"Well, if you are a Christian, then you ought to always be counting your blessings. If a situation arises that troubles you, it must be because you are doubting or weak in faith. The Bible says, 'Rejoice in the Lord always!' You need to be more trusting in the promises of God and in His care; people of faith do not feel distress." Such counsel may sound good, but it is wrong. Just a glance at the title of this article suggests that there is something amiss in this advice. But what is it?
The Scriptures teach the need for balance in one's life and attitudes. Being a Christian does not mean a life without sorrow or troubles. It does not mean that expression of sorrow is a sign of weakness. It does mean that we, with the help of God, maintain a balanced perspective in all of life's circumstances.
The Scriptures talk of this balance in many places. The man or woman of strong faith experiences sorrow, but not so much that life is ruined. People of faith also experience joy at the proper times, but not to the extent, nor in the sense of frivolity so that the serious things in life are treated without reverence. A good passage concerning proper balance is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven; "A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-9).
"The sisters therefore sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, He whom you love is sick." (John 11:3).
Jesus often stayed at Bethany in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus when He was in Judea. He and the family had become close. Loyal friendship was something important to Jesus. He often talked about it. In fact, Jesus later uses the term "our friend" to describe Lazarus (John 11:11).
what Jesus was willing to do for us. His enemies described Him as "a friend of tax-gatherers (publicans) and sinners" (Matthew 11:19) and Jesus proved them correct when He gave His life for us. They meant it as an insult, but Jesus was willing to suffer insult and so much more for His friends. He also said that we are His friends if "you do what I command you." (John 15:14). Do you fit Jesus' definition of "friend" ? Lazarus did; he was Jesus' good friend.
"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, and said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said, 'Lord, Come and see.' Jesus wept. And so the Jews were saying, 'Behold, how He loved Him!" (John 11:33-36).
Jesus knew that He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, so why was He so disturbed by the events of that day? Probably for several reasons.
First, there was His great sense of compassion. He hurt to see others hurt. His emotions were pushed to the limit by witnessing the sorrow of Mary. Those with compassion are able to "weep with them that weep" and all Christians ought to have this ability (Romans 12:15). By the way, Jesus continues to watch with compassion over us today as well, as is shown by His standing at the right hand of God ready to receive Steven's spirit as Steven was being murdered for his faith in Jesus (Acts 8:55,56).
Also, there is the fact that death is the consequence of sin. Shortly, Jesus would be dying on the cross to release us from the sting of death, which is sin (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). But sin is ugly, and the suffering caused by sin is enormous. Sin is something to cry about.
"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you, if you believe you will see the glory of God?' And so, they removed the stone. And Jesus raised up His eyes, and said, 'Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me.' And when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.' He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings..." (John 11:40-44a).
takes away your joy from you." (John 16:20-22). We recall how that later, even when facing persecution, the apostles would still rejoice (Acts 5:41,42).
The Lord means for us to be glad about our lives. This does not mean that we are giddy or silly about it, or that we do not give sober consideration to serious things. It does mean that there is an ever present joy, even during difficult times, that comes from the realization of God's purpose and love at work within our lives as we dedicate ourselves to His calling. Again, like Jesus, who though sorrowful at Lazarus' death, there was also a gladness within Him that God's purpose would be fulfilled. He said, "and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Let us go to him." (John 11:15).
her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies." (John 11:23-25).
"afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8,9).
Yes, the Lord brings balance to our lives, and this in turn gives us hope; which in turn gives us strength. There is a time for everything; good times and bad times. But there is never a time to give up. There is a time to "weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice" but there is never a time not to live by faith. In fact, please note that obedience of the gospel of Christ is necessary for this balance to be achieved and maintained. Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done...Blessed are those who wash their, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates of the city." (Revelation 22:12-14).
The Scriptures also state, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world-our faith." (1 John 5:2,3). Maintain your balance!


As I wrote on my professional blog when reviewing his YA novel Fog a Dox on my LisaHillSchoolStuff blog, Bruce Pascoe, of Bunerong-Tasmanian heritage, is an award-winning indigenous author, editor and compiler of anthologies. In addition to writing a number of novels and non-fiction books for adults, he has also published a Wathaurong dictionary to support the retrieval and teaching of the Wathaurong language in south-western Victoria. Fog a Dox won the YA category in the 2013 Prime Minister's Literary Awards and last year I reviewed Pascoe's remarkable story of indigenous agricultural practice, Dark Emu which IMO is destined to become an essential reference book for anyone wanting to know about how this country was farmed prior to European settlement.
Earth (2001) is the fifth of Pascoe's novels, which include Fox (1988); Shark (1999); Ruby-eyed Coucal (1996); Ribcage (1999) Ocean, (2002); Bloke (2009) and Fog a Dox (2012). On the strength of this one, I'm now on the lookout for the others, some of which are still in print at Magabala Books.
Written entirely in dialogue from which the reader derives the characterisation, setting and plot, Earth tells a story from the Werribee district west of Melbourne in colonial 19th century Victoria. (Allusion to the first Royal Visit to Australia by Prince Albert dates the ending as 1867). Characters based on real life people include William Angliss and Sir Redmond Barry who have a conversation suggesting that bribing the Governor could be a way of countering the proposal to 'allow the true titleholders free access to their tribal land'. The strategy might also be supplemented by reviving talk about black insurrectionists (i.e. freedom fighters) and perhaps there could also be some interference in the investigation of the untimely deaths of the sheep killers on the Werribee'. (p. 72) These characters needn't have worried because the trial was a circus. There was blatant flouting of the rules of evidence and flagrant dismissal of the prosecutor's attempt to get justice for the three Aborigines who'd been summarily massacred by Officer McCallum for the theft of one sheep, Moorabool, Parnum and Mariwun.
One of the witnesses, Frank Palmer, is ambivalent about his Aboriginality and represents the struggle for identity that characterised the invidious position of indigenous people in this period. Although he 'passes for White', he is descended from King Billy, (a character who may have been be modelled on King Billy of Ballarat, a Wathaurong man who is briefly mentioned in a book called Black Gold: Aboriginal People on the Goldfields of Victoria, 1850-1870 by Fred Cahir.) But Frank is initially very anxious when his grandson Alf tells him what he's been told about his indigenous relations, because he fears the discrimination that will result. Married to Claudie, a white woman with whom he has a loving and respectful relationship, Frank eventually has to confront his self-suppressed heritage when young Betty, raped by the local lout Eric Pearson, has her son taken away. With Claudie's reluctant support he takes on a quiet battle for custody of the baby.
There is a glossary of the Wathaurong language, from the Ballarat, Geelong and Airey's Inlet region, at the back of the book, but I found that most of the time I could guess the meaning, as in this excerpt you can guess that kurraiyn means salt. (There are still large salt pans in the Geelong area at Moolap, and of course the salt was traded prior to European settlement).
Sit still and listen, because in a few bloody sunrises I'm gettin' back to fixin' up your bloody excrement and plastic bags. Who invented the plastic bag? One of them men, I bet.
This isn't the only example of Bruce Pascoe's playful sense of humour, and Frank and Claudie's love story is beautiful.
Since this is written entirely in dialogue how easy is it to follow who is speaking?


text:
Q: R Sampling with proportions based on labels in the data I am trying to sample my dataset with particular logic.
I want to sample my data with certain portions for each labeled id. I wonder if there is this type of option in the sample() function in R
A simple description of my dataset is:
       id mode OD_ID
1:  50909    1     1
2:  62024    1     1
3:  82812    1     1
4: 100593    1     1
5: 150391    2     1
6: 159413    2     1
7: 132134    2     1
8: 111111    2     1
9:  78524    3     1
10:802212    3     1
   .
   .
   .

I would like to sample this data with certain ratio of column "mode" within the same id column "OD_ID"
For example i would like to sample data with columns OD_ID=1, with different ratio of "mode"
I would like my sampled dataset with mode=1 71% mode=2 21% and mode=3 8%.
I have more data with sufficient number of rows and I want the sampled data set to have 10 data for each OD_ID. I would also want to round up the number of columns of the samples to the closest integer.
So an example of my output would be
      id mode OD_ID
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    1     1
  some id    2     1
  some id    2     1
  some id    1     1
   .
   .
   .
  some id    1     2
   .
   .
   .

with sampled data of 71% of mode 1 21% of mode2 8% of mode 3 for each pair of OD_ID
I would appreciate some help.

