The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2010

Genre: Vampire

Pages: 178

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Amazon - Customer Favorites; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Titles: S

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

I thought this would be a nice followup to Twilight: The Graphic Novel and I wasn't disappointed.  In Eclipse, we meet Bree Tanner for about five minutes and then she dies at the hands of the Volturri.  There's no backstory, no real insight into her character.  She's a soldier in Victoria's army.

In this novella, Meyer gives us a glimpse into the very confusing short existence of Bree the vampire.  She may be a newborn, but that doesn't mean that she a mindless eating machine.  With the guidance of Diego, Bree starts to question "the plan" that Riley's been feeding the army.  We get a look inside the inner workings of newborn vampire, the hunger, the fear, the blindness, the strength.  It's interesting to see the world from the other side.  I enjoyed the look through another's eyes.  Meyer points out in the introduction that throughout the series, the readers never really see the world from the eyes of a newborn (and Bella was never really a newborn, she's very different).

Bree's short life is filled with some interesting characters.  We see Riley from a different perspective than we get in Eclipse. We meet Diego, a newborn, but one who seems to have a much better handle on reasoning.  We meet Fred, who has a special talent, not completely unlike Bella's.  And of course, we have the other soldiers, whose only thought is of the thirst.  Best of all, we get to view the Cullens and the Volturri from an outside perspective.  I definitely enjoyed this other look at the Twilight series.

I wasn't expecting to finish this books today.  Now I have to go revise my February wrap-up post and pick the next book to start.  Aww... such is the life of a compulsive reader.

Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

Title: Twilight: The Graphic Novel

Author: Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

Publisher:Yen Press 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 224

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Amazon - Customer Favorites; Support Your Local Library; A to Z Titles: T

I'll admit it right away, I liked the Twilight series.  Some of my former students shoved them at me until I finally read the entire series in about a week just in time for the release of the first movie.  I saw the graphic novel listed on the Amazon Customer Favorites list and thought I would check it out.  I didn't expect it to be good.  I expected it to be a cartoon, a kid comic book, with kiddie style graphics and text.  I was wrong.  I loved it.  It was a great reimaging of the novel.  More in line with how I saw the characters and scenes (not the movie's interpretation).  Specifically it included my favorite scene in the first novel, where Bella faints in biology class and is "rescued" by Mike than intercepted by Edward.  I was so disappointed that the movie cut that scene out.  As to the style, I didn't think I would like the black and white scheme when I first started reading it, but it really grew on me.  And reading the book, spots of color appear in the most unexpected areas, appropriate but still surprising.  I loved it.  My only problem: it ends right after Bella finds out that Edward is a vampire.  The ending seems too abrupt...

Music Monday - Josh Kelley

Josh Kelley (you know the guy married to Katherine Heigl and brother to Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum)... I absolutely adore him, have adored him since his first big album "For the Ride Home" came out in 2003. I don't like every song he has, but I do like the majority of them. That's something for me. I rarely like almost everything an artist puts out. I like how versatile he is. One album is pop, the next is bluegrass, then jazzy, and his newest "Georgia Clay" is country. I love it all. Instead of trying to pick one or two songs, I decided to highlight a couple of favorites. I love all these (and YouTube let me embed these, extra score!). If you like any of this, check out "Georgia Clay" releasing March 22, 2011.

"Hey Katie" - written for guess who 

"Home to Me" - just beautiful

"Almost Famous" - definitely in my top 5

"Unfair" - so simplistic, but still awesome

"Scrumptious" - just for fun

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Title: Austenland

Author: Shannon Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2007

Genre: Jane Austen tribute

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance; February Romance Month; A to Z Authors: H

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man-perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

I tried another Jane Austen-esque book to finish my February Romance Month.  And this one was surprisingly good.  Basic plot summary: Jane, a Pride and Prejudice addict, has had such bad luck in the romance department that she convinces herself that she'll never find love.  Her great-aunt Carolyn leaves her a trip to Pembrok Park, a Austen world immersion resort.  Jane reluctantly goes, if nothing else, to once and for all rid herself of her Darcy obsession and resign herself to spinsterhood.  Once there, Jane finds that the lines between and reality and play are very hard to distinguish.  I won't give away the ending, but I will say that the book had me guessing til the very end.

