We'll Always Have Books

I Had A Baby

2012-01-22T20:44:00.001-05:00

One month ago, I had a baby.

I meant to let you all know much, much earlier, but as it turns out caring for an infant is exhausting.

So, for those that are interested, here's her birth story:

I went for my 39 week appointment on December 20, and my OB, husband, and myself decided the best course of action for our family was an induction that night. So around 8:00 we arrived at the hospital, expecting to deliver our little girl sometime on the 21st. I slept maybe 2 hours that night with the help of a dose of painkillers. The 21st came and we kept waiting...and waiting...and waiting. I finally ended up getting an epidural. I actually didn't feel the contractions much, but I had terrible back pain, coupled with cramps. Whatever position made my back feel better made the cramps worse and vice versa. So an epidural it was. By evening things were moving along at the pace of a centimeter an hour.

In the wee hours of the 22nd I was all but ready to start pushing. My cervix was still not quite ready, and my OB warned me that if it didn't cooperate (my words, of course), I'd have to have a C-section. Being the stubborn person I am, I pushed, willed, and prayed my body to do what it was built to do. Some time later (no idea how long, given then situation), my cervix was ready to go. I started pushing and...nothing. My OB came back in and said she'd give me 20 more minutes, but that I needed to prepare myself for the possibility of a C-section.

Again, pushing, willing, and praying. But 20 minutes passed and baby girl still hadn't budged. At this point I'd been pushing for 2 hours and it was quite clear that our little one was stuck. As much as I hadn't wanted the delivery to go this way, I had no choice. Unfortunately, as soon as I stopped pushing and took my eye off the prize, the epidural seemed to disappear and my pain skyrocketed. So on the way to the operating room all I could do was hope the anesthesiologist was ready and waiting, which was probably for the best since thinking about the surgery would have just freaked me out.

The C-section went well, and although I don't remember most of it, I do remember hearing her cries and giving her a kiss when they first showed her to me. Those are the important things anyway.

Emily Rose, 10 pounds, 21 inches

It's hard to believe that it's been a month. And I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's been trying. The adjustment to living with a newborn is something that cannot be anticipated. I am exhausted at all times, emotional, and frustrated. But I am also in love. I would do anything for my baby girl, without question. And as hard as this first month has been, I also can't believe how big she is and how quickly she's going to grow up.

Happy 1 month birthday, Emily Rose. Daddy and I love you!

To Induce or Not to Induce

2011-12-19T22:58:00.000-05:00

So, some things.

No, I have not had the baby yet.

But we're getting close.

While everyone is focused on Christmas and all the stress/planning/cheer that brings, I have been thinking more and more about how close my due date is (the 27th, for those that don't know). Christmas does not even compete with the knowledge that a baby will soon be gracing my household.

I haven't done many of my normal Christmas-y things, like bake a million cookies or constantly listen to Christmas music or try to figure out how we're going to hit all 5 family Christmases (including hosting one) in 36 hours. And while the house is decorated, we definitely scaled it down this year. No lights on the roof, only the must-have and easy-to-put-away ornaments are on the tree, and I haven't even watched A Christmas Story yet.

Instead I have been doing an incessant amount of laundry and dragging my feet through the whole nesting process. Mainly because it's all so overwhelming.

And tonight I am finding sleep elusive because I have my 39 week OB appointment tomorrow. The appointment where I am told whether or not I am getting induced before Christmas. And I am less stressed about the possibility of holding my new baby a week early than I am about the fact that my husband's vacation doesn't start until Christmas day and I want him to be there every moment of that first week. Which, if I go into labor anytime before Sunday, is unlikely to happen since he's working two separate calls this week, including a 24 hour shift Christmas Eve. And while his schedule could be shifted to a degree, time he misses will need to be made up during the actual vacation, which means I am either a) at home without him with a very, very newborn infant, or b) I am at home without him with a week old infant.

Unless I don't get induced until next week and don't spontaneously go into labor before then. In which case most of his vacation will be spent at the hospital. And then when we get home he will have another 24 hour call on January 2nd, and I will be right back in the position of (b).

I realize that this is all very first-world-problem material and I have no right to complain due to the support I get from my husband and family. I understand that as long as I have a healthy baby it will not matter when she is born. But to my tired, pregnant brain, this all seems like too much to take in and I can't make the decision to go for it or to wait it out.

And I really don't want to be that girl in the office tomorrow that tells her doctor, "Well, I'd really appreciate it if we could wait to have this baby because otherwise it will really throw off my schedule..."

Send Me Your Recipes!

2011-12-13T11:48:00.003-05:00

Friends, I need recipes. Not just of pie and cake and cookies (although that's what I really want to make right now). No, what I really need are recipes for stews, casseroles, and all things delicious and nutritious that will freeze well.

I have done little to no cooking in the last few months, but as I'm gearing up for baby (38 weeks today!) I know I really need to get down to business. I would like to make at least 3 different dishes that will produce leftovers and will stand to be in my freezer for at least a week or two.

Also, if you have tips on how to freeze these dishes, that would be very helpful. I've actually never made enough of anything that warranted it to be frozen before it could be finished.

Thank you in advance! My husband thanks you for keeping our takeout bill low, and I thank you for allowing me to nest in a way that does not involve cleaning supplies. :-)

7 Things

2011-12-04T18:37:00.001-05:00

I miss my blog. But I don't feel like enough has happened to write a post on a single subject, so here's a list of things I think are interesting and you should, too.

1. I've been watching Once Upon a Time using On Demand. I didn't even know it was on (Sundays on ABC) but now I'm kinda hooked. I like watching it while crocheting.

2. Which leads to number 2, which is that I'm in the middle of my third crochet project: an afghan for Keith for Christmas. It's coming along nicely, and I can't wait to post pictures! BTW, if anyone has suggestions for tying in loose ends, I'm all ears.

3. I'm getting more and more frustrated with my inability to physically do things I used to do without thinking. Especially with the weather turning gross (and dark), I seem to be spending more and more time on the couch. Not enjoying it. Just a few more weeks, though, and this little one will be against my stomach, not inside it. :-)

4. It would make me very sad if there were no more bananas.

5. My Google Reader has been in the hundreds for weeks now, so my commenting has been about as often as my posting. I'm trying to get back on track, slowly but surely.

6. I have 3 more books to read to hit my goal of 50 this year. I think the only way I'm going to accomplish that is through audio books, because my attention span is terrible when it comes to physically reading right now. As in, I have a 10 minute max limit. Awful.

7. My poor dog has not been getting nearly enough exercise lately, but thankfully tonight she is being an angel, just snuggling on the couch with me. In an effort to not just sit in front of the TV all night, though, I'm going to take her with me to return some library books and then look at Christmas lights in the swanky neighborhood just north of here.

Night all!

Miss Me?

2011-11-19T21:20:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note to say: All those reading challenges and plans I had made (Fall Reading Challenge and Finish It Up Month)? Not going as planned. I have entered full-on nesting mode, along with learning to crochet an afghan for a Christmas present, plus my book choices have changed dramatically due to what was available at the library and the fact that I am now supremely interested in pregnancy-related reading material.

This also explains the lack of posting because when my brain is able to function, it's worrying about baby items we still need to obtain and what section of the house needs to be cleaned next. So, my apologies for my negligence of the blog and no new book reviews or cooking posts, and I would say that I'll be back to normal soon. But let's be honest here. Posting is going to be intermittent. I hope you'll all stick with me through this, because I'll need the support! And if you really miss me (or just want to know what I'm up to) check my Twitter feed. 140 characters seems a lot more do-able than a full-on post.

November is Now Finish It Up Month!

2011-11-02T09:50:00.001-04:00

November is a popular month. There's NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo, and then there's the definite feeling of fall/oncoming winter, Thanksgiving, and getting out scarves, hats, and mittens. There's fires and hot chocolate (and pumpkin spice lattes), and a general cozy feeling that settles around you.

November has all the wonderful potential of what fall and winter can bring, before we get sick of gray snow, sleeting rain, and just being too cold.

This November, I'm not doing the busy-ness, but I'm definitely doing the coziness. No NaNoWriMo, and (especially since I didn't start yesterday) no NaBloPoMo. BUT. Cori, over at Let's Eat Grandpa -- wait, do you know her? Because you should. Go on over and say hi. I'll wait.

Alright. Now Cori is using November to finish up her massive stack of unfinished books that's just waiting to crush her should it topple off the nightstand. Well, I can relate. I've hit a bit of a reading slump and can't seem to really get into a single book, so I continually start new ones but don't want to give up yet on the old. So the pile gets bigger. And bigger. Remember that picture from my Read-a-thon stack? Yeah, my nightstand still looks like that, if not worse. And it's not nearly as well-organized.

Since I have no idea how much time I'll have to read in December (my due date is the 27th), I think November is a great time to try to finish as many books in my physical TBR stack as possible. Granted, this doesn't mean I won't find new books at the library, but I at least want to finish those that I feel a strong need to read before the baby comes. Here's my list:

Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer - page 51/330
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - page 113/326
Babyproofing Your Marriage by Stacie Cockrell - page 0/273
Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz - page 0/301

Okay, there are a ton more on my list (including more I've already started), but these four are must-reads before baby comes. The first because it's been on my list forever and I'm currently reading it, the second is for book club, the third is obvious, and the fourth is because the more I know about my dog and her brain before this huge life transition, the better. Anything else read this month will be the cherry on top.

I'm Going to be a Hit at Parties

2011-10-27T18:11:00.000-04:00

The third trimester has hit me like a ton of bricks and I still have two months to go.

I don't like to complain about my pregnancy because it makes it seem like I'm ungrateful for the amazing, wonderful daughter growing inside of me. But seriously, I'm done being pregnant.

I've had my fill of nausea, swelling, fatigue, general uncomfortableness, and mood swings. Also, it would be nice to be able to bend over without a) feeling someone else's bones poke into my ribs and b) make me have to pee.

Pregnancy is a truly wonderful, amazing thing that I am awed my body is capable of. But it is not what they make it out to be on TV. I don't get to sit around all day with my feet up while family waits on me hand and foot. I'm not glowing. In fact, I'm usually sweating and out of breath. Oh, and did I mention my ankle bone has disappeared? Yeah, that nobby bone on the inside of your ankle...mine seems to have been sucked into my skin and is now in hiding. Granted, it makes shaving the ankle area easier, but shaving anything else is just about impossible.

If you've been following me on Twitter, you already know that today has not been a good day for me emotionally. It's been building for awhile and last night the dam broke. I just started crying for no good reason (or, to be more specific, because I had been acting bitchy all evening and hence ruined it) and now it seems I have only two settings: bitch and crying woman. I'm going to be a hit at parties.

This did not resolve itself with a decent night's sleep. Oh, no. Instead, I almost bitched out a saleswoman at one store and wanted to cry after an encounter at another. After my much-needed pumpkin spice latte (which I cannot wait to have caffeinated again, by the way) and reading a bit of Tina Fey's Bossypants in Barnes and Noble, I was feeling a little better. And then I realized I still had to go grocery shopping and my feet were big, fiery, swollen blobs at the end of my legs.

I realize that this post will probably make women who haven't been pregnant think twice about getting knocked up. Just remember that pregnancy is different for every woman...but there are some pretty shitty things that happen to you that no one seems to mention beforehand. It will all be worth it in the end. I just feel like the end is a very long way away. And in the meantime, my bedtime keeps getting earlier and earlier.

Read-a-Thon End of Event Meme

2011-10-23T19:58:00.000-04:00

I had a great time participating in the read-a-thon; I'm so happy I signed up! Here are my responses to the end of event meme.

Which hour was most daunting for you? Probably hour 14. I was in a lot of pregnancy-related discomfort, and I was getting very sleepy. Walking on the treadmill for a bit helped, but overall I was just too tired to really continue.

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Well, the only book I finished was The Raising, but that one kept my attention for many hours. I didn't even want to start another book I was so intrigued.

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope.

What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Um, that fact that I finished my book? Everything seemed to go pretty smoothly. Since this was my first read-a-thon, I don't really have anything to compare it to.

How many books did you read? I finished one and read parts of two others.

What were the names of the books you read? I finished The Raising, and listened to my audio book of Born to Run while I walked, and started Love at First Bark (which was going really well but I was exhausted).

Which book did you enjoy most? The Raising, probably just because I was really interested in the mystery. I've already read Born to Run, so I already know I love that one.

Which did you enjoy least? None of them. I enjoyed all three, I just ran out of steam.

If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A

How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I will definitely be participating if it's feasible. I would love to stay up for the full 24 hours, but I'm not going to kid myself. I'll probably just be a reader next year. I really liked the opportunity to catch up on some reading without any restrictions or other obligations.

Read-a-Thon Mid-Event Survey

2011-10-22T20:22:00.004-04:00

Well I've made it half way! Reading with this one curled up next to me is definitely a good way to spend the day. :-)

Here are my answers to the survey:

1. What are you reading right now?
I've just finished The Raising, so now I'm starting a few books to see which catches my attention the most. At the moment, it's Scones and Sensibility, by Lindsay Eland. Definitely in need of some YA right now.
2. How many books have you read so far?
Just one, but it was the only one I was hoping to finish today, so I'm happy.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Anything that grabs me. I'm flexible!
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
Nope. Nothing was planned to begin with.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
A few. But actually, they were nice ways to break up the day when I really needed it.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
How much I've read in one day, how many things there are to do other than read, and how tired I am already!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Nope.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Do what everyone tells you to do and pick shorter books. With pictures! And also buy more junk food.
9. Are you getting tired yet?
Yes. Part of it I'm blaming on the pregnancy, but it's amazing how tiring sitting and reading all day can be. ;-)
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
Ha, if anything, I should be taking tips from everyone else.

Ready, Set, Read-a-Thon!

2011-10-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

And I'm off! I'll be updating this post throughout the day, so check back here (scroll down), and on Twitter, for updates! Don't know what I'm doing today? Check out my post or the official blog!

Let's start with the introduction meme!

1. I'm reading from Indiana, where right now the sun is starting to rise on what looks to be a very pretty day.
2. Three random facts...a) I played volleyball in college. b) I'm 7 months pregnant. c) This is my first Read-a-thon!
3. I have 32 books in my TBR pile for today. I have no intention to complete more than one of them. But I do like variety!
4. No goals today, just want to have fun!
5. I think I've ignored all advice from veterans (not on purpose!) so I'll probably be regretting it in a few hours, but since I have no real goals for the day, it shouldn't matter too much. :-)

8:00 a.m. - Hour 1
Definitely in need of breakfast! I'm starting with The Raising by Laura Kasischke, which, according to Goodreads, I am 53% through.

9:19 a.m. - Hour 2
Time to take Lizzie for a walk, so I'll be switching it up and listening to Born to Run by Christopher McDougall for awhile!

Books finished: 0
Total pages read: 44
Total reading time: 1 hour

10:44 a.m. - Hour 3
I think it's time to curl up on the couch for a bit. Back to The Raising!

Total pages read: 44
Total audio book listening time: 1 hour
Total miles walked: 3
Total reading time: 2 hours
Contemplating: brunch

12:20 p.m. - Hour 5
Taking a break to run a couple errands with my husband. I may or may not try to read in the car; The Raising is getting really good!

Total pages read: 82
Total audio book time: 1 hour
Total reading time: about 3.5 hours

2:00 p.m. - Hour 7
Errands are done and I'm ready to get back into it with some Arby's and a vanilla shake by my side!

5:00 p.m. - Hour 10
After 3 straight hours of reading, I need a break. I only have about 14 pages left in The Raising, but it's the final part and will wrap up the whole mystery, and I feel like now's a good time to digest what I've read so far before what I'm sure will be a thrilling conclusion. I haven't even wanted to touch another book, this one's been so enthralling! This break might be long, but I'm hoping to use the time to catch up with some other bloggers and cheer them on!

Total pages read: 186
Total audio book time: 1 hour
Total reading time: 7 hours 29 minutes

7:35 p.m. - Hour 12
I finished The Raising (so good!) so now I'm going to try to think of a good snack and then decide on book number 2. I have so many to choose from (as you can see from yesterday's post) and I'm starting to hit a wall, so I might start a few and see which one really captures my attention. Food doesn't really sound good, what with the heartburn and some general queasiness, but I haven't had dinner yet and I'm pretty tired, so some edible energy would be a good thing right about now.

Total books read: 1 (yay!)
Total pages read: 200
Total audio book time: 1 hour
Total reading time: 7 hours 52 minutes

9:20 p.m. - Hour 14
Guys, I need a massage. I always need a massage these days, but I have been sitting on the couch for far too long. I'm going to take a bit of a break and hopefully come back to some more reading, but if I'm being completely honest, I think I'm going to hit my read-a-thon limit very soon.

Total books read: 1
Currently reading: Love at First Bark by Julie Klam
Total pages read: 278
Total audio book time: 1 hour
Total reading time: 9 hours

11:14 p.m. - Hour 16
I'm calling this one. I'm way too tired to actually concentrate on a book, so while I'll still probably be up for a bit, I'm done reading for the night. Thank you all for the encouragement via the comments and Twitter! This was my first read-a-thon and I had a blast! Here are my stats:

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 278
Total audio book time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Total reading time: 10 hours 32 minutes
Total miles walked: 4.25

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon is Tomorrow!

2011-10-21T19:33:00.000-04:00

It's almost here! Tomorrow starting at 8 a.m. I will be participating in my very first 24 hour read-a-thon. (Not sure what's going on? Check out all the information here.) Not for the whole 24 hours, mind you. Pregnant lady needs her sleep. But I'm super excited and can't wait for tomorrow.

My plan is to pretty much stick to my usual routine, but with a lot more reading thrown in. I'm going to be walking this cute puppy tomorrow morning, but I'll be able to listen to an audio book while I do. (When I took this photo, she was not helping me make the bed.)

I'm not pressuring myself to finish any books, but I do want to get into a decent number of them, if nothing more than to see if I really want to see them through to the end. As you can see, I have a lot of options to choose from. That's 27 books, 2 audio books, and 3 books on my Kindle.

I picked up some mostly healthful snacks from the grocery store today, and I'm sure I'll be kicking myself tomorrow when all I want is junk food. At least I'm trying to be good, right?

I'll have a post up tomorrow that I'll be updating throughout the day, so check back in then. I'm also going to be tweeting throughout the day, so you can always follow me there, too.

If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late! See you all tomorrow!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood

2011-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Miss Penelope Lumley has received her first job after graduating from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. She is to be the governess of three children who reside at the wealthy Ashton manor. Thrilled by her good luck, Penelope endeavors to teach the children everything she can. But she quickly realizes that these children are different than most. Not only are they orphans, they were raised by wolves and are more canine than human. Undaunted, Penelope gets to work. But strange occurrences keep her on her toes: the children do not seem welcome in the house, even though Lord Frederick brought them home himself. And there's something strange living behind the attic wall. Not to mention Penelope's own past is somewhat a mystery, even to her. Perhaps this assignment was more than she bargained for.

