Not Over-Taxing the Mind

It's a Book, by Lane Smith

2012-02-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Not kidding.

It's a children's book that my husband found at our local library... it's perfect for this day and age, he says. So, I read it. And laugh... and laugh! It's perfectly cute and funny and just perfect. ;)

If you want to read it, click here - I highly recommend that you do, it'll only take you two minutes. **You have to read the very first page it shows for the ending to be as funny as I thought it was.

Love it!

Lost December, by Richard Paul Evans

2011-12-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

This book came out November 11th - the day of my last posting. I didn't even get it until some time after that - and then I put off starting it because if you've ever read one of his books you know that they're super fast reads - and I just didn't want it to end so quicky!

This was a good one, of course. It's a modern day story of the prodigal son. It has your life lessons, your quotes you'll want to write down and remember, your deep and profound thinking, and of course, your love story. It's a book about harsh reality, love and forgiveness. You'll want to keep reading it as soon as you start. And the ending - totally rocks!

I have to say, though, towards the end, it almost seemed as though he realized he was getting carried away with the story and tried to shorten the good parts just so he could get them all in before he hit a certain page number. It was a very good story, though, and very well-written, otherwise. :) I hope he never stops putting these babies out. ;)

The Shepherd's Song, A Christmas Story by Larry Barkdull

2011-11-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

I found this little jewel among my own collection; though, where it came from, I do not remember. (Probably my mother-in-law.) Whatever the case, I'm glad it was there for me to find, it was needed at this time in my life.

Mostly, I'd say this is for the religious person, as someone who isn't Christian might not appreciate it as I did. It's just a short, sweet story about a shepherd, Joshua ben Levi, going through the hardest trial of his life. His wife is eight months pregnant, has been bleeding, her water has broken and she's in heavy labor. The baby hasn't moved for two days. The midwives don't look hopeful for either life at stake. Amid serious and painful contractions, Joshua's wife tells him he has to pray. God will bless them this day.

He gathers his sacrificial lamb and reluctantly leaves his wife to walk to Jerusalem to the temple there to pray. Before he leaves, his father offers him words of comfort as he, too, lost his wife during childbirth. He tells him God did not abandon him that day, but the question remained - would he abandon God? Even now, as I type this, I cannot think of this without tearing up. This was read in a moment in my own life when I was facing a trial that I felt I was alone in facing. I refused to pray as I didn't feel I was getting any help. After reading this, it was as if my Heavenly Father was reminding me that He really was there, but I needed to ask myself that same question.

*sniff*

Anyway, he travels to Jerusalem and ends up facing a journey he had not anticipated. I'm not going to give it all away because, really, this book is worth seeking out and reading. Truly.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous, by Mary Downing Hahn

2011-11-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

This one was better than the last one I read. Although, it was strikingly similar to the one I read when I was in 5th grade.

Both stories had two girls, somehow related, who were being torn apart by a ghost girl, who drowned. This one might have scared me a little when I was younger; it was well-written in the mystery and horror (if you will) area. I got it for my kids, along with several other Halloween books appropriate for the season, but this one was neglected. I had nothing else to read, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It was decent, considering. ;) If you have kids in, I don't know, grades 4-6, maybe, and they like a good thrill, this would be a good book for them.

A Three Dog Life, by Abigail Thomas

2011-11-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love memoirs? ;)

First, a little tidbit of information I learned from my husband and this book (he told me this before I read it on one of the first few pages): Australian Aborigines slept with their dogs for warmth on cold nights, the coldest being a "three dog night".

- Wikipedia

I've read about women losing their husbands to death, but this woman lost her husband to brain damage. He was hit by a car, one night, and lost the front part of his brain, therefore losing any short term memory storage. He lives in a nursing home that cares for TBI patients and she visits him once or so a week. In this book, she comes to terms with life, who she is, what she wants, if it's selfish to not bring him home and care for him, herself (I'm with the decision she made, by the way), who her husband has become, and how to cope with the present, not paying any mind to the past or the future. She talks about guilt, healing, living, and being happy in spite of her circumstances. She finds simple pleasures in art, her friends, her husband, and yes, her dogs.

I love the way this woman writes - so honest and raw. I say raw, because she doesn't mince words, she doesn't go back over what came out on the paper and sugar-coat it. It's real. I feel like I was given a glimpse inside her soul, how she sees herself and probably would hope others see her. Her writing reminded me of how I want to be able to write, or how I maybe even do write, but only in places no one else can read. And maybe even how I sometimes write on my blogs. Either way, I felt connected to her because of how open and real she is in this book. I can't say enough how much I loved reading her life. I can't imagine having to go through something like she is going through. I'm glad I found this random book that I otherwise might never have noticed. A real story from a real person. Love it. :)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

2011-11-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

I had this one on hold for quite a while, and finally got it and finished it a week ago.

It was definitely a peculiar book, that's for sure. I have to wonder where some authors get their ideas - did they have a bizarre dream that, when written down with detail added, turned into some sort of novel?

This book had a mix of past, present, real, not real, and unreal, with a touch of weird. A boy loses his grandfather, ends up in therapy about it because of the circumstances of his death, which bring out the stories he was told by him as a little boy... which leads him to the island his grandfather did most of his growing up on. There, he finds the stories are real, that he's actually part of them, and has to choose to stay in the real world or the world he's discovered. It pretty much leaves one hanging, almost as if there were going to be a sequel. I doubt there will be, because it also had a sort of finality to the ending... and even if there were a sequel, I wouldn't read it. The book was interesting enough at the beginning, but once the mystery was unravelled, the story seemed to drag on and lose its pull on me. I finished it simply because I wanted to see how it ended, which, in my opinion, wasn't great. The most interesting part, I'd have to say, is how the author weaved authentic, vintage photographs into the story. I wouldn't say don't waste your time, because it might appeal to some, but I find my taste is for more realistic circumstances, and this book was full of fantasy. Oh, well. Not a complete waste of time. ;)

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

2011-10-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

This book was well-worth the wait!

I found it appropriate that I should read this book after the last book I just read. Also, I found it interesting that it took place 100 years after the last book and showed that these issues were still, well, issues.

This is a fictitious book, but it's based on how things were once upon a time (and still probably are, in some areas, unfortunately). It switches between the points of view of two black women and a white woman. The two negro women are maids for white folk, and are asked by the white woman to give an account of what it's like being a maid for white people for a book she's endeavoring to write. The white woman, Skeeter being the name she goes by, also gets the stories from more black women. She surprised to find that they're not all bad. I really don't think I can do this book justice by telling you what it's about. It's probably a fairly accurate dipiction of what life was like in the south in the early 1960's, for black woman and white woman. What I can say is it's full of emotion, so enjoyable to read, and is one I'm going to own in the future - that's how good it is.

I waited two months for it to become available at my local library - and I'm glad I did. I'll be seeing the movie, but I would recommend reading the book, first, as the book usually is better. :)

Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Beecher Preachers, by Jean Fritz

2011-10-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

Between my computer breaking, the book I finally got from the library that I couldn't wait to start and have hardly been able to put down since, and life, I'm just now getting this review done. I finished last Saturday, so it hasn't been too long.

I was one of the people who vaguely knew who this woman was, knew that she had written a book (Uncle Tom's Cabin - on my list of to read) that I may or may not have read once upon a time in Junior High, and that's about it. I thought she was African-American - that's how little I knew about her. I wanted an autobiography or biography to read while I waited for the above mentioned book, and I couldn't be happier that I chose this one.

Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in the era of the Civil War. She was raised by a well-known preacher who wanted his sons to be preachers, too, since daughters weren't good for much outside of marrying them off or them becoming teachers. Harriet felt oppressed by this her whole life, felt there was fire burning within her that she didn't know what to do about, since her options were so limited. She married and had kids, just like any woman should've done in those days, and even became a teacher at the insistence of her oldest sister. This never made her happy - in fact, she was prone to depression, like most of her family.

She always opposed slavery, but didn't become an actual abolitionist until later in her life. She helped with the finances by writing articles for the media. Then she got an idea of writing something that helped the fire she felt burning within - a book about slavery. It started as magazine articles that she couldn't get published fast enough, because her readers longed for the next edition. She used fictional characters that were based on people she'd met and based the events in the book on stories she's heard from people, both black and white, over the years of her life. The book was an instant success in both America and England. She was very well-known in that time period for this book and her views as well as her speeches (that were delivered by men, since it was considered improper for a woman to speak to the masses), although a lot of people in the South, after realizing what the book was about, didn't like her. She was an advocate of Abraham Lincoln, but only after she met him personally to make sure he really would sign the Emancipation Proclamation like he said he would.

She and her family played huge roles in the Civil War. This woman is my new hero, next to Mother Teresa. She rocked the literary world and lived a stellar life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a quick book, one that tells an excellent story about an excellent woman.

About Alice, by Calvin Trillin

2011-10-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

I love books that are written by real people telling their real stories. This book was a short biography of sorts written by a grieving husband about his late wife, Alice.

He touches on the details of her personality, things he cherished about her... things, I'm sure, every wife wishes her husband would notice (and love) about her. :) He quite obviously loved every bit of her, from her outer beauty to her inner stubbornness. She was a hopeless (or hopeful?) optimistic, a wonderful mother, a well-rounded, talented person with a desire and ability to touch the lives of others. Alice was diagnosed with lung cancer in her early years, only to be given a 25 year grace period to see her daughters both married. She had a sweet and realistic outlook on life and was able to always see the best in things. She was never shy about expressing her opinion, no matter the number of feathers it might ruffle. Her husband painted a nice little picture of her; a small glimpse, I'm sure. I have to wonder if this was part of his grieving process... Either way, it was just nice to read about a small portion of this woman the world is now without. She died from cardiac arrest, her heart being damaged by the radiation treatment she received. But she died happy, seemingly satisfied with the life she'd lived. I'm sure her family and friends feel equally blessed to have had her apart of theirs.

An Interview with Anna Deskins

2011-10-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

I've been fortunate enough to be found by this new and up-and-coming author, Anna Deskins. She's interviewed me about my blog and life as a mommy, and now I'm going to post my interview with her. :)

Your children's book, The Adventures of Smitty looks magical. Tell us about it.

It's the story of a magical island of little creatures called Smilies and the mischievous little main character, Smitty. He's such a naughty boy. Haha! All the moms and kids I've shared it with have been giving me such a wonderful reaction. I cannot believe it. I have to tell you how excited I am to finally have a life-long dream come true. Writing The Adventures of Smitty was really about finding a story that I would want to read to my children at night. It has to be exciting but not scary so that my two daughters can go to sleep. Basically, I was looking for that perfect blend to read to my kids at night and decided, "Why not try writing my own?"

We've had a lot of changes in our life recently, so I want to make sure that when I put my daughters to sleep that they feel safe. I have short chapters because I know how busy we moms are but if you can just sacrifice 5 minutes at night reading to your kids, it makes a world of difference. Your kids will never forget it. And although we're running around the whirlwind of life, our kids grow up so fast, and that time that we'd rather finish watching what happened in our favorite soap opera instead of reading to our kids will never come again. I hope that The Adventures of Smitty and books like it help moms do exactly that.

And it's only 99 cents this week. That's what I love about it. Now, You are recently divorced. How have you been able to continue writing when going through such a change?

Yes, it is by far one of the most challenging points in my life. To see a marriage you thought would last forever to not last forever was difficult for the two of us. I really learned a lot about myself and most importantly, it's brought me closer to my daughters. I think that's what really motivated me to finish this children's book no matter what. When you're going through changes in your life like this, you need something to hold on to. There's a part of you that wants to prove that you can make it, that you will be a success even if it's not with the partner you originally imagined building a life with. I had to keep writing, for my kids. I want to show them that they have to keep strong, no matter what.

We as women, as moms really need to stick together to support each other and our dreams. We're living in an age when I think we're finally realizing, although we want love, the men in our life aren't the answer to everything. We have to stand up on our own two feet and keep going. True love will happen, but until then, we have to keep moving forward. Our children depend on us and we depend on us.

In addition to being a children's book author, you're also a small business owner. How do you juggle taking care of two daughters and at the same time running a business?

Yes, I am a fashion designer and have a retail store. Any type of creativity is what I'm passionate about. That's why writing The Adventures of Smitty was so important to me. Let me tell you, running a small business in today's economy isn't easy especially when raising two girls at the same time. But somehow, it seems someone's watching over me because my dreams are coming true no matter what. To have that many moms glowing about my children's book, means so much to me. And I know my girls are proud.

When do you ever have time to write?

You mean, in between laundry, running a business, chasing my girls around the house, cleaning the house, and flying back and forth from Miami to New York? Haha! That's one thing I've learned, when you really want to do something, you find a way. Things fall into place if you just go for it and that's what I want to encourage all the moms who are reading this right now. Whatever your goal is, you can do it. Don't let the challenges in your personal life stop you from going for your dreams. Just go for it and it's almost magical how things fall into place.

Where can we get a copy of "The Adventures of Smitty"?

Right now, it's available online by going to: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94655 You can also visit my website:http://www.AnnaDeskins.com where you can read more about my writing process, my recommendations for other books and my own adventures in Mommyhood.

I'm so grateful for your support and the support I'm getting from so many wonderful moms who dream of writing children's books one day too. Writing The Adventures of Smitty has been such an emotional experience for me, a true journey as I was going through so many changes while writing it. It's truly been a blessing in my life. It, along with my daughters, and that guy upstairs have really pulled me through a challenging time.

Thanks for the interview, Anna. And let's go out and support a fellow mom by getting a copy of The Adventures of Smitty today. I know I will!

