tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44557809774000673662024-02-08T00:23:36.582-05:00Westwinds BookshopWestwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-17446899848965915822012-12-22T14:34:00.000-05:002012-12-22T14:41:24.392-05:00Some favorite books of 2012<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLTyv5p2I4o/UNYKUXVXWuI/AAAAAAAAB7A/lqYLp-evmRQ/s1600/The-Age-of-Miracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLTyv5p2I4o/UNYKUXVXWuI/AAAAAAAAB7A/lqYLp-evmRQ/s1600/The-Age-of-Miracles.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The
Age of Miracle</i>s, by Karen Thompson Walker<br />
A work of science fiction that will leave you thinking "What if..."
long after you're finished reading this book. The premise is that the Earth's
rotation slows incrementally as the days pass, and of its effects on humanity.
Told from a sentient twelve year old girl's perspective living in California,
it is the tale of what might happen if a cataclysmic weather event affected the
whole Earth. What would the toll be on the economy, government, health,
relationships? As the Earth rotation slows,
days turn into blistering summer, and nights become coldest winter. Food for
thought!</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bT4FUtKvz6o/UNYKcqKlDPI/AAAAAAAAB7I/FBhVPOU1N50/s1600/flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bT4FUtKvz6o/UNYKcqKlDPI/AAAAAAAAB7I/FBhVPOU1N50/s1600/flight.jpg" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The
Flight of Gemma Hardy</i>, by Margot Livesey<i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The
Flight of Gemma Hardy</i> is a book you can't help taking everywhere with you until
you've finished it. In the spirit of Bronte and Dickens, Margot Livesey has
created an aptly named, plucky, and bright character in Gemma Hardy. As in any
good Dickensian novel, Gemma is orphaned as a child, sent to work early, and
unloved by most everyone.(You will want to take her home and give her a meal, a
warm bed, and a hug.) Sad though she may seem, you will keep with Gemma until
she's reached the full potential you know she is capable of, and deserves, from
the very first page. She will not disappoint.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-716nO3cyXII/UNYKijs-V7I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/cHatoe8Ijik/s1600/song-of-achilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-716nO3cyXII/UNYKijs-V7I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/cHatoe8Ijik/s1600/song-of-achilles.jpg" width="131" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Song of Achilles</i>, by Madeline Miller</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Song of Achille</i>s by Madeline Miller is a modern retelling of the Illiad; the story of the war
resulting from the the kidnap of Helen of Troy from her husband Menaleus, by
Paris of Sparta. Set in ancient Greece, <i>The Song of Achille</i>s depicts Achilles’
early life and training by the centaur Chiron, as well as his relationship with
his cousin Patroclus, and their time at war in Sparta. It is beautiful, melodic
writing that portrays Achilles as a gentler soul than Homer and most others
have portrayed him. If you have ever read the Illiad or have a student that will be reading it, it is the most
enjoyable, palatable version of the Illiad
you will ever read. I hope she writes a version of the Odyssey next, and
experience Miller’s version of Odysseus' long voyage home.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxod5PNCF0k/UNYKqBrK7bI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/rikTiAoQOUU/s1600/the-art-of-fielding1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxod5PNCF0k/UNYKqBrK7bI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/rikTiAoQOUU/s1600/the-art-of-fielding1.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Art of Fielding</i>, by Chad Harbach</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the surface, <i>The Art of Fielding</i> is a book about
baseball. Scratch the surface of Chad Harbach’s beautifully rendered, character
driven novel, and you’ll find it’s a book about drive, family, friendship, and
loyalty. Henry Skrimshander is the most fluid, perfect baseball player Mike
Schwartz has ever seen. Henry’s playing just for the love of the game in a
summer league in a small town when he is discovered by the dynamic Mike
Schwartz, captain of the Westish College baseball team. Soon Henry is on a path
to a dream he never thought he dared to hope for. Then life throws him a curve
ball... Will Henry survive the debilitating setback? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:0in;
mso-para-margin-left:.25in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:0in;
mso-para-margin-left:.25in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-6592907033256984802012-11-09T09:41:00.002-05:002012-12-22T14:39:58.663-05:00Author visit with Amor Towles (and more authors I am excited about!)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lYp5l_4UEI/UJ0Obu6KKhI/AAAAAAAAB5g/kLVxY-1j5cU/s1600/G+(Grandma+Skiing).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lYp5l_4UEI/UJ0Obu6KKhI/AAAAAAAAB5g/kLVxY-1j5cU/s1600/G+(Grandma+Skiing).jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amor's Grandparents. His grandmother was an inspiration for the book.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All other authors coming to Duxbury beware! Amor Towles has set the bar high for being one of the best speakers and readers that we've had the pleasure to have at the Duxbury Free Library. His wonderful stories about living in New York and of his grandmother's socialite past dovetail beautifully into the fictional New York of the 1930's in <i>Rules of Civility</i>. His heroine, Katie Content, is the daughter of immigrants but despite her upbringing and the Depression, sees another life for herself. Very motivated and hardworking, and without sacrificing principles, Katie quietly takes advantage of opportunities presented to her to raise her social profile and forge her career in Manhattan in the 1930s. It is a timeless story of a girl coming to New York in her twenties. My friend Beth, who came to the reading and also read the book, said that this story reminded her in many ways of her own story coming to New York in the 1980's. Manhattan has the same feel-the big buildings, parties, bars and diners- in the city now as it had in the time of <i>Rules of Civility. </i>It is a fantastic book for a book club discussion. If you missed the wonderful discussion with Amor, read and discuss with your book club. It is new in paperback at Westwinds.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PKqczNRu4M/UJ0OeMLJqXI/AAAAAAAAB5o/NFyQy1CfxNc/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PKqczNRu4M/UJ0OeMLJqXI/AAAAAAAAB5o/NFyQy1CfxNc/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donna, Brooke, Amor Towles & Carol at the DFL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coming up- Maryann O'Hare will be coming on November 28th to the Duxbury Free Library to discuss her new book <i>Cascade</i>, a fictionalized account of filling in the Quabbin Reservoir in 1939, and one of the three towns that were sacrificed to create it. Historical fiction at it's best- a story that makes you learn and think, in an enjoyable format.<br />
<br />
In January, <i>Song of Achilles</i> author Madeline Miller will be coming to talk about her modern retelling of the <i>Illiad</i>. In Madeline's book, Achilles is portrayed as a much gentler person than in his past characterizations. It is a very human story of Achilles and his "beloved companion" Patroclus, and of the very long war in Troy. I really loved this book- it tells the <i>Illiad </i>in a way that you will remember and understand. I can't wait to ask if she is retelling the <i>Odyssey </i>next. I hope to convince her to if she's not- she is very good at storytelling. More Madeline, more!Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-75141514209488544092012-09-25T13:00:00.000-04:002012-09-25T13:00:13.776-04:00Author Visit with Emily Sweeney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAUMsnQYzjg/UGHelxuKuhI/AAAAAAAAB5I/AUCExtnP8Do/s1600/boston-organized-crime-emily-sweeney-paperback-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAUMsnQYzjg/UGHelxuKuhI/AAAAAAAAB5I/AUCExtnP8Do/s200/boston-organized-crime-emily-sweeney-paperback-cover-art.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
by Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
Last Wednesday, Westwinds and the Duxbury Free Library had the pleasure of hosting Emily Sweeney to talk about her new book, Boston Organized Crime. While showing photographs unearthed from years of research in the many police departments in and around Boston, Emily interspersed tales of Boston's mob scene from years gone by. She had a very engaged and informed audience who asked many discussion provoking questions, and who, on occasion, had information about, or a connection to some of the most infamous characters in Boston's past. There was talk of crime, arrests, murder, cases solved, and of cases never solved. Boston mob crime is a subject that will always interest us because if its secretive nature and gritty glamor. Emily is an engaging young reporter, as interested in listening to her audience and making connections with them, as she is talking to them. She is currently working on a book about prohibition in Boston. Read more of Emily's work in the Globe South section of the Boston Globe, and if you have any tips, call her!<br />
<br />
Next up for Westwinds Bookshop is a visit from the author Amor Towles, author of <i>Rules of Civility</i> on October 4th at 7pm at the Duxbury Free Library. Tickets are going fast- get yours at Westwinds today. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmpbBrMc92g/UGHe7O6u9XI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/t_o5nrr46dY/s1600/IMG_3844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmpbBrMc92g/UGHe7O6u9XI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/t_o5nrr46dY/s320/IMG_3844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-6979147528227678912012-09-07T11:32:00.004-04:002012-09-07T11:32:43.782-04:00Author visit with Taylor Polites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMjtFEeA9XQ/UEoM8UvJnDI/AAAAAAAAB4s/MKSdJRGRa5U/s1600/Brooke%252C+Taylor+%2526+Carol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMjtFEeA9XQ/UEoM8UvJnDI/AAAAAAAAB4s/MKSdJRGRa5U/s320/Brooke%252C+Taylor+%2526+Carol.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke McDonough, Taylor Polites and Carol Jankowski</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
Last night, we had the treat of spending the evening with the delightful Taylor Polites (pronounced like "politest", without the t on the end) author of <i>The Rebel Wife</i>. His visit was a part of Westwinds' and the Duxbury Free Library's very popular series, Book Breeze, which was favorably featured in The Boston Globe yesterday.<br />
<br />
You can tell not by his accent, but by Taylor's charming manner that he grew up in the South, in Huntsville Alabama, near where his story takes place. As a child, Taylor was fascinated by the tales of the Civil War, and of the South's reconstruction efforts in the late 19th century. He worked in a southern mansion in Huntsville as a tour guide as a teenager, and it was then that his story began to take shape. In college he studied the Reconstruction Era, and is still as fascinated by the subject as when he first began learning about it. His passion for this time in our nation's history and it's complicated characters are evident as he speaks. He clearly so enjoys passing on his knowledge and creating characters that bring Alabama in 1875 to life. I haven't read the book yet, but after Taylor's reading and our subsequent discussion, I can't wait to see what happens to Augusta (the title character) next. <br />
<br />
Thanks for a very enjoyable evening, and not giving away any spoilers, Taylor!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y-M4aevnt28/UEoM-EZPdcI/AAAAAAAAB40/C0niBuxFjsM/s1600/The+Rebel+Wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y-M4aevnt28/UEoM-EZPdcI/AAAAAAAAB40/C0niBuxFjsM/s200/The+Rebel+Wife.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Read <u>The Rebel Wife</u>, available at Westwinds.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Come to Westwinds' next Book Breeze event with Emily Sweeney at The Duxbury Free Library on September 19th.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-13014818888119326252012-09-04T14:06:00.000-04:002012-09-04T14:06:02.153-04:00Girls Book Club on a Field Trip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZQbH3HUUCs/UEY4E_b4KTI/AAAAAAAAB38/xeuQ9vVFrUU/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZQbH3HUUCs/UEY4E_b4KTI/AAAAAAAAB38/xeuQ9vVFrUU/s320/IMG_3710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie, Caroline, Tess, Aby, Anna, Courtney, Kathryn and Shea</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
