SANDY'S CHALLENGE 2014

I challenge myself and all of our family to renew our book club blogs of all the great books we've been reading since each of us last posted.  It's going to take me a minute to regroup but our Lauren has her list ready to post so be on the look out for it.

The Books are Beckoning!

Hi family! It’s been quite a while since we have had a post, so here is an update of some of the books I’ve been reading.     ~Love, Lauren~

Dragonlance Book Series- This is the best sci-fi/fantasy series I have read since Harry Potter. If you love worlds of adventure filled with Elves, Dwarves, and Dragons, the Dragonlance books should be next on your list! Dynamic characters, creative storyline, easy to read, and keeps you coming back for more. Below I’ve listed the 7 books in this vast set of books that I’ve read so far. I highly recommend all of these.

• Chronicles I, II, III- Start here! I can pretty much guarantee you’ll love the characters and the story if you’re a fan of sci-fi/fantasy novels like I am. It made me laugh, made me cry, and I was dying to continue reading when I finished these three books.
• Time of the Twins, War of the Twins, Test of the Twins- This trilogy follows three of my favorite characters from the Chronicles.
• Legend of Huma- This book goes back in Dragonlance history to tell of the life of a legendary and revered character, Huma, who is mentioned in many of the Dragonlance books, including the Chronicles.

Timebound- Awesome free book from Kindle Owner’s Lending Library! Great female protagonist, creative story involving time travel, and a sequel to come in October. Loved it!

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hr Bookstore- I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a good story with a lot of potential, but I thought the ending was seriously lacking and disappointing. Just my opinion though!

The Hobbit- Classic, good stuff. Always nice to re-read.

Three Cups of Tea- I didn’t quite finish this audiobook before it was time to turn it back in at the Library, but I plan to check it out again soon. Inspiring story about a man on a mission to build schools for children in Pakistan.

Lauren's Booklist 2.0

Hey family, just a short post, as I’ve had little time to read this semester. I’m in the middle of 2 more books right now: The Casual Vacancy (by J.K. Rowling) and The Magicians (By Lev Grossman). I’ll post again as soon as I get a chance to read them! <3


Jitterbug Perfume
My first Tom Robbins book to delve into, and let me tell you- it is a masterfully crafted plot, with some interesting characters and storylines that keep you deeply engrossed in the book to the end. Not only does Robbins provoke deep thoughts about life, religion, philosophy- he is a wizard of words! I love the way he describes things in such a bizarre but brilliant way. Glad I read it, and loved the way it ended.

The Help
Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 60’s when civil rights are really coming into the picture, its an awesome novel about 3 women who set out to tell their stories- 2 of which are black maids, the other, a young white woman who aspires to become a writer. Funny, cute, touching, and really one that makes you feel what life must have been like from a different perspective in the 60's.

Eat Pray Love
I got a little bored with this one, but it does have its enchanting moments for sure. Wouldn’t call it a waste of reading, by any means. Especially if you like stories about people’s lives and their “stories,” religious beliefs, or journeys to find themselves.

Ready Player One
Chris was right- this is the funnest book ever. This is one of those books you get immersed in- an epic quest filled with puzzles, riddles, obstacles and villains to overcome as new discoveries and friends are made along the way. One thing I absolutely LOVE about this book: the 80’s pop culture references! (seriously, if you are an 80’s baby, you will freakin’ love this book).

Memoirs of a Geisha
Hadn’t intended to read this book, but really enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook on the way home from school, and it was well-narrated and a great story.

Name of the Wind
This is another book I read on Chris and Aunt Carol's recommendation, and I have to say- they did not lead me wrong. Can’t wait to read the sequel that’s already out, and the 3rd book that’s coming soon! Such a creative and well-written fantasy novel, I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The detail, imagination, and depth of the story are just incredible. If you’re looking for another great series to read, look here.

Chris 2012 Booklist, updated 9/15/12

What up Fam!  Hope all is well with all of you, sorry I haven't been on in a while.  It is  just that at this particular time every year, when the first hints of autumn are felt in the breeze and the days start to shorten, I begin to hear phantom marching bands blowing across the wind and catch the scent of freshly mown grass on a 100 yard field.  In short, football.  While my posts to this blog have slowed considerably as a result of my debilitating obsession, I have been able to maintain enough cortical functioning to read a few good books.  Just a few, but here they are.  Some are highly recommended, some, well....wait for the movie.