A: Consider this function
sample_p <- function(lab, n, p) {
  stopifnot(sum(p) == 1)
  p <- p[as.character(unique(lab))]
  p <- p / sum(p)
  sizes <- round(n * p)
  unlist(lapply(names(sizes), function(nm, x, s) {
    sample(x[[nm]], s[[nm]])
  }, split(seq_along(lab), lab), sizes))
}

Then you can do something like this
library(dplyr)
df %>%
  group_by(OD_ID) %>%
  slice(sample_p(.data$mode, 10, c(`1` = 0.71, `2` = 0.21, `3` = 0.08)))

Use this dataframe as an example
set.seed(2020)
df <- data.frame(
  id = sample.int(1e6, 200),
  mode = sample(c(1, 2, 3), 200, T),
  OD_ID = rep(c(1, 2), each = 100)
)

The output looks like this
# A tibble: 20 x 3
# Groups:   OD_ID [2]
       id  mode OD_ID
    <int> <dbl> <dbl>
 1 779894     3     1
 2 797304     2     1
 3 210680     2     1
 4 753704     1     1
 5 503423     1     1
 6 645002     1     1
 7  27814     1     1
 8 334087     1     1
 9 922379     1     1
10 330177     1     1
11 757881     3     2
12 712945     1     2
13 312035     1     2
14 760862     1     2
15 553939     1     2
16 119729     1     2
17 336224     1     2
18 828775     1     2
19 425781     2     2
20 339844     2     2

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Neon Staxx Slot takes you back in time to the 1980s. Alive with bright colors and synthesized sound effects, you'll appreciate this game's theme and its bonuses, which include both a SuperStaxx feature and a Free Spins feature. With this hot title from NetEnt, you have the chance of spinning a big win!
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As for the Free Spins bonus feature, this is activated when you land 3 or more triangles (the scatter symbol) anywhere on the reels. 3 triangles awards 10 free spins, 4 rewards 15, and 5 give you 20. Although free spins cannot be re-triggered, during this bonus round, a game symbol will be randomly selected and will be stacked for all free spins.


text:
Camp Creek Parkway sets path for growth
Submitted by Atlanta Busines... on Friday, March 22nd, 7:41 am
ATLANTA -- There's more momentum to stimulate growth on Atlanta's south side.
Community leaders have launched an effort to form a community improvement district, or CID, on Camp Creek Parkway, a corridor that developers began to focus on several years ago, turning it into a magnet for new logistics operations and retail projects.
They want the district in place by mid-July.
It aims to stem the tide of fatal car crashes that have plagued Camp Creek Parkway, and it could spur revitalization of the Aiport West Market Area. It also comes as local leaders try to expand the concept of the Aerotropolis, an urban development plan anchored by a major airport -- in this case, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.
JP Morgan Chase, Brookings Institution start Global Cities Initiative in Atlanta
Thursday, March 21st, 2013, 3:16pm
(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE) -- Metro Atlanta leaders will seek to grow the region's global business opportunities through a new initiative kicked off Wednesday by JP Morgan Chase and the Brookings Institution.
The Global Cities Initiative, which is part of a five-year, $10 million multi-city effort ultimately will forge new city-to-city partnerships to create trade and economic relationships to prosper from the growing urbanization of the world's population.
Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed said the initiative takes advantage of growing businesses through exporting and by recognizing that the "Made in USA" brand is becoming increasingly valuable in the world.
The two-day conference, held at the Academy of Medicine on the Georgia Tech Campus, will lead to a new Metropolitan Export Plan for Atlanta.
Delta boosts Los Angeles flying
Thursday, March 7th, 2013, 6:30am
LOS ANGELES -- Delta is adding flights in Los Angeles, continuing a slow-but-steady buildup in one of the world's biggest markets for air travel.
It's also adding bigger planes for some flights to John F. Kennedy airport in New York, with a higher-end seat in first class.
The eight new destinations include Seattle, Spokane, Wash., San Jose, and Anchorage. It's also adding Nashville - a key destination for people in the music business.
Delta has been adding partnerships with other airlines that bring passengers to Los Angeles, including Virgin Australia and Alaska Airlines. Those passengers can then transfer to Delta flights to other parts of the U.S.
Delta Air Lines Inc. has about 12 percent of the departures from Los Angeles, putting it in third place there, behind United and American.
Chick-fil-A sales jump 12 percent in 2012
Submitted by Atlanta Busines... on Wednesday, January 30th, 12:16 pm
ATLANTA -- Chick-fil-A's sales growth continued in 2012, despite last summer's gay marriage/gay rights controversy.
The Atlanta-based fast food chain generated $4.6 billion in sales last year, up about 12 percent from $4.1 billion in 2011.
RELATED | Chick-fil-A thrives despite gay rights issues
PHOTOS | Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day
Chick-fil-A also opened 96 restaurants in 2012, bringing its count to 1,960 locations in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
It further claimed nearly 7,000 jobs created nationwide through new restaurant openings and existing restaurant growth.
Bank of America adds 35 small biz bankers in Atlanta
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, 3:44pm
ATLANTA -- Bank of America Corp. reported Wednesday it hit its target of hiring more that 1,000 small business bankers in 2012, including 35 in Metro Atlanta.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank said it extended $280.2 million in credit to Georgia small businesses and $8.7 billion nationally last year. The $8.7 billion was an increase of 28 percent over 2011.
It recently reported net income of $2.8 billion for 2012. It also saw its head count shrink by about 5,000 employees to 267,190 in the fourth quarter, evidence that BofA is still trimming staff levels as it works to lower its expenses. Branches also continued to close, with BofA reporting 5,478 banking centers across its U.S. franchise at the end of the year, down from 5,702 centers a year earlier.
Bank of America is the third-largest bank in metro Atlanta with 145 local branches and $20.4 billion in area deposits for a market share of 17 percent.
Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton sue HSBC over predatory lending
Tuesday, December 25th, 2012, 8:02am
ATLANTA -- Three Atlanta-area counties have filed a lawsuit claiming that British bank HSBC engaged in predatory lending that ended up costing them hundreds of millions of dollars.
Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties say the bank aggressively signed minorities to housing loans that were likely to fail. The counties say it caused tremendous damage, including extra expenses and lost tax revenue.
The lawsuit says the banks violated the Fair Housing Act, which provides protections against housing or renting policies or practices that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or handicap.
A lawyer for HSBC said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in October. A federal judge has given the bank until Jan. 25 to file a response.
Spanx! expands to Atlanta airport
Submitted by 11Alive on Friday, December 14th, 11:57 am
ATLANTA -- Atlanta billionaire Sara Blakely has been running in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for 15 years promoting Spanx!, and now her popular shapewear will be sold in the airport itself.
RELATED | Spanx!, a $1 billion idea
MORE | Men shaping up with Spanx!
Rather than cutting a ribbon, her team cut tied-together Spanx! to celebrate their opening in terminal E.
The company headquarters is now in Buckhead, but she first operated out of her rented Virginia Highland apartment.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Integrate Tamagui with existing Expo React Native app After a while of reading Tamagui docs https://tamagui.dev/docs/guides/expo
I think Tamagui is used in Expo only when it is generated along with Expo project with this command  npm create tamagui.
If Tamagui actually can be integrated with existing Expo React Native app, please drop me docs or tutorials.
Thanks in advance.


It's Friday, Friday, gotta write a blog post on Friday!
Hitting memes at the height of their popularity is easy. Dredging up memories weeks or months later is more fun.
Now, on to today's Better Know a WebDev! In this corner, the Terror of Tulsa, the Oracle of Oklahoma, Luuuuuke Croooouch!
Most of my side projects are caught up in http://tulsawebdevs.org, of which I'm the Chief Sanitation Officer. Specifically, I'm scraping some local public data and preparing for http://tulsahackathon.com.
I also brew my own beer as often as I can. Once a month I retreat to a Benedictine Abbey here in Oklahoma to brew beer with them.
How did you get started in web development or programming?
I picked up an HTML book around '93, kicked around in Flash while, took the Pascal, C, and Java classes in high school and took a webmaster vocational tech class. But I really decided to stick with web development when I hacked out my first database-powered HTML page one night in college – a table with 2 rows of dynamically-generated content using SQL Server and ASP on IIS!
I've used Firefox since I switched from Netscape Navigator. But I had only ever skirted around the contribution path (a behavior I'm also trying to address with our WebDev Stewards stuff).
As for working here, that's a little complicated and involved a lot of luck! I built ajaxMyTop while doing "enterprise" development. When I got an unsolicited patch for it, I was hooked forever on the open-source model. So when I saw an online job posting for SourceForge.net, I jumped on it, got in, and learned a ton about open-source and web development. Four years later I saw an online job posting at Mozilla and I jumped again!
What's a funny fail story or mistake you can share?
Don't push big code changes while you're at a conference!
We pushed changes to the SourceForge.net File Release System and corresponding download redirector while at OSCON '09. It caused recursive redirects which broke all SourceForge.net downloads for over an hour! (Millions of downloads) The conference WiFi broke so a dozen of us had to share a single 2G cell phone 'net connection to fix it.
I was honored to give the keynote talk at PHP Conference Brasil in 2008, where I showed how SourceForge.net used PHP. I'm proud of all the Tulsa Web Devs – doing stuff every bit as cool as the web scenes in other towns. I'm proud of my wife for putting up with all my quirks and my nearly mono-maniacal focus on web development.
All of Mozilla's new stuff – Boot to Gecko, Apps, and Persona are extremely important projects for the internet. I'm trying to patch dochub so it could serve as MDN's Open Web App, and I think we could try some cool things like MDN Open Web Badges. I also like the idea of using a federated wiki protocol for web documentation, and hosting web developer html5 ebooks on MDN.
What's with the name 'groovecoder'? It actually started as 'groovepapa' – a silly gaming handle I used for Marathon LAN parties because I always danced to techno music in my chair while playing. As I coded more, it turned into 'groovecoder' but it was still just a silly name. After reading The Productive Programmer, I find it describes me well – I want to be "in the groove" when I code.
If you operated a food truck, what would be your specialty?
My truck would be "Stews and Brews" – it would serve a bowl of soup with a pint of beer.


