tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54590637070936923582024-03-21T20:38:33.640-07:00Books & Backstreet BoysUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-66301357392231365502013-03-15T19:48:00.001-07:002013-03-15T19:48:48.917-07:00GoodBye Over Here Hello Over There!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been blogging on this site for about 4 or 5 months and in that time I have already learned a ton! I have spent a great deal of time reading other blogs trying to pick up tips and tricks. I was reading thru some old posts on a site and the person said it would be a good idea to try out more than one blogging site. I thought that sounded like a great idea so I did it. I started my blog over on word press and well I think I really like it at least or now. I enjoy the ability to customize stuff over here but the rest of wordpress so far seems to be a better fit. So having said that I am moving some of the content that I put up over here over there and all the new stuff will appear there from now on. If you happen upon this site and like what you see feel free to come on over to <a href="http://booksandbackstreetboys.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">booksandbackstreetboys</a> on wordpress. <br />
<br />
See you there!!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-58422638301658018212013-03-11T21:22:00.002-07:002013-03-11T21:22:22.268-07:00Top Ten Tuesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top Ten Books At The TOP Of My Spring 2013 TBR list! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go on over to <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish </a>to check out this weekly meme they created<br />
<br />
So this was a bit difficult as I am watching Sean possibly make a huge mistake on the Bachelor and that is pulling some of my blogging attention! It was also diffucult because I have so many books on my Spring TBR that this could be a top twenty or more instead of just a top ten.<br />
So here is today's list of top ten books but next week it could shift all around and I may remember some other book I just have to read now.<br />
I decided to go with books I want to read and not books that will be released this Spring as I rarely read new releases. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>10. Meridian by Alice Walker</b></i></div>
The fact that I haven't read anything by Walker is so embarrassing for me. I found this at a used book store and picked it up just based on the fact that it's Alice Walker. This might be the very next book I pick up. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>9.The Warmth Of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson</b></i></div>
I have recently been interested in all things dealing with the great migration. How come this isn't something that's covered in history class? Did I miss that day or what? Anyway the book I am reading right now (Long Distance Life by Marita Golden) is also dealing with the great migration. I just can't get enough of this subject. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>8. The Cutting Season by Attica Locke</b></i></div>
This has everything I need in a book. Antebellum mansions in New Orleans, an old mystery surrounding a missing slave, a dead body with no explanation. I have really high expectations for this one.<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
</div>
<div style="color: magenta;">
<b><i>7. NW/On Beauty by Zadie Smith</i></b></div>
To be honest I am ready to read anything by Zadie Smith. I hear really amazing things and I am ready to dive into something that I think will be pretty great.<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i style="color: magenta;"><b>6. The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L. Carter</b></i><br />
This book sounds awesome to say the least. This is a what if Abraham Lincoln survived the the assassination and then 2 years later is dealing with an impeachment trial. Abigail Canner a 21 year black woman becomes part of his defense team and later becomes involved in the murder of Lincolns lead council. I have read one other Carter book and his writing is not for the faint of heart. He can be wordy but if you pay attention it is worth it in the end. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>5. Kindred by Octavia Butler</b></i></div>
I have read maybe a handful of Sci Fi books in my life and I can honestly say it's not my genre of choice. However, the premise of this book is so intriguing. Dana a women living in modern day California is somehow jerked back to antebellum south. There is more to it of course but just that alone made me want to read this book. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte</b></i></div>
I have had this one on my TBR literally for years like more than<br />
I can't exactly say why it's taken my so long to read it but I think I have always felt that it might be boring. I think what has pushed me to really go for it and read it is the fact that I want to read the Eyre Affair and I heard from several people that there are spoilers in it. So I will be reading this soon so I can read that soon.<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i style="color: magenta;"><b>3. The Princess Bride by William Goldman</b></i><br />
Why haven't I read this one yet? I saw the movie forever ago and I watch it anytime it comes on I even own it. ROUS'S anyone!! I think I am scared that this won't be as amazing as the book and I will be disapointed in it. I hope I am wrong and I will be finding out in the next month or so I think!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>2. The Color Purple by Alice Walker</b></i></div>
Seriously why haven't I read this one either? I really don't need to say anything about this one. If you haven't read this you have probably seen the movie or at least know of it. If you haven't seen the movie though what are you doing stop and go watch it now!! <br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">
<i><b>1. Jubilee by Margaret Walker</b></i></div>
This is the true story of Margaret Walkers great-grandmother Vyry.<br />
Vyry was the daughter of a white plantation over and his black mistress. I just happened upon this one in a used book store and the cover lured me in and then the story made me buy it. This is maybe the one I am looking forward to the most.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-71484323688776251012013-03-06T21:03:00.000-08:002013-03-06T21:03:34.200-08:00Mini Reviews <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In the months of January and February I read a couple of books that while I like didn't do enough for/to me to warrant a whole review so here are just some short thoughts on them<br />
<br />
Anne Of Avonlea<br />
L.M Montgomery<br />
#2 In the Anne Of Green Gables Novels<br />
Click <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77390.Anne_of_Avonlea" target="_blank">here</a> to read the synopsis on goodreads<br />
Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Avonlea-classic-sequel-Gables-ebook/dp/B0027VT5II/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362631095&sr=1-1&keywords=anne+of+avonlea" target="_blank">here</a> to see it on Amazon<br />
<br />
I read Anne of Green Gables sometime in 2012 and unfortunately I was underwhelmed. I say that because I had my expectations super high maybe too high. I absolutely unabashedly love and adore the Anne of Green Gables miniseries with Megan Follows. I watched that when I was a very little girl and fell head over heels in love with everything about it especially Gilbert Blythe. So I had my expectations unrealistically high and the books were bound to be at least a bit of a let down. <br />
Anne Of Avonlea picks up right where Gables left off. I won't say much as it's a sequel and could ruin some plot points for people. The bottom line is these books are sweet. Maybe too sweet in fact. I think the problem is how earnest Anne is which isn't a bad thing especially considering when they where written it's just so in your face that it becomes a teeny bit annoying at times. I will continue on with the series because I love the idea of Anne and Gilbert and I want to know how the book ends their story. I think this is a case of reading the books at the wrong time in life. I know that had I read these when I was in grade school or before I watched the miniseries I would feel differently. I feel like I missed out on what these books could have been to me and that makes me kind of sad.<br />
<br />
Outside Beauty<br />
Cynthia Kadohata<br />
Click <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2514746.Outside_Beauty" target="_blank">here</a> to read the synopsis on goodreads<br />
This is one of about 4 books I have read in the last 2 months that deal with both not so great parents and that is classified as a coming of age book This deals four sisters and their beautiful mother and a family tragedy of course. Theirs is not a good mother or an attentive mother she in fact is just plain bad at being a mother. Each girl has a different father each father is completely different from the others. Their mother spends most of her time collecting and then discarding men. She is obsessed with being beautiful and having men fall in love with her and give her things. The story is really about these four girls and the unshakeable bond they have with each other. As with most coming of age stories there is a family tragedy that shakes up the world these girls live in and tests the bonds they share with each other and their mother. This was entertaining and had some really great side character's. One of the girls fathers was an interesting and likable character and I would have loved to have more of him in the book. I really enjoyed the book but the end kind of fell flat for me it was tied up to neatly. Overall I enjoyed the book and I will probably pick up other books by Cynthia in the future.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-18948858550254927372013-03-05T22:22:00.004-08:002013-03-05T22:22:58.161-08:00Ten Ways To Anger the Backstreet Boy Fan In Your Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here is my list of ten different things you can say and or do to anger (ok ok P!$$ off ) the Backstreet Boy fan in your life. Well at least this one anyway.<br />
Hell hath no fury like a Backstreet fan scorned!!<br />
<br />
<b>1. Refer to them as the backdoor boys or backstreet girls or any number of unfunny names designed to put them and ultimately me (the fan) down</b><br />
Ha Ha we get it and we've heard it. It wasn't funny 20 years ago when they first started and it ain't funny now. Not to mention (except ima mention it) it's not even original anymore.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Tell me <i>THEY</i> sound like One Direction, The Wanted or any other new(ish) group out there </b><br />
What you might mean (if indeed you think they sound alike) is that One Direction sounds like the Backstreet Boys since they were touring the world before Harry could walk.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. Ask me when they got back together</b><br />
For the record they NEVER BROKE UP! Kevin left the group 7 years ago but the other 4 stayed together. Why do I have to keep saying this people?? WHY???<br />
<br />
<b>4. Tell me all "Boy" Bands sound the same</b><br />
Really? I can't ! I don't! Really? Just NO!!<br />
<br />
<b>5. Bring up the whole Paris Hilton thing as some sort of statement about Nick as a person and BSB as a group</b><br />
Yeah we know he dated Paris Hilton. He is over it I am sure she is over it and we (the fans) are so over it. You should get over it too!!<br />
<br />
<b>6. Ask me which one is gay and then laugh like you made a joke</b><br />
It's 2013 gay isn't an insult (or it shouldn't be) anymore. Grow UP!<br />
<br />
<b>7.Tell me such things as they haven't released any albums or toured in years! </b><i style="color: red;">Seriously someone said this to my face! With their face!</i><b><br /></b><br />
My pocketbook (do people still say pocketbook anymore? Besides me?) begs to differ. I sure have shelled out quite a chunk of change on these nonexistent albums and tours just in the last 3 years. <br />
<br />
<b>8. Tell me no one buys their music anymore</b><br />
For the record ( I am putting a lot of stuff on the record today y'all) every Backstreet Boy album including the collab album with NKOTB has debuted in the top 10 on the charts. Just let that sink in. No really let it sink in before you continue. Also 130 million + albums sold so there's that!!<br />
<br />
<b>9. Tell me they are too old to still be doing this</b><br />
First of all there is no age limit on good music. Second of all they aren't old. Third of all ever heard of the Rolling Stones, or Tina Turner. Fourth of all Gwen Stefani is 40. I rest my case.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Give me the old "They don't make real music" line</b><br />
<i><b>Really</b></i> cuz they <b><i>really</i></b> sing it with their <b><i>real</i></b> voices and it's <b><i>really</i></b> live when they are in concert! What exactly is <i><b>real</b></i> music anyway seriously can someone explain that to me?? Their music has <i><b>really </b></i>lasted 20 years. I would say it doesn't get much more <b><i>real </i></b>than that!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-80708898422380575392013-03-02T19:53:00.001-08:002013-03-02T19:53:34.601-08:00Book Review #7 Squalor, New Mexico<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
Squalor, New Mexico</h2>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNP5FiM-cNjPy8paISlydQ5pXNmNfc5_U5mn7pOksE086JacwJKSafPVL8kH0HO6HWrCkxiHmMkZR2t7pwUUgFuSkQiGRVt79z1NhsA8I_RGdtVhsRAf8kDmQ26CKvVMKVHesjT3o_H0/s1600/SqualorNewMexico-199x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNP5FiM-cNjPy8paISlydQ5pXNmNfc5_U5mn7pOksE086JacwJKSafPVL8kH0HO6HWrCkxiHmMkZR2t7pwUUgFuSkQiGRVt79z1NhsA8I_RGdtVhsRAf8kDmQ26CKvVMKVHesjT3o_H0/s200/SqualorNewMexico-199x300.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001WAL1CI/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Written By Lisette Brodey</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Published March 18th 2009</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Published By Saberlee Books</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span id="freeText18287541749063962555">Darla McKendrick is
nine when she first hears her mother and her aunt Didi secretly
discussing their younger sister, Rebecca, speculating about her life in
squalor. From the moment Darla asks to know more about her mysterious
aunt, she is offered nothing but half-truths, distortions, and evasions.