If you remember, our new ninth graders had just graduated middle school, and we embarked upon <i>Little Women</i>, by none other than Louisa May Alcott for the girls' ninth grade Summer read. After reading the book, we had a great time at a big screen movie night at Westwinds, with pizza and lots of candy. (I love that movie so much- it's the one with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder.) Lydia joined us for the evening, too. No need to be a teenager to enjoy that movie- it's timeless.<br />
<br />
After seeing the movie and reading <i>Little Women</i>, we went out to Concord, MA to the Alcott house for the full Louisa May experience. We has a wonderful engaging tour guide who took us through the Alcott house for an hour. We all felt very immersed and connected to the book, and to the March girls. We saw Beth's piano, Amy's (May's) paintings, and Jo's (Louisa's) desk. It made me want to go back in time... but we went to lunch instead, at the Colonial Inn. Very historical, just fancy enough, and great food. It was a great end to our day.<br />
<br />
So now, our little women are young ladies, and are off to high school. We will begin to read books for the older crowd, with more mature themes. We're going to start off with another book that is going to be made into a movie- <i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>, by Stephen Chbosky. I haven't read it myself yet- we'll let you know how it goes, and how we like the movie. (With Emma Watson- I bet it's good.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
If anyone has some good high school recommendations for our girls, send them our way!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od3dviRVRCQ/UEY4LmBRD8I/AAAAAAAAB4M/vK8hPRxmEro/s1600/IMG_3714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od3dviRVRCQ/UEY4LmBRD8I/AAAAAAAAB4M/vK8hPRxmEro/s320/IMG_3714.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at The Colonial Inn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-71757104559173008382012-07-24T13:51:00.002-04:002012-07-24T13:51:55.264-04:00Update on our Mother-Daughter Bookclub<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea7Ko78kdFA/UA7ap6Y3lfI/AAAAAAAAB2o/0sz3Y3RNfJU/s1600/Book+Club+Girls+4th+grade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea7Ko78kdFA/UA7ap6Y3lfI/AAAAAAAAB2o/0sz3Y3RNfJU/s320/Book+Club+Girls+4th+grade.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine, Aby, Kathryn, Anna, Shea, Katie & Tess (missing Courtney) in 4th grade put on a show at book club.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>by Laura Sullivan</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been four years since we started our mother daughter book club, and as our girls were promoted form 8th grade to high school, I thought they'd be much too old and bust for a book club. At the end of May I lamented that it might be our last meeting, for said reasons. I'm happy to say, there was outcry and rage at such a thought! So we will continue through high school, and meet on Friday nights instead of Wednesdays, and maybe stretch out our load. Our girls love book club- they love being together and part of a club (and even being with us, I think they <i>might </i>admit.) They are not great readers, as most of their mothers are, but continue to benefit from this monthly gathering in many tangible, and intangible ways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp1dxhHVEqs/UA7anJ4sW_I/AAAAAAAAB2g/4dVdh0OCq8s/s1600/xphoto2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp1dxhHVEqs/UA7anJ4sW_I/AAAAAAAAB2g/4dVdh0OCq8s/s320/xphoto2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess, Katherine, Aby, Shea, Courtney, Anna, Katie & Katherine give us a preview of their 8th grade promotion dresses. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are reading <i>Little Women</i> over the summer, a summer read for high school that they chose to read together. We are going to visit Louisa May Alcott's house, and watch the movie, when everyone's finished, of course. I so look forward to what we will do together in high school, and look forward to revisiting some of the classics they will read in those years. Here's a comprehensive list of everything we've read so far:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Girls Book Club Books</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grade 4 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Hundred Dresses</u>, by Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin and Helena Estes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>All of a Kind Family</u>, by Sydney Taylor and Helen John</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Anne of Green Gables</u>, by L.M. Montgomery</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Sport</u>, by Louise Fitzhugh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Hank Zipzer: Day of the Iguana</u>, by Henry Winkler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Borrowers</u>, by Mary Norton</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Bridge to Terabithia</u>, Katherine Patterson and Donna Diamond</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Indian in the Cupboard</u>, by Lynne Reid Banks</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Miracle on 49th Street</u>, by Mike Lupica</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Because of Winn Dixie</u>, by Kate DiCamillo<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grade 5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy</u>, by Jeanne Birdsall</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Wright 3</u>, by Blue Balliet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Summer to Die</u>, Lois Lowry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Ida B: …and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and Possibly Save the World</u>, by Katherine Hannigan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret</u>, by Judy Blume</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Rules</u>, by Cynthia Lord</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler</u>, by E. L. Koningsburg</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Walk Two Moons</u>, Sharon Creech</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Long Way From Chicago</u>, by Richard Peck<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grade 6</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Shakespeare's Secret</u>, by Elise Broach</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Revealers</u>, by Doug Wilhelm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Flush</u>, by Carl Hiaasen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Million Dollar Kick</u>, by Dan Gutman</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Anybodies</u>, by N.E. Bode</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Lily's Crossing</u>, by Patricia Reilly Giff</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>A Wrinkle in Time</u>, by Madeline L'Engle </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Bloomability</u>, by Sharon Creech</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Jacob Have I Loved</u>, by Katherine Patterson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Firegirl</u>, by Tony Abbott</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Grade 7</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Fever 1793</u>, by Laurie Halse Anderson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Things not seen</u>, by Andrew Clements</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>If You Come Softly</u>, by Jacqueline Woodson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Up a Road Slowly</u>, by Irene Hunt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chains</u>, by Laurie Halse Anderson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Green Glass Sea</u>, by Ellen Klages</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Each Little Bird that Sings</u>, by Deborah Wiles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>I'd Tell You I Love You but I'd Then I'd Have to Kill You</u>, by Ally Carter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Mockingbird</u>, Katheryn Erskine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Cage</u>, Ruth Minsky Sender</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>If I Stay</u>, Gayle Forman<br />
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grade 8<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<u>A Million Miles from Boston</u>, Karen Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Okay for Now</u>, Gary Schmidt</div>
<u>The Hunger Games</u>, Suzanne Collins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Ruined</u>, Paula Morris</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Catching Fire</u>, Suzanne Collins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Mockingjay</u>, Suzanne Collins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Wonder,</u> R. J. Palacio</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>LittleWomen</u>, Louisa May Alcott<u><br /></u></div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-30182174702345437932012-05-08T11:41:00.001-04:002012-05-08T13:13:45.056-04:00More than Fifty Shades of Grey...<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJASqYPaxYk/T6k-CJ089pI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/taLPOEJd3hk/s1600/Dance+%28I%29,+early+1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJASqYPaxYk/T6k-CJ089pI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/taLPOEJd3hk/s320/Dance+%28I%29,+early+1909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
by Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
I admit, I haven't yet read <i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i>, but can't help but be intrigued. Is it buzz about a really good book, or buzz about a not very literary book that for some reason (we know what that reason is, really) has captured our imagination? <i></i><br />
<br />
People are either raving about how fun and refreshing it is to read such a sexy book, or are on the opposite side, taking it off the shelves of their libraries and descrying it as porn, as they have just done in Florida. Why is it wrong to enjoy such a book, when murder mysteries are perfectly acceptable? Killing someone, a life ending force, is okay, but a life beginning force is not? Only if you enjoy it, apparently!<br />
<br />
Sex in books is as old as books themselves. It is part of life- what part of life isn't in books? Rape, murder, thievery, spies, car chases, love stories, financial success, collapse and ruin. All safe topics. Why not sex? The Kama Sutra was written (and drawn) in 200 B. C., and it is still in print today. Enjoy whatever book you read, and enjoy these sexy titles that were the <i>Fifty Shades</i> of their time: <br />
<br />
<i>Lady Chatterley's Lover</i>, by D. H. Lawrence (1928) about an upper class English woman and her affair with a gardener. The shock the shame! Very erotic and literary. I read this once in a book club with all the ladies in book club and our husbands at the once a year book club that we invite the men to. It was a very fun and lively discussion, to say the least!<br />
<br />
<i>Madame Bovary</i>, by Gustave Flaubert (1856) is about a doctor's wife and her adulterous affairs. Flaubert was put on trial for the lewd content of this book. He was cleared, and it is now considered a masterpiece by a literary giant.<br />
<br />
<i>The White Hotel</i>, by D. M. Thomas (1981) A fictionalized account about one of Sigmund Freud's patients and her erotic fantasies. Set in Vienna in the 1930's, it is about an opera singer patient of Freud's, and his mixed feelings fer her. It's a three-fer: sexy, historical <i>and </i>literary too. <br />
<br />
There are so, so many more literary, sexy books like this that I could mention that have merit. Give <i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i> some time to see where it falls in the pantheon of literature. Any book you enjoy has merit, sometimes especially the sexy ones.<br />
<br />
<br />Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-86725626171451383732012-04-25T11:42:00.000-04:002012-04-25T11:42:24.556-04:00I can't read this anymore!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpaVE7ErlUI/T5gWSr879aI/AAAAAAAAA3A/6QzzH-omX_E/s1600/scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpaVE7ErlUI/T5gWSr879aI/AAAAAAAAA3A/6QzzH-omX_E/s320/scream.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
by Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
Why do we keep reading a book when it makes us mad? Or sad? I have been reading the <i>Game of Thrones</i> series, by George R. R. Martin, and it is positively infuriating at times. Do you know how you feel when you just love a book and want to send a note of thanks or congratulations to the author? I feel the opposite. I want him to do some serious explaining as to what he was thinking when he decided the fates of these characters and send them off to the publisher. Really.<br />
<br />
