Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson

Title: Love FInds You in Sisters, Oregon

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Summerside Press 2009

Genre: Christian fiction

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon

Hope Bartolli has avoided Sisters for year. But when she inherits her beloved grandmother's old house, Hope must decide whether to once again run away from the two sisters who have caused her nothing but trouble--or stay in the charming town and risk her heart.

Another volume in the Love Finds You series.  Another that I liked.  A fun little read for rainy days.  (And it's been raining for a weeks straight.)  I like how the author set her book in her town.  Even though I am a city girl through and through, Carlson made the small town of Sisters, Oregon actually appealing.  I kind of want to visit.  Visit, I said, not move there.  The characters were fun and colorful.  I really felt the depth of emotion connected to the story.  My only problem: once again we get  sickeningly sweet and happy ending.  The family went from fighting and bitterness to happiness in about a week.  Definitely does not happen that quick in real life.  And the book ended with a marriage proposal (it's not a spoiler, I saw it coming from the first 20 pages) after only a few weeks of dating.  Another quick wrap-up.  Overall, I liked the story.  I just could do without the last chapter.

BTT: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

If you could see one book turned into the perfect movie–one that would capture everything you love, the characters, the look, the feel, the story–what book would you choose?

Definitely the Outlander series.  I adored the first book, Outlander, and am told by C that the rest are just as amazing.  I'm planning on reading the entire series in July for my author month.  I would love to see these as movie, but am really concerned that the film makers would cut/destroy/add things that would ruin the movie in my head.

Quote Wednesday -- Ruskin

"I find penguins at present the only comfort in life. One feels everything in the world so sympathetically ridiculous, one can't be angry when one looks at a penguin." -- John Ruskin

A bit of silliness for this crazy Wednesday.  Somedays I just need to stop, look at my life, and then find the joy in a penguin.  It's the new form of therapy!

Top Ten Tuesday: ?

Okay this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was Mean Girls in Books. I really tried. I tried to go through the books in my library, my list favorites, my lists of classics, and I could not find enough mean girls to fill up a list. So today, I thought I would do my own Top Ten Tuesday. Today's topic: ME! Random facts about me.

1. I have a slight OCD when it comes to list-making. My mother thinks I'm crazy. My friends probably think I'm crazy. Others just deal with it. Making lists makes me feel better. It actually calms me down.

2. I currently have 8749 songs in my iTunes. That doesn't include the various cds that I haven't imported to my computer. I used to think that was a lot, but then I got a look at J's iTunes. Crazy!

3. I have another blog, New Athenian Academy, focusing on education issues. But I haven't posted there since February. I really want to get back to it, but am so not motivated.

4. As a child, I had a dog named Milkdud.  Yep, that's right, like the candy.  And I absolutely hate Milkduds!

5. I'm scared of getting Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's.  They both run in the family.

6. The twins are named Nicholas and Alexander.  Yes the twins from Full House, but I swear I didn't do that on purpose.  I wanted good strong, easy to pronounce and spell names.  Alexander's name was changed at the last minjute from Daniel.  I like Alexander better.

7. I have a slight scrapbooking addiction, but I haven't scrapped since probably November.  I still love looking at the scrapbooking supplies.  I really need to unsubscribe from the Archiver's e-newsletter.  It's too much of a temptation.

8. In June, the boys, my mother, and I are going to DisneyWorld.  I think I'm more excited than the boys. I haven't been there since I was ~10.  I really, really, really want to go!

9. I am a groupie for a specific local cover band.  But don't worry, I would never take any of them home.  That would just be weird and wrong.

10. I am currently obsessed with watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians.  Yeah I know pathetic, but I can't stop.

Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon by Melody Carlson

Title: Love FInds You in Pendleton, Oregon

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Summerside Press 2010

Genre: Christian fiction

Pages: 313

Rating: 4/ 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Contemporary Romance

I haven't had the best of luck with Christian fiction, but I thought I would give it another try.  I liked Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania by Loree Lough, so I thought I would pick up another volume in the series.  And I found one I liked.

I loved the story of Sunny Westcott and her journey to find her place in the world.  The setting of the reservation and the town of Pendleton created a nice dichotomy for Sunny to explore.  On a complete insignificant note, I loved that she was an archaeologist (a little girl dream job along with marine biology and paleontology).  Anyway, she was a great character.  Every hard decision and second guess was believable.  Her inner monologue didn't annoy me like it sometimes does.  I liked getting inside of her head.