))  The Crook Factory, Dan Simmons.  This one was included on my first book list post but it was the last one and I was reading it at the time.  I finished it and it was awesome.  Tells the story of Ernest Hemingway's last days in Cuba.  He runs and operates within a spy ring in the early days of WWII.  Dan Simmons includes an author's note at the end of the book.  In this author's note Simmons maintains that his novel is much more a re-telling of actual events than a fictional story.  Apparently all the events described in the novel are based on verifiable fact.  And the events in the novel include Hemingway cruising off the coast of Cuba looking for a German U-boat so that he might toss a bomb down their open hatch.  So yeah, Papa really was a badass.

))  Game of Thrones, George RR Martin.  One of the main reasons this current post will be relatively short is the inclusion of this series.  Five in all and none under a thousand pages.  Very dense but absolutely gorgeous and extremely well written.  Martin is simply the man.  After over six thousand pages the characters still manage to surprise you in every chapter.  The HBO series is mighty fine as well.  Season 3 starts March 2013. 

)) The Wind Through the Keyhole. Stephen King.  One of the best from one of my favorite all time authors.  Mom reviewed this not long ago so I won't go into detail.  I will say that this novel fits perfectly within the Dark Tower series, so much so that I would actually recommend a new reader to the series read this novel between the actual 4th and 5th Dark Tower books.  Again, it fits perfectly and does not give away anything in the three books that follow.

)) Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell.  Tells the story of the single largest loss of life in the history of the Navy Seals.  I LOVED this book.  The first few pages almost had me in tears (i manned up though, you'll all be glad to know) and I simply could not put it down after that.  Basically, four Navy Seals are dropped off on a mountain in Afghanistan to surveill a high priority target and potentially eliminate or capture said target.  Things go terribly wrong.  Another helicopter full of Seals and various other special forces members is sent to rescue them.  They are shot down.  One person survived the entire tragic deal, the author of this book.  A must read for the pure emotion of it but also an extremely well written account of Navy Seals training, life in the teams, the planning and logistics of special forces operations, and the bond that exists between these men.

)) The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle, Patrick Rothfuss.  I have the best mom ever.  She got me a signed copy of this adult fairy-tale by one of our favorite authors ever.  (and i don't mean adult like that, gosh ya'll, get your heads out of the gutter).  An illustrated short fairy-tale with three separate endings.  Frickin sweet.

)) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams.  Don't forget your towel folks.

))  Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell.  A portrait of poverty in Paris and London by the author of 1984.  A very good read.  Semi auto-biographical.  Orwell is a poor young man in Paris working in the restaurant and hotel industry.  In London, he is straight up homeless.  The material is pretty dire but Orwell is a genius and makes this novel highly entertaining.  Witty and funny, like 1984, the humor makes the subject matter shine, heavy as it is.

)) Jaws, Peter Benchley.  Disappointing.  Really, a stinker.  Brody's wife having an affair with the biologist Hooper?  Hooper dies?  My recommendation, wait for the movie.  I'm sure it'll be a classic.

oh.....and I reread Ready Player One.  Every good chance I'll read it again before the years out.

Sandy's Favorite Word of the Week

I love this word but I seldom ever hear it used.


CONVIVIAL (kuhn VIV e al)  agreeable, genial, friendly
This bar has a convivial atmosphere.



Here is a new word I just came across this week in my reading.  I like it.

TRIUMVIRATE  (trahy um ver it)  any group or set of three
We had the triumverite of required documents to pass inspection.

Carol's Book Quote of the Week

Quote of the Week



Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry's ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Check out this book on Amazon: MOON PEOPLE.  Look at the reviews.  They are hilarious.  I just found this and I can't quit reading these reviews.Very entertaining stuff.

Sandy's Word of the Week

Here is my new word of the week folks. 

