13 of 31

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book covers…
We all know the old adage about not judging a book by it’s cover, but just how much sway does a book cover have when it comes to your choice of book – whether buying or borrowing? Are there any books you’ve bought based on the cover alone?

I love to look at book covers. I am especially drawn to two kinds... one with homes and ones with women.

The books with homes draw me in because they often look like a painting. I guess it's also that those types of novels are usually romances or "feel good" novels. I can pretty much count on a happy ending.

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Novels that have women on the covers will always strike a chord with me. The historical novels with women wearing velvet dresses in rich colors generally with a lot of jewels are one of my favorite type of covers. The other kind is women, usually 1950s era, wearing very "Grace Kelly"ish type dresses. Two covers like that spring, instantly, to mind. Both are by Adriana Trigiani. Lucia, Lucia is one of my favorite novels. Very Valentine is a great book that I was just tonight discussing with Lori (lori-thequeensnewthrone.blogspot.com). The covers of both books are perfect examples of what I'm talking about. I do have to say, however, that when I googling covers, I found a cover of Lucia, Lucia that combines my love of homes and women on the cover :o)

That said, though, the covers may draw me in but unless I think I will enjoy reading I won't buy or check it out. I'm not made of money and just because a book has a beautiful cover doesn't mean it's worth my money and, more inportantly, my time. There have been books I have loved that had covers that were less than impressive. I understand the importance of cover art, but, I'm really beyond that. Honestly, I think most "real" (those of us who read more than the NYT bestsellers, Oprah picks or the latest "book club" phenomenon) readers are.


I realized that I hadn't showed by bag lately. We visited my father-in-law in the hospital (hopefully, nothing major). I carried my silver Clinique tote. My nephew asked if it was Judy Jetson's bag :o) I was pleasntly surprised that he noticed my pocketbook (I just read your blog, Lori. The word you don't like was there but I edited it just for you!) but kind of shocked (in a good way)that he referenced the Jetsons.

12 of 31

I have had a pretty bad day. Nothing quite cheers me up like my all-time favorite song, "Levon" by Elton John. As much as I LOVE Bon Jovi and love their version, to hear Elton sing my favorite song is truly AMAZING!! I've seen Elton five times and I will always see him when/if he comes to concert. Listen to both versions and let me know which you like better.

11 of 31

I have absolutely no idea what to blog about. I'm trying to blog every day in July so I need to write something. I'm going to list ten "interesting" things about me. I put interesting in quotes because they probably aren't :o)

1. I watched Valley Girl today. I love Nicolas Cage and that's the movie where it started... fer sure, like, totally!
2. I'm wearing neon pink sparkly toenail polish. I don't care that I'm probably too old. I think it looks fun!
3. I am addicted to Craigslist. We bought a fridge off it about a month ago and I haven't stopped looking through it. I read the free, the wanted, the furniture, the cell phone and the household sections. It's really interesting.
4. We have flown an American flag on our house every day (barring bad weather) since September 12, 2001. We bring it in every night as tradition and etiquette require.
5. I have all of our library card numbers memorized.
6. I'm already sick of my summer wardrode. I want it to get colder so I can wear boots, scarves sweaters and jeans.
7. I love long chandelier earrings. The ones I wear are not quite as big as in this picture, but on runway models, I love those earrings.
8. One of M's friends is not coming back to school this fall and I'm very happy about it. She causes a lot of fake drama in M's group of friends and I think 6th grade will be better because she won't be there.
9. That sounds pretty bad but I'm OK saying it.
10. I don't want to be specific but there's something happening on Monday night that I don't want us to be a part of. I'm already trying to formulate a "reason" why we can't do it.

There... that's ten. The streak continues!

10 of 31

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?



"In two or three hours... well, it's hard to tell...in three hours, surely, or at the very outside, four hours...within four hours, let us say, I'll be dead."

Pale Blue Eye
Louis Bayard

This first line completely demonstrates why I love first lines. Everything about this screams "read on, read on"! I, most certainly, will. With a first line like this, I would be shocked if the novel were anything but fantastic. How does he know about his impending death? How does he feel knowing? I am excited to find out.

My friend, L, recommended it. We are reading Black Tower by the same author for book club and she mentioned what a great read Pale Blue Eye is. She and I share very similar reading taste so I trust her opinion. Louis Bayard puts historical figures in his mysteries. In Pale Blue Eye, a young Edgar Allen Poe, as a West Point cadet, helps solve a gruesome murder. Poe is considered by many to be father of the murder mystery. His novel, Murders in the Rue Morgue, was published in 1841.

