Friday Fill-ins #147

1. The crickets sing, a lovely sound.

2. Be happy, wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the crazy people (& kids) I work with!

4. I won a million dollars; this was a dream.

5. But as for me I want to take a nap!

6. New Mexico is where I come from...

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some couch time, tomorrow my plans include a little work and a lot of relaxing and Sunday, I want to sleep in really late!

I have been so bad...

I started back to work in August. I am a librarian at junior high school. I guess I just got out of the groove of working on my blog. It is just so easy in the summer when I have lots and lots of time. I am going to try really hard to get back into it, though, because I do love my blog.

I have read several books during my "off" time, though. One of my favorites was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It was just so interesting. It is about black housekeepers and the white women they work for. It has received 4.62 stars on LibraryThing and I totally agree!

I also finished Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. I just think these books are lots of fun! I love Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli...and, of course, Lulu! When I need something light, not so serious, this series is the one.

I also finished Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert. I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie, so I just love Melissa Gilbert. This memoir is very interesting. She talks about all her men, her struggles with alcohol, and about how her need to please caused her lots of problems throughout her life. I like her even more after reading her book.

Well, that is just a few of the books I have finished lately. I promise to be a better blogger! Happy Fall to all!!!

Thanks, Mom:)

Friday Fill-ins #140

1. I feel happy.

2. Dinner with friends is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: Zoe chewing on a bone, a car driving by, & the ceiling fan.

4. I have terrific friends and I'm glad I do!

5. The last time I went on vacation was SO long ago!

6. Can't wait for this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling on the couch, tomorrow my plans include scrapbooking and Sunday, I want to see a movie with Amy!

The Spire

LibraryThing book review...

The Spire

by Richard North Patterson

Mark Darrow returns to his alma mater, Caldwell College, to help out old friend and mentor, Lionel Farr. The school is trying to recover from the embezzlement of $900,000 by the the current president. When Darrow was a student at Caldwell he discovered the body of Angela Hall, murdered, at the base of the spire. His best friend, Steve Tillman, is serving a life sentence for the murder. Darrow has never believed that Steve was capable of murder. Not only is Mark trying to learn his new job, he is also trying to investigate a murder that is sixteen years old, and is having a relationship with Taylor Farr, the daughter of Lionel Farr.

I really enjoyed this book by Richard North Patterson. It is intriguing, well-written, and suspenseful. I really didn't figure the whole thing out until I got to the end, so it surprised me. The back and forth between the present and the past is very well done, not confusing at all. I also liked the love story, it really added to the story for me.

Friday Fill-ins #139

1. He was a very special young man~I miss him every day.

2. Crisp Fall days are what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is someone I admire greatly.

4. Home ownership sometimes really bites to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be somewhat deceiving.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was my friend Debbie:)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling on the couch, tomorrow my plans include throwing out some junk (after watching Hoarders on A&E!) and Sunday, I want to see a movie with Vicky (The Time Traveler's Wife)!

Under This Unbroken Sky

LibraryThing book review

Under This Unbroken Sky

by Shandi Mitchell

Under This Unbroken Sky is the story of two families who are trying to survive as farmers. Theodore and Maria have five children; his sister Anna is married to Stefan and they have two children. Theodore arrives home after spending two years in jail for stealing his own grain. He is determined to make a good life for his family and works hard. Fate seems to have a different plan and anything that could go wrong does go wrong for these two families.

This is one sad, depressing, and dark book. It is an riveting story, but I got worn out with all the bad stuff that kept happening. AND kept happening! It just never ends, these poor people. It is a serious, dramatic, and bleak story. If you like that kind of thing, this is the book for you...not for me, however.

I Can See You

LibraryThing book review...
I Can See You
by Karen Rose

Eve Wilson has survived two traumatic, life-changing incidents that have left her with many scars, inside and out. She is currently a graduate student working on a study about learning confidence through playing virtual games. She also works at a popular cop bar, Sal's. Women are being murdered and Eve connects it to her study. Noah Webster, a detective with the Hat Squad, is on the case and is madly in love with Eve.

I found this book to be very engaging in the beginning, but it did start to drag towards the end. I really enjoyed the characters of Eve Wilson and Noah Webster. Both have lots of baggage and are reluctant to get involved. I enjoyed it, but I probably won't be running out to find more books by Karen Rose.

Friday Fill-ins #137

1. When will the weather get cooler?

2. The Proposal was the last good movie I saw. (hilarious!!!)

3. Everything has its beauty but animals are my favorite.

4. Nothing (BIG lunch!) is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your legs, Vicky:)

6. Home is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading my favorite magazines, tomorrow my plans include a little bit of housework and Sunday, I want to do a lot of nothing!

