Have I done this one before? Maybe the title but the book and reason for it are quite different today. September is a month of birthdays. Actually August and September are filled with people I know having birthdays. I love giving presents and cards even more than receiving them.
My gift to myself should come to fruition next Tuesday. Keeping fingers crossed that it pays off and reading comes easier.
People often ask me what I’m reading and I hesitate and stammer that it’s not the normal read. I’m currently listening to the audio-book ”The Ghost in my Brain” by Clark Elliott. Then there is “The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge in an effort to find a way to heal my brain from the damage done by Bells Palsy. On a more spiritual side of healing was the audio book “Dying to Be Me” by Anita Moorjani. I had to order a second set as my sister and I kept loaning it out. I tend to be an odd duck in my reading choices as well as other things.
Odd ducks usually spend a lot of time alone reading anything.
But then there is fun reading. The kind I love and find hard to come across. This latest was a short story written by fellow blogger, Jackie Phillips at To Breathe is to Write that I just couldn’t put down. She is offering the short story as her birthday gift for a day. Her following demanded more and she obliged. Her stories compiled themselves into a book.The short story would be worth paying for and the book is worth far more than is being charged. We were able to read the rough draft. I rarely run across a book that I don’t want to end. I hope there will be more to follow. So as a belated gift to myself, to Jackie as well as to you, here is the link to one of the best mysteries I’ve read in a while. I think she will rank up there with the best of them. Stop by, wish her a happy birthday and have a great read. You won’t regret it. Happy Birthday to us all.
Just a few of my books
What’s on your reading list tonight?
From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself
insearchofitall 
Comments on: "In Search of Good Books" (39)
Thank you! Thank you for such a wonderful post and plug for my books. I do hope your wish comes true and I’m the next big hit. ha! Really very thoughtful of you Marlene! Big hugs my friend. ❤
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I’m rarely wrong. I can see there with Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. It’s my birthday present for you.
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A wonderful birthday present it is! ❤ And here's hoping you're right! 😉
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I have two of your books on my shelves – the first mentioned is missing but I do have Joe Dispenza’s ‘Evolve Your Brain’ 🙂 My shelves are once again overflowing with words as my daughter the book seller arrived for my birthday with an extra bag full of books. I’ve flung myself head first into ‘The Luminaries’ a massive tome of some 828 novel pages. I’m up to page 46 – so far so good! I don’t have time to read anything else unfortunately. I’m thinking of you every day with your birthday gift unveiled and seen clearly xoxo
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I just ordered one of Joe Dispenza’s books. Breaking the habit of being yourself. The first two brain books are on neuroplasticity. I would be in heaven to have so many books at my fingertips. Wait a minute. I have them and I am. 🙂 Sometimes I need light and easy to read and Jackie supplied that. Her Canine Caper and Case of Deceit are easy page turners. She’s quite talented. I read a lot of quantum physics too but to say so would sound boastful rather than just educational. I’ve learned so much and that helped with my spiritual understanding. Bookcases and e-reader are all loaded. Now I want to get to winter so I have more reading time. 🙂 I’ll look up the one you are reading. Thanks for stopping by.
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The one I am reading I am reading only because so many have asked me what I thought of it. It’s by a NZ writer, set in the province and Island I live on and won several awards …… I feel obliged to read the jolly thing! It’s a massive tome and not designed for lolling about and relaxing with. I’ve already gained muscle in my arms just holding it! Luckily for me I am quite enjoying the way it is written and the story that is beginning to unfold.
I like the way Joe Dispenza explains things for the scientifically challenged. His books were instrumental in making me take hold of my habitual, inherited ‘thinking’ patterns and changing them. It works! 🙂
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I’ll get right on Joe’s book then. I have plenty of hard to slog through books. Let me know how your heavy books ends. 🙂
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Right now I am reading The Lavender Room, in German. My sister sent it to me. It’s a great story, a out a bookseller in France. Glad you are doing well, and with the rain next week you should get some more rest & relaxation. Hugs from me to you!
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Thanks Sabine. I’ll have to check that one out but not in German. I’m still in the children’s section there. I’m looking forward to doing something. So tired of sitting and being good. 😦 Hugs. I’ll touch base Monday.
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We’ll do a spaetzle lunch soon and I will get some Mohrenkoepfe for dessert! 😉
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I got on the scale today. :((((
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You continue to inspire me, Marlene. I’m currently reading a little romp called “The Marseille Caper” by Peter Mayle. It is one of those just-for-fun reads. There are two books that I read every year – “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho and Henry Van Dyke’s “The Other Wise Man.”
I hope your surgery is the best birthday to yourself ever!
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Thanks for stopping by Missy. I’ll have to look up The Marseille Caper. I’ve read the Alchemist and have another of Paulo Coelho’s books on my headboard. Hurry up winter. There are so many but Jackie’s is a lovely suspenseful read. Not once did I figure out who done it before the end. And no gore.
