Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Aaliyah by Kelly Kenyatta: A very insightful and emotional book about a great R&B singer and talented actress. Aaliyah cut down in the very prime of her life was truly gifted and talented and she will always be very dearly missed. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz: Nail biting, exciting. Betrayal by John Lescroart: John Lescroart is one of my favorite authors. This novel puts a different spin on a soldier's life after the war in Iraq. Morning Comes softly by Debbie Macomber: Well worth the time it took to read it. I could hardly put it down! I strongly recommend this book. My Favorite Husband by Pam McCutcheon: Full of old scenarios, yet when looking at the bigger picture, puts together in a unique way. Bravo Ms. McCutcheon! 12:37:06 PM     Travel Etiquette Site Explains How to Behave in Different Countries [Travel Tip] . Every culture has its distinct customs and traditions. Web site Travel Etiquette breaks them down by country to help teach you how to behave before you head off on your trip so that you can represent yourself and your home country well. Photo by Ed Yourdon. So far the site has over 60 articles including tips on how to behave when in any place from Morocco and Japan to South Africa and Portugal; new locations (including U.S. destinations) are added regularly. To find tips, you can type in the country name using the search box or just scroll through the continents and countries listed in the sidebar. The site also lists featured articles on its homepage. Sample tips include how to dress appropriately, dine properly, and meet-and-greet people. For example, Travel Etiquette says not to be surprised by social situations in Argentina that involve swearing. ...Don't be alarmed or surprised to hear what you might consider to be name-calling or swearing amongst friends. In this instance, political correctness certainly does not rule supreme, and Argentines might readily use phrases such as 'fat' or 'big balls' when talking to friends. No harm is meant, it's simply the culture and friendly banter! The site also provides more general tips like how to behave in hotels and airports, and also offers tips for blending in with the locals. Have you traveled to a foreign country and learned some local customs in the process? Save your fellow readers from possible embarrassment by sharing below. And since odds are you'll be carrying a map, learn how to fold one like a pro before you go. Travel Etiquette [via AppScout] [Lifehacker] 12:27:23 PM     The Big Book of Everything Organizes Important Personal Information [Organization] . There is a whole host of information in our lives that is important—bank accounts, tax records, credit card information—but not usually easily organized together. The Big Book of Everything helps keep important information organized and in one place. The Big Book of Everything is a workbook created as a free and compact alternative to the massive and expensive It's All Right Here, a life organizer created by Mark Gavagan. While The Big Book of Everything weighs in at nearly a tenth the size of It's All Right Here, it covers the basics quite nicely. Printed off and stored in a folder or binder it makes it easy to organize important personal information for your own use or the use of your next of kin in the event of your death. There are pages for passwords, bank accounts, insurance policy information, tax records, and more. If you fill out a few pages a night you'll have the entire thing filled out before the end of the month. The Big Book of Everything is available as a PDF and an Excel spreadsheet. The Big Book of Everything [via Get Rich Slowly] [Lifehacker] 12:26:00 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 8/3/2009; 10:36:07 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien