tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332374472024-03-22T12:27:50.900-10:00Books I Have Known and LovedAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080166886721325792noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-63132109179387615812023-08-22T12:50:00.003-10:002024-03-22T12:27:18.694-10:00Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga (translated)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://dauntbookspublishing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OurLady_r4-1-320x491.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://dauntbookspublishing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OurLady_r4-1-320x491.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>I read this book for my neighborhood book group (the 2021 English translation). While I knew a little bit about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, this book gives an imagined inside look at what life was like for the daughters of the wealthy and elite Hutu majority and a few Tutsi minority before the massacre. The setting is 1980 in a small elite boarding school run by Catholic nuns. <p></p><p>Mukasonga's insider view of the motives and ambitions of the individual girls and their teachers often caused me to think about the impact of kindness as well as violence on daily life. It was like watching a freight train pick up speed toward a magnificently ugly crash. </p><p>Themes in this "coming of age" story about teenaged girls. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>education, especially boarding schools</li><li>colonialism and its after effects</li><li>religion and the corrupting influences of Catholicism</li><li>tensions between Christianity and paganism</li><li>racial tensions and class structures</li><li>cultural practices such as food preparation, song, dance, and body rituals</li></ul><p></p><p>This quote seems to identify one of the most clear themes in the novel--the evil that people do to one another--as articulated by Immaculee, one of the Hutu girls: "Now I'm certain there's a monster lurking inside every human being: I don't know who awoke him in Rwanda" (248). </p><p>This novel reminded me of others like <i>The Lord of the Flies</i> by William Golding, <i>Animal Farm</i> by George Orwell, and <i>The Joy Luck Club</i> by Amy Tan because of its similar themes. </p><p>Recommended for adults or mature teens.</p><p>More from the publisher <a href="https://dauntbookspublishing.co.uk/book/our-lady-of-the-nile/ " target="_blank">https://dauntbookspublishing.co.uk/book/our-lady-of-the-nile/ </a> </p><br /><p><br /></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-84450202356378829212023-03-17T20:04:00.004-10:002023-03-17T20:06:17.174-10:00Binge Read of Mercy Thompson series<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I just binge read all of the Mercy Thompson novels that I could get my hands (and ears on). This series grabbed me and pulled me into a realistic urban fantasy world. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The setting is eastern Washington State, USA, where Mercedes Thompson aka Mercy, runs an auto repair shop. She works on old cars like Volkswagens that need the TLC only she can give. She also happens to be a Coyote shifter, thanks to her Native American dad (deceased). Mercy is also friends with a vampire who has a Mystery Machine copycat van. She lives next-door to the local werewolf alpha. And her former boss, a powerful fae, comes by to help out in the shop when she is busy. However, life is never quiet for this daughter of Coyote. Mischief and chaos follow her wherever she goes as she tries to negotiate life in the midst of supernatural creatures and mundane humans alike. Oh, and she is also a devout Christian who attends church regularly. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you love urban fantasy, strong female characters, and creepy villains (and allies), then you will love this series. Some blood and gore makes me recommend these books for adults or mature teens.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patriciabriggs.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Mercy Thompson series" border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFj1Pru7a3ktj7Uaztnykeqs-00PPrbmeUhdt10E3i_wafaK9IR2ESg5rEc_lY0EG87d9u53dL82dUetHYCUup0LsOyxXM1gzqe-m0gXZ3dfw5_YDtFtbJ9gHb6k2TpIjrVfB-ozR81TffQAQUeEvwJev8nPs1E8qBarqPKSg50qHXWBhTw/w294-h320/40BE48C2-00EF-4681-90E4-F2D030986DC1.jpeg" title="www.patriciabrigss.com" width="294" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The author's website:</p><p><a href="https://www.patriciabriggs.com/">https://www.patriciabriggs.com/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-38883190858512850152023-01-02T09:45:00.000-10:002023-03-01T09:46:16.198-10:00 Books recently read (or listened to)<p>Postings Coming Soon for </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Miss Kopp Investigates<span class="Apple-converted-space"> by Amy Stewart</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Dear Miss Kopp by Amy Stewart</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey #6</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Gates of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sleep by Mercedes Lackey</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Gentleman Jack by Mimi Matthews</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fair as a Star by Mimi Matthews</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Desperate Duke by Sheri Cobbs South</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Rector by Margaret Oliphant</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Doctor's Family by Margaret Oliphant</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Shadows by Robin McKinley</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Soaring Flight by Melissa Mcshane</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Beguiling Birthright by Melissa Mcshane</p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-17458013901846647342022-12-01T06:17:00.001-10:002022-12-01T06:17:32.804-10:00Another fun historical romance novel<div class="a-section a-spacing-none" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 22px;">
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 21px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">The Work of Art: A Regency Romance</span></h1>
</div>
<div class="a-section a-spacing-micro bylineHidden feature" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px;">
