When I was on vacation, I spotted this in a little bookstore.
I know my husband will be buying one of these for me in the future. I can’t help it:
When I start reading, it just is so hard to stop.
And chores?
What can I say? I just love to read.
For more book-filled posts, go to All You Need Is…
For more L. M. Montgomery quotes, go to It’s 5 O’ Clock Somewhere
So as you all know I started a book club last year. I have fallen behind with my posts, but I’m catching up. Only two more after this and I’m back on track.
Every month we read a book and I do a little post on the book we read and discussed. What can I say, I just love books.
There is no theme, other than with each month, a different member gets to pick a book, whichever one they want. This time one member chose:
The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
The member had seen the movie and wanted to read the book afterwards. And we all know how that goes:
Now I haven’t seen the movie but I did enjoy the book.
It is a non-fiction story about Jan and Antonina Zabinski who owned and ran a zoo in Poland. They cared strongly for the animals, raising all kinds-sometimes even in their homes. Some animal babies grew up sleeping and eating alongside their son.
They had a beautiful complex and even some very rare animals that other zoos tried to get their hands on. But that all changed with World War II.
NO!
It is horrific to read the destruction that was unleashed on the people with the bombings, annd how the animals were in the cages and just decimated. Jan and Antonina tried to help as many as they could, and let them out but still many became casualties of war.
It really is sad
They lost many members of their animal family to that, some took off when the destruction started never to be known what happened to them, and the rest were all picked apart and sent to other Zoos. Those poor animals.
After the animals were gone, the Zabinskis used the zoo complex to help the Resistance against the Nazis. They stored guns and other ammunitions there, right in plain sight almost and were never caught. In fact the Nazis never thought the Polish were smart enough to do something that intelligent as they weren’t of Aryan blood. They sure showed those guys.
Then they started using it as a way station to help Jewish people, until they could move out of Poland. Now what was really interesting was that Jan’s father became so angry with the Christian church that he sent Jan to Jewish school instead. There Jan developed many friendships with all different Jewish people-bringing them food when they were receiving nothing and helping many in the ghettos. Because of those friendships he was asked and wanted to help the Jewish people, the two of them saving over 300 people.
Wow
It really is am amazing story and I think it is well worth a read if this is the type of story you are interested in.
For more book club picks, go to Book Club Picks: A Christmas Carol
For more non-fiction, go to Book Club Picks: The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
So Valentine’s Day is coming:
And most people’s minds turn to one thing:
What does mine turn to?
Yep, thats what I love right there.
I’m just kidding. A man can turn my head, espechially if he is this kind of man:
Or:
For more book posts, go to Book Club Picks: The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
For more L.M. Montgomery, go to It’s 5 O’ Clock Somewhere
So I was recommended this film by a friend, but I didn’t like it.
It wasn’t horrible, but this sort of thing has been done before and I felt this film didn’t really do anything new or different. I also didn’t like how she was with both the father and son.
But there was one thing I found extremely romantic, so I wanted to include it in my countdown.
Adaline Bowman was born on New Year’s Day on 1908. She married and had daughter, only to sadly become a widow a few years later.
In 1937 she was driving in a snowstorm and fell into a freezing pond. She died, but was brought to life when lightening struck the water.
What?!
Since that day, Adaline doesn’t age, remaining 29 and being forced to constantly be on the move.
I need to get out of here
This New Year’s Eve, she meets Ellis Jones at a party, introducing herself as Jennifer. He’s interested, but Adaline knows it isn’t the best idea to be romantically involved, as she has had things go wrong 40 years ago.
However, Ellis won’t give up and the two begin to seriously date. He invites her to come with him for his parents 40th anniversary. When they get there Adaline realizes that Ellis’ father is one of her past boyfriends, William, the one from 40 years ago.
At first William seems to buy that the women he met all those years ago is not Adaline/Jennifer, but “her mother”. But then William spots something that confirms that she is the woman from years past. Will Adaline be able to live in peace or have to take off again?
So you guys know what I think of being given flowers.
I would prefer something that will last a long time.
So Ellis has tried a few things to woo Adalind, but nothing has worked.
Hmmm….
But then he realizes what Adalind really loves:
And instead of bringing flowers, he brings books with flower names.
How sweet!
This is so romantic! He took the time to think and see what would make her happy and give her that, instead of something clichéd or easy.
To start Romance is in the Air: Part V, go to I Did It for You: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
For more Moreland quotes, go to Sleep is Not Important
For more on books being the best gift, go to Post Approved
So I was reading through my Emily Post’s Etiquette, the 14th Edition on gift giving.
I was going to a baby dedication and wanted to see of we are supposed to bring a gift or not. I mean I didn’t want to be rude.
So I read it, and yes I was supposed to. But then I continued reading the rest of the gift giving as it talked about weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, birthday parties, etc. As I read I noticed that Post kept mentioning one item as a suitable gift. And what was that gift?
Yes, she says that a book is an acceptable gift for any occasion.
So there everyone! I have been Post approved. My idea of a book as a perfect gift is spot on.
So that is what everyone will be getting for their gifts. After all:
For more on how books make the best gifts, go to Crazy Book Lady
For more book-filled posts, go to What Are Your Priorities?
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