Dreamers of the Day - Mary Doria Russell

Dreamers of the Day: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Sparrow and Children of God are two of my favorite books, so I always look forward to a new book by the author. This book was very interesting and describes the forming of the treating that created modern day Iraq.



There are interesting insights about Winston Churchill and Lawrence of Arabia. Gertrude Bell was instrumental in the forming of the treaty and I look forward to reading more about her. I'm adding The Desert Queen to my To-Read list. It was recommended as a must read biography of her.


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Reservation Road - John Burnham Schwartz

Reservation Road by John Burnham Schwartz

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Started this as an audio book and couldn't get through it, but felt like I needed to finish. It's about two men with boys about 9 years old. One father runs over the son of the other and covers it up. Depressing.


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Twilight - Stephanie Meyers

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I don't know what got into me to read this silly book, but I was hooked; could not put it down. The plot is weak, the characters are weak, I'm weak!! Very addicting.


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Jill's Very Short Visit

Jill flew to Seattle for a couple hours, just enough time to shoot a few pictures with Joel, who now lives in our 1 bedroom apartment with us (cozy). Then we drove down to Portland and on to Days Creek in southern Oregon for Nathan's 10 year reunion. Wish I'd taken pics there, but got too lazy.

Eldest - Christopher Paolini

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The reviews weren't glowing so my expectations weren't too high. The book was fun to read, not nearly as good as Eragon, but entertaining none the less.


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The Good Earth - Pearl Buck

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time and I'm so glad I finally got around to it. Books about China are always favorites and this is probably the best I've read. It was written in the 1930's and shows that people are people wherever and whenever they live. Pearl Buck did a great job developing a wide range of characters that could be placed in any book about a family rising from poverty to wealth. The complicated interplay between family members kept the pages turning.


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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great rehash of standard teamwork principles told as a fascinating story of a CEO who has been hired to turn a high tech company around.



Our company used to provide a team building seminar to all departments. Budget cuts have put that on the shelf for the last few years, but the concept of what makes up an effective team remains the same.



One phrase I pulled from the old seminar that has made a major impact on my personal and professiona life is "assume innocence". It just makes for a more pleasant way of living to assume that people are trying to do the right thing.



In the Five Dysfunctions, the first is Lack of Trust, which is explained as assuming innocence. The other four dysfunctions are also important to understand, but without the foundation of trust are difficult to correct.








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Chambers Bay

We finally did it. Golfed at Chambers Bay, home to the 2015 U.S. Open. It's similar to Bandon Dunes; caddies available, no golf carts, links style. We're used to carrying our clubs so we thought, no problem. Wrong. So hilly, up the mountain, down the mountain, sheesh.

We played some great golf and some not-so-great golf, but overall it was fun. Beautiful views from every hole. Lovely sunset. We'll be going back soon.

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

From 2008 Summer

Bel Canto - Ann Patchett

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loved this book. Unlike many I've read lately, this one started out just ok, then about 100 pages in it became fascinating. One of the best books I've read, couldn't put it down.



The premise is a hostage situation in Argentina involving an Opera Singer, Japanese businessman, Vice President, inept kidnappers, Red Cross negotiator, translator. The situation continues far longer than anticipated and the story is about the relationships developed during their time together.



Read it.


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Rise and Shine - Anna Quindlen (Audio book)

Rise and Shine: A Novel by Anna Quindlen

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another audio book for the long hours spent in the car. Surprisingly entertaining , the story is about a famous TV personality whose life seems to fall apart and who escapes to Jamaica. In the meantime, her single sister stays in New York and has to live with the fall out.



The lives of New Yorkers, wealthy and not so wealthy, is explored. There's a bit of a twist about 3/4 of the way through the book which keeps it interesting until the end.



I'd recommend this as an engaging light read.


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High Maintenance Dogs

Old dogs...Rosie has a little leakage problem which we are solving by medication and doggy diapers. Check out the cute outfit with suspenders. Found it on the internet at Fancy Nancys. So easy to use and fashionable. We also put her in a newborn onesie to help contain the diaper. As for Sassy, the Biter gave her another leg wound which is slowly healing.

