Review: The Girl in the Green Raincoat

Book: The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman
Finished: February 2011
Pages: 158

From Publisher's Weekly:

[ Originally serialized in the New York Times Magazine, Lippman's Tess Monaghan novella turns the intrepid Baltimore PI's at-risk late-pregnancy bed rest into a compellingly edgy riff on Hitchcock's Rear Window. Lovingly tucked up on her winterized sun porch, Tess marshals her forces--doting artist boyfriend Crow, best friend Whitney Talbot, middle-aged assistant gumshoe Mrs. Blossom, and researcher Dorie Starnes--to probe the disappearance of a chic blonde green-raincoated dog walker she'd been watching from her comfy prison. Tess also takes in the missing woman's abandoned green-slickered Italian greyhound from hell, a miniature canine terrorist whose anti-housebreaking vendetta offers comic relief from Tess's threatened pre-eclampsia, her obsessive unraveling of a complex scam, and her last-trimester spats with Crow about their future. Though postpartum Tess turns alternately weepy and shrill, that condition won't last, and this entertaining romp leaves plenty of hints of detective-mother exploits to come.]

My Thoughts:

This is my first Lippman book and I must say it was a fun little romp. Although I am not a fan of the heavy duty mystery genre, this one was just right. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of danger, and a whole lot of character! These are the same things that have endeared the Maisie Dobbs series to me. Being only 158 pages, it didn't take me long to read it, and it was a nice break from some of the heavier books I had going at the same time.

I definitely will be looking for more Tess Monaghan stories in the future. How about you? Have you read anything by Lippman? Did you enjoy it? Can you recommend anything by her to me?

Mailbox Treats

This month, mailbox Monday is being hosted at: I'm Booking It

It is Monday, and we all get a chance to show others what little treats we found in our mailboxes this past week.

It is so very late, and before I am ready, it will be time to get up for work. So, I am going to do a quick version of Mailbox Monday. Instead of providing links to these books, you will just need to head on over to Amazon or whatever book site you prefer to get the synopsis of them. :)

First off--I received 3, count them THREE, review copies of the Amy Einhorn imprint summer releases! A very big thank you to Lydia Hirt at Putnam Books. I can't wait to explore these very promising sounding releases.

I also received a copy of The Violets of March by Sarah Jio, compliments of the author, via Penguin books. This will be a read-a-thon book for sure!

And then last of all, I purchased another book for my Kindle. I just could not help myself! This book just looks so good.

That is all from me today. I hope you all have a great Monday!

The Sunday Salon: daybook style

Outside my window: Rain is pounding against the den window. We had a couple of gorgeous days during the work week, but today? The rain is back.

I am thinking: About all the piles of books and clothes which need to be organized and put away.

I am listening to: Big Band Pandora--specifically playing right now: Cheek to Cheek by Tommy Dorsey.

I am grateful for: My daughters good health during this second pregnancy.

I am reading: Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy. (loving it too!) I have not read a Binchy that I haven't simply adored. She will always be my all time favorite writer.




What I finished and reviewed last week: Not a thing!

I am photographing: My sweet Adelaide



































I am listing: Well, it isn't a list, but I did get all my update posts for the read-a-thon ready to go, using my favorite template. Last event, I didn't get them ready ahead of time and really regretted it.

I am creating: I put the shirt for grandygirl #2 down for the week and am working on a little beanie cap for my coworker's baby.

To live my faith: Attending church bright and early.

I am hoping and praying: Sam's symphony concert goes well tonight.

Around the house: Kerry, the best husband in the world, is cleaning up the kitchen for me.

From the kitchen: I plan on trying my hand at making these: Oatcakes from Nova Scotia! Thanks Chris for sharing the recipe.

One of my favorite things this week: Having lunch at the mall with Adelaide and her mommy and buying new dresses for her and baby Amelia.

The child this week: Survived us attending parent-teacher conferences! Actually they went WAY better than I thought they would. He is a good kid! We also signed the boy (child #4, and the last) up for driver's ed.!