The other characters were interesting, but I especially loved Aunt Lulu.  A woman not afraid to speak the hard truths.    My kind of woman.  Echo was delightful.  Aubrey a fun, if a little annoying, opposite to Sunny.  Hank, the matchmaker and general good friend.  And the mysterious Polly, seen only through everyone else's eyes.  They really made the book more than just a simple story.  They added depth and life.

My only issue with the book: the romance.  You know Sunny and Cody are going to end up together, but they don't even approach anything resembling a relationship until around page 250.  And then all of a sudden, they're together and he's asking her to marry him.  Not believable.  They only had one real conversation about them being together and that was only a day before the proposal.  I guess I just wanted to see more growth and developing relationship.  Especially since the series focuses on finding love.  All that being said, I really did like the book.  I want to read more of the series.

Music Monday - Josh Groban "Higher Window"

I may get some crap for this Music Monday, but I'm going to do it anyway.  I love Josh Groban.  Cheesy? Maybe. But such an amazing voice.  It has rained almost all weekend.  I needed some good soothing music to deal with the grey.  I turned to Josh Groban. When did I stumble upon him?  Probably around 2000 when he appeared on Sarah Brightman's La Luna tour.  I love Sarah Brightman (the original Christine from Phantom of the Opera).  I found this video from one of the concerts.  Such a baby face. But listen to that voice!

Sarah Brightman and Josh Groban "There for Me" from 2007 

After that, I really started listening to him.  I bought his self-titled cd and the follow-up: Closer.  And then I kind of stopped following him.  I didn't get the next cd, Awake.  In 2008, he played Anatoly Sergievsky in "Chess in Concert."  Watching the performance, Adam Pascal and Idina Menzel definitely blow him away in the acting category, but I still love his voice.

Anthem from Chess 

Now he has a fifth album out, Illuminations.  I never bought it, but I absolutely love this song.  Enjoy!

Lyrics:

For all the times I tried for this And every chance at you I missed I've been known to go my way, but I confess It made me miss you more

I drew my line across the sandAnd set my flag in no man's landBut here I am the one man bandWith a song that's meant for two

And there is a light, from a higher window Shining down on you tonight And the music floats on the breeze Bringing an easier time And all of our cards are on the table Tell me what you want to do Just don't tell me that it's too late For me to love you

How perfect we were meant to be Our warm and silent symmetry It's times like these when all, all we need Is to be reminded

And I have flown a thousand miles To empty room and crowded aisles And we went from cathedral bells To show and tell and wish you wells And I, I still look at you and I am blinded I am blinded

Because there is a light, from a higher window Shining down on us tonight And the music floats on the breeze From an easier time

And all of our cards are on the table Tell me what you want to do Just don't tell me that it's too late Don't tell me that it's too late now Just don't tell me that it´s too late for me to love you

Sunday Readathon Recap

With Easter, we had family coming over for dinner.  I did get in a bit of reading in the morning and another bit before bed.   The driving down to get the boys took it out of me.  I wanted to read more before bed, but figured posting this and getting to sleep would be the better choice.  So, I'm officially ending my Readathon with this post. Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Finished and reviewed Death's Excellent Vacation
• Started Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon
• Time Read Today:  2 hours 45 minutes
• Pages Read Today: 306
• Total time read: 10 hours 10 minutes
• Total pages read:  1241

Overall, I'm very happy with my readathon progress this weekend.  Having twin boys, family obligations, and a sorta social life, I don't usually have time to read for hours upon hours during the day.  But I did get in some quality uninterrupted reading time throughout the weekend.  I only watched one movie and a few Doctor Who episodes.  So I cut down on my TV and movie watching and increased my reading.  Good progress.  I didn't get around to reading any science fiction, but hopefully I can add that in soon.  I really tried to hit some of the library books that are almost due.  I knocked quite a few off my piles.  Now to enforce my "no more library books until I read the ones sitting on my floor" rule.  Wish me luck with that!  I really enjoyed taking the time to focus on my reading.  I think I should do a readathon at least once a season.  I think I'll shoot for July next.