The reviews for Pale Blue Eye also attest to how good it is...
"Shockingly clever and devoutly unsentimental...reads like a lost classic. Bayard reinvigorates historical fiction." - New York Times Book Review
"Brilliantly plotted and completely absorbing, ending with the kind of shock that few novelists are able to deliver." - Sunday Times (London)
"Seamlessly blends Poe into an engrossing whodunit worthy of its inspiration." - USA Today
"Another tour-de-force, an intense and gripping novel....This beautifully crafted thriller stands head and shoulders above other recent efforts to fictionalize Poe." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The only place I went to today was Home Depot. We had a "DIY" day around our house. My husband was on the roof for most of the day getting the evaporative cooler up and running. Thus, my trip to the Depot. I carried a purple pebbled leather bag. It is a "organizer" handbag. It has pockets and slots for everything, which I don't use :o)
I just throw things from one bag to the next.

9 of 31

My Favorite Reads is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books every Thursday. What a great way to read reviews of books that were mainstream (or not!) a while back but have faded off the radar of what is "hot" right now in the land of literature.

My Favorite Read this week is "Morning Glory" by LaVryle Spencer.
From the back cover...
"Elly
In town, they called her “Crazy Widow Dinsmore.” But Elly was no stranger to their ridicule—she had been an outsider all her life, growing up in a boarded-up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now she was all alone, with two little boys to raise, and a third child on the way.
Will
He drifted into Whitney, Georgia, one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he’d never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.
Then he saw a classified ad: WANTED—A husband. When he stepped across Elly Dinsmore’s cluttered yard, Will Parker knew he had come home at last."

I discovered LaVryle Spencer when I worked at B. Dalton Bookseller (remember that?) in the late 80s. When I started working there, I was proud of that fact that I had never read a romance. A co-worker kept telling me how wonderful her novels were and I finally gave in. She was so right! LaVryle Spencer is a gifted writer, however, I like her historicals a little more than her contemporaries. Although her novels are catergorized romance, they are so much more than that. At the heart of every story is definitely a romance but they capture so many other emotions.

Morning Glory is my favorite among her many titles. The characters are struggling to make their life normal against outside forces. They are written so believably that you feel for them, even knowing that it will have a happy ending. It has a WWII setting and, even not knowing a lot about that era, her writing transported me back to that time. There is tragedy and there is joy in this book but, above all, there are two characters who triumph and that is what draws me to any LaVryle Spencer novel... the characters.

Be sure to read Misfitandmom's blog at http://misfitandmom.livejournal.com/ She is also reminiscing about the older books that we may have forgotten about or in my case, not known about. I've gotten some great recommendations from her blog.


My bag today was the ultimate summer accessory... the pool bag! We spent the afternoon at the pool. It wasn't as hot as yesterday which made it so nice. Because, it was "Happy Hour" at Sonic, we stopped there on the way home. I am getting so addicted to the Cherry Limeades... seriously, I could drink one every day. I won't but I could!!

8 of 31

This blog award is from my friend, Cyndy at http://luvmydoxies.blogspot.com/ Thanks!

First, I have to comment on the picture in the award. It is a Claddagh... "The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love." Yet, the expression, "Let love and friendship reign forever" can be found as another meaning for the symbols.
The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's romantic availability, or lack thereof. The ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward to show that the wearer is not romantically linked but is looking for love. When turned inwards, it is shown that the wearer is in a relationship, or their heart has been "captured". The ring worn on the left hand with the heart facing outward shows the wearer is engaged; turned inward indicates the wearer is married"... from Wikipedia.

Being the good Irish girl that I am, Claddaghs mean a lot to me. My husband gifted me with a beautiful Claddagh ring for our first wedding anniversary. I wear it every day in March... not only the month we were married but the month of St. Patrick's Day.

I also wear two sterling silver Claddagh toe rings every day in the summer. I wear them on the second toe of each foot. I think it looks cute and the sentimentality means something to me.