I was not impressed by this book. Targeted for grades 5-8, I feel it was just a so-so children's book. It very much imitated The Series of Unfortunate Events in style, specifically with an omniscient narrator that would cut into the story and the use of explaining vocabulary words. As far as the plot went, I was expecting a more spooky tone, which I think the author tried for but didn't reach until the very end, and by then it was too late. I realize this is the first in a series and cliffhangers are necessary, but the book really needed more mystery and intrigue throughout. The pictures were actually my favorite part; they were well-drawn and gave a unique look to the characters.

1 out of 5 stars. I have no intention of continuing the series, and I think there are more interesting, captivating stories for grades 5-8. However, that's not to say that those who like Lemony Snicket's series won't also enjoy this one. Just don't expect as much action.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

2011-10-11T11:20:00.000-04:00

Sometime after midnight, the Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snow drift. A few hours later the wealthy Samuel Ratchett is found dead in his room with the door locked from the inside. With no way on or off the train, the murderer must still be aboard...

This is one of Christie's Hercule Poirot mysteries. Poirot is a worthy detective with an interesting way of looking at things. However, I couldn't help but feel it was impossible for me to solve this mystery myself. Maybe partly because of the time period, the setting (Europe), and the fact that Poirot seemed to jump to conclusions I never would have even thought to consider. It also probably didn't help that my mass market paperback edition didn't have any translations for the French that was used (although I don't think that hindered the understanding of the case).

The evidence is laid out well: it's very neat and orderly. Which is probably why I felt Poirot was just guessing, because there's no way I could have gotten to the answer just by the evidence alone. As far as Poirot as a detective, I have to say I like Sherlock Holmes better. Poirot had his witty and cunning moments, but he lacked the debonair attitude and aloofness Holmes has.

I did like the mystery itself; I found it intriguing and I was left guessing who the real murderer was until the very end. Poirot's take on justice is a bit interesting, but I won't go into it here because I don't want to give anything away. If you've read the book already, let me know in the comments what you thought about the ending.

2 out of 5 stars. It was kind of meh for me. I wanted to see how it ended, and it was interesting, but I'm not sure Agatha Christie's mysteries are really for me.

Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier

2011-10-09T10:04:00.000-04:00

Lucy Stone has got a lot on her plate. What with the annual Halloween party, her job as a reporter, and her four children, she's already got a lot going on. And then Diana Ravenscroft shows up in Tinker's Cove, Maine and things start to get a bit spooky. Diana, a self-proclaimed witch, is met with more than just skepticism in the town. And after Lucy finds a dead body in the woods, more and more people, including a prominent businessman, turn against her. Is Diana's witchcraft the reason for the alarming weather patterns and mysterious murder, or is there more evil at work here?

Wicked Witch Murder is number 16 in the Lucy Stone mysteries by Leslie Meier. I haven't read any of the other Lucy Stone books, but I have to say that I really liked this one. While I'm not usually one for mysteries, I tend to read a handful of them around October and through Halloween. This was a very nice cozy mystery with a contemporary protagonist who really could have been a neighbor you'd want to have coffee with. Meier set a good pace for the novel; it wasn't edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it was very comfortable and did keep me interested. This climax seemed rather short-lived; I think I was expecting it to be a bit more drawn-out. That was really my only complaint, though. Lucy Stone is a character I would keep up with through the series, she'd easily become as familiar as an old friend. This book is perfect for a rainy fall afternoon.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Q: A Novel by Evan Mandery

2011-10-07T10:12:00.000-04:00

Shortly before his wedding, the unnamed protagonist is visited by his future self and is told, in no uncertain terms, that he must not marry the love of his life: Q. At first doubtful, but finally convinced, the narrator breaks off his engagement and tries to find a new path. He's helped along the way by other future versions of himself, versions that have lived the life he has now chosen and who try to help him pick a better life. After living out their (or really, his) suggestions, the protagonist reflects on the life he's led. Was it really better this way? Does knowing your future mean it should be altered, and if you change it, will that really make it better?

Q is an interesting (and from what I can tell, original) take on time travel literature. At once philosophical, it is also a heartbreaking love story that transcends time. It deals with the age-old question, "If I could go back and do it all over again, would I?"

I loved the storyline and plot. I thought it was well-written and an exceedingly great idea for a story. But it wasn't perfect. Mandery seems to have a general dislike of contractions and uses them sparingly. This can make the dialogue seem a bit forced and unnatural. Also, the protagonist appeared to be very unperturbed by the fact that he was face to face with his future self. Time travel is still a very sci-fi concept, but he seemed to accept the inevitability of it not only being discovered, but that he would use it as a means to re-structure his life. Personally, I would have freaked out a little bit more.

Finally, the narrator is himself a writer, and we are given snippets of his works. Sometimes an entire chapter of the book would be a chapter from one of his novels. I couldn't see much point in this other than Mandery trying to show how the protagonist's writing was directly influenced by his personal life. If there's a deeper meaning to this, I didn't get it and I felt it could have been omitted. There were, however, some very funny parts to the novel which counteracted the seemingly unnecessary ones.

Overall, an original and well-written novel that will leave you with a smile on your face. 4 out of 5 stars.

I Signed Up! Did You?

2011-10-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

I did it! I signed up for my first 24-hour readathon! I'm so excited I can't even tell you. 24 hours of reading and blogger community, it's right up my alley. I remember watching all my bloggy friends during the last readathon and I felt a bit left out because I hadn't signed up. Well, no more! I may not be able to participate all 24 hours, but I will definitely be getting in on some of this action. For more information, check it out here.

Matched by Ally Condie

2011-10-04T09:24:00.001-04:00

Cassia lives in a world where the big decisions in life - your job, your spouse, everything - is decided for you by the Society. Life is better now that the Society has everything organized. They're doing everything in the best interests of their citizens. There are no more divorces, every person is assigned the job they are best at, and even the food is held to rigorous caloric and nutritional standards that benefit each individual. So when Cassia is matched with her best friend Xander, she doesn't question the Society's decision. That is, until another face is displayed on the screen for just a split second. Another face she knows and loves. The Society claims it was just a rare glitch in the system, but the idea has already been planted in Cassia's mind. What if Xander really isn't her best match? And if the Society is wrong about this, what else are they wrong about?

Set in a futuristic world, Matched is a look at what life would be like without free will, if we let the government make our biggest decisions for us. While I enjoyed Matched, I wasn't blown away by it. To me it seemed a bit preachy at times (although really it would be hard not to be with this subject matter), and the characters didn't blow me away. The love triangle reminded me (to a frightening degree) of the triangle in The Hunger Games: girl loves best guy friend but falls for new guy she is only just getting to know. Maybe it's just because I married my high school sweetheart, but I still think both girls would have been better off staying with the guy they loved and that seemed perfect for them from the very beginning. But then the story really wouldn't have gone anywhere, so I guess I should let it go.

This is the first in a trilogy and while I do plan on reading the next installment, I'm not waiting on pins and needles. There really weren't any big plot twists in this book and I have a pretty good feeling about what's going to happen in the next. All that being said, it sounds like I really didn't like Matched. But I did. I think it's a good YA novel and brings up good points for that age group (learning how to make your own choices in life and trusting yourself and your instincts). It was well-written and interesting. It just didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

3 out of 5 stars.

Rare Beasts

2011-09-27T13:17:00.000-04:00

Edgar and Ellen, twins who live alone in a big house wearing nothing but footie pajamas, are up to no good. In this series by Charles Ogden, targeted for children ages 9-12, the sneaky twins are always looking for ways to have fun, even (or especially) at the expense of the townspeople.

In this, the first of the series, Edgar and Ellen hatch a scheme to snatch the other kids' pets and morph them into exotic animals (using lots of glue and glitter) and then sell them at exorbitant prices. Why, you ask? To make enough money to fund all their other brilliant schemes, of course!

This is very well-written and a great pick for the target age group. Ogden uses a variety of great vocabulary words to help expand the reader's own vocabulary, and any kid would love to have the freedom Edgar and Ellen do. While their parents left the twins alone, their house is cared for by a caretaker who is the only person Edgar and Ellen are spooked by. While there isn't much character development (the twins certainly don't learn their lesson at the end), they and their situation is so atypical that kids will love to read about their adventures and imagine what they might be up to next.

I don't believe this series is as captivating as The Series of Unfortunate Events, but it does have a certain charm and is well geared toward the age group. Many short chapters help keep their attention and the illustrations are an added bonus. 3 out of 5 stars.

3 Quick Audiobook Reviews

2011-09-26T12:26:00.001-04:00

I listened to three audio books in the last few weeks that fall under the genre of humor/memoir. While I find these types of books interesting, they generally don't do much more for me than simply pass the time so I don't feel a real need to write up and post a review for each. Instead, I'll do a short recap of them all in one post.

First up was Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far).

I know a ton of people love Dave Barry and always read his columns, but I never really got sucked into them. I thought I'd try out the audio version of this book and, while I did find it humorous, I wasn't laughing out loud constantly or anything. To be completely honest, there may be some truth in the fact that I don't know enough about world history or contemporary politics to get all of his jokes. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely in the dark, but with the way he mixes fact with fiction in his historical accounts, some of the jokes just went over my head. So, if you're a fan of Barry already, you're probably going to like this one. Otherwise, it's a toss-up.

Next was Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.

Oh, how I wanted to love this book. But, unfortunately, I really didn't care for Jen for the whole first part of the memoir as she was describing her superior job skills and fashion sense. I couldn't connect to her as a reader, and I found her superior attitude annoying (maybe if I cared more about name-brand fashion I would feel differently). However, as soon as she got laid off and had to deal with the unemployment office, frugality, and the never-ending job search, bam! Now we were on the same page. I've never been in the world of high finance and fashion, but I have been in the world of job searches, desperation, and lowered standards. I liked that Jen seemed to learn her lesson at the end (money isn't everything) but she kept her witty attitude toward life and didn't let the setbacks get her down. If I were to read more of her work, I would definitely be selective in the books I chose, looking for more of the can't-keep-me-down Jen rather than the I'm-superior-at-everything Jen.

Finally, I Was Told There'd be Cake by Sloane Crosley.

Of the three, I really liked Sloane's story and style of writing the best. I'm not used to reading a book of essays and this might be why I had a hard time remembering each story. I'm very much used to the novel where everything flows from one circumstance into another, and with essays or short stories I always want to know, "Then what happened?" and "What's the timeline - did this happen before or after the other thing?" That aside, I really liked Sloane's narration and her stories were quite humorous. Her accounts of sleep-deprivation and an unchecked desire to make her horrible boss like her ending in a cookie decorated to resemble said boss, and then presenting it to her as a gift, had me laughing, and her memories of playing Oregon Trail brought back a little nostalgia of my own. A perfect easy read for a fall evening when you just want something light and funny.

Any of you read these? Did you read the print version of listen to the audio? Which type of media works better for you with these types of books?

Fall Into Reading 2011

2011-09-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

I love Katrina's reading challenges. She hosts the most laid-back, go at your own pace challenges, and that suits my lifestyle just fine. The challenge runs from September 23 through December 21. If you want to join in, check out her blog at Callapidder Days and sign up!

My list for this fall is going to be simple: books I've already started that I want to finish, or ones I've just been waiting to crack open. Hopefully I'll finish them all, but with a baby on the way and a distractable mind, we'll see how it goes. :-)

~~1. Gone With the Wind (for the readalong hosted by The Heroine's Bookshelf)~~ (review to come)

2. Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz

3. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

4. Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley

5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

~~6. Wicked Witch Murder by Lucy Stone~~ (Click here for my review.)

7. The Mermaid Garden by Santa Montefiore

~~8. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood~~ (Click here for my review.)

~~9. Rare Beasts by Charles Ogden~~ (Click here for my review.)

~~10. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie~~ (Click here for my review.)

11. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

12. Hybrid by Brian O'Grady

13. Food Inc. by Karl Weber

~~14. Q by Evan Mandery~~ (Click here for my review.)

~~15. Fragile by Lisa Unger~~ (review to come)

These are in no particular order, but many of them have a creepy quality that I'm planning on enjoying during the month of October. I'll be posting my reviews of the books I finish, so please subscribe to my feed or keep checking back to this page, where I'll post links to my reviews!

If you're participating, please leave me a link to your list and I'll be sure to check it out! Or, if you're not participating but still have a list of books you'd like to read over the next couple of months, please leave me a comment!

Thanks for visiting, and happy reading!

The Piano Teacher

2011-09-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

I think I've mentioned it before, but I'm not the biggest fan of audio books. This has nothing to do with the media and everything to do with my attention span. I'm easily distracted. I'll be listening and suddenly it's five minutes later and I have no idea what was just said. With a print book it's much easier for me to focus. However, I've been trying a new system: I'll listen to an audio book at bedtime to get my mind off the events of the day and into a story. This actually has been working quite well and if I keep it up, I just might be able to reach my goal of 50 books this year.

One of the books I recently listened to was The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee. Set in Hong Kong in the 1940s and '50s, the story centers around two main characters and how their lives intersect. It's about how our own personal history, as well as the historical events in which we live through, defines and shapes who we are and our relationships.

More specifically, it is a tale centered around Claire Pendleton, a newlywed recently transferred to Hong Kong, and the affair she begins with Will Truesdale. Both hired by the same family, they must keep their affair quiet, but secrets from Will's past keep surfacing. She begins to learn of the connection between Will and her employers, and of a mysterious woman in Will's past. WWII changed many lives, especially those in Hong Kong, but until she met Will, Claire never knew just how much had changed.

I had high hopes for this novel, but ultimately I was disappointed. Hong Kong seemed nothing more than a high-society luncheon for the rich and popular. The setting could just as easily have been London for the first part of the book. It wasn't until the war actually hit that it made sense why Lee set the novel in this town. Lee goes back and forth between the 1940s war-era and the 1950s post-war era. This was actually a great tool because I was able to learn more information about Will's past than had the novel simply been following Claire. That being said, Claire was a vapid character. She had no depth, and there seemed to be no real need of her character other than a machination to continue the real story - that of Will and Trudy, his lover during the war. The events post-war (which I won't go into so I don't spoil it) would have taken place whether or not Claire had been there. She wasn't the catalyst, and therefore I saw no real point to her character.

So, really, I half liked this book. I really liked Will's story and was interested in what happened to him and the other foreign-nationals during the war. But as for the 1950s part of the novel, I really didn't care until the end, and even then it was just so I could learn what really happened to Trudy. 3 out of 5 stars for a good concept and different look at WWII, but a boring and somewhat useless main character.

Oh, and I actually really liked Orlagh Cassidy's reading of the novel. I'm pretty picky on narrators, but she kept me interested and had a pleasant voice. So if you want to try the audio book, I'd recommend that route.

The Heebie Jeebies

2011-09-14T13:51:00.001-04:00

I don't do spiders. They have too many legs, too many eyes, and they move too fast. My husband and I have a deal which, to be quite honest, I have the better end of. He takes care of any spiders I find, and I will dispose of any snakes that happen to sneak up on us. To date, he's come to my rescue at a ratio of about a billion to zero. (Please wait while I go knock on some wood.)

However, when my handsome, strong, manly husband is not home, I have to deal with the spiders myself. And no, I will not just leave them be, because they will disappear and then resurface at night in my bed. I'm convinced of this.

My main method of spider removal is the hose attachment on our vacuum cleaner. It allows me a comfortable distance between the vile thing and myself, and is an easy disposal method. However, I am under the impression that if the spider is big enough (and wolf spiders easily can be) then it will be able to spread its legs and cling to the edges of the hose cartoon cat-style and refuse to be sucked up. I have yet to see this happen, but I'm sure it has/will.

Because of this belief, when I found a spider at 10 PM one night blocking my way into the kitchen, I knew drastic measures would be needed. This thing was, I kid you not, as big as two quarters (legs included, of course, as those are the creepiest part). It tried to hide behind our kitchen table and I could see it sticking out of either side of the table leg. Unacceptable.

I did what any sane person would do: I climbed onto a chair, over the counter, and around the kitchen through other rooms until I could approach it from the rear. Then I called my dad. Who, unbelievably, said he would not come over and get it for me. Instead, he suggested I stop acting like a baby. When it was clear that wasn't going to happen, he told me to get a towel and throw it over the spider, then wait for Keith to get home the next morning.

That was a great idea, but it needed improvement. I got a towel, folded it up, and dropped it on the offending spider. Then, convinced this one was big enough to wriggle its way out, I dropped a textbook on the towel. Not wanting to have made a mistake and missed it, I then proceeded to clamp down each corner with a chair. Satisfied, I went back upstairs.

And I swear to you, something went bump in the night. (It may have been my dog, but that can't be proven, so I'll just assume the worst.) That spider, or at the very least its mate, was coming to get me and seek revenge. Because spiders are vengeful creatures, and would normally stalk up the stairs and into my room in the middle of the night, right?

The happy ending to that story is that no spider attacked me and Keith had a fun story (and a bit of a mess) to come home to.

Now, the reason I was inspired to write this post: today when I walked into the bathroom and found a wolf spider in the tub (shudder), I did what any normal person would do. I turned the water on and made sure it drowned. After about 30 seconds it was curled up and wedged in front of the drain (because it was too big to go down the freakin' drain) and so I walked away, presumably to find something to pick it up with so it could be thrown away.

And then, to my horror, I walk back into the bathroom and the same spider has uncurled itself and is walking around the tub like nothing happened. What the hell? Do spiders have gills that I was unaware of? Well, you can bet this time I wasn't going to let it get away. I turned that faucet on and let it run. And run. And run. And eventually, the spider disappeared down the drain (perhaps the water upped its force due to my increased panic?). It has not resurfaced. I checked. Twice.

I don't think there's a moral to this post. Just the fact that spiders give me the heebie jeebies.

The Book of Lost Things

2011-09-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Book of Lost Things, by John Connolly, is the story of David, a boy who has just lost his mother and gained a new step-mother and half-brother during WWII era London. When he begins to hear the voice of his deceased mother calling to him from a gap in a recessed garden, he follows her voice and the hope that he can save her, and restore the family he once had, by passing from his world into one filled with its own set of terrors.

To be honest, I was more interested in the origins and contexts of the fairy tales themselves, found at the end of my edition, rather than the story itself. However, reading how Connolly incorporated and revised the stories so that they flowed within David's story made me more appreciative of the book as a whole.

David's story is interesting, and the characters that he meets are well-fleshed and entertaining. I enjoyed the re-tellings of familiar fairy tales (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a particular favorite, and the most light-hearted). I found the tale compelling enough to keep me reading, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. And until I read the notes at the back of the book, I didn't fully appreciate what Connolly had done.

So, while this is a story that can be enjoyed on its own, I highly recommend buying a version that contains the notes at the end (entitled "Of Fairy Tales, Dark Towers, and Other Such Matters") to tie everything together and give the story more depth.

3 out of 5 stars.

Witches of East End

2011-09-02T06:44:00.000-04:00

Summary from the inside cover:

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

Witches of East End, by Melissa de la Cruz, is a quick, fun romp through a fantasy world that seems real enough to exist. Kirkus reviews quotes it as being "fantasy for well-read adults" and this seems to fit the bill rather perfectly. De la Cruz doesn't talk down to her readers, but instead envelopes them in a world filled with wit, romance, and mystery.

