Archive for Contributor Craziness

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers — A book

November 1, 2007 · Filed under Book Stuff & Reviews, Contributor Craziness · Tagged ,

This blog is about books right? And yet somehow I sneak in snippets of my life. lol So anywhoooooo, here’s my take on “The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers”

It’s a very lite read. I think its like 190 pages. And that’s because it was double spaced. lol No seriously it was a lite book. A little too monotonous for my taste. Nothing very exciting, except for the flying cat. No I wont spoil it for you, you will just have to read the book for yourself. lol

I remember reading one of these books years ago and found it so exciting. Maybe I built it up in my mind. Cause you know that happens alot. But I thought it was pretty hum drum and lacking some exciting and melodramatic scenes. Then again that might be because I’ve been reading alot of action detective books lately. So compared to those, this book is a fluff piece. All frills and no substance. I’d say if you were going to the laundromat or to sit under a tree and people watch then this is the book for you. So that you could pay attention to your surroundings and yet feel entertained because you have a book.

Currently I am reading Mary Mary by James Patterson. Has a bit more promise than the cat with the 60 whiskers. But then again James doesn’t have a cat who can tell you AHEAD of time before the phone rings or you have company coming. So James needs to get one of these cats/dogs/birds/iguana pronto!!

And so my fellow book worms, this book will only get 2 1/2 tattered pages. It would probably be best to rent it at the book store than to buy it.

It should be duly noted that I am not a real critic, nor do I have any experience/training in the field. The items expressed here are solely my own and should not be taken out of context. :)

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In the Company of cheerful Ladies — A Book

October 29, 2007 · Filed under Book Stuff & Reviews, Contributor Craziness · Tagged , ,

In the company of cheerful ladies
This is the second book to The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It is written by Alexander McCall Smith. Both of these books detail the work of female private detectives in Botswana. The characters are likable and very funny. The lead detective is an overweight Botswanian who is called Precious. Her sidekick is Ms. Makutsi. They are both amateur detectives that use common sense and practicality to solve the cases that come across their desk. This time around mma Botswana (as she is referred to in the entire book) has married Mr JLB Matekoni, the successful mechanic in whose car repair shop she used to drop in and chat with. Mr. JLB Maketoni (as he is also referred to in the entire book) has 2 apprentices working in his garage. Charlie and another one, whose name escapes my memory. Mma Botswana has a nasty encounter with a stranger that broke into her home. Quick snapshot of this scene. Picture an old tinish house in the deserts of Africa. 1 level house (obviously) and picture an old style brass bed (without the fancy brass) very low to the ground. Anyway, mma Botswana has checked all the rooms and has decided that her suspicious mind is getting the best of her. So she decides to lay down on her bed and take a quick nap before the husband and kids come home. So she lays down and she hears a sound right by her window that sounds like an old dog howling or something. So she jumps up and checks the window looking towards the bushes. Seeing nothing she returns to the bed. That’s when she heard the noise again and realized that it was coming not from outside her window but from underneath her BED! All of a sudden this guy leaps out and runs out the house partially naked because his pants got stuck on a coil from the mattress! She was literally crushing this guy to death! OMG. When I read that I busted out laughing. I could totally picture this scene in my head. And I’m sure that in years to come and senility sets in I will swear that I saw it in a movie, when in fact it is totally not a movie, but rather a good book. Anyway, the author paints such a graphic description of a slow moving and quaint life in Africa, that I found myself wish I had her life. The simplicity and lack of the RAT RACE was so enticing!! I first read the first novel a few years ago and on Monday found myself thinking about it. Well imagine my surprise when I went on Tuesday to the library (as I do every Tuesday) and saw the newest read! I was excited. I called Lisy just to talk about it. As I truly am a book enthusiast. lol

I found the author’s web page and am including it here. In my humble opinion, I suggest you pick up both books and become familiar with his writings and fall in love with these simple, yet lovable characters. If you find yourself wanting to discuss the book, just drop us a line.

I personally DESPISE my space, so you will never catch me on it. However, my co-conspirator has created a my space page. So feel free to drop her a line if you want to.

