Thursday 22 December 2011

Day 9 - Favourite Christmas Movie

We are nearing the end of the countdown with only a few short days left to go and I must say, this is my favourite topic!

My favourite Christmas movie involves Ralphie himself and his quest to get a Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock. Oh yes.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

Ever since I first sa wthis movie I have been in love with the story. From the "Fa ra ra ra ra"'s to the starving kids in china and BE SURE TO DRINK YOUR OVALTINE, the movie is just filled with gold. The acting is fantastic and is made even better by the voice-over of an adult Ralphie moving the story along with interesting anecdotes like:

"My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master."

"In the heat of battle, my father wove a tapestry of obsenity that as far as we know, is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan."

 "Some men are Baptists...others Catholics...My father was an Oldsmobile man."

At the time of me first watching the movie, my father actually was an Oldsmobile man. We had two big boats, one black and one burgundy. I also thought that the school in the movie looked just like Manchester, my elementary school. I honestly thought that Ralphie and Flick could very well be one of the kids in my class.
this is the school in the movie:
And this is my elementary school
 Oh yes. A Christmas Story wins by a landslide as my favourite movie.


Wednesday 21 December 2011

Day 8 - To give or receive?

This is a continuation of the following countdown. And before you say it, yes, I'm doing them in the wrong numerical order in that I'm counting up and not down. Shoot me.

Day 05. (Dec 21st) Give or receive? Explain.

Even since I was a child, I have been really focused on giving. My birthday is 5 days before Christmas so I had a whole day devoted to me and me getting gifts. I really wanted to make sure that at Christmas the people that I love would have the same joy that I had. When I became a little older, I would take any money I was given for my birthday and turn it into gifts for other people. I've always felt so good to see an excited face when I got a gift that was just right. I would sit and watch for their reactions and smile to myself for a job well done. Giving is always better and I really hope that the people whose presents are sitting under my tree enjoy the thought and time that I put forward in getting them something extra special.

Day 7 - 5 words

As yesterday was my birthday, I felt it was important to take a break from the countdown. I'll try and make up for it today

Day 7 - Describe Christmas in 5 words using adjectives, verb, etc.

Stressed family finds loving compassion
or
Show loving compassion to others

(Again for the original post - go here: http://quirkycori.blogspot.com/2011/11/12-days-of-christmas-challenge.html

Monday 19 December 2011

Day 6 - Plans for the holiday

With my 12 days to Christmas countdown in full swing - I'm already halfway through and can't believe it!

Christmas Eve I'd like to be going to church with my dad for the evening service and then sleeping over at his place with James. In the morning James will be prepping the turkey for everyone in the afternoon. Around 1-2 we will head out from my dad's place and go to Paris to be with the hubbies family for the afternoon evening. It's going to be busy, with lots of people to see but it's what we are doing this year.

What are you doing for the holiday this year?

Sunday 18 December 2011

Day 5 - My Christmas Wishlist

Of course on the top of my Christmas wishlist is my mom - I wish she were here, but I'm happy knowing she's no longer in pain. Cancer fucking sucks so I'll make my second wish for it to just go away.

Now onto the tangible plausible things:
SMALL THINGS
- Different flavours of hot chocolate - I freaking love the stuff
- Gardening tools - I took a course this past spring and it has inspired me to want to grow things
- A zippered bag big enough to carry my knitting with me

CLOTHING
- gift cards for plus size clothing stores - come on big girls - you know that you need to try ANYTHING on before buying it.
- I'd love a soft and brightly coloured scarf to stand out against my gray coat
- socks! hard to believe how many single socks I lose when I do laundry

TOYS
- I've been eyeing up and dreaming of the new cookie monster that eats cookies and counts them. He wears a backpack and is adorable!

DREAMY TYPE STUFF
- I'd love patio stones to put in a walkway at the front of my house
- I'd love a good work desk for the spare room so that I can have an area to craft and write
- I'd love a sewing machine that is fairly easy to operate so that I can do some more complicated crafting
- A winning lottery ticket!

Saturday 17 December 2011

On the 3rd Day of Christmas....


I know this is a bit out of order, but I really was busy yesterday with my work Christmas party.

On the 3rd day of Christmas, the blog told me to post an old Christmas photo of myself. Well this is one of my favourites - My mom, dad and I getting a big hug on Christmas morning - most likely taken by my big sister Heather. I think it really captures the love, and our ugly faux fireplace that we had when I was growing up.

Day 4 - Favourite Christmas Tradition

I have a lot of Christmas Traditions that when they are happening they feel like they are my favourite and therefore it's really hard for me to narrow down just one but I'll try.

I love having Chinese Food on Christmas Eve with my husband - first by getting it at a restaurant to us making it ourselves. I love going to look at Christmas lights and marveling in their beauty and their time and effort. I love the new tradition of Sweater Breakfast where I get to share some holiday cheer with my friends and their kids. I love the hugs from my nieces and nephews. I love the carols. I love the fact that I get to be with James' family and that his parents always put a box of cereal under the tree for all the kids and it's a mad dash to get one you like. I love how chaotic my family Christmases are with all the kids and adults a flurry of activity. I love showing off a new outfit on Christmas day and I love just being around people that have known me for a long time and love me despite all my faults.

With that said, I'm going to talk about a tradition that unfortunately is over. And that's me getting a stocking from my mom. My mom always went out and purchased make up for me in my stocking because I would always need it at that time of year. She always got me gum instead of chocolate because she knew that I would prefer it. She always got me a pair of socks and an orange in the bottom and she always filled it up with love.

Her love in the stocking was always there for me to have and to hold and to love. And I know that she won't be there to give me her stocking this year, and I know that I have to buy my own makeup, but I also know that her love and her memories will be there in my heart forever.

