Arcadia Falls

Review by: Do

Wow it has been a while! I apologize for my absence. Not that I haven't done anything interesting to write about...maybe I just had too many interesting things going on to find the time to write about them...yeah, we'll go with that.

Any way, I finished a book last night that was a pretty good read. It's called Arcadia Falls, and it was written by Carol Goodman.

This book revolves around a Meg Rosenthal and the new life she is forced to create for herself, and her daughter, after the death of her husband. Meg's daughter Sally is a rude and rebellious teenager, and I didn't like the way she treated her mother at all. I sure hope all teenagers aren't like this character because the thought of that scares me a little.

Meg has taken a teaching position at a boarding school in Arcadia Falls, which is in upstate NY. There they become surrounded by many interesting people and some very strange school traditions. While trying to mend their own strained relationship, they are thrown into murder, mystery, some artsy stuff, a lot of snow (good ol' upstate NY), and a little bit of romance.

Intermingled with Meg and Sally, there is also another story going on at the same time. This story starts in 1927 and is about the life of Vera and Lily, the founders of the Arcadia School. You learn how they met, how and why the school was formed, and why the focus of the school is on art. This story is just as interesting, and at times I found myself skipping over Meg to read more about Lily.

Other than the occasional imagery overkill...the scenery is beautiful, I get it...I thought the book was very good. It contains a lot of things I found that I could relate to; upstate NY landscape, snow fall, fairy tales, and it also included plenty of art references. I would definitely recommend this book if you like any of the above mentioned items, and even if you don't, it's a well written historical fiction story that I think all will enjoy.

Reading much?

I have a confession to make. I'm addicted...to my NOOK Color. Do -- you have to go get yours again. We can share books!


I never, in a million years, thought I would have any interest in an e-reader. I'm a dorky librarian who loves books. They are ALL over my house and I will not be getting rid of them anytime soon, but I have become seriously attached to my NOOK. I've been reading like crazy on it. Since May I've read eight books on it and have three more downloaded to read.

I try only to purchase books that are over a year old. The new releases tend to be a bit more expensive. And with the NOOK Color, you get the apps. They have added the Android software to the new NOOK Color and holy moly! The Angry Birds are BIG. It works kind of like a tablet now and it's cool. Apparently there are things to do to hack the NOOK and make it fully like a tablet but I don't think that's necessary. I have a few games (like Sudoku and Solitaire) to keep me occupied when waiting around for any of a variety of things.

I love it. I'd buy it again and for other people if it wasn't so pricey. It's not cheap, but...I'm worth it! And so are you. I'd love to know what you think. Do you have a NOOK or Kindle?

Yogurt Shmogurt

Review by Do:


I like yogurt. I like granola. So when I saw that Activia is now offering both in one nifty little container, I just couldn't help myself.

Boy was I pleasantly surprised! Described as "a blend of creamy lowfat yogurt, fruit pieces, and lowfat crunchy granola" the new Activia Parfait Crunch is very tasty and filling! The container has 220 calories and 3 grams of fat per 6oz, and is offered in 4 different flavors. My local grocery store only carries Vanilla and Strawberry, if it's in stock at all. I prefer the Strawberry, which has the fruit pieces, over the Vanilla, which does not.

The only complaint I have is that the container of yogurt is only half full...literally. Normally when you open a jug it's almost full; with this container, not so much. I'm not sure if they do that so there is room for you to stir in the granola or what, but it's a little deceiving. Somedays you want to eat healthy, but then again you're sooo hungry, and then you open this container and find that someone has already eaten half! Oh no...but don't worry my friends!! Like I said, it is very tasty and filling, so it is well worth the purchase.

Although Activia claims to "naturally regulate the digestive system", I do not eat it for that reason. I have had my share of activia yogurts and I never felt as though it helped me out in that "area". I eat this particular activia product because it is good, plain and simple. I hope that if you give this yogurt a try, you'll like it as much as I do. And if it does happen to 'help you out' with other things, then just think of it as a little added bonus. Enjoy!

Cracker Chips

Review by: Do

I enjoy crunchy snacks. Crunchy, salty, yummy snacks. But it's hard to indulge in such a treat with all the fat and calories they usually bring along. So when I spotted the new Special K Cracker Chips in the cracker aisle at my local store, I decided to give them a try.

Let me just say, they are a tastey treat! They taste like a cross between a pringle and a rice cake. Thin and salty like the pringle, but crunchy and ricey like the cake. And they only pack on 110 calories, 2.5g fat, in 30 chips! And you wouldn't always think so, but 30 chips is a lot.

They come in 2 flavors, sea salt and sour cream & onion. I prefer the sea salt over the sour cream & onion variety. I find the sc&0 flavoring to be too powdery and not as flavorful as I would have hoped. So if you are looking for a light and crispy crunchy snack, do give these cracker chips a try. They definitely pack the big potato chip crunch you like, but without all the fat & calories you hate.