Great Weekend Book!

Okay, this has NOTHING to do with the list of books I still have not reviewed (even though I did read them) and everything to do with the 2 books I read this weekend.

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
2 thumbs up! Okay, I have read almost everything by this author. I dipped my toes into her work with the Shopaholic series, and my sister gave me this one to read on Friday. I was expecting a light-hearted romp through some rather self-concerned person's life, but did not find that here! It was fun, but had enough "meat" that I wanted her to succeed. Lexie has amnesia and for all intents and purposes, has lost her new self. She is trying to connect what she is now with who she was then. Fascinating, and well written. The primary question of what would make a person dramatically change their life actions and perspective is a good one and is well explored in this book. So, 2 thumbs firmly up!


The Prophet of Yonwook by Jeanne DuPrau
1.5 thumbs up. I read this book on Thursday, after work, so it is not a long read. I did enjoy it, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed reading City of Ember. The characters are realistic and horrid all at the same time, which is true to life. I just did not feel the flow in this book like I felt it in Ember. To be fair, most third books are not as strong as the first 2 or so and this one was a pre-quel which I think ruined the story for me a bit. I will re-visit this after reading book 2 of the Ember series and decide if that alters my view at all.

Have a blest week! Whoo hoo, done with Friday the 13ths for several months.

Time Changing Catch Up... 13ish book reviews

Okay, so I ignored/totally forgot that I promised myself to review the books I read. Even if no one else reads my reviews, which how could they? I am a non-entity on the blog-o-sphere. Which is fine with me. Really. the last thing I need is to add to my stress level, hence the light reading load I am reporting here. God Bless the public library and God Bless the read and return system... makes my life so much happier/easier.

Here we go, its a long list, so I may not finish tonight.
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
2 thumbs up. I must confess I have read this before (I think about 5 years ago, but who knows?) and really liked it then. I challenged myself to read the whole series and this seemed a good way to dip the toes in as it were.
Tight characterization. Some characters left purposefully 2 dimensional, maybe because the main characters see them this way? Tight action, very little drag. Felt a bit long in the middle, but that was most likely because I vaguely remembered the end and I wanted to get to that point and see if I was correct? (by the way, I was not) Left me excited for more about Jason Bourne, or whoever he really is.

Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich
1.25 thumbs up. I got into reading Evanovich for her Stephanie Plum series and this seemed a nice innocuous off shoot or light reading exercise. It was. Not hard to follow, a bit cardboard-y, but fun. Good fluff, full of quirky characters that at first seem ludicrous, but then you realize you know people like this. Good fun, but probably would not have held my interest if it was any longer. Her abrupt endings are fairly typical for how she rights. I like that she sews everything up and puts a bow on it. Just generally good fun. Recommend for summer or spring break reading, especially if you are a NASCAR fan.

Hurricane Bay by Heather Graham
1.5 thumbs. Good, tight read. Ending was unexpected, even though I found myself bored in the middle. This was mostly due to the fact I thought I had it all figured out - wrong! I would definitely recommend this book to others interested in the mystery genre, who were maybe a bit squeamish on overly technical or bloody/body specific mysteries. She made me care about the characters, even when I didn't really think I cared what happened to them. Good reminiscing or development of the question- can one ever go back to what one had?

I'm in No Mood for Love by Rachel Gibson
Cute. 1.5 thumbs up. Maybe 1.25. Ms. Gibson's books are fun and full of unexpected twists. She makes the characters take realistic steps in ways that other romance/fluff (as opposed to overly sexual-ized) books don't always do. Because she writes, in my opinion, about more realistic people, I am more vested in what happens to them. I have enjoyed 3 books by her, and look forward to finding more! The prequel to her next book about Truly, Idaho has my interest firmly grasped. nice, crisp writing!

Sex, Lies and Online Dating by Rachel Gibson
See above. I read this one first and am happy I did, otherwise I would have known how it ended. I like the idea of women writer friends who all write in different fields. Well introduced, realistic (for the most part- but hey, its fiction) characters who are basically like able, even when you want to hit them on the head!

