April Wrapup

Isn't that cute "springy April" fun? Well, that's how April should be but I we woke up to a good two inches of snow! That's Utah for you.

So books I read in April. Here they are.


North of Beautiful
Liked the message but not very engaging.

The Neon Court
By far, the highlight of the month and probably the whole year! The third in a series I absolutely adore!

Red Glove
Another one I gobbled up. The second in a series I'm thoroughly enjoying.

Sleepless
Just plain weird, scattered, and unbelievable.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
I enjoyed Flavia, laughed on nearly every page and enjoyed the mystery, but it was still hard to really get into.

Never Let Me Go
Please someone explain this one to me???

Wither
Meh, to many things just didn't add up.

Dogsbody
An engaging read with just a little too much filler in the middle.

Three Black Swans
Interesting story, but the editing was so awful it was hard to muddle through.


And there you have it. Two I loved, three okays, three disappointments and one I just didn't get.
How did your month go?

Book vs Movie; Movie wins

Book vs movie. Yeah, I thought I always liked the book better. But then I started thinking about all the movies I DO like better than the book. So I thought I'd list some. (yay for you!) So without further ado...

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

 Now, I'm not talking about the whole series, cause I didn't really like the other movies and I've only read the first book, but, yeah. I definitely enjoyed THIS movie better.

Troy

Please don't hurl something at me in outrage! I know, I know, how dare I prefer watching Brad Pitt prance around in a skirt over the poetic classic that is the Iliad? No it wasn't Brad Pitt or even Orlando Bloom that sealed the deal, but I did like the movie better. Mainly because it didn't focus so much on the whims of the Gods like The Iliad does. (note: doesn't Helen look so pretty in this pic?)

Wives and Daughters

This one was a really close call. I love the book too but let's face it; At least the movie has an ending. And this one holds fond memories for me.  I remember coming home from work and staying up till long after midnight to watch it in parts on KUED. I had been sucked in, not even knowing what it was, when I was flipping though channels  and saw Molly crying in the garden and a handsome man (Roger) comforting her. 

The Painted Veil

( Deep breathy sigh!) I love, love, love this movie! This movie is beautifully filmed. The Score is so fitting and so breathtaking. The changes from book to movie are pure brilliance. If you haven't seen this one, see it! Even if you haven't read the book. Now, I guess I should tell you I don't mind the book, it was good and had its strong points but when compared to the movie, there's just no competition.

The Jane Austen Book Club

Have you seen it? I know it's not that well known but that's a shame because this is one of my favorite movies. There's just something about getting to see these crazy, endearing characters in film form. Both book and movie have great discussion about Austen's work but the movie just had some better ending choices. (in my opinion)

Are you still with me? We're have way through.

Pride and Prejudice

Yes, the really long A&E version, or as some of you know it, the Collin Firth version. This one follows the book so closely that it's a toss up about which is REALLY better but I guess I'm just more visual cause I just love to SEE all the characters I love so much. As a book lover is that just sacrilege of me?

Rebecca

Laurence Olivier does this thing where he looks at the top of Joan Fontaine's head that rivals any descriptive prowess Du Maurier has. Sigh!

Snow Falling on Ceders

I picked this movie up ages ago and watched it. I just sat there mesmerized and sobbing the whole way through it. Beautiful , beautiful movie! The book's great too but this is one of those movies that I'll always prefer over the book. In fact, this is one of my all time favorite movies ever!

Anne of Green Gables

This is one of those ones where they're similar enough that it's not a huge competition but the movie is so well done and captures all Montgomery's characters so well that I just love it a tiny bit more. Plus actually seeing Prince Edward Island? Come on!

The Bourne Identity

The movies are so loosely based on the novels that it's hard to tell they're even related in anything but name, but I love the movies more than the books. I can watch the movies over and over but the books? Once was enough, thanks.








Phew! We're done! Did you stick with me? So there you have it, the book to movies Hollywood did right. So are we agreed? Or are you shaking your head in shame at my sacrilege? What movies do you prefer over their books?