by <span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B0719WDHBW","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="a-link-normal contributorNameID" data-asin="B0719WDHBW" href="https://smile.amazon.com/Mimi-Matthews/e/B0719WDHBW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; text-decoration: none;">Mimi Matthews</a> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU_Tj0FfCUZNrQn1HovxlGjKxInl75Tc96WfeH9qG6YiU7Idhamj_wHcVfaoQliRX9SbGVYKvkisnhU2ojRbHdupn6ob2OUy9LJP3VhvKC-O0McIP4cgQQaew4A1Lem4WaeF5eTZceywasJqVoulHe6clnkUjk7bmU0jXGOj-lMhUIhM-VKA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Work of Art" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="450" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU_Tj0FfCUZNrQn1HovxlGjKxInl75Tc96WfeH9qG6YiU7Idhamj_wHcVfaoQliRX9SbGVYKvkisnhU2ojRbHdupn6ob2OUy9LJP3VhvKC-O0McIP4cgQQaew4A1Lem4WaeF5eTZceywasJqVoulHe6clnkUjk7bmU0jXGOj-lMhUIhM-VKA" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B0719WDHBW","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I enjoy Mimi Matthews's works, which is evident from my various postings on her novels. So far I have read or listened to all of them. </span></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B0719WDHBW","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>This one follows the basic plot of a woman looking for meaning and autonomy in a society that seeks to deny her both. Themes from this story include the marriage market, the commodification of women, and historical white male privilege. And, spoiler alert, the heroine has <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/heterochromia" target="_blank">heterochromia</a> or two different colored eyes. Some people think she is a witch while others are bewitched by her unique beauty. </div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><br />Here is the summary from the author's website:</div><div class="a-section a-spacing-micro bylineHidden feature" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lustria, Quattrocento, roboto, barlow, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.6rem !important; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="color: #666666;">An Uncommon Beauty…</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lustria, Quattrocento, roboto, barlow, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.6rem !important; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lustria, Quattrocento, roboto, barlow, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.6rem !important; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="color: #666666;">An Unlikely Hero…</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lustria, Quattrocento, roboto, barlow, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.6rem !important; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lustria, Quattrocento, roboto, barlow, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.6rem !important; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?</span></p></div><div class="a-section a-spacing-micro bylineHidden feature" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://www.mimimatthews.com/books/somerset-stories/the-work-of-art/ " target="_blank">https://www.mimimatthews.com/books/somerset-stories/the-work-of-art/ </a></span></span></div><div class="a-section a-spacing-micro bylineHidden feature" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 6px;">I listened to the audiobook, which I purchased on Audible, and really enjoyed the narrator, Mr. Alex Wyndham. </div>
Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-80622721806069535612021-10-11T17:15:00.003-10:002021-10-11T17:16:06.434-10:00A visit from Flat Stanley!<p> This is the third time Flat Stanley has visited me and every time I am somewhere new! </p><p>Here is the letter I wrote to his class at school, with photos included.</p><p class="RecipientContactInfoCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="RecipientContactInfoCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Dear <w:sdt docpart="A1EA88A0049D1140A98AA14E302D5BD5" id="-193009614" multiline="t" prefixmappings="xmlns:ns0='http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/' xmlns:ns1='http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/metadata/core-properties' " sdttag="Enter Recipient Name:" storeitemid="X_6C3C8BC8-F283-45AE-878A-BAB7291924A1" text="t" title="Enter Recipient Name:" xpath="/ns1:coreProperties[1]/ns1:keywords[1]">St. Michael’s School, First Grade</w:sdt>:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Thank you for sending Flat Stanley to visit me in Provo, Utah. My name is Larisa, and I am Esmee’s auntie. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Flat Stanley spent some time with me at my home and my job. I am a lecturer in the English & Literature Department at Utah Valley University. Flat Stanley helped me do some lesson plans and teach some classes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nGV5DZBfuDh9j0vfOQquhm6Iwo-I86UOqy4LqItqR1-k6gQkwQGtuaKWDfqaIpP5-Z5IASYSCIsom1G4gZp8cTATsssb0z5XDgdV4ju9H-95nZMeIGNp-xdt9qknLvsE3AVN/s2048/A44C5993-2DEC-4C77-A12A-BF4E27B84F7B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nGV5DZBfuDh9j0vfOQquhm6Iwo-I86UOqy4LqItqR1-k6gQkwQGtuaKWDfqaIpP5-Z5IASYSCIsom1G4gZp8cTATsssb0z5XDgdV4ju9H-95nZMeIGNp-xdt9qknLvsE3AVN/s320/A44C5993-2DEC-4C77-A12A-BF4E27B84F7B.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQg6b_ZPhJSxDgwjm3bUlrAMHrsKHJ9FmMUpOHekE-NnEnvvYnxNeHmtZ9iA1zwBhO_WWjC5YROybLGGLJBbO-VxXKU1LBHWC14GcZPjZ0APx_U-H3clfgu1H2FlBPRoQ6H75/s2048/46CDF144-C114-4BB6-B704-8AE49C409273.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQg6b_ZPhJSxDgwjm3bUlrAMHrsKHJ9FmMUpOHekE-NnEnvvYnxNeHmtZ9iA1zwBhO_WWjC5YROybLGGLJBbO-VxXKU1LBHWC14GcZPjZ0APx_U-H3clfgu1H2FlBPRoQ6H75/s320/46CDF144-C114-4BB6-B704-8AE49C409273.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #4b3a2e; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">He also visited with our school mascot, the Wolverine, and saw the amazing stained-glass windows, the Roots of Knowledge.</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #4b3a2e; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #4b3a2e; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTul8z-wHUzRY_s3olW2lhrSJiB1pa43atGebsTJLt3VFvAlM2qNgx_F60EvCS5YAvvZTWCN6cQ1aCO7hk0kjNKZO1PTMP8KmM2y7BkWH3t9ciQ_WZG3fCVTLA-y5EJOi5a66G/s2048/5FBBDE57-F482-4359-8127-6280DBE0204A.heic" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTul8z-wHUzRY_s3olW2lhrSJiB1pa43atGebsTJLt3VFvAlM2qNgx_F60EvCS5YAvvZTWCN6cQ1aCO7hk0kjNKZO1PTMP8KmM2y7BkWH3t9ciQ_WZG3fCVTLA-y5EJOi5a66G/s320/5FBBDE57-F482-4359-8127-6280DBE0204A.heic" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN02Ap4xyN-lnd0I4PF5Zi-13GE0TH82y5fYKyPuyVYIQAZCRQrNseR93kNjgT11xU5ruAfAigvbX4Yn5Tu85bYHf0sqNBi6_cHhJgUQAggFmGvlbqO_EwcQ9Ei-lc8AxjcOuH/s2048/054284B2-2B67-4AB4-9917-2F7241F5342C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN02Ap4xyN-lnd0I4PF5Zi-13GE0TH82y5fYKyPuyVYIQAZCRQrNseR93kNjgT11xU5ruAfAigvbX4Yn5Tu85bYHf0sqNBi6_cHhJgUQAggFmGvlbqO_EwcQ9Ei-lc8AxjcOuH/s320/054284B2-2B67-4AB4-9917-2F7241F5342C.heic" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Flat Stanley also spent some time outside with me. The fall weather here is beautiful; it’s cool at night and warm during the day. He climbed into an apple tree and a pine tree. He smelled some roses and swung from the branches of a crabapple tree. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #4b3a2e; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-6MHEqe_LWM2eHb4cbZLGStymc_bdq7kaskw7UVBz1cc2ukJ3-gmwwTPbMjOgBdzJxI7NMe5PKi4_qgyEpwuuwixqLRSii_XPsbZqXGTkKqTrrH84OnZb4N7Sk7ILrQYGELD/s2048/B3980058-A222-4C37-B834-54EE61E05F09.heic" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-6MHEqe_LWM2eHb4cbZLGStymc_bdq7kaskw7UVBz1cc2ukJ3-gmwwTPbMjOgBdzJxI7NMe5PKi4_qgyEpwuuwixqLRSii_XPsbZqXGTkKqTrrH84OnZb4N7Sk7ILrQYGELD/s320/B3980058-A222-4C37-B834-54EE61E05F09.heic" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIyhgV7zD2SDuLow_nC9T6vDgf5Nn65S1KOFJj8Hc4409cUz4nv3VvSSpAmGhbcbCd1vnHprvz9LD-WtAwtGsEXz-oLD52Zkuqei4xZiRzWI3iMQNFe1s5PG8is4Yxl4dj1t_/s2048/C69421AB-D40E-4942-B11D-63BCEC55D229.