All posts filed under: books

Start to A New Week

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We are nearly two weeks away from Fall, which marks the beginning of San Francisco’s summer-ish, referred to as Indian Summer, season. Which I am excited about – I love fall and the idea of warmer temperatures ahead.  Although this past weekend soared well over 90’s at the coast and 100 plus inland.  Which I am sure some of you  experiencing hotter temperatures, are chuckling at my enthusiasm. But I am a San Franciscan, and we get very excited about seeing sun at the coast. Besides the weather, there was much smoke, new fires, harsher conditions, in terms of being able to breathe through the haze, and smoke with a mask on while outdoors. I am curious, how is it in your part of the world right now? Bearable, tolerable, laxed?  Are you looking forward to fall? With thoughts about the holidays – which definitely will be different this year. I wonder if anyone is still buying clothes for work? How about for the holidays, what will the retailers do about evening gowns, and party …

Back In the U.S. of A

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The ordeal of travel when there is a concern for your health was the anxiety I was dealing with – Tuesday night when I stayed up all night, thinking about the 11 flight from London Heathrow to San Francisco International airport where I would land upon the hub of airlines inbound from Asia – where the recent Coronavirus is wreaking havoc in the continent and beyond. Landing in San Francisco was an eye-opening experience as I saw traveler after traveler wearing masks and gloves to help ward off contact with those who made their way from Asia-inbound flights.  Would it have been safer to not have flights leaving the continent? was the first thing that popped into my mind while I walked angry through the corridors, and then I queued up in the customs line for over an hour, along with so many travelers in masks, and my anxiety grew deeper, to the point I found myself hyperventilating about all the other ways I might contract the virus, past the airport. Have you ever been …

Sunday Edition: Topics Of Interest From Around The World

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I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, in terms of this bug/flu thing I managed to get caught up in this past week – the entire event being kicked off by a stiff neck,  followed by an achy body, fever, headache and a huge knot in my throat, or more like a piece of rock lodged in the worst possible way, causing all kinds of havoc on my body and soul. Since I am so aware of my health, I noticed this time around, I had the worst stomach pains also – which got me thinking perhaps this was a combo flu – or a virus that was thoughtful enough to attack all of my organs. Anyway, the way I know I am feeling better is that I wanted to actually get on my phone and dabble in paint-by-number app, and then one thing led to the next and here we are – with a list of interesting topics I want to share with all of you – cooped up …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Craving BBQ Chicken added to a Salad of Choice

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We’ve had more rain then I remember in a lifetime here in San Francisco, and I couldn’t be happier. We needed it, wish it would be the norm every year – but we know how it goes. Ten years of drought, one year of some rain. This year of course its an exception – or – wait I think we had this much rain back in 2009?  So, yup every ten years. 🙂 Anyway, with this much rain, we’ve had to postpone the idea of BBQ outdoors. But, since I am craving BBQ, and some sort of salad today, it is happening – either in a non-stick skillet, or my indoor grill – which is an older model and a pain to clean – I have a few more hours to decide which way to BBQ – either way, this is the salad I am aiming for tonight. And…I am not changing a thing in the recipe. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or tenders 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade 2 cups fresh grilled or frozen thawed corn …

Some Film Recommends and A Book Or Two

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I realized the other day, while picking out the next set of books to read from the public library, that I have not shared what I’ve read and what I’ve watched on television in a long while. Yes, I do go to public libraries. I love them, especially this, and this location, where I spend hours searching for the next book based on recommendations from all sorts of online sites. The books I choose have to inspire me to continue to pen my next story.  So, here it is: Read:  The Cost of Living By Deborah Levy On my List: Things I Don’t Want to Know by Deborah Levy   Read: Where Honeybees Thrive by Heather Swan Currently Reading: Carnegie’s Maid by Maria Benedict I have ordered The Nest to Read Next – the idea of a family feud over inheritance has sparked an interest and in reality I have picked up and put down this paperback so many times, but now I am going to finally read it.   Found this film on Netflix …

Books I Noticed Recently

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I love mom-and-pop bookstores and will stop dead in my tracks anytime to walk into one and take note of what to read next. First I check out the top staff recommends, then the ones that are on the best bookseller list and then I head back to sections and pick the ones I plan to actually read. And this is a random thought – do you subscribe to GoodReads? If so then let’s connect why don’t we?  And if not, then that’s okay. Drop me a line here or here to say if you have read any of these books and what did you think?

What Books To Read in 2017

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Personally recommending books to read is difficult since everyone’s interests are different. But as you know there are a dozen lists out there of the best and most recommended reads for 2017, some of which I have dropped the front covers right here for your consideration: What have you read so far? And what do you recommend? Or what will you consider reading? Do tell

Culture: Recommended Reads for June and Beyond

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I buy the best of novels in European bookstores, particularly in Paris (believe it or not). I return for a dozen paperbacks and place them all on my bookshelf in the not-yet-read pile. Picking and choosing each novel based on my mood and need for inspiration. For my own writings. So, here’s the list, and here’s my picks to add to the pile of books to read in 2016:  

Travel: Suggested Read While Travelling to Italy or Anywhere

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Choosing the right book to read while travelling is very important. It can either set the mood or destroy it. I, for one, would never consider reading a mystery novel on a vacation planned strictly for some rest and relaxation. The story would bother me so much, I wouldn’t be able to relax.  I do however, choose books themed for the places I visit or a novel-escape. Such as a million and one books (okay 50 or so) books I’ve read and collected on Paris to read while on the plane to my favorite city, or upon my return, to keep the momentum going. So, here’s my suggestion if you are planning a trip to Italy this year or long to travel to Italy just in general and wish to get inspired. Order Piazza Navona (paperback) or e-book, and immerse yourself in the most delightful, funny, charming, lovable story you can possibly imagine. Here’s what others are saying about the book: Anne-Marie Reynolds for Reader’s Favorite – 5 star ratingPiazza Navona had me laughing, crying, and …