i think i read a book about that...

As Neil Gaiman Said, "George RR Martin is not your bitch."

2011-10-16T13:04:00.002-04:00

A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

I have basically dedicated my spare time over the past two months to devour all five books of the Game of Thrones series and like many of the other readers, I LOVED the first three. Number four left me with a few complaints but luckily I could jump right into Dance with Dragons. I can understand the complaints of many of the reviewers, but I don`t agree. This is still a fancinating world, even if the characters don`t move as I wish they would. At some point during Dance I realized this series is truly about playing the Game of Thrones and not about winning it. At every turn your favorite hero is struck down but then so is the most despicable villian. We despise the Lannisters but then almost start to root for them as the previous history is revealed so covertly...but only for a moment because then they disgust you all over again with their lack of character. And while There was never a more honorable man then Ned Stark but it seems like his family will never be reunited. And what is Jon Snow's true parentage anyway? He is a bastard we all know, but who's bastard? Some part of me feels he is a stark by another parent than his father and maybe Rhaegar is his father. I love the way so many stories are going on and the political connotations as they might apply to our own world are very interesting to me. I will not give up on this series. I have no idea where it may go next but that is how the best stories are told? In fact, this series reminds me of LOST. I have faith that the creater of this world will not disapoint me and even if I am disappointed, it was an entertaining ride.

View all my reviews

Summer Reading List

2011-06-07T09:48:00.017-04:00

My favorite summer activity? Reading outdoors in the early evening in a comfy chair under a shady tree. Life is good if I can find time to do this.

I love checking out the summer reading lists in magazines and on-line and look forward to finding some new great books.

In that spirit, here are a few I have loved that I have not seen on other lists this summer...

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

It is a deep and well written young adult novel written from a unique perspective. You will fall in love with these characters and agonize over the difficult choices they struggle with.

The Bells by Richard Haverall.

The son of a deaf mute bell keeper in an impoverished cathedral, Moses develops from embryo under the most beautiful and deafening bells in the world, ultimately leading him to become one of the most perfect sopranos of all time. The novel is told through a letter written by Moses at the end of his extraordinary life and is an unbelievable adventure and love story.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Book Lovers will love this book, which gives the history of the oldest surviving illustrated book in history, backwards from most recent history to the creation of the artwork. This book questioned and reinforced my beliefs about religion, war and human nature.

Its Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

An insightful yet optimistic look at depression, this young adult book is great for any age. I read it in one sitting after my 14 year old niece made me promise to read the book before I saw the movie starring Keir Gilchrist(from United States of Tara), Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Roberts. I'm glad I did.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Not just another vampire series, this Young Adult series is entertaining and original and better written then most in this genre. If you liked Edward or Sookie Stackhouse, you'll love the teen vampires of NYC. There are 5 more in the series with #7 on its way, It could keep you happy all summer. And the first one was only $5 on Kindle-great bargain.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

In the near distant future a virus leaves women infertile after age 19, Identical twins, Melody and Harmony are adopted by different families with opposing values but both must decide if they have the courage to follow their own path. If you have already read the Hunger Games, or you are looking for a dystopian novel that will make you think AND laugh, then you have to read Bumped.

Happy Reading!

Kindle Users Unite!

2011-05-08T16:18:00.003-04:00

I wasn't sure if I needed a Kindle, but I love it. Shopping in the Kindle store is addictive and way to easy though! I have tripled (maybe even quadrupled) my book budget in the last month. Since I can not allow myself to keep spending that much, I've been looking into lending and borrowing with my friends who have kindles. Is there anyone out there who has any tips? I've already realized that of all the titles I purchased, only 1 is lending enabled and it also happens to be the only one I haven't read yet.

Have you had any success in Kindle Lending or Borrowing? Have you heard anything about the Download Zone attached to your local library?

If you are tired of hearing about it, then turn it off. Like I do for the Superbowl.

2011-04-29T10:09:00.003-04:00

I'm really NOT into becoming a princess- but when I watched Diana become an official Princess when I was 8, my thoughts were"hmmm, princess's come with short brown hair? Cool! Then she grew into a true humanitarian-beautiful inside and out. And then she really grew up and left a man who didn't love her because being happy was more important than staying a princess. Then she died.

I know I don't know them, but I'm interested in her kids. So, I'll give up a few hours of sleep and watch them get married. I don't think getting married is the be-all end-all for creating a great life. Hopefully they'll have fun together and support each other when things aren't so fun. Life can only be a fairy tale for a couple of hours. Why not relax and enjoy it?

