Books

Follows you (block)

Requested to follow you (accept | block)

Blocked (unblock)

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

has 65 followers and is following 55 people

I come from a long line of bookworms, the most voracious of which are my mother, sister and my late grandmother. It was only natural that I would follow in their footsteps:) I'm generally in the minority when it comes to opinions of books. I'm a harsh critic mainly because I am a recovering English major! It's not easy overcoming years of... more »
  • Far Far Away
  • member since February 23, 2007

Groups

Following

Books I'm reading

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Check your gmail for the Pinterest invitation. :D I hope you like it as much as I do.

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey Dragonfly,

    I have so much to say but I will probably make this short.

    I finallly saw the ENT & found it it's not just sinus problems. Part of my hearing is gone. Having an MRI next week.

    *smiling at your new lil toy!* It sounds very cute & convenient & portable. So small it doesn't even fit in a Vera Bradley bag? Oh my, that is small!! Maybe you could knit one!! I like the Veras, too. They're so colorful. I have a big one I use for traveling as my carry-on. I just love all of its nooks & crannies & pockets!

    Speaking of knitting, I have really done a lot this winter. I've knitted several afghans & quite a few scarves. It helps keep me sane. I joined Pinterest (Have you heard of that? Virtual bulletin boards where you can organize web links.) Instead of copying the knitting/crochet patters I've been finding on the web, I just pin the link to my bulletin board. So cool!! Would you like an invite? (It's by invitation only.)

    I am LOVING the Kindle! It goes right in my purse & is so easy to whip out during all of the latest rounds of doctor appts. I did download a game...Thread Words & I'm not terribly good at it, LOL. But then again, I'd rather read than play. Thanks for your link to your game! I bet I'll like that better.

    I have heard of The Night Circus! I want to read it, too. I've got 3 from the library now...all of them 2 week loans only because they're new, or in my town's case: 2 years or less new. *snort* I can't even think of their names right now, LOL. I only picked them up because I had also put on hold the first season of Downton Abbey & it had finally come in. Have you sen it? I started with this season's shows but I'm so hooked, I have to know what previously happened. I'm planning a jammie day on Wed. when I'll be finished with this round of doctor apts. & will be free to sit & knit & wallow in the gloriousness of Downton Abbey with the posh. I just finished Rothfuss' The Wiseman's Fear & loved it. Talk about lonnnngggg, but immersing myself in that world was perfect for right now & the characters became friends. I wish I was still reading it. On my Kindle, I'm reading The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney. It's pretty good; y/a story about a teen who is apprenticed to a "spook", a man who deals with the land's witches, boogie-men & other assorted evil doers. I was pleasantly surprised by it. There's a whole series I might find myself buying... *evil grin*

    LOL at you having to do something constructive! I bet you're never still! Pizza, sigh, that sounds yummy right now!

    Take care, too!!

    posted 8 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey!!

    I have resolved to try staying in the moment & doing what I want to instead of what I need to do. Hence, my answering you so quickly instead of climbing over the laundry pile! Aren't you impressed? :p

    Congrats on the new laptop! Yay!!! I didn't notice any typos, but then again, I never see my own either till after I push post. :p No seriously, you did good. That's a tiny toy you bought. Sounds like fun!

    The sinus yuckiness continues. Waiting right now for a dr. referral to an ENT specialist. My insurance company drags their feet.

    Oh, IGNORE my asking about The Maze Runner! After downloading the sample chaters on my Kindle, I needed to see how it ended. I read it yesterday & was disappointed. It's not worth the money. I found it to be like Dan Brown for teens. Blech!!

    Yeah, try Those Across the River. It was reviewed in my Sun. paper a few weeks ago, & surprise, my library actually had it. It was fun & definately atmospheric. After waching Downton Abbey & being immersed in WW1, I find myself gravitating to that time period. It helps, too, that I have very vivid memories of visiting the British War Museum a few years ago. (Figures, right, that we went there with Mr. Macho, Army Ret.?) They had a simulation of what it was like in the trenches of WW1...Ya know, any book I've ever read about that time period always includes a description of that & its horror...Guess all those authors have visited there, too, LOL. It affected me...it was so real & I actually felt scared & like I was there, too. Those kinds of things are made for people like me whose imaginations are way too big & active. ;) I think you'd like the book, Ms. History Buff (& the pretend trenches, too.)

