bookworm

I love to read. 

Both of my parents love to read.

Most of my brothers love to read.

We are a bunch of bookworms.

I become more bookworm-ish when I've started reading a really stellar book; I lose track of time, I care for the characters in the book nearly as much as I care for my real-life friends, I would sometimes rather sit in seclusion to finish whatever book it is that's captured my attention and adoration than to hassle with work and the likes...

That's bookworm-ish, right?

That's not to say that I don't love spending time with real people. I LOVE real people. My people are the best!

But (mostly) that's not what this post is about.

I recently read a book called "Miss Mabel's School For Girl's" by Katie Cross.

Here it is. So far, this copy has been read by me and my folks.

I met Katie...a handful of years ago. At church. Back before she became a Cross. Animated and lively and smart and engaging, Katie was always fun to talk to.

After a couple of years, I moved out of the neighborhood, then Katie got married and left the state, and we lost touch. (I mean, we're Facebook friends, so I kept track of her when she and her husband got a puppy and things like that, but that's hardly the same as chatting face-to-face at church and social events.)

And then she wrote this book. It was published in March of this year; I bought, I read, I loved.

Katie's imagination is incredible. Her characters are strong. The story moves right along without any sort of boring gaps just to fill the pages, which is something I appreciate terribly.

The heroine in "Miss Mabel's" is Bianca, a smart and strong-willed 16 year old who carries a family curse; a curse that was cast years before Bianca was even born, and a curse that will kill her in the very near future if she doesn't play her cards just right. The curse can only be lifted by the one who cast it, and that character is a real piece of work. (Seriously; I called the **antagonist villain a heifer to Katie in an email, and Katie agreed with me. She also said that the villain is a lot of fun to write.)

I know that was a really short and concise summary of the book, but the truth is that Katie tells her story much better than I can possibly recap. The crux is in the details, and the pivotal, mysterious secrecy is woven into every page. 

I love how Katie gives her readers what we need to know—the bare essentials—while withholding the bigger bits of vital information that we don't even realize we're missing until it's right there in front of us.

I could go on. It's crazy to think that "Miss Mabel's School for Girl" is Katie Cross's first novel. She writes like a champ, and I can't wait until the second book is published! (Did I forget to mention? "Miss Mabel's" is the first book in what is known as the Network Series. One down, three to come (maybe more!). Be excited!)

 **Antagonist is not an evil enough word; villain is more suitable...

several reasons the fourth twilight book (whatever it's called) is awful:

In the past month or so, I've had a few conversations with a few different people regarding the Twilight series. Specifically, book four. (I can't tell you the name of it without looking it up; they're all "Twilight" to me.)

I've read all the books, so I feel like I can dole out any review I see fit. And the way I see it is: the entire series is ri-dang-diculous.

I've only read them once (because reading them more than once seems like a horrible punishment). Also, I haven't read them since about a week after the last book was published. (How many years ago was that?)

I thought book one was a fun little escape from reality. Ridiculous, but entertaining.

Was it book two where Edward left and Bella became a teenage toddler? Whining and tantrumming and showing her truly obnoxious colors? (What did Edward and Jacob see in Bella, anyway? Not that either fellow was all that enticing, either.) I didn't care for book two...

Book three...I can't recall what the what happened in book three. Edward was back, right? Something about the Volturi? Or maybe something to do with a specific vampire wanting to suck Bella's blood because she smells so good? The only thing I remember about book three is that I didn't like it at all.

But did that stop me from buying book four? No, it did not. In fact, I remember rolling my eyes at myself when I stood in line to make my purchase, recalling with clarity how annoyed I was by the majority of the characters. I wasn't Team Edward or Team Jacob; I was Team Get-The-Heck-Away-From-Forks-Washington-And-Find-A-Mortal-And-Live-A-Normal-Happy-Life. 

But I bought book four the week it came out because I was morbidly curious  as to how on earth Stephenie Meyer was going to end this dang saga. 

