Jane Reads

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Dog on It, by Spencer Quinn

Read from March 23 to 25, 2013

Q is for Spencer Quinn, author of Dog On It. Dog On It is the first book in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series, a new-to-me series that I'm very glad to have found.

I really enjoyed reading Dog On It. The author has developed some unique characters in this book. I look forward to reading about the next five cases of the Little Detective Agency - P.I. Bernie Little and faithful canine sidekick Chet.

Book 6, The Sound and the Furry, is expected to be released on 9/10/13. Stay tuned for more info about this book in an upcoming "Waiting On" Wednesday post.

Oh, by the way, the book is narrated by Chet, which gives the ~~tail~~ tale a very unusual point of view. Read the book!

This book qualifies for
2013 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Year-Long Alphabet Challenge 2013
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013
What An Animal Reading Challenge VI 2013

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

Read from March 16 to 23, 2013

From Goodreads:

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.
Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.
Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."
This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.

As an introvert myself, I read this book mostly to learn "coping skills," so to speak. While I found the book interesting, I didn't get as much practical advice as I had hoped, for my particular needs. I think perhaps the book may be more suited for an extrovert wanting to learn more about the introvert in his/her life, or for parents raising an introverted child.

This book qualifies for
2013 Goodreads Reading Challenge

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much, by Donna Andrews

Read from March 14 to 16, 2013

P is for The Penguin Who Knew Too Much, #8 in Donna Andrews' mystery series about Meg Langslow, a blacksmith / amateur sleuth.

The small zoo, in the town where Meg and Michael live, has been having financial troubles. After the zoo goes bankrupt, the owner finds temporary foster homes for all of the animals. Meg's father is not only fostering the penguins (in Meg's basement!), but offers to take in ("just drop them off with Meg") any other unwanted animal visitors from the zoo.

Oh, and there's a murder for Meg to solve.

Plus, she and Michael are planning their elopement!

Read the book!

This book qualifies for
2013 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Year-Long Alphabet Challenge 2013
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013
What An Animal Reading Challenge VI 2013

Cat Thursday, May 30

CAT THURSDAY : NICKNAMES

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy!

This week is all about the nicknames we have for our cats. To play along, go to TheTrueBookAddict, and share your cat's nickname.

Maxie

My cat Maxie was inexplicably nicknamed "The Muffin" by my children.

What about you? Do you have a cat with a nickname?

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COMMENTS from GOOGLE+

Michelle Miller

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Muffin suits her well. =O) She's a doll.

Jane Reads

1 month ago

I'll tell my daughters. They'll be thrilled that you agree - LOL!

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Carina Olsen

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Naw, she looks adorable :D Thank you for sharing. < 3 Loving the nickname ;p

Jane Reads

1 month ago

Thanks! She's hard to photograph, though.

If I try to take her picture while I'm standing, she twines around my ankles. Most of the shots are of a gray blur or of my shoes.

If I squat down to take her picture with my cell phone, she tries to sniff or lick it. Those pictures are out of focus because she's too close. LOL

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Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Awww...The Muffin is adorable!

Jane Reads

3 weeks ago (edited)

Thanks! And so tiny - just over 7 pounds. She's the "Wee Little Muffin."

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Kate Campbell

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Haha that was my nickname for my daughter and someone thought that was her real name. :)

Jane Reads

1 month ago

I have heard of other people named Muffin, but not pets. She only answers to Maxie, though (if she answers - lol).

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Anna Cade

1 month ago - Shared publicly

I just love the nicknames people come up with. And what a cute photo.

Jane Reads

1 month ago

Thanks! I was sitting at my desk using the computer one night, when Maxie decided to investigate what I was doing. My camera was handy, so I snapped her photo.

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Heather Crozier

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Awwww, The Muffin! Adorable!

Jane Reads

1 month ago

Thanks! We think she is, too.

GIVEAWAY ENDED - The Cat, The Mill, and The Murder, by Leann Sweeney

The Cat, The Mill, and The Murder, by Leann Sweeney

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book featured a GIVEAWAY of a good book, The Cat, The Mill, and The Murder, and an interview with the author Leann Sweeney. This is the 5th book in her Cats in Trouble series, and should be just as outstanding as the previous four were. The release date was May 7, 2013.

~~To enter, go to Cozy Wednesday with Author Leann Sweeney (Giveaway too!) and look for the blue link to CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM. The contest ends June 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST.~~

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

'Waiting On" Wednesday (May 29), Fatal Descent

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that readers are eagerly anticipating.

This week, my pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Fatal Descent, by Beth Groundwater

Synopsis:

A fast-paced locked-room mystery in Utah’s awe-inspiring canyon lands provides thrills and spills in book 3 of the bestselling RM Outdoor Adventures series.
River guide Mandy Tanner and her fiancé Rob Juarez, owners of RM Outdoor Adventures, are leading an off-season rafting and climbing trip on the Colorado River. The unfamiliar topography and a lecherous local climbing guide have Mandy on edge — but that’s nothing compared to the trouble the clients bring. When a young man is found dead, everyone on the trip is a suspect. Since there’s no way out of the Colorado River’s steep canyons, it’s up to Mandy and Rob to solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again.

The expected publication date of Fatal Descent is June 8, 2013. Links for ordering the book, including copies autographed by the author, are at the author's website.

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COMMENTS from GOOGLE+

Brandi Kosiner

1 month ago - Shared publicly

This looks good, hope you get to read it soon. Brandi @
Blkosiner's Book Blog

Jane Reads

1 month ago

Thanks, Brandi! And thanks for hopping in!

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Juliet Ayla

1 month ago - Shared publicly

Really interesting! I am not a fan of thrilling or mystery books but this one looks great.
New follower :)
Here is my blog if you want to check it out
http://livinginourownstory.blogspot.com.es