Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

Oh, the anticipation of your first snog...you never get that feeling back.  I'm over doubly past 14 and coming of age but it would be awesome to be Tallulah Casey and starting an exciting summer at a liberal arts camp and be tall with knees to my chin and wearing squirrel slippers in my loft bed.  This is the book that put me all in a dither and using my imaginary Yorkshire accent.  If you're a 14 year old girl or a 60 year old girl, you should read this book and just do an Irish jig because you can.  Ms. Rennison's words made me realize that that young girl is still in their somewhere, I just have to learn to give in and let her out every now and again (the tears, uncontrollable laughter and dancing amongst the trees).  Oh and this is the beginning of a series...

We need a little inspiration...

Which characters have inspired you?  Fictitious or Real, here are some of mine:

Maya Angelou - funny and smart

Tallulah from Withering Tights - The image of her flailing Irish dance makes me smile and not so awkward.

Eliza & Cassandra from The Forgotten Garden - Strength of character and unending passion

Henry & Keiko from Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Young love is real and lasting.

Jon Snow & Arya Stark from A Game of Thrones - Determination and willpower

(You can leave a comment without signing up to be a follower.  I'd love to hear who has inspired you.)

I'm all in a dither...

because I've started too many books at once and they are all fantastic and I just got another from the library today and it looks awesome too!!!!!  So if you are in need of a holiday read in between bouts of shopping, baking and laundering, here's what I'm reading right now:  

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison, which has me speaking in some odd Yorkshire accent (which only comes out right in my head).

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain - Technically it's the January book club pick, but ever since someone whom shall remain nameless borrowed my last copy, I've been dying to know what adventure Ernest and Hadley have been taking.

When Elves Attack by Tim Dorsey - Not your average Christmas tale so far and not for those that disdain of profanity or the art of stealing albeit for a good cause.  But it's a laugh (said in my Yorkshire accent, which I really don't know what a Yorkshire accent sounds like).

Oh and that library book in the mail today...

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg - I have no idea what to expect but the cover is really cool and it contains snip-its from some of the best authors around!  (Shout out to Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA for making me take note of this one!)

What I should be reading (and yes excited to read)...

Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas by the Maya Angelou (This is the December book pick.)  Can't wait to see where Maya takes us next!

Turkey Day in the USA!

Happy Thanksgiving!!  

There are countless things I am thankful for - family, a loving home, supportive and trusting friends, a mom that worries and hugs and a dad that holds my sister and I up, a loving church family, books and adventures, the ocean, clean water, mountains, a good job, a realist hubby who makes me laugh, wise and funny young adults, beautiful niece and hilarious nephew, forgiveness for my sins, a loving God, the Muppets, movies, comfy couch and good wine, plenty to eat, football games and tailgating, freedom - truly blessed! 

Devil in the White City - Erik Larson

Still reading, highlighting, pondering, in awe and anticipation of the rest to come in this brilliant piece of history - just hope I don't dream about it again tonight!

The gray is coming...

Gray hair!!  This is not going to be an easy task and starting to get my first reality checks but I will push forward!!!  Incorporating, business bank account and online bookstore are on the horizon - just need some more finger holds:)

Now how often do you read or hear the word cussedness????  Love it!  Reminds of a few ornery old men.  (top of page 17 of The Devil in the White City - Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson)

Seizure by Kathy Reichs

As next in the series after Virals, Kathy Reichs creates another high-action hit as we see Tory, Hi, Ben and Shelton use their wolf-like senses to hunt down treasure while dodging bullets and crawling into damp, dark places I would never even put my my toe in.  If you have a teenager that likes mystery and adventure, this series is a must.  (Definitely start with Virals.)

Website Domain - All Mine!

Today I purchased and registered my domain name.  Introducing www.talesandales.com!!!!  I'll be posting progress of getting the bookstore up and running, so check in periodically.

Review of The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin coming soon!

