My haul from the library this weekend!
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Review: Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Read from July 12 to 14, 2011
If I had known the massive amount of awesome I was missing out on by not having read this book, I would have picked it up a long time ago. I'm sad to say that the main reason I read this is because I heard Emma Watson was going to be in the movie. Then, my friend Alli said she had read it, that I should as well. So I picked up a copy from the local library, and started in.
Now, having read this book, I again am astonished at the types of books that are "challenged". I'm not going to go off on a tangent about that, but this book is fantastic, and I hate that anyone would try to keep others from reading this work.
This wasn't a book that had me hooked from page one, but it was one that was good enough to keep me wanting to read it. Charlie's letters were interesting, written to an anonymous friend that we never find out their identity. The letters were written the way a teenager, just a normal teenager, would write in order to express all the jumble of feelings and emotions, just to get it all out, down on paper. Charlie is troubled, but he is a good guy, and that is refreshing. We don't really see Charlie do anything out of spite or malice, regardless of his own inner demons. Everything he does for someone else he believes is for the good of the other person. He is thoughtful and deep, and I really, really liked that.
So many of the books based on teenagers merely scratch the surface of the characters' personalities and emotions, but we get to know Charlie pretty well. The book represents Charlie in a very raw and honest way. He doesn't paint himself to be some awesome guy; even as he describes his actions, he doesn't puff himself up to make himself sound unique. He does what he does, because he thinks it is right, and assumes everyone else would be the same way, always trying to do the right thing. He learns, as he goes through his school year, this is not the case. Many other people are selfish and don't care to think about others.
There isn't some big revelation at the end of this book, and I don't really think there is a lesson to be learned. But emerging from this series of letters is a very subtle idea that even when you're screwed up, everything can still be ok.
★★★★★
quotes from the book:
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."
"I would die for you. But I won't live for you."
"I think that if I ever have kids, and they are upset, I won't tell them that people are starving in China or anything like that because it wouldn't change the fact that they were upset. And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have."
Read from July 12 to 14, 2011
If I had known the massive amount of awesome I was missing out on by not having read this book, I would have picked it up a long time ago. I'm sad to say that the main reason I read this is because I heard Emma Watson was going to be in the movie. Then, my friend Alli said she had read it, that I should as well. So I picked up a copy from the local library, and started in.
Now, having read this book, I again am astonished at the types of books that are "challenged". I'm not going to go off on a tangent about that, but this book is fantastic, and I hate that anyone would try to keep others from reading this work.
This wasn't a book that had me hooked from page one, but it was one that was good enough to keep me wanting to read it. Charlie's letters were interesting, written to an anonymous friend that we never find out their identity. The letters were written the way a teenager, just a normal teenager, would write in order to express all the jumble of feelings and emotions, just to get it all out, down on paper. Charlie is troubled, but he is a good guy, and that is refreshing. We don't really see Charlie do anything out of spite or malice, regardless of his own inner demons. Everything he does for someone else he believes is for the good of the other person. He is thoughtful and deep, and I really, really liked that.
So many of the books based on teenagers merely scratch the surface of the characters' personalities and emotions, but we get to know Charlie pretty well. The book represents Charlie in a very raw and honest way. He doesn't paint himself to be some awesome guy; even as he describes his actions, he doesn't puff himself up to make himself sound unique. He does what he does, because he thinks it is right, and assumes everyone else would be the same way, always trying to do the right thing. He learns, as he goes through his school year, this is not the case. Many other people are selfish and don't care to think about others.
There isn't some big revelation at the end of this book, and I don't really think there is a lesson to be learned. But emerging from this series of letters is a very subtle idea that even when you're screwed up, everything can still be ok.
★★★★★
quotes from the book:
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."
"I would die for you. But I won't live for you."
"I think that if I ever have kids, and they are upset, I won't tell them that people are starving in China or anything like that because it wouldn't change the fact that they were upset. And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have."
Review: So Much Pretty - Cara Hoffman
So Much Pretty by Cara Hoffman
Read from July 18 to 21, 2011
304 pages
I feel like this book was trying to have substance, trying to have a deep dark message, but it missed. I felt like it was so wrapped up in trying to describe how horrible the world was, but mixed that in with characters we were supposed to feel compassion for but didn't. Maybe, had I actually been able to bond with at least one of the characters I would have felt a little more pull to the story, it might have grabbed me a little more, and it might have left me with the resounding fury toward mankind a story like this deserves to force upon it's readers.
