Carol's Notebook – Page 420

Tuesday Intro

July 16, 2013July 16, 2013 by Carol7 Comments

Today's Top Ten is about Authors who deserve more recognition. My problem is I don't tend to read little-known authors. Sad, I know. The only one I could think of was Brian M. Wiprud, who I love but don't see around much. So instead, how about the beginning of the book I'm currently reading, The Red Queen Dies by Frankie Y. Bailey. DATE: Thursday, 24 October 2019 TIME: 0700 hours WEATHER TODAY: Mid 90s. Air quality poor. Evening storms DISPLAY ON WALL: Wake-up News "Good morning, everyone. I'm Suzanne Price. "First, the news from the nation. The federal government says, 'No hoax, no conspiracy, but still no definitive answers. "The administration denies suppressing portions of the commission report on the November 2012 close encounter between NORAD fighter jets and the black boomerang-shaped UFO that appeared over the Mojave Desert, creating worldwide awe and panic before disappearing in a blinding flash of light. "In Las Vegas, preparations are under way for the now-annual spectacular celebration of that close encounter. "However,...

Where I’m Reading

July 15, 2013 by Carol7 Comments

View 2013 Where I'm Reading in a larger map I thought I'd take a look today at where I've been reading so far this year, that is where the books I've been reading have been set. I'm not doing very well at the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I've only visited 12 countries: US Barbados Costa Rica New Zealand Australia South Africa Norway Italy Germany England Ireland Turkey I've only hit 10 states and territories: California Arizona New Mexico Tennessee Ohio Pennsylvania New York Illinois Missouri US Virgin Islands It doesn't seem like I've visited many places. Granted, some of the books I've read I haven't really been able to place the setting on a map, either because it's entirely fantasy or it's non-fiction but not about a place or person or thing. My favorite settings so far have probably been the warm, sunny ones. ...

21st Century Citizen

July 12, 2013July 12, 2013 by Carol14 Comments

Do you belong in this day and age? Do you feel comfortable being a citizen of the 21st-century? If you do, explain why — and if you don’t, when in human history would you rather be? The other day the lights went out - for a whole 5½ hours. We gathered up some candles, played a board game, then hung out on the patio with a small fire. But it was not like "being a pilgrim except with cell phones and potato chips. We knew the electricity would be back on, probably sooner rather than later. And I'm glad. I definitely belong in this day and age. I love being able to communicate with people without ever actually talking to them, let alone seeing them. I love texts and e-mail. I like being able to carry a hundred books around with me on my Kindle without the weight of that many tomes, classics and modern novels. I like cement and paved roads and...

Thursday’s Tale: The Golden Key

July 11, 2013July 10, 2013 by Carol1 Comment

Illustration: The Golden Key, Claudia Bettinardi, 1999 "The Golden Key" is another tale from Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and was traditionally the last story in the second volume, which may explain the rather abrupt ending. Usually I give you a synopsis of the story, but this one's so short, I'll let you read it yourself. In the winter time, when deep snow lay on the ground, a poor boy was forced to go out on a sledge to fetch wood. When he had gathered it together, and packed it, he wished, as he was so frozen with cold, not to go home at once, but to light a fire and warm himself a little. So he scraped away the snow, and as he was thus clearing the ground, he found a tiny, gold key. Hereupon he thought that where the key was, the lock must be also, and dug in the ground and found an iron chest. "If the key does but fit it!" thought...

Audiobook Review: 1222 by Anne Holt

July 10, 2013July 10, 2013 by Carol6 Comments

Title: 1222 (Hanne Wilhelmsen #8) Author: Anne Holt Translated by Marlaine Delargy Read by Kate Reading Category: Mystery Audio published: December 27, 2011 by Blackstone Audio (First published 2007) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository A train on its way to the northern reaches of Norway careens off the track during a massive blizzard, 1,222 meters above sea level. The passengers abandon the train for a nearby centuries-old hotel, which is practically empty, except for the staff. With plenty of food and shelter from the storm, the passengers think they are safe until one of them turns up dead. With no sign of rescue, and the storm continuing to rage, retired police inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen is asked to investigate. Paralyzed by a bullet lodged in her spine, Hanne has no wish to return to police work. Bitter and anti-social, she is slowly coaxed back to her old habits as her curiosity and natural talent for observation compel her to take an interest in the passengers and their secrets. When another...

Review: Missing Barbados by Willem Pain

July 8, 2013July 10, 2013 by Carol3 Comments

Title: Missing Barbados Author: Willem Pain Category: Mystery Published: March 13, 2013 by the author Rating: 2½ out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository A teenage member of the royal family is kidnapped while on holiday in Barbados putting Susan Berg, the shoot-first owner of the Caribbean Detective Corporation, on the case along with her hard charging associate, Dutch Holland. Together they destroy half of the Monarchy and most of Barbados as they aim their spotlight on the darkest secrets and most notorious of villains on the island. I don't think Barbados will miss Susan and Dutch when they leave. The mystery is interesting enough, I guess, but all the destruction and shooting and ruining your "friends'" belongings got a little monotonous. Setting: Barbados seem like a perfect vacation destination. Tropical and, to quote the book, "a refined and well-run island. Dressing for dinner, tea time, low crime and very stable." Sandy beaches a warm ocean, good food. Sign me up, but not for any...