I had no idea she would provide me with so many reasons to hate book four, but, boy, did she!

Remember, it's been a few years (four?) since I read it, so my memory is kinda spotty on some of the details. But here goes:

-Bella being a pout-face about Edward wanting to be old fashioned and wait until marriage before they consummate their relationship. 

-The fact that Edward is capable of reproducing. Seems like someone without a pulse ought not be able to reproduce, am I right?

-The way it was written, I always figured that the baby was demon spawn.

-Rosalie suddenly warming up to Bella because of said demon spawn.

-The pregnancy going so incredibly quickly; isn't it weird that the vampire sperm was the deciding factor in how quickly it went, and not Bella's mortal body? (I know this entire argument is dumb-dumb, but it annoyed me, so it's on the list.)

-Bella-the-human sucking down blood during her pregnancy. It grossed me out. Hard. Especially since, when the baby is born, they figure out baby can have regular people food or blood; seems like blood-during-pregnancy was completely unnecessary.

-Bella named her daughter Renesmee. I realize it's a combination of her mother and Edward's adopted vamp-mom, but come on. I figure if it had been a boy they should have named him Charlisle. (I know Bella had a name picked out for a boy, but I don't remember what it was. Plus, I'm funny.)

-Baby Renesmee grows, like, super fast. And I give Stephenie props for sticking to her super-fast-growing-spawn, but...I don't know. Maybe the part that annoyed me most was that Alice and Rosalie bought the kid tons of outfits for pictures to document it so that she seemed like a regular kid. Even though she's half-immortal and is anything but regular. I figure I'd document the fact that she's growing ridiculously fast, right? Because...I don't know; I've already talked about this point for way too long.

-Once Bella becomes a vampire, it's discovered that she's got ultra amazing self-control when it comes to smelling people blood and not going crazy.

-Re: the self-control: the Cullens wonder if it's Bella's new found super power.

-Why do all of the Cullens get super powers, anyway? It's supposed to be rare.

-Later we find out that it's not, in fact, her super power; she has another one! So the self-control came from her preparation? In knowing what she'd become before she turned? I don't buy it.

-Bella's real super power is a force field to protect all her loved ones. Pretty neat, huh? FORCE FIELD! My family and friends are safe from any hurtful thing that can happen to them! Yessss!

-Vampire sex is supposed to be, like, elevated from mere mortal sex. Humans just don't know.

-The entire book is anti-climactic. The Volturi come, ready to destroy the Cullens, the demon baby, and everyone who stands in their way; yet when they show up, NOTHING HAPPENS. They see that the demon baby is in fact half-immortal (not possible), which they think is pretty neat, and then they go on their merry way home. They might as well have held hands and skipped off into the twilight as they left, or flown home on unicorns. Great literature is supposed to have a climax and some sort of resolution, whether happy or sad. Heck, even crappy literature has a climax! I feel like Stephenie Meyer could’ve made this a less terrible book if she’d have even faked a climax, like they did in the movie version (Twilight four-point-two, as I like to call it. Yes, I’ve seen the movies, but that’s another story for another time).

Aaaaanyway. I'm quite certain that there are more reasons I hated the book, but, as I already told you, it's been years. And I refuse to read it again.

We Are The Harry Potter Generation

I've been re-reading the Harry Potter books.

It's something I do every couple of years.

Because Harry Potter is awesome.

Last time I read the books (roughly 2 years ago), I made the discovery that I'm younger than Harry Potter. And it was a jarring revelation.

Yes, yes. I absolutely know that Harry is a fictional character. Zip it, you. I am well aware that Hogwarts isn't a real place, and that Albus Dumbledore is a figment of JK Rowling's imagination, and that Voldemort (thank heaven!) never existed. I KNOW ALL THAT. But I'm a Harry Potter nerd; I've embraced it, and you can either deal with it, or else come back when I've posted something else.

Where was I?