<br />As Darla grows into her teen years, her life is oddly yet
profoundly affected by this woman she has never known. She can't help
but notice that Rebecca seems to exist only in dark corners of
conversations and that no one ever wants to talk about her - with Darla.
<br /><i>Squalor, New Mexico</i> is a coming-of-age story
shrouded in family mystery. As the plot takes twists and turns, secrets
are revealed not only to Darla but to the "secret keepers" as well.
Darla learns that families are only as strong as the truths they hold
and as weak as the secrets they keep</span></i> (synopsis from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6554919-squalor-new-mexico" target="_blank">goodreads</a>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I came across this book on Amazon and thought based on the title that it would be about New Mexico. It isn't. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a coming of age story and it's the 3rd one i have read this month it's also my favorite of the three. The story is told from the point of view of Darla starts when she is nine and ends when she is 17. She lives with her mother and father and is really close to her 3 cousins named April,May and June. One day Darla walks in on her mother and aunt discussing their little sister Rebecca and this peaks an interest that Darla can't let go of. Rebcca seems to have some strange hold over the entire family including Darla's aunt and uncle the mother and father of her three cousins. With the help of Darla's 3 cousins and best friend Melanie the secrets surrounding Rebecca gradually come to light and ultimately all the secrets are revealed towards the end of the book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't really say more than that (and there is so much more) as it would ruin all the awesome dark family secret stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This book was excellent it made me angry, sad, frustrated and happy I even laughed out loud in several places and cried at the end. Darla is a pretty typical teenager melodramatic and bratty at times but overall she tries to be a good person most of the time. Her three cousins seem on the surface to be almost too good to be true especially for teenage girls but, there is so much more to them. The parts of the book that made me frustrated actually had to do with both sets of parents. Darla's mother and father were kind of pathetic. Her father is a giant stick in the mud and not in the way that every teenager thinks their father is a stick in the mud but for real!! Her mother seems to have no backbone and is more concerned with appearances than real life. Darla's aunt is a stage mom to April, May, and June and is only concerned with the next show the girls will be performing in. The girls father is basically non existent in their life and lets his wife push him around. Seriously every book I have read recently has terrible parents in it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The central plot revolves around Rebecca the secret aunt even though she lives somewhere else and none of the girls have ever met her. Darla spends her time thinking about this secret aunt and it sort of takes over her life and the lives of her entire family without anyone even being conscious of it. Darla enlists the help of her cousins and her best friend Melanie to uncover the secrets of Rebecca and this takes her entire family on this crazy emotional journey with results no one could have seen coming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is so much more to the book than that but to give any more detail would ruin things for you. At times I thought I had the secret of Rebecca figured out but I didn't although I was in the ballpark. The end of this book was so good and emotional I just loved it. This is a book I will probably re-read at some point and I think I might love it even more when I do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bottom line read this book because it is amazing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I gave it 5 out of 5 stars on goodreads.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-82135876884403067262013-03-01T22:52:00.000-08:002013-03-01T22:52:29.372-08:00We Are Getting A Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cgeom8DHtDABoq8ocLqD-8bjvLX4VtDSlb2bWh0W__pkQefG0XJ6O7SUI7zloaNm1nbBPNv4daJGVPq9QD3T30EZGPj5JcYN0QotdngVRlUk9Nxd-fv4Dg6uGuKOR3vF-Q_00Yxu5eA/s1600/medium.y3s2fg59r577.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cgeom8DHtDABoq8ocLqD-8bjvLX4VtDSlb2bWh0W__pkQefG0XJ6O7SUI7zloaNm1nbBPNv4daJGVPq9QD3T30EZGPj5JcYN0QotdngVRlUk9Nxd-fv4Dg6uGuKOR3vF-Q_00Yxu5eA/s320/medium.y3s2fg59r577.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken from <a href="http://backstreetboys.com/news/84883" target="_blank">backstreetboys.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that is. I say we but I mean the Backstreet Boys of course. I am not actually getting the star myself or anything. April 20th 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the Backstreet Boys and on April 22nd they will be given the star in a fancy pants ceremony. In order to celebrate the star there will be about 4 days of as of yet unrevealed festivities in L.A. The only thing we know right now is there will be a party to celebrate on anniversary day and the star ceremony on the walk of fame. Hopefully they will also be doing some kind of performance maybe along the lines of the acoustic events they have held in the past. Either way I hope to be there to celebrate right along with a bunch of other die hard fans. Whatever happens it should be UHMAZING! You can sign up <a href="http://backstreetboys.com/splash" target="_blank">here</a> to receive up to the minute information regarding the 20th anniversary celebration fun. <br />
Read more <a href="http://backstreetboys.com/news/132921" target="_blank">here</a> and take a look at all the latest Backstreet News!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-27816393147780445072013-02-23T21:35:00.002-08:002013-02-23T21:35:53.684-08:00Book Review #6 Silver Sparrow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<b><i>Silver Sparrow</i></b></h2>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Exa-sNCHmwfJtIa5wJVIjKrMcv3BOw9qNToy8dHYWqvT_Bu6a5PzjD4Thwq6HqXOcPGepk1YcFY0PG9cKhIhFtZtVgfMAVOPjgPpA9pRuPdkrpnzHHceN6BPe4xb6htqAmCuVKXxHxY/s1600/201106-omag-silver-sparrow-284xFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Exa-sNCHmwfJtIa5wJVIjKrMcv3BOw9qNToy8dHYWqvT_Bu6a5PzjD4Thwq6HqXOcPGepk1YcFY0PG9cKhIhFtZtVgfMAVOPjgPpA9pRuPdkrpnzHHceN6BPe4xb6htqAmCuVKXxHxY/s320/201106-omag-silver-sparrow-284xFall.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Written By Tayari Jones</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Published 2011 by Algonquin Books</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This photo is from <a href="http://www.oprah.com/book/Silver-Sparrow-by-Tayari-Jones" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oprah's </a>website where apparently it was one of the books they loved in 2011</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a book on the <a href="http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/01/gurrrl-you-just-have-to-read-this-the-2013-clutch-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">clutch magazine's</a> 2013 reading challenge at #25.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was also the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/88302" target="_blank">group read</a> for January but I was a bit late. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Sparrow-Tayari-Jones/dp/B005UVQBSE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361683383&sr=8-1&keywords=silver+sparrow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buy it on Amazon</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Set in a middle-class neighborhood in Atlanta in the 1980s, the novel revolves around James Witherspoon's two families;the public one and the secret one. When the daughters from each family meet and form a friendship, only one of them knows they are sisters. It is a relationship destined to explode. This is the third stunning novel from an author deemed one of the most important writers of her generation (Synopsis from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9749711-silver-sparrow" target="_blank">goodreads</a>)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It made me sad in places and there were several things in the book that made me want to pull my hair out. The subject matter is something I find incredibly interesting and while I have watched several movies surrounding it I have never read anything on it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So the story is split into two parts told from the perspective of both of Jame's daughters. The first half told by Dana Lynn the secret daughter and the second told by Bunny the" legitimate" daughter. James meets Dana's mother (Gwendolyn) after he has been married to Bunny's mother (Laverne) for 10 years. Gwendolyn is well aware of the marriage but starts a relationship anyway. From the time Dana is little she is aware that her father has another family and that no one can know about her or her mother. The only other person who is truly aware of what's going on is James best friend Raleigh. Raleigh helps keep James secret and fills in for him in Gwendolyn's and Dana's lives. Dana and Bunny are born only months apart and grow up in close but separate circles. Eventually they meet and that has some major consequences for everyone.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Throughout Dana's life she takes a back seat to Bunny without Bunny even knowing. At one point Dana wants to go to a science camp but can't because Bunny is already going. Later Dana decides what college she wants to go to and the reason it's OK is because James is pretty sure Bunny wants to go somewhere else. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't say that I actually liked one single character in this book. I feel sorry for some of them and I outright despise others. James is a truly pathetic father he makes no bones about the fact that he has chosen Bunny over Dana. I tried but could not find a single redeeming quality in James. Raleigh is a kind man but kind of a drip. He seems to lack a back bone and I really dislike people without spines. Gwendolyn is perhaps my least favorite character. She walked right into this situation and then allowed her child to suffer because of it. The author gives some perspective on why Gwendolyn did what she did and I can understand it what I can't understand is why she stays in the situation! Don't get me wrong James is truly awful but as bad as it's sounds I often expect men to be jerks. A mother that won't stick up for her child that I can't get behind. Laverne is a times sympathetic and pathetic. I think she might at least suspect that James is cheating but you never actually get the answer to that. She makes a decision at the end that really bothers me and makes me end up disliking her. Bunny and Dana are the real innocents in this whole story and I felt for both of them for different reasons. Neither of them was truly likable but they did come off sympathetic and I really wanted things to workout for them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the end of the day I don't have to like characters to like a book. These characters may not be likable but they are well written and sometimes complex.This book caught my attention right away and I couldn't put it down. I ended up finishing this book in a day. The ending prevented me from giving this 5 stars . I felt like after all the depth the book had given up to that point it just left us with nothing at the end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I gave this 4 stars on goodreads </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-36250724396031513612013-02-12T21:42:00.002-08:002013-02-12T21:53:35.731-08:00Top Ten Tuesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
This Tuesday's Topic Is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Top ten Favorite Romances</span></b></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you to <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/2013/02/top-ten-romances-in-books.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a> for creating this meme for all of us to have a little fun with. Check them out they are awesome!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not a romantic in real life!! The idea of romance makes my skin crawl and I almost break out in hives. However, when it comes to fictional romance/love I am all in. I love TV love,movie love, book love and, I love romantic love songs especially those sung by the Backstreet Boys!! So I was kind of excited when I saw that this weeks top ten Tuesday had a romantic theme.Even though I am so into fictional love I don't read a ton of books about love so I really had to think about these. This time around I'm counting them down in order. <br />
Let's Go<br />
<br />
<b><i>10.Nicholas Sparks Books</i></b><br />
<i>Nicholas Sparks is the closest I have ever come to a romance novel. I know his characters are often interchangeable (as in you can take one from one book and put him into another and never know the difference) but the man can write a romantic male character. The men are usually the strong silent type that just need a gorgeous amazing lady to get them to open up. They then fall totally and completely in love only to end up being torn apart by tragic but very romantic circumstances! Sometimes they find their way back to each other sometimes not but either way it's hella romantic! I can't explain it but Nicholas Sparks books make me all gushy inside. </i><b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<i><b>9</b></i><i><b>.Dex and Rachel</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Something Borrowed</i><br />
<i>Emily Giffin</i><br />
OK so for the record in real life I think cheating is the lowest of the low. I despise cheaters and I feel like there is never ever a reason to cheat. However in this book I feel differently. Dex and Rachel are meant to be and Darcy is standing in the way. Also Darcy doesn't even love Dex and she is a royal you know what to both Rachel and Dex. Anyway I love this opposites attract couple and they are just so cute. Sometimes you have to do a little cheating to find your one true love but only in books, or movies,or television shows never in real life.<br />
<br />
<i><b>8. Darcy and Ethan</b></i><br />
<i>Something Blue</i><span class="st"></span><br />
<i>Emily Giffin</i><br />
<i>So in Something Borrowed Darcy sucks like in a giant way but she redeems herself in Something Blue as characters in books often do. Ethan and Darcy pretty much can't stand each other in borrowed but like most great loves the end up realizing they love each other and live happily ever after. I have to question Ethan's common sense a little bit but I guess sometimes love doesn't make sense!</i><br />
<br />
<i> <b>7. Armand and Reine-Marie </b></i>
<br />
<i>Inspector Gamache Series</i><br />
<i>Louise Penny</i><br />
<i>I dislike every single re-curing character in this series except for Armand and Reine-Marie. Without a doubt the people are cruel, rude, selfish, egotistical, whiny, cheating jerks yet I can't help but love this series. A big part of my love comes from Armand and Reine-Marie. They are so sweet to each other and even after years together and grown children they still truly enjoy each other. If I were to ever fall in love( it ain't gon happen) I want a man like Armand. </i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><b><i>6. Finnick and Annie</i></b><br />
<i>Hunger Games Trilogy</i><br />
<i>Suzanne Collins </i><br />
<i>Throughout most of Catching Fire everyone is pretty sure Finnick is a giant Dbag. However we come to find he is just another victim of the capitol and is actually a pretty good guy (as good as one can be in these circumstances) who is madly in love with a crazy girl. Finnick would literally do anything to save and protect Annie. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>5. Ma and Pa</b></i>
<br />
<i>The Little House Series</i><br />
<i>Laura Ingalls Wilder</i><i></i><br />
<i>I mean really what do I need to say. This is my first memory of book romantic love. I just love everything about these two. He brings home the bacon and she cooks it on the old wood burning stove Their love is easy and comfortable and everything love should be .What more could you want?</i><br />
<br />
<i> <b>4. Laurie and Amy</b></i>
<br />
<i>Little Women</i><br />
<i>Louisa May Alcott</i><br />
<i>I know a lot of people think it was a travesty when Jo and Laurie didn't end up together but I am not one. I remember when I first read the book I thought Jo and Laurie were meant to be until I realized I was so wrong, Amy and Laurie come out of no where and bam! He is older than her but not in the creepy way and she, is a little bit spoiled but has a good heart it's amazing book love!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i><b><i>3. </i>Elinor and Edward </b><br />
<i>Sense and Sensibility</i><br />
<i>Jane Austen</i><br />
<i>I know Marianne is the romantic and Elinor is the practical one but I think that is why I love this romance! Elinor seems almost a bit cold and uninterested in love. She has to be level headed because no one else is and that is why when she falls for Edward you just know it's right.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Ok so now I am gonna go all cliche on you and pick 2 very predictable couples but these really are my favorite 2 romances I have ever read at least this far. I am going to rank them but to be honest they are basically interchangable.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><i>2. Lizzie and Darcy</i></b><br />
<i>Pride and Prejudice</i><br />
<i>Jane Austen</i><br />
<i>Oh man how I love these two. It's so romantic the hating each other first and then slowly realizing how much they actually love each other. I saw the 1995 miniseries way before I read the book and fell in love with them. When I read the book it just reaffirmed everything I loved about them and gave me new reasons to love them. I love stories about people from different classes loving each other so much that they overcome all the obstacles to be together.."Nothing but the deepest love will induce me into matrimony"</i>
<i>preach Lizzie! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b><i>1. Allie and Noah</i></b><br />
<i>The Notebook</i><br />
<i>Nicholas Sparks</i><br />
<i>Seriously people seriously! So in this case I read the book and then saw the movie. I love them in the book and I love them in the movie. I know that in real life war is not romantic but in books it so is! The idea of the clothes and the big band music and the men in uniform that era is just swoon worthy. Here we have another story about rich meets poor and, we have the added benefit of years spent pining for each other and the backdrop of war. Absence makes the heart grow fonder y'all! What more could you possibly need or want in a romance? Plus the man basically builds her a house with his BARE HANDS!</i>
<br />
You don't say no when a man builds you a house with his hands!<br />
<br />
OK so that's all I got. I know a few of them are a bit cliche and been there done that but they are my favorites at least for now.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-7124280971499637442013-02-08T21:07:00.001-08:002013-02-08T21:13:29.099-08:00I want to read this (or the one where I see a book I want but I don't know if I want to spend $17 bucks on it cuz what if it's not as good as I think it is? And also I'm cheap!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i>The House Girl</i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i>By Tara Conklin</i></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsK7XPB5SNKJd9osmITVq32rQ7Kf4iTOc0ea3mpaQpuYwIPJbicF4dLdB7jJAdzytSmxPIncg-iogKlRrn13vnZm0bmWQxc_mVyJaH_gKH7pANPJo_PVm3Emye3s4FAUfO_1AE_sUj-k/s1600/15781725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsK7XPB5SNKJd9osmITVq32rQ7Kf4iTOc0ea3mpaQpuYwIPJbicF4dLdB7jJAdzytSmxPIncg-iogKlRrn13vnZm0bmWQxc_mVyJaH_gKH7pANPJo_PVm3Emye3s4FAUfO_1AE_sUj-k/s200/15781725.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="freeText11687561106977672982" style="font-weight: normal;">Virginia, 1852.
