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From Jo-Jo at http://jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com... "Welcome to another week of Book Club Chatter where I hope to discuss all things book club on a weekly basis. I thought this would be a fun way for each of us to share one little tidbit every week.
So here is my question for you this week:
Does your book group have an open membership that allows new people to join every month, or do you follow a set of guidelines before allowing a new member to join?"

My mystery book club which met last night has an all welcome policy as it's hosted by Barnes & Noble and meets at the store. However, there is a core group of about nine of us that attend every month. We do have newcomers once in a while but most don't stay more than one or two times. I think it's because we are very honest about the books we read... to the point, sometimes, of ripping a book to shreds. That's not to say that we want everyone to agree. Actually, the discussions are much more interesting when there is friendly disagreement.

My other group has only three members. We are a very tight circle of friends. We've been together since July 2003 when we met through Oprah's book club website. We haven't read one of her choices since that first book. We were a bigger group but, for a variety of reasons, it's now just K, C and me. We invited someone I knew to join us a few years ago. She was always asking me about my group and the books we read. I discussed inviting her with the other two girls and they agreed. She came to our group for about a year. For reasons I, to this day, still do not understand, she stopped coming. I have no problem that she did that. I completely get that she had her reason(s). My problem was that she never said "goodbye". She didn't answer emails, didn't return phone calls... just ignored us. I didn't even want an explanation... just a short email saying something like "I've decided not to continue with book club. Thanks." Common courtesy, if you ask me. She's a mom at M's school so I see her quite often and she has purposely avoided me. Too bad... her loss!

Yes, I think he looks better now but, he completely epitomizes the 80s Hair Band look in this picture. And, yeah, I think he was still pretty cute back then :o)

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Tonight was my mystery book club. We had a great discussion about our book, The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey.
I'm having huge issues right now trying to write this post. Blogger must be as tired as I am :) So, I'll post a great picture of the band and try again tomorrow...

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The Academy Award nominations were announced today. I was very happy that Sandra Bullock
was nominated for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Touhy in The Blind Side. I loved that movie! I'm a huge football fan. I love the Broncos (don't like the new coach, though) but now I'm also a Ravens fan because Michael Oher plays for them. This movie is really about so much more than football. It goes to the heart of what is a family.

My favorite Sandra Bullock movie is, by far, The Lake House. I'm a sucker for a great romantic movie and this, definitely, is one of the best! If you've looked at my sidebar items, you've probably seen my favorite scene. If not, here it is... The Paul McCartney song, "This Never Happened Before", is simply perfect. And, of course, Keanu makes me happy when I look at him.


I love that she is happily married to Jesse James. While I'm not usually attracted to "bad boys", I've always thought he was cute. He seems like he puts on this tough guy persona but, in private, he's really a nice guy.

This picture of Jon in concert just makes me very happy. Bon Jovi is coming here in March and M and I will be there. I promised her that I would take her the next time they played here. Well, it's next time :o) I have to admit.. I'm actually looking forward to going with her. She's my little rocker chick and she loves Bon Jovi.


My bag today was my huge Zebra tote. I hadn't carried it in a while and it complemented my outfit perfectly. My only complaint is the black lining. I can never find anything. I know what you're thinking... if I carried a smaller bag I wouldn't have that problem :o)

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Today is the first day of my month of blogging. It's my second, actually, as I also did it in July.


Our school district has "Choice Enrollment". A student can apply for enrollment at any school in the district, depending on available space. The first round closed last week and we are starting to hear from the schools.

Even though our first choice for J is a Catholic school, we applied at a few district high schools as a "Plan B". So far, he's been accepted to his first choice "Plan B" school. The decision letter for his "Plan A" school won't be mailed for about two weeks. It's nice to know that he's been accepted to a fantastic school if he doesn't get into his first choice.

We put M's application for "Choice Enrollment" at two schools. One being J's current school (which we LOVE!!!) and the other is the top-rated (along with J's current school) school in the district. It's a junior-senior high school, which means we may not have to make another decision in two years. Although we would be happy if she followed her brother's academic path, we realize that she is a different student than he is and her path might be different. J is a math and science "geek" and M is a drama, theater and choir "geek". FYI...in our family, "geek" is a term of endearment :o)

I carried a new bag today. It is one of my Target buys from a few weeks ago. It's blue faux suede that looks perfect with jeans! It also has a great chain strap. I love details like that because it gives a plain purse some "pop"... and, really, whose day isn't better with some "pop" :o)