Here's the hat I would have worn, if I had been invited.

2011-04-14T15:24:00.002-04:00

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some of the passages made me laugh out loud- the hoops Amy Chua jumps through for an hour or two of expert instruction are hilarious to contemplate. I don't think she is crazy or a child abuser but she is way over the top of rational when it comes to her daughters. Her worst behavior was the manner in which she supervises the girls music practice sessions- which brought back memories of "helping" Tim study in elementary school, an exercise in frustration which only added anxiety, stress, tears and confusion. At the time I wished I could figure out how to help him learn without making him cry, but now I realize my mistake was believing his achievements were mine to take credit for.

View all my reviews

2011-04-14T15:22:00.001-04:00

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I rushed to finish this because I couldn't wait to see what happened next only to learn "A Discovery of Witches" was book 1 of the Trilogy. No problem- I love a good trilogy, only I chose this book from the "new books" shelf @ the library and the next installments won't be published until next year. I haven't had to wait like this since Harry Potter.

If you liked Twilight but prefer a little more substance- this book is for you.

View all my reviews

2011-04-14T15:21:00.000-04:00

On Writing by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stephen King is a cool guy- complicated and simple at the same time. "On Writing" is enjoyable and interesting memoir of King's life told in bits and pieces which give you the feeling he's speaking straight to you, as a friend. There is a brilliant chapter in the middle of the book entitled "What Writing Is" that just might be a time machine...

Loved it- you have to read it.

View all my reviews

2010-12-21T11:01:00.000-05:00

Our Farmhouse Bed

2010-08-02T08:29:00.001-04:00

Our Farmhouse Bed, originally uploaded by auntjha.

We Love it!

We finished it!

2010-08-02T08:28:00.001-04:00

Aug 1 2010 030, originally uploaded by auntjha.

2010-07-09T14:49:00.001-04:00

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure how Candace Bushnell would approach young adult material, but I loved meeting young Carrie Bradshaw & SITC fans of any age will too. And the short answer- she nailed it! All the teenage angst without being over dramatic or trite. At times, Carrie's past seems a little too similar to future life (stuck between the reliable and kind boy & the slick uncontrollable boy) but over all I loved seeing how the Carrie I know and love was always herself, only less sure of who that might be. The story is much deeper then just boy drama. My favorite scene was when she gets the chance to speak with her favorite author, long admired by herself & her terminally ill mom. Carrie's expectations of the event don't meet her expectations but it challenges and stays with her until she trumps them all including herself. And in the last pages, I found myself tearing up...Great read! I hope there is a Carrie:the College Years coming.

View all my reviews >>

2010-06-28T23:32:00.002-04:00

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow- This book was intense and tragic! Unfortunately, I spoiled the ending for myself because the entire time I was reading I wished I could see the buildings Frank was designing and decided to check wikipedia for images and additional information and ended up reading more information than I had planned. So just a few hours before I would have discovered the novel's version of the events I read the actual headlines. My advise- Don't do that!

But do read this book. It is a beautiful story. Tragic in many ways and interesting from a historical point. I love Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and I am very interested in the Women's Suffrage Movement so I found Mamah's story fascinating. Like other reviewers, her abandonment of her children chilled me but I do not judge her. Her treatment of her children was very difficult to read and I believe her biggest regret. Had she lived in modern times, I believe she would have done better by them and had she lived longer she may have been able to right her mistakes. I admire her ability to be in love with a man and still be aware of his faults and weaknesses. I realize this is a fictionalized version of her life but it rings true and Mamah's conviction to live an honest and authentic life is one I understand.

View all my reviews >>

2010-06-28T17:14:00.001-04:00

Spooky Little Girl by Laurie Notaro

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The plot took off quickly & initially I wasn't impressed with Lucy- She seemed too whiny, shallow and irresponsible. But when Ruby Spicer from "There's a (Slight)Chance I Might be Going to Hell" dropped in as Lucy's afterlife instructor I was hooked. Spooky Little Girl was funny and lighthearted with a dash of mystery and romance.

View all my reviews >>

2010-06-22T16:54:00.001-04:00

The Quality of Life Report by Meghan Daum

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had to keep reminding myself this was a novel & not a memoir. Lucinda Trout was honest and likable, even when you knew she was making mistakes and about to totally screw up her life.

