Books I read in January 2015

This started as a new years resolution several years ago and here we are in 2015 and I will list again all the books I read this January: 

The Cheerleader by Jill McCorkle I loved this book years ago and am revisiting it....still like it.
The Heist by Daniel Silva (library) didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
The Minaturist by Jessie Burton (library) I liked this one a lot. Set in Amsterdam
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg rereading this one, I am a huge Elizabeth Berg fan and just got this one in a little free library exchange, so I enjoyed it again
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (library) loved this one lots of information about Elephants and Psychics, missing persons
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (library).  OMG loved this book.  Loved it.  If you are a fan of The Stand or I Am Legend or other books about post apocalyptic plague survivors. Run out and get this book!  I am going to buy a copy so I can read it again and again.   Survivors of a plague that wipes out the Earth are intertwined in interesting ways.  It bounces back and forth from post plague and pre-plague.
As You Wish by Cary Elwes (library) a memoir about the filming of the film, Princess Bride.  A must for fans of the movie.  Loved it.  (Photos too)
 Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (library)I had not read this and it was  recommended to me
On Immunity by Eula Biss (library) very interesting about the history and ramifications of vaccinations
Cod By Mark Kurlansky (library) very interesting look at the Cod and it's role in the exploration of the world and it's part in nourishing the world, I recommend
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (library) Meh, just okay about twins
Bottom Feeder by Taras Grescoe (library) another book about fish! Very interesting
Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel (library) I told you I was going to read everything she has written, I enjoyed this one too!
All the Birds Singing by Elvie Wyld (library) British Author, it was okay
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander (library) I was inspired to read this by some of the happenings on the Downton Abbey TV show with Russian nobility in the 1920's

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Arizona

Arizona is one of the Four Corners states. It has one point in common with New Mexico, Utah, and  the southwestern corner of Colorado.  Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912.

When USAirways merged with America West, I started going to Phoenix a lot more than ever before! And then Ryan's sister moved to Arizona too! So I have an extensive Arizona Postcard collection now.

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Alaska

This year, I am sharing postcards that I have received or collected from every state in the union.

Alaska is situated in the northwest extremity of North America. Alaska is the largest state by area, but the 4th least populous and the least densely populated of all 50 states. (North Dakota, Wyoming and Vermont have fewer residents!! and Wyoming is the least populated.) Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area.

These are from my collection of Alaska postcards, I get a lot of postcards from Alaska from my friends who take Alaska Cruises every year!! LOL

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Alabama

This year I am posting postcards from every state, starting with some postcards from Alabama that I have received from friends.  Alabama is unofficially nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird.   Alabama is also known as the "Heart of Dixie" and the Cotton State. The state tree is the Longleaf Pine and the state flower is the Camellia.  The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. The largest city by population is Birmingham and largest city by total land area is Huntsville. The oldest city is Mobile, founded by the French

Monday's Postcard 2015 - The USA!

This year I thought I would highlight all the postcards that I have collected and received from all over the USA. All 50 states !! I'll start with Washington, DC and proceed alphabetically throughout the rest of the year.

 This first card is from my collection and is a vintage American Airlines postcard. It has a collection of photos of places all around the USA. My Washington DC postcards are vintage 1960's

December Reading

Huge fan of Stephen King and here is a photo of me in front of his house in Bangor Maine!

What I read in December

Going to the Sun by Jean George --she is the author of Julie of the Wolves and one of my favorites, My Side of the Mountain. This story is about a boy and girl in a small town in Montana and their year of living with the mountain goats in Montana's Mission Mountains Range. I enjoyed it
Layer Cake by J. J. Connolly (library) also a film, this is a thriller about London's drug world. Lots of interesting slang, made it kinda of hard to read. Drug slang and British Drug Slang!! LOL
The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page --I have read a bunch of her Body in the....books, but I think I missed this one years ago, fun and goes with the holiday season :-)
Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe about Jane Austen Fandom. I just saw Lost in Austen again and this was fun too
The Agatha Christie Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah (library) a new Hercule Poirot mystery. It was okay. If you are a huge Christie fan, go for it....otherwise, stick to the real deal
Christmas with Anne by L M Montgomery I have Anne on the brain right now because I am involved with an Anne of Green Gables Art exchange (this is how I explain it to the non-letterboxing postal people! )
Maggie Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane found this book on the airplane and it includes short stories by Stephen Crane
Mystery of the Glowing Eye by Carolyn Keene probably most notable for being the book where Nancy is jealous of Marty King, who works for her father!
Essays of E. B. White by E. B. White (library) I had never read these before. Of course I am a huge fan of his Children's books, and I really enjoyed these. I might have to buy this book to have on my shelf and return to again and again.
Fup by Jim Dodge (library) a fun book about a pet duck, real quick read, a novella really
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen I still have a stack of these Rizzoli and Isles books to read. They are not my favorites, so not always the first thing I pick up
Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron (library) and I love Margaret Maron and just have to read these as fast as possible when they become available
Season to Taste by Natalie Young (library) wife kills, then cooks and eats her husband. Let me tell you, it put me off meat for awhile??!! LOL
Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates (library) a girl is missing and an Iraqi Vet is the suspect.