Obama's Blackberry: A Review

Obama's Blackberry
Author- Kasper Hauser
144 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.

By this time we all know how attached President Obama is to his blackberry. Now there's a book spoofing fictional text messages, which might appear on it.

This newly published book is packed with irreverent and humorous messages from famous people like former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey, John McCain, Sean Penn, Madonna, and many others.

This small fictional book, with it's smartly designed cover, could easily be carried in a purse or briefcase. It would also be a real conversation item if placed on a desk or coffee table. Consider it, too, as a fun gift for either Democrat or Republican. It is certain to become a piece of Americana and may even become a presidential collectible when President Obama is no longer in the White House.

At a time when there's not much to laugh about, this book brings a little levity into the lives of political junkies.

My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love

My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love

By- Mary Singer Wick

200 pages

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

Publication date: 2/20/09

My Heart's Desire is an inspiring story of one woman's search for health, happiness, and everlasting love.

Mary Singer Wick shares with the reader, her earnest desire to one day have a family of her own, but first must undertake a long search for physical and spiritual healing. Her story is one of personal growth and, eventually, finding her heart's desire through a deep relationship with God.

This deeply personal and passionate book is well written and moves rapidly along. It is one you could easily read in one evening.

Thank you Mary for sharing your spiritual odyssey with us.

(Thanks goes to the author for my review copy)

Last Day for Giveaway

Today is the last day to get in on the Pashmina Giveaway at my newest blog I Recommend Great Reads and Page Turners.

Become a follower of my new book blog to enter!

We Need A Few Giggles

Hi ladies!

We read mysteries, romances, non-fiction self-help, travel, biography, autobiography, poetry, and history books, but how many times do we read something that really makes us laugh?

I need your help. Do you have a favorite novel that really gave you the giggles?

Please tell us the title and author (if possible).

Many thanks!!

In My Heart: A Review

In My Heart
Author: Ursula Hanks
108 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.


Publisher's Release:
This story is based on factual events and is the piece of the author's memoir that captures the preponderance of her life's journey. The events impacted by her aging parents' challenges prompted reviewing her memories of the family's epic history, including their immigration to the United States. In the process, she dared the truth by looking at what really was in "her heart". The story weaves in an out of more recent, heartrending events such as the loss of her beloved father and her mother's progressive dementia, as they elicit memories about World War II events, the family's refugee experience, and "coming to America". Sprinkled throughout the story, she describes the personal pain of a failed marriage, the loss of a son, and a failed career. Outweighing life's painful moments, the delights of her rich and joyful family life are her fortress. The self-discovery of the kind of soul-searching it takes in order to move on in life resonates unmistakably.


My Review:
In her profoundly insightful and compelling book, Ms. Hanks, shares her somewhat tragic and deeply personal story. It is an inspiring family history that will touch the hearts of all who read it.

(Thank you to Ms. Hanks for my review copy.)

Monday Meme

This could be fun!

1. I'm going to start a new week by doing my______________.
2. Show me a good woman and I'll show you______________.
3. I could eat an entire______________.
4. I wish I knew how to______________.
5. I like to shop at_________________.
6. My favorite dinner would be________and___________.
7. I need to__________what I____________!
8. My favorite wine is_____________.
9. My favorite season is_____________.
10. My biggest mistake was_____________.
11. My last good laugh was when______________.
12. My favorite TV program is____________.

Please copy and paste your answers under "comments"

Library Book Sales/Cheap Books

Calling all book lovers!

Check out this site where you can find library book sales in your area. Just find your state and hit the search button.

I've found wonderful books at library sales. One year I found an entire set of Harvard Classics in near mint condition for $20.00. The entire trunk of my car was filled with books as I smiled all the way home, and I had only spent $40.00 total.

Happy reading!

The Fun Minute Manager: A Review

The Fun Minute Manager
By-Bob Pike, Robert C. Ford, John W. Newstrom
Hardcover: 107 pages
Publisher: Creative Training Techniques Press
ISBN-10: 1935291041

When is the last time you really had fun a work? Do you wake up in the morning, dreading going to your job? Do you go home in the evening feeling drained and unappreciated? If you are an employer, when is the last time you put a smile on the face of your employees?