2010-06-15T18:13:00.002-04:00

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well written and interesting premise, but I did not understand this book. I could accept Rose's gift/curse of being able to taste the feelings of the person making the food- right down to the haste in which the lettuce was picked- but her brother's predicament was not believable. The ending was very abrupt and I'm left wondering what just happened? I liked the turn Rose had been taking- in accepting herself and her special skill and I was happy she had started to reach out to her parents, especially her dad.

View all my reviews >>

This is what We did this weekend...

2010-05-02T20:57:00.006-04:00

We built a Queen Size Farmhouse Bed with plans designed by Ana & customized by my dear smart Husband.

Actually, we built the head board & foot board, we still need to build the platform. Which we could have done today, except that we were so proud of the work we had already done we wanted to take time and take some photos, lug it up to our room and oooh & awe a bit.

And then once we stopped we lost our steam and also noticed the grass needed cutting and laundry needed to be done before we could go back to work tomorrow...So its a project for next weekend.

It will be much more impressive after its fully finished. We're going to cover all the screw holes with wooden plugs, fill in all the nail holes, sand it really pretty and prime and paint it.

I promise to post photos when we finish.

The Kids are All Right By Diana Welch & Liz Welch, with Amanda & Dan Welch

2010-04-15T10:29:00.005-04:00

Last night our book club met @ my house to discuss my book pick- The Kids are All Right. We were able to contact the authors, Diana Welch & Liz Welch before hand & arrange to Skype with them during our book discussion. This was the first time our book club had taken advantage of Skype during a meeting and I really recommend it.

If you follow my blog, you might remember I reviewed The Kids are All Right a few months back & I really enjoyed this compelling memoir about 4 siblings who must deal first with the accidental death of their dad, which is devastating emotionally and also causes some serious financial problems and before they can work through their grief their mom (Actress, Ann Williams) begins a 3 year battle with cancer that leads to her premature death. The aftermath leads to all four kids being separated for 5 years which proves to be even more devastating.

The Welches story is a touching story of their resilience and love for each other. I highly recommend it. It is told uniquely, in each individual siblings voice and each one remembers things from their own perspective.

And if your book club chooses it, you can have one of the Welches join your discussion. Liz Welch joined us from the West Coast and talked with us for about 35 minutes and I'm still smiling the next day! It was a great experience to hear about her writing process and to her thoughts in her own voice. Both Diana & Liz were very welcoming and forth right in answering our questions and hearing our reactions. I appreciate their warmness and thank them for joining our group for the evening.

Happy Birthday Beverly Cleary!

2010-04-13T11:37:00.002-04:00

2010-03-04T12:57:00.001-05:00

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, By Rhoda Janzen

2010-02-08T09:10:00.002-05:00

I loved this book. It was funny and intelligent and felt good to read.

2010-02-08T08:57:00.002-05:00

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

"A Reliable Wife" is an intriguing mystery from the 1st page. The writing is clear, descriptive & well done. Its the story of flawed characters who struggle with forgiving themselves for causing tremendous harm to others and the impossibility of forgiving the people who have hurt them. The writer's focus is on the dark side of human nature and while I did not enjoy reading this, I couldn't put it down until it was done.

Its difficult for me to rate A Reliable Wife, because I did not like it...But it is has an eloquence which prevents me from choosing less then 3 stars. So, I'll leave no rating.

View all my reviews >>

Life is a Verb

2010-01-29T12:31:00.001-05:00

Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally by Patti Digh

Wow. This is good. Part Text book, part scrapbook complete with stories of real life and how-to-be alive. I've only had the book a few hours and have already been moved to tears. I'll be grazing through this book for a long, long time.

View all my reviews >>

2010-01-16T10:28:00.001-05:00

The Kids Are All Right by Diana Welch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If the title of the book had not been "The Kids are All Right" I would have worried more about Diana, Amanda, Liz, & Dan. As it was, I wept through their memories of losing their father & 3 years later their Mother, and the aftermath of her death which left each of them lost and feeling alone. I couldn't put the book down until I got to the part where they were all right. And as soon as I finished, I hurried to thekidsareallrightbook.com to see their photos, read their blog & watch clips of their mom and above all be reassured that they were Okay.

Except for Diana, they were all just a little older than I and their memories are filled with the same music and fashions of my childhood. The honesty in their words is clear. Each sibling writes of his or her perception of events in turn and I could relate wholeheartedly. They are brave and forgiving, of each other, their parents, & their guardians.

