Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
My turn on the holds list finally came up so I got my hands on Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am reading that now for April's book club. Oops. Kind of late to the discussion, but I expect to finish reading it in a day or two. I'm about halfway through right now. It's not this superb piece of suspense but it's not terrible either. I think I have what's going on figured out and if I'm right, both Nick and Amy are liars, cheaters and manipulators. Not exactly compelling characters.
Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi caught my eye on the new books shelf (yet published in 2009) in part because of the yummy title, but also because her award winning graphic novel Persepolis has been on my to-read list for ages. So I should really be picking up that novel, but this one is shorter so I thought I'd be more likely to read it right now amidst a busy spring.
The Gardener & The Grill by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig. This delicious cookbook caught my eye at the library at the end of the gardening and grilling season.. . why it's still on the new bookshelf at the library, I'm not sure, but at least it was where I'd spy it again and this time I borrowed it. I've only casually flipped through it as of yet, but upon my cursory review it looks like a winner with a bountiful collection of fabulous recipes for all kinds of dishes to make with the grill. I cannot wait to read it more carefully and make some of the recipes. I would love to review this book for all of you before Memorial Day weekend so you can get inspired with grilling this season.
The 2nd Law by Muse. I fell in love with their single "Madness" the very first time I heard it. I haven't downloaded a Muse song in a while, so when I saw this CD come in to the library, I couldn't resist the opportunity to listen to all the tracks. I'm actually listening to it while I type this! So far "Madness" is my favorite track.
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
I'm starting the new year with a nice, thick stack of books from the library--just how I like it. I got these several days ago and can't wait to dive in.
January's Book Club pick. Have you read it or seen the movie?
Smitten Kitchen by Deb Perelman
I've flipped through all the recipes.. I want to make everything. Next I'm going to read every page.
I had been on the hold list for Rod Stewart's new Christmas CD, Merry Christmas, Baby at the library since around mid December and finally got the call the other day that it was in. I debated whether or not to I still wanted and then thought why the heck not.. it's Rod Stewart singing Christmas music! I really like the CD, by the way. Very soothing but fun at the same time.
While I was at the library picking up the Christmas CD two weeks after I really wanted it, I decided to look for The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin--the book I'm considering reading for Joy's New Year's Resolution Reading Challenge, thanks to the idea by Vasilly (http://classicvasilly.wordpress.com/). I grabbed said book and then promptly proceeded to pull a whole bunch of books from the self help section into my arms, as well as some food & health related books and a cookbook in a different aisle. I'm pretty psyched to read through these books over the next couple weeks and hope they inspire me to live more fully, happily and healthfully in 2013. Here's what's in my stack:
Pictured above from top to bottom:
Don't Sweat The Small Stuff for Women by Kristine Carlson A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Food Matters by Mark Bittman This Is Why You're Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever) by Jackie Warner Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet by Tonia Reinhard
And finally... A Year Of Pies by Ashely English
Because while I am all for thinking, living and eating for optimum health, I still plan LIVE. And therefore... eat pie. :)
Have you read any of these books?
Which, if any, of these books interest you?
Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Eva's blog A Striped Armchair. This week's link up is at Marg's.
In non fiction:
Getting The Pretty Back
Friendship, Family and Finding the Perfect Lipstick by Molly Ringwald
I don't generally read memoirs, but when I saw this one come into the library, I thought it might be a fun one to read. I was a teenager myself during the time actress Molly Ringwald was at the height of her teenage stardom on the big screen, so I'm familiar with her teenage image as well as familiar with her stage in life now-- wife, mother, friend and simply a woman of her 40s.
Getting The Pretty Back is more like a fun spirited woman's guide to being over 40 and all the great things being this age brings. There are anecdotes from Molly's life and experiences layered within the book, but mostly she writes about insights and tips to both the fun things in life and some of the challenges as well. Topics include friendships, dating, marriage, family issues, parenting, travel, cooking, diet, exercise, makeup and fashion. Most importantly that pretty is a state of mind. So true!!!
In music:
To The Sea by Jack Johnson
To The Sea is singer songwriter Jack Johnson's most recent release and his fifth studio album. The album is produced by Jack Johnson's record label, Brushfire Records for Universal Studios and is a shining example of environmental responsibility. The album was recorded in solar powered studios in Hawaii and LA, printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper, and carrying the 1% For The Planet promise and logo. He and his crew don't stop there. They promote green living while on tour, too, taking all kinds of awesome steps toward reducing their carbon footprint from eliminating their use of single use plastic bottles on tour and backstage, drinking filtered tap water, aiming toward zero waste through recycling, composting whenever possible, and working with local farms and markets while on tour to source locally grown food all whenever possible.