Character Connection: Odd from the Odd Thomas series

click here

“The dead don’t talk. I don’t know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Odd Thomas thinks of himself as an ordinary guy, if possessed of a certain measure of talent at the Pico Mundo Grill and rapturously in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, Stormy Llewellyn. Maybe he has a gift, maybe it’s a curse, Odd has never been sure, but he tries to do his best by the silent souls who seek him out. Synopsis of Odd Thomas

Yes, his name really is Odd, Odd Thomas. And if you're thinking: oh, I don't like mysteries, or adult paranormal, or Dean Koontz novels, well think again! You'll love Odd as much as me.

Odd, sees the dead, thus, the paranormal element, but what makes Odd truly unique and lovable is his humility and innocence and just plain goodness. He's polite, always saying mam and sir. He always makes the right decision even though he may not think so. (there's that humility thing again)  He goes out of his way to help anyone, even complete strangers; even complete "dead" strangers. He's funny and sweet and passionately loyal.

I beg you, no dare you, even challenge you to read the Odd Thomas series and not come away desperately enamored with Odd. You may not like the storyline. You may think it's a bit too dark or creepy for your taste but I guarantee you you'll love Odd.

Alas, I have such a hard time expressing my feelings sometimes. If you want a better taste of Odd's character you can click over to this amusing interview between him and the author. Or you can get a real feel for him in his own words here. You won't be sorry you clicked on either of these links.



So, have I convinced you to read the series yet? Have you read the series? Do you feel the beginnings of a character crush? I hope so.

Review: Wither

Title Wither
By Lauren Destefano
For Everybody else was doing it
Source I own it





Synopsis
Due to societies obsession with creating perfect children and eradicating disease a virus has struck mankind. All woman die at the age of twenty and all men at the age of twenty five. Because of this (and stick with me cause this doesn't make sense) women are kidnapped and married off to men with several wives to have babies so the babies can be tested for a cure. And so we meet Rhine, a woman in just that very situation. She's taken from her twin brother and home and sold and married to a wealthy man with three other wives.

General thoughts
Um, I just have a lot of questions. First, why was this book not more thought out? Because it had a great idea behind it but it just seems like anything that didn't make sense was just overlooked in a rush to get it published. Why do they have to test the babies? Wouldn't the adults that were not first generation be fine to test? And why were their people who didn't want a cure? Seriously, would anyone really decide they didn't care that they'd only live for a short time? That's as stupid as saying people are sick of trying to find a cure for cancer so they're going to protest and say that we should just give up! I don't think so.
          I think I just need a break from YA books. It seems like everyone is copying everyone else and not just in story ideas but in style too. This one felt like I was reading The Hunger Games again.

Characters
Rhine was too wishy-washy for my taste. One minute she was going on and on and on about wanting to escape and make it back to her brother and the next she was too worried about all the people in her new life to want to escape. I know that should sound like an intriguing character but it was like: come on, make up your mind already! Gabriel was a wuss! Need I say more? And I'm tired of male characters that think they're in love and before getting any sort of reciprocation they have the nerve to get jealous! I think women authors must think that's romantic! Argh! Linden was a wuss! Linden's father, (can't remember his name) dude, just kill him already! If someone is that evil, grrrr! Please just kill them and take the fall! I could go on and on. I didn't like any of the characters except maybe Jenna but I felt like I didn't get to know her very well so that was a bust!

Would I recommend it? 
Yeah, I think everyone else is going to eat this one up. I just wasn't impressed. I do know that other people were bothered with the world building that just didn't make sense, so beware.

Other opinions (as you can see, everyone likes it but me)
It's all about books
One Librarian's Book Reviews

Dissapointing Endings

So, this question has been bouncing around in my head for awhile so I thought I'd put it out there.
Why are the last books in series so often disappointing? Let's take a look, shall we?

First up, The Hunger Games Trilogy. Now I know some of you were fine with the ending of this one but there were tons of people that were horribly disappointed. It was too depressing and left them feeling empty. Even if people liked it they still felt that emptiness, or so a lot of reviews expressed.  

And then there was the Harry Potter series. Now don't get me wrong I know this series is one of the most beloved series of all time but I know several people who were bored and irritated with some of the filler in the last book; all the camping-out-nothing-happening parts. And I've heard many people complain about the prologue. I myself liked it fine but I have to admit I always thought Harry should have become the defense against the dark arts teacher. Don't ask.