Sugarplums and Scandal by Lori Avocato, Dana Cameron, Mary Daheim, Cait London, Suzanne McPherson and Kerrelyn Sparks
1 thumb up, at most. Probably more honestly - .25 thumbs. I do not really like short, short fiction, so cannot blame the authors wholly for my disappointment. But really not too impressed with this collection. One that stood out in a positive light was Kerrelyn Sparks' tale. Ghoulish and funny as all get out. I really like the were-rabbit. Unexpected and light hearted, especially a gem in this collection. I will look for other work by this author specifically.

Mid Week February Revelation Lenten Practices

So Lent officially begins today and I am indifferent. I guess that goes along with my non-Catholic and almost non-Christian belief system. I was going to not smoke during the workweek, but have clearly changed my mind. Sometimes I feel as if I am the only educated smoker out there. Yes, I know it is bad for me. No, I do not like the way it makes me feel. Yes, I realize it is a disgusting habit that is obnoxious to others around me. Yes, I realize it is not good for any environment out there, my own or other people's spaces. No, I do not like that I become a litter bug on occasion when I am stuck with where to put the butt. Yes, I realize they are not recyclable and an earthy person would maybe not smoke. But I like it! I feel that my friend view me as so boring and strange already, that my disgusting little habit humanizes me in a way that I find appealing.
Okay, back to the books. I read a wonderful one on Monday. It was called Vanished Man, by Jeffery Deaver. This is the same author who wrote the Bone Collector. It features the same major characters in the same sort of crime series, but kept me interested in turning the pages long into the night. It seemed a little over-dramatic, but the good strong bones of the writing kept me interested even through the one rough patch. I would (and have) strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the crime fiction family.

On the more granola -y side of things. Made my own tortillas for this week, and they only lasted until Tuesday. I guess that home made is better than store bought. I realize I may have to work on my technique, but the taste was fabulous, even if the size left something to be desired. ( and that was all me!)

Lazy Sunday = Lazy Monday?

Happy Valentine's weekend! I for one am happy it is coming to a close. I was sick and will be happy to put this weekend behind me. It was relaxing, and except for the time spent getting sick, quite nice. I am happy that I have a nice housemate who is willing to help around the house. My beautiful newly painted living room has its first piece of furniture back in it. I cleared away the painting material (well most of it) and re-placed one of my pappasan chairs. The couch hunt continues... but I did buy covers and new cushions for the sun room... ah hope for sunny (warm) days is beginning to grow!
I love that this weekend had beautiful, crisp clear days with that light blue soul enhancing color. It is enough to relax even the tense-est person.
Okay. Lots of goals for the week.
a. email the finished grad paper to my partner
b. go to the library! Really need to return my books!
c. see if B people have mercy on me and will let me check out Freakenomics
d. find material to put in beds for beans- goal plantings this year
e. mail CSA check... hmm find check book might be good.
f. run off plans for next two weeks for 9th and ap classes.
g. go over in depth the writings of ap before tuesday
h. see about a meyer lemon tree at the local nursery.

Wednesday.. working away

I was enjoying taking my evening constitutional but was almost hit by a car. I am astounded that there is no sidewalk on a road leading up to a wonderful, beautiful elementary school. They have spent millions (I believe) on making a huge elementary school but do not have a safe way for those students to get to school, if they walk. I am astounded.

I have begun tutoring. Last night I met my student for his testing, which was rather successful, but his comprehension was quite low. I was surprised, I did not expect his level to be so low in relation to his vocabulary reading fluency. From the readings, I did not expect such a difference.

I am sitting here listening to the workers in a different department talk about finance. I am thinking that maybe I should work the same way.

Oh well, my restful day is continuing... even for a b day this is crazy!

Musings of a tired mind

Today, Monday is my least favorite day. I never really like the start of a long week, but I am especially reluctant to start a week when I did not get enough sleep the night before. I was super productive (for me) on Sunday, so much so in the early day that I crashed and burned late in the afternoon. I ended up taking an accidental nap of 4+ hours yesterday. Darn that cuddly cat. He slept peacefully away laying on my chest and gently snoring. Hee hee hee. So. I woke up around 8.30 pm and bounced off the walls for the next 4+ hours. Heh, didn't even realize how evenly it worked out. Oh well. Then got up this am, not really cranky but feeling a bit out of sorts and started the wheel of work all over again. If only I could recall the useful, purpose I felt all weekend!
I am generally mild and with no support at school, second block rocked! It was a bit frustrating, but totally useful!
Looking forward to the rest of the week following the same projection!