CACOPHONY  (kuh KOF uh nee) noun  a harsh discordance of sound;

We heard a cacophony of sirens from firetrucks and police cars.

I hope you post your new word of the week.  This will be fun.  Oh, just wanted everyone to know that Susan finished a new book but won't let me post the name and refuses to post it herself.  I bet most of you have  already guessed the name of the book!

Sandy's Favorite Word of the Week

                                        SANDY'S FAVORITE WORD OF THE WEEK

POLAND

 My favorite word this week is a word I have loved for a long time:

MELLIFLUOUS (mel LIF loo uhs) sweet sounding, sweetly flowing

" Her mellifluous voice charms any savage beast."

Lauren's Word of the Day

Lackadaisical

Adjective: lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy

i.e. lethargic (also a good word)

Admit it: “I was quite lackadaisical on Sunday afternoon” sounds way better than, “I was lazy and sat on my butt all afternoon on Sunday,” right?

I love this word. I learned it in 7^th grade English class, and immediately liked it because it made me think of flowers. Yes, lying in a meadow of flowers on a soft sunny day being… lazy.  It makes being lazy sound so nice!

So the next time someone corners you about being lazy, you can reply, “I was just in a lackadaisical mood,” and the case against you will most assuredly be dropped. Either, because your accuser has no idea what lackadaisical means, or because they too imagine you sitting in a field of wildflowers passing the warm, breezy afternoon by lying in the grass and reading books and such…

 Hope you enjoyed my word of the day- I’m off to spend a lackadaisical summer evening in Oxford ;)

~Lauren

Denise's First Post

The Power to Prosper by Michelle Singletary

Bob says he doesn’t understand how I can enjoy balancing the bank statement, doing our income taxes, etc. I just have an interest in personal finance, I guess. When I saw this book on the Amazon daily deals, it caught my eye. I downloaded a sample on my Kindle and quickly decided I would purchase it. 

This book is not for the faint of heart. The key feature of the book is a 21-day financial fast. Basically you commit to only spending what’s NECESSARY during that 21-day period. And you can’t use credit cards or debit cards. No eating out, not even if someone else offers to pay. No vending machines. You can’t pay for entertainment. You use CASH to buy what you NEED. Bob was not at all happy when I asked him to do this with me, but he reluctantly and grudgingly agreed to do it. I was excited about the challenge – this will be fun, I thought. As long as I have enough chocolate to get through the 21 days! So I did a quick inventory and decided that, yes, I can make it! 

There’s a lesson and an assignment each day of the fast. Throughout the fast, you keep a journal and I’m sure that neither of ours would qualify for pleasure reading. We just finished Day 13 – just 8 days to go! We’ve had lots of laughs (at the other’s expense) and I know this last week is going to be the hardest. But we’ve learned so much. This is a great little book that will help you learn to manage your personal finances. Are you up to the challenge?

Carol’s Booklist continued – May 3 through July 14

34.  Even Silence Has An End - Ingrid Betancourt .   Oh gosh, this is a really good book, the true story of  Ingrid Betancourt, who was running for the Colombian presidency in 2002, and was kidnapped and held in captivity in the Columbian jungle for six and a half years by the FARC, a brutal terrorist guerrilla organization.  She tells her own story, which is deeply moving and horrifying at the same time. 

35.  Shades of Milk and Honey – Mary Robinette Kowal.  Loved this, is very much like a Jane Austen novel, but with magic thrown in.  I really liked it.  See entry below.

36.  Glamour in Glass – Mary Robinette Kowal.  Sequel to Shades of Milk and Honey.  I enjoyed both of these books very much.  Set in the Regency era, these books pay homage to Jane Austen, who is one of my all time favorite authors.  I was caught up in the story immediately, as I love the details of daily life for women during this period, the food, dress, and social customs.  What makes these novels different is that along with the necessary skills a woman practiced during this period, such as needlepoint, art, and music, they were also schooled in “glamour” a type of magic! 

37.  Sh*t My Dad Says – Justin Halpern.   Simply hilarious, laughed out loud while reading this book.  The author temporarily moved back home with his parents at age 28.  He started posting funny quotes his dad said on his website, and it just grew from there, got a huge following, and a book deal.  This is some seriously funny stuff.

