My book for Waiting on Wednesday is Dark Horse by Craig Johnson. His books are amazing! The mystery series is set in Wyoming with no-nonsense sheriff, Walt Longmire, as the protaganist. The books are not only complex mysteries with believable characters but are so well written that is an absolute treat to read one. Craig has spoken to my mystery group a few times and will meet with us again. I learned all this last night as well as a little bit about the latest book. I am definitely looking forward to both the latest both as well as hearing him speak. He tells great stories. I carried another Dooney & Bourke today. It's a denim shoulder bag that gets very slouchy when I put everything into it. This picture isn't mine as I'm too tired to go to my car and get the bag to photograph it. The only difference with mine is that my handles are darker. The great thing about Dooney's vachetta leather is that it "suntans" and, over time, turns to a nice honey color. It's a bag that I usually carry in spring and summer. Today was almost 75°(tomorrow, we're supposed to be in the high 40s...go figure)...perfect day to carry it!
Okay...so here's my dilemma...I checked out these two great books today and can't decide which one to read first. I'm going to do Twin Teaser Tuesday :o) I'd like your opinions. From reading these Teasers, which book should I read first? Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!
He nodded. "Well? What did she say?" page 198 Mademoiselle Victorine Debra Finerman Maman let out a snore that echoed in the gallery. She stirred, but did not waken. page 113 With Violets Elizabeth Robards
Well, which one strikes your fancy? I'll definitely read both. It's just a question of order. Let me know your thoughts.
Tonight, I had my mystery book club. We read Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel. This is the first one I've read. I was not overly impressed. It was okay...not bad but definitely not a page turner. While I won't run out my buy her novels in hardcover, I would not pass one up as an "airplane" read.
I carried my very favorite Dooney & Bourke satchel! The color is "rouge" and I had to special order it. I was working at Foley's (long before kids) in the handbag department. That's where my love of Dooney's really flourished. It took almost a month to get it in. I remember my co-worker calling me late one night to say that it had arrived. It was too late to get to the store I had a wait until the next morning. I remember it feeling like Christmas morning! I love this bag but don't use it as often as I should. I also had the fob monogrammed.
See blog title and sidebar items :o). Things I'm also addicted to...
~Blue CrazeBerry Chapstick... I have at least two in my purse, one in my car, one by my bed and one by the computer and this bag in a drawer. I found these on clearance at Walgreen's for .68¢. So, I bought all they had :o) ~Ice Breaker Mints. My husband and I both have a pack of these in our car all the time. Even now, as I type this, I'm sucking on a couple.
~Planners and Organizers. Like my friend Lori mentioned on her blog, I, too, have an addiction. I have at least ten planners that I change out frequently...not as frequently as my bags (daily), but probably more often than I should...lol.
~Dreyer's Strawberry Bars. These things are sooo yummy. Thank Goodness they only have 80 calories. Let's just say that, sometimes...one is not enough.
~Hot tea and M&Ms. Don't ask but there is something wonderful about putting two or three M&Ms in my mouth and taking a sip of hot tea. It melts the candy and tastes divine. ~Juniper Breeze, Optimism and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (selected products) from Bath & Body Works. Good thing I have a (very) part time job there. You should see my linen closet. No wonder, I always smell so good :o)
I really enjoy reading blogs...especially one that are primarily devoted to reading. Posts like Teaser Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesdays have caught my attention and I love participating through this blog.
I decided to start one of my own. I'm christening it "First Line Friday". I asked my friend, Karen, to design a graphic for it. With very little input from me, she came up with this PERFECT graphic! Thanks, Karen...you knocked it out of the park :o) So, here is First Line Friday... FIRST LINE FRIDAY... First lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny?
