RIP V - an exception to my No More Challenges Rule

I know I said, "no more challenges", BUT I need this one, honestly. I love reading mysteries and Gothic themed books in the fall, and Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings has hosted this wonderful challenge over and over again; thanks Carl. The challenge is a (2) month one and runs from September 1st through October 31st, so how about joining and getting your Halloween fill of scary books? Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Gothic, Horror....pick your poison!

I'm in for Peril the First which requires that you read 4 books, but there are several other options. I'm already thinking about these books as possibilities (subject to change):

1. The House at Riverton; Kate Morton - 4/5
2. Moonlight Mile; Dennis LeHane - 3.5/5
3. We Have Always Lived in a Castle; Shirley Jackson -5/5
4. Santa Fe Edge; Stuart Woods - 2/5

Don't Miss this One!

August Reading in Review

August was my worst reading month of 2010. Hot weather, feeling in a bit of a funk at times, all seemed to play a part. I didn't complete any new challenges, but I only have (3) that I have not finished at this time....sadly, (2) are ones I am hosting!

Of the (12) books I did read.........

• (3) were audio books
• (0) non fiction -- a first I think!
• (4) Library Books
• (8) review books
• (0) TBR stacks - pathetic

Completed Books

1. The Good Daughters; Joyce Maynard - 5/5  - (Favorite Book of the month)
2. The Lion; Nelson DeMille - 4/5 (audio)
3. Such a Pretty Face; Cathy Lamb - 4.5/5 
4. Neighborhood Watch; Cammie McGovern - 4/5 
5. The Gendarme; Mark Mustian -4.5/5 
6. A Friend of the Family; Lauren Grodstein (audio) 4/5
7. The Good Psychologist; Noam Shpancer - 4/5
8. Fragile; Lisa Unger - 4/5 
9. I Thought You Were Dead; Pete Nelson - 5/5 (Favorite audio Book of 2010)
10. A Secret Kept; Tatiana de Rosnay - 2.5/5
11. Room; Emma Donoghue - 4.5/5
12. Mr. Peanut; Adam Ross (no review yet).... a lot to think about!

In July, I made a list of (10) books I wanted to read in August, and I read and reviewed 6 out of 10. The ones that did not get read will be moved to my list of September Hopefuls:

1. Displaced Persons; Schwarz
2. City of Veils; Zoe Ferrais
3. The Language of Trees; Ilie Ruby
4. Ape House; Sara Gruen

others that I hope to read in September are:

• Lady Matador's Hotel; Garcia
• You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know; Sellers (in progress)
• The House at Riverton; Morton
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; Larsson
• Healer; Cassella
• Strangers at the Feast; Vanderbes
• Fall of Giants; Follett (in progress)

2010 Book Buying Stats

 (76) Books - Total $$ Spent in 2010 - $297.27

Hope you all had a great month!

Mailbox Monday - August 30

 

 

Mailbox Monday in August is hosted by Chick Loves Lit. 

Thanks for hosting this popular post.

  My mailbox overflowed this week, and while my clothes closets got cleaned, the book shelves are seriously out of control. I really need to do some book purging.

  

   First photo is the result of IMPULSE on line purchases:(

• Moleskine 2011 Planner Diary
• Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory (this is awesome)
• Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; Larsson (I didn't want to be the only one not reading this series)
• Girl Who Played with Fire; Larsson
• Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; Larsson

• UnbrokenUnbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption; Laura Hildenbrand - Shelf Awareness - 11/2010
• Resurrection of May; Lisa Samson (Amazon Vine)
• 13 rue Therese; Shapiro (Reagan Arthur Books)-2/2011) and a tin of lemon candy as well!
• The Elephant Keeper; Christopher Nicholson (win from Sandra)
• Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding; Jessie Sholl (12/28/2010)

Hope you received some books that you will love!

Sunday Salon - August 29th

It's been a gorgeous week weather-wise here in New England, warm but breezy, high 70's and low 80's but in the 50's at night.

Last week I mentioned I was going to be starting to use the Fitness complex at the college--well I stuck to the plan. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, was 20 min of cardio and 25 minutes with weights. There are (40) different pieces of fabulous nautilus equipment to chose from, as well as (2) floors of all the latest in cardio machines, a terrific pool, indoor and outdoor tracks and a rock climbing wall (think I'll skip that). 

From someone who has not done anything other than walking for exercise, I learned that my leg muscles are surprisingly strong, as I could press 80lbs on my first day.  My upper body strength is very weak though, as on several pieces of equipment, I could not lift more than 20 lbs and that was a struggle. So little by little, I hope to get stronger in my arms.  I also walk for (30) minutes on Monday through Friday unless it is raining. I think I am getting into it, so give me another week or two and my 50+ body should look like this......

Well, something like this would be nice!

Okay, now for some bookish stuff. I read ROOM and it is terrific - be sure not to miss this one.  I also finished the audiobook : I Thought You Were Dead; Pete Nelson (which I Loved).   Mr. Peanut  was a weird book - (no review yet).

I've also been listening to The Nobodies Album and Pillars of the Earth, and enjoying them both, and still working on Fall of Giants (about 300 more pages left of the 900+) --it is fabulous though.

Do have any plans for today? I am closet cleaning. Flipping through my (2) favorite magazines: Real Simpleand O, I've decided to weed my closet, and to keep only basic, classic pieces for work and casual wear. 

The thing is, I have most of the pieces I need: several pair of good jeans, black, navy, gray and brown dress slacks, several white, black and pastel shirts, lovely sweaters, plenty of jerseys and tees, leather books BOOTS (LOL), good casual shoes, belts, coats and jackets. Oh, and now exercise clothes too!  It's just that there is so much other stuff crammed in my "closets",  that I have not worn in several years.  I am saying goodbye to those pieces once and for all. 

Do you still have.....the outfits you wore to weddings that happened 5-10 years ago? How about the favorite jeans that are (2) sizes too small (from 10 years ago), but you just might get into again if you really, really try right?  I even have new and like new shoes that I bought (5+) years ago and never wore...out those go too, maybe someone who doesn't mind sore feet will enjoy them.

Have a great week everyone!

(off to tackle the closets)

Calling all Cat Lovers to Caboodle Ranch

A good friend knows how much my husband and I adore cats, we have (4) so I was thrilled he sent me this story.

Meet Craig Grant

Craig Grant bought a tree farm far away from the city and turned it into a sanctuary for all the cats he has rescued. He lives there with the cats and provides lots of love, care and companionship.

It’s hard to imagine that once he was not a cat lover and did not want cats until he met his son’s cat Pepper.

He also got to experience what it is like raising a litter of kittens. “Over that time I learned that every cat had its own unique personality and it wasn’t long before the kittens were swinging from my curtains". I didn’t care. Something had changed… I didn’t want to give them up.”

The condo life was not easy for the kitties, so Craig found a tree farm (100 acres) and settled down there for his fur babies.  Over the next several months, he rescued more and more homeless and abandoned cats.The number of new residents kept going up, so Craig expanded the sanctuary to make more room. Each of the cats has a sad story of their past but now they are living in heaven. Craig has built and decorated many beautiful cat houses. All the cats at the  Ranch are spayed and neutered. You can Visit the ranch for rescued cats.  



Caboodle Ranch is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida - now home to more than 500 cats, thanks to Craig.

 

How About a Hug?