Svetlana's Reads and Views

Book Details:   Book Title :  Great Kids Don't Just Happen, 5 Essentials for Raising Successful Children by Dr. Paul Smolen Category :   Adult Non-Fiction Genre :    Parenting/Family Publisher :  Torchflame Books Release date:    October 22, 2019 Tour dates : Nov 4 to Nov 29, 2019 Content Rating : G   Book Description:   If there are children in your life, you need Dr. Smolen's research and wisdom! Physically and emotionally healthy children are Great Kids. They are happier when young and thrive as adults. Pediatrician Dr. Paul Smolen identifies five essential parenting elements which help develop happy and successful kids. In Great Kids Don't Just Happen you will learn how to use those elements and nurture the children in your life. The author's observations and advice are supported by scientific studies referenced throughout the book and personal...

RULES: (From fredasvoice.com ) *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. *Find a snippet, short and sweet. *Post it, and add the url to your post in the Linky below. Also join in the fun on Instagram using the hashtags #Instagram56 #Friday56 Happy weekend to you all! Wow, so its Black Friday. Hopefully everyone had a good week, whether the celebration is for Thanksgiving or for The Day of Mourning. Here is the book I will be sharing this week. Enjoy! From Page 56: "We sit in silence through the clatter of dishes, the hiss and whir of the espresso machine, my thumping heart. For years, I've imagined this-being in front of him again, within reach-but now that I'm here, I just feel outside myself, like I'm watching from a table across the room. It doesn't seem right that we can speak to each other like normal people, or that he can bear to look at me without falling to his knees."  W...

So another week has passed since I began to do bookish memes. I am really surprised at the speed of time. 1. My train obsessed monkey and I had fun in the library on Tuesday and looked over books about frogs ( fascinating) as well as gorgeous and breathtaking butterfly pictures. Today we went to a children's museum where he spent practically more than three hours playing with...trains. 2. I hadn't been watching Slave Isaura due to the fact I am reading A Hero is Born by JIN Yong and since i have a thing for finishing chapters, and these chapters are very VERY long...well I tend to lack time in watching the drama. 3. This is probably the first time that I have an urge to watch a Chinese drama just to see Jin Yongs tale in action. 4. I am crossing my fingers that some books will arrive soon, namely Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie WROBEL, which deals wih Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, and maybe The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park. 5. To be honest, I don't really pl...

(First paragraph from wishfuledings.com blog) Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings , to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine . If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here . I really am curious: what sort of books does this meme require you to post? Does it require you to post books that are coming out in 2020? Can you post books from previous years that you want to read but haven't had a chance yet (and is there a meme for that?) Can you post books you already own that will be published in the future?  Aside from my musings, here are two books that I am excited about: one is from an indie press titled The Road to Urbino by Roma Tearne. I was sent this book for a review, and have read the author...

Name of Book: The dog at the gate Author: Sunny Weber ISBN: 978-0-9966612-4-9 Publisher: Pups and Purrs Part of a Series: Pups and Purrs Type of book: dogs, animals, bonds, friendships, special, heaven, cats, humans, mistreatment, neglect Year it was published: 2018 Summary: Can a dog like Max go from years without a bath to unconditional love and acceptance? Or will his new family abandon him again? Puppy Max doesn’t have the easiest start in life. He faces hunger, living alone outside, a vicious dog next door, and menacing raccoons. Just when he thinks it can’t get any worse, he is abandoned at an animal shelter. Max is rescued and fostered in a home complete with canine companions - Miles, a benevolent fellow Australian Shepherd, and cantankerous, bossy little Muffin. He also lives with three cats, two parakeets, and one incredible mistress. Fans of classics like Black Beauty, Thomasina, and Beautiful Joe, which feature redemptive bonds between animals and...

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach , where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. I sincerely hope to read this particular book before the year is out. Right now its in the final round of Goodreads Choice Nominee for 2019, for Mystery and Thriller, and prior to that, it also held a debut category. Even the page, which I will share here, promises instant seduction. What book are you excited about reading?  Miracle Creek by Angie Kim The Incident  Miracle Creek, Virginia Tuesday, August 26, 2008 My husband asked me to lie. Not a big lie. He probably didn't even consider it a lie, and neither did I, at first. It was such a small thing, what he wanted. The police had just released the protesters, and while he stepped out to make sure they weren't coming back, I was to sit in his chair. Cover for him, the way coworke...

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date . Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them. (From thebookdate.)  So at last I have begun reading A HERO BORN by Jin Yong, which I am enjoying. Despite the simplicity of writing, there is something in the story that is pulling me to continue to read the book. I also have begun reading THE ABBOT'S TALE by Conn Igulden,  and yeah, s...