My Bon Jovi picture of the day is from The Grammys last night. He's with his wife, Dorothea and his daughter, Stephanie. I really admire that he doesn't put his children in the spotlight, like some celebrities. Obviously, I've seen a lot of Bon Jovi pictures but have only seen pictures of his kids a few times. I was also struck at how pretty and poised his sixteen year old daughter is. I found video of this that I enjoyed watching (even though it's extremely short). It's a little annoying as they're being bombarded by the paparazzi. Watch it with the sound off.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is February 1st and I'm going to try to blog every day through the month. I blogged every day in July so I'm pretty sure I will be able to do it. I hope I can think of something to blog about. As usual, I will post pictures of my bags, talk about books and, for a little eye candy...I'm posting a picture or video of Bon Jovi (the man or the band) every day. As a matter of fact, I'm watching a Friends rerun and Jon Favreau (love him!) as Pete Becker says: "I know I’m no Jon Bon Jovi, (Monica laughs) or someone who you find attractive, I’m just, I think, y'know, that you might end up feeling differently."


My bag today was a slouchy brown shoulder bag with great details. It has a braided handle and little brass studs in two rows down the front. If it looks familiar, it kind of is... I bought the same bag in black and blogged about it January 11th. I went back to Target and the brown one was marked down to its lowest clearance price. I was not planning on buying it in brown (I'm hoping for the fuschia one for my birthday), but, really... it was such a bargain and if I hadn't bought it, it would be gone forever... oh, the horror :o) See, I can justify any bag purchase.

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?


"On the day of the tragedy, the boys of Windfield School had been confined to their rooms."
A Dangerous Fortune
Ken Follett

Well, that is just a fantastic first line! Without even really knowing what this book is about, I am completely sucked in. I have to know what the tragedy is and why the boys are confined to their rooms. I love Ken Follett. I think he is a great storyteller. This novel has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while. I moved it to my "official" :o) TBR pile on my nightstand about a week ago. For some reason, I'm wanting to read BFBs, so my pile has quite a few of those. I know that a book by Ken Follett will be an entertaining read.


I carried an olive green "Motorcycle" inspired handbag today. This picture definitely does not do this bag justice. It has wonderfully smooshy, smooshy leather:o) It has a lot of wrinkles and veins. My favorite thing, I think, are the tassels. Why do tassels on a purse always make me happy? Something to ponder....

Book Club Chatter & Daughtry Tickets

Jo-Jo at jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com hosts Book Club Chatter every week.

The question this week is... "Does your group that meets in person usually meet at one of your members homes or a public location? And how do you decide where you are meeting?"

I belong to two book clubs. The first is a group that specifically discusses mysteries. It is sponsored by Barnes & Noble so we meet at the bookstore once a month. They reserve the reading area for us and, usually, provide our drinks. I like meeting there because we have instant access to books. Like most book clubs, our discussions are not limited to the book we're reading. We also discuss what we are reading outside of the book club. It's nice to go to the shelf and look at the book someone else is reading.

My other book group has been whittled (love that word!) down to just three of us. Because we live on opposite ends of the metro area, it's easiest to meet somewhere that is central to all of us. We have been meeting at different restaurants. We've even had servers who've read the discussion book and offer opinions :o)

M has been trying to win Daughtry tickets on a local radio station. Because she's eleven, I had to make the call. We've been trying since Monday. Every time I got thriough, they already had a winner. Today, though, there wasn't a winner when I got through but, sadly, we guessed the wrong songs. We ket trying and, I think the DJ wanted to give them to us. He kept giving us hints but when we called in with the correct songs, he had a winner. M is so bummed but more determined than ever to win those tickets. Wish us luck!

Daughtry opened for Bon Jovi when I saw them and closed their set with "Home". I love that song!

Musing Mondays

What is your policy when it comes to new authors? Do you feel comfortable purchasing a book or do you prefer to borrow new authors from the library? How often do you 'try out' a new author?

I love to find new authors but I don't usually buy hardbacks of authors I've never heard of. That's what libraries are for :o) There are a few exceptions, though. If we've chosen a new author for book club, I might purchase the hardback if I can't get a library copy in time. That said, both my book clubs tend not to choose new authors whose books are only in hardback. I will also buy a new author's hardback if someone whose reading tastes are similar to my own, recommends it. However, that person has, often, already bought the book and will loan it to me. Problem solved!

I don't mind trying new authors in paperback. Price, obviously, being the main reason but I know that if I don't like it, I can always pass it on, knowing I'll never see it again. I'm sure that someone will appreciate the new author even if I don't.

Today, my purse was my Paisley tote bag . I hadn't carried it in quite a while and saw it, yesterday, in my purse closet. So, I decided I would carry it today. I wore a plain black sweater, blue jeans and black boots so the pattern on the bag was the "pop" my outfit needed.

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?

"At his desk, Amos Hines turned over the last sheet of the two-page legal document he'd been instucted to read."

