Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for August 13, 2021

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Now Mrs. Frisby's spirits fell again, and she said, almost bitterly:

"You are joking, sir; you are not serious. No rat could move my house. It is far too heavy, much too big."

"The rats on Mr. Fitzgibbon's farm have - things - ways - you know nothing about. They are not like the rest of us. They are not, I think, even like most other rats . . . "

~From page 56 of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, and extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. Winner of the 1971 Newbery Medal.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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

There are two kinds of travel. The usual way is to take the fastest imaginable conveyance along the shortest road. The other way is not to care particularly where you are going or how long it will take you, or whether you will get there or not.

~From the Introduction in The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene DuBois

Professor William Waterman Sherman intends to fly across the Pacific Ocean. But through a twist of fate, he lands on Krakatoa, and discovers a world of unimaginable wealth, eccentric inhabitants, and incredible balloon inventions. Winner of the 1948 Newbery Medal.

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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

First Line Fridays is hosted at Hoarding Books

*We are thrilled to have bloggers join us by linking up with their own First Line Fridays posts.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Hoarding Books within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

What I'm Reading - August 9, 2021

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This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well. 

I finished reading . . . 

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage investigate a series of very unusual grave robberies, one of which led to a murder.  (Read my full review HERE)

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict - a novelized biography of Hedy Lamarr, the glamourous actress and brilliant inventor. (Read my full review HERE)

The 5-Minute Visual Guide to the Bible by Michael Wittmer - a colorful and practical guidebook to the books and themes of the Bible, summarizing the main points of each section in one page. (Read my full review HERE)

I'm currently reading . . .

A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber - The subject of Kiera's latest portrait commission, Lady Drummond, dies suddenly and Kiera doesn't think it was from natural causes. She and Sebastian Gage start investigating, all while their wedding plans are going ahead. (Find the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook if you're interested in joining in - I'm a little behind the pace, but hope to catch up soon!)

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - This is my first reading of the classic about a young woman who moves from the quiet pastoral life of southern England to the newly industrialized north.

Britfield & The Rise of the Lion, Book II by C.R. Stewart - I'm working on a quick read of this juvenile book, the second in a planned series. It's a clever combination of fantasy and adventure, with enough historical details thrown in to hopefully spark an interest in young readers to explore further.

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood - After the death of her father, Vaughan Springthorpe takes a position arranging legal matters at Morton Abbey, which she discovers has some odd secrets.

Next on the stack... 

Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds by Michael Knowles

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

Holes by Louis Sachar

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene DuBois

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

    

   

   

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that is a little different. Instead of all reading the same title, we'll be reading books that have a theme in common. That way readers of all ages, homeschoolers or not, can participate. Our theme for August is Newbery Medal Books, and you might notice a couple of Newbery Books on my "to be read stack" above. Stop by HS Coffee Break to find out more.

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for August 6, 2021

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for July 30, 2021

Monthly Bookshelf Review - July 2021

Walking the Bible (DVD)

And on my "first cup blog", HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#28-31)

Five Minute Friday - From

Online Book Club: August Theme - Newbery Medal Book

Currently . . . August 4th

Coffee Break Reading List - August 3, 2021

Five Minute Friday - Drive

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up July: Dream Destinations

July Photo Album

Dream Destinations - Artistic and Culinary Travels

Five Minute Friday - Order

Share Four Somethings - July 2021

Dream Destinations - Cultural Geography

Five Minute Friday - Strong

Dream Destinations - Europe

What are you reading?

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - That Is Wisdom

But where can wisdom be found?

Where does understanding dwell?

No mortal comprehends its worth;

it cannot be found in the land of the living.

The deep says, "It is not in me;"

the sea says, "It is not with me."

It cannot be bought with the finest gold,

nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,

with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,

nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;

the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

the topaz of Cush cannot compare it;

it cannot be bought with pure gold.

Where then does wisdom come from?

Where does understanding dwell?

God understands the way to it

and he alone knows where it dwells,

for he views the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens.

When he established the force of the wind

and measured out the waters,

when he made a decree for the rain

and a path for the thunderstorm,

then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;

he confirmed it and tested it.

And he said to the human race,

"The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding."

~Job 28:12-20, 23-28~

<div style='width:100%;text-align:center;'> <span style='margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;'><a rel=_nofollow href='https://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Scripture%20and%20a%20Snapshot'> <img style='border: 1px solid gray;width:330px;height:330px;' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkEsmWJLn1f3VqhfaylcSn7IABJxDE4XrGPLFjO1V9xTM3ozVgjnerdCaVUqCwcRPIiwfqTfFqk4du0DK8acoLtyo-qFBOeBIKDwilTJVyIcRXpdYZC2QcFtMnVXKNk4Q1SLHMCX7SPU/s320/scripture+snapshot.jpg'><p style='align: center;'> </p> </a></span>

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for August 6, 2021

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Yet within a mile, Margaret knew of house after house, where she for her own sake, and her mother for her aunt Shaw's, would be welcomed, if they came in gladness, or even in peace of mind. If they came sorrowing, and wanting sympathy in a complicated trouble like the present, then they would be felt as a shadow in all these houses of intimate acquaintances, not friends. London life is too whirling and full to admit of even an hour of that deep silence of feeling which the friends of Job showed, . . .

