Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Bibliophile’s Collective Tuesday – Books and Movies

May 16, 2023
mandyevebarnett


This past weekend I went to watch Book Club – The Next Chapter. It was a fun ride catching up with the four main characters again. For me, the best part was enjoying the three Italian cities they visited. It is many years since I was there, but the memories came flooding back. The essence of Italy still holds a special place in my soul. I visited Venice, Florence and Rome and hope to go back at some point. It was interesting that the book they were reading this time round was Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

I finished an intriguing novel, The First Time Lauren Pailing Died by Alyson Rudd.

Review:This was an exceptional narrative, especially as its theme is a subject I love. Imagine you live more than one life in parallel? Most of us never knowing about the other life, oblivious to it. But Lauren does know and that is what makes this book so remarkable.
It is captivating.

I have now begun reading a new book – The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley, only to find it is book three of a series. However, it is a separate story of one sister’s experiences, so I’m good.

Would you read one book of a series or not?

Literary Birthdays this week include:

May 19th is the birthday of Nora Ephron who was an American journalist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, director, and blogger. She is best known for her romantic comedies and was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay): for Silkwood,  When Harry Met Sally…, and Sleepless in Seattle. These are exceptional movies, I think you will agree.

Another author sharing the same birthday is Jodi Picoult with an impressive 25 novels (and counting) to her name, including My Sister’s Keeper, Nineteen Minutes and Sing Me Home.

Writing Prompt Wednesday

February 7, 2018
mandyevebarnett


9781608636921

If you could pack up and leave on vacation today, where would you be off to?

Considering we are in the depths of a freezing winter here in Alberta, anywhere would appeal to it’s inhabitants, that is warmer than -24!

However, it is no secret I have a favorite place, besides ‘home’ – England, that I would happily live. That place is Rome. It is an enthralling mixture of ancient and modern. Daily life is relaxed, the food and wine delicious and that golden Italian light is magical. The countryside with its winding roads, so like England and the iconic trees, vineyards and terracotta roofed buildings draw me to them. My screen saver at work is a view across the Tuscan countryside. Maybe, I was Italian in a past life and that is the reason I have an affinity with Italy.

I traveled to Florence, Rome and Venice many moons ago and Rome resonated within my soul so deeply I have always been pining to go back. I will go back someday, it is on my bucket list.

 

Where would you go?

A Nice Surprise for Wednesday – A Lovely Blog Award

October 8, 2014
mandyevebarnett


one-lovely-blog-awardIt’s been a while since my last blog award – so it was lovely to receive this one from Ileandra. http://ileandraxraven.co.uk/

And the rules are:

Thank and link to the person who nominated you – done and a pleasure.
List the Rules, and display the award image – done.

Follow the blogger who nominated you – already follow.
Include 7 facts about yourself –

1. My second children’s book, Ockleberries to the Rescue, will be launched at Words in the Park – 25th  October.

http://words.sclibrary.ab.ca/   Book cover

2. I have lived on three continents.

3. I am the secretary of my local writing group – Writers Foundation of Strathcona County

4. My writing style is free flow – I tried plotting once and failed miserably.

5. Rome, Italy is my soul’s home – I will return

6. I miss the ocean – it’s sight, sound and feel

7. Fall (Autumn) is my favorite month due to the colors mainly

Nominate an additional 6 blogs, and notify them by leaving a comment on one of their posts – here is my list:

http://wildhorse33.wordpress.com/

http://ryanlanz.com/

http://the-view-outside.com/

http://www.kathiesutherland.com/

http://andioconnor.com/

http://distraction99.com/

Have fun with your award and pay it forward.

On a side note this is my 660 post! Wow….

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