New Classics Challenge-1 book short of complete

This is the last book for the New Classics Challenge that ends today. I have not finished it. I am on page 337 of 636. I don't think I can finish this before the end of today. So, I leave this challenge unfinished by 300 pages.

I really thought I was going to be able to finish. Oh well.
So here is how I did:





Read:
Holes, Louis Sachar
Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer
Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman
Bel Canto, Anne Patchett

Still Reading:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon

Favorite book: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Bel Canto was a close second.

foliage ii- R.I.P

foliage ii
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

While in CA over the holidays I lost my hat. The hat I wore daily because it fit my big head perfectly. It was on the first night out in San Francisco, out in the Haight celebrating my birthday with friends and many pitchers of Sangria. Somewhere along the way, either on the way home for the night or the next day on our walk to the CalTrain station, I lost it. It fell out of my coat pocket and has not been seen since. I really hope that it has found its way on to someone's head. It is just way to warm and cozy to be laying in a gutter somewhere.

Whiskers on Wednesday (1/28/09)

It has been so long since I posted about Joey for Whiskers on Wednesday. Joey needs a little face time on here. :)
She is lounging right now after some tiresome running around the house after one of my hair bands. What a goofy kitty.

Teaser Tuesdays-1/27/09

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!


" 'Gee whiz!'

'Take care-there is no force more powerful than that of an unbridled imagination.' " page 272. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon.

On The Nightstand-January

Books Read this month:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman
No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong
Courage in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum
You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar
Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Now reading:

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Fault Line by Barry Eisler (LibraryThing Early Reviewer)

On the Nightstand:
Belong To Me by Marissa de los Santos (gift)
Schooled by Anisha Lakhani(prize)
The Disappearance by Efrem Sigel (LibraryThing Early Reviewers)
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi (prize)
The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez(gift)
The Best Place to Be by Lesley Dormen(prize)
Alive in Necropolis by Doug Dorst.(prize)
Rain Fall, Hard Rain and Rain Storm, Killing Rain and The Last Assassin by Barry Eisler
With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman (BBAW giveaway win)
The Strength of a Sparrow by Tim Anders(Bostick Communications)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseini
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
Harsh Cry of the Heron by Lian Heron
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

KAL decisions to make

I have decided to go with the yarn I just got from Steph for Dewey's KAL. I just absolutely love the color of this yarn.



As far as the pattern goes I have some choices. One is to come up with my own. This would be a first for me, but I have an idea that I would love to try out.

Of course I could always go with a pattern that has been in my Ravelry queue for awhile:
Go With The Flow from the Interweave Knits book, Favorite Socks
or
Cookie's Monkey socks

Choices, choices.

Dewey's KAL

When Dewey passed away in November the book blogging community lost a wonderful friend. In celebration mini-challenges in her honor have been started. I am unable to join in on the Reading Challenge but thought this one was a perfect one to join.

I haven't decided yet on a project but believe me, there are many projects in my queue to choose from. I just got some great sock yarn in the mail from Steph's Spinning Colors shop, so socks are a great possibility.

If you knew Dewey and are interested in the challenge, click on the button and go sign in. There will be some great yarn prizes for participants.

My updates will be posted on my knitting blog, MariKnits. Come by and check out my progress.

Dewey's KAL

I know, I know. I know I said no new projects until I finish my WIPs but this is a great KAL I couldn't pass up. When Dewey passed away in November the book blogging community lost a wonderful friend. In celebration mini challenges in her honor have been started. I am unable to join in in the Reading Challenge but thought this one was a perfect one to join.

I haven't decided yet on a project but believe me, there are many projects in my queue to choose from. I just got some great sock yarn in the mail from Steph's Spinning Colors shop, so socks are a great possibility.

If you knew Dewey and are interested in the challenge, click on the button and go sign in. There will be some great yarn prizes for participants.

first FO of 2009

I finished one of my WIPs!!!

No, it's not the blanket. Ha!

It is the hat.


Here are the specs:

Pattern: Selbu Modern by Zeitgeist Yarns
Yarn: Regia 4 ply
Needles: US1 and US2

Not quite big enough on me to be slouchy and beret-ish but cute all the same. The top of this is my favorite part.
I must say, not bad for my first real attempt at fair isle. I am giving myself a pat on the back. :)

Book Review- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda starts high school alienated from her friends for calling the police at a party over the summer. The year is spent alone and in silence until she finds her voice and the strength to speak about what happened at that party.