Seventeen-year-old Josephine Bell decides to run from the failing
tobacco farm where she is a slave and nurse to her ailing mistress, the
aspiring artist Lu Anne Bell. New York City, 2004. Lina Sparrow, an
ambitious first-year associate in an elite law firm, is given a
difficult, highly sensitive assignment that could make her career: she
must find the “perfect plaintiff” to lead a historic class-action
lawsuit worth trillions of dollars in reparations for descendants of
American slaves.It is through her father, the renowned artist
Oscar Sparrow, that Lina discovers Josephine Bell and a controversy
roiling the art world: are the iconic paintings long ascribed to Lu Anne
Bell really the work of her house slave, Josephine? A descendant of
Josephine’s would be the perfect face for the reparations lawsuit—if
Lina can find one. While following the runaway girl’s faint trail
through old letters and plantation records, Lina finds herself
questioning her own family history and the secrets that her father has
never revealed: How did Lina’s mother die? And why will he never speak
about her?Moving between antebellum Virginia and modern-day New
York, this searing, suspenseful and heartbreaking tale of art and
history, love and secrets, explores what it means to repair a wrong and
asks whether truth is sometimes more important than justice.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I found this book mentioned in the March issue of Essence magazine (the one with LL Cool J on the cover) And the description drew me in immediately. I really like books that go between past and present and I LOVE books about family secrets they are so much fun. Also I am fascinated by the antebellum south and I don't know why but I haven't read a lot about it. I think I may go against my norm and purchase this book. </span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Description and book cover found <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15781725-the-house-girl" target="_blank">here</a> at goodreads</span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Buy it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-House-Girl-A-Novel/dp/0062207393%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJ3FWNBSX3YI27F3Q%26tag%3Dmarkwond-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0062207393" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> on Amazon </a> February 12th 2013</span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i></h1>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-74434514382315222562013-02-06T20:25:00.000-08:002013-02-06T20:25:05.483-08:00Book Review #5 Banksy The Man Behind The Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Banksy The Man Behind The Wall</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nlhRxKhuWgmYRMbMrM2ZvSqCkzU5voIWKSAIl6swMNFXhVW0i2-2QQAjK3yA1I2q6WK7Xmr8q0-B3Qh_9xN0TEmThO7SDOEo38RWBfleSaSeIGxeYUT79_nSY9_GraKv1kPLjhmQLME/s1600/IMG_20130122_152940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nlhRxKhuWgmYRMbMrM2ZvSqCkzU5voIWKSAIl6swMNFXhVW0i2-2QQAjK3yA1I2q6WK7Xmr8q0-B3Qh_9xN0TEmThO7SDOEo38RWBfleSaSeIGxeYUT79_nSY9_GraKv1kPLjhmQLME/s200/IMG_20130122_152940.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the copy I received</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15793236-banksy" target="_blank">click to see it on goodreads</a> </span></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Banksy-Behind-Wall-Will-Ellsworth-Jones/dp/1250025737/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360174513&sr=1-5&keywords=banksy" target="_blank">click to see it on amazon</a></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><b>Written by Will Ellsworth-Jones</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Published by St Martin's Press New York</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Official Release date February 12th 2013</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I received this copy in a goodreads (firstreads) giveaway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went into this book knowing nothing about Banksy or graffiti for that matter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I started reading the book I decided not to look at any of Banksy's work until I was done. I read a review on Goodreads that said it would have been maybe a better reading experience if the author had included some photos of Banksy's work and I have to agree. After I finished the book and looked at his work online I think it would have been a welcome addition.The bulk of the book is the author telling us about where Banksy's work can be found and where it was and how much it goes for.At one point the author goes on a hunt for Banksy's work all over London and he talks about each stop and tells us whether or not the work is still there. It became a bit tedious after a while. I have to confess by page 60 I did not like Banksy at all and I was a bored. I feel like he takes himself so seriously I mean it's just graffiti no one is curing cancer! There were interesting parts in the book Banksy has a couple feuds with other graffiti writers and there is a falling out of sorts with a long time friend and member of his team. However nothing is really explored in depth. I suppose that is the central issue. Banksy wants to remain anonymous and in so doing takes away the ability to get anything concrete or in depth about him. On the other hand if he didn't remain anonymous would anyone care that much about what he does? This book did nothing to peak my interest in Banksy and by the 11th chapter I was almost ready to check but I don't regret reading it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I would give it a 2.5 star rating but on goodreads they don't do half stars so I gave it a 3.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-88596110608219945122013-02-05T21:32:00.000-08:002013-02-05T21:35:51.382-08:00Top Ten Tuesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is my second time participating in Top Ten Tuesday! And once again it's so late it's almost Wednesday!<br />
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">here at The Broke and the Bookish</a>. <br />
This weeks topic:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Top Ten Best Bookish Memories</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOZVJnTnKqOMTxXu1ckP0TnzFU-C0zZ4A-MDxHQ6GiDocmPU71x1FRc_FnQ31Ys4PSXzKM9UkAO9jDzuyfTHtZag316K4VwqWisgH7aPhsHxo1KAB43ULWm-r8Xh-b_QR4dkbUFCRpMI/s1600/joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOZVJnTnKqOMTxXu1ckP0TnzFU-C0zZ4A-MDxHQ6GiDocmPU71x1FRc_FnQ31Ys4PSXzKM9UkAO9jDzuyfTHtZag316K4VwqWisgH7aPhsHxo1KAB43ULWm-r8Xh-b_QR4dkbUFCRpMI/s200/joe.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey the cat who blogs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every Time I get on the computer this face must sit in my lap so he can oversee what I am doing.<br />
So I am not your typical book blogger in that I don't buy new books well ever and, I don't anxiously look forward to new releases. I also have never been to a big book event and I have never been to an author signing. So my bookish memories are all related to personal stuff surrounding family and school type things. So without further ado here it is folks.<br />
<br />
1. <i><b>My Mom Reading me the entire Little House On The Prairie series</b>.</i> Reading the Little House books was a tradition for me, my mom and my sister. When I was 5 and my sister 8 we would lay in my parents bed on either side of my mom and she would read to us. She read lots of books but by far my favorites where Little House books. It's maybe my favorite childhood memory of all time.<br />
<br />
2. <b><i>Book Reports:</i></b><br />
I loved book reports when I was in school. I would rather do 10 book reports than one oral report. Whenever a book report was assigned I was so happy. I usually had a book I was already reading for fun so choosing a book to write the report on was easy!<br />
<br />
3. <i><b>Writing A Book</b>:</i><br />
OK so I was in elementary school and it was about horses but man was it fun! I have no idea why I picked horses as I wasn't really a horse lover but it was awesome. We got to bind them and illustrate them I had a blast!<br />
<br />
4. <b><i>Reading Little Women for the first time:</i></b><br />
This was the first book I fell in LOVE with. I wish I could experience it again for the first time.<br />
<br />
5. <b><i>Creating a board game based on Little Women:</i></b><br />
When I was in elementary school we had this awesome thing called the invention convention. Basically all the kids got to invent anything they wanted and present it the convention with a whole display board and awards and everything. The one I can remember was in the 3rd grade, I made a game board with question and answer cards and pieces that corresponded to each girl, marmie and Laurie. I even played it with my mom and sister it was awesome!<br />
<br />
6. <b><i>The Babysitters Club</i>:</b><br />
I can't! This book series was EVERYTHING to me for a giant portion of my childhood and I collected all the books for quit some time. Alas in the many moves over the years I have lost or gotten rid of every copy but I still have the memories!! These books got me through some tough times!<br />
<br />
7. <b><i>Reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time:</i></b><br />
Talk about another book I wish I could read again for the first time. I watched the 1995 miniseries probably 15 years ago when I was a teenager and fell head over heels in love. I don't know why it took me so long to read the book but I didn't pick it up until about 5 years ago and I fell in love all over again. It's without question my favorite book of all time.<br />
<br />
8. <b><i>The library down the road from my middle school:</i></b><br />
I will be honest middle school straight sucked hard core! The one bright spot was when they built the brand new library down the road from us. Lots of the teachers would walk their classes down to the library to do research and check out books. I literally developed a relationship with the librarian that has lasted to this day.<br />
<br />
<br />
OK so it's not ten but the eight are significant to me. I realized as I was going through these that all but one of them correlates to my childhood. Not sure what that says about me but it's probably Freudian and bad!! I also realized I use the exclamation point way too much but whatcha gonna do?!?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-68802383507813259982013-01-29T21:55:00.001-08:002013-01-29T21:55:08.920-08:00Top Ten Tuesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is my first Top Ten Tuesday which is a meme created over at <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. They are quite creative and came up with a giant list of top ten book related topics that they and other bloggers post about every Tuesday.<br />
Today's topic is....<br />
Top Ten Most Frustrating Characters Ever<br />
So without further ado here is my so late it's almost Wednesday Top Ten Tuesday list in no particular order<br />
<br />
1. <b>Mr Bennet</b> from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen<br />
He is so checked out from his wife and kids. I agree that most of his daughters are silly and ignorant but it's kind of his fault. Maybe if he had been a little more "hands on" in the parenting department things would be different! Yeah I know fathers weren't hands on so much back then but that frustrates me too. I think however the worst part is that no one seems to think it's wrong! Even Lizzie who sees most every one's flaws seems to miss this one in her father!<br />
<br />
2.<b> EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER </b>in the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke.<br />
Everyone is so naive and nobody can seem to take a joke or make a good one. The way these people talk I just can't believe it. Oh and Hannah needs to make up her mind already either marry one of them or break up with both of them sheeesh! Sometimes I spend so much time rolling my eyes I get a headache!<br />
<br />
3. <b>Nick</b> from Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn<br />
I mean grow a back bone and man up already!! I wanted to slap him and cry for him but mostly slap him! He could have stopped this before it went where it went if he had just stepped up and left the girl a long time ago!<br />