Oh yes; last time I read Deathly Hallows, I looked at the dates that HP was born, etc., etc., and I realized that I'm younger than Harry. In fact, Harry was already living in a crib under the Dursley's staircase by the time I was born.

I guess it was a weird realization, because I first read about Harry-the-11-year-old when I was 18. And Jo didn't publish Harry's final book until 2007, after I had finished my schooling and started living my life as a real adult with a real career. Et cetera.

Fictionally speaking, I would've gone to Hogwarts the same year as Collin Creevey (because, let's face it, in a fictional world, I'd have been born a witch in Scotland; probably my folks would've been a witch and wizard, although I think that each of their parents would've been muggles, with the possible exception of my mother's mother? Yes, Grandma Rigby would have some magical blood. Now you know).

Anyway. I've heard the phrase, "We are the Harry Potter Generation." And I can't help but think, "What is the time frame on this 'HP Generation'?"

Does is start with the the kids who were roughly 11  years old when "The Sorcerer's Stone" book first came out? (11 is really a magical year when it comes to wizardom, after all.) If this is the case, that means the true HP Generation aren't much younger than me, maybe somewhere in their late twenties (since book one was published in '98 here in the States).

Or do we go by when the movies first went to theaters? My friend Katie was born the same week as Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry in the movies; if we follow this timeline, the true HP Generation is a bit younger, in their early- to mid-twenties.

I realize that this problem isn't really a problem; especially since a generation spans a handful of years. (Also, because it's a fictitious problem, right?)

But here's the rub: when it comes to Harry Potter, there is no such thing as "too old" to enjoy it.

My mother introduced me to Harry Potter just after I graduated high school in 2000. She told me the gist of it: "It's about a boy who finds out he's a wizard and he goes to a magical school!" (My mom totally said some version of that sentence with an exclamation point.) I (very likely rolled my eyes and) told her I'd rather not, but Mother would not relent; she insisted that I at least read the first few chapters, and I reluctantly agreed.

My mother is usually right. About most things. So I should've figured that she wasn't just yanking my chain when she told me it was a great book.

I devoured "Sorcerer's Stone" within a few days.

Dad ended up buying the first four books, because by that point Harry Potter Fever was running rampant, and, as a family of bookworms, we didn't want to wait in line to borrow the books from the library. Late summer/early fall of 2000...well, those nights were dedicated to reading the first four books of the Harry Potter series.

Which brings me back to my quandary: Harry Potter is technically children's literature. Eleven-year-olds were smitten with the books. I, as a young adult in 2000, was absolutely smitten. My folks, full-fledged adults, were totally smitten. Grandmas and grandpas were smitten.

As each of the next 3 books were released over the course of the next 7 years, I ended up buying my own copy the day they came out.

...Except for the year "Half Blood Prince" was released; I was in the middle of graduate school. I was taking a research class that summer, and the class didn't end until a week or two after the book was published. I gave money to my dad and had him buy me a copy. The book remained in my parents' home (in a whole other city) until I had finished my research class. Mom had a CEU class in Cache Valley the day I finished, and she ended up bringing my book to my apartment that very afternoon. I thanked her kindly and stayed up until 4:00 the next morning reading that book. I think that's the fastest I've ever read any book of any size.

Fast forward to January 2013: my nephew Seth had just turned 6 when his parents let him watch the first Harry Potter movie. Seth went gaga over it. I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with Seth regarding HP. Rather intelligent conversations they've been, too. (I tell you what, Seth has asked some excellent questions!) His parents are currently reading "Prisoner of Azkaban" to Seth. I'm not sure a kid could love Harry Potter more than Seth does at this time in his life. Can you guess who Seth is going to be for Halloween?

I know this has been a long-winded post, but here's my point: I believe that anyone who has read and enjoyed "Harry Potter" is part of the Harry Potter Generation. And that spans a lot of actual generations, be it Baby Boomers (like my folks), Gen X (that's me), Generation Y (a handful of my friends), Generation Z (Seth), and all the generations to come.