"The dam broke and Linda looked up and saw the bluff collapse, a waterfall of mud." Pasadena by David Ebershoff
What a fantastic first line! If the rest of the novel is as good as this, I'm going to love this book. Family sagas always capture my attention and with a first line like that, I'm pretty sure I'll be sucked right in. I can't remember how I discovered this author...probably a blog...but it's on my TBR pile and now, having read the first line, I think I'll read it sooner rather than later. I was able to have lunch with my friend, after having to cancel it Wednesday night, due to a snowstorm. We had a leisurely lunch and then went shopping. At Ulta, I bought Estee Lauder Pleasures perfume. I forgot how much I love that scent! For years, it was my "signature" fragrance and after today, it might be again. My bag today was my black Coach Carly. On subtle logo bags like that, it's really the details that make it "pop". I LOVE the strap. My only complaint is that because of its shape, my things get lost at the bottom, so I feel like I'm always digging for something. Could be my fault, though, I carry a lot stuff...including the book I'm reading at the time.
I saw this on Lori's blog and thought I'd do it, too. I actually did it yesterday, without even knowing, when I blogged about "Murder on Waverly Place" by Victoria Thompson. So, I will do my "Waiting On Wednesday" about a book I'm on the library's waiting list waiting for. Wow, that's a lot of "waiting" in one sentence :o) One of the greatest things about blogging is finding out about great new books. A lot of the blogs I've read lately have been saying great things about this novel. I love family sagas especially ones set in the 19th-early 20th century. It's getting great reviews on Amazon so I can't wait to read it.
What is the saying..."God laughs when you make plans"? I know it's generally reserved for life changing plans but it was very much in evidence today. J was spending the night with J's parents and M was sleeping over at my Mom's. So, I made dinner plans with D. We only see each other every six weeks or so. We live about fifty miles apart, so we meet halfway. It's always so nice to see her. We have a leisurely dinner and just talk. There was snow predicted for the rush hour but I had no idea it would be a blizzard. It came on in, literally, ten minutes. I went from driving in cloudy weather to not being able to see the car in front of me. I called D and cancelled. It was that bad. J was being picked up at my Mom's house but his overnight was cancelled, too as it was just too bad to pick him up. So, both kids are with my Mom and I'm alone. As nice as that sounds, I would much rather be dining with D but what can you do? Well, I made some banana bread and will have piece later tonight when I watch the series finale of "Life on Mars" and be very sad...not only about the end of a GREAT show but that I missed seeing my friend. I can't really say I carried a purse today as I never went anywhere...I had to turn around and come home. The bag that sat in my car, though, was my Dooney & Bourke Medallion satchel. It looked fantastic with my red blouse, black jeans, black boots and black & red chandelier earrings. Sadly, the only people to see it were the kids and my Mom...fashion police, they aren't!
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!
"She might also want to come with me to Fanny's place during her lunch hour, and two of us might be a distinct advantage. I glanced into the shop window, with its intriguing glass globes that glowed in the morning sunlight and its displays of various preparations." page 136
This is the eighth Molly Murphy mystery by Rhys Bowen. I love this series. They are fast, fun reads set in NYC at the turn of the 20th century. For some reason, that time period is my favorite, for both mysteries and "regular" fiction. Usually, these books I read have a strong female protaganist who is using the changing times to better themselves.
Victoria Thompson writes The Gaslight Mysteries. Her novels are also set in NYCat the turn of the 20th century. Her heroine is Sarah Brandt. The following quote is from the author's website... "As a midwife in the turn-of-the-century tenements of New York City, Sarah Brandt has seen birth and death, suffering and joy. Now she is about to take part in something more unusual in the crime-ridden streets of the teeming city - a search for justice...Early in the first book of this series, Sarah meets Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy of the New York City Police. Frank is a typical cop of his era, a time when the police were underpaid and only investigated crimes for people who could afford to pay them a reward. Frank has ambitions of becoming a captain in the force, a position for which he must pay a substantial bribe, so he’s saving his money carefully. He doesn’t have time to waste solving the murder of a girl whose family doesn’t want the crime solved, but Sarah Brandt won’t allow him to shirk his duty. Making such a man a sympathetic character was a challenge, but I think when you read the book, you’ll understand why Frank is who he is. Both Frank and Sarah have tragedy in their pasts. Both have lost a beloved mate and both are driven to succeed. In spite of the differences in their backgrounds and social class, they come to respect each other and learn they can work well together."