Hot Trip to the Southland

The red-headed grandchildren, Jackson & Hermione.






It's been awhile since I visited southern California, so I scheduled a trip in late August and invited Darla along. So great that we all get along so well. The weekend started with a cancelled flight from Sacramento bot Ontario, but never fear, a later flight had room and we were only an hour late.

While Jill worked, the rest of us went golfing at Shandin Hills Golf Club. It was very fun on a nice inexpensive course, and Nathan had a great round. Afterward, we had a nice lunch at Panerra. The afternoon was spent relaxing and watching the Olympics.

The next morning, we went to Loma Linda church. The sermon was a one-man drama which was quite good, but the highlight was a fantastic song by a 6th grade girl; "Were You There".

What to do on Sunday, Jill's day off? We decided on a waterpark: Raging Waters in San Dimas. It was a very hot day and the cool water was a welcome sight. Although the park was crowded, we had time to enjoy all the slides except the Dragon's Den. Especially fun was the first slide, so fast, disorienting, WET!

Afterward, dinner at Lucille's. Gotta love a good BBQ. Gumbo, ribs, brisket. Yum!

On our final day, Darla and I went shopping at Victoria Garden while Jill & Nathan worked. So sad. It was nice to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee and do a little shopping before picking up Nathan at work and driving to the airport. All in all, the weekend was too short, but lots of fun.

Shrek The Musical

We were lucky enough to obtain tickets to Shrek the Musical at the 5th Avenue Theater here in Seattle. The play is being rehearsed, efined and performed in Seattle prior to its debut on Broadway.
We watched the first performance in front of a live audience. It was very fun. If you have the opportunity to go before it moves on, I would recommend it.
My favorite character in the movie was the donkey, unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed by the live donkey, but really enjoyed the Prince. He made me laugh everytime he was on stage.

Whidbey Island

A few weeks ago we decided to take a road trip to Whidbey Island. It was relatively uneventful other than the dog fight in the car, so here's a few pics

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (Audio Book)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another audio book for my long Seattle-Portland weekly commute. I haven't read this book since the requisite high school English class assignment. What a difference 30 years makes.



One of the most interesting things I noticed was Harper Lee's ability to portray all the characters so well. I especially appreciated hearing Scout's voice and the innocense of her impression of her father. She took for granted his simple greatness, as most children do.



I recorded the movie and can't wait to watch. Anyone who hasn't read this book as an adult is in for a treat. The audio book is read by Sissy Spacek and is a great option if you have time.


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Invasive Procedures - Orson Scott Card et al

Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love Orson Scott Card,that's why I was excited to see a new book in the airport bookstore. It should have raised a little red flag that there were two authors. Seems like whenever accomplished authors write with another author, the books are never that great (like Clive Cussler).



This book reminded me of a Robin Cook story, but not as good. I gave it 3 stars because it did keep me entertained even though it wasn't great.



Genetic engineering, hotzone -like virus, action, psychopath. What more could one want? Maybe a more clever, less predictable story.



I'd say, if you don't have anything else to read and you need to read anything OSC writes, go for it. Otherwise, there are lots of better books.


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The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl

The Dante Club: A Novel by Matthew Pearl

My review

rating: 1 of 5 stars
I don't even know what to say. Too many words. Boring, slow, predictable. Do not bother.


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In Cold Blood - Truman Capote (Audio)

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow. I listened to this on this audio book while driving back and forth from Portland to Seattle. I was riveted. Truman Capote does a great job of really developing all the characters and painting a picture of the town and lifestyle the of the four victims.



The murderers were incredibly cold blooded and unremorseful. It's surprising that they were caught since they left very few clues. Luckily, a former cellmate of one recognized the name of the victim as someone Dick Hickock planned to rob and provided the authorities with information.



We think of the increase in mass murder today, but according to the book, during the late 50's and early 60's there were multiple murders taking place all across the country. In fact, another family of four were murdered during the time the killers were on the loose.



If you can take the graphic description of the crime, this is a fascinating story.


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Baseball

Fun times. We went to a little league tournament for our grand nephew, Cris. He plays for a team called the Rockhounds from Washington. They were in Hillsboro so the whole gang showed up.