    I've got the cheap Kindle, too. I can download games to it?! I didn't know that! I'll have to read up on that. I really want the Fire so I could hear music & check emails, etc. But, maybe that will come next year...LOL about you & the wifi! I was very surprised I was able to figure that out...course I did have to call my phone company. Luckily I got a wonderful, kind young man who spoke english. He was extrememly patient & told me all about his Christmas plans for his gf. I had to type in thousands of letters & numbers so I asked him questions while I did it. (I hate to make people wait on me while I do stuff like that.) He told me he was proposing to his gf this holiday & described the ring & everything. Very sweet. I am LOVING the Kindle tho!!! It just slides right into my purse & goes with me everywhere. I had a hair rejuvenation last week; i.e. it was color time at the salon. For the first time, EVER, I could sit & happily read without my glasses because I could make the print super big! SNORT And while at the drs. (AGAIN) & being kept waiting for an hour, I could read some more. It's so light it can go everywhere with me. Problem is it's so easy to go "shopping" that I'm very tempted when I see something I want to read. This could become a very expensive habit!

    Oh, sorry about your reading funk!!! I think...hope...pray mine is over! (It's depressing isn't it when you don't have a good book to look forward to?!) I'm zooming through lots of trash, lol! Probably not stuff I should be proud of, but I need escapism & don't give a rat's arse. I started The Wise Man's Fear, Patrick Rothfuss this wekend. Now there's a book I wish I hadn't already bought in the flesh because that is one heavy friggin' book & could easily give me wrist splints!! Of course, I don't remember any of part 1, but I'm not letting it stop me. It's good, but my goodness, how Rothfuss does natter on, giving us chatty scene after chatty scene. I think he fancies himself the Dickens of Fantasy. Still, I like the characters & his version of a magical world, so I don't mind the endless pages. And it helps that I've learned how to read several books at the same time so the endlessness doesn't turn into boredom. Maybe that radiation DID scramble my brain in a good way, eh?!

    I'm glad your mom is OK. I think about your aunt a lot. Please keep me updated.

    I read DeMille a long time ago!! I found him fun & exciting & liked the adventures a lot. I read The Charm School, The General's Daughter & Cathedral. Hmmm, I'm going to look him up again. He sounds right up my alley & perfect for my moods.

    Yay for you clearing up that towering TBR pile!!

    I forced the dogs to walk in the rain this morning because they haven't been out for days & they needed exercise desperately. They were very unhappy about it but what good it is being the top-dog if I can't throw my weight around a little? I saw a very sad, droopy daffie with its sweet lil head. It looked so little & discouraged. :(

    Hope you're having a good day!!!

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Suze

    Suze says

    (whispers) if you're ever in the mood to write snarky reviews, you can contribute to IB if you want ;) even if you started your own blog, I'd love for you to guest post!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey!!

    Is Christmas gone?! I've ben WAY too busy lately as I'm sure you have been, too. I've been battling a sinus infection for too many weeks & letting the entire world know how miserable I am.

    Hope you & the kitties had a great holiday! How's the family? Everyone OK?

    I'm fine (other than the sinus infection that won't quit, LOL). I picked up the new Alice Hoffman (The Dovekeepers) at my library. OMG, it's unrelenting hardships, sadness & turmoil, one after the other. I can't even say the writing is beautiful & held me spellbound because I was crying through the few chapters I read. It's going back to the 'bary tomorrow. I can't seem to find anything that I can get lost in & enjoy. I think I'm turning to young adult next.

    LOVE the slogan!! You're doing TOO much, woman!! sigh The story of your life, right?! Finding a balance betweeen being a workaholic & having a private life is so difficult.

    I've got friends coming over in a little & need to get dressed. I'll return...Tell me what you've read that was great...

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year! I do believe we are owed one this year, don't you think?!
    xxxx

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Laura

    Laura says

    Hello there, I came across your profile and had to become a follower if only for the Waterhouse pic. Then I read your profile description and that clinched it. The Poe quote is one of my favorites. I hope you are having a great day.
    Blessings
    ~*~

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Dropping by to say hey! Are you surviving these Sahara days? Good gravy, it's so hot here I can't breathe when outside. Izzie wants to play ball inside because her tongue hangs out so much outside, she can't carry the ball. ;p

    I'm doing OK. Having good days & bad. I think I've finally come around to starting to deal w/ this & I'm learning ways to keep the panic at bay. I know that sounds so dramatic, but tis true...I've been poked & prodded several more times...my poor boobie is quite bruised & sore. I have another test today. The bills are pouring in...I don't think I've heard either political party discuss what we common people are supposed to do when the insurance is dragging their feet about paying & the surgeon won't operate unless his bill is paid up front. Yes, really, w/ promises of reimbursement when the insurance kicks in. I'm thinking of having a bake sale...;p

    I wasn't able to read at first because nothing was "sticking", if you know what I mean, but thank goodness that's over & I can escape again. If you have any ideas of good escapism or funny, please send some recommendations. I have been reading a lot about this particular cancer & my options, but shelfari doesn't list these resources. Maybe I should contact the shelfari gods? ;p

    Looks like surgery will be in Aug.; radiation a few weeks after. No idea about chemo yet...Today's tests will determine that.

