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Blog Entry 1 of 4 Escalade Escapades

As most stay-at-home moms will tell you, life is pretty hairy much of the time! My days are spent dashing between my kids‘ schools, the mall, the gym and the coffee shop (you need a lot of caffeine to carry out this schedule!). It is a from far cry from my days at the University of Colorado and then as a high school history teacher, when I had all the time in the world to debate and discuss politics, history and current events with whoever would listen (or was trapped in a desk). These days, when I need a little history and culture I sneak away with a good book to a quiet spot in my home. Reading has become my escape from the hectic life as a mom and wife. My blog will focus on great (but not too intellectual) reads. I tend to read books with a little history, a little sex and a whole lot of drama. Some days (and weeks), I can't find time to read more than my "Everyday with Rachel Ray" mag. so at times I may have to share stories of the crazy adventures that Broomfield (its true!) offers me.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~michele

'The Historian' -- vampire history 101

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Contributed by: Michele Lingbeck on 12/14/2007

If you are looking for highly intellectual discussion on the great masterpieces of literature then stop reading this now! There was a time in my life when I could passionately discuss Hemingway, Steinbeck and Shakespeare with the best of them. Five years as a stay-at-home mom, watching Dora the Explorerand readingSheep in a Jeep has pretty much extinguished that intellectual fire.

I do still consider myself to be an avid reader and a true bookworm and hope to offer some suggestions and thoughtful commentary to other not-so-intellectual readers out there.

I am a binge-reader of historical fiction. I get sucked into an era for a few months and find myself on Amazon.com at midnight ordering boxes of books on a specific topic or by an author that has sucked me in. I feast on that genre for a few weeks or months until my interest fades.

One of my latest binges involves vampire fiction. This interest came as a huge surprise to me! I can't stand horror movies and don't really have much of a dark side. I prefer wearing pink to black clothes and never really got into the Bram Stoker thing.

I fell into this topic after picking up the book The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova.

I happened upon this book while shopping in the literature section of my neighborhood Super Target. The title grabbed me since I was a history major at CU, former history teacher and also a self-proclaimed history geek.

The story details the search for the ruthless and bloody Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula, who is still alive and well after 600 or so years of sucking the blood of curious academics from the U.S. and Europe.

Much of the story takes place in Eastern Europe. Dust off your passports after reading this one! The descriptions of exotic places so rich in history will inspire you to explore places like Istanbul, Budapest and Bucharest!

I have a better chance of exploring Epcot Center so feel free to share stories and let me live vicariously!

Don't forget your garlic because lurking behind every Ottoman temple is a vampire harboring a 500 year old grudge!

The Historian is also a captivating love story detailing multiple relationships developing during the dark and violent months spent searching the world for Vlad and his fearsome friends. This mesmerizing thriller will appeal to those who love a good romance with a twisted dark side. I couldn't put this one down and proceeded to buy Amazon out of the genre.

The Diaries of the Family Dracul series by Jeanne Kalogridisshared the same compelling bloodthirsty (disgusting) themes but lacked the beauty and intensity of The Historian. My attention has since shifted away from the macabre back to the daily business of carpools, daisy scouts and Henry VIII!

Off to read!

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments

Submitted By: Brit Horvat

posted on 12/17/2007 @ 9:41:40 AM

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Woo hoo!! Awesome first blog. Keep 'em coming!

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Submitted By: a berg

posted on 12/15/2007 @ 5:51:03 PM

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My only experience with vampires is "Lost Boys" so I'll have to check this book out...you've inspired me! Can't wait to read more about books and your life! :)

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Submitted By: Cathy Cohn

posted on 12/15/2007 @ 5:02:11 PM

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Since you were largely responsible for every A I got in history in college maybe I'll check this out :) Great blog!!

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Submitted By: Katie Lovering

posted on 12/15/2007 @ 11:52:46 AM

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Wow, thanks for the heads up on this book. As a reader of the Anne Rice vampire stories, I look forward to reading all these books. Thank you!

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Submitted By: Erin Henry

posted on 12/14/2007 @ 10:53:29 PM

Rated Blog Entry

Good blog. I look forward to hearing more...

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Michele Lingbeck

Broomfield , CO

Michele Lingbeck has posted 4 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 12/13/2007. Michele Lingbeck 's average blog rating is 5.

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