I hate to admit this but at first I struggled, than it popped in my head to act as if Troy from Swamp People was reading this Christmas night tale to I hate to admit this but at first I struggled, than it popped in my head to act as if Troy from Swamp People was reading this Christmas night tale to me. St Nick is visiting a family on a skiff as he comes to Bayou. The family lays under the blankets with grins on their faces, as they watch him come down the chimney. What a fun read, we know how the story should go but has a Cajun twist that will make you smile!
A Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend brought this to my attention. What a great tale to enjoy at Christmas time!...more
A lyrical Christmas tale of years ago has been capture in this perfect Christmas story without much of a plot from a child's perspective. Drunken AuntA lyrical Christmas tale of years ago has been capture in this perfect Christmas story without much of a plot from a child's perspective. Drunken Auntie Hannah singing in the yard and a house that is haunted where a group of carollers hear the wind make scary noises. From frozen foam to ice cream hills conveyed in a sense of humor and imagination of a child makes one feel as if they should be in front of the fireplace with a roaring fire drinking hot chocolate with fuzzy slippers, eyes closed and Mr Thomas reading ever so deeply yet warm in the background. Another wonderful Christmas audio or read!...more
A most heartwarming holiday tale of Buddy and Sook unlikely friends in this day and age, but their bond is strong. Buddy calls her "My Friend". Buddy'A most heartwarming holiday tale of Buddy and Sook unlikely friends in this day and age, but their bond is strong. Buddy calls her "My Friend". Buddy's parents divorce and he ends up living with a hermit like Uncle and Aunts. Buddy and Sook have moments of magic that instill some wonderful and cherished memories from Fruitcakes to Kites. A re-read of this book during the Holiday Season is a must!...more
That Quail, Robert is a warm, sweet tale of a retired couple and their three and half years with Robert. Robert's antics are the fun little stories thThat Quail, Robert is a warm, sweet tale of a retired couple and their three and half years with Robert. Robert's antics are the fun little stories that you would not think a bird capable of. At Christmas, Mrs Kienzle found a nest, guilded it and placed it in the tree. Robert found it and enjoyed the nest and gave up the red velvet hat for a spell. Her singing, cooing and announcing of the telephone reminded me of any other child needing attention. Avairy experts did not think it would last. The instincts of the Quail would pull Robert away, she would have none of that. Robert had free reign of the home and had no desire not to be with her family and friends. Her personality is the story, Robert was well loved and loved back by all that met her.
As a child growing up in Madison County, my Father rescued a pheasant that was frozen and iced over during the storm in 78 and also a pigeon that had an injury to it's wing. He let them stay in the house until they healed but they were nothing like Robert. ...more
Family Sayings is Ginzburg's vivid memories of what she could recall of her childhood. These sayings passed from Family to Friends and repeated througFamily Sayings is Ginzburg's vivid memories of what she could recall of her childhood. These sayings passed from Family to Friends and repeated throughout her life. If you remember as a child that giant slide that took you forever to climb but than as an adult? This is why I think it is called somewhat fictional.
Her father, Levi a Biology Professor and a domesticated ruler. Her mother not a main figure of the family had a warm heart and she had interest in poems and other art forms. Many other family and friends are described in the first part. Natalia is the youngest of five children in an apartment in Turin, Jewish family living an Italian life during Fascism through WWII and how it shaped their lives. The people that surround her are family and friends of her Father or even foes that seek refuge and are interesting characters. Levi would not talk to anyone that was not a friend of friends or family.
Mother, Sisters and herself are always second class citizens that put more value on the boys of the family than girls that was part of the times. The family tree? I think I needed an actual tree to keep everyone straight. It is a family of intelligence, rather eccentric, family arguments, family traditions and family habits.The sayings are their language, phrases that bring memories back to family. Levi would yell, scream with insults and reprimands to his children/wife. Levi loved only a handful of things including hiking, but Mother often called the hikes "The Devil's idea of fun"
The story is fun at times, painful and emotional the way most family lives seem. It also deals with the political setting of the time. Parts of the story are very serious and uncomfortable to read, as life for the children move into adulthood involving college, marriages, divorce, a prison sentence and death. I liked the first part much more than the last. I know it is based on true life but it also reads like any other novel. I did not leave this book with an understanding of Natalia but more of her father and others....more
This is the second read from Author Machado de Assis. His story telling is so different than other Authors, which I really find interesting. I did notThis is the second read from Author Machado de Assis. His story telling is so different than other Authors, which I really find interesting. I did not enjoy this one as much as I did Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas but that is okay. It is a different tale.
