Sunday Salon | Stephanie's Written Word

Jul 11

Sunday Salon 7.11.10 – the classic I haven’t read yet

By Stephanie book events, cool blogs & sites, sunday salon 29 Comments »

As a teenager, I wasn’t much of a reader. Even though my mother and sister very often had their noses in a book, I didn’t have any interest in reading at all. Not until I became an adult did I finally realize that I was missing out on something really big and before I knew it I became an avid reader. I started mostly with horror fiction (I think one of Stephen King’s books was my first real read) and over the last fifteen plus years have since move onto more varied literature (although I do love me some good ghost stories now and then).

'East of Eden' by John Steinbeck But there was one type of genre I was afraid to tackle – the classics. I don’t know whether I thought I wasn’t smart enough to read classic literature or if I wouldn’t “get” it, but I was deathly afraid of even attempting a classic book.

I have to thank Oprah’s Book Club for encouraging me to give it a try (I know *eyes rolling* but to be honest if it wasn’t for her I don’t know that I would have picked up my very first classic, East of Eden by John Steinbeck). I really enjoyed East of Eden and realized that there were a world of books, ones that are beloved by millions, that I should make the time to read. Shortly thereafter I devoured a copy of my mom’s all time favorite book Little Women, met Hazel in Watership Down, learned about China in The Good Earth, recovered from surgery with Elizabeth and Darcy as my companions and delved into some Bronte with Jane Eyre.

Learn more about the 50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird There is one book though that I haven’t read yet, that I have been meaning to for a very long time. There is a big celebration going on to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, so I’ve decided to join in on the fun. In a couple days (right after finishing my current read) I plan on reading, for the first time ever, this true American classic.

So tell me, have you read To Kill a Mockingbird? Is there one classic book that you’ve always meant to read but haven’t done so yet?

By the way, if you haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird and would like to, check out Heather’s blog – she is hosting a great giveaway of the 50th anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird along with a very special book companion, Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celeberation of 50 Years of To Kill a Mockingbird!

Apr 24

Sunday Salon 04.25.10

By Stephanie life, sunday salon 11 Comments »

Happy Sunday everyone (even though I’m technically writing and posting this on Saturday night, let’s pretend it is already Sunday, shall we?)!

It’s been a busy week around my house and it’s only going to get busier!

First was my daughter’s birthday party. It was lots of fun having a bunch of girls over to the house for a pajama tea party. I made deviled eggs, cucumber sandwiches and a bunch of other home-made finger foods, all of which weren’t given a second glance once the frozen pigs in a blanket were out of the oven. Remind me next year to just order pizza.

Afterwards Leah and I packed our bags and headed into New York City for her hospital stay. We spent two nights in the hospital while she was hooked up to a video EEG monitor. We were having a hoot trying to make her brain waves go all wonky (every time she would give me some eight-year-old bad attitude, the brain wave monitor would go nuts)! Luckily we had a beautiful river view from her room. Unluckily we had to share the room with not only two other kids, but a two person nursing staff. My daughter can sleep through anything, but I tend to have a harder time sleeping with monitors beeping, kids crying and parents snoring. I spent a lot of my sleepless time reading (The Likeness by Tana French was the perfect book to take my mind off of the chaos around us). In the end everything went well and we will be heading back to New York in a few weeks to discuss the results with her Neurologist.

I was so excited to get back to the house, not only because being stuck in a pediatric hospital unit is DEPRESSING, but also because my brand new mattress arrived. My husband and I have been sleeping on the same mattress for fifteen years and have finally purchased a new, fluffy, comfy bed. YIPPEE ! By the way, you know you are getting old when a buying a new mattress brings you endless joy. Just saying.

We will be moving our old bed in another room in anticipation of our house guest, a lovely young girl named Francesca who will be arriving here in two weeks all the way from Australia. Her father is originally from the United States and a friend of my husbands. Fran wanted to come and live in the town her dad grew up in for a few months (she has just graduated from high school and will begin college next year). So for the next few months she will be staying at our house. Most of our friends think we are crazy (you mean that a girl you’ve only met a few times is going to move in with you? Are you running a youth hostel over there?) but we have hosted an exchange student from Japan before and know that it can be a wonderful experience. Of course both of my kids are super excited to have Fran here with us and so am I!

Lastly, I just had to share this photo of my daughter Maya playing soccer this morning. Gotta love the tongue sticking out as she runs towards the ball!!

Hope you all have a wonderful, restful Sunday!

Mar 07

Sunday Salon 03.07.10

By Stephanie Love of books, blogging, cool blogs & sites, giveaway, new books, sunday salon 27 Comments »

Good afternoon Saloners! I’ve got some cool bookish things to share with you all.