We are ALL the Harry Potter Generation.

Thank you, Joanne Rowling, for sharing such a magical story that can bridge generational gaps in its own way.

Deactivating the HP nerd in five...four...three...two...

*There will likely be another post, one day, about my favorite HP character of all, Severus Snape*

...one.

I'm Not as Shallow as This Post Might Make Me Seem...

This post is about The Hunger Games.

I read the books...maybe about a year ago? (Okay, I'm looking it up on Goodreads, and it says...January 2011.) I kind of didn't want to read the books, because when they were described to me, I was slightly mortified; it sounded like Roman gladiator games for children, and I didn't want to read about such a horrific subject matter.

But then I caved; almost every person I talked to (and I surround myself with really terrific people!) recommended the Hunger Games series to me, and I caved.

Aaaand I believe I  read book one within a couple of days.

Before, during, and after reading that book, I was totally disturbed that I really enjoyed the story as much as I did. But I'll be darned if I didn't cry when Rue died. (If you haven't read or watched the Hunger Games yet, I'm sorry about that little spoiler; but you understand the gist of the story, right? LOTS of people die.)

But I digress. This post is actually supposed to focus on the movie (that just came to a theater near you a couple of weeks ago).

I had heard mixed reviews, but mostly good things.

I talked to my mama about it the day after she watched it, and the first thing she said was, "Gina! The guy Katniss leaves behind?! WOW!" Or something to that effect. So I had high hopes that Gale would be this knock out.

Anyway, I went to Utah to visit my family last weekend, and Abby and I went to Walker Cinema to watch The Hunger Games together. 

I know; it's not a terrific picture of me.
Maybe I'm trying to make a point that I'm not completely shallow.
"Look! I'm posting an unflattering picture of myself to show you
that I really realize that looks aren't what it's all about!"

So I was sitting in the theater, happily watching the movie, and do you know what? That first shot of Gale didn't quite do it for me. Please note: I know that most people in Hollywood are quite a bit prettier than me, including the fella who plays Gale. My point is that everybody had talked him up a LOT, and that very first shot of Gale made me scratch my head. Then I saw Peeta, and I was like..."Oh! That's what Mom was talking about." Because...guys, I'm totally Team Peeta; I was throughout the entire series, and I think he's one of the best characters in the books. But, that first shot of Peeta, with his hair all slicked back? It made me realize how incredibly handsome that Gale fella really is. You know?

The movie continued, and I realized that, when his hair isn't slicked back, Peeta's kind of cute, too. (For a kid, I mean. Gross. Stop judging me!)

Also, when Katniss and Peeta got to The Capitol, we were introduced to a whole new slew of characters. And then I realized...I'm actually Team Cinna...

Yes. Team Cinna, all the way.

In all honesty, I've always loved his character. Maybe it's just a little perk that he's so darn handsome in the movie...?

Anyway, I'll be back with a less shallow post nest time. Just thought I'd let you know how I feel about the men of The Hunger Games.

PS My mom may or may not have a little crush on Seneca Crane. (I'll never tell.)

PPS Donald Sutherland, from this day forward, might creep me out for the rest of my mortal life. He's such an endearing old fellow in Pride & Prejudice (Mr. Bennett), but he played President Snow a little too well. He totally gave me the heebie-jeebies.

Over and out.

Men of Character

The other day, I annoyed by brother Aaron via Facebook; I mentioned that I don't understand how there can be so much to say about football (a valid question!). Aaron responded with, "Hold your tongue. How can there be so much to say about wallpaper and Jane Austen?" I told him, "Wallpaper? I have nothing to say on that subject. But there's plenty to talk about Jane Austen if you've read her books. Just saying." His retort: "Okay, carpet. Bedding. Any of the dumb [crap] women spend hours talking about."

I seem to have struck a nerve with him, yes? (You forgot to mention shoes, brother.)

Aaron, you have just opened a can of worms, my friend, because this post is dedicated to literary men. Specifically, men penned by Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Elizabeth Gaskell.

