Gher- a tent-like dwelling for a nomad in Central Asia.

You can see a great picture of one on Flickr.

Have you ever heard of a gher? What new words did you stumble across this week?

Hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, Mailbox Monday is where readers can share what books they received in the mail, purchased, or borrowed last week.

Books in my Mailbox:

• Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise from Sourcebooks

Books I purchased:

• Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

• Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan

• The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

• God Never Blinks by Regina Brett

• Belong to Me by Marisa De Los Santos
  

Have you read or heard about any of these books? What books made it into your home this week?

I think I have a pretty good vocabulary, but I’m always coming across words in my reading that I don’t know.

On Wednesdays, I look them up, and then I share them with you. This week’s words are taken from The Canine Condition by Alex Vardamis.

Do you know any of these words?

Canophobe: I can’t find a real definition for this, but I think it is being used as a description of cynophobia or a fear of dogs. If you know for sure, let me know.

Sentence: “He is, I suspect, a lifelong canophobe” (14).

Prescient: to know things before they happen

Sentence: “You’re Prescient, Paula” (36).

Proboscis: the nose or snout of a dog, bear, or other animal

Sentence: “He swings his massive head from side to side, ears erect and proboscis snuffling the breeze” (59).

Do you know any of these words? Have you stumbled across any new words in your reading this week?

What's on my Reading List This Week:

The Canine Condition
by Alex Vardamis

The Highest Stakes
by Emery Lee

What I Read Last Week:

Little Bee
by Chris Cleave

What I'm Reading Next Week:

Let the Great World Spin
by Colum McCann

Tears to Triumph
by Dawn Marie Daniels, Candace Sandy,
and Dr. Jarralynne Agee

What are you reading? Have you read any of these books? I'd love to hear what you think!

One of my favorite writers is Phyllis A. Whitney. I think I’ve read nearly all of her books. I love the mystery, the romance, and trying to figure out if the person we think is the good guy is really not good after all.

At one time I had a few shelves filled with her books. When we moved, I gave many of them away and have regretted it ever since. I miss being able to pick one up and reread it any time I want. I am not a big rereader of books, but hers are the big exception.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Here are a few fun facts about this author:

1. Lived until she was 104 years old (1903-1998)

2. Was born in Yokohama, Japan to American parents

3. Hoped to be a dancer

4. Began writing as a teenager

5. Wrote and sold many short stories to newspapers and magazines

6. Taught fiction writing for Northwestern University

7. Taught dancing before she gave it up to write

8. Served as Mystery Writers of America President

9. Earned multiple lifetime achievement awards

10. Also wrote a few books on writing (I have a copy of one of them)

A picture of Phyllis can be found with this CBC article.

Have you read any of Whitney’s books? Who is your favorite author?

I’m taking a Renaissance literature class this semester where we’re reading The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. I am finding lots of words that either I didn’t know, or they have slightly different meanings today.

The English language has really changed a lot since the 1500s!

Do you know any of these words?

ought = also spelled aught = anything

louting = bowing

weare = spend

wastfull = desolate

mell = meddle

fray = frighten

sprights = spirits

playnd = complained

whilome = formerly

scath = unexpected harm

warely = vigilantly

forelore = deserted

envyes = grudges

trains = tricks

curious = intricate

Have you stumbled across any new words this week? Join in or find more at Bermuda Onion.

Winters in Utah seem to go on forever, and some days it’s hard to remember when you last saw the sun peek through the cloudy, and sometimes downright smoggy, inversions that settle in.

I don’t know about you, but when winter seems its dreariest, I find myself ready to hibernate under my favorite blanket with a steamy cup of hot chocolate and a warm dog at my feet.

I also find that my reading habits change in the winter.  I’m more drawn toward books that offer some sort of insight into life, people, and the sticky and difficult situations we find ourselves in.

Here are just a few of my favorite winter-hibernation titles:

Missing Mom
by Joyce Carol Oates

This is a weekly event hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog

Here’s What’s on my Reading List This Week:

The Spark
by Chris Downie

This looked interesting. I’m hoping it will help me reach some of my New Year’s Resolutions.

A Balcony Over the Fakihani
by Liyana Badr

How to Thrive in Changing Times
by Sandra Ingerman

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

I’m reading this for my book club. Hopefully,  I can finish in time!

What are you reading?  Have you read any of these books? I’d love to hear what you thought!