Books I Read

[spotempa]

I've Been a Slacker!

Man have I've been slacking on everything! It may have something to do with the stress in the house from my husband being laid-off. That's another story, as we are repeatedly told in "The Neverending Story", which would happen to be one of the 17 books I've read in the past 11 1/2 weeks. I have already read 17 out of 65 for my 2017 goal, and 11 of the goals on the Popsugar Challenge Reading List for 2017. I'm feeling pretty good right now. This means I'm NOT slacking on my reading, and that makes me happy 😊 My most recent read I finished last night and covered: The first book in a series you've never read before. The book was called "The Quilters Apprentice" and the series is called Elm Creek Quilters. I didn't know how interested I would be because I do not quilt, but, turns out you don't need to know a thing! The story was absolutely fabulous! Quilting is just what brings these ladies together. The real stories are the stories behind the characters. Just happens that my sister is a Quilter! So I will be passing these books to her, I think she will love them. I will also be able to talk to her about some of the quilting going on in the books! I'm excited about this! 😃 The author does tell you what terms mean, but I'm sure there's more to it, and that's where my sister will be handy. I don't want to start quilting, I'm a crocheter myself. Which reminds me... I should be getting over to my crochet blog! Till next time!! Happy Reading!! 📖

[spotempa]

Being a Princess

This weekend I finished two books: 1. "Career of Evil" by Robert Galbraith 2. "The Princess Diarist" by Carrie Fisher. I don't often read biographies or autobiographies, I find them boring. I actually had fun with this book. It was a quick read (read it in about 3hrs), and Carrie Fisher is so all over the place it was like listening to a friend talking to you about their problems. When your as good as a friend as I am, you listen intently. She didn't act superior, far from it actually. It made me see that her, and surprisingly her mother, were just average people in a above average life. She didn't see herself as an above average person since her parents were famous, nor did she give the impression that she really wanted to be famous. It mostly gave me the impression that like most kids, she did it because her parents did. Staying in the family business, like a father and son that are both police officers, or in my husband's family your either a teacher, nurse, or pipefitter, I am none of the above. Most of my family worked at a bank downtown. I don't fall in that category either. Maybe if my mother stayed in that business I would have. I found parts of the book shocking and funny. It was really nice to know that Ms. Fisher was a normal human being. I know that she is sorely missed by millions of fans all over the world. I really looked up to her as a girl, and it hurt me when one of my idols (even though she would not see herself that way) left this world. Till next time!

[spotempa]

Hanging (Warning: Spoilers)

There is always that one book that leaves you hanging... I just read one of those books. It was Robert Galbraith's "Career of Evil". I really want to know what happens between Cormoran and Robin!!!! Can the author give us a hint please!!! I actually just Tweeted to Robert to see when the next book was coming out!! It is evil when the author leaves you hanging. Sometimes that is worse than ending a book where you're in total love with the characters!! I guess the author has to keep you interested some how, but only bibliophiles know that burning sensation that can, at times, make you uncomfortable till that next book comes out. I do love the series though, even if I have to deal with some images in my head that are completely disturbing, as that is not my favorite part. Sometimes I do "romanticize" them a little, make them into more of the Alfred Hitchcock style of murder/killing. Blocking out some of the details so it isn't so gross or scary. Just one of the things I love most about books.

[spotempa]

Hag-Seed (Spoilers)

I just finished listening to "Hag-Seed" by Margaret Atwood. This is the first book of hers I've read, and I found it strange, but good. Do I think the main character Felix is a crazy man? Most certainly! I also see how he is much like Prospero in the play. I could see why he chose the play, and why he played Porspero himself. He talks to his dead daughter, who, I would assume is named after Miranda in the play. He has nothing more to do in his life than to plot getting back at the people who practically destroyed his life. I wonder why he just couldn't be happy? Maybe start over again, but then there wouldn't be a story if he did I assume. Did he maybe just imagine it all because he was so distraught over his daughter's death? That is another thing. I mean the landlords of his were gone after all was said and done. Maybe each character in the book were just like the characters in the play. Maybe the book was Atwood's take on Shakespeare's work. I've been wanting to read "A Handmaiden's Tale" since it has become so big right now, but I don't know if I will. We will have to see about it. Till next time!