<br />
4. <b>Inspector Beauvoir </b>from the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny<br />
He is so closed minded and judgmental. Even though Gamache is so open minded and reasonable nothing seems to rub off on Beauvoir. And even though his assumptions keep getting proved wrong he is still so hard headed!<br />
<br />
5. <span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><b>Aurelia</b> from Palace Council by Stephen L. Carter. </span><br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818">Girl why did you make Eddie wait almost 20 years? If she had just married Eddie instead of what's his name so many terrible things could have been avoided and some heartache averted! She may not have been wealthy but she would've been happy!</span><br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818">6. <b>Darcy</b> in Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin</span><br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818">Do I need to say why? What a brat you just want to slap her almost every time she is even mentioned. The thing that made me most frustrated was that she reminded me of a relative and yeah that didn't help.</span><br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818">7. </span><b>Olivier</b> from the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny (specifically in The Brutal Telling)<br />
This dude lies and lies and lies! He lied to Gabri the man he is supposed to love. He lies to Gamache even though they are in the middle of a murder investigation. He lies to all his friends in town! And then the man has the nerve to get mad at Gamache! FRUSTRATING!!<br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818">8. </span><span id="freeText15836673871440762279"><b>Antonia</b> in The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf</span><br />
<span id="freeText15836673871440762279">Mother's are supposed to protect their children and Antonia doesn't even come close to protection. She allows some terrible things to take place and I just want to shake her. I get it she is poor and she has a couple of little kids and that makes things difficult but, there are just some things a mother shouldn't allow under any circumstances.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText15836673871440762279">9. <b>Marianne Dashwood</b> in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen</span><br />
<span id="freeText15836673871440762279">Oh Marianne, Marianne, Marianne. You make bad choices always bad choices! I can't get behind anything she does. I hate Willoughby for obvious reasons but I can't get behind Colonel Brandon either. In my opinion she should have held out just a bit longer and maybe someone else would have come along!</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText15836673871440762279">10. <b>Jonah Robb</b> from the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton</span><br />
<span id="freeText15836673871440762279">Men without backbones really annoy me! His wife is a nasty shrew but he wont leave! I don't get it and I want to scream every time the story goes there! </span><span id="freeText15836673871440762279"> </span><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2875124.Heather_Gudenkauf" itemprop="url"><span itemprop="name"></span></a> </span><br />
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17732722742621340818"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-477349484424846742013-01-28T16:14:00.001-08:002013-01-28T16:15:13.466-08:00Book Review #4 for one more day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>for one more day</em></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">Written by: Mitch Albom</span></em></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">Published 2006 by Hyperion</span></em></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhQZYXnsc44hAE_2_Btatm8SzaF63nLayYRSUIghZQr7U_JR_80BdXAuW3wYV2ExV_sntff_wTYWiAfNIkR1FIY6S_8Oe6hdwqyVdW92B_9zaEBbn282n89UKLl-bgM2bGmV31uVXaLI/s1600/mitchalbom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhQZYXnsc44hAE_2_Btatm8SzaF63nLayYRSUIghZQr7U_JR_80BdXAuW3wYV2ExV_sntff_wTYWiAfNIkR1FIY6S_8Oe6hdwqyVdW92B_9zaEBbn282n89UKLl-bgM2bGmV31uVXaLI/s200/mitchalbom.jpg" width="136" /></em></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1401303277/ref=asc_df_14013032772368291?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealt529148-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=1401303277" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Buy It Here</em></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one? </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence. <br />Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life.<br />He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother�who died eight years earlier�is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened.<br />What follows is the one "ordinary" day so many of us yearn for, a chance to make good with a lost parent, to explain the family secrets, and to seek forgiveness. Somewhere between this life and the next, Charley learns the astonishing things he never knew about his mother and her sacrifices. And he tries, with her tender guidance, to put the crumbled pieces of his life back together. (Synopsis Brought Over From <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10929.For_One_More_Day" target="_blank">goodreads</a>)</span></em><br />
<br />
This was a book I picked up on impulse at a second hand store just the other day. I confess I have heard of Tuesday's with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven and they never appealed to me,in fact they seemed like they might be a bit corny. However, I watch a YouTube channel called 1 book 1 review (check it out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/1book1review" target="_blank">here</a> ) and she speaks often of Mitch Albom and his books and how much she loves them, so I saw this and decided to give it a try. Much to my surprise and delight I loved this book! It was a bit sentimental but not in a corny way.The synopsis above gives enough info about the plot so I will instead talk about the main characters. Chick could at times be frustrating and spent so much time feeling sorry for himself that he neglected almost everyone around him. He spends most of his time wishing for what could have been and idolizing a father that quite frankly doesn't seem to care about him. Chick's father was a truly unlikable character he didn't seem to care about Chick unless he was playing baseball. Chick's father is in and out of his life while his mother remains there for him and Chick can't seem to see that.His mother was the kind of character you sympathize with one moment and want to yell at in the next. She made some questionable decisions that while I didn't agree with were understandable given the situation her husband put her in. I have never been one who needed to love every character in order to love a book and this was the case in this book. I didn't truly love any of the characters and Chick was down right irritating throughout but I really loved this book. The message is not a new one in fact it's a really old one. We all know the life is short tell the people you love that you love them before it's too late thing and that I believe is ultimately what this book is about. I have to mention the ghost aspect of this book . I don't read paranormal books of any kind. No vampires, witches, ghosts, goblins, fairies, werewolf's, nothing! Because of that I was reluctant to pick this book up but it's not "that" kind of ghost. I was unsure about this book and normally I wouldn't have even picked it up but I am glad that I did. So even if you don't like paranormal books you can still read this one and be OK.<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-92135636742950359902013-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:002013-01-26T10:56:56.427-08:00My First EVER #FridayReads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So this is a thing that started on twitter and Bunny Cates on Youtube (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BunnyCates" target="_blank">Click Me To See Bunny</a>) brought it to youtube and now I am stealing it for my blog! <br />
So basically all you do is talk about what you will be reading for the coming weekend!<br />
Usually I am watching my 2 nephews and 1 neice all day Friday and Saturday but this weekend I get a bit of a break. Guess what that means!? Yup some extra reading. <br />
These are the 2 on my list<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpb76RPj19ewp5yINozsBkdhcJ55sQgkYnqmQVeSmea48XOPvDJrWhKuXrQT99iEcOPeMlRMsNLjmBlniMy75mEkLLO-7ujNgka_k0qKok75bIzNtbZCIZ6ORYs9tYEHNnF6xqt2MeKU/s1600/prideandprej.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpb76RPj19ewp5yINozsBkdhcJ55sQgkYnqmQVeSmea48XOPvDJrWhKuXrQT99iEcOPeMlRMsNLjmBlniMy75mEkLLO-7ujNgka_k0qKok75bIzNtbZCIZ6ORYs9tYEHNnF6xqt2MeKU/s200/prideandprej.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5509256-pride-and-prejudice" target="_blank">Click To See It On Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have tickets to see this on Sunday on stage. I am so excited and have been re-reading it in anticiapation!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gi2Mpf3lkOKlz1xrIHIIkKdBy9Tp_qxL8EfSc-LFWeZYhC_r4cW8RctKxhNsvsmoNnK-xTsAirdfl7YEnvLm0bxqeju2MhO8Uzlid5Lv6Jj3Xnd8f55U3uiwkcQkmKkZVhsA7PvNXFU/s1600/mitchalbom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gi2Mpf3lkOKlz1xrIHIIkKdBy9Tp_qxL8EfSc-LFWeZYhC_r4cW8RctKxhNsvsmoNnK-xTsAirdfl7YEnvLm0bxqeju2MhO8Uzlid5Lv6Jj3Xnd8f55U3uiwkcQkmKkZVhsA7PvNXFU/s200/mitchalbom.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10929.For_One_More_Day" target="_blank">Click To See It On Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just bought this on Wednesday and it sounds really interesting. I think I may dive in tomorrow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All right that's what I am planning to read! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope you have a happy weekend reading or watching or listening to something great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> <span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;"><em>UNTIL NEXT TIME</em></span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-63014962001104231272013-01-24T15:38:00.002-08:002013-01-26T10:56:39.889-08:00The 13th (The One Where I Buy Some Books)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am seriously cheap. I mean I won't spend more than $3 on nail polish without feeling like I might pass out. So the point is I almost never buy new books, and if I do they are never full price. I am a huge fan of second hand stores, goodwill's, thrift stores and used book stores.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So today I am going to share with you the books I picked up at a local thrift store called Savers. The books run between $2-$3 dollars and when you buy 4 you get one free. Great Deal!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So here they are in no particular order.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK27Tfi2Qc1RD_he6-jY1sUKobuUBroDNFJbyOLD8UMVclr2Hn6JNkcypCtXiklOoc7qoC9EYi4ZRwSXkH1ViPMFHpuNSoOE16U9TzYKoVnZVlSHPOj8GaBHHTDrtEUN0bZ_1-nDi-QLE/s1600/anne+bolyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK27Tfi2Qc1RD_he6-jY1sUKobuUBroDNFJbyOLD8UMVclr2Hn6JNkcypCtXiklOoc7qoC9EYi4ZRwSXkH1ViPMFHpuNSoOE16U9TzYKoVnZVlSHPOj8GaBHHTDrtEUN0bZ_1-nDi-QLE/s200/anne+bolyn.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2713317-mistress-anne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check Me Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I love to read about historical figures especially in regards to Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette. This was a no brainer based on title/subject alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53wux2pEPy4kbAKzpOrhmM9aDUk_fK83m1v9cuMB1eZ6FKRQbQCtKsiOPnXKh2lNYijSFJvqUY0bvL4N6SgDkbVTminx1VvslGtlvQLqSBeeJiHcFquj64Yx__BbhDmzuFwzQVUyegZ8/s1600/roseflowercreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53wux2pEPy4kbAKzpOrhmM9aDUk_fK83m1v9cuMB1eZ6FKRQbQCtKsiOPnXKh2lNYijSFJvqUY0bvL4N6SgDkbVTminx1VvslGtlvQLqSBeeJiHcFquj64Yx__BbhDmzuFwzQVUyegZ8/s200/roseflowercreek.jpg" width="127" /></span></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1547620.Roseflower_Creek" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check Me Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I picked this up because the cover was so creepy. The synopsis sounded haunting and I love books with long buried family secrets which I think this book may have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjXQEMN1ENF_BXNe04mnNSnm9Q6KpBcXUyRnhnyEOW0fO7MbpXOBUZ3EN4EhOvFetY05bTnOGcTRH2U1yBe6V0BA1VioYRy5cFj5DxR-jrCY1jHtZG0v_yFVhB_izp63ILyZJla2DFl4/s1600/possessingthe+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjXQEMN1ENF_BXNe04mnNSnm9Q6KpBcXUyRnhnyEOW0fO7MbpXOBUZ3EN4EhOvFetY05bTnOGcTRH2U1yBe6V0BA1VioYRy5cFj5DxR-jrCY1jHtZG0v_yFVhB_izp63ILyZJla2DFl4/s200/possessingthe+secret.