Since companies usually want the maximum energy and productivity out of their workers, truly happy work places are rare. Every moment may be spent in an atmosphere of dull monotony and fierce competition.

There is now a movement afloat to eliminate job related stress and boredom. Ways to implement this can be found in "The Fun Minute Manager."

The book is loaded with inspiration. Chapters include:
*Having fun in a serious business
*The payoff from fun at work
*Spreading the joy
*When fun is done
*Becoming a fun minute manager

The reader will also find: Assessing Your Overall Fun Work Environment; 100 Illustrations of Fun at Work Activities; Fun and Humor Websites; and much more.

This is a small book with big ideas. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in establishing a more relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere while increasing productivity. Many of the ideas can also be used in the home.

(Thank you to the authors for my review copy.)

An Evening Walk

Jim and I just came in from taking a short stroll around the garden. The evening sun is setting and the 80+ degree day has cooled to 72 degrees, so it's perfect for meandering and quietly talking.

Jim has been working on the chicken house for weeks now and today he built nests for our little hens. He's going to cut a very small door on the outside, so we can open it, and gather eggs, not having to enter the chicken house at all. The chickens are growing fast and they should be giving us eggs in a few months.

From the chicken pen we strolled over to the bing cherry tree where we picked cherries, and then on to the few raspberries that are ripe. The apricots are doing well, too. Our friendly neighborhood squirrels are taking their share, but I think we'll have enough to make us happy.

My hollyhocks are about five feet tall and look like they'll have flowers in a week or so. I'm looking so forward to their colorful presence in the garden this summer.

The dahlia plants are just a little over a foot tall, so I expect to have large flowers by late summer on those.

There's one thing that I have a question about and that is "where are the hummingbirds?" We've only seen them four or five times this spring. We have four big fuchsias hanging around the porch, but no hummers in sight. Have you had many this year? Especially if you live in the Northwest. My friend who lives in East Tennessee says she hasn't seen many either.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Jim received one of those hanging tomato planters (like you see on TV) for Father's Day. He has an Early Girl planted in it, so we're going to experiment and find out if it works. So far, it looks good.

The Texicans: A Review

The Texicans
Author: Nina Vida
296 pages
Publisher:SOHO
(Historical Fiction)

The Texicans, by Nina Vida, is a novel of historical fiction, which takes place on the frontier of Texas, and spans the years between 1843 and 1855.

Although Joseph Kimmel was a quiet, simple man who loved to read, and keep to himself, he was also a tough, rugged individualist. In his twenties he had been a mountain man and fur trapper, but was now a teacher of Greek, Latin, and math at the Independence Missouri Boys School. It was a job that seemed to suit him.

Just before the end of the school term, Joseph receives a letter saying his brother, Isaac, a shopkeeper, has died in Texas, and that Joseph should come to the frontier to receive any profits that may be left from his business.

Joseph has decided to make the trip alone on horseback and knows the trek will be difficult, at best. Having been an outdoorsman, he's sure he can take care of himself and in fact, he looks forward to the solitary life he will experience as he travels across the plains.

If Joseph thought he was going to have a peaceful journey, he was sadly mistaken. Not only is riding alone in Comanche country fraught with the constant danger of being brutally slain, but he, unfortunately, finds a variety of rag-tag strangers who desperately need his help to survive.

The author weaves together an exciting story of danger, incredible hardship, sacrifice, and unrequited love.

This is absolutely one of the best books I have recently read. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a remarkable Texas adventure story.

(Thanks goes to the author for my review copy.)

Games We Play

I was out for a walk on our property a few days ago and came upon something hanging from the limb of an old lilac tree. I was startled. I hardly recognized them at first. They were rusty from age, but still seemed like old friends.

It's a favorite game of mine. What is it? What is your favorite summer outside game?