The writing style is a bit stunted and abrupt, which was a bit hard to get used to, but once the story gets going and I started understanding the character better, it becomes right. It fits.

I liked that you didn't know what causes Melinda's behavior change and silence until later in the book. It shows how parents, teachers, friends can misinterpret a person's behavior and actions as being "difficult" rather than finding out the cause. As a teacher, this is a great reminder that you never know what has happened or is happening to a student when they are not in your care.

4/5

YA Book Challenge

Book Buying Ban lifted

Remember how I said that my husband was placing a book buying ban on me? Well, he just broke it for me. He found the next John Rain book at barnesandnoble.com at a bargain price and asked if I had any books I wanted to get so we could get free shipping. Don't have to ask me twice. So, books that will be on the way to me very soon are:

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (paperback)
The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer (paperback)
The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (hardcover)
The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer (hardcover)
A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire (hardcover)

The hardcover books were all on sale for $4, including the Barry Eisler book for the hubby.

Pretty good, huh?

Bargain book buying, I guess, was not included in that ban. (I probably shouldn't mention the fact that I just bought some sock yarn yesterday.) :)

Daily Lit

Last year I took on the task of reading and discussing all of Jane Austen's books with friends. I fell short by one.

Persuasion.

The one novel I did not read or had not read before is finally getting read and in a very interesting way. In short daily increments that come to me by email at noon. Perfect timing for that is when the kids have rest time and when I eat my lunch. I found DailyLit while perusing the many posts on my GoogleReader this weekend. Alea mentioned this site along with books available to read online.

Interested?

Check out her post for the list and links. The Ranger's Apprentice sounds like one I would like to read.

It's about time for my daily dose of Austen.

Mailbox Monday-01/19/09

Wednesday- The Disappearance by Efrem Sigel (LT Early Reviewers)

Booking Through Thursday, cont.

I wanted to post the lyrics to my favorite Joshua Radin song. Also, I have added the song to my playlist which is on the right a few scrolls down. Have a listen and enjoy. It is a great song. :)

"Sundrenched World"

I can't get to bed
But I'm really tired
The things in my head
You used to admire
In your sundrenched world
It couldn't be worse
Don't bother asking
And here comes the nerves
While I'm trying to bask
In your sundrenched world

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My heart is blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I'm not wrong

I close up my mouth
When you're around now
Suffocating in doubt
I can't make a sound
In your sundrenched world
I always wanted to be
The one you looked to
For the answers in me
I'm the one who took you
To your sundrenched world

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My heart is blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I belong

It's all been said
Once before
We fucked around
On your bedroom floor

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My hands are blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I belong

Tell me I belong
Tell me I
Tell me I belong

Sunday Salon (01/18/09)

I love three day weekends. Don't you?

Sundays are the best when you realize that you have one more day to enjoy before having to go back to work. Yesterday was spent cleaning the house of the last remaining bit of Christmas. I know, last weekend should have been for that but a quick decision trip to Beaver Creek, CO changed my plans. Finally, though, the house is back to normal. I can sit and read or knit today without feeling too guilty about not cleaning. I still have tomorrow for the rest.

Anyway, I have lots of great books in the TBR pile right now. Some ARC's included that I really need to get to so I can review them before they are released. I did get one finished and reviewed this week. Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. It is geared toward children, 5th grade and up, who may be slightly reluctant readers.

The other books:
Fault Line by Barry Eisler
The Disappearance by Efrem Sigel
The Strength of a Sparrow by Tim Anders

Yup, need to start reading those.

I decided on some new challenges for this year. I think they will be a lot of fun and perfect for the books I am planning on reading. You can see how I am doing so far and what I have planned here:

YA Book Challenge
AtoZ Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge

I have one last challenge from last year finishing at the end of this month. I am really hoping that I will get this last book read but it doesn't seem promising. I can't seem to read it for more than 10 pages at a time and it is a long book. I started reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay the first week of January and I am still only 200 pages in. This may be the one challenge that I don't complete on time. I am enjoying the book, it's just not a quick read.

Happy Sunday!