Thursday 15 December 2011

2nd Day of Christmas

And on the Second day, the blog did sayeth unto me:

A favorite Christmas carol. Post an audio.

So this got me thinking. There are songs that I love to sing at the holidays (Rudolph for instance). There are Christmas songs that I love to sing in July (White Christmas) or during the first snowfall. There are songs that I laugh when I hear (Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer) but when I started to think of my absolute favourite Christmas carol - there was only one.

SILENT NIGHT

I don't even know all the words. That is how much I love this song. I've heard it a million times, but I always stop and listen and get lost in it. So it was fun for me to start hunting for the audio clip for this challenge. I had to listen to a few before I realized that I couldn't pick just one. So here you are:

Olivia Newton John

and Sinead O'Connor

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas Countdown - Day 1

A few weeks ago I posted the following about the 12 days of Christmas challenge that I had stumbled upon.

CHALLENGE #1 - A picture of your Christmas tree.
Challenge Accepted!
Meet Eloise. She is not too skinny, not too fat and she is British. Purchased for $19.99 from the local Rona near my house. We brought her home and she sat set up for 4 days before we decorated her. Isn't she pretty?

Sunday 27 November 2011

#26in2011 update

Today is November 27th and so far I have read 35 books this year. I have two where I have started but not finished, and might not because they are both tough reads and take time to digest before finishing.
I can't believe how well I did with the goal. When I first heard about this in the final days of 2010 I thought it was a neat challenge. I had no idea how well I'd do - if I'd read half or all. I had no idea that I'd surpass the goal and be now looking at reading 52 in 52 weeks.

When I mentioned to my husband how many I had read, and he suggested I continue on to 52 instead of just 26, I was intrigued. Could I do it? My schedule is really busy at times over the next month. But then I thought - hey, why not give it a shot.
I started looking over the books that I still have from the $1 book sale Millpond Record and Books had and although I'm not incredibly inspired by any of the books, I'm pretty sure that I can find something to get me going. Of course, my husband James of www.modsuperstar.ca fame thinks I should read this The History of Art instead. Wish me luck!

Tuesday 22 November 2011

12 Days of Christmas... Challenge?

I found this 12 days of Christmas challenge here and I think I want to do it.

Day 12. (Dec 14th) A picture of your Christmas tree.
Day 11. (Dec 15th) A favorite Christmas carol. Post an audio.
Day 10. (Dec 16th) An old Christmas photo of you.
Day 09. (Dec 17th) A favorite Christmas tradition.
Day 08. (Dec 18th) Your Christmas wishlist.
Day 07. (Dec 19th) Plans for the holiday. Just brief.
Day 06. Dec (20th) Describe Christmas in 5 words using adjectives, verb, etc.
Day 05. (Dec 21st) Give or receive? Explain.
Day 04. (Dec 22nd) A favorite Christmas movie.
Day 03. (Dec 23rd) Photograph your favorite Christmas decor in your tree.
Day 02. (Dec 24th) Draw a holiday greeting.
Day 01. (Dec 25th) A picture of you in holiday spirits.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Only pain

I can't see the rainbow today.
Only the darkness, the void.
I can not hear the laughter.
Only tears and sadness in my heart.
I cannot see the solutions.
Only the problems, the negative.
I feel so alone.
So very very alone.

The one I need to talk to cannot listen.
The one I need to understand is unable.

So I turn in on myself. My sadness. My pain.

I can't feel the happiness. Only pain. Only pain.

Sunday 7 August 2011

Movies and Me

It's amazing how much movies have been able to factor into my life and change it. Or at least make me realize something.

Oh sure they make you laugh, they make you cry, they make you angry or sad. But there is something about movies that just really means something to me.

I just finished watching One Week. It's a movie starring Joshua Jackson. An otherwise healthy individual who for some reason or another is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with a max of two years - and that's if the treatment works. In the first couple seconds after hearing the news, he thinks of three things and these will all come to fruition over the course of the movie. On the way home to reveal to his fiance the horrible news, he comes across someone selling a motorcycle. He takes it for a spin and of course, buys the bike. This is about where his life really begins.

Joshua Jackson is perfect for this role. And I'm not saying that just because a much younger me had this slight infatuation with him. I just think he's got this way of being that makes him seem real. He talks like a normal person. He looks like a normal person and he comes into this role as a normal person. He's not always smiling. He's also not the type of person that has to look perfect all the time with chiseled features and a six-pack abs. The role he plays is a person trying to determine the age old question "What would you do if you only had one day to live? one week? One month?"

As you know, my mother was recently diagnosed with Cancer. She too is stage four. She too was given two years. But she knew what she wanted. She wanted her family around her. She wanted to appreciate the little things, like sitting by her pool and sitting around a bonfire with her family just staring at the flames. She wanted to tell all of us that we love her and she really wanted to laugh. She set all of those wishes into motion because she doesn't know how long she has. She might get 5 years, she may get 5 months. This we do not know.

The thing that has hit me ever since I found out and had time to digest it, we get one life. One life to do what we want, when we want. We have the ability to make choices and to make sacrifices. We can reach for our dreams, or help others acheive theirs. It's all our life to live how we choose.

I've looked around at my friends, both in real life and online, and I've seen a lot of things that just don't seem that important. And I may have made some decisions that have impacted those friendships simply because I have chosen to live another way. I have been trying to tune out the negative, and perhaps that means tuning out the negative people. It may also mean that I've tuned out the overtly positive people because I'll be honest, I can't deal with fakeness right now. We need to live real. We need to be real.