Plans for the week: Sam's Wind Symphony concert tonight, knitting night after work Tuesday, and lunch with my sister and Mom next weekend.

Literary News: The Read-a-Thon is two weekends away.....just in case you hadn't heard yet!
(click button to sign up)









Need a laugh? Check this out..... Bookstore Bingo: the most ridiculous overheard in bookstores...Really people???

Happy Sunday everyone!

Weekend Cooking: ~~Soup. It's what's for dinner~~

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads each week and offers a unique way to merge booking with cooking! Go check out her blog and see what other people have linked up with today.

Well folks.
Last weekend my calendar told me it was turning the page on Winter, and I was supposed to welcome Spring.
I did.
I did welcome Spring.
But someone forgot to tell the Seattle weather it was time to change.
This is the forecast for next week: 7 day forecast
Now, I do recognize that some of you have had it much colder and snowier than we have this past winter, but people!
The rain!
Oh the rain we have had. Even by Seattle standards it has been too much.

Anyway--as I sat here tonight pondering a Weekend Cooking post, and my menu plan for next week, I decided I would share a soup recipe with you all. I know at least some of you might still be in soup mode, like myself.

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted

1-3/4 cups milk

1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Coarsely crushed corn chips, shredded Monterey Jack cheese and chopped green onions, optiona

Directions:
In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the soup, milk, potatoes, chilies, taco seasoning, onion and chili powder until blended. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with corn chips, cheese and green onions if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

(recipe and photo from tasteofhome.com)

Mimi's Bookshelf

Well, it is no secret that I am a book lover.
I have been a book lover since I began reading, back in 1st grade. Even at age 49, I have a very specific memory of sitting on the couch reading some kind of first reader out loud to my mom--I can still remember the feeling of joy as I sounded out those words. I even remember the book was very brightly illustrated and had a storyline that took place under the water.

So, yes, throughout the years I have tried my best to pass my love of reading on to my four children (and husband too!). Every night before bed, I read to my little pumpkins from the time they were 5 months old or so. During the" picture book years", we had loads of favorites which we checked out from the library (or ended up purchasing) over and over again. And oh the joy when we would find a new favorite to add to our repertoire.

I have given sweet Adelaide, scores of books, and even purchased my first one for baby Amelia the other day as a shower gift. While shopping for that gift, I found a beautiful new picture book, and I do mean beautiful. If you were to go by the review written by School Library Journal, you would never purchase the book. But trust me--they are oh-so-wrong. Just read all the other reviews of it--every one of them positive.

It's Time To Sleep, My Love
by: Eric Metaxas and Nancy Tillman

Here are some illustrations:

So.
If you are looking for a lovely night-night book to read to your young child or grandchild, this is the book for you~

Wordless Wednesday: blossom

Oh Sweet Spring
Front yard: March 2011

Randomness: it's how I roll

It is Tuesday and time to just be a little random! This meme was found at Suko's Notebook.
If you decide to play along, be sure to let her (and me!) know.

Here is what Spring looks like n my front yard:

1. My first challenge of the year is completed. Now before you clap your hands for me or anything, let me tell you that it was a pretty easy challenge--I liked it that way! I finished The Okra Picks challenge, and did so by reading one book. And in this case, it was the first book I completed in 2011! Click the button to see my challenge page, which book I read, and by clicking on the title of the book you will get to read my review. I love southern books!


2. I discovered over at Ti's blog that the Indie Lit Awards will be back for 2011. Hop on over to her page and read all about it--but most importantly, be thinking about which 2011 books you would like to see nominated!

3. I received a book today from Penguin, with a little card attached, stating, "with compliments of the author" ! That has never happened to me before and to make it even better, it is a book that I have been giddy about ever since seeing it on a blog I visited it. It is going right on my Spring Reading Thing list! (click the book to read my promo post of this little gem) There is a lot of buzz flying around about this debut author--she already has her 2nd book accepted and set for release in April 2012. That will be 2 new books released in the span of 11 months!


4. Here is a shocking bit of news... The Guardian reports that favorite children author, E.Nesbit, has been accused of some plagiarism!