Benito is telling his story of his life from his prospective through Cloudy Rose-Colored Glasses. It is a romantic tale of his life growing up and falling in love with Capitu his childhood friend. They go their separate ways for a time while he is at seminary but he comes back and they eventually marry and have a son. During their life he has many negative thoughts and almost takes action on them. He is ruled by these thoughts making it hard for him to have a very happy life.
I did not like the mini chapters. They left me wondering about the details of these small flashes of time and some I would of enjoyed going into more detail. When a major event happens one that I thought he would have gone into much more detail of this loss in his life it was an afterthought. It is an interesting read. Not a normal romance for me, but I believe that was what Benito was trying to tell, a romance between him and Capitu. Worth the read. Just left me wondering about the rest of his life, was it a good life or just getting through it....more
This is my first Novel by Thomas Hardy. I can not say it was dull or that it was hard to read. It is a read with mixed feelings towards the charactersThis is my first Novel by Thomas Hardy. I can not say it was dull or that it was hard to read. It is a read with mixed feelings towards the characters and he does a good job keeping my attention and wanting to continue reading.
The main character in a moment of impulsiveness and anger towards his wife offers a deal. The next day he regrets his decision and decides he will improve his life as justification for what he has done. He turns out successful in his new world, but his past comes back from a guilt of duty. He goes through a lot of conflict that is from his own doing and lack of confidence has him making decisions that are spontaneous, reckless, stupid, and downright mean, just plain bad. He has made grave mistakes and it will eventually destroy him. He is his own worst enemy! A lot happens and one person has a very high tolerance for his nonsense and crap shoveling that he does. The one person, that is caring, kind, selfless and affectionate continues to be so towards him, as no others do, he had a chance to make things right and again makes a choice that will end the relationship forever.
In the end, despite all of the lies, suffering and pain endured in life, that sometime forgiveness can come too late and you must appreciate the life and happiness you have....more
Peter Pan...this is the first time I have read the YA version and not a Disney book. I also have never seen the movie so had no preconceived thoughts.Peter Pan...this is the first time I have read the YA version and not a Disney book. I also have never seen the movie so had no preconceived thoughts. I think I saw part of a play once that was played by a female dangling on wires, can not remember for sure.
What a fun read though. There is a charm to the tale in its whimsy of flying through the children’s fantasy world of Neverland. I enjoyed the characters Smee, Tootles and yes even Hook! Neverland is a fun place to fly to. Peter Pan was supposed to never grow up, he is lacking in fear, memory and does not understand change very well, but during the Pirate fights I believe he did change. It was sad that Wendy lost her ability to fly but Jane is a sweet child and will take her place.
Barrie seems to convey both a sense of wonder and excitement about all the adventures that Peter starts and or invents for himself and the Lost Boys. He gives us such a magical story that I am glad I finally decided to read this version. ...more
Read this early this morning, as I could not sleep.
This is a play about Martha and Abby two rich ladies that live beside a Cemetery, who are exceedingRead this early this morning, as I could not sleep.
This is a play about Martha and Abby two rich ladies that live beside a Cemetery, who are exceeding kind and thoughtful. They doubt their Charity work and slightly problematic habit of killing off suffering old lonely men, and the use Elderberry Wine, will be an issue as they have 11 more in the basement! Finally things go haywire and the work must come to an end.
You might want to pass on the glass of Elderberry Wine if it is ever offered to you! The play is fun, has suspense and a bit of romance. A wonderful read!...more
This short novel won the Pulitzer in 1927 for Wilder. He won the Pulitzer for his play Our Town in 1938 and another play in 1942, yes that is three PuThis short novel won the Pulitzer in 1927 for Wilder. He won the Pulitzer for his play Our Town in 1938 and another play in 1942, yes that is three Pulitzer Prizes.
Five people from Peru had several parallels in their lives, interconnecting and overlapping and even intertwining. They were also sent away by loved ones or experienced some kind of loss of ones they loved, making them feel unloved. Each taking the step across the bridge to a life of love or new meaning of happiness. Searching. While crossing the bridge they plunge to their death when the Incan rope footbridge collapes.
Wilder tells the stories of these travellers and we are asked to examine whether there is any reason that God would choose these specific people for this fate of "Why do bad things happen to good people." The sixth victim is a deeply faithful Monk, Brother Juniper, who witnesses the accident. He has this mission to try and prove that God is real and documents the stories of each of the five lives.
The unbelievably difficult questions of WHY? Was it evil or indifference? Why was this their fate? In the end Brother Juniper is put to death for his research.