Earlier this year, my uncle passed away from cancer. He fought for 7 years and if there is one thing I noticed over that time was that he "Lived Like he was Dying". I know it's a country song, but I love it for all it represents. I think his passing hit me really hard as he was born the same year as my mother and at the same hospital. My mom was sick, but we didn't know it was cancer yet, and it just made me see that there are choices in our lives. We have the ability to affect our own destiny. If we want to do something, or acheive something, the only thing holding us back is ourselves.

This year, I want to experience life close to home. I want to deepen friendships I've had for years, and ones I've had for a few months but feel right. I want to do what feels right and if it doesn't, well I just don't want to be involved. I've heard people time and time again tell me how they wish they had a love in their lives. I don't think they realize that the first love they need to have in order to find love, is a love of themselves. A love of who they are and what they want and what they want to acheive.

Another movie I watched this weekend helped me see that, and of course the latest book I read did as well. In the movie "Love that Boy" a bit of a control freak with a list of all she wants to acheive by college graduation finds herself without friends and with a dwindling list. She has to look within herself and open herself up to new experiences and new people. Only then does she start to understand what college should be about and only then does she find love - ultimately that her love is within herself (and not really with the 14 year old boy across the street that she kisses.)

The book I just finished is more well known for the movie of the same name with Julia Roberts, "Eat Pray Love." The book and the movie are VERY different, as you'd expect. Both left me with a different understanding and I'll be honest, the Eat part in Italy just didn't do it for me in the book. I was hoping for more description, but what I came to realize is that the book was a spiritual journey. One that I've been on a bit myself. Essentially, the book takes you through a journey that the only way to hapiness and true love is discovering what you really love and what you really want to do.

I had my moment with this, and I gladly shared this with my husband. From the age of 16 to 22 I was in one long term relationship after another. That's 6 years of giving of myself and giving into their wants and desires and having no idea what I really wanted. I took off to Alberta for awhile and found myself laughing and flirting again, but nothing stood out more as my moment as the first time I had to go and rent a movie from the video store. Now kids, before you ask what a video store is, let me tell you about a life before netflix and pirated movies. Back in the golden days of my 20's we had a thing called a video store where you went and picked up a couple movies, the clerk swiped your card and then you paid them. You kept the movies for a couple days, watched them generally with popcorn and then you brought them back. It usually was a good thing for couples to do on weekends - especially if one wasn't feeling well, or they were stuck in a rut. Anyhow, I found myself alone in a video store and I had a chance to pick out whatever I wanted. I had never felt this experience ever. The ability to choose what I wanted to see for a few hours without the aid of someone telling me that the movie looked like garbage. I stared down at the shelves and at the covers. I would read the back and ponder over each and every movie. I kept looking around for that moment where someone would tell me to put down the movies I had, that they weren't worthy. But no one did. I cannot describe the intense satisfaction it gave me to pick 3 movies, all of my own devices, all indy flicks and not the top blockbuster. I wasn't on any waiting lists, I could just walk out and enjoy whatever I wanted. It was a satisfaction that one doesn't always have in their life. And it was a moment that for me helped me determine that even if someone told me the movie looked stupid, I would never let them tell me I couldn't watch it. I could just watch it on my own. My husband knows this, as we have had the movie store conversation where he's told me my choices blow and that he wants to see something else. But I always get one for me that I watch the next day. It's okay. There is nothing wrong with me.

And so it's through movies, and through my delight of reading anything I want, and through my knowledge that I can do whatever I want, that I know I'm living my life to it's fullest. I know it's not really an epic journey, but it's a journey nonetheless. It's my journey. And I'm going to take it wherever I want. Because I am me. I am still living. And so are you. So go on. Live your life. Love yourself and don't let anyone tell you different.

Sunday 3 July 2011

Highland Barbarian, Maiden of Inverness and The Shadowy Horses - Book Reviews

Ladies and gentleman, I have been a bit of a reading machine. All this in spite of taking vacation and seeing old friends. My year long goal is soon to be realized and I feel fantastic. In case you weren't aware of what #26in2011 stands for, you can read my blog here. And if you want, you can follow the hashtag on twitter by going here. Using the search this morning reveals that most people appear to have been giving up. Boo to them!!! Booo!!!!!

Before getting into the nitty gritty, I have to give a huge shout out again to Millpond Records and Books for being able to help pinpoint exactly what I was looking for the last time I walked through their door. What I anticipated being a long journey of searching through the racks only took about 5 minutes with the help of Wendy tracking down just the right things. She's awesome in so many ways, even taught me how to knit last year. I cannot recommend going into this store to enough people. It's awesome on such a higher level. And now on with the show!

Highland Barbarian - Hannah Howell
I'm sure you can tell by the title, and the scantily clad gentleman on the cover of the book that this is a smutty romance book. And to be honest, what more could a woman (or man for that matter) want to read on a hot summer day? The book is all kinds of sexy and is my 20th book for #26in2011.

The scene is split between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland and includes plenty of intrigue, a touch of violence, and of course all the heaving bosoms you could ever want. Even though I had a bit of a tough time with the name of the lead character (Sir Artan Murray - I mean who names their kid Artan and thinks he's going to be awesome?), I did get a bit of a buzz from reading the book.

I'll be perfectly honest, I like reading sexy stories every now and again. So it did meet that piece of criteria for a good book. There was a hint of religion of course in that there were priests in the story. Of course no good book about the highlands comes complete without at least one murder. The only thing that was really missing was Christmas. Per my husband, this book is therefore not one that I will ever cherish because it doesn't meet all my literary needs - those being Religious, Murder, Sexy Time, Christmas. (Gotta love having a husband with a wild imagination eh?)