I loved the references to classic texts and mythologies. It gave the novel a more filled-out feeling, which it would have been lacking otherwise due to its rather short length - less than 300 pages. However, the brevity of the story didn't seem to matter as the characters were well-developed and the plot was engrossing enough to keep me turning the pages well into the night.

Witches of East End begins de la Cruz's Beauchamp Family series, and it's a strong start. However, if you are sick of the amount of series out there and just want a stand-alone book, you could simply read the novel and omit the epilogue. The story is great as a stand-alone, and I was happy to leave it at that. However, after reading the epilogue, de la Cruz got me hooked and begging to know what would happen in the next installment. You can bet I'll be reading book two.

4 out of 5 stars.

It's Times Like These

2011-08-31T22:39:00.001-04:00

It's times like these when I realize life has gotten the better of me. I stand there, overwhelmed, stressed, and in a mood that could swing violently from break-down-and-cry to yelling-at-you-for-no-good-reason faster than a pendulum.

And why would I be feeling like this tonight, you ask?

Because I went to register for my baby showers tonight.

As I stood in the store (with my amazing sister-in-law and her beautiful if somewhat cranky 2-year-old twins), surrounded by a gazillion baby items, my blood pressure began to rise. There is absolutely no way I could know exactly what I needed. And even if I used the checklist provided by the store, how do I know what brand is best, especially without diligently researching first? And if I took the time to research everything I was about to ask my friends and family for, I'd be sitting in front of the computer from now until the actual date of the shower.

So after an hour of walking around and basically pointing the registry gun at whatever my SIL pointed at (and she has good taste and knows what she's talking about), I walked out of there feeling like I needed a redo. I'm a planner by nature, and I simply had not planned this trip well enough. I had not sat down and considered things like regular stroller vs. jogging stroller, generic bottle vs. bottle that claims to prevent colic, Diaper Genie vs. Arm & Hammer diaper pail, baby wipes for sensitive skin vs. extra thick. How the hell am I supposed to know what kind of wipes my kid is going to need?

And due to time constraints for the little ones (past their bedtime) and the fact that I am one of the world's slowest shoppers but didn't want to take up too much of my SIL's time, I didn't make informed, well-thought out decisions. I just went for it and thought, "I can always go back and look into that, or just re-register for another one that fits my style." But, as I'm sure you've already realized, that requires twice the work.

So I felt like I had just wasted my night (which I hadn't, but in the moment I was being dramatic). So I did the best thing to calm my nerves: I walked over to Barnes & Noble, got some coffee, and perused.

And I felt my blood pressure drop, my breathing even out, and my heart rate slow.

And I came to this conclusion: I do not need to be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff a new baby will need. I do not need the latest gadgets and gizmos galore. My baby will be happy if she is fed, sheltered, and loved. Everything else is just extra, and there's no reason to get worked up about it.

A Stolen Life

2011-08-29T16:24:00.000-04:00

I was 5 years old when Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped, and I was 24 when she was finally discovered.

A Stolen Life is Jaycee's memoir, a look into those 18 years that were taken from her and her family. She recounts, sometimes in vivid detail, the horrors she faced at the hands of Phillip Garrido and his wife. She explains how she came to rely on him and, most shockingly, to want to protect him from those who would be looking for her. She explains that he was her life, her only connection to the world and human interaction.

Jaycee was only 11 when she was abducted, just a shy girl who desperately wanted to fit in with the other kids but had a hard time putting herself out there. She was so young and didn't understand the world yet; when Garrido told her how cruel the outside world was, she believed that she was better off living in a tent in his backyard. When his parole officers came to the house to check on him, she made to sure to keep quiet so they wouldn't take her away from the protected environment she knew. Even when she bore two children, both the products of Garrido's abuse, she was too afraid to do anything to save herself or them.

So much of this book was shocking. It's hard to understand how Jaycee felt safe and loved by Garrido and his wife, but with 18 years of brainwashing that started at such a young age, I suppose it's not impossible. Garrido had her believing that she was actually helping other girls, because since she was the one bearing the brunt of his "problem" (his sexual issues) he would not go out looking for more victims.

There were many times the justice system failed Jaycee. Parole officers routinely showed up at the Garridos' home and no one noticed, or seemed to care, that there was more to the property or that children were living at the residence. Garrido's mental health was being monitored by therapists, but even when he admitted to speaking to and hearing "angels" no one took a closer look or really tried to help him.

But what is perhaps the most shocking thing of all is that, had it not been for Garrido's delusion that he could get away with bringing the whole family to his parole officer's building, no one would have known Jaycee Dugard was still alive.

This is not a memoir for the faint of heart, nor is it one you should pass up simply because the subject matter is difficult. There were times I wanted to put the book down and forget any of it ever happened, but that would have been yet another injustice for Jaycee. Her story should be told. It should be used as a warning: don't overlook the little things. There are people out in the world who need our help, who are too scared or too weak to speak up for themselves, and if you see something out of place you should tell someone. No one looked out for Jaycee for 18 years, and in the end she almost didn't look out for herself. It's a miracle she made it through her ordeal and lived to tell her tale from the freedom of her own home. We should all listen.

4 out of 5 stars.

The Maze Runner

2011-08-24T21:30:00.000-04:00

I've had The Maze Runner, by James Dashner, on my TBR list for a long, long time but I had seen mixed reviews for it and therefore it was never really high up there. Browsing through my library the other day, though, looking for a quick YA read, I saw this one was in stock so I grabbed it.

Thomas wakes up in a black box, remembering nothing but his own name. He is greeted by a group of teenage boys who are living in a self-sufficient world called the Glade. There are few rules, the most important of which is to never, under any circumstances, enter the Maze after nightfall. No one can remember life before waking up in the Glade, but Thomas is determined to solve the Maze and find a way out. He's sure that life back in the real world must be better than a secluded existence spent terrified of the Grievers, horrible animal/machine hybrids that will kill any Glader that gets too close. But why were they all sent here? Who would sentence children to such a life? And if there is a way out, will it be worth it?

The first half of this novel moved a bit slowly for me, and I was getting kind of annoyed with the constant reiterations of the phrase "I don't remember" but by the second half, things really picked up. Thomas is a good protagonist: smart, loyal, determined, and flawed. Dashner did a good job of giving the other Gladers enough of a personality that they were memorable, but not too much detail that they overshadowed Thomas. I found the descriptions of the environment and the Grievers, however, to be a bit much. I just had a hard time really picturing some of the things he was describing. It didn't detract from the main action, really, but I wish that either I had been able to grasp the picture being described or Dashner had picked a more coherent description.

The ending left me intrigued and wanting to read the next novel in the trilogy, The Scorch Trials. I'm definitely wondering how everything fits together.

In an effort to leave out any spoilers, I'm not able to go into much detail and I apologize, but if you're looking for a fast YA read with plenty of twists and turns, don't hesitate to pick this one up. 4 out of 5 stars.

My First Experience with Crochet

2011-08-21T20:49:00.001-04:00

Thanks to my obsession with Pinterest, I've had the itch to try lots of new things lately. One of those was to learn how to crochet, thanks to this adorable picture and the fact that I really, really want to make this hat for my baby.

My idea was that a scarf would be the perfect beginner project. So I bought a skein of yarn and learned how to do the easiest stitch I could and set to work.

Two more skeins, multiple mistakes and row pullings, and a few curse words later (plus three days) and I ended up with a beautiful, warm, soft scarf that is officially mine and quite original. In fact, it's so original I don't think I could copy it if I wanted to. I ended up losing two stitches in a row somewhere, so the beginning end is flared, which I actually really like, but was very hard to replicate at the end. So both ends flare, just not exactly evenly.

Whatever. I made it with my own two hands, and I'm incredibly proud of it and my determination to see it through even when I was tired, frustrated, and sore (seriously, neck strain?).

And now I have my scarf that I can't wait to wear this fall and winter. Oh, happiness.

Learning to Balance

2011-08-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

With pregnancy, I knew a lot of things would change. I knew I would need to adjust and go with the flow. But I didn't realize that one of my main sources of confidence, self-esteem, and mental therapy would be drastically different.

I've been involved in sports and fitness for as long as I can remember. And even when I've stepped away from it for a time, I've always gone back. There's something about pushing your body to its limits that makes you feel humbled and stronger in the same moment. Knowing that, if you wanted to, you could take off on your own two feet and run until you felt like stopping, and then knowing you will have the strength to turn around and run back home. Seeing yourself in the mirror as you lift a weight that's always been too heavy for you before today. Feeling a difference in your shape, your endurance, and your mood.

When I had my miscarriage last fall, I used the gym as a therapist's office. When I was upset, depressed, and lost I ran and I lifted until I was too tired to feel anything. Along the way I got my strength back, both physically and mentally. I was able to run and push myself through the tunnel to the other side.

Now that I'm pregnant again (and halfway through!) I feel like I'm starting over again. For the first few months I felt too nauseated to get off the couch, let alone get myself out the door. Now that I'm in the second trimester and feeling better, I'm trying to get back into the habit of going to the gym each morning, but it's difficult. Despite all I've said, I really don't like working out on a daily basis. It can get monotonous and routine, just like anything else.

When I do manage to drag my lazy ass to the gym, I have to learn how to balance the intensity I love with the limits of my body. I feel like I can only do a half-assed workout, because I'm afraid of pushing myself too hard. But those kinds of workouts are boring, and barely worth getting to the gym for. Moves that are quick to show results (read: painful) like squats and lunges are hard to do when I'm becoming more and more off-balance. So I trade those in for wall squats, which are just as painful if you do them long enough, but don't feel like they hit the same intensity level.

When I was at the gym 5 or 6 days I week I was taking a lot of group classes, which were a great way to keep me motivated and moving throughout the day and the actual workout. But since taking a few months off, I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to go back to those now, halfway through my pregnancy. I know everything you were doing prior is fine to do during, but what about when you took a couple months off in between?

The one exercise routine that feels the best and makes me feel as though I've gotten a great workout is yoga. I simultaneously feel loose and strong, relaxed and energized. I'm so glad I started to do this before I was pregnant so I knew what to expect, and it's given me such a great base that I feel I can still maintain throughout pregnancy. But I can't do yoga every day because if I don't mix things up I get bored.

And now, when something hurts, I don't push through it. General muscle strain, sure, but not any sort of pain around the abdomen that feels somewhat questionable. Before, pain was a measure of how hard I had worked. Now it's a way to tell me to slow down and not push it too far. I'm trying to meet my old fitness routine in the middle with this new one, but it's hard and somewhat frustrating.

Have any of you experienced this? What did you do to get back on track? How did you cope with your new limitations?

Tender Morsels: I Didn't Even Get Past Chapter 2

2011-08-13T23:01:00.002-04:00

I hate giving up on books. But with my TBR list closing in on 400, I just can't waste my time. Even if that book has a pretty Printz Honor Book award on it.

Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan, has been highly praised and lauded as a mature YA novel. However, within the prologue and first two chapters the reader encounters a teenage boy's first sexual experience (nothing wrong with it just, you know, it's the first thing that happens in a fairy tale story), incest, abortion, childbirth, and gang rape.

Yeah. Within the first two chapters of a young adult novel. WTF?

Tender Morsels is apparently a re-telling of Grimm's Snow-White and Rose-Red, and I guess the two children born of incest and rape live in a protected dream world where they encounter a man-turned-bear and a dwarf, and eventually learn how to break through the barrier of their world and into the real world. I'm told by the Publisher's Weekly review that there are also suggestions of bestiality and sodomy later on in the novel. I didn't get that far.

The plot moved very slowly (I actually skimmed the last couple of pages of chapter 2 just to see if anything would actually happen) and the language was impeding. Instead of making me feel like I was transported into another time and place, I was just annoyed.

So, yeah. Not a fan. Maybe I just don't get it. But generally speaking, when I pick up a YA novel I have a general idea of what I can expect inside, and this just wasn't it. At all.

Obsession by Pinterest

2011-08-12T15:44:00.000-04:00

I feel the need to make a public announcement. I am addicted to Pinterest. This is a site for you to bookmark awesome things you find online, by "pinning" a picture from the site onto your "board." You and others can see the picture, and then click on over to the original post for more information. You can also browse other people's pins and see if there's anything worth checking out. And there usually is.

Ever since I took the time to figure the site out, I've become preoccupied with it. And when I'm not just browsing other people's pins and drooling over the beautiful pictures, I've actually started to use it to my advantage.

I have a certified ton of starred items on my Google Reader, hundreds of bookmarks for posts I've liked and information I've wanted to save and come back to later. Of course, the list is now so long I never go through it, because it's a pain in the ass. But Pinterest is allowing me to categorize a lot of those bookmarks and put them all in one place. Now I can look at my boards, which are categorized by DIY, Food, Jewelry, Decor, etc. Ah, organization. How I love thee.

Want to see my pins? Just click here!

Forever

2011-08-08T12:52:00.002-04:00

A lot of you aren't going to agree with me on this.

Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy has kept me interested enough to follow it to the end, but not enough to remember details. For example, Forever, the third and final book in the series, begins with a prologue where Shelby is the narrator. I had to look up who Shelby was. A character that has been an antagonist in the two previous books and caused countless drama, and I had to look her up because I just couldn't place her.

I don't know why this series is like that for me. When I'm in the middle of reading each of the books, I'm glued to it and it's all I read (no switching back and forth with other books to take a break), but when it's over I'm just...done with it. It's not a book or series I really think about much after I've closed it. Which isn't to say it isn't good, it's just not mind-bending or paradigm-shifting or, apparently, all that memorable.

And I feel bad for saying it, because I really enjoyed reading each of these novels. I felt that Forever was a fitting conclusion to the trilogy and I applaud Ms. Stiefvater for ending it the way she did (I won't spoil it for you; it was just nice that she took a different turn than simply putting a pretty bow on it and calling it a day).

I figure if you're interested in reading Forever it's because you've also read Shiver and Linger, so I won't waste your time with a detailed synopsis. You know what's going to happen: Sam and Grace need to figure out how to beat the werewolf gene with the help of Isabel and Cole, while battling the likes of Shelby and Isabel's father. There's plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments and heartfelt romance to balance it all out, and in the end, well, it's a bit predictable, but you won't see everything coming, which is what I expect in a YA novel (especially in the conclusion of a series).

3 out of 5 stars. I liked it, but I didn't love it. And if you like the genre of paranormal YA novels, you're more than likely going to like this series, as well as this particular book because it, quite simply, fits.

The Firm

2011-08-01T11:33:00.000-04:00

I've always been a John Grisham fan, ever since I read A Time To Kill back in high school. His stories are compelling, fast reads. Who knew lawyers and courtrooms could be so interesting?

The Firm is Grisham's second novel, published in 1991. Mitch McDeere, number 3 in his class at Harvard Law, has job offers from all over the country, including one for a small firm in Memphis with Bendini, Lambert, and Locke. The Bendini firm paid off his school loans, leased him a BMW, and arranged the mortgage for his first house. Thinking they'd finally made it, Mitch and his wife celebrated.

But strange things are happening at the firm, and when the FBI tries to recruit Mitch to help them take down the firm from the inside, he has to make a deadly choice. Does he stay and risk losing everything, or leave and risk losing his life?

Overall, I really liked this book. It had me hooked from the beginning and didn't let up. The plot was intriguing and there were plenty of moments where I was really nervous for the characters and couldn't wait to find out what happened. However, I didn't feel like the climax was as edge-of-my-seat exciting as it should have been. Granted, I wasn't bored, but there didn't seem to be enough drama.

My only other issue with the book was that the main character, Mitch, was kind of an asshole. While I still felt bad for his situation and was concerned for his well-being, I was never a big fan of his attitude.

However, neither of those criticisms should be a deterrent to reading the book. If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, I highly recommend The Firm. 4 out of 5 stars.

Some Reading, Some Painting, and a New Car

2011-07-25T19:25:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd just check in with you all. So far I am loving my re-read of Gone With the Wind for Erin's Readalong; this novel seriously holds up. It doesn't matter that I already know the ending; it's so well-written that the whole story is interesting.

My husband has been painting the nursery, so I've been spending time outside the room but close enough to keep him company. We picked Olympic's No-VOC Lime Sorbet and while I really like it, it seems to be going on darker than I anticipated. Maybe it's the lack of natural lighting and the black visqueen covering the floor. At the moment, it kind of looks like the Emerald City in there. I can't wait to get some furniture and really start filling out the room.

Oh! I almost ended this post without perhaps the most exciting piece of news: we leased our first car this weekend! Keith's car finally quit on us and we really needed something reliable and safe. So we spent last week going around to dealerships and test driving (and Keith spent months prior to this researching) and finally on Saturday we made a deal with Hyundai and leased a 2012 Sonata. Um, it's pretty awesome. It's the first new car either of us have had, and we're both about giddy.

Other than that we've just been trying to stay away from the sauna known as outside. Hope you all are doing well!

The Great Gone With the Wind Readalong

2011-07-18T14:49:00.002-04:00

Guys, guys, have you heard?? Erin, at The Heroine's Bookshelf, is hosting The Great Gone With the Wind Readalong! I read GWTW many years ago and it has been my favorite book ever since. I've always wanted to re-read it, but could never finish it again. So, I've decided to join the readalong!

Erin's got a schedule for the discussions, starting August 1 and ending October 17.

From her "How It Works" section:

To participate, just tell me you plan to read along in the comments below. Then procure a copy of the classic and start reading. We’ll meet here on the blog on the following schedule to discuss the book in parts. I’ll summarize each part and include historical background and fun ways to approach the book as a conversation-starter…then we’ll discuss in the comments. And I’ll be giving away GWTW-inspired prizes to make this summer read even juicier!

Doesn't that sound awesome? This sounds like the perfect way to read a hefty classic in manageable chunks and have a ton of fun with other bloggers! I can't wait to get started!

Wallpaper, I Hate You (Including Nursery Pictures)

2011-07-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

When we bought our house last year, we shrugged off the wallpaper borders that accompanied not just one, but six rooms. There were only two I really didn't like, and I figured when the time came I would just peel those off and re-paint.

Ha.

Little did I know just what a bitch wallpaper really is. Having never dealt with it before, I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Now, after two days of scraping and spraying and steaming and scraping some more, I want to slap the person who even invented wallpaper. What sort of sick, sadistic person would not only want to use such a vile product, but put it in six rooms?!

Thankfully, the nursery border is gone (hooray!), but it looks like the bathroom border is here to stay for awhile. Seriously, does anyone really think half-naked cherubs are cute? And appropriate for a bathroom?

Here's the before picture of the nursery's bunny and teddy bear border:

Not horrible by any means, but not what I wanted. I may have been a little too into peeling off bunny heads.

And the after(math):

Hopefully we'll get the sample colors painted this weekend and then we can start actually painting. With each step, this starts to feel more and more real.

And for those of you who have stuck around and read this entire post, I present to you...half-naked babies!

Told you they weren't cute.

A Favorite Movie

2011-07-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

You've Got Mail is one of my favorite movies.