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

Emotion, raw emotion.  That is what the characters created by Ms. Jackson go through with almost every breath they take in Between.  Nonny is one of the most spirited and complex characters I have met.  She is wholesome but wild, love like crazy and crazy like mean, sincere but fierce.  Nonny is "stolen" by the Frett sisters (Stacia, Bernese and Genny) the night she is born on the floor of the foyer in Bernese's home.  Born a Crabtree but raised a Frett - Nonny is tasked as referee of Bernese and Ona Crabtree (her blood grandma). One afternoon and one Bitch turn the battles into war and Nonny returns to the very small town of Between to fight the battle that has been raging inside of her since the night she was born on that foyer floor. 

You will laugh when you probably shouldn't; be at Nonny's battleside (both in love and family); and feel Mama's words even though you can't hear them.

I've read all but one of Jackson's novels and each one is a page-turner filled with warmth, humor, vitality and that something you've been craving.

Customer Service Run-ins

So this weekend I visited two of my favorite stores.  They are frequented by me quite often and usually the customer service is above-average to exceptional, sometimes hilarious.  But on Saturday, I was met with a grumpy-pants sandwich maker and a too busy multitasking manager.  I thought I would share my thoughts for those of you out there in the retail business or even the how to be nice to people business that might benefit from my experiences.

First, the multitasking manager/supervisor.  After being greeted by the usual smile and then another salesperson, they seemed really well-staffed that morning, I made my selections and went to check-out.  There was a male employee speaking to a female employee about who was going to be helping who stock what and when and where and yada yada yada.  I smiled at the female employee as she was the only one paying attention to me and I put my stuff on the counter.  He began scanning my purchases without any nod of the head, greeting or did you find everything you need, etc.  She said good morning and we chit-chatted about our need for caffeine and had a laugh.  All the time, he was still ringing me up, directing her to do this and that.  When he gave me his receipt I said goodbye to her and went on my way.  Now, I know a new shipment probably just came in and it's the beginning of the holiday season BUT you don't ignore your customers - they are the ones paying your salary. 

Second, grumpy-pants sandwich maker.  I love, love these sandwiches and rarely have I gotten one that wasn't made right to my liking.  But most of all, I love talking with the sandwich maker.  Usually, they're funny or comment on how I might want to try the new meat or cheese that came in, but this person was not having any form of conversation other than to assume I wanted mayo and mustard and no cheese on my tuna.  She wore a sour expression and kept mashing the veggies on the sandwich.  I wasn't in a big hurry, but still didn't want to stand there forever as she was trying to listen in on the conversation her co-worker was having with his customer.  Part of me thinks she wasn't supposed to work that day and got called in but when in retail you gotta keep the grumpiness out of your demeanor to keep the customers coming back!

I will qualify by saying that there are customers that can be just downright rude and grumpy themselves (I'm sure I've been one of those at one point or another) but the customer is still your greatest asset, so turn the other cheek and smile, you might wind up brightening their day!!  (And this particular morning I was in a great mood even without my morning caffeine yet.)

Tales & Ales it is!

Thank you for all of your thoughts!  I'm going with tales & ales books.  Hopefully the website will be up and running in the next month or so.  Keep checking back for progress:)

Need a Name

I'm in the process of naming of my bookstore - it's currently named Prospective Bookshop.  Don't think that will do.  Listed below are names that myself, friends, family or my hubby have come up with - please add your two cents on your faves!  And for those of who don't know, I plan on stocking mainly fiction (all genres), with smaller sections of history, biography, travel, gardening and cooking.  Also, I plan on having a small bar to serve beer, wine, soda, teas and coffee.  Thanks!

Tales & Ales

Short Stories

BrokenSpine: Books & Wine

Rough Drafts

Reading Glasses

 

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

Stevens does her research and it shows in another page turner! I still have a few unanswered questions but that's a good mystery/thriller - the story keeps you guessing even when the pages run out.

