The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Don't believe anything you see in the movies!!!!  As, I'm sure most of you have, I have seen Disney's version of the Hunchback and it is NOTHING like the book!!!!!!!!!  This book was extremely difficult to get through.  I guess Victor Hugo had a facsination with architecture, because some of the chapters in this book were nothing but descriptions of the buildings and different architectural styles prevelant in Paris.  The ending is completely different from the movie and not very happy.  Actually, it is pretty gruesome!!!  I'm glad it's over with and I can check it off my list.  I loved reading Les Miserables, but this one was really rough.

When the Legends Die

Just finished reading this book for Mitchell's English class.  I like to read what they are reading so if they have questions, I know how to help them.  This book was an interesting tale of a young Indian boy whose parents left the reservation, worked for "the man", and then moved to the mountains to live in the old way.  This kid learned the old ways, but, when both his parents died, he was forced to go to school and learn the "new way".  After years of living the "new way" he eventually found his way back to the mountains and found that the "old way" suited him just fine.  It was very interesting and I found myself yearning for the "old way" of life.  It was so much simpler, you built your house with your own hands, hunted and grew food for your dinner, traded for other needs, raised your children and minded your own business.  I don't know how I would fare in that kind of world, but it sure sounds less complicated than working 5 days a week!!!

Incredible breakthrough. . .

I just wanted to let you all know that I had an incredible breakthrough with my addiction today.  I was in B&N and the only thing I bought was a book Mitch needed for English.  TA-DA!!!!!  I am so proud of myself.  I may have sniffed some pages, and lovingly stroked some books, but, I held my ground and did not purchase anything new for me.  Technically, I have to read the book I bought for Mitch so when he needs help, I know what he is supposed to know from his reading.  But, the purchase was for him and not me.  I don't know that I am fully cured, but I learned a lot about myself today. 

Sink Reflections

I remember when I first heard about Fly Lady.  I was at home, late at night surfing the internet.  I remember a friend talking about a shiny sink and decided that it couldn't hurt to look it up.  WOW, what a change happened in my life that night.  Jared was out of town, and I sat at the computer bawling as I had the inspired thought that I was not alone and other people did struggle with keeping their house clean and being organized. 

At the time, I had four small children, was constantly exhausted and felt mentally and emotionally drained and overwhelmed.  Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I pull this book off the shelf and realize that "I am not behind" and that "I can do anything for 15 minutes".  Sometimes it takes that reassurance from the pages of a book written by someone who cares and who has been in my shoes to pick me up off the emotional floor and "put on those lace-up shoes". 

I love this book, and always will.  It has given me courage to face what seems like daunting tasks and reassurance that I am not the only idiot who can't seem to keep it together. 

Take Two Chocolates. . .

I have read this book before, but felt like I needed a little sanity and reassurance that I do not suck at everything.  It just feels like it sometimes and you need to read a book that points out that sometimes it sucks and sometimes it doesn't, but either way, you will make it through.  Aside from the title saying it all, I really love Emily Watts. 

August. . .GOAL!!!

I finished the church magazines a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get this post done.  I am almost done with September, but not quite there yet.  I just needed to do this post so I can get a little self-esteem shot in the arm.

The Fire of the Covenant

I have actually read this book several times before.  However, since we were doing the Trek through Martin's Cove with our church youth, I thought I would read it again.  Now that I have actually been to the place and seen the terrain these people were dealing with, it gives me a whole new appreciation for what they accomplished.  I would highly recommend this book if you need a litte reminder of how great we have it!!!

New Monthly Goal

I have decided that I have a new monthly goal. . .we pay for magazines every month that come to us.  I dont' even have to go to the library to have material to read.  But, I never seem to get around to reading these magazines.  So. . .new goal, read the Ensign, New Era and Friend magazines every month.

 This month there were amazing stories and articles in each magazine.  As we are preparing for a Trek to Martin's Cove in Wyoming in about a week, it was very encouraging to read stories of other people who have been on treks.  (Boy, was that something I needed to share with my Young Women--can anyone say inspiration?!?). 

Each month I accomplish this goal I will make a short post with a photo of a soccer ball--GOOOOAAAAL!!!

