Big party for hubby

Took a little longer to read my last novel. Kept getting interrupted at work with all the drama going on. Had to let a few people go which is never pleasant.

I enjoyed Philippa Gregory's "Fallen Skies." It was a change from her usual writing. She always took me back to kings and queens from long ago but this time she went back to post world war I and spun a nice little tale of a young woman who was destined to a life on the stage to escape her poor roots in England and was found by a wealthy young lawyer and swept into his tormented life. He had been forever changed by his time in the war and thought that this new young bride could make him forget the nightmares. She was suddenly left motherless and was pushed into marrying him to have somewhere to go. A strange twist at the end brought it to a different kind of conclusion.

It's party day, today! My hubby turns 80 on Monday and today is the big bash. His son is in from Hawaii and will be there to yell surprise. Wish we could get the other one out of his bedroom to join in the festivities. Anyway, I'm sure they all won't be there on time so as they stagger in it will be a surprise for hubby. A few friends will join the mix to make it a fun experience. If not, a few cases of beer and a bunch of bottles of wine will make it better.

Running out of books

I've proven that I could be a proof reader and read for more than 8 hours a day. I think I missed my life's calling. Of course, I would have to only read books that I like which I'm sure wouldn't be the case.

I finished Nicholas Evans' "The Brave." Once I got used to him jumping from young Tommy at 8 or 9 in one chapter to Tom in his mid 50's in another chapter, it was a very good read. I figured out the ending pretty quickly but enjoyed it anyway. Tommy is British and infatuated with American cowboy shows. It's the 1950's and that's all he can think about. His sister is an actress and gets a chance to make a movie in America. Tommy is told a secret that changes his life and off to the states he goes. There he gets his wish and is thrown into the Hollywood lifestyle. The older Tom is struggling with his past and his future that involves a tortured life with his estranged son. Two secrets are disclosed that bond the family back together.

Koontz again

I finished the Frankenstein series. Well, at least I'm caught up by finishing all the books. Dean Koontz's "Dead and Alive". Okay, they caught Frankenstein and that's the end of it till the fourth book when I already know that he comes back.

I thought I was caught up with all the Harlan Coben novels but I found one for the 1990's that I'd missed. This one kept me guessing till the end. Lots of basketball, murder, and mystery! Ready for more of Coben!

Day off

Okay! I had a list of things to do as long as my arm but NO! I had to spend the day reading my latest book. My hubby's birthday party is next week and instead of getting all those preparations done on my only day off before the big event I just buried my head in this book and read my day away. Sara Gruen's "Ape House" is a wonderful read. I enjoyed her "Water for Elephants" so I was hoping for a repeat. I was not disappointed. In this one Gruen took us to a Great Ape Language Lab where the bonobos were taught to sign and could communicate with there scientific protectors. After a bombing from a protest group the apes were sold and ended up on a television reality show. One of the original scientists that was injured in the bombing and a journalist joined forces to get the apes back. Well worth checking this one out.

Thank you Ms Mapson

I found this author a few years back and ended up buying and reading all her books. I've been waiting for quite a while for the latest to come out and it's finally here and it's read! Great book! Jo-Ann Mapson's "Solomon's Oak" is her best yet, I think. She introduced some new characters since she sometimes writes sequels. This was about Glory Solomon who is a new widow with lots of expenditures and little money. She runs a farm with several horses, goats and dogs. She rescues dogs from execution and trains them and finds them homes. Before her husband died they took in foster children (boys) and raised them. Now she's trying to pay the bills by making her farm a wedding destination. Her husband built a chapel before he died and she's putting it to good use. On the day of her first wedding event she was brought a foster child of 14 who needed help. Glory took on the challenge and the story that follows is one of hardship and love.

Another Patterson

I've been getting quite a few books delivered that have been stacking up pretty high and because I was reading some rather large novels I hadn't had a chance to get to the new ones. I finally got to James Patterson's "Don't Blink." I was a new character for him and a very good one. Wouldn't mind seeing this one again and knowing him and his long list of other co-authors, I would think that's a good possibility. In this one we were introduced to Nick Daniels, journalist. He travels the world for stories to write but in this one he ended up with more than he could handle in NYC. He was witness to a horrible murder in Lombardo's restaurant in NYC and from then on he went from witness to victim. Good and fast! Just like Patterson's other novels.

Slow day at work

Once again, thanks to my new position. I finished Nicholas Sparks' "Safe Haven" yesterday. I see another movie in the future. That man can write a love story. Girl meets boy, boy falls in love with girl, girl is already married to a monster who abused her and she's hidding out in small town, husband finds girl and you'll have to read it to find out the ending. Not a typical Sparks novel ending on this one. Great quick read!

My daughter is being honored tonight for being one of the 40 under 40 in Pennsylvania. It's quite a nice honor and we're so very proud of her and all she's accomplished. We're going to dude up and go along to see her get this award and probably eat some dry chicken. It's not been a great year for her so I'm hoping this will give her a little extra boost. Always nice to get an atta' girl!

