Today's Quotes on Relaxation

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.

~Will Rogers~

Autobiography

1949

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

~Chinese Proverb~

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.

~Ovid~

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.

~Sylvia Plath~

The Bell Jar

I think many times we let ourselves feel so overwhelmed and rushed. There are so many tasks that we must complete in a limited amount of time. Even reading a book sometimes feels stressful if you feel you must finish this one in order to get to that one or whatnot. Today, just take a minute, take a deep breath and relax. Tune out the world for just a while and do some deep breathing, take a bubble bath, sit out on your back porch with a cup of tea, whatever enhances simple relaxation for you. Let your mind float. Read a little quietly. Now, don't you feel better? Thanks for stopping by.

The Shanghai Tunnel by Sharan Newman

Sharan Newman is another historical mystery author I enjoy reading. Her new book, THE SHANGHAI TUNNEL, is not part of her well-known Catherine LeVendeur series. It is set in Portland, Oregon of the 1860's and gives a glimpse of a Pacific Northwest city that I love, early in her history. This is before the transcontinental railroad is completed, at a time when all goods had to be brought in by water and shipping was king. It is full of historical detail of the Portland area and it was fun trying to picture the areas mentioned. Ms. Newman is a resident of Portland and she states in the author's note that the Shanghai tunnels are real and can be toured to this day. Many of the people in the book also existed. The treatment of Chinese immigrants was as shocking and shameful as portrayed. I found the history very interesting, even if the mystery seemed a little secondary. I suspect that this will not be another series, but is instead a standalone book. However, if there is another Emily Stratton mystery, I'll be glad to pick it up and continue reading about one of my favorite parts of the country.

From the publisher:

Emily Stratton grew up in China with her missionary parents. In many ways, she identifies more with the Chinese people than with other Westerners. After her parents are violently murdered, Emily seeks sanctuary in marriage to Horace Stratton, a shrewd entrepreneur from Portland. She soon discovers that while Horace projects a mask of civility to the outside world, he is a cruel man with abhorrent and vile appetites. The only thing that keeps her from leaving him is their son, whom Emily shields from the truth about his father.

On the eve of his return to Portland, where he intends to enjoy his spoils, Horace dies. Emily and her now-teenage son are alone in a rough-hewn, fast-growing town where men seek profit above all. Emily tries to fit into this unsettling place while she fights for her son's inheritance. Many in the city try to console her, and she does her best to behave like a proper Western widow. She hates living the lie but knows that in order to secure her son's future, she must maintain Horace's reputation.

She soon discovers this might not be possible. Horace's partners in Portland seem to be cut from the same cloth as her departed husband. They very much want Emily and her son to go away...permanently, if necessary. Emily will have to delve deep into her husband's seedy and painful past and set things right so that she can make a life for herself and her son in this strange new world.

April Mystery Book Group Meeting at the Library - A Trip to China

The mystery book group met at the library a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to give a report here on my blog. We had a really nice meeting and good discussion of FLOWER NET by Lisa See and DEATH OF A RED HEROINE by Qiu Xiaolong. Some people liked one of them more than the other, some liked both, and some really didn't care for either. Typical book club feedback. Ha!

I think that almost all of us enjoyed the view we got of contemporary Chinese society and I also think that virtually everyone learned something. I shared the fact that I had enjoyed a comparative view of China between these books set in almost present day and the book that we read in the afternoon book group, which was a memoir of China through the 20th century. Many, many changes occurred in China during that time period. We compared the writing of the two authors, Lisa See and Qiu Xiaolong, realizing that Ms. See is Chinese-American and raised in the US and Mr. Qiu, who came to the US in late 1980's as a grown man, is native Chinese. We found it quite interesting that he writes his books in English and we admired his command of our language. His language does seem more formal however, almost as if it were translated. One member shared that she has read several Scandinavian authors whose mysteries have been translated from their native languages. She said that most of them proceed at a slower pace than the mysteries and thrillers that we may be used to and that the reader sometimes wonders whether they are reading a true mystery. The location is usually quite intriguing though. We talked about several aspects of Asian culture and someone shared some things with us from the periods that she lived in Korea and Hong Kong. Some members said that they would seek out more books by either one or both authors. Some members were glad to move on.

