The NEA put out an interesting article about the reading habits of today. It varies through all age groups, though from what I could find is limited to the United States. Foreign readers will probably not be surprised by the downward trend in… everything, because even though we are part of the developed world, if there is a list, the US is at the bottom of it. Unless the top is the worst, then we are there.
Regardless, this is a really interesting article about the trends that we are seeing. There are some nice graphs and charts if you don’t want to read thoroughly. Enjoy!
There are so many training manuals for our furry friends. From the “perfect puppy” to the Monks of New Skete. The newer excitement was with Cesar Milan. I agree with some parts of his training methods, though not all. Tamar Gellar (a=at Loved Dog.com) is Oprah’s new dog trainer (as Millan was her former trainer).
So what is your experience? I read “Cesar’s Way” and took a few things from it and just loved them. Walking your dog (one of the basic tenants) is so simple and SO important. When a dog uses its energy, it is mentally as well as physically healthier. We got a little rat terrier who has more energy than he has ANY IDEA what to do with. Going for thirty minute walks twice a day, and we had a different dog.
My only strong problem or issue with Cesar Millan is not completely with him. He can do things that I can’t. I accept that. I saw the clip with the psycho shepherd and he had to use a tennis racket so that it couldn’t bite his legs. I don’t want to do that. But the problem is that people think that they can do a dominance roll on a red zone pit bull. I’m sorry, but not everyone can do that. What Cesar does is awesome, but regular people need to keep in mind that they are NOT him. The work that he has done, and the individual stories of dogs who’s lives have been brought back from the edge of death (literally in some cases as they were to be put to sleep within days), makes his work worth it to me.
I try to be consistent with my dog. We go on hikes when we can. I teach him a few tricks. I know that we have more to work on (dealing with other dogs and with strangers… and some car manners) but he is completely worth it in the end. Give me a shout with what your experience has been. I’m interested.
In 1919, a young British army officer, Francis Stockdale, was deployed to the Waziristan area of British India. The title of his book, “Walk Warily in Waziristan” seems no less appropriate now than it did 90 years ago, because today the autonomous Pakistani tribal region of North and South Waziristan is the centre of militancy orchestrated by pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda militants. It is also an area where many believe the al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, may be hiding after the September 2001 World Trade Centre attacks.
If the same situation is happening now as sixty years ago, where is the knowledge? The gain?
The concept of learning from past mistakes and history in general is so important, and yet… where are we?
One of my new favorite children books is that of Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke. Sadly, it seems that not all are easily available, but they are WORTH looking for them. Minerva Louise and the Red Truck is the newest adventure of the little white hen. She has an adorable way of looking at things, taking them at face value, and not what humans think of as face value; what chickens think of as face value.
My favorite boy in the world, Xander, is my favorite Minerva Louise reading partner. His collection includes A Hat for Minerva Louise, and now Minerva Louise and the Red Truck.
That was the first night he got it, and I read it to him once, his mom read it to him twice and his dad read it to him twice again. That is FIVE times total in one evening. Safe to say, Minerva Louise is a hit.
If you have not experienced her, in all her bird-brained glory, check her out. You won’t regret it!
I am the proud parent to an 8 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Stewart. A fabulous dog, and we will be starting Canine Agility this summer! Very exciting.
Wanted to show you all a video of a friend who has a corgi. Oh it is priceless..
First, you HAVE bought your copy of Host that went on sale today… right?
It is beautiful, and bigger than I thought. Going by the advance, I thought it would be a little thinner, but for $26.99 (ouch) it works for its thickness. It really was a great book, and has gotten some really good reviews.
Secondly, in the film version of Twilight. Reality is coming closer. And yes, you know where I will be on December 12th.
First Marisa De Los Santos wowed us all with Love Walked In. In 2006, my manager deemed it the best book of the year.
I think that Marisa outdid herself with the sequel, Belong to Me.
It was beyond delightful. It has been a while since I have read Love Walked In, but I think I liked it more. I felt that there was even more depth to the Cornelia character. I loved how she solved problems, and I loved how accurate everything felt. De Los Santos writes about situations, and as I read it, I think… “wow, that is how I would react!”
It is a good feeling.
So go read it, and re-read Love Walked In again. It is a beautiful story.
Hey there, as per Scott’s website, you should go download the pdf NOW.
Also, here is the link to do it!! http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/infected/downloads/infected_novel.pdf
From his website,
Crown Publishing is letting me give away the PDF of INFECTED from March 27 through March 31, leading up to the hardcover in-store release on April 1. So download it! Feel free to email the link to anyone you know.
Please do not email the PDF, email the LINK. This is so I can prove to Crown the value in giving away content, and if your friends click on the link, that counts on their server stats - emailing the PDF doesn’t count on the stats.
THANKS & ENJOY!
Don’t worry about downloading something entitled, “INFECTED.” It is not a virus, and only begin to worry if you start having talking triangles on your genitalia….
