S is for Skull

by Carol8 Comments
Vicki of Reading At The Beach hosts A-Z Wednesday. Today's letter is S. I'm going back to one I read in the spring of 2008. This is one of those books where the setting, Tibet, is just as important as the plot. It's a mystery, but also the story of the people and the place. I found it fascinating. The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison Winner of the 2001 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, Skull Mantra was a sensation when first published and received wide acclaim from critics and readers alike. The corpse is missing its head and is dressed in American clothes. Found by a Tibetan prison work gang on a windy cliff, the grisly remains clearly belong to someone too important for Chinese authorities to bury and forget. So the case is handed to veteran police inspector Shan Tao Yun. Methodical, clever Shan is the best man for the job, but he too is a prisoner, deported to Tibet for offending someone high...
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Teaser Tuesday

by Carol14 Comments
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given. Please avoid spoilers! My teaser is from the same book as last week, three sentences this time: "The first chance the Indians had of seizing the Diamond was a chance lost, on the day when they were committed to the prison at Frizinghall. When did the second chance offer itself? The second chance offered itself—as I am in a condition to prove—while they were still in confinement." -pg. 308, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. My copy was purchased. I am an Amazon Associate....
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The Nutcracker based on the classsic story by E. T. A. Hoffman

by Carol4 Comments
The Nutcracker based on the classic story by E. T. A. Hoffman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Suggested reading level: Ages 4-8) Amber (9) and I read this together again this year. Remember this is based on the story, not the ballet. No sugar plum fairy shows up, there are no dancing snowflakes, but it does come with a CD of selections from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, which we just started listening to in the car today. The music is beautiful. The story is familiar to us all. Clara finds a nutcracker under the Christmas tree. She learns how the toy got it's ugly face and hears the story of it's feud with the Mouse King. She finds the courage to help the nutcracker and breaks the spell he's under. The book is illustrated throughout in the same style as the cover, bright and colorful with just the right amount of detail. The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition and this...
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Mailbox Monday

by Carol14 Comments
Marcia at The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday every week. I got some great books and goodies. Turn Up the Heat by Jessica Conant- Park and Susan Conant, signed, was a win from Lori's Reading Corner. Thanks I received Rion by Susan Kearney from Anna at Hachette Book Group for review. Then on Saturday morning, I received the Giving Thanks tote bag I won at TJ Bennett's blog, IMHO. Thanks! In addition to the cute black and white tote, it included five signed books and some goodies. Passionate by Anthea Lawson A Stroke of Magic by Tracy Madison The Promise by TJ Bennett Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas The Pleasures of Sin by Jessica Trapp $20 Barnes and Noble Gift Certificate A pear scented candle, bookmarks and a magnet for my car What books found their way to your house this week?...
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Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton

by Carol2 Comments
Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton (Suggested Reading Level: Ages 9-12) Amber(9) and I read this together last Christmas and again this year. Geronimo Stilton, an adorable mouse who runs a newspaper, takes takes his friends and family on a skiing vacation. Unfortunately, a bad accident lands him in the hospital, but while there he meets some great people. I love the Geronimo Stilton books because of the way they look, really. The pictures are cute and detailed; the font varies in size, style and color throughout the story.  This particular one helps kids learn that hospitals aren't really places to be afraid of, that the nurses, doctors and other employees are all trying to help you the best they can. It also has a nice reminder about how important family and friends are. I especially like the end, where the whole gang puts on a show for the patients. Laughter is the best medicine, after all! It's a nice story for this time of year,...
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Game Night – Bohnanza

by Carol3 Comments
Bohnanza Designers: Uwe Rosenberg Manufacturer: Rio Grande Games Artist: Bjorn Pertoft Year: 2000 Players: 2 -7 Time: 45 minutes Ages: 12 and up Who knew that being a bean farmer could be so much fun? The theme behind card game is that you're a farmer with a couple of fields that you plant beans in, trying to make as much money as possible in the process. An odd rule in this card game is that you can't change the order of the cards in your hand, you have to play them as your draw them, unless you make some good trades and deals. It's all about trading, which can be a little tough for me at times. I'm not real good at cooperation, which I may have mentioned before, and don't like helping people out if it's possible not to, meaning I don't win often. It is a fun game, though and the card illustrations are awesome. It's a great addition to game night, since...
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