It represents a love for reading, a simpler time in which the internet was popular but not all-consuming, and a fairy-tale romance. Not to mention the gorgeous New York scenery, witty dialogue, and the dynamic duo of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Really, what's not to love?

I can sit and watch it intently or just have it on in the background, and somehow the world seems brighter when it's on. And now that you all think I've lost my mind, I'll stop, sit back, and enjoy my movie. :-)

A Cocktail of Medications

2011-07-05T11:06:00.000-04:00

I never knew having a cold could be so miserable.

Sure, you get tired and the runny nose is very annoying, but after a few days and a cocktail of medications, you're generally back on your feet and ready to take on the world.

Not so much when you're pregnant, apparently.

Since I couldn't take any medications, I was laid up in bed for a good week just wishing someone would punch me to knock me unconscious. I had pain radiating from my sinuses and my ears all the way down my throat, and I was completely unable to breathe through my stuffy nose. Not a good thing when you hate breathing through your mouth (and find it completely impossible to do so in order to sleep).

I'll spare you the gory details, but trust me: I was a pathetic mess.

It seems unfair that pregnancy makes you more susceptible to illness but then prevents you from partaking in modern medicine to make it tolerable. So my plan for the next six months is to live in a bubble. Just kidding. I do, however, plan to use lots of hand sanitizer and stay far, far away from anyone I know to have a runny nose or a tickle in their throat. Which I suppose is a good rule of thumb anyway, but now it seems imperative.

And it seems fitting that I would get what is now a going-on-11-day-cold just as I was getting over that whole morning (noon and night) sickness, so I have yet to experience the wonderful second trimester bliss of energy and general feel-goodness that has been promised to me.

I can sense its coming, though. As soon as I go blow my nose.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

It's another gorgeous day, perfect for lounging around outside with a good book and some music. Or, if you're me, constantly getting up to let the dog back inside every time she hears a pop. It's going to be a long day, people. Have a good one!

A Revamp and Some News

2011-06-30T19:19:00.000-04:00

I'm revamping my blog.

Things might be a little rough at first, especially as I really try to find my niche and not lose the one I've already cultivated, and because of the fact that I feel like I've sort of lost my writing edge, but I hope to push through it.

First things first, a lot of life changes are taking place in my neck of the woods, and hence the revamp.

As you may remember, I had a miscarriage last October. It devastated me and ever since then I have been, not exactly different, but perhaps more reserved. I've had trouble concentrating, hence a lack of reading and posting.

Now, however, I have good news! I'm pregnant, and I've just crossed the threshold of my second trimester!

Of course, I'm still finding it hard to concentrate (people seriously weren't kidding about the infamous pregnancy brain) but I'm doing much better and my husband and I are very excited.

So what I'd like to do with the blog is make it a bit more personal. I want to keep the book and cooking reviews, although for now they may be a bit sparse. And, so the blog doesn't go silent in the meantime, I'll keep you posted on the pregnancy and all the fun stuff that comes with that. Hopefully by starting to write more frequently I'll be able to get back into the groove of things.

So anyway, what's new with you?

Getting Nowhere Fast

2011-04-20T21:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I know I haven't been posting much. I feel like I'm sort of mid-project, so there's nothing much to say. Except I'm really in the middle of several projects, none of which seem to be getting anywhere very fast. I'm researching eco-friendly changes to make, trying to turn my old volleyball t-shirts into a quilt (and in the process learning how to sew and make things in general), baking a bit, and reading a ton of books, but not getting very far in any of them.

I just feel like there hasn't been anything worth posting. I do, however, miss you guys and I will try to get my shit together and finish something soon. ;-)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lizzie!

2011-04-09T14:05:00.000-04:00

Today my adorable puppy turns 3 years old! I can't believe it. We adopted her from a rescue run by my mother-in-law when she was just under 4 months old. She was such a cute, loving puppy, with ears that she still had to grow into.

Now she's a beautiful, loving, loyal, and smart dog. She loves to play, especially in the snow.

She will tolerate our desire to dress her up.

And she is a big fan of using anything as a pillow so she can rest (and look out the window) comfortably.

My best friend; my baby girl. Happy birthday, Lizzie!

Beef and Vegetable Pot Pie

2011-03-30T17:37:00.002-04:00

I knew I would make this recipe from the first moment I saw it. I found it in my now second-favorite cookbook: The Essential Dinner Tonight Cookbook by Cooking Light. This is perfect for a cold day when you want something hearty, bready, and healthy.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 pound ground sirloin
2 cups chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (8 oz) package pre-sliced mushrooms
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14 oz) can fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
cooking spray
1 (11 oz) can refrigerated soft breadstick dough

More or less, these are the ingredients I used. You'll notice a lack of mushrooms and red wine because the former I hate and the latter I didn't have.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Brown beef (if you want, use 1 1/2 teaspoons oil). Drain.

(Yum.)

3. Either remove beef or use a second pan. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in pan and add zucchini and next 6 ingredients. Sauté until tender.

4. Return beef to pan and stir in wine and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes.

5. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

6. Add cornstarch mixture to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

7. Spoon beef mixture into an 11 x 7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Separate breadstick dough into strips. Arrange strips in a lattice fashion over beef mixture.

(Note I totally missed the over-under idea in the middle.)

8. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until browned.

Voilá!

Yield: 6 servings

Calories: 313

Check out more recipes at Beth Fish Reads!

Earth Hour 2011

2011-03-25T14:46:00.001-04:00

What are you doing Saturday night? On Saturday, March 26 at 8:30 PM, my husband and I will be turning off all the lights and each and every appliance in our house for one hour. Why? Because we are again participating in Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an event started 4 years ago in Australia that has since become a global movement to take a stand against climate change. Each year this event has become bigger and bigger, involving hundreds of millions of people, hundreds of countries, thousands of businesses, and even iconic buildings and landmarks. That's right. Even the Golden Gate Bridge, Rome's Colosseum, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge have all stood in darkness for one hour each year, as a symbol of the changes we need to make, and the ease in which we can live a more sustainable lifestyle.

You can pledge to turn off your lights for one hour tomorrow night starting at 8:30 PM local time simply by going to www.earthhour.org.

This year, the organizers have decided to take it a step further and ask each of us to "go beyond the hour." It's an initiative that is meant to get people thinking and talking about the other ways in which we can incorporate eco-friendly ideas into our own lifestyle. Things as simple as recycling, eating more locally grown foods, composting, and switching to greener beauty products. Learn more and add your own act here.

I've recently created a new blog that tracks my journey toward living a healthier, greener lifestyle: Amy Goes Green. What will you do?

The Weird Sisters

2011-03-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

The Weird Sisters is, at its core, a story of sisters. ("See, we love each other. We just don't happen to like each other very much.") Daughters of a Shakespeare professor who primarily communicates through verse and named each of them after great Shakespearean women, each come home after failing in life to help their mother who was recently been diagnosed with cancer. But "home" means something different to each of them, and they must not only come to terms with where their lives have led them, but learn to put aside their differences and get to know each other all over again. Each has a secret she's unwilling to share, and it will take the strength of all three to see them through.

I should first mention that I am an only child, and therefore have no personal experiences with sisters, or brothers for that matter, to judge how close the relationships between Rose (Rosalind), Bean (Bianca), and Cordy (Cordelia) are to the real thing. However, it seemed plausible to me.

As just about everyone else who has reviewed this book has stated, a knowledge of Shakespeare is not necessary to the understanding or liking of this book. It does, however, help. Shakespeare was the first classic literature that I loved. I loved the iambic pentameter, the wordplay, how incredibly bawdy the bard could be, and how each story seemed to touch on some immortal truth. Reading The Weird Sisters (affectionately named after the three witches in Macbeth) has made me want to get out my own Riverside Shakespeare and re-read my favorites and discover new ones. And that, I think, is one of the things that makes a book great: its ability to go beyond its own story and inspire you to read others.

Aside from the Shakespearean references, I wasn't sure if I was going to really like this book at the beginning. Each of the sisters is highly flawed (highlighted by the first sentence: "We came home because we were failures") and I didn't like them much. They were too different from myself to really make a connection with them.

But as the story progressed and each character began to own up to her own flaws and failings, as they began to set aside their personal woes for the greater good, they started to look more like people to me, rather than characters with a set agenda. I started to root for them, and I felt their falls and cheered their successes. In the end, they became people I would happily meet and befriend. And I learned something, too. Even in our failures, we are learning how to become a success.

This is a wonderful book if you like Shakespeare, sisters, or simply a good story. It's incredibly well-written and has a unique voice (the first-person-plural narrative is definitely unique) and worth your time to check out. 4 out of 5 stars.

This was one of the books I had on my list for the Spring Reading Thing. Check out my list here.

Spring Reading Thing 2011

2011-03-19T21:55:00.003-04:00

It's finally that time of year! The birds are chirping, the grass is greening, and the weather is slowly starting to reach a tolerable temperature. It's Spring!

And that means it's time for Callapidder Days' annual Spring Reading Thing! You can find information about the event here. It's really quite simple: write down a list of books you want to read from March 20-June 20 and hop to it!

Here's my list:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (for book club)

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (because I heard it's so good) **review here**

The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to be Fabulously Green by Starre Vartan (because I follow her blog and she has amazing ideas)

~~Northern Lights~~ by Nora Roberts (because I feel I should read at least one Nora Roberts book)

My Reading Life by Pat Conroy (again, I've heard good things)

Some Sing, Some Cry by Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeza (the cover just calls to me)

And finally, I want to read another classic, so I can continue with my goal of reading 5 this year (1 down; yay!). However, I have no idea what I'll pick next. I will most likely let you all decide through a poll, and then host another read-along, if anyone's interested.

So there's my list of books that I'd like to read this Spring. Granted, I fully expect it to change since my mood swings greatly influence my reading list. But that's why I love the Spring Reading Thing: it's not strict! So join in if you feel like it, and look for my reviews of the books I end up reading!

Jane Eyre Read-Along, Chapters 31-38 & Final Thoughts

2011-03-18T10:24:00.002-04:00

We finished! Can you believe it? Let's do the summary, and then we'll go into my final thoughts on the book (I want to hear yours, too!), and finish with a couple of questions.

In chapter 31 Jane sees her cousin, Mr. Rivers meet the lovely and vivacious Rosamond Oliver. The two of them are obviously in love but he, at least, refuses to acknowledge it.

Chapter 32 sees Jane beginning to like her position as schoolmistress and her pupils, but she still misses Mr. Rochester. She also finds out that Rosamond's father is not opposed to her match with Mr. Rivers, so Jane tries to talk him into it but to no avail. He is determined to become a missionary in India and doesn't think Rosamond would fit the bill for that kind of work. At the end of the chapter. Mr. Rivers tears off a piece from a paper Jane is drawing on and then leaves. I bet I know what was on the page!

And my suspicions are then confirmed. Jane and scribbled her name on the page and Mr. Rivers recognized the name "Eyre" (remember Jane had been using an alias previously). After some investigation, he realizes this is the same Jane Eyre that his uncle left his fortune to, and therefore they are cousins. John Eyre, the uncle, left Jane 20,000 pounds. She decides to split it four ways, between herself and her three cousins.

Jane then quits her job as schoolmistress and brings Mary and Diana home to live with her and Mr. Rivers. She begins to learn Hindustani for Mr. Rivers, who is a very exacting teacher. Jane begins to feel repressed. She writes to Mrs. Fairfax to see if she knows anything about Mr. Rochester, but receives no answer. Then Mr. Rivers tells her he wants Jane to marry him and go to India with him, not because he loves her, but because she's suitable for the work of a missionary's wife (oo, what a great compliment). She says she'll go but not as his wife and he replies with what has to be the meanest response ever: "Refuse to be my wife, and you limit yourself for ever to a track of selfish ease and barren obscurity." Ouch. Needless to say, he's not too happy with her.

Later, Mr. Rivers tries again (because obviously "no" is not in his vocabulary) and Jane again declines and pisses him off. He asked once more (third time's the charm?) and Jane almost relented, but then she hears what can only be (and yet not be) Mr. Rochester's voice calling her name. She runs to her room.

In chapter 36 Jane leaves her cousins and heads to Thornfield, to try to find out what happened to Mr. Rochester. The mansion has been burned down, and Jane learns that Bertha (the crazy wife, remember) set fire to it (starting in Jane's old room, yikes) and then leapt from the top of the roof, killing herself. Mr. Rochester stayed in the building until everyone was out safely, and then tried to save his wife, but to no avail. While he was trying to escape he was severely wounded and is now blind and without a right hand.

Jane then finds Mr. Rochester and explains her life during her absence. He's jealous of Mr. Rivers until Jane admits she loves no other but him, and then he's ecstatic and says they'll marry in three days. Mr. Rochester claims that God crippled him to punish him for the way he lived and how he tried to trick Jane, but when he prayed for forgiveness he cried out Jane's name. Now here's the interesting part: when he cried out, that's what Jane heard all the way back in Morton. And then when she answered, he heard her! But they were miles and miles apart! It was as if their hearts spoke to each other. Awwwww.

In the final chapter, we learn that Jane and Mr. Rochester were married, Diana and Mary both approve and have since married themselves. Adele was moved to a better school that is closer to Jane and Mr. Rochester. Mr. Rochester regained sight in one eye and the pair had at least one child (I'm assuming more, but it's never clearly stated). St. John never acknowledged Jane's marriage, but began keeping a regular correspondence with her from India. He never married. Did anyone else think it was weird the book ended with Mr. Rivers' words, and about his death no less?

The end!

Final Thoughts:

Overall (and please don't think less of me for this), I'm not the biggest fan of this book. There were times I had to really work to get through the chapters. And maybe it was because I already knew that Jane and Mr. Rochester were destined to get married (I may not have read the book before, but I've heard enough other people talk about it) that I was so impatient for it to just happen already. So while I may not have enjoyed the book as a whole, I did enjoy particular aspects.

Jane is an amazing heroine. She's strong, principled, and not afraid to stand up for herself. The supernatural aspects, while not making this book completely fall into the gothic genre, had enough of it to keep some interest and intrigue. I liked that Jane finally found some family, even if she never did get to meet her uncle. It was because of him she discovered her cousins (for who they were; obviously she had found them already, but she didn't know they were related to her).

I'd love to hear your comments on the book! What are your final thoughts?

Finally: Thank you all for participating and reading along with me! What did you guys think of the read-along? How would you change it? Would you be willing to do it again if I hosted another one?

The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Woldwide

2011-03-15T15:26:00.000-04:00

If you were to get a tattoo of your favorite literary quote, what would it be?

Eva Talmadge and Justin Taylor have put together a collection of tattoos from people the world over who want to express their love for specific books, authors, quotations, or illustrations. Some pages contain only a name, place, and picture. Others have all that plus an explanation as to why it has meaning for the individual. The book is "all put together like a mix tape, one image intuitively following the next, or like a bookshelf ordered by no other system than a reader's varied taste..." (from the introduction).

While you really need to see the pictures in order to fully appreciate the artwork, here are a few of my favorites:

"We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars." ~line from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde.

"I take a deep breath and listen to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am." ~from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

You'll also get to see an original Sharpie-drawing of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, drawn on a woman's arm by Eric Carle, just so she could get his original artwork tattooed on herself. And, what I found most interesting, an explanation of the Skin project by Shelley Jackson, which is only published on the skin of volunteers, one word at a time.

This is a quick, original read. 5 out of 5 stars.

Oh, and if I were to get a literary tattoo? As hard as it would be to decide on just one favorite, I would have to go with a quote by Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran: "What we search for in fiction is not so much reality, but the epiphany of truth."

Jane Eyre Read-Along, Chapters 21-30

2011-03-11T06:00:00.009-05:00

Hello, fellow read-alongers! I hope you had a good week and I hope you were able to find some time to catch up with Jane. Let's jump right in, shall we?

We started this week by learning that Jane's cousin, the horrible John Reed, has killed himself and her aunt is on her deathbead. Mrs. Reed is still as horrible as ever, but at least she told Jane that her uncle, John Eyre, wrote to her to ask if he could adopt Jane. Granted, it was 3 years later, Mrs. Reed told John Eyre that Jane was dead, and Mrs. Reed says Jane is the reason she (Mrs. Reed) didn't tell her earlier. So, better late than never?

The next important plot point comes in chapter 23, when Mr. Rochester first says Jane will need to leave once he marries Blanche and then, in a complete 180, ends up proposing to Jane. How cruel to make her completely believe he was going to marry another, only to make her jealous? And did anyone else think the chestnut-tree being split in half by lightning the same night the couple became engaged was foreshadowing?

While I wasn't the biggest fan of Jane's behavior in chapter 24 (she seemed unusually distant and combative), I understand that she really needed to test Mr. Rochester's love for her, especially considering how he deceived her earlier.

Chapter 25 was spooky, with Jane's nightmares and the "vampire" in her room that tore her veil. I became very interested that Mr. Rochester blamed it on Grace Poole and that he would explain everything after they had been married a year and a day. Seriously, what is Mrs. Poole's job that it needs to be kept a secret for another year??

Next comes the wedding day itself, which seems to go smoothly and quickly until...oh, until. Poor Jane. I can't imagine how it would feel to have someone object at your wedding. Although this did explain why Mr. Rochester had been so scared when Mason originally showed up at Thornfield. I'm sure you read it, but quickly: Mason claims that Mr. Rochester is already married, and to his sister Bertha no less. And finally (finally!) we know the occupation of Grace Poole: she watches after Bertha, who is insane and kept locked up on the 3rd floor of Thornfield. This alone answers many questions. Now we know what Mrs. Poole does and who the ghostly figure has been.

But in case this wasn't clear at first, chapter 27 is devoted to Mr. Rochester explaining everything to Jane: how he was tricked into marrying into a family known for its insanity, how a voice told him that he was no longer married (now who's insane?), and how and why he fell in love with Jane. He implores Jane to stay with him, but her principles simply will not let her degrade herself into being his mistress.

Jane, therefore, leaves Thornfield without anyone's notice. However, she quickly becomes destitute and must beg for food and lodging. She finally finds peace when she practically collapses at the door of the Rivers family. She is taken in and nursed back to health by Mary, Diana, and St. John, along with their servant, Hannah. Jane does not feel she can completely tell the truth of her story, but she tells as much as she can. The Rivers allow her to stay, and even come to like her. St. John even finds her employment as a schoolteacher for his poor parish.

At the end of chapter 30 we learn that the Rivers' uncle, John, has died, leaving them practically nothing and an unknown relative the bulk of his extensive wealth. While little more is told to us, I have a pretty good idea how this is all going to link up. But I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

So what did you all think? Could you believe Mr. Rochester? How awful a secret! And to want to wait for a year and a day after they were married to tell Jane that he already had a wife and, oh, by the way, she's completely insane and lives locked up on the 3rd floor. I'm amazed at how quickly Jane forgave him. I don't think I could have done the same. And Jane was so concerned with how Mr. Rochester would handle her leaving him that she doesn't seem to care as much for the pickle that she's suddenly in. No money, no friends, and no family, she was certainly in a precarious situation there for awhile. But she handled it with grace (did you really expect anything less?) and comes out on top in the end. The Rivers were amazingly kind to her, and Jane seems to be in a good position now.

