After the Race by James Joyce

by Carol7 Comments
"After the Race" by James Joyce I have never read anything by Joyce that I remember. It seems unlikely that I didn't read at least an excerpt from something when I was in college, but if I did it didn't stick with me. "After the Race" is from Dubliners, first published in 1914. The story begins with a car race through Dublin and tells the story of Jimmy Doyle, a young Irishman who is riding with a Frenchman, Segouin, the rich owner of the car who is starting motor business. Jimmy is the son of a wealthy merchant, well-educated and well-provided for. He is aware of how much work it was for his father to attain his success and considers his investment with Segouin to be serious, although it did meet with his father's approval. Jimmy and his father want to associate with the higher social classes and Jimmy, after the race, joins the Frenchman and several friends for dinner. It's a delight,...
Read More

National Napping Day

by Carol11 Comments
Today's National Napping Day! Apparently the unofficial holiday started in 1999 and serves as a reminder to us all that sleep is an essential and healthy part of our daily routine. I love a nap. There are few things better than taking time out in the middle of the day to lie down and go to sleep. Forget about the chores, ignore the kid, keep the dog out of the bedroom. It's refreshing, puts me in a good mood. My family knows that every Sunday afternoon, I get to disappear into the bedroom for an hour or so for a nap, no disturbances. I wish I could take a nap this afternoon, but no, I have to be at work. And I have to walk home for lunch and then walk back since my husband accidentally took my car key with him, so no time to sneak one in. So, what about you? Are you a napper?...
Read More

Chickerella by Mary Jane and Herm Auch

by Carol7 Comments
Chickerella by Mary Jane and Herm Auch (Suggested reading level: Ages 4 -8 ) I talked about Cinderella the other day and then ran across this farmyard retelling at the library. Amber (10) did not read it with me. It's below her reading level and we're in the middle of Harriet the Spy, but more important she hates chickens and this book is full of them. The illustrations are actually photos of stuffed chicken mannequins made with clay, yarn, feathers and fabric. Chickerella's mother was killed by a fox and her father marries a hen with two daughters who shows up from another farm. This stepmother sends Chickerella's father on a wild goose chase and he never returns. Chickerella, true to the story, is forced to be the servant of the household. For some reason, the water she drinks makes her lay glass eggs. Some time later, a Fowl Ball is held (yes, the book is chock-full of bad puns). Chickerella is told...
Read More

Classic Family Games

by Carol5 Comments
I ran across a mention of a board game in a book I'm reading this week, so I though I'd share. The next afternoon Harriet didn't get home until five o'clock. She had purposely Stayed away all day, first following her spy route, then playing Monopoly with Janie and Sport. The game had made her irritable because she hated to sit still for that long. Janie and Sport loved it. Janie had all sorts of systems worked out for winning, and Sport was so passionate about money that they were kept continually interested, but Harriet couldn't keep her mind on it. (pg. 135, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh) I can understand where Harriet's coming from . Monopoly can leave me irritated too. It can be such a long game, and I never, ever win. On the other hand, I do think it's a game that every family should own a copy of . There are just some classic games that are great...
Read More

Boots Who Ate a Match with the Troll

by Carol11 Comments
This week for Fairy Tale Friday, I'm featuring one of my favorites when I was a child. We actually had this troll story in two books, "The Stone Cheese" in Favorite Tales of Monsters and Trolls retold by George Jonsen which has awesome illustrations and "The Lumberjack and the Cheese" in Trolls compiled and illustrated by Doug Cushman. I don't know why it was a favorite, but we actually still have both of those books, one at my mom's and the other at my house. In the story, an old man lives at the edge of a forest. In turn he sends his two oldest sons out to chop wood, but both brothers are frightened off by the "ugliest, meanest-looking troll anyone could imagine" who threatens to rip them to pieces. On the third day, the youngest brother goes out to chop wood, taking a piece of white cheese with him. When he is confronted by the troll, he takes out...
Read More

To Sin with a Scoundrel by Cara Elliott

by Carol23 Comments
To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliott I have to admit that I love a good Regency romance. A dashing hero, the woman who is too independent or intelligent for her times, a little sex and danger thrown in and you've got me hooked. Ciara is a widow whose knowledge of herbs has led to some speculation that her husband's unfortunate death was actually due to poison. Of course, that's not true, but her dead husband's family, eager to get their hands on a fortune, encourage the gossip. What she needs is a man in her corner, a man with connections in Society who can offer her some protection from the malicious slander. Enter the Lucas, the Earl of Hadley. His reputation as a rogue and womanizer has been well-earned, but he's an intelligent man who is becoming disillusioned with his life of "pleasure." He also has a favor he needs Ciara's help with, an ancient manuscript his uncle needs translated, so...
Read More