Non-Fiction Meme and a Prize

With all that I had going on this week (you know...that whole dying with the flu thing), I haven't had a chance to complete the Non-Fiction Meme created by Gautami. Isn't it funny how these work their way through the blogging world?? Anyway, I was tagged by both Iliana, from Bookgirl's Nightstand and Nancy, the Bookfool herself.

So here it is: Non-Fiction Meme

a). What issues/topic interests you most--non-fiction, i.e, cooking, knitting, stitching, there are infinite topics that has nothing to do with novels?

I have to be honest here. Until very recently, Non-Fiction was probably one of my least favorite genres. For some reason, I had written off most non-fiction as boring. But enter the world of blogging and challenges, and somehow I ended up smack in the middle of the Non-Fiction Five Challenge hosted by Joy from Thoughts of Joy. And I found some really good books!!

Of course, the books in this genre that interest me the most are memoirs. I really do find it enjoyable to read about the lives of people in different places, times and cultures.

I also like books on politics. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it interests me.

And I love Cook books. Not really to read, per se. But I love to skim the recipes for new ways to torture my family.

b). Would you like to review books concerning those?

Sure. I'm always up for a good book, no matter what genre it is!

c). Would you like to be paid or do it as interest or hobby? Tell reasons for what ever you choose.

I'm not sure I know how to answer this. Would I like to be paid to read?? YEAH! But I have received a lot of books to review, and that is actually a great payment!! Or would I like to be paid to cook?? Well....sure. In the back of my mind, I've always wanted to be a chef in some fancy-smancy restaurant. I think it's the hat that appeals.

d). Would you recommend those to your friends and how?

When I review a book, especially if it's a good one, I'm always recommending them to others.

e). If you have already done something like this, link it to your post.

2 of the best books I read last year were memoirs. The Tender Bar by JR Moehringer and Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. Both were excellent books!

f). Please don't forget to link back here or whoever tags you.

I already linked to them at the beginning of this post, in case you missed it!

If you haven't done this meme, consider yourself tagged. Yes, again a cop out, but I think this one has really made the rounds!!

Dear Annie from Words by Annie is hosting the What's in a Name Challenge. Annie is a remarkable 11-year-old. I'm telling you, this girl rocks!! She made my day a couple of weeks ago by telling me I had won the contest from her challenge for the month of January. This week I received my prize in the mail. Many apologies Annie for not posting my sincere thank you sooner. She sent me the neatest journal (which I LOVE), a beautiful angel bookmark, and Dove Dark Chocolate Raspberry Caramel chocolates (YUMMY!) Annie, I think you are my new best friend!! I love all of it!! So....THANK YOU!!

Finally, a quick shout-out to Bibliolartist for bestowing upon me the You Make My Day award. I really appreciate it, and just know you made MY day!!

Did you Watch it??

Hopefully I'm not the only one who was incredibly excited for the season premiere of Jericho last night! I know my friend Kookie was watching, since I talked her into renting the first season on Netflix. Now she's hooked!! This is truly one of my favorite shows. (Truth be told, I think I have a slight crush on Mr. Skeet Ulrich!) Besides, it's in the legendary status of TV Shows. A show that was cancelled by the network....and brought back by a deluge of fan support. THAT doesn't happen....ever! So....we definitely need to keep the ratings up so it sticks around for a while longer.

This season is going to be good too. It started out 4 weeks after the ending of last season's battle. After Jake, I definitely think Mimi is my favorite character. That girl's got a big set of brass ones, if you know what I mean!! So WATCH it!!

Other than that, not much going on around the Toland household. Both Bonnie and Chris gave me the You Make My Day award. I love you guys!! It warms my soul to know that you like to read my blog!! And you both make my day as well!! I've already passed this little one along, so I don't see the point in nominating anyone else. Yeah, I know it's a cop out. But seriously, you ALL make my day. It's nice to come home and read comments from the masses. So consider yourselves nominated if you are reading this post!!

Bonnie also gave me a Friendly Site Award. And I know I need to pass this along, but I'm limited on time. So expect to see another post soon!!

Later!

Man Booker Short List Announced

I just saw that the Short List was announced for this year's Man Booker Prize. The winner will be announced on Oct. 16th. It looks like McEwan is the leading contender so far. I have to say, I've had bad luck recently with Bookers! Both John Banville's The Sea and Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss bored me to tears!! Let's hope one of these are better!

DARKMANS, Nicola Barker: An 838-page dark story of love and jealousy set in Ashford, Kent. 3rd novel by 41-year-old English author.
THE GATHERING, Anne Enright: Roaming story of a dysfunctional Irish family and a ghost. 4th novel by 44-year-old Irish author.
THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST, Mohsin Hamid: Political-personal tale of a Pakistani living in the US after 9/11. 2nd novel by 36-year-old Pakistani ex-management consultant living in London
MISTER PIP, Lloyd Jones: 2007 Commonwealth Prize-winning fable about escapism and civil war set in Papua New Guinea. 7th novel by 52-year-old New Zealand author
ON CHESIL BEACH, Ian McEwan: Novella about sexual awkwardness of honeymooning couple in 1962. 59-year-old McEwan won the Booker Prize with Amsterdam in 1988.
ANIMAL'S PEOPLE, Indra Sinha: Dark story of Indian slum child and the Bhopal tragedy. 2nd novel by 57-year-old Indian author living in France.

Later!

I don't really think I'm ALL that Nice BUT......

my new-found friend, Jean Pierre, from Bombastic Bagman, says that I am!! He nominated me for the Nice Matters Award!! I have to say, I feel honored. For the past 8 months, my life has been filled with major ups and downs. From the highs of being more involved with my kids' lives to the lows of a horrible time at work, money issues, and now, an all-out job search, the one constant in my life has been my reading and my blog. I have met some of the nicest people that have been more than willing to lend advice, but most of all, much needed support! This says alot about this blogging community in general. I look forward to posting and reading all the different blogs that I haunt on a daily basis. I now how people that I consider "friends" world-wide! It may seem weird to some to have friends that you have never even met, but that's how I feel!! And I thank you all!

To pick out just a few, doesn't seem right. So if you are reading this, consider yourselves nominated. You are all the nicest people I have "met" in a very long time!

And if you haven't had the good fortune to meet JP, please check out his blog! He is a new blogger from Oxford, and has a great site! Great book and movie reviews from a man who knows his words!!

Later!