My goals this weekend:

• Finish Hungry for Your Love (that stubborn book!)
• Read at least 4 other books -- Read 3 others and started a 4th
• Include some science fiction in my reading -- Didn't get to it, but next on my list
• Write reviews for all books read 
• Blog about my progress once a day

Tentative reading list:

• Hungry for Your Love
• No Rest for the Witches by MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, and Christine Warren
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson DNF
• Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
• Love Finds You in Tresure Island, Florida by Debby Mayne
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson Did Not Start (See Ireland)
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico by Melody Carlson Did Not Start (See Ireland)
• Watchmen by Alan Moore
• Watchmen and Philosophy by Alan Moore
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson
• Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon by Melody Carlson  -- Current read

Death's Excellent Vacation

Title: Death's Excellent Vacation

Edited By: Charlaine Harris and Toni Kelner

Publisher: Ace 2010

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 339

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon

Really got into this anthology.  I loved reading the wide range of styles.  Many of the stories had twists and turns that I didn't see coming until the end (those are the best ones).  A majority of stories earned high marks.  I'm highlighting my favorites (this is becoming a pattern):

1. Jeaniene Frost "One for the Money" -- I know this is part of her Night Huntress series.  I haven't read any of those books (they're on my list), but I really got into this story.  Frost gives enough background that you understand the bigger storyline.  A great action/adventure story featuring vampires, hit men, ghouls, and ghosts.  Thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
2. Daniel Stashower "Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea" -- Really intrigued by this author.  The story, set at LifeSpan books, started innocently enough.  But you know somethings up pretty quickly with the mention of Thaddeus Palgrave.  I loved the big twist at the end.  Extra points for having a character who loves researching and history as much as I do.
3. A. Lee Martinez "The Innsmouth Nook" -- A bed-and-breakfast in the dreary little town of Clam Bay.  Nothing too interesting, right?  Wrong, Clam Bay has its own deep secret (hee hee for my bad pun).  Definitely did not see the secret until the end, but that's really what makes the story awesome.
4. Sharon Newman "Home from America" -- Great story from Ireland.  Definitely called the big reveal at the beginning, but a really well-constructed story.  And the twist at the end, priceless!
5. Toni Kelner "Pirate Dave's Haunted Amusement Park" -- I love amusement parks and the supernatural, so of course I loved this story.  Great humor and mystery.  Vampires, werewolves, and pirates!  Oh my!

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Title: V for Vendetta

Author: Alan Moore and David Lloyd

Publisher: Vertigo 1995

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 286

Rating: Graphic Novel  5 / 5 stars - Movie  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Page to Screen

I really liked the movie when it came out, but never got around to reading the graphic novel.  To be fair, I've only really been interested in reading graphic novels and comics for a few months (again, I blame J).  So I picked the novel up from the library to acquaint myself with V, Evey, and the new world.  The graphic novel is better than the movie in plot and character development.  The movie doesn't focus as much on the characters, especially the side characters.  The novel really gave them life, a story, a journey.  Also, the twists and turns in the plot make more sense in the graphic novel.  The movie attempts to show things more in chronological order instead of in an order that makes more sense to the overall story but not necessarily in chronological order.  I don't mind authors messes with order as long as it makes sense for the story.

All that being said, I really do enjoy the movie.  It adds the music (both literally and in a more poetic sense) and the atmosphere to the story.  I really like seeing the action takes places, the fluid movements of V, the changing facial expressions of Evey (Natalie Portman is amazing!).  My favorite part of the movie has to be the finale.  To see the train take off, the eventual explosion, and the masses revolting in one scene was breathtaking.  Definitely one of the better graphic novel to movie transitions that I've seen.  Thoroughly enjoyed both!

Saturday Readathon Recap

Happy Doctor Who Day! I've definitely not gotten a lot of reading done today due to the season 6 premiere (series 6 for those Brits) of Doctor Who.  I absolutely love that show.  Such mystery, such adventure, such creepiness (looking at you Weeping Angels), such fun!  I had to take time out of my reading to watch.  Plus I got a late start due to sleeping after a long night.  But I did make sure to dedicate some time to reading.

Really getting into the stories in Death's Excellent Vacation.  I'll definitely finish that tomorrow and post a review.

Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Finished and reviewed V for Vendetta
• Started Death's Excellent Vacation
• Time Read Today:  2 hours 25 minutes
• Pages Read Today: 368
• Total time read: 7 hours 25 minutes
• Total pages read: 935

No Rest for the Witches

Title: No Rest for the Witches

Author: MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, Christine Warren

Publisher: St. Martin's 2007

Genre: Paranormal (Witches)

Pages: 330

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Fantasy

Usually I have mixed feelings about anthologies.  This one surpassed my expectations.  I loved each of the four stories presented.

1. MaryJanice Davidson "The Majicka" -- I absolutely loved the crazy cast of characters in this story.  As usual, we have a strong heroine that can't necessarily see her own worth.  In the end, everything works out great, but what a ride.  My only issue: Micah.  Maybe it was because he wasn't as "out there" as the rest of the characters.  But overall a good story.
2. Lori Handeland "Voodoo Moon" -- A suspected serial killer, a voodoo king, a skeptical FBI agent, and a mysterious secret government agency.  A great mystery story with twists and turns.  The sex scenes were a bit intense for my tastes, but good.
3. Cheyenne McCray "Breath of Magic" -- Probably the least favorite in this anthology, but still really good.  Obviously this story goes along with a larger saga.  McCray did a good job of giving enough information that I understood.  But I'm sure it would be better after reading more of the saga.  Good mythology and characters.
4. Christine Warren "Any Witch Way She Can" -- Interesting love spell story.  I definitely saw the ending coming, but it was still enjoyable.  Great little story.

Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson

Title: Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: WaterBrook Press 2006

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 256

Rating:  DNF

It’s pretty humiliating to admit, but I’ve never flown in a plane before today. So wouldn’t you think that I’d be feeling pretty jazzed right now? Instead I keep grabbing onto these armrests as I ask myself why on earth I ever agreed to come on this frightening trip.… Affectionately teased as a “country bumpkin,” nineteen year-old Maddie has never been one to explore new territory. Her first trip outside of the country with her Aunt Sid and Sid’s godson, Ryan, promises an exhilarating adventure. Northern Ireland is more captivating than she even imagined–and Ryan is offering plenty of intrigue himself.

As Aunt Sid researches peace camps, Maddie and Ryan explore Ireland’s rich landscape. During the journey, Maddie begins to discover more about what she wants from life, while developing a deeper friendship with her irresistible traveling companion.

When Maddie and Ryan dig for the truth about the IRA car bomb that killed Ryan’s father years ago, questions about the past accumulate. Unable to let go of growing suspicions in this mysterious country, Maddie finds herself on a dangerous journey, a journey that will lead her to the greatest discovery of all.

I ran into a huge setback today in Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland.  I picked this and the two sequels (Mexico and Papua New Guinea) thinking they would be an interesting "See the world" type of book.  I found many problems with the book and quit 60 pages in.

1. The book is written in a first person journaling style.  It got a bit annoying when it switched from a journal style to an almost 3rd person retelling, but happening currently events.  Does that make sense?  Every time it changed, I had to rethink how to read the book.
2. The main character was annoying.  Maddie has been asked by her Aunt Sid to travel to Ireland for a research project.  She tells us right off that she's never been "off the farm" (literally in her case).  Okay, I get it, she's new to this whole traveling thing, but the culture mistakes and intolerance annoyed the crap out of me.  Don't go to another country unless you really want to learn about and experience the culture.  In fact, before you go, read some guide books, prepare yourself to their way of life.  If you don't, you're not appreciating the peoples.  End of rant.
3. The Christian angle was baffling.  Is this a book about Maddie refinding Christ?  Is this a book about her witnessing to others?  I couldn't tell.  Maybe this was cleared up later, but I had absolutely no clue in the first fourth of the book.
4. Beer.  The entire third and fourth chapters Maddie's fixates on the fact that Ryan, Aunt Sid's godson, is having a pint.  She even makes nasty comments to him about it and then mentions to him that she thinks that all Christians should not drink.  I know some Christians do not drink, but her reasoning was that "Jesus didn't drink."  Ryan mentions the fact that Jesus and his disciples drank wine, to which she replies "I heard it was more like grape juice."  Her ignorance and naiveté really got me.  How did this girl live at all before now?  Fine it's her issue, but do I have to read about her whiny thoughts about beer throughout two chapters?
5. My last problem has to do with the targeted audience.  What age group was the book written for?  The library shelved it in Reader's Services (adult fiction), yet it read like a teen novel.  Looking at the back of the book, the book is listed as "Fiction/Young Adult."  Well that explains it.  The book should be shelved in the Young Adult section.

