The Scroll by Grant Jeffrey and Alton Gansky

Among the finds during the search for the Dead Sea scrolls was one scroll made out of copper.  It was not a copy of Scripture or an Essene writing.  The copper scroll listed various treasures and artifacts presumably from the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the places they had been hidden.  To date, no treasure has been found from the list on the Copper Scroll. 

But what if...?

The premise of The Scroll by Grant Jeffrey and Alton Gansky is that the best biblical archaeologists in the world with unlimited funding and the blessing of the Israeli government go on a huge treasure hunt for the Temple treasures.

Sounds like a dream come true for the archaeologists.  However, interpersonal tensions on the team and the fact that someone is feeding information to news sources and Israel's enemies throws deadly challenges at the team.  They are at risk with every breath, and not all of the team will live to see the project completed.

Kathi Linz

If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won't) by Betty White

I very much enjoyed reading Betty White's new book, If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won't).  It's a great book to pick up if you are often interrupted while reading or for a quick few pages before sleeping.  Betty's book is a series of anecdotes and thoughts about her acting life and lessons learned from her parents.  She has quite a bit to say about the animals she's loved -  which are numerous.
There's nothing pretentious about this accomplished woman. 

Kathi Linz

New Books for Yarnies

Looking for new ideas? Here are a few new yarn art books that have come in recently:

Teeny-Tiny MochiMochi: More than 40 Itty-Bitty Minis to Knit, Wear, and Give by Anna Hracjovec
Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today's Top Crocheters by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss (Beautiful, but not easy)
Crochet Compendium: The Ultimate Collection of Crochet Techniques by Connie Ellison
Go Crochet: Afghan Design Workbook by Ellen Gormley (Some very cool motifs and combinations)

And a couple for the KNOTTERS in the group:

Macrame Today: Contemporary Knotting Projects by Darlyn Susan Yee
The Weekend Crafter: Macrame: 19 Great Weekend Projects by Jim Gentry

Come and get 'em.

Kathi Linz

How to Write Your Best Story: Advice for Writers on Spinning an Enchanting Tale by Philip Martin.

How to Write Your Best Story: Advice for Writers on Spinning an Enchanting Tale by Philip Martin has excellent advice on structuring a story, making memorable main characters and villains, and putting a twist at the end.

One bit that I gleaned from this book is, don't make your characters too likable.  That only makes them bland and forgettable.  Some of the examples used for memorable characters were Captain Hook, Long John Silver, the Cat in the Hat, Pippi Longstockings, and Sherlock Holmes. Each one has his/her eccentricities.  Each is unforgettable once you have spent time with them.

Check this book out for more important story-weaving tips.

Kathi Linz

Odyssey of the Gods: The History of Extraterrestrial Contact in Ancient Greece by Erich von Daniken

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I read Erich von Daniken's book Chariots of the Gods.  I love history - the older, the better. I thought his idea about artifacts pointing to extraterrestrial contact was interesting.  But what I loved most was hearing about parts of history that I might otherwise have missed.

I have always enjoyed Greek mythology, so when I saw Odyssey of the Gods: The History of Extraterrestrial Contact in Ancient Greece by Erich von Daniken, I picked it up to see what he had to say about one of my favorite subjects.  Although I don't buy his overriding premise, Mr. von Daniken has done excellent historical research yet again.  In this book, he especially describes the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, the Odyssey of Homer, the Dialogues of Plato as touches Atlantis, and some of the advanced mathematics, technology, and maps of the time.  I thought it was worth my time.

Kathi Linz

Wreck the Halls: Cake Wrecks Gets Festive by Jen Yates

The next time you would like to have a good laugh, pick up Wreck the Halls: Cake Wrecks Gets Festive by Jen Yates.  The book has commentary by the author about photos of "professionally baked" cakes.  Trust me, these bakers will never be featured on Cake Boss or Ace of Cakes! 

I laughed so hard at a couple of the cakes that my dogs thought I was dying.  My husband laughed just as hard, but it was different cakes that tickled his funny bone.  You can't miss with this collection of humorous cakes.

Kathi Linz

Shut Up & Write! by Judy Bridges

If you have it in mind to do some writing, but you don't know where to start, how to get it done, or just plain "don't have time",  you should pick up Shut Up & Write! by Judy Bridges.  Judy is an accomplished writer and the teacher of the Redbird Studio writing center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She has put valuable information for writers in clear and readable form. 

My favorite part, however, is the section on how to motivate yourself to get the job done.  One example:  One of her students was complaining about not having enough time to write. Judy asked him if he had any money.  He had a twenty dollar bill.  She put it in her pocket and said, "You can have this back when you write thirty pages."  It took him a week.

Judy's point in this book - Here's how to do it, now get busy and do it!

Kathi Linz

Huggable Crochet: Cute and Cuddly Animals from Around the World by Christine Lucas

Huggable Crochet: Cute and Cuddly Animals from Around the World by Christine Lucas has 24 patterns for crocheting adorable animals.  They are mostly from 8" to 15" tall.  The dolphin is 22" long. 

