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  http://www.rosecityreader.com/ "When, in my younger days, I idly contemplated the time I might one day go wedding dress shopping, it never crossed my mind that it would be a covert operation, accompanied by oversized sunglasses and a floppy hat." ( Lion Fiction) Yes, this is about Larissa's, best gift. It's a wedding dress for Faith, her future daughter-in-law.  The horrible wedding dress is why I chose the novel. It's just that now I'm more involved with the relationships in Faith's life. I've almost forgotten about the ugly wedding gown.

  https://mailboxmonday.wordpress.com/ Thank you to Lake Union Publishing "                   " Pocket Books

Death isn't always a quiet affair in a room with only the buzz of a fly. The person dying is still very much aware of the psychological processes of the people close to her. This is the case for Joanna DeAngelis. She is in the last stages of cancer. She is very aware of her daughters and the men in her life, a husband and a boyfriend. As I read about Joanna in "The Next" by Stephanie Gangi I felt dying is tough not just because of the pain and other human indignities but because loved ones seem to become more solid, more real. There is the feeling 'now I know how you really feel, what you really are willing to do for me.' I'm more aware that death might not bring those whom I love closer to me. It's possible death might lead them away from me. For years, some married couples thought another child would make them grow closer to one another. Not necessarily so. And so the fact that my days are shortened won't necessarily stop a man from

This poetry book, "My Love For You Before I Met You" by Yong Ho Nam is about love and marriage. The poetry is broken up into three sections. These poems are a way of leading us back to see the beauty of love and marriage. Each poem is written for the wife of the speaker. Some poems really spoke to me while others did not move me at all. I did have the desire to widen the net and capture all loving relationships. However, I wasn't sure how the author, Yong Ho Nam, would feel about my idea. It just seems like these poems could fit marriage or friendship or a family relationship. Because there is always a need for inspiring thoughts, helpful thoughts about change and struggle as we journey through life. Here are a few lines that speak volumes and make me think about not having the one I love with me or not having the chance to share a beautiful moment with that person. Don't you know that I need you? That I need you in my arms That every shooting star that

Have you ever been called egotistical or arrogant? If so, this is the perfect book for you. Pat Williams With Jim Denney shares a description of haughtiness and how to change the characteristic. It's a medium sized non-fiction book packed with simple ways to become more humble. Best of all I liked the stories about different famous people. I did not expect to become so interested in Abraham Lincoln again. After all, there are many, many books written about his life. However, these stories were new to me. The author does seem opinionated at times. It is good to keep your thinking cap on and choose how you feel about the people mentioned in the book. The quotations at the top of the chapters are very helpful. In the end, it is definitely not easy to understand humility. It is a book that takes hard thought. Thank goodness, the authors leave hope at the end of the rainbow. "Humility is a learnable skill." I am grateful to Barbour Publishers for my review book. It is

I can't imagine living on an island. I suppose that's one reason "The Cottage" by Michael Phillips fits me. I have visited the Sea Islands in Georgia. It's such a different feeling knowing you're on a piece of land that has an end and a beginning. Land where the water surrounds you. These islands are the Shetland Islands. The blurb on the back speaks of peacefulness. Reading about the author I learn that he, Michael Phillips, and his wife have chosen to live in California and only visit Scotland. In the plot of "The Cottage," there is an inheritance for Loni. I love reading about inheritances, European locations and treasure. I've already read about a journal. I like to read about journals in a novel too. I hope this journal plays a big part in the novel. Here are the other books for my Mailbox Monday: 1. The Name I Call Myself by Beth Moran 2.The Courtesan by Alexandra Curry 3.Game of Queens by India Edghill 4.The Next by Stephanie G

