Monday, May 2, 2011

Ponies by Kij Johnson


Two weeks ago, I read a short story review over at Carol's Notebook.  The story was Ponies by Kij Johnson.  It was nominated for the Nebula award and I can see why.  Just reading Carols review of the story impacted me.  Of course, I had to read Ponies for myself.

Barbara and Sunny got an invitation.  They were so excited!
"You and your Pony ___[and Sunny’s name is handwritten here, in puffy letters]___ are invited to a cutting-out party with TheOtherGirls! If we like you, and if your Pony does okay, we’ll let you hang out with us."
Sunny wants so badly to make friends with other ponies.  It doesn't matter to him if his wings are cut off so he can't fly anymore, nor that his horn will be cut off too.  He wants to be able to talk, socialize, and play.  Barbara, wants be part of tTheOtherGirls.  She will finally have friends.

TopGirl meets Barbara and Sunny at the party.  The is a lot of entertainment there, including a live rock band.
"And then it’s time. TheOtherGirls and their silent Ponies collect in a ring around Barbara and Sunny. Barbara feels sick."
Ponies is a story about growing up and trying to fit in.  This is a very short story, under 5 pages.  However, it packs a BIG punch!  It left my heart heavy and tears in my eyes.  Highly recommended! You can read it here.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Vegan Basil Potato Alfredo

I follow a vegan blog called Happy Healthy Life by Kathy.  It's 100% vegan and the recipes she shares are often unique and very tasty.

Last week she shared her recipe for Verde Potato Alfredo.  This was such a unique take on Alfredo that at first, I kind of wrinkled my nose at it.  However, I decided to give it a try anyway.  

What's so unique about it, you ask?  It has dehydrated potato flakes in it.  Strange, right?  I thought so but it was actually quite delicious!  You can get the recipe, here.

For my version, I used fresh basil but no other greens, so it wasn't as green.  I some fresh spinach would be nice. I used the full amount of optional nutritional yeast because I like the flavor.  I omitted the beans, not by choice, but I forgot them. LOL!  I also used all almond milk and no soy creamer. 

Even without the beans, the sauce was smooth and think. We had plenty of leftovers and Bill and I both agreed it was even better on the second day.  Perhaps next time I will remember to add the beans.  LOL!  This recipe is a keeper.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Giveaway: The Bond by Wayne Pacelle

Thanks to Chelsey Emmelhainz of Harper Collins I am giving away 3 copies of The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them.  She sent me this book and you can have it too!

Book Description:


A fascinating exploration of humanity's eternal bond with animals, and an urgent call to answer the needs of millions of at-risk creatures

A landmark work, The Bond is the passionate, insightful, and comprehensive examination of our special connection to all creatures, written by one of America's most important champions of animal welfare. Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Humane Society of the United States, unveils the deep links of the human-animal bond, as well as the conflicting impulses that have led us to betray this bond through widespread and systemic cruelty to animals.

Pacelle begins by exploring the biological and historical underpinnings of the human-animal bond and reveals our newfound understanding of animals, including their remarkable emotional and cognitive capacities. In the book's second section, Pacelle shows how the bond has been disastrously broken. He takes readers to a slaughter plant shuttered for inhumane practices, as well as the enormous egg factory farms of California. We visit Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas to speak with NFL star Michael Vick, then serving his sentence for dogfighting. Pacelle paints a portrait of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and highlights the heroic actions of residents and volunteers to reunite pets with their owners. Pacelle's narrative also leads the reader to remote locations in which conflicts over the killing of wildlife continue to play out—from the fields outside of Yellowstone National Park where bison are slaughtered with the encouragement of federal authorities, to the ice floes of Atlantic Canada where seal nurseries turn into killing fields. 


In its final section, The Bond takes on the arguments of opponents and critics of animal protection and spotlights the groups and industries standing in the way of progress—from the National Rifle Association and agribusiness organizations like the American Farm Bureau, to surprising adversaries like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Kennel Club. Ultimately, Pacelle points the way to a new, humane economy—one not built on extraction, suffering, and killing, but on the celebration, stewardship, and care of animals.

An eye-opening must-read, The Bond reminds us that animals are at the center of our lives, they are not just a backdrop. How we treat them is one of the great themes of the human story.

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  (please leave a separate comment for each, for instance you you are a follower, leave 3 comments that you are a follower).