I really thought a lot about what I would post as my keepsake. I thought about my favorite things, but then, we all know what those are... Bags, Books and Bon Jovi, of course!! Family is at the top of the list but I don't want to post pictures. Then it came to me... my keychain! And I'll explain why... everything on it defines who I am.
Chapstick... on a keychain. Genius! I am completely addicted to it and to have it on a keyring means I'm never without it.
J and M's picture... for a few years, we could order keyring pictures. What a cool idea... now, they with me all the time.
Library cards... our library, like many other, gives out barcode keyring library cards. It's so easy. I have mine and the kids so I can check out their holds when they're not with me.
Coach handbag keyring... this was a gift from J because he knows how much I love bags!
Grocery card... because I'm the Mom, I'm usually the one buying groceries. It makes me feel good to be able to provide for my family and buy food that not only nourishes their body but their souls... ice cream comes to mind.
Clip... very practical so I can clip my keys to my belt loop to have my hands free. This really came in handy when my kids were little.
Pink House Key... my home is the center of my universe! Everything and everyone that I love is here. I love nothing more than to come to the warmth and safety of it. It's a nice house, in a nice neighborhood with nice neighbors.
Durango Car Key... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my car!!! It will be very sad day when I have to give it up. It has a third row which is perfect for hauling kids. It has 4WD because, even though, I live in Colorado, I'm a complete wimp when I drive in snow. It has two Bon Jovi stickers on the back window as well as ski resort stickers on the back side windows. And, it has a really cool personalized license plate.
J's SUV key... practical, of course, when I drive it but also a reminder of him and how freakin' hot I think he looks in his big, black SUV!!

I'd post a picture but blogger won't let me. I will try tomorrow.

I carried my Vera Wang black satchel to Mah Jong today, although we didn't play. My friend is still going through a very life-altering situation and this week was extremely emotional. So, we ate lunch and just talked. It's so difficult to see her go through this. I'd probably be a puddle on floor, if it were happening to me. She needed to talk and we were there for her. We can play Mah Jong any day...today was about her.

7 of 31

I LOVE 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.
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!
"She served it without speaking and sat opposite him. When she looked up, her eyes focused over his shoulder."
page 314
Burden of Desire
Robert MacNeil

This, technically, isn't my current read because I haven't started it yet. I finished a book at the pool today and chose this one out of my library pile. I will start it tonight before I go to bed.

I checked it out because of the cover. It's gorgeous. It was on the front of one stack shelves at the library and caught my attention. Reading the jacket, I found out it is based on a true story. A ship carrying load of TNT blew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1917. That is (sort of) my "grenre-niche"... according to Michele at http://readersrespite.blogspot.com/... I really enjoy reading books set in that time period.

The author is Robert MacNeil of The MacNeil Lehrer Report. I had no idea he wrote fiction. It should be a good read.

6 of 31

Misfitandmom at http://misfitandmom.livejournal.com/ informed me that Marg at http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/ had blogged about Bon Jovi. Of course, I headed over to read what she had to say.

This is from her website (with her permission)... "Bon Jovi have recorded a version of Stand By Me that is available for free download in support of the Iranian people. The other person singing is an exiled Iranian singer called Andy Madadian and part of the song is being sung in Farsi."

Please take a few minutes to watch the video. It's a good song sang by great singers for a greater cause!

5 of 31

One of the premiere outdoor art festivals is held every year in Denver. M and I went to it yesterday. Luckily, we arrived when it began. Parking was a breeze but it wasn't that way when we left. We saw people circling our lot a few times and we were even followed to our car.

The weather was perfect. Denver is known for its afternoon severe weather. By arriving so early, we missed the storms which showed up later. It was a little cloudy and cool... we couldn't have asked for better weather to stroll through Cherry Creek and take in all the art.

I've always loved art and said that if we had Bill Gates kind of money, I'd buy original art. I can only live in one house and drive one car, at a time, but I can have lots of art around me. It would make me very happy.

M loved the festival. We've taken several times but, I think, this was the first time she really "got" it. She and I spent time in each booth, appreciating the pieces as well as the creativity and skill of the artists. Being the extrovert that she is, she had no problem seeking them out and discussing their work. Not one artist brushed her aside or talked over her to me. They politely and enthusiastically answered her questions, gave their insights and asked about her own abilities. We collected all the free postcards and bookmarks that the artists give away and she spent much of her computer time yesterday looking at their websites. I love that she has such an appreciation.

To end our outing, we visited the Farmers Market (great logo, don't you think?) set up in the mall parking lot. There were so many samples offered that we almost didn't need to eat lunch. We bought a bottle of peach cider (how have I gone this long without tasting this?!? So yummy!), a package of taco seasoning and two kohlrabi (German turnips that my German mother grew when I was a kid).

Because we were walking a lot yesterday and it was July 4th, I carried a red, white and blue madras plaid tote bag. It was the perfect size to carry everything we needed and some things, luckily, we didn't... an umbrella and M's hoodie.