    Let me hear from you...what are you reading, your kitty's antics, rants about red-neck men...You make me laugh so much...

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • erikaleigh

    erikaleigh says

    By the way, I just "followed" you. Didn't want to be creepy about it and not tell you. Honestly, I thought I already was stalking, I mean following you. I guess I was just used to seeing you in BBD. :)

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey!

    I just finished The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane & had to tell you how much I loved it! I couldn't put it down & was completely caught up in it. OMG, what a great story! I lurrvve history, & enjoyed the extra "stuff." It helped to make the story come more alive for me. I loved the ending & found myself saying, "Ahhhh!" In fact, I liked it so much I'm going to recommend it to Beth for our summer swap. (I am so far behind on doing that.) Yes, Sam was a cutey-pie, wasn't he?! Very believable & sweet...except for the nose ring. I guess I'm too old to find that attractive. =)

    I think after our FL road trip (to findCarl Hiaasen), we should take a road trip to Boston. I'd love to go poke around Salem, etc. I remember going to Plymouth when I was young, but never to Salem.

    It's close to 98 here today. Horribly humid, so heavy w/ heat, you feel exhausted just stepping outside. Even the dogs whined to come back in & Kitty, who adores heat, keeps going out & coming back in, meowing as if to say, "Turn off the sauna, mom!"

    Oh, I hope you do like Illona Andrews as much as I do. There's just something I adore about that series. I read their other series, too, called The Edge, but don't like it near as much. They have a web site & you can read excerpts from the books. http://www.ilona-andrews.com/

    Oh!! I read Mudbound, too, a few years ago & loved it! Yes, it was beautifully written & so sad. I think it was her first book...I've got The sign by Raymond Khoury on my TBR pile. Somebody gave it to me, but I'm not sure who. Definately a beach book, but it looks fun. $3, eh?! Another bargain, ring the bell!!! As for missing out on Rhett...oh well...Rent GWTW from Netflix. ;p Well, yes, you may be a "Miss Turtle Slowpoke", but at least you're a discerning slowpoke. And compared to Rob's speed reading, we're all slowpokes. ;-0

    How's Black Hills? I've got that, too, in the ever leaning TBR pile.

    I think you like mysteries, right? Have you read the Agatha Raisin series? Sweet & I adore Agatha; she's insane & frumpy but good fun.

    Do you have exciting plans for the 4th?

    Take care!

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey!!!

    Oh look, we're almost twins! How do you keep your wings so sparkly? Must be because you're younger. ;p

    Lordy, lordy, it's hot enough for chocolate to melt in your hand down here. The outside thermometer registered 107 yesterday...& that's in the shady backyard. The hummingbirds aren't even flying from feeder to feeder anymore, but strolling. They know it's way too hot for Sable to move off that porch rocker. I think he's the only one who loves this heat & humidity. And my echinaceaus (sp - cone flowers) are bent over from the heat. If it's this hot now, what will it be like come Aug.?!

    I've calmed down a lot in the job search. We're making it OK right now & have even gotten used to all of the cutbacks although that hasn't been tested yet by me walking into a shoe sale. ;-) I FINALLY had an interview at an office. Job sounds OK, not very exciting, & I am on the short list. The inteviewer told me I was one of 800 people who applied...Can you imagine?! The economy is pretty bad down here, but I had no idea it was that bad. On a whim I'd used some sarcasm/funny stuff in my cover letter & that got me noticed. I applied to some other places this week that I would die to work at! One's the FBI; how cool would that be? *wondering if all of the FBI men look like Bones' partner SIGH* The other is at a college's library & I think I would luuurrrrve that job. Applying for some of these jobs is a pain in the arse!! They have essay questions! They want more info than when I applied to grad school! It wouldn't be so bad if I'd get noticed & some recognition (& a chance to wear my new suit) but when I don't hear anything I feel like I've wasted my time when I could have been reading or sewing. SIGH Ah, well. Maybe I'll get a job soon....Or I wil have applied for every job on earth & be able to take a breather.

    Oohhh, The Physick Book does sound good & I just zipped over to my library's page & had them put that on hold for me. I'll let you know what I think...Looking forward to that, so thanks.

