Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Great Expectations

Most of us had to read Great Expectations in school. It was written by Charles Dickens in the mid 1800s set in London during the early 1800s. The story focuses on an orphan Pip who is six when the story starts and lives with his sister and brother- in-law . Pip meets many unique characters as he comes of age. He encounters a convict, Abel Magwitch , at the beginning of the story while visiting family graves. Abel wants Pip to help him escape and steal food from his sister. Magwitch is recaptured the next day. He also meets Miss Havish is wealthy unmarried lady. She wears a wedding dress all the time because she got jilted at the altar. She has an adopted daughter, Estella, whom Pip falls in love with though the girl is bitter. He learns he is to get an inheritance and thinks it is Miss Havusham, but it is Magwitch.Magwitch became wealthy and there is a warrant for his arrest. Pip tries to help Abel escape by boat. Pip discovers the reason for Miss Havisham's odd actions and the real motive for wanting him and Estella together. It is a good read with romance and action.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The lIttle Mornings

The Little Mornings, by C M Albrecht is a murder mystery with 262 utterly engaging pages. We have three primary characters here – the grandfather, an alcoholic of doubtful character, a somewhat off balance woman (Angie) and an susceptible young man (Darcy) who gets mixed up in a whirlwind of issues. Murder, stealing and lies keep the fluctuating relationship between Darcy and Angie on edge. Holding a secret is no easy job, particularly when someone else crops up into the view with inner knowledge to the truth. Darcy, not able to moderate the events, becomes a different individual completely from the one we knew in the first few pages of the book. Maybe because I am a author, and this book has to do with the publishing industry, I am fond to the theme. Grandfather’s description of a writer’s techniques to achieve their imaginative dreams had me laughing aloud – because it was so true. As were the unsuccessful, aspirant authors and the over worked publishers. I felt the book was very truthful in this respect. I enjoyed the first few paragraphs – they actually drew me in. I kept hearing Humphry Bogart’s voice in my head telling the tale as I read along. I sat on the edge of an wretched plastic chair 2 days ago and opened the first page to start surveying The Little Mornings. I intended to take only a ten-minute break from my day to relish the sunshine. The next thing I knew, my leg and butt-cheek were both completely numb and empty… and I was on page 50! So be warned, readers, this book may very well take you out of service for a few days. I could not wait to return to it every minute I had to spare! ISBN#: 1894942434 Author: C M Albrecht Publisher: Zumaya Publications.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Sign Language Made Simple

American Sign Language has gained popularity over the last few years. It is taught in schools and colleges all over the country. Sign Language Made Simple provides beginners of ASL a basic introduction to sign language. Part I  is an introduction to what sign Part II  is about the elements of a sign including which hand to use and the fingerspell alphabet .  Part III is  includes using non manual markers, compound signs, gender, and  initialized signs.  The dictionary that features over 1500 signs in different categories which helps the reader find signs easily and when to use finger spelling. Unlike other books in the subject, Sign Language Made Simple illustrates the sign in relation to the body. I didn't find much use for the chapter on humor but otherwise it is good for beginners.