After waiting out a drenching afternoon rainstorm and eating at a favorite Mexican restaurant, our family finished the day watching fireworks at our favorite spot. DQ Blizzards on the ride home capped off a perfect Fourth of July.

I hope yours was just as nice!

4 of 31

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!
Take a moment to remember all that July 4th means.

3 of 31

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?

Before I post my First Line Friday, I have to say "Thank you" to my friend, Karen at http://karenintx.blogspot.com/. Check out her blog...she has a great feature called "Grab It Graphics". She creates great graphics that you can "steal" (giving her credit, of course) for your blog. She created the first First Line Friday graphic and the other day she sent a new graphic for First Line Friday. She's so creative and this graphic just fits First Line Friday.


"In the summer of 1844, Garnet Cameron graduated from Miss Wayne's Select Academy for Young Ladies."
Jubilee Trail
Gwen Bristow

This first line is right up my alley. Right away, I'm curious if Garnet is a proper young lady or a rebel who couldn't wait to graduate.

Misfitandmom at http://misfitandmom.livejournal.com/ had blogged about an author who I had never read... Gwen Bristow. Her novels are historical fiction BFBs...just what I love!! So, after waitng a while for the library to get the books from the resource collection (I've not a clue what that is), I checked these out. I look forward to reading them. She also blogged about missing great "old" books by only reading new releases. Go to her blog, she has some wonderful suggestions of novels that you may or may not have read but ones that are definitely worth your time!

Another blogger, Alyce at http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/, is also championing great older reads with her meme, "My Favorite Reads". I'm challenging myself to read or re-read older books instead of always wanting to stick to the front tables at the book store.


One of the great things about having a thirteen year old son is giving him a few dollars, my grocery card and sending to the store for a gallon of milk. The grocery store is about six blocks away, at the end of our sub-division. It's great not having to run into the grocery store for just milk....that's what thirteen year old sons are for :o)


My bag today was a fun summer bag from Bath & Body Works. It's a patchwork bag with the patches made out of striped Oxford shirt material. I'm very careful with it as it will get dirty fairly easily and I'm not sure it would survive the wash, even in the delicate cycle.

2 of 31

I met some friends for dinner and while it was great to see them, the talk was pretty serious. Ailing parents, looming job losses and potential relocations were topics that came up tonight. Interesting conversations for a Girls Night at Old Chicago. But that's how life goes and it's comforting that we can talk about it with friends. Sometimes there are things that you don't want to talk to your husband about. Sometimes you want to bitch about your husband. Who better to listen to you but your girlfriends? Well, your girlfriends with drinks in their hands, of course!! I love my girlfriends.

I carried my Rocker Chick bag tonight. There were six of us and there two Coach bags (one new and one vintage), one Kathy Van Zeeland (the color was ice blue. I love it!), one very practical cross-body bag and a black leather hobo bag. Yes, handbags are the first thing I notice on a woman. My friends tease me about this but it's OK... they know who to come to when they need to borrow a bag :o)

Here's a dilemma... I have library book that's due tomorrow and there's no way I'll be finished with it. I can't renew because there are holds on it. Do I... keep it and just pay the fines? I don't have a problem paying the fines but I feel bad that I'm keeping it from someone else who wants to read it. Or do I return it, half-read and finish it when I can get it again? Keeping in mind that it's a mystery and I won't be able to find out "whodunnit". I know... what a dilemma and I thought solving the health care crisis was bad... lol!

1 of 31

This is the first post of my attempt to blog every day in July. My friend, Lori, at http://lori-thequeensnewthrone.blogspot.com/ has joined me in trying to do this.

J, M and I went to the pool today. While they swam, I read. Although, I do wear a swimsuit, I only get in the pool to cool off, then it's right back to my book. There's just something about reading at the pool... love it!

One thing I noticed today was the proliferation of reusable shopping bags as pool bags. I must have seen at least ten of them. I would have never thought to use mine at the pool. While I understand the economy of their use, I like to use the pool bag I bought at Target a few years ago.
It's waterproof and has different sections for different items. For us, it's much more practical than a shopping bag. That's not to say that we don't love using our shopping bags. I have a fun assortment that I use at the grocery store, the library and anywhere else I need a bag.

The rest of the day was pretty lazy. The kids were worn out so we stopped at Sonic on the way home. J and I each have a favorite drink while M gets something different every time. After an afternoon of reading, both in their rooms and on the back patio, they're now crashed on the sofa watching "I Survived A Japanese Game Show" having just watched " Wipeout". Not my kind of TV but they enjoy it.

