Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom RiggsThis story intrigues from the beginning. As the author modestly describes it, “this is a quirky little novel illustrated with photos.” The odd collection of vintage photos that is showcased, integral to the story, fascinates and haunts you. Your excitement to read the next plot turn is matched by your eagerness to see the next curious photo.
It all starts with the angst of the Portman family, . . . . . 
Link to my Peculiar recommendation

 

across a hundred mountains

across a hundred mountains, by Reyna Grande



Illegal immigration from Mexico to the U.S. is most often a political or economic discussion. This novel puts a human face on the families involved in the 1980s. This is the story of one family, their tragedies, and the impacts of their extreme poverty in Guerrero, Mexico. The father labors in the fields for pesos. He hears tales from others about . . . . My recommendation at this link

Believing in Miracles

Tarnished Beauty, by Cecilia SamartinThis is a story about believing in miracles. The message is everything in life is an illusion; the truth is what we believe with the power of conviction. We make our own miracles. Choose your stories and believe in them with all your heart, and all your soul – your entire being, and they will be your truth.

Jamilet is marked from birth. . . . . Link to recommendation

Map of Bones by James Rollins

James Rollins' Map of Bones is an action-packed fiction thriller and a smart, historical and religious mystery.  It is part of the author's Sigma Force book series.  In this installment, US Intelligence teams up with Vatican secret intelligence and one of Rome's finest carabinieri.  The heroes are very strong, both the men and the women characters.  You will admire their strength, endurance, dedication, and intelligence, with a touch of humor!  And there are other characters in the novel that you will really dislike.

The action starts right from the beginning in Cologne, Germany.  Two unwitting innocents stumble into a horrific scene.  And I will caution you that this novel contains lots of graphic violence.  But getting past that you'll follow the clues, and the smart story twists, and you'll be rewarded with many sweet onion layers to pull back and savor.  Discover what's been revealed.  Keep piecing it all together as the clues take the team to the sites of the seven wonders of the world.

You'll get caught up in the excitement, the danger, and the purpose our heroes are immersed in.  You'll hang on by your fingernails at every cliffhanging point, racking your brain to try and help your heroes.  Commander Gray Pierce and his team will be uncovering secrets to a mysterious ancient power, racing against a heretical, fanatical gnostic sect - the Dragon Court.  The Court has its own evil purpose for solving the mystery, and it has a head start.

 Researching the past, to save the future, you are intensely living in each moment.  Clever and suspenseful - get ready for a wild ride through time.

James Rollins is the New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. Known for unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets, Rollins has a knack for breakneck pacing and stunning originality that has been hailed by critics and embraced by millions of readers around the world.

James Rollins is the founder of Authors United, a group of bestselling authors dedicated to raising funds and awareness for USA Cares. This nonprofit organization seeks to help soldiers and their families through job placement, housing assistance, and emergency aid. Their mission is simple: restore financial stability and self-sufficiency, while instilling a renewed sense of hope among the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Psssst, Pass It On . . .

Hot off the presses from last night's meeting / end of the year party for the local Library Board, I heard of a book that is highly recommended.

I have not read this yet.  I haven't heard of it before, but I guess it was published 3 or 4 years ago.

It's suddenly got the buzz around here again.  It sounds like a gripping read with emotional and intellectual issues that will engage you.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Although I haven't read it, yet.  I'm passing along this recommendation to you from a trusted source.

Here's a link to more information about the author, the book, and the planned HBO movie - About Henrietta Lacks

Men We Reaped Memoir

Men We Reaped — A Memoir, by Jesmyn Ward who won the National Book Award for her second novel, “Salvage the Bones.” I chose to first sample her writing with her third book, this memoir. She recounts the tragic events that predated, and in some ways gave birth to, her career as a writer. In four years she lost five young men who were dear to her. One was her brother. They were lost to... Link to Men We Reaped Recommendation

 

And did you see the web article about the importance of libraries in young people's lives, featuring young authors including Jesmyn Ward?

 

Link to Importance of Libraries

 

Memoirs by Reyna Grande, MK Asante and Jesmyn Ward show the importance of books and libraries. (Simon & Schuster; Lee Steffen / Random House; Tina Fineberg / Associated Press)

Check Out the Library Behind the Scenes

 We celebrated the new Bookmobiles at the Sno-Isle Library Service Center this weekend. Hooray! Libraries on Wheels provides mobile library service in remote and underserved areas, and also for those who have trouble getting to the library, such as our senior facilities and our Boys & Girls Clubs.