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/538538.Possessing_the_Secret_of_Joy" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check Me Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Now I know The Color Purple of course but I have to confess I have never heard of any other Alice Walker novels. This sounds sad but also compelling and so unlike most other things I have read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdumgZ8nlvLDt2zPxJfDkLUqq-8Yw3VlF83MNGSY_HpbkMYC26NC7I-dPxqKZjozhdKeBrtf2T2Rk-TxjbpHCyc3wfx4xeRGRi0uWvCAuXSfnBseyh9Ao7NIkqU4H-gwII8KzOP0mhLk/s1600/prodigalsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdumgZ8nlvLDt2zPxJfDkLUqq-8Yw3VlF83MNGSY_HpbkMYC26NC7I-dPxqKZjozhdKeBrtf2T2Rk-TxjbpHCyc3wfx4xeRGRi0uWvCAuXSfnBseyh9Ao7NIkqU4H-gwII8KzOP0mhLk/s200/prodigalsummer.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14249.Prodigal_Summer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check Me Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I know nothing about this book or Barbara Kingsolver. I picked this up because another author I enjoy recommended it simple as that.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDZtxp_5Uh65AbgvE3Y7Ch4iqJiiWTGZ2eqcJwC0RTPOwzPJlqoFSNJMrXGuef1qXs7-3_9AT6FfAR3ZaqORFGy5PFj84r9I4atQSzJUHAEXHcEf2L1jffDUSP_d0VnttmatAnONO3ZI/s1600/poisonwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDZtxp_5Uh65AbgvE3Y7Ch4iqJiiWTGZ2eqcJwC0RTPOwzPJlqoFSNJMrXGuef1qXs7-3_9AT6FfAR3ZaqORFGy5PFj84r9I4atQSzJUHAEXHcEf2L1jffDUSP_d0VnttmatAnONO3ZI/s200/poisonwood.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7244.The_Poisonwood_Bible" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check Me Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> See above. I have heard people mention this title but I never really took the time ti find out about it. The synopsis sounds really good am I think I may read this one before the other Kingsolver book I got.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDlhSFIjxRkgRjS9JD3CI9keJnhtW-Li6uWWG3xlEdWR4s9igLcr2R-xGeC5fJUtlSofkRGH4OiE5YKD8uEJHRy-2_nSCYKyBUt_c-B-Z85P4xO2XCw8q98wQxIv15HlUm_WS68Hqyv8/s1600/sweetness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDlhSFIjxRkgRjS9JD3CI9keJnhtW-Li6uWWG3xlEdWR4s9igLcr2R-xGeC5fJUtlSofkRGH4OiE5YKD8uEJHRy-2_nSCYKyBUt_c-B-Z85P4xO2XCw8q98wQxIv15HlUm_WS68Hqyv8/s200/sweetness.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6218281-the-sweetness-at-the-bottom-of-the-pie" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check It Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I have never heard of this book, never heard of the author. I picked it up because of the cover and, kept it for the description of it.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wN8Rj_UEzX3u3JNfr7Sz7S1eumAGqdG2goakFN2DH5wiORirsgwmQNOmurJu4WzFaonY2fo3tKRdwZ0388p71Gcl668pEMuvV_eEGW4J9UWKwCi3wgy-QuaiQLb7L2Hq6y0vXzj-nGk/s1600/mitchalbom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wN8Rj_UEzX3u3JNfr7Sz7S1eumAGqdG2goakFN2DH5wiORirsgwmQNOmurJu4WzFaonY2fo3tKRdwZ0388p71Gcl668pEMuvV_eEGW4J9UWKwCi3wgy-QuaiQLb7L2Hq6y0vXzj-nGk/s200/mitchalbom.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10929.For_One_More_Day" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check It Out On Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I watch a you tube channel called 1book1review ( click </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/1book1review" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ME</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> to check it out) and she has mentioned Mitch Albom on several occasions as being one of her favorite authors. The way she talks about his books made me interested and the description of this book in particular was what really pulled me. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that was it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This will not be a regular thing because I am cheap like I said before, but also because I am saving up to buy some awesome Backstreet Boys tickets. So there might be some library type stuff going on but not alot of buyin.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-47232329121207271202013-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:002013-01-26T10:34:06.282-08:00Let's Discuss #1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This will be something I do at least a couple times a month where I
discuss a topic that interests me. This topic can be something that is
related to books, anything in the entertainment arena and of course the
Backstreet Boys. Sometimes it will be a current topic that is already
being discussed in the media or something that is just of interest to
me.<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today's Topic: Why Do You Read?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When I was little girl my family spent a lot of time with my moms parents and her little sister who is only 6 years older than me.They were to put it nicely not that fond of me. There are probably a lot of reasons that go into that not the least of which is I am like my father in so many ways. As a child the fact that they didn't think I hung the moon was always on display sometimes in subtle ways mostly not so subtle. The bulk of it came from my Grandmother and my aunt. They discussed just about everything I did with my mom (often with me in earshot) and criticized it. I ate too much, I wore the wrong clothes, my hair was too out of control (in my defense I am half black and my poor white mother didn't know what she was getting into) my manners were all wrong etc.. One of my first memories of my aunt was when I was 6 and I brought home my first ever school pictures and my aunt who was 12 at the time told me the outfit I wore was a terrible decision.One time when I was with a bunch of relatives my uncle told me he liked in-spite of what all the others had to say about me.So that gives you an idea of the discussions they had about me. To be honest I spent most of my childhood being treated in a similar fashion by most most people I came across except for my mom, sister, and my dad. I have many theories on why people felt the need to treat me this way which I won't get into right now but, the point is these experiences made me a reader. In order to escape and because we were around my aunt and grandmother so much I buried myself in all the books I could get my hands on. I would find little places out of the way and tuck myself in with a book or 2. In one house my grandparents lived in I would read on the stairs and in another I would go upstairs to the loft and get in the corner to read. When they came to my house I would stay in my room to read and that eventually led to most of my family calling my lazy and anti-social so that was awesome. From the age of about 6 and on in to adulthood I read to escape. As a child it was The Babysitters Club,Nancy Drew and Little Women who kept me company and never made me feel anything but happy. I continued The Babysitters Club into my teen years and sought out books with young females as the protagonist. In adulthood I found murder mystery's and cozies to dive into. Without reading (and the Backstreet Boys but I will get into how they helped me get through in a different post) I might have had a much harder time as a child and teen. I was one of those people who immersed themselves so fully in a book people had to touch me to get my attention. This is why I love books so much because they took me away from my problems even for a short time. I can't imagine who I would be without those books I read so long ago. Those books made me think different things and imagine different worlds. They let me explore ideas I might have otherwise never known. As a child I read for escape as an adult I read for pleasure. I read to learn new things and explore new worlds. But ultimately even as an adult I still read to escape too. Escape being bored ,my crappy job, the death of a family member, So why do you read? What makes reading special for you?Did it get you through something that would have been harder to deal with had books not been around? </span></div>
<br />
<br />
P.S Claudia was my favorite babysitter I so wanted to be her!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-46393020942142250432013-01-21T13:00:00.000-08:002013-01-26T10:34:30.798-08:00Weekly Wrap up #1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I stole this little idea from Charley (CharleyReads <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CharleyReads/videos?view=0" target="_blank">Click Me</a> to see her) on YouTube. I just love her channel it's definitely one of my favorite on YouTube. She usually does a video on Sundays where she goes over stuff she read and videos she made for the week as well as movies she watched. I took the idea and adapted it to my blog.<br />
<br />
So here is what I did last week in Books, Movies, Music, and Backstreet Boys, or anything else I want to mention<br />
<br />
Books:<br />
I am currently reading (and have been for most of the month) Pride and Prejudice for the second time. It's currently my favorite book of all time as well as my favorite movie of all time. This Sunday the 27th I have tickets to see Pride and Prejudice on stage and I decided to re-read the book in anticipation. I may not finish it before Sunday but we shall see. <br />
Second I am reading a book I won on goodreads called Banksy: The Man Behind The Wall by <span itemprop="name">Will Ellsworth-Jones </span>(click <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15793236-banksy" target="_blank">here</a> to read a synopsis ) .This is the first book I have won on goodreads and a book I knew nothing about before hand. I just read the synopsis and thought it sounded interesting. Also since one of my goals this year is to read more non-fiction I thought it was a win-win. So far this has been an interesting read about the world of graffiti which I know nothing about. I am only about 70 pages in but I am enjoying it. I hope to be done with this before it is released on February 12th so I can post a review. <br />
<br />
Movies: <br />
I have this ridiculous movie challenge that I can't remember the reason for but whatev<span id="goog_688651748"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_688651749"></span>er. So I watched a few movies this last week but none of them were new to me. I have this habit of choosing things I know in lieu of things I am not familiar with it's a thing! So I watched Cinderella with my niece it has been literally 10 or more years since the last time I saw this movie. I forgot what great one it is but talk about insta love. She doesn't even have a real conversation with the Prince before they are married!! And that was it people I watched 1 whole movie and it was an animated one I had seen before! I AM A BOSS!! The good thing is my niece loved it and so it was a win!!<br />
<br />
TV:<br />
So part of the reason movies were not seen by my eyes was all the TV watching they were doing. <br />
<strong>Alias</strong>: By far my favorite TV show of all time and I watch it all the time. I own each season but I would really love the set that look like the Rimbaldi box.<br />
<strong>The bachelor</strong> which is so far entertaining and Sean is great to look at!<br />
<strong>Deception</strong> with Megan Good and Victor Garber (AKA Jack Bristow) this is good so far but I feel like it might lose it at any minute. I really hope it doesn't go off track as I really like the actors especially Victor Garber.<br />