text:
Selwyn Kete :Lincoln and Districts Historical Society
Browse: Site or Lincoln and Districts Historical Society
Newsletter / Lincoln & Districts Historical Society Inc. no. 43 (April 2017)
Filename: Newsletter-43-2017-April.pdf ( download )
Document type: application/pdf ( )
Greenpark Memorial Hall by John P. Stalker p. 1
A brief history of the Greenpark Memorial Hall, erected as a Memorial to the solders of the First World War, compiled using the diaries of Ellesmere John Stalker and reports from The Press, and Ellesmere Guardian.
Editorial by Rupert Tipples, p. 1
John Gerken, by Neville Moar, p. 2
A short account of John Gerken's life in the Tai Tapu district. He, his wife Catherine Mary Elizabeth Evers and three children arrived in Lyttelton in October 1855 aboard the 'Cashmere'.
Fanny Fitzgerald, by Margaret Hannan, p. 2-4
'Why, asked one of Fanny's friends is ...'nothing said about the Pilgrim Mothers?" Margaret rectifies this for Fanny Fitzgerald in this wonderful paper , which she first presented at the L&DH Society field trip to The Springs / Chudleigh on 19 March 2017.
Obituary: Malcolm Gordon 4 June 1935 - 25 February 2017, by Alison Barwick, p. 4
Malcolm Gordon set up the Liffey Cottage Action Committee in 1975, was President of Lincoln & Districts Historical Society, and was made a life member of the Society in 2005, 'in recognition of his thirty years of devotion to fostering an awareness of local history and doing something about it."
LADHS AdG
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Tags: WWI, J. E. Fitzgerald, Springs Station, Greenpark, Greenpark Hall and Memorial, Gerken Family, Tai Tapu, German immigrants, Fanny Fitzgerald, Farming, Pioneer women
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Amazon's voice-activated personal assistant could be much more helpful if these features were better developed.
Now, when Amazon is introducing a ton of new Alexa-enabled devices, it's worth stressing that all those devices will be as good as the system they are depending on.
And Alexa is improving at a slower pace than the hardware. The system is still English-centric, and what Alexa hears is still a mystery. Alexa is also not reliable enough to become the only means of controlling the smart home.
A 2nd-generation Echo Show, an AmazonBasics Alexa-activated microwave, or Amazon Smart Plug would be more helpful and less stressing if Amazon spent more time on improving the following areas.
Alexa was launched in November 2014. After four years, Alexa speaks in three languages: English, German, and Japanese. Three more (French, Spanish, and Italian) are available for developers of Alexa Skills.
To compare, Apple's Siri supports 20 languages. For the most popular ones, such as English, Chinese, Spanish, or French, there are different dialects and accents available.
What about Google Assistant? Google is planning to make their voice-operated system speak in 30 languages by the end of 2018.
As you see, Amazon is well behind competitors when it comes to reaching international customers. And international customers are buying Alexa-enabled devices, because Amazon sells them.
Having in mind that to communicate with the voice assistant you need a few hundreds of words, Amazon should push harder to introduce new languages.
Alexa is behind competitors also when it comes to a choice of available voices.
If the system supports multiple accents of a single language, it should also enable users to choose from voices using these accents.
Plus, there should be an option to choose between a few female and male voices, just like it's done in Apple's Siri.
"Google" is a specific name. "Siri" is a specific and strange word. You can't confuse them with other words that sound similar.
You can confuse "Alexa." Have you noticed that Amazon's voice assistant won't get activated when the second "a" is not low and loud enough?
It's because Alexa can be confused with Alex. And Alex is #98 most popular boy name in 2018.
There should also be an option to add a second word to the wake command. "Hey, Alexa" is an example.
Voice-activated assistant share one common feature: they speak better than they hear.
That's why to effectively use Alexa or Siri you have to speak louder and clearer than you would speak to a person being in the same distance as the voice assistant.
A personal assistant would become user-friendly the moment you would communicate with it in the same manner as with another person.
Alexa is still far behind from being user-friendly. When you open the Alexa app and check out history, you may see how many of your commands were dropped or misunderstood.
Alexa can be used not only on Echo smart speakers but also every other device that has Amazon Alexa app installed.
To make Alexa better hear you, you could try voice learning. The feature is available in the Alexa app for Amazon Fire, iOS, or Android.
To let Alexa learn your voice, you will need to use an Echo speaker. I can't find a good reason for this. A microphone in the iPhone is good enough to activate and use Alexa. Why is it not good enough for setting up the voice profile?
Using the second word for the wake command is also good because of the timing.
When speaking "Alexa," one word is used to wake up and confirm activation. As a result, there is a moment of silence between you stop and Alexa starts.
Obviously, the delay depends on many factors, including the internet connection speed and stability, but sometimes it's too long – long enough for you to repeat the commands because you come to a conclusion you haven't activated Alexa in the first place.
A second word in the wake command, a longer confirmation sound – these are the ways to relatively shorten the response time if there is no way to actually do it.
From the user's point of view, Alexa app is a brain of Amazon's voice-operated system. You can change settings here, see your interaction history, or set preferences for specific features.
The app as such is just fine. The only problem – and it's a huge problem – is that it stalls too often.
I've been using it on my 7th-generation Amazon Fire HD 8, and though it may not be because of the app but the Fire.
When I installed the app on the iPhone, it stalls too. And I only use it to change settings, and not activate Alexa.
A good thing about music on Alexa is that you can decide which service you want to use to play the music. You can do the same when customizing the Flash Briefings module.
Amazon should allow other services for other options as well, naming only video services or audiobooks.


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text:
Selected Shorts: Are We There Yet? (Original Staging)
By Stuart Dybek, Martha Gellhorn, Edward P. Jones & Annie Proulx
Genre: Speakers & Storytellers
℗ © 2008 Symphony Space, Inc.
Selected Shorts: Are We There Yet? (Orig Stuart Dybek, Martha Gellhorn, Edward P. Jones & Annie Proulx Get Full Audiobook
More by Stuart Dybek, Martha Gellhorn, Edward P. Jones & Annie Proulx
Stuart Dybek, Martha Gellhorn, Edward P. Jones & Annie Proulx
Stuart Dybek, Dorothy Thomas, Annie Proulx, Edward P. Jones, Eudora Welty, James Thurber & Martha Gellhorn


