10 Great Books for Summer Reading

Summer reading is more a state of mind than seasonal, but when state of mind meets New England summer, the conditions are just right! For the first of several summer reading lists, I have a mix of  last summer’s favorites now out in paper and some new releases I recently read and really enjoyed! Some of these author interviews are up on www.readingwithrobin.com but no fair tuning in until after you've read the book!

Camille Noe Pagan/The Art Of Forgetting - debut and just out!

With stacks of books patiently waiting their turn to be read, how is it that a new book will arrive and push its way to the top? As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurbs from several of my favorite authors, I put down what I was reading and dove right in (won't tell so don't ask!). At its center the book is about the friendship of two women who meet as teens at boarding school. Marissa Rogers and Julia Ferrar find themselves coping with the effects of a sudden traumatic brain injury after Julia is hit by a car while crossing the street. Through the years we see these women following their dreams and rooting for each other, though there is always an elephant in the room.Humor, sensitivity and attention to detail will likely bring to mind an old friend and you might just feel like picking up the phone-or digging around on Facebook!

J. Courtney Sullivan/Maine - just out!

Sullivan's first novel, Commencement, was such a treat that when I heard a new one was coming out I got right on securing an advanced copy! Always fun to read a book before it's released into the reading population! I am drawn to books where a summer home is a main character. A functioning dysfunctional multigenerational story in said home makes it the perfect read! The women in the Kelleher family have little in common yet each seeks acceptance and understanding from the others. Classic, old family grudges are always simmering below the surface. The story slides down like a smooth summer cocktail!

Laura Dave/First Husband - just out!

I became a fan of Laura's writing style and wit after reading The Divorce Party (the title alone!). In First Husband the fun continues with the age old question of did I pick the right guy? I love a story where our heroine starts off thinking she has it all figured out. Laura did her research for this book finding out what the ingredients are that will help to ensure a successful relationship. Does true love exist and is the possibility enough to keep us hoping? Witty and page-turning, toss this book in the tote bag and you'll be assured an entertaining day at the beach!

Meg W. Clayton/The Four Ms.Bradwells

A gifted storyteller, Meg Clayton,spins a tale about four women who have been best friends since their first days at law school. The friends have come together years later when one is awaiting senate confirmation for her appointment to the Supreme Court. The foursome consists of the funny one,the rebel,the good girl and the savant. There are skeletons in the closet that come to light during the hearings threatening to ruin any chances of the appointment. Secrets, affairs, marriages, divorces and all the joys that life can hold surround the lives of these women against the back-drop of the the inequities that women continue to endure in their professional and personal lives. Lots of light moments also permeate the story making this one of my favorite summer picks!

Caroline Leavitt/Pictures Of You

I picked up Pictures Of You and could hardly put it down! I have been a fan of Leavitt's writing for many years and as I follow Caroline on Facebook felt like I was along for the ride as she typed away at this latest book. Totally unpredictable, this book is a literary joy of a read! An engrossing mystery is woven around the lives of two women who meet by chance as they are each running away from something or someone. I dare anyone to figure it out as they read along. Suspenseful and thought-provoking - how well do really know the people we love. Life is complicated and so are the characters that we come to understand. Oh, the drama!!

Danielle Ganek/The Summer We Read Gatsby

Does this title scream summer, or what? Evoking summers at the lake, sipping mint juleps and days that never seem to end. A summer home takes center stage in this book when two half-sisters inherit a broken-down cottage from their beloved Aunt Lydia. The sisters seemingly have little in common and when they are forced together in this home to figure out its future the fun and mystery begins! Written in Ganek's witty style, it kind of makes you want to take one of those rainy summer days and reread Gatsby... or watch the movie! A win either way and much better without the English exam at the end!

Amy Bourret/Mother and Other Liars

The title alone made me want to pick this one up! Is there anything more powerful than a mother's love? Even if there are extenuating circumstances under which the mother and child came to be together? You will fall in love with Ruby and Lark as their story unfolds and face the heartbreaking truth that is their lives. What would it be like to find out that you are not the person you always thought you were? What happens to the trust and love you've known all of your life and where do you go from there?

Lynne Griffin/Sea Escape

The author of Life Without Summer returns with another summer must-read. This book also centers around a beloved summer home, Sea Escape. Laura Martinez has a busy life as a nurse, wife and mother to two young children. She also has a mother who needs her and Laura hopes that the happy memories once shared at Sea Escape will have a healing effect. The power of Lynne's storytelling is also evident in the way she incorporates the love letters written by Laura's father to her mother. An added bonus - Laura learns that mother and daughter share more than they know. A lot can be learned from past generations.