    Yus, I have read some good stuff lately. I enjoyed Salman Rushdie's Luka & The Fire of Life. (SNORT Can you hear Rob roaring?! LOL) And a series I faithfully follow, Magic Slays (Illona Andrews), was great, as usual. SIGH Lots of good...ahem. Use your imagination. *grinning*

    I haven't read Rhett Butler's People...at least, I don't think so. Yus, I have got to get to DG & check out their bargains. I need to stock up on cleaning supplies anyway.

    I hope you have a great, somewhat cool weekend!!

    Oh...venting...I hear you, gf!! KNOW exactly what you mean!

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Hey there,

    It's so good to hear from you. I've missed our chats; missed our dungeons chats, too. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to pop in more often. It puts a smile on my face!! I hear you about the blah mood!! I've avoided some books I've wanted to read because I'm afraid my mood will destroy the book for me. I've also felt very in need of light hearted stuff, nothng heavy. I'm too tired to think & so am avoiding those kinds of books. That's why the Hiaason was perfect for me. ;) Any Nora is good for whatever ails you. I think you said that first....How true!!

    I'm glad your grandmom is doing well. 89...mercy!! I have seen inside garden kits...things like grown your own herbs or lettuces..BUT why can't you do that yourself instead of paying for a kit? Use seeds & small pots...I'm guessing she has sunny windows, right? You could do marigolds, small roses, basil, etc. Or why couldn't you do a big pot & plant different seeds in like it was a garden? Just thinking here...

    Thanks for your kind words about my unemployment. I am surprised at how many "friends" think I'm not trying hard enough. The news even said last week there are at least 2 people trying for every advertised job in Charlotte. SIGH I'm glad your sister got something. We are squeaking by somehow & I'm learning to take every day as it comes. Keeping busy w/ lots of sewing, exercising, etc. And reading, lots of reading for the past week. I've scaled back on sitting in font of the computer Mon.-Fri. applying for everything. It's just depressing & gets me nowhere.

    "Peeps at 75% off...woo hoo!" ROFLMFAO!!! You are such a bargain shopper!!

    OMG, I am so sick of the gnats!! I can deal w/ the heat, the weeds, even the mosquitos (because I don't feel their bites until afterwards). BUT the gnats fly up my hat to nibble on my ears or get in the hat's headband & bite & just drive me barking mad!! I've never found anything to keep them away.

    Cute yard boys? Sign me up!!

    I'm so glad you stopped by....

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Alicia

    Alicia says

    Has spring sprung up there yet? How's your garden? Durn voles got one of my bushes but other than that, it looks like everything's OK.

    Can you believe the latest feature here is that we're following each other now? *shudders* Add the Sh (from shelfari), take away the Tw from Twitter & what do you have???? ;p

    *looks up* I'm glad you liked The Secret Life of Bees. I did, too.

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • rob

    rob says

    (falls over wheezing)

    you're being stalked by Sting in purple snowpants!
    wait, wait...no! no, it's much too cold yet for you to be running nekkid in the woods, get back in here!

    well, The Human League have finally exited my head, but now Rod Stewart has taken up residence in there...I'm not sure which is worse, Rod always sounded like a hyena w/ emphysema to me...

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Suze

    Suze says

    Well... comparatively little--little compared to me! Sophie has gotten quite large, but I still call her my little baby, ha.

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • rob

    rob says

    (falls over howling then grins)

    welcome to my world!

    those songs tend to revolve in my head constantly, or at least they do when I dont have something I detest playing over and over...last week I had that horrible Human League song in there, I've always hated ot, but somehow I know all the damn lyrics anyway...

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Suze

    Suze says

    What an adorable little kitty! Kind of looks like a way fluffy version of Pepper... (now that Peps is all grown up and filled out quite a bit...)

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • rob

    rob says

    lol, not mine either, I tended to skip that song w/ I listened to Zenyatta Mondatta...Sting got raked over the coals for the lyrics of it at the time, I tend to think it was at least partly justified...so why does the audience from every show go hysterically berserk when they played it during the Big Tour? it's such a damn dopey song, and yet he's got the whole audience singing 'de da da da' after he sings 'de do do do'...there are several other songs I would have preferred to see them do instead..

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • rob

    rob says

    (grins) cute, innit he? he's singing De Do Do Do, literally...I caught this pic at the 'do do do' part...everyone goes wild when they play that song, I cant figure out why...

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • sid_rw

    sid_rw says

    Neat avatar!

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • sweetafton

    sweetafton says

    I'm amazed at your cat whispering skills! I can never get one of our two beasts to keep a a hat on long enough to snap a photo. What do you bribe them with... or is it threats? Do you have any skin left on your hands, or is it all under her claws? (grins)

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )