A-Z Challenge Completed

I finished another challenge!  The challenge was to read 2 books for each letter – one for the title and on for the author.  So, 52 books later I can cross it off my list of challenges.

I liked the fact that I had to find books that I never would have looked at before.   I started on one shelf at the library and read the first book that had a title that started with K (Killer Mousse by Melinda Wells) and loved it.  I also used the library to find an author for X and discovered the sweet gem, Sky Burial by Xinran.  And I never would have considered The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton without the need for an X title.  If you are titling your book, consider starting it with an X!

You can find the list of books I read for this challenge here.

 This was fun and I hope to do it again next year.  Thanks for hosting it, Becky!

The Housekeeper and the Professor, by Yoko Ogawa

Cover ImageFinished 10-24-09, rating 4.5/5, fiction, pub. 2003 in Japanese & 2009 in English

In school, I had hated math so much that the mere sight of the textbook made me feel ill.  But the things the Professor taught me seemed to find their way effortlessly into my brain – not because I was an employee anxious to please her employer but because he was such a gifted teacher.  There was something profound in his love for math.  And it helped that he forgot what he’d taught me before, so I was free to repeat the same question until I understood.

Chapter 2

The mathematics Professor was in a car accident in 1975 and as a result he lost his short-term memory.  Every 80 minutes his brain resets and the only memories he has are the ones made before the crash.  He spends his days in a cottage on his sister-in-law’s property solving math problems for prize money.  To make it through he writes notes on scraps of paper and pins them to his suit jacket, which he wears every day.

The Housekeeper, a single mom, is hired to take care of him and the cottage during the day.  When she starts bringing her son, who the Professor nicknames Root, the three form a bond over math and baseball. 

This Japanese story is charming and original.  There are actual math problems in the book and not being a math lover myself (or maybe math doesn’t love me?) I was surprised at how I was drawn into the heartfelt story.  There was beauty in the simplicity of the writing and in the math.  I was rooting for these three who needed and loved each other.  There were even some nice surprises to be found along the way.

I highly recommend this one. 

This was a library copy.

Murder on Nob Hill, by Shirley Tallman

Cover ImageFinished 1024-09, rating 4/5, mystery, pub. 2004

Book 1 in the Sarah Woolson series

Despite claims to the contrary – some, I fear, voiced by members of my own family – I pride myself on being an honest woman.  As a matter of principle, I hold dissimulation of any kind in contempt.  That said, I probably should add that I also subscribe to the old adage “God helps those who help themselves,” even if this sometimes entails being economical with the truth.

First paragraph of the book

Sarah Woolson is a strong young woman living in a time when strong women were frowned upon.  It’s 1880 and she has managed to get an interview with a leading law firm, but she is promptly shown the door because of her sex.  Not willing to step aside she steals a client and the firm takes her in to save face.  Now she must travel around San Francisco trying to prove her client innocent of murdering her rich husband and one of his powerful friends. 

Sarah is take no prisoners kind of gal and this really irks the lawyer who is assigned to following/helping her with the case.  And her brothers prove helpful as does her judge father.  She is not afraid of getting her hands dirty, but her mind is her best asset.  There is a lot to like about Sarah. 

The mystery was good.  I didn’t figure it out until right before Sarah did and it was a satisfying ending.  The family was a warm and fun and accepting of Sarah, well except for one brother running for California Senator, and I look forward to learning more about them as Sarah continues her adventures in the next book.

This did remind me of the Deadly series by Brenda Joyce if you are a fan.  Not any romance in this one, but I do see potential.

This was a library copy.

Teaser Tuesday – Seduce Me

teasertuesdays31Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read. Open to a random page.Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!). Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

“We can hide in there,” he said, pointing to the sarcophagus.

“Are you mad?” Esme stopped and stared at him.  “We cannot hide in a coffin.”

Chapter 14

Cover Image

I won this at Book Reviews by Bobbie and was thinking I would get to it during the read-a-thon, but the first time I opened it was to find a teaser today.  I’ll let you know if I’m seduced by it later 😉

Common Thread Quiz

The last two quizzes are here and here and there is still time to participate.  If you are the first one with the right answer in those quizzes or this one you will earn an extra entry in my Birthday Book Giveaway.