+3 Old or new follower of this blog.
+3 Old or new follower on Twitter ().
+2 Tweet about this Giveaway and post the link in the comments (Up to 1 time per day) 
+3 Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
+3 "Like" the post about this giveaway on Facebook
+3 Post about this giveaway on Facebook and post the link in the comments (Up to one time per day)
+3 Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+3 for Joining my Books Won Reading Challenge (be sure to follow the rules and then let me know you joined here.)
+4 for filling out the  Tour Host Interest Form (please do this if you have a book blog and you are serious about wanting to be a tour host)
+2 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).( Up to 1 time per day)
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it). ( Up to 1 time per day)
+10 Promise in the comments that you will never adopt a puppy from a Pet Store because 99% of the time they come from puppy mills. You must then blog about it, tweet it, or post it on Facebook and include that link in the comments.

That's 45 or more possible entries! 

Sorry, this giveaway is only open to the U.S.A.

The winner's mailing address: No P.O. Boxes
Only one entry per household/IP address


Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.

This giveaway will end on Saturday May 14th, 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

The Grammar Girl Devotional by Mignon Fogarty

Back on December 31, 2008 I reviewed Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips by Mignon Fogarty.

I loved it.  Who knew how much grammar could be?  Last year I received The Grammar Girl Devotional from Henry Holt and Company. I feel bad that it has taken me this long to write my review.

This book was meant to be read daily, one tip a day for 365 days.  I don't know why I had such a hard time sticking to that.  I read a day, then forget about it.  Then I picked it up again.  There are some great tips in this book but it isn't as fun as her first book.

There are a few tips on using the words "less" and "fewer" I found very helpful.  Here's an example:

Week 17 Sunday- I Wish There Were Fewer Things to Remember: Less Versus Fewer.
"Less and fewer are easy to mix up.  They mean the same thing- the opposite of more- but you use them differently: you use less with mass nouns and fewer with count nouns.

A count noun is something you can count.  On my desk, I see books and M&M's.  I can count those things, so they are count nouns and the right word to use is fewer.
I should eat fewer M&M's.

Mass nouns are things you can't count individually.  Again, on my desk I see tape and clutter.  These things can't be counted, so the right word to use is less.
If I had less clutter, my desk would be cleaner."
Then two days latter, there were exceptions to using "less" and "fewer".  There were also some facts about grammar and famous people who made grammar what it is today.  These facts didn't help me with grammar but they were interest.

This book is a great reference book.  Mignon Fogarty made her grammar tips easy to understand and there is an easy to navigate, index at the end of the book to look up grammar tips.  Since I have a poor memory, this really comes in handy.  I really enjoyed learning more about grammar with this book. 

4/5

Did you review this book?  Please leave a link in the comments so I can post it here.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Sweet Tooth: In Captivity by Jeff Lemire (Volume 2)

I read Sweet Tooth: Out of the Deep Woods back in February and really enjoyed it. With volume two out, I had to read it.

It takes up where the first book ended, with poor Gus, locked up in a concentration like camp for hybid kids.  There they are used for science experiments to try to find a cure for the virus that is quickly wiping out the adults.  We also find out the history of Jepperd and how he became so mean.

As with other Jeff Lemire graphic novels, the writing was sparse with great graphics.  It really captures the true feelings of the characters and captures the readers imagination.  This is a dark and disturbing story.  I didn't like it quite as much as the first volume but it was still worthwhile.  The third volume is due out in June, 2011.  My library already has it on order and I have placed a hold on it.

3.5/5

Did you review this book?  Please leave your link in the comments and I will post it here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Georgette Grab Bag Giveaway

In celebration of the up coming Royal wedding, and thanks to Sourcebooks, I am giving away a Georgette Heyer book to two lucky winners.  Want to know what titles they are?  Sorry, it's a surprise!

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  (please leave a separate comment for each, for instance you you are a follower, leave 3 comments that you are a follower).