We will be reading two books by P. J. Tracy (a mother and daughter writing team) entitled MONKEEWRENCH and LIVE BAIT for our May meeting. These books are set mostly in Minnesota and the stories move at a very fast pace.

A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron

I seem to be in a historical mystery frame of mind lately and after reading Jenclair's review of A FLAW IN THE BLOOD, I decided it would be my next read. I truly enjoyed this book. Stephanie Barron (also known as Francine Mathews) writes a mystery series that stars none other than Jane Austen. It has 9 books so far and I keep meaning to begin it. A FLAW IN THE BLOOD is a stand-alone book and I'm not sure if it will be developed into another series or not. It is set in Victorian England with herself, Queen Victoria, as one of the characters. Also included are others of the Royal household as well as Irish barrister Patrick Fitzgerald and his ward, Georgiana Armistead. Part of the story is told from the viewpoint of Queen Victoria and what an interesting perspective that is. Whew! The action is nonstop and the storyline is quite fascinating. What is the flaw in the blood and where did it come from? What actually killed Prince Albert? Is the Queen hiding something and what were her true feelings for her husband and children? There is an extensive list of non-fiction sources at the end of the book that I would like to check out. The author states that the book is entirely fiction, but it makes you wonder a little about a lot of things.

From the publisher:

Windsor Castle, 1861. Prince Albert, the Queen's Consort, lies dying, and Victoria summons Patrick Fitzgerald, the clever, embittered Irish barrister, who helped defend Her Majesty's would-be assassin twenty years earlier. Within hours, Fitzgerald's beautiful ward is nearly murdered, his chambers are ransacked, and another girl lies dead. Could an unknown force at Windsor want Fitzgerald dead? And why? The answers are entangled in an electrifying tale of intrigue, seduction, and betrayal partially narrated by Europe's most powerful monarch.

As fascinating as the Queen herself, seamlessly blending history and suspense, A FLAW IN THE BLOOD is an elegant thriller that is utterly convincing--and utterly surprising--to its very end.

Blog Birthday Giveaway Winners!!

Thank you all so much for your great messages during this last week congratulating me on my first blog anniversary. You were all so kind and I was thrilled to have so many entries into the book giveaways. I enjoyed checking out new blogs and "meeting" new friends. It was so much fun that I think I will try to do a giveaway about once a month if I can. So.....continue to check back and see what new books I have read or what books we've discussed in the two book groups or what quotes I've found that speak to me or just what I've got rattling around in my head or heart to share. Now you'd probably like to know about the winners. I numbered all the entries and used a random number generator to make sure that everyone had a fair chance. If you blogged about the contest, you got two entries. Here are the results:

MIDDLESEX - winner is ihchicky

STILL LIFE - 3 winners - bebemiqui and windycindy and Grateful Gramma

A FATAL GRACE (and a copy of STILL LIFE) - winner is dolls123

CHANGE OF HEART - winner is bunnyb

Congratulations to all of you and I hope that you enjoy the books as much as I have! Please send your addresses to me at myrandomactsofreading@gmail.com and I will get your books in the mail to you early this week.

Again, thanks so much for the participation and sweet messages. I love blogging and plan to be around for a long time.

My Blog's 1st Birthday & Thank-You Giveaway!!!

I started this blog last year on April 28th and wrote my first entry here. I had two longtime friends who both had blogs and who encouraged me to share my thoughts about reading in the same way. They were Les from Lesley's Book Nook and Nan from Letters From a Hill Farm. I met both of these ladies over 10 years ago at an online book site and first shared my love of books and later practically my whole life with them. Thank you both, my dearest friends, for your gentle pushing and encouragement. Blogging has been one of the most fun things I have ever done. Just like I met Nan and Les through the Internet, I have met and enjoyed everyone who has commented on my blog entries and who has shared my reading journey this last year. Thank you all for stopping by and for talking about books with me! Thank you for writing such wonderful blogs yourselves that I look forward to reading each day. I am honored by your presence and hope to share life and books journeys with you all for a long, long time to come!

Now, for the good stuff. I have a few books that I would love to share with some of you. Wish I could send each and every one of you a book, but I will at least share a few.