Honk! Honk! Stories and entertainment and knowledge are now even more mobile. This is one of the many vibrant library programs and services funded by the Sno-Isle Library Foundation.

You were expecting spacious stacks to peruse? You're in the wrong place for that. The Sno-Isle Service Center is the behind the scenes backbone of the library. During our tour of the Center we walked by these books that had just been catalogued for distribution. In the past 10 months 237,823 boxes of books have been delivered to the branch libraries. The dedicated staff have been implementing process improvements, and continue to do so in order to streamline processing and further speed up the time it takes to get books in eager readers' hands.

Another great service, here you see the Ready Readers Kits. The Ready Readers Program is a Sno-Isle Libraries initiative designed to help parents and caregivers enhance literacy and language development for young children from birth to five years of age.These thoroughly packed kits are available for check out and include books, puppets, teaching guide, and age appropriate media that encourage reading skills. Assistance is available for day care providers to discover effective ways to use the kits for fun and learning with their kids.

Sno-Isle also provides Book Discussion Kits for adult reading groups. 537 discussion kits were created this year.

It's been a long time since libraries were just for bound books. Here's carts of audio books and also CD's and DVD's that are cleaned (including repairing scratches), and re-distributed. As you can see, some of the puppets that wander into other programs' areas have a rest before getting back to Ready Reading. 



You're thinking the dewey decimal and card catalog are things of the past? Yes, but actually the coding system is very effective with computer and internet. That is the basis for the online searches that you do to find those books you want to read. On this chart you can see an example of what the different code lines tell about a specific book. Sno-Isle has seen 450 million views on their website this year - Link to Snohomish and Island County Libraries

Serving residents in Snohomish & Island counties with electronic databases, computers, free internet access, homework help, storytimes for children and over 1.4 million books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs available from 21 library buildings, bookmobile, outreach, and childcare services.

Programs the Foundation Funds - Link to Sno-Isle Library Programs

What programs are at your library?  Visit online and in person, check it out, and it's wonderful to volunteer.
 

There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library,this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.

- Andrew Carnegie

Mastering Transformation - The Four Agreements



Using the Four Agreements to master the dream of your life

 
The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz


This author has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltec.  See at this link  Toltec Spirit

You've heard some of this before in your life, but this book pulls a philosophy together with advice on how to successfully implement it.

The Four Agreements:
Be impeccable with your word
Don't take anything personally
Don't make assumptions
Always do your best

One cornerstone is to truly be yourself, not a reflection of the domestication you've learned from society, and people closest to you.  This is also referred to as "the Book of Law" that is absorbed into your conscious.  But you don't have to agree to live by other people's imposed values.  You can replace those agreements with your own agreements as you rediscover yourself, and are true to yourself.  In this companion book you learn how.

There is true wisdom here, and practical plans for applying this peaceful philosophy to your life.  Awareness is the first step, followed by self-acceptance.

"I intend to master the Four Agreements."
"I will pay attention to my thoughts, feelings, and actions each day."
"I will take the following actions every day to ensure that I keep my new agreements."
"I will repeat these actions for at least four weeks."

Every action has a reaction.  This author advises that when you change the action the reaction chain will then be changed.  Live in the present, without regrets or guilt from the past - this author shows you how.

At the end of the book is a compelling interview with the author, with in-depth questions about the philosophy.

A Chilling Mystery for The Season

This mystery has as many unexpected twists as a car with bald tires driving into a New England nor’easter snow storm. Hang on to the edge of your seat and this author will take the wheel. In full disclosure, this mystery novel is one of an eight-book series. You can dive into the middle of the series with this book and completely enjoy the characters, the plot and the dynamic writing. If you want to start at the beginning of the series, you’re looking for “In the Bleak Midwinter.”
The mystery series takes place in the fictional New England small town of Millers Kill in uptown New York. The main characters were an interesting surprise . . . . .  My Recommendation All Mortal Flesh

This Town - A book not for the faint of heart

This Town
Two Parties and a Funeral
by Mark Leibovich

This book is not for the faint of heart. At times it is like driving by a car accident and feeling compelled to look. This is the true story of perennial Washington insiders who are members of “The Club” in “This Town”. Insiders affectionately refer to “political” Washington as This Town. The Club’s members are the spinning cabal of people in politics and media, and the supporting sectors, that never get voted out or term-limited. The Club rewards, more than anything, self-perpetuation.