I met a really nice gal Denise not too long ago. She had just moved to this area and her youngest son is in Maya’s preschool class. What I didn’t know about Denise is that she too is a blogger and has just posted a really lovely interview with Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place and her newest book Lift. Check it out at Denise’s blog Musings de Mommy.

I’ve been trying really hard not to purchase any new books and have been good over the past six months. But I kind of fell of the wagon recently and came home with these books.

I bought Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer based solely on Susan’s great review. Then I picked up a copy of The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle since I will be reading it with my book club this month. After reading about author Maureen Johnson on the Book Blogger Con website, I found a copy of Suite Scarlett and decided to give it a try. And I am really glad I grabbed a copy of Little Bee by Chris Cleave, especially after reading Natasha’s thoughts on the book.

Speaking of great blog posts, I was intrigued by Dawn’s recent review of The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back by Kevin and Hannah Salwen. After reading and Tweeting Dawn’s insightful and honest review, I heard from a friend about the 200 Story Home Contest run by Khelly and Jerry Agee. It is a creative competition where you can submit artwork based on the theme of “home” and throughout the course of the competition they’re giving away cool prizes like Mini cars and charity donations. The grand prize is a mansion in Park City, UT (it’s unbelievably gorgeous) or $500,000 cash. And to top it off you pick your favorite charity and they’ll donate $50K to it. Pretty crazy, right! Check out their website to find out more about the contest and how to enter.

Lastly, check out what came in my mail last week!! Faithful Place: A Novel by Tana French! The book isn’t out until this summer and was so excited to get an ARC of it.

In non-bookish news, I took my oldest daughter out to see Alice in Wonderland yesterday afternoon. It was as I suspected, a totally whacked out version of the story and one that we both found enjoyable. It doesn’t hurt to have Johnny Depp, who I love, being the crazy Mad-Hatter!

Also, my husband and I FINALLY picked out tile backsplash for our kitchen! After bringing home lots of samples over the last few months, I finally found exactly what I wanted. I can’t wait to start putting it up so I can show all of you!

Feb 14

Sunday Salon 02.14.10 (Book Love)

By Stephanie new books, sunday salon 20 Comments »

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! In honor of this holiday all about LOVE, I figured I would write about some books that I would LOVE to get my hot little hands on! Most of these books will be released next month (YAY!) although you’ll see a few at the end of my list that will take a bit more patience. What books are you looking forward to reading this year? Are there any I need to add to my list?

First up is newest book by the author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, Raven Stole the Moon: A Novel by Garth Stein (Publisher: Harper Paperbacks – release date March 9, 2010). I really loved The Art of Racing in the Rain and am looking forward to see what this author has up his sleeve next.

I’m also looking forward to Lift by Kelly Corrigan (Publisher: Voice – release date March 2, 2010). I read her breast cancer memoir The Middle Place while I was going through my own cancer treatment and her words resonated with me.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag: A Flavia de Luce Mystery (Flavia De Luce Mysteries) by Alan Bradley (Publisher: Delacorte Press – release date March 9, 2010) is book two in the Flavia de Luce mystery series. I read the first book based on Carl’s recommendation and adored it!

I read The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen last year and fell in love with her whimsical writing. I now am looking forward to her newest book The Girl Who Chased the Moon (Publisher: Bantam – release date March 16, 2010)

Allison Winn Scotch is another author I discovered last year when I read her wonderful novel Time of my Life. She is out with a new book The One That I Want (Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books – release date June 1, 2010) this year.

I’m sure you all are looking forward to Faithful Place: A Novel too (Publisher: Viking Adult – release date July 13, 2010)! Since I haven’t yet read her second book The Likeness (I know, I know, what am I waiting for?) I can get a French fix before July.

Admit it, you want a copy of Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins too (but you’ll have to wait until August to get it)! Publisher: Scholastic Press – release date August 24, 2010

Lastly, Sara Gruen will be publishing a new book this year called Ape House. I couldn’t find a book cover for it yet, but you can read about the book at the author’s website.

Jan 24

Sunday Salon 01.24.10

By Stephanie book events, books & tv, everything austen, sunday salon 14 Comments »

Greetings Sunday Saloners! I hope you’ve all had a good week! I’ve been busy around the house and so when I do have time to sit down with my current read at night I’ve found myself drowsy and unable to stay awake. It’s taken so much longer to get through Jane Eyre than I thought it would, but it isn’t from lack of interest. I am loving the book, but just don’t have enough hours in the day! Hopefully the fact that I recently got the Masterpiece Theater version of Jane Eyre from Netflix will give me the incentive to finish it up this week.

Speaking of Masterpiece Theater, tonight is the premeire of Jane Austen’s Emma. To celebrate PBS is having an Emma Twitter party during the show. They even have the lovely Laurel Ann from Austenprose as one of the Austen experts tweeting during the premiere! Make sure to hop onto Twitter tonight Sunday, January 24th from 9 – 11 p.m. EST to tweet about the first Emma episode. Just use hastag #emma_pbs to be included in the fun. As an added incentive, PBS will be giving away Austen prizes during the Twitter party so make sure to join in!!

