Where Do I Get My Ticket?

Seaworld is fun and DisneyLand is awesome....But, I'd rather have a ticket to the Night Circus!

I can't believe I finally read a non-YA book and loved it. It wasn't even assigned by the book club! It gives me faith that there really are still some non-depressing adult fiction novels out there.

The book? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I can't recommend this book more highly. It is such a pleasant and magical read. A classic story of star crossed lovers in the MOST beautiful and interesting setting you will find. I was not surprised to find that the artist is herself a multimedia artist. The book is filled with amazingly intricate detail. The circus itself evolves from simply the setting to another character.

Two young people are 'bound' as apprentices to a duel of sorts. A battle of magical philosophies. Not in the Harry Potter vs.Voldemort sense, rather in a creation of beauty and complexity.

Other characters are affected by this battle. Some of them knowingly while others are confused or oblivious. Many tell their own stories through the book.

I LOVE an original idea and this book has it. I can't wait to see what else this author produces. Check it out for yourself  here if you have a Kindle or get if from your local library. I do NOT believe you will be sorry.

Photo from here

A Discovery of Twilight for Grown Ups?

Wondered where the book reviews went? Well, I've been reading THIS for awhile!! I wish I could recall who or what site recommended this book to me so I could thank them. (Please tell me if it was you!).

It's a BIG book and it started kind of slow. I was intrigued, but, still not sure where it was going (It doesn't bother me if a book is slow, per se. I think what annoys me is I'm not sure what details will be important later! Maybe this comes from reading so many mystery novels). However, after awhile I realized that it wasn't slow....it was a purposeful simmer.

If the Twilight Saga was a shot of whiskey, this is a beautiful glass of wine. It's about adults, not teens. And, yes, maybe one is a witch and one is a vampire. And maybe they shouldn't be together (you starting to see the similarities here?), but it's kinda beautiful.

If I had to make a comparison I would say it's kind of a Nora Roberts (aka Romance) meets Twilight (Vampires and other creatures) meets Dan Brown (of Da Vinci Code fame). If you liked the part in Breaking Dawn where Carlisle is talking with Jacob about some of his research on the chromosomes of vampires, humans, and werewolves then you will like all the 'science' in this book. I did. I was really disappointed when I was finished and found out the second book isn't yet released.

I think it was totally worth my time and what a nice break from the YA roller coaster I have been on lately. Although, I'm getting right back on that ride! (I'm an addict! Like my son with angry birds!!)

Hunger Games LETDOWN

I was excited all week to see this movie. The first Hunger Games movie of a trilogy. I have had my tickets for about a month and we got to the theater early to wait in line. The lines weren't too bad so we actually bumped up to an earlier showing and got a partial refund! (I did have to shoosh Eric during the BD part2 preview). But, the question is how did I like the movie!? I was frustrated. That is the best word to describe it.

*Spoilers*

Here are the things Eric and I agreed on:
1) the absolute desperation of living life in the districts didn't really come across
2) Katniss' internal dialogue adds SO much to the story that it is almost a different story without it. (a few notes in the parachute boxes ain't gonna cut it)
3) I'm not really convinced Peeta would have died from that TINY cut on his leg
4) I have GOT to stop re-reading the books before the movie. It gives me too MUCH detail in my head to work with during the movie and I think in the end it's distracting.

Here are additional thoughts I had:
1) HOW HOW HOW could they leave out the scene where Peeta recounts the first day of school? That was an absolute key scene in Katniss' internal struggle between acting for the camera and real feelings for Peeta. You can see an AWESOME version of the scene that should have been in the movie here.
2) I didn't like the Dr. Seuss-ness of the people of the capitol. I have already seen the Grinch who stole Christmas and I wanted a little more subtlety. I thought what they did to Seneca Crane was EXACTLY right.
3) I'm not sure if the actors couldn't carry it off or the director held them back. Honestly, I went into it completely open to the casting of Katniss and Peeta but in the end I'm not sure it was right.
4) Did they dumb it down? Did they get so scared that little kids (who should NOT have been there anyway!) would be scarred for life? Because, if I recall, BD part 1 had sex and a bloody birth scene and that was PG-13. This should have been rated PG.