Our world is ugly and unkind. There is not only black and white, but there is a gray area that exists and this story draws pretty much exclusively from that idea. I dont deny any of this, and much of this book left me frustrated at the actions of just about every narrator (and there were about 10 or so of those). And 99 percent of those narrators were guilty of something in a way that impacted the events in this story. They were all the bad guy in one way or another, some more disturbing than others.
Though I'm tempted to go so far as to give this book 2 stars, I'm going to have to say 3, mostly because of the attempt. Sort of the whole adage "it's the thought that counts." Hoffman is going for something really deep. She's tackling a subject that many of us readers feel strongly about, and she supports our side of the controversial issue. At some points she plays devils advocate, others she merely presents us with evidence and leaves it to us to make our own decisions and conclusions.
That being said, I feel like she is addressing a problem so big that the reader gets lost in the shuffle of facts and "witnesses", what the characters did or didnt or maybe did do through out the whole thing.
I dont think that 304 pages was enough to develop this story and conclude it in the best way possible, but the writing style was such that I really couldnt take much more of the bouncing from one character to another.
It's worth a read, and it's pretty intense as far as subject matter goes, so I'm going to recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested. If you stick with it, you will get at least something out of it. You might just love it. I didn't.
★★★☆☆
Read from July 18 to 21, 2011
304 pages
I feel like this book was trying to have substance, trying to have a deep dark message, but it missed. I felt like it was so wrapped up in trying to describe how horrible the world was, but mixed that in with characters we were supposed to feel compassion for but didn't. Maybe, had I actually been able to bond with at least one of the characters I would have felt a little more pull to the story, it might have grabbed me a little more, and it might have left me with the resounding fury toward mankind a story like this deserves to force upon it's readers.
Our world is ugly and unkind. There is not only black and white, but there is a gray area that exists and this story draws pretty much exclusively from that idea. I dont deny any of this, and much of this book left me frustrated at the actions of just about every narrator (and there were about 10 or so of those). And 99 percent of those narrators were guilty of something in a way that impacted the events in this story. They were all the bad guy in one way or another, some more disturbing than others.
Though I'm tempted to go so far as to give this book 2 stars, I'm going to have to say 3, mostly because of the attempt. Sort of the whole adage "it's the thought that counts." Hoffman is going for something really deep. She's tackling a subject that many of us readers feel strongly about, and she supports our side of the controversial issue. At some points she plays devils advocate, others she merely presents us with evidence and leaves it to us to make our own decisions and conclusions.
That being said, I feel like she is addressing a problem so big that the reader gets lost in the shuffle of facts and "witnesses", what the characters did or didnt or maybe did do through out the whole thing.
I dont think that 304 pages was enough to develop this story and conclude it in the best way possible, but the writing style was such that I really couldnt take much more of the bouncing from one character to another.
It's worth a read, and it's pretty intense as far as subject matter goes, so I'm going to recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested. If you stick with it, you will get at least something out of it. You might just love it. I didn't.
★★★☆☆
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
What I'm Reading Wednesday
What I’m Reading Wednesday
It's been a while since I did this! Hopefully I can bring it back now that I'm reading more!
Part of the reason I've been MIA is because I've been reading a ton! I've got 8 books right now that I'm trying to read.
The list is this:
The Sherlockian- Graham Moore
I've been reading on this book for a while now, and it is really good but it is slow moving. The main reason for this, in my opinion, is because every chapter switches point of views and travels back in time. Chapter one is told about Harold in 2010, Chapter two is told about Arthur in the late 1890s early 1900s.
The basic premise of this novel is to uncover what was in Arthur Conan Doyle's missing diary about what happened in the 8 years that he didn't write about Sherlock Holmes.
I'm about half way through, so more to come on my thoughts.