So why do I keep reading? I am three books in, (it's five books so far, each at about 900 pages) and in the middle of this last book, something finally very good was about to happen- and didn't. I was ready to throw in the towel; I just couldn't suffer with this anymore. My husband read the whole series, and thinks: "It's just not normal for a grown woman to be at the supermarket muttering about a science fiction novel." I have to explain- this series is epic in scope, but tragic, and like nothing you've ever read. The main characters (or those that you think of as main characters, and will carry through the whole series, die without warning. Nothing <i>good </i>happens in this book! So why do I keep reading?<br />
<br />
Because, my friends, this is why we do read- if Romeo and Juliet went off to live in a cottage by the sea, would it endure? If Jean Val Jean became a baker and lived in Paris, we would have <i>The Happies</i> instead of <i>The Miserables</i>. We love epic tragedies. They are stories, they keep us turning the pages and to be able to suffer and feel, and then go out to mulch the garden, unharmed. We need vile, horrible villains, and tragedies of epic proportions. They make the story go. I will keep reading the <i>Game of Thrones</i>, and continue with book four, <i>A Feast for Crows</i>, after I take a break. For a book with happy ending.Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-33882605430277795582012-02-28T16:19:00.000-05:002012-02-28T16:19:22.782-05:00What to do until Downton Abbey returnsby Laura Sullivan<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFlSAziZojM/T01ElRd7QMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/bc5caO15HJE/s1600/23Downton415.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFlSAziZojM/T01ElRd7QMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/bc5caO15HJE/s200/23Downton415.jpeg" width="200" /></a>I have to say, even though the ending of the second season of Downton Abbey was far, far more satisfying than the first, I will still miss it. To have to wait until next January for the third season is perceived as pain for some. There is even a Downton Abbey support group on line! (I must say, if that is the support group you need, good for you- you are living a pretty great life!) Meanwhile, between here and January of 2013, here are a few books of that age to get you through. I haven't read some of them yet, but culled from some lists I saw, and interviews I heard. I hope you, and I, like them. Descriptions are right from the books, as I have no experience with them as yet.<br />
<br />
<i>Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, </i>by the Countess of Carnavon<br />
The story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration for the hit PBS show <i>Downton Abbey</i>, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon and the basis of the fictional character Lady Cora Crawley. Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war....<br />
<br />
<i>Below Stairs,</i> by<i> </i>Margaret Powell<br />
Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants portrayed in <i>Downton Abbey</i> and <i>Upstairs, Downstairs</i>, Margaret Powell’s classic memoir of her time in service, <i>Below Stairs,</i> is the remarkable true story of an indomitable woman who, though she served in the great houses of England, never stopped aiming high. Powell first arrived at the servants' entrance of one of those great houses in the 1920s. As a kitchen maid – the lowest of the low – she entered an entirely new world; one of stoves to be blacked, vegetables to be scrubbed, mistresses to be appeased, and bootlaces to be ironed. Work started at 5.30am and went on until after dark. It was a far cry from her childhood on the beaches of Hove, where money and food were scarce, but warmth and laughter never were. Yet from the gentleman with a penchant for stroking the housemaids’ curlers, to raucous tea-dances with errand boys, to the heartbreaking story of Agnes the pregnant under-parlormaid, fired for being seduced by her mistress’s nephew, Margaret’s tales of her time in service are told with wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for the prejudices of her situation. Margaret Powell's true story of a life spent in service is a fascinating “downstairs” portrait of the glittering, long-gone worlds behind the closed doors of Downton Abbey and 165 Eaton Place. <br />
<br />
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="height: auto; overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;"> <div id="postBodyPS" style="overflow: hidden;"> <div><div><i>Fall of Giants</i>, by Ken Follett<br />
A thirteen-year-old Welsh boy enters a man's world in the mining pits; an American law student rejected by love finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson's White House; a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with a German spy; and two orphaned Russian brothers embark on radically different paths when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution.<br />
From the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty, <i>Fall of Giants</i> takes readers into the inextricably entangled fates of five families-and into a century that we thought we knew, but that now will never seem the same again.<br />
<br />
(I did read this last one, and loved it. It is the first of the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett. I can;t wait for the next installment in September of this year.)</div></div></div></div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-90148729267490119542012-02-14T12:50:00.000-05:002012-02-14T12:50:43.474-05:00Love love?by Laura Sullivan<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jumk2vwI_zI/TzqZPTnmXqI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/DVfNhGeOci4/s1600/pride-and-prejudice-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jumk2vwI_zI/TzqZPTnmXqI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/DVfNhGeOci4/s200/pride-and-prejudice-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Bennet & Darcy </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
As I look over the list of books that I've read over the years, I see that not many are love stories in any way. I seem to gravitate toward shipwreck books about resourcefulness and struggle for some reason. Shipwrecks aside, here are a few of my favorite love stories for Valentines Day that are decidedly <i>not</i> romance novels....<br />
<br />
<i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, Jane Austen<br />
<i>Sense and Sensability</i>, Jane Austen<br />
<i>Persuasion</i>, Jane Austen<br />
<br />
These are perpetually on any of my book lists. Formulaic, but Jane has written about the plight of women in her day. Women who had little choice in life, but who made their life what they wanted, and would rather live out their lives as devoted maiden sisters and daughters than to live in an unhappy marriage.<br />
<br />
More modern, but British again is <i>Major Pettigrew's Last Stand</i>, by Helen Simonson. A quiet love story about a man in his 60's interested in living life in love, and not living out his days as a stay at home widower, as the rest of his family expects him to do. Funny, charming, and lovely.<br />
<br />
<i>Outlander</i>, by Diana Gabaldon is the start of a series about a time traveling British nurse from World War II, who stumbles through some standing stones into the arms of a Scottish Jacobite in the 1700s. Very historical, magical, and some slight bodice ripping. Those of us who wait not so patiently for the next installment of the Outlander Series dream of our husbands in kilts... (Full disclosure- my husband did accuse me of reading a romance novel when I was reading this, but it really is very historical! I learned a lot.)<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Summer of My German Soldier</i>, by Bette Greene is a young adult novel that is still one of the only novels to ever make me cry. Heatbreaking young love about a young country girl and a German POW during WWII. (The other novel to make me cry was when Laura got married at the end of the Little House on the Prairie Series- she left the only home she knew!)<br />
<br />
Right now I am reading <i>The Rules of Civility</i> by Amor Towles. I am just at the beginning, but the author's name does suggest romance- I'll let you know. It is Brooke's favorite book of the year.Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-3392782387453929542012-01-23T20:25:00.000-05:002012-01-23T20:25:45.362-05:00My neighbors, Emily and Max<i>by Laura Sullivan</i><br />
<br />
Hi friends,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovBBqzR6k_s/Tx4GIJNI_nI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0LA3XRwEXt4/s1600/max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovBBqzR6k_s/Tx4GIJNI_nI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0LA3XRwEXt4/s200/max.jpg" width="128" /></a>I had the great pleasure of listening to my neighbor, Emily Colson, talk about her book, <i>Dancing with Max </i>yesterday at the Duxbury Free Library. I have to be truthful, I went more slightly as a neighborly obligation, and left wishing my whole family came with me. She is a wonderful speaker, and gives a perspective on children with autism, and how a life lived with joyful abandon can be liberating to anyone.<br />
<br />
I have known Emily for a few years now, and can attest that she is always sunny, happy, and smiling. She completely embraces the joy in life, and all that she has with her son, Max.<br />
<br />
Thank you for sharing your story, Emily, you are an inspiration, and very funny, too!<br />
<br />
See Emily's blog at: http://emilycolson.com/emilys-blog<br />
<br />
<i>Dancing with Max</i> is available at Westwinds today. Come in and pick up a copy, and say "Hi" to Emily and Max when they see you on their adventures around town.Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-8494570982092670732012-01-04T22:03:00.000-05:002012-01-04T22:03:10.723-05:00New Years Reading Resolutions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DoNotShowMarkup/> <w:DoNotShowComments/> <w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/> <w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:3.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TY2WdYtgCQ/TwURIvLz8tI/AAAAAAAAA2I/c-SfDIgzKYc/s1600/George_Eliot_at_30_by_Fran%25C3%25A7ois_D%2527Albert_Durade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TY2WdYtgCQ/TwURIvLz8tI/AAAAAAAAA2I/c-SfDIgzKYc/s1600/George_Eliot_at_30_by_Fran%25C3%25A7ois_D%2527Albert_Durade.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">by Laura Sullivan</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I like making New Year's resolutions. I make lots, because one is bound to get done, and I feel so accomplished. (I think it's because I like making lists and crossing things off. First: make list. Then when the list is done, cross off "Make list." Who's ahead of the game!) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This year I am making a reading resolution, and it's now public, so you can ask me how it's going when you see me on the street. But if I am on the street, it is likely that my car is broken down. So stop and help. Then ask me how my resolution is going. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am going to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Middlemarch</i>, by George Eliot.(This portrait is of George at 30. I hope that she's not just been reading her book- she appears to be suffering from terrible ennui.) I know, some of you think, "Oh, I've read that four times" or "Every Summer!" But for me, it is my literary Waterloo. I have tried three times to get into this book that by all rights I should love, but something stops me at about page 150. No more- I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> finish it!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been successful in a reading New Year's resolution book before- I resolved to read the New Testament in its entirety a few years ago, and I did. And I knew how that story would end… go figure. Future years' resolutions will include James Joyce's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ulysses</i>, The Old Testament, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You Can't Go Home Again</i>, by Tom Wolfe. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have read and enjoyed many a giant tome. War and Peace, Les Miserables- easy. All Jane Austen- child's play. I drool over Downton Abbey. I should be wrapped up in a Victorian Novel with a cup of tea <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>. I vow to get to the bottom of this book once and for all, and cross it off my list.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I'd love to hear- what's your reading resolution?</div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-64753856184976745052011-11-16T17:16:00.000-05:002011-11-16T17:16:41.240-05:00Satisfying series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">By Laura Sullivan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Have you ever finished a book and felt like you left a friend behind? I have. I still remember reading <em>Les Miserables</em> by Victor Hugo one summer on the train every day. It is such a large book! As a voracious reader as I was, and still am, it took me six weeks to finish. I read on the T, at my lunch hour, at night. (I really got out a lot…) I can still feel how it was to close that last page and just hold it on the way home. We were done, Jean Val Jean and me. What book in the world can you go to after you've finished a book like that? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The above scenario is why reading a series is so satisfying. No mourning and wondering what you will possibly read next- there's something in line to take its place and continue the story. Until the end of course- it's hard, but you will recover. Many series are written for young adults, or by mystery writers. The young adult should be "young at heart." A good story is a good story, no matter the intended market. Young adult books don’t mean have teeny bopper themes, or that the writing is sub-par; they often have content that is appropriate for a young adult audience. Think of them as PG books. Okay, enough convincing- here are some of my favorites:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><em>Little House on the Prairie</em> by Laura Ingalls Wilder</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I read this series three times; once when I was a kid, once to my older two children, and once to my younger two boys. Find someone to tread this series to- just 15 minutes a night and you'll be through it in a year. So many discussions along the way!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><em>Harry Potter</em>, by JK Rowling </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">What can I say? I didn't dress up like my 43 year old sister in law when the books came out (her daughters haven't even read them!) but I did attend the midnight release party of the final installment at Westwind's and finished the 800 plus page book two days later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><em>The Hunger Games</em>, by Suzanne Collins</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I usually really hate post apocalyptic literature, but I had to read the first book for book club, and I'm so glad I did! Books two and three followed soon after, and when I was done, I passed them to my husband, who read all three as voraciously as I did.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><em>Percy Jackson and the Olympians</em>, by Rick Riordian</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am still reading the latest of this series to my nine year old. I so try not to read ahead after he goes to bed…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><em>Chains</em> and <em>Forge</em> by Laurie Halse Anderson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">These books are Revolutionary War diary stories of a slave girl trying to find her sister. It is gripping, and the cliffhangers would put any soap opera to shame. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">These are only a very few of what's out there- my son Ben loves spy books- the <em>Alex Rider</em> series and the <em>CHERUB</em> series. The point is, there are so, so many to choose from. Ask your local bookstore owner for some guidance. I'm sure they will talk your ear off, as I have!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-62189101737667179522011-10-11T20:05:00.000-04:002011-10-11T20:05:11.380-04:00Food writing!<span style="font-family: Garamond;">by Laura Sullivan</span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It's October now, and although we had a lovely 80 degree Indian summer weekend, it is generally getting cooler. With the cooler days, we are more apt to sitting in a cushy chair with a blanket and a book, than lounging in the hammock with one. It is also the time of year to hunker down and cook good food. Coincidentally, it is also when the farmers markets offer their best - apples, pumpkins, squashes kale, and cider doughnuts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Our farmer's market here in Duxbury is so bucolic, everything looks so fresh and good! I tend to get overly ambitious and buy too much. I can’t help it- it's like when I wake up in the morning with the best intentions of my day: oatmeal for breakfast, roast kale chips in the oven for a snack, and bread and soup for dinner. (My husband makes fun of my "hearty food" days, but he seriously benefits from it, too.) No one wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Today's the day I'm going to let that cabbage that I bought wilt in the fridge for one more day then finally throw it out. And because it's bad, I am going to stick some frozen pizza in the oven, because, oh well, that's all I have."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">If you can’t get to the farmer's market (poor you), this is where you will get, and hopefully, keep inspiration for eating well during the long winter days ahead: food books. Cook books, journals, food history books, reviewer's reminisces-all of the above. When I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</i>, by Barbara Kingsolver, I bought a sprouting jar and I still use it- especially in the cold months when my garden is frozen over. Her story is the year in the life of her family on their small farm in Virginia. They took the full year to live off their own land, and to eat as locally as possible. It's informative, not too preachy, with some good recipes thrown in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">There are so many books like this to choose from- pick what you are interested in, and something that reads like a story. Michael Pollan's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omnivore's Dilemma</i> is more of a history of food. Well researched and written, it will have you thinking about why you eat what you eat, and the shape of your teeth and why they are how they are… </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Dr. Andrew Weil's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eating Well for Optimum Health</i> is more of a health centric book. He's a health nut who's a little chubby himself, a good indication to me of someone who likes food. It is a guide to good health and way of eating that you will enjoy, not suffer through. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The above books are not just browsing books, but full on reading books. If this kind is not your cup of tea, get a cup of tea, and sit down with a stack of cookbooks to leaf through and gather some new ideas for the well-intentioned kale languishing in your fridge. There are also so many beautiful cookbooks that I couldn't possibly mention them all, so I will name a few. Gwyneth Paltrow's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Father's Daughter</i>, anything by Ina Garten, and the Silver Palette books are some of my personal favorites. Don’t tell the folks at Westwinds, but what I like to do is get cookbooks from the library, take them home, and try them out. Once I've found one that's a keeper, I return the library book, and buy my own copy. I have done it with every book I've listed above.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It's getting chilly here at the computer, and I have a southern cookbook open on the counter with a chicken in the fridge waiting to be cooked, and to be joined by the sweet potato salad I've already made (because it's cool, but still warm enough for a salad.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I type these recipes for you, I will go cook that pullet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Roasted Sweet Potato Salad</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">5 large sweet potatoes </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">3 c. arugula</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">6 chopped scallions or 1/2 cooked Vidalia onions</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">2/3 c. craisins</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/2 c. toasted chopped pecans</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Dressing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/4 c. olive oil</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">2 tbsp real maple syrup</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">2 tbsp apple cider</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">2 tbsp balsamic vinegar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 tbsp lemon juice</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/4 tsp nutmeg</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Peel and cube sweet potatoes into bite sized pieces. Toss with a little olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, and roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, turning on the pan every 10 minutes. Whisk dressing ingredients together. Toast pecans. Let the sweet potatoes cool, then toss all ingredients together in a pretty bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Roast Chicken with Cider and Molasses</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">5-8 lb roasting chicken</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 c. apple cider</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/2 c molasses</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/2 c. cider vinegar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1/2 c. chopped mixed fresh herbs- tarragon, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 tbsp butter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 tbsp olive oil</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">2 sweet onions, sliced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">12 cloves peeled garlic cloves</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">1 c. chicken stock</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">salt & pepper to taste</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Place cider in saucepan over medium low heat and reduce to 1/2 cup. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from heat and add vinegar and molasses. Preheat oven to 450. Sautee onions and garlic with olive oil. Place chicken in roasting pan, stuff cavity with fresh herbs, and spoon onions and garlic in the cavity and around the chicken. Add 1 cup stock to pan. Rub chicken with butter. Roast for 30 mins. Reduce heat to 375. Add cider mixture to the pan and baste chicken. Baste every 20 mins or so. Cook chicken 20 minutes per pound, until internal temperature of thickest part of breast is160 degrees, or until the little thing pops up. Let rest for 10 minutes, covered by foil. Remove chicken from roasting pan, and place the roasting pan on stove top on medium high heat. Let mixture reduce a little, and skim off any fat. Season with pepper and salt, and serve alongside chicken.</span></div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-35891425053812057432011-09-21T14:15:00.002-04:002011-09-22T12:19:45.196-04:00An Intellectual Lifeby Laura Sullivan <br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkD801Dlsnc/TnopK06WRKI/AAAAAAAAAAM/rxzmoXhjo3s/s1600/IMG_5024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkD801Dlsnc/TnopK06WRKI/AAAAAAAAAAM/rxzmoXhjo3s/s320/IMG_5024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caleb & Ben with Jeff Kinney at Boston Book Festival</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hello friends,<br />
<br />
Back in my glamorous days as a twenty-five year old working for a foreign language publisher in the city, when I didn't wear jeans or yoga pants six days of the weeks, I had a vibrant cultural life. I was a member at the Huntington Theatre Company, went to Tanglewood on occasion, and my favorite- I would walk from my office to the local bookstore, (Waterstone's at the time, now gone from Newbury Street) to hear my favorite authors read from their most current works. I was only a few years out of college, and every time I felt like I got to go to an entertaining lecture, by one of my favorite professors. And the best, no homework! I felt so urban and intellectual. I wore scarves to be cool, not just to keep warm.<br />
Fast forward more than a few years, I am living in the suburbs, doing the crossword puzzle to keep sharp, married with children, now themselves a little older, and can be left to fend in the wilds of Duxbury from time to time. My cultural life can resume, from seeing Shrek at the movie theatre, back not quite to the level of my glory days in the city, because I can't stay out that late any more-but to a level that I am happy with. (But don't think that Shrek isn't loads of fun…) <br />
What has most lately influenced my literate life has been Westwinds Bookshop, and their very willing partner, the Duxbury Free Library. The number of very talented authors that they are able to attract to the little hamlet of Duxbury really is amazing. Their readings are made all the more enjoyable in that they are free, and always intimate. You will get the question answered that you always wanted to ask. With the help of some dedicated author friends around town, and some sweet, smart talking by the managers at Westwinds and the director of the library, we get very talented authors to enrich us, so we might take a day off from the crossword, and feel intellectual, again. You can even bring the kids. Scarves optional.<br />