Recommendation: See it. But if you have read the books be prepared. If you haven't you will most likely NOT get what was amazing about these books because, frankly, it isn't there!

What did YOU think??
Photo from here

It's Good to Read on goodreads!

It's hard to keep up to date on books. Ya know what I mean? It's particularly true if you like to read alot of different authors or genres. That is why, if you are a book lover, I would like to recommend you sign up for an account at goodreads.com and here is why:

1. You can keep track of what you read. This might not seem important NOW but later when you can't remember the name of that book or author you will be so glad you did!  
2. You can keep a nice long list of the books you want to read in the future. Somewhere that is not a slip of paper you put somewhere safe and then lose. No more asking yourself 'What was that book so-and-so recommended?'
3. You can find out (like I JUST did *headsmack*) that there are sequels (or planned sequels) to some of the books you have already read and enjoyed that you didn't know anything about!
4. When you come late to a series of books you can find out which one is first. Seriously, WHY don't publishers label them like goodreads does?? It would be SO helpful!! Have you ever just given up because you couldn't figure out which book was first in the series? Because I have.  

I am so grateful that my reading friend (you know it was you Brit!) facebooked her goodreads updates and got me curious because this is such a great idea and I wish I had discovered it earlier.

Martha would definately call this one a GOOD thing and you will too! Check it out. Then friend me so we can share recommendations. See you on goodreads.

I laugh that this is even necessary to say, but, let it be known that there is no affiliation between me and my blog and goodreads. I just like them and wanted you to know!!

Photo source

Wither or Not

Just finished this book. It's another YA SciFi title. (cue the big sigh or eye roll- whichever you prefer) I think I know where Disney got the idea that nothing exciting ever happens to you unless your parents are dead. They must have been reading YA SciFi books.

I think I have mentioned before that when someone I trust recommends a book I put it on a list and then never EVER read the back cover before finishing it. I do the same thing with movies. I like to see ONE trailer and then be done. I don't like to see too much of a movie I am highly anticipating.

Anyway, I had NO idea where this book was going and judging by the cover I thought it might be a book about Mandy Moore. (Am I the only one who was like WHY is Mandy Moore on the cover of this book? I guess it isn't her after all. But, I found it very distracting).

SPOILER ALERT (remainder of post): This book was very strange. I felt like it was fighting itself. I didn't know if they were going for a women's rights statement (kidnapped child brides), a holocost reference (brides made to bear children or participate unwillingly in the search for a cure), or a warning about genetic tampering (we will all die by age 25!). Perhaps these questions will be answered in the next book?

What I liked: The three wife characters. They were well developed and got more believable as the book went on. I felt for each of them and struggled with the main character over the evolving relationship with her two sister wives. (I totally did NOT know this book had sister wives in it!)

What I didn't like: Lame male lead on three counts. The 'husband' was a total limp bisquit. The 'servant/love interest' was not believable to me AT ALL. The 'Dr. Evil' father-in-law guy was never scary enough.

Big Fail: Are we REALLY supposed to believe that the husband never consumated with the lead character and she escapes with her virtue intact and her love interest in some miraculous end chapter?

My take: I actually got pretty involved with a few of the characters although I'm worried the ones I like (Deidre, Cicely) may not appear in the next installment. I will pick up the next book to see if we meet the brother and find out more about what secrets 'two different color eyes' unlock.

I remain yours, my dear Mandy Moore, interested but unimpressed. I'll keep you posted!

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The Art of Crying

I have not wanted to review this book. Not because it wasn't a GREAT book. Because-- it made me cry. Not a delicate feminine tear, no no, this was the big ugly cry. This was 'Titantic', 'Dances With Wolves', and end of 'The Red Tent' crying.

I KNEW this would happen, by the way. That is why it sat on my bedside table for about 3 months unread. A coworker of Eric's (who knows I love a good book) gave it to him to give to me. He was tired of making excuses when she asked if I had read it yet. So Eric forced me to read it.