text:
Atmospheric and Haunting, The Cutting Season Gets High Marks From Me
Caren Gray never intended to return to the Louisiana plantation where she grew up. Serving in the "big house" was her mother's ambition—never hers. But, here she is anyway, walking the land where slaves once toiled. If she'd been born 150 years earlier, Caren would have been working alongside those dark-skinned workers—her ancestors—cutting cane, polishing the master's silver, and raising a family in the tiny slave cottages that still stand on Belle Vie's vast grounds. Instead, she makes good money managing the plantation, inviting everyone from schoolchildren to senior citizens to visit and learn from its history. Maybe it's not the career she imagined for herself, but it works for the 37-year-old single mother.
Then, comes a terrible discovery: the body of a young migrant worker is found on the grounds of Belle Vie. Murder. Caren doesn't recognize the dead woman, but the vicious killing rocks her to her core. She's always felt safe at Belle Vie (the plantation's ghosts notwithstanding), but now she worries—are she and her 9-year-old daughter safe living in such an isolated spot?
As the police struggle to find the murderer, Caren finds herself and many of the people she works with at the center of the investigation. Caren knows she didn't commit the crime, but who did? Was it someone who knew the woman well, a fellow laborer, perhaps? Or a local, upset with the migrant workers for "stealing" jobs that could belong to him? And then there's Groveland—plenty of people are angry with the corporation's aggressive land-grabbing tactics. Could a fanatic protester have gone too far? Or is the killer something less down-to-Earth? Because, as no one but Caren knows, this isn't the first murder to have happened on the grounds of Belle Vie. Maybe the slaves are finally getting their revenge ...
Although I didn't care much for Attica Locke's debut novel, Black Water Rising, I loved her sophomore attempt. The Cutting Season offers just about everything I look for in a literary thriller—a twisty plot, complex characters, a vivid setting, skilled writing, etc. Atmospheric and haunting, the story kept me mesmerized from beginning to end. I don't give out A's very often, but this one definitely deserves—and receives—high marks from me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a teensy bit of Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman)
Grade: A-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence and mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Cutting Season from the generous folks at Harper Collins. Thank you!
Labels:2013 50 States Challenge,A Grade Books,Adult Novels,Attica Locke,Baby Steps Books,Literary Thrillers,Murder Mysteries,R-rated Books,Slavery,U.S. Settings: Louisiana | 1 bookworm(s) said...
New Bracken Paranormal More of the Same Ole, Same Ole
Ruby Daly wakes up on her 10th birthday expecting the usual fanfare—hugs, kisses and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. That's not what happens. Not by a long shot. What does happen gets Ruby sent away to a government-run camp for "special" kids like her. Six years later, she's still there, still trying to understand the dark, dangerous powers swirling inside her. The harsh "rehabilitation" camp hasn't changed Ruby, except to make her more cautious, more lonely and more scared. Kids on the "outside" don't live past age 10; kids in the camp do, but to what end? To become powerful machines with no families, no friends, no futures? Ruby doesn't want that kind of "life."
When Ruby sees a chance to escape the camp, she takes it without looking back. But "freedom" isn't quite what it's cracked up to be either. Now, she's on the run, hiding from various enemies, one more cunning than the next. She doesn't mean to involve anyone else in her problem, but hooking up with a small band of fugitives like herself might be the only thing that can save her. Or kill her faster. As her pursuers get ever more desperate, it's starting to look like the latter ...
The Darkest Minds, a new paranormal YA novel by Alexandra Bracken, has received all kinds of buzz around the book blogosphere. I'm still trying to figure out why, exactly. Yes, it's an intense, non-stop action kind of book, but, the story line feels way too familiar. Like something I've read before—over and over and over. Same goes for the characters, the romance, the, well, everything. Add copyediting issues to the mix and you see why The Darkest Minds just didn't earn my eternal book love. It kept me reading, I will say that. It just needed some originality, a streamlined plot and a better-developed cast. In other words, a major re-write. No biggie.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Gone series by Michael Grant; Doomed by Tracy Deebs; and a little of the Unwind series by Neal Shusterman)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a few F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Darkest Minds from the generous folks at Disney/Hyperion. Thank you!
Labels:Alexandra Bracken,C Grade Books,Dystopian Fiction,Paranormal,R-rated Books,YA Novels | 9 bookworm(s) said...
Trigiani's Second YA A Little too Ho-Hum For Me
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Viola in the Spotlight, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Viola in Reel Life. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
After spending a year at a boarding school in the middle of Nowhere, Indiana, 15-year-old Viola Chesterton is thrilled to be back in New York. Brooklyn just feels right. It's home—the place where people get her clothes, get her shoes, get her. Sure, she misses her roommates from Prefect, but here she has her family and her original BFFAAs, Andrew Bozelli and Caitlin Pullapilly. Viola can't wait to spend the summer with her besties, eating at all the restaurants she's missed, bicycling in Prospect Park, and sunbathing at Rockaway Beach. It's going to be perfect.
Then, Andrew announces that he'll be spending most of the summer at a sleepaway camp in Maine and Caitlin mentions her new, full-time job at a dental office. Suddenly, Viola's perfect summer is looking a little ... lonely. When a cute British teenager moves into the Chesterton's downstairs apartment, she perks up—oooh, the possibilities—but Maurice has someone else in his sights, someone whose parents don't want her even going near a boy. Before she knows it, Viola's summer has become a whole lot more exciting than she ever dreamed it could be, just not necessarily in a good way. She's running interference for Caitlin and Maurice, interning for a cranky lighting director, and trying to figure out what exactly is making Andrew act so weird around her. Viola's cracking under all the pressure. She can't help asking herself some uncomfortable questions: Was coming home the right thing to do? Does she fit in in Brooklyn anymore? Did she leave her heart—not to mention her true friends—back in Indiana? Viola's going to have to decide where she really belongs. If, of course, she survives what is turning out to be a very interesting summer ...
As much as I adore Adriana Trigiani's adult novels, I haven't loved the author's YA series. I'm not sure why, since its filled with the same kind of warmth as her other books. It's just that our heroine—Viola—doesn't quite do it for me. She's funny, for sure, but she's also kind of self-centered and whiny. Plus, Viola in the Spotlight doesn't offer much in the way of a plot. So, while the book's entertaining enough, it's not going to stick out in a crowd of contemporary YA novels. I really want to love this series, but it's more ho-hum than I would have expected from an author like Trigiani. In the end, I found Viola in the Spotlight, like its predecessor (Viola in Reel Life) to be just okay. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for nothing offensive, just content most suited for readers aged 12 and up
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Viola in the Spotlight from the generous folks at HarperTeen. Thank you!
Labels:2013 50 States Challenge,Adriana Trigiani,B Grade Books,PG-rated books,U.S. Settings: New York,YA Novels | 1 bookworm(s) said...
Stunning, Sweeping, Superior—No Matter Which Words You Choose, Unbroken Is Amazing
In 1936, Louis Zamperini—a California boy born of two Italian immigrants—was on top of the world. After breaking records in his home state and beyond, the 26-year-old runner traveled to Berlin to compete in the Olympics. He didn't medal, but that didn't dim his dream at all—he simply trained harder, his sights set on the 1940 games. Little did Zamperini know that that competition would never occur. Or that a few years later, he'd be trapped in a Japanese prison camp, his finely-toned body wasting away from the effects of starvation, dehydration and frequent beatings. Louis Zamperini's journey from one extreme to the other is a tale so incredible, so inconceivable, so totally unbelievable that it can only be fiction.
Except it's not.
It's easy to see why journalist Laura Hillenbrand chose Louis Zamperini's story to be the subject of her second book. The tale has all the daring, desperation and drama of the most action-packed thriller. The fact that Zamperini is a real person just makes it more affecting. As she did in Seabiscuit—her best-selling debut—Hillenbrand breathes vivid life into her hero, drawing readers into Zamperini's story with subtle, but significant skill. I'd put off reading Unbroken, despite fervent recommendations from family and friends, because it just didn't sound like "my" kind of book. Here's the thing, though: It didn't matter one whit. Unbroken hooked me from the very first page, stunning me with each new detail, mesmerizing me with every word, every scene. Absorbing doesn't begin to describe this one. Stunning, epic, sweeping—I don't even know which words to use. Except for these two: read it.
(Readalikes: Other books about WWII and the prison camp experience, although no specific titles are coming to mind. Help?)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (one F-bomb, plus milder invectives), violence, and disturbing scenes/subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Unbroken from Changing Hands Bookstore with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Labels:A Grade Books,Japan,Laura Hillenbrand,Louis Zamperini,Non-Fiction,PG 13-rated Books,Prisoners of War,U.S. History,World War II | 12 bookworm(s) said...
Two Sisters, Two Choices, Zero Hope of Survival
Sofia "Fia" Rosen knew she was different, even from the beginning. Her super reflexes—always perfectly honed—just weren't natural. In her 17 years on God's green Earth, she's never met another person with the same infallible instincts. Perhaps, she is the only one. They certainly believe so. They see her vast potential as a spy, a weapon, an assassin. They will not let her go. They know Fia won't resist them, not when they hold that which is most precious to her hostage.
Annie Rosen's not as "gifted" as Fia and thus not as useful to her captors. Still, her abilities as a Seer come in handy—for them and for her. Mostly, Annie's visions leave her trembling and terrified; in them, Fia's always in danger. Annie may be blind, but she can see what's happening to her little sister. And she doesn't like it, not one bit. But, as much as she's encouraged it, Annie knows Fia will never try to escape Them, not as long as They have Annie.
Caught between two impossible choices, Fia must decide how far she's willing to go to keep her sister safe. How much can she risk before she no longer recognizes the girl in the mirror? Can she sacrifice Annie to save herself from becoming a monstrous killing machine? Is there no escape for the two girls? Fia's instincts are flawless, but even she can't see a way out of this one ...
Mind Games, the newest paranormal offering from Kiersten White (available February 19, 2013), takes a darker turn than the author's Paranormalcy trilogy. In her latest, White uses stark, staccato prose, to create a tense, action-packed story that grabs the reader's attention from paragraph one and just doesn't let go. It's exciting, for sure, but also confusing as it vacillates between past and present. In the end, I enjoyed this fast-paced read, without totally loving it. With a little more background, a little more build-up, I probably would have liked it more. Still, you better believe I'll be reading the sequel, if only to find out what the fierce, unpredictable Fia does next.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about teenagers in possession of deadly powers, I just can't think of any specific titles. Ideas?)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo and depictions of underage drinking/partying
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Mind Games (via Edelweiss) from the generous folks at HarperTeen. Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Kiersten White,LDS Authors,Paranormal,PG 13-rated Books,YA Novels | 2 bookworm(s) said...
Another Decent (But Not Dazzling) Contemporary YA
Aggie Winchester's got better things to worry about than who'll be elected Prom Queen. Goths don't care about that kind of stuff anyway. And she is a Goth. Kinda. She's got the heavy makeup, the black clothes and the don't-mess-with-me glare—it's just that sometimes she feels like a goody-to-shoes playing dress-up. Still, Prom's the least of her concerns. Especially when she's dealing with her mother's cancer, her ex-boyfriend's stupid games and news of her best friend's pregnancy. Who has time to waste on a lame-o school dance?
Then, the unthinkable—or, at least the totally unbelievable—happens: Sylvia Ness is nominated for Prom Queen. Sylvia is Aggie's BFF. Her fierce, Goth girl BFF. The one who's going to be a mother in less than a year. It's a controversy that sets the whole school, the whole community ablaze. Weirdest of all, Sylvia actually wants to win. And while she's courting votes, Sylvia's cozying up to the popular crowd, ignoring Aggie, who's supposed to be her best friend. Aggie needs Sylvia now more than ever, but all she's got is goofy, bass-fishing Fitz Peterson.
Aggie doesn't know how to solve any of her problems. Heck, she can't even figure out what should be the easiest question of them all—Who is she, really? A goody-goody? A Goth? Neither? Both? She doesn't know anymore. But, as Aggie tries to figure it all out, she'll learn some important lessons about family, friendship and, believe it or not, fishing.
It's hard not to relate to a heroine as confused and conflicted as Aggie Winchester. She may not be the most likable girl out there, but she's definitely sympathetic. She's also funny, tough and, in spite of herself, tender. Still, her story drags a little, especially at first. When it picks up, though, the novel becomes engrossing, thoughtful and real. While I didn't absolutely love The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin, I liked it well enough. The writing's solid, the characters are interesting and the plot kept me entertained. So, all in all, a decent read.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, sexual content and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester from the generous folks at G.P. Putnam's Sons (a division of Penguin Young Readers Group). Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Contemporary YA,Fishing,Friendship,Lara Zielin,R-rated Books,Teenage Pregnancy,U.S. Settings: Minnesota,YA Novels | 8 bookworm(s) said...
Finishing and Following Through: How One Woman Changed Her Life By Doing Just That (You Can, Too!)
Every January, a new crop of weight loss books pops up. Some promise do-it-quick diets, others fast, fat-blasting exercises—all assure would-be "losers" that they can be skinny, without spending too much time, money or energy. Uh huh. Finished Being Fat, a new inspirational memoir by Betsy Schow, isn't like that. Yes, it's about a 30-year-old woman who loses 75 pounds in a year. Yes, it chronicles her journey from couch potato to marathon runner. But, no, it's not a how-to book. It's not a diet book. It's a book about changing your life through hard work, determination and a staunch refusal to give up on a goal—no matter what.
As a chubby child, Schow endured ridicule from her peers, pressure from her parents and loathing from herself. She tried every diet in the book. Nothing worked—at least not for long. By the time she reached 30, Schow was still overweight, still depressed, still convinced that a worthless person like her shouldn't even bother trying because she would never succeed. She simply was not a finisher. She was someone who talked big, planned big and failed big. Following through just wasn't in her DNA, apparently.
Then, Schow had an epiphany: what if she did finish something? Like, say, a marathon? Determined to prove she could do the impossible, the stay-at-home mom got off the couch and started training. Replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations, she kept running through inclement weather, injury, exhaustion, and every other kind of roadblock. But as the marathon date approached, Schow balked—could she really, truly cross the finish line? Run 26 miles? Impossible. Or was it?