300 Under 300

This is not really a "book", per se.  But, I have really enjoyed browsing through this book.  All of the recipes in this book are under 300 calories.  Here is a list of some of my favorites (or soon-to-be favorites, once I try them out):

S'more Pancakes

Thanksgiving in a Salad Bowl

Island Time Salad

Rockin' Red Velvet Pancakes

Breakfast Pizza Mexicali

Great Greek Pizza

Grilled Fuji 'n Chick 'Wich
Nacho-rific Stuffed Chicken
'Bella Asada Fajitas
Crunchy Beef Taco Egg Mug
Banana Split Oatmeal
Apple Cinnamon Desert Crepes

Throne of Fire

This book is the sequel to The Red Pyramid.  It is a kids series (big surprise)!  I really enjoy Rick Riordan's writing style.  This series is a little different in that the story is told as an audio recording.  If you have some spare time and would like to indulge in a little Egyptian mythology, pick it up!

See what happens when you  have to waste time waiting for kids!!!!!

5000 Year Leap

Wow, it has really been a long time since I have posted.  It is not that I have been reading my guts out, it is that I have been way too busy to indulge my habit.  I did finish the 5,000 Year Leap a few weeks ago, and was amazed at the information that it contained about the founding fathers, writers of the consitution and how our government is supposed to operate. 

Once again, our founding fathers are probably rolling over in their graves at the monstrosity we now call the Federal government.  I'm not sure that the US government today is much different than King George in the 1700s.

Let me say this, if our government was run as it was intended by the founding fathers, we would be the most prosperous, creative, educated, free and happy people on the planet.  Sadly, we are now the highest taxed, lowest scoring, laziest and fatest people on the planet.  Hopefully, we can "trim the fat" so to speak and reduce the size and scope of what government does!!!!!  It was not meant to take care of us from cradle to grave.  But, unfortunately, we have turned our country into a socialist democracy instead of the republic that it was meant to be.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know why the founders committed treason by signing the Declaration of Independence.  It is inspiring to see how a new nation was formed by men who were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.  Where is our honor?????

Cleopatra

I gave this book up as a bad job.  I usually don't throw in the towel so easily, however, there was so much speculation in this supposed biography that I could not stand it. 

As I have stated before, I love all things to do with Egypt, and Cleopatra is as mysterious as it gets; but this author operated mostly in conjecture and guess-work.  I'm all for a biography, but when there is no evidence of character traits of a person (who BTW, lived over 2,000 years ago), it is very difficult to read someone's "idea" of who a person was. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

I have read all of the other Wimpy Kid books and loved them.  Jeff Kinney did it again with this book.  At times I was laughing out loud at the situations in the book.  This was a fast one, but very enjoyable. 

The Red Pyramid

I completed this last night.  Rick Riordan also wrote the Percy Jackson series, which I enjoyed.  I guess I just identify best with children's/teen's books.  Nice, easy and fun reading.  I love egypt and anything to do with archeology, and there was a little bit of that in this book.  He does a great job of putting kids in the middle of the story to solve problems and discover their strengths.

The Wedding

I finished this book last weekend.  This is the same author who wrote the Notebook. I really loved the Notebook movie, but never read the book.  I think if I had read the Notebook, I would not have seen the movie because I did  not like his style of writing.  Maybe I am just not romantic enough to read an entire book about a man whining about what a jerk he has been for the last 30 years and who is trying to make it up to his wife in one weekend. 

The Forgotten Garden

This was a great book.  A little mystery, a little drama, a little intrigue!!!  A granddauther sets out to find out her grandmother's true identity after her grandmother dies and leaves clues for her.  The book spans from Australia to England and from the late 1800s to the early 2000s.  Read it. . .I know you will love it.

Such a clutz. . .off the wagon again

I went to the library to kill time and check my email between things I needed to do yesterday.  Well, all three computers were being used so what did I do. . .you got it!!!  The following books of contraband are now sitting on my coffee table waiting to be read:  Cleopatra, Diary of a Whimpy Kid-The Ugly Truth, The Wedding, The Forgotten Garden, The Red Pyramid.

So, lets see how fast I can get these read along with the new books on my list. . .

The Hostile Hospital

I began to read these books years ago and bought the entire series for the boys.  I made it half way through before life interrupted me, so now I am catching up.

Even though these stories are incredibly silly and outrageous, they are fun.  It shows kids that you can work your way out of anything if you use your brains and try your hardest.  It also helps kids realize that sometimes life is not fair and it takes a while to get through the bad stuff. 

Connecticut Yankee in King Authur's Court

Finally!!!!! This book was difficult to get through.  However, with bribery I was able to finish it.  It was interesting how many themes ran through this book based on the real-life issues that were going on when Samuel Clemens wrote it.  He spoke a lot about slavery, entrepreneurial pursuits, and government. 