What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman

I was excited to read this story after reading so many glowing reviews, but now realize a lot of those were from promotions for the book.  I wanted to really love this book but found myself feeling depressed most of the time.  Wyatt's outlook was always bleak and he seemed like a weak character -okay letting people tell him how to live and what to do.  Yes, he was struck by more than his fair share of tragedy but none of the tragedies seemed to build character or even courage.  But on the positive, there are some brilliantly funny lines in the book and I believe the back and forth banter between, Wyatt, Tilda, Cornelia and Constance, would make for a great TV movie.  

For a synopsis - Wyatt loses his parents to suicide, separately but simultaneously.  He's a 17-year-old boy and is taken in by his Aunt Constance and Uncle Donald.  His cousin, Tilda, who is adopted, thankfully, is beautiful and has some interesting and morbid ideas for a career path.  The book takes place in Newfoundland during the early years of WWII.  It was interesting to gain perspective on what the war meant to Canadians - not something you hear about often.  The story is a letter from Wyatt to his daughter, Maralis.  Once you get through the first two-thirds of the book, you zoom with much anticipation to the end when Wyatt's story really takes off, the true reasons he is writing to his daughter.  While beautifully written, with words I was excited to look up (anodyne, philology), I was left with little to really ponder over once finished.

The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe

Rating:  Totally Tales
Emotions, spontaneity, questions and answers and a beautiful lesson on migrating Monarchs fills the pages of this road trip novel.  Luz, Abuela, Ofelia, Stacie, Margaret - all strong women with backgrounds as diverse as their looks and experiences.  And we can not forget El Toro, who turns out to be more like Ferdinand. 

Ms. Monroe has created a story that flows not only from north to south but from generation to generation with Spanish, lepidopterology, botany and horticulture lessons to lead us on Luz's journey.  (Yes, I had to look up the spellings and meanings.)  

Highly recommend for any woman wanting to remember, re-discover or re-connect!  Oh and you'll want to kiss your mom, sister, best girlfriend and even your dog once you've finished reading.

I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

I believe I've read most, if not all, of Clark's books (as well as her daughter, Carol's) and I still have yet to figure out whodunit before the last chapter, grrr....  In I'll Walk Alone, I thought I had a pretty good chance but nope, she got me again.  That's why I always look forward to her books.  Not only are they an entertaining afternoon read, but they carry a high suspense puzzle that is fun trying to figure out.

Zan, the mother who lost her 3-year-old son the day the babysitter fell asleep, is very convincing as the picture of a distraught mom.  But two years later, is she as innocent as she looks.  She has blackouts and hears her son's voice, combine that with the newly discovered picture of her kidnapping Matthew, and her alibi of that day is cracking! Each character has their own reasons for wanting or not wanting the truth of Matty's disappearance to come to light.  

Room by Emma Donoghue

Rating = TALEASTIC
Jack knows Room, Table, Trash, Wardrobe and Ma.  He knows many other things for a newly turned 5-year-old.  He loves Ma and Dora and Dylan the Digger.  He does not love green beans.  He knows to be quiet in Wardrobe when Old Nick comes to visit.  And when he was 4, all the things on TV are fake.  But now that he's 5, Ma tells him about Outside and how the people on TV are real, expect his cartoons and Dora, but huh?!!

That is as far as I can and want to go in the book's summary.  Anything more and it will spoil Jack's story for you.  I was hesitant about reading the book even with all of the rave reviews, not sure why, maybe too uncomfortable to hear a story told by a child.  But I'm glad I did read Jack and Ma's story for two reasons:  1 - our children see and hear so much more than we think they do and 2- our world is so small even if we are already on the Outside.

Highly recommend but might want to be in a good, lighthearted mood when you start so you can appreciate Jack and Ma's journey.

Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou

Our latest bookclub pick was the continuation of Maya Angelou's story as a young teenage mom bouncing around from California to Arkansas trying to find and keep her innocence.  We have read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and were intrigued with Angelou's early years so decided to continue catching up with her every few months.  In Gather Together, she has a baby to feed; a mother who adores but doesn't smother her; runs a brothel; returns to Arkansas to discover it's the same but different south; tries to join the Army; loses her innocence and gains naivety; struggles with her brother, Bailey; and finally finds her innocence and her baby (who is not an accessory) - all this in a 3-year span, and she's only 19 at the end of book.  There is a lot more of her to discover - all making her the beautiful poet she is today.  There is very little time to catch your breath as Maya hops on and off trains during her journey, but she writes even the darkest of situations with vigor, hilarity and passion.

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

Rating:  Totally Tales
Lynnie (Beautiful Girl), Homan (Buddy), Julia (Little One), Martha/Matilda and Kate give away their passions, homes, bodies, possessions, time and hearts in this story of society's shame, which paths to take, how to give and when to forgive.  Lynnie lives in the Snare, a home for the feebleminded in Pennsylvania.  Homan is deaf but has worked his way up to have jobs of his choosing at the Snare.  They find there way to Martha, a widower, after they have escaped the Snare for 3 blessed days.  Her lighthouse is all the signal that Lynnie needs to see to know that the Little One will be safe. And so begins the story that will take 40 years to  find it's way home.

Illuminating and telling of the society we live in, both today and yesteryear. Each of the characters' stories were told with depth and caring but they were able to develop on their own as we do. There were times I wasn't pleased with Homan and did not like the path he was taking. But it made him real to me. Our flaws show everyday and there are not always people there to teach us how to fix them except maybe the Big Guy. Believe, trust and forgive - your instinct, those who might seem unimportant to you, your past, all things.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I got to be a part of the circus over the weekend!  Powerful characters in an explosive setting!

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

This book is for anyone who loves figuring out where they came from even if it means you might be from the crazy side of the family.  From page one I wanted to traipse up a mountain and lay down by the river waiting for a horse trader with long hair to wander by.  Brave and fearless is how I would describe the characters of this book and the book itself.  Hoffman as a way of describing love as all encompassing and passionate without it being lustful and crass.  

The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna

The tale of a man and a hare roaming the Finland countryside was touching and refreshing and will make you want to pawn your old record player and the rest of the items collecting dust in your garage and set out on your own journey!

I'm somewhere between liked it and really liked it. The last few chapters, I believe, kept me from really liking it. It went from an absurd, but endearing and believable tale, to a little too much farfetchedness (is that a word, haha).

But will sti...moreThe tale of a man and a hare roaming the Finland countryside was touching and refreshing and will make you want to pawn your old record player and the rest of the items collecting dust in your garage and set out on your own journey!

I'm somewhere between liked it and really liked it. The last few chapters, I believe, kept me from really liking it. It went from an absurd, but endearing and believable tale, to a little too much farfetchedness (is that a word, haha).

But will still highly recommend to all my friends/family that need to figure out what it means to re-take control of their lives by simply wandering into the woods and living for yourself.

The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

Elegant and haunting; Lyrical and sad - Cold yet Hopeful! Thoughts and feelings I went through as I read Kate Mosse's The Winter Ghosts.  Freddie lost his older and much esteemed to brother to the Great War.  It has been a decade and Freddie is still unable, almost refuses, to let go.  As you journey with Freddie to a small, gray village, you listen as he opens his bruised heart to Fabrissa over the course of one shadowy night.  Fabrissa in turn shares her family's despair of persecution and their fight for to save their village and way of life.  Mosse's use of imagery put me in the Pyrenees with Freddie and on the plateau with him and Fabrissa; I ventured through the caves and ran through the tunnel with them.  A simple story raised to higher levels which make you believe!

Okra Book Challenge

It's official, I'm a PEACH!  Thanks to Kathy at BermudaOnion.Net, I was introduced to 7 southern-based novels as part of the Okra Picks Book Challenge.  My recommendations in order are:

Zora & Me by  Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon

Virals by Kathy Reichs

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

My Only Sunshine by Lou Dischler

My least favorites of the bunch:

The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry

Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart

My Only Sunshine by Lou Dischler

The hurricane of life swirls around young Charlie Boone in 1960's Louisiana - "facts of nature," alligators in suitcases, a bullet-eating, bed-wetting little brother, a lucky Uncle Dan, a very unlucky horse named "Lunch Time" and lots of salt.  