Maiden of Inverness - Arnette Lamb
As you can tell, this is another sexy story based in Scotland. It's true that I've always had an affinity for where my ancestors have came from. I've always heard the name of the village they came from back in 1776, and dreamed of figuring out what clan we belonged to and what colours our tartan would be. I'd go on about this a bit more, but being as this is a book review and not my family history, I'll carry on about the book.

The writing on this one was a little different than most smutty historical romances. The story starts in childhood for the two lead characters. Both came from very different worlds and were thrust together by fate. Well fate and a really insane story involving the King of England and a priest. Showing that right off the bat you have religion. Check one.

The violence of the novel is hinted at early on, as always with a novel written about unsettling times. So let's check off murder.

I would say the only place where it didn't meet my expectations was the sexy time. Oh sure it was there, but it didn't get my blood racing as much as Hannah Howell's book did. This book tried to focus more on the adventure and getting the historical facts accurate (well as accurate as they could be) than being a specific romance novel. Christmas was also missing from the book, although if I remember correctly they did mention the word once.

All in all, I will happily sell this one back to the book store for someone else to read next. It isn't one I need to keep on my book shelves.

The Shadowy Horses - Susanna Kearsley
By the cover, I thought this might be a bit of a romance novel. Instead what I found was that this was more a story where the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. Of the three books in this review, this was by far the best one and it is number 22 in my quest to reach #26in2011.

Set yet again in Scotland, this book is written in modern times. Centered around an archeological dig taking place in Eyemouth, the story weaves in and out of truth and mystery. The characters for the most part are believable and I found that I could see their faces, watch them walking and living through the creepiness that comes when you are surrounded by a spirit that just won't let go.

The murder was always hinted at, but was never really revealed. I'd still check it off the list as if there is going to be a ghost, there is going to be a death right? Oh wait, just remembering now, there was another murder in the book but it didn't really have a huge bearing on the overall story. So yes, definitely check off murder.

Religion wasn't really in the book and in fact, I don't think it was really there at all even though they did mention once about going to church. Still doesn't count enough.

The sexy time had a really nice build to it and as with all good romance novels it had enough tension between the lead character and her leading man so that you could feel it building. I spent a lot of the book just hoping for a little bit more. Saying they kissed and then "she forgot everything for awhile" just doesn't satisfy the heaving bosoms my husband insists I must have in every story. I still count it as sexy time even though it wasn't described in graphic detail.

All in all, this one was a good book. I might want to read it again, as I do like a bit of mystery sometimes and have always liked the idea of ghosts. (Even believe I've seen them on a few occasions.) I would recommend reading this one.

Saturday 18 June 2011

The Pact, The Castaways and The Devil's Queen

I have been a bad blogger as of late for keeping up with my book reviews and blogs. For some reason I've been more interested in engrossing myself in the pages of fiction than writing. And thus - I've read three more books. I'm well on my way to reaching #26in2011 as after these three, I'm so close to 20 I can taste it. Per my husband, I could probably polish off the final 7 books in a day if I wanted - and he's probably right - but I'm not going to do that. I want to savor them. I want to get lost in the pages and ponder what was in them. I want to be part of the story and invest myself in the actions of the characters. I want to feel something, and with the latest three books I know that it's possible.

The Pact: a love story by Jodi Picoult

I've read some of her work before, and what I find the most interesting is how much she writes about subjects that might make you uncomfortable. She will write about a topic with such force that you can't help but look within yourself and think about what she's writing. You can't help knowing what is going on. You want to look away but you can't because you need to find out what happened. That is how I felt about this book.

In The Pact we are transported to small town anywhere, because the location doesn't really mean anything to the ultimate story. It could be about any two kids who have grown up together and loved each other. Heck, it could've been about me. Perhaps that is what makes it uncomfortable. It makes you look inside yourself.

Back to the story, the plot revolves around two young lovers who make a suicide pact and those around them who are trying to understand what and why this has happened when one of the two lives, and the other doesn't. It makes you look at how well people really know each other, especially their own children. The story is heavy. It will take you places you may not have wanted to go but find yourself completely there - you are in that small town, in those houses. You are walking the streets and going to the same stores. You are walking through the high school and you are trying to figure out the "why" all through the story.

It's a shocking read but a touching one. I really recommend it, some tissues and peace and quiet. I also recommend having two books on the ready to help clear your mind of all the heavy stuff when you are done. (But maybe that's just me.) Either way, I really do recommend reading this book. If you want to know more from the author's website - go here.

Per my husband's scale of books I would like: This book essentially has murder, sexy time and in a way, Christmas. It does not have religion so therefore he would not agree that this would be a good book for me. I tend to disagree.

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

If we start with my husband's scale, this book had it all, even though it was light on religion and Christmas. This was fine with me since in reality I never even read the cover and wanted the book solely for the cover. Seriously - look at that gorgeous scene. Could they have picked a more inviting cover for a beach read?

This book was a little bit lighter than the last book, but was still a little heavy in the way the story unfolded. Very quickly into the book two of the key characters die in a boat during high winds. Could be an accident, but so many points lead to something else. The rest of the book unravels everything else that was going around during the time of their death and the months leading up to it.

I started reading this book by my parents pool on a very hot June day when the temperatures felt more like August than a spring day. It was the perfect scene to get lost into something that my mother said was an easy read. The writing flowed really well and before you knew it you were a few more pages into the story and invested with the characters. I liked the way the plot jumped throughout the people in the story. It was always revealing a little more. I felt almost like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.

I really do recommend this book as it does truly have it all. Great summer read.

The Devil's Queen: A Novel of Catherine de Medici - By Jeanne Kalogridis

By all accounts, I should've been the most uncomfortable with this story. A women who undergoes hardships and rises to be a queen by touching on the occult and surrounding herself with murder and evil things. But there is something about this story being set well before my time that didn't make it so. Maybe I'm a fan of the macabre and curious about the occult.