Now, you understand, I have a dog. I LOVE my dog. As a kid I had a dog as well. A great, loving, loyal dog. It took me awhile to even WANT another dog. It took almost 12 years actually. I felt for a long time that I had already had MY dog in this life. But, eventually I missed the companionship that is unique to the pet & owner relationship. That's when Shasta (pictured below) found me. :)

This book is beautifully narrated by the dog, Enzo. You will fall in love with him. And, if you have a dog currently, you will love him or her even more. You will even react differently to your dog now that you can imagine what it may be thinking.

But more than that-- you will appreciate what it is to have a human life. A verbal life. A life where you can tell someone EVERY DAY that you love them.

I'd love to tell you not to read it and save you the big ugly cry but, I can't. It's just that good a book!

Photo source

I am Superman?

I think I just watched Superman. Except he was blond and so was Lois Lane and it was called 'I Am Number Four'.

This movie was a nice balance of drama and action and the fight scenes, really all the effects, were FANtastic (shout out to Kacie!).

I am starting to understand how the Brits must have felt when Renee played their Bridget Jones. I keep watching the behind the scenes stuff and being SHOCKED that these dudes, Alex Pettyfer in this case, are Brits. This was my first exposure to Pettyfer and he struck me as a young Henry Cavill. I actually think this guy would have made a better Edward than Rob (if you don't get this sentence, believe me, you DON'T want to).

Dianna Agron plays the same character she always plays in everything *yawn*. But she does the part well (as she should by now!). She's so pretty-- but I am just about over her already.

Speaking of the blonds--LOVE LOVE LOVE number six! Teresa Palmer rocked her part. I even enjoyed watching the extras where she talks about her training to do the stunts.

And people (channelling Tim Gunn here), let's find a role for Timothy Olyphant. He needs a movie of his own. Whatever Matt Damon or Nicholas Cage is up for next, give it to this guy. I think he needs more screen time.

I would be remiss not to mention that this is based on a book by Pittacus Lore. A book I have not read. It's on the list-- but it was too far down and I had the movie from the library so I just went ahead and watched it. Well, I may NOT go back and read this one, but I do think I will pick up #2 in the series sometime soon and go from there.....they've got me curious now!

Bottom Line: Recommended for date night. Romance for the girls. Action and hot chicks for the guys.

Lukewarm

So, here are some books I do NOT recommend. I'm not saying they are bad. In fact, most would say they are good (if not great). There was nothing disturbing or vulgar in any of them. Their fault was that they were lukewarm. They were interesting but in most cases I can think of an author who does it better. I do not regret reading them. I just wouldn't again and I certainly would not say 'read THIS one' to anyone. Please feel free to disagree with me.

 The first two are book club books. 'Major Pettigrew's Last Stand' is a TERRIBLE book for a book club. The problem: everyone liked it. This makes for a very UNinteresting meeting. Why I didn't love it. I think Maeve Binchy writes this type of 'love at any age' story with a much better pen. Recommend: Maeve Binchy's Evening Class

We all agreed that it was a bit hard for us to understand what exactly made my second book on the list, 'The Maltese Falcon', a classic. Perhaps it was groundbreaking at the time. However, we all agreed we have seen this story done better and certainly so many times over that this book seemed like a cliche. I will say: The guys LOVED it! Hahahahahha. Recommended: Just watch the movie. It's pretty much straight word for word from the book.

I have actually met the author of my next book (Sue Grafton) and I have read from A to V (so far) in her series. Despite this review, I have no intention of stopping now. This installment, V is for Vengeance, seems like something that could have been a draft and should have been left aside. The whole book had me wondering what the point was. I just thought it felt unnecessary. Recommended: Just skip this one.

