November 2016 Reading

Under the Stars by Dan White (library) The History of Camping in America, I really enjoyed it, the author also wrote a book about his hike on the PCT called Cactus Eaters.
Here Comes The Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn (library) About a family in Jamaica, a woman works at a fancy resort to try to raise the money to send her sister to school so she can have an education and rise out of the poverty that they live in.
I'll Have What She's Having by Daniel Kimmel (library) the stories behind the best romantic comedies. I really enjoyed this one!! But then I love hearing about the movie business.
Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas loved it it is a quilting story, so my quilting friends, Kathy Woods, Diane Steele, Suzi Robertshaw might like this one.
Night Road by Kristin Hannah (library) Local PNW author and this book is set in the Seattle area. It concerns family drama and was a bit depressing. I read it during the whole election time, so I might have been a bit depressed and was not in the mood to enjoy this. I will try some more books by this author.
The Mysterious Mannequin by Carolyn Keene Nancy Drew travels to Turkey! George bullies Bess about her weight (getting a little tired of that)
Leaving Home by Jodi Picoult (audiobook)  3 short stories about leaving home.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (library) soon to be a movie. About the black female mathematicians that worked for NASA and contributed to the race for the moon.
Part of the Furniture by Mary Wesley (library) Set during WWII in England during the bombings in London, a young girl takes refuge in a house and it changes her life. I enjoyed it, but not the ending so much, it was a little abrupt. Nags at me still.
Knitting Pearls ed. by Ann Hood (library) I have read so much about quilting lately, This is a book of short stories that revolve around knitting. Some great authors in here, including Diana Gabaldon and Jodi Picoult.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (library) rereading this one because it is so funny, sometimes you just want a laugh
The Wicked Boy by Kate Summerscale (library) about a Victorian Child Murderer who murdered his mother. It was very interesting. The good stuff is the aftermath of the whole thing.
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult (audiobook) I have read this one before, but really enjoy my audiobooks in the car
The Making of Outlander by Tara Bennett (libarry) Really a big coffee table style picture book about the making of the Outlander TV series on Starz. Lots of great behind the scenes interviews and information and great photos too.
The Night Manager by John LeCarre (library). Spy thriller made into a great mini series on AMC.

Monday's Postcard 2016: Mary Engelbreit

I am a big fan of Mary Engelbreit's Bright and Happy Style, so I send and receive postcards like these all the time.

Monday's Postcard 2016: My Dogs are Barking!

In Antique Malls, it is very easy to find comic military themed postcards. These touch on all the marching and what not that the new recruits would have to do. I emphasize after going hiking with my boyfriend, Ryan!!

Monday's Postcard 2016: Legends

You can find these Legend Postcards all over the country. Some are location specific. Spanish Moss is probably only going to be found in some Southern states, but I do enjoy learning stuff from postcards like these.

Monday's Postcard 2016: Flamingo

                               
 Flamingo postcards sent to me from friends over the years

October 2016 Reading

Not so many books this month because I spent all my time walking from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 

The Grizzly Maze by Nick Jans About Timothy Treadwell and his fatal obsession with the bears in Alaska. I liked it, it has a bit of a different slant than the movie The Grizzly Man and it talks about the movie too.
The Animal Lovers Book of Beastly Murder by Patricia Highsmith A book of short stories about animals that commit murder. Some of them are amusing. You are usually rooting for the animal to get it's revenge on evil humans.
The Secret of Sarah Revere by Ann Rinaldi Revolutionary War American from the point of view of the young daughter of Paul Revere. I did not like this one as much as the other book I read by Ann Rinaldi, I got sick of the teen crush angst in this one faster than I did in Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons
In Plain Sight by C J Box This latest Joe Pickett has an ex-con stalking Joe and his family for revenge and lots of job frustration for Joe. It was okay. Not my favorite of this series
The Phantom of the Temple by Robert van Gulik The detective Judge Dee gets 3 mysteries set up in the first chapter and of course solves all three by the end of the book. In contrast to the CJ Box books, I am enjoying each one of these....although I am reading them out of order. But I don't think it really matters.
An Imaginative Experience by Mary Wesley I picked up this book by a British author in a hostel in Portugal. And I enjoyed it! I am going to look for more by Mary Wesley. This one has a woman who lost her ex-husband and son in a car accident trying to get her life back together. She crosses paths with a man who is in the midst of a divorce and trying to get his life back together.
Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen I am a huge fan of this "Royal Spyness" series. Always fun to see what the great granddaughter of the Queen is up to this time. And this time she is traveling to Hollywood, CA and mystery and drama follow.
White Trash: the 400-year untold history of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg (library) reads like a text book, but I found the subject matter really interesting and I learned some North Carolina history!
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tylaer ( library) a modern retelling of The taming of the Shrew. Part of The Hogarth Shakespeare Project, modern authors take on some of Shakespeare's great stories. If you are a fan of the Bard, I highly recommend putting these on your TBR list. Vinegar Girl was fun !
You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein (library) Ms. Klein is a comedy writer and has worked on SNL. This is a collection of stories and they were very funny. A fun read.
Sudden Prey by John Sandford ( audiobook ) I am addicted to having a book going when I ride in the car.