Congratulations to Westwinds on their official grand opening this past weekend. You have really brought the store, and our town, to it's fullest potential. <br />
A few of the recent author readings:<br />
Marianne Leone<br />
John Sayles<br />
Ann Hood<br />
Jennifer Haigh<br />
Andre Dubus, III<br />
See the Westwinds website at <a href="http://www.westwindsbookshop.com/">http://www.westwindsbookshop.com/</a> for what's coming up next… it will be sure to enrich and enliven your week!</div>Laura Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118216849263665742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-40077902503898127152011-08-17T15:16:00.001-04:002011-08-18T12:46:21.541-04:00Fascinating Non-fiction!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">by Laura Sullivan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hello friends,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I hope you've been enjoying some really great books this summer, as I have. There are so many great, sweeping novels that take us to places like Victorian England, the Brazilian rainforest, or to Paris in the 1920's. These books leave you without time and space, and if there's no clock or watch nearby, maybe without dinner, because time has lapsed, and it's just so late that you might as well order pizza. I LOVE those books, but I have to mete them out like a good dessert so that I can get some work done! (It's a little like when I got the first season of Mad Men from the library, then watched it all in three days- I walked around in a 1960's fog for a week.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">You know the usual drill-just one more chapter, and then you'll stop. Then it's two in the morning and you are finished but you still can't get your mind off the Brazilian rainforest or Paris…So you have some cereal and watch Jimmy Fallon until 3 am. Tired and cranky tomorrow, no doubt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I don’t want you to stop reading these books, but, as a break, you should try some really worthwhile books out there that will mix up your reading patterns and allow you to get some sleep and work done. They inform, delight, and are sometimes unbelievable because they are true. They are what the Reality Show was before the Reality Show was a reality…they are non-fiction! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">If you are already a fan, bravo to you, and I am preaching to the choir. If not, try one! Even as a one page a day devotional. They are not all dry. Don't pigeon hole yourself to being a reader who only reads what's on the new titles and best seller shelf. There is a whole fascinating world out there that is waiting for you. Open it up!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Some of my favorites:</span></div><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u>Cod: A Biography of a Fish that Changed the World</u>, by Mark Kurlansky</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Food, economics, the discovery of a little country called America, are a few of the topics Kurlansky writes about in the book. It is fascinating. People made fun of me while I read this because it seems like it would be so dull. It is so not. I have had many scoffers read this and love it. Don't dis the Cod.</span></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46dcJNOj9rcIu5f6RI3m7mv_KGZe7RF-ppNB-LBc89ovZeWagpqj6DHkf4TtqYvrWUhq95J3wdkn7RyQyLgZ5jJ3qyzMZNUcqzPC2XoRBCnA3LW8TVgyxNTyHvbWEav0G7BGLmep5uwOE/s1600/cod-cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46dcJNOj9rcIu5f6RI3m7mv_KGZe7RF-ppNB-LBc89ovZeWagpqj6DHkf4TtqYvrWUhq95J3wdkn7RyQyLgZ5jJ3qyzMZNUcqzPC2XoRBCnA3LW8TVgyxNTyHvbWEav0G7BGLmep5uwOE/s200/cod-cover.png" width="141" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><shape alt="cod-cover.png" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" style="height: 96pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 68.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="cod-cover" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\99--DE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></imagedata></shape></div></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u>The Golden Ratio</u>, by Mario Livio</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Again, fascinating. The golden ratio: 1:1.618… Also called the divine proportion. It is a book about discovery , music, beauty, architecture and about our natural world. It will make you look at your fingers, plants, the notes on the scale of your piano in a whole new way. And how smart are you? Reading a pleasure book about math!</span></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIvP5CgiofDSJ_lgsQCFuGKEwMvIEewxUSUm9R7Q5hCFASf2VZ_o2hLXK-1YBqONuljr9fmh7wFwrleviTgHuMBH2CkGj82eeAF55S8PHhOAmKIAHcisJmXtCQwiPq1AbGJ0VPQbrS1KA/s1600/golden-ratio-story-phi-worlds-most-astonishing-number-mario-livio-paperback-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIvP5CgiofDSJ_lgsQCFuGKEwMvIEewxUSUm9R7Q5hCFASf2VZ_o2hLXK-1YBqONuljr9fmh7wFwrleviTgHuMBH2CkGj82eeAF55S8PHhOAmKIAHcisJmXtCQwiPq1AbGJ0VPQbrS1KA/s200/golden-ratio-story-phi-worlds-most-astonishing-number-mario-livio-paperback-cover-art.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><shape alt="golden-ratio-story-phi-worlds-most-astonishing-number-mario-livio-paperback-cover-art.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 103.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 66.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="golden-ratio-story-phi-worlds-most-astonishing-number-mario-livio-paperback-cover-art" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\99--DE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></imagedata></shape></div></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u>In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex</u>, by Nathaniel Philbrick</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I yelled at the characters in this book like a crazy person- "No! Go the other way!" A frustrating, captivating look at a whaleship's voyage in the 1800's. Herman Melville most likely based Moby Dick on this true story of the whaleship Essex. A moral of the story - don't hunt whales, it makes them mad.</span></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmY2TXOahZsN_BKWwrNVa6lLJAeTge_UuiWrrQKjumB38GhO2NUQsOLjp0tvbBLErXcXMbB80IpdyROwOQPjWrdY-vdra1LgiUubyWxiPQPuHKo_GfbLWs1apGsuNd64jWBDHMjSfJ5EJ/s1600/in-heart-sea-tragedy-whaleship-essex-nat-philbrick-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmY2TXOahZsN_BKWwrNVa6lLJAeTge_UuiWrrQKjumB38GhO2NUQsOLjp0tvbBLErXcXMbB80IpdyROwOQPjWrdY-vdra1LgiUubyWxiPQPuHKo_GfbLWs1apGsuNd64jWBDHMjSfJ5EJ/s200/in-heart-sea-tragedy-whaleship-essex-nat-philbrick-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><shape alt="in-heart-sea-tragedy-whaleship-essex-nat-philbrick-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 108.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 66.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="in-heart-sea-tragedy-whaleship-essex-nat-philbrick-hardcover-cover-art" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\99--DE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></imagedata></shape></div></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u>Undaunted Courage</u>, by Stephen Ambrose</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The Corps ofDdiscovery explores the Louisiana Purchase territory during Thomas Jefferson's time in office. I marveled at what Lewis and Clark accomplished with their rudimentary resources. No fleece! No cell phones or GPS! They mapped the US in 1804 from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean with wood and leather. They ate dog when salmon was leaping out of the river at their feet. They lived!</span></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUg0kCWYZkkFIvi2J8E_kPFp2zYwAaOeUPbUiu1xKNoITB1ZtpqlEyuoQHkYRPh-kDdJjxv48irs-qppjSwG0kyYHRUQevU73kxf6bwBGrLSQ4NsMPmgiHCNa5TFztTwFNZyDepxP2xce/s1600/UndauntedCourage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUg0kCWYZkkFIvi2J8E_kPFp2zYwAaOeUPbUiu1xKNoITB1ZtpqlEyuoQHkYRPh-kDdJjxv48irs-qppjSwG0kyYHRUQevU73kxf6bwBGrLSQ4NsMPmgiHCNa5TFztTwFNZyDepxP2xce/s200/UndauntedCourage.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><shape alt="UndauntedCourage.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 97.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 64.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="UndauntedCourage" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\99--DE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></imagedata></shape></div></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u>John Adams</u>, by David McCullough</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I loved reading this book not only because I think my husband has the soul of John Adams, but because much of the action takes place in my back yard. I loved imagining the places that are so citified now the way they were in 1776. He was an incredible boon to our society, with a wonderful partner in his wife, Abigail. It is a look inside of the founding of our country from the perspective of a very unassuming man. </span></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #e0dfe3; border-left: #e0dfe3; border-right: #e0dfe3; border-top: #e0dfe3; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe9QIlXXSj1n8niUaDPB1AtvTa-qciJk0aLMIG5GjnGqlLMoTPzTsfgOKckNEFi1icoYLaU_QgXzTUL2AXIiAamBPhIGabtADAtev-bEyNoASyShIjNj8tSan6HnUehMfdDj880P7XmCH/s1600/7190999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe9QIlXXSj1n8niUaDPB1AtvTa-qciJk0aLMIG5GjnGqlLMoTPzTsfgOKckNEFi1icoYLaU_QgXzTUL2AXIiAamBPhIGabtADAtev-bEyNoASyShIjNj8tSan6HnUehMfdDj880P7XmCH/s200/7190999.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><shape alt="7190999.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 96.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 64.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="7190999" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\99--DE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></imagedata></shape></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Garamond;">These titles are only a small few of the vast number of non-fiction books that are out there. Look for something that is of interest to you, and give it a try. If it's a little dry and puts you to sleep, read your other book first, the two pages of one of these to settle down. Keep one in a place where you can sit down for a few minutes a day (get my meaning?) and read an informative book, instead of recycled content from a magazine. How ever you do it, do it. But don’t give up! Stay with it. You won’t be sorry.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: large;"><b>All of these books can be found online at the <a href="https://westwinds.theretailerplace.com/MLBX/screens/index.jsp">Westwinds Bookshop online store</a></b></span></div>Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-39346067886667589952011-08-02T16:39:00.001-04:002011-08-17T14:56:49.895-04:00My Favorite Place to Read (Ode to a Hammock)by Laura Sullivan<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ahh.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The Hammock. What may seem like an ephemeral summer reference to many of you, it is my every day hidden reality. Hidden, because my hammock is tucked perfectly between two trees just a little apart from my lawn. When you look out my back door - you can't see it, or me when I'm in it. It's part of the appeal with four children at home in the summer. (It's been a month now though, they're starting to catch on.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I bought the hammock for my husband for Father's Day last year, because it's the quintessential Father's Day gift. He already had the fishing rod from the year before, and had bought himself a boat. I prepared the site by measuring and cutting the intervening trees down myself. (Yes, if course with a chainsaw. I believe all ladies, even those equipped with handy husbands, should be able to handle chainsaws, power tools, and blowtorches. The last is good for crème brulee.) Then I set it up. I think Jim tried it once, but that relaxed summery hammocky feeling didn't stick with him. He was too (happily) busy moving about in the yard. So I tried it, dirty from gardening, hot and sweaty with little bits of dirt on my face where I wiped it with the back of my glove, and my work boots still laced up. It was love, bliss, and happiness! I found my reason for summer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even on the hottest days I lie in my hammock, undisturbed, shaded, listening to only the heat bugs. This afternoon I had a bowl of cherries, a book, and a cup of tea with me in the hammock, all balanced nicely. A word of caution: you ought not swing with hot tea, especially if the shirt you're wearing is white. In this total and absolute perfection, my book in hand, two hummingbirds flew nearby. I also have had a chickadee land right on the edge of the hammock while I was in it. I felt like Snow White! What total perfection. I think sometimes I would rather be there than any place in the world, really. When there's a breeze from the ocean that blows the compost scent in the other direction, it's complete and total perfection. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A summer of great books that will keep you in your hammock and up late at night:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Kitchen House</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, by Kathleen Grissom</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caleb's Crossing</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, by Geraldine Brooks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The White Rose</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, by Jennifer Donnelly</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Major Pettigrew's Last Stand</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, by Helen Simonson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A postscript: We were recently given a second hammock with a ready stand by my in-laws who were moving, and could no longer accommodate it in their new yard. I kept it for a few days, kitty cornered near mine in full sight. (Not hidden. Point?) My family thought it would be great to have two, so two people could enjoy them at the same time. Mind you- no one EVER goes in the hammock but me. Not by my directive, but by their own. I couldn't take it. The hammock was MY space. For me, alone, to read in joyous quiet solitude; a break from the delights of a family of six. I gave the new hammock away to a friend. I hope she enjoys her new hammock. Alone!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpoirvTUI2JmoWByK9Tel5-tHhw4fwANh7W_8a7r2MFykBLQ7Ok9xaiLUJdK4Yl-hBuRnPjSPCYZsfr0VczTlwX2EzzZ0SNxN6LH4En6zhklH-taFNvFVVKDFLEnBKLlsD-udPlQOL3ye/s1600/blogJuly%252C+2011+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpoirvTUI2JmoWByK9Tel5-tHhw4fwANh7W_8a7r2MFykBLQ7Ok9xaiLUJdK4Yl-hBuRnPjSPCYZsfr0VczTlwX2EzzZ0SNxN6LH4En6zhklH-taFNvFVVKDFLEnBKLlsD-udPlQOL3ye/s320/blogJuly%252C+2011+061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-71340572987786203112011-07-27T15:52:00.003-04:002011-08-17T15:03:07.072-04:00Book Club with the Author Karen Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUH5oRRrB_J9V6W0sqTbLxu1pbGZpXfGM7C3t0cSgbullnqDW8Ww_zMh6k-81fSUNIBgWTIIAv4g1RWrfFA1kdhyphenhyphen8FGuyEhxHw2PWIzWqt8wvCCvQL_b-Kph3pkNVSTn2U0oLo0Q0Rh6H/s1600/June+23rd%252C+2011+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUH5oRRrB_J9V6W0sqTbLxu1pbGZpXfGM7C3t0cSgbullnqDW8Ww_zMh6k-81fSUNIBgWTIIAv4g1RWrfFA1kdhyphenhyphen8FGuyEhxHw2PWIzWqt8wvCCvQL_b-Kph3pkNVSTn2U0oLo0Q0Rh6H/s320/June+23rd%252C+2011+162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96v5LZsTr9ieEOrpuxeK9K122IEdiZWb7QQXlIB-PIxbJmykblJoBzrXVsRg94HQO92BdWlgB4L5NvWvLjBZF5d4vULOYQVctkjtOkDgSwHsImsGG0eqWC3vB-Wj8-fiH6aVMxigW6ToI/s1600/June+23rd%252C+2011+163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96v5LZsTr9ieEOrpuxeK9K122IEdiZWb7QQXlIB-PIxbJmykblJoBzrXVsRg94HQO92BdWlgB4L5NvWvLjBZF5d4vULOYQVctkjtOkDgSwHsImsGG0eqWC3vB-Wj8-fiH6aVMxigW6ToI/s320/June+23rd%252C+2011+163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">by Laura Sullivan<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today our mother daughter book club was treated to a book club and talk at Westwind's by a local young adult author, Karen Day. Many of us read her latest work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Million Miles from Boston</i>. As quiet and shy as our usually garrulous girls were today, her visit was a real treat for them, and for the adults in the room, too! Karen talked about the book, her writing process, and even teased out some discussion from our deer in the headlights girls. She gave really good descriptions of how her characters are developed, and how her stories evolve. It was very fun, and enlightening for us to get an author's perspective on a book we've read. We always have questions as to why authors make certain choices for their stories- it was thrilling to get immediate gratification today, and not be left to wonder and ponder. (Although, if I didn't wonder and ponder, what would I do with my day?)</div><div class="MsoNormal">I personally appreciated the description about how long it took Karen to write her latest book, and how many people it takes to get a book actually published. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Million Miles from Boston</i> took five years to write, and went through seven or eight major revisions of the manuscript before it went off to print! She also explained that she has a great support group of stern but kind and truthful first readers to set her on the right path to a great story.</div><div class="MsoNormal">What seemed to impress the girls most is how much of herself Karen puts into her books. She told a great story about her book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Cream Puffs</i>, about the first girl little league player in Michigan. Once upon a time, Karen was that girl. When she was just twelve years old and the only girl in her town's little league, she struck out the town's best little league player, who also happened to be the cutest boy. (Karen knows her audience and the important details.) She's a great story teller, and an experienced hand with a crowd of young teenagers. </div><div class="MsoNormal">While Karen has given us more material with special insight for future book clubs, she's spoiled us to no end. It will be hard to go back to talking about a book without the author. Can you even imagine? I can, but I don't want to. Thanks, Karen.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Karen Day lives in Newton, Massachusetts and is the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tall Tales</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Cream Puffs</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Million Miles from Boston</i>. You can visit her on the internet at www.klday.com</div>Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-62980065194560045762011-07-07T21:41:00.001-04:002011-08-17T15:02:13.094-04:00Mother Daughter Bookclub Books We Have Read<div class="MsoNormal">by Laura Sullivan</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hi friends,</div><div class="MsoNormal">As promised: here is the list of what our mother daughter book club has read over the last four years. Ratings and comments were collected by the mothers and daughters. The scores are amalgamated, and comments are by both mothers and girls. I can't say it was a completely non-biased independent evaluation. For posterity, I must disclose that participants were paid with ice cream. The Stars are from 0-10, with 10 being the highest score.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Girls Book Club Books</div><div class="MsoNormal">Grade 4 Books</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Hundred Dresses</u>, by Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin and Helena Estes</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I loved this early book. It was a good one to start with."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book is so great for younger girls. Should be required reading. Perfect start."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A great book to start our girls book club with. Kind, sad, funny, and talks about the girl in the middle, the bystander."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I loved this book about the imprtance of kindness."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Loved it!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>All of a Kind Family</u>, by Sydney Taylor and Helen John</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.7</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Sweet book--good values. Nice for the grade level."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Interesting discussion about how things used to be 100 years ago."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion - not something thought about by the girls in 4th grade."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Anne of Green Gables</u>, by L.M. Montgomery</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.5</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A favorite of some moms, but too convoluted for 4th grade."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"liked writing style"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"We had a good time and watched the movie."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Sport</u>, by Louise Fitzhugh</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.4</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was an awesome book. At first I thought it was going to be for boys but I ended up loving it!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I remember a good discussion about his mother….not the best book for adults…but the girls seemed to like it"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Fun story about a boy (not a girl) lots of adventure"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Everyone seemed to love the book and was having a blast sharing their thoughts."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Hank Zipzer: Day of the Iguana</u>, by Henry Winkler</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 4.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.0</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Not particularly memorable."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"not much to discuss"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Borrowers</u>, by Mary Norton</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Discussion Stars: 7.1</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was a crazy book about tiny people called the borrowers who took peoples stuff!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good discussion"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"We had so much to talk about!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Bridge to Terabithia</u>, Katherine Patterson and Donna Diamond</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book made me cry both times I read it. It has a crazy twist that you don’t expect but that made it even more interesting."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Great combo of a terrific good--that's interesting to kids, readable and lots to discuss."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Very good discussion about individuality, being different"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I enjoyed this book about friendship and individuality."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"We all teared up just thinking about it!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Indian in the Cupboard</u>, by Lynne Reid Banks</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.9</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I thought it would be a boy book, but it's not. One of our favorites.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Don’t be fooled by the title this book was one of my favorite book. It was funny at some parts and tragic at the next."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Miracle on 49th Street</u>, by Mike Lupica</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”Just because its about basketball doesn't mean its not for girls. The main character is a girl trying to find her real father."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Girls/sports combo works well for our group."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"about living with cousin, distant father, and dead mother"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Discussion about relationships; lives with cousin, distant father, dead mother (of course)"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book had a great discussion because it was set in Boston and we had all been to their favorite pizza place (upper crust)."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Because of Winn Dixie</u>, by Kate DiCamillo</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.7</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This is an original book and I think everyone should read this book once in their life."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"classic, happy book, about relationship with father"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Classic misfit southern literature"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"enjoyable tearjerker"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This night was a fun night we talked about the dog and how cute it sounded."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Grade 5</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy</u>, by Jeanne Birdsall</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 9.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 9.2</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was an amazing story about how 4 girls survive with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out a mother it goes thought sad time , loving times, and happy times you feel like you have known the Penderwick family forever."