The author is a member of The Club. . . . . 

Read the rest of my recommendation  at -
Recommendation for This Town

Picture This Mystery of an Infamous Art Theft

Enjoy the layers of mystery
and intrigue surrounding
Degas' After the Bath

The Art Forger, by B. A. Shapiro

Isabella Stewart Gardner, art collector and philanthropist, founded a museum of international art in Boston. On March 18, 1990 a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered this Museum and stole 13 works of art. This true story is the catalyst for the plot in this art crime novel “The Art Forger.”

The novel’s heroine Claire Roth is a talented artist, with a question punctuating her past. Now she makes a living working as a reproduction artist for an online company. She aspires to artistic greatness in her own right, with her own paintings. . . .

Read the rest of my recommendation at - http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

Love at First Sight

"In this world there are only two tragedies; one is not getting what one wants, the other is getting it." to quote Oscar Wilde

Sight Reading by Daphne Kalotay is a wonderful book about characters finding their way through life, and the surprises that life throws their way.  Thought provoking, you'll enjoy reading this novel and you'll continue thinking about it long after you're done.

To “sight read” is to read and perform a piece of written music that the performer is seeing for the first time. . . . link to my review of Sight Reading

Chihuly on Paper

Dale Chihuly, world renowned artist, just published a new 3 book collection Chihuly on Paper.  You can see the titles: Graphite, Charcoal, and Acrylic.  I'm so excited to have been invited to the reception honoring the artist and his new books, at the Chihuly Glass Museum next to the Space Needle in Seattle.  Notice the artist's signature painted onto the front of this special collection edition.

Here's an inside page of Charcoal.  Pages and pages of the artist's sketches, including his notes.  This is such a treasured collection of the spark that starts the amazing glass artistry.

I was so honored to meet Dale Chihuly and personally congratulate him on his new books, and thank him for the joy and inspiration he has brought in sharing his talent over the years.

Here's a page from a previous book Chihuly A Decade of Glass.  Published in 1984, you can see the vivid photos of his works.  This one is Macchia, one of my favorites.  Chihuly writes "In the beginning I was using mostly opaque colors with the inside contrasting with the outside.  Some of the combinations I thought would be ugly turned out to be the very best.  Originally thought of only as singles, I now also work them in pairs and groups."

I brought this book with me to the reception and Dale Chihuly generously signed it for me on the Dedication page.  This book was dedicated to "Chihuly's friends, from the cooks to the gaffers, who have helped make this glasswork possible."

 

 

Buzz Aldrin's Vision for Space Exploration

What an interesting book! At times it can be very technical and so if you are curious about the intricacies of space travel and exploration, this is an excellent read for you.  But yet it is written in a straight forward conversation that captures your imagination, and inspires the everyday reader.

You probably know that Buzz Aldrin is the astronaut, with Neil Armstrong, who first walked on the moon.  He has remained actively engaged in the interests of the space program.  He has so many ideas.  And he has an overall vision - mission to Mars.  His creative and technical ideas include many specific plans for achieving that vision.  It is not his intention that we visit Mars and return home.  This proposal is to colonize.

I thought that I had kept up with current space exploration efforts, but this book has definitely educated me.  So much more is being done than I was aware.  Beyond the text, the pictures included in this book are fun.  The pictures and illustrations are also helpful for understanding some of the concepts.

Buzz Aldrin addresses his plan for a unified effort among countries on earth, in exploring space together.  "We come in peace for all mankind."  He also addresses the private enterprise interest and beginnings in space, and how this could be the beginnings of an excellent partnership.

July 2019 will be the 50th anniversary of the first humans to land on the moon.  Buzz Aldrin asks - America, do you still dream great dreams?  On the 50th anniversary can you commit, within two decades, to commencing American permanence on the planet Mars?

Delicious Review by Ellis Shuman

Delicious review! It whets my apetite for more. I'll have to table my other plans and try this book very soon.



What do you think?  Thanks for the review Ellis Shuman

Joy of Kosher by Jamie Geller



I don't cook, let's make that clear, but I do enjoy eating. Does that qualify me to review Jamie Geller's new cookbook? I think so!

How does someone who doesn't cook review a cookbook? By enlisting the wife of course. My wife selected a number of dishes from Geller's Joy of Kosher cookbook for our Friday night dinner and I, of course, volunteered to eat them.