You'll find animals like a horse and cow to an octopus and snail to a giraffe and a lion. The kangaroo and penguin are cute, too.  My favorite is the hippopotamus.  She has a very interesting face.

Come, all you crafters.  Christmas is on the way.

Kathi Linz

Two Books on Selling Crafts

I checked out two books on selling homemade crafts.  One is The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online by Kari Chapin.  The other is called Crafty Superstar: Make Crafts on the Side, Earn Extra Cash, and Basically Have It All by Grace Dobush.

Both books talk about everything from naming your business to packaging the product for shipment.  You'll read about online options, local options, and craft circuit options. The authors talk about supplies, taxes, and what to do if someone copies your product.

If you have an idea that you would like to live off of your craft or make a little extra money with it, these books might help you get ideas and get started.

Kathi Linz

Crochet Compendium: The Ultimate Collection of Crochet Techniques by Connie Elllison

From beginner to expert, Crochet Compendium: The Ultimate Collection of Crochet Techniques by Connie Ellison will point you to something new and different from your usual project. 

You'll find pages and patterns for such techniques as mosaic crochet, slip-stitch crochet, wiggly, waffle-weave, tunisian or double-ended crochet, hairpin lace, broomstick lace, felting, and filet crochet.  That isn't the complete list. 

There are full-color photos to help you understand what to do.  There is also a chart to help you understand crochet symbols.  If you can't figure out the written pattern, it sometimes helps to see the symbols forming the design.

Kathi Linz

Death on the Aegean Queen by Maria Hudgins

I like the way Maria Hudgins set her mysteries in travel settings.  In the book Death on the Aegean Queen, I found myself on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea with occasional stops at various Greek islands.  The mystery is multi-layered with disguises, murder, red herrings, antiquity smuggling, and four law enforcement agencies all on the same ship. 

Dotsy Lamb certainly knows how to get herself into deep water.  With the help of a few fellow passengers, one of which has a photographic memory, Dotsy tracks down clues that the officials miss  - or don't find because she has picked them up.

A quick, fun read, and you might find yourself learning a little about antiquities.

Kathi

Midnight Magic by Avi

Midnight Magic by Avi is a middle grade novel of excellent quality. 

Fabrizio is a young boy who is servant to a sleight-of-hand magician, Mangus,  in 1491 Italy.  In an age of superstition, sleight of hand looks like real magic.  Mangus has already been tried for demonic magic and put under house arrest.  Suddenly, a knock at the door on a stormy midnight brings Mangus and Fabrizio into the King's stronghold.  He is ordered to free the princess from the haunting of a spirit she claims is the ghost of her murdered brother.

The story goes on with Fabrizio overhearing things he can't tell, being told things under oath of secrecy, losing his way and finding his way through secret passages, and finally, helping Mangus to raise the spirit of the missing prince.

I can't tell you much more without ruining the story.  I think even an adult will enjoy this tightly-twisted tale told by an expert storyteller.

Kathi Linz

The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb

If you like a fast-paced mystery not streaked with too much gore, or if you like mysteries and teddy bears, you might want to pick up one of John J. Lamb's Bear Collector's mysteries.

The Treacherous Teddy has one police car side-swiping, one stolen car, one murder/hunting accident (?) by arrow through the heart, one death by throwing off the balcony, one poacher desperately in need of a bath, one hotel kitchen staff serving poached wild meat, a realtor who is up to more than you might guess, an arson, a crusty old lady in a wheelchair, a teddy bear fair, and two amusement park executives. 

Odds are that unless you always solved the Perry Mason shows in the first fifteen minutes, you won't guess this one without cheating.

Hope you enjoy it.

Kathi

Writing for Children and Young Adults by Dr. Marion Crook

In Writing for Children and Young Adults by Dr. Marion Crook, you will find useful information for writing both fiction and non-fiction.  There is a discussion on having or not having a literary agent.  How to approach publishers and which publishers to approach are carefully covered. There are ideas for promoting your book once it gets published. Also included is a CD with examples, worksheets for completing your project, recommended reading lists and various forms.

Kathi Linz

25 Ways to Make Money Online by James Garton

If you think that making money online takes special skills (other than being able to use a computer competently) or that everything online is a scam, check out 25 Ways to Make Money Online by James Garton.

There are job ideas in here for full or part timers.  The opportunities have a wide range, so most people will be able to consider at least one online job.  Each listing comes with a description of the job and several websites where you can find out more or apply for the position.

Here are several of the possibilities: legitimate telecommuting jobs, blogging for profit, writing articles , freelancing, online auctions, ebook author, professional juror, manufacturers' representative, grant writer, and transcriptionist.  If you like the look of one of these or want to see the rest of the jobs listed in this book, come on in and check it out.

Kathi Linz