The Triumph of Deborah: A Review

"The Triumph of Deborah"
By- Eva Etzioni-Halevy
358 Pages
Publisher: Plume (February 26, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0452289068

“The Triumph of Deborah” by Eva Etzioni-Halevy, takes place in Old Testament times, as war is about to break out between Israel and Canaan. Deborah, the beloved judge and prophetess of the Israelites, has asked the mighty warrior, Barak, to assemble an army and lead it against the Canaanites. The war takes place, and from that point, a cast of strong, determined, and impressive characters unfold.

This beautifully written story is centered on three entirely different women and the man they either love or hate. The main characters are Deborah, the prophetess; Asherah, the beautiful daughter of slain King Jabin; Nogah, the illegimate slave daughter of King Jabin; and lastly, the powerful and virile, Barak.

After defeating the Canaanites, Barak falls in love with Asherah, the daughter of the slain king and takes her to his home to make her his wife. Asherah despises her future husband and is determined to find a way back to her people.

Loosely based on the Biblical story of Deborah, this fictional story takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of murderous revenge and unremitting love. Although there are sensuous scenes, the author spins this love story with sensitivity, tenderness, and poetic grace.

The book was mesmerizing, classically melodic, and impassioned. I look forward to reading it again. It's a "keeper."

(Thank you, Eva Etzioni-Halevy, for my review copy.)

Bookstore Meme

Hi Ladies!

I found this on another blog and thought it had some questions worth considering. How would you answer them?

1.What's your favorite bookstore?

2.Have you ever traveled out of state or out of the country, just to visit a particular bookstore?

3.Have you ever gone on a date to a bookstore?

4.Would you consider a bookstore to be a romantic place?

5.What's the latest you've stayed out at night at a bookstore?

6.Do you like to go with friends or by yourself?

7.What would your dream bookstore be like?

8.What's your favorite specialty bookstore and what does it specialize in?

9.Have you ever worked at a bookstore or wanted to?

10.Do people ever mistake you for a bookstore employee and ask you questions as you browse?

11.Do you like bookstore cafes?

12.Would you consider a bookstore a social destination as opposed to strictly a retail destination?
13.What's the silliest thing you've ever done in a bookstore?

14.Ever been ask to leave one?

Copy and paste you answers under my comments. Use them on your blog, too, if you wish.

The Adventures of Snip in Oregon: A Review

"The Adventures of Snip in Oregon"
Written by- Betty S. Moir
Illustrated by- Yumi V. Vong
Ages 9-10

Today I'm reviewing the children's book, The Adventures of Snip in Oregon, by Betty S. Moir and illustrated by Yumi V. Vong.

This beautifully illustrated book, tells a sweet story of a loving family and their dog, Snip-- a big, black, shaggy cross between a poodle, malamute, and husky.

As a person who loves and has owned many wonderful dogs, I could hardly wait to read and share this story with my grandchildren. One quiet evening I sat down with my granddaughter and we opened the book. She enjoyed the story and mentioned how much she liked the color illustrations and family pictures. She said she could relate them to her own experiences with her pets; they made the characters come alive for her.

Every chapter of the book teaches us about the enjoyment, friendship, companionship, protection, and the memories dogs bring to our lives. Our furry friends are not only pets, but in reality they are important members of our family.

My granddaughter and I especially liked the chapters, "Snips Has A Night Visitor" and "Snip Rescues Jim."

(Thank you to Betty S. Moir for sending me a review copy.)

Merit Badge Friday

Hi Ladies!

It's Merit Badge Friday!

If you could give yourself a Merit Badge for Excellence this week, which of the following would it be:

1. Reading

2. Gardening

3. Friendship

4. Nurse of the week

5. Home Interior

6. Patience

7. Mother of the week

8. Hostess of the week

9. Seamstress

10. Writing

11. Painting

12. Boss of the week

13. Employee of the week

14. Baking

15. Cooking

16. Babysitter of the week

17. Grandmother of the week

18. Blogging

19. Playing

20. Something else?

***Give yourself a badge. You deserve it!!!!!!!!

Have a safe and happy weekend.