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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Review: The Red Leather Diary
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub Date: 2008
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
Pages: 320 Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780061256783
From Harper Collins:
For more than half a century, the red leather diary lay silent, languishing inside a steamer trunk, its worn cover crumbling into little flakes. When a cleaning sweep of a New York City apartment building brings this lost treasure to light, both the diary and its owner are given a second life.
Recovered by Lily Koppel, a young writer working at the New York Times, the journal paints a vivid picture of 1930s New York—horseback riding in Central Park, summer excursions to the Catskills, and an obsession with a famous avant-garde actress. From 1929 to 1934, not a single day's entry is skipped.
Opening the tarnished brass lock, Koppel embarks on a journey into the past, traveling to a New York in which women of privilege meet for tea at Schrafft's, dance at the Hotel Pennsylvania, and toast the night at El Morocco. As she turns the diary's brittle pages, Koppel is captivated by the headstrong young woman whose intimate thoughts and emotions fill the pale blue lines. Who was this lovely ingénue who adored the works of Baudelaire and Jane Austen, who was sexually curious beyond her years, who traveled to Rome, Paris, and London?
Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel sets out to find the diary's owner, her only clue the inscription on the frontispiece—"This book belongs to . . . Florence Wolfson." A chance phone call from a private investigator leads Koppel to Florence, a ninety-year-old woman living with her husband of sixty-seven years. Reunited with her diary, Florence ventures back to the girl she once was, rediscovering a lost self that burned with artistic fervor.
My Thoughts:
Oh to be a well-off young Manhattan girl during the 1930s! The art, the conversations, the theatre, the boys, the girls...what an adventure!
The book contains a diary entry of a few sentences, and then the story surrounding those entries is related by Florence. The diary begins when Florence receives it as a present on her fourteenth birthday, and ends with the last entry of her 19th year. The time in between is filled with art, trips to the museum, relationships with boys and girls, and summer vacations.
Florence started college when she was fifteen. She was extremely smart and was quite the philosopher.
There are also some old photos included within the pages of the book, so it is very easy to be transported back to Florence's time, and to put a face with a name. It personalizes the story.
Florence led an amazing life and has very interesting stories to tell. This book is written well considering the information was gathered from extensive interviews. The author, Koppel, does try to connect herself with Florence's story, but I think it's understandable given that she found the diary and was having some adventures herself at that time in her life. Some have said that Koppel compares and likens herself to Florence, but I didn't have that impression. It could be possible that I ignored that aspect, because I felt this was Florence's book and story to tell.
Overall, I liked this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a glimpse into the past. It was a quick, fun, and enjoyable read.
My Rating: 4.25/5
Thank you to Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books. I won this book on her blog, so please go check her out. There is a lovely website for this book here.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Teaser Tuesday (April 28)
She asks you to do the following:
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from 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!
Rogue cursed. "You little fool! I do not know what you are at, madame, but if war breaks out over you inability to bridle your hot-blooded lovers---"
"Damn you, Rouge!" she (Renee) rasped, close to tears. "Act now, reproach me later!"
pg 183, Royal Blood by Rona Sharon
I just started this book and the story elements are still being laid out. What I can tell you, is that Renee is a French princess who is sent to King Henry VIII's court on a secret mission. It is early in his reign. I'm not sure what the mission is exactly, but along the way she meets a mysterious man.
That's all I can say for now.
Intrigued? Curious? Want to learn more? I am giving away one copy of this book. Giveaway details are on my sidebar.