The writing is subtle, you are left to find your own thought provoking questions and answers to the WHY? The first and last chapters are the walls for support of the middle chapters.
"Beautiful were the days that are gone, and O, for them to be back. The mountain was green, and proud with a good covering of oak and ash..." Poetry!
P"Beautiful were the days that are gone, and O, for them to be back. The mountain was green, and proud with a good covering of oak and ash..." Poetry!
Published in 1939. HGWMV was probably not a book I would have picked out on my own. I absolutely loved the story. Set in a small rural, quite secluded village in Wales, a coal mining community, with small town rules, morals and a basic way of life with religion a main part of the valleys life. A story of Huw (which left me in no doubt of the type of child he was and the man he became) who reflects on his time growing up with his big, close knit family and their everyday life stories of hardships, harsh lessons and repercussions of the strikes and the reality of the effects that the mines have on his valley. The family faces battles of illness and loss with courage. The family stays together and supportive through very happy times as well. Huw's memory of the valley landscape is through green colored glasses much like a childs love for their family home.
Richard Llewellyn did a beautiful job writing this family's life story that is full of emotion and does leave quite an affect, almost like your part of the story in that you can visualize it. I enjoyed the characters that are well put together and each their own part filling the story with meaning and lots of emotions. I kept wanting to know more about each of them. The story is so well written I read passages several times just to linger in the moment more, I just wanted to hug the book at different moments!
This is part of a series of Huw's life the first of four books including the sequels Up into the Singing Mountain, Down Where the Moon is Small, and Green, Green My Valley Now....more
I stayed up late to finish The Black Spider. Sunday starts with a Baptism for an infant. The setting is the beautiful Swiss Countryside. The family muI stayed up late to finish The Black Spider. Sunday starts with a Baptism for an infant. The setting is the beautiful Swiss Countryside. The family must be well off as they are following up with quite a spread. A very happy celebration...until a guest remarks about "black window post beside the first window". Rumors that no one ever tells the whole story. So the grandfather does, it is this tale that leads us to the story of The Black Spider. The story goes back hundreds of years, when the locals had to do what the Lord said. One Lord was demanding. They had to build him a castle and when that was done, he had them transplant full grown trees to line a walk way to the castle. He only gives them a month to complete the task. Desperate to complete the task they get help from a man that promises he can help. It is a Devil's deal. He does get it done but the deal is struck. They think they might be able to avoid holding up their side of the bargain with the Devil and they try to weasel out of their side of it. It does not go well.
Gotthelf's tale is creepy: the spider's feet had burned their way through...Lesson of the day: you DO NOT mess with the devil. Deals with the devil, are a big no no.
The dark part of The Black Spider feels pretty modern the Author Gotthelf had quite the imagination and tells this creepy story well....more
A sweet little book. Their stockings were skimpy compared to how our Christmas's are but they were extremely happy. Glad I found it to add to my ChristA sweet little book. Their stockings were skimpy compared to how our Christmas's are but they were extremely happy. Glad I found it to add to my Christmas collection.
I missed seeing thed Little House Christmas on TV so decided to dig it out and re-read. Sure does make you appreciate the smiles on faces with such simple gifts!...more
The Last Unicorn's home is very old, beautiful, and is always Spring. She learns that she is the last. So she abandons her forest in search of other UThe Last Unicorn's home is very old, beautiful, and is always Spring. She learns that she is the last. So she abandons her forest in search of other Unicorns. She has always believed they were out there somewhere. She runs into several characters the Butterfly, Mommy Fortuna and a magician who has no control of his magic (seems to be still in training)...Schmendrick and his companion Molly. The Unicorn learns the ups and downs of life and about the raging Red Bull and what he has done with the Last. Upon trying to protect the Unicorn somehow Schmendrick musters to cast a spell. Once things are righted and because of her experience she has learned what love is and she can make things change. Beagle's words are hard to believe that they are over 50 years old. Written as in verse, almost like a song, quite magical, all sunshine and rainbows. It took me back to my childhood of collecting Unicorns and loving their beauty and snow white coloring. It is written I think for mid-aged children and for adults with some hidden messages inbetween, that the kids probably won't get. Some are...A fear of getting old and of living alone stands out to me. A quote about misjudgment "We are not always what we seem and hardly ever what we dream" thought provoking. Obsession, greed and possessions (as in having all the Unicorns) are short term highs. As an adult it reads like a beautiful captivating Fairy Tale that contains some dark yet bittersweet moments. ...more
Once upon a time there was a piece of wood...Pinocchio meaning: constructed from pinewood or more fitting pine nut!