What is the common denominator in these book combinations?  Tell me the number and what you think the five books have in common,  Go ahead and take a guess – you could be right!  And #10 is movies.  I got the idea from my 9 in ’09 last Friday.

1.A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore: Book CoverCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Set in San Francisco – Mark (who is probably voting for Michael Irvin right now in Dancing with the Stars)

 

2.Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

2nd book in a trilogy – Candice

 

3.Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Books made into movies starring Emma Thompson – Candice

 

4. Primary Colors by Joe Klein: Book CoverCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Fictional US Presidents as chracters – Debbie (Wrighty Reads)

 

5. Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Main characters are named John – ‘Nise

 

6. Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

One of main characters is gay – Strangelove

 

7. Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Edgar Award winners for Best Novel – Mark

 

8. Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Set in Ireland – Stranglove

 

9.Cover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover ImageCover Image

Redheaded Protagonists – Strangelove

10.Sleepless in SeattleMixed NutsMichaelBewitchedJulie & Julia

Directed and written by Nora EphronKathy (bermuuda onion)

Read-a-Thon Wrap up

I just finished The Post man Always Rings Twice by Cain.  It was my 6th book.  950 pages, 7 hours of audio book listening and no sleep.  Here’s what I read…

Murder On Nob Hill by Shirley Tallman: Book CoverThe Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa: Book CoverGodmother by Carolyn Turgeon: Book CoverThe Funny Thing Is... by Ellen DeGeneres: Book CoverManhunting by Jennifer Crusie: Book CoverThe Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain: Book Cover

My favorite was The Housekeeper and the the Professor.  Here are the wrap up questions…

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  6:30-7:30 AM
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  The Ellen Degeneres book helped me laugh, so probably any hunor book would work.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I thought it was great.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  Everything.  Liked the mini challenges – even if I didn’t win anything.
5. How many books did you read? 6
6. What were the names of the books you read? see above
7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Housekeeper and the the Professor by Ogawa
8. Which did you enjoy least?  Manhunting by Crusie
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?  Too tired to come up with anything right now.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I would love to participate again.  I would probably devote some hours to cheering as well as reading. 

I had a great ime in my first read-a-thon and look forward to posting this and heading to bed.  Even as the sunslight streams into the room.

Mid Event Meme

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?  The Funny Thing is…by Ellen Degeneres

2. How many books have you read so far? I’ve finished 3

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  I have not thought past the books I’m reading now 🙂

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?  Just warned my husband that he would only see me during our 2 football games, reading of course! 

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  Small ones, took a nice long bath, kids at the door, fixing snacks, football games…I guess there have been a few.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  I like the challenges, but wonder what’s going on with everyone else. 

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  Nope.  It’s been great so far.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  Maybe schedule a few hours as a cheerleader.

9. Are you getting tired yet?  My eyes are a little tired.  After the book I’m reading, I’ll listen to an audio book.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?  I felt a little tired of reading after finishing Godmother, especially since I didn’t love it, but choosing a humor book that is making me laugh out loud has reenergized me.

Just spent 4 hours with Godmother

dreamstime_readathongI just finished Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon.  I wanted to love it, lots of bloggers did, but it wasn’t quite for me.  More on that another time.    My husband did read to me from the book we are reading to together How Successful People Think, but I don’t think we’ll finish it during the read-a-thon since the Michigan State football game just started.

Next up The Funny Thing is…by Ellen Degeneres.

Books Finished- 3

Pages Read – 653

Fun Quote from Godmother

I couldn’t believe that it was all right there, for anyone to see.  In the old days, no one spoke what they felt, and what we tapped into was buried deep.  Now here was a modern girl, with all the secret desires right up there on the screen.  It was the modern way.

page 92

It’s 8 and I’ve Got a Date!

dreamstime_readathongI’m up (barely) and ready to read.  First up is Murder on Nob Hill by Tallman.  I’m halfway through this one and really enjoying it.  Next update when I’ve finished it.