I'm also reading The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott (YA)
This book is very interesting. Scott's writing style is not exactly as flowing as say, JK Rowling, but the world he draws up is incredible, filled with magic and fantastical creatures. Twins become intertwined in the world of Nick and Perry Flemming and soon discover that they have lived for hundreds of years running from the Dark Elders that want to rule the world. This is of course a loose synopsis, but I recommend the book if you are interested in magical worlds and stories of the sort- similar to Harry Potter. Again, I'm only about half way through, but this is the first book in a series of 6 (so far, I suppose). (For those hardcore HP fans, the name Flamel may sound familiar, as he was in the Philosopher's Stone.)
Next up are the following:
For Book Club In April: Hunger Games
Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Let me know!! Thanks for reading, dears!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Day 17: Books That Opened Up My Eyes...
Days of Truth
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Three years ago, I was unemployed for a "short" period of time, so I spent some of my free time reading books off the Top 100 Novels of All Time list. The first one I started before the unemployment was Stephen King's The Stand, per the recommendation of my mother. Although we have quite different tastes in our reading choices, she claimed this book was "awesome". It lacks the horror many of his novels possess, which is why she felt I would enjoy it as well.
She was right. From a few pages into this gigantic novel, I was sucked into the world he created. The creation of that world is what makes the novel so fantastic, the battle that wages between good and evil throughout the entire novel, the absolute pure evil found in Randall Flagg, and the epitome of good with Mother Abigail, and all the characters in between.
But how it changed my views on something? Well, I cant really pin the nail on that. I loved the novel, and one thing it did for me was redefine the term "favorite book." I had never read anything so in depth or riveting. I've never been so engrossed in a book that I absolutely could not put it down, regardless of the fact that it weight 10 pounds. I was there. I was traveling with Glen, Stu, and Nick, right there along that road with them. I was scared of Randall Flagg, and put my faith in Mother Abigail. More so than I've ever been with any other book. The post apocalyptic setting was also very much real, it was not incredibly far fetched, and the traits of each human were incredibly true to life. And Randall Flagg was just so EVIL!
Another book that I absolutely loved, I read right after I finished The Stand, was Memoirs of a Geisha. The book was incredibly inspiring, the story of an old geisha as she is being interviewed. It was exposure to a life I know nothing of, and so very honest. With all stories about those who are in difficult situations and able to eventually rise up, and live to tell the story, I was touched by the success. Although it was fictional, it seemed very real. Again, this book showed me the depths a novel can go to draw in the reader. Most mainstream novels barely scratch the surface of the intensity of these two novels.
The third and final novel, again on the list previously mentioned, is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I read that recently for my book club, the book was chosen by my husband. The book was astounding in it's projections of the technology progression, especially considering when it was written. The story of Ender as he trains to become a commander of a star fleet is heartbreaking but intriguing nonetheless. The one thing that I learned was that the ability of people to manipulate others varies, but yet there are so many ways. The ulterior motives of a person may not be known to you. Others can control you in ways that you have no idea, or if you do have an idea, it is beyond your control or power to act any differently. It was an eye opening view of the military style of persuasion, the childish, selfish ways, and the evil conniving ways. All are effective.
I recommend all of these books to anyone who loves to read!!
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Three years ago, I was unemployed for a "short" period of time, so I spent some of my free time reading books off the Top 100 Novels of All Time list. The first one I started before the unemployment was Stephen King's The Stand, per the recommendation of my mother. Although we have quite different tastes in our reading choices, she claimed this book was "awesome". It lacks the horror many of his novels possess, which is why she felt I would enjoy it as well.
She was right. From a few pages into this gigantic novel, I was sucked into the world he created. The creation of that world is what makes the novel so fantastic, the battle that wages between good and evil throughout the entire novel, the absolute pure evil found in Randall Flagg, and the epitome of good with Mother Abigail, and all the characters in between.
But how it changed my views on something? Well, I cant really pin the nail on that. I loved the novel, and one thing it did for me was redefine the term "favorite book." I had never read anything so in depth or riveting. I've never been so engrossed in a book that I absolutely could not put it down, regardless of the fact that it weight 10 pounds. I was there. I was traveling with Glen, Stu, and Nick, right there along that road with them. I was scared of Randall Flagg, and put my faith in Mother Abigail. More so than I've ever been with any other book. The post apocalyptic setting was also very much real, it was not incredibly far fetched, and the traits of each human were incredibly true to life. And Randall Flagg was just so EVIL!