The characters are likable (Jane), irritating (Miss Charming), devious (Mrs. Wattlesbrook), swoony (Colonel Andrews), mysterious (Mr. Nobley), and goofy yet adorable (Theodore).  I felt for Jane as she tried to navigate Austen's universe, but a playacting version of Austen's universe.  It almost became a mystery: who's who and what's their motivation.  You never knew who was going to reveal something real or  real sounding.  The book reminded me of the movie Lost in Austen (one of my faves).  Jane is completely out of place in Austen's world, but so desperately wants to belong there.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can now add it to my library as I bought the book for a $1 at one of those crazy clearance sales I always seem to find.

Austenland

• #1 Austenland
• #2 Midnight in Austenland

Highlight of the Week - From the Mouth of Babes

This week's been generally crappy. I started feeling sick on Monday: sore throat and headache.  I thought  was getting strep throat.  It's been a few years since I've had it, but I think I was due.  Tuesday was a snow day so the boys and I spent it being lazy.  By the end of the day, cabin fever had set in.  Wednesday we had a 2 hour delay and I was definitely getting worse.  I was determined to get out of the house, so I took the opportunity to run some errands.  Thursday, another 2 hour delay, and the sore throat had changed into a horrible head stuffiness and cough.  Friday, I woke up and could hardly get out of bed.  Thanks goodness it was another snow day.  I stayed in bed all day, sleeping, coughing, blowing my nose.  It was general ickiness.  Saturday was just more of the same.  It's Sunday now and I'm not feeling much better.  At least I can get out of bed today.  I made it downstairs, but just barely. Highlight: Thursday night everyone was frustrated.  I was sick, the boys weren't getting their spelling words.  Everything was a mess.  As I was putting the boys to bed, the sweetest thing came out of A's mouth.  He looked at me and said, "Mommy, if we have a snow day tomorrow, I'll fill up your glass with ice water so you can be comfortable."  Thanks A!  That made my week seem just a bit brighter.

Heroes Vol. 2

Title: Heroes Vol. 2

Publisher: WildStorm Productions 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 272

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fantasy

Not as strong as the first volume, but still very entertaining.  I really like the idea of publishing a graphic novel that goes along with a tv show.  It adds a whole new dimension to the viewing process.  This volume, just like the first, highlights the back stories of some of the characters from season two.  Specifically we learn the back stories of the secondary characters such as the Haitian (very scary), Claude (the invisible man), Elle (my favorite from season two), and West.  We also learn a bit more of how Adam (Kensei, whoever) in the four hundred years since Hiro defeated him in Japan until he reemerges locked in The Company with Peter.  He just may have the most interesting story of all the Heroes characters.  "The Ten Brides of Takezo Kensei" proves that Adam really does have a heart in their somewhere.  It was sad, understandable.

I finished the second volume of the graphic novel right along with the second season of the tv show.  Now to tackle the third season.  That's where I lost interest the first time around.  I am determined to finish the series. Wish me luck.

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Title: A Dirty Job

Author: Christopher Moore

Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins) 2006

Genre: Fantasy; Humor

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fantasy; A to Z Titles: D

Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy with a normal life, married to a bright and pretty woman who actually loves him for his normalcy. They're even about to have their first child. Yes, Charlie's doing okay—until people start dropping dead around him, and everywhere he goes a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Charlie Asher, it seems, has been recruited for a new position: as Death.

It's a dirty job. But, hey! Somebody's gotta do it.

A few weeks ago I picked up Moore's vampire love story trilogy (Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck, and Bite Me) and loved the mix of humor and paranormal.  I had to check out some of his other work.  So I picked this volume up at the library and finally got to it this week.

And it was definitely worth it!  This novel, set in the same San Francisco universe, as the trilogy, centered on a Beta-Male, Charlie Asher, recently widowed with an infant daughter and he just found out he's death (the person, not the concept).  So what's a skinny guy who runs a thrift shop to do?  Freak out, of course.  In his path to finding his new place in the world, we meet some other interesting characters: Charlie's androgynous sister Jane, fellow Death Merchant Minty Fresh (yes that's his name), shopworker and possibly serial killer Ray Macy, detective Rivera (crossover from the trilogy), Buddhist monk Audrey, the Emperor of San Francisco (crossover from trilogy), shopkeeper Lily (best friend of Abby Normal from the trilogy), Hellhounds Alvin and Mohammad, and a bunch of squirrel people (must read the book to figure those out).  Every character as odd as Charlie, but so endearing.  I loved them, quirks and all.