The latest installment comes out June 2 and I'm very excited. It's definitely a series I recommend but it has to be read in order. Each novel is a complex mystery but, even more important, in my opinion, is the character evolution and the relationships that are paramount to the series. I look forward to that...almost as much as the mystery. Both together, though, make a much-anticipated novel.
Today, I carried one of my many Dooney & Bourkes :o) It's a Charcoal Large Sac. It's a very basic bag with a brass clasp that "kicks" it up a notch. I love details like that. They are what draw me to a bag. It's like a little black dress with a cute brooch.
A snow day!! The schools are closed! Let me explain...J and his carpool friends, D and H were discussing the possibilty of having today off school if the forecasted blizzard hit. H, who reminds me so much of M, is a cute and sassy girl who makes the rides so much fun. She told the boys that the only way to guarantee a snow day is to sleep with your pajamas on backwards and a spoon under your pillow. Huh?!? Well, she must have done it because at 6:30 this morning, we received a call from the district saying school was cancelled. Too bad it wasn't a little earlier...J had showered, dressed and was eating breakfast. It was confirmed on the local TV station. On our way, back to bed, I looked out the window. There was no snow anywhere to be seen. We were saying that it had better snow or the district would have a lot of explaining to do. The street was barely wet. By the time, I got back out of bed at 10 am :o) it was a fullblown blizzard. I cannot even see across my street to my neighbor's house.
It's kind of nice, though. We have no plans other than shoveling. So, we'll have a cozy day at home.
J and J are very excited. We're forecast to get 8-16 inches while the mountains are measuring in feet. They are definitely heading up this weekend for boarding and skiing.
Teaser Tuesday~ ~Grab your current read ~Let the book fall open to a random page ~Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. ~Share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. ~Please avoid spoilers! I bought "Very Valentine" a few weeks ago and wanted to hold off reading it but, it's been calling to me :o) So, I started it a couple of days ago.
"Vecharelli & Son is a three-story stone on the end of the street, with a similar set up to our shop at home. The main entrance, used for business is a wide wooden door under the portico." page 245
I absolutely love the anticipation of starting a new book. Like most bibliophiles, I have my "TBR" (to be read) pile on my nightstand...and on my bookshelf...and on my other bookshelf...well, you get the picture. After I finish a book, I savor choosing my next literary adventure. I have a few rules that I stick to when deciding what to read. I won't read two books in a series back-to-back. I won't read the same author back-to-back. I won't read the same genre back-to-back. It would seem that my choices would be limited but, because of the variety of my TBR pile, it's usually quite the opposite. I love reading first lines, also. I heard an author, once, sadly I can't remember who, say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. I've been so intrigued by that comment that I will stand in a bookstore and read first lines from random novels.
I cannot even believe this but twenty five years (yes, a quarter of a century) ago today, J and I met. It was a Saturday night and my friend and I went to Thirsty's... a very popular 3.2 bar. He asked me to dance to "Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads. Ahhh...memories :o) I carried my Louis Vuitton Mini Lin Speedy today. Although, I have the more iconic monogram Speedy, I've noticed I've been carrying this bag more. I think it's because, even though it has the LV monogram, it's a little more subtle and not as recognized. I just wish it came in the 35 or 40 size. I guess I could pare down what I carry but then...I wouldn't need a new bag :o)
I've seen this on a few blogs and thought it would be fun.
~Grab your current read ~Let the book fall open to a random page ~Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. ~Share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. ~Please avoid spoilers! The Murder Room by PD James. I'm reading it for book club in a few weeks.
"He had booked a corner table at the Ivy for nine o'clock. They would have a late dinner and plan the weekend together." page 126
I just started reading this a few days ago and haven't read to this page yet. So, I have no idea who "he" is and "they" are. I'm not sure how to avoid a spoiler, as the instructions say. If I've not read that far, I have no idea if it's a spoiler. I'm pretty sure that teaser isn't one but, hey, maybe the murder is solved at that dinner. Now, I'm kind of curious.
I'm listening to this in my car. It's about a female private eye in 1943 NYC. I'm not quite sure if I like this yet or not. The narrator is good, which is paramount when I'm listening to book, but there is a lot of 1943 slang. So much so that it's almost distracting. I'm not "getting" if it's the way the author wanted the main character to speak as it's told in first person or if the she (the author) did so much research that she felt obligated to use it all.