38.  The Wind through the Keyhole – Stephen King.  Latest volume in the Gunslinger series, loved it, was drawn instantly back into the story.  Actually it is a story within a story within a story.  Very clever and I really enjoyed it, makes me want to re-read the whole series.

39.  Rose:  My Life in Service to Lady Astor – Rosina Harrison

40.  Below Stairs – Margaret Powell

41.  Polly’s Story – Jennie Walters

42.  Isobel’s Story – Jennie Walters

43.  Grace’s Story – Jennie Walters

Entries 39 – 43 are all similar stories that I read after watching and falling in love with the PBS series Downton Abbey.  I have become fascinated with the stories of servants and the families they worked for.  Probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love this kind of stuff!

44.  Redshirts:  A Novel with Three Codas – John Scalzi.  Fun story that plays off of every science fiction movie or TV show ever written.  A quick and easy read, but you have to be a little bit of a geek to get a lot of the references.  I liked it. 

I’ve also been re-reading book 4 and 5 of the George R.R. Martin series, A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as re-reading The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.   But most of my time lately has been spent on CokeandPopcorn site and Netflix, watching great TV series!  I watched both seasons of Game of Thrones, All the seasons of Nurse Jackie and Shameless, the first season of Downton Abbey, and am currently working through the second season of Breaking Bad.  Lots of good stuff!

I also admit to reading my favorite blogs on a daily basis.  I will try to post a list of those in my next post, and would love for the rest of you to share your favorite blogs and websites as well

Chris' fave book passage

Okay, last post.  Mom has inspired me with her passage from the Kingkiller Chronicles.  This is one of my favorite all-time paragraphs in any book ever.  It is from Thomas Harris' classic The Silence of the Lambs.  This passage sums up Harris' writing completely, that is to say, pulp bordering on high literature.  For all you who love crime drama/procedurals ala Patterson and Cornwell,  I urge you to read all of Thomas Harris' stuff.  They are all magnificent and what other crime writers aspire to.  This passage may not be 100% as I am quoting it by memory but it is very, very close:

***********************************************************************************
     Far beneath the rusty Baltimore dawn, stirrings in the maximum security ward.  Down where it is never dark the the tormented sense beginning day as oysters in a barrel open to their lost tide.  God's creatures who cried themselves to sleep stirred to cry again, and the ravers cleared their throats.

"and the ravers cleared their throats", god i love that, it slays me

Chris' word of the week

Hello Harrelson Family Blog, greetings from Cleveland.  (sigh)  I know you all must just simply be DYING for me to post my word of the week.  I can imagine you all anxiously peering at your monitors, a constant litany running circles around your brain..."is he logged in yet?, where is the post?, how come he hasn't posted yet?, why is it taking so long?"..... Definitely don't want to cause any undo anxiety so without further delay here is my long anticipated word of the week!  Cheers!!

Styg·i·an

   /ˈstɪdʒiən/ Show Spelled[stij-ee-uhn] Show IPA

adjective

1.

of or pertaining to the river Styx or to Hades.

2.

dark or gloomy.

3.

infernal; hellish.

 

As in........"Laptop in hand, caffeine coursing through his veins, focus in his brain and determination in his heart, Chris once again entered the stygian darkness that is the CatCenter."

Carol’s Favorite Quote of the Week (actually  an entire passage from a chapter of one of my favorite books)

                                                                                                                   

“Perhaps the greatest faculty our minds possess is the ability to cope with pain. Classic thinking teaches us of the four doors of the mind, which everyone moves through according to their need.

First is the door of sleep. Sleep offers us a retreat from the world and all its pain. Sleep marks passing time, giving us distance from the things that have hurt us. When a person is wounded they will often fall unconscious. Similarly, someone who hears traumatic news will often swoon or faint. This is the mind's way of protecting itself from pain by stepping through the first door.

Second is the door of forgetting. Some wounds are too deep to heal, or too deep to heal quickly. In addition, many memories are simply painful, and there is no healing to be done. The saying 'time heals all wounds' is false. Time heals most wounds. The rest are hidden behind this door.