Darth Paper Strikes Back, by Tom Angleberger

2011-10-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Our library had this when I placed it on hold, but I didn't want to wait for them to tell me it was ready so I just went and got it. :)

This one was as equally entertaining as the last one... with an unexpected ending. :)

Harvey was the antagonist in the first book, always making claims that Origami Yoda wasn't real, that he was just a wad of paper. This book is another "case file"; stories put together to help a cause. The cause was Dwight (the creator of Origami Yoda in the first book) and his potential to get kicked out of school. The kids who've come to know him as an ok guy instead of just the weirdo they thought he was have put together some letters to the school board in attempt to keep him in school with them. Harvey and his Darth Paper seem to be against the plan the whole time, always adding rude comments or pointing out the bad things about Dwight. Convinced that the school board will see Harvey's point over Dwight's new friends', Tommy presents his case to the school board, anyway.

Will they let Dwight stay in school or send him to the reform school for naughty kids? Guess you'll have to read it to find out! ;)

I'm assuming by some slight indication at the end of the book that there are more to come - which I'm very pleased to assume because these have been fun books that I'm so glad my kids have the chance to add to their brain's library. :) I recommend sharing them with your kids, too!

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger

2011-10-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

My son brought this home from his school library - he said there was a long waiting list of kids who wanted to read it.

I read the inside cover and thought it sounded funny, so I read it. :)

It was pretty funny! It's about a kid (Tommy), who is in 6th grade and is having a debate over whether or not Origami Yoda is real. Sure, he's "real", but does he really have the wisdom he's been giving advice to kids with? Or is Dwight (the creator of the finger puppet, and, coincidentally, biggest weirdo in the 6th grade) smarter and wiser than people think? The book is a conglomeration of other kids' experiences with Origami Yoda, all compiled to create a sort of case file. The gist of it is, you ask Yoda a question and he gives you an answer. An answer that is usually a very good one.

The big question Tommy is debating on asking, is why he compiled other people's experiences, in the first place. Does Sara like him? (heehee)

If you want to know what Yoda had to say about that, you'll have to read it for yourself. ;)

It's a very cute book that I'm very glad my son read because it actually has some non-obnoxious lessons in it, plus, it's just good, clean fun. :) I prefer this one over Diary of a Wimpy Kid, any day.

We currently have on hold at our local library, "Darth Paper Strikes Back". Should be fun!

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

2011-10-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

I so love this book! I read it a long time ago and was given a copy by a friend. Since I'm still waiting my turn for a couple books at the library, I decided to re-read it.

If you've never read this book, I highly recommend it.

It takes place in 1964, during the whole Civil Rights Act era. Lily is a girl who's lost her mother by an accidental shooting she caused, lives with a father who treats her badly, and is being raised by her negro nanny, Rosaleen. When Rosaleen's arrested for defending herself against the typical racism of that day and age, Lily breaks her free after running away and the two follow clues to a town she believes her mother once visited, once upon a time.

There, she not only finds herself, but also finds the love of mothers in unlikely places. She falls in love, learns about her mother's past, experiences death of a loved one for the second time in her life, and learns the art of beekeeping.

It's a beautiful story filled with love, laughter, tears, anger and forgiveness. I'm glad I already own my very own copy because this is definitely a book I'll be re-reading, again, in the future. :)

Death of a Chimney Sweep, by M.C. Beaton

2011-09-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

I am currently waiting (for over a month, now!) for two books at my local library, and I really was wanting to read something in the meantime. So, I found this book. :)

I love a good mystery, so I was intrigued. (This author has written, apparently, 27 mysteries, all starting with "Death of...".)

He starts his story off quickly, cutting right to the chase. Someone dies, then someone else is dead (a lot of people die, actually)... there's a local police sergeant who's always trying to help solve the crimes, infringing on someone else's territory... and there are lively characters to keep it interesting. Many details are added in to keep the reader guessing whodunnit, and the plot is enough to keep the pages turning. The lingo is fascinating, as it's origination stems from England.

I almost felt like the writer was trying to drag the story on longer than it needed to be, maybe adding too many details... but the ending was kind of funny. The sergeant's cat actually did away with the bad guy, and in order to protect the animal, he dumped the body somewhere to make it look like an accident.

It was clean, it was entertaining, it was enough to maybe lead me to another of his books should I have to wait any longer for the books I really want to read... and it was free from my library - can't beat that!

The Doll in the Garden, by Mary Downing Hahn

2011-09-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I loved a good ghost story - anything with mystery! I once read a book by Mary Downing Hahn called, "Wait Till Helen Comes". I was in 5th grade and it terrified me!

My kids love a good ghost story, even though they can't sleep afterwards. I think we have it in our blood to find such things so fascinating. My MIL gave us some books this summer, this book being one of them. When I saw who the author was, I snagged it, immediately! I've told my kids about the other book I read many times but they haven't gotten up the gumption to read it just yet. I thought they'd like this one, though, so we brought it home.

I'm currently awaiting my turn for a book at the library, so I've been trying to find things around my house to read that I haven't read, already. (And some things I have.) I saw this book and thought I'd see if it was as spine-chilling as the one I've read, before.

Alas, it wasn't. Maybe if I were still 10 or 11, it might have been. Being an adult, I saw where it was headed early on, which isn't saying it's bad. I'm just a little too grown up for it. (It's no Mary Higgins Clark, that's for sure.)

I think my kids might find it intriguing, though. ;) If your kids like this sort of thing, I would guess it's more mysterious than scary, if I were to try to look at it from a juvenile's point of view. A friend of mine and I were talking, yesterday, about how being an adult can sometimes take the fun out of things. Oh, well. :)

A Stolen Life: A Memoir, by Jaycee Lee Dugard

2011-09-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

My biggest fear is my kids being kidnapped. I can handle them dying even more than that. (I'd really like to not ever have to test that theory...)

Wow. This book was disturbing. It was emotional. It was... disturbing. Unbelievable.

Jaycee was kidnapped in 1991, when she was 11. Her kidnapper, Phillip Garrido, kept her for over 18 years. He fathered her two children. He was married. His mother was on the same property.

She not only survived, but she managed to do it well. What I can't believe is how she was taken on outings, met Phillip's parole officers, had access to the internet... and she still wasn't found until she was. That she was kept in the backyard and no one even thought to look back there is just unfathomable. This man was sick. Very messed in the head. He had her brainwashed, controlled, scared. She actually felt the need to protect him, to keep him happy, to rely on him. His wife was in on this. That, in itself is wrong in so many ways.

She was rescued, reconnected with her family, and is doing so amazingly well... her story is not one I would ever wish on anyone, but her attitude should be manufactured and sold in jars.

I love reading memoirs. The real stories. This one was hard. She was able to recount so many things from those horrid years. I hope she can continue in her positive outlook on life and build something wonderful for herself and her girls.

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25, by Richard Paul Evans

2011-09-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

This book took me less than eight hours to read. I could not put it down! I had to, however, take breaks to digest what I just read and let it all sink in.

This was such an awesome book! Of course it is, RPE wrote it!

He can write men well. He can write women really well.

He writes electric teenagers with flare.

This is the first (yes, first - I have to wait for the next one!) in a series of, actually... I don't know how many books, but I guarantee you'll be hooked.

It's supposed to be geared toward the young adults of the world, but I'm a youngish adult and loved it! It had me hooked from the very beginning. I kept thinking while I was reading it not only about how well it was written, but how well it was researched. Much brain-stocking info had to be acquired to make this book seem realistically fiction vs. a far-fetched fake. It's full of a little mystery, a nice flowing plot, and an ending that leaves you a mixture of satisfied with a want for more.

All I'll tell you is Michael Vey is the main character... he has special "powers" that stem from something that happened to him around the time of his birth... his mom has been kidnapped due to his new-found friend's research on their past - as they both have these powers in common... and he has to put pieces of a puzzle together to take you from one chapter to the next. If you like Richard Paul Evans, mystery, thrillers, and a touch of science fiction, you'll love this book!

It's a page-turner. It's a must-read. I loved it! Can't wait for the next!

The Baby Grand, by Richard Paul Evans

2011-08-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

So, this book, I just found here, is selling for up to $300 online. That's IF you can find it. I not only have this book, but I paid $5.00 for it from Richard, himself (ok, his assistant), and it has his autograph in it.

Oh, yeah, baby. ;)

I read it, today, in a matter of minutes. It's 22 pages long, I think, so quick read, for sure. But it was sweet. It's the true story of how Richard tried to surprise his wife with a baby grand piano for Mother's Day and she accidentally finds out about it. Short and sweet.

Made me think of this last Christmas. A big box arrived via some parcel service and my husband told me it was from a friend of ours. I sort of panicked because we hadn't thought of getting them anything. I insisted on going to the store and getting them a gift, asap. So, we did. :)

What my husband may have forgotten, not unlike RPE, is that I'm in charge of the bills. ;) I saw that a significant amount of money had been spent by one of us, most likely not myself. (haha)

Upon examining the aforementioned box, I noticed it had a range of numbers in the form of "mm". That got me putted the pieces together in my head.... don't cameras deal with "mm"s? I want a camera... someone spent a lot of money on something recently...

So, I knew (figured, rather) that I was getting a camera for Christmas.

And I did. A really nice, somewhat expensive camera that I wasn't expecting till my 50th wedding anniversary.

And it wasn't from our friends. ;)

To this day, my husband doesn't know I knew but played along, anyway. And he doesn't read this blog so the secret is between you and me. ;)

Miles to Go, by Richard Paul Evans

2011-07-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Aah, another awesome book by the awesome Richard Paul Evans.

Alan started his journey from Seattle to Key West when his wife died, his partner stole his clients causing him to lose his business, and he loses his house to foreclosure. He was held up at the end of the last book by a mugging/stabbing. He was in the hospital... that's where this books starts.

He meets a woman who changes his life, or rather, he changes hers. This leads to the changing of other lives. Which leads to a slight downfall in his own.... then he meets someone he knows.... then it ends without telling you who!

I don't want to give too many details because you really should read these books, but, as usual, this book is jam-packed full of wisdom and is so well-written. RPE really does have a talent for poetically weaving a story together. As I read it, I wanted to write down and remember so many of the little tidbits of great thoughts and ways of seeing life - he really does know his stuff! I loved it!

I'm on vacation right now and didn't want to wait until I got home to do this review, which is why it's short. Do read the book, though. Start with the first, of course, if you haven't already.

Hurry, though, because he has another book coming out August 9th! It's totally different than what we're used to seeing from him, so this should be good!

I'll Walk Alone, by Mary Higgins Clark

2011-06-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

I usually spot the newest release by Mary Higgins Clark on an endcap at my local Kmart. When I saw this one, I immediately placed a hold on it at my library.

I had to wait a while for it, but it was well worth the wait!

When I read the description on the inside cover, I must admit I was a little disappointed. It mentioned identity theft. How interesting could that be, I wondered? But, I've read just about every single one of her 30 books (the ones my library has, anyway) and couldn't pass this one up.

I'm so glad I didn't! This followed her same style, with twists and turns and additions to her growing puzzle along the way! She weaves a tale of a young woman who's lost her son, and now has strange charges to her bank accounts and credit cards, when a picture of her son being kidnapped shows she's the one who did it. She knows she's not crazy, but the rest of the world thinks she is. With the help of her friends (no thanks to the detectives on her case), the mystery is solved and.... I'm not going to tell you what happens! It's a must-read, that's for sure. The only thing I found to be a slight let-down was the criminal's motive - I thought it was a little weak. It's like you hit a big climax, only to have your balloon wither and deflate slowly. Other than that, it was a very good read.

If you're a fan of mystery or of Mary, herself, this book won't disappoint.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith

2011-06-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

If I had to describe this book in one word, that word would be ridiculous.

I had to really force myself to get it finished. It wasn't that it wasn't well-written, I can only say that it was, as far as putting together a story and doing one's research goes. But by the end, every time I read the word "vampire", I wanted to gag. If I never read another vampire book as long as I live, I would be just fine.

If you read the cover, and you tend to lean towards the naive side of the scale, you'd probably find yourself wondering how true this book is. The author claims it's true. Says these are facts. He even goes so far as to insert himself into the story.

But, really? Abe being a vampire slayer? Ha.

I know it's fiction, and perhaps I tend to take certain books too seriously, but I had a hard time with this one. I don't know much about President Lincoln, and perhaps should have done some research before attempting to read this book. To me, it was just hard to take. What I do know, he was a highly respectable man. How could someone make Abraham Lincoln out to be so cold-blooded? So against God? So dishonest, even? Again, it's fiction. It says so on the copyright page. The author even lets on that it is in this interview. He claimed to have high respect for Lincoln, when all throughout the book he makes him look like he has serious mental issues. I guess I need to lighten up, eh?

Well, the book was about Abe's life. Supposedly, his mother, aunt, uncle, sons, friends, etc. were all killed by vampires. Supposedly, his axe was his greatest weapon against them. Supposedly, he becomes a vampire himself. I had to laugh at this. This really put the book over the edge into ridiculous land.

I don't recommend reading it. If you are interested in Lincoln, I came across this blog that has true facts about him and his presidency and I intend to find a decent biography, as well. An autobiography would be most excellent.

I really wouldn't waste your time with this book.

RPE rocks the barn

2011-06-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'm a big Richard Paul Evans fan. Huge. But you probably figured that out already. ;)

My husband was browsing Amazon.com one night and found one of his books I not only didn't own (I own all of his books), but haven't even heard of.

So, I did some searchin'. I was only able to find it on Amazon.com used, starting at $63.00. I couldn't find it anywhere else.

I wasn't about to pay that, so I did the next best thing. I emailed Richard. Ok, not Richard, himself, but someone who takes his emails for him.

She told me it was out of print but she just happened to have one. She said send me a check and she'll get it right to me.

$5.00 and a couple weeks later, I have it. :)

I even got another autograph out of the deal! :)

Madame Tussaud, by Michelle Moran

2011-06-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

This was one intense book. I never knew much about the French Revolution, but several years ago I read a few books on Marie Antoinette. I found that fascinating and this book was equally a page turner.

Madame Tussaud was a name I knew, but didn't know anything past that. She was a famous show-woman who worked with wax. Her specialty was creating real looking images of famous people. She used her shop in France to report news on the happenings of the times, which happened to be when the people of France were revolting against their king and queen.