Lazy Saturday... Love IT!

So today I was semi productive. Well honestly, compared to my usual Saturday I was very productive! I got up early - urgh and then went to the school to help with set up for the one act festival. It was easy (for me) and fun. Then I came home again, stopping on my way for a Burger King egg croissanwich meal. I have been craving one for about 2 weeks. Sadly, I was not impressed. Maybe this is a good thing, it will help me cut down on my fast food addiction. Money flying out of the window!
I am at home, not doing anything, feeling like I have already put in a full day (and it was only 9.30 am-sad). Oh well, I relaxed with the gatitos then went upstairs and finished painting my living room. Very exciting times here, let me tell you. Though the color was not one that grabbed me by the throat, it is growing on me. This is a good thing because I have more than one gallon of it left over. Here's to over estimation!
Oh yeah, in between, I went to see the school's production, called Frostbite. It was very good, edgy but good. I am constantly amazed by what these student's put into their work. I guess I expected high school stuff to be less, uhm, professional looking. Weird...
Okay, on to the book. I stayed up later last night to finish it, and for the most part I really liked it. It was just good story telling and the author left me wondering about motivation for several parts.
So, it was The Killing Sky by Robert Gandt and I give it a 1.75 thumbs up. It fed into my karmic beliefs about retribution, and really showed the more human side of decisions.
Nice work, in my humble opinion. Really, I have never written anything professionally, so who am I to criticize?

Long Lazy Nights

Okay, so I decided that I was going to read off that list first, right? Well, things escaped me, and like all other things, intentions fell to the wayside in sight of such lovely, mindless books. I truly appreciate brain candy, because it allows me to sit and think of other things while I enter the author's world. If this does not happen, for whatever reason, I can still put the book down and step away not feeling lost or bereft. Unlike so many other things; responsibility, work, housework, chores, I can leave some of these open in the "to be finished" file without extra guilt. Like everyone else, I already have too much of that!

I regularly read messages from FlyLady.net and really appreciate everything that woman is trying to do. I have read her book, "Sink Reflections" and really liked it, even as I was unable to stay with her program ideas. While I have not really managed to make myself fall into some set scheme, I believe my 'lurking' on her site has improved me as a person. She is amazing. Her first habit, established in an attempt to regain control of her house, was shining her sink every night. I have made mine, hanging up my purse and coat and making sure that everything I ABSOLUTELY need is in those two items. So far this week = success. Actually, I have been doing this for almost a month. It seems like such a small, rather useless thing, but really makes my mornings flow a lot better.
Okay, on to the reviews, sorry if some are repeats...

Suzanne Brockmann "Body Language" Honestly? Not one of her better books. I think maybe I am burnt out on Brockmann. I loved the majority of her Troubleshooter books, and her SEAL 16 books. I have even read her SEAL team 10 books with some enjoyment. Every once in a while, it is as if she takes a break from developing true characters. While some remain sketches, I do not think major characters should fall into this category. Would I say that I will never read another Brockmann book? Definitely no, but maybe will wait for the next one to come out in paperback, or at the library. Feeling a bit burnt out on her, with a solid .5 thumbs up.

Charlotte Hughes "What Looks Like Crazy" was a nice light read. Her characters were slightly underdeveloped, but fun and rather edgy. I liked it, true brain candy. 1.5 thumbs up. This was the first book I believe I have read by this author, but will keep an eye out for others...

Judith Bowen "Lydia Lane" well, this was light, and not at all challenging... but would I recommend it to anyone? No. Cardboard like characters with no real motivation for doing anything with each other. I think maybe this is an early book by this author, but it was almost as if she was surprised by what her characters were doing... not as if she intended them to take those actions. Like they were particularly unprepared for what was going to happen. No thumbs up for this book.