Maybe this book would appeal to me if I was 13.  As I am 29, I felt very over this type of coming of age story.  Maddie was too naive and intolerant for my tastes.  Therefore, I put it down after 60 pages.  I'm going to try another book by Melody Carlson, one that was written for adult audiences (I double checked it!).

Notes from a Spinning Planet

• #1 Ireland
• #2 Papua New Guinea
• #3 Mexico

Friday Readathon Recap

Today was another busy day.  The boys and I went to lunch, then shopping for a bit, before dropping them off for the weekend.  Then I had to drive back.  And driving makes me so tired!  It really doesn't help that it's been raining all day.  Such a blah!  day.  I got some reading done, but hoped to have more finished. I ran into a huge setback today in Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland.  I picked this and the two sequels (Mexico and Papua New Guinea) thinking they would be an interesting "See the world" type of book.  Sixty pages in, I couldn't stand it any more and had to move on.   Another DNF for the year.

Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Reviewed No Rest for the Witches
• Started Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland
• Put aside Ireland for another book
• Started V for Vendetta
• Time Read Today: 1 hour
• Pages Read Today: 103
• Total time read: 5 hours
• Total pages read: 567

Hungry for Your Love

Title: Hungry for Your Love

Edited By: Lori Perkins

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2009

Genre: Zombie; Short Stories

Pages: 368

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Zombie

Finally finished!  I love zombie stories, but I really feel like I've been reading this book forever.  Like most anthologies I have mixed feelings about the stories.  Initially, I was concerned about the mix of zombies and romance.  Was I going to read zombie porn?  EWWW! Definitely not the part of the genre that I enjoy.  Thankfully only a few stories alluded to that activity.  There were a couple zombie (or zombie-ish)/human pairings and a few zombie/zombie pairings, but there were many classic survivors find love stories.  I am highlighting my top five stories (out of 21 total):

1. R.G. Hart "My Partner the Zombie" - A model private investigator, her zombie (but high functioning with unrequited love) partner, the circus, midgets, and a meglomaniac!  What a cast! Mystery, intrigue, and a great happy (if slightly improbable) ending. Really enjoyed this one.
2. Jan Kozlowski "First Love Never Dies" - A police officer stumbles into a grotesque compound owned by a former acquaintance. It has a happy ending in an appropriate conclusion kind of way.  Not happy, but satisfying.  Full of very relatable emotions, zombie infestation nonwithstanding.
3. S.M. Cross "Through Death to Love" - How can someone fall in love with a zombie?  Perhaps through speech therapy.  However it happens, you bet it's going to be slow and steady.  (hee hee get it?)  Ignoring my ridiculous puns, I liked the quiet emotions to this love story.
4. Jeanine McAdam "Inhuman Resources" - Aren't all office drones zombielike?  But what if they actually were zombies.  Could you spot the difference?  These are the questions our heroine must ask herself at the Shibboleth Insurance Agency.  And to complicate matters, she meets a mysterious, slightly geeky guy claiming to be a zombie hunter.
5. Steven Saus "Kicking the Habit" - Romeo and Juliet style story except R and J are now zombies.  I loved the subtle humor to this piece.  Zombies are hard to make humorous, but Saus definitely achieved a slightly funny, definitely engaging love story.