I've been struggling to write this review because I've had no one complete, intelligible thought since reading about Charlie's youthful tales. I wasn't sure if I could finish this book after reading the first few chapters, just too bizarre and unbelievable even as fiction.  But Charlie's hurricane made life seem so alive that I found myself thinking about Charlie and Jute digging a pig-pen (with the good spoons) for Uncle Dan; the Cuban Missile Crisis sirens that led Charlie to hide out and play doctor in the mayor's office; and wanting to discover what really happened to Charlie's mom - the beautiful voice that sang "you are my sunshine, my only sunshine."  

I feel two ways about this book - Huh? and  Awesome!


This book has now been added to my list of images that come to mind when I hear "My Only Sunshine."  It joins two of my favorite movies - Beaches and O' Brother Where Art Thou?



3 3/4 out of 5 DogEars 
Okra Pick Book Challenge

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg

What a treasure to discover a new "old" author!  I tried reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe in my mid-20s but didn't last past the first few chapters.  Guess I wasn't mature enough in my humor and need for a good story.  I Still Dream About You is funny, refreshing and not a tad bit "old."  Maggie, Hazel, Ethel, Brenda and even Babs are each awe-inspiring in their pursuits to find the meaning of life and friendship.  Maggie as the central character who is trying to find the most well-mannered and self-sufficient way to exit this world is hilarious with her graciousness and Nancy Drew like sleuthing, that you can understand why she is the former Miss Alabama.  Brenda, Maggie's best friend, is feisty and the character I related to the most if only for her need to be comfortable in her own skin - because who can really deny themselves a pint of ice cream if it's in the freezer waiting for a spoon?  (And yes, I've tried covering up how many cookies I've taken before.)  Ethel, well, there's nothing wrong with the color purple.  It's an intoxicating color.  Hazel -  pure energy and spunk we all wish we could have.  Babs "the Beast" is a part of all of us- sheer grit to get what we want but we are too polite to butt our way to the front of the line. 

All of these women plus kilt wearing bones with decades old secrets; ankle weights & inappropriate sweatshirts; goats and the beautiful house on the hill that keeps Maggie part of the living made "I Still  Dream About You" a pleasure to read now that I'm almost in my mid-30's.

41/2 DogEars out of 5
Okra Picks Book Challenge

Reagan Arthur Book Challenge

I'm signing up for the Reagan Arthur Book Challenge.  Think I'm gonna need reading glasses and a few more hours in the day - oh, the sacrifice of good reading!

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Larry Ott was never enough of a man for his father’s standards. Silas “32” Jones excelled and gained respect. As boys they endured a brief, secret friendship doing what boys do – fishing, shooting guns, exchanging tales. Anger, color and lies ended their friendship. Cindy Walker, the town beauty and after one date with Larry, never seen again. The start to a saga that burdened the souls of Larry and 32, taking them from friends to outcasts to heroes. After being accused of raping and murdering Cindy but never convicted, Larry settled into a routine of ridicule. Living at his childhood home with only himself, his dwindling land, chickens and aging mother to care for – nobody cared for him. Scary Larry – a monster just like those in his beloved horror novels. Some 25 years later another young girl goes missing. Silas is back in town acting as constable and the police chief questions Larry. Silas discovers the body of the local drug dealer, a former friend, and on instinct sends his EMT girlfriend to Larry’s house. Larry came home to a monster earlier in the day and is found with a gunshot wound to the chest, barely alive. As he lays in a coma, restrained for the hospital staff’s protection, Silas rediscovers the past he shares with Larry. Old photos, the rifle Larry gave him that ended their friendship, secrets 32 kept from everyone, even himself. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin is a curvy, anguish-ladled story containing a peculiar friendship between two boys, two men that leaves you feeling heartbroken and uplifted at the same time. The first quarter of the book made me twitch with discomfort and dread. Thankfully, Mr. Franklin kept the story pregnant with plenty of secrets, lies and truths so that I was able to finally exhale at the end and let go of the monster that de-railed Larry and 32’s friendship all those years before.

