This week’s neglected book is Picky Eaters 1, which deserves a second read from me. I added this book to my Kindle because it was by a blogging friend, and I was curious about her humorous writing. I had read the entire Sunblind series and enjoyed it, but I knew one of Sarah’s first loves was dragons, and this was a good opportunity to see what she could do.
I definitely would recommend this book to others, both as an adult humorous book and as a read-aloud for kids and parents or grandparents.
BOOKS COMPLETED 4
CHAPTERS COMPLETED (OR DISCS, ESSAYS, SHORT STORIES) 15
I would call that a successful day and a successful Readathon!
I finally got around to today’s paper around 3:00 p.m. and did a good job of covering The Houston Chronicle.
I read three essays from Zadie Smith…
…and two more short stories from Doctorow
These stories are mini-masterpieces.
Plus, I read three more chapters of Perfect
I visited some friends blogs, enjoying their creativity, especially the posts on Deb Nance’s Readerbuzz. I thumbed through my own Blog notebook, noting challenges that need to be finished by the end of the year and listened to Rubin’s podcast, Happier, finding some good ideas for 2022 challenges. I made sure I had finished goals and challenges for summer 2021 (I had.) and enjoyed myself jotting down ideas for upcoming posts.
It is now 2 p.m., and I have been reading again for a while. While I put the groceries away, I listened to another disc of Eleanor Oliphant, then read the book I reviewed for todays Saturday Mornings for Kids quickly. After posting, I spent some time finishing and sticky-tag-marking Taste-of-Home’s Light and Tasty cookbook from 2003. After I have tried the twelve or so recipes I have marked, I will pass it along to a friend who reads cookbooks for pleasure, but seldom cooks from them. LOL
I began a book of poetry a former student recommended, but have only read about a half dozen poems, not enough to judge if I want to read them all. I finally got around to reading Jen Payne’s #4 Zine, something I’ve been saving for a treat.
I am working on a group of essays by Zadie Smith, a group of short stories by E.L. Doctorow (I’d always heard his name referred to a Master of the Short Story but never read any until now), and a novel by Rachel Joyce.
I have plenty to keep me busy this afternoon.
RAE
Vlad is not your “normal” Vampire. His family lives in a haunted mansion on a hill, they drink ordered blood for breakfast, and all can turn into bats and fly–except Vlad. Vlad is scared of humans (instilled in him by his grandfather’s tales), exposure to the sun (which his dad insists will burn his skin) and most of all, scared of never having a friend. Until one day, Vlad ventures into town and inadvertently finds himself in the human kids’ school. Assuming he is one of the recent refugees come to town, his teacher and the other kids acquaint him with the tips and tricks of attending school. Vlad is pleasantly surprised and makes one good friend who is very curious about his “background.” What Vlad does and what his friend does when the fact that he is a vampire is revealed make for a humorous, fun read. Read this one to your six-year-olds or have your eight-year-olds read it to you!
While listening to the audiobook Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine,
I made breakfast, which looked similar to this google image:
Then I read the last two chapters of 2nd Thessalonians from the Living Bible and my secular devotion from
While I made the bed and straightened the bedroom, I continued listening to Eleanor Oliphant and completed the first two discs.
I then finished
The theme of Professor Chandra is one we are all interested in, What makes one happy/blissful? Professor Chandra, an eccentric economist is in line for the Nobel Prize. Known as being cantankerous with both students, colleagues, and family, he becomes even more so when he is passed over, then has a bicycle accident which lands him in the hospital where he suffers a heart attack. His doctor tells him to take a break from teaching and enjoy life–to follow his bliss. His spiritual journey at a New Age retreat begins, and he interacts with fellow “travelers” who give him insights into humanity and himself.
His relationships with his ex-wife and his three “baffling” grown children as he takes this journey make up the plot of the novel. Overall, the book is humorous, and at the same time, uplifting and thought-provoking. A most enjoyable read from the author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, one of my all-time favorites…
Readathon to be continued…
RAE
7:00 a.m. Morning stretches
7:20 Finished Ann Hood’s Kitchen Yarns
These recipes and musings on food and family presents the kitchen as the heart of family life. Hood reminds us that “the perfect meal is one that tastes like home.” I picked up this book at the Alvin Library mainly because it was in large print, and I knew it would be a good night-before-warm-up for the Readathon.
The author came from a home where “First we eat, then we do everything else.” (Hood quoting food writer M.F.K. Fisher) It was fun to read a “cookbook” with a narrative and chapters.
From my blogging friend
The Essentials of Characterization and Plotting Instructor: Tambra Nicole Kendall Registration Deadline:October 10, 2021 Start Date:October 6, 2021 End Date:November 1, 2021Class Fee in USD:$15 for HHRW members / $25 for non-members Google iCalendarREGISTER NOW
In this course, we will discuss how to plot, what keeps it moving, and how storytellers drag readers into a fictional world and keep them there. We’ll learn point of view, story structure, pacing, world building, how to connect the beginning, middle and end, and more.
Tamara is a friend and a very capable teacher who has written since forever. She has mastered the skills of engaging writing, which is evident on every page of her books. I highly recommend this author and her course.
powerfulwomenreaders 