Happy Friday! I stayed up way late last night to finish the book. I really enjoyed it and flew through it. Until the last page. I thought, "I stayed up until 2 am for this???" I was a tad disappointed with how it ended. Overall it kept me interested and had me wondering how this very odd story was going to end.
1. Why doesn't any member of Delia's family ask her to come home? Do you think it would have made a difference?
2. Delia and Ellie are both judged harshly for their decision to leave their families. Do you think society judges mothers more harshly than fathers if they leave?
3. At the beginning of the novel, Delia sees herself as "a tiny gnat, whirring around her family's edges"? How does her perspective change over the course of the novel?
4. At the end of the novel, Delia concludes that "the people she had left behind had actually traveled further, in some ways." What does she mean?
5. Do you think Eliza has been pining for Sam for all those years?
6. Delia finds support in unexpected places and from unexpected people. Did Eleanor's support surprise you?
7. What did you think of the ending? Would you have made the same discussion if you were Delia?
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8. What did you think of the Bay Burough resident's reaction to Delia?
9. Do you think Delia would be better with Joel or Sam?
10. How do you think you would react if your mother up and left for a year?
11. What were you thoughts on the book?
I'm glad you joined us again and hope you will next month too when we read Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman! Have a great weekend!
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A Faint Cold Fear
A Faint Cold Fear kept me up late reading two nights in a row and to be honest, if I didn't have a toddler who I knew would demand my attention I would have stayed up all night to finish it in one. ;) Lena Adams is now off the force and working security detail at the local college when 'suicides' keep popping up. And bad news for Lena, signs of her knowing or being where the victims died are in abundance. Jeffrey is riding her hard and in comes a stranger in life, Ethan Green or is it White. Dangerous, young, and demanding. Lena is drinking and refusing therapy and all of this combines into a deadly combination.
It definitely kept me wondering who did what and how everything was going to fit together. I've noticed that if you read closely there are always clues in her books and this time I didn't catch on until the end. I will say there was a bit at the end that had me wondering, when the glass is breaking in the kitchen and the person who comes into the house was expected and had a key, it seemed like the scene might have been written differently and edited and that was just weird.
I really liked the ending because it points out to more issues for Lena in the future. And even though sometimes she's the typical stubborn character that won't accept help from anyone or does stupid things when the truth is better off she does create good drama. ;)
Description: An apparent student suicide has brought medical examiner Sara Linton to the local college campus, along with her ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver. But a horribly mutilated corpse yields up few answers. And a suspicious rash of subsequent "suicides" suggests that a different kind of terror is stalking the youth of Heartsdale, Georgia -- a nightmare that is coming to prey on Sara Linton's loved ones.
A small town is being transformed into a killing ground. And the key to a sadistic murderer's motive and identity may be held in the unsteady hands of a campus security guard -- a former police detective driven from the force by the hellish memories that will never leave her. Lena Adams survived the unthinkable and has paid a devastating price. Now the survival of future victims may depend upon her ... when she can barely protect herself.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
New Toddler Reads...
We love books. As an adult reader I can barely stand to re-read books but as a child I re-read my favorites all the time.. BSC books, Boxcar Children, Lurlene McDaniel books etc.. I could do it over and over even though I knew how they ended. But now? I just can't. I can occasionally if I put a few years between them but there are just so many books and so little time.
My child is like me as a child and like all children, really. She gets her faves and then we must read them over and over and over. And while as an educator I know this is good and a great learning and pre-reading skill it drives ME BONKERS. So my child has way more books than toys. And I keep buying more. Or getting more from friends. ;)
Here are some new reads we got from a friend recently..
Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - This is hands down both of our favorites. Farmer Joe has no idea that his barnyard animals have their own band that performs late at night when he is sleeping. Half the excitement in this book is the way I read it. I have a rock and roll voice for singing Old Macdonald had a Farm which is way different than my normal singing voice that cracks the kiddo up every single time. It is so important to change your voice and use inflection when reading to your child. They and you will have more fun! ;) Best for ages 2-6!
