Little Thoughts About Books and Stuff

The book from my brother and sister-in-law: Librarian's Night Before Christmas by David Davis My rating: 5 of 5 stars Got this as a Christmas gift.  So cute! One of my favorite presents this year! View all my reviews The book from my mom: Can't wait to see if anyone else got me a book...a few more gift exchanges to go.  

Here are the rules: *Read nine books in the following categories. 1. A book with "Blue" in the title . -   Blue -eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas 2. A book with "Red" in the title. - Red shirts by John Scalzi 3. A book with "Yellow" in the title.  - Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte 4. A book with "Green" in the title . - The Green Mile by Stephen King 5. A book with "Brown" in the title. - Brown -Eyed Girl by Mariah Stewart 6. A book with "Black" in the title. - Black City by Elizabeth Richards  7. A book with "White" in the title. - The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory 8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Turquoise, Pink, Magneta, etc.) . - Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber 9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.). Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Black City by Elizabeth  Richards My rating: 4 of 5 stars Wow...that was some end to the book! I wasn't too sure about reading this book, it sounded interesting but the reviews already posted were less than positive.  I gave it a shot anyway (hey I needed a book for this color and the year is nearly over!).  It seemed similar to quite a few dystopian novels already out but it has it's own feel. The point of view goes back and forth between Ash and Natalie, each narrating full chapters at a time.  Towards the end it's a quick back and forth of the same events which adds a punch to the unfolding scene.  This really worked for me, I was very choked up while reading the end of the book (which is the reason for my initial response above!). I will be reading the other books in the series, I need to know how this story plays out.  Even though it was similar to other novels, I still got pulled in by the characters and I really wanted to know what happens...

Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson My rating: 4 of 5 stars I first heard of Marcus Samuelsson when he competed on Top Chef Masters.  That was right around the time, I started to become addicted to The Food Network and other cooking show/channels.  It was the start of my journey on the road towards mini-foodie. This was a look at Marcus' life and the road he took to get where he is now.  It's a great look at the life of a chef especially one of color who has had a hard road to travel. The book is really descriptive in the details of the food and taste experiences.  I wanted to be rollerblading (even though you wouldn't ever catch me on a pair) through NYC and trying the different foods from all the cultures that make up the city.   When he talks about Ethiopian food, I'm back in grad school (1st time) and we're headed to the Ethiopian restaurant for some Doro Wat (mmm yummy). Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety b...

The semester is over and as much as I enjoyed reading those global novels, I can't wait to put a dent in my To Be Read bins in my room! I have a stack ready to go and hope to get through them all before Term 3 starts in January. Here's what I have planned: Play by Play Series by Jaci Burton #3 Taking a Shot #4 Playing to Win Highlander Series by Janet Chapman (this is one I started a long time ago and just recently realized there are 2 more books) Secrets of the Highlander A Highlander Christmas Highlander for the Holidays Puffin Harbor Series by Janet Chapman (again read the first book forever ago) The Dangerous Protector The Windham Series by Grace Burrowes Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight The Courtship Color Coded Reading Challenge Black City by Elizabeth Richards Other Novels A Seal at Heart by Anne Elizabeth Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole Orleans by Sherri L. Smith (ARC book due o...

The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus  by Adam C. English I saw a link for the book trailer in The Shelf Awareness Pro newsletter for Tuesday, December 4th.  After watching the trailer and reading the description thought of  The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn. I enjoyed reading those and I would really like to know more about St. Nicholas.  I have the book on hold now just to wait to read it! The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra   With his rosy cheeks and matching red suit—and ever-present elf and reindeer companions—Santa Claus may be the most identifiable of fantastical characters. But what do we really know of jolly old Saint Nicholas, "patron saint" of Christmastime? Ask about the human behind the suit, and the tale we know so well quickly fades into myth and folklore.   In The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, religious historian Adam English tells the true and compell...