The bloodshed that happened during this period in history is unbelievable. The author makes mention that about half a million people lost their lives for the cause of "liberty", or what some thought was liberty. She said approximately 40,000 were guillotined. Among these numbers were many women, children, people of the church - the innocent. It's amazing the evil that can take hold of people if they let it, and people did in this historic time. All of the major events and characters in this book were real. The author's extensive research to put this together is simply exhausting for me to even think about! :)

Having read books about Marie Antoinette that were basically from her point of view on the events that took place around that time, it was nice to be on the other side, from the "commoner's" point of view. Marie Tussaud was fortunate to escape death when she did. It's amazing she survived as long as she did, trying to play both sides of the political fence. She was a tutor to the king's sister, Elizabeth, while trying to support (or appear to support, to avoid imprisonment or death) the "patriots" seeking freedom from the monarchy. She had to make death masks of people she cared for after they were beheaded, a job she never relished, as one can imagine. She had to part with family either by choice or death for safety reasons and even parted with the one she loved due to her devotion to her work and family. She married a man she met in prison, gaining her last name Tussaud, only to find he was an excessive gambler once they were free. She had three children by him, two sons who survived, and after realizing her marriage wasn't going to work out, joined her first love to travel with her show.

She has many wax museums around the world and is still famous today for her work. The last figure she created before she died was one of herself.

I love Moran's way of making what she writes seem so real, like she was there taking notes while these historic events were taking place. This book was a little more disturbing to read because of the reality that was the French Revolution, but it was very informative and entertaining, nonetheless. I do recommend reading it. :)

Have a Little Faith, by Mitch Albom

2011-05-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

The other book I've been working on isn't a sit-down-and-read-till-yer-done-book, so I decided to squeeze in another one for fun. :)

Mitch Albom is one of the best authors I have ever read. I've read two of his other books, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "Tuesdays With Morrie". I loved "Tuesdays With Morrie". Mr. Albom really knows how to portray a person's personality through his way with words.

This book held true to his form. I consider myself to be a fairly religious person, but this book gives a whole new light on the subject on what being religious really means. This book was compiled over a span of eight years, after Mitch's rabbi approaches him with the question, "Will you do my eulogy?". Mitch felt in order to be able to do this, he had to get to know the man. In the process, his reader has that blessed opportunity, as well. I truly wish I could have known "the Reb" in real life.

One of the things Mitch does in his free time is to help people through his charities. To do this, he investigates the place he wants to help to make sure they're legit. This is how he meets Henry, the other character that graces us through the pages of this wonderful book. Henry had a rough life, mostly due to his own choices, but turns it all around to become the pastor of his own congregation.

Through his visits with these two men, he learns more about himself than he ever thought he would. He learns what it means to know there's something or someone bigger than him in the universe.

And he takes his reader right along with him on this magnificent journey, one I will truly cherish being able to go on.

I highly recommend reading this book, as well as his others. This book is one I'm hoping someday to purchase, as I only buy books I'll read more than once. There was so much wisdom packed into those pages, I can't help but want to revisit them over and over again. :)

Winds of Change...

2011-05-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

I am now in possession of these books, plus some others.

I am currently reading Body Clutter with a friend of mine and we're making some huge progress, if I may say so, myself. I'm excited to share my final results!

I have put the other book I was reading on hold for the moment, as it isn't due back to any library anytime soon. :)

Happy reading!

What's in store...

2011-04-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

My library decided to buy this book!! Woohoo!

And, my birthday's coming up, so I'm pretty much guaranteed this book.

The book I'm reading now is good, it's just not one I want to sit down and read. It's a short one, too, so I should just commit and give it some of my time so as to make room in my busy schedule for some books that I'm so excited might be in my near future. :)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

2011-04-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

AND

My son acquired these books over a series of birthdays and everyone in my family has read them at least once, so I thought I'd find out first-had what all the laughter was about.

I have to say, except for a few parts, I didn't think they were that funny.

First, I've seen the first movie and after I've seen a movie, the book sometimes just isn't that great. That held true, in this case.

I definitely read things from an adult's point of view, which, I believe, is why these books just weren't that funny to me. Mostly, they were a quick read, slightly entertaining, and one of them (the yellow one) was really obnoxious. Greg Heffley is obnoxious. He's so full of himself! It's no wonder Rowley doesn't want to be his friend! (hee hee) As I read these as a parent, I couldn't help thinking, "I sure hope my kids don't try this crap". I know, I need to lighten up, they're meant for the younger readers in my house, not for me. And my kids love them. When I said they've read them at least once, it's more like 3-5 times PER BOOK. They LOVE them. From an adult's point of view, though, I give them a "meh" with a simultaneous shoulder shrug. ;)

But, now I can say I've read them and I know what my family (husband, included) is talking about when they say things like, "Remember when Greg tried to use the force to elevate the remote control from the coffee table to his hand?" or "Wasn't it funny when the one kid played the tuba behind the curtain?".

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

2011-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Best. Book. Ever.

Ok, well, one of them. This book was lent to me by a co-worker of my husband upon learning that I love WWII books. I am so glad he did and was patient with me borrowing it for so long whilst I completed my gardening course and previous book. I am so so so very glad I kept it instead of returning it upon the realization that I wouldn't be getting it to it as soon as I had hoped. This was, by far, one of the most excellent books I have ever read.

As it says on the cover, it's a story of survival. Louie Zamperini didn't just survive, though. He conquered; conquered life, the enemy, and himself. One reason I love reading about these people who've faced such great trial in their lives is how they come out in the end, how they're determined to come out in the end when everything in between is doing its best to break them. Amazing. This man is one I'd have at my "if I could invite anyone over to dinner" table. The things he had to endure, the attitude of optimism he kept, the life-altering choices he made because of it and ability to forgive his enemies truly leave me in awe.

I don't want to give away too much of the story when I do these reviews in hopes that it'll entice you to read it yourself, if you haven't already, but one thing I learned from this book was something I now long to learn more about: the Japanese side of the war. I've focused so much on the Holocaust part of it that I never gave the other side much thought. I knew they bombed Pearl Harbor, but I didn't know why. Now I do. The Japanese leader, at the time, had the same notions Hitler had. He thought he could rule at least all of Asia and that the Japanese were the superior race. In the POW camps held by the Japanese, the treatment wasn't unlike that of the ones in Europe. My grandfather, who died almost 10 years ago, served in Okinawa during the war. I interviewed him when I was in Jr. High... oh, how I wish he was still alive so I could re-do that interview and ask better questions. It really makes me want to go down to our local Senior center and find someone I could talk to about the war. Real people's stories are so much better than fiction!

If you haven't read this book, do. That's an order. ;) You'll thank me later, I promise.

Another new book out you might like...

2011-04-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have to get to my library to request they buy it, but I saw that it's out earlier than I thought it would be! Woohoo!

If you've read this, this or this, you may be interested is this, Michelle Moran's newest book! I've been looking forward to this for a long time! Yay! I thought it was coming out April 6th, but I guess it's already in stores! Score!

It's almost here!

2011-03-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

April 5th is vastly approaching! Have you preordered your book? I haven't... yikes! The book I'm currently reading (see right) is going so much more faster than the last one, so I should be done in no time. :)

Letters My Mother Never Read, by Jerri Diane Sueck

2011-03-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

After 3 renewals (at three weeks each), plus the original time I had it (also three weeks), plus the five day grace period, I finally found time to finish this book!!

It was good. ;)

I won't just leave it at that, though.

This is one young woman's story of survival. She lost her mother when she was eight to a fire, was abused by her grandmother for two years, separated from her brothers when her own adoptive father abandoned them at an orphanage on Christmas Eve, and faced further abuse from foster parents. My favorite part about this person is how she not only survived, but triumphantly so. She found God and chose to never give up though there were many who constantly told her she wasn't good enough and never would be. She lived most of her life in an orphanage, overcame her cleft palate and speech issues on her own, was never told about how a woman's body changes during puberty and faced those challenges alone, and dealt with her inner turmoil without the aid of others. She more than succeeded in school, earned her Master's degree and went on to become a nun as a way of saying "Thank you" to her Maker for always helping her through life. Included in this heart-rending book are letters to her mother asking questions she never got answered, begging for the nurturing and love she so craved, wondering how she could've died and left her alone.

I think it would be awesome to meet this woman. She's amazing.

I've been told by three different people that now I have to read "A Child Called It", as it's a similar story. I love reading real stories from real people. The book I'm currently reading (see right) is another one. :)

Happy reading!

Gardening Know-How

2011-03-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't been reading actual books, lately, I wanted to share some things I've learned from my info-packed class I've been taking.

Like, for instance:

In Wyoming, if you think you have crabgrass, you probably don't. We generally don't have crabgrass, here. It's quackgrass. So, if you live here (at least in my area), and you've been buying the fertilizer that also kills crabgrass, you, my friend, have been wasting your pennies.
If you read the ingredients to the bag of grass seed you just bought and skimped a little on the spending, you may find a percentage of WEED seeds included. Nice, huh?
I can look at a flower and tell you if it's a boy, a girl, or both. ;)
Trees never really "heal" their wounds, they just cover them up.
Yes, you can just plant seeds and let them grow (they make their own food). But after that, you have to feed them. ;)
The soil in Wyoming stinks. Oh, wait... I already knew that.
Certain veges like to grow next to other certain veges.
When you mow your lawn, you should only mow 1/3 of it's length, and it should always be about 2.5 - 3 inches tall for optimum light, nutrient, water absorbency. And it's more aesthetically pleasing. :)
You should wait till evening to transplant an already growing plant... and if you are looking to buy a fruit-producing plant that's already grown a little, don't buy one that has fruit on it. It'll die. Buy them young. I've seen first-hand that this is, indeed, true.
Weeds are pretty much inevitable. Seriously.
Some weeds are actually desired.
Pesticide isn't just for bugs.
Kentucky Blue Grass is the best for my area.
Soil can be damaged. Tilling isn't always a good thing.
Compost and organic matter are a gardener's best friend.
Gardening can be as complicated or as simple as one makes it.
Anyone can be a gardener and I'm so excited to start mine this spring!

I've learned so much more and have a handful of classes yet to go, and these are just a few things off the top of my head. I've learned SO MUCH. I love it, too! It's just soaking right in! (It's almost as if my brain is one big patch of sandy loam!) Sorry, garden humor. Yeah... I don't think even someone who knows what that means would find it funny.... ;)

On Becoming a Master Gardener

2011-02-15T13:29:00.000-08:00

I'm still reading the book I have to the right... and I had a book that I borrowed from someone, and have since returned UNread due to my newest acquisition: Master Gardener course! I have homework... for the first time in YEARS. And it's all reading. Juggling that, my kids, my house, my babysitting, my chores, and the occasional shower, has left me virtually no time for reading. But, I'm working on becoming more organized with my time so that all of the above happens.

Now, it's off to shower! ;)

P.S. The book I borrowed was called Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. I hear it's quite good, and as you can see from my reading history, I like these sorts of books. Can't wait to borrow it again!

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

2011-01-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Took me long enough!

I loved reading this book, as I was doing so mostly to compare notes, so to speak, with those of the author of some other famous vampire books...

This book definitely added a bit more fear and terror to the word "vampire", and sort of diminished the "sexy" glow of my former opinion. Evil is a good way to describe the main character of this book. Main? Mostly...

It was written in the form of letters and journal/diary entries, all in chronological order, and each one adding a necessary piece to the vampire puzzle. At first, a slew of different characters were introduced, but towards the middle and definitely by the end, it became quite clear as to why.

It shed more light on how the world typically sees vampires, and that the legend of such creatures has been around for centuries. This author did his research at the time, that's for sure. The tale he wove was most mysterious and fascinating, adding twists and turns to every chapter. How one could come up with such a story is a mystery in itself to me... what is going through their head that one day they think, hm... I'm going to write such a story as will form nightmares in the minds of many for generations to come! Genius. That's all it is.

Now I want to see the movie, to see if anyone out there has done this book justice. For if they have, I'll be sleeping with the light on that night, I'm sure. ;)

Castle Dracula: Romania's Vampire Home, by Barbara Knox

2011-01-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

Ever since I read Twilight, my husband's been, erm, harassing me to read a "real" vampire story. So, I'm currently reading Dracula, by Bram Stoker. One of our family's goals for the year is to learn something new every month. This month we chose "places around the world". We all decided to pick somewhere individually and then at the end of the month, share what we've learned with each other.

I picked Transylvania, since I'm sort of in the middle of it at the moment. I have to admit - and this may be due to my hair color, that or shear ignorance - I didn't know it was a real place. I totally thought it was fictitious! Nope. It's real. ;)

Although, my library is lacking on information about it... I'm thinking of looking up Romania, to see if that helps. Anyway, I did find this book, which is a children's book, but that didn't stop me.

I learned that Dracula means "son of the dragon", since Dracul means "dragon". Dracula was based on a real person, Vlad the Impaler... and his dad was known as Dracul, so Vlad became, well, Dracula. He was a cruel prince who used to impale his enemies. He'd invite the poor over for dinner, then lock them in and burn the place to the ground. Nice, right? And the castle he lived in, now also known as Castle Dracula, was Castle Bran and really exists. This is what Bram based his character and castle on, I read.

Nice, huh? Apparently, one can visit this castle and roam freely about. How awesome would that be?

Anyway, I also learned that, according to legend, vampires can take many forms, not just bats.

It was a quick read, of course (like 10 minutes? maybe less?), but it was interesting.

Dracula's quite interesting, but I don't have much reading time these days so I'm slowly working my way through it...

Deja Dead, by Kathy Reichs

2011-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

I took to long getting it started (blame Christmas, that's what I'm doing) and now it's due back, so I didn't get to read it. Lame.

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

2010-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

This was one of those series/books that left me satisfied. You know how some books either end it wrong or stupid or really not at all and you're left with that unsatisfied feeling? Suzanne Collins does not have that effect. She chose the perfect ending.