While Schow's regimen seemed a little extreme to me, I still found her story inspirational and motivating. She writes with warmth, humor, and a down-to-Earth sensibility that will speak to anyone who's ever dreamed of doing the impossible. Her advice on finishing is spot-on. While I enjoyed just about everything about Finished Being Fat, the poor copy editing drove me nuts. Typos always jolt me out of a narrative, spoiling the experience for me. Overall, though, I found the book both compelling and convincing.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for nothing offensive, just themes more suitable for teens/adults
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Finished Being Fat from the generous folks at Cedar Fort. Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Betsy Schow,Health,Inspirational Non-Fiction,LDS Authors,Non-Fiction,PG-rated books | 1 bookworm(s) said...
No "Filler" Books Here—Rossi's Second Act Keeps Up the Intensity
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Through the Ever Night, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Under the Never Sky. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Deadly Aether storms, a dwindling food supply, rebellion among his people—as the Tides' new Blood Lord, 19-year-old Peregrine's got plenty to worry about. Not to mention the fact that his nephew's still being held hostage by the Dwellers. And, speaking of Dwellers, Perry hasn't seen Aria for months. He's tried to convince himself it's for the better, that she belongs with her own people, but that doesn't stop the ache he feels when she's not around. He has enough problems. He needs to forget about her. If only he could ...
Then, one day, Perry catches the scent of her on the wind. Aria's back. He's overjoyed, but the rest of the tribe isn't as certain. Trust a Dweller to walk among them? It goes against everything the Tides believe. It's bad enough that Perry's allowing Aria to live with them, but if they knew how he felt about her—that he wants to make her his bride—they'd turn on him for sure. He can't let his people know, not until he's solved their other problems first.
Aria's got her own troubles. If she doesn't find the Still Blue—a mythical, Aether-free land that may not even exist—Consul Hess will kill Perry's nephew. And Talon's not the only one in danger; something's wrong in Reverie. If Aria can't figure out how to save her Dweller friends in time, they could perish, too. As much as she wants to cling to Perry and never let go, she's got her own duties.
As the two of them work to fight their enemies, they'll find themselves in combat with each other as well. Can their love survive the strain of it all? Or, are they better off living apart, sticking with their own kind? Will their worlds endure? Will they?
I'm always a little nervous to read the second book in a series. Often, they act as fillers between more exciting volumes, stalling the action instead of furthering it. Well, rest assured, such is not the case with Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. There's plenty of conflict here, as well as character development and intriguing new subplots. It keeps up the intensity of the first book, while adding original elements to keep the overall story interesting. There's lots to love in this exciting series that really does just keep on getting better.
(Readalikes: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language (no F-bombs), violence and sexual innendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Through the Ever Night (via Edelweiss) from the generous folks at Harper Teen. Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Dystopian Fiction,PG-rated books,Veronica Rossi,YA Novels | 6 bookworm(s) said...
YA Immigration Novel as Exciting and Powerful as, well, a Fire Horse Girl
Everyone knows that girls born in the Year of the Fire Horse take on that animal's worst traits—stubbornness, willfulness, independence. All are qualities guaranteed to bring shame upon her family. With such a portentous zodiac sign, 16-year-old Jade Moon Chang doesn't stand a chance. Every move she makes in her little Chinese village is watched, judged. Finding a man willing to marry such an unlucky girl is the worry of her father and grandfather. Jade Moon fears the same, but for different reasons. The last thing she wants is to remain in her tiny town, leashed by a husband who controls her every step.
Then, a stranger arrives, changing everything. Sterling Promise, Jade Moon's adopted cousin from Hong Kong, comes bearing an amazing opportunity: a chance to live in America. It sounds too good to be true, especially coming from the smooth-talking Sterling Promise. Still, Jade Moon can't contain her excitement. Not only is she leaving Jinjui Village, she's going to America! A Fire Horse is sure to be welcome in that modern, enterprising world.
But, it's 1923, and Chinese immigrants aren't exactly welcomed to the U.S. with open arms. In fact, they're held at Angel Island, near San Francisco. A survey of her fellow detainees confirms that Jade Moon could be held there for days, weeks, even years—as long as it takes to determine she qualifies to stay in America. If she doesn't pass muster, she'll be deported. Jade Moon can't let that happen, but as the weeks roll by, she knows she can't remain on Angel Island either. What is a Fire Horse girl to do? Take matters into her own hands, of course. As Jade Moon takes command of her own destiny, she steps right into San Francisco's ugly underbelly. It's an adventure, sure, but not one anyone—even a Fire Horse girl—is likely to survive.
The Fire Horse Girl, a debut novel by Kay Honeyman, brings the Chinese immigrant experience to vivid life in a story that's as exciting as it is heartfelt. Jade Moon is a sympathetic heroine, likable because of both her bravery and vulnerability. Her adventure doesn't gloss over the harsh realities faced by Chinese immigrants in the 1920s—it celebrates their courage. The Fire Horse Girl kept me thoroughly engrossed, totally entertained and thoroughly charmed. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about Asian immigrants coming to the U.S., especially those by Amy Tan and Lisa See)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language (no F-bombs), violence and references (brief and not overly graphic) to prostitution
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Fire Horse Girl from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Labels:Angel Island,B Grade Books,China/Chinese Culture,Girls Disguised as Boys,Historical Fiction,Kay Honeyman,PG-rated books,The Immigrant Experience,U.S. Settings: California,YA Novels | 1 bookworm(s) said...
Plotless Family Saga Too Tangential, Dull For This Impatient Reader
Although Bakerton, Pennsylvania, may not look like much, it's the kind of small town people never want to leave. Heaven knows, coal mining isn't the most glamorous work, but it sustains many of Bakerton's residents, offering steady—if dangerous—employment. Neighborhoods like Swedetown, Little Italy and Polish Hill provide affordable housing, close-knit communities, and a sense of belonging. Generations of families live there, die there.
Rose Novak, a 43-year-old widow, hails from Italy, but lives on Polish Hill because of her late husband. Her five children have all grown up in the neighborhood, under the watchful eyes of people they've known all their lives. Unlike so many others, the oldest Novak kids can't wait to leave home, whether it's for war, work or education. The younger are tasked with the care of their increasingly frail mother. As the various Novaks struggle to find their places in a changing world (the novel begins in the 1940s), they will contemplate the meanings of home, family, and duty.
My plot summary of Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh is abnormally skimpy because the novel actually has no real plot. It's a family saga, one in which all of the characters, young and old, experience various amounts of trouble. Many of the scrapes they get themselves into are entertaining. But, because the scenes don't really fit into an overall story arc, the novel comes off as episodic and tangential. For me, it just plain got dull. Haigh writes with skill, there's no doubt about that. So, maybe it's me—I can be an impatient reader. Whatever the reason, I quickly grew bored with the novel's slow build and meandering storyline. I appreciate Haigh's ability to bring a place, a time and a people to life, I just wanted it all to play out against an overreaching plot, a good mystery or scandal—you know, something I could really sink my teeth into—and that didn't happen. Always a bummer.
(Readalikes: Haigh has written a new book of short stories about Bakerton [although I haven't read it] called News From Heaven)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), sexual content and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Baker Towers from the generous folks at Harper Collins. Thank you!
Labels:Adult Novels,C Grade Books,Historical Fiction,Jennifer Haigh,Mining,PG 13-rated Books,U.S. Settings: Pennsylvania | 5 bookworm(s) said...
"Wolf" Book Is Still Vintage Picoult
(Images from Barnes & Noble)
It's no secret that I love Jodi Picoult. I mean, it says right on my left sidebar that she's one of my very favorite authors. And it's true. Her books speak to me—they don't just keep me entertained, they also force me to consider polarizing issues from all sides. They make me think. Still, when I spied the hardcover version of Lone Wolf (see below), I hesitated. Wolves? The plot summary sounded Picoult-like, but I just wasn't sure. I mean I like animals and all, I just don't always enjoy reading whole books about them. So, I stalled on this one for most of 2012. Then, one day, I was in a Picoult kind of mood and I decided to give Lone Wolf a shot. And, guess what? While the plot does sort of revolve around wolves, the novel is really about how tragedy affects a family. In other words: it's vintage Picoult.
The story goes a little something like this: When Luke Warren—a wolf expert known for his unorthodox ways of studying the animals—is severely injured in a car accident, it throws his already-fractured family into a tailspin. His ex-wife, Georgie Ng, left him several years ago when she realized she would never mean as much to Luke as his beloved wolves. Edward, Luke's 24-year-old son, had it out with his dad six years ago and hasn't seen the man since. Seventeen-year-old Cara knows Luke's not the most traditional of fathers, but she loves him fiercely and can't bear to see the most alive man she knows in a coma. When it comes to a decision of whether or not to take Luke off life support, each member of the family has a different idea. Ultimately, it's up to his children, who disagree vehemently on what their father would have wanted. As they duke it all out in the hospital and in court, Edward, Cara and Georgie reflect on the enigma who is Luke Warren. Which of them knows him best? Did he really care about any of them? And, most importantly, who's the most qualified to decide Luke Warren's fate for him?
Will the fight draw the broken family together again or tear them apart forever?
I know some readers have tired of Picoult's story "formula," but, like I said, it works for me. It is, in fact, the thing I like most about reading her. Picoult always forces me to empathize, to see things from other people's perspectives, to open my mind and heart while considering how different issues affect different people. Both character- and plot-driven, her books always move at a swift pace, remaining tense and suspenseful until the very end. Lone Wolf is no exception. It's not my favorite Picoult book ever, but it still provided vivid reminders of why I love this author so much. She's just that good.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other Picoult books, especially Handle With Care)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, sexual content, animal violence/gore, and depictions of underage drinking/partying
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Lone Wolf from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Labels:Adult Novels,B Grade Books,Euthanasia,Father/Daughter Relationships,Father/Son Relationships,Grief,Jodi Picoult,R-rated Books,U.S. Settings: New Hampshire,Wolves | 4 bookworm(s) said...
Speechless Could Have Said It Better
Secrets are not safe with 16-year-old Chelsea Knot. Everyone knows that. The juicier the gossip, the more likely she is to spread it. That's just what it takes to guarantee her place at the top of her high school's food chain. So, when Chelsea learns a classmate's shocking secret, there's no way she's going to keep it to herself. But sharing her discovery has terrible consequences. A boy is beaten almost to death. When Chelsea identifies his attackers for the police, she's labeled a traitor. Shunned by the A-listers who used to be her friend, Chelsea finds herself in a place she's never been: the bottom.
Unwilling to let her big mouth hurt anyone else, Chelsea takes a vow of silence. Not everyone gets what she's doing, but she sticks with her plan, refusing to utter a word, even when she's ridiculed and bullied. It's not easy, not at all. And, yet, it's in the quiet that she learns to hear herself, to know herself, to forgive herself. But will others do the same? Or is Chelsea doomed to spend the rest of her high school career as the worst kind of social outcast?
As you can imagine, it's a little hard to feel sorry for the heroine of Speechless, a debut YA novel by Hannah Harrington. It doesn't help that Chelsea's pretty self-centered, even as she's being "humbled" by her classmates. Somehow, she just never got roughed up enough for me to sympathize with her. She's funny, though, and her voice feels authentic. So, there's that. And the writing's better-than-average for a teen novel. There's that, too. Plot-wise, though, the story suffers because, really, there is no plot. Chelsea has no clear goal except (it seems) to draw attention to herself, which doesn't do much for her likability. Overall, I think the novel makes a good point, it just does it in kind of a heavy-handed way and through a heroine who's not all that convincing.
(Readalikes: The story reminds me of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, sexual content and depictions of underage drinking/partying
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Speechless from the generous folks at Harlequin Teen via Edelweiss. Thank you!
Labels:C Grade Books,Hannah Harrington,R-rated Books,U.S. Settings: Michigan,YA Novels | 0 bookworm(s) said...
Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner (Or, Let's Try This Again)
I hate to do this to Jenny, but I've tried and tried to contact her and I just can't find her. Pooh! So, I'm going to draw another winner for the I Believe in Jesus Too giveaway. The new winner is:
Congratulations! Please send me your mailing address (blogginboutbooksATgmailDOTcom) and I'll forward it on to Mark S. Nielsen so he can get your book in the mail.
If you didn't win this time, never fear. I have lots more giveaways planned for this year. You'll definitely want to stay tuned!
Labels:Book Giveaways,Mark S. Nielsen | 2 bookworm(s) said...
My Lunar Chronicles Extravaganza (With Exclusive Content, A Giveaway & Witty Commentary by Yours Truly)
If you've been paying attention to what's been going on here at BBB in the last little while (and if you haven't, what's wrong with you?), you know I recently found myself a new favorite YA series. You've probably heard of it because, as it turns out, lots and lots of other bloggers adore it, too. Usually, I shy away from series that get this much hype, but, this time, I'm glad I didn't. Why? Because, y'all, this series just plain rocks. Really. It's true. It's fun, it's original, it's engrossing, it's clean—I mean, seriously, what's not to love?
In case you've been living under a rock (or in a fortified bunker stuffed with canned food and zombie-fighting gear), let me tell you a little about The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. This genre-bending series (dystopian + sci fi + fairy tale retelling) stars Linh Cinder, a 16-year-old cyborg who lives with her stepmother and stepsisters in the bustling metropolis of New Beijing. As a robot/human mix, she's an outcast who (according to her adoptive family) is only useful for her mechanical skills. With few friends, a deadly plague threatening the city's human citizens and an alien queen hovering above Earth just waiting for her chance to enslave whatever's left of the planet's population, Cinder doesn't have a lot to get excited about. Except running away. Then, Prince Kai stops by her stall in the marketplace and everything changes. For the first time, Cinder feels seen. And valued. Suddenly, she has a purpose, one she could never have imagined. So begins Cinder's desperate quest to save her planet, her future, and the only man she's ever loved ...
I know, right? And the series is just as good—if not better—than it sounds. The first book, Cinder, is available now. Scarlet, which introduces intriguing new characters and conflicts, releases on February 15. Those of us lucky enough to have read it already can tell you that it's even better than Cinder! The last two books, Cress and Winter, will be published in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Now for the good stuff ...