It is tough to put this book down, but I do have to go to work, you know :)
OMG! I just try to spread the love :)
This is what this award means.."We give and get awards for having a great blog and being a good friend. What I want to award is those people whose comments have meant THE WORLD to me. It takes time to visit a blog and leave a comment ... I wanted to recognize some special bloggers whose comments have made such an impact on me. The “You Don’t Say?” Award is awarded to these special bloggers in hopes that they will pass the award along to 5-10 of their best commenters!"Now to passing this award to my best commenters :)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Giveaway! Royal Blood by Rona Sharon
From Kensington Books:
During the annual celebration of the Order of the Garter, Sir Michael Devereaux arrives in King Henry VIII’s court on a mission for his benefactor. The celebration’s endless feats and sumptuous women delight the charismatic newcomer, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic Princess Renée of France. But evil, it seems, has followed Michael to the court. Shortly after his arrival, an unknown killer claims several victims, including the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, and the powerful Cardinal Wolsey asks Michael to help with the investigation. As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of the victims—flashes of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Michael soon realizes that the key to solving the crime is connected to both the Pope’s Imperial vault in Rome and a mystery from Michael’s own past—revealing a secret that is so damning, it could forever alter the future of mankind.
Powerfully evocative and steeped with detail from the breathtaking era of the Tudors, Royal Blood is historical storytelling at its richest—an unforgettable tale of intrigue, passion, and danger.
Sounds good, doesn't it? I just started it and am liking it so far.
A big thank you to Anna from FSB Associates for sending me this book to review AND for allowing me to host this giveaway.
This giveaway is for 1 copy of the book. Rules are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years old to enter
- Leave a comment with a valid email address. No email, no entry.
- Post about this giveaway on your blog for an extra entry. Leave me the link please.
- Open to residents of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes please.
Thanks again Anna :) And good luck everyone!
{EDT: 4/28 Added the post on your blog bullet point}
{EDT: 5/6 With respect to the giveaway, I am extending it a week until the 15th of May. I am not finished the book yet, and not for lack of trying. I really resent having to put it down to go to my day job. Anyway, by the time I finish and write a proper review...therefore the giveaway is extended a week. I do feel a little bad, but hey, it is my giveaway right? Now I know better for next time.}
Musing Monday (April 27)
Today's musing is the following:
Do you read non-fiction regularly? Do you read it in a different way or place than you read fiction? (question courtesy of Diane)
Not really. If the book strikes my fancy, then yes. One of last books I read, Jantsen's Gift was non-fiction. I tried it because it sounded appealing, and it was. It was different than what I normally read. I read another non-fiction book earlier this year about Madame de Stael. It was a biography of sorts and quite interesting. It read like story, which her life certainly was.
Normally I don't pick up non-fiction because I read for entertainment and to immerse myself in the story. To be transported to another time and place. The few biographies I've tried have not done that for me. Interesting, but a bit boring. One, the story of Ava Gardner was nice reading but I grew bored with it. The pace was rather slow.
I don't read non-fiction in a different way, not consciously I guess. Maybe I don't understand that part, because I certainly don't understand the bit about the place.
Can you recommend a good non-fiction story for me? Something historical but not too dry maybe?
How about you? Do you occasionally read non-fiction? If so, what?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Winners of Jantsen's Gift Giveaway
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Review: Jantsen's Gift
608 Inventions & patents
Jennifer = 05449658 = 054+496+58 = 608
Class:
600 Technology
Contains:
Health, agriculture, management, public relations, buildings.
What it says about you:
You are creative and inspired to make the world a better place. You can work hard on something when it catches your interest. Your friends have unique interests in common with you.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Musing Monday (April 20)
Coming towards the end of April, we’re a third of the way through the way through the year. What’s the favourite book you’ve read so far in 2009? What about your least favourite? (question courtesy of MizB)
Hmm...good question. My least favorite was Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. This was the third time I tried to read it and failed. Just could not get into it.
As for favorites, I have a few:
- A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
- Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
- The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
These three books transported me to another time and place while I was reading them. Very engrossing and enjoyable.
How about you? What was your favorite?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Premio Dardos Award
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Teaser Tuesdays (April 14)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Jean Plaidy Challenge 2009
Feel free to join along or just stop by the Jean Plaidy blog for information about this prolific writer.