[sarah1174]

What do you pack for a weekend? I pack 2 books I’m almost finished with, and a choice of 3 more when I’m done 😉💜📖

[spotempa]

"The Goldfinch": Big Mistake (Spoilers)

Since I could not find a copy to buy or borrow, I borrowed the audiobook of "The Goldfinch". I'm going to give it 2 stars. The book kept me interested, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Theo and his stolen painting... Or was the painting stolen? Since he was in a daze and did not realize what he was doing. Anyway, the story itself was carried on what seemed like forever. It is definitely the longest thing next to the movie "The Ten Commandments". I was listening to it while crocheting, so I actually had to borrow it twice! That is how long this stupid book is! I only wanted to read/hear it because every review I read about it was bragging about what a great book it is. How well written it is. Well, I'm saying NO. It was long, boring, but interesting. There was way to many details. Nothing was left to the imagination. I myself, prefer a little imagination. I like to see things for myself, then compare with others if that was what they saw when they read it. Leaving something to the imagination would have shorten this lengthy book. I am not sorry to say that I'm glad that it is over. I will never have to deal with the book again, and I'm certainly not going to recommend it to anyone. The whole book was a cross between: "Forest Gump" and "Pulp Fiction". The story was a jumble of what could be the imagination of a drug addict. The whole thing could have been made up in a drug induced haze. It was the most messed up (and believe me that is putting it nice) story I've ever heard! It ended pretty well, but still messed up. The main character Theo dwells on death as well, even though his life ends up okay. What a mess! I cannot say it enough. The author Donna Tart, must be or "was" a drug addict, because of her detail about what Theo was going through when he was on drugs. The writing was not very good. Too many random thoughts, and short sentences. It was about twenty hours of my life I will never get back. Thank God I was crocheting!

[spotempa]

Eight Hundred Grapes

For those who know me well, they know I love wine. So when I ran across a review of a book that was about a vineyard and being a winemaker, naturally I had to read it! Of course the book is about a lot more than the vineyard and the winemaker, it's about family. Family can be a tough thing. Not everyone gets along all of the time, there are fights, there are arguments. There is also pulling together to get through the tough times, remembering what makes a family. "Eight Hundred Grapes" by Laura Dave has it all wrapped up in a short story of 262 pages. What a fantastic read! I am looking forward to reading more of Laura Dave's writing, so I will now go to Goodreads and see what she has! Till the next book is over! Happy reading!

[spotempa]

The Silkworm

I have completed the second of Robert Galbraith's (aka J.K. Rowling) Cormoran Strike novels "The Silkworm". Now, there hasn't been a book of Robert's alter-ego's that I have given four stars to. This book of Robert's though, I have given four stars. The book was suspenseful, and it kept me interested, and really wanting to know who the killer was. The thing that made me give it only four stars, was the story behind the killing. The deranged, sexually explicit, victim. The writer and the really bad, disgusting, book he wrote. Back story about me here: I think if someone in a book gets a paper-cut, the story is gory. I really can't stand bloodshed, but I also really love a good mystery. Needless to say I was totally turned off by the bloodshed, but enthralled with the story. I think that Robert Galbraith's novels so far have had that great suspense/mystery quality. He definitely keeps you not only on the edge of your seat, and wanting to know what is going to happen. He writes in good detail, in this book in particular a little too much detail for me, but for all you CSI, NCIS, and Steven King lovers, this will be your cup of tea! LOL! I have already suggested to my audiobook loving husband that he should definitely listen to these books, and he has started "The Cuckoo's Calling", which he has told me he likes. I am looking forward to Cormoran Strike's next adventure "Career of Evil", and will hopefully get to read it before my husband gets around to listening to it, lol! Till the next book is done! TTYL!

[spotempa]

Reading Challenge 2017!!

I did not get to write about my reading challenge this year. I have decided to read 65 books this year. I am also using Goodread's recommended "Sugar Pop" reading challenge list, the advanced version since I'm reading more than 40 books. I have already finished one book this year and only three days into the year. I'm currently in the middle of four other books (audio, ebook, home book, and purse/car book). My home book checks off a challenge on the list, a book by an author with a pseudonym. I have to check to see if any of the rest for any of the criteria.

[spotempa]

First Book of 2017 Done!

The first book I finished this year was a novella called "Chip Crockett's Christmas Carol". I really didn't care for it. Here is my review from Goodreads (Spoiler Alert!): Sarah rated 2 stars- For most of the book I was completely confused if the book was really about a single father and his Autistic son, or about an ex-punk band member living through his past? I am a mother of an Autistic son, and was single from the time he was an infant, till he was five years old. No father around. I do understand how Brendan felt, from time to time, I still feel it, even though my son is now twenty-one. I would also venture to say, that Peter seemed to be more to the mid-functioning Autistic on the spectrum. PDD is usually higher functioning. I think the author lingered too much on Brendan and Tony's relationship, if she wanted to advertise the book as Brendan and Peter's relationship, then she have written more than or equal to Brendan and Tony's relationship. The small tidbits about the adventures with Peter and ASD were not prominent till the end of the story. I felt it was more a secondary story to Tony and his obsession with "The Chip Crockett Show". I was really expecting more about Autism and how Brendan dealt with being an Auti-parent when I read the synopsis. Not to mention I found the book hard to get through. In my opinion it dragged till the very end when "The Show" came on, and Brendan found the spirit of Christmas again.

