What I read Our book club read this month was Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Since we had a few absent members, we met at Panera for discussion and a sweet treat–a little change up from usual. This book club was total serendipity. We first met and organized on a neighborhood social …
Hello Bicycle (Blogging For Books) Anna Brones Ten Speed Press Six years ago I treated myself to a new bicycle. I read reviews, talked with biking friends, browsed online, and finally went to a local bike shop to make my purchase. It was the Real Deal: a shiny black and chrome city bike. I was …
This time of year I daydream about an idyllic Christmas shopping experience that is a far-stretch from mall shopping: pretty store fronts, quaint little shops, lighted trees, carols in floating on the breeze. Throw in a few fluffy snowflakes and I’ve got a perfect evening, something a little Norman Rockwell with a dash of Chicago boutique. Yesterday …
Call me crazy, but I wait until December to start my Christmas shopping. Who can even think about Christmas gifts in September when we haven’t yet had a flake of snow, or (even worse!) in July when thoughts should be turned to sun and sand? To really feel the spirit, I need the air brisk, …
The stockings are hung (although sadly, there’s no chimney), the candles lit, and creche arranged–it’s the most wonderful time of the year! And every year for the past twenty-something, I’ve added Susan Branch’s Christmas From the Heart of the Home to the stack of holiday books on my coffee table. Branch inks and watercolors every …
A little over a week ago I welcomed my first grandchild—little J gave his momma a run for her money, but he is (like any good Grammy would say!) the most perfect baby ever. And just like I did with his momma and his uncles, I’ll be reading to him from the start. This English …
I’ve already established in another post (link) that I’m a picky reader. Best Seller Lists (even the revered New York Times BSL) don’t help me much, nor do the Staff Recommends shelf talkers in bookstores. In my book selling days, I relied on my managers and publisher’s sales reps to pass on good titles, usually as …
I’d just finished writing my last post, stacked my coffee mug on my book, bustling to straighten the living room and get on with my day. So imagine my delight on finding I’d written the post all thewhile sipping from my Anne Tyler mug, gifted to me nearly 23 years ago to the day by …