-- I mentioned fun, new characters in Scarlet. One of my favorite is Carswell Thorne. To introduce the engaging Mr. Thorne, here's what Marissa Meyer herself has to say:
"Captain" Carswell Thorne only ever reached the rank of Cadet in the American military before
he stole the spaceship on which he was stationed, abandoned his commanding officers, and took
off on a sprint of worldwide thefts that he was sure would lead to an early, luxurious retirement.
His ambitions were cut short, however, when he was captured and imprisoned in New Beijing.
His luck changes when another inmate stumbles into his cell during a jailbreak attempt and
Thorne forms a fast alliance with the infamous Linh Cinder herself. Thorne and Cinder may
not hit it off right away, but Thorne is nothing if not confident in his ability to win the hearts
and loyalty of his crew. Plus, he and Cinder have one important thing in common: they've
unwittingly become the most wanted fugitives in the galaxy.
Trust me, the man's a charmer! You're going to love him and the rest of Scarlet's cast.
-- If you want to give the books a try before buying them (although after reading a little bit of the story, you're going to need the whole thing, trust me), you can download the first five chapters of both Cinder and Scarlet to your e-reader for free by using the following links:
Cinder: http://goo.gl/XqLWG
Scarlet: http://goo.gl/S2Bcs
(P.S. If you do decide to pre-order Scarlet—and you should!— you can send in your receipt to get a free Scarlet-branded lip gloss using this link.)
-- If you—like me—can't get enough of The Lunar Chronicles and want more, more, more, you can download the following short stories for just .99 each:
Glitches (a prequel; the story of Cinder's adoption): http://goo.gl/ggtcJ
The Queen's Army (the story of a soldier in the army of the lunar queen): http://goo.gl/bmX4z
-- And, now, the most exciting news of all: You can win yourself a paperback copy of Cinder, thanks to the generous folks at Macmillan. All you have to do is use the handy-dandy Rafflecopter form below (please note: this is my first time using Rafflecopter, so if something's screwy, let me know). The contest ends on January 31. It's open to readers with U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Good luck!
Labels:Book Giveaways,Marissa Meyer | 45 bookworm(s) said...
Fast, Furious iBoy Gives Time-Worn Superhero Tale A Modern Twist
When 16-year-old Tom Harvey gets struck in the head by a falling iPhone, everything changes. Even after extensive brain surgery, he still has fragments of the phone embedded in his brain. He's assured everyone—his doctors, his Gran, his friends—that he's perfectly fine, but he's not. Not really. Because the truth is, Tom's become an actualized App. He can access any information he wants, at any time. It's like the most incredible superpower ever and, as Tom soon learns, he can use it to do anything from acing school exams to listening in on phone conversations to bankrupting the entire United Kingdom. It's awesome. And terrifying. Really, really terrifying.
Tom never asked to be Superman, but with his bottomless knowledge and the ability to channel electricity into his hands, he's finally got the weaponry to fight the evil that lurks all around the South London projects where he lives. He plans to start with the gang bangers who raped 15-year-old Lucy Walker, the girl he's loved since they were both in diapers. As iBoy, Tom soon gains a reputation for defending the weak, but having a secret, crime-fighting identity is not without its complications. How far will Tom go to punish and protect? What will unlimited power cost him and those he loves? And what will Lucy think when she discovers that the superhero who awes her with his daring is really just plain old Tom Harvey? As Tom faces his most cunning enemy yet, he'll have to decide who he truly is and how much he's willing to risk in order to embrace the dark, dangerous hero known as iBoy.
iBoy, a YA thriller by Kevin Brooks, gives the time-worn superhero tale an intriguing modern twist, but asks the same questions: What would you do if you possessed the ability to do almost anything? Would you use it for good or ill? And what would wielding that kind of power do to your basic humanity? Even though it explores familiar themes, iBoy's got its own flavor. It's dark and raw, but also affecting. I sped through the story at the same fast-and-furious pace at which its plot moves because, yeah, it's that compelling. Did it totally blow me away? No. Did it keep me completely riveted and entertained? Oh, yeah.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about superheroes, although no specific titles are coming to mind ... a little help?)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, sexual content and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of iBoy from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,English Authors,Kevin Brooks,R-rated Books,Thrillers,World Settings: England,YA Novels | 1 bookworm(s) said...
Poignant And Hopeful, The Lovely Shoes Speaks to All
Franny Hall should be excited about starting high school, even if it's just in tiny Eastbrook, Ohio. But she's not. While her friends can't wait to go to dances, date older boys, and try out for the cheerleading squad, 14-year-old Franny's mortified by the thought of even trying those things. She already knows she's hideous, with her deformed left foot and clunky orthopedic shoes, she doesn't need immature high school boys to remind her of that already humiliating fact. If only she were normal, like her best friend Boots, then she'd be able to enjoy all these new opportunities. Life has taught Franny that gimps like her shouldn't even bother for fairy tale endings because they just ain't gonna happen.
Margaret Hall, Franny's beautiful, flamboyant mother, doesn't care what anyone else says—she thinks Franny's beautiful. And more than capable of dancing, dating and cheering with the best of them. But her daughter's despair spurns her into action. She hatches a wild plan that involves traveling to Italy and convincing famous designer Salvatore Ferragamo to create a perfect shoe for Franny. It's a wild idea—even for Margaret—but one that just might change everything for a self-conscious girl with an uncooperative left foot.
Based on the author's real-life experience, The Lovely Shoes by Susan Shreve is a story about one girl's quest to accept her body, despite its flaws. It's an engaging and hopeful tale, one that feels authentic and true. Every girl can relate to Franny's struggles—not just with self-image, but also with trying to fit in, navigating changing friendships, and falling in love for the first time. Not to mention discovering the power of the perfect pair of shoes! Poignant but funny, The Lovely Shoes is a memorable story that will speak to anyone who's ever felt out of place (in other words: all of us).
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Lovely Shoes from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Birth Defects,Italy,PG-rated books,Salvatore Ferragamo,Shoes,Susan Shreve,U.S. Settings: Ohio,YA Novels | 1 bookworm(s) said...
Disjointed Titanic Tale Just Okay
Jane Taylor's used to living an unconventional life. It's all the 16-year-old's ever known, thanks to her mother's (self-proclaimed) calling as a psychic. But it's not all she wants. Jane would love to trade tiny Spirit Vale—a community of mystics near Niagra Falls—for the bustle of the big city. There, she could be a real journalist, hobnobbing with real people, not watching her mother charm customers out of their hard-earned dollars. Little does Jane know just how far fate will take her.
When an admirer of Jane's mother sends the family tickets to cross the Atlantic in order to attend a spiritualist convention in London, Jane can hardly believe it. She has little interest in spiritualism, the value of which she doubts very highly, but a great desire to converse with interesting people, of which she meets many. Among them are several with uneasy feelings about the maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, which will be occurring in a few days. Jane doesn't believe in such mumbo jumbo. At least she doesn't think she does. But, with two of her sister aboard the ship, can she afford to take the chance? If Nikola Tesla—a famed, if eccentric scientist—is to be believed, something is terribly wrong with Titanic. What, if anything, can she do? And what does Tesla have to do with the fate of the ship?
It's been awhile since I read Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn and I'm still not quite sure what to make of it. This plot of this genre-bender shoots off in all kinds of directions, making it a disjointed and sometimes confusing tale. While I loved the very ending of the story, other parts of it had me yawning. I felt the same way about the characters—while they were intriguing, none of them really, really spoke to me. On the whole, then, I'm kind of ambivalent about this one. In the end, I found it just okay.
(Readalikes: It's like a lot of other Titanic novels, just with a twist.)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Distant Waves from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Labels:C Grade Books,Historical Fiction,Nikola Tesla,PG-rated books,Psychics,R.M.S. Titanic,Suzanne Weyn,Time Travel,U.S. Settings: New York,YA Novels | 2 bookworm(s) said...
Attention: Jenny (The Allgaiers), Please Respond!
Because I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, I neglected to have the entrants in my most recent giveaway leave me their email addresses. Thus, I'm stuck with a winner, but no way to contact her :( Duh. So, if Jenny (The Allgaiers) sees this, will you pretty please email me (blogginboutbooksATgmailDOTcom) so I can get your copy of I Believe in Jesus Too sent out? Thank you!
Labels:Book Giveaways | 0 bookworm(s) said...
Funny Janice Wills An Enjoyable Read
Like the anthropologist she wants to be someday, 16-year-old Janice Wills observes the natives of Melva High School with a careful, objective eye. She registers the peculiar nuances of their social hierarchy, their mating rituals, their survival-of-the-prettiest mentality. But, no matter how many notes she takes, Janice just does not understand how to relate to this strange species, let alone integrate herself into their society. Her best friend, Margo Werther, thinks the answer is sucking up to the popular girls. Janice's mother has an even more outrageous idea: she thinks her daughter should not just enter the annual Livermush Pageant, but actually try to win it. Since only the cutest girls in town can wear the crown, it doesn't take a PhD to know that Janice Wills has no chance in heck of winning. Still, she can't resist the chance to study her peers in this most unique of anthropological experiments. What she learns—curiously enough—is a whole lot about herself.
The Rites & Wrongs of Janice Wills, a debut novel by poet Joanna Pearson, tells a bright, funny story about trying to fit in when everything you do turns out wrong. Although the plot's not all that original, Janice narrates her story with a strong, sarcastic voice that's upbeat and entertaining. The book didn't blow me away or anything, but I enjoyed this quick, fun read.
(Readalikes: The pageant aspect of the book reminded me a little of Beauty Queens by Libba Bray)
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), sexual innuendo/content and depictions of underage drinking/partying
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Rites & Wrongs of Janice Wills from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Labels:Anthropology,B Grade Books,Beauty Pageants,Joanna Pearson,PG 13-rated Books,U.S. Settings: North Carolina,YA Novels | 2 bookworm(s) said...
Bright, Timeless Children's Tale A Delight
As the scorching South Carolina summer blazes on, Stella is searching for something—anything—to do. The long days would be way more exciting if she had a dog to play with, but she doesn't. All she's got is boring ole Gerald Baxter. Even though Stella's brimming with grand ideas for adventure, her best friend never wants to try them. Stella's sick of sitting around playing Crazy Eights with Gerald, she wants to do something. Something exciting.
When Stella spots a one-legged pigeon flying through town, she knows this is it. This is the something for which she's been waiting all summer. Gerald's not all that enamored with the idea of catching the bird, but Stella won't back down this time. She's determined to make it her pet, with or without his help. It won't be easy, though. Every kid in town—including Stella's rotten older brother—is trying to capture the one-legged pigeon. Unbeknownst to them all, the bird's already got an owner and Mr. Mineo is desperate to have him back. And what about Sherman? The pigeon's got his own ideas about where he wants to go. With all of Meadville, South Carolina on his tail, where—and with whom—will the one-legged pigeon end up?
On the Road to Mr. Mineo's, the newest middle grade novel by Barbara O'Connor, is a sweet, timeless kind of story. It's quick, bright and entertaining—not unlike Sherman himself. As far as substance goes, there's not a lot, but still, the book's tells fun story that will delight both children and adults.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: G
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of On the Road to Mr. Mineo's from the generous folks at Farrar Straus and Giroux (an imprint of Macmillan). Thank you!
Labels:B Grade Books,Barbara O'Connor,G-Rated Books,Middle Grade Books,Southern Novels,U.S. Settings: South Carolina | 1 bookworm(s) said...
A New Year, A New Winner
My first giveaway of the year has come to a close and ... drumroll, please ... Jenny (The Allgaiers) has won a copy of I Believe in Jesus Too by Mark S. Nielsen. Congratulations! It's a beautiful book and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you would please send me your mailing address (blogginboutbooksATgmailDOTcom), I'll forward it on to Mark, who will be mailing out the book.
If you didn't win this time, don't despair. I'll be hosting lots more giveaways throughout the year. Stay tuned!
Okay, I Admit It: I'm A *Little* Challenged
As much as I've always loved reading challenges, I sort of suck at them. Does that stop me from signing up for some every year? You'd think the answer would be yes, but it's actually a resounding NO. They're fun for me, even if I never actually get around to actually completing them. So, here are the three I'm going to do this year:
Dystopia 2013, hosted again this year by Bonnie over at Bookish Ardour. Since I did not do well on this in 2012, I'm going to try again. Because I rocked this challenge last year (oh wait ...), I'm signing up for the Contagion level. It involves reading 15 dystopian books, which should be a cinch for me. You don't have to make a list at all, but here are the books I'm hoping to read:
1. Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
2. Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
3. 1984 by George Orwell
4. The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. The Death Cure by James Dashner
6. Crossed by Allie Condie
7. Reached by Allie Condie
8. Light by Michael Grant
9. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
10. The Giver by Lois Lowry (re-read)
11. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
12. Messenger by Lois Lowry
13. Son by Lois Lowry
14. Fragments by Dan Wells
15. The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer
2013 50 States Challenge, hosted by Book Obsessed. This challenge is one of my favorites because all I have to do is keep track of the states in which the books I read are set. Easy and fun—totally a win-win for me!
Monthly Key Word Challenge -- This one is hosted by Bookmark to Blog, one of my favorite new book blogs. It just looks like fun. You're given a short list of key words each month and you have to read one book with that word (or a variation of it) during that month.
Here's what I plan to read:
January (key word: freeze): Frozen by Mary Casanova
February (key word: family): True Sisters by Sandra Dallas
March (key word: gold): Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Gabrielle Douglas
April (key word: light): Enduring Light by Carla Kelly
May (key word: shatter): Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
June (key word: island): The Island by Victoria Hislop
July (key word: dream): Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
August (key word: tree): The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
September (key word: shade): The Shades of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer
October (key word: inside): Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
November (key word: number): Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
December (key word: ring): The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
So, what do you think? I should be able to do these, right? Right? How about you? Do you love or loathe reading challenges? Are you doing any this year?
Labels:2013 50 States Challenge,Monthly Key Word Challenge 2013,Reading Challenges,The Dystopia Challenge 2013 | 1 bookworm(s) said...