I know they're not real, but these men (in the books and the movies) just make my heart flutter.

...a few of them, actually.

The Austen fellow I'm deeply smitten with is not Mr. Darcy (although he's kind of great). The Austen man who makes me swoon is Colonel Christopher Brandon from Sense & Sensibility. That's right, friends; Col. Brandon is my Mr. Darcy. HE IS SO WONDERFUL. He's sweet and caring, and he loves Marianne Dashwood SO MUCH. He's amazing in the book, and he's dynamite in the movie. (I might love him extra in the movie because he's portrayed by Alan Rickman--who, by the way, I think ought to be knighted. Sir Alan Rickman has a nice ring to it. He's a terrific actor, and I could listen to him talk all the livelong day. Oh, that voice!) Ah, and in the movie Sense & Sensibility, my favorite scene is when Marianne is singing at Sir Middleton's house, and Col. Brandon walks in late...but in that scene, YOU WATCH HIM FALL IN LOVE with Marianne! Oh my goodness, it's ridiculously precious. (I rewind it a few times every single time I watch it. Maybe.)

This is the scene where I first fell in love with Col. Brandon...

Then there's Mr. John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South. I watched the movie after I'd read a few chapters of the book. (He seems a lot harsher in the movie than in the book, but I can't help but love him throughout the movie, and I'm not going to lie, it probably has something to do with the fact that he's portrayed by the beautiful and talented Richard Armitage.) The book takes a while to get through because there's a glossary full of French words, but it's a wonderful book.

Mr. Thornton!!!

Ms. Brontë's man of character is, of course, Mr. Edward Rochester. He's a tortured soul, but he's got a story worth reading, and he loves Jane Eyre so much! I've read Jane Eyre only once (need to remedy that, actually), and I've only ever seen the brand new version of the movie portrayed by one Michael Fassbender--which was enough to make me a little weak at the knees. I watched it (for the first time) with Beth, Bethany, Keri, and Lindsey; it was that same night I found out there's a Broadway musical of Jane Austen. Do you want to know whose voice melts my heart into a soupy puddle? It's Mr. Rochester! Gah, I love him...

Mr. Edward Rochester

Now don't go thinking that I have unreal expectations about my future husband; I know these men are fictitious, and I don't really LOVE-love them. I just recognize amazing characters in books when I read them. (Take, for example, Severus Snape; he was my favorite Harry Potter character from the very beginning. So complex, and a total hero!)

Obviously, I'd take a real living, breathing man over the fictitious ones any day.

Just waiting to find him...

I'm Taking Recommendations...

I love to read. A lot.

But sometimes I get so busy that I don't really give myself time to read; not until I'm about to collapse in bed at night.

Some nights I'm sleepy enough that I can only read a few pages before comprehension slips out my brain...

I started reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel back in the beginning of October.

I finished reading it on something like December 28 or 29.

Clearly, it wasn't thrilling unto me; it moved rather slowly, but it was well-written, and I kept at it because I wanted to see how Pi's sorry predicament was resolved.

One evening I was talking to my good friend Keri about Pi, which she had read before. I told her of my concerns about the slow pace of the book, etc., and she said, "Just wait till you read the ending."

I finally found some time to plow through the last 75 pages or so while sitting by the fire at my parents' home over the holidays.

I finished it...and it kind of took a minute to sink in. I already know that I'm going to have to read it again; having finished the book and knowing what I now know, I have no choice but to read it again.

But I don't think I can make myself read it again for a while.

Since I finished, I treated myself to one of my all-time favorites: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

It's so amazing. Remember what I thought of it the first time I read it? It's a tear-jerker. And you want to know something? I cried even harder this second time around. Because I knew what was going to happen, and it hurt a little bit more. Because I really love the characters: Leisel, Rudy, Hans and Rosa (aka Papa and Mama). Max. (I cannot forget Max!)