Thursday Readathon Recap

Today ended up being exceptionally busy.  I unexpected stop at the coffeehouse and there was the entire cast of "The View" (as dubbed by the baristas).  I had to stop and chat.  And I can't chat and read a book at the same time.  Pretty soon it was time for an unexpected babysitting adventure.  I agreed yesterday to watch one of the hosts of "The View"'s child so she could attend a business meeting.  Me and a 4-year-old.  It's been 4 years since I really took care of a 4-year-old. (Can you guess how old my twins are?) He was super calm and we enjoyed watching a bit of Disney channel and me pretending to eat the meal he created.  After that, I went back home intending on reading, but was distracted by house things.  In the blink of an eye, it was time to pick up the boys from school.  Then I decided we should go to Borders.  Our store is closing and I haven't perused the selection for almost two weeks.  A few sections were marked down even more (40-50% off) and they are running a special for Easter--buy 6 books get an extra 15% off total purchase, buy 8 books get an extra 25% off total purchase.  The boys and I went for 8, picking up a The Lost Hero (they've been begging for it since it came out), a few other independent readers, and a few books for me.. My top pick--Lost in Austen, a choose-your-own adventure book based on her world.  Can't wait read it.  Finally home for some reading, then dinner, then back to reading, then putting the boys to bed, then finally back to reading.  Whew! I think that's enough for one day. Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Finished Hungry for Your Love
• Reviewed Hungry for Your Love
• Started and Finished No Rest for the Witches
• Total time read: 4 hours
• Total pages read: 464

BTT: Covers

CAN you judge a book by its cover?

Most definitely.  I love browsing through the stacks at the library.  I love browsing through bookstores.  Good, fun covers catch my eye.  Cheesy looking covers--anything with half naked men (yes, I know lots of women like them, but reminds me of Fabio), childlike drawings, or horrible fonts--make it almost impossible for me to read the book.  I am a snob.

Funky Times

It's official, I'm in a funk. A reading funk that is. After averaging 15 books a month, I've hit a dry patch. I've read 10 books so far in April. Seems like a lot, right? Taking a closer look, many of those books were under 200 pages. I read a few graphic novels (or are they trade paperbacks? see J, I did listen). I haven't delved into many longer novels this month. I feel a bit off kilter. I've been reading the same book for over 5 days. 5 days! My usual for a ~400 page book is 3-2 days. It's not that the current book isn't interesting. I love it. A book of short stories centered on zombies and romance. Perfect fit for me. Yet, I can't finish it. I don't want to give up, but something needs to change. I have declared this weekend A READING WEEKEND! I want to focus on my reading. Knock some books off my TBR piles (yes I said piles). I've organized the ~60 library books into piles according to due date. I want to start with those that I've had for weeks and will probably need to return soon. I've always weeded out the contemporary romance from the piles. I'm really sick of this genre right now. I want to focus on historical fiction, science fiction, and paranormal books.

And lucky me, I've found a group that doing a read-a-thon this weekend... Kristen over at Bookworming in the 21st Century is hosting The Catching Up Readathon

Do you go on Goodreads? Are you doing the Reading Challenge? Does it say you're behind? Astronomically behind? Well, it does for me. 28 books behind! I need a kick in the butt. With the long weekend coming up (thanks to a certain Christian holiday), I figured now is as good as any to try and get caught up.

And why not share the readathon love?

And to make it fun... you can win a prize from my book stack of giveaways (which I will post later). One random participant will win a prize. Woot! :)

So details, details.

When: Thursday, April 21st through the end of Monday, April 25th. Any time zone, start when you want, read when you want. Where: Here, on your blog, on your couch, on Goodreads.. wherever! What: Read books - duh! If you'd like to make a goal, go ahead.

My goal... is to cut that number in half, not have more than 14 books behind after the readathon. So that could mean 14 books or even more.

My goals this weekend:

• Finish Hungry for Your Love (that stubborn book!)
• Read at least 4 other books
• Include some science fiction in my reading
• Write reviews for all books read (I'm going to prepare the templates tonight to cut down on that time)
• Blog about my progress once a day

Tentative reading list:

• Hungry for Your Love
• No Rest for the Witches by MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, and Christine Warren
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson
• Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
• Love Finds You in Tresure Island, Florida by Debby Mayne
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico by Melody Carlson
• Watchmen by Alan Moore
• Watchmen and Philosophy by Alan Moore
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson

Quote Wednesday -- Dewey

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." -- John Dewey

I have another blog, an education blog, a blog that I haven't been on since February. And I feel really guilty because I love education. I loved teaching. I want to teach in the future. I love taking classes. I love being a student. I love everything about the idea of education. What I don't love is how we interpret education. Why do we (collectively) make it so hard for anyone to love education for education, not for standards or grades or diplomas, but for the love of education, the learning, the knowledge. That's what I love. If I had the money, I would be taking classes at the local college. Not for a diploma or any certification, but because I love learning new things. Maybe I would take an art class or an english class or even a science class if I went crazy. I constantly read books and blogs and magazines to learn more. I have a hungry brain. I want more, more, more. In essence, "education is life itself." I need to to survive. Sure I could sustain my body with just food, water, and rest, but is that living? No, education, learning, striving, discovering... those are life.