Ayelet Waldman/Red Hook Road

The story of two very different families and the tragedy that occurs right at the start of this compulsively readable book hook the reader in! Set on the coast of Maine over four summers, these families must find a way to relate to each other if for no other reason than their children were once connected. Music and literature figure heavily into the storyline, joys that make life livable. In reflecting about this book I so loved last summer it makes me want to take another trip down Red Hook Road!

Sue Miller/The Lake Shore Limited

Many of Sue's novels are among my favorite books of all time: While I Was Gone, The Good Mother and more recently, The Senator's Wife. The Lake Shore Limited joins this list of fabulously told stories and is so vividly told that I can imagine it being performed as the play that we read about in the story.  A book with lots of layers - that's for me! At the heart of this novel is the question of a relationship that may not have lasted as long as it did had it not been for the tragic events of September 11th. Really makes the reader think. Just what a brilliant novel is supposed to do! Having interviewed Sue several times I am constantly amazed by her humility and wonder if she knows just how marvelous she is!

Reading enthusiast and all around "book-pusher" Robin Kall can be heard live Saturday mornings from 7-8am on Reading With Robin WHJJ 920AM. Also streaming live at www.920whjj.com. Follow on Twitter @robinkall, andFacebook - Reading With Robin.

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Treatfeed Turn Your Conversations into Cash

Stacyknows  is so excited to introduce the coolest new website, TreatFeed!! TreatFeed is the first site of its kind, they pay you for your  'word of mouth' by building a 'social tree' with your friends (the more people you tell, the bigger your social tree will become!). It's so  simple I can't believe someone didn't think of it before (duh, groupon!).  You just tell your friends about deals, sales & discounts that you find in your inbox every day and think they'll like, either by email, facebook, twitter, your blog orany other way you pass along cool information and just like that you start earning $$.  Everyone that joins TreatFeed because of you will become part of your social tree FOREVER, everytime they (or anyone they pass it along to) shop you earn $$!  It's about time someone started rewarding you for passing along their message!  Watch this video to learn more!

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Learn To Leverage Your Social Media

Business Workshop Series Happening on April 11 (Monday) Join Morton's and social media expert Allan Hoving for a business workshop. Learn how to leverage social media to achieve their goals. This workshop will cover: Your online reputation The importance of Google Is there privacy online? What is social media? The pros and cons of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for business Monday, April 11 6pm - 8pm $25 per guest Inclusive of tax and gratuity For more information, please contact Kim O'Donnell at 914-683-6101 or kim_odonnell@mortons.com.

Save Your Spot Here

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Fage Heaven

 I crave this yogurt all of the time.  The first thing you must do is stir it very fast with a spoon.  At first, there is an unappetizing, milky liquid that is on the top…just mix it up and it will turn so creamy.

Here are some facts about yogurt and why it is so damned good for you.

*pronounced “fah-yeh”.

1. It supports the good bacteria in your body.  I know it is hard to believe that bacteria can be good, but it’s true.  There is live bacteria in yogurt.  It helps us with digestion and it helps fight bad bacteria in our bodies.  When you are very sick and need to go on antibiotics, eat this yogurt.  It will keep your immune system strong. Antibiotics are very strong and weaken the immune system.  It can help with an upset stomach, prevent diarrhea and yeast infections.
2. Good for bones!  The obvious reason is that it is pure white yummy calcium.  One 8 ounce container has more calcium than an 8 ounce of milk.  It also has more potassium than a banana, and the same amount of protein as an egg!
3. The 2 percent fat choice is as creamy and delicious as the 0 percent.  I really can’t tell the difference.
4. If you are into giving your pet “human food”, yogurt can be good for them too.

*** always keep yogurt refrigerated

TRY ADDING THESE INGREDIENTS TO YOUR FAGE

• Agave nectar or honey…I love agave nectar.  It is sweeter than honey and you need less.
• Any toasted nuts.  Pecans are my favorite.
• Granola…not the sweet cereal box kind (too much sugar).   Get your granola from one of those bins at a health food market. You will find many different kinds.  I love hemp granola.  Maple flavor is excellent too.
• Jams or preserves…fruit butters are a good idea.
• Fresh berries or bananas
• Crushed pieces of candied ginger!  Incredible!
• Fage also comes with its own flavors: honey, blueberry, strawberry and peach..love!