5. The new progressive bi-focals that have kept me in vision Hell for 2 weeks have been sent back!
To be fixed.
Apparently the focal points were totally out of whack and the clerk was surprised I made it 2 weeks with them! So, hopefully in 7-10 business days I will receive a pair of glasses I can actually see out of, which will be coated (at no cost to me!) with a nice layer of anti-glare!

Well friends. I could ramble on forever, but think I should go put my weary self to bed so I can face the work place tomorrow!

**smiles**

Once Upon a Time

Well hello Spring...
and Spring Reading Thing...
and let's not forget Carl's annual Once Upon a Time Challenge!!

I almost missed this one, and even though I failed miserably last year with it, I am going to give it a shot again this year. I mean, come on, who doesn't love those words, "Once upon a time..."and the story that accompanies them??

Not only are the genre and the challenge itself great fun, but the artwork....oh the artwork....

Stunning!

I will be participating at the Quest the First Level

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

Here are the books I am choosing from:

• Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
• The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen-finished
• Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris---finished
• I, Coriander by Sally Gardner
• Except the Queen by Jane Yolen
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
• The Book of a Thousand Days
  

Won't you join us?

The Sunday Salon: chatty edition

Outside my window: Currently it is dark, with some light shining down from the big full moon. Earlier today, it was sunny and warm enough to drive with my sun roof open! Sunday afternoon will find us officially greeting Spring!

I am thinking: I would really like to find my brown framed glasses--they are my favorites--I see the best with them right now. I miss them!

I am listening to: Neil Diamond Pandora station (so far heard some Beatles, Creedence Clearwater, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Elton John, and various others..) Am I showing my age here? ;)

I am grateful for: the changing seasons

I am reading: Among Penguins ( for review) and Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy--just picked this one up today and plan to start when I finish this post.

Last week I finished & reviewed : The Lost Garden by Helen Humphries

I am photographing: My Sam, who got his braces off this week. Between our four kids, we have had 1 and at time 2 kids in varying stages of orthodontics for 21 consecutive years!

I am listing: My books for this event: (click button to see list)

I am creating: I am still creating the little shirt for grandgirl #2, and I finished the dress I have been working on for months for Miss Adelaide.



To live my faith: Going to church tomorrow.

I am hoping and praying: Andrew isn't affected by all this radiation stuff happening in Japan-- (he is in China)

Around the house: It is just a hot mess right now. I have not cleaned anything for a week. The time change last week seemed to affect me more by the end of the week than it did earlier.

From the kitchen: I am going to try this yummy looking new potpie recipe this coming week.

One of my favorite things this week: attending Sam's school concert

The child this week: Nothing noteworthy happening---just a regular week around here.

Plans for the week: take a break from knitting for my soon to arrive grandy, and knit a little hat for a co-worker who is expecting a bundle soon.

Literary News: Who knew? Twitter is inspiring Poetry! Just an fyi, Monday is World Poetry Day.
Don't forget, the 24 hour read-a-thon is quickly approaching. Get that calendar cleared!


Happy Sunday, and Happy Spring everyone!

Saturday Snapshot

Molly watching television with my husband. She is so in love with him wants to be with him at all times!

For more snapshots, visit Alyce.

Review: The Lost Garden

Book: The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys
Finished: March 2011
Pages: 182
Challenges: ** A-Z ** To-Be-Read**

I really didn't care for this book much--and for most of the reason's found below in the Publisher's Weekly review found on Amazon. I found it boring, and the main character not really all that likable. It was a clunky feeling novel. Part of my problem may be that I was always comparing it to Alexander McCall Smith's, La's Orchestra Saves the World, which I read and adored last year.
Anyways---I finished the book, and at the end felt, "meh"--It does have it's merits, but I am not exactly going to tell you toa- run out and purchase it.