Movie Meme

I stole this meme from Robin. I am thinking I will beat her number... Let's count.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
( x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(x) The Princess Bride
( ) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(x) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 13

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 18

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 26

(x) Finding Nemo
(x ) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
() Robots
Total so far: 32

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
() KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
()Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
() KING KONG (The Original)
Total so far: 38

() A Cinderella Story
() The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
(x) The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber [the original]
Total so far: 42


(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
() Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From ***
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 44

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child’s Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
total so far: 52

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
(x) Predator
() Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
() Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 58

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
() Rush Hour
() Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 65

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She’s All That
(x) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
(x) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 78

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
() Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original)
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
(x ) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 88

(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Krippendorf’s Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 95

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 101

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
() Elf
(x) Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 103

() The Jacket
() Kung *** Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
() Willa74
Total so far: 106

() High Tension (Haute Tension)
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 110

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() the Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 113

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 120

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
(x) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 129

YUP. I have seen a lot of movies. :) Does that mean I have no life? :)

Book Review- Skeleton Creek

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

This is the perfect book for the YouTube watching, reluctant reader. What a great concept, mixing the two medias. Before the book has even been released there are websites and YouTube videos available to garner interest in the book. Sites with easter eggs and conspiracy theories can be found just by googling "Skeleton Creek". It is quite amazing.

So, is the book worth all the hype?

Well, that depends on what you are expecting. If you are expecting a fast-paced, entertaining and interactive read to get your kids interested in reading. This is it.

The book is written as a journal by 15 year old Ryan who loves to write and read ghost stories. His best friend, Sarah, loves her video camera and a good mystery to investigate. Since the two have been seperated from each other because of an accident during an investigation late at night on an abandoned Dredge, they are forced to communicate with each other in secret through email and video clips while they continue to investigate.

I really think kids are going to love this mixed media ghost story and they will definitely get hooked with the cliff hanger. It is rather fun going to sarahfincher.com and entering the passwords as they come up in the book. Also, parents, lots of really great literature is mentioned throughout. It just might get some kids interested in checking them out next time they are in the library.

There were a few minor issues I had and they are rather nitpicky so I am not even going to mention them. They mostly have to do with the videos.

Anyway, the book comes out February 10th.

4/5

Booking Through Thursday (1/15/09)

But, enough about books … Other things have words, too, right? Like … songs! If you’re anything like me, there are songs that you love because of their lyrics; writers you admire because their songs have depth, meaning, or just a sheer playfulness that has nothing to do with the tunes. So, today’s question? What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love? Why? And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

"What a Wonderful World". One of the best songs ever especially when sung by Louis Armstrong.

Folk groups and singers have some great songs. The Weepies and Joshua Radin have some wonderful lyrics. Iron & Wine as well.

Book Review- No Humans Involved

No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong

The 7th book in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series focuses on necromancer and public spiritualist, Jaime Vegas. Jaime joins a team of spiritualists for a t.v. show attempting to "talk" to Marilyn Monroe. She gets paired with a Brit (who is very similar to a certain psychic on the Travel Channel's Most Haunted. Actually, not sure he is still on there.) and a young newcomer. While on set, Jaime discovers real ghosts and a mystery that only she and her friends in the council can solve.

I really enjoyed this one. I was waiting for Jaime to get her own story. She has always seemed like the weak one comparatively in the other books. Here she gets to be strong and show her abilities more. Plus she finally gets Jeremy on his own and away from his Pack. Leads to some...fun.

4/5

A to Z Challenge

new year resolution

One of my New Year resolutions for this year is to finish all my WIPs before starting anything new.

I know!

There are so many patterns, old and new, I want to start. Plus, I want to use my new toys, too. Of course, I have no need right now for winding balls so they will have to wait.

So, how many wips do I have? 5.

1 blanket
1 hat
1 pair of gloves
1 pair of ankle socks
1 scarf

That blanket will be the death of me. Death by boredom. :)

Mailbox Monday-01/12/09

Thursday- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (BookMooch)
Sunday- No Humans Involved by Kelly Armstrong (Hudson's in the Denver Airport)


After seeing my pile of books to read on my night stand the hubby has enforced a ban on my book buying. Yesterda's purchase may be my last for awhile! Ack!

Book Review- Courage in Patience

Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse by Beth Fehlbaum

As the title implies, this book is about courage. The courage to be yourself, to love your self and others, to fight for what is right and the courage to survive.

Ashley Asher survives one of the most horrible things that could ever happen to a young girl, sexual abuse by her stepfather. When her mother chooses to believe him and stay with him, Ash goes to live with her father whom she has never met. She visits with a counselor and enrolls in her stepmother's summer school english class where she meets and makes friends with a great cast of characters (that reminded me a bit of Stand and Deliver). With the help of her new family and new friends she is able to find normalcy in her life again.

