Monday, March 29, 2010

Book in the Mail!

The Lotus Eaters: A NovelI have recently purchased a couple books but have had no books show up in the mail in months until two days ago. I had no clue what book it could be. I was surprised to see The Lotus Eaters by Tartjana Soli. It was a win from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program back in December. I had pretty much decided that it wasn't going to arrive. It was a nice surprise and the perfect time since I am now reading regularly.


Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page





_________________________________________


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Ya Quick Reviews- Someone Like You and That Summer by Sarah Dessen

How to Deal movie tie-in
I picked up this movie tie in book about a year ago at Half Price Books since I had never read anything by Sarah Dessen and this was a two for one deal. The movie was based on Dessen's books Someone Like You and That Summer. After reading the two and reading the description of the movie I don't see how it could have been any good. With so much going on in both books, why not just use one book? 

Anyway, this is not about the movie this review is about the books. 



Someone Like You

Halley and Scarlett, friends since childhood, have to deal with death, pregnancy and family drama. Halley comes home from summer camp to be with Scarlett after her summer love is killed in a car accident. The year after is filled with surprises and changes in relationships. Scarlett and Halley's friendship is portrayed very realistically, as are the teen problems that are dealt with. I really enjoyed reading this one and felt very invested in the characters and their lives.

4/5

That Summer

Haven's summer begins with a wedding and ends with another. Her father marries the weather girl he had an affair with while married to Haven's mother. Then the rest of the summer is spent preparing for her sister's wedding. Haven spends a lot of this time thinking about her sister's past boyfriends. One of them, Sumner, who Haven has the best memories of, returns that summer and strikes up a friendship with Haven. I didn't enjoy this one as much. It seemed too focused on the past and not much happens in the present. The characters just didn't capture me as much as those in Someone Like You.

2.5/5




_________________________________________


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Jewelry Art Designs

Before finding out I was pregnant and dealing with the terrible morning (all day) sickness I had promised a review to Sarah of Jewelry Art Designs. This is very late in coming. 


Sarah sent me this lovely pendant on a very simple silver chain.  I was a little worried that the chain would be too short for my rather thick neck but I was excited to see that the chain has three links spaced evenly along it to adjust the length. A very nice detail.

Pendant Info:

14k Gold, 14k Rose Gold, and White Gold Rhodium Bonded Bouquet Pendant Made up of Rose Golden, Golden, and Silver Flowers with Round Clear CZ in the Center of Each in Silvertone

Summer Bouquet is a floral display of rose, gold, and silver flowers with blissful clear round CZ in the middle of each. White Gold Rhodium Bond is achieved using an electroplating process that coats the item with heavy layers of rhodium, a close cousin of platinum that costs three times as much, which gives our jewelry a platinum luster.


The delicate flowers are beautiful and the different metals makes this pendant perfect no matter what type of jewelry you wear- gold, silver, etc. It goes with everything. It is also a lovely add to my spring wardrobe. 

I received a lot of compliments from coworkers and students when I wore it to work. The girls especially thought it was very pretty. When I don't wear it they ask about it. One even asked if she could have it. :)
Love those little 4 year olds. 

Be sure to check out Sarah's other jewelry on her site, including some really nice earrings. You can find those here.

Thanks, Sarah, for sending the pendant my way and sorry for the delay. I really had no clue it would take me so long to post about it.

(Borrowed photo from Sarah's site, I took pics but my camera got erased somehow. I blame the hubby.)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Jewelry Art Designs

Before finding out I was pregnant and dealing with the terrible morning (all day) sickness I had promised a review to Sarah of Jewelry Art Designs. I know this isn't a book review but I feel awful about delaying for so long that I would like to share with all of you as well as everyone on mariknits



Sarah sent me this lovely pendant on a very simple silver chain.  I was a little worried that the chain would be too short for my rather thick neck but I was excited to see that the chain has three links spaced evenly along it to adjust the length. A very nice detail.

Pendant Info:

14k Gold, 14k Rose Gold, and White Gold Rhodium Bonded Bouquet Pendant Made up of Rose Golden, Golden, and Silver Flowers with Round Clear CZ in the Center of Each in Silvertone

Summer Bouquet is a floral display of rose, gold, and silver flowers with blissful clear round CZ in the middle of each. White Gold Rhodium Bond is achieved using an electroplating process that coats the item with heavy layers of rhodium, a close cousin of platinum that costs three times as much, which gives our jewelry a platinum luster.


The delicate flowers are beautiful and the different metals makes this pendant perfect no matter what type of jewelry you wear- gold, silver, etc. It goes with everything. It is also a lovely add to my spring wardrobe. 

I received a lot of compliments from coworkers and students when I wore it to work. The girls especially thought it was very pretty. When I don't wear it they ask about it. One even asked if she could have it. :)
Love those little 4 year olds. 

Be sure to check out Sarah's other jewelry on her site, including some really nice earrings. You can find those here.

Thanks, Sarah, for sending the pendant my way and sorry for the delay. I really had no clue it would take me so long to post about it.

(Borrowed photo from Sarah's site, I took pics but my camera got erased somehow. I blame the hubby.)

_________________________________________


Monday, March 22, 2010

Reviews on the Horizon

March

16. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz *
15. Small Favor by Jim Butcher *
14. Run For Your Life by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
13. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz *
12. That Summer by Sarah Dessen *
11. Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen *
10. Frenemies by Alexa Young
9. Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison

February

8. Flyte by Angie Sage
7. The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

These are the books that I have read since I have been absent from the blog. As you can see, I have been feeling a little better this month. Most of those March books read in the past two weeks. I am finally feeling a little more like myself but am definitely daunted by the number of reviews I have to write. Of course, I won't be reviewing all of these but the ones I've highlighted, I really want to review and share my thoughts with you. So, hopefully, in the next couple weeks you will be seeing some reviews on here again. Woohoo. Feels good to be back. I have starred the ones you can look forward to.

Pregnancy news: I have made it into the 2nd trimester and am definitely feeling it. The nausea is starting to be less and less and my energy level is almost back to normal. Also, I am starting to look pregnant not just like I ate a huge meal. I have my four month appointment next week when we find out if we are having a boy or girl. I can't wait. :)


_________________________________________