“Craving a little early Christmas? The Snow Globe may be just the book to put you in the spirit of magical moments and miracles.”
Sheila
Kiley Gray has had better days. Her boyfriend has dumped her for her sister. Yup. Her scatter brained sister. Kiley is having trouble finding a job and if that wasn’t enough, her two best friends Alison and Susanne have full lives and really do not have time to be the friends that Kiley needs right now.
When Kiley and her friends get away for a girls weekend (lets just say I love girls weekends and I was hooked from this point on!) you find out that each girl has a reason to need a break. While on this getaway, Kiley wanders into an antique shop where a snow globe catches her eye. The stores owner assures Kiley that this globe will bring miracles into her life and really, what does Kiley have to lose?
There are times when a book just hits you in the right mood and the right time and that is what I found with Sheila Robert’s Snow Globe. It’s no secret that I enjoy reads with women’s friendships and adding a little Christmas magic to the pages as Minnesota has its first snow of the season is well… a bit magical.
Through this small book I found friendships that while at times may seem distant, you soon see that the base of these friendships is strong and sometimes a little Christmas magic, even when found within a snow globe, can remind us all of what is truly important.
I really enjoyed this book and found the writing to be much like another author I enjoy for this style of writing., Debbie Macomber.
There is so much more I would like to share about this delightful book but because what lies between the pages is part of the magic, I am going to leave it at this.
Amazon Rating
Book Journey’s 2010 Reading Map has been updated to include The Snow Globe
Cover Story: It oozes Christmas and magic…. I like it
Thank you to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Blog Tour for allowing me to be part of this book tour
If Haley Randolph was taking a survey on her life right now she would most definitely check the box marked FABULOUS! What was not to love? She had just spent the time of her life in Europe with her all too wonderful boyfriend Ty Cameron, who just happens to own the Department store where Haley works. And as if life just wasn’t delicious enough, Ty’s grandmother Ada has handed the keys of her Mercedes to drive….
the icing on the cake would be to get her well manicured hands on one of the seasons “must have” hand bags!
All things come crashing in around Haley when she finds the body of her nemesis, Tiffany Markham in the trunk of the all too beautiful Mercedes, and to rain a little more on Hailey’s parade, due to a recent encounter with Tiffany, Hailey tops the suspect list. Her only choice is to try to find Tiffany’s killer before death becomes her fashion faux pas!
When I first heard of this book and the description I immediately thought of Stephanie Plum from the Janet Evanovich books. There was a time, many years ago where I admit, Stephanie and I made the rounds as I started with One For The Money and made my way all the way through book twelve of the series before I let this series go. In many ways, Haley reminded me of Stephanie and that over the top ditsyness sometimes is a little too sweet for my tooth.
However- the book also reminded me of a quick cozy mystery which occasionally…. goofiness and all…. I do crave. (Darn sweet tooth!) While I did laugh at the sheer goofy happenings at times in the book, I think I would have enjoyed it more in the summer on the deck with my sun glasses on and a very large iced tea close at hand.
I discovered as I was reading that this book is actually #3 in the Haley Randolph mysteries, but never fear – I did not feel I needed the previous two books to follow what was happening.
Buddy Valastro is a fourth generation baker. Born in New Jersey into a traditional Italian family, Buddy showed incredible talent as a baker and decorator.
Star of the hit TLC reality show Cake Boss, today Buddy Valastro is a household name that upon hearing it brings visions of masterpiece cakes that are gorgeous to look at as they are a sensation tot he taste buds. Buddy’s often asked to demonstrate, compete, and teach his craft around the country. In his 10,000 sq foot state of the art facility, Buddy and his staff turn out thousands of wedding cakes, specialty cakes, and pastries weekly. His award-winning designs have been featured numerous times in different bridal and baking magazines. Carlo’s Bakery has also been featured in books, newspapers, such as, The New York Times, and television; most namely The Food Network. He and his cakes have also been featured on The Today’s Show, Good Morning America, The View, and HBO’s hit series, The Sopranos.
By uniting time-honored quality with modern innovative techniques, Carlo’s Bakery is rated among the best. Their distinct old world taste is hard to come by. This is what sets Buddy apart from other sugar artists. Buddy hopes to one day pass on his passion and knowledge to fifth generation members of the Valastro family and continue the Carlo’s Bakery legacy.
