Before we were yours (book)

I've always been a reader but while staying home the last few months I have increased my reading a lot.  Here's one of the books I enjoyed.

The book is historical fiction based on a real-life scandal. Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. Lisa tells their story writing parallel tales, one set in 1939 and one in the present day.

The story moves along well and the fact that it is based on something that actually happened kept me turning the pages to see what was going to take place next.

The Address - book

I've been reading quite a bit lately.  I thought I'd pass on a few titles of books I enjoyed.  This one is 
historical fiction.  If you have any reading suggestions, please leave them in the comments.

After a failed apprenticeship, working her way up to head housekeeper of a posh London hotel is more than Sara Smythe ever thought she’d make of herself. But when a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house The Dakota, leads to a job offer, her world is suddenly awash in possibility—no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America, where a person can rise above one’s station. The opportunity to be the female manager of The Dakota, which promises to be the greatest apartment house in the world. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else...and is living in The Dakota with his wife and three young children.

Review from Goodreads.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 12/11/18

Happy Tuesday to my friends at the Altered Book Lover blog. We're into winter here - although out winters are mild compared to many. Winter for me is basically an excuse to stay inside, drink tea and read as many books as I can.  I'm drinking some Irish Breakfast Tea this morning.

This novel is a dose of "feel good"  There are interesting characters. There is a bit of enchantment, some might call it a modern day fairy tale but don't be put off by that.  The story contains tragic loss, the necessary bad guy and the unique loving relationships that prevail.

Perfect winter read.  

Now if you have a book recommendation please let me know.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 11/13/19

It is Tuesday.  Is everyone ready for a tea party?  Elizabeth is hosting the party as she does faithfully every week.  Join us, you will find a great group of people who post nearly every Tuesday
.

I pulled out a vintage tea cup for my tea this morning.  It seemed to fit the book I'm going to tell you about.  Doesn't everyone match their cup to their reading material?

My friend Laurie (blog here) writes book reviews.  Sometimes she generously passes books on to me.  This came in the mail recently.  Her review made me want to sit right down and read it.

"Harry's Trees"

Jon Cohen.

This is a magical book, a perfect break from out troubled times. Below is a bit from Laurie's review.  She says it much better than I can.

"It’s a brilliant story, a fairy tale on a modern scale, where the trees are as important as the people, where a little girl with a red coat is the bravest, and where the Wolf talks to the dog. The writing made me feel like the world was illuminated with golden light despite the people who were greedy. I was so sad when the book ended; not because it ends sadly but because I had to walk away from that world. Five stars." 

What book would you recommend?

Books: Day 5

"The Enigma of Arrival: A Novel in Five Sections"

by 

V.S. Naipaul

Books: Day 4

Book number 4

"Orchestrated Death"

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles






***  This is the first in a series with the Bill Slider character. I believe there are 19 books out now.  I recommend them all.

Books - Day 3

"Being Mortal:  Medicine and What Matters in the End"
by Atul Gawande

Books: Day 2

"Pilgrim at Tinker Creek"  by Annie Dillard

7 Days of Books - Book 1

I was tagged ( in another forum) by my friend Ardi to post a favorite book a day for seven days.  No comments, just the name of the book and the author.  I'm not tagging anyone but I'd be curious if anyone has read and liked the books I do.

Day 1:  "Anthony Adverse" by Hervey Allen.

"The Address" (book)

The address in the book title refers to the famous Dakota apartment building in upper west side New York, home in the twentieth century to Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Rosemary Clooney  and a host of other celebrities, most famously Yoko Ono and John Lennon who was murdered in front of its gates in 1980. 

The Dakota was commissioned by Edward Clark, founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.  He hired architect Henry Hardenbergh to build the first multi family elegant residence for the wealthy.  It was located far north of the center of New York City at the time. It opened its doors in 1884.  At that time the location was thought by many to be too far out of the town center to be a success.

In the novel, Theodore Camden is the fictional architect hired by Hardenbergh to design the building.  The story is told by both Sara Smythe who was hired from England to be a senior servant at the Dakota and Bailey Camden, a NY designer in the mid 1980's who's relationship to the Camden family is somewhat of a mystery.

Davis provides insightful commentary about both era's but some of the plot line of the novel seemed pretty predictable. For me the descriptions of life in 19th century New York were enough to keep me engaged in reading the novel.

Most of the story actually focuses on New York in the 1880's so if you like history I think you would enjoy it.

Thoughts on Friday

In quiet moments, usually early morning, I enjoy reading a bit of poetry.  Alison Luterman is a local writer.  I've shared this poem elsewhere but since it is a favorite of mine thought I would share it here.

part of my Scrap Dolly series created

several years ago

 CONFESS

Alison Luterman

I stalked her
in the grocery store: her crown
of snowy braids held in place by a great silver clip,
her erect bearing, radiating tenderness,
the way she placed yogurt and avocados in her basket,
beaming peace like the North Star.
I wanted to ask "What aisle did you find
your serenity in, do you know
how to be married for fifty years, or how to live alone,
excuse me for interrupting, but you seem to possess
some knowledge that makes the earth burn and turn on its axis—"
but we don't request such things from strangers
nowadays. So I said, "I love your hair."

What are you reading?

Having a stack of books around makes me happy.  A book that is waiting to be read is like an unwrapped present.  

Van Gough still life

French Novels with Rose

This painting is not as well known as many of the artists works but it makes me smile.  I want to pull up a chair and pick up a book.

My friend Laurie just sent me two books.  "The Weight of Ink" and "The Girl Who Knew Too Much".  Laurie writes a blog devoted to book reviews, you can find it here.  I'm delighted to have two new books-worlds to discover.

