Day 63: Saints and Lesser Souls by Ronnie Virgets

Chatting Books Online Day 63. Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans and all of the crazy characters you could come across when you would stroll the streets and frequent the bars and restaurants? I sure do and I can't wait to get back to those days. But in the meantime I am going to read stories about that eclectic cast of characters in Ronnie Virget's "Saints and Lesser Souls".

This collection of essays by Ronnie Virgets tells tales of people and places uniquely, and undeniably , New Orleans. Each story a Crescent City gem to be savored. The book has 52 essays covering topics like: Games People Play, History, Living and Dying, People Real and Not So Real, Places, Sins and Salvation, and of course Lagniappe.

I cannot help but wonder what Ronnie would have had to say about the current situation . One of the best loved story tellers New Orleans has known, he is greatly missed.

Paperback. $ 19.95 / copy.

Day 62: What Do You Do With A Problem?

Chatting Books Online Day 62. Today’s recommended book is “What Do You Do With A Problem?” By NYTimes Bestselling author Kobi Yamada . This beautiful book is a wonderfully inspirational read for anyone age 5 to 105.

The jacket cover gives a perfect description so I will just put it right here for you to read : What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it? This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem and yourself.

Hardcover storybook with dust jacket $16.95 per copy .

Day 61: Make your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven

Chatting Books Online Day 61.
Since in any normal year this would have been graduation time it is only fitting that today’s book actually started life as a commencement speech . Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven is the inspirational book version of the commencement speech he gave to graduates of The University of Texas at Austin in May of 2014. Someone recorded that speech and it went viral getting more than 10 million views . The speech, and the book, lay out a plan for success in life based on the 10 principles taught in Navy Seal training . It begins by suggesting you start every day by making your bed. It instills a little bit of pride in the accomplishment which will encourage you to do more , which will in turn give more pride and more encouragement to accomplish even more - and so on . The book expands on the original talk by including stories and examples from Admiral McRaven’s life and training . A truly inspirational book and gift .

This small hardcover ( Physical Info: 0.69" H x 7.25" L x 5.25" W (0.5 lbs) 144 pages) sells for $20 per copy .

Day 60: Mosquito Supper Club

Chatting Books Online Day 60. Today I want to recommend to you a newly published cookbook by Melissa M. Martin called Mosquito Supper Club.

In this cookbook vivid photography combines with delicious recipes and stories of life in south Louisiana - and my favorite thing (other than the recipe for smothered chicken I fully intend to try later this week) is the step-by-step instructions - with photos - for things like peeling a crawfish , making a roux , cracking and picking a crab, and shucking an oyster . I do believe this book will become my go-to gift to welcome someone new to the south or to send home with friends after they have come to visit and obviously fallen in love with the place . Such useful information !

Here is what Garden & Gun had to say : "Rejoice in the photographer Denny Culbert's evocative images and the chef Melissa M. Martin's poetic storytelling. . . . [A] stunner of a cookbook."

Pick up a copy of this hardcover 356 page cookbook today at The Conundrum for $35.

Day 59: How to Skimm Your Life

Chatting Books Online Day 59 . Today’s recommended book was originally introduced to me by my friend Jaimee, it is “How to Skimm Your Life “ . For those of you not familiar with The Skimm , it is a membership newsletter originally started to help young people live smarter lives by giving them easy life “hacks” , tips and information to help them navigate the world. But it has grown, and this book is not just for young people. Anyone can learn from these short tutorials written with wit and humor . The perfect book for a someone just starting out or anyone who wants a bit of knowledge on a wide variety of topics. Love this as a graduation gift !

Here is what their publicist had to say about the book : With theSkimm's trademark mix of real talk, humor, and inspirational messaging, this book gives you the information you need to make informed and empowered decisions in your life. Covering everything from personal finance, to career, to stress management, global politics, and more, How to Skimm Your Life breaks down some of the less glamorous parts of adulting and answers questions like:
- "What's the difference between an ETF and a mutual fund?"
- "How should I negotiate my salary when I'm offered a new job?"
- "Should I claim standard or itemized deductions on my taxes?"
- "How should I tip while traveling abroad?"
- "How do I read the wine list without breaking out a dictionary?"
And much more . . .

We sell this book in hardcover (256 pages ) for $27 a copy.

Day 58: Bounjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

Chatting Books Online Day 58. I had never heard of today’s recommended book until one of the local bookclubs selected it a few months back . While ordering the book for the club I was intrigued by the reviews but what really got my attention was that several times when people next came in to buy another book they mentioned how pleasantly surprised they were by this book . Well that was enough to get it on my list to read and now that I have and have enjoyed it thoroughly I recommend to you Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan .
This story of a precocious teenager’s attempts to control the world around her set a bit in Paris but mostly in a villa on the Riviera is a perfect short getaway - even if you cannot currently leave home at all . This was Sagan’s first novel published when she was only 18. It was possibly a bit racy for it’s time and particularly when you consider the author’s age it was found to be quite scandalous as speculation rose as to if it were autobiographical. While it does deal with multiple love affairs and somewhat dubious morality I will tell you I did not find it at all graphic (which is good because if I had I would not have been a fan and you would not be reading this recommendation today ).
(Paperback $13.99 per copy)

Day 57: The Weel in Review (May 4-10, 2020)

Chatting Books Online Day 57 : The Week in Review May 4- 10, 2020 .
This week we took a trip to Italy and met two friends who will be with us through several books spanning 50+ years in Elena Ferrante’s book My Brilliant Friend .

I also recommended to you two very different books that have fantastic titles : first the delightful “Who’s your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can you Make a Roux” by Marcelle Bienvenu that combines a Cajun cookbook with a collection of essays and reflections on Cajun life , and then “Absolutely Everything! A history of earth, dinosaurs, rulers, robots and other things too numerous to mention” by Christopher Lloyd which is exactly what it says: a short history of absolutely everything for kids ages 9-12.

Speaking of collections I recommended Walter Isaacson’s American Sketches to give you a little background on lots of interesting folks .

Then we moved on to another regionalized fairy tale with Mike Artell’s Three Little Cajun Pigs to be entertained by ole Claude the gators antics as he tries to get those piggies .

Finally there is the sumptuously beautiful Cultivated: the elements of floral style by Christin Geall .

All in all I would say a pretty good week ! If you missed any of these recommendations and would like to get a bit more information you can see all of my Chatting Books Online choices at: http://www.conundrumbooks.com/chatting-books-online.

Day 56: Absolutely Everything !

Chatting Books Online Day 56. Today's recommended book is a fantastically informational book for kids. Absolutely Everything! A history of earth, dinosaurs, rulers, robots and other things too numerous to mention by Christopher Lloyd.
"How was our universe made from a tiny speck of energy? Where did the first trees, plants, animals and humans come from? What happened to the dinosaurs? What was so miserable about medieval times? How were railroads and electricity invented? What are the perils of global warming? You might have many big questions about our planet, life and people. Embark on an entertaining journey across millennia and continents with this book . This 352 page hardcover book is suggested for children between the ages of 9and 12 to spark their interest, ($21.99 / copy)