Merry Christmas and Merry Happy Jolly to all! (and Part 2 of Gift Giving)

Let's face it, a full time job and a busy life at home does not leave much of a margin to read a book. But I am managing one at the moment. A long one, in fact. Why I do this every holiday is beyond me, last year it was The Goldfinch, this year it's A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I. Love. This. Book.

I was smart this time, I left a piece of paper in the book writing down one or two  sentences of what I was reading and/or characters so I could jump back. This book is engaging from the start. Not a book that soars into your heart right off but it's a big book lead in, interesting characters, eating cheaply in the city, finding an apartment or space to move into, four male friends, that NYC vibe. 

Lots of great comments on the book group about Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. I bought this and put it aside for after I am finished with A Little Life. In between those books, however, I am fortunate enough to read an author's book before it comes out!  I won't say anything now. I will be writing much later when I am able. 

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What do you buy your book friends besides the usual Amazon, B&N or <insert another book store> gift card? Here is a great start for those readers who will tackle any book, or read a book JUST because you simply gave it to them.. high trust factor and all that...

I have posted all of Man Booker Long List  books on my book group which usually means I have gone further by reading up on all the reviews.Great list, great books, check them out.

And THEN! The annual Goodreads readers poll for the best books of the year, 2015! This is ALWAYS the best list of books for gifts. It is the best list of books for a book group, a book club, you name it! If you are not on Goodreads, please, take a looksee, it is the best way to track books, track what your friends are reading,  track authors, and much more, go. Go now.

And book totes! Here are five from Amazon. (And probably elsewhere, you can check out the original sellers on Amazon.)

Here is the blog I found the totes on, it's a really great blog too. Linking it up here:

 http://book-delight.com/2014/08/bd-friday-five-book-totes.html/

Bookmarks, book ornaments, gift cards, buying a stack of books  and throwing them in a tote (that's a GREAT gift) or a Kindle, a Nook, an iTunes card! We never tire of the Literary gifts and if you want to go one step further go to Amazon or elsewhere and check out Literary jewelry and clothing. 

May you all have a very very safe holiday, be good so Santa can stuff that stocking with more books!

Cheryl


I am signing my name so it's more personal, just pretend I am writing a letter to you. :) 

The goings on: 
I love my new job, being a discharge planner, AKA Home Care Liaison is a great job, to see patients rolling out the door of the hospital going home to the best  care be it home care of hospice, it is what makes my heart feel better, knowing they will be in good hands. 

 Life is a bit chaotic getting our daughter into a day program which will start after the New Year. 

Our new puppy! Well, she's not new and certainly not a small fluffy dog like some think! Bindi is one of the greatest dogs we have ever owned. She's sturdy, like a tank. You know it when she jumps on you. Great personality, I recommend a Havanese if you need compainionship. LIke, stalker, safe stalker companionship, they are called Velcro dogs for a reason. 

And most of all, we are finally moving forward with "late bloomer" planning (we have been unable to do anything the last ten years for various reasons.) Much to do, life is so short, friends, after seeing hospice patient after hospice patient, please, love one another, forgive if you can (unless they are toxic) and just... read the books you wanted to read, eat off the coffee table if you feel like it, wear all the "good" clothes you keep in your closet to walk the dog or clean the house,, just get out there! Live!

May God Bless you all, Merry Christmas and Holly Jolly Merriment~~!  xo

Holiday Book Gifts for 2015 Part 1

Every year it's getting harder to buy  for your book nerd family members and friends unless you know exactly what they want. And usually they have eight hundred plus books in their Kindle making them sigh with a mournful face while whispering, "I for real, seriously, totally (insert a word like that) don't know what book I want" leaving you with that awful, what do I buy this person??? They are the impossible readers. So I found a few books here and there under many sites with the blaring:  "Great Gifts" for 2015. 

I had bought myself  Pioneer Girl as seen above. It's huge, like, text book huge and quite lovely if you are a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. I think I have read every book out there explaining her life over and over but this book is solid. A huge sit down and read what you want to read anywhere in the book kind of book, like say, a text book! Your recipient will be quite happy with your gift. Forever.

The roots of the Texas Stoneware. Hard to get book (as it said on one website) but worth it if someone you love likes a bit of history on stoneware, personally, I would love to have this book. Recommended by the NYT book critics.
 

I JUST looked this book up, Jenny Lawson hails it among other writers (in advance) so it must be good, it must be funny and I am going straight to her blog to check her out. Every year a book lover must receive one funny book for the holidays. It's usually the first book I will read in desolate January when life seems like the Grinch has sucked out all the twinkle lights and sparkly cookies for the rest of time. I will definitely hint hint hint for this one to arrive in my stocking. (Though I must confess, I am becoming weary of snark but sometimes.. just some.. times... you need it.)

