Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Brrrrr! It’s been a snowy week here in the Midwest with temperatures plunging as arctic air moved in on Sunday. I spent the day clearing as much snow as possible from my driveway and even the roof but after a while there was no place left to put it. As I write this the air temperature is -14F/-26C. A good day to stay indoors and read.
That’s my frozen backyard in the background of the photo below. The books are sitting in the garden window and the plants have moved to a warmer shelf.
I hope the weather is nicer where you are!
New Arrivals
Alice Close Your Eyes by Averil Dean
Ten years ago, someone ruined Alice Croft’s life. Now she has a chance to right that wrong–and she thinks she’s found the perfect man to carry out her plan.
The Accident by Chris Pavone
Gripping, sophisticated, layered, and impossible to put down, The Accident proves once again that Chris Pavone is a true master of suspense.
What are you reading?
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My backyard has been filled with birds the past few weeks and with the coming deep freeze – Chicago is getting a blast of subzero arctic air tomorrow – my feeders will be even busier. Temperatures are expected to plunge ten to fifteen degrees below zero F (about -25C) and stay there for a few days. Brrrrr!
How Do Birds Stay Warm?
One of the ways birds stay warm is by burning calories to generate heat. They fluff up their down feathers to trap body heat. Their outer feathers have an oily coating for insulation.
That’s the quick answer. Some birds, like Chickadees, can slow their metabolism while they sleep to conserve energy, some huddle together to share warmth, others take shelter in shrubs, tree cavities or bird houses. There’s a lot more science behind it but if they can’t find food, water and shelter they will not survive.
I leave my nest boxes, or bird houses, out all winter and provide a roost box that will house multiple birds. Several years ago a European Starling claimed the box and hung out in my yard every day, guarding it all winter. I swear the same bird brought his family to my yard the following the summer and introduced his youngsters to the feeders.
Finding Food
I watched this little White-breasted Nuthatch go back and forth to the sunflower feeder taking one seed at a time and stashing it in a crevice in the bark of the apple tree. I hope he can remember where he puts them.
When birds burn additional amounts of energy to stay warm it severely drains their fat supplies. Long cold spells can be disastrous if they can’t find high fat foods. This week’s 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) of snow across the central and eastern US is making that difficult for many of them.
I leave native plants uncut in the garden until spring so the birds can eat from the seed heads. Flowers such as Coreopsis, Black-eyed Susan and Cone Flower all provide food. That’s my garden on the right. I’m not sure what plant that is under all the snow.
In better weather the birds would be hopping on the ground picking up the fallen seeds or sitting on the plants, but the snow makes it challenging.
Are Bird Feeders Beneficial?
Birds spend about five or six hours a day searching for food. That too burns up a lot of energy. Some will survive, some won’t. High fat foods provided in a feeder make it much easier for the birds looking for a meal when seed and fruit producing plants or insects are unavailable.
So yes, I would say providing food is beneficial and helps the bird population. High fat foods such as suet and sunflower seeds are favorites and provide a lot of energy.
Looking out the window this morning I see about 40 birds in my yard roosting in shrubs and trees and eating at the feeders. There’s a lot of snow on the ground but the temperature has risen to about one degree below freezing. They seem to know even more severe weather is coming and are eating as much as they can.
Do You Feed The Birds?
I have six bird feeders in my yard and have tried many others. I’ll be writing a post on my experience with the different feeders: What works, what doesn’t and the big question, how to co-exist with the squirrels.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. It is now hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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2013 has ended and I still have a few books that need to be reviewed. In an effort to catch-up and start fresh this year I’m posting some quick thoughts in the form of mini-reviews.
Quiet by Susan Cain
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Random House Audio | January 2012
Format: Audio CD | 10½ hours | Rating: 4 stars
Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so.
This was very enlightening. I had no idea that, by definition, so many people are introverts. In a world filled with reality TV, social media and ‘selfie’ photos, people push themselves to be more outgoing in order to fit in a society, both business and social, that rewards extroverts.
Filled with research studies and examples of real life people, the author did a nice job of creating an interesting and compelling narrative. While extroverts may get more notice, introverts do their share of contributing to society. Individuals such as Steve Wozniak and Eleanor Roosevelt are two that come to mind but there were many more examples.
This was chosen by my bookclub for our December read. I never thought of myself as introverted but as I was reading I fit a lot of the characteristics. A fascinating subject which resulted in a lively discussion.
Audio production: Nicely narrated by Kathe Mazur in a smooth, calming tone.