Books finished – 0

Pages Read – 0

Coffee consumed – 1

Food eaten- Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese

Hour One Challenge

Where are you reading from today? near Cleveland, Ohio

3 facts about me … I love cream cheese and everything bagels, I’d rather stay up til 8am than get up by 8 am, I woke up many times during the night because I was excited about a whole aday of reading 🙂

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Lots

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? My only goal is to read for the whole 24 hours.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? first-timer

9 in ’09 with Hallie Ephron

A few weeks  ago I reviewed 1001 Books for Every Mood by Hallie Ephron and really enjoyed it.  Hallie took the time to email me after seeing the review and offered to send me a copy of her newest book The Bibliophiles Devotional: 365 Days of Literary Classics.  I mean how can a list lover like me resist a book from a great list maker?  I couldn’t resist and I’ve been reading about a new book every day and loving it.  Thanks, Hallie! 

Anyway, Hallie is the author of 4 books and you can visit her website here

And now the nine questions…

1. My first question has to be about growing up in a house full of writers.  What was your childhood like with parents who were writers and three other sisters (Nora, Delia,Amy) who are writers too? It must have been wonderful to grow up in such a creative home.

Our house overflowed with books – wall to wall bookcases, bedside tables stacked with books to be read and re-read (cookbooks and children’s books on my mother’s; history and economics on my father’s), and as kids we were read to early and often (the Oz books, Little Women, The Little Princess…).  My mother recited poetry after dinner, and we grew up cherishing words.

2. I loved your book 1001 Books For Every Mood, probably because I love books and lists.  How long did it take for you to decide what books to include and did you have to cut any favorites?

Thank you!  I love books and lists, too.  It took me months to decide which books to include.  I started, of course, with my favorites, and then talked to booksellers and librarians and readers and anyone who had the temerity to cross my path holding a book.  I also cherry-picked from many great lists out there, like Sports Illustrated list of best sports books, Business Week’s list of best business books, TIME’s list of great books, and of course the ones that Oprah has recommended.  If someone mentioned a book I hadn’t heard of I found it to decide if I thought it was gem worthy including.

3. Your new book The Bibliophile’s Devotional is 365 Days of Literary Classics.  Can you tell us what defines a classic for you?

Hmmm…I’d say one that’s stood the test of time.  One that influenced the way we think, like books that were the first of their kind (did you know Oliver Twist was the first book in English with a child protagonist?).

4. You write book reviews for the Boston Globe.  Do you think  blogs and websites devoted to books have changed newspaper reviews or do you think they serve two different purposes?

I think blogs and web sites can give books visibility that is so very hard to garner right now since there are so many books out there and so little is spent on advertising.  They can build buzz and community.  Book reviews serve more of a critical purpose, I thin, to select and highlight quality (good and bad).

5. Have you discovered a favorite new author in the last year or two?

Oh, gosh yes.  Where to begin?  Leonie Swan (“Three Bags Full”); Carolyn Wall (“Sweeping Up Galss”); Josh Bazell (“Beat the Reaper”); Alan Bradley (“The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”); Spencer Quinn (“Dog On It”)…I could go on.

6. I love quotes.  Do you have a favorite?

Not so much a quote as a paragraph…I LOVE Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” – read it to revel in the words and images.  It’s pure joy.  One of my favorite stories in it is “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”  SO FULL of wonderful lines!  Here’s just a sample: “Eeta Peeca Pie grew up with wishes and wishes working inside him.  And for every wish inside him he had a freckle outside on his face.  Whenever he smiled the smile ran way back into the far side of his face and got lost in the wishing freckles.”  Don’t you love that idea of “wishing freckles?”

7. What are you currently reading?

For myself I just read Sheila Wellers’ “Girls Like Us” – it’s a meaty nonfiction about Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon, and the generation they exemplify.  Loved it.

8. If you were trapped in the life of one fictional character who would you choose?

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)

9. And finally, what are you working on now?

I’m finishing a novel – psychological suspense like my last one “Never Tell a Lie.”

Thanks so much for stopping by, Hallie!