Third is the door of madness. There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow it hides itself in insanity. While this may not seem beneficial, it is. There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape that pain the mind must leave reality behind.

Last is the door of death. The final resort. Nothing can hurt us after we are dead, or so we have been told.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

Sandy's Favorite Word of the Week

I blame my being lax about blogging on the coke and popcorn website!  Lauren just let me know that in between studying and work she is watching Dexter and loving it.  I have watched Dexter religiously since the first season and love it.  The Dexter books bore me but the series doesn't stick to the premise of the books at all.  I guess I am going to have to start on the Games of Thrones now since Chris loves it so much.Don't forget about Shameless and Nurse Jackie. I have watched Breaking Bad religiously since the first season and love it.  Great writing. It is so nice to watch this show without commercials and on my own time. 
I have been reading a little and will post my new list soon.  Here is my word of the week, people. Anxious to see every one's favorite word of the week

copasetic  (cope' a set ic) agreeable

I am hoping that everything is copasetic for Chris in Ohio and that he will be revenate very soon. (?)

Get your word of the week on this blog Harrelson family!

On another note, I went to see my girl, Susan, yesterday and  we got to talking about books from childhood.  She said it was shocking to her that Brandon had never been read to much- not even WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.  She said her friend Lindsay didn't know about THE GIVING TREE or any of the books that you kids cut your teeth on. It is unthinkable to me that children don't get introduced to books at a very young age.  I started buying classic children's books for Josh right after I found out I was pregnant and tucking them away in a drawer of my dresser for the future.  GOODNIGHT MOON, THE RUNAWAY BUNNY, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT,THE LITTLE RED HEN, ETC.   Josh and Susan also got read a great deal of books that Carol had bought for Chris and Kevin.  We never, ever got rid of a book.   I still have many of our favorites boxed up at my house.  I took a huge box of books to David when Bradley was about three years old and I hope they are all in David's attic now awaiting our next GreatGrandBaby. When Chris was little his favorite book was an old little book with the cover torn off.  I don't remember the title but  it was about a little man who drove a dump truck and at the end of his workday he would pick up different animals at different places and let them go for a ride.  When he brought them home he would" tip the dumper"and dump the animals out.  We read it of course, with lots of feeling and Chris would get so tickled every time you said "tip the dumper" and he could see the pictures of  the animals being dumped out! He loved it just as much when he heard it read the 600th time as the very first time.  No matter how many newer books we had Chris always found this little forlorn, well loved book with the cover torn off and presented it to you with a smile. I have great memories of reading to you kids.

One hot summer day when Kevin was about three and a half I went down to see him and Chris.  Chris had fallen asleep on the floor playing with his favorite little green army men and Kevin was in his Mama's lap being read to.  Piled up on the right side of her chair were the books they'd already read and discarded.  I'll bet there were 30 books in that pile! They'd been reading for quite a long time! I think all the reading we all did is what made all of you kids so, so smart. Books were always an important part of our lives and that came from PopPop.
He was very well read, an avid reader with many interests. Our love of reading is his legacy to us all.



What does this picture make you think of?

Chris' favorite word of the week.

Hello Harrelson family blog.  This blog needs a little action, and I am bored in a Cleveland hotel room on the fourth of July.  I plan to update my own book list soon.  It will be short.  This spring and early summer I have been living with the Starks of Winterfell and the Lannisters of Casterly Rock,  non-stop on the Game of Thrones series.  There are five out already and they all approach a thousand pages so my updated list will be fairly short.  And if you haven't caught any of the HBO series based on these novels, do yourself a favor.  Like most HBO shows these are simply can't miss.  The Lannisters especially are extraordinarily cast and showcase some of the best acting I have seen in a long while (though I'm starting to realize this Breaking Bad thing on AMC is legit).  Anyway, I ramble, back to the point.  I check this blog a few times a week and am tired of not seeing much on it.  I know we can't read a book a week and update every time so I've decided to start posting my 'word of the week', specifically just a word I've come across while reading that sort of won't shake loose of the brain filter.  So, without further ado, my first favorite word of the week:

rev·e·nant

   /ˈrɛvənənt/ Show Spelled[rev-uh-nuhnt] Show IPA

noun

1. a person who returns.

