Books read Apr 2

  

Ten Days in Paradise by  Linda Abbott
Had wanted to read this book for a few reasons: I live in the northeast and we've had about 100 inches of snow this year so the cover appealed to me, A woman on the beach in front of the ocean on a bright sunny day.
Also that this is based on Sanibel Island which I've heard about but didn't get to visit when we were in that state in early 2000s.  Liked the plot.
Starts out with Ellen Bennett and she's at the resort condo without her husband and teen son.
David Blakemore is there with his wife and 3 young kids and he's taken a notice of Ellen. David  and others are getting together with parents that are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Alternating chapters that keep you informed of what's going on in each of their journeys. Feel like I am there as the details are very well described.
Story also follows George and his wife-the grandparents of the rugrats. Other family members and relatives and friends would arrive for the big party Saturday night.
Lots of characters but they are introduced when you have a handle on the previous set of characters.
Kinda like  a Peyton Place at times.....but so much more. Liked the ideas they all come up with for the church and you hope certain things happen...
Reason for the 5 star rating is that it touches me on many levels: mostly the ages and experiences that others are going through due to their ages. Reminds me of Parenthood TV show and Brothers and Sisters as up to date topics are relevant.
Love the new words I had to look up-always like learning things. Loved hearing of the things to do on Sanibel: walking and hiking especially. Their lifes are separate but intertwined with one another. Can't wait to read more from this new author to me.
I received this book from the author  in exchange for my honest review

Near Somewhere by Edward Cuzza
Received this book and the summary seemed interesting. What I am finding the most fascinating is the trip in NYC. I feel like I'm on a guided tour of Central Park-on my list of things to do some day. So detailed and descriptive.
Book is about a man who has many connections in the cities he travels to. He lives in CA and is part of a band that has gigs at bars. He runs into women that he wants to get to know better. He also lives for his dog, Zeke which in turn attracts the women to the man.
Love the dialog between Townes and Milton the bar tender in NYC, so natural and fun. Loved hearing of the actress on the Broadway show and all the places they are able to visit.
His editor can't find anybody to pick the book up to market it and he's down in the dumps over it. Felt his pain over getting the book sold but others don't let him give in....
Love how the book got its title and the time spent at the vineyard. Very wise advice. He's got a few interested females, some on the west coast, one on the east coast and the vineyard trip dawned bright on what he must do the next day.
Lots of characters and most are easy to keep track of. Didn't read the first book and am wondering what the next book will be about as some things are left in the wind in this book.
Good read and liked how at ease Townes is when it comes to talking to others he doesn't even know. So relaxed and himself.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

childrens books: Animals Silhouette (Animals) Brain developer books (Bedtime story) Activity book (Animals) Ages 4 - 9
Interesting children's book showing a shadow/silhouette of an animal and the next page asks you to guess when you are given a clue about the animal.
18 different shapes and the one I like the best is the deer, so well defined and pretty. Also an offer to sign up for a newsletter and you can get a free copy of his other works.

Healthy Habits: 12 Unique Habits You WISH You Knew to Stay Healthy & Improve Your Quality of Life
Offer to download another of the authors works, superfoods.
First one starts with punching something-great way to relieve stress from your life. Other forms are also discussed and the book encourages you to do one or two new habits. There are 12 in total that are highlighted.
Lots of other ways to reduce stress and handle it. That's what I got out of the book, taking naps is a gimmie for me also.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Chicken Recipes: Mouth Watering Chicken Breast Recipes - Quick & Easy Delicious Recipes!
This book starts out with another ebook gift when you go to the link. We use a lot of chicken now that we are on a new lifestyle and always looking for new ways to prepare it.
This book has no pictures and no nutritional information but you should be able to substitute what ingredients you can use for your own needs.
Each recipe has a short blurb about the recipe, then listing of the ingredients, how to prepare the dish and other special instructions, along with serving size.
Tossed grilled vegetables and chicken will be the first one we try.

Drinking Animals By Dan Jackson
Colorful fact filled book about animals and how often some can go without drinking water.
Always tells you why you can go so long. Each page also tells you what the animal is, as some are not native to the USA you may not know.
Free gift is also included if you subscribe.

