March 2016 Reading

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin Truman Capote among the rich and famous in NYC I enjoyed it
Blues of a Lifetime The Autobiography of Cornell Woolrich Ed. by Mark Bassett  I have been fascinated with this Author once I found out that he wrote so many books that were made into Films during the 30's and 40's, but how many recognize his name?
The Big Short by Michael Lewis (library) made into a movie, about the bursting of the housing/loan bubble. I could barely keep up with all the financial wheeling and dealing. Basically, only a few saw it coming and no one else thought there was anything wrong?
Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming (library) Very interesting Autobiography of one of my favorite actors
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty (library) I really really enjoy this author and this is now one of my favorites by her
The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty by Amanda Filipacchi (library) There was a lot in this book that was just plain silly, but the message is looks are not everything.
Ghostman by Roger Hobbs (library) a heist book. I really liked it. About a casino robbery gone wrong in Atlantic City and the "fixer", the Ghostman who comes in and cleans up the mess.
Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards (library) dealing with grief by helping an abused horse
What was Mine by Helen Klein Ross(library) about a woman who kidnaps a baby and raises it as her own and what happens when the child finds out when she is 20 years old.
My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates (library) thinly disguised re-telling of the Jon Benet Ramsey tragedy from the point of view of a sibling.The format was a little odd...very disjointed and that bothered me reading it. Lots of weird footnotes and so forth.
Looking for Andrew McCarthy by Jenny Colgan Fun Chic Lit Ellie thinks that Andrew McCarthy can solve her relationship problems. something Kinda weird....both this book and What Was Mine had scenes in an Ikea store at the beginning of the book. Such a weird coincidence !

Monday's Postcard 2016: Sailboats

  These postcards were advertising for these sailboats that were available for charter in the 1970's. I found them in a bunch of my Dad's papers after he died.

Monday's Postcard 2016: Daiso

I bought these postcards at Daiso...what I call the Japanese Dollar Store. They have quirky things from Japan and everything is $1.50  Check them out and see if there is a Daiso store near you!! Daiso

Monday's Postcard 2016: Bears

I got these postcards as examples of an artist in California many years ago. I could not afford to buy a painting, but I can buy postcards. I love these!

Monday's Postcard 2016: Brussels Sprouts

I am not a fan of Brussels Sprouts, so some people think it is funny to send me postcards that feature this vegetable.

February 2016 Reading

Give Me Everything You have on Being Stalked by  James Lasdun (library) I read this book, because I had read a review of it that said: "the book's most terrifying revelation is the idea that all that is necessary for a person's life to be made utterly miserable is for another person to want this badly enough, for whatever reason. The internet is the genie that grants such poisonous wishes. And I have seen how crazy things can get between people on facebook and yahoo groups and other forums on the internet.
Maggie Smith A Biography by Michael Coveney (library) if you are a Maggie Smith fan, read it, but just for anyone....it was a little dry. She is just a fabulous person. It would be like reading a biography of your own grandmother or aunt.
The Storied Life of A J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin   (library) Loved it!! I need to go buy it right now, So I can have it in my house forever
The Clue in the Crossword Cipher by Carolyn Keene my dose of Nancy Drew reading this month.
The Witches by Stacy Schiff  a telling of the Salem Witch Trials. I found it a little dry, but lots of detail and photos too!! Ryan says I need to qualify this comment. The photos were of houses still standing where things took place during the Witch Trials, also photos of portraits of some of the judges etc.
Letter From Home by Carolyn Hart  for fans of Elizabeth Berg's WWII books and if you like a little mystery too (and some coming of age drama) This book had it all. I recommend.
Twelve Drummers Drumming by C C Benison (library) I only read it for the Nancy Drew reference.  Cute, cozy mystery
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (library) Bring the kleenex. I cried buckets....being made into a movie
Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls by Bennett Madison. Modern. "Anti" Nancy Drew
Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox by Bennett Madison and another
Girl in the Woods by Aspen Matis (library) about a girl hiking the PCT after she was raped in College to clear her head. Similar a bit to Wild...so if you like that sort of thing.
Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon (library) Dyan Cannon's relationship with Cary Grant.
Scratch One by Michael Crichton. Some old books written under the name John Lange, while Crichton was in college.  Not bad. sort of a knock-off James Bond
Murder on the Ghost Walk by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter Wilmington, NC set murder mystery series. They are just okay and I mainly read them just for the local color of my hometown.