I don't want to give away an plot details, but I must say I loved all the twists and turns and strange occurrences.  A very enjoyable read (especially while suffering from this horrible sore throat and head cold).  Christopher Moore has definitely earned a place on my favorite authors list.

BTT: Something Old, Something New

All other things being equal–do you prefer used books? Or new books? (The physical specimen, that is, not the title.) Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather-bound copy? Looking at my library, I have a mix of everything.  The most important factor in buying books is price.  I don't have a lot of money to spend on my reading habit.  So, I tend to buy books from used books stores or publisher overstocks.  Most of those books tend to be trade paperbacks.  The only factor is portability.  I take a book with me everywhere, so it needs to be easy to carry around.  (I haven't jumped on the mobile reader band wagon yet, so not dealing with that debate right now) I prefer trade paperbacks for their size (not too big, but not too small) and weight (not noticeably heavy for purse carrying).  I guess overall, I am an equal opportunity book buyer.

The Death of Borders

Okay not a complete death, but they have declared bankruptcy and are closing stores across the country. The announcement came last week.  I read about the rumors online two weeks ago.  I got an email from the CEO the day after the announcement.  I've read a lot of posts from other book bloggers in the last week.  But I haven't really decided what I think about this until now.  Today I found an interesting article on TechCrunch that expressed a lot of my own ideas about this situation.

Books without Borders: A Victory for Amazon, But Also for Independent Book Stores by Paul Carr

Explaining the global fall of Borders – their UK arm collapsed last year – isn’t quite as simple as blaming Amazon and the rise of ebooks. But it mostly is. The company took a big gamble a decade or so ago in focusing on the notion of bricks-and-mortar book shopping as an “experience”. Stores were built with coffee shops and comfy chairs and warm little nooks in which people could hang out all day and read all the book and magazines they wanted. Unfortunately, after finishing their coffee and their free reading time, many of those people subsequently went home and took advantage of Amazon’s significant discounts to actually buy books. Only those few customers who demanded instant gratification needed to actually pay full price in store.

I admit, I am one of those people...

So, with Borders gone, Barnes and Noble struggling and independent stores still closing in their dozens, is this the beginning of the end for real world bookstores? Actually, I think probably not. In fact I suspect the death of Borders might actually cause something no-one in the book trade ever thought they’d see: a resurgence in independent book stores.

For a while, Borders – and the bigger (and for now more solvent) Barnes and Noble – represented a kind of mushy middle for bookselling. On one end of the spectrum sits Amazon – colossal of inventory, quick of delivery, soulless of personality. If you know exactly what book you want, Amazon is the place to buy it.

At the other end of the spectrum sit the independents – mom and pop stores and dusty used bookshops, staffed by knowledgeable bookworms eager to recommend something quirky (and possibly second hand) that they themselves have read, and think you might like. Borders plunked itself awkwardly in the middle, trying to out-stock the former (and failing) and to out-personality the latter (and failing). Even if Borders couldn’t replace the independent bookstore experience, the existence of a giant competitor in the their midst certainly hit mom and pop’s bottom line. No-one did well from the fight except for Amazon.

Now, with Borders out of the way, leaving absolutely no major chain book store in some markets (including San Francisco, which had three Borders but no Barnes and Noble), the independents have a real opportunity to push back.

Interesting option, let's see what happens in the coming months.

...

Before the announcement: I shopped everywhere.  I frequented Borders and Barnes and Noble for their selection.  No one can be beat for browsing, getting ideas, and for the occasional awesome sale.  I frequented the chain used book store, Half Price Books, for selection (smaller than big boxes, but still pretty wide) and awesome clearance selection.  I frequented the local independent used book stores, Hyde Brothers and Village Books, for fun browsing and occasional awesome find.  And I frequented Amazon.com for the must-have new (or slightly used) books at a great price.  I shopped everywhere.  While I want to support the local stores, that cannot compete with the big boxes and online stores in terms of price and selection.  But I tried to visit them on occasion.  And I often found some great things while there.

