I Wish I Could Go There- a Top Ten List

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Posted on October 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely ladies over there give us book bloggers wonderful and fun topics to create our lists! Check out what others have posted by going over there!

http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com

This week’s topic is –

Top Ten Places I would love to visit from Books (real or fictional)

1. New Orleans- from almost every Anne Rice book.

2. Rivendell- to hang out at the last homely house with Elrond

3. Hogwarts from the HP series

4. Paris, 1920s- Fitzgerald

5. Pemberley- from Pride & Prejudice

6. Hobbiton from The Lord of the Rings

7. Tara Plantation from Gone With the Wind

8. Italy- really Naples, from Eat, Pray, Love

9. The South of France from Tender is the Night

Where do you wish you could visit?

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts…

11 Comments

Posted on December 12, 2013

Bookish & Not So Bookish Thought

is a weekly men hosted by Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous, where we post things that are on our minds.

I am crazy busy, so I am not sure how many actual thoughts I will be able to string together.

1. With less than 2 weeks till Christmas, I am getting run down. Somehow, I am responsible for buying ALL the gifts- my extended family, his extended family, our children. Poor hubby? He has to wrack his brain to buy for me. Nevermind all the wrapping, baking and cooking. Now add to that a snow day this Tuesday, and going away this weekend and next for some skiing, and I am thinking that I am screwed. If I don’t watch out I am going to be grumpy mess for the holidays.

2. I gave in and borrowed a copy of The Bone Season from my library. I had heard many good things, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to start a new series-this is supposed to be the first of 7. Well, I read it. And loved it. Now I have to wait for the darn author to write the next 6! Hurry up already, I want to know what happens!!!

3. As I mentioned above, it snowed and there was no school for the kids. I actually sat in my chair with a lovely wool blanket as the snow started falling aground 7 am, and read as the snow fell. It was probably the best 2 hours of my week.

4. I started skiing last year, at the age of 40+. I survived. I’m supposed to go back and do it again this weekend. I know I probably won’t die, but the thought has entered my head. Often. I am afraid of breaking something or worse. This is why you should teach these sorts of things while people are really young. I have to start thinking positive. I will not fall. I will not fall. By the way, I tend to stick to the greens- the easiest slopes-with all the little kids and beginners.

5. My blogging and reviewing has slowed down a bit, but at the same time, I am read a lot and loving it. Plus, I have taken a step back from accepting ARCS for a while and I am only reading books that I am choosing. It’s all going pretty nicely. I am hoping to get back into more blogging after the holidays, but for now I am just going with the flow.

6. I am so looking forward to joining Leah at Books Speak Volumes in a few weeks for Jazz Age January! She has invited bloggers to join along in “reading books related to the Jazz Age- novels, written by Jazz Age authors, non fiction about the 20’s and contemporary fiction set during this time period.” I wrote my thesis in History in this time period, and have always loved the literature that came out of it. Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Stein, and then all the books that have been written about them and the decade.

Stop by if you are interested and sign up!

7. Last January, I signed up for the Goodreads 2013 challenge, and I set out to read 100 books in the year. I am at 94, and I think I am going to make it (fingers crossed).

8. This is all I want for Christmas- Jane Austen’s Persuasion Scarf. Or Pride & Prejudice. I’ll take either. But I will probably get pajamas.

And maybe a sweater.

Giving Thanks

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Posted on November 26, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Things I am Thankful For

I was going to skip this week for a few reasons- getting ready to host dinner on Thursday, a (still) bad back ache, general blogger malaise….

but I figured I would give it a go- so here are some things I am thankful for. I know some seem very expected, but read on.

1. My Husband

I met my husband on a blind date 22 years ago this December. I can honestly say that I love him more today than ever before, through all the highs and lows. I am in awe of this. Don’t get me wrong- it;s not all wine and roses. We are real people and we often screw up and disappoint each other. That’s why it amazes me that we are still in love. Life is hard. Marriage is hard. He is my anchor.

2. My Son

I could list all the great things about him. I could also list all the things about him that drive me crazy. But I am actually thankful that I have a son. I grew up in a family of all girls. My poor Dad was outnumbered and truly perplexed by us. I am glad to be able to see a boy grow into a man. Oh, and that phrase “boys will be boys”? Yup.

3. My Daughter

My daughter was never a pretty little princess. She was the one outside helping dad with car repairs and yard work. She also helped with the holiday baking and decorating. But now that she is a teenager, she is becoming a somewhat “typical” teenage girl. I crack up at the shocked face my husband ofter sports, when his buddy suddenly snaps at him, or rolls her eyes. I am lucky to get to relive the teen years. And thankful that I get to see my husband deal with a teenage girl.

4. My Mom

She inspires me. She worked hard her whole life. She was also lucky enough to marry a man who idolized her, and raise 3 girls with him. Just when they would have started to enjoy their next phase of life when the kids were all gone, she lost him. Yet she has survived.

5. Books

I have always read. I couldn’t imagine not be able to or wanting to read everyday.

6. My comfy reading chair

I love this new reading spot I have. The chair and ottoman are a microfiber, so they are very soft and cushy (not a word). The only problem is that it is a celery color, and bad dog thinks he is allowed to sit there- probably because I let him sit on every other piece of furniture. But I don’t want his brown hair on the light green chir, so I have to leave things on the chair- usually a few books, to the tv remote.

7. Music

I only just realized how much music has become a part of my life. I always have something playing- in the car, right now on the computer as I type this, in the kitchen while I cook.

8. Great authors

I could name so many, but I will give special thanks to one old favorite and a new find- Jane Austen and Stephen King. Have they ever been mentioned together in a sentence before? I love that I am still finding new genres and discovering authors I had never read before.