Top Ten Tuesday: Revisit

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten listsEach week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

This week the hosting site it letting us choose.  We could pick any past Top Ten Tuesday that we either missed or wanted to revisit.  I decided to go with Childhood Favorites.  I have always been a voracious reader.  I sped through books as a child, but I definitely had a few favorites.  A few books or series that I read and reread and (in a few cases) have reread as an adult.  So here we go:

1. The Secret Garden by Mary Hodgson Burnett -- My absolute favoritist (yes I know it's not a word, but I still use it) book of childhood.  I dreamed of finding of a secret garden somewhere.  I didn't ever want to live in a creepy house in the English moors, but the appeal of the garden was so great.  This is one of those books that I reread every few years.  I still love it.  And I love the Hallmark movie version.  It's the only acceptable version of the book.  I love watched the movie on those dark and stormy nights.  It makes the beauty of the garden that much more.  This is one of those books that I swore I would read to my children.  Alas, I have boys and they just aren't interested in reading a "girly" book.  Thankfully, a friend has two girls and guess what one of them got for Christmas two years ago?  The Secret Garden, of course.

2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott -- Much the same as The Secret Garden, this is one of those books that I read and reread through childhood.  I loved the March sisters, especially Jo.  I cried when Beth died and Jo denied Laurie.  I rejoiced when Christmas came and Papa March came home.  I laughed when the girls played tricks on Meg's suitor.  I loved every page of this book.  The sequels just don't live up to the original.  But that's okay.  I could always imagine the sisters' futures without the need of another book.  My friend that I mentioned in #1... her other daughter got a copy of this book for Christmas.  My boys are more suited the Percy Jackson and The Jungle Book than a story about four sisters.

3. The Monster at the End of This Book -- This is probably the first book that I remember reading.  Grover has always been my favorite character on Sesame Street.  I love his silly sense of humor, a bit crazy, a bit lovable, and kind of sarcastic.  I was always scared to get to the end of this book, but I loved it anyway.  Have you guessed who the Monster at the end of the book is?  It's Grover of course.  After I had my boys, I sought out a copy of this book to read to them.  They were infants, they wouldn't even know what I was reading, but I still had to buy it for them.  The copy had to be an original style Golden Book with the gold binding.  (The new ones have the shiny covers.  Blah!)  I had to search high and low, but I found one.  And even after my boys had grown out of the book, I saved it.  Just in case it's needed in the future.

4. Dick and Jane series -- Okay I know, a really weird choice for a childhood favorite.  My Grandpa Joan was always pushing education.  She wanted me to read and practice reading and practice some more.  I remember going over to my Grandpa Tom's house and getting out these volumes to read to her.  These were antiquated in the 1980s when I was learning to read.  Nobody used these in schools.  But my grandmother thought these were the best to learn how to read.  Repetition and simple words.  I grew to detest Dick and Jane and Spot as I grew in elementary school.  But I will always remember reading these to my grandma and then to my stuffed animals.

5. The Babysitters Club series by Ann Martin -- The first series that I read independently.  I remember starting these and wanting to be in The Babysitters Club.  Or at least my own version of a Babysitters Club.  All of their crazy adventures and lasting friendship.  I wanted all of that.  I even saw the appeal of boyfriends (at a future date of course, I was like 8 when reading these.  Boys my age had cooties).  My favorites were definitely Stacey and Claudia.  I wanted to name a future daughter Anastasia (Stacey).  Although I always saw myself in Mary Anne.  I even recall having Barbie like dolls of a few of the characters.  I'm pretty sure one of them was Dawn.   Supposedly the series was published from 1986 to 2000.  I stopped reading them around 1990, but they were fun when they held my interest.