This book (CD) reminds me of another series that I LOVE...the Paige Turner series by Amanda Matetsky. Yes, her name is Paige Turner...it's all explained in the books. These are set in NYC in the mid 50s with a female "sleuth" (I just love that word...lol!). Although, this series also uses a lot of period "slang", it doesn't seem as forced as the one I'm listening to, maybe, because I read those first, I don't know. I did find out, much to my disappointment, that she ended the Paige Turner series with the fifth book. They are, definitely, worth re-reading. They're a quick, fun read. Being that today is St. Patrick's Day, it should be no surprise that I carried a green bag. I pulled out a "vintage" Dooney and Bourke All Weather Leather satchel. I love all my Dooney bags (and there are quite a lot of them...lol) but the AWL bags are probably my favorite of them all. They are just classic handbags that will last forever. Hopefully, M will come to appreciate her Mom's vintage bags and carry them, as well. They look great brand new and, almost, even better when they've "aged". The leather turns into a beautiful honey patina...just gorgeous.
I'm sitting here watching "Unfaithful". While I can appreciate how hot Olivier Martinez is in this movie, I watch it for Richard Gere. He was and always will be Zack Mayo in "An Officer & A Gentleman".
I'm reading the new Jeffrey Archer (love him!) novel. It's a novel based on the life of George Mallory titled Paths of Glory. He may have been the first man to summit Everest in 1924. According to many sources, Mallory is famously said to have replied to the question "why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?" with the retort: "because it is there", which has been called "the most famous four words in mountaineering". There is compelling evidence even though it is generally thought that Sir Edmund Hillary summited first in 1953. Even though, I know the outcome and next to nothing about mountaineering, it's an interesting read. I'm sure it's a combination of George's compelling story and Archer's writing talent.
M is studying the Pilgrims at school. She was assigned to "be" Elizabeth Tilley. While she is studying the Pilgrims, she has to behave as if she is Elizabeth and interact with her classmates as the Pilgrims they are assigned. To that end, she has asked us to please call her Elizabeth :o) Elizabeth was actually a name I thought about naming her so I'm doing it. Although, because I wanted to call her Libby, I'm using that nickname. She tends to leave me notes detailing "instructions" for her morning routine...what outfit she has chosen, what time she'd like to be woken up, etc. So, now she signs them "Elizabeth Tilley". She drew a picture for me tonight and signed it as her alter ego.
I carried a Paisley laptop bag today. I don't have a laptop but it's a great size bag. It came with a zippered patent "sleeve" that attaches to the bag. I put my wallet and keys in it. I even thought about using it as a clutch.
I am really, really mad that ABC cancelled "Life on Mars". It's a FANTASTIC show. I'm hoping there will be some sort of reprieve... not holding my breath, though. J and I watch it every Wednesday night and not only discuss theories about Sam's "travels" but reminisce about our memories of that era.
My favorite character is "The Loot"... 1973-speak for Lt. Gene Hunt. He's not only a great character played by one of my favorite actors, Harvey Keitel, but he has impeccable fashion sense :o)
I have never watched an episode of "Dancing with The Stars"... ever. I did, however, flip between that and a new show on TLC tonight. What made me watch... Melissa from The Bachelor is a last-minute replacement. Yes, I watch that trainwreck... faithfully, even... almost every season. Melissa was my favorite this season from the first episode. Although I had read all the spoilers, I still was so sad for her when that p***k broke up with her on national TV, then "made out" with the other girl. What a low class jerk. I truly hope Karma bites him in the ass. I had no fairy tale illusions for them. I figured they'd go the way of all Bachelor couples and break up a few weeks after the show. The way he handled the situation is SO indicative of his moral fiber...or lack there of.
I'm not sure I'll keep up with it. I cannot stand the female host but I'll read about it and hope that Melissa goes all the way.
The other show I was flipping between was "Little People: Just Married". What a cute couple. They are so in love yet get on each other's nerves... just like the rest of us. When Bill was going into hip replacement surgery and Jen started crying, so did I. That's a show I'll definitely keep up with. I know I'm not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition but I just did :o) I'm such a grammar rebel!