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIyhgV7zD2SDuLow_nC9T6vDgf5Nn65S1KOFJj8Hc4409cUz4nv3VvSSpAmGhbcbCd1vnHprvz9LD-WtAwtGsEXz-oLD52Zkuqei4xZiRzWI3iMQNFe1s5PG8is4Yxl4dj1t_/s320/C69421AB-D40E-4942-B11D-63BCEC55D229.heic" width="240" /></a></p><p><w:sdt docpart="BA9D6BF31ABA47469AC36093A0A8D658" id="696896679" multiline="t" prefixmappings="xmlns:ns0='http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/' xmlns:ns1='http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/metadata/core-properties' " sdttag="Enter Recipient Name:" storeitemid="X_6C3C8BC8-F283-45AE-878A-BAB7291924A1" text="t" title="Enter Recipient Name:" xpath="/ns1:coreProperties[1]/ns1:keywords[1]"></w:sdt><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Flat Stanley loved UVU so much that I made a school jersey for him! </span></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-82346551108386307302021-08-12T08:51:00.005-10:002021-08-12T08:51:35.033-10:00Review of "On Juneteenth" by Annette Gordon-Reed<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631498831" target="_blank"> https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631498831</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="On Junteenth cover image" border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="528" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxsos-ENGOjR4umkkzgpRthuS7x_80rajjLMUvDAy8iQYvF9N09yF9de8YeoNCIBFI6T5lajlI5tVbywL3nCduf6CdF5MZUCwaOWQDCToSMUPiibpiuDYrVk0pCGEAMD8OdoC/w200-h158/on+juneteenth.png" width="200" /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I picked up this little gem at my public library last week. It was sitting with other new books and I was intrigued by the title and small size. Annette Gordon-Reed's name was familiar so I checked it out. (She is well-known for her work on Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. See </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393337761" target="_blank">https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393337761</a>.</span><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxsos-ENGOjR4umkkzgpRthuS7x_80rajjLMUvDAy8iQYvF9N09yF9de8YeoNCIBFI6T5lajlI5tVbywL3nCduf6CdF5MZUCwaOWQDCToSMUPiibpiuDYrVk0pCGEAMD8OdoC/s528/on+juneteenth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I started reading "On Juneteenth" yesterday afternoon and was immediately drawn into Gordon-Reed's prose. She mixes personal history, narrative, and social commentary into each chapter/essay. Gordon-Reed identifies as Black and I identify as White, so I appreciate this insight into a life different from mine. However, I found that we have more in common than I might have earlier believed. Both of us are well-educated women and scholars. Both of us were precocious readers/students in elementary school. We both have deep roots in Texas. Both of our lives have been shaped by the history of that state. Unfortunately, some of my family members who lived there in the 19th-century were slave owners. But they eventually gave up the practice (thankfully) when they emigrated to Arizona. So, I have appreciated reading the other side of the story with all its stark details of racial prejudice, student success, and family solidarity. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about the Black experience in Texas, the history of Juneteenth, or women's lives/stories. </span></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-30779425468547020752021-01-23T12:55:00.005-10:002021-01-23T12:55:39.726-10:00The Royal Spyness Series by Rhys Bowen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5R_7_VmetgWjqKQ1fKCGVqg41XolTaNA5nO08bDJUKEOY8Lzeal4YTD5p8OaggjBE0lnHIA7ay3jB4B6IN3ybPWMOLCtWT6Bt5xUGAHGxJK6RprYb_ppxZaTVmMH0D7tQGwF/s314/cover_spyness_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5R_7_VmetgWjqKQ1fKCGVqg41XolTaNA5nO08bDJUKEOY8Lzeal4YTD5p8OaggjBE0lnHIA7ay3jB4B6IN3ybPWMOLCtWT6Bt5xUGAHGxJK6RprYb_ppxZaTVmMH0D7tQGwF/s0/cover_spyness_200.jpg" /></a></div><br />A friend recommended this delightful series to me. I have really enjoyed it as a fan of historical fiction and stories about women. So far I have listened to the audiobooks of novels one - five. <p></p><p>Set in the 1930s, the novels are set in the UK after the Stock Market crash and leading up to World War Two. The central protagonist is Lady Georgiana, a minor royal, and great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Georgiana has no allowance from "the family firm" and very little skills, so she has to figure out how to survive in London with only her Scottish wits and close friends to help her. She turns into an amateur sleuth o figure out why people around her keep dying--sometimes at the bequest of the Queen, her royal cousin by marriage. </p><p>If you are a fan of "cozy mysteries" or P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster novels, Georgiana's antics will tickle your funny bone and leave you in tears of laughter. </p><p>You can learn more about the books here: <a href="https://rhysbowen.com/the-royal-spyness-series/">The Royal Spyness Series - Rhys Bowen</a></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-23896707777872836982021-01-12T12:29:00.004-10:002021-01-23T12:56:18.712-10:00Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men<p><i><b> Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men</b></i> by Caroline Criado Perez. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpoHkL9vSE29BP7LyOVuWEcDfqhEcVOJiZnmBClw145bvu3Rb4w-xsjRAFANPg7YCAPXhOOhuxlxRgeGpBv0qu0DX5dM5r-Krtm0XWiETZrrjHePlj0MWqRwVmV8pZsmY1vxk/s510/perez.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpoHkL9vSE29BP7LyOVuWEcDfqhEcVOJiZnmBClw145bvu3Rb4w-xsjRAFANPg7YCAPXhOOhuxlxRgeGpBv0qu0DX5dM5r-Krtm0XWiETZrrjHePlj0MWqRwVmV8pZsmY1vxk/s320/perez.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Everyone should read this book, but especially those who have the authority to create a more equitable, fair, and just world. If you are anything like me, the statistics in this book will also make you very angry. The data shows that women are consistently left out of planning and creating systems in our societies, businesses, and governments. Perez also shows that there is an absence of data about how women's lives are affected by policy decisions. <p></p><br /><p><br /></p>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-24916070616598223982020-03-28T09:52:00.001-10:002020-03-28T09:52:24.306-10:00Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DPUej3C5f5fQt4FmoJJnBmg_hqzaREDtTsq0DmGn4ZBVmxIhDgplGNrvLgdEcY5gdwstzlitvzCxUDWs0C-L4_bmPKUnpxuVo3g418c-euUvo-JoWKTo2vLdc8OYHKfdwCLZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-28+at+1.49.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="452" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DPUej3C5f5fQt4FmoJJnBmg_hqzaREDtTsq0DmGn4ZBVmxIhDgplGNrvLgdEcY5gdwstzlitvzCxUDWs0C-L4_bmPKUnpxuVo3g418c-euUvo-JoWKTo2vLdc8OYHKfdwCLZ/s200/Screen+Shot+2020-03-28+at+1.49.02+PM.png" width="128" /></a></div>
A touching story about two misfits who become friends while walking to school together. Ezekiel has a rare talent for finding lost objects and knows how to return them to their owners. Beth is small and short for her age, but wickedly smart.<br />