Another book that I absolutely loved, I read right after I finished The Stand, was Memoirs of a Geisha. The book was incredibly inspiring, the story of an old geisha as she is being interviewed. It was exposure to a life I know nothing of, and so very honest. With all stories about those who are in difficult situations and able to eventually rise up, and live to tell the story, I was touched by the success. Although it was fictional, it seemed very real. Again, this book showed me the depths a novel can go to draw in the reader. Most mainstream novels barely scratch the surface of the intensity of these two novels.
The third and final novel, again on the list previously mentioned, is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I read that recently for my book club, the book was chosen by my husband. The book was astounding in it's projections of the technology progression, especially considering when it was written. The story of Ender as he trains to become a commander of a star fleet is heartbreaking but intriguing nonetheless. The one thing that I learned was that the ability of people to manipulate others varies, but yet there are so many ways. The ulterior motives of a person may not be known to you. Others can control you in ways that you have no idea, or if you do have an idea, it is beyond your control or power to act any differently. It was an eye opening view of the military style of persuasion, the childish, selfish ways, and the evil conniving ways. All are effective.
I recommend all of these books to anyone who loves to read!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Holley's Hobby Tuesday
I can't remember anything, my thoughts are constantly moving
Where will I be tomorrow? Where will I be next year?
I'll never put my finger on just what I wanted to say
My motivation changes when things turn out this way
Song of the day: Stolen From Some Great Writer by Spitalfield
Thoughts of the day:Still working on that positive outlook thing. So far so good, but it's only been a day. What better way to take it though? One day at a time right? Also, I love to imagine myself as someone else, living a different life... Maybe I should be an actress.
I'd like to begin this week's Hobby Tuesday with a conclusion I have made about my TV watching style.
Observation of the day: I think that if I have to like a show that is canceled, I'd rather know before hand.
Example: my recent obsession with Veronica Mars. I know that it is only 3 seasons going in. I like knowing that before I get wrapped up in the story. I feel prepared for the show to possibly have an open ending.
Opposite example: October Road. Was only on 2 seasons, and I didn't enjoy finding out that the show was canceled leaving such a freaking cliffhanger. I was actually quite upset and heartbroken when finding out the news that the show was canceled without us being able to find out who Sam's father was. I'm STILL pissed about that.
Alright on to the details!!
Books:
i went a bit crazy at the library yesterday, so here is my list that I checked out. Let me know if you've read any of them!
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist- Cohen&Levithan. This is my currently reading. I loved the movie, just thought it was so cute, so i decided to read the book. Because... the book is always better, right? So far so good.
Outlander- Gabaldon. I've heard great things about the series and decided to give it a shot.
Confessions of a Shopaholic- Kinsella. Yet another movie I thought was cute and decided to read the book! It's a series, too, so I'm excited to embark on that journey.
Fortune is a Woman- Adler. Elizabeth Adler is the one romance writer that I absolutely adore. She's so great! I love that she adds in a twist of mystery that is not the same plot in every story. I love that many of her books are about traveling to beautiful places like Tuscany, Malibu, Providence... I love them.
I checked out a bunch more but I'm going to hold off on listing those til next week.
Netflix
DVDs:
This week we have **Book of Eli** coming. We watched **Punisher: War Zone**. It was disappointing. I don't even want to think about that movie. Boooo!
Instant Queue:
So I am two episodes shy of watching the first season of Veronica Mars in like 4 days. I LOVE that show. Love. And Logan is a serious hottie. Oh, the good old high school days.
Also, I have a bunch of Mary Kate and Ashley movies lined up. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am just loving high school stuff right now. Weird.
Just to go back to Veronica Mars for a moment, there is apparently a huge push taking place for a Veronica Mars movie. If we can get enough people to show some support for the movie, maybe we will get one.
I had never even heard of the show until recently, and I love it. So if you haven't seen it, check it out, and support the push for a Veronica Mars Movie!
What's on your list this week?
Where will I be tomorrow? Where will I be next year?
I'll never put my finger on just what I wanted to say
My motivation changes when things turn out this way
Song of the day: Stolen From Some Great Writer by Spitalfield
Thoughts of the day:Still working on that positive outlook thing. So far so good, but it's only been a day. What better way to take it though? One day at a time right? Also, I love to imagine myself as someone else, living a different life... Maybe I should be an actress.