Here's the books:

MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides - a wonderful book that tops my 2008 reads so far - I wrote about it here.

STILL LIFE by Louise Penny - you can't read my blog without knowing that I love Louise Penny's mysteries. I have 3 copies of this book to give away. I wrote about it here.

A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny - 2nd of her mysteries that just this weekend won an Agatha award for Best Novel - I wrote about it here. If you have not read STILL LIFE yet, don't let it stop you from trying for this one. I'll include a copy of STILL LIFE along with A FATAL GRACE. If you have read STILL LIFE and win, I'll pass the extra copy of the first book on to someone else.

CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult - I have an extra advance reader copy of this book. A friend gave me one and then lo and behold, I received a copy to review from the publisher. I haven't had a chance to review it yet, but I will send you to Les' blog and her post here.

Here's the rules:

1. Please leave a comment with the title of the book you are interested in winning. You may request as many books as you like but will only be able to win one.

2. Mention this giveaway on your blog or website and receive an extra entry for the book or books you are interested in.

3. Entries must be received no later than midnight on Saturday, May 3, 2008 (CDT).

4. Drawing will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at which time the winners will be announced.

Good luck to all and, again, my deepest gratitude for sharing my life and reading journey!!

Congratulations to Louise Penny!!!

This weekend, the Malice Domestic Convention was held in Arlington, Virginia. This convention's slogan is "if traditional mysteries are your cup of tea...". The Agatha Awards, named for Agatha Christie, are presented during a Saturday night banquet at Malice Domestic each year. The genre for an Agatha novel is loosely defined as mysteries which contain no explicit sex or excessive gore or violence. It usually features an amateur detective, journalist, or an ordinary citizen, in a confined setting, with characters who know one another.

This year, Louise Penny was nominated in the category of "Best Novel" for A FATAL GRACE, her second book. Her blog entry for last night was entitled, "Oh, my Gooooooood". Congratulations to Louise on winning an Agatha for Best Novel! It is richly deserved and couldn't happen to a nicer person!

As I'm sure most of you are aware, I love Louise Penny's mysteries. I wrote about A FATAL GRACE here.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of this award winning book!

In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delany

IN THE SHADOW OF THE GLACIER is the start of a new police procedural series set in British Columbia and is written by Vicki Delany. I read her other two stand-alone mysteries last summer and talked about them here. Ms. Delany's books are published by Poisoned Pen Press, one of my favorite publishers. I know that I will be reading a quality mystery when I pick up a book presented by this publisher. I also know that I will have a great mystery to read when I start a book by Vicki Delany. I liked the British Columbia setting very much and also liked the characters that were introduced in this first series offering. Ms. Delany's books seem to always offer a lot of family dynamics and this one does not disappoint in that regard. Molly (Moonlight) Smith is a constable in her hometown and it's fun getting to know her family and friends. Oh, and there is a body, some thefts, a town on the edge of riot over a proposed garden honoring American draft dodgers, and an assault on her best friend. I look forward to the second book in this series to be published later this year or early next year. I also understand that the author is working on book 3 right now. I love a new series!


From the publisher:

Trouble is brewing in the small bucolic, mountain town of Trafalgar, British Columbia. An American who came to Trafalgar as a Vietnam War draft dodger has left land and money to the town. But there's a catch. The money must be used to build a garden to honor draft dodgers. This bequest has torn the close-knit, peaceful town apart. Then the body of a leading garden opponent is found in an alley, dead from a single blow to the head.

Constable Molly Smith is assigned to assist veteran Detective Sergeant John Winters in the investigation. But Winters doesn't' want the help of the enthusiastic rookie and suspects that he's been assigned Smith for political reasons: her mother, a life-long activist, is the leader of the group arguing for the park.

Egged on by a muck-raking TV personality, outside agitators from both sides are soon streaming into Trafalgar. In the meantime, Smith and Winters search through small town secrets for a killer.

Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton

One of the trends in mysteries in the last few years is to write what I would call "hobby" mysteries. You know the ones I mean. They have an amateur sleuth who also owns a candy shop or knits or makes soap or is a pet sitter or owns a flower shop or is a masseuse or any number of other occupations or pursuits that could be combined with solving a crime. These are always cozies. They usually include a knitting pattern or recipes or extra facts about their subject, be it coffee or scrapbooking or organizing your closet. I've heard some say that they feel a little formulaic or insubstantial. However, I think they serve their purpose and know that there are many fans of these gentle mysteries. I have my favorites among them.

Maggie Sefton writes knitting mysteries set in Fort Connor, Colorado. Her heroine, Kelly Flynn, has moved back to Colorado after the death of her aunt and she spends her time keeping her customers' accounts (she's a CPA), learning to knit, and making new friends. Oh, and stumbling over bodies. Her knitting shop of choice is called Lambspun and reading about this place makes you want to visit, to run your hands through the baskets of multi-colored yarn, pick up some needles and, yes, learn to knit. I can compare it to the mystery bookstore that Annie Darling (Carolyn Hart's series) owns. Believe me, mystery readers covet Annie's bookstore! It's enjoyable reading about Lambspun even if you don't knit, don't want to knit, and never intend to learn to knit. DYER CONSEQUENCES is the 5th book in this series and it will be released in June as a hardcover (the first 3 books came out in paperback only). I had an arc of the book and I enjoyed my return visit with Kelly, Steve, Mimi, Megan, Lisa, Jennifer and all the gang. The first book in this series is KNIT ONE, KILL TWO. Look for it if you like a fun mystery with lots of cozy charm, especially if you are a knitter.

From the publisher:

With spring finally on the way, it's time for the knitters of Fort Connor, Colorado, to start dreaming of warmer days to come--and lay aside their wool in favor of cotton and silk. But there's still a chill in the air, and Kelly Flynn is starting to think that some of the last icy daggers of winter may be pointed directly at her...

Today's Movie Quote from THE MUMMY

I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am...I am a librarian!

Evie as played by Rachel Weisz

THE MUMMY

Would that all of us would get to explore with Brendan Fraser! However, I do think that librarians can be explorers, adventurers, and certainly treasure-seekers. Maybe not gunfighters. But we do fight battles of censorship and prejudice. At the end of this week recognizing libraries everywhere, go forth and make use of your local library. Explore and seek and maybe you'll find a great book, some fabulous music, or an absorbing movie to borrow and enrich your life.

April Afternoon Book Group at the Library

We had a very nice meeting Tuesday afternoon and a good discussion of FALLING LEAVES by Adeline Yen Mah. It seemed clear from the comments that most people gleaned something from this memoir. Most seemed to feel that they enjoyed the information regarding the political situation in China and the historical detail more than the sections concerning the author's personal life. She did have a sad life and was treated badly by her parents and siblings. However, she continued to seek the approval she lacked over and over again and it was hard to see why she didn't just cut her losses and move on. One member mentioned that she felt that the younger sister, Susan, exhibited a healthier attitude toward the family by not dwelling on her disinheritance and moving on with her life. To Adeline's credit, Susan did seem to marry into a family that cherished and loved her and it seems that she gained strength from that. We were glad that Adeline did meet and marry a man that loved her and her life seemed somewhat better after that time.

Someone shared the young adult book that Ms. Yen Mah wrote and that she had found in her granddaughter's school library. It was entitled CHINESE CINDERELLA and was basically the same story as FALLING LEAVES but ended right at the time that Adeline went to England for college. The member was asked if she felt the story was better and she said she thought so. It seems the writer gave a tighter, more concise recitation of her life in her second book, aimed at younger readers. Some felt that it would have been better for FALLING LEAVES to have had a little more editing as well. It might have been a better book.

We all agreed that we learned something from this memoir. The information about China was quite interesting and I shared with the group that we are reading two books set in contemporary China for the Mystery Book Group. It was fascinating to me to see present-day results of some of the policies and changes that were discussed in FALLING LEAVES reflected in the mysteries. I have felt quite immersed in China in the last month. There was also a recommendation of the book LIFE AND DEATH IN SHANGHAI by Nien Cheng if any are interested in pursuing reading about China. I can also recommend this book. I read it many years ago and remember really enjoying it.