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Brief Encounters with Che Guevara by Ben Fountain
Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: Harper Audio | October 2013 (orig. 2006)
Format: Audio CD | 7½ hours | Rating: 2½ stars
The well-meaning protagonists of Brief Encounters with Che Guevara are caught—to both disastrous and hilarious effect—in the maelstrom of political and social upheaval surrounding them. Ben Fountain’s prize-winning debut speaks to the intimate connection between the foreign, the familiar, and the inescapably human.
I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it didn’t work for me – probably because I chose a book by its cover rather than the subject matter. Yes, the birds swayed me, however only one of the short stories was about birds and it was one of the two stories I liked. In Near Extinct Birds of the Central Cordillera, a student on a ornithological research trip is captured as a spy. I enjoyed the dark humor and the clever twist to the ending. The other was Reve Haitien, where an outsider befriends the locals by playing chess and ends up involved in smuggled art and diamonds with disastrous results.
All of the stories take place in third world countries filled with rebels, militants and the poor. They were well-written but I had a difficult time engaging and relating to most of them. Don’t let me dissuade anyone from reading this – judging from the majority of the reviews, this collection was well-received.
Audio production: Believable accents and excellent narration by Christian Baskous.
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Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio | Nov 2013 (orig. 2003)
Format: Audio CD | 7½ hours | Rating: 3 stars
Procrastination. Disorganization. Distractability. Millions of adults have long considered these the hallmarks of a lack of self-discipline. But for many, these and other problems in school, at work and in social relationships are actually symptoms of an inborn neurological problem: ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.
The author uses examples and case studies of both adults and children to illustrate the different forms of attention deficit disorder. Many of the patients suffered for years before receiving a correct diagnosis and treatment resulting in a life-changing transformation.
I have long suspected someone near and dear to me of having ADD – easily distracted, forgetful, and leaving notes is a must – and I wanted advice and a better understanding of the problem. Most of the case studies were of adults looking back on their childhood and finally knowing why they respond they way they do plus some general suggestions on how to live with ADD.
An interesting read for anyone desiring a better understanding of ADD and how the brain works.
Audio production: John McDonough does a nice job narrating in a slow, deliberate manner reminiscent of a classroom lecture and fitting the tone of the subject material.
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Who Owns the Future by Jaron Lanier
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio | August 2013
Format: Audio CD | 12 hours | Rating: 4 stars
Lanier asserts that the rise of digital networks led our economy into recession and decimated the middle class. Now, as technology flattens more and more industries – from media to medicine to manufacturing – we are facing even greater challenges to employment and personal wealth.
The author certainly knows his stuff in this well-researched look at our economy, digital information, technology and what it means for the future. He contends that the current thinking that “information should be free” isn’t going to work in the long run. Power will end up concentrated in the hands of a few and a better solution is a system of micro payments. Today’s wealthy companies hire few workers yet make a lot of money by having free access to our information (ie Facebook or Google). How much are we giving up to get something for free?
The book gets a bit rambling at times and some of the ideas can be a little difficult to follow, but I still found the material interesting and thought-provoking. I listened in my car over a span of several weeks as this was the kind of book you could easily start and stop.
Audio production: Excellent narration and pacing by Pete Simoneilli in a voice that is pleasant and easy to listen to.
Short Review Format
Sometimes I just don’t have a lot to say about a book, even those I like, but I still want to post a review.
What do you think of the shorter format?
Does it have enough information about the book?
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Review copies of Driven to Distraction, Brief Encounters with Che Guevera and Who Owns the Future provided by the publisher.
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Thank you to everyone that stopped by to enter the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway for a chance to win a copy of books one and two in the Glide Trilogy by Bill Gourgey:
Glide and NuLogic
Winner: Heather Burgess
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Happy New Year!
And welcome to First Book of the Year hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney.
I started reading my first books of the year yesterday. I say ‘books’ because I always have a print and audio book going at the same time.
My audio choice, The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles by Katherine Pancol, is a recent download that jumped to the head of the pile. I was looking for something light, fun and different, and this one is all three.
My print book is Game by Anders de la Motte, a fast-paced thriller, and one I’ve been wanting to read for a few months now.
I just realized that both of my book choices are set in foreign countries, Crocodiles in France and Game in Sweden, and both have been translated to English from their native language. I love that my reading has expanded to books and authors I would have never found before I joined the book blogging community.
Let It Snow
It has been snowing since last night and is predicted to continue snowing through tomorrow. That’s my backyard on the left.
This is perfect weather to stay inside, keep warm and read. Other than a few trips outside to shovel the snow and clear off the bird feeders, that is just what I’ll be doing. Later I’ll be making New Year’s Day chili while I listen to audio.