I have to say, though, this book was a teensy bit slow-going at first... but I can see how it had to lead one into what was really going to be good at the end. Also, I couldn't help but make a comparison to a certain vampire series - the oh-woe-is-me girl and two guys who differ greatly in personalities who want her... hmm... In my last review, I said she should end up with Gale. I'm so glad she didn't. The way she and Peeta "warmed back up to each other" at the end was perfect. Not too mushy, but realistic (according to the story) since she was anti-relationship and not sure who she wanted, anyway.

Ok, onto the good stuff. Can you believe she killed Coin?? I kind of saw it coming, but after her little "meeting" with Snow at the end, when he tells her what really happened with the bombs, I knew something had to happen. I have to say, though, I totally saw Boggs taking the role as leader... up until he DIED! I hate when a movie or book sacrifices key characters... but it only made me wondering who would get it, so it was a nice twist. I hate that Prim had to die, too, but again, had to happen to make the ending more workable. I have to admit I was a little disbelieving when I read it... I had to keep rereading to make sure I read it right and that she really was dead, then rushed ahead to see if she magically reappeared. Finnick's another I wouldn't have minded seeing live till the end, especially with a new baby, but that just made that whole chase even more intense. I was also seriously beginning to wonder if it would end with Katniss's suicide, leaving behind a her legacy and a better world, but I'm glad Peeta stopped her and that she never really had another chance to succeed. As I read about her struggling after (and even before) killing Coin, I wondered why the author would make her heroine appear so weak... but then I realized it just added to the reality of her character, having dealt with so much death and tragedy. Very well done.

What a great bunch of books, so well-written, keeping one turning page after page and then making it near impossible to wait patiently for the next book to see what happens next.

In the Dark Streets Shineth, as told by David McCullough

2010-12-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

This was a sweet little Christmas book. It took me all of 10 minutes (or something like that) to read, but it was really nice.

What I especially liked about this book is the message given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Christmas Eve 1942, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He spoke of hope and faith and Christ and prayer and God. He said we have to pull together as a country. He said we have to rely on this season, the Christmas season, and Christ and our Heavenly Father to get us through this tough time of war and turmoil....words Obama will never utter. Words he should read and take an example from. A message our country sorely needs now, more than ever. We may not be at war with the world in the usual sense of the term, but we're at war with ourselves, in our very own country. Everyone fighting for the right to be who they are but not being able to do so without "offending" someone else. A reminder of why we have this country in the first place, why it was fought for time and time again. A message about values that are all too quickly being forgotten.

Anywho, that's my opinion, I loved the book.

Let's remember today the people who, once upon a time, fought and died for our freedom.

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

2010-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

Oh. My. Gosh.

Could this book BE any better?? I think Stephanie Meyers might just have a rival... although I'm sure there are those that would have me hanged for even thinking such nonsense. lol

If you haven't read this book, READ IT. But make sure you read the first one, first.

***SPOILER***

************************************************************

I knew it! I knew there were people in the Capitol secretly on her side! DUDE! I can't believe Peeta was captured, and why can't this girl just figure out her emotions already?? Gale or Peeta - make up your mind, woman! Who would you have her choose? I can totally relate to her not wanting to have kids to avoid the reaping every year but not at the cost of my own happiness with someone as great as either of them! I'm thinking Gale is the one she should ultimately choose. Yes, Peeta rocks, but I have to wonder if she REALLY wants him... I don't think so. If you've read the third one, PLEASE don't give ANYthing away... I have to borrow it from a friend because I'm sure the library won't have it for a while... but I haven't even checked yet, so who knows.

I just love the rebellion and intrigue in this book! I love how intricately woven the little details that make up the plot are and the twists that are clearly there but not fully realized until you get to the end. Oh, I just love it! I so can't wait to read the next one! I'm just giddy with excitement and impatience!!

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, by C. W. Gortner

2010-11-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wow. Another great book! I really do like historical fiction novels, they really bring what could've happened to life and leave me wanting to learn more about what really DID happen.

Besides the few parts where the author was a little too detailed on the love scenes, he told this story so well. I kept thinking, first of all, that it had to have been written by a female, but also that it was so much like Michelle Moran's books. The style, as well as the theme (royalty) was similar and all so fun to read!

The author's note at the end of this book leads one to believe that Catherine de Medici was not a favored queen, or one with happy memories tied to her story, but he writes it so that one can feel her pain, sympathize with her, but still see how others may not have liked her. The trials she had to face in life and the decisions she had to make - all of which are similar to any woman of royal descent - make me so glad I live in the world as it is today, and that I'm just some nobody living in a free country. I never knew much about this time when Rome was full of itself in power, and religion was either you're Catholic, or you're a heretic. To be a queen and to promote tolerance of those of other faiths, is something I am glad I have the pleasure of reading about, and not living. What a brave woman she was, to face what she did, to strive for power when she had to fight with everything she had to obtain it. Amazing.

Next I want to learn about Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots.

I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

2010-11-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to tell a little about why I love this book. I want to see if I can do it in short sentences, while still getting the point across.

It's charming.
It sounds like something I would write and how I would write it.
I can relate to the main character's personality.
Some parts are funny, some are romantic, some are wonderfully descriptive.
It's a simple, quick, easy read.
It goes well with the fall weather. (Yes, that's when I usually read it.)
The story never gets old or boring.
Every time I read it, I "feel" it differently.

Love it. Can't wait to read it again some autumnal season when I'm waiting for another good book to arrive. :)

All about the three books I've read in the last three weeks...

2010-11-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Cage, by Ruth Minsky Sender - Another excellent memoir from a Holocaust survivor, always a good category to choose from while waiting for another book in a series to BE RETURNED.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (book 1) - Totally just read this because other people said it was so good. And it was. Really good. Can't wait for whoever has it checked out from my library to RETURN IT SO I CAN HAVE A TURN.

Actually, I don't think there was a third before that... so, there. I'm caught up. ;)

I'm currently reading my OH!!! I totally just remembered what the third book was!!! DUDE! How could I forget?

Promise Me, by Richard Paul Evans - You know, I was sort of like, what? As I read this and finished it... truthfully, not one of his best novels. It was still well-written but the plot was so unlike anything he's written - I guess I'm just holding him to his normally higher standard. Huh. Next April will bring another good one, I'm sure!

As I was saying, I'm currently reading my go-to book for Fall, absolutely one of my faves:

One of the greatest books ever. I'm on my fourth time reading it. It's basically written as the journal of a 17 year old girl who's family lives in an old ruined castle. Her father was a famous author at one point but has seemed to lose his fire, her mother is dead, her stepmother is a former model, her sister complains of their situation a lot, her friend is in love with her and then two men come into their lives and change everything... that's all I'm going to tell you because I really think it's an enjoyable book that must be read by everyone. Go on, read it. I dare you. ;)

3 books later...

2010-10-28T13:15:00.001-07:00

Or was it only two... huh. Yeah, I don't know but I'm thinking about not doing this blog anymore... I think there are only three followers and I just want to read. ;)

The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner

2010-09-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

I attempted to read this, only getting through a small section of the second "chapter". I was left wondering, "Was William Faulkner on drugs when he wrote this??"

I read "The Catcher in the Rye" cover to cover simply to be able to say I've read it. It's a classic, right? It was the biggest waste of my time. This book was right up there with it, so I decided not to finish this one. I was better able to understand it here, but still didn't have the desire to read the whole thing. It was boring, confusing (due to the author's "technique known as stream of consciousness"), and didn't have much of a plot. Again, how did this become a classic?? I should seriously write a book and send it to either of these publishers - apparently they're desperate for writers. ;)

The Heretic Queen, by Michelle Moran

2010-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

I cannot get enough of this author! I'm so bummed that I've read all of her books already.

This book happens after the last book I read of hers, being told my Nefertari, the daughter of Mutny, who's point of view was the focus of the last book. A lot more of this book was fiction, but still based on a lot of historical facts and characters. The Pharaoh of this story is Ramsses II, husband to Nefertari. It tells of his reign, Nefertari's love for him and his love for her, the birth of their first two sons, his other wife's jealousy, his famous war in Kadesh and so much more! There's even a touch of mystery linking everything at the end, creating an unforgettable ending. I'm thinking this one was slightly better than the last two, but not by much. The web of plots this author weaves is so well-done and creates quite the page-turner. It's one of those books that causes you to have a love/hate relationship with the ending in that you love how it ends, but hate that it's over. She paints such a romantic picture of Egypt and its rulers, and writes so well what very well may have happened. Her knowledge of the time is impeccable, which is made obvious throughout the book.

I sincerely hope this author comes out with more books as she has become one of my favorites. I highly recommend all three that I've come across.

Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran

2010-08-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

More applause for Michelle Moran!

This book is so well-written and so informative all wrapped up in intrigue and just a whole bunch of goodness. I've not known much about anything Egyptian but have become highly fascinated by it because of these books! The way she portrays their customs and mannerisms is amazing!

When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to visit our local history museum while King Tut was on display... I wish I had known then what I know now, I would've felt a higher reverence for him and his life. Nefertiti was the Queen to King Tut's father, a heretic king who attempts to overthrow Egypt's god and introduce another for worship. Nefertiti is brought into the marriage in hopes to quell his desires. Instead, she builds him up and eventually makes herself Pharoah along with him. The story is told by Nefertiti's sister, who eventually is entrusted in the raising of King Tut because of his mother dying shortly after giving birth. It's a story of love, herecy, tragedy, power... and so much more! I really enjoy reading her novels and learning more than a bit about the past. I highly, highly recommend reading them! In fact, my next book is one she wrote, as well. Love them!

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

2010-08-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Finally! For some reason, this book takes me forEVER to read! It's a good book but the language is a little intense. I love it, though. I've read it before, but it's been a while. One thing I note in books from this era that I've read is how the women are so ... I don't even know what word I'd use. They see something they want, but because of unwritten rules of whatever, society or what-have-you, they hold back. They keep to themselves and prefer suffering in misery. I hate that. I do. I'm a if-you-want-something-do-what-you-can-to-get-it kind of girl. None of this suffering in silence garbage. (lol) It's good this book ends well, I suppose. ;) It truly is a book for the romantic at heart, though, so if you're one of those type and haven't read it yet, do.

Cleopatra's Daugher, by Michelle Moran

2010-07-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

This book was excellent! I am truly surprised I haven't fallen behind on my laundry because it seems all I've been doing is reading this wonderful, very informative book.

I've been fascinated by Cleopatra lately and found this book, thinking it would give me some insight to what things were like during that time period. I was so right! When I read the back cover and some other notes from the author at the end of the book, she says this book is a work of fiction, but is based on a lot of recorded history about what took place. Most of the characters, their personalities, the places and events, the food they ate, the way they dressed, and even a map that's included at the beginning are all most accurate depictions of what really happened. I've decided I really love reading historical fiction... it proves to be very informative as well as capturing the reader's attention and not reading like a history book.

This was a story from the point of view of Cleopatra Selene, Queen Cleopatra's daughter. It tells of her capture by Octavian, soon to be Emperor of Rome, after he concurred Egypt, her mother and father's suicides, her life in Rome, the friends she makes, her brothers' deaths, her marriage to Juba II, her education as an architect and so many other things that happened during her coming-of-age years. It's a love story, a story of tragic losses, and definitely a story I will always remember. I'm definitely going to be checking out some of this author's other books.

Emily's Ghost, by Denise Giardina

2010-07-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

This was a fun book to read. Just nice, really. I'm a big fan of the Bronte sisters, owning and having read all of their books. It was nice to read a story of what their lives may have been like. I wonder, as I read this, how much of it was fact, like certain instances that occurred or certain characters they came in contact with...

Although, like most books of theirs, the ending wasn't as one would hope, a bit of happiness tinged with mostly sadness. But, it was just nice to lose myself in a time period I would've been most happy in. I love how these girls wanted love, and not just to be married for money or convenience. I love their strength in character, how they didn't fit what society deemed "proper" and how they embraced that. I love how they dared to be individuals.

Like Jane Austen or even Louisa May Alcott, the Bronte's are some of my favorite long-since-gone authors. To see how each of their individual novels may have been inspired just adds to the general romantic feel of their stories.

It really was just a nice book to read. (Now I want to read Jane Eyre again!) :)

Order now!

2010-07-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Check out RPE's new book coming out this October!

Now we can have something to look forward to EVERY SIX MONTHS from him! He'll be having book two of his new series coming out in April of 2011!

The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger

2010-07-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

So, I read a quick paragraph on Wikipedia about this book, and part of it said, "...it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.".

What???

This was by far one of the worst books I have ever read. Ever. And I've even read Lord of the Flies.

Wasn't this book supposedly banned once? I can guess why - some of my brain cells jumped ship as I forced my way through it. They didn't want to add to society's decline in intelligence by exposing its future generations to this book. Seriously, after reading this, it makes me want to write a book because apparently they'll publish anything these days.

The whole time I was reading it, I kept waiting for this major plot or climax to appear. The way the author has the guy telling the story talk, it seems like he's always building up to something. But it never builds up to anything. Nothing. It was the most pointless, plotless book I've ever read.

This whole time, this guy who's telling the story, is telling about a period of several days from the point he finds out he's been kicked out of school to the day he decides to go home. He leaves school, spends a few days in New York, gets drunk a time or two, runs into people he knows, meets up with his sister, then it ends. That's it. I'd seriously like to know what the big deal is about this book. There's swearing all over the place (Normally, I put down a book that has this much swearing without finishing it, but I wanted to say I've read this book. So not worth it, let me tell ya.), there's a lot of talk about sex but nothing too detailed (thank goodness), and he keeps digressing from the point he's trying to make. It's funny, he even makes a point to say how the main character likes it when people digress.

If you want waste your time BIG time, read it. If you want to take my word for it that it's lame, by all means, do yourself a favor and go with this option.