Description: After a long day of work, Farmer Joe goes home to bed.
But meanwhile, back at the barn . . .
Cow sets up her drums.
Pig plugs in his amp.
Goat tunes his bass.
Chicken sets up her keyboards.
And Sheep checks the microphone.
They are Punk Farm and tonight they're ready to ROCK!
With adorable farm animals - and a surprise tribute to Old MacDonald - this rollicking tale is sure to have kids cheering--and singing--along
I know a Rhino by Charles Fuge - This is a silly rhyming book with lots of animals. My kiddo likes pointing out the different animals and I like the wonderful rhyme (GREAT PRE-READING SKILL). It's short, the pictures are great and it's a nice new book to snuggle and share. Best for ages 1-3
Description: These are my friends
I know them, you see.
I know them quite well... because they live with me!
Charles Fuge's delightful rhyming text and absolutely adorable images bring to life a little girl and her charming animals as they play all day. She spins round with her hippo, blows bubbles in the bath with giraffe, and picnics on brown bread and honey with her bear when it's sunny. And, did you ever meet a leopard in top hat and tail? He's simply the best, as anyone can see. It's the most delightful menagerie imaginable, and the sweetest story--with a little twist at the end.
The Pigeon has Feelings, Too by Mo Willems - LOVE WILLEMS! I am slowly building up our personal library full of his books. So simple but with voice inflections and expressions they easily become kiddos favorites. This is a short board book that discusses feelings. The bus driver wants the pigeon to smile but the pigeon doesn't want too, he is sick an tired of everyone TELLING HIM WHAT TO DO and when to smile so he will do what he wants.... This book is great. I love it for myself because I hate when people tell me to smile because I have a bitch face for a resting face. ;P And it's great for kiddos. Best for ages 1-3
Description: How does it feel to be a Pigeon? Well, the bus driver is trying to get him to act happy, but as we all know, this is one bird that is not going to be told what to do! Throughout this hilarious board book, Pigeon runs through his signature gamut of emotions while attempting to thwart his old nemesis.
Do you have any silly books that you like to read? Are you a re-reader or are you a one and doner?
My child is like me as a child and like all children, really. She gets her faves and then we must read them over and over and over. And while as an educator I know this is good and a great learning and pre-reading skill it drives ME BONKERS. So my child has way more books than toys. And I keep buying more. Or getting more from friends. ;)
Here are some new reads we got from a friend recently..
Description: After a long day of work, Farmer Joe goes home to bed.
But meanwhile, back at the barn . . .
Cow sets up her drums.
Pig plugs in his amp.
Goat tunes his bass.
Chicken sets up her keyboards.
And Sheep checks the microphone.
They are Punk Farm and tonight they're ready to ROCK!
With adorable farm animals - and a surprise tribute to Old MacDonald - this rollicking tale is sure to have kids cheering--and singing--along
Description: These are my friends
I know them, you see.
I know them quite well... because they live with me!
Charles Fuge's delightful rhyming text and absolutely adorable images bring to life a little girl and her charming animals as they play all day. She spins round with her hippo, blows bubbles in the bath with giraffe, and picnics on brown bread and honey with her bear when it's sunny. And, did you ever meet a leopard in top hat and tail? He's simply the best, as anyone can see. It's the most delightful menagerie imaginable, and the sweetest story--with a little twist at the end.
Description: How does it feel to be a Pigeon? Well, the bus driver is trying to get him to act happy, but as we all know, this is one bird that is not going to be told what to do! Throughout this hilarious board book, Pigeon runs through his signature gamut of emotions while attempting to thwart his old nemesis.
Do you have any silly books that you like to read? Are you a re-reader or are you a one and doner?