Well, we move on in May to a historical mystery entitled A TWIST AT THE END by Steven Saylor. Mr. Saylor writes a mystery series set in ancient Rome. However, he is a Texas native and he did a lot of historical research on the Austin area in the late 1800's and took a true incident and built a book around it. According to the person who suggested this book, she learned a lot about Austin of the late nineteenth century and in fact visited the Elisabet Ney Museum after she read the book for more local info. The protagonist is a gentleman by the name of Will Porter (later known as O. Henry) and I look forward to our taking on something a little different.

Today's Quotes - A Celebration of National Library Week

In celebration of National Library Week, I give you these quotes:

If librarianship is the connecting of people to ideas – and I believe that is the truest definition of what we do – it is crucial to remember that we must keep and make available, not just good ideas and noble ideas, but bad ideas, silly ideas, and yes, even dangerous or wicked ideas.

~Graceanne A. Decandido~

American Librarian, Writer, Editor & Teacher

I received the fundamentals of my education in school, but that was not enough. My real education, the superstructure, the details, the true architecture, I got out of the public library. For an impoverished child whose family could not afford to buy books, the library was the open door to wonder and achievement, and I can never be sufficiently grateful that I had the wit to charge through that door and make the most of it.

~Isaac Asimov~

(1920-1992)

American Sci Fi Author

We Americans naively look at the library as our birthright, often unaware that a free public library system is far from universal. The Bill of Rights doesn't guarantee the freedom to read. But the American library network hands this priceless gift to anyone who's interested upon a silver platter.

~Helen Schary Motro~

American Attorney & Writer

Libraries acquire what we cannot afford, retain what we prize and would adore, restore the worn, ignore fashion, and repulse prejudice.

~William H. Gass~

American Writer & Former Philosophy Professor

I love working in a library. It is truly the best job I've ever had. I feel like I come home every time I step foot in the door. For me, being surrounded by books is very comforting and natural. I celebrate National Library Week by saying that: I LOVE MY LIBRARY!! Wish you could all come by and see me...but since you can't, celebrate your local library this week. Go by and tell your librarians that you appreciate them and all the enjoyment that you derive from the books and other materials that they make available to you. They will love you for it. I guarantee it. And take a minute and look for a silly book or even a wicked one!

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

What a book this was! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the almost two weeks that I spent reading it. Wow! This is one of those books that I had been meaning to read for years, but I never picked it up. I guess it just goes to the concept that I have mentioned here more than once, you read books at just the right time for you. I think one of the reasons that I kept putting off reading MIDDLESEX was the subject matter. Did I really want to read a book about hermaphroditism? The answer was a resounding YES. Jeffrey Eugenides' book is about a hermaphrodite, but it is also an enthralling family saga. I love that. Family sagas were some of my favorite books in the '80's. I know that probably everyone has already read MIDDLESEX, but if you haven't, let me encourage you to make the time (it is a long book, over 500 pages). I don't think you will regret it. Cal is one of those character that I will remember always, along with that quirky Greek-American family: Milt, Tessie, Desdemona, Lefty, Chapter Eleven, Father Mike, Aunt Zo and on and on. I also enjoyed all the descriptions of the Greco-Turkish War, Detroit over several decades, San Francisco, just a host of things. MIDDLESEX will go on my list of "best books of 2008" without a doubt.

From the publisher:

MIDDLESEX tells the breathtaking story of Calliope Stephanides, and three generations of the Greek-American Stephanides family, who travel from a tiny village overlooking Mount Olympus in Asia Minor to Prohibition-era Detroit, witnessing its glory days as the Motor City, and the race riots of 1967, before they move out to the tree-lined streets of suburban Grosse Pointe, Michigan. To understand why Calliope is not like other girls, she has to uncover a guilty family secret, and the astonishing genetic history that turns Callie into Cal, one of the most audacious and wondrous narrators in contemporary fiction. Lyrical and thrilling, MIDDLESEX is an exhilarating reinvention of the America epic.

6 Word Meme

I was tagged by Annie at A Tidings of Magpies for this meme that is making the rounds. I'm not much of meme participator, but I will offer this:

HE'S STILL MY BEST FRIEND, FOREVER...

If you have not participated in this meme and would like to, consider yourself tagged.

Spring Quotes and a Look at Texas Bluebonnets

Starred forget-me-nots smile sweetly,

Ring, bluebells, ring!

