By Its Cover- Walking in Circles Before Lying Down

By Its Cover is my completely independent book review column. Selections are made based on the book's cover. I'm testing the old saying in my quest to find new authors.



It's been a while since I've done a BIC. I was working by way through 1600 pages of Charles Dickens. Not easy. As to the review:

[plot]
This book is like Must Love Dogs with a side order of telepathy/human-to-animal psychic-ness. After breaking up with her boyfriend, twice-divorced Dawn, begins to think that her new rescue pup is talking to her. Not just him, actually, but all dogs. That freaks her out at first, but then she finds it comforting.

So it meanders along, introducing her Life Coach-to-the-stars sister, serial entrepreneur mother (who never quite succeeded at any of them) and bed-hopping father. Yep, her family's something of a mess.

Without giving away too many plot points, it comes down to her having to chose between her reconciled ex and the other guy, you know, the John Cusack-good guy that she's supposed to be with.

[op ed]
My opinion is a little tainted. I didn't like Must Love Dogs. (the two are NOT affiliated) The timeline in Walking in Circles was hard to follow, probably because I think too much. Too many of the numbers...didn't add up. (pun intended) There was a paragraph she used multiple times, like the quote about Halley's Comet in Must Love Dogs, that was used one too many times. You have to be careful with quotes. Too many or too often and they lose their punch.

The John Cusack-good guy was endearing as was the wayward co-worker of Dawn's. I have a way of falling for secondary characters. Dawn herself never quite made the break into her own that she needed. The other characters who dominated who she was got lives of the own that took them away so she was allowed to develop. But she didn't do the changing herself, she was passive, would leave and let them decide.

The mother and sister make this very eccentric, to little semi-prude me anyway. A decent beach read, quick easy and light. Not high on my list, though.

ThisNext:: Fred and Friends

I like when artists and designer take a concept and remake it with something different or put it outside of where it's supposed to be. With this creamer container, it's still very close to the original paper carton but it's made of glass.

the seller says:
Got cream? The Half Pint Creamer is an artfully blown and molded glass creamer that captures the comforting familiarity of a mini milk carton, just like the ones from the school cafeteria. Simple and whimsical, a wonderful addition to any breakfast table.
Measures 2.75" wide x 4.25" tall.

from Fred and Friend on Elsewares.

As always, if you want to follow my picks between Tuesdays you can check them out here or subscribe.

Also, I've started a list for Father's day. Hope you'll check it out.
:)

WB- Rejuved

I've been away from much of my online life for a while. I tapped in just enough to stay updated on what's what, thanks largely to Twitter. I needed a break, to step back, to evaluate things that I need to do offline, that I've put off. Now, I'm not gonna lie. I didn't get nearly as much done as I could have. But I feel better. I'm reading to start again.

Breaks, vacations, seclusions are so necessary I'm finding, from your job definitely, but from life sometimes too. I tend to be incredibly cerebral so to just veg a little, not worry about my shop (Hello, what?!) and get other things done was so nice.

Post Picture: Charles Dickens in book form (Our Mutual Friend) and e-book form (Little Dorrit). (iPod Touch...how I love you!) I read a lot during this break. I'm probably one of few who would simul-read two Dickens books. The Masterpiece Theater adaptation of Little Dorrit was fabulous. I got the book for free on iTunes.

ThisNext :: pixelthis

I love clocks. It's a genetic thing...like loving the Yankees. This new find (and favorite) is from pixelthis. It's made from bike wheel. (We're also a family of bicyclers) Simple and modern. I find the red hands very striking.

As always, if you want to follow my picks between Tuesdays you can check them out here or subscribe.
:)

elpy.press

elpy has had some recent blog mentions.

You can read more about me (as if this blog wasn't enough, right?) on Mixed Plate. Plus there's a shipping deal for readers.

A set of my magnets was featured on Cuteable. Thanks so much, Lynsey.

And I'd appreciate a vote in Timothy Adam's Photo Contest. You can click the post photo or the link in this paragraph. Voting is simple, click the grey box that says '+ vote'. No account set-up or email addy needed.

Many thanks and enjoy!