It's You by Jane Porter

It's You by Jane Porter

336 pages, paperback

Published June 2015, Berkeley

Source: Netgalley

After the suicide of her fiancé, Ali leaves New Mexico for a long visit with her father in Napa. In the three weeks she is there she makes new friends and learns about the amazing life of one of her father's neighbors in the retirement community he lives in. 

Edie's story, of her life in Germany during WWII and her love for a German who lost his life with the resistance that attempted to assassinate Hitler, intrigues Ali despite Edie's frosty personality. Her losses somehow resonate with Ali. So much so, that she decides to travel to Berlin to see the places where Edie lived and loved.

It took me awhile to understand how these two stories worked together. They seemed very different. But near the end, Ali and Edie discuss how the loss of a loved one doesn't mean you stop living. There can be love again with another. In this case, perhaps Edie's nephew?

A good read, for the most part. I may have skimmed over Ali's week in Berlin. It read more like a travel book and not much happens until the very last day she is there. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

I need something to knit

I have not knit one thing since before Christmas. I packed up my knitting into a bin before having guests over through the holidays and I have yet to pull it back out. I am not lacking in supplies. I have plenty of yarn- just need a pattern. Something that calls to me and needs to be made. Any ideas?
A portable and quick project would be best. No blankets. No Sweaters. 
Socks? Hat? Some fingerless mitts?
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Books Read in 2015

Happy New Year!

I know, I am very late with this. But better late than never, right?

Here are the books I read in 2015.

January

1. Greens 24/7 by Jessica Nadel*

2. The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister*

3. My Father's Wives by Mike Greenberg*

4. The Secret History by Donna Tartt <

February

5. Inferno by Dan Brown

6. The Winter Boy by Sally Weiner Grotta*

March

7. Seed by Lisa Heathfield*

8. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

9. Roboapocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson~

10. The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore*

11. Pet Sematary by Stephen King

12. The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose*

April

13. The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg

14. Threshold by G.M. Ford*

May

15. To Catch a Falling Star by Anna Belfrage*

16. Imaginary Things by Andrea Lochen*

June

17. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

18. The Appetites of Girls by Pamela Moses*

19. Misery by Stephen King

July

20. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett <

21. The Stranger by Camilla Lackberg

22. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid*

23. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

24. Doctor Who: Pest Control by Peter Anghelides

August

September

25. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson <

October

26. The Quick by Lauren Owen=

27. Salem's Lot by Stephen King

28. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

29. The Taco Cleanse by Wes Allison, Stephanie Bogdanich, Molly P. Frisinger, Jessica Morris *

30. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

November

31. The Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg=

32. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley*

33. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

34. Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

35. The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks <

December

36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

37. Curio by Evangeline Denmark*

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* ARC/NetGalley

^ LT Early Reviewers Program

# GoodReads First Reads Program

~ Giveaway Win

+ publisher/author sent for review (not ARC)

= Mooched/Borrowed

   Purchased
< Read For Book Group

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar

Very well presented description of events leading up to the hikers' disappearance, the initial search and investigation into their deaths and the author's own investigation. This story was intriguing and the author's conclusion about what happened is believable. This story was amazing and seemed straight out of an X Files episode. 

As usual, I am always amazed at people who find trekking into the mountains in treacherous conditions fun. It is not something I would want to do. I just don't understand the appeal.

Really enjoyed this and can't wait for book group to discuss. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

15k completed!

I have a pretty new medal. ;)

First race of 2016

15k this Sunday. Going on a long walk through Golden Gate Park with a friend. We have no time goals, just getting out there and seeing how far we make it. Will probably do some run/walk intervals. 

What are you all doing this weekend?

Curio by Evangeline Denmark

Curio by Evangeline Denmark 432 pages, Hardcover Publishing Date: January 2015, Blink
Source: NetGalley, provided by publisher for review
Grey and her family are different and it is being noticed. They do not require the chemists tonic to help them digest food as all others do. They can survive without their rations and make sure to help those who are unable to get theirs. A raid at their house causes Grey to have to escape and where she escapes to is not what she expected. 
Her blood seems to be the key into an entirely different world within her grandfather's Curio cabinet. The "people" within are made of porcelain or clockwork and she appears to be the only human there. 
How did she get here and how is she to get home? Who is the Mad Tock? 
This is only the second steampunk book I have read. I have to say, I kind of like the quirkiness of the characters and the world that was created here. It's an interesting mix of a dystopian world and the steampunk world within the curio cabinet.  Very enjoyable read.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Charlie Brown Christmas Live!

I am so excited for this! 

The San Francisco Symphony will be performing the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas and Jodi Benson (aka, The Little Mermaid) will be there for a Christmas sing-along! We are taking the little girl to this instead of Peter and the Wolf, which we have gone to the past couple years. 

I really enjoy sharing my love of the symphony and of classical music with the little girl. It is hopefully fostering a love of it in her, too.

More info if you click on the picture. Shows begin December 18th and run through December 24th.

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Current Read: Curio by Evangeline Denmark

"Movement flickered inside the case. She bent closer. It must've been a shadow." page 1, Curio by Evangeline Denmark. (Advanced Reader Copy) Publication Date: January 5th, 2016 by Blink Look for my review on December 17th. Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Christmas Knitting

I thought I would do some Christmas knitting this year. Try and pump out some quick knit hats for some family and friends. The hubby thinks I can get six more knit before Christmas. We shall see. Going to be using the same pattern for all of them and just switch up the yarn being used. 

Pattern: Sockhead Hat by  Needles: US2 circulars Yarn: Socks that Rock in Flower Power Wandering Wool, High Peaks Sock in Deep Amethyst
Above are the adult hats for myself and a friend. Below are the matching hats for our girls. :)

Happy Knitting! _________________________________________