Winning eye and heart completely,

Sing, robin, sing!

All among the reeds and rushes,

Where the brook its music hushes,

Bright the caloposon blushes,

__ Laugh, O murmuring Spring!

~Sara Foster Davis~

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

~Audra Foveo~

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.

~Bern Williams~

Today's Quote by Laura Bush

The power of a book lies in its power to turn a solitary act into a shared vision. As long as we have books, we are not alone.

~Laura Bush~

(1946-?)

Current First Lady & Former Librarian

I really like this sentiment and the last sentence could be part of the definition of my life. I was a rather solitary child, but I had my books. My mother used to tell me that she never had to worry about me. She would find me curled up in a chair or lying across my bed or sitting outside under a tree with a stack of books. I have a nephew who loses himself in reading and almost forgets to come up for air. His parents have worried about him a bit, but I have reassured them that I recognize the symptoms and feel that he will be fine. I still love the times that I can lose myself in a book and then emerge blinking at the world.

March Library Mystery Book Group Meeting - A Conversation With Louise Penny

I am going to basically post the email that I sent out to our mystery book group members summarizing our conversation with mystery author, Louise Penny. It was such a wonderful conversation and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Please pick up her books if you get a chance and see what the fuss is about!!

We had a very nice meeting last Thursday evening with a short discussion of Louise Penny's books, STILL LIFE and A FATAL GRACE. After that, we called Ms. Penny on the phone and talked with her for about 45 minutes. It was quite a nice discussion and she was very gracious and friendly. I'll try to give a short synopsis of what we discussed. Everyone got to ask as many questions as they liked and we were mentioned favorably on her blog the next day.

We started out before we made the call by consulting an atlas in order to pinpoint in our minds the area of Canada where the books were set. Louise Penny lives in the province of Quebec about an hour north of Burlington, Vermont. She lives in a small hamlet much like Three Pines. She knew that she would write a series from the beginning and had planned at least 4 books using the seasons as the settings. STILL LIFE was set in the fall, A FATAL GRACE in winter, her new book THE CRUELEST MONTH is in spring at Easter and book 4, still untitled, will be set in summer. Beyond that, she has not really planned for the seasons to repeat but feels that they probably will as book 5 is set around Labor Day and book 6 will occur in winter again.

Her name is actually Louise Penny and she laughed as that question was posed. Said who would decide to call themselves that? She also said that many people think her first name is Penny. She said that Ruth's poetry that is included in the books is by other Canadian authors, reprinted with permission, and most of it is written by Margaret Atwood from a book entitled MORNING IN THE BURNED HOUSE. She was asked if the character Ruth was based on anyone and Louise said that yes, the character is based on a dear friend and also a cousin of her husband's. She said that both women are very dear to her, but both don't really have an edit button on their speech (like Ruth). They have kind hearts though.

She was asked whether the legend of the three pines as a Loyalist symbol was true. She said that she sat next to a woman at church social once and this lady related to her that legend. She didn't know if this was true in actuality but there is some evidence that it may be and that 3 trees have been used as a symbol or code in other countries as well.

Someone asked Ms. Penny how she came up with the idea of Jane Neal's paintings in STILL LIFE and she said when she was still a journalist she had visited the home of folk artist who had died. This man had painted every surface in his house, not with scenes of his own life, but with scenes of his area of the country. She said it was just amazing. The idea for Jane's paintings came from that experience.

Ms. Penny was asked about the inclusion of such a negative character as Yvette Nichol and her purpose. She said that Yvette was not intended at first to be so unpleasant but as she wrote, Yvette took on a life of her own. She said she liked the duality of the character and saw her as a counterpoint to Inspector Gamache, who has a tendancy to be too good to be true. She said that she realized after she created Gamache that he has many of the characteristics of her husband, Michael, even though she did not intend for him to be based on Michael. Someone asked if Gamache would ever retire to Three Pines and become a private detective. She said not for now but she maybe later.

We asked whether she would ever put out a cookbook with some of the recipes that she mentions for the bistro and other events. She asked our opinion about that as it had been mentioned by her Australian publisher. We told her we thought it would be great.