A must see in Hoboken, New Jersey
Cake Boss is more than a gorgeous book with mouth-watering recipes. Cake Boss is a memoir of the Valastro family, Buddy’s remarkable father who played such a positive role in where Buddy is today… and within the first few pages of this book you will know that this is a book about family. From Danny Dragone, who helps out wherever he is needed, Stephanie who was the first woman to work in back with the bakers (no small feat), Joey the brother-in-law who is not only married to Buddy’s sister, but is also one of the top bakers, the counter is run by Buddy’s sisters. Little Frankie who’s been in the bakery business since he could walk, and Sal who has been with the bakery since 1960. This is truly a family business.
And that is just the beginning, as I turned the pages I found myself immersed in what family means to Buddy. As I found myself reading the history of the “Cake Boss” I became immersed in the strong sense of history. I enjoyed reading about the first cakes Buddy was allowed to make, to his growing talent as a baker… to his first wedding cake where he really began to flourish.
(Who knew reading about the history of a bakery and a family could be so interesting?)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I have heard of the show Cake Boss, I admit I have never watched it. I can assure you I am going to start now. This book jump started my heart for a family I did not know, and reading this book makes me want to know more.
Fun Facts:
1. How many pounds of flour are used in a week: Over 3000 2. What is the most used ingredient in the bakery? A special type of flour called soft as silk
3. How many cannolis are made in one week? Close to 6000 a week 4. How many employees work at Carlos’ Bake Shop? 35 5. How long does it take to make the average wedding cake? At least three hours 6. What is the most popular item in the bakery? lobster tails 7. What is the most popular cake flavor? French cream 8. What is the most unusual item sold at the bakery? Sfogliatelle -a flaky pastry filled with orange-flavored ricotta
9. When should a bride book her appointment to discuss her wedding cake? Six months before the big day 10. Most frequently asked question of Buddy: “Can you make my birthday cake?”
While I did not have time before I wrote this review, I will be making the Biscotti from the recipe section of this book for gifts for co-workers and friends this Christmas. When I make the recipe I will be sure to post about it and link you back to this book.
I think Cake Boss would make a wonderful gift book to that person you know who loves to bake.
In the heart of Medici Florence, part-time model and full-time prostitute Luciana Vetra stumbles across a deadly secret when she is asked to pose for the central figure of Flora in Sandro Botticelli’s famous Primavera. When Luciana is turned away without being paid for her posing for the picture, she steals a smaller scroll of the painting in compensation, only to find that within the picture holds a secret. The secret is so deadly that her friends are being killed all around her as she is forced to run for her life, and finds help in the one man who has never exploited her, Guido Della Torre, a novice at the Monastary of Santa Crose.
I do like a good mystery, and in that way,the Botticelli Secret did not disappoint. I found it to have a very Dan Brown feel to it, much the same as I found in his books The Davinchi Code and also in Angels and Demons. However the main characters Luciana and Guido (a prostitute and a monk) are not Sophie and Robert Langdon. I mean – Luciana has quite a reputation for herself and Guido is a man of the cloth….
however – in that sense the book works, and is mainly why I kept reading.
Where I struggled is that the first 250 or so pages, when Luciana is still quite rough around the edges, the language is foul, some of the acts that the reader is allowed to “witness” is stomach turning, and there is a point where I had to skim in hopes of the books tone changing as Luciana spends more time with Guido.
It does.
The painting features six female figures and two male, along with a blindfolded putto, in an orange grove. To the right of the painting, a flower-crowned female figure in a floral-patterned dress is scattering flowers, collected in the folds of her gown. Her nearest companion, a woman in diaphanous white, is being seized by a winged male from above. His cheeks are puffed, his expression intent, and his unnatural complexion separates him from the rest of the figures. The trees around him blow in the direction of his entry, as does the skirt of the woman he is seizing. The drapery of her companion blows in the other direction. Clustered on the left, a group of three females also in diaphanous white join hands in a dance, while a red-draped youth with a sword and a helmet near them raises a wooden rod towards some wispy gray clouds. Two of the women wear prominent necklaces. The flying cherub has an arrow nocked to loose, directed towards the dancing girls. Central and somewhat isolated from the other figures stands a red-draped woman in blue. Like the flower-gatherer, she returns the viewers gaze. The trees behind her form a broken arch to draw the eye. The pastoral scenery is elaborate. Botticelli (2002) indicates there are 500 identified plant species depicted in the painting, with about 190 different flowers.
The second half of the book shows that Luciana’s heart is softening and I was able to relax more into the details of the read and beauty of the details as they travel around trying to solve the clues that are given within this amazing (and real) painting. I enjoyed the clues and the solving of them and liked the second half of the read a lot more than the first half.
Overall, if you can hang in there, the book is filled with colorful details of the cities they travel fifteenth century Renaissance Italy.