But first, a word about the book. Geller's previous cookbook, Quick & Kosher - Recipes From The Bride Who Knew Nothing, was published in 2007. That book was called an "autobiographic cookbook" by one reviewer on Amazon. This cookbook is a worthy sequel, as Geller's family takes center stage. It features Geller's husband and her five children in pictures and stories accompanying the various sections of the book.

Joy of Kosher is not the ultimate collection of kosher recipes to help plan traditional Jewish meals. As the cook in my family says, "If I wanted to read a book about a Jewish mother and her family, I would buy a book about a Jewish family." If, on the other hand, you're willing to try 'fast, fresh family recipes' according to the Geller tradition, you'll like this book. Simply put, this cookbook is Gellerish. . . . .  The Rest of the Review

John Grisham's The Innocent Man

Best seller John Grisham wrote this real legal thriller, a true story about justice gone wrong in a small town in Oklahoma.  You won't like all the people in this book, but the events and injustice will tug at your heart and the tragedy will outrage you.  Reading this book may get you discussing and perhaps re-evaluating your feelings about the death penalty.

These convictions were before the miracle of DNA testing.  You'll be incredulous at what these convictions were based on.

The author has written a detailed, thoroughly investigated account of these tragedies which details the feelings of the convicted, their families and friends, the two murdered women, their friends and families, and the small community as a whole.  It is also an indictment of the jails and prisons.  One of the prisons was finally inspected and it was determined to be so inhumane, it violated international penal agreements.

This true story is shocking and sad, and an important story to be told.  Baseball fans/historians will be interested to read how all this happened to Ron Williamson, who was the first player chosen in the 1971 draft from the State of Oklahoma.  He signed with the Oakland A's.  Six years later his big league dreams were shattered, he returned home and had no idea he would soon be "proven" guilty, although he was innocent.

How do you find hope, when you're innocent of a heinous crime and your life is destroyed by a corrupt group of people, and you are powerless to change it.  No one will listen.  Your loved ones can't find a way to help, despite all their attempts.  Years stretch into many years.  Finally, science catches up and is used to finally overturn by the Freedom Project.  That is a fascinating part of the story - what it took, and how long, and the Judge and his legal staff who first recognized the injustice and were determined to come to the rescue.

John Grisham is the author of eighteen novels.

World Book Night

Books are fun—and they can be life-changing.

WORLD BOOK NIGHT IS COMING!

 



WHAT IT IS -
Each year, World Book Night is celebrated around the world on April 23.
April 23 is the UNESCO International Day of the Book, as well as Shakespeare’s birthday. It was also chosen in honor of Miguel de Cervantes, who died on April 23, 1616 (the same day as Shakespeare). In the Catalan region of Spain, the day is celebrated by giving a book and a flower to a loved one.

World Book Night was the product of a round table discussion at London’s Book Industry Conference in May 2010, the purpose of which was to imagine a way to encourage more adults to read. What better way to spread a love for reading than to inspire passionate readers to go out into their communities and share copies of their favorite books with those who don’t regularly read? Giving is an incredibly powerful part of our culture—and culture, art, and a writers’ talent are all themselves ‘gifts’

World Book Night was first celebrated in the UK and Ireland in 2011; in 2012, it was also celebrated in the USA and Germany



THE BOOKS!
Each year, 30- 35 books are chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions. Bookstores and libraries sign up to be community host locations for the volunteer book givers.
After the book titles are announced, members of the public apply to personally hand out 20 copies of a particular title in their community. World Book Night U.S. vets the applications, and the givers are chosen based on their ability to reach light and non-readers. The selected givers choose a local participating bookstore or library from which to pick up the 20 copies of their book, and World Book Night U.S. delivers the books to these host locations.
Givers pick up their books in the week before World Book Night. On April 23rd, they give their books to those who don’t regularly read and/or people who don’t normally have access to printed books, for reasons of means or geography.
If you're interested, you can sign up to be a giver.

The exciting books chosen for World Book Night April 23, 2014 were announced today!  See for yourself at this link -

World Book Night 2014 Books

Are You Standing on the Middle Ground?

A prescription for improving communication and mutual understanding in your relationship.  Share this book with your partner and try the straight forward advice.  Along the continuum of a relationship, the healthiest and happiest place is the middle ground.  That doesn't mean compromise.  It's something better!

And this prescription can be applied to improve any relationship - family, friends, business.