Most of the book focuses on Ash and sexual abuse, but once in Patience, TX other issues start being addressed, as well. Bigotry, teenage pregnancy, censorship. At first I was a little confused and felt this was an unneeded addition to the book, but in the end I understand their place in the story. Just as Ash was finding the courage to get past the horror she lived through, the people of Patience also had to find theirs.

4/5

YA Reading Challenge
A to Z Challenge

Booking Through Thursday-01/08/09

It’s a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?

Here are some of my favorite books that I read in 2008.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settenfield.
House of Dance by Beth Kephart.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

These are all highly recommended.

YA Quick Review- Gossip Girl (1&2)

Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
I found this book on my sister in law's bookshelf over the summer while visiting. Since I am completely obsessed with the show I picked it up and read it all in less than a day. It was different from the show in some ways and very similar in others. I enjoyed the style, with GG's blog posts interspersed throughout with little gossipy tidbits. It was a fun summer read.

3/5

You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book but it was still a quick, fun read. I am just not a fan of this Dan Humphries. He is a bit of a dork. His obsession with Serena is a bit much. I also needed more Chuck Bass.

I began reading this after becoming a fan of the show, so the differences may be influencing my thoughts on the books.

2/5

YA Book Challenge
AtoZ Challenge (Y)

Skeleton Creek (Preview)

Looks interesting, right?

I will be reviewing later this month.
Check out this site for more videos.

Mailbox Monday-01/05/09

A big box from the Post office was on on my doorstep today with all my held mail from over the holidays. Here are the books that were in there:

Fault Line by Barry Eisler (Library Thing Early Reviewers)
You Know You Love Me (a Gossip Girl novel) by Cecily von Ziegesar (BookMooch)
Schooled by Anisha Lakhani (Lenore)

Sunday Salon (01/04/09)

Happy New Year!

Today ends my 2 weeks of holiday. I will be getting on a plane heading back home in a few hours. I have had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. Our New Year's Eve Party in SF was lots of fun. We even got to go to the de Young and see the Maya Lin exhibit before it is gone soon.

Our suitcase are packed, heavier with books for the both of us. Some are already read others will find their way onto my night stand pile of TBR books for the year. I am also expecting some books in the mail on Monday. Can't wait to see what is in there when our two weeks of mail shows up tomorrow afternoon.

Resolutions have been going through my mind lately as they usually do at this time of the year. Knitting- finish projects before starting new ones. Reading- read and enjoy the books. I am not setting a goal for Number of books this year. Life-30min workouts everyday. It can be walking, yoga, my tap class on Mondays, The Shimmy on FitTV or time on the Wii Fit that the hubby has promised to get me if I cancel my gym membership that is getting too expensive. I think that is manageable. No weight goals-just getting up and moving daily!

I have been seeing a lot of Book Stats going around about books read in 2008. Besides knowing that I read 100 books I haven't looked at anything else. So, I thought I would do that today. See how I fared. So here are my stats for 2008.

Books read: 100
Books Reviewed:46
Classics: 9
Adult Contemporary Fiction: 40
Young Adult Fiction: 42
Non-Fiction:3
Novella:1
Essays:1
Childrens: 4
Audiobooks:2
Advanced Reader Copies: 2

Book Review- Sarah's Key

Two stories weaved together to tell a story. One about a girl trying to protect her brother after having been arrested and sent to the Vel' d'Hiv' with her parents in Paris, July 1942. The other, an American Ex-Pat journalist researching the events of July 1942.

The chapters about Sarah and her family were the hardest part to read emotionally, but they were the best parts of the book. The modern day chapters that focused on Julia and her family started out feeling out of place and unrelated. I kept getting upset that Sarah's story was getting interrupted. I was very tempted to skip them and get back to them later. However, as I continued to read the connection became more apparent and I ended up not minding them as much.

Such a sad tale and under such terrible circumstances. This book had me crying and wanting to find more books on what happened in France during the Occupation. I am just appalled by the inhumanity of those who sent so many people to the work and concentration camps during WWII. This is one that will stick with you for awhile after reading it.

4/5

A to Z Challenge (S)

WWII Challenge

A to Z Challenge

Hosted by Becky. Click on button for details.

I had completely forgotten that I had signed up for this one. Well, one more can't hurt, right?