And finally, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. This book has a sequel called Sapphique and I admit (proudly wearing my Team Jacob necklace) that I picked it up in my post BD part 1 hangover. (Breaking Dawn for the non-Twihards). It was listed on IMDB.com as the next project for Taylor Lautner so I thought I would get a head start on reading the book. Well, I'm sorry to say. It COULD be good if 1) they combine both books together and 2) they get a decent screenwriter. As it stands it's very very very slow and I had a hard time finishing the first book. Honestly, the second book is better. So, it remains to be seen. Recommended: YA Hunger Games, or the Junior level Gregor Series both by Suzanne Collins

All Summer In a Day

Two days ago it rained and today is overcast and misty again. But yesterday, YESTERDAY was heavenly. A perfect spring day. The ground was still damp, the plants all seemed plumped up, and the trees just on the verge of bloom. The sun was coming in at that magical angle, not quite summer, and not still winter. In the sun, you were warm, in the shade you were cool. Gorgeous. My pup and I took a lovely mid-day walk and I got just a hint of a sunburn from my 30 minutes or so outside. I felt like blooming like the trees.

It reminded me of the first story that ever broke my heart. Ray Bradbury's short story: All Summer in a Day. I had had an emotional response to books and stories up to that point but I don't think I had ever been truly and deeply affected to this degree. It's horrible and beautiful. I remember wanting to stop, thinking 'make it stop' but you can't. You have to finish. I remember actually feeling like I wanted to go back to before I had ever heard this story, rip it out of my head. I wanted to yell at my teacher 'Take it back!'. I suppose that is actually the kind of thing every literature loving teacher wants to hear. That the person is changed by the story.

That reminded me of two books I wanted to tell you about that can be read IN a day! Ok, maybe YOU can't read it in a day because you actually don't neglect your children and family by saying things like 'uh huh, get whatever you want from the fridge....uh huh, you can watch a movie....no, I don't have anything planned for dinner' so you can keep reading. :)   I don't do that either *ahem* that is just....awwwww, I forgot Eric reads this....that's EXACTLY what I do.

Our first book up is 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. a- MAZE-ing. And Hello, the layers, the applications, the messages. You are gonna want to read this book if you somehow missed it in school like I did. It was recommended to me by a great book friend. (Thanks DeeDee!) I understand this author wrote two other books that are loosly considered sequels. I have them on my 'to read' list. Just a word about the cover art. What is UP with that? Is that not the WORST? Why do they have to make it so bad? Who would just pick up this book while they were browsing the shelves. I almost put it back myself just based on the cover. I was like YUCK, what kind of book is this. Answer: Awesome! (guess that's where they get that whole 'don't judge a book by it's cover' eh?)

Second book is Divergent by Veronica Roth. This would be a recommendation for my fellow YA SciFi fans. It goes in the catagory 'if you liked Hunger Games.....'. There are alot of similarities and I can see where there will be some haters just on that score (even the cover art is like a total Hunger Games knock off) but alot of the story undertones are unique and the main character is definately worth getting to know in her own right. Pick it up!


Have you read any of these items? What's your take? I'd love to hear what YOU have to say!

Photo credit here, here, and here

Bread Queen Unseated

HELP! I have been the crowned bread queen around here forever. Who thinks they can just swoop in here and take it? How did this happen? Well, I will tell you! It's Jorge's fault!

Photo credit here

 My journey began about 2 years ago when I found Jorge Cruise's book and Amber's website. She chronicles her experience following the Belly Fat Cure. It was great! She had little how-to videos and food lists and lots of product reviews. She had done a great job of slow and steady weight loss and I felt after reading the book that this diet was FOR REAL!

I lost 20 pounds and kept all but 5 of that off over the 2 years. Jorge recommends low sugar and low carbs. It's actually pretty straightforward. The thing this really did was open my eyes to all the hidden sugar in our diet that I honestly had not considered or noticed. I changed over to alot of salty rather than sugary snacks and found that the kids actually felt/behaved better and they weren't missing a thing.

I, however, was struggling, not with the sugar, but the carbs. If I filled my house with healthy foods I didn't crave a cookie. I wanted toast! :) But, regardless of that I had made so many EASY and SIMPLE changes that the weight still came off if I stuck with it - which I did!