To complete the couch potato experience, I watched the premiere of "Castle". It sounds like something I'd enjoy... a mystery writer helps the NYPD solve murders. It was OK...not bad but not great. With my luck, this will be a monster hit while a truly creative show like "Life on Mars" is cancelled. I carried a black satchel bag with a lot of silver hardware. I call it my "Rocker Chick" bag. I can even say that without laughing. Granted... my "chick" days are far behind me but I feel a little edgy when I carry it...even it's just doing "Mom" things ;o)
I had lunch today at Panera. It's probably my favorite "have lunch by myself" restaurant. I always order a half Caeser salad/half broccoli cheese soup combo. To sit with that lunch and a great book (A Rather Lovely Inheritance by CA Belmond) makes me very happy. Although today was a gorgeous spring day, I had to sit inside as all the outdoor tables were already taken. I guess I wasn't the only one with the same idea :o)
While I was there, I sat across from a mom and her daughter. The girl was probably 7-8 years old. She asked her mom if she could have some Dr. Pepper. Her mom said no, that they hadn't paid for it. A few minutes later, the little girl got up from the table, walked to the pop dispenser, looked to see if her mom could see her, filled up a water glass of Dr. Pepper, turned her back, drank it down in one or two gulps and, with a smile on her face, walked back to the table...her mom none the wiser. I watched all this with mixed thoughts...as a mom, I thought that she was a rather disobedient little girl. On the other hand, I had to laugh at that little smile.
I skipped book club tonight to attend the PTA meeting. Our new Principal was introduced. While I am optimistic for next year, I was a little disappointed that his answers to our questions seemed a little cliche. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and write tonight off to nerves.
I've been looking for a black & white purse for a while now. I found this bag yesterday at TJMaxx. I carried it today but started thinking that it might be too "young" for me. Are peace sign purses just for girls M's age and her friends? Or can a "hip" (if only in my mind) mom carry it and not look like I'm trying too hard?
This entry is for Lori... Purple lovers are generally blessed by a true sense of values. Here genius is often found, but genius that never promotes itself. One of their greatest charms lies in the sublime quality of their minds: an abiding wisdom which they never attempt to force on others. - Faber Birren
M spent the night at my Mom's last night so J, J and I tried a new restaurant. It's called Sporting News Grill. We figured it would have basic "bar" food. We were pleasantly surprised. The decor was very upscale with big boothes next to a water wall. The bar was a dark wood with leather bar chairs and a stone wall behind it. Of course, there were big plasma TVs but the overall feel was more like a fine dining restaurant than a sports bar. J (husband) had fish and chips but, instead of "chips", he had onon rings. They were really good! I am an onion ring "snob". I only like the onion rings from Winsteads, a restaurant in Kansas City. So, I very rarely even try onion rings from a restaurant because I know they won't meet the Winsteads "standard" :o) However, I tried these and, yay...they were pretty good. I told J & J that on a scale of 1-100 (Winsteads being 1000 (not a typo), of course...lol), those onion rings were about a 75. Not bad...I'd probably eat them again.
I carried a purple Vera Wang Hobo bag. It's very slouchy and has great silver hardware. I also wore a purple scarf and gloves. At this time of year, I love wearing scarves. I need to figure out more ways to wear them, though. It seems that I only know about three ways.
I was "googling" things last night and found this really cool peace sign. I'm trying to figure out how to put it under my blog title box. So, Lori (or anyone who knows), if you're reading this, let me know how to do it. I want it to look like the book widget at the top of your blog.
If you are interested in...
~ an honest and thoughtful review of your novel... mysteries, historical and contemporary fiction and romance are my favorite genres
~ an interview
~ a guest post
~ a sponsored giveaway
... posted on Bags, Books & Bon Jovi, please email MyHandbagHabit@AOL.com
Who Are These Great People & Why Are They Following Me?
I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. - Audrey Hepburn
As my blog title says, three of my very favorite things are Bags, Books and Bon Jovi. Of course, family and friends are high on that list, but, not every entry will include them. This is my place in cyberspace...
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