<strong>American Idol</strong>: Yup I tuned partly because I have been an American Idol watcher since the very first episode but also because I wanted to see the dynamic between Mariah and Minaj. I have to say I love Mariah Carey I think she is one of the greats and not so much with Minaj. For now though I am going to reserve judgment except to say I don't think I am going to like Minaj as a judge but that could change. On the bright side Keith Urban is a great addition to the show.<br />
<strong>Project Runway All-Stars</strong>: This was the finale and even though I knew who was going to win since the 5th episode I was still disappointed with the outcome. I love Emilio and Uli. But, I love project Runway so even though I never agree with the winner I still watch because it's so fun!<br />
<strong>Revenge</strong>: What can I say quickly becoming a favorite of all time show. I love Emily and I love Jack (he's from my home town in IRL). I love Victoria, I love Aidan, I LOVE Nolan. I love it all!!<br />
<strong>Dowton Abbey</strong>: What do I say about a show that has someone as awesome as The Dowager Countess. This is an amazing show and I love every minute except when they show Bates. FREE BATES!!! Having said that Anna is actually my favorite character on the show and I can't help but love Carson too! <br />
<br />
<em><u><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LAST WEEK IN BACKSTREET:</span></span></u></em><br />
I found out that Ryan Gosling was almost sort of (not really) a Backstreet Boy and my heart did funny things!<br />
The Boys where in China doing a little song a dance for the locals. Asia LOVES them some Backstreet Boys! <br />
The Boys announced that they would be in China in May of this year for what I hope is the start of the tour! I can only hope this means we will be getting an album release date soon and then U.S tour dates soon after!!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>Until Next Time</em></span><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-88131779908084456012013-01-14T18:38:00.001-08:002013-01-26T10:55:48.495-08:00The 12th(The one where Ryan Gosling could have been a Backstreet Boy!! )<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So turns out Ryan Gosling and the Backstreet Boys lived in the same apartment building way back when. Who knew that one? Anyway Ryan was sure that BSB wouldn't go anywhere but 130 million plus albums later we all know that was wrong. But, whatev even super heroes like Ryan are allowed a mistake now and then. So when BSB blew up Ry gave AJ a call but AJ didn't return the call. I don't know how much of what Ryan says is true but how awesome if that had happened. Although with Ryan in the group would Nick still have been #1 for me? We will never know!!<br />
Read the whole thing here<br />
<a href="http://jezebel.com/5975983/cruel-temptress-aj-mclean-says-theres-always-a-place-for-ryan-gosling-in-the-backstreet-boys?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click me</a> to read all about the AWESOMENESS!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span></strong></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-15637395065258600042013-01-12T22:51:00.000-08:002013-01-26T10:34:48.034-08:00Book Review #3 Recruited (Alias)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>Recruited (Alias) </i></h2>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">An Original Prequel Novel Based On The Hit TV Series Created By J.J Abrams</span></i></div>
<h2 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Written By Lynn Mason</span></i></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Published 2002 By Bantam Books </span></i></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q4DtaeSEJHufpBQ4RmVN-LXfxD_Awi8bNc7vbnxKr4iEHzSM-3egdwGnAgONxcHO7qGDolFigZFleCqcQPTj6LHjwMzkMM5uESpCAN2M8aopBG3aW20M2gEHO9AMs0BXkiW_cTBjlkc/s1600/tn_687_1563364-1349812737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q4DtaeSEJHufpBQ4RmVN-LXfxD_Awi8bNc7vbnxKr4iEHzSM-3egdwGnAgONxcHO7qGDolFigZFleCqcQPTj6LHjwMzkMM5uESpCAN2M8aopBG3aW20M2gEHO9AMs0BXkiW_cTBjlkc/s200/tn_687_1563364-1349812737.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></i></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love the TV series Alias in fact I fan-girl hard core for all things Alias (and all things Jennifer Garner). I watched the series beginning to end and even though I never got all my questions answered during the series ( umm hello "Deep Throat") it was so good it really didn't matter. So when I stumbled upon a couple of Alias books at my local goodwill I snapped them up without even reading the back. I found books 1&2 in this particular prequel series. Book #1 Recruited takes place when Sydney Bristow is a Freshman at UCLA and has only been friends with Francie for what seems to be less than a year. Recruited is all about Sydney's life right before and shortly after she is recruited by SD-6. The only series regulars that make an appearance in this book besides Sydney are Francie, and Sloan (although he is only in the book for a very brief scene). Jack Bristow Sydney's father is mentioned throughout the book but never makes an actual appearance and Will is not on the scene yet. To me this is a book for serious Alias fans. Fans who have imagined what things were like before Sydney learned that SD-6 wasn't really the CIA. I did have some problems with the way Sydney was written. In the TV show Alias Sydney is a confident and self assured and can take out almost anyone without help and with no hesitation. I think because I am so used to confident butt kicking Syd I didn't exactly know if I bought the shy, confidence lacking Syd that was in the first 1/2 of the book. However as the book progresses and Sydney begins to move up with in SD-6 you see her confidence grow and I began to accept the depiction of Syd before SD-6. This first book is short on action which is what Alias is known for but that is understandable considering most of the book takes place before she is an official SD-6 agent. There is one action scene at the end of the book and it was pretty well played out. Of course you know Syd is going to make it out so there isn't any suspense but it does a good job of showing what newbie agent Sydney would be like. Overall I enjoyed the book and I plan to read book 2 fairly soon and I will be trying to get my hands on the other books in the series. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I gave this 3 stars on goods reads</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Until Next Time</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-53307591731316538352013-01-11T23:11:00.000-08:002013-01-24T15:44:57.368-08:00The 11th (The one where I discuss some goals for reading and movies in 2013)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUh7tVchqw0AVOCbxIvpZ-Gk8MVpCqQxflY0AbTcyI-teJ3GlCtYhmv7BzcrmbmR-cwVm95yl_rkqdA9TmujDZLLCQHu3B4-clrpMwiCoiVy1M07qzr6gXMPwsbQJQKIGN0Nscp4KyIc/s1600/394021_2635602056016_1434401409_32266623_831596581_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUh7tVchqw0AVOCbxIvpZ-Gk8MVpCqQxflY0AbTcyI-teJ3GlCtYhmv7BzcrmbmR-cwVm95yl_rkqdA9TmujDZLLCQHu3B4-clrpMwiCoiVy1M07qzr6gXMPwsbQJQKIGN0Nscp4KyIc/s200/394021_2635602056016_1434401409_32266623_831596581_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey Jax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am sitting in my bed watching Scream 3 while this cat snuggles next to me purring loudly and demanding attention. So it's just about 2 weeks into 2013<i style="color: #990000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{ SIDEBAR so far it looks a lot like 2012 }</i><br />
and I think I have finally decided on my goals for the year. These are goals that will take most of the year. I want to do a separate post about some non-movie non-book goals that are shorter term that will come next week.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Read 80 books this year. At first I was going to go with 60 but I listen to a ton of audiobooks and I wanted to read 60 physical books so I allowed room for everything.</li>
<li>Watch 80 movies. I love movies and there are quite a few new movies I will be seeing. I don't do the movie theater all that often I tend to be a renter but some movie must be seen on a big screen. So the 80 refers to new and old movies. I am not sure this is a realistic number but we shall see.</li>
<li>Read more books by Black authors. As I look back over my reading life I realized that I haven't read very many books by black authors. So this year I am making a conserted effort to expand my author horizons.</li>
<li>I want to read all the books that I own that I have not read yet. This won't be too hard I don't own a ton of books. I love books but I am also cheap so I tend to check books out from the library. Also I hate buying books and then reading them and disliking them (even if I only spend $2 bucks on them) And, I never buy brand new books I just can't spend that much money!! So we are talking about maybe 15-20 books all together so it won't be hard.</li>
<li>I want to finish the rest of the Anne of Green Gables books. I've read books 1 &2 and I believe there are 8 total.</li>
<li>I want to read all of the Jane Austen books I haven't read. So far I have only gotten to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I am also re-reading Pride and Prejudice in anticipation of the stage play I will be going to at the end of the month. </li>
<li>I want to read more non-fiction books. Or I guess I should just say read nonfiction as I can't remember the last time I read one. </li>
<li>Most important is I want to expand my book horizons. As I looked over what I read last year it was clear I was in a book rut. Almost every book was from one of a handful of series and they were mostly cozy murder mysteries. It wasn't until I discovered book-tube on YouTube that I started to branch out again into other genres. Don't get me wrong some of those books are books I really liked and are from some of my favorite authors ( Louise Penny, Agatha Christie) but after a while murder mysteries all start to blend together and they become bland. I still want to read those books but I want to try lots of other genres as well. </li>
</ul>
I have one more goal for the year that I will discuss in another post. It's kind of a big deal for me and has something to do with nanowrimo and I want to give it it's own post and more thought. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Until Next Time</span><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-83825569518678830542013-01-09T21:09:00.000-08:002013-01-26T10:35:06.105-08:00Book Review #2 The Girl Who Fell From The Sky<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Girl Who Fell From The Sky</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Written by Heidi W. Durrow</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Published in 2010 by ALGONQUIN books</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F8fsOsEAeKwa2rsv2xF8nwasGfTxv73nlYXSizJL6fnT3IcO1MwQ2NP51Y-UiDL4agNttBHHYBh2ZExLpGwuqFK-mU-VAnGBknpqvcJIp8LZyoEOBPrgamRSyiZJpRBxgqkRGvpNkBQ/s1600/girl-who-fell-cover-pb-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F8fsOsEAeKwa2rsv2xF8nwasGfTxv73nlYXSizJL6fnT3IcO1MwQ2NP51Y-UiDL4agNttBHHYBh2ZExLpGwuqFK-mU-VAnGBknpqvcJIp8LZyoEOBPrgamRSyiZJpRBxgqkRGvpNkBQ/s320/girl-who-fell-cover-pb-sm.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I came across this book at a local goodwill. I
picked it up because the cover was interesting and I bought it because the synopsis
on the back although short was intriguing. The story centers on Rachel the
daughter of a Danish mother and black father growing up in the early 80’s in
the aftermath of a family tragedy. The story is told in both present and past
tense going between 3 different narrators including Rachel, her mother’s former
boss and a young boy who witnesses the tragedy. The story begins with Rachel
going to live with her father’s mother after she is the sole survivor of an
accident. This accident takes the lives of her mother, brother and sister. The
details of the accident unfold slowly throughout the book and, there is a twist
regarding it that I didn’t see coming. The synopsis on the back of the book
says this is about a girl who has to cope with society’s ideas of race and
class in the face of a family tragedy. In my opinion it is much more than that.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is ultimately about the ideas that
surround race. Ideas we have about our own race and the ideas other people have