Anyhoo...I've just begun Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

I know. It's about the Holocaust. Auschwitz, even, I believe. It's bound to be sad, but I'm okay with that. (My momma loves books about the Holocaust; maybe it's genetic?)

I've got a few more books perched on the shelf, waiting to be read. Still, if you've got any suggestions, I'm open.

Thank you, and good night...

P.S. My thoughts on the New Year (and possible resolutions?) are forthcoming...

Update (Jan. 6, 2011, 6:15pm)

I do NOT have the patience for Slaughterhouse Five. It's weird and kind of dirty and I can't make myself read any more, even if that means I'm sacrificing an amazing story that'll change my world if only I were to "give it time."

NO THANK YOU.

And do you know what's strange? I think I've read this book before; bits and pieces of it seem awfully familiar. The thing is, I don't know if I finished it last time...

So I'm writing it down now: Hey, Gina! DON'T READ SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE! Just skip it.

be still my heart...

I just finished reading this book:

North & South
by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wow.

I mean WOW! I fell in love with the BBC movie last time I went home for a visit. (Mom and I both fell in love with it.) I loved the plot and the characters...(especially one Mr. Thornton).

And, okay, it's taken me a rather long time to read the book, but the reasons are threefold: 1-It's got tiny print. 2-I had to flip back to the index a lot to get some extra insight into the story. And 3-I haven't had tons of time to read. Those're the reasons it took me so long; this book is a delight. If you like Jane Austen, you'll pretty much love this book.

The book and the movie are the same, but so different. The thing that really got to me is that you had to wait till the very end for the fireworks; you know at the very beginning that Margaret Hale and John Thornton are going to end up together, and you agonize throughout the entire dang thing as to how the devil it's ever going to happen. And as the minutes/pages flash on by, you realize time is running out; there's not much time left for the story to fulfill its entire purpose...but then...it does! And it's magical!

I highly recommend this book.
And the movie, too. Obviously.

Ma, I'm bringin' it home with me this weekend. We shall discuss it at length when you're finished. (And I feel quite confident that you'll finish it in less time than it took me, but only because you can't put a good book down...)

smiling...

I finished reading The Screwtape Letters today on my lunch break. But I'm not done thinking about it. Oh, no. I seriously enjoyed that book. And guess what? When I get around to reading again today, I'll be starting Mere Christianity. And I'm very excited about it.

Today, it feels like Spring. Spring, people! When I walk outside, I can hear water trickling down rain gutters, because the snow is melting! When I ran to the store, I could swear that those huge mountains made entirely of snow (and a fair share of dirt), piled into ginormous masses in the corners of the parking lot...they look smaller! They really do!

Now, because of all this melting going on, the roads and sidewalks, where thick-ish layers of ice are thinning out, it's all sorts of slippery out there. And although I've slipped and nearly fallen a dozen times, I don't care. Because they skies are blue and the sun is shining!

I'm sure to be devastated when this little January thaw ends and winter comes back with a vengence...

I'm somehow surviving my battle against Coca Cola. I wanted it yesterday. I wanted it real bad. But I didn't give in. I think I'll somehow win this battle...

After today, my work week is half over. This makes me smile as brightly as the sun shineth today, it does.

I'm losing weight. Not enough that anybody can tell, but I can, and that's what matters. My pants feel a bit looser, and it's a truly liberating feeling.

This, I think, is all for now. Cheers...

think.thank.thunk.

I read three books between Jan. 1 and Jan. 4. Well...2.5, really; I was halfway through The Associate when the New Year pounced...

It was an interesting book, The Associate.

Then I read two little gems by Markus Zusak (author of one of my favorite books, The Book Thief). Vance and Abby gave me the two books (Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl) for Christmas.

Let it be known: I love Mr. Zusak. His books are interesting, and they make you think. I like that. A lot. (I've also read his book I Am the Messenger. So.Darn.Good.)

So yeah...I like to read. (Honestly, the two Zusak books I read this year aren't long or difficult to read. But that's not my point.)