I will be attempting Option B: Read titles A to Z. Commit to reading 26 books theoretically speaking.


A- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (review)
B- The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (review)
C- Courage in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum (review)
D- The Disappearance by Efrem Sigel (review)
E- Eighth Grade Sucks (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod) by Heather Brewer (review)
F- Fault Line by Barry Eisler (review)
G- The Gifted Gabaldón Sisters by Lorraine López (review)
H- How To Be Popular by Meg Cabot (review)
I- Impulse by Ellen Hokins (review)
J- Julie and Julia by Julie Powell (review)
K-Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin (review)
L- The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (review)
M- The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (review)
N- No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong (review)
O- The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl #4) bye Eoin Colfer (review)
P- Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich (review)
Q-
R- The Reader by Bernard Schlink (review)
S-Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (review)
T- ttyl by Lauren Myracle (review)
U- Undercover by Beth Kephart (review)
V- Vanishing Acts by Jodi Piccoult (review)
W-
X-
Y- You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Zeitgesar. (review)
Z-

Serial Readers Challenge 2009

Hosted by Beth. This is for new series. You must start and end a series for them to count at the end of December. There are a few I have been wanting to start for quite awhile now, so I think this challenge is a good one for me.


What I have read:

Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer
1. Artemis Fowl
2. Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

3. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code

4. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
5. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
6. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox


Circle of Magic Series by Tamora Pierce
1. Sandry's Book
2. Tris's Book
3. Daja's Book
4. Briar's Book

Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
1. Glass Houses

2. The Dead Girl's Dance
3. Midnight Alley
4. Feast of Fools
5. Lord of Misrule
6. Carpe Corpus

The Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty
1. Sloppy Firsts
2. Second Helpings
3. Charmed Thirds
4. Fourth Comings
5. Perfect Fifths

 Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

1. City of Bones

2. City of Ashes

3. City of Glass

What I want to read:

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes

I will start with that list for now. Cross off as I go along and add if need be.
Fun. Fun.

Book Review- The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

David Henry, a physician in the 60's delivers his twin babies himself due to a terrible snow storm. Norah, his wife, delivers a perfectly healthy boy and then surprisingly, a baby girl. The baby girl has Down Syndrome and knowing that her life will be difficult and wanting to save Norah the grief, David decides to have his nurse take her to an institution for "the feeble minded". Caroline, however, decides on a better alternative and disappears with the child, while Norah is told by David that Phoebe was stillborn.

I enjoyed most parts of the book, mostly during the sections with Caroline and Phoebe. I loved reading about her growth and successes and the activism by Caroline to get Phoebe into school. I was ashamed and saddened by the comments mentioned by others in the story and by David's and later Paul's use of the word "retarded" to describe her.

The sections that focused on David and Norah were at times hard to get through. The sadness and self-hate were hard to read, all because of this secret that caused more damage to their family than keeping their daughter would have. It was hard for me to have sympathy for David. All his troubles with his son and his wife were brought on by himself, by the secret he kept, by giving up his daughter.

3/5

A to Z Challenge (M)

2009 YA Book Challenge

The first challenge I am signing up for this year is J. Kaye's Young Adult Book Challenge. Click over for details.

Here is my list of reads for the year:

1. Courage in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum
2. You Know You Love Me (Gossip Girl 2) by Cecily von Zeigesar
3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
4. Sandry's Book ( Circle of Magic) by Tamora Pierce
5. ttyl by Lauren Myracle
6. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
7. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
8. The Dead Girl's Dance by Rachel Caine
9. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

10. How To Be Popular by Meg Cabot

11. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
12. Undercover by Beth Kephart


And this isn't counting all the books coming out this year that I want to read.

Booking Through Thursday-01/01/09

So … any Reading Resolutions? Say, specific books you plan to read? A plan to read more ____? Anything at all?

Name me at least ONE thing you’re looking forward to reading this year!


Reading resolutions...I hadn't really thought about it.

After trying to read 100 books last year I did decide that my goal for this year would be to just enjoy reading. Still read a lot, still keep track of how many but not feel the need to rush through good books. I enjoyed taking my time reading Bel Canto.

I have yet to decide on any challenges. Will give some a look-see and decide soon since so many are starting this month. I will limit myself to 1 or 2 at a time. I want to enjoy the books. Right now I have my eye on J.Kaye's YA Book Challenge. I have a good number of YA books to read.

Happy New Year to all!