*Grumble. Grumble. Grumble.* Have you ever had one of those mornings when you wish you could cover up your head with the blanket and forget about whatever you have to do that day? It was one of those mornings for me today. No reason in particular. I just didn't want to get up this morning.
I was awakened by a long and baleful mewing. I shot up in bed, worried that something was wrong with my dear Parker. It wasn't too long ago that he was sick after all. My husband is no good in situations like this, dead to the world in some far off valley in Slumberland. I jumped out of bed, fully awake, rushed to see what was wrong. Parker was walking towards me down the hall, with Anya close on his heels. I'm looking all over for signs of illness or maiming only to be led by my cat, Parker, to the kitchen door where he stood and stared, waiting to be let out. He isn't allowed outside and he knows it. It doesn't stop him from trying though. I truly believe that when Anya came to live with us, he thought that meant it was his turn to go out every once in awhile like his big canine brother, Riley. Anyhow, I scooped Parker up in my arms, all 11 lbs of him, and gave him a little corporal cuddle for the scare he gave me. And he purred and purred. That's how I know today will be a good one.
I have been participating off and on in Dewey's Weekly Geeks' events, picking and choosing which ones I take part in quite randomly. This is one of those times. This week, Dewey asks participants to compile a list of our favorite books published in 2008. I have managed to squeeze in quite a bit of new release reading so far this year. I thought I would share my top five list--all books I have read this year which have also been published this year. It was a lot harder to pare down than I thought it would be. I have read some great books. I will be brave though and take a stand.
The View From the Seventh Layer by Kevin Brockmeier
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Janeology by Karen Harrington
Moonlight Downs by Adrian Hyland
Killing Rommel by Steven Pressfield
A Grave in Gaza by Matt Beynon Rees
Yes, I can count. And yes, I did list six titles instead of five. I told you it was hard.
It is time to make the day of five other people. Thank you to all who participated in the Hachette Book Group USA Get Smart! Back to School Reading Bonanza Giveaway!
The winners were chosen at random using random.org. And the five lucky readers are
I was awakened by a long and baleful mewing. I shot up in bed, worried that something was wrong with my dear Parker. It wasn't too long ago that he was sick after all. My husband is no good in situations like this, dead to the world in some far off valley in Slumberland. I jumped out of bed, fully awake, rushed to see what was wrong. Parker was walking towards me down the hall, with Anya close on his heels. I'm looking all over for signs of illness or maiming only to be led by my cat, Parker, to the kitchen door where he stood and stared, waiting to be let out. He isn't allowed outside and he knows it. It doesn't stop him from trying though. I truly believe that when Anya came to live with us, he thought that meant it was his turn to go out every once in awhile like his big canine brother, Riley. Anyhow, I scooped Parker up in my arms, all 11 lbs of him, and gave him a little corporal cuddle for the scare he gave me. And he purred and purred. That's how I know today will be a good one.
I have been participating off and on in Dewey's Weekly Geeks' events, picking and choosing which ones I take part in quite randomly. This is one of those times. This week, Dewey asks participants to compile a list of our favorite books published in 2008. I have managed to squeeze in quite a bit of new release reading so far this year. I thought I would share my top five list--all books I have read this year which have also been published this year. It was a lot harder to pare down than I thought it would be. I have read some great books. I will be brave though and take a stand.
The View From the Seventh Layer by Kevin Brockmeier
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Janeology by Karen Harrington
Moonlight Downs by Adrian Hyland
Killing Rommel by Steven Pressfield
A Grave in Gaza by Matt Beynon Rees
Yes, I can count. And yes, I did list six titles instead of five. I told you it was hard.
It is time to make the day of five other people. Thank you to all who participated in the Hachette Book Group USA Get Smart! Back to School Reading Bonanza Giveaway!
The winners were chosen at random using random.org. And the five lucky readers areCongratulations to the winners!
Congrats to the winners. What a generous giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWendy, I am so intrigued by the fact that Killing Rommel is on you list of top books for the year.