Now I can't be too opinionated here because I've yet to read Specials or Extras but I've heard enough and read enough reviews to know people were frustrated with the last books in the series. I read people felt like they were reading about completely different characters by the last book. And the "last" book, Extras, was just plain weird.

Um, I know those of you who know me know I'm probably far too biased to say anything about this series. Yeah, I hated them and couldn't even read the last book, but...I've heard OTHER people thought the ending was a little too convenient and weird and just plain sappy! And I know some people were bothered with the whole Jacob's POV, as well.




I'm sure there's plenty more series with disappointing endings already written and some yet to be written, and in contrast there are series that end beautifully and satisfying. But it just seems lately that there are series that people just didn't like the end of.
So, why are the last books in series so often disappointing?
Is it just the bitterness in us that hates to see a favorite series end?
Are our hopes too high?
Do Authors crack under the pressure?
Am I totally off on my train of thought?
Come on people speak up, what's your opinion?

The Sunday Salon

And now a bunch of useless information you never wanted to know about me. ;-)

Outside my window: Well it was a nice sunny day but it's all overcast now. Oh well, April showers and all that.

I am listening to: Nothing at the moment and nothing new. I need some new good music. 

I am watching: Keeping up with all the dumb shows I watch on TV and still reeling in romance overload from watching the Lifetime movie William and Kate last night.

I am thinking: About cake.

I am grateful for: Sleep, glorious, glorious sleep!

I am reading: Wither by Lauren Destefano and don't think I'm not thinking about all the things that are irritating me about it.

I am photographing: I keep taking pictures of giant hairballs I brush from my cat and sending them to my sister. Aren't I sweet?!

I am listing: Nothing, I'm afraid.

I am creating: A semi healthy dinner. Well the crock pot is doing most the work but I'm taking all the credit.

Around the house: I rearranged some pictures this week. Nothing very exiting.

From the kitchen: It's Easter and I get to eat a big fat slice of lemon cake that I've been craving for ages! No dieting today! That's why I'm thinking about cake just in case you were wondering. But maybe it's normal to think about cake on a regular basis.

One of my favorite things: Inside jokes between sisters.

The children this week: Well, I don't have kids but I did manage to brush my cat twice. It's supposed to be great quality time between us but she just gets mad and puts on her angry ears.

Plans for the week: Not much. I need to keep up the exercise, especially after that large piece of lemon cake I mentioned. Once? Twice? What?! I'm not obsessing.

On this date: Um, no idea.



Thanks to Ibeeeg of Polishing Mud Balls for the inspiration for this post's layout.

Review: Never Let Me Go

Title Never Let Me Go
By Kazuo Ishiguro
For Fun
Source I own it





Synopsis
Kathy reminisces about her life and her friends as they grew up at a school in the English country side. Living sheltered, content lives despite the underlying secret of their real reason for existence.

General thoughts
I thought if I gave myself some time I'd be able to form a better opinion of this book but it doesn't seem to be helping so I'll try. First of all I was confused why most of the book seemed to focus on the mystery of the characters existence when, truthfully, there was no mystery. They knew where their lives were headed, they knew what would happen to them, and they didn't seem to care! Were we supposed to be seeing some deep symbolism or have some great revelation about all this? Because if we were, the author's choice for a reminiscent protagonist who sounds like a confused old lady probably wasn't the best way to do it.

Characters
Kathy was likable enough, even though she sometimes sounded like an old lady rather than a 31 year old. Tommy was probably my favorite because he was the most amiable and yet had all those angry episodes as a child. That made him interesting in my mind. Ruth...grrrr! I know what made her the way she was; I know people exactly like her and they're like her for the exact same reason, well besides the whole clone donor thing, but they're the most frustrating type of people. Heaven forbid they should ever look stupid or not have their self esteem validated on a minute to minute basis!

Would I recommend it?
Yes, if for no other reason, then to see if someone can explain it to me! However, there was a lot of talk about sex so if you're squeamish about that then maybe you shouldn't read this one.

Other opinions  
Everyday Reading
Bluestocking Society
Worlds Strongest Librarian 

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday asks, Can you judge a book by it's cover?

The actual book? The content? No, and if you do, wow, how shallow can you be?
Sometimes if a cover is eye catching I'll pick it up to see what it's about but if it sounds boring or not like my cup of tea I won't read it just because the cover is nice. However, if I pick it up and it sounds good, then I'm really happy it caught my eye.  For example:

I'm so glad the cover if THIS book caught my eye at the book store. This is the best series of books! I love them.