Only 8 more chapters, everyone! We'll discuss chapters 31-38 next Friday. Any predictions as to how it will end?

City of Bones

2011-03-08T16:09:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to starting The Mortal Instruments series and let me tell you I'm hooked. A paranormal world of sexy demon hunters that exists right under our noses? Sign me up.

In City of Bones, Book 1 of the series by Cassandra Clare, Clary Fray is an average teenager with a problem: she has witnessed a murder, but no one else can see the killers and the body has disappeared into thin air. When her mother is then mysteriously attacked and kidnapped, Clary is suddenly thrust into the world of the Shadowhunters - a special group of humans who are trained to hunt and kill demons. Clary must discover the connection between her mother and this supernatural world (that includes vampires, werewolves, and faeries) before she is lost to her forever. Befriended by a group of teen Shadowhunters, Clary learns the truth about her mother's past and the immediate threat of rogue Shadowhunters, the Circle, to the mortal world. Will she be able to find her mother in time? And will she be able to stop the Circle from destroying the new world she has become a part of?

This YA novel is full of suspense and twists and turns. The character development is done well, and it kept me reading well past my bedtime. While all the new lingo and supernatural explanations were a bit much at first, I quickly fell into step with Clary as she learned all about this new world. Of course there were links to the Harry Potter series, and even Twilight (the main bad guy wants the blood lines to be pure, werewolves and vampires aren't friends, there's a love triangle, etc., etc.) but even so I still found it entertaining and fresh. And Jace is definitely swoon worthy, which is a must in new YA paranormal. As I've realized lately with other YA novels, I can usually guess the plot twists pretty early on, and I get frustrated that the main character can't see it. But even now, as I'm starting the 3rd book in the series, there are still things that surprise me, and one big twist that I know is coming, but I'm not sure how it will be played out.

4.5 out of 5 stars. If you're a paranormal fan, you should check this one out.

**SPOILER ALERT**

If you've read the book, I have a grievance to air. Why in the hell would Clare make Clary and Jace siblings? As I stated in my notes as I was reading, "Boo." I am not a fan. Like I said, I'm currently beginning the 3rd book and I just know they can't really be brother and sister, but dammit, I'm sick of waiting for how Clare is going to resolve this issue. (This is not, however, an entreaty for you to explain it to me. Please don't ruin the suspense.) But really, it's just kind of gross and I would much rather see them kissing then fighting. Just sayin'.

Jane Eyre Read-Along, Chapters 11-20

2011-03-04T06:00:00.142-05:00

**This post is for my Jane Eyre read-along. Learn more about it here, and feel free to join any time!**

Well these chapters were a bit longer, but I hope you all got through them okay! I'm sorry this post is so long, but so much happened! (Skip to wrap-up.) I thought 11-14 were a bit boring, but things definitely start to pick up after that so let's dig right in, shall we?

In chapter 11 we find out that Mrs. Fairfax is not, as Jane had suspected, the proprietor of Thornfield, nor is she related to Jane's pupil, Adele. Mr. Rochester owns the property, although he is rarely at home, and Adele is his ward, although we don't know yet why or in what capacity. This is also the chapter that the possibility of a ghost on the third floor of the house is indicated. I do love a good bit of gothic in my classic novels. Hooray!

Chapter 12 was interesting to me for several reasons. First, it seems that Jane can't be satisfied wherever she is, because she's always looking for something better. She says, "It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it." Well, Jane, you better start making some action because I'm getting bored.

I did like her bit about women's rights, which I'm assuming was pretty progressive for the time:

"Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex."

Preach on, sister!

Anyway, I thought it was particularly interesting that Jane's first meeting with Mr. Rochester was on a deserted road and, even though he learned who she was, he decidedly did not let on that he was, in fact, her boss. I wonder why he didn't introduce himself then. Maybe he was just too crabby, seeing as how it was late, he was probably tired, and he hurt his ankle. But still.

So in the next chapter Jane finally learns it was Mr. Rochester she met on the road, but he's a bit of a jerk to her, even blaming her for his sprained ankle! And even though Jane is happier because the house is livelier now with him home, I still think she could do better. Also, I hate when classic literature has characters speak in another language (usually French) and then not provide a translation. My copy isn't fancy and doesn't provide one, so I'm just left guessing what these people are saying.

To be honest, my eyes kind of glazed over in chapter 14. I had no idea what they were talking about. All I got out of it was that Mr. Rochester wasn't too proud of who he'd become, and he thought Jane could use a little perking up.

Chapter 15, in my opinion, is where things start getting good. We learned that Mr. Rochester was in love with a French opera singer who cheated on him (bitch!) and claimed Adele was his daughter. He doesn't believe her, but when she abandons Adele a few years later, he feels compelled to take her in. Jane doesn't see a resemblance between the two, either, but Mr. Rochester doesn't really seem the type for charity. So is there a chance that he really is her father?? Either way, it's obvious that Jane and Mr. Rochester are on much better terms now than they were initially.

Later in this chapter we're treated to more action as Jane hears a demonic laugh and noises outside her door late at night. When she goes to open it, she notices smoke emanating from Mr. Rochester's bedroom. She races down the hall to discover that his bed is on fire, with him still in it. Once Jane has put out the fire, she relates what she heard to Mr. Rochester, who follows Jane's suspicions of Grace Poole to the third floor. He refuses to have her call anyone for assistance. He comes back alone and is very thankful and seems unwilling to let her leave his side. He even admitted that he was smitten from the first time they'd met (although you kinda had to read between the lines, and seriously, he could have shown it a little more, don't you think?).

In chapter 16 Jane tries to get Grace Poole to admit that she had something to do with the fire, but can't seem to get anywhere with her. Mr. Rochester had left early that morning for a party (which apparently could last for weeks back then) and Jane starts to get jealous of a certain Blanche Ingram, who Mrs. Fairfax describes as beautiful and most likely at the party. Jane then shocked me by berating herself for ever liking Mr. Rochester and drawing a very detailed picture of herself and all her faults, and then paint Blanche's perfect face on ivory, to remind herself how unequal they are and how undeserving she is.

Can I just point out that maybe that shouldn't be the best way to go about this? I mean really, what a way to knock down your self-esteem.

Chapter 17 heralds the arrival of Mr. Rochester and a number of guests. While everyone is preparing Thornfield, Jane happens upon two servants discussing Grace Poole's position, but stop as soon as they realize Jane is listening. It seems that Mrs. Poole not only gets paid a buttload, but it's a big secret what it is she actually does for that paycheck. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, guess who is among the party Mr. Rochester has invited? Why, Blanche Ingram, of course! And all that berating and painting didn't do a damn thing, because now Jane realizes that she can no longer hide her feelings for herself. I particularly like the line, "He made me love him without looking at me."

Mr. Rochester's guests are a bit high and mighty for my tastes. They blatantly put Jane down, well aware that she can hear them. On another subject, Blanche made a comment that men shouldn't be pretty. So it seems that she's in favor of Mr. Rochester. He, however, seems displeased when Jane leaves the group of people (it's not like she was actually taking part, other than to be a source for their scorn) and, can it be, almost calls her his love? Ooooooooooo.

What really stuck out to me in chapter 18 is that Blanche is unkind to Adele which, even though Mr. Rochester isn't always Adele's biggest fan, can't really be a quality he's looking for. Jane is sure that Mr. Rochester will marry Blanche, even though she knows he sees her faults. She tries to imagine that marrying for status is worth not marrying for love, but she doesn't seem convinced.

Other than that, we see the arrival of two new characters: Mr. Mason and a fortune teller, who does little more than stir up conversation and piss off Blanche (hooray!).

In chapter 19, Jane meets the mysterious gipsy to have her fortune told. She learns that Blanche was told Mr. Rochester is not as rich as she perhaps thought, which explains her moodiness after the reading. So apparently men don't have to be pretty, but they better have bank.

And then, lo and behold, the gipsy isn't a gipsy at all, but Mr. Rochester! Sneaky sneaky. I wonder why he went to all the trouble. Did he just want to see if Blanche would still love him if he didn't have as much money? Or did he want to get some alone time with Jane?

Finally, when Jane tells Mr. Rochester that a Mr. Mason is there to see him, he becomes afraid. Which makes me wonder what Mr. Rochester does in his free time.

In chapter 20, Jane hears a scream and cries for help coming from the third floor. Turns out, Mr. Mason was attacked by someone and Jane helps him while Mr. Rochester gets the surgeon. However, Mr. Rochester commands Jane and Mr. Mason not to speak to each other while he is away. Odd. Later, Mr. Rochester speaks to Jane a bit about his life, although we don't really learn any details. He then tells her he is planning to marry Blanche, but I have to say it seems more like he was trying to gauge Jane's reaction and see what she thought. He then leaves her, and the chapter ends.

Whew. I am definitely intrigued now. I want to know what's hidden on the third floor, what it has to do with Grace Poole, and who Mr. Rochester really likes. And I want him to just speak his damn mind in a coherent fashion, thankyouverymuch. There were a lot of good passages in these chapters, and a lot of action. Are you guys as caught up in it as I am? What do you think is haunting the third floor? Does Mr. Rochester really like Blanche (more like Blech) or is he just toying with Jane? Is he truly having a hard time deciding between the two?

As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments, and please post a link if you wrote your own review/reaction!

Next week we'll be reading chapters 21-30.

**Link to post for chapters 1-10**

The eBook User's Bill of Rights

2011-03-03T09:00:00.009-05:00

Every eBook user should have the following rights:

* the right to use eBooks under guidelines that favor access over proprietary limitations
* the right to access eBooks on any technological platform, including the hardware and software the user chooses
* the right to annotate, quote passages, print, and share eBook content within the spirit of fair use and copyright
* the right of the first-sale doctrine extended to digital content, allowing the eBook owner the right to retain, archive, share, and re-sell purchased eBooks

I believe in the free market of information and ideas.

I believe that authors, writers, and publishers can flourish when their works are readily available on the widest range of media. I believe that authors, writers, and publishers can thrive when readers are given the maximum amount of freedom to access, annotate, and share with other readers, helping this content find new audiences and markets. I believe that eBook purchasers should enjoy the rights of the first-sale doctrine because eBooks are part of the greater cultural cornerstone of literacy, education, and information access.

Digital Rights Management (DRM), like a tariff, acts as a mechanism to inhibit this free exchange of ideas, literature, and information. Likewise, the current licensing arrangements mean that readers never possess ultimate control over their own personal reading material.

These are not acceptable conditions for eBooks.

I am a reader. As a customer, I am entitled to be treated with respect and not as a potential criminal. As a consumer, I am entitled to make my own decisions about the eBooks that I buy or borrow.

I am concerned about the future of access to literature and information in eBooks. I ask readers, authors, publishers, retailers, librarians, software developers, and device manufacturers to support these eBook users' rights.

These rights are yours. Now it is your turn to take a stand.

To help spread the word, copy this entire post, add your own comments, remix it, and distribute it to others.

Blog it, Tweet it, Facebook it, email it, and post it on a telephone pole.
#ebookrights

To the extent possible under law, the person who associated with this work has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.

http://creativecommons.org/about/cc0

Jane Eyre Read-Along, Update

2011-03-02T10:51:00.000-05:00

I totally miscalculated and said we should be doing chapters 11-21 for the Jane Eyre read-along this week. I meant 11-20! Seriously, you guys can check my math next time. :-)

Across the Universe

2011-02-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I haven't been posting many book reviews here lately. My bad. Let's change that, shall we?

I recently finished Across the Universe, by Beth Revis. This YA sci-fi/murder mystery/dystopian novel is nothing short of an amazing debut for Revis.

Due to poor and depleting conditions on Earth, Amy and her parents, along with 97 other of Earth's inhabitants, are cryogenically frozen in order to survive the 300-year journey aboard the spaceship Godspeed, so that they may colonize a new "Earth." But Amy is awakened 50 years too early, almost dying in the process. As she comes to learn about life on the ship, she realizes that humans have changed: they all seem to be mindless drones or in a mental ward. But not everyone is either dumb or crazy; someone is methodically unfreezing the colonists and leaving them to die as they thaw - and her parents could be next.

While I could figure out most (but not all) of the plot twists pretty easily, I still thought this was a great YA book. It's told by two narrators (Amy and Elder, the ship's leader-in-training), using an every-other-chapter method. This was actually quite helpful, because not only did we have the viewpoint of Amy, who would think and act as we do, but we see what life aboard the ship is really like to someone who has always lived on it: Elder. I liked Revis' writing style, and the story itself is original and engaging. If you like YA, sci-fi, or dystopian views of the future, you should check this one out.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Jane Eyre Read-Along, Chapters 1-10

2011-02-25T06:00:00.118-05:00

**This post is for my read-along of Jane Eyre. Learn more about it here, and feel free to join any time!**

In the first two chapters we learn that Jane is an orphan and she is treated extremely poorly by her cousins and her aunt, Mrs. Reed (or, as I like to call her, The Bitch). Poor Jane tries to do right but is constantly taking the blame for everything, which then lands her in the "red room," which is a secluded room in the house where her uncle died. Now I'm not one for believing in ghosts, but seriously, I would've freaked out in here. No wonder Jane is scared, and how cruel is Mrs. Reed to force her to stay in there when Jane is obviously scared beyond belief. This enforces her nickname.

In chapter three we are introduced to the first person who is truly kind to Jane: the apothecary Mr. Lloyd. He asks Jane if she'd rather stay with an unkind family than with her other relations, who are most likely poor. Jane says she'd rather stay with the meanies than have to beg. Not winning me over here, Jane, but I see your point. Anyway, Mr. Lloyd is the one who convinces Mrs. Reed she should go to school, so it's due to his kindness that she can get the hell out of there.

In chapter four we are introduced to the villainous Mr. Brocklehurst (what a great name, though). It becomes apparent that although he enforces order and thriftiness in his students, he does not see the same need to do so with his family. Mrs. Reed informs him that Jane is a very bad sort of girl and must be watched carefully, which he seems to believe completely, even though he's never met either of them before. My favorite part of this chapter, though, was when Jane stood up to Mrs. Reed and told her just what she thought of her. I was cheering Jane on, and was happy to see that Mrs. Reed could do nothing but cower. Oh, and when it's apparent Jane's leaving, Bessie, the nurse, suddenly becomes nice and acts like she loves her. Which maybe she does. But from what Jane has said, it doesn't seem like Bessie has really done her any special favors.

So. Then we get to Lowood Institution. What a dreary, depressing dump (alliteration, anyone?). Did anyone else find it strange that no one was interested in the new girl? Is this how it really was back then? I would think any break from the monotony would be welcome, but no one really seems to notice Jane is there. She finally talks to Helen Burns, who is very Christian and takes her punishments without a word, which appalls Jane, especially since she seems to be punished unjustly. Jane swears she could never do that, but we see that she does just that when Mr. Brocklehurst calls her out in front of the whole school and claims she's a liar who should be ignored by the students and punished by the teachers. (Seriously, what a jerk.) Jane sees Helen and takes strength from the older girl to bear the public humiliation. However, once she's alone, Jane breaks down. Helen comes to comfort her, and then Miss Temple, the superintendent (who is more like an angel).

Miss Temple actually gives Jane the chance to tell her side of the story, about how she was treated by her aunt and cousins, and then vouches for her in front of the school, publicly clearing her name. Suddenly Lowood is looking up for Jane. However, Spring brings typhus to the school and, while Jane is spared, many students are not. Poor Helen has consumption (which we got clues to in previous chapters, specifically chapter eight) and dies in Jane's arms. If anyone didn't already look it up, Helen's tombstone reads "Resurgam" which means "I shall rise again" in Latin.

And finally, chapter ten shows us that the deaths of so many students leads to public outcry, and Lowood is transformed into a proper school. After six years as a student and two years as a teacher, Jane finally decides it's time for a change (I personally would've wanted out long before) and places an ad for a governess position, which she receives. Bessie returns to see Jane before she leaves, and we learn that Bessie has since had two children, one of which she named after Jane. I really didn't see this coming, but I guess I didn't read enough into chapter four. We're told expressly by Bessie that Jane is not pretty (why was this important for Brontë to point out?) but she is a much more accomplished lady than either of her female cousins and is a better person than her male one. And, the most interesting piece of information for me, was that Jane's uncle had visited Gateshead a year after Jane left, but as he was leaving the country he did not inquire further. Really? He couldn't have even sent a letter?

So. Now we know where Jane comes from, how she spent her adolescence, and where she's going, along with the knowledge that a mysterious uncle may resurface later in the novel.

What did you think of the first ten chapters? Jack Murnighan, author of Beowulf on the Beach, claims these chapters are the weakest, which is good, since I didn't think they were all that bad. Do you like Jane so far? She really won me over when she yelled at Mrs. Reed, and she seems to be a pretty reliable narrator. Do you like where the story is going, or are you bored? Do you think Jane can find happiness as a governess, or will she eventually set her sights on something more grand?

Tell me what you think! And if you've written a post about this read-along and would like to share your thoughts there, please comment with a link to your post and I'll be sure to check it out.

Next week we'll discuss chapters 11-20.

Meet Carly

2011-02-21T20:30:00.002-05:00

So my husband and I made a bit of a hasty decision. We had already had the discussion that we did not need/want a second dog. However, this little one came through my email inbox from my mother-in-law, who runs a dog rescue.

How can you say no to this face?? This little girl is named Carly and is a purebred Border Collie. She's six months old. She was left outside in the sub-zero temperatures we had a couple of weeks ago, and was taken in by a woman who was already looking after one dog and four kids.

Well, one thing quickly led to another, and we found ourselves offering to foster her. You know, until another family decides to adopt her, or we become "foster failures" and adopt her ourselves. Which we both keep reminding ourselves will not, cannot happen.

So far we're in the very beginning stages of learning to trust and get along with our dog Lizzie, but I hope things progress quickly, because she's freakin' adorable.

Jane Eyre Read-Along Starts Today!

2011-02-18T14:28:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends! I'm very excited because today is the day I start one of my goals for 2011: to read some of the classics that I have been putting off. The first classic is, by popular vote, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

I'm so excited that some of you are joining me. It will not only hold me accountable, but make the experience that much more enjoyable.

As this is my first read-along, and since I've never even participated in a read-along before, this is not going to be very fancy. I don't have a web badge or prizes or even a Mr. Linky set up (although maybe I should look into that). My goal is to simply read a classic piece of literature that I've been neglecting and then discuss it with others who love books as much as I do.

The plan is to read 10 chapters per week; we'll be finished with the book within 4 weeks. Each Friday I'll post a review of the 10 chapters we read and my analysis/opinions. In the comments, if you're so inclined, please post any thoughts you had on the chapters, as well as a link to any post you may have written about them. (I'll seriously look into setting up a Mr. Linky. Has anyone done this before? Is it complicated?)

This week's goal: chapters 1-10.

I hope you're as excited as I am to get started, and I'm so glad you're joining me! So, without further adieu: ready, set, read!

Jane Eyre Read-Along Starts Tomorrow!