Bookies (Book Club review)
The Bookies found the book centered around the painting to be quite interesting. Of the 13 of us at the review, only one of us had ever heard of the painting before. In that sense, the book gave us a little bit of culture that we were not quite expecting, but enjoyed.
Most of us found the beginning of the book and Luciana’s character to be quite crude and the language and acts in that part were probably the worst we have encountered as a group in all the years we have been meeting (since Aug. 2001). However, only 4 of the Bookies at the review truly disliked the book. The rest found that if you could get through the first part, and realize that the author is creating a very vivid picture of who Luciana was, it makes the ending all the more sweeter.
On an overall scale of 1 – 5, five being the best, The Botticelli Secret rated a 4 average with the Bookies.
Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up as part of a loving family in Rwanda. She had two loving parents and three brothers. She was not raised to discriminate and was surprised when she went to school and was exposed to her teacher taking an ethnic role call and asked if she was Hutu or Tutsi. Immaculee had no idea.
When she spoke to her parents about this her father went in and talked to her teacher. She then found out she was Tutsi, not much of a difference between the Hutu, other than Tutsi are known to be taller and have slightly longer noses. There are no religious belief differences.
At the age of 22, Immaculee came home from college to spend Easter with her family and at that time the Hutu
Immaculee was hiding in this bathroom with 7 other women for 91 days.
President of Rwanda died and subsequently started the war of Hutus against Tutsi’s. This three-month war resulted in the brutal deaths (many by machete) of over 3,000 Tutsi. Immaculee survived by hiding in a small bathroom ( 3 foot by 4 foot) inside her Pastor’s bedroom where she coexisted with seven other women. They did not leave the bathroom or make a sound for fear of being heard, for three months. During this time, Immaculee prayed like she never had before, filled with faith and knowing that God was protecting them. She did not know if her parents or her brothers were alive.
Three months later Immaculee who was 115 pounds when she entered into hiding, came out of hiding 91 days later weighing 65 pounds.
This is a true story of the Rwanda Genocide, from one woman’s perspective who lived it alongside those who survived a nightmare.
The Rwandan Military and Hutu militia groups, notably the Interahamwe, systematically set out to murder all the Tutsis they could reach, regardless of age or sex, as well as the political moderates among the Hutu. They incited Hutu civilians to participate in the killings or be shot in turn, using radio broadcasts to tell them to kill their Tutsi neighbours. Most nations evacuated their nationals from Kigali and abandoned their embassies in the initial stages of the violence.
As the situation worsened, the national radio advised people to stay in their homes. The Hutu Power station RTLM broadcast violent propaganda against the Tutsi and Hutu moderates. The militia put up hundreds of roadblocks around the country, using them to block off areas and attack the citizens. Lieutenant-General Dallaire and UNAMIR were in Kigali escorting Tutsis and were unable to stop the Hutus from escalating their attacks elsewhere.
Most of the victims were killed in their own villages or in towns, often by their neighbors and fellow villagers. The militia typically murdered victims by machetes, although some army units used rifles. The Hutu gangs searched out victims hiding in churches and school buildings, and massacred them. Local officials and government-sponsored radio incited ordinary citizens to kill their neighbors, and those who refused to kill were often murdered on the spot. “Either you took part in the massacres or you were massacred yourself.”
Rwandan Genocide – Wikipedia
It’s books like this that just make me really take a long hard look at my own life. As I read about Immaculee, I was at our cabin on the North Shore of Minnesota. It was cozy because I had turned the heat on, I had just baked a pan of muffins, reheated my Starbucks Vanilla Fusion coffee in the microwave, and was not sitting at the kitchen table typing these thoughts on my laptop.
Immaculee on the other hand, was living in a country where she was discriminated for having been born Tutsi, a title she knew nothing about and her and her family only wanted to live in peace. She had run for her life because of this label, been refused shelter, separated from her family and holed up in a 4 x 6 room with 5 other Tutsi women in hiding from the rebel soldiers who were killing their family and friends with machette’s.
Oh how I wish this was fiction…
However – it is not. This is how life in Rwandan was in 1994. Murders of entire families. In 1994 I was still here in Minnesota, working a full-time job, raising my two boys who at the time were 3 and 5, and happily enjoying life with my husband. In 1994, I knew nothing of what was happening in Rwandan. While I fretted over balancing family, work, and friends…. Immaculee was wondering if she would live to see the sun rise.
A powerful book that ripped at my heart. Immaculee is an amazing and strong woman. Her faith made me feel lacking as she at times prayed for hours on end. I read through this book feeling incredibly pained for a country I knew little about, and a great sense of appreciation for the story that I just had the privilege of reading.
