Book Bonanza

Hi all,

fantastic Mr. Bama bought me a Kindle for our 2 year anniversary and I have read more books in the 2ish weeks since then than I have in the past 2 years.

exhibit a)

via amazon.com

Dear Liz Lemon - the chill-ness and humor about how you've dealt with everyday things is refreshing.  I don't agree with you in everyday politics, etc, but goodness you make me laugh.  Thanks!

exhibit b)

via amazon.com

I caught myself often looking at Bear in a new light while reading this book.  A dog's vision of his point in life through number of different  reincarnations (cats may have nine lives, but pups have lives until they find the meaning of life).  Make sure you read past life #1 -  I almost closed the book and decided I was done after how sad I was with that chapter in Buddy/Bailey/Ellie/Bear(!)'s life.  The rest of the book makes up for it - a definite must for dog lovers.

exhibit c)

What an extraordinary book - I had seen it on the shelves in airports mostly and wondered, but never bought.  Finally, I purchased the e-book and I'm so pleased that I did -  1 day - 2 people - 20 years.  It's a little long and takes a bit to get into the gist of the book, but David Nicholls does a wonderful job telling the story of how two people's lives weave together.  Great, lovely, heart-wrenching read.  And joy!  It is now a movie, being released in August (I didn't know when I read the book that Anne Hathaway would be in the movie - but after seeing the trailer - she totally is Emma in the novel... beautifully cast).  Here's the trailer below:

So now I'm onto my next read -- and I'm at a loss.  Any ideas?  Have you any suggestions of what I should choose as my next book to purchase with my awesome anniversary gift? Many Thanks n advance, dear readers!

Prayers for the South

It's been a crazy night / day in our house --While we didn't experience any foul weather in New Orleans, the rest of the deep south wasn't as fortunate.   The images of just the immense damage from Alabama and the Deep South keep coming in over the news and have been sent to us from friends.  We've been able to confirm that all of our loved ones are safe and sound, but many of them were as close as a few miles from the tornadoes that wrecked havoc across the state.

I came across this video on  youtube that was filmed in the parking lot of University Mall in Tuscaloosa and in short, it is horrifying (especially at 4:25 and then again at 6:00, when you catch a glimpse of the Belk).

Please, if you have the resources and means, do not hesitate to give to the recovery efforts not just in Tuscaloosa, but from Mississippi all the way to Virginia -- they will need all the help they can receive.  You can text "GIVE" to 80888 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army, which already has feet on the ground in the areas affected (you can visit them here ).

And most importantly, please keep all affected in your thoughts and prayers

For Japan

(donate here)