She has a brother who does curling and she has played that sport herself. Not well, she said. She doesn't intend to include cats but you never know. She loves dogs and the inclusion of those was intentional. She is not Clara, although I told her that Clara is my favorite character. She has no plans at the moment to include any First Nation (Native American) characters. She said she thought that sometimes too many Canadian authors who are not First Nation do include those characters and she doesn't really like that too much.

She was asked about animosity between the French and English in her area. She said she doesn't really see it that way but that some people do feel that it exists. We compared the Quebec area with Louisiana as one member was raised there and said the feeling was similar with laws based on the Napoleanic Code and not English Common Law. Ms. Penny said that many women in Canada do not take their husband's names when they marry, but can if they wish. She said in Quebec, a woman must go to court and petition to have her name changed at marriage, again due to laws based on French law. Most married women do not change their names in Quebec and Ms. Penny has not either.

She said she is heading to London this week to the London Book Festival and she will also pick up the manuscript for book 4 from her publisher. It is set to come out in early 2009 and she said that the US version will be published closer to the UK and Canadian editions. Book 5 will be published in all 3 countries at the same time. She is completing writing book 5 now.

She commented about us on her blog the day of the meeting:

And tonight I'll be speaking by phone with a book club in Austin, Texas. So looking forward to that.

The comment that she made on her blog the next day was:

Did a conference call with some really smart readers in Austin, Texas last night. It was a book club and they read the books very closely and questioned me very closely. but not, I felt, with a view to tripping me up or finding fault, but just to push me to explain some of my choices. I always find that interesting.

Ms. Penny said that we asked some questions that she had never been asked before and she hadn't really thought that was possible. She said she appreciated talking with us. I think that a good time was had by all who were able to attend and we will see if we can't do this again sometime with another author.

The books we are reading for Thursday, April 24th, are FLOWER NET by Lisa See and DEATH OF A RED HEROINE by Qiu Xiaolong. Both are set in contemporary mainland China. I have finished the first and have yet to start the second. I found FLOWER NET very interesting.

March Afternoon Book Group at the Library

My afternoon book group met at the library almost two weeks ago. I meant to write a little about that earlier, but the sickness got in the way. So, here's the scoop. We read YEAR OF WONDERS by Geraldine Brooks for March and had a great discussion about this book. Most everyone really liked it but a few had problems with the epilogue. Several felt that it could have been left off completely or the story ended in a different location. I won't go into details because of spoilers but I did think it was a bit of a stretch. However, Anna, the main character had changed so much over the year of the plague, it seemed that a "far-fetched" ending was warranted. We decided as a group that we really liked Ms. Brooks' writing and will include her new book, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, as our October read. Several members also thought that they would pick up MARCH, the retelling of the LITTLE WOMEN story from the viewpoint of Mr. March.

Our group will travel to China in April, figuratively of course. We will be reading FALLING LEAVES by Adeline Yen Mah. It tells the story of an unwanted Chinese daughter and gives a lot of very interesting info about growing up in China before Communism.

I truly enjoy moderating this lovely group of women each month. They are so bright and have so many interesting opinions, while also treating each other with such respect and kindness, even when they disagree. Wish all of you could be a part of us.

I'm Back & I Read Nothing! Or almost anyway...

I am back among the living and have been back at work for a few days now. I seem to be able to focus my eyes and mental capacities and am glad for that. Thank you for your good wishes and I hope that the ills of this winter are at an end for me.

I have read very little in the last couple of weeks. The only book I have managed to finish is for my mystery book group and so I will not review it at this time. I haven't even read and commented on blogs and probably will just hop over this time and start afresh for the new week and new month of April.

So...what have you been reading and what do you recommend that I pick up for that something good for spring? I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone who would like to comment. Right now, I am less than 10 pages into Linwood Barclay's new book, NO TIME FOR GOODBYE. This is a thriller that has on the cover:

You Wake Up
Your House Is Empty
Your Family Has Disappeared...

I'll let you know what I think. Back to reading!!!

On Sick Leave...Happy Easter Anyway!!

I'll return as soon as I can focus my eyes again. Have been sick most of the week with fever and flu symptoms. Yuck! Hope Easter will be nice for everyone and I'll be back soon!