In other bookish news, my daughter and I are currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) together. Over the holiday break we read the first Harry Potter book and then sat down to watch the movie. She was so enthusiastic that we decided to continue with the series. I remember the first time I read Harry Potter and how I really felt that I was transported to this wonderfully magic world and am so excited to see my seven year old have the same reaction. Harry Potter rocks!

Dec 20

Sunday (Snowy) Salon 12.20.09

By Stephanie life, renovation, sunday salon 20 Comments »

We’ve had a very festive weekend here in the North East. Thanks to mother nature, my kids were able to play outside in 6 plus inches of the fluffy white stuff after church this morning. Yesterday, I was in the kitchen all day cooking up a storm. First up were Christmas cookies with the girls. The island in my kitchen turns out to be the perfect place for us to gather and cook together. The kids had fun using the cookie press and decorating mint-chocolate tree cookies.

Before the snow came, we were visited by the big man in the red suit on the back of our local fire department’s truck. Here’s a shot of Maya (along with our neighbor Sheila) getting some candy from Santa.

Along with cookies, I also tried out Chicken Spaghetti (since Kathy recommended it in her review of Ree Drummond’s new cookbook). Got the recipe off of Pioneer Woman’s website (how is it that I’ve never heard of this woman until now)? It was excellent!! I also made her scrumptious apple pie and pie crust which were also pretty good.

Speaking of the kitchen, except for some details that are still unfinished (kitchen back splash, hood above the oven, crown molding on top of the cabinets, stonework on fireplace) the kitchen is fully functional! Here’s a glimpse of the space.

We are off to my girlfriend’s annual holiday party this afternoon, so I probably won’t get much reading done today.

Make sure to stop by this blog over the next few days as I will have the final and biggest Everything Austen giveaway!

Nov 15

Sunday Salon 11.15.09

By Stephanie book challenges, everything austen, mini-challenge, renovation, sunday salon 13 Comments »

Happy Sunday everyone!

First let me say congrats to Melissa over at Vintage Joy who is the winner of my three book Harper Collins giveaway! E-mail me Melissa at wordblog(at)optonline(dot)net with your snail mail address and I’ll get those books in the mail!

Did you know that there is another Everything Austen mini-challenge going on right now? Make sure to stop by Bibliofreak, who is hosting a Everything Austen mini-challenge and giveaway where you can win this cool Jane Austen action figure! She will send mini-Jane anywhere in the world, so stop by to find out how you can win.

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It’s been another busy week at the house – the renovation is moving right along and we should be starting to install kitchen cabinets in three weeks! This is what the space looks like today:

Our general contractor was busy insulating and putting up sheetrock this week. Over the next couple days they will continue spackling and finish up some loose ends. Next weekend my husband and I are going to start painting (I spent a half hour at Home Depot yesterday picking out the perfect colors). Then (a few days before Thanksgiving) they will be sanding down the wood floors and refinishing them. After letting them dry for a week, our appliances and cabinets will arrive. Now that we are only a few short weeks from having an actual working kitchen I am finally allowing myself to become excited!

With all the renovation stuff going on, I haven’t even had a chance to pick up a book all week (I also have barely visited any other blogs – sorry about that)! I hope to be able to catch up with my blog list and start Shanghai Girls very soon.

Please make sure to stop by again as it will be a busy week here at Stephanie’s Written Word. I will be posting my review of Thanksgiving at the Inn, will host another Everything Austen giveaway and am going to tell you all about a new reading challenge that I am super excited about!

Nov 07

Sunday Salon 11.08.09

By Stephanie meet the author, new books, renovation, sunday salon 18 Comments »

Happy (almost) Sunday! I’m posting my Sunday Salon a little early since I probably won’t have much computer time tomorrow.

I hope you all had a great week. It’s been busy (and quite messy around here) as the building of my addition is chugging along. The headers are in the ceiling and the space has opened up quite a bit. To get a perspective, take a peek at the size of my kitchen, living room & dining room from my front door in this picture:

Below is a picture I took on Friday from the same location. As you can see, the interior wall and back wall have been removed and it is now one big room. You see where that bright light is sitting? That’s pretty much where the back wall used to be:

The plumber has finished and the electrician is almost done so we should be ready for the inspection on Tuesday. Once we are done with that, the room will be insulated and sheet rocked! You can also see all the wood stacked up in the middle of the living room – that’s for the wood floor that will extend through the entire room.