Charles, a newly qualified lawyer without a penny to his name, plunges into the archaic world of the Bar as it was thirty-five years ago. After a stroke of beginners’ luck – and a taste of good living – he soon becomes established in practice battling away in the criminal courts, conducting court-martials in Germany and on one horrifying occasion actually appearing in a commercial court, “winding up ” companies of which he knows nothing! He encounters a wide range of clients including an Italian motorist charged with assault, who claims to have been savagely attacked by an elderly lollipop man wielding his road sign. On top of that, there are instructing solicitors who never pay him and even one who has departed this world altogether yet still manages to operate on a shadowy basis from the vicinity of Bow Road in East London. Court-martials take Charles abroad where he encounters a German policeman’s dog whose canine expertise is deemed to be perfectly sound evidence and samples a night out on the other side of the infamous Berlin wall just making it back to the safety of the West. Wig Begone is an exhilarating tale of Charles’ early career with disaster often lurking round the corner and culminating in his own appearance in front of England’s most notorious judge!
I have always enjoyed reads that surround a court setting. I have no idea what the fascination is, but you can imagine years back I poured through many a John Grisham read for the thrill of the court cases, and more currently Jodi Piccoult.
Wig Begone however was a little bit of a different read for me. Following the early career of Charles Courtley and his steps as well as miss-steps through those still “wet behind the ears” years. The interesting thing about this read, is that the author is really Robert Seymour, a newly retired Judge who had once been a barrister. This book, under the pen name Charles Courtley, is really a recap of the trials and errors of Robert’s career. (yes, pun intended)
What started out as Robert Seymour’s memoir turned into this somewhat witty tale, that I found to be a welcome break from the usual court case reads I enjoy. Quick paced, I loved the inner look of the court from the first person view of Charles. Occasionally laughing out loud, and one incident where I actually choked on the popcorn I was eating while I read.
Bianca Piper is seventeen years old, and a true and loyal friend. When high school hottie, Wesley Rush points out to her that she is the DUFF among her friend, Bianca is confused. Wesley goes on to say that DUFF stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, and Bianca does what any girl would do in this situation; she throws her coke in his face.
But the name doesn’t fade away. As the days go by, Bianca really starts to think of her as the DUFF in her group. According to Wesley, every group has one, and Bianca knows she is certainly not the prettiest among her friends. With her family life in shreds with a mom who has found other interests besides her home and a father just one step away from falling off his eighteen years of sobriety…. Bianca becomes eager for an escape – and in her sights is none other than Wesley.
DUFF? This word was a new one to me and I cautiously entered into this read. Kids are cruel enough to one another without adding more words to their vocabulary was my initial thought here. DUFF is just a cruel label. And true to many labels, the person bearing the label tends to think that is who they are… ripping away at their self-esteem – and that is what happens in this book to Bianca.
Bianca starts out having never heard of DUFF, but once it was pinned on her by Wesley – she felt in her heart it was true. Certainly she was no match for her peppy, beautiful, and certainly thinner, friends. Bianca’s actions start to change as she pulls away from her friends and finds her release through none other than Wesley himself.
As I mentioned, the book concerned me and Bianca’s actions reflected that concern. Labels hurt. But then – author Kody Keplinger surprises me by bringing this label full circle and in the end you come to realize we are all in a way the DUFF, and we all have our insecurities.
I wanted to love this book, and in many ways I did. I enjoyed the characters and the writing and actually flew through the book in one sitting. Afterward, I thought about what age the book was written for, and while I read it as a light quick read, if I had a daughter who was 12 – 15, I am not sure I would want her reading it.
The Wesley and Bianca relationship is very sexually charged. Very. For a YA read I have to share that there is a lot of casual sex going on in this book between these two characters . There is also quite a bit of strong language in the book.
While I enjoyed the writing, I did struggle with where Bianca found her self-worth. I know there are topics in the book that explain this, but due to how much I struggled with this – it took me three months to post this review.It is a book that I think an older YA would enjoy the writing, but I do have concerns of younger YA’s reading this book.
If you can get beyond the parts that concerned me, the overall message is a good one and I closed the book liking the outcome. There are many reviews of this book so please read other opinions.
I met Kody Kempler in New York in May at BEA and enjoyed talking with her and listening to her talk about this book. Kody started writing the DUFF when she was 17 and is now 19 years old.
Book Journey has updated the 2010 reading map to include The DUFF
Cover story: It’ s an ok cover and I feel it attracts the audience it was written for.
And so begins the sing-song rhythmic read of The Lorax. Do you remember this book? The pictures of the colorful and fluffy Truffula Trees. That is until The Old Once-ler came round, and decided he need to chop the trees down (intentional rhyme) 😛
Then the Lorax showed up to speak for the trees, he said do not cut them I am asking you please!