~From page 56 of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Set in the mid-19th century, North and South follows the story of the heroine's movement from the tranquil ways of southern England to the vital but turbulent north. Gaskell's skillful narrative uses an unusual love story to show how personal and public lives were woven together in a newly industrial society. This is a tale of hard-won triumphs - of rational thought over prejudice and humane care over blind deference to the market.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

MARCH 1831

"Can you turn your head a little to the right?"

"Oh, yes. Of course," Lady Drummond gasped, swiftly complying.

At that angle the light fell just so on her honey blond curls, and hid the streak of gray beginning to show at her curls, and hid the streak of gray beginning to show at her right temple.

~From A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber

Lady Kiera Darby is thrilled to have found both an investigative partner and a fiance in Sebastian Gage . . .  After she's commissioned to paint the portrait of Lady Drummond, Kiera is shocked to find her client prostrate on the floor. Both a physician and Lord Drummond appear satisfied to rule her death natural, but Kiera is convinced that poison is the real culprit. Now, armed only with her knowledge of the macabre and her convictions, Kiera intends to discover the truth - no matter what, or who, stands in her way . . .

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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

First Line Fridays is hosted at Hoarding Books

*We are thrilled to have bloggers join us by linking up with their own First Line Fridays posts.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Hoarding Books within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Only Woman in the Room

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The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict - This novel reads like an auto-biography, as it's written in first person as if from Hedy Lamarr's personal journal. Author Marie Benedict wove together the facts about Lamarr's life and paints a haunting picture of the beautiful actress who was also a brilliant inventor.

The story begins with Hedy Kiesler's stage acting in Austria, following a performance that brought her to the attention of a wealthy and influential arms dealer, Friederich Mandl. The much older man pursued the young actress, who eventually agreed to marry him, at least in part because his power and influence could keep her and her parents protected in an increasingly anti-Semitic country. (This was in the early 1930s) Hedy had given up her acting career upon her marriage, and soon found out that her intellect and keen mind were not respected at all by her husband. She was an art object that he liked to show off at dinner parties. But while acting as Mandl's hostess, she had access to the political powers of Europe, and was privy to vast amounts of sensitive information about armaments, political maneuvering, and military plans and secrets. 

As her husband treated her more and more like a prisoner, Hedy accumulated all this sensitive information, and she also realized that anyone with Jewish roots was unsafe as Hitler's Nazis gained power. She carefully planned her escape from Austria, and eventually made her way to Hollywood after an introduction to Louis B. Mayer, where she found success as a glamourous actress, known for her exceptional beauty. She also struggled with her sense of guilt for escaping Europe and not sharing what she knew about Hitler and his plans, or about the strengths and weaknesses of the weaponry and military plans.

Hedy was finally able to team up with a composer to invent the "frequency hopping" communication system - or spread-spectrum technology - designed to help guide torpedoes to their targets while thwarting enemy attempts to jam the signals. This brilliant invention, patented by a gorgeous movie star and a composer, is the basis of the technology used in modern wireless communication. 

Much of Hedy Lamarr's life story is bittersweet - she was rarely acknowledged for her brilliant mind, only for her looks. She won personal victories in escaping her abusive first marriage and creating a technology to defeat the weapons Hitler was using on innocent people, but she had trouble in all her personal relationships and her frequency hopping invention was dismissed by the US military because it came from a woman. The only woman in the room.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - In The Seas

The LORD does whatever pleases him,

in the heavens and on the earth,

in the seas and all their depths.

He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;

he sends lightning with the rain

and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

~Psalm 135:6-7~

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for July 30, 2021

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Weren't these jewels a puny price to pay for my sacrifice? First, my acting career, and now, my family's heritage? Never mind that my own connection to my family's religion was tenuous; it was a momentous surrender.

~From page 56 of The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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

It is ironic that the author of a bestselling blank book should choose for his next subject language itself. But irony lies at the heart of political correctness. To call something "politically correct" is to acknowledge that it is not correct, at least by the standard of reality.

~From the Preface to Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds by Michael Knowles

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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

LONDON: FEBRUARY 1897

 

I stacked the three piles of paper side by side on the desk, their edges straight as if I had lined them up with a ruler. Taking a new page and dipping my pen in the inkwell, I started a third copy of the contract. Father always said a solicitor must keep three copies of everything.

~From The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood

First Line Fridays is hosted at Hoarding Books

*We are thrilled to have bloggers join us by linking up with their own First Line Fridays posts.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Hoarding Books within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.