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I have Goldfinch by Donna Tartt sitting on my desk, waiting to be read. Or if I may share with you my favourite book of all time is The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. It’s interesting I just saw your previous comment, I have been reading up on Neuroplasticity lately – fascinating, so there is The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. There, I’m done. Sweet dreams and happy reading, Harlon
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Thank you. Dr. Mercola had a video of him explaining it all and thought it interesting that I had read a great deal of the book already. The brain fascinates me anyway. I think I have the Heart is a Lonely Hunter on my shelf…waiting. My friend wants to loan me Goldfinch. Maybe this winter. She loved it. I don’t read many novels but Sometimes I need a light read. Thanks for stopping by and the suggestions. Happy reading as well.
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I adore books on the brain, Marlene–I’ve always got one on my bedside table. Lately, I seem to be finding a glut of books on the link between the gut and the brain – a fascinating connection. The one I’m in the middle of currently is called, Happy Brain, Happy Life.
Thanks for the many suggestions as well. I’ve popped them all on my list to check out.
So many books, so few hours in the day!
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The human brain has always fascinated me. I have the grain brain book too. I’ll check out the one you’ve mentioned. Neuroplasticity is my fascination now. That the brain can heal itself and make new pathways. Trying to find ways to heal balance and vision damage left by Bells. It’s so much better that 5 1/2 years ago but still a ways to go. People think they’ve come into a library instead of a house here. I’d convert the kitchen too. There is a bookcase at both ends. :)) So I know what you mean about so many books so little time.
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What an erudite lot you and your responders are! I mostly read novels, so my brain is very light… I’m reading Rose Tremaine’s Trespass at the moment and I have Pepys by Claire Tomalin at the top of the bedside heap. Like you, I’m having difficulty reading at the moment, and it is sooo frustrating! The Kindle is kinder to my eyes, as I can manage with the larger font.
WordPress seems to be getting fainter and smaller, so that I keep having to enlarge the page.
I hope your eyes will be shining brightly very soon.
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I’m with you, Viv. I read better on the Kindle these days and some blogs I just can’t follow because the background color and print size make it impossible to see. I picked my theme for it’s print size and clarity. Odd criteria but necessary. Being visually challenged my entire life, I’m used to adapting to limits. I don’t read all that many novels and when I do, I want light and funny. It must hold my attention and keep me wanting to turn the page and see what’s next. Jackie writes like that and I wish her great success. She so deserves it. Her short story is free today and so easy to read. I’m looking forward to more of her work.
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If you like light and funny, you will enjoy the Peter Mayle books.
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Oh good. Thanks so much.
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After my hiatus of not reading, I’m currently hooked on an author who is a retired physician and is writing medical mysteries. Her name is Tess Gerritsen. Although it still takes me awhile just to get through one book, I am enjoying her writing while making more of an effort to read these days. I think I am up to her third novel already! I hope you are recovering nicely and that things are coming along well. I do like to read about personal situations so I can understand your interest of reading about the brain. Short of that, it would be much too heavy reading for every day. Hopefully you’ll be back to reading more light genre very soon- as well as all of your other projects. You are always so busy! I saw this post first and after reading the comments had to go back and read your previous post, (which I realized I had missed)!! Hugs to you Marlene.♡♡♡
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Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s good to hear from you. I have NOT been busy the last 2 weeks. Can’t even read well right now. 2 more days. I’ll have to check out your author. I love mysteries. If you like something light, check out Jackie’s mystery. I loved reading Janet Evanovich for all the laughs. I needed laughs and Sue Grafton writes a good mystery. Jackie will one day be right along side of them. Her Canine Capers don’t keep me up at night other than to see what happens next. Brain books and quantum physics are often heavy and best in small doses. Studying neuroplasticity is the only way I can find to hopefully retrain my brain and get vision and balance back to more normal. That and a lot of faith that it will come in due time.
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Happy Birthday to Jackie! Thanks for introducing us to her writing, Marlene. No reading for me lately, I’m working on my revisions. I can wait to relax and do some reading. I hope you’re doing well.
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Thanks for stopping by Jill. I know you are in the middle of things and other things must wait. As a first time published author, Jackie will go on to be quite prolific and well read. I have great faith in her. You can catch her later when you need a delicious little mystery.
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Jackie sounds a wonderful Author, and I will pop over to say hi.. 🙂 I hope your eye is healing well Marlene? and thank you for your lovely visit, I came by before getting lost in my notifications.. 🙂
Well I just finished again the Book of Gregg Bradens, and I think got more out of it second time in reading it..as I now can relate with much more of today’s world and the happenings which are escalating ever faster.
I think the knitting needles may well be out soon for those darker evenings, I knitted a lovely jumper- sweater last year in basket weave stitch, but it was an 80’s pattern.. and the sleeves bellow out far too wide, so I have only worn it twice and it didn’t feel right.. So I intend to unravel it and start something else..