Roses
Leila Meacham

The first thing that gets my attention in this first line is the name Amos. I really like that name and am already hoping that this Amos is main character and will be around for a long time. Other than that, though, this first sentence isn't really that exciting... not that that's is a bad thing, like Seinfeld says. I'm sure some of the most beloved classic novels have less than stellar first lines. Although, I'm kind of wondering what is in that legal document.

I'm very excited to read this book as I've really only heard good things about it. I've read other book blogs that mention giveaways for this book but I can't find any. Even though I have the library copy right now, I think I'd like to have my own. I can't renew it as there's a waiting list. I'm not sure I'll finish it in the allotted time as I have two book club books to finish. Also, because, I've read such great reviews, it seems like a book I'd like to pass along to my friends as well as read again some day. If you are hosting a giveaway or know of one, please leave a comment, I'll definitely enter!

My Second Post on My First Anniversary

I told you I'd be back!

Booking Through Thursday has a great question today...Who’s your favorite author that other people are NOT reading? The one you want to evangelize for, the one you would run popularity campaigns for? The author that, so far as you’re concerned, everyone should be reading–but that nobody seems to have heard of. You know, not JK Rowling, not Jane Austen, not Hemingway–everybody’s heard of them. The author that you think should be that famous and can’t understand why they’re not…

Craig Johnson!!!

He is an absolutely amazing author! Everything about his writing is perfect! His characters, settings and plots are complex yet not so much so that they unbelievable. It seems effortless... and I still find myself thinking back to his novels. That, to me, is the mark of a great author. Because I read a lot, some books are forgotten as soon as I finish them but Walt Longmire (his main character, Sheiff of Absaroka County, Wyoming) has stuck with me. I find myself remembering plotlines or envisioning characters from Craig's books when I see a Wyoming license plate... which happens more often than you'd think... Wyoming is about 100 miles from here.

I've met Craig a few times as he's spoken at our book club. When he came last summer, he and his wife joined a few of us for dinner. While we discussed his novels, we also just had great dinner conversation. I could definitely see Walt in him. I think a lot of authors put a little bit of themselves in their main character.

My second bag of the day was my black Coach Sabrina
I love the old style Coach logo contrasting with the new signature "C". I read a lot of handbag blogs, websites etc. and there is some debate about the new vs. old signature "C"... so, I'm definitely not the only one who is obsessed :o)

My Blog's First Anniversary

I'm so excited! Today is the first anniversary of my blog!

I wrote 115 blog posts during the first year. My goal, for the second year, will be to write at least 116. I'm even thinking about writing every day in February. It's a short month and considering I did it every day in July (one of the longer months), I think I can do it again.

I went back and read the two posts I wrote that day. I'm going to write two posts today, as well. There's an interesting question on "Booking Through Thursday" and I want to answer it. I have a great author who I want to share! I'm also going to carry another bag later today. So, I'll post a picture of that, too. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not... but, I carried the same bag today I carried that first day :o) Obviously, it's one of my favorites!

I have to say that I LOVE my blog's name! Before I started my blog, I read a lot of other blogs and was amused and impressed by their clever titles. So, I definitely wanted something that elicited the same response. The bags and books part of the title came very easily...no surprise there, really. I was resigned to the fact that I would have to title my blog something mundane like Kathy's Bags & Books when I was driving back from dropping M at school the day I started the blog. I just couldn't think of anything clever and that really encompassed me. Fate stepped in and Bon Jovi started playing on the radio... and to make it even better, it was their iconic..."Livin' On A Prayer". The clouds parted and the angels sang...well, not really! But I knew exactly what the blog title would be! How COMPLETELY me...Bags, Books & Bon Jovi... it's my three favorite things and (I think) it's pretty darn clever!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy reading yours. If you have any great ideas for my February blog posts, please let me know. Even though, it's a short month.. I'll probably still get stuck for things to blog about.

Rocco, CSI & Good Karma

I don't normally watch CSI. It can get a little too graphic for me... especially when the bullet or knife is shown going into the body in slow motion. It always makes a "sucking" noise that makes me shudder a little. Anyway, I will be watching on Thursday. I saw a promo for next week's episode. Rocco Mediate, my favorite PGA player, will be a guest star. How fun! I really hope, though, he doesn't turn out to be the murderer. We don't need another degenerate on the Tour.

Karma is a good thing. I went to a shopping area that has metered parking. I know a lot of people just skip paying, especially when they are just running into a store as I did. However, I always pay. I'm sure it's my Catholic guilt kicking in but I really don't want to risk a parking ticket when a quarter put into a kiosk is so simple. Well, today, I had literally no change (the kiosk only accepts change and credit cards). I was only going to be in the store a few minutes so I really only needed a twenty-five cents for about 17 minutes. So, being the good girl that I am :o) I swiped my credit card...for a QUARTER!!! I think I even laughed as I did it. My time-stamped ticket printed and as I'm walking back to my car to put it on the dashboard, I see a crumpled $5 bill in the gutter. It was the universe's way of rewarding me for doing the right thing!
I used my black Coach Carly today. I hadn't carried it since probably before Christmas so it was time to carry it.