2011-02-17T09:13:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to stop by and give everyone a quick reminder that the Jane Eyre read-along officially starts tomorrow! See you then!

The People Have Spoken

2011-02-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

My first Read-Along will be: Jane Eyre! Thank you for voting and commenting that you'd like to join in. Now, since I've never hosted a read-along before (and Google has surprisingly few results on how to host one), I'm asking for any tips you guys might be able to share, or any ideas you have on how you'd like this conducted. I want to make sure everyone participating has ample time to read each section before I post a review of it, and then we can all discuss our thoughts in the comments.

There are 38 chapters, and from an initial and very brief look-see they appear to be rather short. My mass market paperback edition is 493 pages.

I was thinking about 10 chapters per week, which in my version would be 96 pages the first week, which I feel is more than do-able. This would take just about 4 weeks to complete the read-along. Is that fair for everyone? Does that seem too long or too short?

I'll wait to get some feedback from you guys and then plan the official start date for this Friday, February 18, with the first review post slated for Friday, February 25.

Can't wait to get started! I'm so grateful and excited for everyone that decides to join in!

Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe

2011-02-09T10:55:00.001-05:00

This book came out late last year and I immediately put it on my wishlist. I don't know much about Marilyn Monroe, but I find her fascinating. And I fell in love with her when I watched Gentlemen Prefer Blondes for the first time. How can you not love a character as sweet and naive as Dorothy Parker? And, from what I've read, Marilyn was just the same (although maybe not as dumb).

Fragments is a collection of notes, poems, and letters that Marilyn wrote and saved. These papers were not discovered until years after her death and now, after some careful deciphering (her handwriting was hard to read and her spelling is atrocious), these fragments have come to light.

There were many things in this book that I didn't know about Marilyn: she married at the age of 16 to escape the threat of returning to an orphanage when her foster parents moved out of state, her mother and grandmother had a history of mental illness, she was sexually assaulted as a child, and she was incredibly well-read. However, I believe this book is better suited towards people who have already read a biography of Marilyn's life, because there were times the editor would refer to instances in her personal or professional life that I had never heard of before, but he assumed the reader was familiar. Actually, this would work well as a companion book to any biography you may read, because the editor did his best to put her papers in chronological order; I feel this would enhance any further reading you may do.

All in all this book made me want to learn more about Marilyn Monroe, but it did teach me some things. I don't believe she was as dumb as Hollywood made her out to be (how can you be when you read Ulysses for fun?), and I ultimately felt sorry for a woman who so obviously needed help but was unable to get it.

I'll leave you with two quotations that really stood out to me, one from Marilyn herself and one from her husband, Arthur Miller.

"It's not too much fun to know yourself too well or think you do - everyone needs a little conceit to carry them through & past the falls." ~Marilyn Monroe

"To have survived, she would have had to be either more cynical or even further from reality than she was. Instead, she was a poet on a street corner trying to recite to a crowd pulling at her clothes." ~Arthur Miller

3.5 stars out of 5.

Curried Orange Chicken

2011-02-04T18:42:00.000-05:00

Even though I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately (but I'm trying to fix it by hosting a read-along...won't you join me?), I have been getting back into my love of cooking. Tonight I made a new recipe from an old cookbook, Better Homes and Gardens Cooking for Two (copyright 1968!). Recipes from this era were a bit different (women had much more skill in the kitchen, apparently) so I revised it a bit. Even so, this is pretty easy.

Curried Orange Chicken

2-3 chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 orange, peeled, sliced, and quartered

If you like more sauce per chicken, use 2 chicken breasts. Also, if you're a big fan of curry, you can up it to 1 teaspoon.

Sprinkle chicken with curry powder; rub curry into meat. Arrange chicken in small baking dish. Combine orange juice, honey, and mustard in small saucepan; simmer until blended. Pour over chicken; bake at 400° F for 30 minutes.

Remove chicken to serving platter (yeah, I thought that was funny, too) and keep warm. In small saucepan, combine cornstarch and water; stir in pan juices from chicken. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Add orange pieces; heat 1 minute. Pour sauce over chicken on platter or serve separately to be spooned over hot cooked rice. Makes 2 servings (unless you used 3 chicken breasts, and then it serves 3, obviously).

I would definitely make this dish again. My husband, who is a texture eater and doesn't eat oranges for that reason alone, ate and liked each of the orange pieces on his plate. Win!

A Day at the Conservatory

2011-02-03T21:17:00.000-05:00

One of my goals for 2011 was to take more pictures so, this evening, I went to the Botanical Conservatory. It was nice to be in a place that smelled like flowers, considering this is what I was seeing outside my window two nights ago:

Plus, they were having a Peter Pan display!

The ship came complete with a crocodile.

I'll do a post on our conservatory later (it's awesome!) but here are a couple of my favorite pictures that I took tonight.

P.S. I mentioned earlier that another goal for 2011 was reading the classics I'd been neglecting and asked if anyone wanted to join me. A few of you said yes (YAY!) and now it's time to pick which one. I've got a poll over on the sidebar. If you'd like to take part in a read-along, please vote as to which classic you'd like to read. The poll closes one week from tonight, February 10, at 6 pm Eastern Time.

Who Wants to Read the Classics With Me?

2011-02-01T17:44:00.004-05:00

One of my goals for this year was to read a few of the classics in literature that I had been putting off. Top of my list is The Arabian Nights, The Canterbury Tales, The Divine Comedy, and Jane Eyre. These have all been on my TBR list for awhile, and I happen to have all but Jane Eyre in my possession at this moment.

My question for you: Would anyone be interested in doing a read-a-long for any of these books? Not only would it be motivation for finally finishing these must-reads, but it's always more fun to read with friends! Let me know what you think in the comments, and hopefully we'll get something worked out.

**There's a poll in the sidebar where you can vote for which book you'd like to read with me!**

Winter Storm Warning

2011-01-31T17:41:00.002-05:00

For the last few days we've been hearing that a winter storm was heading our way. Now usually when we hear it's going to snow a lot in my town everyone kind of looks up at the sky, shrugs, and continues on their way. Very rarely does a weather report for 6 inches of snow yield more than 2, and therefore many of us don't worry about it.

However.

The National Weather Service is calling for 5-6 inches of snow tonight through tomorrow morning, and then another whopping 8-11 tomorrow night, mixed in with some sleet. Even if we got the minimum amount that's still a ton of snow. I'm finding myself looking up to the sky, but I'm not shrugging this time.

I'm not worried about being snowed in (although I'm not thrilled with the idea). What I'm more concerned with is a power outage. I don't know enough about the appliances in our new house (okay let's be honest I wouldn't know enough about the appliances in any house) to know if our hot water heater and gas fireplace will work in the event that we lose electricity. So let's hope the ice/sleet doesn't take out the power!

I have plenty of books to keep me company and enough leftovers to last me a few days should I need them to. I'm getting the laundry and dishes out of the way tonight. What else do I need to make a couple of snow days happy and not cabin-fever inducing? What are your favorite things to do when you're snowed in?

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

2011-01-19T10:43:00.000-05:00

If you want to read a modern American classic, this is it.

One of the most prevalent feelings I had after closing The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was that very rarely does a book encompass all of a main character's life, without leaving anything out. When it does you feel like you truly know the character. If nothing else, getting to know Edgar Sawtelle made this book worth reading.

Of course there are many other reasons, many of which I'm not going to get into. This is a book you want to know as little about before you start reading. In fact, don't even read the inside of the dust jacket, because it gives too much away. Here are the few things you need to know:

1. Have a box of tissues handy. I'm not usually one to read a book I know will make me cry, which is why I stay away from many books that feature dogs as predominant characters. However, the way in which David Wroblewski shows you the life on a farm that breeds "the future of dogs" was incredible. Wroblewski knows dogs, inside and out. He can characterize them so that you feel you know them, you grew up with them, and you never want to let them go. Hence the tissues.

2. This book is long. Coming in at 566 pages, this is no easy weekend read. Then again, once you start you won't want to stop. And the length is necessary to tell the whole story, and to tell it well. At the end I felt I really knew Edgar and his family, and I understood where each of the characters was coming from. Yes, even the dogs.

3. This book has everything. Mystery, murder, coming-of-age, adventure. It even has a bit of a ghost story. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here.

And that's really all you need to know. Anything else would be too much. 5 out of 5 stars. If you haven't read this book already, go get it now.

A Fourth Millennium Book?

2011-01-17T18:40:00.002-05:00

I just found out that Stieg Larsson's partner, Eva Gabrielsson, has decided to finish the fourth novel in his popular Millennium trilogy, stating that Larsson had already written about 200 pages of the novel, and the two usually wrote together.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I actually thought the third book finished the trilogy nicely. Plus, I'm not big on other people finishing an author's work. Even if Larsson and Gabrielsson wrote together often, there's a reason why only his name is on the covers.

Here's the article I found with more information. How do you guys feel about another book added to the Millennium trilogy? Is anyone else concerned about the consistency of the work if Gabrielsson finishes the fourth novel?

Shutter Island

2011-01-15T10:27:00.005-05:00

I am not a scary book/movie kind of person. I hate being scared and generally refuse to indulge in things that make me jump, except around Halloween when I allow myself to watch one scary movie. I don't mind suspenseful things, but even then I'm not the first one to jump on board. Which explains why I waited until 2011 to read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (and I still haven't seen the movie).

The story is set in 1954, when two U.S. marshals are sent to Shutter Island, a hospital/prison for the criminally insane. A patient, Rachel Solando, has gone missing without a trace. In fact, no one can figure out how she got out of her locked cell, past three guard checkpoints, and a group of guards playing poker without being seen. It's up to Teddy Daniels and his new partner Chuck Aule to find her before she harms herself or someone else. But Teddy quickly realizes that things aren't as they appear, and as he falls deeper into the mystery of the missing patient, he becomes caught up in the secrets of the hospital itself: there are rumors of illegal brain surgeries and doses of toxic drugs that dull a patient's senses. And on top of everything, does Teddy have an ulterior motive for being on the island in the first place?

Part mystery, part psychological thriller, this book is sure to please anyone looking for an escape from everyday life. And, while I thought this book was good, I have to dock it two stars. The first mainly because there were times I didn't know if I could finish it without hiding it in the freezer (anyone else seen the episode of Friends where Joey hides The Shining in the freezer when it gets too scary?) and because when I started explaining the plot to my husband, he guessed the major plot twist ending. So perhaps it's a bit predictable, at least to those who aren't wrapped up in the details. 3 out of 5 stars, but definitely worth a read.

Has anyone seen the movie? How does it compare to the book? I really want to watch it, but I'm thinking it's going to have to be in the middle of the day with a buddy so I don't get scared.

Not the Best Brownies

2011-01-08T17:53:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! It's snowy and beautiful here, albeit a bit cold.

This past week my family moved my grandmother into an assisted living facility. This was something she had been refusing for some time, but she became very ill over the week of Christmas and realized that she should not be on her own. Her acceptance and willingness of this change in her life has made everything much easier on not only her, but our family as a whole.

That being said, it's still a major life change and could easily trigger some negative emotions. For that reason I decided to bake her some brownies and visit her today (and she was in very high spirits). The brownies were actually her idea. Before she moved she handed me a box of brownie mix and a can of pumpkin with a newspaper article attached to it. She said she had seen the recipe in the article and wanted someone to make the brownies so she could taste one. Being the kind of person I am, I'm always up for a new recipe and a reason to bake.

Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that this is the easiest recipe ever. You just take a box of brownie mix and a 15 oz can of pumpkin puree. Mix them together, and bake according to the directions on the brownie box.

The bad news is the brownies kinda suck.

Maybe I'm being too harsh. I'm not really a brownie kind of gal to begin with. But all three people who have tasted these brownies so far (my grandmother, my father, and myself) have no interest in eating more of them. As my grandmother so wisely stated, "If you're going to get fat, you want to get fat on something that tastes good." So I guess you can call this one recipe you don't need to try.

Then again, it's quite possible that kids would love these; they're very moist and chewy, and it's something they could make on their own (with help with the oven, of course). And really, you wouldn't be out much to try them. So here's my recommendation: great for kids to make, but don't expect much.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T17:49:00.000-05:00

Just dropping in to wish you all a very happy new year! 2010 has been full of ups and downs, major and minor life changes. I can only hope 2011 will be eventful, and full of love and happiness.

While I don't like to make resolutions due to their negative stigma, I do have a few goals. I want to live in the moment and be happy where I am. I want to remember to count my blessings and be thankful for all that I have. On a more material note, I'd also like to take more pictures and read a few of the classic novels I've been putting off.

So, here's looking toward a happy 2011!

101 Places Not to See Before You Die

2010-12-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

Have you ever felt overwhelmed when, wandering down the bookshelf aisles, you see a plethora off books that each declare that they contain the 1,001 things you just have to do, see, read, or visit before you die? If so, then Catherine Price is your girl. After having a similar experience, she decided to write a book that would help you rule out some of the things you shouldn't see, and placed them all in a neat little book.

101 Places Not to See Before You Die is a short, hilarious look at some of the places in this world that you just do not need to waste your time on. My favorites include The Testicle Festival, Your Boss's Bedroom, Any Hotel That Used to be a Prison, and Anywhere on a Yamaha Rhino.

Price's narration and explanation of her choices of 101 places you don't need to waste your time on is witty and humorous. I read through all the entries in one night, and definitely marked some places off of my "too see" list. If you're in the mood for a quick, light read, try this one on for size. 4 out of 5 stars.

I Am Apache

2010-12-18T00:03:00.002-05:00

I am Apache, by Tanya Landman, tells the tale of an Apache girl who watched her family be murdered and seeks revenge. However, it is uncommon for a girl to walk the path of an Apache warrior, and so it is with difficulty that Siki must prove herself worthy to not only her tribe, but herself. Along the way she learns the truth about her father, causing her to question what it is, exactly, that makes her an Apache.

This young adult account of what it was like for an Apache living near the border of Mexico and during the time of the white man's invasion is nothing short of gripping. I was impressed with the detail the author provided in order to give an accurate account of their way of life, as well as her ability to weave a compelling tale filled with twists and plot turns that left me breathless at times.

There were only small things that could have made this book better. At times I felt the author repeated herself, as though her point on an aspect of the Apache way of life was not heeded earlier and needed to be said again. I also have a problem where there is a strong, intelligent protagonist that cannot seem to comprehend simple nuances (he's in love with you; that's why he's being elusive!). Other than that, though, I thought this book was well written and the story was one I will not soon forget. 4 out of 5 stars.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2010-12-15T13:33:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to me how much more you can learn from a work of fiction than from a history book. In school, the conveyance of names, places, and dates all seem to run together, and simply memorizing them does nothing to actually tell you the history of something. A work of historical fiction, however, not only gives you names, places, and dates, it gives you the story of the people, the story of the culture, and the story of that time in history. It is a story that you will carry with you long after you have read about it, not simply forget after a test.

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Kholed Hoesseini, is a book that will grip you and rip your heart out. It's a book that will speak to you and teach you things you would never learn from a history book. It's a story of two women living in Afghanistan between the 1970s through the early 2000s, whose lives are suddenly and irrevocably intertwined, for better or worse. This is a story of courage, heartache, brutality, revolution, and hope. From the author's website:

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to the post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

During somewhat of a reading drought, I picked this book up and I quickly realized I couldn't put it down. I finished it in two days, and it's one of the best books I've read this year. 5 out of 5 stars.

My New Favorite Thing

2010-12-12T09:30:00.001-05:00

Recently (okay, around Labor Day) I was the proud recipient of my very own Kindle. This is a gift I never would have bought myself (probably) but was the perfect gift from my husband. It was one of those things I had mixed feelings about. I liked the idea of the portability and not having to choose what book to take with me on a long trip, but I didn't want to give up the feel of a book in my hands.

Now that I have it, however, I can't imagine life without it. I still love the feel of an actual book, and if I love a book enough I'm going to buy the real thing. But this Kindle is a-mazing. I'm in love.

Here's a breakdown:

Pros: It's lightweight and I can read it in any position comfortably. It fits easily in my purse, which is a must for me because I take a book with me everywhere. I no longer have to wait in library hold lines or pay hardcover prices for new books. And the best part: tons of books are free!

Cons: It's not backlit (but neither is a book so that doesn't really count). The "locations" don't correspond to any page numbers so it's hard to reference a part of the book to someone who's read it in the physical format. I can't easily go back to a part of the book to re-read details that suddenly become relevant in subsequent chapters.

I will always be a fan of physical books, and I will not raise my kids on an e-reader, but this is one of the best pieces of technology I've had the pleasure to use.

Morning

2010-12-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

I am not a morning person. I like morning, and I actually like being awake for things like the sunrise, but trying to get up in order to take part is like wrestling with a grizzly bear.

I love my dog for many reasons, and one of the best things about her is that she's not a morning person, either. Take this morning, for example:

My husband got up at his normal time (around 6:00 or some other hour I shouldn't see this side of). I'm a light sleeper so I always wake up when he does, but I get to fall back asleep for awhile. I try not to rub this in. Anyway, this morning I was unable to easily fall back asleep so I (grumpily) decided to get up and deal with it. I went in the bathroom to wash my face while my husband was taking a shower, and we were talking. A minute or so into the conversation my dog starts barking on the other side of the door. I look out, and she's laying on the bed completely spread out and comfy, but with her head raised looking at me as if to say, "Would you guys keep it down? I'm trying to sleep here!"

When I went downstairs to make breakfast, she didn't follow right away. When she did come down it was with her ears back and tail down in a very submissive, sleepy gesture that meant, "What are you doing down here? Don't you know what time it is?"

I hope the rest of you are getting enough sleep today but if not, at least it's Friday! And weekends were made for sleeping in.

Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

2010-11-27T22:32:00.001-05:00

Friends! I just discovered an amazing cookie recipe that's sure to be a hit at your Christmas gathering. As for me, I'll be debuting it at a cookie swap next month. I have to make 7 dozen of these, so you know they're good.

Ingredients:

1 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C granulated sugar
3 T butter, softened
3 T applesauce
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 t peppermint extract
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda in a small bowl. Stir with a whisk.
2. Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, applesauce, vanilla, and peppermint in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer on high for 2 minutes. Beat in egg white. Add flour mixture. Beat at low speed until well-blended.
3A. If you have the time, shape dough into 6-inch log, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze for 1 hour or until firm.
3B. If you don't have time, simply drop the dough onto a greased cookie sheet.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
5A. If you rolled dough into a log and froze it, cut log into 1/4 inch slices and place on greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

This should yield about 2 dozen cookies, unless you're like me and really glob it on. I got about a dozen and a half. Also, normally I bake my cookies for 8 minutes, but even the smaller ones needed the full 10, possibly because I didn't freeze them first and they were still doughy at 8 minutes.

I got this recipe from my favorite cookbook, Cooking Light Complete Cookbook. A few things I did differently:

I didn't roll and freeze the dough, I just dropped it into little balls. What can I say? I'm impatient. I also didn't have peppermint extract, but I did have some peppermint chunks (like chocolate chips, but peppermint) and put something like a tablespoon in there (I didn't measure). I also didn't have regular applesauce, so I used cinnamon applesauce. I don't think it made a difference, because I can't taste the cinnamon.