9. Heating Pads and Tiger Balm

As I said, damn, my back is killing me. And no, I have not gone to the Dr. That would have made sense, Instead I went for a run.

10. Blogging Friends and Wonderful Posts

I am very thankful that I have gotten to know so many wonderful bloggers (you) and have read so many great posts. I love reading the fun memes, and the well written reviews. I get to hear about books, that I might not have seen or picked up. And best of all, i have gotten to know some really GREAT people.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Top Ten Books I Would Recommend to my Daughter

16 Comments

Posted on November 19, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books I Would Recommend to a Certain Person

Since I have a 13 year old daughter, I figured I would pick her.

Now, my kids read. They enjoy it, though not as much as I do. But they will read for pleasure, and I can only hope that their love for it will grow as they age. Or at least when they are not in school, which seems to drain them of the desire to read for pleasure.

There are certain books that I really believe it is important for a young girl to start reading as they get older. So here is a list of the books I would recommend my daughter reads as she grows into a woman- (sniff)

1. Little Women

This was almost a no-brainer for me. What an amazing tale of sister, love, and family. I was very lucky to grow up with two sisters, though I am sad to say my daughter is not.

2. Jane Eyre

The story of a strong girl/woman. I think she would really love this one. Jane is a woman before her time. I love how she stands by her own moral code throughout the book.

3. All books by Jane Austen

I could of course pick my own favorite- Pride & Prejudice- but I think almost any book by Austen is almost mandatory reading for young women( except for Mansfield Park- Franny is easy too wimpy for me)

4. A Little Princess

This is a beautiful story. All girls should read it.

5. To Kill A Mockingbird

This is a tough one. My son had to read it in 8th grade, and I don;t think he was mature enough to really appreciate it. Hopefully my daughter will be when she reads it.

As she gets older-

6. Gone With The Wind

While I do not think Scarlett is a great role model, I really want her to read this. It is one of my favorite books, probably because Scarlett ISN’T a perfect southern lady.

7. The Handmaid’s Tale

Hopefully she will read this in her 20’s. Before that- it can be a bit too scary- or unimportant to the ever invincible teen.

8. The Help

I loved this story. We actually sat down and watched this movie as a family- the kids both loved it, though i think the boy especially liked the part about Minnie’s chocolate pie a little too much. Boys are gross.

9. The Book Thief

I might have her read this soon- she would be ready.

10. The Year of Magical Thinking

Now, I know this seems like a strange choice, and I actually debated whether I should include it. I would like to imagine my child will not have to go through the pain of losing someone she loves, but I think that is a little unrealistic. Still I hope she will be much older when she picks up this memoir that takes a stark look into the grieving process. When I read it, I felt almost a strange relief, that I wasn’t the only person who had that debilitating experience of waking up day after day and having to remember all over again that I lost one of the most important people in my life. Seeing the same thing in print was like a salve, even years later.

Armchair BEA!!!!

29 Comments

Posted on May 28, 2013

I am SO excited to have signed up for this year’s Armchair BEA at-http://www.armchairbea.com For those of us unable to attend the annual BEA in New York City, we are lucky to have the opportunity to participate in this.

To start off, they asked each blogger to answer som questions to introduce themselves- here it goes-

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

My name is Kerri and I have just started blogging three months ago. I began my blog to keep track of the books I was reading. I have been reading books for pleasure since I was eleven years old. I never realized there were so many people who love reading as much as I do until I satrted reading other blogs!

2. Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.

I am blogging from a small town in Northwestern New Jersey. It is a quaint little town with lots of small shops and local farms. It still seems strange to live in the “country” since I grew up in NYC.

3. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?

Wow- hard one-I have read some really great books so far this year- I really loved The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow and The Lost Wife.

4. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

I have been married 18 years, and I am the mother of two teenagers- yikes! My dream is to own a bookstore and live at the beach.

5. Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

My favorite post was-Honestly, Do You Keep Reading It?- I asked what you do when you find yourself reading a book you just do not like/aren’t into. I love it becuase I got so much feedback. I loved hearing from so many people what they do when they find themselves in that situation- which I think we have all been in

https://turnthepagereviews.com/2013/04/10/honestly-do-you-keep-reading-it?

Classics

Today’s topic is “The Classic”.

from Armchair BEA-

Fans of classics love them for their universal themes, their understanding of the human condition, the writing, and sometimes for reasons that can’t be explained. Why, reader, do you love classics?

Today, tell us all the reasons why you love classic literature. What are your favorite classics? If you could give a list of classics to someone who claims to hate them to make them change their mind, what would be on it? How would you convince them to give classics a try? And why do you keep coming back to those old favorites?

I do love reading classics. I think sometimes I get so caught up reading the newest and latest books, that I need to make myself pull back, and reach for a classic. I feel something is a classic that stands the test of time, inspires readers, and reach beyond just one genre. Classics can be romances, mysteries, science fiction. I think I began loving classic in which school. My 11th grade Lit teacher-Hi Mrs. Chapman- inspired this love. Most kids (gasp) did not appreciate her much, but when we finished reading Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, I knew she was going to be one of my all time favorite teachers. As I continued trough school, I was able to read amazing books.

Some of my FAVORITE classics are-

Anything Austen- I love everything written by Jane Austen- with Pride & Prejudice being my all time favorite.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald- took a class in college that centered around this time period and got to love all Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- Atticus Finch (to me) is the epitome of the perfect man.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

And of course- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley(thanks again Mrs. Chapman!)

There are certain classic that I have been able to tackle for one reason or the other-

Moby Dick

Great Expectations

Wuthering Heights

I want to join The Classics Club, but have been hesitant up to now.

For a first timer, I would recommend To Kill a Mockingbird, Little Women, or Pride & Prejudice.

What are some of your favorite classics?