Healthy Habits: 23 Eating Habits That Help You Feel Good, Stay Healthy & Drop Pounds
After going to a nutritionist after my husband's heart attack this book fits in very well for how we eat now.
More like a Mediterranean diet minus the red wine. Also attend regular webinars via work to gain knowledge on what we should be eating vs not eating.
Each new habit tells you what and how to get more of the goodness from the idea along with an action plan.
We are currently in stable readings with our blood work and have lost pounds, so it really is working.

Puppet Theater Books Presents Monkeys Go To Bed, Funny Illustrated Bedtime Picture Values Book for ages 3-8
Colorful children's book showing via puppet monkeys what a regular child should be doing before going to bed.
It also shows that the child gets stars on a board for doing these items every night.
Tips at the end on how to achieve all the chores before bedtime. Free books available at the end of the book.

I Love to Sleep in My Own Bed (Children's book, bedtime story, Beginner readers ): (Bedtime stories children's books collection) (I Love ... stories children's books collection 1)
Jimmy is a bunny and has many siblings. He has a lot of reasons why he doesn't want to sleep in his own bed at night.
His mother assures him the bed is fine and goes about the nightly routine of getting them all in their own beds and giving them a hug.
Sometime in the middle of the night Jimmy is found in mom's bed. The other bunnies noticed what he was doing and they also decided to sleep in the parent's bed.
The bed finally broke and the they went the next day into the forest to get wood for another bed. The children were allowed to paint their beds and they never went into their parents bed again.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Walter Wolf Goes to the Dentist (Children's book for ages 0-5 (Animal Habitats)Preschool( Book for Early & Beginner
Colorful children's book showing how the wolf who's 4 is scared to go visit the dentist. His mom says he doesn't have to go but he won't be able to
eat jaw breakers or candy anymore. He decides to go and he learns what he can do to keep his teeth good and he wasn't scared at all.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with a free gift.

The Unicorn Who Lost Her Horn (Bedtime Stories For Kids)
Colorful children's book about a unicorn, Poppy that has lost her horn. She goes through the forest and asks other animals and they have not seen it either.
She thinks her horn has wisdom, strength and other great attributes but that all comes from inside her body.
She thinks no one will like her anymore but that is not the case.

Knitting: Box Set: The Complete Comprehensive Guide on Knitting
This collection starts with a book for beginners where yarn fiber is discussed, needles, tools of the trade and gauge to name a few important things.
Colorful pictures along the way help to show what is being discussed. Yarn weight Numbers are new and all the symbols on how to care for the knitted item is included.
How to read the yarn labels, patterns, and how to start knitting, the besics shown with diagrams.
Patterns for small projects are included. .
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Next book in the set is for advanced knitting. More abbreviations and symbol, chart reading is discussed.
Colorful photos and diagrams are also included.
Patterns are included for many different techniques. .
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Expert knitting is the last set of instructions in the set.
Lot of different methods to doing things that will show a more professional garment.
Other more difficult techniques are shown along with a few patterns. Lace is worked with double knitting.
Very resourceful helpful information book, one I will be keeping on the tablet that I can reference quickly when away from home.

Kids's book: Sleep Tight (picture kids book, ages 2-6) (Bedtime stories children's ebook collection 3)
Colorful children's book about a little boy who doesn't want to go to sleep. He asks his teddy bear to come down the shelf to sleep with him all night.
He got bored and asked another stuffed animal to join them. He gets scared and asks another animal to join them.
It gets a bit crowded on the bed, some sleep under the bed.....other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

The Great Brownie Taste-off (The Yolanda's Yummery Series Book 1)
Yolanda works at an animal shelter but she really wants her own bakery. Just reading about some of the ways she decorates her cupcakes make me very hungry but I think also they would look tooo pretty to eat.
Her friend gets her an interview at a gentleman's club where she ends up typing a letter-for the takeover of the cat shelter. She goes back the next day and makes a deal with the boss, her brownies vs the freeze and bake co. and if she wins the shelter stays.
Love that everybody in the book has a trade, a glassblower, a lotion maker, she bakes and I like how she improvises with healthier choices.
She has dreams that lead her to put in other ingredients to win the contest. Her boyfriend is part of the picture but not exclusively.
Liked how the book came out, not too much drama and easy to keep track of the characters. Happy to learn there are other books in this series. This book came with the brownie recipe!