So let's look at my husband's scale - Religious - check, Murder - double check, Christmas - it was mentioned, Sexy Time - check. And so that makes it so. The book was good and I enjoyed it. I know it isn't to everyone's taste in not everyone likes to read stories based in the 1500's. I, on the other hand, like to escape a little. I like to think of walking down castle halls, through hidden passages. I like to image the fine fabrics and the clothing when you touch it. I like to feel like I am transported to another time and place.

This review should be about the book and not me so I'll carry on.

The fact that this book was based on a real life person and historical events wasn't lost on me. The writing flowed fairly well, even if the story seemed a little disjointed. I think the writer was trying to fit in the historical aspects into her story and may have jumped forward faster than should have happened. However, I'm not sure how I could've done better given the circumstances.

The way the story was written, I felt like I was standing quietly beside Queen Catherine. I was with her in a deplorable cell in Spain. I was with her in the pope's chambers. I was there at her wedding, and in the room for her wedding night. An innocent bystander you could say to the story of a woman who did everything she did for her family and for their survival.

The book is alright. Not really sure I'd read it again, when I would definitely read the other two books I read in the past couple weeks. It was a good book to finally clean my palate with regards to The Pact. The Pact is a book that had so much resonance with me that it will be a long time before it's out of my system.

So with these three I have completed 19 of my #26in2011. I'm on a roll folks!

Saturday 4 June 2011

Two more for #26in2011

Two more books have been read since my last post for #26in2011. Very different, but both considered a bit more on the chick lit side. One book was light and airy and may never stay with me in the future. The other had me thinking and guessing the entire time. One had an actual ending and the other was pretty weak. One had lots of mystery and adventure, the other had mysterious people but not a huge amount of adventure.

My 15th book I found at a garage sale at my parents church last weekend. All in all it took me approximately 3 hours to read. Written by Jude Devereau, I found "Carolina Isle" as a fairly easy read but with lots of action. The cover of the book really didn't relate to the story a tremendous amount. It was a typical action adventure/romance. It was written to have a twist, a switch in identities, but it failed miserably. I'll be perfectly honest, the book left a lot to be desired. The characters didn't have much depth. The person who wrote the data for the cover must've only read the first chapter as what they talked about got blown apart quickly.

The whole story was to make you fall in love with being in the Carolina's, but nothing really made you even want to go there. The story would allude to something, and then never went back to explain it. Sure it came to a clean ending, but I never really felt invested in the story.

If you are looking for an easy beach read that occasionally will make you bang your head off the back of your lawn chair, this is the book for you. If you are looking for something that will force you to really think, I'd suggest going elsewhere.

My 16th book for #26in2011 was also found at the church garage sale. The cover really caught my attention. Background in light blue, a woman in a red flowing skirt appears to be dancing, and the title "Trespass" by Valerie Martin. It is a winner of the Orange Prize. To this day I have no idea what the Orange Prize is, but I knew there was something about this book. Yes it's true, i always judge a book by it's cover. There has to be something about it that intrigues me. Lucky for me I have a varied taste. With this book, I don't even think I read the back. I just had to have it.

The story is written by an American, but definitely has some twists and turns that are unexpected. To be honest, I thought the book was written by a man, and it wasn't until I read the title again to put it in this blog post did I notice that it was actually a woman. There was something about the way the characters are written. The point of view doesn't come across as womanly. Although with that said, the characters all come out pretty clearly throughout the story, with the exclusion of some slightly mysterious characters.

What I liked about the book most was the characterization. I also kind of like that it isn't your typical book in that it doesn't have a happy ending. Not really anyhow. Of course it's all a matter of opinion right? There were so many times in the book where I thought "Oh so they are going to do ___" but then it doesn't happen. I found that I had to keep reading. I needed to see how it ends. The novel focuses so much on the character development, that it glosses over the setting. I was fine with that in this book because the story was so interwoven and I got so involved with the characters.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I tend to be a bit on the optimistic side, and that I tend to try and see all the sides of a story. This book really played to my personality in that it wasn't written from just one point of view. It's from the son, the mother, the father, the girlfriend/wife, the father-in-law, the mother-in-law. You want everything to work out for them. You want them all to find resolution and peace. But that wasn't how the book was written. Questions are still left at the end.

Both books were very different. But I would definitely recommend Trespass before I'd recommend Carolina Isle. Sadly, I gave that book too my mother-in-law. She, like me, got a bit pulled into the cover. Too bad I didn't wait and let the book digest before giving it to her. It wasn't a horrible book, and I did read it in a very short time frame. Perhaps if I was at the beach, I would've liked it better. Who knows.

Next time, I'm going to hopefully get something awesome. For now, I'm still on my quest to finish #26in2011. Only 10 more to go!

Thursday 26 May 2011

The Fabric of Sin - Book Review

With my 14th book in my #26in2011 I was whisked away to the very edge of Wales in a little village called Garway. Garway, a place steeped in Templar history, was the setting of a modern day slightly religious mystery. The Fabric of Sin was written by Phil Rickman.

My husband always says that for me to truly enjoy a book it must be full of "sexy religious, Christmas murder." He gets rather disappointed when a book I'm reading doesn't have all four. Unfortunately, this book was completely missing the Christmas end of things but it really makes up for other things in spades.

For much of the book, the hair on the back of my neck was standing on end. Being a) from Canada and not England or Wales and b) from the city where our fireplace growing up had a lightbulb and a plug, I really needed to do some extra research to fully understand the book. I'm not afraid to admit that I had no idea what an inglenook was. Now I know and I'll forever be afraid to look in one, but that's okay.

