About Me

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I'm a reader who enjoys posting comments and recommendations about the books I read. You will not find a synopsis with my recommendations because you can just click on the book title for a link to www.goodreads.com for a synopsis and reviews by other readers. I prefer the 3 Reason format: the reason I chose to read it; the reason I liked (or disliked) the book; and the reason I recommend it.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Pacific Northwest : Oregon, Washington, and Alaska (National Geographic's Driving Guides to America) Pacific Northwest : Oregon, Washington, and Alaska by Bob Devine


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I liked the book for the introduction to possible road trips and sights in an area I have never traveled. I only gave it 2 stars because this book tries to cram road trips for three states in its 160-pages, and I would have preferred to have more trips or information per state. Its excellent "For More Information" section is dated (copyright 1997) because there are no websites listed.

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Image Bank The Image Bank by Michael O'Connor



The subtitle is Visual Ideas for the Creative Color Photographer. The copyright is 1983, and the technical notes include information about the film used. The Visual Ideas can still spark creativity for the digital photographer.

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Landscape Photography Landscape Photography by Amphoto


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The introductory essay, The New Art of Landscape Photography, was written by Gene Thorton. The subtitle is The Art and Techniques of Eight Modern Masters, and those eight are: Harald Sund, Yuan Li, Sonja Bullaty, Angelo Lomeo, Franco Fontana, John Chang McCurdy, Steven C. Wilson, and Shinzo Maeda.

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Mapping of Love and Death (Maise Dobbs #7) The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Father's Day Celebration in Indy

We had a wonderful meal at Turner's Restaurant which is inside the Canterbury Hotel. I'm sorry I forgot to take pictures of the bruschetta, the appetizer plate called Turner's Trio which had Beef Wellington, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and lobster en croute, and the first courses of spinach and pear salad and mushroom cappucino soup for they were presented as beautifully as the entrees and desserts. We chose Arcturo 2008 Reisling. Shirred Scottish Salmon with wasabi potato mousseline, shitake mushrooms, asparagus and nage sauce

Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Lobster Risotto, Asparagus, Petite Herb Salad and Yellow Tomato Coulis.

Crispy Polenta with Sauteed Spinach, Roasted Portabella Mushrooms, Apples and Pomegrante Balsamic Vinaigrette

Key Lime Pie with Orange Salad

Chocolate Pecan Creme Brulee with Raspberry and Mint

Chocolate Croissant Pudding with Wild Turkey Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Confessor (Sword of Truth, #11) Confessor by Terry Goodkind


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished the 11-book series and its prequel. Without giving anything away, I enjoyed the ending!

According to Henry James, a writer writes to build a world in which the writer can live. Terry Goodkind, you created an interesting world in which this armchair traveler has lived for a year and finished your project with worlds I like to imagine.

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

On Teaching and Writing Fiction On Teaching and Writing Fiction by Wallace Stegner


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"...dictated from the cellar of the subconscious where reality waits to be civilized into fiction."
A collection of essays will inspire and humble.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

The Wrecker The Wrecker by Clive Cussler


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A second book with the protagonist of Isaac Bell who is employed by the Van Dorn detective agency did not disappoint this Clive Cussler fan.

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Friday, June 04, 2010

Drive Time Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Drive Time is the most recent book of a four-volume series and the premise of the series has the legs for a long run. Our heroine has reasons to investigate and expose as she is an Emmy-winning investigative reporter for a Boston-area TV station and her reputation is only as good as her last story. The investigated stories in each book are topical and educate the reader. In this most recent book, the reader wonders if the crimes of stealing air bags and cloning VIN numbers could be happening locally. Not only does the reader have a concern about crime; but, flaws within government bureacracy are revealed: why does NHTSA not coordinate its databases of recalls and repairs-done-in-response-to-recalls to help consumers know the repair status of second-hand or rental cars.
A personal life for Charlotte MacNally develops and continues with every book. She deveolps trust with some co-workers and tries to hid her contempt for others. She wonders how she will ever have family life when she has a job with the motto, "There are no weekends in journalism." Charlotte's concerns are recognizable by most adults today.
I highly recommend this series for readers of cozy mysteries.



My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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