About the book:  Venice, 1681. Glassblowing is the lifeblood of the Republic and Venetian mirrors are more precious then gold. Jealousy guarded by the murderous Council of Ten, the glassblowers of Murano are virtually imprisoned on their island in the lagoon.

But the greatest artist of their number, Corradino Manin, sells his methods and his soul to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, to protect his secret daughter… See more about ‘The Glassblower of Murano’

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this dual tale and although it took me awhile to finish it, it kept me intrigued. I actually had to start over after putting it down for awhile because I lost track with the similar names throughout the generations. Once I started from the beginning it was smooth sailing and I identified with the characters and was anxious to continue reading the entwining stories.

Rating 4/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge,

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The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato

About the book:  Elizabeth Hasslebeck For years Elisabeth Hasselbeck couldn’t figure out what was making her sick. She asked doctors and consulted nutritionists but no one seemed to have any answers. It wasn’t until spending time in the Australian Outback living off the land on the grueling Survivor TV show that ironically her symptoms vanished. Returning home she pinpointed the food that made her sick — gluten the binding element in wheat. By simply eliminating it from her diet she was able to enjoy a completely normal healthy life. But that wasn’t all. Hasselbeck discovered the myriad benefits that anyone can enjoy from a gluten-free diet: from weight loss and increased energy to even the alleviation of the conditions of autism. In this all-inclusive book Hasselbeck shares her hard-earned wisdom on living life without gluten and loving it. She gives you everything you need to know to start living a gluten-free life from defining gluten – where to find it how to read food labels – to targeting gluten-free products creating G-Free shopping lists sharing recipes and managing G-Free living with family and friends.
My thoughts: Since we have been living this lifestyle for quite a few years now, the information about Celiacs and food was not new to me but good just the same. For someone new into the journey, the information is useful.  I personally was interested in her story of  discovery of her disease.  Also, because the G-Free person in my home is a male, I never paid much attention to Gluten in beauty products. In fact, I never realized that some cosmetics could contain gluten and should be avoided. There is also a chapter on eating G-Free for good health even if one does not have Celiacs.

Rating 4/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge,

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The G Free Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck

I’m just starting to pick up my reading again and after a slow week last week here’s where I am.

Sponsored by: One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books

Still reading:

New this week:

(audio)

Finished last week:

(Review)

(Review)

(Review)

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What I’m Reading on Monday 3/8/10

About the book: Barbara Holloway has a reputation for taking on the toughest cases in the Pacific Northwest… and winning them. But this time it looks as though she’s up against an unbeatable opponent, her father, the lawyer who taught her all she knows.
2001

My thoughts: I always like to listen to these books on Audio and I likes listening to the series in order. The characters have remained constant throughout and the book followed the same pattern as all of the others… with a twist and Barbara always prevails.

Rating 3.5/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge, Audio Book Challenge, Finish that Series Challenge,

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Desperate Measures by Kate Wilhelm

My little purse book was The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay by Beth Wareham.  I read snippets here and there when I had a few moments.

About the book: The terrible yes years. You know them well: You’re suckered into working late and often, unflattering haircuts and poodle perms, back-fat-exposing blouses, too small jeans, treacherous friendships, and dudes who kiss like a Saint Bernard all because you couldn’t use that one little word that one little word with so much power N-O. More here.

My thoughts:  Much of this book was irrelevant to me because I’m not in the dating scene but I did get a few laughs from it. Her  writing style is “in your face” and she didn’t beat around the bush. It was a good little book to carry around and read in sections.  Since I feel that I have a good balance of commitment and being able to say No in my life, it wasn’t a “necessary” read for me but for some folks, it may be.

Rating 3/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge

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The Power of No by Beth Wareham

About the book (from her website)

At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance: a former student who has lost the will to live: Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.

As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.

My thoughts: I listened to this book via audio book and I think the reader’s accent definitely added to it. At first I felt that the story was more about Henry  and I immediately loved him. It took me a little while to “get it” and realize that the book was really individual stories that intertwined with Olive being the thread woven between them.  It wasn’t my favorite book of the year but I did like it.

Rating 3.5/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge, Audio Book Challenge,

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Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

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Sponsored by: One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books

Last week I finished:

Review

Still working on:

(paper)

(purse book)

(non-fiction)

New this week:

(audio)

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What I’m Reading on Mondays, 2/22/10

Recommended by the ladies in my Booklovers online group, I read  Book 1 of the Trilogy,  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

About the book: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capital surrounded by twelve outlying districts.  The Capital is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the death on live TV. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play.  The winner brings riches and favor to his or her district.  But that is nothing compared to what the Capital wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rules. MORE HERE

My thoughts: I LOVED this book!!  It reminded me of the same feel as The Giver and I recommended it to the school librarian when I was just a few chapters in.  I can’t wait for the next installment.  This is one of those kinds of books that I found myself thinking about when I wasn’t even reading… (in fact, had lots of dreams about it last night.)  This story has a lot of moral discussion points and I can see it being used in a classroom to spark student thinking and examination of one’s moral compass.

Rating 5/5

Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge, Audio Book Challenge, Finish that Series Challenge,,

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Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3 . Share 2 “teaser”sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the “teaser.
4. Please avoid spoilers!

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Teaser Tuesdays February 16th