[spotempa]

Miss Peregrine's

I have just finished the second Miss Peregrine's book, "Hallow City". I started reading them because there wasn't a day in the last year that I haven't heard someone talking about them. I really enjoyed the first book, though I find a lot of the pictures scary as hell. I do think that there is some very clever writing on author Ransom Riggs part. To write something based on old photographs is amazing. The endings of both books have left me in suspense, wanting to read the next book. (Too bad no one got me a gift card to Barnes & Noble or Half Priced Books for Christmas 😒) So, now I wait till I can go get the next book. Further more, I will say the story itself is very complex indeed. The characters I would say are not even as complex as the plot. There is a lot going on, a lot to remember, and these kids (if you will) have not one, but two enemies! There is also a lot of wonder between the lines. Such as, are there time loops in Jacob (the main characters) time? Which of course is present day. I mean time loops that are set in present day of course. If there is, why has no one come to Jacob? Or maybe they have, and his parents refused? Could all the peculiars be gone by present day? These are things I would like to know, and perhaps will be answered in the next book.

[spotempa]

Audiobook Experiment: Phase 2

I started an experiment with audiobooks to see if I can listen to them while crocheting. I find when I watch tv while crocheting I don't get any crocheting done, except during commercials. Which is exceptionally hard when watching tv with my husband, because it's all on DVR, and he fast forwards through commercials. I don't listen to audiobooks because I fall asleep while they are on. My husband like to listen to them in the car. Bores everyone in the car... SO... Since I like background noise while I'm crocheting I've tried music instead, but I find I lose count because I'm singing! Which brings me to phase 1 of my experiment: I borrowed an audiobook from the library, a Christmas Romance called "Mr. Miracle" by Debbie Macomber. I actually found myself crocheting while listening to the story, and I DID NOT fall asleep! *As a side note, I really liked the book. I am now going to attempt phase 2 of my experiment: I am going to listen to "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt. I'm switching genres to see if it was the genre or if I indeed can use audiobooks while crocheting. This by NO means has changed my love for a real book!! I love the scent, the feel, the friendliness, of a real book. It's just like when I learned I can use ebooks at night, or at dance competitions, there will be a time and place for them. 😉

[spotempa]

Christmas Stories

Right now I'm reading 2 books that are "Christmas Romances". The first story in the one book, and the other book I'm reading have similar context. Two people getting stuck together for Christmas and end up falling in love. I'm looking forward to the next story in my one book, and hopefully it's different. I think it could get old really quick if the same scenario is played over again. It's the same as a played out song.

[spotempa]

Books I've Quit...

I cannot believe it, but just this year I have found the courage to stop reading a book I wasn't into! This has happened twice to me now. Each book of a different genre, but neither one grabbing my attention. I was hoping that it was just not the right moment for either book. Since it's that time of year to make resolutions, I'm going to resolute to read these books as part of my reading challenge for next year! Till tomorrow!

[spotempa]

I'm Back!!!

What a year it has been, but I am back! Let me start off by saying that I have finished my goal of 50 books for the year, and have surpassed it!! I have also started an experiment. I am trying out audiobooks, but only when I'm crocheting or doing other crafts. This gives me the opportunity to keep reading while I do some other things on my list. I'm hoping to be able to keep up on here now, and not have such long periods in between blogs. I'm going to put it in as part of my daily routine. Till next time!!

[spotempa]

Reading Slump

Sometimes I think having this goal of 50 books for the year isn't quite worth it. I have 3 books I read at once. Then every other week I've had these "reading slumps". I just don't want to read. It's like my mind is on overload. I have a feeling in my heart, that I want to read, but my mind tells me "no!". They really do suck. I feel like I have ADD and my mind can't focus on a book. I only read 3 at a time because I want to be ahead just in case something happens and I can't read. I haven't figured out a good way to get out of it either. I have to let them pass. It's almost like I'm sick in my soul. It's a virus, and I have to wait till it passes. It's so aggravating! When it does pass though, I go into over time with my books. Then it evens out again till the next time comes. In that time I can read one book, or five. Maybe next time it will be ten. I wouldn't know till it happens... I'm going to go now and see if I can read.

[spotempa]

Clean Up Night!

Once a week I have myself a "Clean Up Night". "Clean Up Night" is when I gather all the books I'm in the middle, near the end of, and I finish them. I do this because I find myself reading multiple books at one time these days. I have my purse book, my house book, and now my night book (which ever e-book I started reading at a competition, I read at night so I can finish it before I forget what I was reading, lol). I find this to be successful for me. Tonight was that night. I finished "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and "Postmortem" by Patricia Cornwell. I have this "southern" theme going on right now. I enjoyed both books, and looking forward to reading more by both authors.