A Street Cat Named Bob – the movie

January 31, 2017May 26, 2017 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 7 Comments

Last year I discovered the most amazing true story of a cat named Bob who saved the life of the man he adopted. The book by James Bowen, made the New York Times bestseller list, was on the bestseller list in England for 52 consecutive weeks and is currently being published in 30 different countries around the world. An incredible story of redemption it explores the bond between a man down on his luck and the cat who found him. Truly heartwarming it’s a must-read for every cat lover and frankly, everyone else. One of my all-time favorite books, I blogged about the story last year A Street Cat Named Bob.

At that time, I’d learned a movie was being made and the cat playing Bob was none other than Bob himself.

I started following A Street Cat Named Bob on Facebook. Anxiously awaiting the film’s US release date, I planned to see it on opening day – November 18th, 2016. I’d asked my Mom to go, then looked up showtimes. I couldn’t find it at any theater yet Facebook posts were announcing it’s release. “What’s happening?” I thought.

Digging deeper, I found out what countless other had discovered – the movie was opening in only a few select locations around the US – and none were near me. I was crushed, my hopes dashed. I logged into Amazon to see if I could pre-order the DVD and set my Watchlist for any news of a streaming release. Then, as we must do as adults, I let it go with the knowledge that I would see it….someday.

Finally, a few weeks ago whilst in the grip of the flu a moment of happiness came my way when I found I could finally stream the movie via Amazon Video. I felt better already.

I gathered Tipper and Biscotti, a pile of pillows and blankets and we settled in on the sofa to watch this long anticipated movie. It was everything I/we hoped. A beautiful ginger, Bob is not only an incredible feline but is an excellent actor as were the supporting players (after all, clearly Bob was the “star”).

If you haven’t read the book, I recommend doing so then seeing the movie.

Don’t we all need stories that leave us feeling happy, warm and fuzzy these days? 😸

“Wish You Well”, a book recommendation – UPDATE

September 10, 2015July 23, 2016 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 6 Comments

Since I received a Kindle as a retirement gift, it’s been unusual for me to read a hardcover book, a Kindle is just so……easy! However, Spence doesn’t use a Kindle and is an avid reader with shelves of books decorating our home.

Last week after Spence asked for about the zillionth time “are you ever going to read that Baldacci book, Wish You Well?” I knew he’d really loved it and decided the time was now.

For those familiar with Baldacci, it’s a very different subject and style from his typical writing – and likely, his most personal novel. I became hooked very quickly. I don’t believe in giving away the story so I will simply tempt you by saying that it is an endearing tale that is so beautifully crafted both in characters and passages, that it made me “slow down” when reading it. I quite literally savored each moment and didn’t want it to end.

I’m hoping that Hollywood will turn this into a movie…….it would be Oscar worthy. If you’re looking for a good read, please consider putting this on your list.

UPDATE: Much to my surprise, I found this has been made into a movie, released this year – extremely well done. It stars Ellen Burstyn and Josh Lucas and follows the book beautifully! Read the book first…..

Looking for a few good books?

February 2, 2015July 23, 2016 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 4 Comments

So many books, so little time........ — So many books, so little time……..

As we now wave “buh-bye” to January, February looms ahead. If you’re looking for some good reads to pass the long days of winter, I’m sharing another rather diverse list of books, favorites of Spence’s Girl.

Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson (includes The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Reading, my favorite winter sport!

January 23, 2015May 15, 2018 ~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

At this time of year when I will look for reasons NOT to go outside into the cold, I embrace my love of reading more than ever. That said, if you are like-minded and looking for some good book recommendations, I’ve decided to share a few of my best reads from the last year and some old favorites. “Read on” (pun intended)

Recent Reads:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Happy(ish) by Cara Trautman
Don’t Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Secondhand Heart by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The All-Girls Filling Station Reunion by Fannie Flagg
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

And if you search under CATEGORIES on my blog for an extended review and recommendation, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is such a worthwhile read.

My All Time Favorites:

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Stand by Stephen King
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

For the love of a Kindle and my first book recommendation

November 15, 2014July 23, 2016 ~ Spence's Girl ~ 4 Comments

I had resisted getting a Kindle even though my mom and sister had raved about them. What’s the big deal I thought? I love the feel of a book and have a library full of books on my shelves, many as yet unread. So when I retired and they gave me Kindle with a book light and cover I was grateful but wasn’t sure how it would work for me. Well, it goes to prove that there’s something to this new-fangled (okay not that new) technology. Now I wonder how I lived without it. I’ve always loved reading, though usually only found the time when on vacation. Within days of retiring, I packed up to escape Michigan and the Polar Vortex of 2014 and headed for my mom’s in sunny Ft Myers Florida. I took the Kindle so she could hook me up with her knowledge. The first book I downloaded, at her recommendation, was the Rosie Project. She was well into the book at that time and I quickly caught up and passed her. The story is unique, endearing characters and scenes so well crafted that you feel as are a part of it. There were parts that made me laugh aloud (don’t you love when a book can do that?) And parts that were poignant. As I neared the end, I slowed down, not wanting to part company with these characters. The book was originally slated as a screenplay. I can only hope that it will make it’s way to the big screen. This is the type of book I aspire to write and if you haven’t discovered the Rosie Project, please buy the book…..or download it to your Kindle!