Enjoy the good read! :)

http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

UPDATE: I decided to poke around the website and realized that while “In the Company of Cheerful Ladies” is the second book, there are really 8 books in the series so far! I’ve got alot of reading to do!! How could I have missed all those other titles! I’m so happy because I thoroughly enjoy the writings of Mr. Smith and I now have another good reason to visit the library! Do yourself the favor and pick up one of these books!! You’ll never regret it. :)

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My First Post on Yahoo! Groups

October 22, 2007 · Filed under Book Stuff & Reviews, Contributor Craziness · Tagged ,

Well for those of you that read my blog, then it will come as no surprise that my first entry on this group would be about Janet Evanovich. Janet is a pure genius. She has come up with a story line that always has me intrigued. Not only that but the cast of characters are so lovable that you find yourself wishing to be part of them. Janet’s story is about a bungling bail recovery agent, aka a bounty hunter named Stephanie. Stephanie is your typical single woman still strung by a string to her mothers kitchen! She goes home to eat a few times a week. Stephanie has a grandmother that has lost 1/2 her marbles and thinks she is a teeny bopper/columbo/miami vice. Her father is the strong, quiet type who wishes his mother in law would be picked up by aliens or abducted by rodeo midgets! Her mother can cook up a storm and awake any coma patient with her culinary cuisines! When Steph’s mother is upset she can iron till her hands shrivel up with all the steam!! Now Stephanie is in love with Joe Morelli, a Trenton cop who has a big shaggy orange dog named Bob. BUT as if her life wasn’t complicated enough she’s in LUST with Ranger. A fellow recovery agent. Life is grand no? lol She also has a penchant for having her cars blown up and being kidnapped or shot at. Her good friend and coworker is a retired hooker named Lula.Lula is 200 pounds and loves spandex and short skirts. Lula does the filing for the Plum Agency. Add all of this and a few other extended characters and villains and the stage is set for drama, excitement and you got yourself a heck of a funny story line. Do yourself a favor and wander over to www.evanovich.com You will never regret it. I’d love to hear from you if you are also an Evanovich lover. :)

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Over run by books???

October 17, 2007 · Filed under Book Stuff & Reviews, Contributor Craziness

Well I finished reading “No Time for Goodbye” yesterday. I read the last few pages while walking in the middle of the street in this little block that’s rarely used for oncoming traffic. It was just too good to be put down! I wont spoil the fun for you guys but suffice to say that this book is worth the trip to the library!

Anyway, as I was finished reading the last few lines. I said to myself….self, this is so worthy of being added to my collection. And then I thought to myself…self you are only 36 and you have (God willing) a lifetime ahead of you to collect books. If I keep adding books to my every growing collection, how long will it take till I’m overrun by the many books that I love?! So I decided NOT to buy this book! UNLESS I can find it at a flea market OR its a gift. lolol

BTW, is over run one word or two? well for the process of this blog, its going to be two words. lolol

I’ve been away for a few days. Busy with reading, partying and golfing has led me no time for blogging. But today I’m back. I’m going to delve a little into my activities this past weekend. I’m sure that you’ll find them as interesting as I did.

Reading: OK you already know that I finished No Time for Goodbye, but did I tell you that I also read “No Humans Allowed”. Another great read. I’m also NOT going to read Two Little Girls in Blue. I was on the fence about this one and Lisy has just pushed me over the fence to the NOT GONNA READ side. lol thanks Lisy, you saved me 2 days. I got a few other reads which I have to turn in on Tuesday, so I could use that time for something else that is fun!

Partying: oh my! It’s been nonstop fun for me this weekend! On Saturday night I trekked it all the way up to my sisters house in Bergen County for her House Warming/Engagement party/Niece Birthday party. I had such a nice time. Her home is so lovely. I even threw on the dog! Yep! I put on some make up and heels for this occasion! My brother even said I was beautiful! It made my day/night. lol I do have to tell you that a few guests brought their own Tupperware and loaded up on food. How tacky!! At least I had the good taste to ask my sister for her own Tupperware! lol

Sunday afternoon was the church dinner! It was great. We went to Al & Lynette’s house. It was so charming…the house & the dinner. They served chicken franchez (I know its not the right spelling but for the sake of sanity for my readers and myself, I’m going with the pronunciation), arroz con gandules, mash potatoes, pernil, veggies. They also had appetizers. Which consisted of crackers with a crab dip, and some other stuff. lol For desert I had some ice cream cake that had actual cake. It was too sweet and I was way too full. lol There was alot of different things, like strawberry & blueberry cheesecake, fruit salad, two different types of brownies and we brought vanilla/chocolate cake. All in all we had a great time. Our hostess is a very perky & nice woman, very talkative and upbeat always. Our host is more on the quiet side and is an excellent cook! We also had a chance to socialize. It was my first dinner with the church. And I loved it. :)

Miniature Golfing: yes I love the game now! My husband took me and I had a great time!! I have a new found respect for the real deal now. lol I sucked at it, but it was great to try something new with my hubby.