View all my reviews >>

2009-12-22T16:26:00.000-05:00

2009-12-16T11:05:00.002-05:00

Under the Dome: A Novel by Stephen King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Gripping concept, written in the usual terrifying manner of Stephen King. Each time I put it down I walked away with a bad taste in my mouth but found myself going back for more, sooner than I had imagined. I'm left glad I finished it & anxious to fill my mind with another, more simple book. Still, I had looked forward to The Dome for a long time and I'm not disappointed.

Best part of the whole book- the reference (maybe 2 references) to Lost. Uncle Stevie, I truly hope there IS a clever sequel to Lost. I'll be the first in line.

Also, I found myself asking questions of this novel that I had asked of Lost. Why this town? Why these people? Would different people in the same town fill the same positions in the same situation? Or is there something special about Dale Barbara, Julia, Scarecrow Joe, The Everetts? Something especially evil about Big Jim Renny? Who are the real Bad guys?

My favorite Stephen King work remains The Green Mile.

View all my reviews >>

First Snow Day, enjoy it!

2009-12-09T10:09:00.001-05:00

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

2009-11-24T21:19:00.001-05:00

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I somehow missed this book until now. I am really glad I picked it up this weekend, because I really enjoyed it. At first I felt old as I read about the almost 30 year old and her ticking biological clock because 29 seems so young to me now that I am edging closer and closer to 40, but I soon picked up on other clues to the date and realized I was the same age as the author and immediately felt a kinship with her. Both of us were born in 1973, both of us loved to read "to get my ya-ya's out," both of us sneaked into our father's hidden reading materials when we were 11, both of us worked as secretaries (When I took the job the title was Human Resources Representative, it took me 3 months to realize the truth) in boring dead end jobs during our 30th year. I admire her journey to bring meaning to her life and be comfortable with who is. The writing was beautiful even with all the cursing. I wish I had known what a blog was back in 2002 so I could have lived it with her. I think it would have been inspiring. And I have to say, I will never ever try to make an aspic but am thankful to Julie Powell for not just doing it but writing about it too. I'm Looking forward to her next book, "Cleaving" due out right now. And after that, maybe I go vegan????

View all my reviews >>

Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

2009-11-09T08:30:00.005-05:00

This week Sesame Street premieres its 41st Season of great children's television. I feel lucky to have had Sesame Street throughout my entire lifetime, Big Bird and Burt & Ernie are among my earliest television memories.

My favorite memory of Sesame Street involves the Snuffy and Big Bird's friendship and the drama involved with trying to introduce him to everyone else. I could feel Big Bird's frustration when everyone believed Snuffy was imaginary. All those near misses were my first taste of serialized drama. It was such an engaging show to me (and my entire generation) The concept was revolutionary and the producers make sure it remains relevant 40 years later. The songs, games, guest stars, the counting and story lines continue to amaze me as I watch with my children. What's your favorite Sesame Street memory?

The Book Thief

2009-10-15T12:27:00.004-04:00

Here is a link to supplemental information about Marcus Zusak, Authror of The Book Thief.

2009-10-13T11:08:00.001-04:00

The Book Thief is our current book club choice. Looks very interesting!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2009-10-09T11:02:00.002-04:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I Highly, Highly recommend.

Its hard for me to sum this up. It is Kathryn Stockett's first Novel. Its written in the first part of the 1960s after the main character Skeeter, a 22ish year old white women, graduates from the University of Mississippi and returns to her hometown. Her best friends have all married and started families and have employed black women much older than themselves as nannies and maids. Skeeter finds this odd.

Skeeter is in an awkward stage of life, not really fitting in and not knowing what she wants to do other than write a book. Pressure is on her from all sides to find a husband and start a family. Even more confusing, her own cherished Nanny (a black women named Constantine) and long time employee of her family is suddenly gone from with out any explanation. In her quest to find out what happened to Constantine, Skeeter begins looking at life in her hometown, the status quo differently. She starts questioning Jim Crow laws and segregation and begins writing a book detailing the working lives of black women. She eventually interviews 40 (I'm not sure about the #) women, even though the danger involved for Skeeter and all these women is huge. If found out, At best, the women would lose their jobs and Skeeter would be run out of town. At worst, lives could be lost and ruined forever. As I read, I would often be ranked with anxiety, praying that each character would make it through unscathed.

As I read the book, Each character became alive to me, and I worried about each one. I admired each character for their ingenuity, their determination and their courage. The story is told in first person by three different women, Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minnie. Through these women we are introduced to many more, including Constantine, Skeeters family and friends and the employers of the other women. I am doing a disservice in not discussing each one individually, because they are all very special. My best advice- is READ this book. Buy it in Bulk and to all the readers in your life.