When I finished Getting the Girl I decided to pick up A Wrinkle in Time. It's supposed to be a classic, right? I'd never read it before, and I bought it on sale a few months ago at Barnes & Noble.

Now...don't judge me too harshly, please, but I've been dragging my feet with this book; it started out interesting enough, but...I'm looking for something...more?

I bought The Screwtape Letters with a Barnes & Noble giftcard I got from a client for Christmas. And I've been eyeing it longingly on my nightstand, perched right under Wrinkle. I decided that Screwtape would be my "dessert" after finishing Wrinkle, you know? But apparently that resolve was quite worthless, because I chucked Wrinkle aside and picked up Screwtape last night before bed.

What a great choice! This book is, in a word, delicious.

I've only read the first four letters so far, but I am totally enjoying it. And all the thinking it stimulates. So clever. So witty. So deep.

Where have you been all my life, Mr. CS Lewis?! (Once again, I beg you not to judge me for not having picked up any of his books before now...)

I think I'm hooked...

More thoughts on Screwtape later...

know what i love?

*I've been re-reading the Harry Potter books. And I love that after a run-in with dementors, CHOCOLATE is the remedy to lift one's spirits. Awesome. What a terrific idea!

*It's been cool and rainy here in IF since Sunday morning. I'm nowhere near ready for winter weather, but I'm kind ready for a break from hot.

*My family is the best. I love each member oh. so. much! My brothers and I didn't always get along stupendously as children, but we all get along really well now. We talk easily, we like spending time together, and my folks, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews and niece are easily my favorite people in this wide world. PS I hope Aaron has a DYNAMITE 30th birthday tomorrow!!!

*I really enjoy the Gospel. Not sure where I'd be without it. I love the Church and its teachings. It brings me peace and solace, especially when life gets stressful.

*I get a kick out of my friends as well. I got to chill with toadbucket and Booj for a few hours on Friday, which I haven't done in years. My IF peeps are pretty dang awesome. My best friend from high school, Heather, is still one of my favorite people; I love that even though she's married with children and we don't get to see each other very often, things are still great between us. (Some things never change, and I love that!)

*Sunday dinners are pretty great, too. Just sayin.

I love lots of other stuff too, but I have to go just now.

mr. dickens...

I'm reading "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. I read it every year at Christmas time (for the past few years, at least. I got that splendid idea from my brother Aaron.)

Anyway, it's really good--so much better than any play or movie of it. (Although I really get a kick out of "A Muppet Christmas Carol.") It's got a great message and really makes me stop and think.

The other day I read over Scrooge's visit with his old business partner, the spectre of Jacob Marley. Obviously, Marley is trying to help Scrooge avoid Marley's own miserable fate, and in doing so, Marley tells Scrooge of his misdeed--many of which Scrooge is also guilty. In order to comfort Marley and, I think, himself, Scrooge reminds Marley that he was a good business man.

Marley's response is deep and thought-provoking:

"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolance, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

Isn't that true? Mankind is our business. Relationships are our business...helping and serving others in need--those are all our business. Although holding a steady job and having some reliable income is important, it's only a drop in the bucket compared to what life is truly all about...

Anyway, I'm only about halfway through the book; it's a quick read, typically, but I haven't really the found time to read it until I'm crawling into bed at the end of the day...so usually I don't get much read before I drop off to sleep. I'm really enjoying it, though, and I'll continue the tradition of reading it every year at this time...

For some reason I wanted to share this with you all...

reading ROCKS...

I love to read. I think it was inevitable, being a product of my parents and all. My mother read to me all the time when I was growing up. Matter of fact (*she says shyly*) I still love it when my mom reads to me. And my dad...he gives the phrase Loves to Read a whole new meaning. It's almost a sickness with him. :)

Anyway, I enjoy reading, and although I don't have tons of time to read, I try to find time specifically for this activity. Daily. I usually fall asleep reading a book.

