Y is for Yorick, A Slightly Irreverent Shakespearean ABC Book for Grown-Ups

Y is for Yorick: A Slightly Irreverent Shakespearean ABC Book for Grown-Ups by Jennifer Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this little book!! It's a humorous tongue-in-cheek quick reference on Shakespeare's characters and works. "C is for Claudius. He killed his brother and married his brother's widow, Gertrude. However, he forgot to take into account the stepchildren.(Hamlet). . ."U is for Ursula, a maid who nobody remembers...If you want to be remembered it is better to be a queen, king, murderer, cross-dresser, or ghost.(Much Ado About Nothing)"

The book includes a brief synopsis of each of his plays. I enjoyed it so much that it is my current bathroom book and am now reading it a second time. In addition to being a great graduation gift, I highly recommend it to anyone who, like the author, "has a general affinity for civilized dark humor and all things British." (flyleaf)



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The Scent of Rain and Lightning

The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story kept me involved with sustained suspense. I didn't expect the truth until the big reveal at the end. The plot, sub-plot and characters are all successfully developed. I felt the joys and the pains of each of the latter as their individual stories unfolded. The novel is a well written, stand alone mystery reminiscent of Mary Higgins Clark. It would have earned 5 stars from me were it not for the occasional "f-bombs" and some adult content. This is my first read from Pickard and won't be my last.



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Moon Over Manifest

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's easy to see why this is a 2011 Newberry Award winner, but difficult to credit as Vanderpool's *debut* novel. The plot is cleverly complex with a pervasive air of mystery; the voices of the characters are clear and distinctive; the 1936 town and its 1918 incarnation come alive; and the whole thing is written with a steady hand. Please, please don't dismiss a book because it is labeled as a children's or YA book. There is plenty of substance in there for us big people. There are many nuances and undercurrents, and imho many under age 15 would not "get it" and may find it slow & boring. (If you want to get teens to read, give them Printz Award winners.) That being said, this is a beautiful coming of age story about a girl finding out about herself and the world around her. It is an absolute gem.





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Intrigue and Suspense

Einstein's Trunk by Jim Haberkorn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This mystery/thriller piqued my interest immediately and I didn't want to put it down. The plot is exciting, suspenseful, gripping and keeps the reader wondering what's going to happen next. The good guy is really "good:" an international spy who believes in no sex before marriage, and who doesn't drink, smoke, or cuss. No gratuitous sex or vulgar language. The characters are so well drawn and the locale so well described that 2 weeks later I still have visual pictures of both in my mind and am waiting for the next adventure from this talented author. I can imagine a movie being made of this.







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EINSTEIN'S TRUNK

Einstein's Trunk by Jim Haberkorn




I'm only into this suspense novel a little way and don't want to put it down. This promises to be a great quick read!



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When You're Holding a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail

Tennessee middle school assistant football coach, age 26, fired for a song he wrote & sent to his family & friends by private email. When you go to the link for the song, there are a couple of sites that give the news on the firing. This could be the next number one hit country song. It's the best effort yet at encapsulating the outrage at the oversteps of this government in an entertaining song .. Apparently the guy was fired over the song because some parents complained. Shameful if it´s true. If you like it, help it go "viral" by passing it along to everyone you know.

Click for a great song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfH46DTAkxo

Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Read this. You will be talking about it to your family & friends for a long time. Many people read only fiction and that is a shame, because Malcolm Gladwell has revolutionized non- fiction writing. His first 2 books were best sellers: "The Tipping Point" and "Blink." I’ve read both and being primarily a fiction reader, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. But this third book, in which he explains the story of success, is my favorite.



Citing case after fascinating case of successful people & organizations Gladwell’s point becomes unforgettably clear: successful people are often talented, intelligent, and ambitious, yes, but these traits *always* converge with opportunities. These opportunities include cultural environment, where and when a person is born—even their birth month, and luck: being in the right place at the right time. Forget genius. Hard work combined with opportunity is everything. Since he writes so clearly this is a fast and fascinating read, well woth the few hours invested.





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"Bleak" is not Bleak

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don't remember ever hearing of this novel, considered by many to be Dickens' best narrative & social history of 19th century England. A month ago I listened to the audio book & found it extremely compelling. Then I checked out the 3 DVD (3 1/2 hr!)BBC series video from the library & we watched it in one sitting. NOW I'm reading the 900 page book and it's *still* a page turner! His characters are wonderful & the story with all its inter-related subplots is compelling. I had forgotten how much I loved Dickens prose. Next I'm going to read 2 other novels of his with which I am unfamiliar: "Nicholas Nickleby," and "Our Mutual Friend."



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A Short Guide to a Happy Life

A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fast read (less than 30 minutes)by one of my favorite authors. It was originally a commencement address. Very uplifting call to reality & what is most important.



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Showing Off the Silver

It's been awhile since I posted something new, however in May I *did* do a "Guest Post" on my 5 daughters' blog, Bossy, titled "Platinum Princess"
You can read it & see some fun photos with varying hair colors & silly comments. Click HERE.


It's how to gracefully go from my original very dark (black)brunette: to this (I'm talking about hair color, not 7 month old Henry) & have fun in the process:
I think you'll ENJOY it.

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