Tell me what you are reading or what you last read that you would recommend.  I'd be lost without a book.  How about you?

The Living - (book)

I have enjoyed Annie Dillard's writing in the past.  This book is no exception.  Dillard lives (or has lived) on the Lummi Island off the Bellingham coast about 90 miles north of Seattle.  The story, published in 1992,  takes place in that area.

This is the story of the lives of the people who settled at Whatcom on Bellingham Bay.  They built the town of Bellingham in what later became Washington State

From the very beginning the pioneers had many difficulties but they persist.  The book spans several generation and offers many plot threads.  I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.  It would be a great gift for anyone in Washington or the Pacific Northwest.

*The Mistletoe Murder* - (book)

I just finished this small book and enjoyed it very much.  I'm admittedly a fan of P.D. James but I think the book would make a great holiday gift for any readers on your list.

*The Mistletoe Murder*

P.D. James

The book contains 4 short stories.  I believe the stories are previously unpublished.  In spite of the title, the stories are not really about Christmas but one is set in that season.  2 of the stories feature a young Adam Dalgliesh, a popular figure in James' works.  

I rarely read short stories - I like a good long novel - but I couldn't pass up something by James and I'm happy I came across this small collection.

What are you reading?  Are you giving books as presents?


Edit:  Blogger seems to be changing things.  I cannot access some blogs.  Carol?  Your blog says I don't have permission.  Strange things going on.  Anyone else?

*The New Home Decorator* - (book)

Subtitled: Creative, quick decorating ideas for the home.  Over 100 stylish and practical projects.

"The New Home Decorator"

Stewart and Sally Walton

Sally Walton is the author of many published books on creative subjects including most recently  Practical Folk Art, Simple Knitting Projects and Home Sewn Home.  She has been making bags  under the name CARRY-A-BAG since 2005 and was among the first to promote the idea of  abandoning of plastic shopping bags in favor of carrying one of your own. CARRY-A-BAG

Stewart Walton is an artist, illustrator and furniture designer. He is the co-author of at least 50 books and he and Sally have worked together for 30 years.  The couple moved to Hastings in 1992 and Stewart is Design Director with the Hastings & Bexhill  Wood Recycling Project. Sally & Stewart are proud to have featured as Eco Heroes in  The Telegraph Magazine EcoHeroes in the Telegraph Magazine. I found this book in a thrift store sale - 4 books for $1.  I  had not heard of this couple before.  Anyone familiar with them?  The book has some interesting information but some  of it seems dated.

Cheap Chic - (book)

Wondering what to wear?  Doing some fall shopping?  Lets take the time machine back a few decades.  I came across this book, which was reissued, in the library.

Originally published in 1975, "Cheap Chic" has been brought back with a forward by Tim Gunn.

It is amazing how relevant the book and style advice remains.  It was considered cutting edge when first published but now you would see the fashion ideas and advice everywhere.  Buy basics and have a fairly minimal wardrobe.  Shop anywhere from high end boutiques to thrift shops.

I enjoyed the "vintage" photos.  Most of them show outfits you would very likely see on the street today.

Apparently "Cheap Chic" has long been a touchstone for fashion writers and  now a fashion bloggers.  Original copies sell for hundreds of dollars I understand.

I enjoyed the book but most of all I was astonished by how it felt as though it could have been written yesterday.

Anyone familiar with either the original or the reissued book?  

*Crafting A Colorful Home* (book)

If you have been following this blog you know I am in the process of furnishing the River House.  You also know that a whole lot of the furnishings are being thrifted.  Not the beds and soft furnishings but most everything else.

Crafting a Colorful Home

Kristen Nicholas

I stumbled upon this book at the library.  After thumbing through it at home I was so excited I ordered a copy for myself.  Believe me that doesn't happen often.

Although not really indicated on the cover, much of the home decoration is in what is known as the Bloomsbury style with lots of painted walls and original art.  It is a look that really appeals to me.  I had already decided I wanted lots of color and this book shows color everywhere.

Here are some paint samples I picked up to play with. 

The house has white walls with high ceilings and what looks like miles of beige carpet.  It needs some color.  I have a couple of pieces of furniture on standby to be painted.  I'm not sure I'm up to painting murals on my walls but who knows once I get started.

Have you painted any furniture?  If so I'd really appreciate any tips.

P.S.  Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes for DH yesterday.  The surgery went well and we feel the recovery will do the same.

*Junk. Digging through America's love affair with stuff" (book)

I've been visiting thrift stores lately looking for items to furnish the River House.  I won't buy anything upholstered (bugs anyone?) but have found a couple of pieces to fill in.

Junk.  Digging through America's love affair with stuff.

Alison Stewart

At about the same time I spotted this book at the library.  Stewart follows some "junk" haulers and she goes behind the scenes at some popular TV shows that deal with things people want to sell or want to know more about.  Antiques Roadshow being the best known although there are a lot of related shows out there.  AR is the only one I've watched and I do enjoy it.  Not familiar with the others.

She also wrote the following which I found interesting.

"You have people like my folks who were born in 1929 who were taught to save. And then you have baby boomers who were taught to buy. And then also it became cheaper to buy new than to fix, and now you have the millennial... everything is on the phone and I share my cars."

I enjoyed the book a lot but maybe that's because "junking" is what I'm doing at the moment.

How about you?  Do you keep a lot of stuff that you don't use?  Do you shop thrift stores and yard sales?  Do you watch any of the TV shows related to this subject?