And now, just a pet peeve of mine. I hate when books have the authors name in huge flashy writing just because they're famous and you actually have to search for the name of the book. So annoying!

Know what I mean???

                                                                       

Whoohoo!!!!

                     They won the Copa Del Rey!!!!
Whew! After 102 minutes Real Madrid finally scored against Barcelona in overtime in the Copa Del Rey Final!    After excitement, nervousness, deep calming breaths (on my part),   Ronaldo scored, and then I just couldn't stop smiling! Way to go boys!!!

Ronaldo is the one looking stunned. You can see that the others are excited but totally shocked! 

Look how happy they all are! Ahhh! 

Now they just have to keep it together, win the Champions League and keep trying for La Liga! Now pretend you give a dang and comment! ;-)

WWW Wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Reading now

 Yes, I do have the movie cover on my book, no, I haven't seen the movie.
I'm liking it so far, it's a little weird and I have some problems with it but I'll reserve my opinion till I'm done.









 Just read

 Urgh! Did not like this one. In fact, the more I have to think about it the more irritated I become. I don't want to think about it anymore. Let's just let the awful books we read slip away out of our minds, please! 











Reading next

I'm so hesitant to read this one! I'm afraid I'm going to hate it! So, I have to read it and get it out of the way before I drive myself mad with wondering.









Want to play along? Should be reading.

Review: Sleepless

Title Sleepless
By Cyn Balog
For Fun (supposed to be)
Source I own it (unfortunately)





Synopsis
Julia has just lost her boyfriend Griffin in a car accident. Little does she know that he's been given the choice to be her Sandman for a hundred years and take the place of Julia's previous Sandman, a handsom teen who died in 1908, Eron. The problem is: if Griffin takes Eron place, Eron gets to be human again and Eron likes Julia and Julia seems to like him.

General thoughts
So, were you confused by my synopsis? So was I, confused by the whole dang book! First of all the only "point" or "moral" to the story that I could find was: it's hard to say goodbye??? I think. Seriously, people, this book was so confusing! There was supposed to be this element of danger because Griffin's friend Bret liked Julia and was making moves on her and Griffin was jealous and acting like a two year old, but it was hardly "dangerous" I'm sorry, it was just weird and I didn't get it.

Characters
I had a really hard time with ALL the characters in this book. Julia seemed completely apathetic about Griffin dying, as did Bret (his supposed best friend). Eron talked like a stuffy old man from the 1800's not the 1900's. Not one of them was realistic. Yeah, I can't think of one that I liked, not even a little.

Would I recommend it? 
Not to your face! No, seriously, sorry but no.

Other opinions
One Librarians Book Reviews   
WhatchYAreading
Bookish Delights

A Few Random Things

Check out those Abs!

First, cause I know you're all dying to know. Real Madrid, my beloved soccer team managed a 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Saturday which is better than losing and important for their confidence. They have to play them three more times in the next few weeks in different competitions and they NEED that confidence. Here's hoping! And as promised a hot picture. This is Sergio Ramos, not the best looking, in my opinion, but what a body! I could have shown a much better view but my mother reads this blog! 

  I just finished Sleepless yesterday and, um. Well you'll have to wait for my review but, wow, Soooooo weird. And I don't know if it was accidental or on purpose.

 This week I have book club and I'm very excited, not because I really enjoyed the book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, but because I just look forward to it every month. It's a blast spending time with book lovers.

Well, I'm off to exercise and do laundry. What's on your mind this Monday? Do you like Sergio's face, or just his body like me?

Review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Title The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
By Alan Bradley
For Bookclub
Source I own it


Synopsis
England 1950's, Flavia, an eleven year old girl with a fondness for chemistry, witnesses an argument between her father and a red haired stranger. Early the next morning she finds the stranger dead in the garden and launches her own investigation despite everyone's irritation.

Note ( I hate synopsis'. I mean if I'm interested fine, but half the time I already know what its about, or I don't care and would rather read what someone thought of the book. So, I'll make mine short and sweet. If you want a better one you can click on the title link.)