text:
Cyber IQ Comparative Rate Portal
Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance
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What's The Expected Cost of a Data Breach for Small Businesses?
Data breaches are always costly, but they have become even more of an issue as criminals take advantage of the public health crisis. For many years, the average small business was unlikely to be targeted for a sophisticated cyber attack. That's no longer the case. Small and medium businesses (SMBs) have become frequent targets because they are perceived by cyber criminals as less prepared.
Unfortunately, the numbers tell us that this is often true. A new study reveals that 57% of SMBs believe they won't be targeted by online criminals, but almost 20% experienced an attack in the past year. These data breaches are costing more than ever before, with an average cost of a data breach for small businesses at $108,000. And, lost money isn't the only matter at stake.
Back in 2015, we wrote about a cyber incident reported in the NY Times that affected a restaurant named Eataly. Eataly had a fairly typical small-business experience when it suffered a data breach. A quote from a statement made by the restaurant is representative of how SMBs are impacted in the event of a breach:
"The disruption to our business, the extent of unanticipated costs and expenses, and the unwelcome frustration and concern caused upon our customers have all been, and continue to be, significant."
This example is typical even more so now, as many businesses struggle to stay afloat amidst an unpredictable pandemic market. During times of upheaval and change, cyber criminals capitalize on fear and uncertainty. Experts say that different types of attacks are on the rise.
Among the most common types of attacks are:
In which criminals encrypt files and demand a ransom to restore access, has increased by 90% according to a recent report by VMware.
Destructive Attacks
That describes a scenario in which data and networks are destroyed is currently up by 102%.
Which involves criminals using the networks of companies to attack customers and partners has risen by 33%.
Why Aren't Businesses Aware of the Danger?
In small data breaches, the costs, disruption, and reputational damage are all greater than the small business ever anticipated. Businesses often mistakenly assume "It won't happen to me" or "This is probably covered somewhere in my insurance."
We hear about big breaches in the news and a lot of education is happening in the insurance world—from the carriers, down to the agents, down to the end customers. The typical response from a small business is that they outsource the payment processing, that they don't keep a record of card numbers, or the data is not on their computers. But, what they aren't realizing is that at the end of the day, liability isn't outsourced.
Businesses are responsible for any damages associated with a third-party data breach. This type of event can be very damaging to small companies and can put many of them out of business because they often don't have the financial resources to manage a breach.
Burying your head in the sand isn't a good approach, as a data breach can be incredibly costly. Check out these figures:
How Much Does a Data Breach Cost a Business?
For a small or medium-sized business (SMB), the average cost of a breach is $108,000, as stated above. Meanwhile, the cost for enterprises (businesses with more than 1000 employees) has risen to $1.41 million, up from $1.23 million the previous year. The financial damage will vary significantly depending on the size of the company and the nature of the breach.
What is the Average Per-Record Cost of a Data Breach?
In 2020, breached data cost businesses an average $150 per record––and even more ($175) when breached via a malicious attack.
How Many Businesses Get Hacked a Year?
More than 10,000 cyber claims are made each year, which doesn't even include those submitted via a cyber add-on to another policy. It's estimated that more than half of all businesses suffer a hack in a given year.
ProWriters Can Bring Insurance Expertise
Small business cyber insurance is affordable and easily obtained. Our advice to business owners is to get educated, start with some basic risk management in this space, and talk to a cyber insurance specialist. With a dedicated cyber policy, a business will usually get access to risk management services as well as post-breach services like expert privacy lawyers, a public relations team, forensic firms, and notification companies that can set up a call center, etc. All of this can save a small business from the unanticipated costs, expenses, and frustration that comes with a data breach.
These days, everyone claims to be a cyber expert––and while they may have access to cyber insurance products, they may not have the expertise you and your client need.
At ProWriters, we have been underwriting Cyber Insurance for more than 20 years. We can get you and your client with the right carrier, the right coverage, at the right price.
Learn more about how to become your clients' cyber expert in our complimentary whitepaper, The Six-Step Guide to Becoming Your Clients' Cyber Expert.
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Attention to detail, a true collectors piece and very provocative style Cayler and Sons has reached us and is looking fantastic in our store. We can no longer call this a new brand and staying true to form they are smashing it with the graphics and the energy which will be immitated very soon. We stick with the originals. Welove the vibe.
Music and fashion go together as we know. I mean who goes to a concert not wanting to be looking as good if not better than the artist. I know i have been caught doing the just got a new pair of trainers dance.
Music just like fashion can also become repetitive and mundane. How many times do we hear or wear the same styles. I mean what has not been styled in Camo, who has not made a track that resembles the latest hit. That is life art imitates art i have heard people say.
Although there is always that one that pushes the boundaries and creates something that is thought provoking and awakens the imagination.
Don't let me dictate as i am no big time music exec this is my humble opinion. Oscar Worldpeace who has blessed us with his blogs in the not so past has released this haunting track that speaks to a generation that has become lost in the Politics of life. With an exceptional amazing vocal by Richard Deux who, although just a cameo, am sure we will be hearing and hopefully seeing more from them both.
Jilted Royalty is not only a brand that specialises in their very cool animated prints, but they have also made a name for themselves for being a lifestyle brand. Unlike most brands who like to separate their lifestyles from their clothing, Jilted Royalty have done the total opposite in a very tasteful manner. In todays society tattoos and fashion go together like malted milk biscuits and a cup of tea, the Jilted Royalty team have took the unique route by tapping into social networks, by making their audience be more involved, where you get to see the brands love for tattoo's and fashion. Things have organically taken shape for the Jilted Family, having built a solid cult following and making noise in the urban fashion scene, Jilted Royalty will be amongst the most established and creative brands to have come out of the UK in years to come.
CRASH, BANG, SMASH, BOOM are all the onomatopoeias that come to mind when I think about Hype clothing. Hype Clothing is an independent British brand who have really tapped into streetwear by standing out rather than fitting in. Their spaced out prints and psychedelic patterns have been the people's favourite over the past year. The British brand fit right into where the London rave scene is now, especially (Brick Lane/Shoreditch), this is where you're most likely to catch all the trendy teens and young adults wearing a bit of Hype clothing. Get yourself Hype with some Hype gear!
This entry was posted in Dribbla on February 9, 2014 by admin.
So we live in London always around the area, yet we seem to take its surroundings for granted. Take Shoreditch for instance. Seems it has some of the best street art collection around boast a host of clubs and restaurants and it is right on our doorstep. So we thought we would take some shots out of the studio and around the area. Funny as Native Youth which our model is wearing seems to fit the scene.
Another chance to win and another giveaway. This time email admin@electrocart247.co.uk your best funny face... We call it GOONFACE. Then this White 16GB iPad mini could be yours.
Electrowear, Palladium Boots and Streetfest are giving away 2 free tickest to the streetfest festival in Shorediitch. To be in with a chance of winning simply, Email "WIN #PALLADIUM BOOTS @STREETFEST" TO ADMIN@ELECTROCART247.CO.UK OR TWEET #PALLADIUMBOOTS @STREETFEST TO @ELECTROWEAR.
Dr Denim Electrowear... Summer Wear?