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A favorte…perfect"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A favorite, the girls loved this story. Lots of character discussion"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”It was a great night and we all decided we would read the 2nd on our own."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Wright 3</u>, by Blue Balliet</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.2</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 3.6</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was a great book for people who like mysteries."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good book--mystery…some didn't read….would like to try this series again"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Not a lot of people read the book but I thought it was one of my favorite books and now they even have a 2nd and a 3rd wahooo!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Summer to Die</u>, Lois Lowry</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.2</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.6</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was an amazing book that was very sad and happy at both parts it reminded me of My Sister's Keeper."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"about relationships with family and neighbors, death in the family"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Very good discussion about family relationships, death in the family, safe relationships and neighbors"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good discussion because helped give girls perspective on what leukemia used to be like for kids… now more kids survive"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"excellent discussion- story really touched the girls"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"tough book & topic"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Not everyone liked this book which is normal but some people found it good like me!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Ida B: …and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and Possibly Save the World</u>, by Katherine Hannigan</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.4</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”This was my all time favorite book of the 5th grade!!!! This was sad happy and depressing all at once I read it 3 times it was so good and now they have a sequel I can't wait to read!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"another favorite. Should be required reading"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Great night a lot of kids liked the book and we had so much to talk about!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret</u>, by Judy Blume</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.3</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.9</div><div class="MsoNormal">"This book is about learning girl stuff FYI it's only for girls. I liked this book because it taught you not to be uncomfortable with your body and everyone is going thought the same thing."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Girls opened up more than I thought they would. Unbelievable how this book still has appeal to the next generation"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"about growing up to be a woman and friendships"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"You can imagine- we talked about lots of stuff in a room full of 20 people that doesn't usually get mentioned. Lots of questions from the girls!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"might want to read a bit older"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"we all read it when we were young; a true rite of passage"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"The discussion was about how she handled it the right was and they thought us what to do when we started to change"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Rules</u>, by Cynthia Lord</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.9</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Awesome</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was an awesome book. It taught you to always keep your promise and to be a loyal friend."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Favorite"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"a girl who made rules for her autistic brother"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Great discussion about people who are different, about how to treat people"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good discussion about autism - I do think this subject is over discussed"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler</u>, by E. L. Koningsburg</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This was a book that I didn’t like as much as the others"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Plot heavy, spent time reconstructing story"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"hard for girls to relate to this book"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Walk Two Moons</u>, Sharon Creech</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.2</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.5</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was really good and cute my favorite quote from this book was 'don’t judge me until you have walked to moons in my footsteps'."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"a favorite, mystery"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A favorite of the girls, mysterious"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was a hit by a lot of the kids and I'm sure your will enjoy it too."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Long Way From Chicago</u>, by Richard Peck</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 5.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.0</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion about relationships within families."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Grade 6</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Shakespeare's Secret</u>, by Elise Broach</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 5.3</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.6</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was very confusing and not my favorite."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Mysteries usually are a good discussion, we talk about what we think would happen."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"It was okay. I remember it was a pool party!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Revealers</u>, by Doug Wilhelm</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 5.3</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"This book was our school's summer reading book."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"We discussed groups and bullying, friendships."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Flush</u>, by Carl Hiaasen</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.4</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Discussion about the right thing versus the easy thing to do."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Million Dollar Kick</u>, by Dan Gutman</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.3</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.9</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"soccer, friendships"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Anybodies</u>, by N.E. Bode</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.4</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.2</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"confusing and silly"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"A little plot confusing for girls"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"we discussed how to make a book better"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Lily's Crossing</u>, by Patricia Reilly Giff</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.3</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.1</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"being left behind and worry about WWII"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good talk about being left behind and worrying during WWII"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"one of the girls brought wwII coupons- so cool"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"We had a show 'n tell and we each brought in something from maybe are grandparents if they were alive durring world war 2 and we talked about it!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>A Wrinkle in Time</u>, by Madeline L'Engle </div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 4.4</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 4.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I did not like this book."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I hated this book fantasy and a bit of Utopia."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Morlocks? Fantasy doesn't go very far with this group although a little talk about Utopian society."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Bloomability</u>, by Sharon Creech</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 5.7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Great read</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Jacob Have I Loved</u>, by Katherine Patterson</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">"One of my favorites!"</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Great book about relationships and growing up."</div><div class="MsoNormal">"I loved this book, good discussion about growing up, relationships, treating disenfranchised kindly."</div><div class="MsoNormal">"I liked the ending."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Firegirl</u>, by Tony Abbott</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.0</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good for discussion--bullying, judging people. Girls talked a lot about it"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion about treating peole kindly with disabilities, how someone might feel disabled (or in this case, disfigured)"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion about being different in a school setting"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I loved this book-very enlightening to know what it's like to be disfigured and how people treat you"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Grade 7</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Fever 1793</u>, by Laurie Halse Anderson</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.6</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"great discussion and history lesson"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"talk about the fever and what was caused by it"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good talk about life before medicine and communication; respect for the past"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"first real historical fiction discussion… discussion was about illnesses and how they impacted history"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good story of early America"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Things not seen</u>, by Andrew Clements</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.2</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"About believing people and what you would you do in that situation"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"interesting premise; talk about plot what would you do?"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"interesting perspective on what it must be like to be invisible"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"So fun talking about the surprising ending"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>If You Come Softly</u>, by Jacqueline Woodson</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.1</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.8</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"AN AWESOME BOOK! FULL OF LOVE AND SADNESS!!!!! YOU HAVE TO READ IT"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"contemporary setting and twist ending/ racism got girls talking about important issues"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion about racism"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Up a Road Slowly</u>, by Irene Hunt</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 6.8</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.0</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"How you can love someone and just not know it?"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Chains</u>, by Laurie Halse Anderson</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.5</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.4</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Love this…waiting to read the next one…history and important issues about slavery. Great discussions both when reading and in group."