Photo credit here

Building on this theme I picked up a book by Jeff O'Connell. He has diabetes and he explores what diabetics should be eating (less or NO sugar and carbs) versus what all our doctors and health associations are telling them to eat (fruit, oats, whole grains) and why what is recommended just isn't working because it is the wrong information. We have ended up not only with poorly controlled diabetic all over the world but also with more and more total diabetics by following all of the 'healthy diet' recommendations our county endorses. It was an interesting read but I had already cut alot of sugar from my diet and that was not the struggle, it's those darn carbs!

Photo credit here

Which brings me to this book. A book I KNOW is the next step for me. It's a step I do NOT want to take. I love love love my carbs. I have cut them back, I have changed to 'better' ones (this will make more sense to you when you read in this book that there really AREN'T any 'better' ones). But I have resisted the work that needs to be done for me to continue on my healthy weight loss. That is to eliminate the gluten and replace it with vegetables and NON blood sugar raising carbs.

 *please hold while I let out a cry of pain at the thought* Alright, I am ok now.

Basically. I need to live like a diabetic celiac. Bummer! Now, I'm not actually sensitive in the sense that I have celiac (like my brother-in-law) so I can actually not worry about the whole contamination and 'getting a little bit here and there' thing. But we are still talking about a GIANT step for Tracie-kind here.

Photo credit here

The irony is that I have actually simply circled back to Jorge's amended or what I call 'step 2' Belly Fat Cure. See, he came out with this 'BFC Fast Track' just as I was stalling out on the weight loss and I didn't want to do it. Get ALL your carbs without grains?? I wanted to find another way. But, alas, my research has led me back where I started. It's what my mother always said: 'Eat your veggies'. I guess I have some salads to eat and some cooking to learn.

Have you read any of these books? Have you even heard of them? Are you gluten free? I'd love any pointers or recipes you love. And here's the big question---Is anyone going to join me? Besides Eric, of course! (Eric got suspicious when he saw the wheat belly book and said 'Uh oh, what are we doing NOW?)

One for the Money worth MY money

I get book recommendations from LOTS of great book friends (you know who you are) but the greatest influence on my love of reading HAS to be my mom. :)

I am so thankful that I can think of many moments growing up that I found both my parents' current reads laying around the house. I can recall seeing them excited to discover a new author or a new book by an author they already loved. I hope my kids see the same things in me. I have a hunch it's already happening.

Anyway, one day my mom told me about a fun book series that was making her laugh out loud (periodically scaring my dad half to death). She said the first book was One For The Money by Janet Evanovich. Well, I dove right in and became a fan. Before long I was constantly awaiting the newest in the series when.....what's this?.....they are gonna make a movie of the first book? OH YEAH! That is gonna be SO awesome! That's what I thought and then I saw the cast. Hmmmm....not what I was thinking...at...all (Don't you hate that feeling?)

Fast forward to last week: Thru a series of unfortunate events (another series reference...did you catch that?) my mom was here in Pearland with me AND we were free of children mid-day AND both in definite need of some escape from reality. To make the whole 'stars are aligned in our favor' thing MORE incredible, the movie was playing at my favorite theater in the next 30 minutes and would get us out in time to pick up the boy at MDO. WHAT???? YES!! You are not even gonna believe that on top of all this the price for the movie?.....wait for it....$3. I am SO not kidding.

Review: It was great! I even liked the cast! It was a perfectly silly, happy, fun movie experience. Which is exactly how I would describe the books by the way. These are not the books you pick up to solve a serious mystery. You pick them up to take a break and laugh at someone being worse at her job than you are at yours.

I don't know if you would feel the way I do about the the movie if you had NOT read the book. You tell me! Leave a comment with your own review of the books OR the movie.

Scenting Out a New Author

This is a new author for me. I actually got this book recommendation from a fellow blogger. I just wish I could remember who! 

So, when it came in at the library I was a little nervous. For some reason I thought this author was gonna go all Nicholas Sparks on me. But, once I started it, I found out I couldn't have been more wrong. I really enjoyed this medium weight easy read. (This is the book Tina Fey's Bossypants lost out to on the nightstand. I'm SORRY, I TRIED!!) I really enjoyed the opening scene. Young, fresh and a little sexy. From there, some excellent characters are introduced and the story unfolds in a series of flashbacks to the era of the crime. I won't spoil it for you. 