Tom Clancy "Patriot Games" 2 thumbs enthusiastically up for this book. To be totally honest, this is not a new read for me, but every time I read this particular book, I find something else I really like. His characters are real, his timing is tight and there is suspense throughout. I like how he holds back on the dramatic irony, and provides even lessor characters with believable words and actions.

Fern Michaels, "Vendetta" .5 thumbs up. I usually like Michaels, but found this one insulting and wrong. Maybe I should not have stepped into the middle of the series, but did not find the characters likable enough to want to know about them.

Harlan Coben, "There will be No Second Chance" 2 thumbs up! wonderful. Kept me on the edge of my seat (figuratively) and guessing. A few weak areas, but overall fascinating portrait of what a person will do to have their family back, even an imperfect one....

Julie Garwood: "Slow Burn" 1.5 thumbs up. I was able to read this fast and furiously, but wanted to know what was happening. I was surprised by the climax, and enjoyed this as a nice light read.

"Shadow Dance" 1 thumb up. I might recommend this to someone who wants fluff, not romance. It was quite interesting, but plot points were a bit over wrought. Interesting enough to keep me plowing through.

"Killjoy" 1 thumb up. Interesting. Not what I expected, but still interesting. I would have like a bit more information on the aunt, who is central to the story... but nicely written.

Lisa Gardner "Alone" 1.75-2 thumbs up. Not at all what I expected, but very very good. I have read several other Gardner books and am always impressed by her prose, characterization and style. She makes characters I can't like fascinating. I actually care about them by the end. She is good at providing multiple viewpoints or takes as if from one person who is struggling for objectivity. Wow. Good read. While it pulled me in, it did not keep me from sleeping (a major plus in work week reads.)

Slacking Readers R Us

Okay,
So I am sucking on the reading list thing... I am not motivated at all to read anything new...
Tonight I plan to read more trash, lack of brain power on my part. I went to work, then class, then back to work for 12 whole parents to come and ask questions. Well, I actually talked to 3 whole real live parents. Exciting stuff. let. me. tell. you.
Okay will update again laters... prolly tomorrow when I have finished my book.
I also took "Patriot Games" out of the library on a read and return. This is one of my all time favorite books, well after Power of One by Courtenay. Sigh. Really need to find that book again....

The Reader, Reviewed

The Reader is a great book. 1.75 thumbs up! I did not read it with the plan of liking it, but well there you go. It had flow, good language usage, and an interesting story line. Even background characters felt like real people. They were only sparsely identified, it is true, but that seemed purposeful, as if to show their lack of importance to the narrator. The focus of this book is clearly the relationship between the boy and this woman, and its long term effects on the rest of his life. I was very impressed with the dialogue, the true feelings, and the imagery evoked by this novel. Short read too, only a few hours!

Book Rec List

Book Lists Recommendation from fellow worker-bees... man we are all totally bored!
The Reader by B. Schlink
The Rosewood Casket
19 Minutes
Freakenomics
1491
Buyology
Anything by Lee Child
Plum Spooky
Scarpetta
Outliers
Born Liberal, Raised Right
Blink
Mountains beyond Mountains
Cats Eye
The Scourge of God

Pensive Book Hunting

So, I am debating writing an author that I typically like her work, but this time felt unsatisfied with the results. I feel like she became more formulaic than normal, but oh well. I guess the real problem is that I do not want to do the work that is piling up all around me. This is a shame, because it is not like I am going to magically make it disappear. I could throw it all away and hope for the best, but somehow think people catch on to things like that...he he he
Okay, will hit the library today because I am officially out of new fiction AGAIN it is a little annoying. Maybe my new habit for February will be to read only recommended books. No more random choice novels, no more obsessively reading everything by an author I like/dislike, but only books that are recommended. These tend to take me a bit longer so I will go title shopping today and then put up a must read list later...

Book Reviews, the weekend of the 24th

January 25th,

Well it has not been the most productive of weekends, if one considers the large amount of work that remains to be done. But, I did get a lot of stuff done. I read several books and lost 10 dollars in poker. But this site is all about the books, so lets get into it. Of course, I am not reading anything too challenging, as we are full in grad school time and AP season. So I let my brain rest outside of work...