Cleopatra, by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema

2010-07-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

I know this is a book for young readers but I found it at the library yesterday and decided I wanted to read it. It's a brief story of the life of Cleopatra, something I've been interested in as of late. It gave key details, and listed the source the authors obtained most of their information from.

What I found most interesting is that it's not really known how she committed suicide. I was always under the impression it was done via the bite of an asp, but there's no proof that this is the case.

It was obviously a super quick read but gave me the quick info I was looking for. (The pictures were great, too! lol)

The Swiss Family Robinson, told by Steve Frazee

2010-07-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

This is another book that my mother-in-law inherited to us that I've never actually read before in my whole entire life. I know, can you believe it?

So, I read it today. And it was good. Now I want to see the movie. (I saw it as a kid - I used to think Fritz was a hottie.)

;)

Helen Keller, by George Sullivan

2010-07-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

I read this real quick-like today... it was a good quick read.

I've known the story of Helen Keller, like anyone else, but learned something I didn't know from reading this book. She had a marriage proposal! Her mother got in the way of that, so it never came to fruition, but I didn't know that!

I remember seeing The Miracle Worker performed excellently at my high school and think I may have read a shortish book about her in the past, but found this book in the number of books my mother-in-law inherited to us so I thought I'd kill some time and read it today.

It was good. ;)

Hannah's List, by Debbie Macomber

2010-07-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to be reading a book about Cleopatra, but the way the author chose to write it made it ultra boring and hard to be interested in... SO, I chose this book, instead.

I've read several of Debbie's books before and loved them, so I didn't see why I wouldn't love this one.

It was ok, not one I loved... but I think it was more of her writing style than anything. She writes well, don't get me wrong, but it just wasn't what I've been used to lately, I guess. Too predictable?? Who knows...

I also found the plot maybe a far stretch - as if she's starting to run out of ideas. It's based upon a man who loses his wife to cancer and after a year, is given a letter from her through her brother. She tells him to get on with his life and to marry again so he can be the good father she knows he can be... she even goes as far as including a list of women she wants him to date.

He meets with and dates these women, the third one being the obvious one he'll end up with simply because she made them such opposites to begin with. The others all end up with the spouses/boyfriends they were with but had seperated from in the beginning.

It was a simple read, a good one, but not one I loved. The story line seemed weak or too obvious or I don't know... it just wasn't what I remember reading from her.

Oh, well, on to the next. ;)

Madman, by Tracy Groot

2010-07-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

To say this book was good would be a huge understatement. Good just doesn't cover it.

By the cover, you'd think it was dark. It had dark parts, but not so dark that I had to put it down. It was intriguing... interesting... thought-provoking. It was so well-written, there weren't any dull parts. Usually in books I read, it seems there are parts where the author feels the need to describe the scenery, or what someone's wearing... this author did this while telling the story so as not to lose the attention of her audience.

This book was not just about a man gone mad, but how he got there, the man who wanted to find out how he got there, the woman that mad fell in love with who happened to be the madman's sister, several scholars who tried logic to help the madman find himself again, the madman's son, the mother of his child who happened to aid in his madness and a very surprising ending that I certainly was not expecting. Once you get to the end, if you're a Christian, or anyone who knows the Bible at all, there's this moment where you literally find yourself with your jaw hanging open because it all fits together but you never saw it coming and you know exactly what is happening from that point on. Not that you're ever left wondering what's going on... Though the author weaves a bit of mystery into her story, she artfully brings the pieces together all throughout so everything makes sense. She doesn't leave her readers hanging till the very end... although, like I said, the ending is completely unexpected.

I'm not going to spoil the ending, because really, if you're a reader, this is totally worth your time.

For anyone who is Christian, finds Greek mythology fascinating, or just wants a very good book to read, I highly recommend this one.

The Shadow of Your Smile, by Mary Higgins Clark

2010-06-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

I waited for what seemed like forever for my library's copy of this book to finally become available.

It was well worth the wait, too!

Mary Higgins Clark is the best in my book when it comes to weaving tales of mystery and suspence, who-dunnits and even a smidge of romance.

Her latest was good from the get-go, as usual, with her usual way of adding pieces to the puzzle through her plethora of characters, all well written and thought out. I love how she makes things seem a little obvious at times, then adds yet another piece to the puzzle and throws you for a loop till the very end when it all comes together and you have the ah-ha moment she intended.

In this novel, she included everything from a nun's beatification to murder, from charity foundations to scandal. It was definitely a good read and is right up there with all of her other books. Keep 'em comin', Mary!

The End of Overeating, by David A. Kessler, M.D.

2010-06-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

Holy life-changing-book, Batman!

This book took me FOR.EV.ER. to read. Well, at first, it was sitting at the bottom of a stack of library books for literally weeks while I read all the other books I wanted to read... this was maybe 3 months ago... seriously. Then, I finally started it. I think the reason I needed to read this book is the reason it took me so long to start it in the first place and the reason it took me so long to get it read. Because I knew it would do me some good.

I have struggled with my weight since about two years after I graduated high school. I've tried everything from the grapefruit diet to the Atkins diet to any get-slim-quick work-out video I could find. One thing I've come to realize is the word "diet" is synonymous with failure or temporary or deprivation. Also, the only thing that will EVER get someone thin and healthy for life is exercise and a healthy way of eating. I know I have some serious bad habits when it comes to food. I know it's a weakness for me. I know it's something I can conquer. How this would be done was yet out of my grasp.

Until I read this book.

This book has changed the way I look at food and will stick with me for as long as I live. I hope to obtain my very own copy of it so I can refer to it often. It's empowering. It's filled with common sense. It's easy to relate to and it's easy to read. The author of this book tells how he, himself, has had the same struggle that millions struggle with and basically recorded his mission in finding out why and how to fix it in this book. He's included so much information, I had to read a little at a time to really digest it. But it's information that he made easy to understand and relate to and put into practice in one's own life.

In a nutshell, he talks about how certain combinations of food, the very same combinations the food industry uses against us for their gain, affects the brain the same way cocaine and heroin would. He talks about how the cue-urge-reward-habit cycle is something many battle but all can overcome. He provides proof that this is happening inside our heads and why and how we can break this vicious cycle. It really is an eye-opener.

I feel I can finally accomplish something I've been trying to accomplish for what seems like my whole life.

If you struggle with your weight or even feel food is something that occupies your thoughts more than it should, please do yourself a favor and read this book. It really will change your life.

The Walk, by Richard Paul Evans

2010-05-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

I read this in 3.5 hours yesterday. Well, last night, rather. It was excellent. (RPE usually is.)

This book is the story about a man, Alan Christoffersen, who has the career of his dreams, the perfect house, expensive cars, and best of all, the love of his life. Things couldn't be better. Then the worst happens and he manages to lose it all within a short amount of time. On the verge of suicide, he hears a voice that tells him that life is not his to take, and he remembers a promise he made to his wife right before she dies to live. So, he sells everything he can and starts a journey. He walks, bringing only what he can carry on his back. Along his path so far, he meets several people who change the way he sees life, people who were put in his path for a reason. Angry with God, he tries to find it in himself to make sense of what happened. His journey started in Seattle, Washington and will take him to Key West, Florida. This is the first of five in a series, so naturally, it just ends, leaving a person hanging... till next April!! I learned a lot from this book, it was truly inspiring and thought provoking. I love how one of the messages it teaches is that life is full of trials, it's what we do with those trials that defines who we are. Richard Paul Evans must be a well of wisdom, that's all I can say. :)

I read this in one evening, if that tells you how good it was, and I'm sure to read it again before the next one comes out. I would seriously recommend it. If you've never read RPE, it's worth your time (and money, if you choose to buy it - I would!) (Oh, wait, I already did!). And if you have read RPE before, this book is true to form and will keep you an RPE fan for life, I'm sure.

My Life for the Poor, by Mother Teresa of Calcutta

2010-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have never read a book that was so short but took me so long that I enjoyed so much. I think it took me so long because as I read it, I tried to absorb what I was reading in attempt to make it part of myself. In reality, it's only 107 pages long, so it could possibly be a quick read for somebody.

I never knew much about Mother Teresa, other than probably what the rest of the world knows about her. After reading this book, I have half a mind to model my life after hers. She truly was a wonderful, most unselfish, spiritual person. The things she did for so many people and her beliefs are so incredible! As I read this, my mind began to grasp what it truly means to be Christ-like. This woman was such an example of Christian behavior. She truly believed that the things she was doing to and for others, she was doing to and for Jesus Christ. She often quoted the scripture that says "If ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." She had such a clear perception on what true poverty is, what true hunger is. She encourages us all to help the poor around us, first in our homes, then in our neighborhoods, and so on. She says the worst disease on earth is that of loneliness, feeling unwanted, feeling unloved and teaches how we as God's children can cure this disease by reaching out to those around us. Her mission, her life, was devoted to helping people come to the realization that God loves them, that they are His children. She never asked for money. She had such great faith that if the Lord wanted it done, He would provide, and He always did. So many people have welcomed her and her "co-workers" into their lives and their countries and provided so much for her work. She has been joined so willingly by so many "sisters" who have the desire to serve and live their lives as she does, as the poor does. She literally gave up everything she had for this sacred calling. Other religions and non-Christians have helped her work progress. It was amazing to read her story, her thoughts, her firm beliefs, and to be influenced by such greatness.

I've never had a hero before, but I do believe I have found one in Mother Teresa.

***Now I can FINALLY start my new RPE book!***

Seven more days...

2010-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, I got my RPE book in the mail a couple weeks ago BUT I HAVEN'T READ IT YET.

My darling husband said I had to wait till my bday. Which is fine because I generally don't get much for my birthday so I'm keeping it as an extra special birthday treat. I'll start it right after I eat half of my Tres Leche cake. YUMMMMM.

I did, however, take it out of the package and look at it and take a picture of it as sort of a teaser:

*sigh*

I could always start reading it and just keep it in the opened package so my husband thinks I'm still waiting.... ha ha!

My Hands Came Away Red, by Lisa McKay

2010-04-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

This was an amazing book, I'm sad it's fiction.

Six Christian teenagers find themselves on the same team for a mission trip to Seram, Indonesia to build a church for a small village on the island. After a week of being there, a holy war breaks out among the Muslims and the Christians. The teenagers witness as the pastor and his wife are killed from the hidden safety of the jungle. Along with the pastor's two children, they hike with what food and goods they can carry for two weeks through the jungle, facing malaria, hunger, massive fatigue, animal attacks, a voyage to another island resulting in a shipwreck and near drowning, among other things. Their faith is tested as they see the horrors of war and escape near execution themselves in a Muslim village. When they're finally rescued by the very same army that is causing some of the chaos and death and taken back home, they use the photos they took and the interviews they performed and notes they kept as well as their haunting story to let the world know what is happening in an attempt to stop the terrifying acts of inhumanity. They build bonds that nothing can break and begin the journey to healing by the end of this captivating tale. I couldn't put it down once I began. I can't imagine what it would be like to face such trials... the author definitely did her research when she put this story together. The details she relays sound so real it's almost like she got them from real survivors who had to face something like this. It was a wonderful book and I recommend it highly.

Tomorrow just rocks!

2010-04-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

Not only is tomorrow my daughter's birthday, but it's the day that RICHARD PAUL EVANS' NEW BOOK IS BEING RELEASED!!!

Ahem. I'm better now. ;)

(I pre-ordered mine from Amazon.com, did you?)

Not at the top of my to-do list:

2010-04-01T14:15:00.001-07:00

Reading has been on the back burner again. My life's been a bit busy. :)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2010-03-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

This was a charming book, to say the least. It takes place shortly after WWII on a Channel Island named Guernsey. Well, most of the story takes place there, anyway. The whole book is basically letters sent back and forth between the characters, which tells the story of a young author discovering the island and it's people. She falls in love with the island and the people on it and ends up marrying one of them. (That's the shortest review EVER, I think.) I'd buy this book, it was such a joy to read! The story itself is simple and talks of the effect the war had on the island and it's people. The characters are so well portrayed that I felt I was getting to know them myself, or was the main character herself, experiencing the beauty of life and coming to love these simply islanders. The story wasn't one of suspense or a heady romance, but I found myself not wanting it to end, just the same. I would definitely read it again and hope it crosses my path again in the future.

Unraveled, by Maria Housden

2010-03-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I finished this yesterday, but due to a new goal, I had to wait till today to post my review.

This was a hard book for me to read. I wrote out a review for it yesterday while my thoughts were still in my head, but even now, I find myself abandoning even those thoughts to record new ones.

First, what the book was about. Maria Housden writes a memoir, basically, telling of her choice to abandon her role as a stay-at-home mom while turning over full custody of her kids to her husband. She faces objection from her friends and eventually loses them all when she decides to move across the country from her kids to live with the man she had an affair with. Her path is one of self-discovery, of being honest about who she is and what she wants out of life. That, in a nutshell, is what the book was about.

Now, my thoughts. A quick disclaimer, though. If you're easily offended by other's opinions, read no further. If you can appreciate my opinion for what it is while still standing firm in your own, by all means, keep reading. I'm a stay-at-home mom. I chose this. I'm a firm believer that if you're going to have children, you should be the one to raise them. I do my best to not condemn the choices of others when they go against my own beliefs. This is hard for me, I'm very opinionated. If anything, I pity this woman. It almost sounds as if she has to keep re-convincing herself that she's done the right thing, that adultery isn't bad (ha), and that by doing what she's doing, she's becoming closer to God. I cannot judge someone's relationship with the Almighty, nor is it my place to judge her for her decisions, hard as they may have been. Her marriage was falling apart, and from the things she says her husband said, I can imagine why. So, they get a divorce, which is hard enough for children. But children need their mother. She had them every other weekend, and during the summer. She wasn't there for several milestones of their life. She claims that her decision to be selfish (my way of putting it) and "live a simpler life" was for the benefit of not only her, but for her children as well. I think she's been diluted in to thinking these things.