3 3/4 out of 5 DogEars 

Okra Book Challenge Pick

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Rating:  A Good Tale
Virals by Kathy Reichs contains some of the most engaging and witty characters I’ve read to date. Upon reading the description of how a band of teenagers is introduced to a virus that gives them the senses of feral wolfdogs, I was rather doubtful of how the story could play out without becoming too far-fetched. I was wrong. Young and brave Tory Brennan leads Hi, Ben and Shelton on a mission. A mission that will cure their sense of abandonment by workaholic or overbearing parents and give them the prowess to create their own future.
On Morris Island, just south of Charleston, but miles away from normality, Tory is slowly adjusting to life with the father whom she has just met at fourteen. Not only has she just met her father and his elitist girlfriend, she must trudge up to Charleston every day for school surrounded by the usual mix of snobby, overconfident and rowdy teenagers, made even worse by the fact they are rich. Her escape is the land, animals and sea that encompasses Morris and Loggerhead Islands. Tory’s aunt is a famous forensic anthropologist and her father is a scientist – exploring the world around her is something that cannot be stopped. Her father works on Loggerhead Island at a research institute only reached by boat. Tory and the guys are allowed to roam the island and visit the research institute as long as they don’t make trouble. Monkeys, a body buried long ago and forgotten, secret and unauthorized research projects and the disappearance of a wolfdog pup create a backdrop for the mystery that Tory must solve. During the valiant effort of saving the young wolfdog, whom the band names Coop, they are all exposed to a virus, one that will give them senses too rabid for humans to endure but will save their lives. Sprinting from Loggerhead, to Morris, to the band’s secret bunker and Charleston – Tory must find out who buried secrets on Loggerhead long before she was born or her and the guys will become a mystery themselves.
A story filled with courage, speed, humor and intelligence – a great read for any young adult to show them the strength to become their own. Looking forward to Tory’s next escapade.

4 out of 5 Dogears
Okra Book Challenge Pick

Zora & Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon

Rating:  TALEASTIC

I will start off by highly recommending this book to young and old and everyone in between! This book is not only an enthusiastic adventure but also a unique look into the life and culture of the people and times of a real town with a big heart.

Eatonville is only 20 minutes from my house, so while reading of Zora, Carrie & Teddy’s adventures I could picture the places they were exploring. This is the story told from the eyes and ears of Zora’s best friend Carrie and is written with raw emotion. Carrie takes us along as she and Zora figure out how old Mr. Pendir turns himself into the gator man; meets and mourns Ivory and his beautiful music and learns the secrets of Gold and the world they are living in. Each journey makes them grow up a little but never dulls their spirit.

Although this story is a work of fiction – Zora Neale Hurston did grow up in Eatonville and her imagination inspired those around her. I have never read anything by Ms. Hurston but have Their Eyes Were Watching God checked out from the library and plan to dive in once the holidays are over. Thank you Ms. Bond and Ms. Simon for writing this tale about Zora and her friends with such enthusiasm and heart!

4 out of 5 Dogears 
Okra Book Challenge Pick

Okra Pick Challenge

Many thanks to Kathy at BermudaOnion for introducing me to and hosting the Okra Picks Book Challenge.  The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) picks a list of Okra worth books each year.  Kathy has challenged us book junkies to read and review as many of the Okra books as we can by March 31, 2011.  I am currently at the Tater Level (4-6) and hope to be to the Okra level (10-13) by March 31.  My first reviews on this site are from this challenge and I appreciate Kathy allowing me to post them on my first attempt at a blog!!