about our race and how we react to those ideas. In the end you find out that
the tragedy in this book is a direct result of people’s ideas about race. I don’t
know if the fact that I am the child of a white mother and black father is why
I connected with this book I just know I did connect. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars on goodreads and I will be looking out for more from this author </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-31771923223114457232013-01-02T16:05:00.003-08:002013-01-02T16:05:46.561-08:00The Tenth 1/2 (What I Loved in Books and Music)This year in books was an interesting one for me. I have loved books since I can remember. My mom would read the Little House on the Prairie books to me and my sister every night before bed and, I think that is what developed my passion for reading. This year however when I look back at what I read I don't feel like it has much substance. I did read a few books that I love and discovered a new favorite but it was all around kind of lackluster. Because of this I have some new thoughts about how and what I read that I will post in a different post. Now on to the best and some not the best.<br />
<br />
BOOKS<br />
I discovered goodreads this year in May so I only really have been keeping track of the books I've read since then and I honestly can't really remember what I read before that. So since may I have read 35 books and above all others The Great Gatsby is far and away my favorite of the year. Honestly it is in my favorite of all time. I can't explain it because it is such a sad story and full of a bunch of dis likable people but I loved everything about it. I am planning on giving it a re-read just before the movie comes out in May I believe. Another book that ended up being a good read was Maisie Dobbs which is the first book in a series by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5023.Jacqueline_Winspear">Winspear, Jacqueline</a>. I happened upon this book while on goodreads and it sounded interesting. It was also a bit sad but I liked it enough to continue reading the next books in the series. I realized that dystopian YA books are not really for me although I read Unwind by Neal Shusterman and that was interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat but I don't think I will pick the other books up. I finally read Confessions of a Shopaholic which by the way is exactly nothing like the movie but really fun and funny. I also picked up Bridget Jones diary and it turned out to be pretty different from the book as well but also really funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading both books. I plan on reading the other books in both series. Another highlight is another Sophie Kinsella book Remember Me? It was totally chick lit but had some substance to it. It was actually the first Kinsella book I read and made me really like her. The premise was interesting and even though I pretty much knew what was going to happen I still really enjoyed the read.<br />
<br />
MUSIC<br />
So music. If I had to sum up the year in music I would do it with one word XTINA! Even though Lotus came out in November it was THE highlight of the year in music for me. I can't say just how much I love love love this album. I am a Christina die hard I would buy anything she sings and so I knew I would love the album before I heard it. I think the stand outs on the album for me are Army Of Me, Cease Fire, Red Hot, Blank Page and Empty Words but truly I love it all. I am really hoping I can see her in concert that would just be amazing. <br />
So my Boys (backstreet that is) came out with their very first original Christmas song. I hate Christmas songs but my boys sing it so what was I supposed to do? The song is called It's Christmas time Again and it's fun and catchy and I know all the words so.....<br />
<br />
I think that about sums up my year in books and music. I know not a lot to be said but I know that 2013 will be for lack of a better word EPIC! My boys are releasing the first album with Kevin in 7 years so that is sure to be amazing. They are also touring and I will be there hopefully more than once. They are getting a star on the walk of fame and April marks their 20th anniversary.<br />
I know I will have a ton to say about them in the coming months so buckle up.<br />
<br />
Until Next time<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-65070324662793962222013-01-01T19:26:00.001-08:002013-01-01T19:26:28.538-08:00The Tenth (What I loved in Movies and TV in 2012)<br />
2012 was not a stellar year for me. To be honest it was just OK. A huge part of the reason it wasn't so stellar is my job. I am really unhappy at my job and I am hoping to change that in 2013. That being said I did have a lot of fun and some great family time in 2012. I also watched, listened to and read some pretty great things. This a about all those things in the entertainment world that I happened to love and a few I didn't like.<br />
Television<br />
Thanks to Netflix I discovered Dowton Abbey and, needless to say I was hooked from episode 1. I watched both series 1&2 each in one sitting. I loved everything about it from the time period to the relationships between the family and the staff. I especially loved the fact that it is set in the U.K. I love all things that come with a British or Irish accent.<br />
Of all the shows that debuted in the U.S this year Smash is definitely at the top of my favorites list. Although I get angry with some of the things the characters do, and I go between loving and hating most of them in every episode I still love the show. Actually I think the fact that the characters are so flawed is one of the major reasons I love it. How boring would it be if everyone was sweet all the time?<br />
I am also loving Scandal and Revolution and especially Revenge which is probably my favorite show on TV right now.<br />
Thanks to Netflix again I discovered Luther which stars the excellent Idris Elba. Idris alone is reason enough to watch but the show is also really smart and the other characters are pretty great too. I also watched the first season of Alphas which is a pretty good show with some interesting twists and turns.<br />
X Factor was actually a bit of a disappointment as it was the first time around. Britney Spears is kind of boring and LA Reid is a jerk, Simon was as always the same at least Demi is cute. The one bright spot on XFactor was the girl group Simon put together Fifth Harmony. I really liked them and they had great voices. I have been longing for a girl group for a while and I hope they can go somewhere in music.<br />
MOVIES<br />
I don't watch a ton on movies on the big screen I usually prefer to wait and watch them in the comfort of my own home. However there are just some movies that need to be seen on a giant screen with Dolby surround sound . Case in point TITANIC. I loved that movie when it first came on in 1997 and man did I love it just as much in 2012 when I saw it again. I watched it in 3D which actually didn't add anything to the movie except a couple bucks to the price.<br />
2012 was a comic book movie year for me. By far 2 of my favorite movies this year were Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man. Now I know nothing about comic books. I know nothing about the back stories for either spider-man or any other comic book character. What I know is that both movies were fun and action packed and also had a story which was great. Another great thing was I saw these with my nephews so that they loved them added to my love of them. Can't wait for the sequels.<br />
I also watched the EPIC Les Mis! What a great movie and really the singing was pretty on point at least in my opinion. I loved it so much I will probably go see it again on the big screen.<br />
By far my favorite movie of the year was Butter with Jennifer Garner. I love Jennifer Garner so I will see anything she is in and when I heard about Butter I knew I wanted to see it. I rented this and man was this funny. I loved everything about it especially seeing Jennifer Garner in such a different role then she usually plays. This is a movie I will probably buy at some point.<br />
<br />
I think I will end this here and put my book and music faves in another post as that will probably be long and no one wants to read a giant blog post (not that anyone is actually reading any of my blog posts) but I digress.<br />
<br />
Until Next Time<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-8789310660568257532012-11-10T18:03:00.001-08:002013-01-26T10:35:24.123-08:00Book Review #1 Deadly Gamble<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamkqhYQQV3Ab5z560m-HI0OdZzmjDBRlhQ-lHGilDB7m4z3ukAB77st0Si1UDsZVE8PCMh9-kcLmXU5Yh2L13I2aHjEPhUoZwWjGAXX8J8AC37XdYwkjtK8AXkIQLKQNPswJu6QQxEmM/s1600/Deadly+Gamble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamkqhYQQV3Ab5z560m-HI0OdZzmjDBRlhQ-lHGilDB7m4z3ukAB77st0Si1UDsZVE8PCMh9-kcLmXU5Yh2L13I2aHjEPhUoZwWjGAXX8J8AC37XdYwkjtK8AXkIQLKQNPswJu6QQxEmM/s320/Deadly+Gamble.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Deadly Gamble is the 1st book in the Charlie Parker Mystery Series By Connie Shelton. The book was first published in 1995 and is 240 pages long. Linda Evans narrates the audiobook.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The story revolves around Charlie Praker who owns a private detective agency with her brother. She is the accountant for the agency and her brother does the actuall private eye stuff. The book takes place in Albuquerque , NM and was a major selling point for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The main plot consists of Charlie taking on a small task for an old friend when her brother is out of town. The task quickly turns into a murder investigation and predictabley lands Charlie in some hot water although nothing too major. I found this to be a sort of Kinsey Millhone "light". The book is a bit formulaic and predictable in some ways but still really enjoyable. Charlie was an interesting enough character to keep me engaged and I would like to see where she goes as the series progresses.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I listened to the MP3 on my Kindle Fire and the major downfall was the production value. Most of the time when I pick up a murder/mystery book it's in the audio format. I listened to the entire V.I Warshawski series, and the entire Kinsey Millhone series on audiobook and Deadly Gamble just dosen't compare. At times the narrator seemed unintersted in the story and I could hear the pause in her voice when she was flipping pages. At times I even heard the pages themselves being turned. Even though I didn't love the narration it didn't detract so much from the book that I disliked it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over all it was a fun quick read and a series I will probably continue with the series.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars on Good Reads</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodreads.com/gglitz4">goodreads.com/gglitz4</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459063707093692358.post-45805958416544396272012-11-08T18:15:00.000-08:002012-11-08T18:20:03.987-08:00The Ninth ( The one about Influenster.com)For about the last year and half or so I have been almost obsessed with YouTube. I started watching what they call beauty gurus and got sucked in. One particular beauty guru (DaceyCouture) did a video months ago about a site called influenster.com. In the video she showed an awesome box full of goodies that she had received and the best part was the box was completely FREE!<br />
I knew I had to check it out so I logged right on and within a couple months I had a free box in my mailbox. I received chocolate, and nail stickers, a whole box of hot tea and a bunch of other goodies. The site requires that you link your social media sites including twitter, Facebook, any blog you may write or YouTube channel you may post videos to. You also answer questions about different interests and unlock badges that add to your score and eventually you may be selected to receive free box. The key is to participate on the site because not everyone is going to get a box everytime they send one out.<br />
I don't think I am explaining this so well!! The best thing is just to log onto the sight at inluenster.com and check it out for yourself you won't regret it!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0