When I wasn’t busy tiptoeing around the workers in my house, I was eagerly anticipating a wonderful package from Random House and TLC Book Tours that I just couldn’t wait to share with all of you. I received an e-mail from the wonderful Lisa over at TLC Book Tours to see if I would be interested in reviewing Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See here on my blog in January. When I wrote back to tell Lisa that my book club had just picked Shanghai Girls to read next, she contacted the publisher and ten brand spankin’ new copies were sent to my house! I’m now handing them out to the women in my book club and we are all really looking forward to reading this book. It is the second See book that we’ve read as a group (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was the first one) and this time we are all crossing our fingers that the author will be calling in to our meeting! I’ll be sure to let you all know how our book club meeting turns out when it’s my turn to review Shanghai Girls.

I also finished up Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan (another TLC Book Tour read) and cannot wait to gush about this book to all of you later this month. I really loved the story and characters and would highly recommend it if you are looking for a great story about time travel, Irish history and a bit of romance.

Well, we are headed out to dinner with some friends tonight, so I’m signing off. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Nov 01

Sunday Salon 11.01.09

By Stephanie life, renovation, sunday salon 18 Comments »

First things first – the winners of my Murder at Longbourn giveaway are Stacy and Melissa! E-mail me at wordblog(at)optonline(dot)net with you addresses and I’ll get the books out to you!

I hope all of you enjoyed your Halloween yesterday! My kids had a great time trick-or-treating, even if it was lightly drizzling out. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this cool pumpkin I found at my neighbor’s house. Isn’t it hysterical?

I recently read this great blog post over at The Literary Omnivore about why she doesn’t like e-readers. It’s worth your time to read, as she has some great points about the current e-readers on the market and why she isn’t buying into all the hype.

I’m currently on the fence about e-readers. There are some wonderful things about e-readers like the Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s new e-reader Nook. First, they are extremely portable. For people who travel extensively for work I think that an e-reader is super convenient and comfortable to carry. I also love the fact that you can purchase most brand new hardcovers for under $10, which is way less than what an actual hardcover will set you back. Plus the fact that on the Nook you can lend your e-books to friends is way cool. Lastly I just love the technological sleekness of e-readers (but I am a sucker for new techie stuff).

But here is the catch. I currently have an embarrassing large amount of unread books on my shelves. If I got an e-reader, what would happen to all those books? It’s not like I can transfer them to an e-reader to take with me. I’m thinking that the e-reader would sit on my shelf far too much as I try to make a dent into my TBR pile. Also, I think I would feel pressure to purchase books just so I can use my e-reader, which would be really hard to do on my current “no buying books” budget.

This is not to say that if I got an e-reader for a gift (or from the manufacturer for review on my blog – I’m talking to you Barnes & Noble) that I would turn it down. I’m just not sure I’m ready to shell out over $200 of my own money just to have one.

As far as reading, I finished Thanksgiving at the Inn (which I found lacking – you’ll find out more when I review it later this month). I also started Now & Thenby Jacqueline Sheehan and made a huge dent into it on Thursday. I have to say that I am really enjoying the story that Sheehan has so intricately weaved and can’t wait to get more reading time in. Unfortunately that was pretty much the last time I picked it up, as our weekend has been super busy. Between two Halloween parades (one at pre-school and one at elementary school) on Friday and the removal of my kitchen by my hubby on Saturday (yep, I am now officially kitchen-less) it’s been a busy couple days!

For your viewing pleasure, here is what our addition looked like when the contractor headed out for the day on Friday.

The roof is now done (we replaced the entire roof on the house) and the windows and skylights are in. The siding will be finished on Monday and then they will be breaking through the walls into our house. Yikes!!

Have a great Sunday!

Oct 25

Sunday Salon 10.25.09

By Stephanie sunday salon 18 Comments »

Tap tap, anybody out there? I know that a lot of you participated in the read-a-thon and figured you are all catching up on some sleep. I hope you were able to get a lot of reading done!

It is a glorious fall day here in the North East, perfect for dressing my youngest up in her Halloween costume for the Trunk or Treat event at our church. Trunk or Treat is an event that takes place close to Halloween in our church parking lot. Parishioners can back up their cars, open up their car trucks and give candy out to the kids. Many people decorate the inside of their trunks and the kids just love it. I have bought my oldest to Trunk or Treat in the past, but today she has Chinese school. Luckily her sister has said that she will share some of her candy. Below are a couple pictures of my cute little kitty cat that I took once we got home (thanks Dad for letting me use your super-dooper digital camera to get these shots)!

I just love her expressive little face.

I must have hundreds of pictures of my kids making faces into the camera!

Yes, it was a great way to spend our afternoon.

As far as reading is concerned, I spent most of my week finishing up The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. Whew, that was an intense book. I’ll have a full review up later this week. I’m now reading Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney, a much simpler, easier book. I hope to fly through this one and start Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan by the end of the week.

Please stop by tomorrow as I will be having another Everything Austen giveaway!! Hope you all have a great Sunday!