Monday, August 26, 2013
Kisscut
I read dark things. I watch dark TV shows. I don't know what that says about me but I'm strangely attracted to it. Gore? Not my thing. Sadistic weird killers? Apparently are. One thing I have a freaking hard time reading about is anyone that hurts children. Which I'm sure affects everyone except for the people who HURT children and I just don't have words for you.
Description: Saturday night dates at the skating rink have been a tradition in the small southern town of Heartsdale for as long as anyone can remember, but when a teenage quarrel explodes into a deadly shoot-out, Sara Linton -- the town's pediatrician and medical examiner-- finds herself entangled in a terrible tragedy.
What seemed at first to be a horrific but individual catastrophe proves to have wider implications. The autopsy reveals evidence of long-term abuse, of ritualistic self-mutilation, but when Sara and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver start to investigate, they are frustrated at every turn.
The children surrounding the victim close ranks. The families turn their backs. Then a young girl is abducted, and it becomes clear that the first death is linked to an even more brutal crime, one far more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Meanwhile, detective Lena Adams, still recovering from her sister's death and her own brutal attack, finds herself drawn to a young man who might hold the answers. But unless Lena, Sara, and Jeffrey can uncover the deadly secrets the children hide, it's going to happen again.
To be blunt this is about abusing children. There isn't in depth description but the effects and the acts are mentioned. I was disgusted by it but was able to read this. Sometimes I cannot. But it was okay, but it made me freaking outraged by people WHO DO THIS.
And there is incest. Gross. That to me was almost worse than the child abusing because it was described a little more and ugh. It takes a vile person to have sex with your own child. I just can't.
However, I love Slaughter's book. And by the time this posts I will have probably finished the next book in the series A Faint Cold Fear. If you like Laura Lippman or Tess Gerritsen this is is an author for you to check out!
Can you read books that disgust you? What's the hardest subject matter for you to read about?
If you missed it on Friday, the September Group Read will be Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman!
Description: Saturday night dates at the skating rink have been a tradition in the small southern town of Heartsdale for as long as anyone can remember, but when a teenage quarrel explodes into a deadly shoot-out, Sara Linton -- the town's pediatrician and medical examiner-- finds herself entangled in a terrible tragedy.
What seemed at first to be a horrific but individual catastrophe proves to have wider implications. The autopsy reveals evidence of long-term abuse, of ritualistic self-mutilation, but when Sara and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver start to investigate, they are frustrated at every turn.
The children surrounding the victim close ranks. The families turn their backs. Then a young girl is abducted, and it becomes clear that the first death is linked to an even more brutal crime, one far more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Meanwhile, detective Lena Adams, still recovering from her sister's death and her own brutal attack, finds herself drawn to a young man who might hold the answers. But unless Lena, Sara, and Jeffrey can uncover the deadly secrets the children hide, it's going to happen again.
To be blunt this is about abusing children. There isn't in depth description but the effects and the acts are mentioned. I was disgusted by it but was able to read this. Sometimes I cannot. But it was okay, but it made me freaking outraged by people WHO DO THIS.
And there is incest. Gross. That to me was almost worse than the child abusing because it was described a little more and ugh. It takes a vile person to have sex with your own child. I just can't.
However, I love Slaughter's book. And by the time this posts I will have probably finished the next book in the series A Faint Cold Fear. If you like Laura Lippman or Tess Gerritsen this is is an author for you to check out!
Can you read books that disgust you? What's the hardest subject matter for you to read about?
If you missed it on Friday, the September Group Read will be Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman!
Friday, August 23, 2013
September's Group Read...
Description: Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel, Looking for Me.
Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop. Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky. It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last. But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.
Looking for Me brilliantly melds together themes of family, hope, loss, and a mature once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The result is a tremendously moving story that is destined to make bestselling author Beth Hoffman a novelist to whom readers will return again and again as they have with Adriana Trigiani, Fannie Flagg, and Joshilyn Jackson.