The book, I believe, is part of a series. Didn't even look at the cover when it said "A Merrily Watkins Mystery." I was drawn in by the creepy tombstone and the foggy church yard. Oh yes. I'm one of those readers that gets instantly pulled in by a great cover and an awesome description of what's inside.

The writing left a lot to your imagination but you kept reading because you needed to know what happened. It's almost like watching a moving on TV and they'd cut to a commercial just as things are getting really creepy. It was the middle of the action. But I couldn't turn away. I just wanted to keep reading. I needed to know how it ended. Better yet, I wanted to go there. Walk in the history. I wanted to know more about the Templar's traditions and everything about Templar architecture. It's certainly sparked an interest in reading more. Not just about the area, but more about the author. And more about Merrily and her story.

It's not very often that you meet a writer that writes with the protagonist against their own gender. Not to ruin a good thing, I started the story not knowing that it was written by a man about a woman. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the cover and discovered it was a man. This story had so many strong female characters that I really felt a balance between the genders. Kudos to the Phil Rickman for not only knowing enough about the Church of England, The Knights Templar, women, men and even a smart and sassy teenage girl.

I found the book at my favourite used book store. Millpond Records and Books in the downtown Hespeler area of Cambridge, Ontario. Check them out. They have many, many more awesome titles for you to find your own little gems like this book. I'm not giving you anymore but I still think you should check it out.

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Three more book reviews

As I mentioned, I've been on a reading kick. This is beneficial for me completing my challenge of #26in2011. With the latest three books, I'm up to book 13. Pretty awesome considering this Friday is Friday the 13th. It's also my best friend Kristina's birthday so all in all, 13 is a lucky number.

The first of the three books is one of those fun mindless reads. It was just what I needed after the heavy blow I was given last week. I needed something that I could just read and enjoy and not really think. It was a good book. Part of a series so it didn't have to go too in depth into the secondary characters. The book is titled "deeply, desperately" by Heather Webber. It's sexy, it's fun. It's easy. It's a Lucy Valentine novel. :) Honestly, I would recommend it if you don't want anything too heavy.

The second book was beautiful in the words and the setting. "Gardens of Delight" by Erica James. Starting in the gardens of England and moving to the beautiful gardens in Italy, it was a good read. Not so deep, but still a little deeper than the first book in this review. I enjoyed it. My heart was involved with the characters and I found myself really torn about the way things were handled. Beautiful setting, but drew on some difficult topics. I found that my opinions on certain things going on around me were muddled in with the book. I won't go into detail, but know that this a fairly good read. Lucky for you, it will be back at the library soon as I need to return it. ;)

The third book was chosen as completely out of my normal reading type. "The Third Circle" by Amanda Quick. Based in Victorian England, the book bases around fantastical antiquities and people with special abilities and powers. From reading auras, to hypnosis and reading crystals, the characters in this book are passionately twisted. the language was a little off of my every day vocabulary, and it isn't really a time I've read too much about. But it was a good book. There was just enough sex and just enough intrigue. Evil characters when only the good can prevail. Heart racing, you will find that you want to see how everything ends. Lucky for you, even when it ends you will be happy to know that it's part of the Arcane Society Novel's. There are many more in the series.

And with that, I'm not sure where my books will go. Only 13 books left to go and just over 6 months to do it. Do you think I can be successful in my quest to read 26 books in 52 weeks?

Sunday 8 May 2011

Coming soon...

I have been on a reading kick lately and by the end of the day I hope to have 3 books to review for my lovely readers. Just wanted to let you know.

I've also been working on something really quite heavy that I feel the need to get off my chest. Hopefully that will come in a few days.

I've taken a mini hiatus from the online world this week as I come to terms with some heavy things happening in my personal life. I'm slowly starting to come around so don't count me out just yet.

Sunday 17 April 2011

Heartless - Book Review

I completely missed a book review for my #26in2011 so I've completed 10 books with 16 more to go in 2011. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read the original post I wrote about this here. In the meantime, lets get on with the show.

A week or so ago I decided to have luxurious bath and read. It's one of my favourite guilty pleasures and on this night I decided to crack into one of the books I picked up at the annual book sale from the Cambridge Public Library. I picked up a couple of paperbacks for 50 cents so even if I didn't like the books I figured it wasn't a big deal.

As you know from reading my other reviews, that my tastes are pretty varied but I tend to always stay on the fiction side of things. I'm hoping that this book was not based on true events because I ended up staying up half the night until the book was finished. I was sitting on the edge of my seat reading it the entire time. I was completely lost in the story and needed to have it resolved or else I wasn't going to sleep.

The book is Heartless by Alison Gaylin. I've never heard of this author before and have never read her books but I was really trapped in the story.

It's a suspense kind of horror book based in Northern Mexico. I had the pleasure of going to Mexico 10 years ago before I moved to Alberta and was able to get a grasp on the culture of the people in the book and the look and feel for the surroundings. I think I may have already put my own take on the landscape before even reading so perhaps that was why I was so easily drawn into the story. Based around a somewhat sleepy town with some gruesome history, there is no way to really know what's going to happen and why until you read further and peel away another layer of the story.

It's twisted, slightly dark, mildly religious and cult like. Yet it's also delicious and interesting.

It's a really good book and I won't give away too much of the details but if you want a book you HAVE to read in one sitting due to the creepy content, this one is a good choice.

The Secret - Book Review

If there ever was a book that highlighted how amazing a kiss can be in, it would be my 9th book in my #28in2011 - "The Secret" by Julie Garwood.