Pinocchio was crafted by Geppetto.Once upon a time there was a piece of wood...Pinocchio meaning: constructed from pinewood or more fitting pine nut!
Pinocchio was crafted by Geppetto. During his forming, into a marionette, Pinocchio was making Geppetto cry with his misbehaving, should have been a warning to Geppetto to what was to come. Pinocchio is a stubborn brat that does what he is repeatedly told not to do over and over. He is given moral advice on how to be a good and kind boy but he is intrigued by so many shady characters (the Fox & Cat, Coachman and Dogfish to name a few) that he believes whatever tales he is told and has no second thought to what bad could come. He cant help himself from telling so many lies and making up stories. His nose grows, like me, I told on myself, when I was a child I would turn beet red when fibbing to my parents, no matter how truthful I thought the story sounded. Pinocchio's many misadventures lead him to a fate that is hard and takes him ever so long to understand and become the good boy others hoped he would be.
" I have only wanted to remind you...that in this world of ours we must be kind and courteous to others, if we want to find kindness and courtesy in our own days of trouble."
Note: Upon looking into Collodi he first wrote the story in 1871 for a Children's Magazine, in which Pinocchio found his death after the hanging, but the Children demanded more. The story was than changed, which include all the debacles and misfortunes in every short 36 chapters one gets to read. Quite a different story than I recall reading in the Disney version of movie or book....more
OFOCN starts out with a Nursery Rhyme...One flew East, One flew West, and One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.
The narrator is patient Chief Broom, AmericaOFOCN starts out with a Nursery Rhyme...One flew East, One flew West, and One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.
The narrator is patient Chief Broom, American Indian, and McMurphy's bunk mate. He pretends to be deaf and mute and has since WWII, which allows him to hear things that most patients would not be allowed to hear. He is the only one I thought had mental issues, but was it drug related? In the fog of war?
McMurphy (Mack) bluffs his way into the hospital so as not to spend his time in Prison. He is a social butterfly, confident in his choices and a con man. He is liked because he stands up for them against the hospital staff, because of this they put up with his gambling and cunning ways. Mack's opposition is an ex-Army nurse who runs a tight ship by using motherly care, fear and bullying to keep everyone in line. McMurphy and Nurse Ratched battle back in forth for leadership of the patients and Doctor's. Finally the game between them comes to a head.
Looking into Ken Kesey personally found he worked as a night aide at a Veterans Hospital and participated in a medical study of hallucinogens. During this time he concluded that many patients were not insane but not wanted in their families or the places they lived.
Kesey writes with believeable characters. At times funny and at the end, very intense. .I found it not enjoyable but interesting and thought provoking. Makes you wonder about the use of Mental Hospitals (with our Veterans) at that time in America....more
I bought this so the Grandsons could see what Grandma's job is about. Actually I was surprised at how accurate it is. There is a couple of items that dI bought this so the Grandsons could see what Grandma's job is about. Actually I was surprised at how accurate it is. There is a couple of items that do not portray Ohio voting the same but I know ballot counting in other States do work that way.
Only Brayden asked questions but thats ok.
I think this would be nice to have in our lobby at work....more
This play could be any family living with these or other struggles. Just trying to survive day to day, the wrenches that are thrown into the mix, thatThis play could be any family living with these or other struggles. Just trying to survive day to day, the wrenches that are thrown into the mix, that make life even harder, the struggle to stay on the right path, the path of dreams and hopes of living the better life than your parents and with the exertion of never accomplishing what hopes you have for that life.
Lena is the Patriarch, respected and the main support of the family. Trying to decide what is best for her family and the issues that they endure of being second class citizens. Issues of the day are poor, no opportunites, family responsibilities, sexism, religion, alcohol, with constant aspirations of a better life and their daily struggles and some bad decisions. Even though what comes will be difficult, they know that they have made the best choice for the family.
**spoiler alert** A very beautiful book, with quality, a lovely reference manual. I love all the photos of the original first editions books and backg**spoiler alert** A very beautiful book, with quality, a lovely reference manual. I love all the photos of the original first editions books and background information on the Author, rejection letters, book and movies, and results of social affect. Each loved book has two detailed full pages dedicated to it. Included in the book are discussions on illustrators, banned books, how to read, different genre's and some of the most compelling first lines. The extras I found to be quite interesting additions.
Added more to my overwhelming TBR pile including the purchase of Looking for Alaska by John Green and I have a few more added to my Wish list.
I was so happy to see my most loved book included in the list Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. Glad to see others in the US love the book as much as I do.
I own 27 books on the list of 100 of which two are The Notebook and The Shack and I own 20 books in the top 50 which most are Classics!!!!...more
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