As far as the book goes, it was well-written, portrayed her thoughts well, and kept me turning pages till the very end. It's a book that I'm sure many modern women can relate to. I'm a modern mother, yet I cling to old fashioned ideas. In reading this book, I've learned that I really do choose this (being a mother). I truly appreciate her example in being honest with oneself and being "unapologetically" who you really are instead of trying to please others and fitting the mold other people think you should fit. I am grateful to have read this book for this very reason. I've been insecure as a mother, to say the least, but this book helped me realize that I can be my own version of what I think a good mother is, that I don't need to compare myself to others or be the kind of mother others think I should be. I think it's very important for mothers to take time for themselves in order to preserve who they are as a person, but I think she should also be committed to her children. My own mom always told me you need to feel 100% if you're to have anything to give to anyone else. Being a full time mom is a selfless job, but that doesn't mean you have to keep yourself on the back burner or abandon it altogether to "find yourself". I know who I am, and I'm grateful for that. I'm a mother. I chose this. I'm going to be there for my children until they don't need me anymore. I choose to be here when they get home from school. I choose to be the one to teach them their first words, see them take their first step, and be the last one they see at night when they go to bed. But, that doesn't mean I don't do things for myself or that interest me. I'm going to make sure my life is what I choose it to be and that I'm always honest with myself and others and be true to who I am. I'm thinking that was more for me than for you. ;)

Hannah's Gift, by Maria Housden

2010-03-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

Maria Housden tells the story of the short but profound life of her daughter, Hannah, who dies at the age of three after battling cancer for about a year. She tells of her daughter's sweet example of faith and the happiness that can come from the simple things in life. Her daughter's brief but significant time on this earth touched the lives of so many and continued to touch lives after her death. She talks of her grief and of coming to terms with it. She talks about the struggles in her marriage, of her thoughts on ending her own life, of the affect it had on her son, her beliefs as a Christian and the questioning of those beliefs. She talks of her struggles with miscarriages and her role as a mother and all the imperfections and insecurities that come with one of the most challenging paths a woman can take. In the end, she's able to accept life for what it is, do what she can with what she has and knows, and realizes her potential as a person.

This book, along with the other book on losing a loved one I've read, was foreign to me. I've only lost one grandparent my whole life. I, too, have had a miscarriage, but my own religious beliefs were a great comfort to me during both of these losses. Maria questions a lot of things that I feel I have the answers too. I don't know how I'd react to my own child's death after watching her (or him) suffer for a year. This little girl was amazing. She's said to have only been barely three when she dies, yet she talks like she's much older. She (I believe) must've had a strong connection with "the other side", as she knew she was going to die, but knew she was going to live with God and was actually excited about that. Knowing what I know, I have to wonder if I would have the same struggles with grief as this woman did. I would hope not, but then again, I'm only human. (And Heaven forbid I should ever find out first hand!) I have to admit, though, I was really growing tired of hearing about her daughter and how she was reminded of her in everything and wanted her to be a part of her "new life". I wanted to say, "Get over it already." But, having never been through that, I know that my ignorance of the matter is what is fueling those words, so please don't be offended if you've suffered a loss and know what she's going through. I don't and hope to never know.

This book and the last book I read talked a lot of breaking out of one's shell, embracing the unknown - about the world and about oneself. They both talk of daring to break free of the stereotype we, as women, are expected to fulfill. I found this author from an article I read online about mothers who willingly turn custody of their children over to their ex's after a divorce. Her next book I'm going to start today is about that journey. I'm anxious to see her point of view on the matter, as I'm very old fashioned in that I strongly believe the mother should be at home with her kids as God intended it to be. Though, I can't help but read these things and wonder, "What if...?".

I've been finding quotes in a few of these books that I like to make a note of, quotes that might as well be coming from me. Here are some from this book:

"Truth is fierce and unrelenting.... When we are willing to do the best we can with what we know, to be honest with ourselves and others about who we are and what really matters to us, only then are the lives we live and the love we receive truly our own."

"There was a part of me, I realized, that was overly critical of everything, that wanted to teach people, especially my children, about the "right" way to do things."

"I longed to bring the same attention to the busy-ness in my every day, to do something simply for the joy of doing it, without worrying whether people noticed or liked it."

"If I was serious about living life more fully, I was going to have to let go of my need for everything, including myself and others, to be perfect."

"I also knew that I had to start living my life.... I no longer felt willing for life to continue on without me."

This was a very good book, a quick read, and something that I think those who have lost a loved one would love to relate to.

Girl in a Blue Dress, by Gaynor Arnold

2010-03-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

I love writing book reviews but I find it particularly taxing when the book invoked so many feelings and thoughts that I can't seem to keep them all straight, let alone remember them. I had to take notes as I was reading it! I apologize if my thoughts are scattered and confusing.

On the cover of this book, it says "A Novel Inspired by the Life & Marriage of Charles Dickens". Before the story begins, there is a note by the author. She says that this is a work of fiction, that she's added conversations, characters, places and events that she has added of her own accord. This makes me wonder what was real about her story, how much of it was what she got from learning of Charles Dickens and his marriage. If I were to go by the gist of this story, I'd say Charles Dickens is not a man I would like.

The story is told by the main character, Mrs. Dorothy Gibson, estranged wife of the famous author Alfred Gibson. It's the time of her husband's funeral and she has not been invited. She goes back through her memories of being wooed and courted by this man, and how her parents were against them getting married but she does it anyway. As the years go by, she bears one child after another, totalling eight, yet her husband's affections towards her become less and less. She has fits of jealousy, understandably so, as her husband has always been drawn to and is flirtatious with the younger of her sex. After she loses her last child to death, her husband sends her away to a spa in hopes of her regaining her health. But when she returns, she finds she is not needed and finds her husband has moved out of their bedroom. She believes he's having an affair with her sister, who's basically taken over as mistress of the house and he denies it and says he feels they should live apart because their marriage has failed. So she moves out. He blames her for this. He publishes a notice in the paper stating that it's her fault, that she was an unfit mother and a bad wife. She then learns gradually of a young actress he's shown particular interest in and puts the pieces together in her mind. After 10 years of banishment, her husband dies. The will is read and she receives less than this actress, even though technically she is still his wife. She now learns that her children were told they could contact her, but would never be welcome in their father's home again if they did so, which is why she never heard from them over the 10 years. She faces the mistress, who claims she was a victim of her husband's influence, which, after getting to know his character, one can easily believe. She also claims there was never any physical relationship between them, but that they did love each other. Dorothy meets the Queen and finds they have much in common. She ventures out into the world after 10 years of seclusion and finds she has the will to live, to be herself, to rely on her own intelligence and abilities.

I do not do this book justice, there is simply too much to tell. If you want to know the whole story, you must read it yourself. I highly recommend it. What I can tell you, are the feelings it brought to mind while reading it. How unfair to be treated the way she was. She finds in the end he never really loved her, that she was basically a rebound from his last failed relationship, yet he stuck with her to "do his duty". She was made to look like she was not right in her mind because of the lies he told people, lies he came to believe were true in his own mind. Even her children were more or less forced to stay away from her because of the things their father said. She had to go 10 years alone, without contact of her friends, save one, and all of her children, all because of her husband, who always blamed her and said she was at fault. She's stuck all this time in a marriage that she is the only one willing to fight for. She sticks by him and always is made to feel like she's the one in err when she questions him about the young ladies he flirts with. Everyone thinks he is so great, but in the end, after he dies, they all come forth to voice how they saw his faults, too, and that they felt bad for her and that he treated her wrongly. I don't like how she's made to question her own part in this tragedy of a marriage, how she wonders if it really was her fault, if she really had gone mad, all because of how good this man was at twisting words. I love how she faces the mistress. I have to wonder, though, being in that situation, who would I be more angry with? The mistress? Or my loser husband? I'd say loser husband. What I find really interesting, is how, even in the end, after going over everything he's done to her and how miserable she was, she never denies her love for him. Wow. The author says at the beginning that Charles Dickens wife wanted all of his letters to her kept to prove to the world that he really did love her once.

If you want to read a story that makes you feel things and see things differently, or even help you realize things about yourself, as it has for me, I say read it. It's a very good book.

My favorite quote, that sums up what I got out of it: "Is it so singularly amusing for a woman to have ideas of her own? To wish to be a person as well as a mother?" All too often I feel like that. She was talking with the Queen in part of this book and it said something along the lines of a woman is basically stripped of herself when she becomes a wife and mother, that we live for the man and the children and not for ourselves. I say we have to live for ourselves first, if we are to have anything to even offer those we love most. How sad that this woman bore so much grief before her husband died, and only upon his death realized that she was capable of happiness without him.

This saddle sure is slippery

2010-03-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

I think I've hit an all time record for myself in the slacking department as far as reading goes. I've started the book I'm reading (on the right) and read it once in a while, but just don't sit and read like I've done in the past. But I think I've overcoming this slump... I've gotten the itch again and will hopefully be scratching very soon. I have a list of books from the library that I've checked out and even another on hold, so I best get reading, right? :)

Back in the saddle again...

2010-02-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

I've started reading again... was in a funk for a while. Well, a person does need to do other things...

Anyway, I've started this book... which, so far, is very interesting. I attached the link so you could see what it's about. I like how the main character goes back and forth between the present and her past memories that lead up to the events now taking place in her life. I have to wonder how much of it is true to form as far as what really happened between Dickens and his wife... guess I'd have to learn more about Dickens to find out, huh?

It's been HOW long?

2010-02-09T12:45:00.001-08:00

Yep. Long.

Why?

Click here.

Might As Well Laugh About It Now, by Marie Osmond

2010-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Never did I ever think I'd read a book written by Marie Osmond. It's not that I don't like her, I just never really knew much about her other than who she is. I never thought I'd be interested in her life, but, then again, I never knew much about her life. When I think of the name Osmond, I think of the classic Christmas album my dad would play for us every year and my sister and I doing our dance routine (cartwheels included) to "Sleigh Ride". (Good times.)

My mother-in-law called me one day and told me I had to read this book. So, I got it from the library and it sat on my shelf, patiently waiting it's turn. This is a book I'll never regret reading. I loved it! After reading it, I felt like I was able to sit down with Marie, herself, and have her tell me this story from her own mouth. It's a compilation of her memories of life growing up as an entertainer, being the daughter of her wonderful parents, the sister to her awesome brothers, the mother to her amazing children, the wife of not one, but two different husbands. She talks about her divorces, a house fire that devoured her memories and journals and things handed down to her from her mother when she passed away, issues with her weight and therefore her perception of herself, traveling, her career. She shares lessons learned from other people, sharing moments of triumph and defeat with friends and family, and even laughs about fainting on national television. She talks about her charity work, her doll collections and all the while keeping her faith and focus on what's most important.

I learned so much about her, about life, love, and happiness, about not sweating the small things, about determination, and about being human and accepting yourself. She always remembered to laugh!

This book had me laughing, tearing up, sympathizing, and determining to see my life differently. If you are a fan of Marie or just want an uplifting book to read and make you feel good, I recommend reading this one!

Check it out HERE!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

2010-01-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

I love Holocaust books, if you couldn't tell, but this is the first fiction one I read... and I have to say, I'm so glad it's fiction.

This book is from the point of view of a nine year old little boy who happens to be the son of a Nazi Commandant. They move from their house and life in Berlin to live in a place he knows as "Out-with". He's incredibly bored to begin with and can't understand the purpose of the large fenced area he can see outside his bedroom where all are men or boys and wearing the same striped pajamas. It's so interesting to see, from what a child's point of view would be, the things that really did happen. One day, he ends up walking along the fence and finds a boy who soon becomes his best friend. Everyday they meet and talk but are always seperated by the fence. They compare their lives and the things they like and don't like and soon find they actually have a lot in common when it comes to not liking where they live and things that go on in their lives. Well, one day the german boy's mother decides she's had enough of the place and wants to go back home to Berlin. So, as a final goodbye, they german boy dresses in some striped pajamas his friend acquired for him and crawls under the fence to have "an exploration" and some time to play with his friend whom he will greatly miss. After over an hour of exploring, the german boy (who's name is Bruno, by the way) decides he better be getting back home. At that moment, soldiers start rounding up hundreds of people in the area they're standing in and marching them. Bruno doesn't like this but is trapped in the middle of this crowd. They are then marched into a building where it is so crammed no one can hardly move. He tells his friend (who's name is Shmuel) that he's his best friend for life, and holds his hand, not knowing what's about to happen next. The story ends with one more chapter saying Bruno was never heard from again.

Having read many books on this subject before, it's sad to realize what happened to him, how he was marched into a gas chamber and, of course, the rest is history. Bruno never knows what was going on in the camp, or that it was even a camp for prisoners. He's envious of Shmuel because, from his point of view, he has lots of friends to play with, where he has none. He sees and dislikes the soldiers that come in and out of his house. He definitely doesn't like being in the camp once he's there, and even feels fear seeing the things he sees there. He doesn't understand that "the Fury" who came to dinner and gave his father this important job at "Out-with" is Hitler, nor does he know why his mother doesn't like him or his grandmother, for that matter. The innocence of a child is greatly portrayed in this touching story, and it opened my eyes to yet another point of view of this horrific time in history.

Reading this, I'd like to find a book from a Nazi's point of view, or even a german's point of view who went along with all of this to avoid death themselves.

I can't tell you why I'm so fascinated with this, but I am just the same. This book was definitely a good one, and, even though it's fiction, still gives an accurate account of what happened to so many people. I love that it was from the view of a child, of innocence. It was written well and reads quickly. If you're interested in the Holocaust, this is definitely one I'd add to your mind's library.

For a different review and perspective, click the link above or here.

My, oh, my! Christmas in April!

2010-01-05T21:38:00.000-08:00

April 6, that is!!!

Richard Paul Evans is releasing his newest book, The Walk, this April 6th and I am just giddy! Usually, we RPE fans have to wait till October, give or take... but not this year, baby! Woohoo!