If I had to compare it to anyone I would say it reminded me of a vintage Mary Higgins Clark novel. Kind of a Mary Higgins lite version in the sense that it was about a young woman looking for the secrets to an event from her childhood. There is some romance, a mystery, and a great story about human interactions-- particularly in a small town. I highly recommend it and I would love to hear from you if you have read this author before as to what of hers to pick up next! 

Photo from here

This Book Lacks Nothing

Wow! A book that leaves you inspired, feeling like you want to do more for others, and doesn't let your poor husband get ANYthing done because you want to read him half the book out loud. That's what this book is!

I gotta admit that 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' in not a book I would have EVER been curious enough to pick up and turn over but man, oh man it's a great read. Let, me first say I despise non-fiction. I mean, if I want to get depressed I watch the news, if I want to be concerned I watch Frontline, and if I want to be inspired I watch Nova. Well folks, this is all that rolled into one. And, once again, I have the book club to thank.

A brilliant story told from the point of view of a researching writer, a daughter of the title character, and various researchers. It lays out the medical developmental of cells in culture over the last half century. You will be shocked, you will be awed, and you will be touched. But mostly you will not believe what has happened in medicine in just a handful of years and that ONE little fluke began it all.

I encourage you to pick this up even if it is WAY outside your usual genre. You will be a better person for it. And so will the world.

Photo from here

This Book Needed Help

Here it is, the exception to the rule. A movie that is WAY better than it's book.

I know, I know. I am pretty much in the minority here. Everyone LOVED the book, everyone READ the book, everyone told everyone they knew to read the book.

Sorry, I only finished it because it was assigned for my book club. Otherwise I would have stopped about half way. Where was the editor? Why did we have to read all that drama about Skeeter and her mom and boyfriend. Pointless I say. But, I know, YOU all LOVED it.

Well, for once I was happy to see a book turned into a movie. My first thought when I saw a preview was "Oh good. I'd LIKE the movie version!" And I was right!! I thought they made all the editing cuts that should have been done in the first place. 6 chapters down to one screaming match (THANKYOU!) and alot of pointless conversation implied by a few brief scenes (YEP).

**spoiler alert** I have to say my one objection was how they changed the story of Constantine (Skeeter's maid) and her daughter. My first clue was when they revealed some information in practically the first scene that in the book was saved till the end. Hmmm. But, then I saw why...they changed the whole story. Was the point not to make us hate the mother? This mystery was the whole motivation for Skeeter to begin the book from the point of view of the help. In my opinion, the story revealed in the movie was not a big enough payoff. I preferred the shock value of the story in the book.

Well, the bottom line here is that there is something for everyone. If you loved the book you will definately enjoy the movie. If you don't intend to read the book, then the movie is wonderful.

What did you think? Love to hear your thoughts!

Photo from here

Smokey Plot

Need an EASY read? Here is your author.

I have eaten up this series since my mom introduced it to me many years ago. I know summer is over but this definately belongs to the beach read / don't take it too seriously (how COULD you) cartagory. I would describe it as lighthearted, slightly mysterious, with some romance here and there.

The picture is of the latest book but the titles all go by number. So, the first in the series is 'One for the Money' and so forth. (I always get annoyed when I don't know which book is the first in the series!!)

A few notes:

1) There will be a movie based on the first book next year with Katherine Heigel as the lead. This will be interesting. Not who I would have cast. I was thinking more along the lines of Nancy Travis. Regardless, unless it TOTALLY bombs (according to rotten tomatoes) I will plan to see it.

2) This author has a TON of other books outside the sequentially titled Stephanie Plum novels but I have not enjoyed them so after 2 attempts I have written them off.

3) If you are embarassed by laughing out loud in public spaces then read these books in the privacy of your own home....don't say I didn't warn you!

