Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. This is what I recieved in my mailbox this past week.




The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel
Thank you Caitlin from FSB Associates



From the flap:

In childhood, "LillyPad and Valpal" vow to form an exclusive two person club. Throught out the decads they wrote intimate letters on which they shared hopes, fears, deepest secrets-and recipes, from Lilly's Lovelorn Lasagna" to Valerie's "Forgiveness Tepenade". Readers can cook along as the girls travel throught time, facing the challenges of independence, the joys and heartbreaks of first love; nand the emotional complexities of family relatationships, identity morality, and goals deferred.

But no matter what different paths they took or what misunderstandings threatened to break them apart, Lilly and Val always found their way back together through their Recipe Club. Until the fateful day when the act of kindness becomes a unforgiveable betrayal.

If more info. check out the Recipe Club here.




Now and Then by Jacqueline Sheehan
Thank you Jennifer from Book Club Girl.




From the back cover:


When Anna's life begins spinning out of her control, she certainly never expected it to go to this far. Thrust into a life she doesn't understand in a time and country completely foreign to her, Anna struggles to find her way home. But first she must rush to save her troubled teenage nephew from both the past and himself. Full of mystical charm and the intimitable style so many readers grew to love in Lost & Found.



Day After Night By Anita Diamant
Courtesy of Kate Bittman
from Simon and Schuester

Do any of you remember the Red Tent?? The Red Tent was written by Anita Diamant.
I was so happy to get this in my hot little hands I couldn't wait to post about it.
I posted before today. You can look at the post below to my other blog,at Bagels, Books and Schmooze to read about her newest book about to be published on September 8th.



Beg, Borrow, Steal by Michael Greenberg
Thank you Terrie from Other Press




Michael Greenberg, is the author of Hurry Down Sunshine- an account of his daughter's life from mental illness.

This time he writes about his vivid take on his life as a writer of little means trying to practice his craft or simply stay alive. He finds himself doctoring doomed movie scripts;selling cosmetics from a ironing board in front of a woman's department store; writing about golf,a game he never played; and botching his debut as a waiter in a posh restaurant.


Central characters include Michael's father whose prediction that Michael's scribbling wouldn't get him on the subway almost came true; his artistic first wife, whom he met in a Greenwich Village high school; and their son who grew up on the Lower East Side, fluent in the language of the parlor.

Then there are Greenberg's unexpected encounters; a Holocaust survivor who on his deathbed tries to leave Michael his fortune; a repentent communist who confesses his sins; a man who becomes a woman; a Chilean filmaker in search of his past; and rats who behave like humans and cease to live underground.

I broke down this past week and bought:

The Virgin's Daughters by Jeane Westin
From the back cover:


The daughter of Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn, Elizabeth I was profundly aware of the dangers of mixing power and sex. Torn between opposing needs- to fulfill her destiny as a strong monarch and to follow her own sensual yearnings-she was fated never to experience true love. and became determined to thwart the romantic desires of all around her. Now Elizabeth's story is told as never before- through the eyes of the two ladies in waiting who were closest to her.

Can't wait, I must get cracking. It now is going to get difficult as I just started school this week. I am taking Advanced A/P. I may be slow in my reading so bare with me. What did you break down and buy or get in your mailbox this past week.

Anita Diamant New Fiction

Check out my blog at Books, Bagel, and Schmooze to read more about Day after Night by Anita Diamant. Publishing date is September 8,2009.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Meme

The Book Blogging Appreciation Week Meme has it own site this year. On the site it asks the questions if you participated last year. What was the highlight of BBAW. What new blog did you find because of BBAW? What tips would you give to new bloggers? My answers are below:

The highlight of BBAW was that I received so much traffic on my blog. I just started blogging only a few months ago. I did not have many other bloggers coming to my blog at that time,this was perfect timing.

I was having a giveaway but there was not enough traffic coming. But, because of BBAW, there was so much publicity about all the giveaway this improved my giveaway.
Then I was able to get more traffic on my blog because of the giveaway.

I had met so many bloggers and new and old because of BBAW. Because of Amy there is fellowship in the book blogging community. There are bloggers I would have never met over cyberspace.

There are so many new blogs I discovered I can't name just one I discovered.

The only tip I would give to a new participant is join in all the activities. Check in daily to see what is going on. BBAW is the greatest time to get your blog known through BBAW because all the publicity, and the link to find other bloggers and making new friends.

Mailbox Monday

Here is the books that came in my mailbox this past week. Thank you Marcia from The Printed Page.

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin. Thank you Random House. I look forward to reading this.