Before a workout, one 8 ounce container with some of the toppings will keep your energy up and your sugar levels maintained.

HERE ARE SOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS YOU CAN DO WITH YOGURT (these little recipes might sound a bit like a 70′s throwback teen magazine, but if you are moved to try, why not.)

1. MASK:  Mix yogurt, about 2 tablespoons of pulpy orange juice and a tad of aloe vera.  Mix and apply to face. Leave on for about 15 mins. Rinse.
2. EXFOLIANT: Mix yogurt with about 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 1 teaspoon of honey.  Use this as an exfoliant.
3. SUNBURN REMEDY: If you have a sunburn, yogurt can be very cooling and healing.

Get a $2/2 Fage Total Greek Yogurt coupon when you like them on Facebook and share it with 2 of your friends.  This could make for some Free or close to free yogurt!

Thanks for the guest post!

Meet My New Friend Ricka B.....Ricka has  been a trainer for over 15 years.   It is an ever changing dynamic journey that she loves to share with her clients.

She started in Mill Valley, Ca in a small exclusive gym.  Most of her work was one on one personal training.  After being at the gym, the owner decided to open another type of studio. This studio would be a new concept to the exercise world. It was called Spinning. Spinning took off like lightening. She loved teaching it...the music the energy..awesome!!!  Ricka started to take her clients outside to mix things up. She taught them how to use nature as a gym.  I also taught some of my clients how to run the trails and mountains.  Ricka realized that working out in a gym was just a small element of the bigger picture. Each day was a new experience for her and her clients. One day would be a spin class and mat work, the next day could be running on the mountain using tree trunks to do pushups.  The picture of what she did expanded all of the time...ideas were endless.

Email Ricka at pinkhalo@mac.com.

She is   so excited to get started here!

One On One -Personal training

B bar classes-A combination of high intensity bar work, bursts of cardio intervals and intense core work, private or small group classes

Outdoor Workouts - She will take you to local trails and parks. Ricka

will show you the way to get a hardcore workout in our gorgeous

surroundings.

Group Workouts - Bring a workout partner with you. It is a great way

to keep motivated  and with the program. The support is so important.

At Home Gym Set Up - Ricka will come to your home and help you create a private training space.  At the end of your session, She will give you a personalized program.

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Get Your Social Network Together at Bloomingdale's

Bring your gal pals, friends and frenemies, and join Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler, authors of new
book Your So-Called Life: A Guide to Boys, Body Issues, and Other Big-Girl Drama You Thought You Would Have Figured Out by Now, and local Social Media Queen, Kris Ruby for a
girlfriend gab-fest.

Wednesday, March 16th
6-8pm
Y.E.S. Contemporary Sportswear On 3
Bloomingdale's, White Plains NY
View fashion and home decor essentials that will
transition you into real adulthood with real style! Enjoy light
refreshments and complimentary makeovers.

Plus, be one of the first ten
guests to arrive and receive a copy of the book. Reservations required,
please reply to 914.684.6203. Mingle with other local ladies and find out
that you aren’t the only one going through a “Thrisis” after all!



Are you in "Thrisis" ? Do you have any "Frenemies"? Wanna "Hook UP"? I am giving away 2 sets of Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler book . Enter your email address, as well as   someone in your social networks email and if you want you can enter your friend and frenemies as well,in the comment box to be entered in this giveaway. The drawing will is happening March 16, 2010 at midnight .

Get A Free T -Shirt From Izze

 

You can get your own free t-shirt from Izze. All you have to do is send sparkles to your friends on Facebook. When 10 people accept them, than you get your free t-shirt. It’s super easy! I’m going to create my sparkle now and see if I can get a free t-shirt.

Valentine's Day Book: Where Can I Find Mr. Right?

I OOOh, intriguing!" my friend Beth said at the Superbowl party last night. "So let me ask you this: where can I find Mr. Right?" I had just finished telling Beth that my new dating book "Have Him At Hello" is coming out in 4 weeks. My book is the culmination of a 10-year dating research project where I interviewed 1,000 single men. And as I talk about the book at parties this month, Beth's query "Where can I find Mr. Right?" is the number one question I get -- probably because leading up to Valentine's Day, love is actually NOT in the air for a lot of fabulous singles. As a dating coach, and a matchmaker who's responsible for 762 marriages, it's not that I mind being asked that question. In fact, it's a million-dollar question, right? And it's not that I don't have a good answer. It's just that everyone is asking me the wrong question!