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Beth and Ezekiel begin to explore the limits and abilities of his talents together and they eventually use the talent to help others. But most importantly, their friendship heals the broken places in their hearts.<br />
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Some mature/dark but real themes make the book appropriate for older teens and adults.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-51009743967623030202020-01-12T07:19:00.003-10:002020-01-12T07:19:30.760-10:00A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh4j_tGCyfgPFrp_TJ-9fozzXyY5XXj5Yvz_PBdSD_NdM-veJg9ds0pxBkuuchXyC8xMUQu70oBky4_09Q2VmF6glSmhaRE0QlxMJ60bm4eD-I6z9Aej_P-bebXMZYXMz6HE3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-12+at+10.18.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="434" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh4j_tGCyfgPFrp_TJ-9fozzXyY5XXj5Yvz_PBdSD_NdM-veJg9ds0pxBkuuchXyC8xMUQu70oBky4_09Q2VmF6glSmhaRE0QlxMJ60bm4eD-I6z9Aej_P-bebXMZYXMz6HE3/s200/Screen+Shot+2020-01-12+at+10.18.13+AM.png" width="123" /></a>Book 2 in the <b>Parish Orphans of Devon</b> series, <i>A Modest Independence</i>, follows Jenny's journey from England to India not only to find answers about her dead cousin, but also to find herself and what life can mean for a Victorian woman with financial independence. An entertaining read that will satisfy romance readers without gratuitous sex or violence. <br />
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I bought this book on Amazon.com's site and listened to it with Audible.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-65354585324994915122020-01-08T07:26:00.000-10:002020-01-12T07:26:31.168-10:00A Convenient Fiction by Mimi Matthews <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC8Et3U_apx46NbxgOsEv2NDPjEULqmzhoNIzmkya8BK5wqWCA-J7SdaNaRY8Kz2LokHDXVegyn-pRWDo6Y8X3Asn6VmrbrMjM4QFQp59iBiUk21n8oi0kKMuDnA80ZBwR23H/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-12+at+10.21.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="434" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC8Et3U_apx46NbxgOsEv2NDPjEULqmzhoNIzmkya8BK5wqWCA-J7SdaNaRY8Kz2LokHDXVegyn-pRWDo6Y8X3Asn6VmrbrMjM4QFQp59iBiUk21n8oi0kKMuDnA80ZBwR23H/s200/Screen+Shot+2020-01-12+at+10.21.54+AM.png" width="125" /></a><i>A Convenient Fiction</i> by Mimi Matthews is Book 3 in the Series <b>Parish Orphans of Devon.</b> It is the story of the third of the four Parish Orphans, Alex Archer. He happens to meet Laura Hayes, the destitute beauty of a small English village, while on his way to court a rich farmer's daughter. Alex's mercenary ways are no match for Laura's goodness and the two find themselves drawn to each other. A romantic story about the power of love to transform and heal.<br />
<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-33881256475357132872019-07-17T11:59:00.004-10:002019-07-17T11:59:48.060-10:00The Banishment (The Daughters of Mannerling Series Book 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAZagwZ3iMeJYomfWxAOr672rqGuC3SUg1E0hc4A8kfxOVlRZyrw8TgWZD4MSgAtQf4IwT6KtcKEvpUYxd64N89P8q4gIS32hpb2Ce9-m3-RpkL-rskN6d8UQP00IV_ZHkdp-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-17+at+3.54.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="466" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAZagwZ3iMeJYomfWxAOr672rqGuC3SUg1E0hc4A8kfxOVlRZyrw8TgWZD4MSgAtQf4IwT6KtcKEvpUYxd64N89P8q4gIS32hpb2Ce9-m3-RpkL-rskN6d8UQP00IV_ZHkdp-/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-07-17+at+3.54.52+PM.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">By M. C. Beaton writing as Marion </span><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">Chesney </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The first in a series of books about six sisters more in love with their grand estate than with any human alive. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Set in Regency England, book 1 focuses on Isabella, the oldest and most beautiful of the Beverly sisters. Isabella learns through painful experience that material wealth is a meaningless replacement for friendship, love, and happiness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0YWT4cpWTUkDnCbqrcxOORpHdqaElDbxDibim208HLkVtilhaifRpERmOOZIsVEWN0QlOEMITv3_qnKtsxa2AavKQIq8cV7qGDr2Ei5XWTFEeMC7ofbZGJh-FBVzdfH3h1iA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-17+at+3.58.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="526" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0YWT4cpWTUkDnCbqrcxOORpHdqaElDbxDibim208HLkVtilhaifRpERmOOZIsVEWN0QlOEMITv3_qnKtsxa2AavKQIq8cV7qGDr2Ei5XWTFEeMC7ofbZGJh-FBVzdfH3h1iA/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-07-17+at+3.58.13+PM.png" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">A light, entertaining read, with typical flashes of wit found in Beaton's novels. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">I listened to the audio book, which I got through my public library. The narrator was a bit ponderous for my taste, but she did a capable job adopting different voices for each character. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">You can read the books for free with Kindle Unlimited. Many of Beaton's books are available on the Audible Escape Package (unlimited romance novel package for an additional fee).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66);"><br /></span></span></span>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-14488765611214692722019-06-15T08:33:00.003-10:002019-06-15T08:33:51.379-10:00Even Tree Nymphs Get The Blues by Molly Harper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJZQOtjxfjH5pv-t_YqbHQgUJ5t4O5aMrTPidhM0s6sSMy2SvdG43tOgOsC7cVT1hRqhA4acufoOVo7QJDC50rNysv_mUDX8LHZ3AfiFhU5xo9Hz83__Efsj9AAKexXJGNdYh/s1600/Image+6-15-19+at+12.32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="336" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJZQOtjxfjH5pv-t_YqbHQgUJ5t4O5aMrTPidhM0s6sSMy2SvdG43tOgOsC7cVT1hRqhA4acufoOVo7QJDC50rNysv_mUDX8LHZ3AfiFhU5xo9Hz83__Efsj9AAKexXJGNdYh/s200/Image+6-15-19+at+12.32+PM.jpg" width="200" /></a>A paranormal romance story with elements of mystery, the novella features Ingrid Asher, a tree nymph. She relocates to Mystic Bayou, Louisiana, a safe haven for humans and preternaturally alike. Her dream to open a creamery puts her in the path of well-meaning but strange neighbors. Ingrid has to decide if she wants to make friends and take a chance at love or continue her reclusive life.<br />
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I listened to the audio book with my Audible account. The performers did a great job telling the story from two different perspectives.<br />
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Some profanity and adult situations.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-34366477313910689232019-06-12T08:48:00.000-10:002019-06-15T08:54:23.220-10:00Steampunk Red Riding Hood series by Melanie Karsak<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rhZ_TqBAg5zzYy6SPFj3l0UkBttY087dyC8wcV1KZI9PUTMVx5yrg1T5AGGgyCyrV8NVTzHKb3B-lcO6HmCQQUJlLXe3kuTdF9qDvPoQ4Eg5e1-33d0HJUFFX8hPKec-KYYT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-15+at+12.36.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="236" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rhZ_TqBAg5zzYy6SPFj3l0UkBttY087dyC8wcV1KZI9PUTMVx5yrg1T5AGGgyCyrV8NVTzHKb3B-lcO6HmCQQUJlLXe3kuTdF9qDvPoQ4Eg5e1-33d0HJUFFX8hPKec-KYYT/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-06-15+at+12.36.21+PM.png" width="136" /></a><br />
I just finished reading this entire series of novellas about Little Red Riding Hood, a werewolf hunter for the Red Capes law enforcement society in Victorian (Steampunk) England. A fun, diverting read, the stories feature Little Red, aka Clemeny Louvel, and her adventures keeping London safe from "bad people doing bad things." She primarily fights werewolves but also tackles preternaturals like vampires, bogarts, goblins, ghosts, nasty humans, and witches. All the while, Clemeny seeks information about her own origins. All she knows is that she was adopted by her Grand-mere, who found her on the church steps one day. Small clues through each story lead Clemeny to discover that she is more than just a skilled and capable warrior. She also has to make career choices, defend the Queen, and navigate an unusual romantic landscape.<br />
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Some profanity and violence. Appropriate for mature teens and adults. One pet peeve--Karsak loves the word "smirk." It got a bit annoying after a bit.<br />
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I read these stories for free with my Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited account.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Wolves and Daggers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Book 1) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Book 2) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Peppermint and Pentacles: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Book 3) </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Bitches and Brawlers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Book 4) </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Howls and Hallows: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Book 5) </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(66, 66, 66); color: #424242; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lycans and Legends: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Book 6)</span><br />
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Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-23338491246345153942019-06-08T09:00:00.000-10:002019-06-15T09:01:58.070-10:00Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpuT-RbUZWp2dueUnCMTIe-1nKV0uvVZINWCuFMfKvCOMduKeFUkT5NLnnROhc0amzlQjNzXw3B0fj6J8jUp5SE66pH47ukbZKhdFkCwMeJB_BKwXFdLYxAP9a3Wu6CciIIFX/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-15+at+12.55.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpuT-RbUZWp2dueUnCMTIe-1nKV0uvVZINWCuFMfKvCOMduKeFUkT5NLnnROhc0amzlQjNzXw3B0fj6J8jUp5SE66pH47ukbZKhdFkCwMeJB_BKwXFdLYxAP9a3Wu6CciIIFX/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-06-15+at+12.55.40+PM.png" width="164" /></a>An interesting re-telling of the Snow White story. Set in 1930s New York City, Snow comes face-to-face with the evil and greed caused by the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Her step-mother is a beautiful dance-hall girl who entraps aging and wealthy Mr. White. Soon her jealousy drives Snow out on her own and she lives on the street protected by seven street urchins. But the stepmother manages to get Snow to eat the poisoned apple and it does take a Prince to wake her up.<br />
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A fun quick read for adults and older children.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-42629699197106643992018-09-04T09:54:00.004-10:002019-06-15T09:04:09.837-10:00Uprooted by Naomi Novik<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCOMZdyztpK9gFkdJywnoSkRexs9vAOAHnhFRsi5F4lZdHHULN2G_hVRjmHc8Dm4I_DTyIbNXdos1N2B13OWLNMbqk9FUzQs79A-02i41to0REhyphenhyphenFkanznaE268vK78lGnAFj/s1600/uprooted.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="386" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCOMZdyztpK9gFkdJywnoSkRexs9vAOAHnhFRsi5F4lZdHHULN2G_hVRjmHc8Dm4I_DTyIbNXdos1N2B13OWLNMbqk9FUzQs79A-02i41to0REhyphenhyphenFkanznaE268vK78lGnAFj/s200/uprooted.png" width="146" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My first time reading (actually, listening to the audiobook) any works by Naomi Novik and I enjoyed it immensely. No wonder its a Nebula Award Winner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The story follows a typical <i>bildungsroman</i> plot (not a love story as some claim). <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Agnieszka, the heroine, is thrust into an adventure not of her choosing. She makes the best of it, however, and learns about her own hidden talents. Despite her mistakes and very human foibles, she helps heal her valley and bring peace amidst war and destruction.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Themes of magic, courage, persistence, bravery, and care for the earth place this book among other greats like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Harry Potter series. Strong female characters drive the action in this fairy tale/fantasy set in eastern Europe. Fans of Babba Jaga will also find she plays a small role. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">You can find summaries on Amazon.com and the publisher's website: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/236925/uprooted-by-naomi-novik/9780804179058/. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is also an excerpt available there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One criticism--the reader of the audiobook, Julia Emelin. Obviously she was chosen for her skills with pronouncing the Eastern European names. But her pronunciation of English words were often unclear and confusing. Sometimes I had to go back and re-listen to make sense of the storyline.</span>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-76659376247871565742018-06-19T11:41:00.000-10:002018-06-19T11:44:58.242-10:00A Mail-Order Haven (Miners to Millionaires Book 9)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqYbPNQV9JFTwIxITAjA-skluabzeFz6uTzLPRWcTwk1k53eticybOqRnXeG8vZyYEfFqMx-yy6O-ZqOuDLOzLD8AdpGWL61Sr7ZzrXx85zYXRFsnyq8Eo68wbZvZrJ3EkRG6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-19+at+3.10.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="218" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqYbPNQV9JFTwIxITAjA-skluabzeFz6uTzLPRWcTwk1k53eticybOqRnXeG8vZyYEfFqMx-yy6O-ZqOuDLOzLD8AdpGWL61Sr7ZzrXx85zYXRFsnyq8Eo68wbZvZrJ3EkRG6/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-06-19+at+3.10.50+PM.png" width="136" /></a></div>
The latest installment in this series is a fun read with some interesting twists.<br />
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This story focuses on Juliette Davenport, one of the 10 mail order brides Ivan the Miner lured to Promise Creek. She left her home to escape scandal caused by her bank-robbing brother. In her new home she found friendship and purpose.<br />
But once the brides' goldmine reveals a motherlode, there are fears for the safety of Juliette and Willow, the remaining two brides.<br />