General thoughts
I don't know whether to be concerned or impressed that an older man from Canada can write so well about an 11 year old from England. But he does. That was by far my favorite thing about this book. Flavia seemed very realistically written. However, that was about the only thing I really enjoyed about the book. Every time I set it down, it was torture to pick back up. I just couldn't get into it and it was predictable enough that even the mystery didn't entice me. I'll admit it got much more interesting and fast paced in the last hundred pages or so and that made for a quick finish up. And there were plenty of lines that had me smiling and laughing but that just wasn't enough to make it a "great" book in my opinion.  

Characters

As I mentioned above I loved Flavia; she amused me and was incredibly believable. I liked Dogger too and loved the relationship between him and Flavia. I even enjoyed Flavia's pesky older sisters Ophelia and Daphne and I was amused by the Inspector and his patience with Flavia.  Flavia's father, however was a bit too melancholy and uninterested in his children than I liked and the "villain" was a touch to cliche. But other than those two I liked all the characters and that made the book much more tolerable than it might have been.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, definitely. No, I may not have liked it that much,but I didn't hate it and besides, my opinion tends to run on the negative side of things and is usually the opposite of everyone else. The characters were well developed and well written and there were plenty of amusing lines that made it worth it.


 Other opinions
 One Librarian's Book Reviews
Everyday Reading
Reading to Know
  

Well done, Taco Bell.

 

 

So, I pull up to Taco Bell drive through the other day and, there, staring me in the face is Mark Wahlberg. OK, there might have been something about some charity organization but I was a little distracted by a pair of hazel eyes. Anyway, I managed to order a few tacos despite the hotness that was displayed before me and make my way to the window. Whereupon the cashier asks, would I like to donate a dollar to help a kid graduate? Normally I say something like, not today, or, no thank you. I'm not a bad person who never donates to anything. I'm just very cautious of charities. I never know if my money is really going to the real cause so I usually just don't bother. However, as the cashier asks the question all I can see in my minds eye is Mark Wahlberg, arms folded, eyes challenging me to say no to his handsomeness, and before I can come up with a polite refusal, I find my self, instead, saying yes. So, well done, Taco Bell. Well done, charity I still don't know the name of. No girl will be able to resist.    

Am I all alone in my stupidity? Anyone else ever do anything they might not normally do for ridiculous reasons? 

"Why the heck is she talking about soccer?"

Barcelona v Real Madrid

Wait, wait! Don't go clicking away from my blog so fast. Yes, alright, I'm talking about soccer but let me tell you a little secret. Soccer has 22 hot sweaty guys running around on a field for and hour and a half. NO, that is not the ONLY reason I watch it! How dare you presume!

So, before your eyes glaze over and you decide you have far too many other blogs to read to waste your time reading about soccer listen to this. I promise to never, NEVER talk about soccer without posting a lovely picture of one of these hot guys. How's that for a deal? I won't even get mad if you skip the reading part and just admire the picture. Come on, you know you want to look.

Alright, now that I have your attention I'll make it quick. My favorite team, the one I follow is a Spanish team called Real Madrid. Have you heard of them? Yes? Maybe? Well this weekend they're playing the dreaded Barcelona. This, in case you have no idea what that means, is like Utah v BYU, like, um, well, if you're not from Utah county I don't know, I don't follow any other sports.  But Barcelona and Real Madrid are rivals; they're top of the Spanish League and so it's a BIG deal. So wish my boys luck, even if you couldn't care less.

Now, as promised, a hot guy. Now, I know that tastes vary so don't judge future posts on this one picture. This just happens to be my one of my favorite hotties Fernando Gago.

I decided against a shirtless action shot so you could see his beautiful eyes! Sigh!

Character Connection: Cassel from White Cat and Red Glove

I've been following blogs for some time and Character Connection has always been a favorite of mine. I couldn't wait to do one so here goes.

Cassel from White Cat and Red Glove, Ah, what can I say? I've got quite the little crush on him. He comes from a family of curse workers who have ties to the mafia. So, you can imagine his life has not been very easy. Especially since he's so determined to live his own life and be his own man. Still, as always seems to be the case, he finds himself in situations where  the "not so great" things he's learned from his family come in rather handy.  But...,and this is my favorite aspect about him, he always puts his family first. Even though they really don't deserve it; and I mean REALLY don't deserve it.

