Category Archives: Just An Opinion

National Book Festival

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My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings and I went to the National Book Festival on the mall in DC. This is our second year.  There were not as many authors we were dying to see this year, but still enough to make the trip worth while.
The weather as you can see was perfect!  The crowd was very large.

Our first stop was to see John Green.  His tent was so full ( and we were running a few minutes late – thanks to our wonderful metro system ) this was the only view we could get of him.  He is a very funny, entertaining speaker.  If I had had a seat, I could have listened to him a lot longer.

This is John Green leaving the tent after he spoke.
Our next stop was getting a book signed by Lisa Scottoline.
We did not realize Lisa Scottoline’s daughter, Francesca Serritella was going to with her at the signing.
While at Lisa and Francesa’s signing we could see John Green’s book signing line.
 He signed for three hours!
Our next stop was Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella speaking.  If you ever have a chance to see them speak – go!  Even if you haven’t read their books – go!  They are hilarious!  What an awesome mother / daughter team.  I would love to go out to dinner with them.  It would be so entertaining.

While Lisa was speaking she introduced David Baldacci.  He just happen to be sitting directly behind me! It was unexpected to see him – he is on the board of directors of The National Book Festival, but he was not scheduled to speak.  I did find out he will be at Barnes and Noble in Tyson’s Virginia some time in November.  Put that on your schedule!
After listening to Lisa and Francesca speak, I went out and bought their new book.  I will definitely review it at a later date on my blog.
Next year, if you have the opportunity to come, join the crowd – you will be happy you did!

What do you use for a book mark??

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Book Marks


What do you use to mark your books?  Do you fold the pages on the corner?  Do you have a favorite book mark?  Please tell me what you use.  I am interested in other unique book mark ideas.
I am a traditional girl with my book marks.  I used to cross stitch my own.    A hotel I stayed at in Seattle with my husband gave me a beautiful one with green leaves on it!

I received a  couple of books with matching book marks.  They have a picture of the front of the book on each of them.  I thought those were awesome.

My daughter used paint chips for her book marks.  She matches the paint chip to the color on the front of the book. 
Here is another book mark I received from BookSparks.  I really like this book mark!
Please let me know your favorite book marks.

After the Wedding

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This is my daughter and her new husband.
The wedding was  wonderful!
My “recovery” from  the wedding looks like this!

Just some time at the beach.

I decided an umbrella was necessary.

Rest and relax!

And read, read, read!

This is my idea of an awesome vacation after a wonderful time with family at the wedding.

How do you read a series?

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 This is Karen Kingsbury’s series.  She is one of my
favorite contemporary Christian fiction writers.  This
series is on my next list of to-read books.

Another author who has a wonderful series, is Sally John.

My favorite way to read a series is to wait until all the books in the series are done.  Then I start with the first one and keep reading.  I love getting to know all the characters so deeply and watching them change and grow.

How do you read a series?  As each one comes out?  Do you reread the first one when the next one comes out?  Leave me a comment on how you read them.

Family Traditions

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Some one told me when my daughters were born to buy two bottles of wine.  One to toast when they were each born and one to toast when they were getting married.  Since my older daughter is getting married this Saturday, we took time this weekend to have a special dinner with her and her soon to be husband.  We opened the second bottle of wine and shared it.

This is how this family began thirty-two years ago.  

Then we added Kristin twenty-nine years ago.  She is so special and worth celebrating.

Kristin added John Paul to our family.  We are excited to have them live near enough to spend time and celebrate special occasion with us.

Now this is the four us celebrating Kristin’s birth and now their marriage.  Family is so important.

Wedding Week

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This is the week my daughter gets married!  We are all excited.  The dress is picked out, the guests are ready to come, and all the details are planned.  We are looking forward to all the family we don’t see often enough.

When Kristin was little we gave her a precious moment Christmas ornament each year.  Now she is all grown up and ready to start her own traditions.  It has been an honor and a privilege to be her mom.

Since Kristin and I are book fan’s, we have been reading a few “wedding” books this summer.  Here are a few our favorites.

I believe Girls in White Dresses is  Kristin’s favorite.
 She has a signed copy on her shelf.

This is the book Kristin gave me when 
she let me know she was engaged.  


It is wonderful to share our love of books and to share this special time with her.

Fabulous Find

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Mighty Bright Book Light



At BEA’s book blogger conference these book lights were given to the bloggers.  I was excited!  This light ended up being even better then I expected.
– It is sturdy – stands alone
– Flexible – the “neck” can move all over, but stays in place when you get it set
– Light is LED – has two settings of brightness
– Amazing Clip – it is padded, doesn’t hurt the book, but grips very well
Personally, I have used this more then I originally expected.  I sit on my deck, on my swing and read late into the night.  This light is perfect!  I liked it so much I bought one for my daughter. There are great colors to choose from for anyone.
This is my fabulous find.  If you have a book related fabulous find, please leave a comment. I would like to share them with everyone else.

Oh, My Birthday!

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My family spoils me!  My husband bought me a swing for my deck,
where I spend most of my time reading and reviewing my books.  Some days it is hard to get me out of my swing!  I take my computer, a good book, my cell phone and a glass of water out to the swing and I enjoy the day!

Jennifer of The Underestimated Mom  knows how much I love the beach, so she bought me two pictures for my birthday.  These pictures make me feel like I am at the beach each day!  She also bought me two book marks: eat.sleep.read.  I know my priorities.  And I judge books by their covers!

 

Kristin of Kritters Ramblings came to spend the day with us.  She remembered that at BEA this year, I had to borrow her wristlet, so she bought me my own.  Now I can use it at her wedding at the end of the month!

This is the business card holder she also bought me for my new blogging
cards!

My husband, my girls and their significant others took me out to dinner at Firebirds.  One of my favorite places to eat!  What a wonderful day to celebrate another year!