Rachel Kovaciny's Blog, page 15

"Death of a Christmas Tree Salesman" by Patricia Meredith

Yes, I know it's not even Halloween yet.  But, as someone who keeps Christmas in her heart the whole year 'round like Ebenezer Scrooge, I snuggled right up to read this book even though it's not the Christmas season yet!  In fact, I had such a great time immersing myself in all things Christmas while reading this book, that coming back to the real world and having to think about things like Halloween costumes for my kids was always a bit disorienting whenever I stopped reading.
Anyway, Death of a...

"A Right to Die" by Rex Stout

This is one of the best fiction books I have read that concerns the Civil Rights Movement and was actually written during the 1960s. 
A father asks Nero Wolfe to investigate his son's fiancee because he is sure there must be something wrong with her or her past, and that his son needs to be aware of it.  The father and son are black, and the fiancee is white, and it's 1964 -- the father is sure that either this girl has ulterior motives for wanting to marry a black man, or she is simply toying wi...

"Peter Duck" by Arthur Ransome

This book has a very unusual premise:  it is a fictional story written all together by the (also fictional) characters of Swallows and Amazons and Swallowdale .  It's a story that they made up together that stars themselves, but also a bunch of people they made up, like Peter Duck himself.  Got that straight, now?  If not, don't fret -- it took us a little while to get our minds wrapped around it too.  But we did, eventually!  
I read this aloud to my kids over the summer, though we got sidetracke...

"Of Fire and Ash" by Gillian Bronte Adams

Of Fire and Ash is my teenage daughter's favorite book right now.  She's eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, Of Sea and Smoke, which launches in just under two months.  And she wants to dress as the main character from this one, Ceredwin, for Halloween this year.  So, when Gillian Bronte Adams announced a read-along of this book on Instagram, I decided to participate because I knew it would make my daughter really happy if I read it.  And, it did!  She had such a great time discussing ...

"Murder at Queen's Landing" by Andrea Penrose

Yup, still enjoying this series.  A lot :-D  At this point, I'm fast friends with not just Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford, but with all the regular side characters too.  And that means I delight in spending time with them between the pages of each book.
In this particular book, a clerk from the East India Company is murdered near the London harbor.  Nobody thinks much about it, as he's not an important person, but friends of his ask others to help, and they ask others, and soon it's up...

Giveaway Winners and Wrap-Up for A Tolkien Blog Party 2023

It's time to announce the winners for this year's Tolkien giveaway.  Without further ado, they are:
Prize One (an enamel pin) -- Ivy MirandaPrize Two (five bookmarks) -- OliviaPrize Three (Rohan banner sticker sheet) -- Bethani TheresaPrize Four (hobbit door sticker sheet) -- Samantha B.Prize Five (One Ring sticker sheet) -- Eva S.Prize Six (dragon sticker sheet) -- Sam Mouse
Congratulations to this year's winners!  I will be emailing you shortly to ask where you would like your prizes sent.
Thank ...

Giveaway WInners and Wrap-Up for A Tolkien Blog Party 2023

It's time to announce the winners for this year's Tolkien giveaway.  Without further ado, they are:
Prize One (an enamel pin) -- Ivy MirandaPrize Two (five bookmarks) -- OliviaPrize Three (Rohan banner sticker sheet) -- Bethani TheresaPrize Four (hobbit door sticker sheet) -- Samantha B.Prize Five (One Ring sticker sheet) -- Eva S.Prize Six (dragon sticker sheet) -- Sam Mouse
Congratulations to this year's winners!  I will be emailing you shortly to ask where you would like your prizes sent.
Thank ...

Answers to the Middle-earth Locations Unscramble Game

Here are the answers to this week's unscramble game!  Scores are below.
1. Delveriln = Rivendell
2. Snami Hittir = Minas Tirith
3. Breero = Erebor
4. Armio = Moria
5. Bothnibo = Hobbiton
6. Doomkriw = Mirkwood
7. Hotgailis = Osgiliath
8. Heartwopet = Weathertop
9. Hillroonet = Lothlorien
10. Grandies = Isengard
11. Roades = Edoras
12. Wetklona - Laketown
Scores
Bethani Theresa -- 12Ivy Miranda -- 12Sam Mouse -- 12Olivia -- 11

Middle-earth Locations Unscramble Game

Time for our second party game for this year's Tolkien Blog Party!
I've scrambled up the names of lots of places mentioned in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.  See if you can unscramble them!  Put your answers in the comments, which I am putting on moderation so no one can cheat.
1. Delveriln
2. Snami Hittir
3. Breero 
4. Armio
5. Bothnibo
6. Doomkriw
7. Hotgailis
8. Heartwopet
9. Hillroonet
10. Grandies
11. Roades
12.Wetklona

Good luck!

What's Your Hobbit Name?

Hobbits are known for having quirky, old-fashioned names.  Our first game this week is all about figuring out what your hobbit name would be if you were transported to the Shire suddenly.  Just follow these instructions and you'll soon be answering to a quaint and humorous name of your own.

First Name -- Part One
The last letter of your real first name determines the first half of your hobbit first name.
A/B/C = Clover-D/E/F = Flor-G/H/I = Hum-J/K/L = Jolly-M/N/O = Merry-P/Q/R = Ros-S/T/U = Star-V/...