As I mentioned in my first post about #26in2011, Julie Garwood is one of my favourite authors of all time. Therefore it shouldn't come as a complete shock to anyone that on a snowy day in April (yes snow... in April!) I would want to reach for a book that I know I'm going to enjoy. The Secret has never disappointed.

It's a historical romance set in the Scottish Highlands during the early 1200's. So of course you have dashing lairds and family feuds. The Secret focuses on two of Julie Garwood's favourite clans - the Maitlands and the MacLean's.

What is really great about this story is that it really builds. The tension and the passion build as the story you get further involved in the story. Julie Garwood does a wonderful job of describing those in the story so that you really feel that you are there with them and experiencing everything written on the page. The story his a hot one but really makes me appreciate what I already have.

The only issue that I have is that when the secret was revealed, the story ended a little too easily. The dramatic confrontation you felt it was building into was short and didn't really crest as I was expecting. Even still I felt satisfied and fulfilled with the way the story ended.

I devoured this book, as I do with many that I read, in a few short hours and in one sitting. It was an easy read and if anything, all I wanted to do was kiss my husband at the end. Lucky for me he was obliging. So if you are looking for a book that might get your heart palpitating, I really do recommend this one but don't be surprised if you are thirsting after a nice long kiss to leave you senseless when you are done.

Saturday 16 April 2011

Sisterly love

My sister went into the hospital this week. She's been having a rough go and I think everything caught up to her.

She blacked out last weekend and wasn't waking up. My niece was the only one with her when it happened and rather than call me, she called her cousin out of town to come in and take my sister to the hospital.

In so many ways I feel like I'm to blame for the rift in our relationship. If I just tried harder. If I just spoke up more, or tried to spend more time with them they would think of me as someone they could count on. It's not that I wouldn't come if there was a true emergency, it's that they never think of me.

I'm not as helpful nor am I as involved in their day to day lives. My life is busy, but at the same time it's not. I try and include my family in my life, but get a lot of excuses and a lot of "Some other time". I try not to get upset that they are missing out on my life, but I feel bad that I'm missing out on theirs.

Before I met my husband I was intrinsically attached to everyone in my family. I spent all my time with them. I didn't really have friends of my own that I hung out with on a regular basis but when I met my husband, I suddenly found myself being drawn into hanging out with people my own age who had similar interests to me. I found they really wanted me to spend time with them and enjoyed talking to me about me and what I was interested in. I think my friends find it hard to believe that I'm the quiet one in my family in that I can be quite loud and boisterous.

I miss my family though. I miss just being able to spend time with them doing nothing. Sitting around and watching tv or comparing notes while we people watch at the mall. I didn't really have to pick up the phone or email them in that I could just come to their house, walk in and make myself at home. Now it's more we only visit during birthdays and holidays.

My sister and I used to be really close, spent every weekend together. Over time we both got busy doing other things and before I knew it, I didn't have a clue what she was into or even what music she likes. We used to laugh together and just generally be together. We'd shop, we played baseball together. Here we are a few years later and I'm not even on the quick call list in her house and I can count the number of times she's been to my house on one hand.

I wish that things were different, but I have no idea how to go back. Or how to change things so that we are closer again. All I know is that she is my family, my blood, and I will always love her and her pain will always be my pain. Even if I'm not the first one she calls.

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Hope in a Jar - Book review

I finished another book last week when I was sick and came home from work Linkearly. Yes, I was sick. Boo hiss. No worries though. I'm feeling better and no one caught the flu from my blog before.
Link
Anyhow - the latest little gem was one that I picked up second hand from my favourite book store - Millpond Records and Books. If you haven't had a chance to check out the store - I highly recommend it. It's located in the village of Hespeler which is part of the bigger city of Cambridge. They are on twitter and facebook. I'm happy to say a) I knew them before they were famous in the local book store circles and b) that I can count them as really good friends even if I don't buy books or records.

I seriously could gush on and on about Greg and Wendy and their awesome shoppe, but I'm here for my latest book review - so let's hop to it.

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

This novel is more geared to those that like a bit more of a feminine touch. The book is written in first person and uses the concept of a high school reunion to reunite friends who have spent 20 years apart. What I really liked about the writing style, is that you really felt for the characters. The author did a wonderful job of holding just enough back so that you were guessing the whole time.

No matter who you are, there will have been times when you were in high school that you didn't really feel like you fit in. The two protagonists in this novel are very relatable in this aspect. More and more as I read, it made me really appreciate the friends I've had, and especially those that I call friends now. All in all this book was really about friendships - and how important they are no matter where you are in your life and career. If anything, it helped me look at my own life and let me see that even if it isn't exactly the same as my childhood dream, I can be happy about what and who I have in it now. It also gave me hope for some of the friendships I've had that have slipped away a bit.

No book is perfect, and there are aspects of the book that I found a little too predictable. But the writing is clean, the story is easy to get through and it was fun to read. It also made me really want a makeover, but that's nothing new.

I've already recommended this to a few friends - and even passed it off to a friend who's been having a bit of a rough patch lately. I think the book will help her see that things just might work out for the best. I would really recommend this book for any woman who has friends. Hopefully that means everyone because friends are a fabulous thing to have.

So this is #8 for my #26in2011

Saturday 12 March 2011

#26in2011

I've been pretty active with my plan to read books this year. It became a conscious choice when everyone on twitter started talking about #26in2011. From my understanding there is no rules except to finish 26 books in 2011. As every year has 52 weeks, this means reading a book every two weeks. Here we are at the middle of March and I'm already done 7 books and have one on the go. Long way to go to hit 26!