View all my reviews >>

Summer's not over yet!

2009-08-31T11:42:00.001-04:00

Take a minute to enjoy summer this week.

Kathryn Stockett & Octavia Spencer read the Help

2009-08-25T15:51:00.002-04:00

I had to share these videos. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is my favorite book of the year. I've been twittering about it all summer hoping Demi Moore or Ashton Kushner would pick up on the hype and get a movie made. I'm happy to hear Kathryn already has an arangement and a hopefully a great, Missippi made Independent movie will come out of this.

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

2009-08-05T16:55:00.002-04:00

The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved The Wednesday Sisters. I identified with Frankie from page one where she "shows" a group photo of the women describing her self as in a chubbier phase back then and admitting that the skinnier self is actually more of a phase the chubby self. I quickly came to love all of the women, seeing a little of myself or a close friends or family member in each of them. I love that although each of the women keep secrets from one another from at one time or another, the when the time comes to be honest the narrator reveals the full story to the reader at once. It ensures us that the friendship continues despite their differences. I love the support group the women give each other through their honest critiques of their writing pieces.

The book has a thread of femininity and feminism unique to the 60s on first glance but many of their struggles with equality are still relevant today. The plot addresses how they are each affected by their choices to stand up for themselves or to be submissive without being overtly political. I was surprised to learn women were originally barred from the Boston Marathon and many Olympic events. As a child in the 80s I took it for granted I could participate in any sport I wanted, ironically I despised sports as a teen and choose not to participate but thankfully I had the choice.

I just finished reading the book and am still thinking it over. I can't help comparing it to Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan in which 4 women build a lifelong friendship a generation after the Wednesday Sisters. Its interesting think about how similar and yet different the women are thrity years later.

View all my reviews >>

Little Pink Slips By Sally Koslow

2009-08-04T16:15:00.002-04:00

Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
As I began reading I quickly made the connections to the real life story this work of fiction is based on and initially it drew me in. I liked it but the plot got a little dull towards the end. If you are a fan of Rosie, McCall's Magazine, or in the publishing business you'd enjoy this.

Summer People by Brian Groh

2009-08-04T16:11:00.000-04:00

Summer People: A Novel by Brian Groh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A good book, but one of those frustrating ones where you want the main character to do something different and they just can't make you happy. Its like hind sight being 20/20, in the main character you see yourself floundering through a problem making the 'wrong' choice but you can only see so clearly because you are removed, just reading rather than trying to flounder through yourself. The ending was satisfying, probably the beginning of some changes for the main character.

View all my reviews >>

Olive Kitteridge By Elizabeth Strout

2009-08-04T15:38:00.000-04:00

Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved Olive Kitteridge, I could see myself in much of her personality and negativity, although I'm much more self aware than she and like to think I learn from my mistakes. Olive is a woman people can love without really liking her. She's difficult, opinionated and impatient, often a tyrant to her husband and child, who remain loyal to her despite misgivings. We grow with Olive through (I believe) linear stories from the time she is a middle age teacher impatient with the life made through her later years when she realizes

"...that love was not to be tossed away carelessly, as if it were a tart on a platter with others that got passed around again. No, if love was available, one chose it or didn't choose it. And if her platter had been full of the goodness of Henry and she had found it burdensome, had flicked it off crumbs at a time, it was because she had not known what one should know: that day after day was unconsciously squandered."

The novel is actually a series of short stories in which Olive is occasionally the main character, often only a minor player and sometimes the reader needs to stretch to figure out her relationship at all. This is an interesting way to tell her story because it also draws you into the minor characters in a deep and connected way that wouldn't happen otherwise. I would have been happy to read a few more chapters, especially one focused on Christopher or his wife.

The town and its environment is an additional character in the story and its vivid description made me glad to have a vacation in Maine in the next couple of weeks.

View all my reviews >>

2009-08-03T10:09:00.003-04:00

Full House was the show I loved to hate when I was a 14 year old babysitting every Friday night of my life. I can't stop my self from singing along to its theme song, so I had to share this video, created by J. J. himself. It made me smile.

170 days till Season 6 but who's counting?