First Line Friday & National Hat Day

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?

"I was on the second floor of a three-story walk-up on Chicago's North Side."
The Chicago Way
Michael Harvey

Definitely not the most exciting fist sentence but this debut novel has been likened to classic Noir novels of the past. It doesn't surprise me, then, that the first sentence is very staight-forward and to-the-point.

We are reading this mystery for my February book club. It's received great reviews and I'm looking forward to reading it. I'll probably start it tonight.

There is a quote in the front of the book that explains the book's title. It's taken from The Untouchables. I adore Sean Connery so, thanks to YouTube, here is the scene...

Today, January 15, is National Hat Day. Why is this significant? Because we held a private funeral service for my father-in-law today. There will be memorial service Sunday at the church where their family were members for over 50 years. He always wore a Fedora when he was in public. I can't even think of a time when I saw him without one. He wasn't a vain man who wore a hat to cover baldness. He was just of that generation of men who believed it was proper etiquette to wear a hat when in public. He was quite dapper, actually. I find it very fitting that his funeral held on National Hat Day :o)


I carried my Dooney & Bourke black satchel today. I felt I needed a very sedate black bag for the funeral and this one was the first one I pulled out of my purse closet.

Books, Bags and Bon Jovi

Okay, so I scrambled my blog title a little bit....

I haven't really been reading a lot lately. Obviously, it's been quite stressful around here. I usually read before I go to sleep but, more often than not, I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.


I have found a novel that I am very excited to read. It is "Roses" by Leila Meacham. Publishers Weekly calls Roses an "enthralling stunner, a good old-fashioned read ... heralding the overdue return of those delicious doorstop epics from such writers as Barbara Taylor Bradford (A Woman of Substance) and Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)".

I love epic family sagas. So, I put my name on the library waiting list. I try not to judge books by their cover but the cover is simply beautiful. I hope the novel lives up to all the hype. If you've read this, I'd love to hear your opinion.

I've missed blogging about my handbags. I had a rather funny handbag "mishap" the other day. I was walking through the Macy's handbag department (of course) on my way to a hair appointment when all of the sudden, I feel the front handle of my satchel break.
I couldn't even carry it properly. I had to carry it under my arm like a huge clutch :o) It was like my purse was punishing me for looking at other bags. Crazy, I know but the timing was just a little curious :o) It's at the shoe repair shop waiting to be picked up after being repaired.

I hadn't bought a bag in quite a while and went a little crazy in Target the other day. I bought two purses and have my eye on a third. I may just ask for it for my birthday. It's not that it's expensive...it's from Target, so no worries there. It's just that J&M want to buy a birthday gift and I don't want them to spend a lot of money. Win/win, I guess.


My bag today was one of my Target purchases. It is also the same bag I want for my birthday :o) I bought it in black and the one I want is a muted fuschia. I don't have a problem with having two bags in the same style but different color. As a matter of fact, I think it is very practical. If I find a bag I love, why not have it in different colors? I'm not carrying both at the same time. This bag is big and slouchy and even though it's not leather, it feels so soft. I added a Kathy Van Zeeland key fob to the zipper pull for a little extra "pizzazz".

And just so my post title makes sense, here's a picture of Jon...

It's Been A While

I haven't meant to have these long breaks in my blog. Life, however, is a different story. Not only did the holidays come and go as they always do but we dealt with the passing of my husband's father.

W, my father-in-law, had been in failing health for probably the last year or so. In the last six months, though, it became increasingly worse. He was hospitalized right before Thanksgiving and passed away a few days after New Year's Day. In the end, though, it was his decision to end care. He passed peacefully with our family by his side.

W was a brillant scientist. Without a doubt, he was the smartest person I have ever known. He held many patents for inventions that I cannot even begin to understand. Some of his inventions were used on the Viking Mars probes as well as in other space programs. He also "invented" mathematical calculations that are being taught today at universities around the world. Honestly, to say he was smart is an understatement.

Our family is gathering for his funeral and while I love to see my husband's brother and his family, I hate that it is under these circumstances. I dread the funeral, though. I remember the day of my Dad's funeral. I was almost physically ill getting ready. I just kept thinking how utterly inane it seemed that I should be "doing" my hair and deciding what shoes to wear on that day.

I hope my husband, his brother and my mother-in-law find peace on a day when it's needed so much.