I can't imagine living on an island. I suppose that's one reason "The Cottage" by Michael Phillips fits me. I have visited the Sea Islands in Georgia. It's such a different feeling knowing you're on a piece of land that has an end and a beginning. Land where the water surrounds you. These islands are the Shetland Islands. The blurb on the back speaks of peacefulness. Reading about the author I learn that he, Michael Phillips, and his wife have chosen to live in California and only visit Scotland. In the plot of "The Cottage," there is an inheritance for Loni. I love reading about inheritances, European locations and treasure. I've already read about a journal. I like to read about journals in a novel too. I hope this journal plays a big part in the novel. Here are the other books for my Mailbox Monday: 1. The Name I Call Myself by Beth Moran 2.The Courtesan by Alexandra Curry 3.Game of Queens by India Edghill 4.The Next by Stephanie G

I can't imagine living on an island. I suppose that's one reason "The Cottage" by Michael Phillips fits me. I have visited the Sea Islands in Georgia. It's such a different feeling knowing you're on a piece of land that has an end and a beginning. Land where the water surrounds you. These islands are the Shetland Islands. The blurb on the back speaks of peacefulness. Reading about the author I learn that he, Michael Phillips, and his wife have chosen to live in California and only visit Scotland. In the plot of "The Cottage," there is an inheritance for Loni. I love reading about inheritances, European locations and treasure. I've already read about a journal. I like to read about journals in a novel too. I hope this journal plays a big part in the novel. Here are the other books for my Mailbox Monday: 1. The Name I Call Myself by Beth Moran 2.The Courtesan by Alexandra Curry 3.Game of Queens by India Edghill 4.The Next by Stephanie G

I appreciate Glennon Doyle Melton's journey toward becoming in touch with herself in her book "Love Warrior." It's not an easy journey. It's one where she learns knowing what she needs, what she desires and what she doesn't want in her life will lead her closer to the joys in life. The truths she learns do not come without extraordinary pain. Along the way, it felt good to read a person's true opinion about our churches. There are still cracks among the congregations of these Holy places. There are a few congregants who still have not discovered how to speak to another person's pain. Instead certain ones still come with a list of what you should have done and what you need to do now in order to fix your problem. Are they like Job's friends? I feel free to mention Job here because the author does mention God in the memoir. It was my feeling that she traveled to the churches of God first for help. I felt sad to read about pornography. It is s

I have enjoyed another cozy. This one, "Murder in the Secret Garden" by Ellery Adams involves chilling poisonous plants like the mandrake and chemicals like Arsenic. From what I can understand poisonous plants can also have good benefits along with those too awful deadly ones. There are also facts about rare books. One character goes so far as to steal an Herbology which is small enough to fit inside a waistband. There is the Gutenberg Bible, monks and what can go terribly wrong in an order, in this case the Benedictine order. It seems we are unafraid to do wrong in the most holiest of places. Of course there is murder where Ellery Adams taps into the idea of why good people murder other people. In a roundabout way she writes about the length of anger. If it is not addressed, it grows into "rage." These are only a few of the important issues that are addressed. On the lighter side is the description of the book retreat, Storyton Hall where rooms and pools are n

I have enjoyed another cozy. This one, "Murder in the Secret Garden" by Ellery Adams involves chilling poisonous plants like the mandrake and chemicals like Arsenic. From what I can understand poisonous plants can also have good benefits along with those too awful deadly ones. There are also facts about rare books. One character goes so far as to steal an Herbology which is small enough to fit inside a waistband. There is the Gutenberg Bible, monks and what can go terribly wrong in an order, in this case the Benedictine order. It seems we are unafraid to do wrong in the most holiest of places. Of course there is murder where Ellery Adams taps into the idea of why good people murder other people. In a roundabout way she writes about the length of anger. If it is not addressed, it grows into "rage." These are only a few of the important issues that are addressed. On the lighter side is the description of the book retreat, Storyton Hall where rooms and pools are n

It begins with 1909. It's March. Unfortunately, it's not a autumnal month of the year. There is trouble, anger, jealousy, an affair, and guess who is involved? Mark Twain. I'm not a fan of Mark Twain. Well, I loved Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. I've always felt unsafe with his racial values. Perhaps, I have judged him by his appearance: The white goatee, the white suit, the whole look. I just never wanted him to make me laugh. I wouldn't give in and read  "The Celebrated Jumping Frog Of Calveras County.  twain.lib.virginia.edu/huckfinn/jumpfrog.html   At last, I'm going to read this short story. It's followed me for years. I pray it won't make me laugh. If I laugh, it will mean Mark Twain is in line to become an author I like.I hope along the way to read to learn about this author's personal life. I'm already feeling sorry for that woman, but that's not right. Maybe I'm thinking of Anna Karenina. Well, I'm off to read about Isabel

It begins with 1909. It's March. Unfortunately, it's not a autumnal month of the year. There is trouble, anger, jealousy, an affair, and guess who is involved? Mark Twain. I'm not a fan of Mark Twain. Well, I loved Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. I've always felt unsafe with his racial values. Perhaps, I have judged him by his appearance: The white goatee, the white suit, the whole look. I just never wanted him to make me laugh. I wouldn't give in and read  "The Celebrated Jumping Frog Of Calveras County.  twain.lib.virginia.edu/huckfinn/jumpfrog.html   At last, I'm going to read this short story. It's followed me for years. I pray it won't make me laugh. If I laugh, it will mean Mark Twain is in line to become an author I like. Yummy, the first page has taken me away to somewhere else where there is a "painting of the Pitti Palace in Florence." sbas.fi.it/english/musei/palatina/ This man, Mark Twain, is very complicated. He's not a Hum

"He didn't even feel it. So he tried again, this time digging in his nails. He just wanted to feel something, physical pain, to tell him that he was alive, that this was all happening." adailyrhythm.com

This is a simply written and beautiful written Bible book. Children and grown-ups will enjoy it. I especially relished looking at the colorful paintings. These pictures seemed to fit the stories so well.Then, there are the prayers and scriptures. All information is easy to find and fun to glance over again and again. The book begins with the Creation story and ends with the New Jerusalem. I would like to end by mentioning the poetry. One stanza in particular is great for grace before a meal. "At this table / Take your place: / Feast upon / God's love and grace." Both The Old Testament and New Testament are shared within the pages of the book. The content pages are very easy to follow allowing a reader to choose randomly what to read for that day or night. kregel.com/lois-rock/the-bible-and-me/

It has been a light and heavy week with " Murdered in Argentina" by Dianne Harman. The heavy part was the murder of Ray, a CEO, who loved Fly fishing. The light and fun part was the armchair visit to Argentina. I didn't know anything about Argentina. Now I know there is a high production of my favorite sweet, chocolate. There is also a high production of leather. I have to mention the foods which made me feel hungry for a bit of beef or tomatoes. I felt happy to see the recipes at the end of the novella. Oh, the Fly fishing was fun too. I thought of the movie titled A River Runs Through It." I have fallen in love with Dianne Harman's mysteries because they are simply written. There isn't a lot of folderol. At times she might slide into too much detail. However, this doesn't happen often. I really liked the fact that the solution in this one makes perfect sense. I shocked myself by solving bits of it before the end of all the drama. There is the w

Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad has led to a desire to widen my net of genres. I haven't read Alternative Histories often. In this one, I felt deeply hurt not to read Harriet Tubman's name within the pages. However, I kept in mind that this is an invented history. A uniquely designed history is one where the author has the option to fictionalize the past as much as he or she may desire. I understand that point well. Therefore if I have a deep desire to read more research about Harriet Tubman I must choose another genre rather than an Alternative History. I did like reading about the tunnels and the railroad mechanisms. I tried very hard to gather a picture in my mind. Thinking that this railroad would not look like the engines I'm use to seeing. I could also feel the places in the novel where I thought Colson Whitehead's enthusiasm glowed. At times, I thought his light glowed too brightly. Then, I had to catch myself like a fisherman catc