Cassel is one of the most real male characters created by a female author. That's one of the main reasons I'm so fond of him. All to often I find myself fuming over some ridiculous male character that's prancing around acting like a girl! Cassel is ALL man! He acts like a guy, he thinks like a guy, and, boy, would I love to meet him. OK, so that would be considered illegal because of the age thing but hey, can you blame me?

So, if you haven't read these books yet, you just might consider it; if for no other reason then to appreciate his manliness.

Below are two different pictures of the cover of White Cat. I have the one where there's writing all over Cassel's head so I don't get to enjoy but you can. It's pretty much what I imagined him to look like.

Waiting on Wednesdays

Waiting On Wednesday, is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and asks the question, "What are books are you anxiously waiting on?"


Two of the books that I've been anxiously awaiting have just recently come out. The Neon Court and Red Glove. Both books are part of series I've been reading and I was so excited for them I've already consumed them, and enjoyed both I might add. 


At first when I saw this idea I couldn't even think of a book I was excited for. Silly me. Of course there's books I can't wait for. 

So here it is, a book I'm very excited for. 

  
 From Goodreads: A fallen angel haunted by her past. Yearning for her immortal beloved. Forever searching for answers. Who will show her Mercy?

Mercy has lost herself. She can’t count how many times she’s “woken up” in a new body, and assumed a new life, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by him. Mercy’s heart would know him anywhere. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen year old reeling from the loss of his twin sister who was kidnapped two years ago. Everyone else has given up hope, but Ryan believes his sister is still alive. Using a power she doesn’t fully comprehend, Mercy realizes that Ryan is right. His sister is alive and together they can find her. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose; she can help. So she doesn’t understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the dark mystery of his sister’s disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Will Mercy be able to harness her true self and extraordinary power in time?

Another blogger (sorry, I can't for the life of me remember who) read and reviewed this awhile ago and I was VERY intrigued. I'm not even sure why; I don't really like fallen angel stories but this one looks really good. It comes out May 17th. Let's hope it lives up to all my expectations. 

Have you heard of this one? What books are you anxiously awaiting?

My very first post. And why I love reading.

Well, I know at least one person is happy I finally decided to do the whole blog thing. For the rest of you (family) you have to read it because you're family. 

So, I guess mostly this will be a "book blog" but I will talk about other things as well. But, because it's mostly a book blog I thought I'd share why I like to read and how it all started. And I can't do that without mentioning my mom. 


My mom has always been an avid reader, well, for as long as I've known her. Some of my earliest memories are of "harassing" her while she tried to read. I would run into the living room, which is where she usually was, sitting in her rocking chair, and start the long string of "moms". Anyone who's been around kids knows what I'm talking about. My mom would slowly, and I mean slowly, drag her eyes away from the book and focus on me with an expression of bewilderment. Almost as if she had no idea who I was or where she was (you readers out there know what I'm talking about). 
So, I just had to figure out what was it about these book things that was so dang fascinating.


Apparently when I was two (I don't remember) and my mom was helping one of my older siblings with their spelling words with flashcards, I decided I wanted flashcards too. And so began my education and love for reading. 


Moms always been great at teaching kids to read. If any of us were having trouble reading in school she'd pull us out and teach us at home; the RIGHT way.  She's taught tons of her grandkids to read and even teaches reading at the MTC. 


So I have to just say thank you, mom, for teaching me to read. I'm  always aware how lucky I am to have you for a mom. I love how you encouraged all of your kids to read and how you would quietly go about finding just the right genre for each kid. I remember you struggled with me; I wouldn't touch the Little House books with a ten foot pole or the Chronicles of Narnia books. But you never gave up, even when I read hundreds of Babysitter Club books, which you hated, and then started reading all those silly Regency Romance books. And then one day you  suggested John Grisham's The Client. Wow! That was a great book and I remember thinking I'd finally  found my niche.  

Now I'll read just about anything. There was a time when I wouldn't touch fantasy books and now, due to a deal I made with my sister to read the Harry Potter books if she'd read one of my political thrillers, I love fantasy, can't get enough of it.  

I adore reading. I love the escape. I love the emotions a book can invoke. I love meeting more and more people that love to read as much as I do. Hopefully this blog will help me meet even more.