Want to learn more? Visit JackJohnsonMusic.com and or AllAtOnce.com, Jack Johnson's social action network established to educate and engage individuals to take action in creating a positive global change for our communities and environment. I joined All At Once to learn more about local events and opportunities to volunteer to make a difference. Why not join and find out what you can do in your area too? :)
As for the music on To The Sea --don't think I forgot about that part!!! --all songs are of Jack Johnson's signature style of soft acoustic rock with a mellow, soulful sound and simple but thoughtful lyrics. To learn more about To The Sea go HERE to read more and sample the songs. :)
. . . the chapter title in the book you're reading is "Reefer Madness" and it takes you at least a full minute until you recognize the word reefer.
The first time, I automatically read it as "Refer Madness." What? That doesn't make sense! Referee Madness?
Huh. It could be a typo. I am reading an ARC after all. Ree-fer? Ref-fer? I read a couple of paragraphs and then . . . wait a minute . . .
{light bulb}
Ohhh! Reefer. Duh. LOL.
Speaking of reefer.
Do you know The Beatles songs "Within You Without You" & "Tomorrow Never Knows"? Well, I don't think I've ever heard either one until we got Beatles Rock Band. The version on Beatles Rock band is a mashup version of the two songs originally from The Beatles Love album (wikipedia.com) and its definitely one of my favorite songs to play on Beatles Rock Band. Anyway, I was feeling gutsy tonight, and with a little encouragement from my husband (and accompanying me on drums), I played it on expert.
That's right. 91% on expert. {I'm so excited about this!! LOL!} I guess I'm not that old, after all.
Well, not that age has anything to do with Rock Band skills, but it makes me feel young.. errr... younger, anyway. ;o)
By the way, the book I'm currently reading is the fourth Spellman book by author Lisa Lutz, The Spellmans Strike Again and the main character doesn't use reefer anymore. She's left those wild times behind in her misspent teens and twenties. She's all of 32 now. Anyway, I'm really enjoying the book and in fact, I'm almost finished with it already and I just started it a day or so ago, which for me, is fast. I had to force myself to put it down because I want to finish it tomorrow morning when I'm all alert and focused for the ending.
Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Eva's blog A Striped Armchair. This week's link up is at Marg's.
A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
I wanted to read this historical romance immediately after reading Hilcia's review and when I read Phyl's equally encouraging review shortly after that, I was impatient to do so. It turns out that the book was just being processed in my library, so I quickly jumped on the hold list and was second in line.
The only work of Mary Balogh's I've previously read was her short story contribution to the Heart of Christmas anthology, "A Handful of Gold" back in December and I enjoyed it very much, so I'm looking forward to reading this latest release. It's only a two week book, and I know there is a waiting list for it, which prohibits me from renewing it, so I'll read this one very soon.
Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris
Lily Bard Mystery Series
These are the first two books in the Lily Bard Mystery series by Charlaine Harris. I had read such glowing series reviews from first Danielle at ALPHA Reader back in early November and then shortly after that from Angie at Angieville, both of which prompted me to make a mental note to look for these books. And then never did.
Recently, I discovered a section of shelves in my library that holds numerous romance, mystery and thriller paperbacks that are not catalogued in the system, so I've been browsing them each time I visit the library to see if there's anything of interest to me. I'm not really sure why these books are not barcoded so I can search for them with the online library catalogue, but at least now I know this section actually exists so I can search the good old fashioned way. Lucky for me, I spotted the first two books in the Lily Bard series in this section and immediately checked them out. Within pages I was strongly attached to Lily. I finished reading Shakespeare's Landlord yesterday and already started reading Shakespeare's Champion. I have a feeling I'm going to plow through this series quickly. I already checked the online catalog and the library actually has the rest of the series in hardcover, hence it's catalogued. I think I may suggest that they catalogue the first two books so they get shelved with the rest of the series. I wonder if they have the same appreciation for having a whole series catalogued and shelved together.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordin
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordin
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordin
Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 1, 2 and 3
I have been meaning to read this series for at least a year now, and my interest was recently renewed in this series after seeing that a few of my book blogging friends picked it up and read the first book, compounded by the fact that a movie based on the first book is coming out in theaters later this month. After waiting a week or more for one of the four copies of the first book that my library has to become available, I finally brought The Lightning Thief home to read. I encouraged my ten year old daughter to read it and at first she declined the book, but said yes to see the movie with me. Her preferred genre is chick lit for middle school age girls. Lo and behold, I caught her halfway through the book a few days later! LOL! This week alone she has also read the next two books in the series, Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse, and I believe I promised her a trip out to pick up books 4 and 5 tonight! Hey, when a girl's gotta have her books, a girl's gotta have her books. I get that. ;)
In the meantime, I've read the first chapter of The Lightning Thief, but am determined to finish it before the movie releases. Harry Potter is just going to have to set aside for Percy Jackson for a week or so, as that next film doesn't release until later this year.