#1 - I started out 2011 with a book that I had already read but love. Ransom by Julie Garwood. Julie Garwood is one of my favourite authors for how she weaves a story. In Ransom, we are transported to the medieval ages. It's a romantic yet dramatic story about a woman who has to endure heartache and pain as the story moves from England to the Scottish highlands. I won't give away the ending, but the story does have a wonderful beginning, middle and end. I'll read it again and again I'm sure.

#2 - The White Queen by Philipa Gregory. The author of The Other Boleyn Girl has become hot hot hot since the book was made into a movie. And although I did like that b
ook, I was actually more intrigued by the stories that were woven into Philipa Gregory stories. The first of her novels I read was the Constant Princess. That lit a fire under me that had me thirsting to find out more and more about the Tudor dynasty. My husband realized this last year when I started talking about it frequently, watching the tudors and just generally having a one-track mind. the library didn't have any copies of any books by Philipa Gregory as they were in constant demand (I can completely understand). So this Christmas when my hubby was wandering around a store, he just looked over and found this little gem. the story is based on the War of the Roses, a famous time in English history when the country is split into two different factions to determine who should be the king of England. What I love about the stories of Philipa Gregory is that they are always based on truth. Yes she puts thoughts into the minds of those that there is absolutely no way of knowing what they really felt, but she's researched so much about the
period and the people that she's writing about that you feel you are right there with her. She truly is a gem of a writer. As a writer myself I truly can admit that I really admire how she uses her craft. This is a fantastic book. Read it. I know it will make you clamor for more.

#3 - The Book of Lies played on another of my favourite reading passions - religious mystery. This is an action packed adventure based in current day but with a little bit of history mixed in. The story goes on the search for the tool that Cain used to kill Abel. Again, based a little on fact, but a lot on speculation, I found that I couldn't put this down. It was action packed. Good read if you feel like getting caught up i
n the story.

#4 - Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher was actually my 3rd book, but I had to put it down and read The Book of Lies. I found the story was really hard to get into. It was really heavy and reading it in the winter made it difficult. So I took a break, got lost in an action adventure book - and then picked this back up again later. Lucky for me, I was in the right mind. The protagonist in this book is not your typical 30-something going on an adventure, it's about a 60-something woman trying to get her life back together after going through heartbreak and loss. Her positive outlook and her will to keep on going was wonderful. If anything, it helped me get through this winter in a good way. I'm glad I finished what I started.
#5 - Julie Garwood again with Shadow Music. Based again in the Highlands during medieval times. It was an easy read, but so good. Every time I read a Julie Garwood novel I want to be the heroine in the story, being caught up in passion. ah. good story.

#6 - Found Wanting by Robert Goddard took me back to action adventure and puzzles. Every adventure book has to have a treasure, and this one is no exception - Anastasia from Russia, Nazi Germany and some crazy business with Russia and Norway. It's another book that was difficult to put down -even brought it to work to read during my lunch hour. I had to know how it ends. The title was very fitting as even at the end of the book you felt like there were still questions. With that said, it's a good book. Great way to get lost for awhile.

#7 - Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor. From what I read, she's a new author but she's a writer of my generation and her story was based in my times. Honestly - I w
as a few bad choices away from
being a member of the Bitch Posse in real life. I really felt that I related to the characters - all of them. The story used a technique that I enjoy, flipping back and forth through time to help the story move along but at the same time explaining the depth and reasoning behind current day decisions. It was a great book. Maybe men won't get it, but any girl from my generation should get it and if she doesn't - she doesn't deserve to read it. :)

Honestly, the books this year have been good. I think all of them are worth reading. Can't wait to read the other 19. Yikes! 19 more to go. I better get reading!

Saturday 29 January 2011

200 posts!!!

According to my dashboard I have posted 200 posts! Amazing that I've had so much to say. I know by Twitter that I have crap more that has come spewing out of my mouth.

With that said, I'd like to thank blogger for creating a platform that allows me to spew my thoughts whenever I feel like it.

I'd also like to thank my sister for organizing breakfast this morning for my brother-in-laws birthday. I really like breakfast. When I logged on, I was intending on talking about breakfast in Cambridge. Perhaps I'll save that for another day and just leave you with a word of wisdom that I learned a long time ago:

Don't run with scissors.

Stay safe out there.

Monday 17 January 2011

Love and the Bachelor

Watching the Bachelor. I know. Quel suprise. I'm addicted to the stupid lovely doveyness. I want these gorgeous people to fall in love. Scratch that, I want everyone to feel love. I want everyone to get the chance to feel what I feel with my husband.

I know, I know. Sappy love junk. What the heck is wrong with me?

Well I'll tell ya - I'm in love. With my husband. Crazy isn't it?

Anyhow - enough mushy gushy stuff about my husband. Let's talk about the Bachelor.

Sadly, I never watched Brad's season of the show. I didn't know all of his dirty secrets but I did know that he was the guy everyone couldn't believe didn't pick a girl. Now here he's back and has a chance to find love again. It's not very often that people get to do that. I know personally it's not the way I would choose to find love.

I think love takes a lot of time to develop into something lasting, but I do believe that it can start in an instant. I've seen people have incredible passion instantly, but that generally doesn't last very long. I've seen others have a slow building friendship that turned into love when they realized they couldn't live without each other.

My husband and I - we weren't friends first. Well not for very long at least. We met online - we opened ourselves up to each other. It was exciting on so many levels and it allowed us to build into something awesome. I still find it amazing to still be in love with him after so many years. I wonder if this is what will happen for Brad on the Bachelor? I really hope so.

There are so many amazing women on this show and I really think Brad is a good guy. I do think he's feeling quite a bit for several of the girls. I hope that he can narrow it down. God - I can't even fathom having to choose!

Anyhow - the show's getting juicy so I'm going to get watching.
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