Read my recommendation at this link - The Power of the Middle Ground

Where do you stand in your relationships?

Curl Up With a Good Mystery

You can see what it's all about when you Follow Her Home at this link -
Follow Her Home Recommendation

Dear Sugar,

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Life and Love From Dear Sugar is Dear Abby on steroids!



All kinds of sincere letters seeking advice on life altering questions and moments are answered by Cheryl Strayed. At the time this column ran in the online The Rumpus, Sugar was anonymous.  Revealed in this book, the author answers life's questions in depth with insightful thoughts often based on similar moments in Cheryl Strayed's own life.

The honesty is compelling. Often I read the letter from the troubled writer and I'd think, how in the world will Sugar respond to this.  And then my heart was warmed by the caring, and still frankly honest advice.

You'll enjoy this read, and you may find some answers to some of your own questions within.



“Forgiveness doesn't sit there like a pretty boy in a bar. Forgiveness is the old fat guy you have to haul up a hill.”
― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar



“I can’t tell you what to do. No one can. But as the mother of two children, I can tell you what most moms will: that mothering is absurdly hard and profoundly sweet. Like the best thing you ever did. Like if you think you want to have a baby, you probably should.

I say this in spite of the fact that children are giant endless suck machines. They don’t give a whit if you need to sleep or eat or pee or get your work done or go out to a party naked and oiled up in a homemade Alice B. Toklas mask. They take everything. They will bring you the furthest edge of your personality and abso-fucking-lutely to your knees.

They will also give you everything back. Not just all they take, but many of the things you lost before they came along as well.”
― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar




“Nobody will protect you from your suffering. You can't cry it away or eat it away or starve it away or walk it away or punch it away or even therapy it away. It's just there, and you have to survive it. You have to endure it. You have to live through it and love it and move on and be better for it and run as far as you can in the direction of your best and happiest dreams across the bridge that was built by your own desire to heal.”
― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar

Austen and Dickens Impart Social Skills - New Study!

Reading imparts empathy and social skills to readers in a very short time studies find.  Especially literary fiction. See a summary of what the studies have found at this link -
For Better Social Skills Try Chekhov

cover by Erin Callahan
to book cover site

A Knock Out Novel About Knock Off Purses

Air Time by Hank Phillipi Ryan.  This fun, fashion mystery with investigative reporter Charlotte MacNally will keep you guessing.  You'll love it in paperback.  Read my review at this link - http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/10/recommended-reads-fast-paced-mystery-glides-page/

Three memoirs that prove libraries and books save lives

I am so excited to share the article at this link - http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-three-memoirs-that-prove-libraries-and-books-save-lives-20130919,0,7833086.story?track=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=717819

I encourage you to check it out and feel good!

I haven't read the books by these inspirational young authors . . . yet!  But I can't wait to!



Memoirs by Reyna Grande, MK Asante and Jesmyn Ward show the importance of books and libraries. (Simon & Schuster; Lee Steffen / Random House; Tina Fineberg / Associated Press)

Touching Glimpses into Other People's Lives

Life After Life by Jill McCorkle.  Read my recommendation for this touching novel of community and hope at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/09/recommended-reads-2/

Back in the USSR

How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin (by Leslie Woodhead).  The Fab Four heated up the Cold War.  This is a recommended read at this link - http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/09/recommended-read-beatles-music-helped-soviets-lose-cold-war/  And at the end of the review is a surprise - 2 more recommended books about outside the Iron Curtain, in Camelot.

Je t'aime Paris

Paris by Edward Rutherfurd.

Mon amis, this recommendation is for a book not just epic in content.  You'll have earned a kiss on both cheeks and honorary citizenship to the City of Lights when you finish this lengthy novel.  It's a very detailed history of Paris, through the ages.

I highly recommend it on audio book cd.  This is a very entertaining history to listen to.  But prepare yourself for a significant commitment, it's a 30 cd set instead of the over 800 page book.

This is a saga of the city, told through characters and fictionalized families in Paris through many generations.  Rather than plodding forward chronologically, it alternates through different eras in what seems to be a somewhat random order.  At times the transitions can be a little abrupt, but otherwise the writing works very well.  The human interactions, events, and emotions drive plenty of drama, joy, tragedy, and some soap opera type plot twists.

I really cared about these characters, and I learned so much about beautiful Paris.

Bonne chance!

Susan Elia MacNeal Excels Again!