text:
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church (United States), noted for its historic church at 14–16 Cushing Avenue in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1847, it remains an active congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

The first church building, on Bowdoin Street, burned down in 1887, prompting the formation of St. Mark's Church and the building of the current structure. Designed by the English architect Henry Vaughan, the Tudor Revival church building was built in 1888. In 1893 it was expanded in a matching style with the addition of transepts and the chancel by architects Hartwell & Richardson. The parish house was designed by Charles K. Cummings and built in 1907. The church contains a high-quality collection of stained glass windows, including the work of Tiffany Studios and Charles Jay Connick.

The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Services are held on Sundays at 9am, 11am and 1pm (in Spanish, not on first Sundays). One of the oldest food pantries in the area is located in the church.

See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Boston, Massachusetts

References

External links
Official Church Website

Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
Religious organizations established in 1847
Churches completed in 1888
19th-century Episcopal church buildings
Episcopal churches in Boston
Stone churches in Massachusetts
Dorchester, Boston
National Register of Historic Places in Boston

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Restaurant pays Texas server her $2,000 tip after credit card transaction doesn't compute
By Theresa Braine
A Texas restaurant server whose tip was caught in apparent red tape between her employer and its bank has finally gotten her $2,000, plus the amount of the original tab.
Emily Bauer had worked at Red Hook Seafood and Bar for just two weeks when, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, one customer who was there with his wife was extremely sympathetic to the young mother. When she went to process his check, there was a note – along with a giant tip.
"Merry Christmas!" he had jotted. "Keep working hard!"
Bauer discovered the tip when she dipped behind the drink station, reported KENS-TV, and looked down onto the credit card slip.
"I was like, 'Wait.' I just opened it and started crying," she told KENS. "I was like, 'Oh my God! My kids! I'm going to spend it all on my kids!' "
It was a first for Bauer, a mother of two boys aged 2 years and 5 months.
"I've never had a Christmas where I've been able to splurge on them," she told the station.
Then came the hard part. The restaurant tried to honor the tip, the owners said, but their bank wouldn't process a tip that large on the credit card.
They were all caught in a conundrum. Though the customer had called to see whether Bauer had received the money, the manager hadn't gotten his contact information. They did suggest he return to the restaurant to straighten it out, but he had hung up before they could fully explain the situation. And the number he'd called from was private. They had no way to get in touch.
Meanwhile, some TV viewers had gotten the impression that the restaurant was holding out on its employee, rather than running into a technical snag, and a public backlash ensued – even down to some death threats, the owners told KENS. Between that and the fact that they wanted to do the right thing, owner John Cheng said, the restaurant wrote out a check to Bauer for $2,069.01.
"It's Christmas time, and everybody is struggling," Cheng told KENS. "I'm ready to give it to her as a Christmas gift."
This left Bauer even more moved.
"The fact that the owner of my job is willing to give it to me, even though it wasn't his mess-up, I can't thank him enough for that," a tearful Bauer told KENS.