October Book Group: The Shining by Stephen King

I was so worried that I would be the only one reading this book. Everyone seemed so hesitant to read a horror genre book at our last meeting. Surprisingly all but one read it! Yay!- and on top of that, everyone really enjoyed it. I hosted this week and loved having people here to enjoy my Halloween decor. This months book: The Shining by Stephen King

Thoughts about the book:I was so excited to hear that everyone had a hard time putting this book down since I had the same reaction. I was reading it every chance I had. Most of us really liked the psychological aspect of the book- not knowing if what was happening was real or all in their heads. 
The Overlook definitely had an affect on all of us readers. One had a creepy experience in a building with fire doors closing and alarms going off and getting freaked out by the fire hoses in the hall. Agh! The rest of us were just a little more aware of the dark and noises in our homes.
Popular Question:What was the significance of the wasps/wasp's nest?This was one that we didn't really have an answer for. It came up a few times- different character's experience with wasp nests and then again at then end. It seemed to simple that it was just a reference to the Overlook being its own kind of wasp nest. It seems like something more. Ideas?
We also had fun comparing the book to the movie. We all decided the book was better.
Next Months book: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Teaser Tuesday: Book for review

I am finally making some progress with my review books. Here is a teaser from my current read, Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe.


"I could still hear my little sister’s violin playing down the hallway. When I walked into the house, it had been fast and jovial. Now it was slow and somber, as if behind closed doors she could feel the sadness of my mother’s heart." Brian Rowe (2011). Happy Birthday To Me (Kindle Locations 186-188). Kindle Edition.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (I am usually not so random)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King


I have been wanting to read a Stephen King book for a very long time. I read Christine years ago when I was a teenager but hadn't read anything else since. I decided to pick The Shining for my book groups October read. Probably not the best book for my easily scared group of friends, but for me-the perfect read.
Most, I believe, know the story, right? Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel which is in the Rocky Mountains closed off to everything once the snow starts to fall. He brings along his wife, who is ready to leave him the minute he starts drinking again, and his son, Danny with his psychic abilities.
I enjoyed reading this all month long. I loved the slow build up of the supernatural scares to the big final battle between the Torrance's and the Overlook Hotel. It was interesting to me how much of this is a psychological thriller rather than blood and gore scares. There is that, too, but the psychological thrills were so much more disturbing and scary.
Next on my Stephen King books to read list: It. 
5/5
Source: purchased ebook for iPhone Kindle App
RIP VI Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Almost Halloween!

I am already happily in the Halloween spirit. We took the little girl to a pumpkin patch a couple weeks ago and picked up some great pumpkins. The decorations are up and the Halloween children's books are out for the little girl to peruse. She is fascinated by the twinkling orange lights.
I have a few books going on right now. The Shining for my book group, which I am almost finished with and another House of Night books which I am finding hard to get into. I am also listening to Outlander by  Diana Gabaldon on audio while I knit. 
I already have the little girl's costume all knit up but she seems to like my Gryffindor scarf and wand. A future HP fan indeed…

_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

TSS: Time for Mom

I am finally finding time in the day for a little mom time now. It's nice. Emma is regularly taking 1-2 naps during the day for 1-2 hrs. Once any cleaning, laundering or picking up is finished, I have time to read, knit or veg in front of the tv. Not needing as many naps in the day as before. Of course, in the last couple days, our nights haven't been all that great. The little girl is seriously teething. She has all four top front teeth coming in and a molar! Poor girl is in pain. 
Anyway, another "for me" thing I am doing is Weight Watchers. I joined online today and am excited to get some of this weight off. It's funny, I can't really say it is "pregnancy weight". I lost weight while pregnant…well, I gained 12 lbs, but after Emma was born I lost all that weight plus 10 more. I have managed in this year, unfortunately, to gain back those extra 10 lbs  and am back to my pre-pegnancy weight, 25 lbs more than I would like to be. So, I am hoping WW will help get to a healthier weight. Any of you doing WW online? Is it helpful?
Reading:I am enjoying reading books I want to read right now. I have actually been able to read books I purchased. I do have some review books still waiting but I needed to take a break. I wasn't enjoying reading. It felt like a chore and I really hated that. I am starting to enjoy again and feel ready to jump into a review book once I finish my current read. 
Current Book:
The Shining by Stephen King
Finding parts to be similar to the movie and other parts very different. A lot of the backstory was left out. Really good, but not as scary as I thought it would be. We are reading this for my Book Group. I am hosting October. :) The house is already decorated for Halloween and I have my copy of The Shining (the movie) ready for our meeting on the 26th. 

_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
It has been a long time since I have read a book that kept me up late at night unable to put it down. I loved this book and enjoyed every bit of it. 
It is the story of Richard Mayhew, who despite the protests of his girlfriend, helps a young injured girl off the streets of London. In doing so, he loses his girlfriend, the life he knew and finds himself where he never would have imagined, London Below. 
Such a fun book full of adventures, creepy characters and scary monsters. Perfect book for the month of October.
5/5Source: purchased
R.I.P Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.