Musing Monday (April 13)
Today's musing is the following:
How do you respond to the comments on your blog? Do you try to email individually or comment on post yourself answering the comments above? What do you think is the best way to respond to comments and do you respond to all of them? Do you feel slighted if you don't receive a response back from the blog owner? (question courtesy of Jenn) {Hey that's me!}
I have been struggling with this for some time now. I read every comment, and would love to respond back to everyone, even if it is just to say thanks. I receive all comments in my email, so I usually try to respond individually. Unfortunately, not all commenters have their email address set up with their profile or account, or they have have it hidden. Then if I reply by commenting on the post, I feel like it may seem I'm only responding to some and not everyone.
When I comment on a blog, I don't expect a response back, unless I ask a question. I know people are busy and all that. I also don't subscribe to the comments because my inbox is plenty full as it is. I just try to remember to go back and check the post.
So, I'm starting to think the best way might be to comment on my posts. This way no one will feel slighted.
How about you? What are your thoughts?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Review: Madame Serpent
From Amazon UK:
Sullen-eyed and broken-hearted, fourteen-year-old Catherine de'Medici arrives in Marseilles to marry Henry of Orleans, second son of the King of France. On the promise of a dowry fit for a king, Catherine has left her true love in Italy, forced into trading her future for a stake in the French crown. Amid the glittering fetes and banquets of the most immoral court in sixteenth-century Europe, the reluctant bride becomes a passionate but unwanted wife. Humiliated and unloved, Catherine spies on Henry and his lover, the infamous Diane de Poitiers. And, tortured by what she sees, Catherine becomes dangerously occupied by a ruthless ambition destined to make her the most despised woman in France: the dream that one day the French crown will be worn be a Medici heir ...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Giveaway! Jantsen's Gift
Jantsen's Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace
Nine years ago, Pam Cope owned a cozy hair salon in the tiny town of Neosho, Missouri, and her life revolved around her son's baseball games, her daughter's dance lessons, and family trips to places like Disney World. She had never been out of the country, nor had she any desire to travel far from home. Then, on June 16th, 1999, her life changed forever with the death of her 15-year-old son from an undiagnosed heart ailment.
Needing to get as far away as possible from everything that reminded her of her loss, she accepted a friend's invitation to travel to Vietnam, and, from the moment she stepped off the plane, everything she had been feeling since her son's death began to shift. By the time she returned home, she had a new mission: to use her pain to change the world, one small step at a time, one child at a time. Today, she is the mother of two children adopted from Vietnam. More than that, she and her husband have created a foundation called "Touch A Life," dedicated to helping desperate children in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Cambodia and Ghana.
Pam Cope's story is on one level a moving, personal account of loss and recovery, but on a deeper level, it offers inspiration to anyone who has ever suffered great personal tragedy or those of us who dream about making a difference in the world.
Contest Rules:
- Leave me a comment on this post with your email address. No email = no entry.
- Another entry if you post about this contest on your blog. Please leave me a link so I can check it out.
- Sorry, but only residents of the US or Canada are eligible to win; no PO boxes, please.
Again a big thank you to Anna from Hachette for this giveaway.
Good Luck!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
LOST Challenge: "Dead is Dead"
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Teaser Tuesday (April 7)
She asks you to do the following:
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from 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!
"Painted--played piano--read Baudelaire--and saw Manny. But I couldn't resist thinking about that girl--!
Invited that girl--Pearl is her name--to tea next Thursday afternoon--I hope I'm not disappointed--with her voice, I shouldn't be."
pg. 173 The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel
Very interesting book so far!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Review: Blue Diablo
Musing Monday (April 6)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Review: The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Some random thoughts on a Saturday night
So, I apologize for no content. I hope to write some reviews tomorrow and get them up during the week. Definitely doable. As for the remainder of my exciting Saturday night, there is some knitting and book reading to be done.
Enjoy your evening folks :)