Why do I love to read? Well the act itself is a comfortable thing; especially when it's a cold day outside. (I LOVE curling up with a blanket and a good book in hand!) Also, it makes me think. I'm not one to analyze books--not intentionally at least. It just sort of happens--if it's a really good book, at least. (I remember being forced to analyze books and poetry back in the day of junior high and high school, and I wanted nothing to do with it; who wants to try to figure out why an author wrote what they wrote? I'd rather just revel in the thoughts and words and ideas provoked and inspired by what's written.) I also really enjoy a good story. And I totally appreciate an incredible author.

So yeah...I love to read.

In the very recent past, I've read:

*Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra-LOVE these books. The final book of the series doesn't come out till next year. :(
*Genesis of Shannara: The Elves of Cintra-Who knew I'd dig these books so much? I've made fun of my brother Vance for reading about Elves and their Swords for years. Anyway, this one is the 2nd book of a trilogy dealing with Brooks' previous Word and the Void trilogy. Good stuff!
*Because of Winn-Dixie-A quick read. An easy read. But a good read. Made me reflective or something...although I don't know why. It's not as if I'm from the south or had an ugly dog growing up or anything. What can I say, though? It's a Newberry book...

And I'm currently reading Genesis of Shannara: The Gypsy Morph. (I'm only on page 12 or something...fell asleep reading it last night.) I love this stuff! (I'm almost annoyed at how much I love these books...I like them enough that I've contemplated reading the actual Shannara books...a thought that had never crossed my mind before!)

I think I started this post with a certain idea in mind, but it has long-since been forgotten. (Hmm...what was my point?)

I guess I'm saying "Cheers" to reading.

I suppose... :)

Wee Free Men

So...I picked up a handful of books while on holiday in Scotland several months ago. I started reading "The Wee Free Men" by Terry Pratchett on the flight home, but didn't get very far. And once I landed on American soil, there were lots of other things to do, as well as other books to read. I didn't pick "Wee Free Men" up again until last week, several weeks after my roommate Brooke read it. It's a fun story. I just finished it today. I liked it. I bought its sequel "A Hat Full of Sky" in Edinburgh, and I'm eager to read that one as well.

Here it is...

Not exactly one that made me think, like "The Book Thief" did. But it was a fun read, and I know Mr. Pratchett put a lot of thought into it. It's a book about dreams. Sort of. Dreams and reality and everything in between...

Plus, it took me back to the UK...not that my trip was anything like this story, but the way the Nac Mac Feegle (aka Wee Free Men) speak...ah, it took me back, somehow.

Waily, waily!

The Book Thief

In her recent blogs, my friend Hillary has made recommendations for books to read. I think this is a fantastic idea, as I love to read and I'm always looking for another great book.

I just finished reading "The Book Theif" by Markus Zusak about 5 minutes ago, and it is so good! My friend Charity recommended this one to me. In fact, when I saw her at the beginning of the new year, she had me read through the first few pages of the book.

Immediately I was intrigued. The book is about a young girl in Nazi Germany and the power of words, and its narrator is Death. I bought it the next day, but didn't start reading it till last week. I lent it to my roommate, Brooke, who was looking for something good to read; I lent it to her before I had even read it (with the threat that if she ruined it for me, there would be consequences). Brooke read through the first several pages and then gave it back; she didn't like the writing style and could not get into it.

I, on the other hand, was hooked. I'm not going to do a mini book-report; I don't want to give the story away, and I can't do the book justice. All I can say is, "Read it." It's a completely different view on the Holocaust, and it's a gem.

I will warn you. Pay attention. WARNING: This book swears more than I might prefer. But I'd recommend it anyway. I'm glad I read it. If you're ultra-sensitive to swearing, then skip this book, I suppose.

Mom, I'll get you this book as soon as I can. You'll love it.

P.S. It made me cry. This confession may make some of you sprint away from this recommendation. Or maybe not. Either way, I've made my recommendation.