January Books

I know, January isn't over. But there's less than a week left and unless I hole up and ignore the world this weekend, I'm not going to finish another book in this month.

So I have an app on Facebook that helps me keep track of the books I've been reading. I did it last year and didn't do so hot. I guess starting a brand new job and feeling a bit overwhelmed will do that. Now that I'm halfway through my first year I'm feeling much better about my time management and I've actually been able to read three books this month. So I'm going to pretend you care about what I do in my free time and share them with you.

Just finished this one Monday night. It only took me... four days or so. It's a quick read. Fun. Not the strongest writing so if you're looking for something thought-provoking you can skip it. But I still enjoyed it. Doesn't hurt that I got for about five bucks at a sale.

Had been wanting to read this for awhile. Mentioned it to my mom late last year and she bought it for me. Then it took me some time to get to it. But I liked it. I don't think it quite qualifies as self-help. But it's definitely one that makes you step back and look at your relationships. Not in a negative light at all. I'm kind of hoping hubby wants to read it next.

Ohhhh and this one. I was late to the game on this one. This was the first one I read this year. Started it New Year's Day since I was home by myself and it was raining. Finished it in the wee hours on January 2. Yup, it was that good. Now I need to read the other two. NEED.

If I remember I'll do this again in February. We'll see if the list manages to be as long. It could be. I have a full week off in February. And I'm getting a new book to go to a certain book signing this month... but you'll have to hear about that later. :)

Maybe A Little Obsessed...

So I have this application on my Facebook that I can use to keep track of the books I've read. A couple friends have it too so it's always interesting to see what my friends are reading. Especially since we came together because of a book group. But anyway...

I was updating it last night because I just finished a book and I realized something that made me laugh. I've read six books so far this year. All six of them have been vampire books.

Now, four of those are the Twilight series. The other two were from the House of Night series. So what's my next logical choice for reading material? My Sookie Stackhouse books of course. I wondered aloud to hubby if I could get away with reading solely vampire books this year. It would be pretty funny. I have eight books from this series. Depending on how busy I am, those could last me anywhere from four weeks to a couple months.

That's where I have a question for y'all. (And Claudia, you'll probably be most helpful here.) If I actually decide to be some kind of weirdo who spends the year reading only vampire books, what else should I pick up? It doesn't have to be a series, and it would be nice if the books were easy to find. So send me your suggestions.

**And actually, if I'm not around to reply to comments or emails, it's because I'm out of town until Saturday. But that doesn't mean I don't want your recommendations.**

Guilty

I'm a Twilight crack-head.

It's a recent thing. I only started the series this month. I actually had the first book sitting in my house for a month before I picked it up.

But then I did. And it was all over for this girl.

I picked it up when hubby was at work one day. He leaves the house at seven for the hospital, and for some reason, I was wide awake when he left that particular morning. So I picked up the book.

And read for four hours straight.

Reading continued in chunks until he got home. I didn't want to ignore him, but those last hundred pages or so were calling to me, so as soon as he decided it was bedtime I went to bed too. And finished the book.

OMG, can I just tell you that I'm totally embarrassed by how enjoyable I find them? If these had come out when I was in high school, I would be one of those hopeless girls with "I heart Edward" on my backpack, binder, keychain... I'm ridiculous.

So shout-out to Claudia for bringing the last two books for me today. I started Eclipse. And I'm struggling with not holing up in bed until I'm through with it.

Because I am ridiculous and feeling like a high schooler all over again.

Books, Books, Books

I'm a bookworm. This is a widely known fact in my family. As a kid my mom would take my brother and I to the library over the summer. I would check out seven or eight books, go home, and disappear into my room until they were finished. Usually around a week I think (right, mom?). Then I'd beg her to take us back.

High school hit and I got annoyed at having to read books for class. They interfered with what I wanted to read. At that time I was all about Stephen King. I may have not read some class assignments... But summers were always my time to get lost in book after book. We had a pool so I would go out after lunch with a book and lay next to the pool or on a raft and read while I tanned. I still love to do it.

I've gotten back into an insane amount of reading since I finished school in December. Part of it came from not having to deal with homework anymore. Part of it is that I missed reading before bed. And the other part came from some of my students. I had one in particular that loved to tell me what she was reading about. It reminded me of me in a way. I was really amused by it. And she actually got me into a new author and series. So ever since I left school I've been reading. And for those of you that want some easy reads (or even something for your kids) I thought I'd list some of what I've been reading...

The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. I discovered these when a coworker and I decided to read the first one to our class in after-school program. He took it home and read it then passed it to me before we made a decision. And I thought it was fun. The whole series deals with a rich, 12-year-old genius. There's also a fantasy element with fairies, goblins and other creatures. But it's not your little girl Disney-type fantasy. The fairies have major technology. I've read the first few books more than once. I definitely say try it out on your kids.

I just read As Long As We Both Shall Live by Lurlene McDaniel. Actually, I finished it last night. Crying for the last twenty pages or so. If you're female you may have heard of this author. Or not, I feel like I'm the only person who knows about her. I read a TON of her books when I was younger. Basically... she writes about death. Don't go thinking I'm morbid! She writes a lot about young people with terminal illnesses (cystic fibrosis, types of cancer, etc.) because her own son was diagnosed with leukemia. I was reading these books in fourth or fifth grade and my mom still questions what she was thinking and how I managed to turn out okay. They're reeeeeally good though. And quick, easy reads. And I dare you to read one without crying.

I finally started Twilight this morning. I've had it sitting here for about a month now, borrowed it from my mother-in-law. Finally I picked it up last night and put it on my nightstand, intending to start it tonight. But I couldn't go back to sleep when hubby left this morning so I started reading. And before I knew it, I was 200 pages in. Sure it's not the best writing ever, but I'm loving the story. And it's totally taking me back to the goofy high school emotions. The way I'm flying through it though I either need to get to the library or find someone with a copy of number two.

Wow, that ended up a lot longer than I meant it to. I could have given you backstory in it's very own entry. Expect more book reviews/recommendations in the future. Maybe not so much reviews, I don't proclaim to be an expert.

I'm off to read some more I think. The weather lately has been perfect for curling up with a book and big blanket.

Cuteness

So Tim and I went to Target tonight. And as is the fashion I bought more than I should. But oh well. I bought my first Christmas present in the process. Go me! Anyway...

Much time was spent with the Halloween decorations. Sadly the store we went to didn't have nearly as much as the one I usually visit. But during our walking we passed the books. And of course they had some seasonal kids' books out. I took a look, because I love books and I fully intend to pass that love of books to my own children one day. But in the mean time, I'll pass it to my Tad. And something caught my attention...

Goodnight Goon.

Yes. It's a "petrifying parody" of Goodnight Moon. Now unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Goodnight Moon is an insta-classic. Every child should own it and have it read to them enough times to memorize it. Tad loves it and it's a regular bedtime story. So I had to have the parody. I just read it right now.

So. Effing. Cute.

I can't wait for Tad to come over so we can read it together.