(Ok… now I can’t stop so I am just going to go with it)
The Lorax tried to stop the factory that was built, but progress was already moving full tilt!
With no more trees the Bar Ba Loots had nothing to eat, but really its just business so sadly they retreat.
As the story goes the end came at last, with no trees and no animals all was in the past…
Yet one seed did remain and plant it we must, for the future is ours and to us it must trust.
I checked this out from the library for banned book week. This book just brings back the memories of all sorts of Seuss moments, and while this is not one of the big names I remember (Cat In The Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Hop On Pop…) it is one that does hold a message.
I just loved reading it again!
Why was The Lorax a banned book?
The Lorax was banned because it was felt to cast a negative look on the forestry industry.
In 1989, the Laytonville, CA Unified School District tried to do just that. They challenged the book based on someone’s belief that it criminalizes the foresting industry.
Once upon a time in New York City, there were two sisters. Their father was a spinner of tales, always armed with a freshly brewed mug of English Breakfast Tea.
Their mother was a seamstress who loved to be out and about, and together, they would take the sisters to afternoon tea wherever it was served. The sisters learned at a very early age that tea was more than a beverage – it was an even to be shared and protected. Tea was a sacred experience, whether at a hotel or at a home; it was a time to connect, share your thoughts and drams, and escape for a spell.
And that is how Alice’s Tea Cup came to be…
Ahhh….. Alice’s Tea Cup is memories of May…. I was here with several wonderful book bloggers and the amazing Adriana Trigiani during BEA. At that time this book was not out yet, but we were each promised to have the book sent to us once they had it ready. You can imagine my SSQQUUUEEEE level when it arrived at my home recently. What a treasure!
Filled with gorgeous pictures and recipes of cookies, muffins, scones, frosting and more… I literally drooled over the pages and remember the mouth-watering treats that we were served that day. Authors Haley and Lauren show us how to celebrate with tea and festival foods, not only the delicious treats but also soups and salads that I can not wait to serve in my own home.
My only regret with this book…. the pictures were not scratch and sniff. 😉
This is a lovely gift book that I am beyond thrilled to own not only this treasured book… but the memories it holds for me inside the pages.
Alice's Tea Cup in May 2010 with Adriana Trigiani
Book Journey has updated the 2010 reading map to include Alice’s Tea Cup
Thank you thank you thank you to Harper Collins
and of course to Adriana Trigiana who was the reason I experienced the amazing Alice’s Tea Cup!
The Bell Jar is told from the perspective of Esther Greenwood. You would think she had the perfect life… young, beautiful, talented, successful… yet she is deeply troubled and sinking fast. She starts with a painful month in New York after she won a contest to be Junior Editor on a magazine. What most girls her age would be fascinated to win, Esther only found it troubling. She has a troubled relationship with her mother, and with a boy she dates on again and off again, but really finds she can not commit to anything -including life itself.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A bell jar is a piece of laboratory equipment similar in shape to a bell. It can be manufactured out of a variety of materials, ranging from glass to different types of metals. A bell jar is placed on a base which is vented to a hose fitting, which can be connected via a hose to a vacuum pump. By pumping the air out of the bell jar, a vacuum is formed.
I read this with my book club for our annual October Classic read. I love that we commit to a classic every year and good or bad, the discussions over a classic are always pretty fantastic. When we reviewed this on Tuesday, I was not done with the read and I blew a chance to really analyze this book with my group. I finished this a couple of days after.
I had read up on Sylvia Plath’s life prior to this book and was extremely fascinated by how much this book parallels her life. While the book is about a deep depression, I did not find it depressing. The start of the book is her time in New York and the last third is while she is in a Mental Hospital. As one of the girls in our book club stated, as Esther finds herself deeper in her depression and break down – the writing becomes even more beautiful.
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn’t quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.”
While not the easiest read, I think it is an important one. As I flip between the pages of information I have on Sylvia Plath and The Bell Jar’s Esther Greenwood… I can’t help but think how much of this book is Sylvia’s story.
The book first published in January if 1961, and Sylvia Plath committed suicide in February of 1963. It was first published under the name of Victoria Lucas. The novel was not published under Sylvia’s name until 1967 and not published in the United States until 1971 per the wishes of Plath’s mother and husband.
Why Was The Bell Jar Banned?
The Bell Jar has been challenged because it openly rejects traditional marriage and motherhood. It has also been challenged for it’s characters discussion of sexuality.
I purchased this book at the local fall library sale
Book Journey 