Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party

From the book cover:” This is a book about love, the abiding love between mothers and daughters, and the passionate love between a man and a woman. But mostly, it’s about the special love between best friends forever. Woven through the tapestry of a life-long friendship is the story of quiet, reserved Ida Mae Tutweiler and flamboyant daytime TV star Jane Tetley. It’s about life, death, hope, and about the comfort to be found in a nice hot cup of tea. And the author has even included a selection of recipes for your own special tea-time.”

This was an enjoyable and fast read. I only wish there would’ve been more!

Lunar Eclipse

My brother took this photo of the eclipse last night.

Buying Out-of-Print books

I’ve heard about Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party (by Ginnie Siena Bivona) for a while now. So much so that I want to read it. I read somewhere that Hallmark is making the movie version. That really makes me want to read it soon. I went on my county library website and did a search. Not one branch in this huge system has the book! I went to Barnes & Noble.com to buy the book. They don’t have it either. BUT, I could search their Out of Print Books sellers and that is where I found the book. It was so easy. B&N takes care of the order and money and less than 24 hours later I received email notice from the independent seller that the book was on its way. It arrived yesterday and is in almost perfect condition. Cost (including shipping/handling) was less than $6. Yay!

The God of Animals

This was Aryn Kyle’s first novel. I enjoyed her writing style and use of language. Although I didn’t identify with many characters, I know people like them. It was an emotional read for me. I felt such sadness for the main characters. By the end of the book I wanted to know more of what became of them, especially the narrator and her family. Is that a sign of a good book? I rate it 4/5.

Our mailbox on Feb.15

Go With Me

“With razor wit and taut, impeccable plotting, Castle Freeman has created a vivid, page-turning tale, a modern fable of classic proportions. Go With Me has the pacing of Elmore Leonard but with a cast of characters as timeless and fully-fleshed as any group of pilgrims out of Chaucer.” – Jeffrey Lent

“A darkly funny mystery ride through the cold and foreboding New England woods. In prose as sharp and cold as winter stars, Castle Freeman has rendered an unforgettable place and people carried on a story that won’t let you go, first word to last.” – Bret Lott (author of Jewel)

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This slim book (160 pages) was quite a page-turner. Imagine Vermont’s version of Deliverance. There’s no sex, some violence and a few expletives. It all takes place in less than 24 hours. I read it in less than 2 hours. If you’re looking for something a little different, this could be the book for you!

6 Rainier Drive

The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber reminds me of a weekly television series. I look forward to seeing what’s new in the characters’ lives in each book. Easy and enjoyable (and fast) reads. 6 Rainier Drive was no different. I’ll read another next month.

The Whole World Over

I liked this book for the writing, a few of the characters and the flow of the story. It took a few turns that were unexpected, yet enjoyable (not the perfect word but I can’t come up with another at the moment).

January 2008 Books

World Without End (Ken Follett)

                        

                                                                         

           

One For the Money (Janet Evanovich)

The Manning Sisters (Debbie Macomber)

16 Lighthouse Road (Macomber)  

204 Rosewood Lane (Macomber)

311 Pelican Court (Macomber)

44 Cranberry Point (Macomber)

World Without End was ok and, like Pillars of the Earth, I think the story could have been told in about half the pages.

I read the other books along with the Follett.  I needed a break from the 1300s (and a 1000+ page book).  I enjoyed my first Evanovich (Thanks Lynne!) and also the Macomber Cedar Cove series.   The Manning Sisters is a reprint of 2 Macomber books from the 1990s.