I admire the character in this book who tries to instill in people that they have value and can achieve anything they want in life.  Living under an oppressive system which crushes people's ability to think for themselves and believe that they can have a better life is difficult for me to understand.  What a blessing to live in a country where there are so many possibilities and opportunities.  Let's hope it stays that way!!!

The last of the contraband

I have finished the last book of contraband that I got at the library.  This was an interesting look at a woman who runs into an old boyfriend and reignites a friendship with him all the while trying to decide if she is really happy with her marriage. 

Maybe its just me, but why in the world would you even bring that trouble into your life.  In my mind, if you are married, your choice has been made.  Toying with an old romance whether mentally, emotionally or even physically is never a good idea. 

The character did not technically "cheat" on her husband. But in my mind, the emotional energy she invested in this other man is way worse than any physical manifestation.  It was okay, not great. 

3 more "non-list" books

I have finished the Hunger Games series and the Traveling Pants series.  The other book I read is not a series book, but was by an author of another couple of books I have read. 

This series was full of teenage girl drama which is not riveting for me.  I was a little disappointed in some of the situations presented in the books--these are supposed to be for teenage girls, who are very impressionable.  However, the ending sends a good message that we need to make time for our friends in order to stay close.

At first I was hesitant to read these books, based on the premise of sending children into an arean to "fight to the death" for political reasons.  However, the characters find strength to throw off an oppressive government and reclaim their freedoms.  How fantastic that I live in a country where we have a constitution which protects us against such oppression.

 This is a great book about realizing our relationships are bigger than ourselves.  Sometimes we don't always get what we want, but usually we get something better as a result of putting others before ourselves.

Still Off the Wagon. . .but running alongside

I have decided to bribe myself to finish Connecticut Yankee by agreeing (with myself--can anyone say schizophrenic??) to read 5 chapters in Connecticut Yankee in exchange for reading an entire book that is fun to read!!!  I finished the books below and went back to the library on Saturday and picked up 5 more.  Once I am done with the 5 new books, I should also be done with Connecticut Yankee.  If my current pattern holds, I will be done with Connecticut Yankee by Wednesday since I read an entire book yesterday and 5 chapters in Connecticut Yankee.  Here are the books I finished on Friday.

Of course it is a series book (my weakness).  Only one more to go and I am done w/ the series.  I don't know why I picked them up to begin with, but I found myself crying in the first one, so I continued.  BTW, I think Carmen is a total selfish BRAT!!!!

Never thought I would like these books. . .the premise of sending children into "battle-to-the-death" games for political purposes was a little disturbing. However, I have enjoyed them and even got my husband hooked on them.

I have enjoyed these "chick" books.  Nothing educational or deep about them, just fun to read.

I fell off the wagon. . .

So much for sticking to my list!!!  I was forced to waste time at the library waiting for one of my kids to be done with play practice and could not help myself.  Is there such a thing as a readaholic?!?  I checked out these three books and read them in 2 days.  Then to confirm that I have an addiction, I ran back to the library and got the next three in the series.  See what I mean about a series. . .they are addicting.  There is no great moral in these books to be read "between the lines" they are just fun reading.  I am still plugging my way through Connecticut Yankee, but it is not fun!!!!

The Burning Bridge

I don't know why I am so sucked into series books, but I am.  I read this book in two days and can't wait to start on the others (so far there are 10 books in the series).  It has a Lord of the Rings feel to it, albeit without the elvish and dwarf language barriers.  Easy, but fun and relaxing read.

Lord of the Flies

I did not have this on my list of reading, but, my son has to read this book for English.  I thought I should read it so that when he needs help with homework I know what I am talking about--LOL!!  I'm done with the first chapter and I am not impressed.

Start out with a Bang. . .or a War

To start on this journey I am reading Gone with the Wind (inspired by my friend Allison who recently read it)!!!  This particular book was in my grandfather's library (he had a whole room full of book shelves, crammed with tons of interesting books--oh, to have that much room in my house-LOL).  Join me, Scarlett and Rhett as we journey down south for a cival war epic tale.  I'll post when I'm done.

Bookaholic

I have come to the realization that I am a bookaholic.  I have so many books in my house that I have not read, it is embarrasing.  So, now is the time to cozy up with a good book (or 160-something) and get reading.  Join me on my journey. . .you can simply read about what I have read, or you can follow along and read the same book.  It would be great to get more people away from the t.v. and reading!!!!  I will do a post once I finish a book.  If you are reading along, please post comments on what you thought of the book.  Let's get reading. . .