Easter Brunch - 31 Sweet & Savory Recipes to Share with Family & Friends
Inspirational sayings at the beginning of the categories. Very colorful pictures of the recipes. There is no nutritional information but Easter is a special religious holiday.
Hot cross buns would be my favorite to try. Very detailed instructions and list of ingredients.
 Other works, recipe books are highlighted at the end.

Dump Dinners cookbook: Delicious, Fast and easy Dump Dinners recipes for the busy you
Meals that you combine all the ingredients and bake. Some will take longer than others.
Not many pictures but there is nutritional information for each recipe.  Lots of fat, although we could substitute some of the ingredients for more of a healthier choice it wouldn't taste the same.
Like sounds of apricot and chicken.  Other ebooks are available at the end.

Best Brunches and Breakfasts (Easy Recipes from Scratch Book 3)
Some of the recipes come with a colorful photo and a few sentences about the dish. Prep time, cooking time, servings are included along with how to put the dish together with ingredients.
Although no nutritional information you should be able to substitute a healthier choice without taking away much of the flavor.
Some of the recipes you can easily make the day before so you can sleep in to enjoy brunch.
Sunshine fruit salad would be my favorite. Other books by the authors are highlighted at the end.

BEARS: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature (Amazing Animal Kingdom Book 7)
Colorful children's book about bears. Everything about a bear is discussed, where they live, what they eat, their paws, etc
Very informational and colorful pictures. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Garden State by Rick Moody
We have traveled to and spent several days in the garden state and wanted to learn more about it.
NJ Alice is a rhythmic guitarist and works at a diner to make ends meet.  All done with school they each don't have ambition to do something with their lives.
Dennis is an artist. Neil is a night watchman. Her mother is in the hospital after her car drove itself on the garden parkway and crashed.
Drinking, drugs and sex experimentation are described.  Story follows their lives and their troubles and triumphs.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
She travels to FL when she reads of the arrest of John LaRoche.  He and Seminole tribe members stole orchids from protected state property. Some people are obsessed with these plants. She follows them and learns all about the plants. He had hoped to clone and sell the plants.
When in FL we had visited the world's largest orchid place in Kissimmee so I had wanted to read about this story.
Liked the places the reporter traveled to obtain information about varieties of the orchids. Liked how the process is described on how to mutant and graft the plants.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Reunion 
Her brother Elliott has tried to contact her but being on a plane she's not able to get the call. The message left has stated her father has killed himself.
Kate's going through a divorce and she was on her way to her fathers, she's just not going to make it in time.
CO; Elliott is married with 3 girls, the oldest. CA:Mel is next and highly successful finance person and divorced for 10 years.
She is a screenwriter and her soon to be ex is a therapist.   The three siblings meet in Atlanta and go about making decisions for their fathers burial and go through his 5 marriage hoarding...
Drama occurs when her agent gives her the idea of writing of her father's life for money, the wives show up with all the kids. total madness ensues.
Things for each of them does not go back to normal afterwards...wow a lot of surprises!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt
This audio book is about the gingerbread man.  The old woman bakes a gingerbread man for her boy.
She tells him not to open the oven door and she gardens. The little boy watched the oven and he could smell the gingerbread.
He wants to see if he looks as good as it smells. The gingerbread man hopped out of the oven, out of the house, into the road.
He sings out you can't catch me because I'm the gingerbread man.
The old man and old woman run after him but he's so much faster. He came to some farmers. He tells them who he's run away from and they say they can catch him.
They toss their rakes down and can't catch him. he meets up with a bear and same thing happens.
He then comes to a wolf. He tells the wolf who he's run away from and that he can run away from the wolf also.  The wolf tries to catch him also...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).