All-in-all, considering I varied wildly at times from the original recipe and I had never made these before, I think they turned out fantastically. They're easy, quick, and delicious. And peppermint-flavored things always remind me of Christmas for some reason, so these are perfect for the season. Enjoy!

The Value of Change

2010-10-28T09:49:00.001-04:00

I seem to be doing this a lot lately, but I'm sorry for the lack of posting. Even though I haven't been writing, I've been thinking about how I should. Unfortunately, life is not all butterflies and rainbows, and I've been going through a very hard time in my life. It started with the joy of learning I was pregnant, to the devastating news of miscarriage. Needless to say my book choices lately haven't been much fun.

And, while I don't particularly want to stay on this subject, I do want to share something I learned a long time ago, and which probably rings true with most people: when there's a major life change, I want to change something about myself.

This is mainly just because I want to know that I still have some control over my life, but it's also a way of changing reality. Yes, I will always remember the time I learned I'd lost my baby. But I'll also remember the day I dyed my hair and gave myself a mani/pedi in a color I've always been too timid to use before. Now neither of these things on their own are that big of a deal (except maybe the hair - it's really red), but to me they feel tremendous, because when I look in the mirror, I don't see the woman who just went through one of the worst times in her life. I see a woman who is willing to take some risks, and even smile at the outcomes. This is one of the many things that has helped in the last few weeks.

Now, more related to the usual content of this blog, I learned one other thing. I searched for days to find just the right book that would suck me in and keep me from confronting reality. I know you all understand what I mean. Books are more than entertainment to us. They're everything from a best friend's voice to a much-needed vacation from life. Which is what I wanted. Unfortunately, I couldn't concentrate long enough to get into a new book. I just didn't care about new characters and plot-building. So I tried something I rarely do, and I turned to an old, much-loved work I'd already read: Pride and Prejudice. It's got everything I need. The heroine is strong and vivacious, the plot is well-known, and the love story makes you feel as if everything, in the end, will turn out okay. And as much as I don't need to concentrate on the story (seeing as how I already know it), I'm finding myself sucked in, and not wanting to put it down.

Sometimes, when your life seems to be falling apart, what you really need to do is change the things you can, and then snuggle back into that old familiar world that never failed you before.

Scent of the Missing

2010-09-17T11:48:00.001-04:00

I love books that make me learn something about the world that I never would have thought about before. Scent of the Missing: Love & Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog is just such a book. Susannah Charleson chronicles her time learning the ropes with a canine search-and-rescue team, the trials and joys she had training her own future search-and-rescue dog, and giving us some insight into how these dogs really work.

I learned that most canine search-and-rescue units are made up of volunteers who may get called out in the middle of a night to travel three hours away to search for a missing child, only for the child to be found by neighbors fifteen minutes after they arrive, and still have to go to their full-time job in the morning. These people are dedicated. They search through woods and swamps, over lakes and snow, and battle not only the elements, but have to be wary for other wildlife and aggressive people/pets. They search in burned out or bombed buildings covered in debris and dust, and have to be careful of falling or getting trapped themselves.

Not everyone understands just how amazing a dog's nose is, especially one that's been trained to search for specific scents. The dogs Susannah worked with could be used to find the scent of an Alzheimer's walkaway, a lost little boy, a teenager presumed dead, or pinpoint where in a lake a man drowned. They could be given an article of clothing and search only for that scent, dismissing all others, or just search for any human scent they could find in a secluded area. The key for Susannah was to learn to read the dogs' reactions, because each one worked differently. The handlers were able to tell when their dog had a slight interest in an area (boy was here, but not recently), and interest (boy is here, here). She told a story about a teenager that had runaway, and whose brother claimed left town going East in a car. None of the dogs even thought about heading East when they were let loose on the search, and three separate times, three different dogs kept going back to a neighbor's house that the police had already cleared. After the dogs showed such intense interest in only one location, the police went back to the house and found the missing runaway.

This book is one that will teach you and help you learn about a life, a career, that not many know or think about. I have a new respect for not only search-and-rescue dogs, but for the people who dedicate themselves to the search. Perfect for any dog lover and anyone interested in broadening their horizons.

Quick Hello

2010-09-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to drop in and say hi! While I don't have the energy to do a full post today, I did want to mention a few new things going on in my life that I've been neglecting to tell you about.

First, I started a book club in my home town with some of my former library co-workers. We've had one meeting so far and talked about The Help by Kathryn Stockett (amazing, by the way). I made caramel cake and we had Cokes (in the bottle, no less) and we had a wonderful time. I can't wait to spend an evening with these ladies every month!

Secondly, I've just signed up for my very first French class. I've always wanted to learn how to speak French, but never took formal classes. Well, now that I've graduated college, I figure it's time to do something I've always wanted to do. So I signed up for a continuing education course and I start on Tuesday! I'm incredibly excited, but also a little nervous. I don't know if I can make the proper French noises in the back of my throat.

And finally, I'm going to take Lizzie to my mother-in-law's dog training classes starting in mid-September. Lizzie had puppy obedience classes, but she's 2 now and could use more formal training. I eventually want her to be a therapy dog and take her to the library so kids can read to her. I think she has the temperament for it, but she's got a long way to go. First step is the adult training class!

So that's a brief update on my life. I hope to go into these or other topics more in-depth soon (and start posting some book reviews again)!

Thirty Seconds to Mars

2010-08-21T11:19:00.007-04:00

I don't think I've adequately described my love for Thirty Seconds to Mars on this blog. And I would be remiss if I did not tell you how deeply I am going to regret not seeing them on tour this year.

My husband and I have been fans for years, but being a fan of 30STM is more than just buying and listening to their CDs. Being a fan is being a part of the Thirty Seconds family, the echelon. If you've been with them since the beginning, you've been with them through the lows (being sued by their record company for taking too long to produce an album), and the highs (finally putting out an album that led to worldwide recognition and success). If you've been with them since the beginning, you've been proud to say your favorite band is Thirty Seconds to Mars even when everyone gives you a bewildered look, and you're proud to say it now when others start to recognize the name.

Unfortunately, that recognition comes at a price. Keith and I have been to three 30STM concerts and would have gladly gone to more had time and money not been an issue. Now, during their world tour and second leg of their American tour, it's even more of an issue. As much as I love them, I can't justify their ticket prices. And even if I could, the sheer numbers of the crowd would make me reconsider.

Our last show was in Toledo, about 3 years ago. The band had started to gain a larger following and, while their concerts had been intimate in the past, the larger crowd led to large-crowd problems: inconsiderate concert-goers. This is still one of my most memorable shows for three reasons. 1. They played my favorite song (The Fantasy) during the encore. 2. I touched Jared Leto's hand. (Isn't he dreamy?) 3. I have never wanted to punch someone so bad in my entire life, and that person was the girl standing next to me in the second row.

While I don't think the girl ruined the concert by any means, it showed that the larger the band became, the worse the crowd would be. And that's not something I want to have to deal with when I want to rock out.

I love this band more than any other, and I'm incredibly sad that I won't be seeing them live again. Their latest video (for my favorite song off their new album) shows you everything you need to know. This is exactly what a concert with Thirty Seconds to Mars is like, only I experienced it on a smaller (though not any less energetic) scale. I wish I could experience that again.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

2010-08-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

After hearing about Swedish author Stieg Larsson's trilogy for months and seeing it on various bestseller lists, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Not only did I learn just what everyone was raving about, but I got sucked in. This was a book I just could not put down (ask my husband).

After losing a much-publicized libel case, journalist Miquel Blomkvist is hired by the former CEO of the Vanger Corporation to help solve the 40-year-old mystery of his niece's murder. Skeptical but without another job and unable to turn down Vanger's cryptic promise to help him prove his innocence in the libel case after one year, Blomkvist moves to the remote island of Hedeby. There he becomes engrossed in the complex and shadowy past of the Vanger family, including the day Harriet Vanger disappeared.

Before Henrik Vanger hires Blomkvist, he hires a security company to run a complete background check. The company gives the job to one of its part-time employees, Lisbeth Salander. In her usual way, Salander produces a comprehensive background of Blomkvist, including documents only found on his personal computers. While her employer may not ask questions as to how she obtained her information, Blomkvist certainly does once he learns of her report. Thus, Blomkvist and Salander are introduced and quickly become more involved in each other's lives than either was prepared for.

This story is incredibly complicated with so many characters (the Vanger family tree included at the beginning of the book is necessary), but the complexity only makes it that much more interesting. The mystery surrounding Harriet's disappearance (only her uncle believes she was murdered) has cast a dark shadow on the whole family, and it seems only Blomkvist and Salander, with their complementary research skills, can solve it. But in the process, they'll learn more about each other and the Vanger family than they ever wanted to know.

Part murder mystery, part family drama, this opener to the Millennium trilogy packs a hard punch. There are some very graphic, sexual scenes, but they are necessary for Larsson's point on the corrupt nature of crimes against women to be made (the original title of the book in Swedish is Men Who Hate Women). While Blomkvist seems to be the main character and the man much of the focus of the novel revolves around, Lisbeth Salander quickly becomes the character the reader wants to know more about. Her personality is unlike that of any other heroine we see in American literature. She is gritty, resourceful, foul-mouthed, and unwavering in her principles. She is a breath of fresh air, and I truly wish more books had been written/published that she was featured in.

5 out of 5 stars. A must-read for anyone looking for a book they won't be able to put down.

I'm Back

2010-08-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

So it's been awhile....sorry about that. As is turns out, I really needed a break from the blogging world. It was beginning to feel more like a job than something I did for fun, so I quit cold turkey. Now that I've had a little space, I've thought it over and decided to go back to my original blog idea, which was a space for me to post book reviews, recipes, and random updates from my life. Much of this I did before, but now it will be sans memes and challenges (for the most part). As much as I love the book blogging community, it's just not something I feel I can keep up with right now. That's not to say I won't participate from time to time when the mood strikes, but for the most part, this is going to be a much more personal blog.

I realize this may cost me followers (if my extended absence hasn't already) but I'm okay with that. If you're here already, I hope you'll stick around. Like I said, not too much is going to change. I just don't feel the need or have the motivation to try and promote my blog through everyone else's challenges and weekly memes.

So with that said, I don't know how often I'll be posting, but I hope to get back into the full swing of things. I've read three great books and would love to tell you about them, as well as done a lot towards making our new house a home, and I'm having fun with some new (or variations of old) recipes. Until next time, enjoy the new background and template (Blogger has really stepped up their game!).

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2010-06-21T13:24:00.002-04:00

I am so behind. I keep meaning to post and comment and write reviews but, quite frankly, it keeps slipping my mind. Now that I'm not in front of the computer all day, I rarely think about it. Terrible, I know.

Since my last What Are You Reading post I've read two books: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (reviewed here) and Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, by Vicki Myron (soon to be reviewed).

The other day I went to Borders because I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket. Therefore, I decided to see what all the fuss was about, so I bought The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I'm about a hundred or so pages in and loving it. I can tell I'm going to need to read the rest of the series.

I also had a very hard time not buying books I already own. Why? Because the new cover art is AMAZING. I specifically had a hard time saying no to the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff is apparently tuning into his inner Edward Cullen. *love*

Second, though, was Pride and Prejudice.

And even though I absolutely hated reading The Scarlet Letter, I almost bought it anyway. (I couldn't find a good photo of the back cover, but it's essentially 3 or 4 women gossiping over a fence.)

However, since I did so well avoiding these three unnecessary additions (although I really might go back and buy Wuthering Heights), I felt I deserved something for my troubles.

I've always wanted to read The Three Musketeers. Maybe the comic book cover will entice me now.

So that's it. What are you reading? And have you seen any other new covers for classic books that I must get my hands on?

Don't forget to stop over at Sheila's blog to join in the fun!

The Hound of the Baskervilles

2010-06-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

This was the first Sherlock Holmes novel I've ever read, even though I have had The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes sitting on my bookshelf since middle school or earlier (I got it with a 2 for $1 deal at Walmart). I like to read a series in its entirety and in order, and it was frustrating to me to not know which came first and what else there was; but then I realized that I was going to have to let it go and just enjoy what was in front of me (especially if I was going to finish it in time for the book club next week).

This, I believe, was a great introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes. We all know of Holmes, through TV, movies, stories, etc. And really, he lived up to all of my expectations. I can't really say that his character surprised me in any way, because he's been so well-defined in other media. Which, in this case, is a good thing.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is the only full-length Holmes novel, and it is definitely an adventure. From London to the moors of Devonshire, the reader is kept interested by Dr. Watson's account and interest in the neighbors of the haunted and cursed Baskervilles.

Legend has it that Hugo Baskerville was a villainous man, and his evil deeds led to the creation of a very real demon from Hell, which hunted him down and killed him, with the threat/promise of killing the rest of his family for generations to come to atone for his misdeeds. And it seems that this curse is real, because many years later his descendant, Sir Charles Baskerville, is chased down and killed, the only evidence being a single footprint of a hound near the body. The last living relative, therefore, must come to live at Baskerville Hall, but not before enlisting the services of the one and only Sherlock Holmes.

Will Holmes solve the mystery in time, or is there really a supernatural demon loose that cannot be stopped until vengeance is had? I was kept intrigued throughout the creepy and mysterious chapters, but not freaked out enough that I had to sleep with the lights on, which is a good combination for me. So, if you like a good mystery but don't like being scared silly, I highly recommend you read The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-06-13T20:34:00.002-04:00

I meant to post more this week, but c'est la vie. I thought I should at least post today, though, because it's my birthday! I'm now the big 2-5. Not sure how I feel about that, but there's not much I can do about it, I suppose. :-)

It's been a great day. I started out by making French toast for the first time, then we went to the zoo for the first time since moving back into town (I have made it a semi-tradition to go to the zoo on my birthday), then saw my nieces for a little bit and got a mani/pedi with my sister-in-law, and finally went to a great restaurant with my husband, and then came home and went on a family bike ride with our dog. Yes, it's been a great day.

Hope everyone else has had a good weekend, and an especially good day today! I know I did!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2010-06-07T18:21:00.001-04:00

I don't have much time today, so I'll be quick about it.

Last week I read and reviewed Water for Elephants and A Homemade Life, and I loved them both. Click on the titles if you'd like to read my reviews.

This week I'm working on Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. Then I'll be reading The Hound of the Baskervilles so I can go to my first-ever book club! (The library by me hosts a classics book club every month.)

That's it for me! What are you reading this week? And don't forget to head over to Sheila's blog to see what others are reading!

Going Bananas

2010-06-04T22:03:00.002-04:00

I've been in the mood for banana bread. Maybe it was the banana nut bread my mother-in-law brought over after we first moved. Maybe it was the dark brown bananas sitting on my counter. I don't know for sure.

What I do know is I love making banana bread, and I love the way it makes my house smell. This is another recipe I found in my Cooking Light Complete Cookbook.

You'll need:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Now, for the record, my three bananas did not add up to 1.5 cups. Also, I couldn't find plain low-fat yogurt, so I bought vanilla-flavored low-fat yogurt, seeing as how I was putting vanilla extract in there anyway, and I'm a big fan of vanilla.

Here's what you do:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat with a mixer until well-blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the bananas, yogurt, and vanilla, beating until blended. Add the flour mixture and beat at a low speed just until moist.

4. Spoon batter into an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

According to this recipe, there are 14 servings, each of which is 187 calories and has 4.3g of fat. I have no idea what a "normal" slice of banana bread would have in it, but I can only assume this is better than that.

And finally, I know you're looking at that original picture and thinking, "Um, Amy? There are 6 bananas there. I know math has never been a strong point for you, but I'm pretty sure you can do basic addition."

It's true, I can. So, what do you do when you have double the number of bananas you need, but only 1 bread pan? Make banana muffins, of course! (I only baked these for about 35-40 minutes, so make sure you adjust your baking time.)

Then, if you're feeling especially generous and brave, you could take those muffins over to your new neighbors that just moved in across the street, because you know you felt welcomed into the addition when your neighbor did it for you. If I happen to see them out tomorrow and it doesn't look like I'd be intruding, that's my plan.

P.S. Those of you here from Weekend Cooking with Beth Fish Reads might also want to check out my review of A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table, by Molly Wizenberg. Absolutely fabulous.

A Homemade Life

2010-06-03T00:38:00.000-04:00

I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. Part cookbook, part memoir, Molly Wizenberg is an amazing writer and cook. I really do wish I lived closer to her so I could meet her.

I was first introduced to Molly through her blog, Orangette. I have no idea how I came across it in the first place, but I'm glad I did. Then I heard that she had a book out, which I thought would be interesting to read. Then I saw the book at Borders, and no amount of penny-pinching could keep me from buying it. I mean, just look at that cover! Gorgeous.

Reading her book is really like reading her blog, but with more consistency. I feel like I got a better view of her life, but really, the whole reason I kept reading Orangette was for the commentary (the recipes, though, are interesting enough to keep you coming back just to see what she's come up with). I loved hearing how she equated her life with food. And I guess that's why I love her book, too. Food is an essential part of life. It's what families convene for, rain or shine. There should be stories to tell.

There are three essential things you need when you pick up this book: wine, cheese, and a box of Kleenex. Now I'm not one for sob stories, and this isn't one of them. But an essential part of Molly's life, and a huge reason she loves food so much, is because of her father, who died of cancer. The book is not only dedicated to him, but many of the stories are reflections of her time spent with him, and some are tearjerkers because that's just the way life is.

Her recipes, by the way, look extraordinary. I haven't tried one yet, but I fully intend to. They are not, however, for the faint of heart. Many call for whole milk or whole-fat cream; it's a wonder she's still skinny. There is a recipe for just about everything in this book: potato salad to chocolate cake, scones to soup. You could be in the mood for absolutely anything, and you would find it here.

I have to say, I particularly enjoyed Molly's writing. It was as if she was writing a letter to a friend, and I loved her anecdotes stating that breakfast is the reason she gets out of bed in the morning (I can totally relate) and that "getting married is not for pansies" (amen). To write like this is to make the most ordinary of lives interesting. (Although I assure you, her life has been anything but ordinary. Just check out the section on her first love -- in Paris, no less.)

Easily 5 out of 5 stars. I loved it, and if you like food and the tales that go with it, you'll love it, too.

Water For Elephants

2010-06-02T09:00:00.002-04:00

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, has been in my TBR pile for quite some time. I really wish I would've gotten to it sooner, but it was because I won a contest over at One Person's Journey Through Books and Coffee, that I finally got it in my hot little hands (thanks, Sheila!). And then I still didn't get to it fast enough.

Water for Elephants tells the story of Jacob Jankoswki. When the story begins he is 90 (or 93; he can never remember which). He lives in an assisted living facility and is visited by family members who have scheduled a rotation for who must visit Grandpa that week. Interspersed between Jacob's account in the nursing home are his memories of working on The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth during the Great Depression. His memories introduce us to his true love, circus life in the early 1930s when most circuses were going bankrupt and disbanding, and Rosie the elephant.