I just listened to this book a few weeks ago, and reviewed it on my blog. Definitely not a good one for me. Now I'm going to have to find your review and read it. Somehow I must have missed it.
Whoo-Who! Thanks so much, Wendy, for a great givewaway! And I really love the little kitty paw print that comes up on your blog when you click on a link. It's a great signature feature! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteCarey
Glad your kitty is fine. Thank you for hosting such a great giveaway! Let me know if they'll accept my PO Box please.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Parker thinks if he demands to go out with enough authority, you'll think he's right and let him go exploring. Kittehs can be like that, you know. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad all is well!
Lezlie
Hi, I just tagged you for a meme! Read about it here!
ReplyDeletecongrats to the winners.
ReplyDeleteThank you soooo much!! I am thrilled beyond words and so appreciative!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Parker is alright! I've had scares like that too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books on your list, but some I really want to, like The Translator and The View From the Seventh Layer.
Congrats to the winners!
I have a cool kitty blog video today you might want to check out. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Merci! Gracias!
At first I thought I hadn't read any of the books on your list, but then I saw one from Adrian Hyland and thought 'oh yay..a new Hyland'. Then I realised that Moonlight Downs is the US title for Diamond Dove which I read in September and really enjoyed. I rated it the same as you did!
ReplyDeleteYour Parker and my Madison MUST be related somehow. I'm glad things started looking better--everything seems brighter while listening to a cat's purr.
ReplyDeleteTag-you're it! Go to this posting to find out what you have to do next. :)
http://misadventuresofthedynamicuno.blogspot.com/2008/09/six-random-things.html
Wow, I haven't read any of the books on your list. More for my TBR list! :)
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite so far this year is Bedlam South by Mark Grisham and David Donaldson. As a historian I don't read a lot of historical fiction because I get too ticked off when people fudge the facts to fit the story, but this is really well done. Historically accurate and unique for Civil War fiction because it looks more at the mental side of war than the physical.
Congrats to the winners! I'm still smiling over the book bounty I won a couple of months ago - You and Hatchett Group are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of your favorites from 2008. I do want to read the Matt Beynon Rees book and hopefully I'll get to it soon. I need to take a look at my list and participate in this one!
Oh yes, I certainly have mornings like that sometimes!
ReplyDeleteGlad Parker is ok and was just being demanding. :)
For a moment I was holding my breath but when I see that Parker was OK, I breathe again...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the winners! :D
Shana - Killing Rommel really struck a chord with me. It surprised me, I admit. I wasn't sure it would be something I'd like from the description, and yet once I finished, I was smitten. Maybe because of the personal connections I made? That could be a big part of it.
ReplyDeleteCarey - It was my pleasure! And aren't those paw prints cute? I like them too. :-)
Jen - You're welcome! I still am not sure why Hatchette asked me to host the giveaway, but I liked the idea of making someone out there happy. :-)
Lezlie - I'm sure that's probably it. And actually, sometimes it does work which is why he keeps trying. I'm the weak one in the house.
Laura - Ooo! Thank you, Laura! I will try and think of my response and post it this weekend. :-)
Serena - I wish I was so lucky!
April - Congratulations!
Nymeth - He really shouldn't scare me like that. Especially in the middle of the night.
I think you would like both the books you mention an interest in.
Karen - I'm behind in my blog hopping, but will be sure and stop by to check out the kitty video soon! Can't miss that!
Marg - Yes! That confused me when I was looking at the author's website. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the author's next book.
Dynamic Uno - Haha! Maybe they are related. :-) Thank you for the tag! I'm thinking of my response . . .
Ruth - Bedlam South does sound good! I will have to add that one to my wish list.
Nat - He's a sweetie even when being a pill. :-)
Alice - It sure did scare me too!
You found an author website? I haven't managed to. It's something that a lot of Australian authors are not very good at I am afraid.
ReplyDeleteMarg - You're right. It was an article I read about the author around the time I finished the book. It's been so long my memory is slipping.
ReplyDelete