100 Books: The Time Traveler's Wife

I can't believe I have not talked to you about this book.  Mostly because I was completely obsessed with it.  So much so that I couldn't put the darn thing down.  I tell you, that book came at just the right time - my mind was racing, I hadn't had a moment to relax in forever, and I couldn't tell you the last time I had picked up a book.

Then this came along.  The perfect love story.  The perfect romantic escape that I needed.  It envelopes you in its simple complexity.  You believe, you root for, you care.  You find yourself allowing the suspension of disbelief required to make the story plausible.  The author has such a knack for character development, that I felt myself missing those who had to be cut when I finally allowed myself to view the movie.

If this is your kind of thing, give it a try.  For me, it was the catalyst that got me back into the world of books.  And I tell you this, it had been far too long.

My only postscript would be to stay far far FAR away from the author's sophomore novel - Her Fearful Symmetry.  While her masterful character development carries through, her storytelling does not, and it leaves you cold at the end, as if she ran out of time or ink.  My advice would be to allow The Time Travelers Wife to transport you through a mystical timeline of love and hope, and to let it end there.

my lame return to blogging continues....

Thursday Thunks: Never Agree in the First Place

The TT questions are brought to you by Berleen, the color of my rocking tan I've got going and the number 45.

Did you pass your driver's test the first time you took it?

I totally rocked it.  I took the test at the easiest test center in the whole world.  It was like - drive down this empty rural street, turn around, drive back.  Hooray - you passed!!

You are sitting outside on your deck in your comfy lawn chair, feet are up and the temp outside is perfect. There are no bugs to bite you and ruin the night... it's peaceful and all you can hear is the birds singing and an occasional cricket. Whats in your hand?
A beer.  Duh.

How many graduation parties and weddings do you have to attend this summer? Ok.. how many are you invited to?
Good job on the correction - I am already feeling the dread.  So far, it's one and one.

There is no other choice in the matter - you must transform into a different race, but the catch is that you get to pick which race. What will you now be?
Weird question, but I will go from one mix  to another.  How about a mix of Black and Asian.  It seems to be working for Tiger and Kimora.

Someone once said that the grass isn't greener on the other side... are you jealous of your neighbor's lawn?
No.  We live in some black hole of darkness where the grass refuses to grow.  I am, however, jealous of the houses at the end of the street that seem to be graced by the sun and are thus partial to photosynthesis or whatever it is that is making them so lush and weed free.

Bud is walking along a beach barefooted and steps on a piece of glass buried deep in the sand. His foot is bleeding... does he cry, swear or stomp around on his other foot?
Yes.  In that order.  And then he finds the biggest boobed bimbo on the beach to nurse him back to health.

I'm gonna take you fishing... are you going to be a whiney baby and not bait your own hook and when you catch a fish am I gonna have to take it off the hook for you?
No.  I am going to be a man, and bait my own hook, and gut and clean my own fish.  Then I'm going to season that son of a gun up, and cook you the best fish dinner you've ever had in your life.

From a Facebook friend: When asked what would you bring with you to a deserted island, why doesn't anyone answer "a boat"?
The same reason that they don't ask the genie that offers them three wishes for an infinite number of wishes.

Hamburger buns - sesame seeds or not?
Seed 'em up.  But I'm not gonna cry if you offer me one without.

From Demon #1: Whats your favorite flavor of water?I didn't know water came in flavors.  I guess I like water flavored water.

Eclipse is coming out this month... are you going to see it?No.  Not gonna read it, not gonna see it.  You Twilight-obsessed people scare me more than the Harry Potter people.  Really.

Happy Thursday!!

100 Books: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I haven't been updating you all, but I have been reading some books.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one that I have seen recommended often, and I already had it on my bookshelf.  I truly enjoyed reading it.  It is a coming of age story set in the early 1900's in Brooklyn.  It was interesting to watch how Francie and her family grow, change, and adapt to their circumstances.  Francie and her brother grow up a bit blissfully unaware of just how poor they really are, and I think that innocence in a child is something to which I could relate.

The book gave an honest and vivid snapshot of life during those times, but at the same time showed the struggles that any family faces.  The character development is natural and engaging.  The reminders to take in each breath and to live life are refreshing.  It was a wonderful picture of the everyman's quest toward the American dream.

If you read or have already read this book, I would love to hear your thoughts.

lean

Oh my goodness - I have a blog!!  I forgot for a minute.........  Oh well, here I am again.   I don't even have anything to say.  I just figured I better check in.  I see that I left you with some lovely snow to look at.  I guess I should be about changing that.  Maybe a project for next week. 

I am blown away lately at how fast things change.  And how people change.  And also how much some people NEVER change.  I am an astute observer - I notice every little detail about things.  A question was recently posed about whether one is or is not a diva.  I think I can be.  Because I am always noticing everything, I am painfully aware when things are out of place or not as they should be.  I don't always feel it necessary to comment, and I actually think I do not advocate as much as I should for some things, but I am always aware.  I always notice.

In contrast to that, or maybe because of it, I have been moving around in a bit of a numb state.  Trying to detox, to shed the old skin, and grow into the next phase.  Not sure where that is leading me at the moment, but feeling the shift and leaning into it all the same.