Books

New on Rebel Reviews: THE GOLDFINCH

Happy New Year!!! If you have not heard about the latest novel by best-selling author Donna Tartt, you might have been living under a rock?! Probably not, and completely understandable, in the rush and clamor of the holidays and the start of a new year, but you won’t be able to avoid news of this literary sensation for long, which is such a rare and wonderful event in the world of books these days!

Although The Goldfinch was officially released on October 23rd, by Christmas 2013, it was already heralded on many reputable lists as the #1 Book of 2013.
It is extraordinary.

Enjoy the Rebel Review:

BOOK GROUP REVIEWS: THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt

New on Rebel Reviews: THE SALINGER CONTRACT

I’ve said I am giving up book reviews, other than blurbs and mentions on social media, which seem to generate more buzz these days, anyway. I have been working on other projects for actual money! revenue! consideration! More than just a free book, anyway. Rebel Reviews are time-consuming. But here’s one more, you just never know when I’m going to enjoy something enough to…

Check out the latest Rebel Review:
THE SALINGER CONTRACT by Adam Langer!

Literary Rebel & New Rebel Review – Aug 2012

August 2012 – Atlanta

The kids are back to school already in Georgia, as of August 6th, so The Rebel Housewife is back at it (even though I still have one at home in virtual school with Georgia Connections Academy).

I am pleased to announce I am writing a new blog IRL for Midtown Patch – Patch Media, part of the Huffington Post Media Group, is an AOL company:


Literary Rebel – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks


“Literary Rebel, Sherri Caldwell, blogs about books, reading and literary events in Midtown. This week, Midtown Book Group ventured forth on a field trip, in search of HeLa cells at Georgia Tech.”

While RebelHousewife.com is not all about books, all the time, sometimes it is, especially on Rebel Reviews, so check out the companion piece (it’s different than the Patch article):

Rebel Review: BOOK GROUP REVIEWS: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
“Fascinating Science – Tragic Biography”

Literary Rebel & Book Group News

In Real Life, as we say, your Literary Rebel coordinates the long-running Midtown Book Group in Atlanta at Barnes & Noble/Georgia Tech. Book group is one of my most-favorite offline commitments and something I look forward to on the 2nd Wednesday of every month — for the last SIX YEARS, come September 2012. I love my book group!

In honor of Six Years of Reading Together in Midtown (and a new blogging gig – Literary Rebel), I am posting The List of Books We Have Read here on RebelHousewife.com in Rebel Reviews for bibliophile reference and consumption(!).

Over six years, our very diverse group read winners & losers, stinkers & the sublime, books we loved & books we hated. Way back in September 2009, the group started rating each book, so I include those Midtown Book Group Official Ratings, as well, and update them each month for our members and The List.

If you are looking for book possibilities, for yourself or your book group, check it out:

Midtown Book Group: Books We Have Read

Furthermore, for your biblio-fanatic pleasure and temptation…

Midtown Book Group: Upcoming Selections

August (08/08/12) – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
Sept (09/12/12) – Atlanta’s Ponce de Leon Avenue: A History
by Sharon Foster Jones
October (10/10/12) – The Snowman
by Jo Nesbo
November (11/14/12) – Fahrenheit 451: A Novel
in honor of the late RAY BRADBURY
December (12/12/12) – POETRY – Native Guard: Poems
by Natasha Tretheway

Happy Reading!

Summer Reading

I just finished reading THE HOUSE OF MIRTH by Edith Wharton, first published in 1905…I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I don’t know how I’ve missed reading Edith Wharton for the last 25 years…I am still under its tragic spell. Poor Lily Bart, you spineless, un-feminist, product-of-your-age-&-upbringing, twit! Ah, there is nothing like a great book. Now on to THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, which is actually the Midtown Book Group book for our July meeting…and I have to see if we can get the movie version of Mirth (Agent Scully as Lily Bart?!) on AppleTV…

Joshilyn Jackson in Atlanta – Favorite Author Sighting 2.0!


I am very excited, and yes, of course, I’ll tell you why:

One of my most-favorite authors, Joshilyn Jackson, has a new book out!

Not only that, she will be appearing at
The Literary Center at the Margaret Mitchell House
990 Peachtree Street | Atlanta, GA 30309-1366 | Phone 404.249.7015
to introduce Backseat Saints — see the Rebel Review —
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 7pm.

For more info about Joshilyn Jackson’s books, check out Rebel Reviews:
2005 – I liked GODS IN ALABAMA — a lot.
2006 – I love, Love, LOVED (still my favorite) BETWEEN, GEORGIA.
2008 – Liked THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING — the author-crush began.
2010 – Buckle in for a wild ride with the spectacular BACKSEAT SAINTS!

SEE ALSO: Focus on The Author: Joshilyn Jackson 2.0




New Rebel Review Posted

This week is a break, of sorts, from teaching. Since we have been homeschooling (kind of) 9yo Aspy Phenom through Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA), this week we report to an official CRCT site for the mandatory state testing; every day this week, 8am to Noon. It’s only Tuesday, and he is already Over It: it’s hard to get up at 6:30am!

“And they don’t let you talk or do anything!” — this is a level of Hell for my very active boy, but I told him it’s The Law and we’re going to get through it, with the promise: Saturday we shall sleep in and have donuts (of Dunkin’) for breakfast!