After the announcement: My local Borders is not on the list of those closing.  We are the only Borders store within a 2 hour radius.  We currently have a Borders store and two Barnes and Noble stores.  So what does all this to me?  Will my shopping habits change?  Probably not.  I will still frequent Borders just as much as I did before.  I will frequent all the other places just as much as I did before.  The other thing I know I won't be doing.... buying the $20 Borders rewards card.  Who knows what will happen in the next few months.  I don't want to be caught holding someone I cannot use.

So sorry about the bankruptcy Borders, but times change, and I guess you couldn't keep up.

Quote Wednesday - Peterson

All through the day we inadvertently speak words that enter people's lives and change them in minor or major ways and we never know it. -- Eugene Peterson

I've been thinking a lot lately about words of encouragement.  I've been getting some from various people.  But I've come to realize that what makes the difference is having the person right there with you.  It's one thing for someone to send an email or a card.  Nice written words, but you don't get to hear the emotion.  It's one to hear someone's voice.  The emotion can be heard, the tone of voice important, but you don't get the physical connection.  There's another thing all together to have a person sit by you, offering words of encouragement and maybe a hug.  The undivided attention is what really affects us.  We need to feel that human connection.  In a world of instant communication by email, phone, etc., we often trade the physical for convenience.  I want to hear people and see people and most importantly touch people.  Today, offer someone words of encouragement.  Do it in person and be sincere.  It just might save a life.

Heroes Vol. 1

Title: Heroes Vol. 1

Publisher: WildStorm Productions 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 235

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Fantasy; A to Z Titles: H

Lately, I have become a big fan of graphic novels.  I think it's all J's fault.  At any rate, I now have a stack of graphic novels sitting in my library TBR pile.  And I recently restarted watching the television series Heroes.  Somewhere in the third season, I completely lost interest (it got a little crazy there for awhile) and never finished the series.  Since it's now on Netflix Instant Queue (absolutely love it), I thought I would watch the series straight through.  While at the library, I was looking for another graphic novel (Hatter M series) and spied the Heroes Vol. 1 sitting on the shelf.  So I picked it up to read while watching the series.

I loved this volume.  It showcased some side stories, origin stories, etc. highlighting the heroes we meet in the first season.  The graphics are amazing.  Not too detailed, but very colorful and realistic on some pages.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading in between watching the episodes.  I especially loved the chapters centering around the lesser known heroes like Eden and Hana.  I think I liked Hana's story the best of all.  As an extra bonus, she's played by Stana Katic in the television series (so love her in Castle).

Helix Comics published a second volume to coincide with season 2.  Guess I better pick that up next...

Top Ten Tuesday - Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday: Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created 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 lists!

Each 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!

Very excited about this post, but how to narrow it down?  After thinking long and hard, I think I've gotten my favorites in here.  Caution: Long post ahead!

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy -- Easy choice.  Peter Jackson did the books justice; something I don't think a lot of people thought could happen.  I know he cut out some and changed a bit, but the movies stay true to the main stories of the books.  Also, the cinematography is just amazing!  Those landscapes, those sets, those wide shots!  How could it get any better.  As an added bonus, I loved the portrayal of Eowyn and Faramir in the movies.  They even made last week's Top Ten Tuesday: Love Stories.  Great movies.  BTW they must be watched from the extended editions.  None of this theatrical version crap!  (I love The Fellowship of the Ring, so had to add that poster)

2. Persuasion -- Has anyone picked up that I love Jane Austen?  And specifically Persuasion?  My favorite Austen of all.  Of course, for this post I had to pick an Austen adaptation and I do so love this one.  The 2007 ITV version aired on PBS as part of the Jane Austen marathon on Masterpiece Theater.  I was so excited to sit in front of my antenna-only TV and watch Jane Austen adaptations for two months of Sundays.  This was far and away my favorite adaptation.  (Northanger Abbey was my second favorite)  Sally Hakwins plays Anne Elliot as quiet and demur, but with strong emotions and opinions just beneath the surface.  Exactly how I pictured her!  And Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth!  Divine casting!  I know this version took some liberties with the book, but I felt that they were all done keeping the heart of the book intact.  My favorite change is the scene after Sally gets Wentworth's letter and goes racing through Bath to find him.  Awesome camera work and music!  Love it, love it, love it!

3. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events -- I sped through the book series in about two months.  (I was late to the band wagon and didn't start reading them until they were all published).  And then I found out they were making a film version.  The film does condense the first three books of the series, but again the changes kept true to the heart of the books.  Hmm... Jim Carrey as Count Olaf.  I'm not the biggest fan of him, but this was perfect casting.  And the Baudelaire children were perfect.  I loved the supporting cast!  Billy Connolly, Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman, Catherine O'Hara, Craig Ferguson, Cedric the Entertainer, Jane Lynch, Luis Guzman, Jennifer Coolidge and Jude Law's narration.  How did they get all those people into this movie!  It really makes the movie a lot of fun.  And those sets!!!!  Like a fairy tale! And the costumes!!  Amazing!  I want Violet's dress.  So adorable.

4. Where the Heart Is -- I liked the book by Billie Letts, but it wasn't one of my favorites.  And then I saw the 2000 movie, and absolutely fell in love with it.  Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd are adorable.  I think my favorite character from the book and from the film is Sister Husband played by Stockard Channing.  I love her to death.  I want her to take me in when I give birth to a baby in the Walmart!  And her death was just so tragic.  I cry every time I watch the movie.

5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- Douglas Adams is a genius for writing the series.  And the 2005 film was a great adaptation.  Of course with cast of Martin Freeman (so adorable on The Office), Zooey Deschanel (love her!), Sam Rockwell (crazy as usual), Mos Def (great Ford Prefect), Bill Nighy (he plays such a range of characters), and Alan Rickman (who doesn't love Alan Rickman) how could it not be good!  My favorite part of the book series is the Guide interludes.  I'm excited that the film included a few with exciting animation.  My favorite: definitely the Volgons!  And speaking of Volgons, how awesome was that puppetry.  They looked just fake enough to be real but comical.  I loved all of them.  And the opening Dolphin song... genius! (BTW opening narration by Stephen Fry is the best casting I've heard in a long while)

6. Coraline -- Okay so I saw the movie before I read the book.  I loved the creepy sense of wonder in the movie version.  The Other Mother is very scary (understandably so) in the final battle.  And the black cat... I've always thought that cats were creepy, this just confirmed it for me.  After seeing the movie, I went and read the book.  Great story, but the visuals really didn't it for me.  I got the graphic novel from the library the other day.  After this post, it's moved up on my TBR list.

7. Interview with a Vampire -- I was too young to see the movie when it was released in theaters, but I did start reading Anne Rice about that time.  I loved (still love) her writing and especially the first four of the Vampire Chronicles.  I had definite images of all the characters in my head before seeing the movie.  The movie versions don't really match, but that's okay.  I see the movie and the book as two different entities.  They are definitely not the same, but that's okay.  I think the movie did a great job reimagining Rice's novel.  And Rice wrote the screenplay and was a consultant during the filming.  My fave from the movie: Stephen Rea as Santiago... very sinister.

8. The Secret Garden --  There is only one movie version of The Secret Garden and it's the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame version.  I remember watching this movie as a young child. The opening scenes in India scared the begeezus out of me.  And they were supposed to.  The transition to the moors of England sets the mood for the entire book.  I love it!  The sets are wonderful and full of atmosphere.  The music is extra moody at all the right times.  The actress who played Mary gave her just enough spunk and defiance.  I recently let C borrow the movie because she wanted to show it her daughters.  She agrees, this is the only version of the book.

9. Harry Potter Series -- I love the books.  And I love the movies.  They are different, but related.  I understand that the movie makers had to cut things out of the books to fit onto the screen.  There's just too much going on in the books to put everything on screen.  I've read the books, so some of the movie scenes (especially from the 5th and 6th movies) make more sense.  But I still love the movies.  My favorite, hands down, is The Goblet of Fire.  I love the book and the movie did great job showcasing my favorite scenes.  The final task: the labyrinth is awesomely shot with special effects and zooming camera angles.  I loved it so much.  I am so excited and so sad to see the last movie this July.  It's already on my calendar!

