Author, Eric Weiner, is searching for happiness so he decides to visit the World Database of Happiness in the Netherlands to find out which countries are the happiest and which are the unhappiest. After some in depth time in the Netherlands he sets off to visit some of the happiest and unhappiest countries in the world. He shares in the book his observations after visiting The Netherlands, Switzerland, Bhutan, Qatar, Iceland, Moldova, Thailand, Great Britain, India, and returning home to America. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up except our couple's book club chose it for their May read. I enjoyed learning about the different countries -- some I'd not heard of before -- and I enjoyed Weiner's style of writing and his humor. I won't spoil it for you and tell you which countries are the happiest or unhappiest -- You'll have to read it for yourself!
pazt
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
"Harte's Desire"
This novel by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is a departure from her Detective Bill Slider series which I fell in love with last year. This story centers on two neighbors, Polly and Ginnie, and their ever so different lifestyles. When American media mogul, Simon Harte, moves into their neighborhood, their lives are turned upside-down! It's about deception in marriage and other relationships and how adding an outsider to the equation has the potential to change everything! Although it was an enjoyable read, I have to admit I still prefer the Bill Slider series.
pazt
pazt
"On A Clear Day" DVD
This has been on my list of movies to see since I saw previews for it at the movie theater. Although I didn't make it back to the theater to see it, it was a recent date night movie and I enjoyed the way it wove a serious theme with some light moments. When Frank Redmond (played by Peter Mullan) loses his job, he decides to swim the English Channel as a personal challenge. In the meantime his wife is trying to pass the test to become a bus driver. As they each strive to reach their goals and keep what they're doing secret from one another, challenges arise in their relationship and with their son and his family. Frank has the support of his friends and eventually his decision to swim the English Channel brings the family together in a way that brings unexpected healing to old wounds.
pazt
pazt
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"The Spellman Files"
Think Janet Evanovich and, if you love her novels, I believe you'll also like Isabel "Izzy" Spellman and her wacky family created by author, Lisa Lutz. In this debut novel about the Spellman family and their private investigation firm, the family is introduced: Izzy's Mom (Olivia) and Dad (Albert), her older brother (David) and her younger sister (Rae), Uncle Ray (her dad's older brother who Rae is named after), and last but not least, Petra (Izzy's friend since childhood when they were mischievous partners in crime). We also meet Inspector Henry Stone of the San Francisco Police Department and get a detailed list of Izzy's former boyfriends, how long they dated, and why they broke up.
I'm off to pick up the second book in the series, "Curse of the Spellmans!"
pazt
I'm off to pick up the second book in the series, "Curse of the Spellmans!"
pazt
"No Reservations" DVD
After seeing part of this movie on television one night, I wanted to watch it from beginning to end so picked it up at our local library for a recent date night. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Kate) stars as a workaholic master chef who is suddenly responsible for her orphaned niece (Abigail Breslin)and is clueless as to how to relate to a grade schooler. Actually, she's clueless about relationships in general!
Kate's employer makes seeing a therapist a condition of her continuing employment but Kate seems to enjoy cooking for her therapist more than talking about her issues. When a new chef is added to the kitchen and Kate thinks he may be threatening her job, tensions and romantic sparks fly! However, the path is not smooth and Kate has some learning to do along the way to true love and new parenthood. It's a charming movie with some great acting.
Be sure to check out the special features after the film. I found it fascinating to learn how much time the cast had to spend in kitchens with chefs to appear realistic in playing their roles (and they do!). When host Marc Summers visits the set for an episode of his food network series, Catherine Zeta-Jones admits she doesn't cook in her private life.
pazt
Kate's employer makes seeing a therapist a condition of her continuing employment but Kate seems to enjoy cooking for her therapist more than talking about her issues. When a new chef is added to the kitchen and Kate thinks he may be threatening her job, tensions and romantic sparks fly! However, the path is not smooth and Kate has some learning to do along the way to true love and new parenthood. It's a charming movie with some great acting.
Be sure to check out the special features after the film. I found it fascinating to learn how much time the cast had to spend in kitchens with chefs to appear realistic in playing their roles (and they do!). When host Marc Summers visits the set for an episode of his food network series, Catherine Zeta-Jones admits she doesn't cook in her private life.
pazt
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"Belshazzar's Daughter" by Barbara Nadel
This mystery set in Istanbul's poor Jewish quarter is full of intrigue and unsolved mysteries beyond the initial murder that sets off an investigation by Inspector Cetin Ikmen. While investigating the murder, Inspector Ikmen is also dealing with a strict Muslim wife (who disapproves of his drinking), his retired professor father who lives with them, and his eight children -- with another due very soon!
Inspector Ikmen's investigation leads him and his staff to an English-language teacher with some secrets of his own, a half-German businessman known to be a Nazi sympathizer, and a ninety-year-old Russian emigre and her rather unconventional family who also have secrets to hide. As Ikmen methodically pursues a killer, the investigation also divulges secrets as well as connections among these diverse and colorful characters and involves more murder and danger along the way.
Although Barbara Nadel was born in England, she has been a regular vistor to Turkey for more than twenty years. This is her first novel and the fact that it was published by Thomas Dunne books impressed me. (Thomas Dunne is the only publisher who was willing to publish Joe Haldeman's science fiction book, "The Forever War," so soon after the Vietnam War.)
The characters in Nadel's book are well developed and interesting and the plot kept me guessing throughout. I will read more of her books in the future.
pazt
Inspector Ikmen's investigation leads him and his staff to an English-language teacher with some secrets of his own, a half-German businessman known to be a Nazi sympathizer, and a ninety-year-old Russian emigre and her rather unconventional family who also have secrets to hide. As Ikmen methodically pursues a killer, the investigation also divulges secrets as well as connections among these diverse and colorful characters and involves more murder and danger along the way.
Although Barbara Nadel was born in England, she has been a regular vistor to Turkey for more than twenty years. This is her first novel and the fact that it was published by Thomas Dunne books impressed me. (Thomas Dunne is the only publisher who was willing to publish Joe Haldeman's science fiction book, "The Forever War," so soon after the Vietnam War.)
The characters in Nadel's book are well developed and interesting and the plot kept me guessing throughout. I will read more of her books in the future.
pazt
"It Happened One Night" DVD
On a recent date night my spouse and I decided to watch Frank Capra's classic movie, "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. They play an heiress and a reporter who happen to meet while she's running away to elope with a man her father doesn't approve of. Of course, en route everything changes as she attempts to hide her identity and he discovers who she is and decides to help her out. There's comedy and misadventure but the real complication arises when they fall in love.
This was set in a time before I was born but life was not too different from what it was like for me -- well except for the fact that I wasn't a wealthy heiress! (See my blog "Wedding Gowns.") Even so I was still appalled that a woman of legal age could be "kidnapped" by her father in an attempt to keep her from marrying the man she loved (even though her father might have had better insight into the character of that man than she did because he'd sheltered her from the real world).
If you want a look at what life was like in the 30's, watch this DVD and you'll also get a glimpse into why Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were so popular in their day. This film was the 1934 winner of 5 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
pazt
This was set in a time before I was born but life was not too different from what it was like for me -- well except for the fact that I wasn't a wealthy heiress! (See my blog "Wedding Gowns.") Even so I was still appalled that a woman of legal age could be "kidnapped" by her father in an attempt to keep her from marrying the man she loved (even though her father might have had better insight into the character of that man than she did because he'd sheltered her from the real world).
If you want a look at what life was like in the 30's, watch this DVD and you'll also get a glimpse into why Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were so popular in their day. This film was the 1934 winner of 5 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
pazt
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