Jenn’s Books

This nice and subtle happiness of reading, this joy not chilled by age, this polite and unpunished vice, this selfish, serene life-long intoxication.

~Logan Pearsall Smith

Posted on July 31st, 2006

The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and place, is necessary. It is the only art which can be practised at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness.

~Holbrook Jackson

Posted on July 30th, 2006

A blessed companion is a book, – a book that, fitly chosen, is a lifelong friend,… a book that, at a touch, pours its heart into our own.

~Douglas Jerrold

Posted on July 29th, 2006.

I’m sorry that this got out so late today. Our dearest cat, Miss Kitty, has passed away today. We (my other roommates and I) will miss her very much. At this time, the money that we get from your Amazon purchases will go to a pet shelter. We have not yet chosen a shelter, so if you live the the greater San Francisco bay area and would like to suggest one, please do so by clicking on the “Contact Jenn” page. Thanks to everyone who had been rooting for Miss Kitty.

A book reads the better which is our own, and has been so long known to us, that we know the topography of its blots, and dog’s ears, and can trace the dirt in it to having read it at tea with buttered muffins.

~Charles Lamb, Last Essays of Elia, 1833

Posted on July 28th, 2006

Once again, thanks for reading my side project. If there is something you think I can do better or that you would like to see more of, please click on the “contact Jenn” button on the left side of your screen and let me know. Also for those that are concerned about Miss Kitty (pictured in the “about” page next to me) she is doing okay. She is a bit more wobbly then we like seeing her, but she is a little scrapper and she will pull through. If you would like to help with her medical bills, please click on one of my Amazon links. A portion of your purchase will go towards her chemo treatment. Thanks again for reading.

Jenn

Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.

~Groucho Marx

Posted on July 27th, 2006

Today’s big thanks go to Emily of Swarm of Beasts. She was the first person to link to my journal. She also is a wonderful children’s librarian. She often reminds me of books that I loved and forgot about. Thank you Emily.

The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of television.

~Andrew Ross

Posted on July 26th, 2006

Hurray! Today is review day! Five new reviews just went up before this. And today’s big thanks goes to Drew of Now is a Long time too. He has been kind enough to blogroll me and to help spread the world about this site. So thank you Drew!

Title:The Wuggie Norple Story Author: Daniel M. Pinkwater and Tomie De Paola Format: Trade Paperbound

I read this book the first time in the second grade. I have always loved animals, but cats and dogs especially. When I was 14, I was sitting on the porch of my parent’s house in the summer. We had just had a big talk that we wouldn’t adopt any more animals for a while. My parents were and are big supporters of animal shelters. They have always gotten their cats from the pound or adopted them right off the street. Well at that time we had two rottweilers, and about eight cats, so no more pets for quite some time. As I was sitting on the porch that day, around the corner comes the biggest orange tabby cat I have ever seen. He sees me and stops, I look at him and don’t move. I would get in big trouble if I called another cat to me. My mother happens to go by the door and asks me if the cat was friendly. I call to the cat and he comes bounding up the walk towards me. I had to name him Wuggie Norple. When we took Norple to the vet, he weighted in at 22 lbs, mostly muscle. He reminded me so much of this story. This family owns this cute little kitten. One day, the dad asks if the cat looks bigger to anyone. “No,” they all say, “he is still just a kitten.” The dad doesn’t think so, so he brings home a pit bull. They are the same size as each other, but the rest of the family swears that cannot be. Wuggie Norple keeps on growing. The next night he asks he family again, “Does Wuggie Norple look bigger to any of you?” Again they all say no. So he brings home a razor-back hog. The cat and the hog are the same size. This continues until the cat is bigger than an elephant. It is a very charming story, and if you can find it, put it in your child’s library as soon as you do.
If you would like more reviews on this title, please visit the Amazon website.

Title:The Eyes of the Dragon Author: Stephen King Format: Mass Market

When I was twelve, my mom took me to a small independent bookstore for my birthday. She said that I could pick out any one book that I wanted. My mom has never really censored my brother’s nor my reading material. So I went over and picked up Eyes of the Dragon. I felt so grown up that day. I had my very own King novel. I have read that first little mass market into its grave, and had to buy a second copy. This is King’s attempt at fantasy, and I think a pretty good one. Very few authors can break out of their genre. King went for a stroll out of his then came back to horror. While this novel is written in a very classic Stephen King type of voice, it is much different from anything else he has ever written. It is the story of a kingdom, two princes, a evil magician, and murder most foul. I would suggest this to anyone who is firmly stuck in either the mystery or the science fiction genre as an introduction to King’s works. I would also recommend this as a teen’s first King, as it is much milder then any of his other works.
If you would like more reviews on this title, please visit the Amazon website.

Title:If I Pay Thee Not In Gold Author: Pierce Anthony and Mercedes Lackey Format: Mass Market

At times, I have found both authors to be a bit trying. Both have long-winded, often repeating series and very few new ideas. Yet, somehow, when both Anthony and Lackey got in the same room, magic happened. A somewhat new idea for the both of them came forth, a world where women rule and men are slaves, where women have magic and all of the power and money. From all of this comes our little heroine, Xylina, and while she is female, she is an outcast of her society. Most believed that she and her line is cursed; she believes that she has very little magical talent and will not make it past her coming of age combat. I found that the book had a much different tone then either of the writers normally have. If you are a fan of either author I would suggest owning this book. I would also suggest this novel to anyone who has read only one author or the other and would like a introduction to the other.
If you would like more reviews on this title, please visit the Amazon website.

Title:A Thousand Years Over A Hot Stove Author: Laura Schenone Format: Trade Paperbound

I found I like cookbooks with personality. A Thousand Years Over A Hot Stove read more like a novel then a cookbook. The author starts with her own life and why she wrote the book. After that, she dives into the history of cooking, going back to before America was colonized, up to and through the depression and to modern day. And through her telling of history that reads much more like an old fairy tale then a history book, she generously dollops recipes and pictures. I really like how she has found this unique topic and given it a very unique voice. I also love the fact that she put in more then just American staple recipes, something outside of apple pie and hamburgers. I found everything from Pine Nut Soup, to Frittata of Zucchini. This book also won the James Beard Foundation/Kitchenaid Book Award, and did so rightly. I would suggest this title to anyone who has a love of history, especially women’s history, and cookbooks.
If you would like more reviews on this title, please visit the Amazon website.