E's Reads (8)

The little girl has been devouring books lately. She comes to me with armfuls of books to read daily. I think the short board books will be replaced with longer picture books from now on. I am so glad she enjoys books like her dad and I.  Here are a few more board books before we do the switch to picture books.

Animal Alphabet by Eric Carle

This book is really cool. Each page has a different letter, you slide a little window over and you get a picture of an animal that begins with that letter! Very fun. E loves it. This one is great for her to look at on her own.

In My Den by Sarah Gillingham

Many of you have probably seen these series of books. They have a cute little finger puppet in the middle. This one is a bear getting ready to hibernate. Perfect size for little hands and finger to use as well. E loves to be the bear.

A Mama Bug's Love by Janet Lawler

This book was a gift from my baby shower! Really cute pop-up book with different bugs and their babies. Of course, pop-up books are hard for little hands to keep nice. We have already had some rips and tears. And, yes, tears can be interpreted both ways. :)

23/100

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Wordless Wednesday (2/27/13)

Looks like Spring!

For more Wordless Wednesday go to http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com.

Mailbox Monday (2/25/13)

Only one book this past week…I think. Oh, why can't I remember if I got any more books than this. Perhaps it is a good thing, or not. Anyway. One book from NetGalley. (Perhaps signing up for this service was a bad idea)
Do you all use NetGalley? Do have a large number of books in your eReader because of it?
For Review

Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany  (NetGalley)

This month, Mailbox Monday is hosted by Audra of Unabridged Chicks.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Saturday Snapshot (2/23/13)

For the past year I have been taking a ceramics class at the Sharon Art Studio in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I love it. Three hours every Thursday to be creative, busy and around others who enjoy it and have some very creative ideas. I have made bowls, platters, buttons and even a knitting needle holder.

Today is the day to sign up for my fifth session. Can't forget. Have important pottery to make. On my to do list: a ring bearer's plate to hold the rings for my sister-in-law's wedding this fall.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Be sure to stop by and check out the other snapshots today and to share your own.

E's Reads(7)

We have been missing living in San Francisco and our daily walks to Golden Gate Park. To help in our adjustment, we have been reading some of our favorite SF books. These are both really great. 123 San Francisco by Puck This one is a wordless book but has lots to talk about. 1 Golden Gate Bridge and 2 balls (a baseball for the Giants (woohoo!) and football for the 49ers(woot!)). Very cute and fun book to read with the little girl. Good Night San Francisco by   Another book inspired by Goodnight Moon. This one has a lot of pictures of sites around the city, many that are very familiar to the little girl. She loves that and so do I. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Wordless Wednesday(2/20/13)

rainbow

For more Wordless Wednesday visit http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Mailbox Monday (2/18/13)

I seem to be acquiring books faster than I can read them once again. Only one for review this week, but did I really need to buy another book to add to my TBR pile? Probably not, but it was on sale and it can be read for one of my challenges. So, was definitely okay, right?
For Review
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger (NetGalley)
Purchased The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (eBook)
Borrowed The Pact by Jodi Piccoult (paperback)
This month, Mailbox Monday is hosted by Audra of Unabridged Chicks.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Where, oh where have my readers gone?

Question for you all: Have you all noticed a decrease in comments/readers at your blog? 
It seems that way here but I am trying to not let it get to me since the purpose of my blog has always been for me. A place for me to chronicle the books I read and share my thoughts.  I have been at this for awhile, never looking to profit from blogging or expecting to have thousands of readers, but always enjoying connecting with those who did visit and leave comments. I still do. I appreciate those of you who visit and comment and am grateful to see that there still some who enjoy reading what I have to say.
Anyway, the whole point of this was just me wondering how MariReads has changed over the years to possibly have had an affect on readership. I did stop posting much for a couple years and could only assume I lost some readers during that time. I am working on that this year and also trying to improve the content. Looking back over the years, I feel the quality of my posts have gone a little south. I don't hear my voice in them anymore. 
So, I have some things to work on. A little sprucing up around here would help, I think and looking back at my old posts and seeing what works and what doesn't. I seem to have lost my focus here, and need to find it again.
If you all have any ideas, please share!
Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Saturday Snapshot (2/16/13)

California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA

We took my family to the Academy of Sciences last weekend while they were here for a visit. We had a great time looking at the fish in the Coral Reef exhibit, the butterflies in the Rain Forest Dome and getting shaken in the Earthquake House.

When we lived in San Francisco we were able to quite often so it was nice to go back again to enjoy the great museum and park.

Find more Saturday Snapshots at At Home With Books.

Happy Reading!

E's Reads (6): Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The little girl has really been enjoying it this year. We made Valentine's for all her friends at school. Tuesday, she passed them out and received her own from them. She especially enjoyed the few treats she got, too. 

We have also been reading some fun Valentine Books:

Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London

Froggy is busy making Valentine's for his friends and getting to know the new girl in class, Frogilina. He makes one special Valentine for someone very special. Who will it be for?

I love the Froggy books. They are fun, follow a similar pattern and always entertaining for the little ones.

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane de Groat

Gilbert makes some not so nice Valentines for a couple of classmates who were not very nice to him. They, of course cause some problems during the Valentine's Day party at school. 

A very nice book with lots to talk about- feelings, bullying, forgiving.

Arthur's Valentine by Marc Brown

Arthur has a secret admirer, A mystery he wishes to solve before Valentine's Day. In the end he has a surprise for her. I have always enjoyed the Arthur books and am a big fan of Marc Brown. The illustrations and the stories are always wonderful.

