A New Quilt Project

I really wasn't planning to start something new until I finished a long standing project. But life happens and things get shoved around. So here I am putting my books aside and digging into something new. I can't release all the details, but I can say it is turning out to be lots of fun and its stretching my imagination and skills to try and pull it all together.

This Teacup block is from Quilters Newsletter Magazine Online Extras . I did fussy cut the main fabric piece of the cup so that the crane is centred.

Offspring: A Novel of the Silent Empire by Steven Harper

Today my entry is not so much about the book I read, but rather about the timing. I find it an amusing story, whether you do???

As you may be aware, a week ago a federal election was called in Canada. By chance that is the day I started to read this book. The author of the novel is Steven Harper, and our current Prime Minister is named Stephen Harper. Now the part that amuses me. The day I finished reading the first book in this series was the day that Stephen Harper was first elected.

There is no connection between the two men that I am aware of. In fact, Steven Harper is really Steven Piziks.

I did enjoy this book and found my self looking forward to "whats going to happen to Kendi and his partner next". I was fairly easy to suspend any disbelief that people could communicate telepathically over great distances.

Making Cards

I tried something different on Saturday. I was going to a birthday party and needed a card. OK, time to use those supplies I had been collecting, or buying for my daughter.

I few weeks back I bought a magazine "Card Maker" the September 2008 issue. On page 12 is a lovely card with the word 'Celebrate' across the bottom. Since I don't like to copy, I made my own version.

My friend loved it.

I will have to search out some books on card making and see what I can create from them.

No Highway by Nevil Shute

How is it that a book published 60 years ago can still be timely?

The issue of aircraft safety comes to light with every flight incident that hits the news headlines. In this novel, Mr. Shute considers the potential of metal fatigue due to various flight stresses. When Mr. Honey's research first comes to the attention of Mr. Scott, his manager, it is met with scepticism. While further explanation brings Mr. Scott round to his way of understanding, he experiences this disbelief with each person to whom he presents his thesis.

History has shown that this is often the case with new ideas/research.

One of my favourite passages in the novel is when the actress Monica Teasdale is reflecting upon her life. In retrospect, she very clearly realizes who the most important people have been. It's not her "movie" people as you might expect. I can only hope that I view my life and relationships with such clarity.

I feel that this novel should still have a broad audience including historians, those with and interest in aeronautics and sociology.

I have read several books by Mr. Shute and each has been as gripping as the previous. If you are interested in learning more about this author, please visit the Nevil Shute Norway Foundation.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

From the surface, Odd Thomas is a young man you'd expect to find in any town. Almost immediately we find out that he is frequently visited by ghosts and that he can see unearthly creatures he calls bodachs.

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Its very easy to like the character of Odd. He's just an everyday guy, he goes to work, visits with friends and neighbours and loves his girlfriend Stormy. Just about what the rest of us do.

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The story-telling style of this book makes for easy reading, though it is hard to put down. Even though I knew that something 'really bad' was going to happen, Mr. Koontz managed to keep it a mystery and it seemed that he 'sprung' it on me all of a sudden.

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The character of Odd appears in 3 further novels as well as a graphic novel. There is even a web-site visit that is solely devoted to Odd.

I do hope that in one of the future novels we get to 'meet' Odd's Aunt Cymry (his mother's sister). There is a mystery to her that we are clearly introduced to, but it is not explored.

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Read my review of the other books in the series:

Forever Odd

Brother Odd

Odd Hours

Point Blank by Catherine Coulter

This story sucked me in from the first pages. I could have read it through without a break if it weren't for other everyday obligations (such as family and food).

I enjoyed meeting FBI Agent Ruth Warnecki as she explored Winkel's Cave. You could forsee right from her rescue by Sheriff Dix Noble that a relationship would develop between them.

We are also introduced to FBI Agents Savich and Sherlock, who are investigating their own twisted mystery.

I enjoyed the interaction between the four law enforcement officers. Lucky for me the three FBI agents have been featured in previous novels, which I will be on the look out for. You can check Catherine's website for a complete listing of her books.

A Virtual Soul by Kevin Teixeira

This futuristic novel is a first for Kevin Teixeira. The main character is Josh Numes, an em-printer (he gives personalities and memories to test tube people) finds himself caught in a web of corporate espionage involving mass murder.

I found this a compelling read. Through-out the day, each time I walked past the book I had to pick ti up and read at least a few pages. I needed to know whether Josh would get his life back or would the corporation win.

Angelica developed into an interesting character of hidden straights. I was sorry to see the story end when it did.

I did expect to see a follow-up book by Mr, Teixeira, but nothing yet at my local bookseller.

Thanks to my bookcrossing friend who passed it along.

Turned out to be a good summer read.