Swim to Me by Betsy Carter. This book was good but not wonderful. I think the characters needed to be a bit more developed. They were like flat characters with a bit of color, but not enough information to flesh them into a world based in reality. .5 thumbs up. This was readable, enjoyable, but was not strong enough to hold together. I do not believe I would have finished this over several days.
Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson. Okay, keeping in the genre of Gibson. Gibson usually has a weaker storyline, but bolstered by good characters, I would suggest the same is true here. I thoroughly enjoy Gibson, but this was not her strongest book. Very very very fun! I would definitely recommend this book to someone else. 1.5 thumbs firmly up!

Forever by Jude Deveraux. This was pretty good. I believe I am more partial to Roberts, but this was a strong showing from one of the authors who introduced me to lighter fiction. This was good, I hope that in her second book of this series (if there is one) she fleshes out the stories of her father and his wife. For being such important characters, they are remarkably flat. Normally, I think she really develops her characters well, but this was not a well done as normal. I feel bad that several of my reviews have been more on the negative side, but even for brain candy, these were weaker books.

Exam day, Three

So yesterday was considering and feeling overwhelmed by my lack of self awareness, especially in terms of being more ecologically aware. Noting that I read a lot of material but do very little, I resolved to change. So I went to the library and got out several books on gardening, and began to plan my spring/summer garden. How cool is that? I also found a CSA near here that will let me work off some (if I qualify) of the cost of getting local produce weekly. I would have to work a minimum of 12 weekends over the next 22, but it would be totally work it in my book. I really want to be receiving farm fresh food that is actually local, unlike our rather lame farmers market, where 3 groups leave on the supermarket tags!!!
Okay, other than some planning, I also read a book last night. (no shock there)
It was Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann. (1.5 thumbs up) I guess it was a bit formulaic, but that is why I keep reading her books, so I cannot discount that. Hmm, loss of .5 thumbs due to unfinished story lines... especially regarding Izzy and Danny. (What does he know, that he is not sharing, or is he so guilt ed up, he has no access to anyone)? Also, how does one remain close friends with two people when you hate the third person? Maybe that is a girly perspective and guys regularly do this, but not in my recollection...
Book for tonight/today? Unknown. I could continue with Vegetable Gardening for Dummies which I am working through, or move on to one of the 4 other gardening books I got. For fun fiction, I am going to read the Jennifer Cruise book I checked out. Something about bad dates... Will update when I finish the book.

Bored out of my gourd....

Bored, Bored Bored Bored
They say if you are bored then you are boring, but sometimes there is nothing one can do about it. Today (and this week for that matter) is all about watching students test. I am not supposed to interfere with them in any real way, but man I am about to go crazy! More frustrating is that I KNOW several students in this class totally failed the exam. Most did not turn in their graded reviews. So frustrating. I wonder was I this totally uninvolved in anything like this in school? I know I was an indifferent student at best, but this is ridiculous. Okay rant over.

I am reading several blogs and trying to incorporate these philosophies into my life. I read Crunchy Chicken and am considering starting several others. While these people are more extreme than me, I could deal with a little more passion in my life. I guess my issue is that I am feeling the pressure to be more responsible as an adult.

Separate note
Book Drive - over, more than 11,000 books collected for our school in Uganda.
Books read lately - major slacking on my part, but here goes for the last week,
Better Read than Dead by Victoria Laurie (1 thumb up)
Shogun by James Clavell (two thumbs strongly up) This is kind of a cheat, I have read it before.
4 books by Suzanne Brockmann (2 thumbs still up) Into the Storm, Christmas Tale, and two titles that currently escape me.
Of course I am also reading the QRI-4 and the Johnson book for class.

Need to find a new author to read. Will visit the library today (hopefully)

Starting out

Whew, rough day today. I finally decided to clean out my room and start decluttering. I followed some of the tactics recommended by FlyLady and others recommended by random google searching.
The boys were amazingly NOT interested in helping out, but on the plus side, they were not hindering anything....

Actually have my lunch packed for tomorrow,
Crazy Richard's PB and J
Organic Carrots
Apple
Pretzels
Dip

Snack:
Dried Fruit
1 piece of Chocolate

Well, goals for tomorrow met,
Have a great day!