Check it out, here. You can even read the first chapter. And what's even more exciting, is that's it's the first of a series. That is just so fantastically awesome!

Ahem. Now back to life. ;)

You've probably noticed...

2010-01-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

I sort of abandoned the idea of finishing The Worst Hard Time.... it was due back at the library, anyway.

It wasn't that it wasn't good, it truly was, I just got to reading other books and the zest for what happened next just left me.

If you didn't know, it's about the Great American Dust Bowl, something I didn't care to learn about in school when I had the opportunity. This book is a great way to learn about it because not only does it give the facts, it gives real people's perspective on what happened and how it affected them. What I did read was so very shocking. The way people basically robbed the land of all it's goodness then wondered why the severe dust storms were happening just blows me away. Some of the dust storms started in OK and KS and blew as far as New York and even out to ships 400 yards into the sea. Amazing, really. What also baffled my brain is how this country suffered. What it all boiled down to was someone was too greedy to lower their prices until no one had money to spend and all suffered greatly. I fear that's where this country is headed even now, but to those who are prepared, no worries, I guess. I found it interesting that banks took people's savings money and invested it, losing it all, of course, in the stock market crash. It really was the worst hard time for America... a time I see us heading into again, if things don't start changing for the better. *sigh*

One thing's for sure, my family and I are going to get some food into storage, money in our own safe keeping, and stay close to the Lord. I don't want to be unprepared, that's for sure.

It's a very fascinating book... I hope no one uses the fact that I didn't finish against it. In fact, now that I'm typing this, I'm going to put it on my list to re-check out and finish, because it really was a good read. It didn't read like a history book, as it was the story of those who survived the Great American Dust Bowl.

My mom used to say that those who don't learn their history are doomed to repeat it... this book is something we all should learn from, in my opinion.

On to the next!

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

2010-01-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

This book was nothing short of amazing. I loved it so much, I'm going to obtain my very own copy - and I don't do that with just any book. I'm a library girl unless the book is RPE or something worth reading more than once. This is definitely one of those books.

As a Christian myself, this book meant a lot to me. I have read several Holocaust survivor books before, but none of them came close to this one. Yes, they were sad and it's unimaginable that someone could be filled with such hate and do such horrific things to other humans and it's beyond incredible that someone could actually survive that, but this woman and her family, her sister, especially, gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "triumphing over evil". The most recent survivor book I read, the man turned his back on God. This woman's faith and the faith of her family is so awesome. She managed to see the smallest and sometimes most ugly things as blessings. I'd like to think I have the ability to see the good in the bad, but going through what this woman and so many others went through, I wonder if I would still be able to come out of it with as strong a spirit? This woman did, and so much more did she accomplish in her life, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it all.

Corrie ten Boom's story takes place in Haarlam, Holland, where she and her family live and own/run a watch/clock repair shop. As the germans start to take over parts of Europe, including her part, she finds herself becoming the hub of an underground operation aiding the flight and hiding of many Jews. She and her family have a special love for God's "chosen people" and have no hesitation in doing this great and dangerous work. After a while, they're found out and are arrested. She goes from prison to prison, somehow never being seperated from her sister, and finally ends up in a concentration camp. She experiences the direst of circumstances but meets and befriends many along the way while sharing the word of God. The miracles she encounters and the prayers she's been answered can only strengthen one's testimony that God's hand truly is in all things. Even when Corrie fails to see Divine intervention (which was rare), her sister never fails to remind her. I loved how things weren't so much a matter of faith with them, but a matter of fact. It truly is an inspirational book and will stick with you and perhaps even strengthen your own spirit while giving you a strong dose of perspective.

If you haven't read it, do. It's worth it. You'll not regret it, I promise.

The First Gift of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans

2009-12-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

This is a little book I picked up off a discount table once upon ten years ago... and I read it every year! I love it! (It's RPE, what's not to love??)

This little book can be read in 30 minutes or less, as it's more like a poem. Each section is so beautifully worded, will touch your soul and leave you thinking. It talks of the different parts of Christmas, such as the Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas night.

I don't want to tell too much because, really, words cannot describe the wonderful feeling one gets from reading it, so I'm hoping you'll add a little more "spirit" to your Christmas and find a copy for yourself. In fact, I just looked at Amazon.com and you can purchase this glorious book for !!a penny!! used, with only $3.99 shipping! I'd do it, folks, it's totally worth it.

If you only wish to check it out through your local library, I highly recommend it. :)

Christmas Jars, by Jason F. Wright

2009-12-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

If you haven't read this book, you should. It's a quick read and oh-so-good. I cried a little - well, maybe more than a little, and even thought of starting my own Christmas jar.

***WARNING: SPOILER***

This book starts out with a single woman having her annual dinner at a local fast food joint when she notices a baby in the bench behind her, alone. There's a note that says something to the effect of whoever holds my baby next, she's now in your care. This woman takes the child into her life, names her Hope, adopts her legally, and raises her. When Hope is five, her mother reveals why the bench is so special and that her real mother loved her so much and wanted a better life for her. She supports her in her ambition to become a news reporter and they are so happy together. One year, the mother reveals to her daughter that she has cancer. She doesn't live long after that, and dies on Christmas Eve. One year later, the daughter's out at the chicken place where her mother found her, the same place they eat every year at that time and comes home to her apartment to find out it's been robbed. During the investigation, she finds a jar left inside her door, but doesn't know who it's from. It's full of money. As an aspiring reporter for small columns in the local newspaper, she decides to investigate further, as she's found she's not been the only recipient of such a miraculous jar and she thinks this would make a great story, the one that will get her on the front page. She finds several families who refuse to give much information, wishing to leave the giver as an anonymous angel of sorts, until she finds the family that started it all. She tells a little lie to get into their lives and have her questions answered, and ends up falling in love with the family, and them with her. She finds out that they originally started the Christmas jar as a way for them to save money for Christmas presents every year. One year, though, while at the bank to cash in their coins, their daughter notices a woman crying on the curb outside and offers to give her their Christmas jar. The parents tearfully allow it, which is what the woman needed, as her abusive husband took all her money and left her pregnant with nothing. After that, they just kept giving Christmas jars every year and more and more people started to partake in the tradition. Hope thinks she's on to something big when a spotlight is run on her in the paper. She fears her secret of who she really is is out and the family will be angry as they think she's a college student writing a paper about their small family business, so she goes months without talking to them. One day, she finds herself in someone else's office looking for a package of jelly when the phone rings. It's a man who wants to run an obituary. She finds out it's the patriarch of this beloved family that has died and is heart-broken. Not knowing how to get back in touch with them to offer her condolences, she runs a front page article on this great man and a small piece of the legacy he and his family left behind with their very own Christmas jars. She then goes to the funeral, and then back to the family's house to see if she has been forgiven. They embrace her without any hesitation and confess that they hid the article from the father so he never even knew who she really was. Relieved a little, she leaves to have her annual dinner at the chicken place. After her departure, the family receives many visitors who saw the article and were touched by a Christmas jar of their very own, bringing a jar to the family who started it all. After all the visitors are gone, their front porch is covered in jars filled with money. Then, one final visitor knocks on the door. It's a woman with a very special story. After all is told, the family realizes she was the first woman they ever gave a Christmas jar to, the woman at the bank. She tells a story of leaving her precious baby on a bench in a chicken restaurant. Realizing who she is, they drive her to the chicken place to create a joyous and happy reunion with Hope, her daughter.

It's a sweet story that is very inspiring and touching to the very end. I'm glad I cheated a little and took the time to read it this Christmas season. :)

Cheating

2009-12-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

So.... I've decided to take a break from the book I've been reading... and start another book... hee hee! I hate doing that because my OCD (self-diagnosed) flares a little in that something I started wasn't finished. It's almost as if I'm betraying the book... lol

Anyway, the book I've been philandering with is Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. Not only is it a short book, but the one I ended up with from the library has large print, so I should be done in no time. (My other book will hardly notice my absense!)

So far, it's very good... slightly tear-jerking, very simple, yet, very entertaining. :) I'll keep you posted. ;)

I'm also doing a reading group with some church ladies about a book called The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom - another survivor story of the Holocaust - so, I may have to have a double affair.... ;) Oooh! Feel free to read it with us! Our deadline is January ummmm.... something.... I think the second or third Tuesday in January. Probably the third... I guess I should find out for sure.

Gotta love the Holiday Season

2009-12-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Between my son's baptism, making his gift, my parents visiting, making gifts for the girls I babysit for, babysitting, coupon searching, not to mention mothering a teething baby, laundry, dishes................... there just isn't time for reading. I've been reading here and there, when I can, and I even finally made it past the half-way point in my book... *sigh*

I am still reading it, and I will finish it... I have to! I have a stack of books that just keeps getting bigger and bigger that will be due back to the library eventually...

Have you been reading anything good lately?? :)

Not a lot of reading time

2009-12-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

I try to read a little everyday, but there are so many things on my to-do lists that it seems it's on the back burner more often than not. The book I'm reading right now is really fascinating, though. I highly recommend it so far. It's called The Worst Hard Time, by Timothy Egan. It's about survivors of the Dust Bowl, something I didn't know much about due to my lack of interest in history classes growing up. Maybe next week after, say, Tuesday or something, I'll be able to read more. We'll see. :) Hope you're all having a great holiday season so far! :)

Somebody's Baby by Charlotte Vale Allen

2009-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

My review of this book is pretty straightforward: It's about a 31 year old woman who's mother just suffered a heart attack, and on her death bed tells her daughter that she kidnapped her in a supermarket when she was a baby. Then she dies, telling of a letter that confesses everything and starts this woman on a search for her real mother/family. She finds her, it'a joyous reunion and all is well. She tries to find out who her "mother" really was, finding dead end after dead end and numerous identity changes, all leading nowhere. It turns out she had stolen something like 20+ identities since she was a teenager and planned the whole kidnapping for whatever reason and the book just leaves you hanging as to who this woman really was. The author could've at least said she was abused as a child and stole all the money that made her so wealthy and wanted a new life but was physically unable to have children due to the horrid abuse she endured as a child and was also unable to get close to any man, also due to her childhood abuse... anything but nothing would've been good. Fiction should end well, not happily, necessarily, but at least have closure, you know? That's my opinion, anyway. It was a decent book, and kept me turning pages till the very end... which is probably why I kept reading it even though there were more than two bad words, but only increased my disappointment more at the end when I couldn't even solve the mystery. Oh, well. Chalk one up to... well, whatever. ;)

Storm Front, by Jim Butcher

2009-11-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

It took me EIGHT DAYS to read this book, Storm Front by Jim Butcher, and that, for me, is a very LONG time.

So, if there were just a handful of words I would use to describe this book, they would be cocky, unrealistic, dark, lame, and sex. There were two F-words, too. They were towards the very, very end (like within a few pages of the ending) or I would've stopped. Still, there was a lot of swearing, and like I said before, some obsession with sex. Yuck. Plus, the whole magic/wizard thing is just plain bizarre to me. On the whole, I didn't like it and won't be reading this author in the future. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone as a worth-while read and hope those who were reading right along with me won't hold it against me. ;)

I suppose I can try to say a few good things about this book: yyyyeaaaah, nope. Not really. The plot was so simple-minded and just not twisty and turny enough for me (I'm used to Mary Higgins Clark... now that broad can write one heckuva mystery AND keep it clean, all at the same time). His attempt at being funny was so obviously that: an attempt. I have to give him this, though, it sounds as though he's done his research on the "Nevernever" and magic and all that cra- um...stuff. I don't know anything about it, but I would have to guess he's not making this stuff up. Or maybe he is, who knows. (Who cares...) Sorry, that was low.

I'm totally book-bashing, and I can't say I'm proud to be doing that, because he's published and I'm not, right? So, who am I to talk? It's just my humble opinion and you can take it or leave it. ;) On to the next...

Struggling

2009-11-17T13:10:00.000-08:00

I've been reading the book, Storm Front, and I just have to say, it's no page-turner. This guy keeps making sorry attempts at being sarcastically funny... he definitely overdoes it in that area, like he's trying too hard to make his character witty or some sort of smart-you-know-what. This author is way too obsessed with sex. He somehow manages to keep it mostly clean, but sure does talk about it a lot. I'm really not into the whole magic and wizardry thing, so this book is just so rediculously fake to me. I know it's not supposed to be real, and maybe I'm being too negatively judgemental, but this book just isn't doing it for me. I'm going to make an attempt to finish reading it, because I'm the one who started this whole thing, but I'm not going to be reading the next one in line. Thanks for the suggestion, R, but please don't take it personally when I do a little book-bashing with this one. ;)

Join us!

2009-11-09T14:22:00.001-08:00

Only one person had a recommendation for something to read together, so that's what we're doing. It's called Storm Front by Jim Butcher, a novel from the Dresden Files.

Sounds interesting! Check it out! If you want to join us, please do!

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

2009-11-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

The word that comes to my mind when I think of describing this book is "raw".