Third novel in the Maggie Hope series and this story will grab you again!  His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal.  Wow!  The only problem is now waiting for the fourth in the series to finish being written.  Can't wait! 

Here's the link to my review - http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

I Have Known Men Like This. Have You?

The Dangerous Husband by Jane Shapiro.

A novel filled with very, wickedly funny dark humor.  An artistic Manhattan photographer and an artistic writer fall in love after a blind date set up.

Part 1 is the longest third of the book as they meet, fall in love, marry, and then get to know what each other is really like.  Infatuation meets Reality.  It can be brutal, as you can imagine.

The narrator is the wife who's name is never revealed.  During infatuation he is so sweet and funny and charming.  Later reality reveals his aggravating clumsiness, absent mindedness, clutter, chaotic aura and other grating foibles.  First disenchantment, then frustrating embarassment, then fear.  As time goes on, his destructiveness becomes outright dangerous with extensive injuries to himself and others.  Towards the end of Part I I was in agony as to why she continues to subject herself to the painful life he's immersed in daily.  She struggles because she still gleans that he means so well, he's so sincere and loving in his actions.  The problem is execution.

Although, at times I wonder a little about the pure sanctity of the narrator from the things she says.  No doubt a dangerous husband, but keep in mind we're hearing the story from her.  Keep your eye on her as well.

In Part II the unnamed wife finally decides she needs to look at her options and either leave this man in order to save herself, or perhaps she should kill him before he kills her.  This is a very entertaining section as she writhes in her decisions and reflections of her different options.  Especially interesting is when at one point she wonders why does she feel murdering her husband is even an option when she can just leave him.  She decides that she believes fervently in marrying for life . . . until death does us part.  And so she has to stay with her commitment until a death, preferably his.  Then she wonders if she's supporting a healthy personal mindset when taken to its extreme.  I told you - dark humor that is very funny.

In Part III our wifely protagonist, or is she the antagonist, reconciles herself to a solution.

The ending is a delicious twist!

A Wag and a Bark Out to 9/11 Heroes

A wonderful tribute book recommended at this link - http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

Hollywood Beauty and Pain - Christine Schwab

Take Me Home From The Oscars
Arthritis, Television, Fashion and Me
by Christine Schwab

I'm not a daytime tv watcher, so I don't know Christine Schwab's work on shows like "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee", "The Today Show", and "Oprah" and "Entertainment Tonite" years ago.  She is a fashion expert and provided people with makeovers.

Christine was married to Shelly Schwab, then President of television distribution at Universal Studios.  Her own career and his put her at the center of Hollywood glitz and glamour.  She loved it!

But as she was enjoying the life she had always hoped for, she was struck with crippling rheumatoid arthritis.  I didn't realize what I was getting into when I started this book, but I found it very revealing about a hideous disease that estimated 1.5 million adults suffered from in 2007.  The pain she describes is agonizing to hear about, and I was incredulous at how she tried to continue her hectic schedule.  She was terrified that people in the industry would find out, and she was sure that if that happened it would be the end of her fashion career.  The image of beauty and rheumatoid arthritis don't go together in Hollywood.

Mixed into the recounting of her seven year struggle with this disease, is her dealing with the difficult childhood she had, "boarded out" by her mother and abandoned by her father.

Christine Schwab is a very strong woman emotionally and physically.  Finally she participated in a health study, which finally led to relief through a new drug that put her RA in remission.  Now she is a public crusader for helping people with RA, and for finding a cure.

Crazy Rich Asians

This is a novel about Rachel who is an American born Asian and by income she is one of the 99%.  She is invited by her boyfriend, Nicholas on a trip to Singapore and into a world of the super excessive rich.  I dare to venture that you've never encountered wealth like what is in this novel.

In Star Wars Luke tries to convince Han Solo to rescue the Princess -
Luke: She's rich.
Han Solo: [interested] Rich?
Luke: Rich, powerful. Listen, if you were to rescue her, the reward would be...
Han Solo: What?
Luke: Well, more wealth than you can imagine!
Han Solo: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit.

I always thought I could imagine quite a bit too.  I don't think even Han Solo has imagined riches like what's described in this book, or he might have held out for an advance before marching into the depths of the Death Star.

My first reaction to the mega rich world of Singapore was like Rachel's - fascination, amazement, wonder.  It seems fun and exciting and definitely alluring.  But as the story continues it becomes obvious that money does not buy happiness, and in fact appears to attract meanness and misery.  Rachel is welcomed by Nicholas' family and friends, briefly.  Then she is treated as an outsider rather than embraced not only because she is not mega rich but also because she is an American born Asian.  Both points segregate her from everyone but Nicholas.  They are deeply in love.  Unfortunately Nicholas is mostly oblivious to Rachel's Crazy Rich Asian experience.

Nicholas and Rachel are in Singapore for the wedding of Nicholas' best friend.  What an excuse for way over the top parties and shopping excursions.  You'll meet some very colorful characters.  Some you'll synpathize with, some you'll despise, but all will entertain.  And there is a twist to Rachel's story that is a surprise, and interesting to follow to its conclusion.

You'll enjoy this trip to a very foreign country, the land of the mega rich.  Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.

Deja vu all over again!

He was a 15 time All Star baseball catcher, and I'm a fan of Yogi Berra's odd sayings that contain an almost zen wisdom upon reflection.  In his book he relates baseball wisdom to everyday life.  See my recommendation at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-book-highlights-words-wisdom-yogi-berra/

Not So Easy Getting Out of the Easy

New recommendation for Ruta Sepetys novel Out of the Easy at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-out-of-the-easy-a-gripping-tale-with-characters-youll-care-about/

The Joy of Hate

Have you heard Greg Gutfeld on Fox News channel?  Well this is one of his books and he writes just like he speaks.  This book is a healthy exercise in Freedom of Speech.  Yes, that very important American right that means I have to support your right to say something that I don't agree with.

Many readers will be exercising support of that right when reading this book.  Other readers will cheer that the author has the courage to say some of the things he says.

His comments are well thought out, and presented with an entertaining wit.  He tackles all the timely issues, shying away from nothing.  Some examples include Gay rights, Victims (aren't we all), Media Bias, the 1%, Celebrity Hypocrites, and the coined "Tolerati".

The Tolerati exude tolerance, but only for those certain sanctioned groups and emotional causes.  Venting at non sanctioned views or groups is encouraged and makes the Tolerati feel good and cool.

I love some of the inconsistencies that the author points out.  Just one small example that I find humorous is the 1% raging against the crimes of capitalism in their designer shoes and tweeting about it on their ipads.

The author concludes with a little advice including -

Discern the difference between real injustice and trumped up baloney.  Don't waste your time on baloney.

Lighten up, and grow a thicker skin.

There's no joy in hate.  It's just not worth it.  Get out of the outrage pool and into the party.


This book makes you wish for people who can engage in "meaningful dialog" - that's probably a banned phrase from the author, but we are starved for intelligent debate.

Duke Ellington

New Recommended Read at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-the-life-and-times-of-jazz-great-duke-ellington/
and take the 'A' train

Is College Worth It?

When the former Secretary of Education writes a book questioning the worth of a college education today, I'm intrigued.  He and his co-author present dynamic, well thought out suggestions for improvement.  He also strongly believes in caveat emptor (let the buyer beware), and offers valuable tools and information that students and parents can arm themselves with when they make decisions about schools, careers and loans.

If you're in the market, I recommend arming yourself with this book.

$50,000 debt / $120,000 debt from Ohio Northern U. / $70,000 debt Bowling Green U.

53% of full time students took out student loans in 2007-2008

Average debt load per student upon graduation is $23,300

25% owe more than $28,000

10% owe more than $54,000

Those in their 30s owe more than any other age group, on average $28,500.  Followed by those in their 40’s, on average $26,000.  More than 15% still paying back at age 50.

 

Student loans can’t be discharged in bankruptcy

And graduates are facing a weak job market with heavy debt.  So are those who don't finish college, but have already incurred heavy debt - the percentage of students who don't finish within 6 years is growing.  What are the marketable careers today?
 

“Higher education is not under-funded.  It is under-accountable.”

Barack Obama said in 2012, “We are putting colleges on notice.  You can’t assume that you’ll just jack up tuition every single year.  If you can’t stop tuition from going up, then the funding you get from taxpayers each year will go down.  We should push colleges to do better.  We should hold them accountable if they don’t.”

Marco Rubio and Ron Wyden introduced the Know Before You Go Act in the Senate. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to update reporting requirements for institutions of higher education and provide for more accurate and complete data on student retention, graduation, and earnings outcomes at all levels of postsecondary enrollment.

 This has been stuck in congressional committee since May.  Here's the link to more information - contact your congress people to get this bill out of committee and passed!  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s915

Is College Worth It?