City of Refuge by Tom Piazza. Courtesy of Book Club Girl

Not many books this time but it does give me time to recuperate from the many books that come into my house every week. Oh, no a few more came today.
What came in your mailbox this past week?

Dog Days of Summer Post

The Art of Racing in the Rain is my book pick for The Dog Days of Summer at Literate Housewife. I would like to thank Jennifer for hosting. This was great fun.

During the event we were to send in a picture of our dog for Dog Days of Summer. Unfortunately I was unable to get it to Jennifer on time. Instead I will post a picture of my cute little dog, Nachat. He's name means Joy in hebrew.







The Art of Racing in the Rain
By Garth Stein

There are only a few main character's in the book, The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Enzo is the dog, and then there is he's master Denny. There is Eve, soon to become wife, and mother. Then there is his soon to be made family, he's daughter, Zoe.

The book opens with Denny and Enzo being single and the bestest(mispelled on purpose) of friends, man's best friend. Enzo wants to be human. This is the story about a dog that thinks he's human.

He and Denny share the love of car racing. Denny's occupation is car racing. He is constantly on the racing tour circuit. Denny has to leave Enzo at his own devices. What does Enzo with his time? He watches documentaries. The Learning and Discovery channels, and watches the car races.
He is obsessed without having a thumb like a human, called the Dew thumb.

Denny falls in love with a women named Eve. He is not thrilled about it because he has to learn to share. But in time he accepts her and falls in love with her too. After they are married Zoe is born.

After a few years, he sees Eve's ear he knows something is wrong he smells a odor in her ear. He does not know how to tell anyone. He keeps it quiet. Eve suddenly becomes ill and has to go to the hospital. They discover she has cancer.

Denny seems to always be travelling in the racing circuit. So he agrees to allow Eve to stay with her parents called the "Twins". I am not sure why the name. He feels the best for Zoe, and Eve is to stay with the parents. After sometime she dies.

This is where the trouble starts. The parents want to keep Zoe. Denny wants Zoe to come home. The shock has not even worn off. The parents don't give Denny even a chance to digest the news before they ask for custody of Zoe.

Denny retains a lawyer. In the mean time. There is a relative names Annika. She felt rejected and cried Rape when Denny did not accept her advances. The girl told her parents a story and he lost custody of his daughter. Anything they could find to make Denny look bad.

Even at the funeral, he was not allowed to participate at the funeral. He was accused of being called a molester. Denny did not plan the funeral, Eve's parents did.

There was alot of money spent to try to keep his daughter. But the parents found ways to find things wrong with Denny. Denny lost alot of money to try to win Zoe back.


Denny is about to sign papers but Enzo knows there is something fishy. He grabs the papers before Denny signs them. He urinates on them. Denny does not sign the papers. Decides to never give up.

Denny is offered a great chance to work for Ferrari. He does not understand why a man from Ferrari would help him. He decides to get in touch with him when his life is situated so he waits.

During the investigation Denny sees the teenage girl at a cafe. He confronts her but manipulates the story to make her feel like she is the victim. But guess what it worked. She decides to fess it and tell the truth.

The trial is brought to court. Denny is brought up to the witness stand, and other members of the family.

During the trial Enzo is dreaming. During the trial Enzo is speaking with a human voice. The court asks him to tell them what happened with the girl. Since he saw everything, he could tell the court everything that happened.

During the proceeding at the witness stand the cousin breaks down and tells the truth. She withdraws her testimony. Denny is given custody back to Zoe.

During the trial Enzo starts to have health issues and becomes ill. He has a medical condition called hyperplasia( hip problem).After the trial Enzo is hit by a car. Enzo passes away.

Denny is given a job in Italy with Ferrari to try and make a fresh start.
Then while he is doing a job, he meets up with a father and his son, ENZO. He is trying to figure out if this is coincidence or is this a reincarnation of his dog Enzo.

I remember this documentary says that after a dog dies, he's soul is released into the world around us. His soul is released to run in the world. run through the fields. enjoy the earth, the wind , the rivers, the rain, the sun the- When a dog dies, his soul is released to run until he is ready to be reborn, I remember. It's OK.
When I am reborn as a man, I will find Denny. I will find Zoe. I will walk up to them and shake their hands and tell them that Enzo says hello. They will see. You can go.

When I first read this book I did not think I would like this. I was totally wrong. This was a dogs perspective of life. Of course fiction. But I did enjoy it up to the very end. Even though it was sad at the end. There was a conclusion, a happy ending.
Did you ever wonder what your dog thought about things?

Now I wonder what Nachat thinks. I thought the author did a great job explaining how he ate his food, and cleaned himself, and other things. It was so cute, and funny.

