Archives for January 8, 2015

Belinda’s Book Nook: Happy Mail – Sujata Massey’s New Book

happymailHello Everyone!

Ok, who doesn’t love getting packages in the mail? I am pretty sure I did one of those really girly squeals when I saw the package sitting on my front steps yesterday. I knew what it was before I opened it. I set it on the counter unopened and grabbed my new favorite tea mug my sister gave me this Christmas and began making some tea.  Then I rushed to the table, tore it open and proceeded to do a happy dance that almost spilled the tea!

Next, I took a picture to share my excitement on my Instagram and of course to use to share with my blogging friends. The book is called The Kizuna Coast: A Rei Shimura Mystery by the amazing Sujata Massey. Oh I am pretty sure I have told you on a past post how much I love this author’s works.

salarymanswifeI read her first book in this series while working at a news paper back in 1997. I loved the cover and my strong interest in Japanese culture since I was a child, compelled me to pick up the book. I went home and couldn’t stop reading. I remember reading into the night. I loved that Rei, was a strong character that allowed me to peek into the Japanese culture and learn while going on her mysterious adventure. I was hooked. I bought every book in this series since then. Each one providing me with not only a great story with strong characters (many who continue on in the series) but with new aspects of the Japanese culture.

So when found out a new book in the series, Kizuna Coast was coming out soon. I pre-ordered the e-book online since it was going to arrive earlier and then pre-ordered the book to keep with the rest of the books in the series.

Anyway, when I finally sat down to look at the book, I acted like such a book nerd. I held it in my hand and marveled at the feel of it in my hands. The cover is so gorgeous in person and the pages feel so good when you turn them. Now only a true book lover will appreciate these last comments so what I am trying to say is that I am so happy and look forward to reading the book.

Kizuna Coast Book Description

When an earthquake triggers a tsunami that floods Japan’s northeast coast, amateur sleuth Rei Shimura is pushed into her most rugged adventure yet.

It starts with an SOS from Rei’s beloved elderly friend, the antiques dealer Mr. Ishida, who’s trapped among thousands on the ravaged Tohoku coast. Rei rushes from Hawaii to blacked-out Tokyo, where she discovers Ishida Antiques may have been burglarized and its cuddly watchdog, Hachiko, needs a caregiver.

Rei and Hachiko board a bus full of disaster volunteers headed to the damaged town of Sugihama. Once there, they learn about the disappearance during the tsunami of Mr. Ishida’s antiques apprentice, Mayumi, a troubled young woman from a famous lacquer-making family.

Making use of her volunteer friends, as well as her knowledge of Japanese manners and antiques, Rei investigates Mayumi’s suspicious disappearance. Complicating the situation is a police force overwhelmed by counting the dead, and a stalker who’s set his or her own sights on Rei.

I will post a review on the book once I complete the book so stay tuned. I am currently reading a hunk of a book right now so it may be a little bit but definitely will review the book.

My day, was made yesterday with the delivery of this happy mail and today with the anticipation of reading it.

Have you had any happy mail lately?

Happy reading my friends!

Belinda

“Baby It’s Cold Outside”

thetempPart of my responsibility as a parent is to use logic to make judgement calls for my family, particularly the boys.  This morning I woke to this temp on my iPhone.  Many schools cancelled school in the area and I waited for ours to follow suit but as luck would have it, it didn’t happen. So I had a decision to make – bring them to school and dismiss them early so I don’t catch frost bite at pick up or keep them home for the day and provide an educational environment at home.

studiesWell my gut said, “Baby it’s cold outside, keep them home”.  So I armed myself with a few of our many workbooks and divided up sections I wanted them to work on throughout the day. After they were dressed and ate breakfast, I explained the cold weather and that today the school is open so we are not on holiday we are just going to work at home.  Then I gave them their first assignments. Nicholas would be focusing on his writing skills in the morning and reading skills in the afternoon.  Apollo would work on a little math, test prep in the morning and reading and cursive in the afternoon.

studyingFor reading in the afternoon, I took one boy at a time into my Reading Nook. Apollo and I read “World of Birds: A Beginner’s Guide“. I love birding and I want to teach him more so it is a wonderful book with amazing illustrations. He enjoyed it and I added a fun element to keep his interest. We used SIRI to look up the bird calls of the birds as we read about them. Because I want him to learn this information, we stopped after reading about Cardinals and will revisit to continue tomorrow.

For Nicholas, we begin listening to “The Emerald Atlas” audio book and I had him take notes to help enhance his listening skills. We listened to the prologue today and will continue a little each day until we complete the book.

Despite a bit of protest, I am convinced they liked the structure. I even provided a snack and lunch break and we finished our day promptly at 3;00.

Tomorrow back to school and I feel good that it was a productive day.

Not a bad day of homeschooling at the Fernandes’ house!

Have a great day everyone!

Belinda

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