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme " (From Caffeinated Reviewer blog) My little one's stuffed animal replacement arrived from AliExpress, and while my son loves it and refuses to go somewhere without it, I am disappointed that the toy isn't high quality as I had hoped it would be. Last week, nothing really new happened in my life.   Last Week on the Blog: The Last Thing She Said by Lauren Carr Hurricane Dog by Sunny Weber The Tender Birds by Carole Giangrande This Week on the Blog: The Dog at the Gate by Sunny Weber Great Kids Don't Just Happen, 5 Essentials for Raising Successful Children by Dr. Paul Smolen (book spotlight) New Arrivals:  

Name of Book: The Tender Birds Author: Carole Giangrande ISBN: 978-1-77133-665-9 Publisher: Inanna Type of book: Raptor birds, healing, Catholicism, Canada, America, meditations, character driven, 2001, 2011, healing, mending, broken spirits Year it was published: 2019 Summary: Matthew Reilly is a lonely priest haunted by secrets. Young Alison is the shy and devoted keeper of Daisy, a falcon that suffered an accident and can no longer fly. When they meet in a Boston parish, Matt tells Alison about the day a decade ago when he missed the plane out of Logan Airport that tore into one of the Twin Towers. What he hasn't told her is that among the victims was a son that no one knew he'd fathered. With no confidantes and close to exhaustion, Matt suffers a heart attack, forcing him to reflect on what's become of his life. He recalls a teaching stint in Toronto a year earlier, his encounter with Gavin, a troubled and predatory man, and his discovery that his s...

RULES: (From fredasvoice.com ) *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. *Find a snippet, short and sweet. *Post it, and add the url to your post in the Linky below. Also join in the fun on Instagram using the hashtags #Instagram56 #Friday56 Happy weekend to you all! Wow, Friday already. Today I'll be sharing a small tidbit from this book: Enjoy!  From page 56 "Lydia tries to refold the map along its previous creases, but her patience is flimsy, and she shoves it into the pocket of the seat in front of her. She tries to think clearly, to review their options. Most people she would ordinarily turn to for help are dead, and even if they weren't, asking for help is akin to walking into a  friend's kitchen wearing a suicide vest."  Want more information? Go here

Name of Book: Hurricane Dog A Tale of Betrayal, Redemption and Change Author: Sunny Weber ISBN: 978-0-9966612-6-3 Publisher: Pups and Purrs Press Part of a Series: Pups and Purrs Type of book: dogs, hurricane, bonded pair, judgment, Louisiana to Colorado, life, milestones, pit bull, puppy mill, responsibility, survival Year it was published: 2019 Summary: How a boy and his dog helped save a nation's pets.Pit bull mix Gator and puppy mill survivor Magnolia are abandoned during a Louisiana hurricane. They suffer dehydration and starvation after rescuers take their people to safety but leave the pets behind. Saved from their flooded house, Gator and Magnolia recover but remain homeless. Nobody wants a pit bull. Gator's resentment festers into intense hatred for Gavin, the boy who left them to die. He vows to never trust again.Transported to Colorado with other refugee pets, Gator and Magnolia face the uncertainty of a new life. Eventually they are fostered by...

So it's time for the Thursday meme, Bookish (and not-so Bookish) Thoughts. I am not sure if I can do ten things that are on my mind, but I'll give it a try. 1. So throughout the week, I have been busy participating in Bookish memes, which I find fun so far. I hope I can continue to do this. 2. A major plot is revealed in a Brazilian drama I am watching that is dubbed into Russian, (Slave Isaura,) and its kind of exciting to see what will happen next.(22 out of 100 episodes) 3. Goodreads final rounds are disappointing, mainly because a suspense/thriller I enjoyed, My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing got booted out of the final round. I also am being honest in saying I haven't read any of the choices that were presented, although interestingly enough,I do have a lot of choices on my Goodreads shelf. 4. I am kind of looking forward to December (and no, its not only gifts for New Years!) I am looking forward because December will be kind of a freebie month for me, whi...

(First paragraph from wishfuledings.com blog) Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings , to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine . If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here . I already have a possibly long list of books I want to read, but here are the two I hope to read soon. One is a tale that I imagine everyone has either heard about or have even reviewed and read as well. On Goodreads, I would describe this particular book as a powerhouse, because it may have over 500 ratings, but the average rating is 4.71 stars! And that is before its debut of January 2020! (Something that is rare with even the best of books.) The book I am talking about is titled American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Another book I ...

Name of Book: The Last Thing She Said Author: Lauren Carr ISBN:  B07SJGJRCJ Publisher: Acorn Book Services Part of a Series: Chris Matheson Cold Cases Type of book: cold mystery, hidden identity, secrets, murder, true love, obligations, second chances, pets, dogs, family, friends, travel Year it was published: 2019 Summary: “I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again. For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clue...

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach , where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. As soon as I will be done with a book, A HERO BORN by Jin Yong is on my TBR read. Hailed as a Chinese Lord of the Rings, and coming from Hong Kong, I have great interest in starting to read the classic. A Hero Born by JIN Yong Chapter One SUDDENLY A SNOW STORM I The Qiantang River stretches from the west, where its waters swell day and night, past the new imperial capital of Lin'an and the nearby Ox Village, on to the sea in the east. Ten cypresses stand proudly along its banks,  their leaves red like fire. A typical August day. The grasses are turning yellow beneath the trees and the setting sun is breaking through their branches, casting long, bleak shadows. Under the shelter of two giant pine trees, men, women, and children have gathered to lis...