I loved the part at the end. When the dog was dreaming and wanted to give his side of the story about the teenage girl. Nothing really went on, and he wanted to have his say. He wanted to tell everyone what really happened in a human voice.

The ending to the philosophy of a dog's life and what happens to Enzo and what he thinks about life and what happens after he dies he very interesting.

I rate this book four bones and I would recommend this to anyone that has a dog.
Thank you again Literate Housewife. This was a fun event. If you would like to see what other people had to say. Or to see what The Dog Days of Summer is all about check it out at Literate Housewife.

Beautiful and Sweet Smile Chinese Girl

Beautiful and Sweet Smile Chinese Girl, she is also very charming in pose style.

Cute and Pretty Chinese Girl

Cute and Pretty Chinese Girl.

Cute Smile Chinese Girl

Cute Smile Chinese Girl, also Nice Pose and Beautiful in young blue.

Liu Yi Fei a Beautiful Smile China Actress

Liu Yi Fei a Beautiful Smile China Actress.

Beautiful and Sweet Smile Asian Woman

Beautiful and Sweet Smile Asian Woman, also Cute with Nice and Interesting appearance in in picture.

Mailbox Monday

Thank you Marcia for hosting, Mailbox Monday. If you would like to join in, write a comment on Marcia's blog The Printed Page. Then blog about the books you recieved in your mail box or bought from where ever.

Here is the books I recieved this past week. The mail man just seemed to be coming constantly this week. I assume this is how it is slow for the publishers for the summer, then picks up in the early fall and publicists are scrambling to ge the word out. Because I recieved so many books I can't count.

Here is my list:


The Shortest Distance Between Two Women by Kris Radish

A Better View of Paradise by Randy Sue Coburn

The two above books look like beach reads. But the rest of my batch seem like they would be rather intense. To find out what other books I recieved in my Mailbox you will have to come and visit Jewish Mailbox Monday at Bagels, Books and Schmooze

This is Where I leave You

Jonatha Tropper
This Is Where I Leave You

I am reading, reviewing and posting on my Jewish blog. It is hilarious. You can visit me at Bagels, Books and Schmooze. Also Marie, my blogging friend at The Boston Bibliophile wrote a review as well.

I will tell you I absolutely loved it if you can overlook the language and the sexual content you will love it too.

You can also read a review by my blogging friend, Marie The Boston Bibliophile

Benny and Shrimp

Beeny and Shrimp
By Katarina Mazetti

Benny and Shrimp is written by a Swedish author, and is a international bestseller.
The book opens up with both man ad woman middle aged and lonely and meet each other. Both are looking for companionship.

Benny is a middle aged dairy farmer, on his parent's farm. He is very old fashioned in his ways. He is messy, disorganized. He's parent's farm still has his mother's cross stich hanging on the walls.

Where Benny aka Shrimp is a librarian, she is a widow and childless. she lost her husband about 5 years ago. He was hit by a truck.

They both live in Sweden amd meet each other at the cemetery bench. They both are sitting at the cemetery bench, and visit daily. They become attracted to each other. One day Benny asks to eat lunch with her.

They are totally opposite of each other. She is cultured, a book worm, and her looks of a librarian.

Benny is stuck in a time warp of his parent's home of the 1950's. A old home that sure needs a paint job. He is not a tidy person. He sings to his cows on Christmas Eve, he is very much a country boy. He is looking for a woman that can help him take care of his farm and his needs.

Desiree(aka Shrimp) is a cultured book person. Living in modern times, is very much a city girl, and very neat. She sacrafices her modern day culture to live in his world of non-modern times.

This is a simple story, quirky, and off beat. About a man and a woman of opposite worlds. How they react to each other. They do try to overlook each other's faults, without success.
Benny and Shrimp are told in alternate chapters Shrimp and Benny. They are both worried about their biological clock ticking. Benny is worried about being a old bachelor.

I had a hard time following the story. Unfortunately this story did not capture my interest. I had to force myself to read and finish the book. When I read a book, I like a book with sub-plots going on at the same time. There may be a difference in writing style from another country maybe that is the reason it did not capture me. I have seen other blogs that raved about it.

Thank you FSB Associates for allowing me to review.

Beauty Hair Model

Beauty Hair Model Nguyen Thuy Trang Picture, so Beautiful and Sweet Smile Vietnamese Girl.

Hoang Thuy Linh Beautiful Actress

Hoang Thuy Linh Beautiful Actress Vietnam, Cute and Sweet Smile Girl,

Pretty Smile Entertainment

Pretty Smile Entertainment picture, so Cute and Sweet Smile Girl.