Elements of Freedom by Alicia Keys
I love Alicia Keys and this album is really fantastic. Remember how much I loved her duet performance of Empire State of Mind with Jay-Z? Well, her solo version of the same song, "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" is equally amazing. All of her songs on this album are R&B style; very poetic, soulful, emotional, and romantic and oh so good. One song, "Put It In A Love Song," features guest artist Beyonce and is a bit less R&B and more energetic and pop-like.
I've only recently started paying attention to the music section in my library. I don't know why I've always passed by it in the past, but it will become a regular section for me from now on, I'm sure.
Do you borrow music from your library?
Have you read any of these books from my Library Loot this week?
Kwana recently posted the YouTube video of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performing their awesome duet "Empire State of Mind" live at the World Series final game the other night. It reminded me just how much love Alicia Keys. Listening to her sing, hearing her lyrics, feeling her music and the passion she puts into her songs simply sends chills up my spine every time. And yeah, she's even made me tear up a few times. Have you listened to---not just heard, but really listened to her 2007 hit single "Like You'll Never See Me Again"? And that's just the song. Be prepared to bawl if you watch the video. Okay, let's not go there.
Anyway . . . after watching and listening to the live performance YouTube video of "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys in Yankee Stadium from the other night on Kwana's blog, I hopped over to YouTube in search of the official video for the song. I loved the song from the first time I heard it on the radio weeks ago and I turn it up every time. And every time Alicia Keys belts out that first "In New Yoorrrrrrk . . . " I get the chills. She moves me. She really does.
Having lived my whole life in the New Jersey suburbs of NYC, I think this song appeals to me not just because it features Alicia Keys, but also because it has a certain familiarity to it. I'm familiar with the beauty, magic, power, and also the sadness and tragedy the city holds. I wonder how this song moves people who have never been here before. Does it move them the same way? Do the lyrics and the images in the video seem foreign?
Alicia Keys has a new album coming out in December called The Element of Freedom (12.15.09). Her single "Doesn't Mean Anything" can be viewed at her official YouTube Channel HERE. She's such a beautiful talent.
We bought Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and a PS 3 console for Christmas in 2007, but after failing miserably when convinced to play by my family who are all of above average musical talent whereas my musical ability lies in the realm of negative, and getting booed off the stage in a mere few seconds, I quit the band. Getting booed off the stage is awful, you know?
Fast forward to Christmas break 2008. So we've been living in this one bedroom apartment (condo, whatever...) about a mile and a half from our house since Thanksgiving weekend (long story... ) with NO TELEVISION and a slower wireless network (that we're basically hijacking from some unassuming dude in the apartment complex who has an unprotected wireless router... SCORE!), so we brought along a projector and the PS 3 so we can at least play DVDs and video games. And since we're living in such close quarters (two adults, a senior citizen, a teen, a tween and four cats.... in a one bedroom apartment, condo, whatever... ), it was only a matter of time (minutes) before I got convinced to give Guitar Hero another go one year later. I figured I might as well since I'm going to have to listen to it up close and personal anyway since I have no place else in the place to sit really. So I fail miserably on my first attempt and get booed off the stage in a matter of ... oh ... less than 20 notes, I imagine. No surprises there. But my teen steps in and shows me how to place my fingers on the 'keys' and how to angle my wrist just right, and how to relax my fingers and wrist (I should follow her advice. There's a good reason she's first chair violin in the school orchestra, you know?). I give it another whirl, and guess what? I actually freakin' finished a song! There was singing, dancing, records playing, dancing in the streets! Okay, well not really. But I did get lots of praise and pats on the back and hugs and kisses from my fans. I liked that. So I went back for more. And more. And more. And that, my friends, is how a Guitar Hero Mom is born.
Tonight, I got my all highest score yet! I scored 125,425 points playing Knights of Cydonia by Muse, circa 2006. Check. Me. Out.
Notice I'm sweeping the charts. SWEEPING!
Actually, I'm practically sweeping the charts on ALL the songs.
It's true. On Easy.
Because no one else plays on Easy but me.
But that's beside the point! The point is I'm a STAR!
In my house, in the eyes of my husband and daughters.
And I apparently, I can go to parties now, too! Sweet.
