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Friday, March 27, 2015

Mish Mash

I've been receiving more ARCs in the mail lately.  For a while this slowed down as most ARCs offered were e galleys.  Here are some of the recent arrivals:


Fidget quilts #3 and #4 (for AD and dementia patients) are finished.  Although my goal was to keep from buying anything new and to use only what I have in my fabric stash, I picked up a couple of items at Dollar Tree that will provide added texture to future quilts.
#4

Ears, arms, and legs are loose; butterflies are dimensional; a little soft minky fabric with button and gathered fabric for texture.  This one was a lot of fun, and I'll make more like this.

I noticed that I have a number of books from a while back that I haven't reviewed, so here are two brief reviews of those neglected books:

Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham -- This review kept being put off because it is the first book by Robotham that I didn't really care for.  I'm a great fan of most of his books, but this one...well, just didn't appeal as much.  It is the 4th book in the Joe O'Loughlin series, and O'Loughlin needs to figure out if a friend of his daughter has killed her father.  Lots of twists, of course.  I'm not sure why this one didn't feel equal to the others I've read by Robotham, but maybe it is because of the continuing saga of O'Loughlin's disintegrating marriage and the fact that his wife annoys me.

Read in Jan.  Library copy.

Mystery/Suspense.  2012.  423 pages.



Lewis Carroll:  The Man and His Circle by Edward Wakeling.    The delay on this one is because there was such a wealth of fascinating material.  I highlighted so much and couldn't decide what to include and what to eliminate.   The dilemma of too much of interest was overwhelming.

Charles Lutwitdge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) was a fascinating man with an equally fascinating circle of friends and acquaintances.   Anyone interested in the Victorian period would benefit from reading this book.  

The background on Carroll as mathematician, the illustrators of Alice in Wonderland (and how Carroll worked with the illustrators), publishers and publication, his friends among artists, playwrights, and actors, a historical look at his photography--and more, much more.  The primary sources are extensive.

A brilliant man with wide-ranging interests, Lewis Carroll has a dedicated biographer in Wakeling.  The book does not follow the pattern of most biographies, but is a compelling experience and informative experience.  

Read in January      

NetGalley/  I.B. Taurus

Biography/Nonfiction.  2015.  Print length:  480 pages.                                 

16 comments:

  1. New books! I always love new books. I hope you enjoy them, Jenclair. I am not familiar with any of your new titles.

    That blanket is so adorable!

    I am sorry Bleed for Me wasn't better. I think I have another of Robotham's books on my Kindle waiting for me, but it's not that one. Say You're Sorry is the one I have (I had to check). I know so little about Lewis Carroll. The book sounds really interesting!

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    1. Most look a bit like cozy mysteries, but I guess I'll see when I get around to them. The Lewis Carroll book was so interesting! It isn't that Bleed for Me was bad, by any means, just that I like all the others I've read by him better than this one.

      I think AD patients might like this little quilt because of the facial features. Hope so!

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  2. You are just too creative with those quilts. Love them.

    I'm trying to remember more about that O'Loughlin book. I've read it. Yes, the wife is a little annoying or maybe more than a little. Enjoy your ARC's.

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    1. I've read 5 of his O'Loughlin series, but not in order, and one of his stand alones. Loved all of them, but this one not as much.

      The quilts are keeping me busy!

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  3. The quilt's delightful! I love it!

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! They are about all that my mind can handle at the moment!

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  4. Love that quilt! I wish I could make something like that!

    Sounds like you've some good reading times ahead! Enjoy your books and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. :)

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    1. These are easy, peasy quilts, but the details are a little time-consuming. Just the way I like it!

      I have the ARCs, library books, and Kindle books right now waiting to be read. Feast or famine in the book department!

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  5. The Lewis Carroll book looks fascinating. And I love the fidget quilt!

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    1. Thanks, Irene. Yes, the Lewis Carroll book is fascinating and very informative!

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  6. I'm really anxious to hear about The Year My Mother Came Back. I can't remember where I first heard about it, but I've added it to my TBR list.

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    1. I'd never heard of this one--guess I should look for some reviews. Most of the ARCs that come in the mail are surprises, and not always books I would choose for myself. Sometimes this is a good thing. :)

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  7. I've received lots of ARCs recently too and I just haven't gotten around to blogging about them. Love the quilt. I hope this will brighten the day of those who receive these quilts and hope you continue showing us more pics of them!

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    1. Unsolicited ARCs are fun to receive--even if they aren't the kind of book you might choose, they are still gifts that arrive unexpectedly. I'm working on the next fidget quilt, but not as steadfastly as I have been. Taking time to make little embellishments to add to future quilts and watching episodes of Bosch on Amazon Prime. I've enjoyed the books about Bosch by Michael Connelly, and the Prime series is very good.

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