January 25, 2025. BEER IN MEXICO

 Celebrated my 60th birthday in style. Turks and Caicos. The water was amazing. The sand like baby powder AND the Island beer. CRAZY. There' s a local brewery -- Turk's Head Brewery that makes some pretty damn good beer. BUT what I could NOT GET ENOUGH of was the Lager--I-Ain-Ga-Lie. The name alone had me hooked. I couldn't resist saying it ---It became my mantra for the week. If  lager isn't for you--the light beer--I-Soon-Reach was refreshing and the India Pale Ale famously titled Down-Da-Road is equally good.  These are all classic island sayings that have been around forever. I-Ain-Ga-Lie is a famous saying for when people tell tall tales or fish tales around the bar-- I've been known to tell a few myself. I really love the name I-Soon-Reach too because islanders are notoriously late so they say I-Soon-Reach meaning that they will probably get in the car soon. Too funny. I'm gonna start calling into work late to see what they say when I tell them--I-Soon-Reach. Down-Da-Road is similar. I'll see you soon---I'm just Down-Da-Road. I'm thinking of incorporating these three sayings into my vocabulary so that I can pretend I'm still in Turks & Caico living da good life. I-Ain-Ga-Lie--that's where I wanta be. Just finished a good read that I think you might enjoy called The Wedding People by Alison Espach. The main character of this gem is Phoebe Stone, a divorced, deeply depressed English professor from Missouri. Phoebe is thinking of ending it all and decides to do the deed in Newport, Rhode Island at the Cornwall Inn. When she arrives at the inn, Phoebe is mistaken for a wedding guest and befriends the bride to be, Lila. When Lila hears Phoebe's plan, She talks her out of suicide because it will ruin her BIG day. Lila then invites Phoebe to the week long pre-wedding events where she befriends Gary, the groom,  his daughter, Juice, along with a cast of characters that are laugh-out-loud funny. Find out what happens to Phoebe and Lila as the wedding day approaches when you read this fun book about new beginnings, surprising friendships and starting over. 

January 5, 2025 THE WEIGHT

I'm actually afraid to weigh myself right now. I've been chowing on cookies, lemon bars, brownies and candy since Christmas Eve. It's BAD. Time to get back to my routine. If I don't stick to THE PLAN--I'm out of control. Thank God I've been on school vacation-- At least I ran a lot--even in the bitter cold--AND  did a lot of yoga. Hopefully that will help balance the SCALE--a bit. I'm going back on the straight and narrow--sticking to the plan--living the clean life--logging into My Fitness Pal--TOMORROW. It's tough living when your vanity knows NO bounds. Ha! On to book news. I have really fallen in love with this French writer named Valerie Perrin. I reviewed two of her books last year and recently finished her debut novel Forgotten on Sunday.  Set in a small town in Milly, France, Justine and her cousin Jules, have lived with their detached grandparents since the mysterious death of their parents several years earlier. After graduating high school, Justine works as a nurses aide at a retirement home called The Hydrangeas. At the home, Justine bonds with a 100 year old resident named Helene and records Helene's life story that includes a lost love from the war. Justine also opens up to Helene about the death of her parents. The mystery involving the death of her parents is not the only mystery in the novel, another involves the retirement home. Investigators are brought in to find out who has been calling families of the patients, forgotten on Sunday, on Saturday nights to tell them their family member has died.  In the mix is also a guy from the Paradise Club who seems quite fond of Justine but she can never remember his name. There is a lot going on in this somewhat dark story that I totally enjoyed. The writing is beautiful, the plots--twist and turn, the characters are richly drawn and very flawed --but aren't we all. If I were you--I would definitely pick up a copy of this very different book that might help you forget how cold it is outside. 

January 1, 2025 BEST BOOKS OF 2024

 

Can't believe I've been writing this blog for 9 years. Time sure flies when you're having fun. Looking back at 2024---I read at least 55 books and got around to reviewing 35.  Not too shabby. Without further ado--these are my favorite books of 2024

1) Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin. Reviewed 8/8/24. Blog title--I'm your ice cream man.

2) The Women by Kristin Hannah. Reviewed 3/2/24. Blog title--Where have all the flowers gone.

3) James by Percival Everett. Reviewed 9/2/24. Blog title--Amazing Grace.

4) Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. Reviewed 8/4/24. Blog title--Learn to fly.

5) All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Reviewed 11/23/24. Blog title--Wall of denial.

6) Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson. Reviewed 9/20/24. Blog title--Super freak.

7) Leaving by Roxana Robinson. Reviewed 8/17/24. Blog title--Tattoo.

8). The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Reviewed 10/14/24. Blog title--Going to the chapel.

9) Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson. Reviewed 11/30/24. Blog title--That smell.

10) Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pett. Reviewed 4/7/24. Blog title--Octopus's garden.

Looking forward to a new year filled with LOTS of memorable books. Happy Reading. Have a safe and healthy New Year.