A southern book? Sign me up! Seems to be all I've been reading this summer! ;) Hope you will join us. Our discussion will be posted on September 27th. If you want to guest post the discussion this month, let me know! Have you read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt? Have you read this book? Looking forward to reading it!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Currently --- August
I love when Kyria and other's do these so I'm playing along. ;)
Current Book - I just finished Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank and am FINALLY picking up Kisscut by Karin Slaughter (yet another series I like) I didn't realize I needed to read this one before the others I got from the library so I've been on hold for that series. I'm hoping to read three of them before I go back to work. That is probably overly ambitious.
Current Drink - Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm on a kick. Brand doesn't really matter because I have cheap taste. Any recommendations? I've also wanted a good Malbec lately. Any recommendations there?
Current Excitement - The back to school excitement has hit me. I'm going to be full time this year and have my OWN CLASSROOM THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO SHAREEEE... Yes that required caps. I can do what I wantttttttttttt. ;) Okay, so I kinda could before but now I can plan when/what I want and organize how I want. Very important. And I can't wait to meet my new kids. Let's bottle this emotion for February. ;)
Current Favorite Blog/Website - Iowa Girl Eats recipes have been popping up a lot in our house lately and yummm. Except for the blueberry granola recipe. That was disgusting.
Current Love - Eric Church. Saw him in concert last weekend and I'm hopelessly in love.
Current Food - I've been all over the Mexican. Taco Pie, Steak fajitas, refried beans, Spanish rice. I want it allll. Oh and the blueberry salsa I made was yummy too.
Currently Pondering - How I'm going to survive the crazy that is the fall but will probably just take it hour by hour or I will go insane.
Current Peeve - Charging 30-40-50 dollars to park for concerts/baseball games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Oh the worst is charging 50 dollars and then saying no tailgating. Um no. If I pay 50 dollars to park. I can do what I want. OUTRAGEOUS. Boo to you Detroit.
Current Song - This isn't anything new but just like last summer I'm blasting "Springsteen" by Eric Church. :::swoon:::
Current TV Show - Downton Abbey. Officially caught up. I think we watched all three seasons in three weeks. Maybe two. Two plus episodes nightly I think. Now I have to catch up on my others!
Current Wish-List - Housekeeper, nanny, landscaper, new house, new car, new wardrobe.. go big or go home.. ;)
Currently Delaying - Cleaning eeek.
What's your current new song? Recipe? Tv show? Anything currently bugging you?
Current Book - I just finished Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank and am FINALLY picking up Kisscut by Karin Slaughter (yet another series I like) I didn't realize I needed to read this one before the others I got from the library so I've been on hold for that series. I'm hoping to read three of them before I go back to work. That is probably overly ambitious.
Current Drink - Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm on a kick. Brand doesn't really matter because I have cheap taste. Any recommendations? I've also wanted a good Malbec lately. Any recommendations there?
Current Excitement - The back to school excitement has hit me. I'm going to be full time this year and have my OWN CLASSROOM THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO SHAREEEE... Yes that required caps. I can do what I wantttttttttttt. ;) Okay, so I kinda could before but now I can plan when/what I want and organize how I want. Very important. And I can't wait to meet my new kids. Let's bottle this emotion for February. ;)
Current Favorite Blog/Website - Iowa Girl Eats recipes have been popping up a lot in our house lately and yummm. Except for the blueberry granola recipe. That was disgusting.
Current Love - Eric Church. Saw him in concert last weekend and I'm hopelessly in love.
Current Food - I've been all over the Mexican. Taco Pie, Steak fajitas, refried beans, Spanish rice. I want it allll. Oh and the blueberry salsa I made was yummy too.
Currently Pondering - How I'm going to survive the crazy that is the fall but will probably just take it hour by hour or I will go insane.
Current Peeve - Charging 30-40-50 dollars to park for concerts/baseball games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Oh the worst is charging 50 dollars and then saying no tailgating. Um no. If I pay 50 dollars to park. I can do what I want. OUTRAGEOUS. Boo to you Detroit.