Lately, I've been in the mood for a new cell phone. My friend, L, a British ex-pat, calls it a "mobile"...I LOVE that! Anyway, I have a great phone that's just about a year old and definitely don't need a new one. I don't even use all the features on my current phone. Recently, though, I've found myself looking online for a new one. Both J and M want my old phone, if I buy a new one. Why, I don't know? They each have great phones. I know I won't get one but I've had fun looking.

Teaser Tuesday & Other Thoughts

I LOVE 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.
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!
"Frank wanted to know what a man like Sharpe was doing at a seance in Greenwich Village, but he refrained from asking. There would be time for that later."
Murder on Waverly Place
Victoria Thompson
page 70


I blogged about this novel awhile ago for Waiting on Wednesday. I really love these mysteries. They aren't great literature and they won't change my life but they are solid mysteries with believable characters, my favorite era and a flourishing relationship at its foundation. It's a fast read and I know I'll be satisfied when I'm finished reading it. Sometimes, that's all I need in a book :o)


I know every Mom can relate but I've really noticed, especially in the last couple of days, that M is growing up. Too fast, if you ask me. Not in a bad way, really, but she's my baby and I just wish time would stop! I think it's because she spent a lot of time with her cousins the last two weeks. B is 13, A is 18 and great, great girls so some of their "teenage-ness" wore off on her. We went to the bookstore and she headed directly for the young Adult section... didn't even want to go into the children's section. I'm really loving the young woman she's becoming but I miss the cute little girl that she was. I won't even start on my son and how he's taller than me...


While we were at Barnes & Noble, I was browsing the day planners. I am almost as addicted to planners as I am to bags. I found a great purple one. My friend, Lori, has the same one. Since we live 1000 miles apart and she knows that I love purple planners, I knew she wouldn't mind if I bought it. But, alas (cool word! It's not often that I can use it... so, I will!), it was not be! It had a big thumbprint on it. The display is right next to the cafe so, I'm thinking someone had a croissant and then just had to open that planner... argh! Things like that just tick me off. So, I made my way around the table and found another one that I loved. It's black and white with a fleur-de-lis pattern. This doesn't mean I won't end up with the purple one. I probably will... like I said, it's an addiction.


My bag today was a multicolor tote that I bought at Forever 21 (quit laughing... I only shop there for bags and earrings!) a few years ago. It's what I call a "dump" bag... I just dump all my stuff into it... there's no organization, at all. That's okay, though, I don't carry a lot and need even less :o)


Since tomorrow is July 1st, I'm going to try to blog every day for a full month. Not because what I have to say is all that important, I just want to see if I can do it. it would be fun if I received 31 comments, too. It might just be a month of my bags :o)...we'll see!

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 fancy-dress theme was refuse and waste paper."
The Shoe Queen
Anna Davis

Not quite the first line I imagined for this novel. It actually took a second reading and forcing myself not to read ahead, to figure out what this meant.
I love the idea of a fancy-dress ball.

I picked this book up at the Friends of the Library bookstore. As I've mentioned before, I read the back, then checked to see if it was in the stacks. This one wasn't, so, I bought it. I love the title, although, I'm definitely more of a handbag girl (see blog title...lol), how could I pass on this novel? The covers (both front and back) are perfect. The book "immerses readers in the glitter and excitement of 1920's bohemian Paris"...from the back of the book...and the covers have that feel. There is a beautiful woman on the back who, in my opinion, is very reminiscent of Angelina Jolie in The Changling.

I also found another book by this new-to-me author. It's called The Jewel Box and set in 1920s London. I placed an order with my library and, hopefully, they will purchase it. I really like that era and novels with strong heroines have always appealed to me.


I'm so happy it's finally warm enough to carry some of my summer purses. They've more color and usually, a lot of texture. Today, however, I chose a white hobo bag. I love white bags in the summertime. They epitomize the hot, carefree days. There are silver studs on the side of the bag as well as across the strap so, it's not as plain as some white bags. I think every woman should have a white bag for summer.
I don't think you need to spend a lot. Find a cute one and wear it through Labor Day... or longer if you follow Clinton and Stacy's rules. Don't worry about a little dirt...bags are made to be worn. Besides, baby wipes work wonders... just don't scrub too roughly. Believe me, carrying a white bag on a hot summer day will make you smile!