Really Random Tuesday #56: An Ugly Word?, a Book Winner, and a Thank You List

Blog is a four-letter word, but is it also an "ugly" word?  The protagonist of the book I'm currently reading, Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo, calls it ugly. :(    (I'll admit that there have been times when I wished I could call this a book website instead of a blog for that very reason.)  Aside from feeling a bit insecure about this (ugly itself is an ugly word, isn't it?), I'm enjoying the book a great deal so far; please stay tuned for my upcoming review and giveaway of Lunch with Buddha. 

********************

Today I have a book winner to announce, as I often do in these Really Random Tuesday posts.  Please help me to congratulate Leslie from Under My Apple Tree, the winner of Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney.  I think Leslie  will enjoy this sequel to The Alphabet Sisters.  If you didn't win this time, please check the other giveaways posted on the right side of my blog, which are often updated.

********************

Happy Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I came up with a list of book-related blessings I'm thankful for:

• Google and Blogger, who provide the opportunity to have a book blog that's international
• Amazon.com, who has revolutionized the way we shop for books and much more
• My followers, occasional readers, and "the competition", other book bloggers (many who've become friends)  
• TLC Book Tours, who feeds my addiction to books and provides them for giveaways 
• Packages from Random House, Putnam, and many other publishers
• Authors who share their work with me
• People who leave comments on my posts
• Those who tweet my posts and giveaways, or link to them on their own websites or Facebook 
• Books I've won, including a recent win, a brilliant, new cookbook from the blog of Peppermint Ph.D. (in conjunction with TLC), which I'm super excited about, Jamie Oliver's Great Britain
• My daughter, who helped me set and photograph this table 
• Time to read--whether it's a few minutes, a few hours, or somewhere in-between, reading is a favorite pastime

Can you think of anything to add to this list?

********************

Appearing on random Tuesdays, Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of.  I often announce my book giveaway winners in these posts.  If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to "grab" the button for use on your own blog.  Your comments are welcomed!

Lola's Secret: Review and Giveaway

Move over, Miss Jean Brodie!  At the age of 84,  Lola Quinlan may be in the prime of her life.

I've just read Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney, which was published in 2012, a sequel to the popular novel, The Alphabet Sisters.  The second book is set is South Australia, and starts right before the holidays.  Lola surprises her family by insisting that they spend Christmas away from her and the Valley View Motel in Clare this year.

I certainly don't want to spoil the secret (or secrets) of the novel, but I'll tell you a few things about the main character, the Irish-born matriarch Lola Quinlan (who's still trying to get used to Australia's intense heat).  This book is a real treat--in many ways--and it's because of Lola.  (L-O-L-A!)  She's a very engaging, funny, flawed (just a bit) and altogether irresistible protagonist, who's in her 80's but is decidedly young-at-heart, and always, it seems, up to some sort of mischief.  I adored her character, and the fact that she bashes many stereotypes about older people.  Lola's Secret focuses on relationships and connections with others, including those made on the internet.  Lola's pretty adept with computers and her "mobile" (as they are called in Australia). 

"The truth was, she wanted to get into her computer before her shift was over.  It was two days since she had a chance to check her emails and she was getting twitchy."
 ~Lola's Secret, Monica McInerney

She's not retiring but is like an actress, dressing in a unique and zany way, and completing her outfits with bright lipstick.  She helps run the family's Valley View Motel, volunteers at a thrift shop with other ladies, and cares very much about her family, which now includes great-grandchildren.

Instead of a litany of complaints, Lola has ample spunk and energy, and tries to live each day to the fullest, fueled by imagination, zest, and reflection.  Lola's supporting cast is composed of family (Jim, Glenn, Ellen, Anna, Bett, Carrie, and others), prospective motel guests (Neil, Helen, Tony, Martha, Holly, Chloe, Belle), and friends (such as Luke and Margaret); their stories are ingeniously tied into the main character's.  Lola's character truly sparkled for me.  In fact, she deserves an Emmy.  

If a unique Christmas story with a saucy and appealing protagonist sounds like your cup of tea, then I have good news for you.  Random House is generously offering a copy of Lola's Secret to one of my readers (U.S./Canada only).

• To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment.
• For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower.
• For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.
• For one more chance, name a book with an older protagonist that you've read and enjoyed. 

Enter by 5 PM PST on Monday, November 19.  One winner will be selected randomly and announced on Tuesday, November 20. 


Special thanks to Lisa from TLC for sending me this book.  My version included wonderful extras at the end: an interview with the author about the book, as well as the first chapter of The Alphabet Sisters, the prequel to this charming novel (Lola's Secret is a "spin-off" from that book).  To read more reviews, please visit the other stops on TLC's book tour for Lola's Secret. 

Mailbox Monday: Autumn edition

Ah, autumn!  So much to savor: the ravishing colors of leaves, the scents of simmering soup and cinnamon, the brightness of the days as they grow shorter.  In the evening I light some candles and want to change into my pajamas as early as possible and get lost in a book.  And I'm especially tempted by the books I've recently received in the mail.

I won Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund and Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher on Renee's blog, Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot.  (I've already read--and enjoyed--Life with Lily; although this book is for children 8 and up, it was my my first taste of Amish fiction, and it's whetted my appetite for more.)   Watering Heaven is a collection of short fiction by writer Peter Tieryas Liu (which I hope to review before the end of this year), and Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney is for an upcoming TLC book tour.


Mailbox Monday, one of my favorite memes, is hosted by the Mailbox Monday blog this month. What books arrived in your mailbox recently, or from elsewhere?  Comments welcomed.

I hope everyone in the path of this monstrous storm stays safe!