Current Song - This isn't anything new but just like last summer I'm blasting "Springsteen" by Eric Church. :::swoon:::
Current TV Show - Downton Abbey. Officially caught up. I think we watched all three seasons in three weeks. Maybe two. Two plus episodes nightly I think. Now I have to catch up on my others!
Current Wish-List - Housekeeper, nanny, landscaper, new house, new car, new wardrobe.. go big or go home.. ;)
Currently Delaying - Cleaning eeek.
What's your current new song? Recipe? Tv show? Anything currently bugging you?
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Isle of Palms
You know me and once I get on a kick. This summer I've been on a Carolina kick. And once I read one of Dorothea Benton Frank's books I kinda got sucked into them. This one took me a bit longer to read after I got sucked into Downton. What can I say? Once I get sucked in good I'm a bit addicted.
Description: Anna Lutz Abbot considers herself independent and happy, until one steamy summer when she must find a way to deal with the secrets of her unpredictable family-and her past.
So Anna had a really shitty childhood. And basically if something bad could happen it did. She was drugged and raped at 18 and married her gay best friend and that was just the beginning. Where the story really starts is present day and Anna is just FINALLY looking into leaving her father's house that she's lived in for years. She's a hair stylist and she's also thinking about moving out on her own.
Her new neighbors are a little crazy and a lot of fun. Frank mentions in the beginning that she used real people for characters in her story and there were a lot of characters. Almost too many. Some kind of blended together and by the end I couldn't always keep everyone straight which was kind of a pain when they went from no starring role to kind of important and I was like who the heck are they?
Frank is a hilarious author and I would recommend it her if you are interested in the Lowcounty area. My favorite is still the first I read Folly Beach.
This would be a good beach read but I definitely would read Folly Beach over this one if you are just checking out Frank for the first time!
Have you read any books set in South Carolina? North Carolina? Would you recommend any?
Don't forget to suggest a book for September!
Description: Anna Lutz Abbot considers herself independent and happy, until one steamy summer when she must find a way to deal with the secrets of her unpredictable family-and her past.
So Anna had a really shitty childhood. And basically if something bad could happen it did. She was drugged and raped at 18 and married her gay best friend and that was just the beginning. Where the story really starts is present day and Anna is just FINALLY looking into leaving her father's house that she's lived in for years. She's a hair stylist and she's also thinking about moving out on her own.
Her new neighbors are a little crazy and a lot of fun. Frank mentions in the beginning that she used real people for characters in her story and there were a lot of characters. Almost too many. Some kind of blended together and by the end I couldn't always keep everyone straight which was kind of a pain when they went from no starring role to kind of important and I was like who the heck are they?
Frank is a hilarious author and I would recommend it her if you are interested in the Lowcounty area. My favorite is still the first I read Folly Beach.
This would be a good beach read but I definitely would read Folly Beach over this one if you are just checking out Frank for the first time!
Have you read any books set in South Carolina? North Carolina? Would you recommend any?
Don't forget to suggest a book for September!
Monday, August 19, 2013
September Group Read Suggestions
That time of the month! What shall we read in September? Any fall books? Back to school? What has your interest?
What we've enjoyed so far..
Ladder of Years
Where'd You Go Bernadette?
Beach Music
The Dinner
The End of Your Life Book Club
Still Alice
The Song Remains the Same
Those Who Save Us
We Are All Welcome Here
Gone Girl
Prisoner of Tehran
The Wednesday Sisters
Looking for Alaska
Cutting for Stone
One Summer
The Year of Fog
Winter Garden
The Violets of March
Rebecca
State of Wonder
The Invisible Bridge
The Postmistress
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Still Missing
The Sandalwood Tree
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Something Borrowed
The Blue Orchard
Sammy's Hill
In the Woods
Shanghai Girls
The Weight of Water
Water for Elephants
The Color Purple
The One That I Want
The Secret Garden
House Rules
American Wife
Firefly Lane
Middlesex
The Reader
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Awakening
Pride & Prejudice
I See You Everywhere
I will keep suggestions open until the 23rd and then I will use random.org to pick a book for next month! If you would be willing to do a guest post for next month's book pick (should be posted on the 27th) I would much appreciate it! I will be teaching full time this year and taking a grad class this fall so life is about to go from 0 to INSANE. ;)
Thanks for participating!
What we've enjoyed so far..
Ladder of Years
Where'd You Go Bernadette?
Beach Music
The Dinner
The End of Your Life Book Club
Those Who Save Us
We Are All Welcome Here
Gone Girl
Prisoner of Tehran
The Wednesday Sisters
Looking for Alaska
Cutting for Stone
One Summer
The Year of Fog
Winter Garden
The Violets of March
Rebecca
State of Wonder
The Invisible Bridge
The Postmistress
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Still Missing
The Sandalwood Tree
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Something Borrowed
The Blue Orchard
Sammy's Hill
In the Woods
Shanghai Girls
The Weight of Water
Water for Elephants
The Color Purple
The One That I Want
The Secret Garden
House Rules
American Wife
Firefly Lane
Middlesex
The Reader
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Awakening
Pride & Prejudice
I See You Everywhere
I will keep suggestions open until the 23rd and then I will use random.org to pick a book for next month! If you would be willing to do a guest post for next month's book pick (should be posted on the 27th) I would much appreciate it! I will be teaching full time this year and taking a grad class this fall so life is about to go from 0 to INSANE. ;)
Thanks for participating!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Insta Month
Here's a peek at our last month insta style. ;)
swimming diva style
enough pictures woman
relaxing with a book on the hammock
watering the flowers at the children's garden
July Saturday night...
ready for a dinner date
waiting on daddy's smoked bbq chicken
again with the pictures
<3 p="">
how did I get this big girl??
zoo trip with grandma
ahh the wind is messing up my hair...
This summer has flown by! What's been your high point of the summer?
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
New books for babe
I've gone a little crazy reading some of the same stories over and over again so I ordered some new books for the two year old last week from Amazon and I love them all!
Let's go for a Drive by Mo Willems - Ahhh I love this book. Elephant and Piggie want to go for a drive. What do they need on the drive? On and on it goes until ummm... they have all this stuff but they don't have a car! Ahhh.. What will they do? I love it and my favorite part is how I can read this book and make it come alive. I love the lines when elephant sings (ok maybe he doesn't but in my reading voice he does!) "Drive! Drive! Drivey-drive-drive! "and then Piggy answers with whatever they added to their pile to take on the trip. Cute illustrations. Highly recommend this and any other Mo Willems book. Best for ages 2-5.
Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick - I was looking on Amazon and I saw that there was a series of books about behaviors. This book, Pacifiers Are Not Forever, Hands are for Helping not Hitting, etc and thought I would give this one a try because we looooove potty books at our house. Me because they are usually hysterical and the child because well it's something we've introduced to her life that is still a mystery. I would say this is one of the better ones. It's not comical, it is very matter of fact about what happens and why we do it and great illustrations of people doing what is expected of a potty training kid. I would definitely use this to introduce the idea of potty training to a kid. Best for kids ages 1-3.
Five Little Monkeys jump in the bath - by Eileen Christelow - My child LOOOVES monkeys and loves 5 little Monkeys jumping in the bed so I gave this a whirl. Great illustrations and it has a great rhythm. "slippy, sloppy, goopy, gloopy!" and other fun rhymes. Perfect pre-reading skills. ::cough cough::: Also, the words are highlighted by different colors that you can point out to your child. Great connection to counting How many monkeys? Count them out one by one. Point to each as you say a number. Great skills for getting ready for preschool/kindergarten. Best for kids ages 1-4.
I'm so glad that these were all winners! We love new books! What are some of your favorite children books?
I'm so glad that these were all winners! We love new books! What are some of your favorite children books?
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