Beautiful Actress Vietnam

Beautiful Actress Vietnam, so Cute and Sweet Smile Girl.

Mailbox Monday

I am excited about what came in my mailbox this past Monday. Thank you Marcia for hosting. This is what came into my mailbox this past week.

Delia By India Edgehill

I am looking forward to this one. This is biblical fiction about you quessed it about Delilah. I have read her previous novel a few years ago called Queen Maker. It was a good read.

Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

Saw this one at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. Read the flap cover and looks very good. Can't wait to read these.

I did break down to read a fun read that was a hot seller last year. It came out in paperback. I am looking forward to this one. This year I don't normally read chick-lit books but said, Why not. This is the book that I broke down and bought.

Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello

What did you get in your mailbox this past week??

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. She has been hosting Mailbox Monday before I started blogging a year ago. I would like to thank her. I enjoy reading other bloggers and readers books that come in the mailbox. I am excited about the books that came to me this week.

I am fortunate a smaller mountain arrived this week( joke between my son and myself). My house has been taken over by thes mountains of books. Luckily it seems to have slowed down a bit. Thank goodness.

When I pass away they will never find me because they will have to rent a crane just to dig to get to me. It is pretty bad. All kidding aside, I have to stop taking review copies. I am so flattered when publicists send me books. I don't know what the N-O word is.

This is what I recieved this past week:

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh

Thank you Book Club Girl for a copy and hosted Blog Talk Radio each month. I have been wanting to read this one since it came out. I read Mrs. Kimble her first and it was marvelous.

The Seamstress by Frances De Pontes

This is another one that Book Club Girl is hosting for her Blog Talk Radio. I have been wanting this one over a year ago. Just too many books. But when Blog Talk Radio announced this book, I knew I had to participate.

I would like to Thank Book Club Girl for all that she does.

In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld

Thank you Caitlin from Unbridled Books

Well, What did you get in your mailbox this past week??

Pinky Sawika a Beautiful Actress

Pinky Sawika a Beautiful Actress, so Cute smile Thailand Singer Celebrity Model.

Pretty Thailand Actress

Pretty Thailand Actress, so Cute with Nice Style pose picture.

Beautiful Smile Thailand Girl

Cute Sexy and Beautiful Smile Thailand Girl.

Happy Birthday David

I would like to wish my son, David a happy birthday he was nineteen yesterday. We celebrated his birthday( my friends, and my parents)at his favorite restaurant, Asian Fusion.



It is a oriental restaurant that serves Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai etc. Of course they serve Sushi. My son loves the Sushi. It took me a long time to get accustommed to the taste. But now I am used to eating it.



David had sushi, called the Godzilla roll. I wish I took a picture of the presention. It was so beautiful. It looked like a lizard. My girlfriend, Gayle and I shared a California Roll. It was very good, clumsy me I am just learning to use chopsticks. I did ok for a novice of a year. Still can't get the fingers right.



The dinner was so yummy. I always try to have something different. I could not decide on a thai dish. I went with Chinese, so original right. But it was still awesome. It still had a spice to it, but could not tell you what.




My friends, Gayle and Amy had a Thai dish. They had Pineapple Fried Rice. It was nicely presented with the skin of the pineapple shell. it was cooked in the pineapple. The juices enhanced the flavor.



I don't post on my personal life but rather on books. But since this will most likely be the last time I spend with David on his b-day. He will be be sent to boot camp in the next 8 months. I wanted to keep my thoughts on my blog.

David Enlisted In The Navy

This will be probably the last year I will be able to celebrate my son, David's B-day. He joined the navy last month. Many young men and women have to wait aout a year to be sent to boot camp. David, has signed up to work on the Submarines. That was not his first choice. The classifier, pressured him to make a choice now.

I am writing this to help othe recruitees and their parents have some knowledge about the recruiting process in the military. The do's and don'ts.

I am focusing on the navy because that is what I have experience in. The Navy is about education. The army is career oriented.

Decide which of the armed forces would be the best choice. There is the Army, Navy, Marines, Air force. There are many jobs but they vary by which branch of the armed forces you pick.

The Army has the most numerous jobs. The Navy enforces education. The Air Force I am told is the most cushioniest jobs out there. Marines is one of the hardest. You have to be cut out for real pressure. You don't rationalize, you just do what you are told without question.

Be careful about the recruiter. He pretends to be your best friend. But remember he gets extra's for recruiting you. He may promise you the moon. But don't believe everything he tells you. They told me son it is nothing like the movies(boot camp). It is easy, I found out later he was exaggerating. I got the information from a ex-army retiree. I will have to see what the real truth is when David enters boot camp.