Oh and I got a part time job!! I start next week. I will be working at a plus size ladies clothing store and with my new 31% discount I will be racking up on clothes! I’m so excited. And the great part is that the store manager and I have so many things in common so far! I found all this out at the interview! which btw, was totally Jesus that got me the job. I went in to buy pantyhose and walked out with a job! lol My new manager and I share a love for eating (tho I display it way more than she does), reading and buying bed sheets! I’m so excited. They look like a fun group to work with. I see that they are hard working too. So I’ll make a fine addition to their group. Stop by and see me sometime! :) I cant guarantee you a discount…but…I’ll always be honest with you about your choice of clothing! You will never walk out of their looking ridiculous!

Oh I also had plans for this upcoming weekend but my husband put the kibosh on them! lol He surprised me and the pastor by inviting him & his wife for dinner! lol Child now you know that Jesus was the one behind all of this. He must have something to say to me! Let me tell you how the rain crept in and rained on my parade a full week ahead of its beginning! lol While sitting in church the pastor mentioned that their discipleship class was beginning on Saturday. Pastor Joe said I’ll put the time for those that put the effort. So I said to myself….self, you should give the effort and reap the benefits!! So I made a mental note to be back in time for the class. Then my husband turns around and tells me that he invited them for dinner! That was the downpour to my flea market dreams! So this Saturday I’m going to be busy visiting the bakery for the dessert, the butcher for the fresh meat and the pastors house for the discipleship class. lol It’s OK, there will always be more flea markets in my future (God willing).

It seems I’ve droned on for far too long. See what happens when I’m away for too long? lol I can just see you clamoring for my shorter posts. oh well, happy reading. It’s good to know that I’m blogging for and with friends. Happy reading!

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The hostess with the mostest….by Nancy Lee (guest blogger)

October 10, 2007 · Filed under Book Stuff & Reviews, Contributor Craziness, Welcome · Tagged , , , , ,

My peeps! How’s it going? lol

Ok, now that you can tell I’m on a sugar rush I’ll open this up with a bit more appropriateness for a book club blog…lol

Tattered Pages was birthed in the heart of my friend Lisy. She was inspired to join a book club and then being the good friend that she is, let me in on the ground floor of her fabulous idea. Tho to be honest I wish it would have been a money making idea instead, but hey beggars cant be choosers right? :)

In any case, I am a book worm. I love books so much. I remember as a child aspiring to fill up my book case. Which for the record was the top portion of a china closet my grandmother was getting rid of. LOL
I remember once wanting to have 500 books cause I thought it would be cool!! Yeah I know…but hey reading is fundamental.

I remember visiting the library when I was younger. It was just mostly a place to hangout after school and do a little homework. But mostly I just hung out. I remember the first book I read was by Judy Blume…I think it was called Forever. And the part that has clung unto me for years is the part where Michael stops the girl from putting cologne on his privates because it stings! LOL All these years later and that’s still my favorite part of the book. LOLOL Yeah I’m weird that way. I remember silly parts to books that I don’t even remember the Titles to.  LOL

Anyway, to make a long story short, I moved and my husband has threatened to throw out anything new that I bring into the house that is already in existence. As I have a small book shelf already I decided to visit my old friend…the Library! FYI – while my book shelf is small it’s literally filled with my favorite authors.
My favorite all time author is Janet Evanovich (http://www.evanovich.com/) and Lawrence Sanders. I could go on and on about them but I won’t…so you needn’t worry that this post will be long and boring…..it will only be long. : )

Anyway, being the tried and true friend that she is, the Library welcomed me back. I now visit her on a weekly basis. Every Tuesday for those that are interested in meeting up with me. Since she’s held no grudge against me for abandoning her all these years, I in turn have decided to grace her wide open halls and lovingly caress her shelves and table tops. Eventually relieving her of 7-8 books as I strut out her doors to my car.

I picked up eight…yes EIGHT books cause Lisy has banned me from reading No Time for Goodbye until she is ready. Which is really putting a cramp in my style cause I wanted to read it right away. So since she is the book club master, I have bowed to her wishes and I am reading No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong. Pretty good so far. But to show you how out of control I am about reading I had to keep the book club book in my car in the garage! Cause if it’s in the house I know that I’ll have a moment of weakness and will cave into its loving coos and woos. LOL
Well I do wish more would join our book club, but if for the moment it’s just Lisy and me, that’s fine. We have enough hot air in us to keep the fires going all night and the next. LOLOL
Please don’t be shy. Jump in, post a comment, join the book club, meet me at the library. Whatever. We’re here for the good reads, good friends and most importantly the good vibes we get from sharing.

Enjoy your day. Remember the library is no inspector of persons, it will never condemn you for abandoning her, but it will lovingly welcome you back into her magically filled halls and windows to other worlds.

Until we meet again my darlings…..

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