[ Evocative, if occasionally clunky, Humphreys's third novel (following Afterimage) is the story of an Englishwoman's search for her place in a world permeated by war. The narrator, 35-year-old Gwen Davis, is a horticulturist who flees bombed-out WWII London to manage a team of "land girls"-women who grow vegetables as part of the war effort-at a country estate. She struggles to manage her wayward charges, who are more interested in the Canadian soldiers billeted in the main house than in cultivating potatoes, and writes letters in her head to her idol Virginia Woolf, whose recent death has left her feeling bereft. She also tries to seduce the world-weary, hard-drinking Captain Raley, who has a secret of his own that dooms their relationship. Though her conflicts pale next to those of the soldiers waiting to be posted to battle and even those of her new friend, Jane, whose cousin is a casualty of war and whose fiance is missing in action, it is Gwen's quiet self-discovery that is at the center of the novel. Humphreys renders convincingly her first, fleeting experience of deep friendship and love. Unfortunately, the story is sometimes marred by overwrought or cloying prose, though Humphreys's language also has its moments of elegance (during the blitz, "houses become holes. Solids become spaces. Anything can disappear overnight"). Humphreys doesn't quite have the narrative energy of Pat Barker and Jane Gardam, but fans of those authors may enjoy this exploration of the impact of WWII on English life. ]

Wordless Wednesday: spring

raindrops and reflections

Spring Reading Thing

Double Hooray today!!!

Spring is just around the corner.
Katrina from Callapidder Days is hosting the Spring Reading Thing again.

Is that not just the cheeriest little button you have seen in a while? I hope to see you all signing up for this little burst of reading energy. It seems that it has been a long hard winter for almost all of us, and Gerber Daisys and books are two of my favorite things~;-) The challenge runs from March 20th--(can you believe we are almost 1/2 through March already??) through June 20th.

Here is my list--it contains some just for fun books, a review book, and a few books I want to read for other challenges.

• The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen
• Prayers For Sale by Sandra Dallas
• The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine
• Staying At Daisy's by Jill Mansell-Finished
• Pictures of you by Caroline Leavitt
• Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
• The Sister by Poppy Adams
• Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
• Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy-Finished

• The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen--Finished
• Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris--Finished
• I, Coriander by Sally Gardner
• Except the Queen by Jane Yolen
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

That is my list--how about you? Do you have some books you are anxious to read soon? This is the perfect time of year!

*smiles*

Very Random

I discovered "Really Random Tuesday" over at Suko's Notebook. I don't know if she posts a random post every week, but I have been enjoying doing so~~~ I guess I am just a random rambler.

1. First off--I think I am finally over the hump of the illness drama that was affecting my life the past 2.5 weeks! Hooray. The sad news is that I have a 15 year old boy with a fever and vomiting today. :(

Let us just hope he is the only one to get that one!

2. Over at the Guardian, I found this post with a cloud bubble of the books we all must read. If you click on the bubble in the article, it will take you to the expanded complete bubble--also found here. I have read some, not read some, and been meaning to read some. It is an interesting collection.

3. We are going to have a going away party after work today for my daughter. (Yes, we work in the same office) She is leaving at the end of the month, to have her 2nd baby and won't be coming back this time. I am sad. (sad about the leaving of work, NOT the baby!
But the party will be fun and full of yummy Italian food. I am bringing this recipe for Olive Bread, found over at Pioneer Woman's site. This stuff is oh-so-good!

4. Later today, I be posting my reading list for The Spring Reading Thing. Are you participating? What? You don't know yet? You need to think about it? Well get to thinking, because guess what?! It begins on Sunday. YOU know--the first day of Spring!!! Yes, spring is just a few days away. Can I get a Hallelujah? (click the button)

5. I came home from work today with a little treat in my mailbox. It had this postmark:

And inside it, were these treats. All the way from London! Persephone Biannually, the Catalogue, and lovely little bookmark. Thank you Persephone! Now I wish I could find a way to get my hands on some of these book!

6. Because I am a Mimi, and my job is to love, spoil and dote on the grandgirl(s)-- I must share a few of the photos from the other night when we babysat. These show the impiness of her little personality.

7. On a more serious note--my heart is breaking for Japan. I finally had to stop watching news coverage tonight as I thought I would not be able to take it much more. My prayers are with them now.

So--that is enough rambling from me. Let me know if you decide to ramble--I would love to read it.