Joan Didion in no way romanticizes the loss of a loved one and the grieving process that one goes through following their death. "You sit down to dinner..." is a phrase she often repeats throughout this book. It's as if she's trying to digest what's happened, still in shock at the suddeness of it all. She and her husband sat down to dinner one night after visiting their sick daughter in the hospital and her husband had a heart attack, dying instantly. She recalls the details of what happened that night and the nights that followed throughout the book, and the feelings that accompanied these memories. Her denial of the reality of it is so heart-breaking, yet so real. I can relate to how she thinks, reminiscing over the past and things said to each other and how something as simple as a plant can invoke memories that inevitably bring tears. As a writer, herself, she has ways of describing things and comparing to what others have said that make it seem like you're the one grieving, although, I have to admit I truly felt like I was grieving with her. "The question of self-pity" is another phrase she often repeats, trying to find her way through this grieving process, trying to become herself without her husband there. Her grieving is put on hold, so to speak, due to her daughter being in the hospital with pneumonia and septic shock, followed by another hospital stint caused by a hemorrhage in her brain. But when she's finally able to focus on herself, she finds it hard to go through the motions of everyday life because, as a writer, she's worked at home with her husband, who was also a writer who worked at home. I found it interesting and almost endearing that she kept things like his shoes, because somewhere in her mind, while she was in the denial stage of grieving, she thought he'd need them when he came home. It wasn't until she saw the autopsy report several months later that she was finally able to accept that he wasn't coming home. She goes through in her mind how she could've prevented this, how she could fix it. She goes through a depression of sorts, when she's crying all the time about little things that remind her of something she said or did with her husband. She did go through the anger stage, because I remember her being angry that her daughter's doctor wanted to take the trach out. It was a silly thing, but that's where her anger ended up being directed. By the end of the year, she was sort of coming into an acceptance phase, attempting to move on and keep living. One can feel the pain and emotional scarring that was left by this tragic event in this woman's life and I have to say, I feel fortunate to have been one of the readers she has shared her story with.

For a peak inside, click here. I do recommend reading it, especially if you've lost someone close to you. I can guess that knowing someone else has gone through this exact same thing would, in some way, be comforting.

What do you want to read?

2009-11-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

I'm doing this on my other blog, too, so we can hopefully get a few people doing this.

If you'd like to read the same book with a group of people and then discuss it, please leave in the comment section 2 or 3 books of your choice. I will then narrow it down to, oh, say 5 that sound good to me and we can vote on the best one and, you know, read it.

Sound good?

I think I found something...

2009-10-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Some of my particularly favorite reads are memoirs. I was browsing my library's website when I decided to click on a link that said something about awards for non-fiction titles. I stumbled across this book and read the description... sounds very interesting, I think. The title itself is enough to intrigue me. The Year of Magical Thinking is, from what I can tell, a book written by a woman who's suffered the loss of her husband and is going through the stages of grief through writing. She's also an author of fiction, if I read it correctly, and I now have the book on hold so as soon as it's available, I shall read it! :)

What to read...

2009-10-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have a recommendation of a good book? I'm debating a few, but they're ones I've read before... also, I'm thinking of checking out another Alice Hoffman book.

I'm open to suggestions.

We should all read a book together! I like memoirs for that, but I'm up for anything.

Let me know in the comment section if you're interested. :)

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

2009-10-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

This was such an emotional book! I felt the characters big time in this one, such feelings as sorrow, regret, love of so many levels, pain, anger, fear, and so many more...

This book focused on a plethora of characters, all linked together and coming together differently at the end. I love the way this woman writes and entertwines the story so well.

It takes place in a small town in Massachusetts called Unity. It's based on a family of women that wake up on their thirteenth birthday with a gift of some sort, the most recent is the gift (if you will) of seeing the way someone's going to die. What this character, Stella, finds out, though, is sometimes she can prevent this death. Trying to do this gets her father accused of murder and gets her and her mother living with her grandmother, whom her mother hasn't spoken to in years. Stella has been pulling away from her mother since her parents' divorce, her father being a liar of sorts and very unfaithful to his wife. She trusts him, nonetheless. Somehow, everyone ends up back in this small town where the story began 300 years ago for the Sparrow family. I can't begin to describe the main theme of this book without just telling you about the whole thing, for telling about one part and leaving out another would simply not do this book justice. There's romance, mystery, intrigue, danger, history, lore, and such a real feeling of love. I do not buy books unless I'm going to read them more than once, and this is definitely a book on my list of books to buy.

If you want a book that touches you and stays with you so that you have to continue to ponder it once you read the last page in order to digest it all, this is definitely a must read! I highly recommend it! It's a book that you won't want to end, but will love the ending just the same. It's also clean, I love that. This is an author I'm adding to my list, for sure.

For a sneak peak inside, click here.

Am I Dead?

2009-10-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Nope.

I just had quenched my thirst for reading when I finished my RPE book. Didn't last tooo long, though... ;)

I started a day or two ago the book on the right column I said I'm currently reading: The Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman.

So far, very good, very emotional book. It's about the Sparrow family women and their "gifts" they wake up with on their 13th birthday. Stella is one of the main characters and can see how people die. Not a very fun gift for her so far. She's pushing away from her mother due to her parent's divorce and I can feel her mother's pain in simply craving the closeness she so wants and needs with her daughter. Her father's a loser and I'm guessing the mother was meant to be with his brother, but haven't gotten that far, yet.

I'm halfway through and I can't wait till my next free kids-in-bed moment when I can read more! I'll hopefully have it finished by tomorrow night, so I can tell all.

Ok, on to more serious business: Who's up for a reading group book? I know, you're so excited, right? :)

If you are interested, list a book or two or three you'd like to read together, then we'll put it to a vote or I'll just pick one - ha -and we'll get this ball rolling. :)

Finished!

2009-10-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

I finished it! It was awesome! His books are such quick reads, but they're so so good! I've decided to eventually start reading all of his books in order, all over again. It's been several years since I've read most of them, anyway.

This was a spin (sort of) on the Scrooge story, a man trying to change when he's confronted with his "ghosts of Christmas' past". The ending wasn't sugary sweet, but ended so well just the same. I love how he has a dose of reality going on throughout the book.

I highly recommend reading it! It has a Christmas title but it's not all about Christmas at all, but real life and how we can change even though sometimes it feels too late.

My favorite quote from the book:

"We all get lost sometimes. The trick is to believe that we're worth finding."

Definitely a MUST read!

Break's Over

2009-10-13T12:33:00.003-07:00

So, I started my RPE book last night around 9:30pm... and after reading a little today, I'm almost done! It is SO GOOD!!! I seriously even put off bathroom breaks until my bladder was on the verge of explosion! (TMI, I know, but I'm just painting a picture, here.)

So far, it's about a guy who found his obituary posted by accident, followed by a vaste amount of quite negative comments online by people who were literally celebrating his death. Turns out, it was another man who died with the same name. This article sets into motion his trying to make amends with several people he's seriously hurt in his life, including his dying wife and son. Things aren't going smoothly at all and people don't respond well to his too-late apologies.

I'm not going to say anymore because it's so good you just have to read it yourself! I love how RPE writes so well and invokes self-examination and equally importantly, keeps it clean!

You're sorely missing out if you pass up the opportunity to read this oh-so-awesome book! I wish he'd come out with more than one a year! I think I put off reading his new ones (you know, for a day or two) so I can put off the inevitably LONG waiting period of a year before he comes out with his next marvelous creation.

I'll post again when I finish the book - probably by the end of today, if I get my chores done first. (Stinkin' chores!)

Short Break

2009-10-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

When I read, I often become a part of the book. Or, rather, the book becomes a part of me. I literally lose myself in the pages and become someone else for a moment. Afterward, I feel the emotions the main character felt. It's exhausting, really. So, I haven't even started my RPE book, yet. (For shame, I know.) I will in the next day or two.

In the meantime, does anyone else care do submit a review?

I'm finding this blog isn't as exciting as I'd hoped.... maybe we can start a book club book?

I didn't sleep well, so my motivators are a bit down today. :)

I realize I didn't put my email address on the side column, yet, so click here if you feel the urge to email me. :)

I got it! I got it!!

2009-10-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

The Christmas List!! It arrived today!!!!!! Now I have a good, clean book to read by an author I love, love, love!!! Yay!!!!

Why??

2009-10-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

So, I was reading the book "Birds in Fall" by Brad Kessler... but stopped. Within the first chapter, there were FOUR F-words. I know there are some out there that aren't bothered by this, and some who wonder why I am... but I am, that's all there is to it. Why, though?? Why does one have to say "Where's the (f-ing) umbrella?" What is so wrong with just saying "Where's the umbrella?" Really?? Was the author trying to meet a word quota? Do they not know any other intelligent words?? I just think the F-word is so trashy and totally takes away from the story. I was a good story, too! So far, it was about a plane crash and how all the family members of the victims were gathering at an inn on an island off of Nova Scotia to find closure. What does the F-word have to do with any of that?? Ugh. SO, now I'm reading another book by an author I've never heard of, but, hoping for the best.

Does anyone have suggestions on authors that write clean??

Book Club and Joint Reviews!!

2009-10-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I decided I love the ideas I've gotten so far.

I'm going to try them to test the waters and do some tweaking later if necessary.

First, I want all to feel welcome to do a book review! I can only read so many books in a week (ha, usually one!) and it would be more interesting to others to, well, hear from others!

So, when you read a book you want to review, just email me the title, author, and review and I'll copy and paste it to my blog for others to share. I'll be posting my email address on the side column.

If you have book suggestions for either adults OR children, email me and I'll share them on my blog, both through a posting and adding them to a list on the side column.

Also, every month, we can all suggest some books to read together, you know like a book club. I'll post them all and we can do a vote, choosing, say, two. We read them and discuss.

How does that sound?

I think this is going to be so much fun!

Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman

2009-10-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

This was an interesting book, a quick read, too. It starts with a family who's built a house in Cape Cod, Massechusetts. It tells their story of how the father and his two sons leave for the yearly fishing trip, the last one for this family. A sudden storm arrives and the ship goes down. The mother's in denial about it for over a year, but when her youngest son's pet blackbird comes home without them, she knows. The blackbird is now white, but she knows it's the same bird. From that point, it hints that her oldest son survived and returned home.

After this story, it goes from story to story, family to family, each one taking place in this very same house over a span of 200 years. It's quite interesting, really, to know what's happened and how their all related. Throughout the book, there's mention of a white blackbird that lives on the property. Some say it's a ghost, others say it doesn't exist at all. It doesn't have much to do with each story's plot, but it's there just the same. The stories aren't always happily ever afters, some leaving you guessing how they actually end, yet they're all somehow intertwined. Alice Hoffman is the author of the book, now movie, "Practical Magic". There's a subtle darkness to her writing. Not evil, but not your typical fairy tale quality. The stories are intriguing, enough to keep you reading till the very end. Sadly, there were two F-words, but not till the end, as well as a few other swear-words, all taking place in the story occuring in the late 60's, early 70's. I wonder why that is? And, of course, there's mention of a witch in her story. I'm gathering from other books of hers I've checked out, she's into that sort of thing. I have another of her books on my counter waiting for me to read it. Maybe after this next one...

I'd recommend it if you're in for some entertainment, but not if you're looking for something that touches your soul. This one just didn't do that for me. It was good, but not great.

Here's a look inside, if you're interested.

Keep Moving Forward!

2009-10-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

The ideas were given to me to add additional authors to this blog who could also do book reviews, also, to have sort of a book club, where we can all read the same book and have a discussion of sorts somehow (via comment section, maybe?). I love these ideas!

What are your thoughts on this?

Do you have suggestions on how you would do it?

One thing I was thinking, is you could read a book and send me the review via email and I'll just copy and paste your exact wording onto a new post, that way anyone can contribute at any time.

Also, I was thinking maybe I could add a list to the side column of books people have suggested as a good read. Just a thought.

I'm always open to suggestions for good books! I have a limited list of authors I know I'll like but the problem is I've read most if not all of there work, and whenever I try a new author, I end up being disappointed by finding they like the use of the F-word or graphically, disgustingly-detailed sex-scenes. I'm a PG, sometimes PG-13 kind of gal, in movies AND in books. Harlequin-type romance novels? Bleh! No, thank you. Now, "You've Got Mail" kind of romance? Absolutely. Mystery? Bring it on! Suspense? I'll eat it right up! But add the F-word more than once? I won't read another page. I LOVE memoirs. Real life stories intrigue me. Ghost stories are cool, too. Self-help is good, if it's something I'm, you know, needing help with. ;)

So, do tell what you think, and I will take all into thoughtful consideration, because I love reading and I love friends and talking about what I've read with friends, especially when we've read the same thing. ;)

My Lobotomy: A Memoir

2009-10-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

"We are all the victims of what is done to us. We can either use that as an excuse for failure, knowing that if we fail it isn't really our fault, or we can say, 'I want something better than that, I deserve something better than that, and I'm going to try to make myself a life worth living.'"

This is how Howard Dully ends his story. For over 40 years of his life, he had questions about why he was given a lobotomy when he was 12 years old. He finally found the answers he was looking for, met with people who had suffered the same loss, and realized he had found peace by doing so. He was a normal child, suffering from a sad home life. He had a stepmother who hated him, and a father who wouldn't stand up for him. His brothers and stepbrothers were never as harshly punished as he was. His stepmother called him names and beat him, as did his father. Why? This is something he would ask himself over and over again throughout his whole life. His stepmother was so bent on being rid of him, she consulted with six psychiatrists in hopes of having him committed. All said he was a normal boy. Four said she was the problem. Then she found Dr. Walter Freeman. After several visits, he suggested changing Howard's personality via transorbital lobotomy, or "ice pick lobotomy". His father agreed to it after only two days of consideration. The procedure was done. After that, Howard was calmer. (Who wouldn't be after having their brain scrambled?!) However, his stepmother still didn't want him in the home. He was passed around from place to place, including family, a foster home, an asylum, a school for the mentally handicapped, half-way houses, juvenile hall, jail, and eventually ended up homeless with the education of a 14 year old. He was into drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, women, etc. He was married three times, fathered a child and had a heart attack before he decided he needed to do something with his life. Also, at this point, he realized he needed answers. So, he started searching. He ended up doing a radio show for NPR, which led him to Washington D.C. where he was able to access the files on his procedure. All the notes, all the pictures, all the lies his stepmother told, the interview with his father... all of this couldn't bring him peace. Helping others, talking about what happened, bringing it all to the surface, that's what brought him peace. It's a heartbreaking story of one man's journey through life after being treated so unfairly, feeling like he was "thrown away", aching to be loved by his parents, and finally finding a woman he could be faithful to who loved him and stood by him in his quest for the truth.

I highly recommend reading it. :) Here's a sneak peak inside this book.

This is a picture from the book, the picture Dr. Freeman took of Howard's lobotomy: