carolina. Julia is from Mullaby but left as a teenager only to return as an adult after her father died. Both plan on being there for short time, but both find themselves with reasons to stay in the quaint, close-knit town full of secrets and charm.

I loved Allen’s first book Garden Spells and found myself almost as enchanted with this quirky and magical tale of lost love and the trials of growing up. She has a talent for making stories that are light and still satisfying. Oh, and romantic. Emily and Julia both found men to appreciate them even when they didn’t want to be appreciated. Julia’s story of her teen years carried the novel for me and I was happy to see her get her happy ending (this is Sarah Addison Allen so I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that).

I like magical realism, especially when done well, and need to read more. Let me know if you have a favorite.

This was from my personal library and I decided to read it after I saw it on Carrie’s 2012 favorites list.

It’s Friday so let’s talk about reality tv

January 25, 201317 Comments

I usually try to keep Friday posts to movie topics but I was wondering if I was the only one who watches reality tv? There are 4 reality shows that I have watched every show of every season. There are others I’ve tried in the past and maybe lasted a season or two but these are the ones I just can’t give up.

Survivor: Season One - The Greatest and Most Outrageous Moments Survivor. You had me at hello, Jeff Probst. Watching you skillfully and respectfully navigate through these crazy characters makes me happy. Some seasons have been better than others but even after 25 seasons I have no intention of giving it up. Although watching Russell Hantz for three seasons almost made me throw in the towel.

Project Runway: Season One Project Runway. I watch this show for the sheer talent of these designers not for any fashion sense I have. I am always amazed at what they can whip up in a day and then be able to be creative enough to do it day after day. Tim Gunn such a perfect mentor and I wish he made housecalls! Season 11 started last night.

Top Chef: New York - Complete Season 5 Top Chef. Just as I am not a fashionista but still love Project Runway, I am not an accomplished chef in any way and I still love this cooking show. I love Tom Colicchio, the head judge. This show is addictive and it may even turn you into a bit of a foodie. We’re in season 9 now and I feel much more confident eating at fine restaurants and even cooking with new ingredients. It’s inspirational and instructional!

The Voice has only had 3 seasons but I’ve loved them all. I love the idea of choosing a singer blind and how each of the coaches really mentors their singers. I think I made it through 3 seasons of American Idol too, but I can see myself sticking with this show. I’m not a country music fan, but Blake Shelton is so darn nice and Adam Levine isn’t so hard to look at either.

So, admit it, what ‘reality’ shows have you hooked?

Stacy's Books

books, movies, and boy

Author: stacybuckeye