Prairie is a weird word to Spell

2009-08-02T11:39:00.002-04:00

Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Picked this book up on Thursday night and finished in 2 marathon reads by early Saturday morning. I grew up (like so many in my generation) watching Little House on the Prairie every week and also in syndication after school, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day if nobody took control of the TV from me. SO I loved reading about the early years of Melissa Gilbert. Ms. Gilbert tells her story carefully, it could have come off as a poor little rich girl story, but it doesn't. Her writing is amateur but adequate and includes a great deal of understanding of the people around her and humor. Melissa was a hardworking kid who wanted to please everyone around her and although she had her share of turmoil she also had loving support, even though it may not have been exactly in the form she needed. In her later years the story goes by quicker and critics have said she glosses over and leaves out a lot of details, for instance mentioning a fling with John Cusack but never elaborating further. This did not bother me though, I wasn't really looking for a tell-all gossip piece. I could relate to her struggles with figuring out who she was (is) an what kind of a person, mother, daughter, friend she wants to be. Although I haven't struggled through an addiction to alcohol, I have addictions of my own which helped me to push away the issues I wasn't able to face. Instead, Prairie Tale is the very honest memoir of a barely middle age actor who grew up in the public eye and made to adulthood with a few problems she was open to work on. She seems as well adjusted as anyone in Hollywood could be and I look forward to watching her from afar as her career continues.

Ms. Gilbert's acknowledgments also include an enormous list of possible titles for her life story, from movie of the week ridiculous to just plain fun (Does This Gingham Dress make me Look Fat?). Don't miss it.

View all my reviews >>

2009-07-25T09:07:00.000-04:00

Commencement: A Novel by J. Courtney Sullivan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I did not attend Smith, but after reading Commencement I feel like my best friend did. I could appreciate each character and empathized with each one in different ways. Because they entered college in the late 90s they felt more like my younger sisters than peers. Its another book about friendship and womanhood, well written although a bit soap opera-ish in the final chapters. Other than this twist, I felt it was a very honest look at life during the college years, adjusting to life in the real world and trying to maintain your friendships and make a life for yourself at the same time.

View all my reviews >>

Lost his Braces and got contacts in the same week. Next week he gets his Learners Permit...

2009-07-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

Its Official, Tim is growing up.

Someday, I will own a little cabin like this green one, tucked into the trees near the water.

2009-07-15T18:14:00.000-04:00

Lake Ariel

2009-07-15T18:12:00.000-04:00

2009-07-07T09:51:00.002-04:00

Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman

i think i read a book about that...

As Neil Gaiman Said, "George RR Martin is not your bitch."

Summer Reading List

Kindle Users Unite!

If you are tired of hearing about it, then turn it off. Like I do for the Superbowl.

Our Farmhouse Bed

We finished it!

This is what We did this weekend...

The Kids are All Right By Diana Welch & Liz Welch, with Amanda & Dan Welch

Happy Birthday Beverly Cleary!

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, By Rhoda Janzen

Life is a Verb

First Snow Day, enjoy it!

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

The Book Thief

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Summer's not over yet!

Kathryn Stockett & Octavia Spencer read the Help

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

Little Pink Slips By Sally Koslow

Summer People by Brian Groh

Olive Kitteridge By Elizabeth Strout

Prairie is a weird word to Spell

Lost his Braces and got contacts in the same week. Next week he gets his Learners Permit...

Someday, I will own a little cabin like this green one, tucked into the trees near the water.

Lake Ariel

My review

My review

My review

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

My review

Love and Other Impossible pursuits by Ayelet Waldman

My review

Have you seen Matt?

Oakdale Mall Appearance

Home Safe,

My review

What Are You Reading? Monday

Music to keep you movin'

Getting Back on Track, update

My review

What are you reading?

Today

Book and Discussion Alert-

Sucesses and Failure. Day 2

What are you reading?

Getting Back on Track

Pretty in Plaid by Jennifer Lancaster

My review

Dandi-Lion Bouqet

Happy Anniversary!

Lost Haiku

Here's Jorge

The Falls: A Novel, By Joyce Carol Oates

My review

My review

What are you Reading this Week?

If you want to see me in my Prom Dress...

Waiting on Wedenesday

My review

The classics, new & old

What are you reading?

Its Froggy Boot Season

Did you know April is National Library Month?

Its such a fun time to be a creative teen...

What are you reading?

The Prize Winner of Difiance, Ohio, By Terry Ryan

My review

I want a Dharma Jumpsuit

What's your sign?

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, by Gregory Maguire

My review

Gregory Maguire, Live and in Endicott!

I feel sorry for Juliet.

Gotcha- captcha!

Up, Up and Away...

Ethan Henry--You've come a long way, kiddo!

Miles to go...

Newsweek says its time to Hang up your Pajammas...