The one thing, I remember is cathesthenic. Walking the wall the recruiter told me it is not that hard. David will be not outside but inside in a high tech. building not outside with the elements. I found out he was mistaken.

Once you decide which service you want to join. Each recruitee takes the ASVAB. It is a test to see where your strengths are in ability. The Army doesn't expect high scores from their recruits. The Navy does.
David then had to take another test for the Navy again.

After this the recruiter and you discuss the MEPS, in SC it is in Columbia. This is where the processing takes place. You take the physical and find out if you are physically fit for the military.

One thing I will warn parents
YOU CAN ATTEND.. David, may have not felt so pressured if I was there.

Realize some careers will not be open right now. But would possibly be open 3 months later. If you feel pressured by the classifier you have a right to change your mind about your career choice. You can change your mind and wait. You can go home and think about it without signing papers. They are not going to tell you.

Once you sign the papers you are stuck in for 8 years. This depends on your career choice as well. After the four years you will then be in reserves.


At first when David told me about it. He was all excited and caught up in the moment. But when all the excitement wore off. He realized this was not the first career choice he wanted. He chose to do something on the subs. But then decided that is not what he wanted.

I, as a parent searched for bloggers that would tell me if he can change careers. I did find out he can until he literally enters boot camp.


There are bonuses that come with your job too if you are qualified. Are you married, when you are deployed, and other bonus's. Ask the recruiter before you sign the doted line.

Right now David is attempting to get in nuclear engineering. This is one of the highest paying jobs in the military. He will be classified. He took the test and did very well. He has to get a waiver which he did. The only thing he has to take a college alegebra.

He loves science and math. Even when he was a toddler he loved to watch not cartoons but the educational channels like TLC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic.
He was always fascinated and loved to tell me about the earth, stars. How a hurricane and tornado, volcano, tsunami and earth quake would happen.

Everyone cross your fingers and pray that he gets in nuclear engineering. I have a a motive he will be stationed in Charleston, SC at least for the next two years after boot camp. That is two hours away, instead of Hawaii that will be worlds away if he can't get in.

Through all this I do see great changes in him. He finally has he's head on straight. He has a real focus, and knows what he wants.

This may sound crazy from a mother. I support David what ever career choice he makes. I wanted him to go in the Armed Forces because it is the best thing for him.
It will make him grow up and become independent. I am not going to like it that he is leaving. But he has to spread his wings sometime.

I love you son, and Good Luck what ever you do.

Help!!, Frustrated and Confused

Anyone from the book blogging ocmmunity that uses blogger I can use your help.
Sometimes when I am using my blog I feel helpless, frustrated and confused. I see other bloggers use blogger and they are able to do what I seem not to be able to.

For example, when I am posting pictures on my blog. I want it a certain way. But the system on blogger doesn't allow me to. But, I see that other blogger users are able to have pictures on their blog at strategic sites. When I do it is only appears on the top of my blog post. I can't seem to get it to do it at certain parts of my blog when I talking about something. Many times I had to post two times one with pictures and the other with my writting post with the same topic. Sounds stupid, doesn't it.

Another thing if I am writting, then realize while I am writing that I should have used quotes I realize that I need to start over. Blogger won't allow. I have to start over my entire post. Blogger won't allow me to start over.

I hard time reading instructions when it is too technical. Help! anyone with blogger account or knows anything about blogger would be greatly appreciated.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. She has been hosted this event before I started blogging a year ago. I would like to thank her. I enjoy reading other bloggers and readers books that come in the mailbox. I am excited about the books that came to me this week.

I am fortunate a smaller mountain arrived this week( joke between my son and myself). My house has been taken over by thes mountains of books. Luckily it seems to have slowed down a bit. Thank goodness.

When I pass away they will never find me because my books will hide my body. It is pretty bad. All kidding aside, I have to stop taking review copies. I am so flattered when publicists send me books. I don't know what the N-O word is.

This is what I recieved this past week:

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh

Thank you Book Club Girl for a copy and hosted Blog Talk Radio each month. I have been wanting to read this one since it came out. I read Mrs. Kimble her first and it was marvelous.

The Seamstress by Frances De Pontes

This is another one that Book Club Girl is hosting for her Blog Talk Radio. I have been wanting to buy this one over a year ago. Just too many books. But when Blog Talk Radio announced this book, I knew I had to participate.

I would like to Thank Book Club Girl for all that she does.

In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld

Thank you Caitlin from Unbridled Books

Well, What did you get in your mailbox this past week??