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11.11.11

November 11, 2011 by Mocha Girl Alysia 2 Comments

Today is that once in a century kinda day! November 11th, 2011. The last time there was an 11.11.11 date was in 1911.

January 18 – Eugene B. Ely lands on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania stationed in San Francisco harbor, marking the first time an aircraft lands on a ship.

February 18 – The first official air mail flight takes place from Allahabad, India to Naini, India, when Henri Pequet carries 6,500 letters a distance of 13 km.

March 19 – International Women’s Day is celebrated for the first time.

July 24 – Hiram Bingham rediscovers Machu Picchu in Peru.

Also that year The Encyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition is published under American management in England by Cambridge University Press. -From Wikipedia

On the last 11.11.11 the average cost of an American home was $5,714 (Equivalent today: $135,748 not in Los Angeles).

The average car cost $780. Equivalent today: $18,531 and the 27th President William Howard Taft (R) was in office from March 4th 1909 – March 4th 1913 -From The Cost of Living

Yesterday, I was watching The Talk and their guest was Numerologist Glynis McCants. Here is a clip of her talking about the special meaning of today’s date: 11-11-11. Plus, the hosts get live birthday readings.

I found a few books from Good Reads with the number 11 in their title too!

Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho

Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum, #11) by Janet Evanovich

As I look back over this post, only today can I talk about Howard Taft, numerology, The Talk and books altogether.

Is today special to you? Do you have a special day or event planned for 11.11.11?

Happy 11.11.11 Mocha Girls!!

Filed Under: Home Tagged With: 11, 11.11.11, 1911, book, Good reads, Hard Taft, hot topics, November, Numberology, The Talk

The Occupation Library

October 26, 2011 by Mocha Girl Alysia Leave a Comment

Occupy Wall Street has been on the every news outlet for the past month or more now. The movement has grown from Wall Street to almost every major city and a few not so major ones too. There are people quitting their jobs, uprooting their families and moving to an occupied area. They are building small communities within these occupied area. In the building of the Wall Street community, one thing all great community have has successfully formed there. A Library. Yes! The Wall Street protestors have created a fully functional library. The donated books are divided into genres and subject matter. There is even a reference book section and a library staff. I came across this video about the library and was really impressed. I mean after you scream in a bullhorn all day what better thing to do with some free time than to read a few good books.

Take a look at this video.

Filed Under: Home Tagged With: Books, hot topics, library, Occupy Wall Street, protest, Read, reading

Read-A-Thon Ready

October 21, 2011 by Mocha Girl Alysia 4 Comments

Dewey's 24 Hour Read A Thon

Tomorrow is the big day for the Dewey’s Read-a-Thon and I am ready! This is my first time joining in on the Read A Thon and I have to say that I am really excited about it. I have read a few blog post from other Mocha Girls and their excitement is contagious. Here is a post from Mocha Girl Jade blogger and book reviewer of Sort of Beautiful.

I’m gearing up for the read-a-thon tomorrow. Since I’ve been feeling crappy I doubt I’ll be able to do the whole time. Which sucks since I can actually stay up for twenty-four hours. But the medicine I take sometimes makes me drowsy…blah! So I’m hoping to at least complete half of this challenge and hope I’m in tip top shape to attempt the whole shebang the next go round. But I think this will still be good training and preparation. (read more)

Mocha Girl Alexis blogger and book reviewer of Reflections of a Bookaholic posted this today about the Read A Thon…

It’s almost here!! There is a slight chance I won’t be able to participate (I need to make a client visit in another county, but I’m hoping I can do that on Sunday…cross your fingers…I am). (read more)

See what I mean. So join us tomorrow and the other 400 readers all over the world who are taking one day to enjoy reading. Start times are on the web site as well. Los Angeles is 5am! AARGGHHH!!!

So here is my plan-

Books: Finish reading the Mocha Girls Read book The Strawberry Letter then take a magazine break. I have not opened my October issue of Los Angeles Magazine. After that I am going to complete The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I am going to take a break somewhere in there and go shoe shopping at DSW. If I still have time in the Read A Thon then I will finish the last chapters of Little Bee by Chris Cleave.

Food: Starting with a fruit smoothie at 5:30 am then I’ll have cereal. The rest of the day will be healthy snacks. Trail mix, dried mango, bananas, and just in case that doesn’t help me, I have a box of Almond cookies to go with it. Don’t worry Domino’s is on step dial.

Stuff: Blanket, socks, favorite tea cup, and sofa….check!

Keep the pages turning ladies! ♥Mocha Girl Alysia♥

Filed Under: Home Tagged With: book club, Books, Dewey's 24 hour read a thon, fun, hot topics, October, Read, reading, The strawberry Letter

VOTE!

October 19, 2011 by Mocha Girl Alysia 17 Comments

November Book of the Month Vote

Yes! It’s that time ladies. All of you have completely amazed me with such a HUGE and varied selection of books. I can’t wait to see who the winner is. Yes! The list is crazy long but I tried to make it easier on you by putting them in alphabetical order. Sorry if there any typos in names and titles.

Here are the Rules for Voting.

1. You may vote for three (3) books.

2. All members get to vote only once.

3. Last Day to vote will be October 26, 2011. (Midnight Los Angeles time)

4. The book with the most votes wins but if there is a tie there will be a 48 hour death match. The two or three books will go into a head to head competition for only 48 hours. And whichever book is left standing (with the most votes) wins!

Filed Under: Home Tagged With: black women, book club, Books, hot topics, November, Read, reading, vote, women

Celebrate National Reading Club Month

October 13, 2011 by Mocha Girl Alysia 3 Comments

Yes! There is such a thing. It seems like every month is something to Celebrate or Acknowledge. But this one is really real and is kind o close to our heart. National Reading Club Month from the Women’s National Book Association. So what does that mean. Well, thanks to the Women’s National Book Association, book clubs have their own month to celebrate great reading, lively discussions, and meet new readers.

The mission of National Reading Group Month is to:

Increase public awareness of the joy and value of shared reading
Provide a time for reading groups to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future
Provide opportunities for individuals to join an existing reading group or start a new one
Encourage libraries, bookstores, and organizations to host special reading group events

In celebration of National Reading Group Month this October, Harper Collins is offering 12 great e-books for your book club for just $2.99 each! Each e-book is available for purchase at this special low price for the month of October only and can be purchased for your iPad, Kindle or Nook or head over to IndieBound to buy from your favorite local bookseller via Google books!

Mocha Girls what are we doing to celebrate…pictures of course! Take a photo of you and your current read. Send it to us and we will post it in our Mocha Girl gallery. Check out the ones we have now.

Mocha Girls Books

Here are a few ways to improve your reading this month: Take a speed reading class. Join a book club (like ours). Take 30 minutes a day to read a book to yourself or your kids. Listen to a book using audio books. Read short articles online or in a magazine. Visit your local library (It’s a great place for reading inspiration.)

Mocha Girls take time to read and keep those pages turning!

♥Mocha Girl Alysia♥