10. Little Women -- Another favorite childhood book.  I loved the March sisters and would read and reread the book growing up.  The movie version is one of my favorite movies from my younger days.  The adaptation is true to the book while allowing for the transition to film.  The actors are wonderful.  I loved Winona Ryder as Jo March.  She plays her just how I pictured.  Susan Sarandon gives a great performance as the matriarch of the clan.  I would love to have her as a mother.  And I have to mention Christian Bale as Laurie... so dreamy!  I really love him as an actor.  My only problem (and it's a problem with the book, not just the movie) Laurie should have ended up with Jo not Amy!  Alas, I must live with the story as is.  It's still one of my all-time favorites.

The best part of this list --- I own all the movies listed.  So I can watch them again and again!

Music Monday - The Beatles

In honor of Down the Line 5 last Saturday, this week's Music Monday is going to feature The Beatles.  Down the Line is a local annual concert featuring local bands doing covers of classic bands.  My mother and I have attended all five years.  Great concert.  Great local bands.  This year featured music from The Cure, John Mellancamp, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and The Beatles.  Not my favorite Down the Line, but a good show anyway. Back to the music...  I love The Beatles.  I've always loved The Beatles.  I grew up listening to The Beatles.  My dad loved The Beatles.  I could sing their songs at a very early age.  And through the years, my favorite album has changed.  I went from a Hard Day's Night person to a Sgt. Pepper person and back again.  Now, I'm not sure what my favorite album is.  I like it all.  And with the release of the movie Across the Universe, I really can't pick.  I love all the music they used in the movie and the music spanned a lot of albums and eras.  Instead of picking one, I'll highlight a few of my favorite songs...

1. "Hey Jude" -- (1970). I love the story behind this song. McCartney wrote this to Lennon's son Julian during his parents divorce. So beautiful. Down the Line ended with a Embassy (the theater) sing-a-long. And it definitely sounds better than the original "Hey Jules."

2. "Blackbird" -- (1968). Supposedly McCartney wrote this in response to racial tensions in the United States. Whatever the reason, it's a beautiful song.

3. "When I'm Sixty-Four" -- from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). One of my favorites from childhood. I love the lyrics. I want someone to sing this to me. So cute!

4. "I've Just Seen a Face" -- from Help! (1965). I love this song! So cute! and watching them perform the song is like heaven. Although I must say that I think I like the Across the Universe version better. The staged scene in the bowling alley is just too fun!

5. "A Day in the Life" -- from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). Such a great story. So sad, but great. I also absolutely adore the transition in the middle. Very nice!

So I guess I've grown to prefer the 1967-1968 songs. Don't mistake me, I love all their songs. Just some of them are special favorites. I hope you enjoy!

Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania by Loree Lough

Title: Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania

Author: Loree Lough

Publisher: Summerside Press 2009

Genre: Christian Romance

Pages: 316

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance; Support Your Local Library; February Romance Month; A to Z Authors: L

To attorney Julia Spencer, this quaint Amish town is anything but a Paradise. When Julia agrees to defend a local teenager charged in a case involving an Amish boy, she and handsome veterinarian Simon Thomas find themselves on opposite sides of an intense and emotional legal battle.

I picked this volume up at the library about a week ago. I wanted a contemporary romance that wasn't filled with sex and little plot.  I wanted something a bit more meatier, but not really heavy (i.e. At the Scent of Water, amazing book but very deep).  So I found this book, listed as Christian romance.  I know what you're thinking "Why did you pick another Christian romance after all your issues with the genre?"  I know, I know, but I thought "What the hey!"

This one is pleasantly enjoyable.  Not as formulaic as many of the ones I have read before.  Of course, it wasn't awesome either.  I liked the two main characters.  They were likable, but not overly "perfect" like in many Christian romances. As much as I liked Simon and Julia, the best character in the book was little Levi Gunden.  Hilarious and just so precious.  I loved every scene he was in.

The plot was good, although slow moving.  There is a big twist about 2/3 through the book.  I think the twist should have come about 1/2 through the book instead.  At that late in the story, it felt out of place, a clichéd plot device to get the two main characters together.  I think it would have been more effective earlier on.  That way we could really examine the consequences.  Instead, it seems a bit contrived.  And the wrap-up occurs fairly quickly.  It felt a little cheap.

Overall, I did like the book.  And I've put Lough on my list of authors to check out.  She wrote another "Love Finds You" book.  Guess I'll have to put it on my  LTL (library to loan) list.

New Resolutions...

The last couple of days have seen a few changes with my blog...  I've decided to make a few blogging resolutions (Yes, I know, late, but I've never believed in New Year's Resolutions anyway.  So blog resolutions in February aren't weird or late to me).

1. Set up a more definite schedule - I have Music Mondays and Quote Wednesdays, but need to either commit to or drop Weekly Highlights, Booking Through Thursdays, and Top Ten Tuesdays.  I really like the idea of the Wordless Wednesday (pictures instead of writing) and the Mailbox Mondays, but don't know if I want to commit yet.  I'll get back to you on that.  Plus, I want to start writing (fiction pieces) more and feel like I need to commit it day or a day every other week to that.
2. Connect with other bloggers - In the past week, I've had 10 people I don't know comment on my blog.  Very excited about this turn of events.  But I need to do better at commenting on and supporting other bloggers.  So every day I'm going to focus on one of those commentors by reading their blogs, commenting, and adding them to my GoogleReader.  One down, nine to go!
3. Get my reading list set for the end of the month - Too many library books (~60) sitting on my closet floor and too many new purchases (~30 since beginning of year) sitting under the window.  I want to create a TBR list to carry me through the next two weeks.  Next up...?
4. Take more pictures to add - I feel very pictureless on my blog.  I need to add pics of me and my family, activities throughout the week, book purchases, and just pretty pics.  So far, the only picture taken by me is my gravatar photo.  The others are all from freedigitalphoto.net.  Great pictures, but I need ownership here.
5. Get my boys involved - They wrote a Thanksgiving post, but that's it.  They really need to work on their writing anyway and little blog entry every once in a while would be awesome.  C's daughter has her own blog now and my boys are really interested in reading it.  Hopefully I can get them interested in writing their own.
6. Encourage my friends and families to read - I think the only person that I actually know know that reads my blog is C.  (Thanks for the support!)  It really would be awesome to have more support from friends and family.  I'll try to talk it up.

Over the next week, I'm really going to focus on these resolutions.  I'll probably add an update entry soon.  Wish me luck!

"Glee"ful Adoration!

So I am a Gleek.  I fully admit it.  I love the soap opera-like crazy plot lines.  I love the over the top musical numbers.  I love all the Brittany and Santana one-liners. The one thing that I haven't loved is the lack of really good classic rock songs.  I've been wishing for some Queen and Bowie for forever.  And last week's episode (I know I'm a bit late, but I forgot about watching it and just watched it on Hulu.com) "Silly Love Songs" fulfilled my dream.  Puck sang "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen as his love song to Lauren.  Oh my Goodness!  I love that song and loved loved loved his rendition!  I just had to run over (okay okay click over) to iTunes and buy it.  That's big, I don't do that, but I had to do it.  And strangely it did put me into the Valentine's Day spirit, albeit a little late.  But that's okay, it's the thought that counts. *As a definite second favorite song from the episode, Artie's "PYT" was awesomely silly and sexy at the same time.  I love him! And Blaine's Gap Attack was pretty awesome too.  And I'm pretty sure I liked Rachel's "Fireworks" more than Katy Perry's.  Okay, okay, the entire episode was kinda awesome!

Cupid Cats

Title: Cupid Cats

Author: Katie MacAlister, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Connie Brockway

Publisher: Orbit Books 2011

Genre: Paranormal romance

Pages: 391

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Vampires; February Romance Month; A to Z Titles: C

Another fun read.  This time a paranormal romance featuring cats... Cats aren't my faorite animal in the world, but the stories were pretty entertaining.

1. Unleashed by Katie MacAlister -- Another one of her Dark Ones stories.  I read the first in her series A Girl's Guide to Vampires and loved it, the mythology, the stories, the characters.  This story did not disappoint.  Makes me want to read her other Dark Ones stories... Maybe that will be next.
2. Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway -- Interesting, vaguely paranormal, love story involving a cat, a genius scientist, a hotty administrator, and a 6 year old girl.  I liked the story.  It had heart, comedy, and drama. Definitely an author I want to look into.
3. A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson -- More of a straight romance, and my least favorite of the stories.  I just couldn't get into this one like the other two.  It felt a little flat, both characters and plot.

Overall a fun read.  Perfect for February and Valentine's Day.  Not something I would buy, but I good library rental.

BTT: Romantic

What’s the most romantic book you’ve ever read?

(Mind you, I don’t mean the hard-core stuff you hide in plain wrappers under your mattress. I mean True Love, Romance, deeply emotional, heart-tugging, and all that stuff.)

And, secondly, did you like it? Is it your usual kind of reading, or did it take you by surprise?

Anyone who knows me or has read my blog has probably figured out that one of my favorite books is Persuasion by Jane Austen.  It just so happens to be my favorite romantic book.  The story of lasting love between Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth hits me right in the mushy heart.  They never stopped loving each other.  After years apart, a chance meeting finally gets them to admit their feelings to each other and end up where they should have been.  I love that they are both very realistic and pragmatic characters.  They don't go running off to silly infatuation (like Catherine Morland or Marianne Dashwood).  Instead, they took time to examine their feelings.  That is romance to me.  Maybe it's because I'm such a cynic, but I still think this is the most romantic book I've ever read.  Every time I read it a panic rises in me.  I start thinking about half way through the book that Anne and the Captain won't end up together, that they'll deny their feelings and/or get too scared to admit them to each other.  I panic... and then I get to the end.  He writes the letter, they reconnect, and everything is good in the world again.  It is such a release.

As to the second question, no, my answer did not really surprise me.  I love Jane Austen, so of course, the book is part of my regular reading.  I don't usually read those labeled as "romance"  (although I have picked up a few more lately for a light read in between more serious fiction).  I tend to read more historical fiction and anything paranormal.

Quote Wednesday - Potek

Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things. -- Chaim Potek

There's something about a cup of tea that makes everything okay.  If I'm feeling sick, a cup of peppermint tea lifts my spirits.  If I'm sad, a cup of sleepy time or chamomile hits the spot.  If I'm tired, a great pick-me-up fruit blend gets me up and about.  There's a tea for every occasion...

I guess I am an anglophile because I love tea way more than coffee.  Coffee has its time and place (usually in the mornings throughout the winter), but tea can be enjoyed anytime.

Sometimes I wish I had little girls instead of boys.  That way I could host cute little tea parties (English, Japanese, American, Thai, etc...)  I would make it a monthly event, maybe invite some friends.  They would be theme tea parties with decorations, complimentary food, music, and costumes.  Of course, an Alice in Wonderland themed party would be one of the first.

I just really love tea!  Maybe I should try C's choice: Black tea with cinnamon orange, but alas the coffeehouse is out!  I'll have to find another variety.

The Royal Mess by MaryJanice Davidson

Title: The Royal Mess (Alaskan Royal Family #3)

Author: MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: Brava Books (Kensington) 2007

Genre: Romance

Pages: 210

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Contemporary Romance; February Romance Month

Jeffrey Rodinov is descended from one of the oldest families in Alaska, and a Rodinov has been protecting a Baranov for generations. No one ever sees Jeffrey Rodinov coming, and no one-not even a mouthy, illegitimate princess-is going to keep him from playing bodyguard when his king decrees it.

But no Rodinov ever had to protect Princess Nicole Krenski. Her credentials? Hunting guide in the Alaskan wilderness. Smart. Stubborn bordering on exasperating. The lady says she doesn’t need a bodyguard, but that’s where she’s wrong. Someone needs to watch her and show her the royal ropes. Someone who can make her feel like a queen-in and out of bed.

Final book in the Alaskan royals trilogy was a fun read.  Nothing too deep.  Nothing too sad or happy.  Just a fun little romance romp in 210 pages (really less if you count all the white space).  I enjoyed the other two books in the trilogy (The Royal Treatment and The Royal Pain) but this one was probably my favorite.  The characters were fun; not in a "I connected to them" way, but funny characters.  The rest of the royal family was a hoot, per usual.  I still think my favorite character in the entire trilogy is Prince Nicholas, something about being the rebel of the family is very endearing.  A good, fun read for Valentine's Day (and yes I read the entire book on Valentine's Day, just took me a day to get around to the review).

Alaskan Royal Family

1. The Royal Treatment
2. The Royal Pain
3. The Royal Mess