Our CRCT site is in the wilds of SW Atlanta, at a technical college. The college is nice, but the surrounding area not so much, so I stay on-campus, in the building, while he is testing. Fortunately, there is a great seating area in the conference center, with comfy couches, good lighting and WIFI! So here I am…

For the first time in four months since I became a 4th grade teacher, I finished a Rebel Review — and it’s a good one, speaking of education:

Rebel Review – BOOKS: STONES INTO SCHOOLS

Back To School in Atlanta

Tuesday, August 11th:
The second day of school was better than the first! The morning bus eventually came, 45 minutes late, but 3/4 of our away-from-homers (including DH to work) were on time today! I am enjoying a fresh bagel and my second cup of coffee.

I am finishing SHADOW COUNTRY by Peter Matthiessen for Midtown Book Group @ Barnes & Noble/GA Tech tomorrow. Also working on Rebel Review/Contest for GIRLS LIKE US this week.

Okay, I lied…or maybe I was just too optimistic: I got nothing done today. Well, except the momx3 back-to-school thing, so there’s that.

Wednesday, August 12th:
On the third day back to school, all was relatively calm. The Mom finally relaxed a bit and looked forward to getting something done today…

Illegal Right on Red in Atlanta = $194.40 (the ticket is finally online). I get to go to Traffic Court in two weeks – yay! Any success/horror stories?
[Update Monday, August 17th: Grumpy start Monday, but I’m about to be over it – paid traffic ticket online rather than go to court: My $200 contribution to City of Atlanta.]

Friday, August 14th:
TGIF funny: 9yo *really* likes new camo-pattern undies. Discovered he’s been wearing same pair 3 days – others in pack of 4 “too boring”
Note to self: pick up another package of Hanes Boys Boxer Briefs M/M with the cool camoflage pattern so the child wears clean unders daily…

#NASCAR – Childcare offered & accepted (duh!) – Hubby & I are going to the Labor Day Weekend Sprint Cup Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway!!! Woo hoo!

Other than that, nothing going on today: cleaning for Paul McCartney (the concert at Piedmont Park, across the street!) – friends coming in.
The world is a-flutter with helicopters all around Piedmont Park. I think they are testing sound over at the *10-story high* stage setup!
It is noisy out here on my zen balcony garden today – trying to meditate, but this is urban living! They are definitely testing sound for concert: loud & clear! 😉

Friday, August 15th:
It is pouring with thunder & lightning on Paul McCartney concert at Piedmont Park…Sir Paul still singing. “Let it be, let it be…”

Camp Mommy 2009 – Final Week Recap on Twitter

Sat., Aug. 1:
1) Cool! Just ordered for 9yo Phenom/RT @bargainhntngmom: 145 Personalized Back to School Value Pack $19.95 w/FREE Shipping:http://bit.ly/Ew4vn
2) I don’t think the 7th or 9th grader will go for it (see last Tweet), but 4th grader will be jazzed to have his name on stuff-back2school!

3) I am missing out on GA Sales Tax Holiday this wknd, but gladly pay 7% premium to avoid mob-shopping. Holding out 4 25%+ sales *after* STH!!

Mon., Aug. 3:
1) Rough start for Monday AM, last week of summer vacation. Busy, busy, busy To Do at odds w/strong desire to just enjoy last precious week…

2) NASCAR rained out yesterday. Following re-scheduled race today (now!) on Twitter @NASCARsays – amazing. #14 not doing so good…
3) @dshaut – not a DH [Denny Hamlin, FedEx #11] fan, but he is rocking it today. Can’t Tweet much else bout race – hubby Pocono-silence til he can TiVo tonight!#NASCAR
4) That would be a COOL job – to sit there and Tweet a #NASCAR Sprint Cup Race live-action. I could do that!!
5) Have been working, but @NASCARsays Twitter, sounds like heck of a race to watch tonight! Still in progress, but all kinds of stuff happning!
6) Oh man, I know how the race went and who won, thx again to @NASCARsays! Now I have 2 keep hush until later 2nite – hubby wants NO details!
7) It’s like skipping to last page of a novel, which I also can’t resist. I always go back and read it all, I just like knowing what to expect!

Tue., Aug. 4:
1) Today is Rebel Grammy day, once-a-week caregiver. Visited neuro-psych today & various adventures. At the grocery store – it’s a long day.

2) V. Cool – RT @books: …teen version of self-help bestseller “The Secret” hits bookstores in Sept: Secret to Teen Power //going 2 pre-order!
3) Before The Secret – great book I have been reading on iPhone/Amazon Kindle: Haanel/Master Key

Wed., Aug. 5:
HOTlanta today – helped set up for BTS at our new elem school. 9yo Phenom going to 4th grade. Lunch w/kids & we’re going to chill indoors.

Thur., Aug. 6:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my fab hubby & beshert – 21 years today, happily-ever-after! (OMG, we can’t be that old!)(Married@20/22-we’re not!);-)

Fri., Aug. 7:
1) Congrats, Carla – awesome!! RT @carlawhite: Gratitude Journal is in USA Today! Front page no less!! http://bit.ly/ae1hx //great article!

2) No idea 3 kids at 3 different schools this year (elem, middle & high) would lay me out. Completely. Running ALL day today: meet & greets.

Sun., Aug. 9:
1) School starts Monday – in Atlanta, anyway: Mom’s New Year – Happy, Happy! 1st day will be catching up, figuring out my life next 9mos!

2) Up late (now early!) working on 3 kids Back To School & big project submit this week: 1st iPhone App & 1st eBook (related)! More news soon–