If you ask someone "where" something (or someone) is, you're implying there's a physical place to find it. Where are my socks? In the laundry machine. Where is the library? Over there on Main Street. Where are all the great single guys? Ummm, sorry, the GPS can't locate them because once they're out of college, they don't hang out on campus, the good ones aren't standing in bars, and your friend's dinner party is for couples. No wonder you get a lot of blank stares when you ask, "Where can I find Mr. Right?"

But what if you asked a different question? By changing just one word and asking "HOW can I find Mr. Right?", suddenly everyone's got an answer. Granted, not everyone's got a goodanswer, but now you're sparking some dialog instead of silence and shrugged shoulders. Turns out "how" versus "where" is a subtle but significant difference! "How do I find Mr. Right?" says: "let's get creative" and "help me find solutions." It implies there's a strategy you're looking for, not just pondering "where's Waldo?" "How" is a deceptively empowering word: it's a "presumptive close," as we say in business (i.e. "This is going to happen, now all we need to do is figure out how.")

Some answers you'll get from asking friends how to find your mate will be trite: join an online dating site or take a wine-tasting class. Sure, those ideas can work, but you've probably tried the standard fare so I won't bore you with that. But if you ask me the right question in time for Valentine's Day, here are 4 new ideas for HOW you can find Mr. (or Ms.) Right:

1. Using Facebook: Finding great guys is all about networking through your friends, so scroll through the friend's lists of your friends on Facebook and play "I Spy A Cute Guy." If you spy someone intriguing, ask your mutual friend if he's single (or check his relationship status if his profile isn't private) and ask to be introduced. But be smart: in order to "Have Him at Hello" on Facebook, as I discuss in my new book, you have to post a fantastic profile there. Pay attention to your photos, status updates, and groups you join to ensure they reflect you at your best.
2. Tweeting: Send a tweet Friday afternoon that you're meeting friends at your favorite pub or café, and say you're looking forward to anyone joining you for a spontaneous happy hour. Tell your "followers" to bring their friends. You're bound to meet new people, and even if they're not single, they might know someone to fix you up with later.
3. Through Meetup.com: Meetup groups are a social way to connect with people in your town around mutual interests. If you go to http://www.meetup.com/ and search something like "Singles in Detroit who love books" or "Singles in New York who love to travel," you'll find dozens of like-minded singles groups.
4. Teaching your own man-class: Contact your local adult education center and offer to teach a seminar geared toward men. Identify something you can do that men typically can't, and watch guys sign up in droves. One of my dating coaching clients created a class called "Bachelors: Learn How to Cook 10-minutes Meals." She wasn't a great chef herself, but collected 5 super-simple recipes and soon had 25 single men sitting in her class. She reported that three men asked her out after class, and two of them were really cute!

The takeaway here if you're single on Valentines Day? It's not that there's a shortage of good men or women. You've just been asking the wrong question.

My New Addiction

Believe it or not I just got a Blackberry. I have resisted, resisted resisted. I was completely happy to go home and check my emails at the end of the day. Now that I have one I am obsessed. I found this 10 Top Ten List. I can't wait to take it on a test drive.


Image via Wikipedia

Top 10 Blackberry Apps


Is it a phone or an e-mail device? Hey, maybe it's a lifestyle.
Regardless, however much BlackBerry users whine about their addiction to their "CrackBerrys," few would give them up. And it's not just the device either; it's all the add-ons, too.
But with hundreds of downloadable applications to choose from, which are the most popular? The most useful? The most fun? We combed BlackBerry-user websites for the Top 10 BlackBerry applications, and — here's a bonus — most of them are free. They include:
Google Maps — Maps, traffic directions, local listings and satellite pics. A must have with GPS-enabled models. (free)
BBweather — The weather forecast in your hand. Configure it with the cities you travel to most. (free)
Image via WikipediaOpera Mini — A browser with some great features, including configuring pages to your screen and a landscape-view option. (free)
Sudoku Classic — Makes waiting for a plane fun. More puzzles than you could solve in a lifetime. ($14.95)
Beyond411 — Look up phone numbers and more. (free)
CryptMagic — Your password vault with powerful 128-bit encryption. ($34.95) Image via CrunchBase
Facebook — Go on, you know you can't resist. Stay in touch with your eTribe on Facebook, post pictures and poke friends. (free)
Google Mobile Search — One-touch access to the Web's most-used search engine. (free)
BBlight — Lets you control how long the screen stays on so it doesn't go dark while you're watching a video. (free)
xPlayer — A solid and simple media player that handles music and video files. (free)