Hubby said how can you do that when you spent so much time on it.. Easy, it gives me pleasure to knit, and I want it to give me pleasure when I wear it.. 🙂 so that will be my winter project 🙂 instead of a good book
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Hey ho Marlene! Sounds like you were anticipating an ‘almost’ birthday? I hope I haven’t missed the opportunity to wish you a Happy Birthday ! Are you having some eye surgery done too? I must have missed a post here, gah! Sorry, I’ve been asleep for 3 days with a horrendous cold and if I did read anything, I probably was half zonked on cold medicine, LOL.
Anywho’z-youw’mama, Love the little ducky reading the menu board. They were frequent visitors at the lake in the fall. I’m going to pop over the the mystery book link since those are my favourite reads. Answer, “it was Boomdee, in the Library, with a shortbread cookie”. Mystery, “where’d all these crumbs come from”. I think I’ve got a best seller there! Ta ta 4 now miss nead-eenelraM (no mystery there, it’s Marlenee-bean backwards) xo B
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I was afraid you’d wear yourself plum out. So a nasty cold caught you. I’m headed to a nearby Octoberfest this weekend with my daughter to pick up my yearly case of pickled garlic. I swear by it. Keeps the immune system up. Of course, I have less public contact than you and get more rest, maybe. Especially the last 2 weeks. Had an eyelid lift. That was the post just before this one. Next will be new glasses and hopefully better vision. I read a lot of mysteries. Jackie’s brand new at this and for a first timer, I was surprised at how caught up I could get at even a short story. I’m trying to keep her writing more of that. Her life story is even more interesting than the mysteries.Scary. I like the cookie crumb mystery. Run with it. :)) Please keep resting and feel better soon. Have been missing you. Hugs, M
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I love a good list of books! Thank you and thank you for the link I shall pop over! I am reading a Prayer for Owen Meany.. it is wonderful! c
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I’ll take a good look at that one too. I’m always looking for something that entices me to read all the way through.
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Just dropping in again Marlene.. wishing you a peaceful weekend.. Happy reading, and I hope you are relaxing a little 🙂 xx
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Thank you, Sue. Same to you. Working on a quilt square that has had to be taken apart way too often. So I’m sitting here to build my courage up again. 🙂
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Sending hugs, and hope the Quilting is coming along 🙂
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Hi Marlene! Hope you are well my friend! I just got to see Anita Moorjani in person and she is the real deal!! I have not read her book…but I need to 🙂 Much love ♡
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I am well, thank you Lorrie. Just doing the catch up after weeks of sitting and healing. I would so have loved to meet Anita M. I listened to her read her book twice already. It’s wonderfully done. If you get it on audio, you will truly enjoy hearing her tell the story. Hugs and have a wonderful week.
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Some how I missed this post from you, I am wading through over 300 emails since my absence. Anyway, I bought Jackie’s book when it was first released but then my tablet died, which is where all my books are now. As soon as it is repaired this will be the first book I read. I was so excited when Jackie finally published a book. I have been following her for three years and kept begging her to develop some of her short pieces into real stories just so I could read them to the end.
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You make it painfully obvious how much I take my eyes for granted. Reading! If I had to give up reading it would be a wound from which I could never fully heal. Audio books are lovely, but reading words is something special and I appreciate the reminder to cherish my opportunity to do it whenever I want. My eyes are finally getting old enough to where I can’t see things close up sometimes. I have always had better than normal vision for close up, and I won’t relinquish it gracefully.
Currently reading The Frontiersmen by Allen W. Eckert, which is one of my favourite kinds of stories of all: real history made into a story with dialogue and drama. It began just before the war of Independence and encompasses Indian-Whites relationships in the land that became Ohio and Kentucky and places in between.
I am so impressed with all your brainy books and brainy readers. Look at how many valuable contributions you have here on this post. You are surrounded by a great group of bloggers.
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Hi Marlene! Good to know your name. I scooted over from Miss C’s blog because your name has intrigued me for some time. The thought that you are in search of it all to me portrays a woman with an open mind. So, books. This book I’ve read 6 or 7 times. It’s about an interracial love affair and after I’d been married ten hears to my husband of the brown persuasion I thought I’d give it a go to see if what was written was authentic. Was it Ever! The book, “Five Smooth Stones” by Ann Fairbairn, is a whopping sized wonder. I’m a sucker for love and found myself entranced by this story. Hope you like it! Love, Gayle in sunny Sacramento, California.
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Thanks so much Gayle. I’ll take a look for it. Miss C’s is the first blog I read each day. She is adorable. I tend toward light mysteries like those that Jackie writes. I’m not a romance person as I’ve tried and failed…twice. Done. I’ve been through Sacramento many times on my drives between Portland and Burbank to Arizona. Never stopped though, only in Stockton. Thanks for stopping by. I do have an open mind and always willing to see and learn something new. Love is love and knows no bounds. I still love the men I married even though we couldn’t live together. I’ll be seeing you. 🙂
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