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Discussed slavery & loyalties, blurred loyalty to British & USA"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Awesome night!! Everyone was hoping there was a sequel btw! There is:)"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Green Glass Sea</u>, by Ellen Klages</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.9</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.4</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Amazing book"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"One of shea's favorite…interesting topic--learning about bomb. Good for girls to learn about history…lilkable characters</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">about WWII, an orphan, friendships"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good discussion about lesser known aspect of WWII; orphan odd loveable kid"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Thinking about how someone can just grow to love someone."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Each Little Bird that Sings</u>, by Deborah Wiles</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 7.0</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 6.1</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"good discussion about family and friendships"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Southern misfit book again- good talk about friendship & when friends fight"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"liked this one; reminded me of Winn Dixie"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>I'd Tell You I Love You but I'd Then I'd Have to Kill You</u>, by Ally Carter</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 3.7</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 3.5</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good talk about picking good books for book club vs. picking books that are fun to read"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Not my favorite"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Mockingbird</u>, Katheryn Erskine</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.7</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 8.3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"AWESOME!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"my favorite book- amazing voice--strong main character. About coping."</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"autism, tradgedy with brother, relationship with father"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Good talk about autism and tragedy; narrator is autistic"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"book provided an interesting discussion about autism"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Everyone loved this book and we dicussed all are thoughts and everyone said they cried reading it!!!"</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>The Cage</u>, Ruth Minsky Sender</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: 8.4</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: 7.2</div><div class="MsoNormal">concentration camps and labor camps in WWII, how the people treated each other then</div><div class="MsoNormal">Talk about concentration camps in WWII; baffling to girls that people would treat each other this way; theme of hope</div><div class="MsoNormal">discussion about WWII… suggstion for future book group -see if there is a grandparent who can come and talk</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>If I Stay</u>, Gayle Forman</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>A Million Miles from Boston</u>, Karen Day</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Okay for Now</u>, Gary Schmidt</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reading Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discussion Stars: not yet rated</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-52466156206541336272011-06-28T13:23:00.004-04:002011-08-17T15:03:53.034-04:00Go Girls! - How to Start a Mother Daughter Book Club<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">by Laura Sullivan</b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Hello friends, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Welcome to the first chapter of our Go Girls! Book Club Blog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been in many adult book clubs over the years, and I've found book clubs to be a special place; where we can share ideas and opinions- both good and bad. It is an intellectual release for those of us who no longer attend school, but still like to flex our brains with stimulating, spirited conversation. And sharing a little wine with friends now and again too isn't so bad, either. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">When my daughter was in 3rd grade, I had a friend whose daughter was in 5th grade and they both were in a mother daughter book club together. I confess- I was a little awestruck by the coolness of this mom of an older child. So wise, and knowing… Her kid was 11, practically a teenager. She was on a path to a life so glamorous, yet fraught with the many difficulties of becoming a teenager. A book club was a perfect place to hash out these problems. Lucky them. But why not lucky me? I could do this too and be that cool knowing mom someday.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">So I did. I had a bit of an ulterior motive: I was a little scared about being the mother of a girl who would someday be a teenager. The fighting, crying, bullying, the clothes- and that's just me; what if she did those things, too? Lord help us all. . No, I jest. I wanted to create a group and an environment where we would be united; mothers aligned in our ideas, choices, and our morality. If we could create a group where any one of our girls would feel safe and confident in her choices, and that her friends' mothers felt the same as her mom did, that could be nothing but good. I also wanted to get ahead of what was going to inevitably happen in their lives, socially, emotionally, and physiologically. I wanted to have a venue to talk about all kinds of things. (And boy we have- more on that at a later date.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">We began with a mothers' meeting at my house. I asked nine friends, who had daughters my daughter's age, and most of whom were her friends, too. I figured twenty people was the max that could fit in a regular sized living room with girls squished into one big easy chair, or on the floor. A largish group lends itself for dynamic conversation, too. All nine accepted the invitation, and came to plan. (Listen to this part, because I think it's been critical to our success.) We came up with a list of parameters of how the book club would work, when we would meet, and where we would meet. Over the last four years this list of rules has not deviated- it was a really good plan for us, and it continues to work. If something begins to go off track, the secretary sends out two e-mails a month; one right after our meeting to reiterate what we are reading for the month, and give the meeting place and time. The second comes about a week before book club, as a reminder. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Our Rules </u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Calendar</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">We plan this out at the beginning of the school year, taking into account the already published school calendar. Days may shuffle very slightly, but these girls are committed- they come after a sports practice, or get heir homework and studying beforehand. We meet on Wednesdays, about every 5 weeks.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. The Time</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">6:45-9:00</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">6:45: arrive</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">7:30: sit down to discuss</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">8:30: dessert</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">9:00: out the door with a very polite thank you to the hostesses. (It's not a bridge game, but we try to stick to this.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. The Location</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">We have a list, and if you are up next, it's your turn. If there is vomiting or remodeling at your house, you may switch. No one likes vomit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Ahh…the Food</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">A note here, because when we had our parent meting someone suggested that we go alcohol free because we are with the girls. One, very wise mother (she must have had an older child- she was one of the cool) suggested that there was nothing wrong with drinking liquor, and, in fact, we are being very responsible adults showing what it is to be moderate drinkers, and to drink responsibly. The audible sigh of agreement and sense is still resonating over the terra firma. We have wine. And beer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">So the list of responsibilities:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Hostess provides: cleanish house (or candles lit and low lights-I'm telling you- it works) and a kid drink</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">The others sign up to bring one of:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Appetizer 1</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Appetizer 2</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Fruit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">White Wine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Red Wine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Beer</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Fruit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Dessert 1</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Dessert 2</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">This is plenty to get by without having dinner before we leave the house. If we know the girls are mostly coming from somewhere else, we'll make the appetizers hearty; potato skins, mini meatball subs, or calzone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. The Discussion</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Everyone reads the book and contributes to the discussion. To get some of our less conversational girls talking, we have everyone bring a discussion question about the book we've read. A few of the adults gently guide the discussion, but the best discussions are when we hear from everyone. The girls get to learn about their moms in new ways when hear their mom's thoughts and hear anecdotes from their childhoods. Things come up when we're reading these kid books, and they are inevitably about a kid, so the mom's tend to reminisce about and share their own lives. (A useful note- I have used bribery when reading has waned, especially if I hear girls aren’t getting the books finished. I have had a raffle for those to enter who have finished the book. It's been a small token - a DVD, nail polish and ice cream gift certificates to name a few. It's really worked. I've even had a mom's raffle, too.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Choosing the next book</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">The hostess girl chooses three books, which have been vetted by the mom, and are known to be widely available through our library. The hostess girl presents the books after the discussion, and a blind vote is conducted by the girls to choose the next book. (A note of experience, since I am now one of the wise and cool- if the book is only very little available in your library system, it is usually because it is a crappy, or possibly out of print book.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">These are our, agreed upon rules. Choose your own, but consider them as by laws, and stick with them. Amend the by-laws if something isn't working, but follow them. With clear parameters, a book, and nice people, you will have a good group that will become as meaningful as ours has been for us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. The Secretary, Boss, Grand Wizardess…</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">Someone needs to send out the reminder e-mails, and keep track of books read, the calendar. Pick someone who has an organized closet. If their closet is organized, they are the right person for the job.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><br />
</div>Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455780977400067366.post-36758723203700083092011-06-28T13:21:00.001-04:002011-08-17T15:07:58.552-04:00Welcome to the Westwinds Book BlogThanks for visiting our blog! We hope to inspire and delight with stories about all things books- book clubs, reading, author visits, deciding which book to read, gifts... the topics are endless! Check back each week to see what's new.Westwinds Bookshophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06781763064399822232noreply@blogger.com0