I finished Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants" which is his first in a trilogy. Very interesting and filled with quite a cast of characters from all over the world. There's Maud and "Fitz" Fitzherbert from England who are brother and sister of gentry. Billy and Ethel Williams from the coal mines of England. Also, brother and sister. Gus Dewar of the US and aide to Pres. Wilson. Walter Von Ulrich from Germany. Last and far from least are the brothers, Lev and Grigori Peshkov of Russia. All their lives become intertwined at some point and changed through the onset of World War I. It's hard to put a novel of almost a 1000 pages into a short summary so I'll just say this one is worth a read. I look forward to the next two installments. Just hope I remember enough about this one to enjoy the next ones.

chalk another one up

Finished Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" today. I saw the movie many years ago and have been wanting to read the book for a long time. Now, thanks to iPhone and my boring job, I've accomplished my goal. I own the book but iPhone made it easier to read at my desk. I didn't remember much about the movie when I saw it other than the hidden secret in the attic. The book takes you through many years of Jane's life as an orphan that was thrust on an unwilling guardian and her life was made miserable. She was eventually sent to a charitable school for orphans and there obtained an education and taught for a while. She left there to be a governess and that's when the real story began. She was to marry the lord of the manor when on her wedding day it was disclosed to her that her groom to be was still married. That wife was insane and kept locked in an attic ceil. Jane runs away and is taken in by a family who care for her and make her a school teacher in the local school. Unbeknownst to her, or them, these are cousins of hers. A year passes and Jane has no word from anyone as to what has happened to her former "master." She decides it's time to go back and see. Have to leave you hanging at this point. Can't ruin the story for those that haven't read the book or seen the movie.

iPhone classic

I finished "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas. I enjoyed it but it did drag at certain points. I guess when it's been translated from a different language (my son wanted to know if I read it in French, HA!) and written in the early 1800's, then it's bound to have some slow areas. Poor Edmond Dante was living a great life until he was erroneously thrown into prison. A dungeon, no less! There, after many years, he's discovered by another prisoner who has tunneled 50 feet from his cell to Edmond's. They form a great friendship and when the other prisoner dies, he leaves Edmond with the map to his treasure and also a means to escape the prison. Now he's out and rich! Revenge is utmost on his mind. 24 years it has taken Edmond to become the Count of Monte Cristo and to plan the demise of those who put him in prison for 14 years.

Successful reunion

Still working my way through two novels. Might as well throw in "War and Peace" while I'm at it.

Had a great Cousin Reunion last Sunday! Good turn out! More of the next generation would be nice but the ones that were there were greatly appreciated. A great thanks to my daughter for her help in providing the location and cooking the chicken and pasta dish.

It was strange to sit around with the girls and discuss our health issues. My God, we're our mothers afterall. Who hasn't had a hysterectomy and who takes most after our grandmother who spent so much time in the hospital. That's one honor that I sure don't want. Most of us are plagued with a neck or spine problem so those problems were discussed at length.

It was fun watching the food being brought in with all the modern devices to keep everything warm or cold. Our poor mothers had to wrap everything in towels and blankets to keep it warm and now we just look for outlets to plug our crockpots into or warming trays to put things on. The amount of electronic devices that were in most peoples' hands was interesting also since we're all in or near 60 years of age. About half pled ignorance to most computers or smartphones. The rest of us were pretty comfortable using them and they were never far from our reach. Surprisingly the younger generation (26-40 years old) had the same split. My daughter and grandchildren have their's as an appendage. Must admit that I'm never without mine in my pocket but it's not constantly in my hand. The iPhone has been a great purchase and I love having my computer in my pocket. The majority of the relatives are now on "facebook" and that will probably be the way we inform each other of all upcoming events.

Be careful what you wish for

I wanted a job with a desk and chair. Little did I know that it would be the kiss of death. I'm so bored that I could scream! If it weren't for my iphone I would be GONE! I'm halfway through "The Count of Monte Cristo." This is definitely a good way to force me into reading more of the classics. They are free downloads and I've already prepared for my next one. Also, I've downloaded some games and take turns exercising my mind and reading. I've been promised that I'll get more assignments which probably means that "crap" work will be flowing my way. They did paint my area and I immediately got runny eyes and nose from the paint. Two days of suffering! Everybody thinks this is a cushy job and it would be if I just wanted to sit and wait for the phone to ring! I did set an all time record today with 33 calls so far. Yesterday I had 11 and the day before 20. Sad! I still have two hours to go.

work

This new job will be the end of my sanity. Sitting here in my little secluded area in the back of the building waiting for the phone to ring so I can assist customers. Not happening! Boredom and sleepiness are taking control. I've downloaded a couple of free classics into my iPhone so that I can sneak a little reading time in. Don't think bringing in my new novel by Ken Follett would be something I could get away with. Not at almost a 1000 pages. I'm doing what I said I never do. Reading two books at once. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is the classic that I've downloaded and I'm getting into it. I read the Follett novel at lunch and at home. At this rate my next review will be next month.

Sounds like we will have a pretty good turnout at my annual cousin reunion next Sunday. We are actually having a few 3rd cousins coming. They are under a year old and will be very welcome since I'm in need of a baby fix. I'm hosting it even though it is at my daughter's house so I need to get busy and get the necessary stuff for the event. After that it's my husband's big birthday party. Not many people have responded so it may be a tiny big birthday party. I feel bad for him that a couple of his kids are not going to make it. The friends that I would have invited have passed away. He's alienated from his brother so the gang will be small.

More Frankenstein

I finished Dean Koontz's "Frankenstein: City of Night." This Book Two of his series. I'm glad I'm reading them pretty quickly or I would have trouble remembering the previous book. This one is still pursuing Dr. Helios (Frankenstein) to try to destroy him and all his New Race. The third book is on order and I'm hoping to read something else before it gets here.

My new job started today. I just got back from vacation and the new phone sale center is up and running. Unfortunately no one is calling! Boredom is inevitable!

My brother left this morning after his two week stay. We managed one fishing trip two days ago but caught nothing. Yesterday we were rained out. Sure hope I get another chance at fishing before my license expires at the end of the year.