By William Bennett and David Wilezol



 

 

The Amateurs - It's Nothing Like Leisurely Kayaking

Just finished David Halberstam's The Amateurs profiling the lives of several scullers and their coach in the 1980's.  This is an interesting "crew" of men who manned 6-man, doubles, and single skulls.

It was very interesting how rich Seattle and UW history is in the sculling sport.  The book included pictures of workouts and trials and competitions including victory at the 1984 Olympics.

Paul Enquist and Brad Lewis celebrate Olympic Gold medal victory in double sculls 1984.

Scullers exercised 600 hours a year and practiced, hands on oars 475 hours a year.  Races in comparison totaled about 130 minutes a year.  Few sports had as great a disparity between the time committed in practice and time actually spent in game or race conditions.  Note that a scull is only 12 inches across, and even the slightest mistake or shift of weight can flip it.

The people competing in rowing at this level did so with a demonic passion.  No overt financial reward at the end, or covert financial reward.  Almost always the children of the upper middle class, privileged, affluent, a group that did not readily seek hardship.  But the descriptions of the physical work outs sound brutal.

At one point the UW crew was so rough it was known in the sport as “Lurch, Wobble, and Gobble”.  This exposes the argument in this sport whether style is more important than power and endurance.

The book includes fun stories about rivalry between Harvard and Yale crews.  And also fun anecdotes about California sculler Brad Lewis, the outsider who broke into the Easterners ranks.

Very interesting, well written book, although unlike a scull race it tends to drag a little in the reading toward the end.

Books About Pitching, and I'm Not Talking Baseball

I delivered a Toastmaster's speech today. The test for speech number 7 is "Research".  Well, the internet is great, but when I research my first stop is always books.  The subject of my speech, titled "Perfect Pitch", is how to give a pitch to sell or promote yourself, a person, an idea, a company, a project.

Happy pitching!  Baseball season's not over yet . . . .


Here's the great books I used to research -

Career Distinction, Stand Out by Building Your Brand by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson

You, Inc. The Art of Selling Yourself by Harry Beckwith and Christine Clifford Beckwith

In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen, AAR

It’s Your Business: 183 Essential Tips That Will Transform Your Small Business by J.J. Ramberg, host of MSNBC “Your Business”

Book Recommendation

Beautiful sunny day in Seattle again!  But football pre-season is in the air this week.  In celebration of that, a recommendation of Drew Brees book - Coming Back Stronger at this link: http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

New Recommended Read Coming

I just finished writing my "recommended read" review for this week.  An inspiring and entertaining read about football and about life.  Can't wait for preseason to begin this week.  And looking forward to when this recommendation is published at http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

A day without reading . . .

Super fun kayaking with friends today!  Really enjoyed that!  Tonite I'm off to a party.  No time for reading today.  Oh no.  A day without reading is like dinner without dessert.  Back to the books tomorrow.

Hooray for the weekend!  That means more time to read.  There was so much traffic driving home from work today, but I had my audio book playing Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.  No possibility of road rage while an interesting story is being told.  Delayed in traffic?  Great!  That means I can hear another chapter.

What do you think about audio books?

I just finished my volunteer shift at the library shelving books people have donated for sale.  Book recycling from reader to reader at a dollar a book.  It's great, and today I made 2 fabulous sequel book finds.  Susan MacNeal's Princess Elizabeth's Spy and Jeffrey Archer's The Sins of the Father.  Is today Christmas?!

When shelving the books I noticed as usual that the mysteries and the romances go the fastest.

And my true confession - I don't put out the Dean Koontz books.  Other volunteers can offer those but I leave them back in the inventory.  He is a really super writer.  His descriptions are so visual and chilling he gives me nightmares.  I don't want to inflict nightmares on unsuspecting buyers.

Do you read Dean Koontz?  Does he give you nightmares?

Welcome Readers!

What books do you especially want to blog about?  Discuss, question, recommend, and have fun!

I can't wait to read Susan MacNeal's latest in the Maggie Hope series.  Oh how I loved Mr. Churchill's Secretary and Princess Elizabeth's Spy.  My 93 year old mother was the same age as the Maggie Hope character, living in England during WWII and she said the writing is page turning and really brings that time back to her just as she lived it.  Amazing!  http://www.susaneliamacneal.com/books.html

Do you have a favorite book series?
What can't you wait to read next?