This audio collection seems to be a pretty good deal for when you are gathered around the fire while the gloom in the winter is hanging over you like death. You know, those moments in life where you feel like you are in the early forties gathered ye all together freezing to death, hungry, in your stone hut listening to a family member tell everyone a five hundred mile story on war and loss? Yes, this is it. I think it's great. I wish I had a longer commute to work (not really but for this, yes.) And that description above? I think I have lived through a few of those family gatherings.

Pic from Bloomies, full credit there. This is an adorable book. A baby touchy feely book about being an owl. Love the stuffy toy too AND the cover. (I am sucker for book covers that's just how it is.)

I have no idea what this is about. None. I will look it up right now....... this is what Amazon had to say...

Rajiv Joseph is one of today’s most acclaimed young playwrights. The winner of numerous awards, including an NEA Award for Best Play and a Whiting Writers Award, he is an artist to watch. This volume gathers together for the first time his three major works to date.

Included herein are his latest play, Gruesome Playground Injuries, which charts the intersection of two lives using scars, wounds, and calamity as the mile markers to explore why people hurt themselves to gain another’s love and the cumulative effect of such damage; Animals Out of Paper, a subtle, elegant, yet bracing examination of the artistic impulse and those in its thrall, which follows a world-famous origamist as she becomes the unwitting mentor to a troubled young prodigy, even as she must deal with her own loss of inspiration; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, a darkly comedic drama that looks on as the lives of two American soldiers, an Iraqi translator, and a tiger intersect on the streets of Baghdad.

I would read this. Yes.

This is a gorgeous book. A special needs child opens up the world to a giant who refuses to have children in his garden. You. Can't Go. Wrong. Here.

First of all, I adore the cover. Second. It's a family drama and to be honest, it's not the best book to give at the holidays, never mind,  but know this! It's on sale for Kindle! (TBR for sure.)

This is fabulous, and I think it would be a perfect gift. I will copy the Amazon description here (I am pressed for time, I apologize.) 

This historic volume showcases tribal cultures around the world. With globalization, these societies are to be prized for their distinctive lifestyles, art and traditions. They live in close harmony with nature, now a rarity in our modern era. Jimmy Nelson not only presents us with stunning images of customs and artifacts, but also offers insightful portraits of people who are the guardians of a culture that they--and we--hope will be passed on to future generations in all its glory. Nelson's large-plate field camera captures every intricate detail and fine nuance for posterity. What's more, this splendid pageantry is set against a vivid backdrop of some of the world's most pristine landscapes. English/German/French edition.

Just a few books to start your list for giving to those that are hell to buy for. I used to go to B and N when they had fabulous coffee table books during the holidays. I always found one for every single book lover I know. I wish they still had zillions out there but sadly, they don't. So it's a big job looking for them online, but Amazon, B and N and other big places do have a nice collection. Moving on to my fourth week of my new job which is keeping me from online life, and from reading but not from keeping my nose into what is up around the book world. Have a good one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! So much to be grateful for, family, friends, a job (especially for me) among a million other things. I am still thankful for books, well, what reader wouldn't be thankful for books, right? 

Stay safe, give your keys to a sober friend tonight if you have one too many and to those of you who are home and not hanging out with the Fam or your friends I hope you find a comfy place to sit among the pillows to read a good book. 

I am thankful for all of you, thank you for reading this blog, it means the world. xo

New job, new things, and I swear I will get back here!

(That's Baboo. A very long story, perhaps I will share it someday, She's my go-to monkey when I need a photo.)

Such good news! I got a full time job at a hospital (local) doing discharge planning. I am pretty excited about it. The short end is I have to leave my mind unfettered to learn many things. 

On the book front, I have a bunch of things to write. I am hoping I can do this later tonight or this week. Post Human by David Simpson is now in a short film which is very exciting. I will post the short and talk about this great series. 

I am STILL reading the same two books for the last few months. It's pathetic really. I have never been so behind on reading. I miss it like a friend or a relative that lives all the way across the world. 

I have a page on Facebook now, The Bookhamlet, (I know all these hamlets, it's crazy...) I am linking my posts here on there and I have gone to delete it about four times now but change my mind. I kind of like having a page about books. Maintaining it is another story! I will link that later too.

I am off to see some  hospice patients on orientation and to be very honest, this is the kind of patient that needs all heart and much love and comfort. 

It feels good to be nursing again. In a great place for great patients. 

Ta! See you later.