2. a person who returns as a spirit after death; ghost.

 

 

As in .....    "Though he secretly loathed the city of Cleveland, Chris' company compelled him to return again and again, a revenant stalking the halls of the CatCenter."

FUN FUN FUN

Here's a wonderful tidbit for all of those in the family who love to read and to play games.  The novel, READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Kline, just came out in paperback and to celebrate it, the author has revealed his creativity and imagination again by announcing  a hidden game within the book!  Only hard copies not ereaders.  Read or reread the book.  Find the clues ,play the game, win his Delorean! What fun and what a genius Kline is.  Now all of us who read the book on our kindles or ipads have to go out and buy the hard copy to experience his genius of a game within the book.

First go to blog.patrickrothfuss.com  Click on his link to find out more about the game.  I am going to reread it and so is Aunt Carol.  Lauren and Meghan are about to buy their copy and read it for the first time.  I'm thinking in the very near future someone in our brilliant family will win the Delorean.  Good luck to all! 

Sandy's List continues

                                                  Winter at Bald River Falls  Telico Plains, TN
    Uncle David had his accident when he was 4 years old and broke his head at the top of this falls.They put a steel plate in his head to protect his brain where his skull was. I still remember the accident and I was only7.   Since then I have had many happy memories here. This is the falls iced over.

                                                  Sandy's List



65.

Sandy's 2012 Book List Continues

               

             Sandy's 2012 Book List Continues

61.  STILL ALICE by Lisa Genova***** Touching and informative novel about Alzheimer's Disease and they way it affects  not only the patient but also the whole family. Highly recommend this book. I truly believe that there should be a Kevorkian option for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's. If one found out that one has Alzheimer's I think there should be a living will available stating that at the point where the patient no longer recognizes their family or knows their own name, a humane, dignified death should occur if one chooses that option.  I know of one family here in Andalusia where a woman with Alzheimer's had gotten to the point where she could no longer be left alone, could not take care of her personal hygiene, could not feed herself or remember how to chew and swallow the food that was fed to her. Trying to do what the family thought was the right thing, they allowed a feeding tube to be placed in her and she lingered in a hospital bed at home, unable to talk, to turn herself over, or to recognize anyone for 11 years.  It was catastrophic to the family emotionally and financially.  I really believe there should be an option available upon diagnosis where the patient gets to have their say in how their life will play out.
Death is never really dignified but the peace of knowing you and your family would not be put through the long, slow ,horrific death of a Alzheimer's patient would give that patient such peace knowing that instead of being a burden to their loved ones, one pill could be ingested and it could all be over.
This is legal in Oregon, it's called Compassionate Care, and I pray that it will be legal everywhere for people who are terminal and suffering.


62.CHASING KATE by Kelly Bryne**** A Kindle freebie that I really enjoyed.  A captivating story and a fast read. 

63.  THE GLASS HOUSE by Jeannette Walls***** A memoir by an author who is a journalist with MSNBC. A fascinating memoir of not only desperation and despair, but also strength and self reliance. She had a very, very hard life as a child, growing up with a father who was a raging alcoholic who couldn't hold a job and spent what little money the family had in bars. Her Mother had a teaching degree but didn't work much at all because she was bipolar. She had a brother and 3 sisters who never had enough to eat and lived in shacks and abandoned houses.  At times there was no toilet and they had to use a bucket in the kitchen. They were so very poor that there were never Christmas presents or even clean clothes or new shoes.  All their  clothing was from Goodwill and her Mother was too proud to accept charity of any kind for her children. They never had lunch at school but would try to find something in the garbage cans in the lunchroom they could eat. It was a horrific childhood but she was able to work and save enough money and  she got out and went to New York City.  With grants, student loans and scholarships she was able to graduate from Barnard and work her way up in the journalism field.  Later her parents moved to NYC because all their children were living there and her parents were homeless for years.  Her father finally died but her Mother remains homeless in NYC  now because she chooses that life and refuses offers of a home of her own from her children.  A good read.