My favorite songs to play: Knights of Cydonia, Muse My Name Is Jonas, Weezer Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar Black Magic Woman, Santana When You Were Young, The Killers Ruby, Kaiser Chiefs Don't Hold Back, The Sleeping
Admit to me that you play video games, too! I'd love to hear what you play!
I had been planning on attending the Literacy Signing at the NJ RWA Conference this past Saturday since at least May or June, but instead had the really fantastic opportunity to take the girls to see the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars show at the IZOD Center. It was a really great afternoon, and the excitement and joy on both of my daughter's faces the whole day weekend was priceless. The show is a choreographed performance of freestyle-type gymnastics routines featuring members of the men's and women's olympic teams as well as about a dozen other very talented performers. My youngest has been a fan of Nastia Liukin since before the Olympics, so we were so thrilled to see her perform.
So while we were at the IZOD Center, I had an impulsive moment of inspiration and decided to find out if there were any tickets available to see the alternative Rock band Coldplay in concert either Sunday or Monday night (tonight). It turns out Sunday's show was sold out but there were a handful of tickets available for Monday night's performance, so I bought two tickets for tonight's show! Since my husband isn't crazy about the band, I'm taking my thirteen year old daughter to her first ever rock concert (Sorry, I don't count the Jonas Brothers) and we're both super super excited. My husband was surprised that I was willing to take her to a concert on a school night, but she's a straight A student in honors classes and helps out with her sister and or my father-in-law without too much complaining, so I say 'why not?'--it's a great mom and daughter night out while she still doesn't mind being with me. Besides, I really want to go!!!
I told her I'd try to act and long young so she didn't feel too awkward. I asked her what she thought I should wear to look younger and she said, "A push-up bra." Niiiiiice. She said she was kidding, but I don't know. I don't think something like that would fly so fast out of her mouth if there wasn't some grain of truth to that. I told her they're the way they are because they nourished her for all those months and months when I breastfed her. And months. Embarrassment and guilt are a few of the best weapons of revenge against a teenager. Heh.
Last night my husband said he thinks I'm going to regret taking her to the Coldplay concert tonight--that she's too young and will be exposed to inappropriate behavior of audience members. Maybe I'm naive, but I'm thinking it won't be so bad. And maybe it's a good thing that I'm taking her to her first real concert, so we both find out what it's like these days before she starts wanting to go on her own with friends. I don't know, I haven't been to a grown up concert in ages. I think the last concert I went to was to see Sting on his Dream of the Blue Turtles tour in 1985. Could it be that long ago? Oh wait. I went to see jazz musician Pat Metheny in 1992 maybe. Oy! I've got to get out more.
So what was the last concert you've been to? And who would you want to see in concert if you had the opportunity?
We have floor seats FLOOR SEATS! at tonight's Coldplay concert. Nothing like diving right back into the concert scene full force, eh? Here's a video of Coldplay performing the single "Lost" from their current best selling ablum Viva La Vida.
Oh, Saaaamaaaanthaaaaa!!! Well, well, well, what do you know? Look who's on the cover of the latest issue of RollingStone magazine. C'mon, you know you've been Sitting, Waiting, Wishing for his newly released album! I even saw it for sale at Starbucks this week! Surprised? Nah... you shouldn't be. This new album, Sleep Though The Staticis currently #1 on the Billboards! That is, #1 on The Billboard 200, the Billboard Comprehensive Albums, the Top Digital Albums, and the Top Rock Albums!!! Go Jack!
Do You Remember the times you made fun of my fondness for the soulful sounds of Jack Johnson? Thinking I was a Flake? Well, girl friend, those days are Gone because in Times Like These, I obviously don't Walk Alone. There are millions of Jack Johnson fans. And someday... maybe someday... you'll be thinking to yourself, "If I Had Eyes, I'd be a Jack Johnson fan, too."
So tell me, did this news turn your world Upside Down or what? Don't worry... I know what would cheer you up. Come on over to my place, I'll fix you up some Banana Pancakes and expose you to some Sexy Plexi. You know you want some. ;o)
Go here to the Jack Johnson's website to the video section of this laid back surfer dude music artist. "If I Had Eyes" is from his new album. "Upside Down" from the Curious George movie is another of my favorites and the lyrics can apply to adults, too. :)
EDITED FOR CORRECTION:
From the Oxford American Dictionary:
flake |flak|
noun
1. a snowflake.
2. informal: a crazy or eccentric person.
Samantha has never called me a flake, especially in regard to definition number two. I really just wanted to use that song title in my post. However, I am like a snowflake.... unique and delicate. There's no one out there like me! :) ... but I'm not cold. ;p
And here's Jack Johnson performing one of my favorites, Better Together:
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! 