6. Fear Street series by R.L. Stine -- My first "grown-up" series.  I graduated from The Babysitters Club to someone in the teen reading level.  I wanted more excitement and I had always been drawn to those scary stories.  So I started reading the series.  And it was definitely scary.  The series began in 1989 and I'm pretty sure I started reading them around 1990.  I had to get the new books when they were published.  I eventually had an entire shelf in a bookcase dedicated to the series.  The Fear Street Sagas were my favorites.  Set in the past, these multipart stories, told the origins of the evil on Fear Street.  I loved them!  Looking back, these are really cheesy.  But they definitely satisfied a hunger.  One that eventually grew into Anne Rice and Edgar Allan Poe.

7. The Velveteen Rabbit -- Another of my early childhood favorites.  The story of a lovable stuffed bunny who is loved by a boy and then he grows up.  So sad!  But don't fear for the bunny, he gets his reward in the end.  I feel like the creators of Toy Story used this story as a basis for their story.  At any rate, I loved this story as a child.  It was a rereadable favorite.  I can't remember what illustrated version I had (it wasn't the one on the right), but which ever one it was, the pictures were beautiful.

8. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White -- Who doesn't love this story?  Not me.  I absolutely love this story.  I'm sure when I first read it, I was devastated that Charlotte died.  But as I've grown, there is poetry and a sense of closure when she dies.  It's as if everything is right with the world.  We lost a good friend, but everything continues.  To be extra cheesy: it's the circle of life.  I'm okay with the loss.  I see Charlotte's Web as a story of growing up. Wilbur learns about the world through Charlotte and the various farm animals.  He rejoices and cries.  And at the end of the book, he's come to realize his place in the world.  (The movie version with Dakota Fanning is entertaining if for nothing else than for Templeton, the rat)

9. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg --  A definite favorite.  A museum, run-away siblings, a mysterious old lady, and tons of adventures.  I always wanted to run away and live in a museum.  Although sometimes scary, all those artifacts intrigued me.  I definitely would have hid in the Egyptian section of the Field Museum in Chicago.  We went there a few times when I was a child and I imagined myself hiding in the bathroom and then coming out when everyone had gone.  Sure, the mummies would be extra creepy at night, but that was part of the adventure.  I reread this book about a year ago and loved it just as much as I did as a child.

10. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry -- Probably the first book I read that dealt with a real life event, I loved this book from beginning to end.  This probably instilled a love of history that I didn't even realize until I got into college.  It made me think about gravity of real life events.  I was affected by this book in so many ways.  In high school I took a class on the Holocaust that I probably would not have if not for this book.  While The Diary of Anne Frank is nonfiction, Number the Stars had a much bigger impact on me.  Lowry's beautiful descriptions and inner monologue make the events "real."  A must read for all elementary students.  I need to add this to my reread list.

Music Monday - Caedmon's Call "Rich's Song"

I've been listening to Caedmon's Call since the release of their self titled cd in 1997.  I've cried with them.  I've rejoiced with them.  I've grown with them.  They've been there for me through the last 14 years.  That's a really long time to stay interested in a band.  So it's only fair that I dedicate a Music Monday to one of the most consistent bands out there.  For the song highlight, I really had to narrow down the choices.  I love so many of their songs for very different reasons.  I ultimately settled on "Rich's Song"; a song that appeared on 40 Acres: The Austin Sessions (extra cd that came with 40 Acres).  This song was written after the death of Rich Mullins (a popular Christian singer/songwriter) who died in a car accident.  The song is a tribute to a close friend with fond memories and (I'm guessing, but it fits) past conversations.

Lyrics:

Whatcha been doin today? Cuz I've been thinkin about you. Heard some news that set my mind to wondering, And I need to hear your voice. Are you out on the plains, Burning your feet on the ground? Out where noone even knows your name, Seventy miles out of town.

We miss you, do you miss us? What is the language with which these words I can trust? I thank my God every time I remember you.

Whatcha been thinkin aobut? Cuz I've been thinkin about life,And how nothing can escape the governing of God.Still somehow that just doesn't comfort me tonight.I still need to hear your voice.

Now I hear you, do you hear me? What medium is there that I can use to make you see That I thank my God every time I remember you.

Bending down to help a flower, dry with poverty. Helping it to understand it's inheritance. I remember life so bright, Every time I close my eyes, I see you.

Brother you made it, Brother you made it, Brother you made it.

And I thank my God every time, And I thank my God every time, I remember you.