4) There is some language. So, if that offends rather than entertains avoid these.

Happy Reading!

*On my nightstand: Bossypants finally came in....will begin soon, find out what all the hype is about!

Photo from here

Coming Up Violets

Ok folks. Get ready to add this to your list. Total thumbs up.

Part mystery, part ancestry, part romance = a good read. If I see something recommended by someone (in this case I believe it was one of my blogs) I often go to the library website and request it. Then it's like a little gift when it comes in and I have forgotten about it.

In this case it was a GREAT gift. Easy to read, enjoyable and something that won't keep you up at night while still making you want to read just a LITTLE more.

The word that comes to mind is deLIGHTful and I am pleasantly surprised since I had recently given up on this whole 'middle age woman starting over' type story entirely.

Next up for me....I'm gonna head on back to some YA Scifi and read "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle cause one of her books recently caught my eye at a second hand shop and as I was about to buy it I noticed it said: 'a companion to A Wrinkle i Time' so I placed it back on the shelf and instead made a note to read that one first. You can see my recent review of another great book by this author here

Photo from here

Bump is the new Frack

Another day, another YA SciFi book to read. :) Well, I'm still waiting on something to thrill me as much as Hunger Games and this one was totally different but pretty cute.

Think Clueless meets Sweet Valley High and set it in the future. I think the most fun thing was figuring out their slang. Otherwise, it was the typical twin hi-jinx you are familiar with from every other story.

I have to say she set up some nice relationships and some interesting characters. I really liked the supporting characters the best up until near the end of the book. That's when you finally start to get a little deeper into the main character. Or I could be wrong about who the author considers the main character!

Interestingly, this might spark some discussion of religious issues. There is quite a line drawn in the sand at the beginning of the book. However, that line gets blurred during as the characters make their way thru their own situations.

Overall, I think any book that makes you think is great and if you can laugh along the way too even better!

*did you get my Battlestar reference in the title? Yeah, I'm a Battlestar nerd (new version only please!) and proud of it!

Have you read Bumped? or anything by this author? Got a recommendation for me? Love to hear it!!

Photo from here

Nothing like it- another book review

Don't you love a good book? Well, there is ALMOST nothing I like better. My book club book this month is Still Alice by Lisa Genova and it was WONDERFUL!

I was swept away as I went on the journey of gradual memory loss from start to finish with Alice and her family. This book excited me with it's unique perspective- that of a patient experiencing the dementia first hand.

I have never had the personal experience and I hope I never do but it's something I think all of us fear and this book sheds some light on that fear in an honest and inspiring way.

I hope you pick it up. Honestly, I NEVER would have if it had not been my book club book and that, my friends, is why I stay in the book club!

What are you reading now? Good or bad!

Photo from here

Loved the Elephants and Reese and surprisingly even Rob

Water for Elephants was a very good movie!

I would almost say it was beautiful to watch. But it feels funny to say that. Because, to be honest, the content is not beautiful. In the end, I guess that was the point. It was real & gritty- the true goings on of the circus. The relationships (some) were beautiful. And how he remembered it, as an experience, that was beautiful.

Overall, read the book. It is very enjoyable and gives you are more comprehensive view of the complex relationships. If you just want the love story then go with the movie. I enjoyed both!

What did you think?
Photo from here

Ring of Endless JOY

Really enjoyed this old school book about teens, death, life, dolphins and growing up. I picked this up randomly at the library and could not have enjoyed it more. I put it down only to read my book club book for this month and then picked it right back up. A nice easy read that really put you in the mentality of the main character. I enjoyed the religious and health care aspects of the book and actually think this would make a GREAT book club book.

My book club book this month was actually 'the Help' which was also good. I think though that it was not as great as everyone said. It felt like something else, almost like I had read it before. Not sure why. However, I am looking forward to the movie. Especially since it has the girl from 'Easy A'. I thought that movie was really cute. Kind of a throwback to 'There's Something about Mary' and I found it refreshing and fun to watch.

I'm waiting for 'City of Bones' from the library. What book is next for you? What's on your nightstand?

Photo from here