Friday, May 25, 2012

True Love...



Pages and pages of my true love.  The 6 picks (I had to have a few alternates) for the holiday weekend.  A little war, a little space exploration, future times and crimes, kissing (duh!), mom/daughter secrets(!!) and something I apparently don't want to know.  Of course, I'm a movie lover too so I figured this would be a perfect weekend to watch Season 1 of Game of Thrones and for the umpteenth time watch Rebel Without a Cause (James Dean - drool).

Something tells me I'll have a permanent furrowed brow so I'll need to watch a Friends marathon when I'm done to regain my laugh lines.  Or a visit with my awesome niece and super hero nephew (his super powers are eating dragons and smooshing cars).

A little wine will be poured (thanks to my Wine Shop at Home wines being delivered today) and possibly some chocolate will be consumed.  little, possibly, some, hahahahahaha!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend All!  Hope you spend it with a book, a nook, a nap, someone you love, or someone who loves you!


Monday, May 21, 2012

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall

I want Hungarian wine and hot summers by the lake (or pool)!  I'm on page 112 of Emylia Hall's debut novel "The Book of Summers" and I'm already in love with the characters and with a country I've never been to, although I've been close.  I've spent a day each in Slovenia and Croatia during an Italian cruise - both lovely places with good food and friendly people and I remember being entertained with beautiful music.

I'm really hoping my local Publix carries some brand of Hungarian wine but if not I'll have to hunt some down at a local wine boutique.  

I suggest you find a cushy spot of grass under a shady tree or float on a big raft on a lake or pool while reading this beautiful book!!  You too can enjoy this refreshing, spellbinding summer read beginning May 29, 2012 (the US pub date).  
I'm reading an advanced reader copy that was nicely sent to me by MIRA Books (Harlequin).
http://www.emyliahall.com/the-book-of-summers/

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Work, on a rainy day, not!

Alarm goes off and rain starts again and I have to work, ugh!  It's a perfect start to a day of reading - I've got piles of books saying read me, no turn my pages, no it's my turn I've been patiently waiting, I've got the best characters ever!!!  Okay, so the books don't actually talk to me but it would be really cool of they did;)

Started the new Mary Higgins Clark last night, "The Lost Years," and I'm a few chapters into "The Kissing List" by Stephanie Reents.  Yes, I could snuggle up with one of my blankets and a Diet Coke on my very comfy couch and just read, read, read.  But I must go to work and type, type, type!

If you do have the rainy day to read, I suggest a good mystery.  Perhaps by Mary or Carol Higgins Clark or try the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley - Nancy Drew goes British!

What do you like to read on a rainy day?

And the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS ANN S.!!!   Thank you to each of the participants!  Be on the lookout for the next book giveaway.  Hint - It will start on Monday, May 21:)

Good guesses as to my favorite book - The Prophet got two votes.  But, my favorite book of my first 33 years is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  Not sure why I've never written a review of it before, but I will be soon.  In the meantime, if anyone wants to read it, I have 3 copies if you want to borrow:)

Happy rainy day reading!

Monday, May 14, 2012

All-Time Reads - Try One!

This list, I believe, has something for everyone!  So grab your library card, go to your local indie, ask a friend if they have a copy (like me) or yes, even download to your favorite e-reader:) 

Anyone want to take a guess at which one is my favorite, favorite?
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
Pure by Julianna Baggott
Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Song of Fire and Ice series (Games of Thrones) by George R.R. Martin
A Town Like Alice and/or The Far Country by Nevil Shute
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Crota by Owl Goingback 
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

***If you have any questions about any of the books, please let me know.  I'd be happy to personally recommend for you:)

I know I've left a few or more off, but this should get you started for the summer!  

New digs, more or less

I've moved the bookstore dream brainstorming area from the kitchen counter "bar" and into the spare room:)  The move was prompted by my hubby's need for a space large enough for his old childhood love - trains!  Him and his dad took the old train layout they built together I don't know how many years ago down from the attic and it's now mounted on the wall in the exercise room.  Which meant the airplane model table had to go somewhere.  It's now my current "dream" desk.  Our very uncomfortable mattress and box spring went in the back end of a garbage truck last week.  So now I have more work area to pile books, think (ouch!), scribble, pity party and daydream.

I really need to change the wall color though.  I love blue walls but this is not a good blue!!  (old owners managed to paint 2 walls one shade of blue and the other 2 a whole different shade)

Alas, I'm feeling renewed in which direction to go with the bookstore - finding funding; starting smaller, maybe no ales (tear) or maybe more ales and less tales (tear); writing a book; becoming a more avid reviewer/blogger; working in publishing; or 9 to 5ing and just enjoy the stories with a glass of wine until retirement!  





Thursday, May 3, 2012

Workation update

For the last 4 days I've been working on getting the bookstore up and running so that you guys can all come in, buy a book (or two), sit on a bean bag chair, gossip if you'd like and enjoy a glass of wine (or cold beer, like I currently am)!  Alas, it's been a frustrating week.  Financing is no fun - when you have dream you know you can make into a reality and make it a successful reality, it's hard to understand why the bank won't just give you the money and know you're good for it.  Okay, there's my rant! 

So one more day and it will be spent working on Go Live training with indiecommerce (thankful for them) for the website.  I know, I know I've been promising the website for a while but being a virgin website owner, I had no clue all of the ins and outs and as;lktq134kn of a website:)  but it is fun to see the logo online (thanks again Hannah) and share books with everyone!  The blog will be part of the website, so you can check on updates there too!  I'll let you know as soon as you can buy;)

Thanks again for everyone's support and curiousity!  I aim to not let you down and have the best lil' indie bookstore in town!!!

(p.s. don't type in the direct sun because it causes squinting and a double chin!)