While this was obviously about the glory days of the American circus, I feel it was also a look into old age, but not in a depressing way. I loved 93-year-old Jacob. I thought he was hilarious. It must be hell (and he freely admits that it is) to be perfectly aware mentally but unable to move like you used to, to not have anyone believe you because they think you're going senile, and to be forgotten about by the family you fought so hard for. 93-year-old Jacob is a tell-it-like-it-is older gentleman. He doesn't hold any punches and he's not afraid to tell you when you're an "old coot." Seriously, he was hilarious.

Young Jacob was just as upstanding and belligerent, but a little less crotchety. I think Gruen did a great job creating a character that was easily two different ages throughout the story. It was easy to see how young Jacob became old Jacob. I also think she did a fantastic job of skipping back and forth between ages. She didn't outline each chapter to say which Jacob was speaking, but it was easy to pick up which one was in the forefront again.

Overall, I loved this book. The characters were well-developed and vivid, and it was obvious that Gruen did her research. Not that I know anything about circuses, but I certainly felt like she had done her best to make the details as accurate as possible (she even incorporated some true circus stories into the book, which made them even more hilarious or unbelievable, depending on the details). I highly recommend this book just for the sake of reading a book with well-drawn characters that will capture your heart, but the fact that it's about a circus (that has an elephant, no less) just makes it even better. 5 out of 5 stars.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2010-05-31T21:24:00.000-04:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I was planning on posting this morning, but that's what happens when you don't post-date entries and you sleep in.

I just finished Water for Elephants (amazing, by the way; review to come) and will next be finishing A Homemade Life.

I'm keeping this short tonight, but please check out why I changed my blog name, if you haven't already, and have you seen my new reading room? Have a great week, everyone, and don't forget to check out Sheila's blog to see what others are reading this week!

Birthday Cake

2010-05-29T15:07:00.001-04:00

I had never made a layer cake before, and my mom's birthday was coming up. What better opportunity?

Here's a picture of how it all started:

This is most everything I used. I say "most" because inevitably I left something out. I just don't remember what it was anymore. Nothing important, I'm sure....oh! I think it was the powdered sugar. Yeah, you're gonna need that if you want frosting.

Notice the bag of Splenda. I decided to try it out since I'd never baked with it before. I couldn't tell the difference while eating the cake, and I'm not sure if it would have anything to do with the rising factor but, well, what do you think?

Those are 8-inch cake pans and that cake is only about halfway up the sides, when the recipe called for 9-inch cake pans.

I also had issues with waiting until the cake was completely cooled before I iced it, causing it to pool slightly on the bottom of the serving dish. But really, it's not my fault because it was 10:30 at night and cake is supposed to cool faster at night when you're exhausted and want nothing more than to just go to bed. Right? Right?

Ultimately, even though Keith says it looked like a frog (sorry, honey, I'm not letting that one go) and it wasn't the prettiest cake on the block, it tasted delicious. Next time, I'll try a few different things (like being patient) and see if it turns out any prettier, because the flavor certainly doesn't need to be improved.

I got the recipe for this Old-Fashioned Caramel Layer Cake from the Cooking Light Complete Cookbook. Want to see what others are cooking this weekend? Check out Weekend Cooking with Beth Fish Reads.

Before and After: Our Reading Room

2010-05-26T14:05:00.001-04:00

Ok. Seriously. I'm going to start writing regular posts again.

I've done many things since I've moved, but I think the most important (or at least the most relevant to this blog) is put together a reading area in our loft.

This is the bookcase I was starting out with. And those aren't even all of my books. Definitely needed an upgrade.

So the first thing we had to do was get a reading chair. A nice, comfy, sink-into-it reading chair.

Perfect. Then we needed some new bookshelves that could actually accommodate the massive amount of books I've collected over the years.

Except picture two of those. There's one on the other side of the room, next to our computer desk (where I'm typing this!). The room isn't big enough to really get a good angle to get everything into one shot...and the desk is a mess and I don't want to spoil the illusion that I keep things neat.

So there you have it. I'm trying really hard not to let the innate librarian in me put everything in alphabetical order, because for some reason people seem to roll their eyes at that. (Why? It's perfectly logical!) However, last night I did separate everything into genres, so I have at least got that much and it helps me sleep at night.

Introducing: A New Blog Name!

2010-05-22T11:34:00.001-04:00

I rarely write two posts so closely together time-wise, but I got excited about updating my blog name and just couldn't wait. If you missed yesterday's post, here's why I changed it. Way back in 2007 I started this blog as a 2.0 project for my job as a librarian assistant at my local library. It was a great program, and I learned about a ton of different online tools I never would have noticed before and that I now utilize daily. Today, I no longer have that same job, but my love of books has never waned and this blog has quickly become a book blog. Therefore, it was time for a name change. I decided on We'll Always Have Books for two reasons. 1) It makes it easily recognizable as a book blog. 2) My favorite movie is Casablanca and I love everything Paris. A great line in the movie is, "We'll always have Paris." I don't really expect a lot of people to get this reference, but I like it. :-)

So there you have it. Not too much else has changed (expect the background and avatar, but I change those whenever I get bored), so hopefully this won't be too big of a deal to anyone else but me. Have a great weekend!

Changes Are A-Comin'

2010-05-21T21:22:00.001-04:00

I am really going to be a better blogger, I promise. As I'm sure you can imagine, things have been busy around here and I have yet to establish a routine. Once I do, though, things should go back to normal pretty quickly, which means more blogging and more blog reading! (My Google Reader has been averaging 300 unread posts for the last week now. No matter how much I try to go through it, I can never seem to keep up.)

The real meaning behind this post, however, is to give you all a heads up: I'm changing my blog name. Hopefully the transition goes smoothly and I don't lose any readers due to a loss of recognition. My url isn't changing, so I can't imagine it would really be that big of a deal. And chances are many of you won't even read this before I do end up changing it, so this is probably going to be a moot post. However, I feel it necessary to at least try to give you a heads up. The reason for the change is that I am no longer a librarian assistant, and haven't been for some time. I was hoping I would be reprising my role in that coveted position soon, but it doesn't appear that's going to happen. Therefore, in an effort to represent the new chapter in my life and a general moving-on feel, I'm updating the blog. I am also horrible with coming up with creative names, but I had a stroke of genius last night (at least I think it was) and came up with something that not only represents this blog as a book blog, but represents me and my personal tastes.

I'll most likely be doing the update tomorrow, so you'll just have to wait until then!

Aaaaaand Back!

2010-05-17T09:14:00.002-04:00

We've officially moved! We're getting unpacked and settled in and absolutely loving being home. I would've posted last week, but I got sick (of course) at the beginning of the week. But now I'm feeling better and really enjoying life. Here's what's been going on:

I bought and planted my first garden items for the raised beds in our backyard (shade-loving things like hostas and bleeding hearts). I have never liked yard work, but there's something about beautifying your own backyard that makes it worth it.

We scored a fire pit at the association garage sale. S'mores are sure to follow!

I'll be starting my new job today (even if it is just an extension of my old job). As much as I like taking time off, money is an essential part of life.

I went for one of my first runs in our new neighborhood yesterday. I'm considering participating in our city's 3rd annual half-marathon in September, but I have to gauge whether or not that's a stupid idea first.

We bought our first "real" furniture. Everything we have is either hand-me-down or cheap, but since we're finally settled (ee!) and adults (eeeee!) we thought we should get some real, adult furniture. So we bought a very comfy, sink-into-it chair with matching ottoman and two 72" solid oak bookcases. We should have the chair by mid-week and the bookcases sometime next week. Oh yes, there will be pictures of my new reading area.

Speaking of reading areas, I have not read a single thing all week. You'd think being sick would be the perfect time to lounge in bed and read, but when I get sick my eyes burn so there's no point in even trying. This week, however, and especially when we have the reading area all set up, I will be finishing Critical Care, diving back into The Help (I bought it because I wasn't waiting for the library hold list again!), then Water for Elephants and A Homemade Life. In essence, everything I've been saying I'll read but not getting around to.

I hope you all had a great week and the current one turns out beautifully! Don't forget to head on over to Sheila's blog to find out what other book bloggers are reading this week!

What Books Mean To Me

2010-05-06T16:39:00.001-04:00

I had a great blog post idea this morning but was nowhere near a pen and paper (that's what I get for packing last night), and have since forgotten my undoubtedly brilliant expose on the American life. Or whatever it was I was thinking about.

I have been packing, packing, and then packing some more in an attempt to get as much as I can in boxes and out of the way so Sunday's move goes faster and easier. There are two things, however, that I can't seem to pack up even though I know I am not going to need them before Sunday.

As I mentioned, I've returned all my library books, and I've packed up all of my books -- except these two. They're the two most recent additions to my collection but I haven't had a chance to read them yet. And, even though I know I'm not going to read them in the next three days, it's comforting to see them on my nightstand. Amid all the chaos of the boxes and tape, packing peanuts and bubble wrap, these two books are a reminder that there are structured, well-thought out worlds that I can slip into should I need a break from the insanity in my world.

Plus, they're pretty.

Instead of reading, however, I will be working my last day at A.L., going out to eat Friday night in celebration of Keith's graduation, actually going to his graduation on Saturday, and moving all of our worldly possessions (and our adorable dog) on Sunday.

And then, after all the excitement wears off and things start to look like they're heading back towards normal, I'm going to curl up on a couch in front of one of our new windows and sink into the deliciousness and familiarity of a new book.

What I'm Not Reading and a Little Update

2010-05-03T11:27:00.000-04:00

It's a sad day, folks. I've returned all of my library books, including The Help, because let's be honest: I'm not going to finish it before we move next weekend. I did, however, place it on hold at the library in my new town, so I will hopefully have another copy soon (after 99 other people have read it - yikes!).

Other than my loss of library books, though, it's not a sad day at all! I'm in my last week of work and then Friday family is coming into town, Saturday is Keith's graduation, and Sunday is Moving Day!

Keith and I spent the weekend at our new house, getting the feel for it and doing some basic maintenance. Our first night there we had a terrible thunderstorm (skylights are loud, by the way) so poor Lizzie was not only stressed by the new environment but couldn't get comfortable due to the storm, either. By the second night, though, she slept like a baby and was chipper and ornery the next morning as usual. I worked in the yard yesterday, raking up 13 years of old mulch and planting grass seed so we could reclaim part of the yard. Let's just say I'm a bit sore today, but there's something about working on your own yard and sculpting it so it's just how you want it that's incredibly satisfying.

So, obviously there hasn't been much reading going on, and what little there was has been stopped by the return of The Help. I do really need to start on Critical Care, by Theresa Brown, though, since I won it through the Early Reviewers program on LibraryThing. We'll see if I get to it!

Don't forget to head over to Sheila's blog to see what others are reading this week!

Have You Read These?

2010-04-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

How about a fun meme for Friday? Here's a list of 100 children's books I got from Enna Isilee. I've crossed out the ones I've read (49 total) and didn't count those I started but didn't finish and those that I only saw the movie version. Have fun!

100. The Egypt Game - Snyder (1967)
~~99. The Indian in the Cupboard - Banks (1980)~~
98. Children of Green Knowe - Boston (1954)
~~97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - DiCamillo (2006)~~
96. The Witches - Dahl (1983)
~~95. Pippi Longstocking - Lindgren (1950)~~
94. Swallows and Amazons - Ransome (1930)
93. Caddie Woodlawn - Brink (1935)
~~92. Ella Enchanted - Levine (1997)~~
91. Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Sachar (1978)
~~90. Sarah, Plain and Tall - MacLachlan (1985~~
89. Ramona and Her Father - Cleary (1977)
~~88. The High King - Alexander (1968)~~
87. The View from Saturday - Konigsburg (1996)
~~86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Rowling (1999)~~
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek - Wilder (1937)
84. The Little White Horse - Goudge (1946)
83. The Thief - Turner (1997)
~~82. The Book of Three - Alexander (1964)~~
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Lin (2009)
~~80. The Graveyard Book - Gaiman (2008)~~
79. All-of-a-Kind-Family - Taylor (1951)
78. Johnny Tremain - Forbes (1943)
77. The City of Ember - DuPrau (2003)
76. Out of the Dust - Hesse (1997)
75. Love That Dog - Creech (2001)
74. The Borrowers - Norton (1953)
73. My Side of the Mountain - George (1959)
72. My Father's Dragon - Gannett (1948)
~~71. The Bad Beginning - Snicket (1999)~~
70. Betsy-Tacy - Lovelae (1940)
~~69. The Mysterious Benedict Society - Stewart (2007)~~
~~68. Walk Two Moons - Creech (1994)~~
~~67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher - Coville (1991)~~
66. Henry Huggins - Cleary (1950)
~~65. Ballet Shoes - Stratfeild (1936)~~
~~64. A Long Way from Chicago - Peck (1998)~~
63. Gone-Away Lake - Enright (1957)
~~62. The Secret of the Old Clock - Keene (1959)~~
~~61. Stargirl - Spinelli (2000)~~
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Avi (1990)
~~59. Inkheart - Funke (2003)~~
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Aiken (1962)
~~57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 - Cleary (1981)~~
~~56. Number the Stars - Lowry (1989)~~
~~55. The Great Gilly Hopkins - Paterson (1978)~~
54. The BFG - Dahl (1982)
53. Wind in the Willows - Grahame (1908)
~~52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)~~
51. The Saturdays - Enright (1941)
~~50. Island of the Blue Dolphins - O'Dell (1960)~~
49. Frindle - Clements (1996)
48. The Penderwicks - Birdsall (2005)
~~47. Bud, Not Buddy - Curtis (1999)~~
46. Where the Red Fern Grows - Rawls (1961)
45. The Golden Compass - Pullman (1995)
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Blume (1972)
~~43. Ramona the Pest - Cleary (1968)~~
~~42. Little House on the Prairie - Wilder (1935)~~
~~41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Speare (1958)~~
~~40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Baum (1900)~~
39. When You Reach Me - Stead (2009)
~~38. HP and the Order of the Phoenix - Rowling (2003)~~
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Taylor (1976)
36. Are You there, God? It's Me, Margaret - Blume (1970)
~~35. HP and the Goblet of Fire - Rowling (2000)~~
34. The Watson's Go to Birmingham - Curtis (1995)
33. James and the Giant Peach - Dahl (1961)
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - O'Brian (1971)
31. Half Magic - Eager (1954)
~~30. Winnie-the-Pooh - Milne (1926)~~
29. The Dark Is Rising - Cooper (1973)
~~28. A Little Princess - Burnett (1905)~~
~~27. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - Carroll (1865/72)~~
26. Hatchet - Paulsen (1989)
25. Little Women - Alcott (1868/9)
~~24. HP and the Deathly Hallows - Rowling (2007)~~
23. Little House in the Big Woods - Wilder (1932)
~~22. The Tale of Despereaux - DiCamillo (2003)~~
~~21. The Lightning Thief - Riordan (2005)~~
20. Tuck Everlasting - Babbitt (1975)
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Dahl (1964)
~~18. Matilda - Dahl (1988)~~
~~17. Maniac Magee - Spinelli (1990)~~
~~16. Harriet the Spy - Fitzhugh (1964)~~
15. Because of Winn-Dixie - DiCamillo (2000)
~~14. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Rowling (1999)~~
~~13. Bridge to Terabithia - Paterson (1977)~~
~~12. The Hobbit - Tolkien (1938)~~
11. The Westing Game - Raskin (1978)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth - Juster (1961)
~~9. Anne of Green Gables - Montgomery (1908~~
~~8. The Secret Garden - Burnett (1911)~~
7. The Giver - Lowry (1993)
~~6. Holes - Sachar (1998)~~
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - Koningsburg (1967)
~~4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Lewis (1950)~~
~~3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Rowling (1997)~~
~~2. A Wrinkle in Time - L'Engle (1962)~~
~~1. Charlotte's Web - White (1952)~~

I Feel So Grown Up

2010-04-28T17:03:00.000-04:00

I'm just popping in to share with you all our wonderful news: we're homeowners! Closing went smoothly yesterday and in less than an hour we were on our way over to our new house. I'd have pictures, but of course my camera batteries died (I did tell myself to pack extra batteries but I never listen).

Lizzie had a grand time running around sniffing everything. At least, I think she did. She has no clue what's going on, because our current house is in complete disarray with boxes half-packed and everywhere you look. Then we whisk her away to her usual "vacation spot" at Grandma and Grandpa's, and then take her into a new house that most definitely had dogs living in it less than a week ago. So, while I tried to do the Cesar Millan thing and introduce her to her new home in a manner that told her it was mine first, and then hers, I'm not sure she was really paying attention. She did enjoy her new, fenced-in back yard, though! Hopefully once all of our stuff is in it she'll see it as her own. I'm sure she'll be the queen bee in no time.

We did meet one of our neighbors, and he's already offered up any tools we need to borrow since this is our first house. The sellers mentioned a neighbor behind us who is a dog agility trainer and even has some of the equipment in her back yard (it's true; I saw it through our upstairs window). And the sellers also mentioned how much they're going to miss that house. They lived there for 9 years and are moving because their family is getting too big for it. All good signs for a happy home for us. :-)

We are T-11 days away from Moving Day and I absolutely cannot wait!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading

2010-04-26T10:48:00.000-04:00

This Monday I have a lot to be happy about: I'm into my final two weeks at my current job, we close on our house tomorrow (eeee!), and last night I somehow ran five miles without even meaning to. And now it's time for Sheila's Monday meme!

Last week I finished Under the Dome and wrote my review.

Now I've started The Help, which I'm absolutely loving, but life has gotten so busy that I can't seem to read more than a few pages at a time. As much as I don't want to, I may need to wait and read this when I can devote more brain power to it (read: after we've moved). The good news, though, is that I'm less than a hundred pages in and can already tell I would be happy to spend my money and buy this one.

Maybe it's the rain, but I'm feeling rather sleepy today. I'm off to get some coffee and enjoy the feeling that in just over 24 hours, Keith and I will be homeowners! So tell me, what are you reading this week?

Good News, Everyone!

2010-04-23T11:23:00.000-04:00

And now the moment I've been waiting for....

I'm moving home in two weeks! Some of you probably already knew this, but Keith and I are moving back to our home town and I couldn't be happier. We've bought a house (closing is on Tuesday!) and will be moving right after his graduation. There's still lots to be done (anyone want to pack for me?) but I can do it all blissfully, knowing we're moving into a house that's really ours, in a neighborhood we like, near friends and family that we have dearly missed. Two years doesn't seem like a long time until you start counting down the seasons, then the months, then the weeks, then the days. Two weeks to go!

I feel like I've been bottling up my excitement because I didn't want to say too much until I put in my notice at work (who knows who reads these things, you know?). But now I have free license to run, jump, and talk about everything that's happened, happening, and will happen. My tongue has never felt so free. I can keep a secret but I don't like to, especially not a big one like this. Yippee!

In other news, please check out my review of Under the Dome. It's long, but not nearly as long as the book, so consider it a time-saver!

And don't forget that today is the Blog Hop! Hop on over to Crazy for Books and check out some other great book blogs!

Ahh, it feels good to be going home.