Carol's Notebook – Page 354

Spotlight: Budapest Romance by Rozsa Gaston

February 13, 2015January 27, 2015 by CarolNo Comments

Excerpt: How could she not notice being noticed? Floating in a thermal bath pool at a spa hotel in Budapest, Kati discreetly eyed the rugged blond man lounging in the next pool. He had glanced in her direction several times over the past two days. She was mourning the death of her father the month before, and was in no shape to be looking at the opposite sex. But the man's shaggy, blond hair had caught her eye that first evening in the pools; it had wandered down over his shoulders and powerful chest as well. Béla Dunai would have forgiven her, she knew. At that moment, the man lifted his head and looked directly at her. Immediately, she pretended to be studying the clock on the wall behind him. She hoped he was too far away to notice the blush that had sprung onto her face. She wanted to pass for a sophisticated European woman while in Hungary. But here she was, blushing...

Thursday’s Tale: The Howling of the Wind

February 12, 2015 by Carol1 Comment

Today's tale is another from The Turnip Princess and Other Newly Discovered Fairy Tales by Franz Xaver Von Schonwerth. "The Howling of the Wind" is a sad story without a happy ending. A woodsman had a son and when the woodsman died, the son had no job, so he, in typical fairy tale fashion he went out into the world to seek his fortune. He ended up getting lost in the woods and eating all he had, a crust of bread. He became terribly thirsty, but as luck would have it he spotted a footpath that led him to a well. At the well, a beautiful woman was drawing water. She offered him a drink which he accepted and then offered him a job working for her, which he of course accepted. They soon fell in love and were married, but he woman had one condition. Her husband must not ask about her on Thursdays. For almost fourteen years, they lived happily together and...

Readers’ Workouts – 2/10/15

February 10, 2015February 12, 2015 by Carol2 Comments

So, here are my steps for the week. Not so great. And here's my current workout plan. I just finished week 3, more or less. I wish it were nicer out, I much prefer running outside; the treadmill is so boring. I think we're supposed to get more snow later this week. :( Wednesday - Did this workout from Self using a 10-lb plate and did reps instead of time to make it 30 mins. Thursday - 60 mins on the elliptical, going almost 5 miles it said. Sunday - Ran .74 miles on the treadmill, took a short break, then ran 3.5 miles. Monday - 15 minute ab workout from Bob Harper's Yoga DVD How has your week been? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...

Macbeth: The Graphic Novel adapted by John McDonald, written by William Shakespeare

February 6, 2015 by Carol4 Comments

When I read Light Thickens by Ngaio Marsh earlier this year, it made me want to re-read Shakespeare's Macbeth. Amber has had this graphic novel for a while and she enjoyed it, so I though it might be an interesting format to read the play. The dialogue is all the original, but the format obviously makes it feel different from reading the straight play. Macbeth is a great play and this is not a review of it. It's got witches and ghosts and murder and betrayal. It's really a fun tragedy, which is part of the reason I encouraged Amber to read it. She's not one to be afraid of classics, but Shakespeare's language can be daunting for anyone. The graphic novel makes it more accessible, you can see what's going on in addition to reading the dialogue. The illustrations are clean and colorful but not outstanding. I don't read many graphic novels, so take it for what it's worth, but the...

Thursday’s Tale: King Goldenlocks

February 5, 2015February 4, 2015 by Carol2 Comments

I was happy to get a copy of The Turnip Princess and Other Newly Discovered Fairy Tales by Franz Xaver Von Schonwerth, edited by Erika Eichenseer, translation and commentary by Maria Tartar, for review. From the blurb: "Franz Xaver von Schönwerth traversed the forests, lowlands, and mountains of northern Bavaria to record fairy tales, gaining the admiration of even the Brothers Grimm. Most of Schönwerth’s work was lost—until a few years ago, when thirty boxes of manuscripts were uncovered in a German municipal archive. Now, for the first time, Schönwerth’s lost fairy tales are available in English. Violent, dark, and full of action, and upending the relationship between damsels in distress and their dragon-slaying heroes, these more than seventy stories bring us closer than ever to the unadorned oral tradition in which fairy tales are rooted, revolutionizing our understanding of a hallowed genre." The book will be released on the 24th, so I though I'd feature stories from the collection for my Thursday's Tales this...

Give Books, Not Roses Giveaway

February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 by Carol3 Comments

The Sunday before last, I think it was, I woke my husband up with "Happy Almost-Valentine's Day." Yeah, he was a little confused. But Valentine's Day is coming up and I'm happy to host the "Give Books, Not Roses" Giveaway. The prize is two books, Love Gently Falling and Keys of Heaven, and a bar of chocolate. You can keep them, which is probably what I would do, or give them to a friend or family member you appreciate. The entry form is after the letter from the books' editor. A winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day. (US only. Sorry.) Dear Reader, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! The crisp, cool air feels a little sweeter and stores are filling their shelves with greeting cards and candies. But instead of sharing the usual gifts, the way to someone’s heart can be through a story (and maybe a little bit of chocolate). Hachette Book Group is offering a “Give Books, Not...