First Print Book
Game by Anders de la Motte
One Sunday morning after a long night of partying, Henrik “HP” Pettersson, a slacker with a lot of ego and very little impulse control, finds a cell phone of an unfamiliar make on a commuter train. Through insisting and slightly uncanny messages that refer to him by name, the phone invites him to play a game. HP accepts without hesitation.
The Game starts out innocently enough and then becomes increasingly risky, threatening the safety of someone close to HP. He is determined to become a superstar, but when the dark and tragic secrets of his family’s past are at stake, HP must make a choice. Will he suffer the humiliation of defeat, or will the need to win push him to the limit—no matter the cost?
First Audiobook
The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles by Katherine Pancol
When her chronically unemployed husband runs off to start a crocodile farm in Kenya with his mistress, Joséphine Cortès is left in an unhappy state of affairs. The mother of two—confident, beautiful teenage Hortense and shy, babyish Zoé—is forced to maintain a stable family life while making ends meet on her meager salary as a medieval history scholar.
Meanwhile, Joséphine’s charismatic sister Iris seems to have it all—a wealthy husband, gorgeous looks, and a très chic Paris address—but she dreams of bringing meaning back into her life. When Iris charms a famous publisher into offering her a lucrative deal for a twelfth-century romance,
she offers her sister a deal of her own: Joséphine will write the novel and pocket all the proceeds, but the book will be published under Iris’s name. All is well—that is, until the book becomes the literary sensation of the season.
What are you reading?
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week. Currently on tour, it is hosted by a different blog each month.
The December host is Rose City Reader.
Beginning in January the Mailbox Monday blog will be the permanent home for the meme.
New Arrivals
Red Moon by Benjamin Percy from Grand Central Publishing
They live among us. They are our neighbors, our mothers, our lovers. They change. When government agents kick down Claire Forrester’s front door and murder her parents, Claire realizes just how different she is.
The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness from Penguin
A magical novel, based on a Japanese folk tale, that imagines how the life of a broken-hearted man is transformed when he rescues an injured white crane that has landed in his backyard.
The Outcasts by Kathleen Kent, a win from Bloggers Recommend
A taut, thrilling adventure story about buried treasure, a manhunt, and a woman determined to make a new life for herself in the old west.
Bold: A Cookbook of Big Flavors and Hearty Portions from Workman
Bold brings together the beloved American tradition of delicious, plate-filling meals with the lively global flavors that infuse our culture and cuisine.
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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It didn’t feel like I read a lot of books in 2013, but when I looked at my Goodreads totals found I had read 105 books in a variety of genres. Fifty-seven of them were audiobooks. The inclusion of audiobooks has doubled my reading in the past few years.
Favorite Books
In no particular order, my favorite books read or listened to in 2013:
Lexicon by Max Barry
A brilliant novel with an original concept, suspenseful story line and compelling characters. A mix of genre with science/speculative fiction overtones but also a suspenseful action thriller with a mystery to be solved and a little romance on the side.
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
Psychological suspense and an extremely unreliable narrator made for a compelling story that put this historical fiction high on my recommended list. The ambiguous ending added to the intrigue.
We Are Water by Wally Lamb
Difficult and at times disturbing topics were expertly handled in this beautifully written piece of contemporary fiction centering on the complexity of modern life in America. In addition to being one of my favorite novels this was my favorite audio production of 2013.
Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman
Beautifully written and timeless in its portrayal of a young woman growing up. I adored the country setting and the author’s love of nature.
The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane
A haunting, emotional and at times alarming psychological tale of aging and dementia. It will make you want to pick up the phone and check on elderly friends and family that live alone.
Gardening for the Birds by George Adams
A treasure trove of information and handy reference guide to creating a native landscape and bird friendly backyard.
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
This was a novel I choose on a whim while looking for something different, and it was a refreshing surprise. Adult urban fantasy with no romance and no sexy vampires, just great storytelling in a well-constructed world, and I love good world building.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
A quick, light read with sharp, clever writing about a man who, never having been on a second date, sets out to find a wife in a purely logical manner. While marketed as a romance, this is a witty, humorous story that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
The Humans by Matt Haig
A member of a highly evolved alien species is dispatched to earth to take over a professor’s body and destroy his work. Told from the point of view of the alien, his witty, dry and humorous observations about people and what it means to be human are what makes this story work so well.
Challenges
I only participated in a couple of challenges this year. I completed the What’s In A Name Challenge but it was more fun than a challenge. A couple of weeks ago I remembered that I had signed up and was able to find a book I had already read this year to fit each of the categories. It felt a little like cheating.
I’m just not good at year-long challenges. I find I enjoy the readalongs and short-term reading events such as Readers Imbibing Peril or Vintage Science Fiction Month, so no big challenges next year and more low pressure events.
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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