Holley's Hobby Tuesday
I'd like to begin this week's Hobby Tuesday with a conclusion I have made about my TV watching style.
Observation of the day: I think that if I have to like a show that is canceled, I'd rather know before hand.
Example: my recent obsession with Veronica Mars. I know that it is only 3 seasons going in. I like knowing that before I get wrapped up in the story. I feel prepared for the show to possibly have an open ending.
Opposite example: October Road. Was only on 2 seasons, and I didn't enjoy finding out that the show was canceled leaving such a freaking cliffhanger. I was actually quite upset and heartbroken when finding out the news that the show was canceled without us being able to find out who Sam's father was. I'm STILL pissed about that.
Alright on to the details!!
Books:
i went a bit crazy at the library yesterday, so here is my list that I checked out. Let me know if you've read any of them!
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist- Cohen&Levithan. This is my currently reading. I loved the movie, just thought it was so cute, so i decided to read the book. Because... the book is always better, right? So far so good.
Outlander- Gabaldon. I've heard great things about the series and decided to give it a shot.
Confessions of a Shopaholic- Kinsella. Yet another movie I thought was cute and decided to read the book! It's a series, too, so I'm excited to embark on that journey.
Fortune is a Woman- Adler. Elizabeth Adler is the one romance writer that I absolutely adore. She's so great! I love that she adds in a twist of mystery that is not the same plot in every story. I love that many of her books are about traveling to beautiful places like Tuscany, Malibu, Providence... I love them.
I checked out a bunch more but I'm going to hold off on listing those til next week.
Netflix
DVDs:
This week we have **Book of Eli** coming. We watched **Punisher: War Zone**. It was disappointing. I don't even want to think about that movie. Boooo!
Instant Queue:
So I am two episodes shy of watching the first season of Veronica Mars in like 4 days. I LOVE that show. Love. And Logan is a serious hottie. Oh, the good old high school days.
Also, I have a bunch of Mary Kate and Ashley movies lined up. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am just loving high school stuff right now. Weird.
Just to go back to Veronica Mars for a moment, there is apparently a huge push taking place for a Veronica Mars movie. If we can get enough people to show some support for the movie, maybe we will get one.
I had never even heard of the show until recently, and I love it. So if you haven't seen it, check it out, and support the push for a Veronica Mars Movie!
What's on your list this week?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thoughtful Thursday- Where my head's at today.
she says we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot
Song of the day: Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Current Mood: emotional
Thoughts of the day:
* I just watched Love Story, which is most definitely one of the saddest movies I have ever seen. If you havent seen it, you should, if you are in to total tear jerker movies about true love. I'm not going to spoil it or any thing, but it sure was a good one. It really made me think about life and how fragile it is. how important it is to hang on to every moment. It is so important to cherish the ones you love every day. And I love my husband so much I feel my heart could burst some times. I just wish i could really show him that.
* I started and finished Burned by Ellen Hopkins. If you have never read any thing by her, you should. Her writing style is so different than every one else's. She writes some serious subjects and this book is about a Mormon teenager who struggles with finding love- not just romantic love, but family love as well. It's so heavy, it really made me think about how lucky i am to have the amazing family that I do. And it also reminded me that you never know someone elses situation until you've actually seen where they come from. You have to watch the things you say to other people, and how you treat them. It makes me sad, my heart goes out to anyone who has a family life like Pattyn in this book. Which, as a side note, is a very nice girl name.
*Also watched Fried Green Tomatoes, yet another movie that makes me think about life. I'm thinking about how frustrated I am with my life and frustrated at myself for not being able to figure it all out, but sometimes you really just need someone by your side, a friend to talk to, just a companion. I know I can find my way out of this mess, I just cant give up. i've got to keep trying. And I'm lucky enough to have the best husband possible to help me find out where I need to go next.
I think those are enough thoughts for today.
What are you thinking of today?
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot
Song of the day: Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Current Mood: emotional
Thoughts of the day:
* I just watched Love Story, which is most definitely one of the saddest movies I have ever seen. If you havent seen it, you should, if you are in to total tear jerker movies about true love. I'm not going to spoil it or any thing, but it sure was a good one. It really made me think about life and how fragile it is. how important it is to hang on to every moment. It is so important to cherish the ones you love every day. And I love my husband so much I feel my heart could burst some times. I just wish i could really show him that.
* I started and finished Burned by Ellen Hopkins. If you have never read any thing by her, you should. Her writing style is so different than every one else's. She writes some serious subjects and this book is about a Mormon teenager who struggles with finding love- not just romantic love, but family love as well. It's so heavy, it really made me think about how lucky i am to have the amazing family that I do. And it also reminded me that you never know someone elses situation until you've actually seen where they come from. You have to watch the things you say to other people, and how you treat them. It makes me sad, my heart goes out to anyone who has a family life like Pattyn in this book. Which, as a side note, is a very nice girl name.
*Also watched Fried Green Tomatoes, yet another movie that makes me think about life. I'm thinking about how frustrated I am with my life and frustrated at myself for not being able to figure it all out, but sometimes you really just need someone by your side, a friend to talk to, just a companion. I know I can find my way out of this mess, I just cant give up. i've got to keep trying. And I'm lucky enough to have the best husband possible to help me find out where I need to go next.
I think those are enough thoughts for today.
What are you thinking of today?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Holley's Hobby Tuesday
It seems like I spend my whole life runnin'
Runnin' away from what I couldn't be...
Down some endless road just south of nowhere
Always movin' but never really free
Song of the day:Glenn Frey - This way to Happiness
Thoughts of the day: I'm trying to find something that fills me up, whether it be a creative outlet, a new job, or a move to a new city.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In order to encourage less spending in our household, I've been doing more entertaining of myself at home as opposed to going out in the evenings. So, these are ways I'm choosing to spend my time.
Welcome to the First Edition of...
Books:
Emma, by Jane Austen- I've been working on this book for longer than I planned, because I'm not enjoying it very much. But I'm going to finish it, dammit!!
Burned, by Ellen Hopkins- I've read a couple other books by her, and though they are an easy read, the stories tend to be hard to hear. Drug abuse always pulls at my heart, as I've lost a few friends because of it. She writes in an awesome style, though, so I recommend her books if you just like to read over all.
Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley- Amazingly enough, I've never read this book. So I've decided I'm going to.
Sophie's Choice, by William Styron- I've heard great reviews of this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Netflix
DVDs:
We just finished **Three Kings** with George Clooney, Mark Whalberg and Ice Cube. I didn't like it at all.
Next up is **Punisher: War Zone**. We havent seen this yet, amazingly enough. Mostly because I hate when main characters are recast, and Thomas Jane is the Punisher in my mind, not this other guy. But I'm going to give it a shot, just to see how it is.
Instant Queue:
I have quite a few things in my instant queue that I want to watch. I watch most of these while Steven is at work, because I love my girly movies and high school sports/feel good movies, and he says not so much.
*Tuck Everlasting- Obviously I read this book when I was younger, but I'm nervous to watch the movie. I'm eyeing it, though, so I plan on seeing it this week.
*Bolt- I love cute kid movies. I'll have to watch this one with Steven though. Probably tonight.
*Lost In Austen- Goes well with what I'm reading this week, dontcha think? I'm apprehensive though, it is supposedly about a girl going back into the story and changing the chain of events, and I dont know if I will like that... Guess I'll just have to watch it and see!!
Have you seen any of these movies, or read any of these books? What are your thoughts?
Runnin' away from what I couldn't be...
Down some endless road just south of nowhere
Always movin' but never really free
Song of the day:Glenn Frey - This way to Happiness
Thoughts of the day: I'm trying to find something that fills me up, whether it be a creative outlet, a new job, or a move to a new city.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In order to encourage less spending in our household, I've been doing more entertaining of myself at home as opposed to going out in the evenings. So, these are ways I'm choosing to spend my time.
Welcome to the First Edition of...
Holley's Hobby Tuesday
Books:
Emma, by Jane Austen- I've been working on this book for longer than I planned, because I'm not enjoying it very much. But I'm going to finish it, dammit!!
Burned, by Ellen Hopkins- I've read a couple other books by her, and though they are an easy read, the stories tend to be hard to hear. Drug abuse always pulls at my heart, as I've lost a few friends because of it. She writes in an awesome style, though, so I recommend her books if you just like to read over all.
Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley- Amazingly enough, I've never read this book. So I've decided I'm going to.
Sophie's Choice, by William Styron- I've heard great reviews of this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Netflix
DVDs:
We just finished **Three Kings** with George Clooney, Mark Whalberg and Ice Cube. I didn't like it at all.
Next up is **Punisher: War Zone**. We havent seen this yet, amazingly enough. Mostly because I hate when main characters are recast, and Thomas Jane is the Punisher in my mind, not this other guy. But I'm going to give it a shot, just to see how it is.
Instant Queue:
I have quite a few things in my instant queue that I want to watch. I watch most of these while Steven is at work, because I love my girly movies and high school sports/feel good movies, and he says not so much.
*Tuck Everlasting- Obviously I read this book when I was younger, but I'm nervous to watch the movie. I'm eyeing it, though, so I plan on seeing it this week.
*Bolt- I love cute kid movies. I'll have to watch this one with Steven though. Probably tonight.
*Lost In Austen- Goes well with what I'm reading this week, dontcha think? I'm apprehensive though, it is supposedly about a girl going back into the story and changing the chain of events, and I dont know if I will like that... Guess I'll just have to watch it and see!!
Have you seen any of these movies, or read any of these books? What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"I'm Steppin' Into the Twilight Zone" Golden Earring
What I’m Reading Wednesday
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner was good as a supplemental read to the Twilight books. If you have not read the others, this book would seem a bit pointless and confusing, basically because it is written for the reader who knows what is going on outside the life of the main character, Bree. I do think that it was nice to hear this side of the story, and it describes the world of the newborns in the army. It’s a different perspective to see Victoria as someone who is feared and respected, as opposed to the way we know her as simply the enemy.
I recommend this book to those who love or are somewhat interested in Twilight and all that it entails. Anyone else, this is not the book for you.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Friday, June 4, 2010
I'm so excited.. And I just cant hide it... " - Pointer Sisters
This excitement comes in the form of two books that I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of on my front door step. Oh, how I do love amazon!!
Exhibit A:
So I cant help that I madly love Ann Brashares, Ms. Traveling Pants. But seriously, I do. The Last Summer (of You and Me) was really great, and 3 Willows was so well written, even if it was about middle school girls. Anyway, I'm psyched that I found this book so soon after it's release (Tuesday!).
Exhibit B:
Yeh yeh, leave me alone. Another YA, and Stephenie Meyer no less. Well, I'm excited to see what it's all about... plus the book was only like $7, and you cant get much better than a new release for cheap. Right? Forget the fact that you can read it online for free. I've got to have it in my hands in order to fully enjoy it. I don't like reading books online (ahem...midnight sun...)
I simply wish they would arrive in time for the weekend, because I'll actually have time to read! Next weekend is my lovely friends' wedding. Cant wait. Also excited that all of my bridesmaid days are occurring after my own wedding, if that isn't too snide of a thing to say. These friends are moving to Milwaukee! Leaving me behind. Boo hoo. Hopefully my dreams of moving to Savannah will come true, then I can leave home as well.
Any which way, I'll enjoy reading The Dark Tower this weekend. It's about darn time!
Exhibit A:
So I cant help that I madly love Ann Brashares, Ms. Traveling Pants. But seriously, I do. The Last Summer (of You and Me) was really great, and 3 Willows was so well written, even if it was about middle school girls. Anyway, I'm psyched that I found this book so soon after it's release (Tuesday!).
Exhibit B:
Yeh yeh, leave me alone. Another YA, and Stephenie Meyer no less. Well, I'm excited to see what it's all about... plus the book was only like $7, and you cant get much better than a new release for cheap. Right? Forget the fact that you can read it online for free. I've got to have it in my hands in order to fully enjoy it. I don't like reading books online (ahem...midnight sun...)
I simply wish they would arrive in time for the weekend, because I'll actually have time to read! Next weekend is my lovely friends' wedding. Cant wait. Also excited that all of my bridesmaid days are occurring after my own wedding, if that isn't too snide of a thing to say. These friends are moving to Milwaukee! Leaving me behind. Boo hoo. Hopefully my dreams of moving to Savannah will come true, then I can leave home as well.
Any which way, I'll enjoy reading The Dark Tower this weekend. It's about darn time!
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