Happy Valentine's Day, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer

The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting

18/100

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page. 

Wordless Wednesday (2/13/13)

Camellia

For more wordless Wednesday visit http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com

Where in the world am I reading?

I just found this fun meme and thought I would participate. It is hosted by Kailana of The Written Word, Trish of Love, Laughter and a touch of Insanity , and Lisa of Books.Lists.Life. This months prompt: What are your comfy moments, spots or companions?

My comfy reading spot used to be curled up on the couch, under a blanket by myself. Since becoming a mom that has changed. My favorite, cozy and most comfortable place to sit and read is with my daughter in her room, in our glider with a stack of picture books in our laps. 

This may be why my own reading has slowed down a bit. But look how warm and cozy our reading spot is? Wouldn't you want to sit there and read to? :)

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Saturday Snapshot (2/9/13)

The little girl and I have been busy this week making Valentine's for all her friend's at school and for family. So much fun. For only 2, she is quite creative with her cards. Not one was the same as the others. 

Hope you all have a great week and a Happy Valentine's Day!

Find more Saturday Snapshots at At Home With Books.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

E's Reads (5)

That's not my Dinosaur…

That's not my puppy…

That's not my penguin…

These Usborne touchy-feely books are great. So cute and fun. I think we have five of them. Two are in the Christmas boxes. A little mouse shares why each animal (puppy, dinosaur, or penguin) are not his until the end when he finds his. Attributes, pattern sentence, things to feel- love these books.

There are a lot in this series- go find one your kid will like!

15/100

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Wordless Wednesday (2/6/13)

Kaiser Permanente 5K
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA

For more Wordless Wednesday visit http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com


The family and some friends walk/ran the 5K the morning of SuperBowl Sunday. We walk/ran it last year and this year I committed to running it. Well, slow jog really, but I did it! I ran the whole time and finished! Official finish time was 39:47. Pace was 12:48.

Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Diana Bishop is the daughter of two powerful witches who fights the magical side of herself. While researching alchemical manuscripts at the Oxford library, she unwilling calls a bewitched manuscript to herself that has been hidden for centuries. This use of magic and the unearthing of the book, brings much attention from numerous creatures that are after the book and/or her power. Amongst these creatures is Matthew Clairmont, a dark, handsome vampire who may not only be interested in the book.
Their relationship ends up being the true story here and the reason for all the fuss from the other vampires, witches and daemons. You see, creatures are not supposed to mix with each other but nothing will keep Diana and Matthew apart for they seem to be destined to be together. The mystery of why and what their union means is the story of A Discovery of Witches.
The similarities of Matthew, the overprotective, overly handsome vampire and Diana, the girl who doesn't know her own beauty and power, with that of a certain other vampire love story had me thinking I wasn't going to enjoy this book. The beginning, when they meet and are getting to know each other, read very similar to Twilight, unfortunately. However, once the story shifted a bit to include the mystery of the book, the science and history of their ancestors and how creatures came to be, I forgot about that other book and just enjoyed the creativeness of this story.  
My only other problem, was the ending. It dragged on for quite awhile. The last few chapters, really could have been condensed into one. Despite that, though, I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy to see how Diana and Matthew fair in 16th Century England.
Source: borrowed

Lost or Found

UK/France

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Mailbox Monday (2/4/13)

New Books!  Hope I can find the time to read them all.
For Review Seduction by MJ Rose (NetGalley) The Holder's Dominion by Genese Davis (eGalley)
Purchased Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (eBook) Hide & Seek by Ian Rankin (eBook) Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush (paperback)
Library Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner (paperback)
This month, Mailbox Monday is hosted by Audra of Unabridged Chicks.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Learning to Crochet

I have knit for quite awhile now but haven't done much crocheting. Well, this week, I decided to do a little and make a garland to decorate for Valentine's Day.

I found a heart pattern and got to work figuring out new stitches. I only knew the single crochet stitch before starting this.After a couple practice hearts, I found some red and teal left over yarn and got to work.

I had just enough for 21 hearts and the the stringing of them. I am amazed the length came out just right without measuring. I love it and am actually trying to figure out more things to crochet.

I started some orange balls but they are all coming out a little malformed and all slightly different in size. Once I get them uniform, I am hoping to string them up and use them as a garland in the little girls room.

So, does anyone else crochet? Any good beginner patterns I should try that you all know about and would recommend? I have had a lot of fun with these two projects.

E's Reads (4)

We went to the library this week and found some books to bring home with us. We read each of these a few times before deciding they were the ones to get. That yawn book is definitely the favorite!

Freight Train by Donald Crews (picture book)

I love Donald crews books. They have such great illustrations and are always about things that kids are really interested in. E loves trains and enjoys asking me to name all the different cars on the train and why they look blurry on some of the pages. Great conversation book.

Parade by Donald Crews (picture book)

I had not seen this book before. But another good one. A marching band, balloons an floats. E is not as interested in this one as Freight Train, though.

Yawn by Sally Symes (board book)

Another new book for me. So cute and really good pattern book. E love the animals and pretending to yawn along with them. She is able fill in the rhyming word following the pattern.

I love to sleep by Amelie Graux

This is a very cute and simple book for babies. It is trilingual, too, with words in English, Spanish and French. It is also a touchy-feely book. E likes the pictures. It also made her want her paci that has been gone for over a year!

12/100

Happy Reading!