New York : Strand Bookstore

As a true book lover I couldn't resist a visit to the Strand Bookstore in New York City.

It was charmingly chaotic with all those books. Old, new, rare and very common.

photo from Bookish NYC

They had a very cute section for children's books. There were actually children reading at the little tables and chairs! AWESOME. (I was so in awe that I totally forgot to take some pictures, dang)

Of course I couldn't leave without buying a book for my children. I wanted a cool book about New York. Since they don't speak or read English (yet), I needed a book with cute drawings.

Strand wouldn't be Strand if they didn't have just the perfect book on there shelves ;-)

My New York by Kathy Jakobsen

I bought My New York by Kathy Jakobsen. The kids really love it. They absolutely love all the foldout pages that show them around New York City. It is very informative and a great way of showing them what places we visited during our trip

foldout page Rockefeller Ice Rink and Christmas Tree

I could have spend hours and hours there, but my husband wanted to do some other sightseeing as well (and there is plenty to see in New York)

Me with a full Strand tote!

During our trip we did some more book lover stuff. NY Public Library and Morgan Library and Museum are next!

New York City movie scenes

In a few days I am leaving for New York ( yeah, lucky me!!)
So now I am watching a few movies set in New York, just to get in the mood.

Can you guess which movie this scene is from?

and this one?

#1 - What's it called?

Don't you hate it when you can't remember the name of a book or movie?
It literally can keep me out of my sleep :-(

Right now I can't remember the name of a book a read as a teenager.
It is about a girl in a very small USA town who is diagnosed with HIV. Because of her disease she and her family are bullied and she leaves town to live with an uncle and aunt (or at least I think so)
There she makes new friends and she is happy.

Does this sounds familiar to anyone?

I read it somewhere in the nineties ;-)

Entertaining Men: Olympic Guys

Don't you miss watching the Olympics?

I was glued to the TV for almost 2 weeks. My little country did good and came home with 20 medals! 6 golden!
We saw some great sport moments and a lot of nice looking men (Note to Husband: see working out does pay off ;-)

Great entertainment by Usain Bolt

Strike a pose Usain!

History made by Michael Phelps

Most Medals ever!

Most Entertaing and made The Netherlands proud. Our hero Epke Zonderland

Go EPKE!!!!

click here to read Entertaining Men: George Clooney

and click here to read Entertaining Men: Channing Tatum

Summer Booknook

In my new home there are so many favorite reading spaces to discover.

When the sun is shining (sadly it ever does during Dutch summer) I love to read in the far corner of the garden sitting on my sunbed.

Oh, is that my husband bringing me a cocktail?

Catching the last rays of sun. Heaven!

Booknook Take Over

I love to read in front of the fireplace. Getting my feet warm and just concentrate on my book.
Unfortunately I'm not the only one in my household who loves to snuggle up in front of the fireplace.

Little ones take over the reading chair

My Booknook

I recently moved and our new house has the perfect place for me to read.

A cosy, blazing fireplace!

I love to snuggle up and read. It's not completely perfect though. I'm searching for the best chair there is to be able to sit there night after night :-)

(the chair in the picture is old and too heavy to put in front of the fireplace each day)