Wednesday, October 31, 2012

More of a Bookworm Than, Say, Military Strategist For Example


In my world, Frankenstorm translated into a 2.5 hour nap cuddled up with World’s Best Dog Norman, eating all of the cheese in my fridge and reading a terrifying Holocaust memoir.  I feel badly for those who didn’t have what could be called The Best Day Ever.  I am also going to assume that my blog hit numbers have been affected by power outages along the east coast.  Surely it is not the book-related content, snarky commentary and storm survival bragging.

My friend Amazon recommended The Seamstress by Sara Tuvel Bernstein with Louise Loots Thornton and Marlene Bernstein Samuels.  This remarkable story of survival was an obvious pick for one of my closest book friends to select, almost to the point of redundancy.  At this point, I have read so many Holocaust biographies that I may need to hit the brakes for awhile.  This one is excellent, but the horrible stories are starting to run together for me. 

Despite having read a similar story many times, World War II was put in new perspective for me on Sunday aka The Dorkiest Day of My Life (and there are a lot of contenders for the title).  For 8 hours I played the board game Axis and Allies.  The game starts in 1942, and 5 of us each got a country through random drawing.  I was the USA and sad to say that my economic prowess did not overcome my horrible military strategy and I was completely dominated by the Axis powers.  My loser friends in the UK and Russia did little to assist.  In hindsight, I think my fairly singular focus on cake did not help things.  Let’s all be glad Sometimes Blog Reader Pete wasn’t born in Germany two generations ago – we’d be in trouble.  

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Paperbook Bookworm’s #1 Friend and Most-of-the-Time Reader Reads a Book


I have often tried to coerce my friends into writing Guest Posts for this blog.  Most of the time they say “what blog?”  One time, I was sort of successful.  But #1 Reader Katherine (who, according to her self-written headline above still only reads “most” of the time) actually did it!  Below is her wonderful contribution to the blog that she sometimes reads.  I have never read any of the books she references, but am just trusting that they are real.  The fact-checking budget on this blog is quite low.

I’m not much of a reader. I tell myself it’s because I get too emotionally involved with whatever I am reading or I am just lazy and there is lots of sleeping to be done.

Anyway on a flight back from Miami I found The Marines of Autumn by James Brady in my seat pocket. (My seat pocket. My book. Don't judge.) I didn't know much about the Korean War except that my boyfriend’s dad was an MP there and that a girl I went to middle school with lost her father “in Korea” so I figured I’d brush up on it. It seemed practical and 13D looked like a talker.

I really liked this book. It was a quick read and what I loved about it most is that it gave historical facts woven between an emotional story. It reminded me of Skeletons on the Zahara by Dean King and The Lost City of Z by David Grann in that way.

All three books left me with intense dreams of either being cold, thirsty or lost respectively…So yeah, I am going to go with “too emotionally involved” over “lazy.”

Monday, October 22, 2012

Bookworm Takes Book as Carte Blanche to Do Whatever She Wants; Is Chocolate Available Via Blog Comments?


I don’t know why you would, but please don’t read The Girldfriends’ Guide to Pregnanacy by Vicki Iovine unless you are pregnant past the road of no return.  Actually now that I think about it, maybe high school girls should read it. 

I’m pretty sure Andrew hated this book.  While I was reading it I was constantly either A) Telling him the grossest thing he has ever heard or B) Reminding him about how awesome I have been throughout this process.  Turns out I have the right to be a complete psychopath for nine (ten) months.  I have not taken advantage of this nearly to the level that I should considering I have only cried from hunger once.

I know I constantly say that I like depressing books, but this is a whole new level.  It is taking some amazing self control and use of the delete button not to give you concrete, graphic examples.  Just know that potentially horrible things are happening or will happen to my body so when I tell you I need your chocolate, LISTEN.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Bookworm Loves Mom Book Recco; Makes Fun of Her Anyway


Babymooners hit Montmorency Falls.
I was repeatedly reminded this is 80 ft. higher than Niagara.
Get over it, Canada!
I come from a long line of over-sellers.  My brother has told me at least 100 times that he just had the best sandwich of his life.  And I myself just recently gave a book a one million star rating.  It is hard to live up to these kinds of expectations.  So when my Mom Bookworm Senior told me that The Time In Between by MarĂ­a Dueñas was “the best book she’s read in years” and “as good as a Ken Follett book” I took it with a grain of salt.


In the future, I know to always trust my Mom on the following topics:

1.  Books – This book was fantastic and a perfect vacation read during my Babymoon.  

Yup, I am using the annoying term to indicate One Last Romantic Vacation Just The Two Of Us No Baby.  We had a wonderful 5 days in Quebec and enjoyed historical sites, beautiful nature, and hot chocolate served in BOWLS.  That’s right, Mama-sized hot chocolate.  And a gin martini for the gentleman, please.

But back to the book – it was interesting, fast-moving and a very unique plot line.  I never thought that my love of Project Runway design challenges could meet a WW2 spy gig – it happened.

2.   Pies – Let’s face it, my Mom knows more about pies than I do in both the eating of and preparation of.  You can refer to her photo album of pies she has baked – yes, a real thing – for reference.  She also has a photo album of sweaters knitted if needed.

3.  Framing Stuff & Also Flooring – My Mom cannot change the batteries in the remote, but she has a remarkable eye for interior design since it is her job and she happens to be good at it.  The poor guy who laid her wood floors down had to listen to her instruction about where her favorite plank of wood should be laid, in what direction, etc.  She is good at this stuff.  Bad at knowing when to single click versus double click on the computer.

In conclusion, Moms know best about certain things and luckily, as you can see above, my Mom knows about the important stuff.

Morrin Center - Photo #1
This was an old jail where they were super mean to prisoners.
Quebec City
Morrin Center - Photo #2
...and now it is a library!
Andrew in Lower Town Quebec City.
This is the look of someone who hasn't read an email about lawyer stuff in days.
Our awesome hotel is that glowing beacon above.
The Chateau Frontenac is freakin' classy.
Plus, they don't judge the number of hot chocolates you order.
Quebec City
Last day in Montreal - Babymooners take in scenic views
as do other tourists which are mostly old people.
I knew my readers would want need a hot chocolate recap.
This was the best of the best, from the glorious Chateau Frontenac.
I had one every day and it was as critical as my daily bath and nap combo.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

A Very Public Thank You Note; Hard Copy Still To Come Via Snail Mail

The sign of a good day at work -
mail worth opening.

Ok, fellow book nerds.  Check out the latest awesome addition to Baby Ox’s bookshelf.  For those of you who don’t know me (I’m talking to you here, Scott.  And also Barbara) my last name is Oxenreiter, we are not naming our child Ox.  Though, we could do worse.

Back to the matter at hand – book stuff.  Below is a photo of books that have been sacrificed to the cause of nursery dĂ©cor.  In this case, an extremely worthy cause.  Thank you to #1 Blog Reader Kiley for this thoughtful and just freakin’ cool gift.



These are the best books I've ever not read.