**If you posted a comment on the following post, be sure to tell me in the comments here so you will get the additional entry I promised: An Evening With Elizabeth Hay and Miriam Toews, May 5th Vancouver

+3 Old or new follower of this blog.
+3 Old or new follower on Twitter ().
+2 Tweet about this Giveaway (Up to 1 time per day) 
+3 Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
+3 "Like" the post about this giveaway on Facebook
+3 Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+3 for Joining my Books Won Reading Challenge (be sure to follow the rules and then let me know you joined here.)
+4 for filling out the  Tour Host Interest Form (please do this if you have a book blog and you are serious about wanting to be a tour host)
+2 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).( Up to 1 time per day)
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it). ( Up to 1 time per day)

That's 31 or more possible entries! Sorry, this giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada.
The winner's mailing address: No P.O. Boxes
Only one entry per household/IP address


Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.

This giveaway will end on Saturday May 7th, 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

Also, don't forget about the week long, daily  Royal Wedding giveaway with Sourcebooks, here!

Teaser Tuesday

The book: The Grammar Devotional: Daily tips for successful Writing from Grammar Girl

Week 25- Saturday- Who's on First Versus Firstly:
"Although it's acceptable to order sentences firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc., in your writing, many people (including me) prefer first, second, and third for their simplicity and directness.  Firstly just sounds fussy to me.  And for heaven's sake, don't mix the two forms."
 I have never used firstly...  I didn't even think it was acceptable.  Which way do you prefer?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday now has it's very own blog, Mailbox Monday.  It is also on tour and is being hosted by Passages to the Past in April.

I received three books in my inbox (I actually purchased these ebooks:
 
 I read so many great reviews of this books from reviewers I usually agree with.  I was given a gift card as a thank you for going "above and beyond" at work.  Totally unnecessary and unexpected.  I decided to use it for this book and the next.
This has been on my TBR since I heard it was being published.  I know it hasn't lived up to expectations but I want to complete the series.
 This book is available on Smashwords for $3.99 U.S.  All of the proceeds are going to Disaster Relief and our own Susan Helene Gottfried has a story in it.  The only problem, it's totally un-readable!  The words are layered on top of words, in the epub format.  I wrote to Smashwords last Tuesday about it and they have not gotten back to me!  I wrote to them again today.  I'll keep you posted.  I obviously won't be buying anything else from them if they don't respond!
 

The Green Book by Amal El-Mohtar

 
Earlier this month, Carol of Carol's Notebook reviewed The Green Book  by Amal El-Mohtar.  Her review really piqued my curiosity so I had to check it out myself.

This is a very different kind of story.  It starts out with a description of a strange green book.  Dominic, an apprentice for Leuwin in his library.  He is transcribing the book that appears to be written by four different people but he then comes to a letter, written by a woman name Cynthia.  Cynthia is trapped in the book and can't get out.  Leuwin has fallen in love with her but cannot release her.

What happens to Dominic as he transcribes?  You will have to read the story to find out.  I had some trouble getting into the description part of the green book.  It almost seemed like a disconnected list than a description.  However, once the story turned to the letter within the green book, it captured my attention and I didn't want it to end.  The Green Book is a well written and very inventive story.  Very refreshing!  You can read it here.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun and add to my short story TBR!


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Vegan Quiche Lorriane

Back in march, Annie of Meet the Shannons: The Betty Crocker Project, posted her recipe for Quiche Lorriane (click for the recipe).  Annie is on a mission to veganize recipes in the Betty Crocker Cookbook.
Of course, I had to try it, so I made it for dinner this evening.  I made the pie crust exactly as the recipe stated.  However, for the filling, instead of 1 tablespoon of  Soy Coffee Creamer, I used almond milk.  Also, it seemed a bit dry so I add an additional tablespoon of almond milk.

That was a mistake.  Don't get me wrong, the quiche was delicious, it just wasn't as firm as I would have liked.

I had quite a bit of pie dough left so I also made my hubby a mini Veggie Pot Pie.  I just used ingredients that I had on hand.  Here's what I did.  Sorry, I don't have measurements.

Ingredients:
Frozen shredded hash browns
Frozen mixed veggies: Peas, Corn, Carrots, and green beans
Olive oil
Sea salt and Onion Powder

Gravy:
Whole Wheat Flour
Nutritional yeast
Tamari
Sea Salt, pepper
Olive oil
Water

First I sauteed the hash browns and mixed veggies in olive oil and added in the seasoning.  I set that aside and made the gravy by first heating the flour and nutritional yeast until browned a bit and fragrent.  Then I wisked in the rest of the ingredients.

I mixed the gravy into the veggies and put it into the pie crust.  I didn't have quite enough crust to tope the entire pie, but I made do with it. 

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