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The town sheriff hires a bodyguard but Willow moves to town and the protection of Clara and her husband. That leaves Juliette alone to be protected by the hunky Devon McAllister. And like Juliette, Devon is escaping a shady past. Once he meets Juliette and grows to love her, a ghost from their pasts threatens to destroy them, their friends, and possibly even Promise Creek.<br />
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I have enjoyed these short novellas. I just wish the stories were longer! Learn more on the author's website: <a href="http://www.janelledaniels.com/">http://www.janelledaniels.com/</a><br />
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Warning: Some sizzling moments of passionate kissing, scenes of violence, and two deaths.Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-5004865321253986832018-06-18T18:08:00.004-10:002018-06-18T18:08:47.953-10:00Lies Jane Austen Told Me<i>Lies Jane Austen Told Me: A Proper Romance</i> by Julie Wright.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp23h_QViyDjAz8SylaRxp2jiXjJJkSBPjlxBO1uvHYkOvRiT6CxNLt7hJyGN7EdPEZIp-TIH41TdWTe37klUVUj61KLBBI6FAfEdjf9G7DxECo8j4DOdSdFyHIf49_JHWWauo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-06-18+at+7.59.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="580" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp23h_QViyDjAz8SylaRxp2jiXjJJkSBPjlxBO1uvHYkOvRiT6CxNLt7hJyGN7EdPEZIp-TIH41TdWTe37klUVUj61KLBBI6FAfEdjf9G7DxECo8j4DOdSdFyHIf49_JHWWauo/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-06-18+at+7.59.19+PM.png" width="133" /></a>This is a fun, light story that any fan of the romance genre will enjoy. You don't have to be an Austenite to appreciate the story. The basic plot centers on Emma Pierce, career gal, who becomes convinced that the next step in her life is getting engaged. But when her boyfriend doesn't propose, and Emma suspects he's cheating on her, she breaks off their relationship. Its after the breakup that Emma's life gets interesting when her ex-boyfriend's brother enters her career life. Emma also has a quirky best friend who adds some comic relief.<br />
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Like many novels written for, by, or about Austen fans, Emma feels betrayed by her favorite novelist's supposed promises of "fairy tale" endings. (Another similar novel like this is <i>Austenland</i> by Shannon Hale.) Fully embracing the reality of adult relationships, both romantic and a familial, is a major theme of the book. What ensues is an interesting kind of "coming-of-age" story with elements similar to Austen's <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>--complete with a Darcy-like character. And like most of Austen's novels, it ends with a wedding or engagement.<br />
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This was a fun read and if I were able to turn off my analytical mind, I probably would have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, as someone trained to read critically through my Liberal Arts education, and having taken a graduate seminar on Austen, I cannot agree with the premise of the novel that Austen "told lies" to her readers. Austen's novels, if read carefully, feature very real and flawed characters who don't always get the happy ending. For example, Mary and Kitty Bennett miss out on marriage while Lizzie, Jane, and Lydia all enter the conjugal state. Austen's novels also offer critiques of society and especially the darker side of wealth and fortune. For example, the novel <i>Mansfield Park</i> skirts around issues of slavery and exploitation; the estate of Mansfield Park is partially, if not all, supported by profits from slave labor. Many scholars have explored these issues in great depth which shows that Austen's novels are not "romances"; rather, Austen painted a complex picture of her society, in which a gentlewoman's primary career was marriage and family.<br />
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I listened to the audiobook because I like sewing or cleaning while listening. The narrator did an adequate job but her performance of the male characters was not believable/realistic.Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-23909481823761796622018-05-26T09:12:00.003-10:002018-05-26T09:22:16.001-10:00One of the most disappointing reads ever<i>The Reformation of Lady Elinor</i> (2018) by Darryl Harris is one of the most disappointing reads of my entire lifetime. Its marketed as an historical romance but has little romance and minimal history. The story has a lot of potential, as do the characters. Unfortunately, neither get developed. Instead, the story is primarily an attack on the Catholic church and a didactic and boring regurgitation of beliefs about the Great Apostasy, the Reformation, and the need for a Restoration of Christ's pure gospel. It reads like a religious tract. For the LDS readers out there, much of Harris's points will sound familiar from Sunday School or missionary discussions.<br />
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So, if you are looking for a clean, historical romance, you will be disappointed in this story. There is very little romance--one or two kisses. The historical context is superficially developed. A major plot elements is overlooked or brushed aside. Apparently something terrible happens to Lady Elinor in Rome, but the situation is never revealed (lame) even though it was the turning point for her "reformation." And there is no wedding at the end.<br />
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Sorry I wasted time reading it; hopefully you won't!<br />
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https://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-reformation-of-lady-elinor.html<br />
<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-70294973324558257622018-05-25T10:33:00.000-10:002018-08-09T07:23:54.152-10:00Lost Language? Not really.<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><i>Let's Bring Back: The Lost Language Edition: A Collection of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful Words, Phrases, Praises, Insults, Idioms, and Literary Flourishes from Eras Past</i> by Lesley M. M. Blume</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4O4a1T-WeVUjIwOP4wzbjY3en6N2GU3XE0x-zIsG51Vs-1jOqR8UaJK2o6Qy9NSMtKcJ1dlxlTCpMQdPMqCckGlMhDWUxxgaJMlsNdCpl8yaCsHslT1GAhH0ifROYSISp2Ai/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-05-26+at+2.17.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="434" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4O4a1T-WeVUjIwOP4wzbjY3en6N2GU3XE0x-zIsG51Vs-1jOqR8UaJK2o6Qy9NSMtKcJ1dlxlTCpMQdPMqCckGlMhDWUxxgaJMlsNdCpl8yaCsHslT1GAhH0ifROYSISp2Ai/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-05-26+at+2.17.49+PM.png" width="201" /></a><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> I am</span> a well-educated person. I teach writing and am an avid reader. But I don't know every word in American English, especially those from generations past. Thus, imagine my delight in finding this little gem while doing a shelf browse at my local public library. This delightfully embellished and illustrated book promised to delight and educate. </span><br />
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">Sadly, my hopes were dashed. I knew 90% of the words. The words that I didn't know often had vague definitions and referred to online dictionaries as sources <shudder>. No reference to the OED, Merriam Webster, or any other reputable print dictionary. Seriously, if I wanted a vague or scurrilous definition from the Web, I can look it up myself. </shudder></span><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">Thus, my sad conclusion is that this book is intended for people who don't have a large vocabulary or it is meant to be a gift book for the unsuspecting word nerd. </span><br />
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;">The book is beautiful to look at, has nice illustrations, and includes a bookmark. (You can see the illustrations on Amazon.com). Blume's collection was good for a few minutes entertainment. But if you are looking for a serious text about the definition or etymology of words and phrases, give this one a miss. It is, as they say in Texas, "All hat and no cattle." </span><br />
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<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span>
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span>Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-78837912816710035722018-04-10T17:18:00.001-10:002018-04-10T17:23:31.324-10:00The Extraordinaries Series by Melissa McShane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLbBca8ARl_RNOZ6XdgkVMKtn2XVSwojKKZA16TL0Snj84AdPN6Gic8zeCkIkv8zhTZr-NVydIFK95EWvAQCI_F2W2Ff0mPLurtjdCcQ0uYLJI4OlpfT_BCYGl5rJgGemWdTP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.38.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="302" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLbBca8ARl_RNOZ6XdgkVMKtn2XVSwojKKZA16TL0Snj84AdPN6Gic8zeCkIkv8zhTZr-NVydIFK95EWvAQCI_F2W2Ff0mPLurtjdCcQ0uYLJI4OlpfT_BCYGl5rJgGemWdTP/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.38.40+PM.png" width="136" /></a>What a fun series! <i>Burning Bright, Wondering Sight</i>, and <i>Abounding Might</i>. I love the strong female protagonists combined with the alternate historical backdrop.<br />
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All three books focus on magical masters or "Extraordinary" women who use their talents to aid the British war effort against Napoleon. The all have take varied journeys of personal discovery and self-actualization, find love, and make positive contributions to the war effort. The characters are well-developed and the story is full of interesting historical details.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEr6wOf4PeaCF3Lw32mJw3QBJEYeFblWBri5e1_sTeR4WWEO3c5NH3Q_OEzmz69g4kqcxlf3mZAiELLhG5PXr7ix_cnNGrYoQOkHGKyX3SUPFc6BUa6dX24NVc1b5hl5Vj_jh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.49.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="374" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEr6wOf4PeaCF3Lw32mJw3QBJEYeFblWBri5e1_sTeR4WWEO3c5NH3Q_OEzmz69g4kqcxlf3mZAiELLhG5PXr7ix_cnNGrYoQOkHGKyX3SUPFc6BUa6dX24NVc1b5hl5Vj_jh/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.49.59+PM.png" width="135" /></a><i>Burning Bright</i>, the first novel, focuses on Elinor, who has the Talent of controlling and creating fire. But her father tries to control her and her Talent, so she runs away and joins the British navy. Amazon.com has a good summary, but don't read it too closely because it has spoilers.<br />
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<i>Wondering Sight</i>, book the second, features Sophia, who has power to see places and people in the past, present, and future. She has to overcome scandal and personal doubts to bring a criminal to justice.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_fCj9G93wiD0mvViO3YuZj81FFiiX4PpBIMrKf4MPi3xBtY1lIn03RFTuYA5TQuqXmHwXSUT9qGip0RXuMRcLVmiqm7VIj5S8LBWJXwjHJ0IoOMtW4g5ofR3GjYgu-vUqTOc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.38.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_fCj9G93wiD0mvViO3YuZj81FFiiX4PpBIMrKf4MPi3xBtY1lIn03RFTuYA5TQuqXmHwXSUT9qGip0RXuMRcLVmiqm7VIj5S8LBWJXwjHJ0IoOMtW4g5ofR3GjYgu-vUqTOc/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-04-10+at+8.38.12+PM.png" width="128" /></a><i><br /></i>
Book 3,<i> Abounding Might, </i>is about Sophia's friend, the tiny Lady Daphne, who is a mover. She can carry people and objects long distances and works as a courier of sorts for the Navy. She has to prove her physical, emotional, and psychological strength.<br />
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Some romances can include explicit sex and "mature" themes. While there is plenty of sexual tension between characters, all three women and their respective love interests, go no further than kissing before their marriages. To compare to a movie rating, PG13 for themes and violence, but PG for sex, nudity, and language. Women are also portrayed positively as are most of the men (not the villains).<br />
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You can find all three books on Amazon.com, and the first two books can be read for free with Kindle Unlimited.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-74236009121265750912018-03-29T09:44:00.003-10:002018-03-29T09:44:32.049-10:00Myself as a Reader<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td colspan="2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span>I recently completed a job application that posed an interesting question: "Please describe yourself as a reader and tell us how you came to be one. Use this opportunity to tell us about at least one book or author that has been particularly meaningful to you." AH-HA, I thought, "They want my literacy narrative!" Luckily, I had written one years ago and was able to polish it up for the job application. And since some of my followers might find it interesting, I have included a portion of it here:<br />
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Age 13 and I stand in front of my family’s large and overcrowded bookshelves. I have just put back some thick book—probably<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Jane Eyre</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Pride and Prejudice—</i>and am scanning all the books on the shelf. “Ugh, I have already read all these!” I think as I look at the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Little House on the Prairie</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>books,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Chronicles of Narnia</i>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Huckleberry Finn, Little Women</i>, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Hobbit</i>. The only books left are Mom and Dad’s college textbooks and they lack the romantic tales on my current menu. I am about to start eighth grade, and there is not a single novel, picture book,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Readers Digest, Sunset, New Era,</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>National Geographic</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in the house that I haven’t read already. It is going to be a long, hot, California summer day and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I have nothing to read!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I get on my yellow bike and peddle down to Pleasant Hill’s public library where I will find some way of transporting myself into another more magical place.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Me with my big sister</b>.</td></tr>