Naive? Maybe. I can't name anything bad about this book. Honestly. I loved the whole book. I especially liked learning about Jacqueline Woodson's family and sense of place through poetry. While reading the book, her family became my family. I won't forget her favorite uncle and his troubles. Neither will I forget her mother and her gentle way of teaching obedience. I will remember her friend, Maria and Maria's mother's cooking. I recalled the History of New York from what I had learned in my elementary school: the Dutch, Peter Stuyvesant and the slaves. In brown girl dreaming , I came away loving the trips so many of us have made from the North to the South and back again. I will think more about the role religion plays in our lives. I found it easy to put away the negative words I have heard about a place called Kingdom Hall and congregations called Jehovah Witnesses. Most of all I will continue to ponder the importance of a girl coming of age in the United St

Add caption bibliophilebythesea.blogger.com North Texas May 1877 "Are you lost, miss?" Startled, the woman turned in her saddle and glared wide-eyed at him. Beneath the brim of her dark hat, vibrant blue eyes watched him.

“You've got to bend with the wind or you're broken.” ― Ernest J. Gaines , Conversations with Ernest Gaines   I am loving this short story. Before reading the first words I had fallen in love with it. Because I love Ernest J. Gaines as an author . I first met him through the Oprah Winfrey Show. The book club choice was A Lesson Before Dying. Just writing this title leaves me wanting to read the novel again. I've read it more than once. It's that thought provoking. Now, this short story is really good too. Its sent me back to childhood memories. Sadly, there is always someone in a neighborhood peculiar or  eccentric, so different that children choose to laugh at that person. The person becomes entertainment for the lazy days of summer. There is a lady like that in "My Grandpa And The Haint." Her name is Madame Toussaint, an old hoodoo lady."  Now that I am a woman there are feelings for these people. Usually, they are lovable, m

Thought about little Hosiah in Murder At Cape Three Points by Kwei Quartey. I met him in another novel written by the same author. He has a heart condition. My feelings for Hosiah were already deepened because of  Death At The Voyager Hotel . However, this morning my feelings caught up with me again after reading that Children's Hospital In Philadelphia is thought of as one of the finest facilities for children. The article is in the US World Report for 2016.  chop.edu/about-us/us-news-world-report#.V77PY62pnEg It's still difficult to think about children struggling with an illness or illnesses. Thank goodness for authors like Kwei Quartey who are not afraid to write about these issues in their books. For personal reasons CHOP is one among a few hospitals which are special to me because of their care for mothers and children. I must think of two hospitals where my children were born or nursed for emergencies.

where is my summer? Gone, a wind away- spring thoughts until my winter comes again to bliss my feet while walking down this Hallowed path

It has not been hard to fall in love with Lily. For most of my life, I've wanted a Dachshund. When I was a child, I called these dogs hot dogs. I suppose my wanting one has  caused quick feelings of sadness about Lily's illness. Poor Lily, I feel so badly about her feeling badly that the only cure became to shut my book for a little while. It helps to think that Edward, her master, is suffering far more than me. After all, he's known her since she was a runt. Feelings of first love fall from the book like paper leaves. I look in my cat's eyes wanting to experience those first feelings all over again. It's not hard. At some point in a given day I feel that sparkled tingle all over again inside my stomach. So Steven Rowley is successful in one particular area. I'm thinking the type of pet owned does not matter. After all, love is love is love. However, that old octopus is worthy of a stake owned by Don Quixote . The octopus needs a murderous pierce. Lily wi

This is a very interesting Nonfiction book about World War II. The focus is on women and how they adjusted or didn't adjust to the war. However, the stories of the women leak into the stories about Jews, Germans, Art and the fashion capitol of the world, Paris. There are many facts about famous people like Picasso and Colette,etc. Some of these facts are not the same old ones learned in school but new ones as well which might interest a Social History Buff. Therefore, whether a person knows about Paris during this period or not, this book might still seem fascinating.   annesebba.com  netgalley.com

Add caption bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com "It's Thursday the first time I see it. I know that it's Thursday because Thursday nights are the nights my dog, Lily, and I set aside to talk about boys we think are cute. she's twelve in actual years, which is eighty-four in dog years. I'm forty-two, which is two hundred and ninety-four in dog years--but like a really young two hundred and ninety-four, because I'm in pretty good shape and a lot of people tell me I could pass for two hundred and thirty-eight, which is actually thirty-four."