The Possibility of Everything

LibraryThing book review...
The Possibility of Everything
by Hope Edelman

Hope Edelman and her husband, Uzi, are struggling with their three-year-old daughter, Maya. She has recently made friends with Dodo, an invisible playmate. He often makes her misbehave and her parents are quite concerned. (especially Mom) The family goes on vacation to Belize and while there they take Maya to see a shaman. They are hoping for some help with their daughter.

I received this book for the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing. I probably would not have finished this book if I hadn't gotten it from LibraryThing. The author goes into tons of details about things that having nothing to do with the story of her daughter. I thought all the fuss about Maya's imaginary friend was just too much; she just sounded like a spoiled brat to me. I think Hope is just one mother who needs to learn to chill.

The Time Traveler's Wife

LibraryThing book review...
The Time Traveler's Wife
By Audrey Niffenegger

Clare meets Henry as a girl in a meadow near her home. (and naked, I might add!) Henry is a time traveler and they meet throughout her childhood. Clare grows up and "meets" Henry as an adult. They have been in love for a long time and decide to get married. Obviously, they live a very unusual life with Henry disappearing at any time.

This a lovely story and a beautiful love story. I did find the time skipping around somewhat confusing, but I tried to just let it go. The story is very sad and somewhat depressing. I really felt both Henry's and Clare's pain with the situation. I can't wait to see the movie...will be sure to bring tissues!

Friday Fill-ins #135

1. It's time for school to begin again.

2. Couch; it's not a bad place for taking a nap!

3. I must be on a bad luck streak-everything keeps going wrong with my house!

4. Chocolate is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My humor is simply irresistible:)

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was with Amy & Alli at their house. (Alli is 4 & a hoot!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include plumbers installing a new gas line and Sunday, I want to relax!

Best Friends Forever

LibraryThing book review...

Best Friends Forever

by Jennifer Weiner

As a girl, Addie is overweight and friendless...until Valerie moves in next door. Valerie is everything Addie is not; skinny, confident, and indifferent to what others think of her. They soon become great friends. In high school, Val becomes popular and they grow apart. An incident at a party during their senior year irrevocably breaks their friendship and they don't see each other until fifteen years later after a high school reunion.

I enjoyed the character of Addie and felt for her. I found her to be quite believable. I also enjoyed Val who was the complete opposite from Addie. I just didn't find the story that interesting. I also felt the big search for Dan, Val, and Addie very strange considering there was never a dead body. What law enforcement member begins a murder investigation without a body, only with a belt and a little blood? Not my favorite Jennifer Weiner book.

Friday Fill-ins #134

1. Another problem with my house is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I LOVE it!!!

3. Food shared with good friends tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is hard, but always worth it.

5. Alaska is breathtaking, really.

6. Well, maybe there is a chance for happiness...

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling, tomorrow my plans include some housework and Sunday, I want to read all day long!

Monique and the Mango Rains

LibraryThing book review...
Monique and the Mango Rains
By Kris Holloway

Kris Holloway travels to Mali, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. She is assigned to work in Nampossela (a remote village) assisting Monique Dembele, the area's midwife. Kris works with Monique as she births babies, and as she attempts to educate Mali's women about nutrition, pregnancy, and general healthcare. They do all this without electricity, running water, or doctors. Kris spends two years in Mali and during this time not only do they become friends, they become family.

I found this book very interesting and quite informative. It really makes you appreciate all the things we take for granted in the United States, like running water and electricity. It also opens your eyes to the hardships that women, especially, face in countries such as Africa. I loved learning about Monique, her work and her people. The only thing I would have liked is more information about Kris Holloway and John Bidwell, not much was mentioned about their own personal lives. This is a book to cherish always.

Swimsuit

LibraryThing book review...
Swimsuit
by James Patterson

Swimsuit is the terrifying story of Henri Benoit, a serial killer. He isn't just any old serial killer either...he makes his living filming his murders for his wealthy clients. Ben Hawkins, a reporter for the L.A Times, gets tangled in Henri's web and has to figure a way out. Henri forces Ben to write his story and Ben really has no other choice but to do so, or does he?

The things I like about this book...it is a quick read. Each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to read the next chapter and the next...I liked the idea of the story, and I thought Henri was chilling. It is pretty violent and graphic, but I didn't think it was too much. I pretty much enjoyed the whole thing until I came to the end. It left things, well, I will just shut up now...