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Flashback to my birth. My mother Elaine, a self-described bookworm, started reading to me. I am their second of seven children. And our family library grew along with our family. We had so many books in our house that one of my mother's friends, Carol, joked, “I’m not going to go to the library anymore. I’ll just come over to your house.” We did have many, many books—more than any of my friend's families: Stories of people from different cultures and times, along with classic fairy tales like<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Snow White and Rose Red</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to more contemporary picture books like<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Mr. Shaw’s Shipshape Shoe Shop.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>One series of books I really loved was Laura Ingalls Wilder’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Little House<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>books. I read the entire series back in the second grade, when most of my classmates were still reading advanced picture books. About this same time, Michael Landon had begun producing the television series and interest was renewed in the books. I loved them because my mother gave me the complete set for my birthday. But looking back now, I realize that I also loved them because the girls were the heroes in her stories, aided by Pa and their bulldog Jack. I could transport myself to Laura Ingalls's time and place and imagine I was her, sitting in the back of the wagon, watching the tall grass sway and dance as our wagon wheels rolled on and on. After all, Larisa sounds similar to Laura. I thought about her sometimes when I’d buy a striped candy stick at our local grocery store and wonder, “How they could Laura and Mary make theirs last more than one day?” I was enraptured by this series of books that carried me to another time and place—and my mother gave me the key to that mythical space where girls and women were key participants in shaping their worlds.</div>
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Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-64048588703693084442018-02-26T09:49:00.000-10:002018-05-26T09:51:44.217-10:00To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer has helped heal mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am a devout Christian, and a hopeless romantic who loves books and big, brawny men. So, this novel was pure delight for me. I also enjoyed the Christian themes of forgiveness and repentance. For those of you who love historical romance, this story will not disappoint.<br />
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Levi Grant, a reformed man, opens a smithy in a small Texas town. He wants to rebuild his life and start anew as a Christian and a pacifist. Miss Eden Spencer is also escaping her past and hoping to rebuild a new life as town librarian and determined spinster. But add in Levi's love of reading, and Eden's library, and sparks ignite.<br />
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Other themes in the story include withholding judgment, extending compassion, and willingness to forgive. Interesting secondary characters add to the book's realism and charm.<br />
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As I have mentioned in other posts, my marriage unraveled a few years ago and I am now divorced. I lost my faith in men, marriage, and my church for a while. But fiction like Witemeyer's novel, <i>To Win Her Heart</i>, has helped rejoin the broken pieces of my heart and nurtured my belief that honorable men can exist in real life, as well as fiction.<br />
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I accessed the book through my KindleUnlimited account.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-32759829219289019682018-02-24T06:16:00.004-10:002018-02-24T06:16:33.748-10:00More Western Romance Novels--Miners to Millionaires seriesAs I mentioned before, I have been on a Westerns-reading spree lately. My BFF Sarah shared this delightful series with me. Janelle Daniels, who happens to be Sarah's niece, wrote The Miners to Millionaires series and published in with Amazon.com. The first book, <i>A Mail-Order Heart,</i> is free! (Wahoo!). And if you have KindleUnlimited, you can access the series as part of your membership. <br />
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The main story focuses on a group of women who, unwittingly, have all agreed to be the mail-order bride for an excentric miner. When the women arrive in the small town, they all discover that they have the same fiancee, and pandemonium ensues.<br />
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The unique and different tales will keep you up past your bedtime to find out just how each bride finds monetary and romantic riches.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33237447.post-19160665756661218662018-02-21T06:40:00.000-10:002018-02-24T06:40:24.594-10:00Just discovered Georgette Heyer's regency romances with a bonus!As my readers know, I love books, and I love getting books for free from my public library and especially with the Overdrive App. Audio books are fantastic, especially if the narrator performs different voices for the characters.<br />
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Well, I was reminded of handsome Richard Armitage the other day while watching feature film series of <i>The Hobbit </i>with my mother. Armitage has a lovely, deep voice as Thorin Oakenshield, so I thought, "Hmm. Maybe he has narrated some audiobooks."<br />
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So I looked on Overdrive and found three books, from Georgette Heyer's Regency Romances series. While I had not previously consumed any of her books, I had read that she is considered a 20th-century Jane Austen. And since I love Austen and Armitage, it was a no-brainer to download an audiobook.<br />
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The first, <i>The Convenient Marriage</i>, was a pure delight. Armitage does all the voices so well, especially that of stammering Horatia. The rakish men and hoydenish women added to the stories charms. Heyer's sparkling wit is just like Austen's and I finished listening within 48 hours. The e-book can also be downloaded for free with KindleUnlimited.<br />
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The other two that I just finished listening to were <i>Venetia</i> and <i>Sylvester, or the Wicked Uncle</i>. Armitage performed both to perfection. My only complaint is that Venetia was an abridged version. But I got the print version at the public library and have enjoyed filling in the subplots, scenes, and dialogue that were cut for the audio version.<br />
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So, all you Janeites, rejoice! Heyer is Austen's literary great-granddaughter. And if you want more of Richard Armitage, I recommend the film version of <i>North and South</i> by Elizabeth Gaskell. It is a little different from the book, but won't disappoint Gaskell fans.<br />
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<br />Dr. Larisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00159501959349991123noreply@blogger.com0