Work in Progress

It's been suggested, by some close to me, that I give up trying to blog and get a hobby makes money. However, I don't think I really blog that much anyways or about anything too interesting due to my awful computer, and that whole issue of not wanting to embarrass or call out those close to me by writing about them on the Internet, ha. I think the only way I could truly write a really consistently good blog would be if I wrote about more real things in my life and those around me. BUT even if I was comfortable with that I would bet money most people in my life would not be. Maybe I'll start an anonymous blog. Hmmmm. Also, what hobbies can I start that would make money? I'm sure if I devoted the time and know how to it I could make money off of blogging but I'm a self-aware woman and don't think that's going to happen. I seriously considered selling Mary Kay on the side but hubby is so not on board with that idea. He has this crazy idea that I get stressed ...

[Never Claimed To Be A Photographer] Multiple people have recommended that I read the New York Times Best Seller "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. However, I have to admit I've begun with some trepidation and am not very far into Mortenson's inspirational tale. While the gist of the story sounds interesting, the writing is not to my taste and I find myself criticizing the abundance and frequency of commas and elaborately compound sentences. I would still like to get through it as I've heard it is an amazing true story but it may just have to be a slow side read. Intro my most recent recommendation, "Girls of Riyadh" (or Banat al-Riyadh) by Rajaa al Sanea . This one was introduced to me just this week as a co-worker not only recommended the novel but lent me her copy. Compared to a Saudi version of my beloved "Sex and the City", how could I resist?? Taking place in Saudi Arabia, and originally ban by the Saudi g...

Ok so I know I've been writing a lot about TV and I do love TV. I'm a TV junky, fine. There. I do however still love to read and do other things, am still social and active. Ask around. Just wanted to put that out there for my millions of readers who were I'm sure really truly concerned. I've been reading "Persuasion" by Ms. Jane Austen, at albeit slow pace. I received a beautiful leather bound binding of Seven Novels by Jane Austen (found at Barnes and Noble ) as an extremely thoughtful gift from a friend. Although we've seen many of the movies adapted from Austen's works we realized we hadn't actually read many, if any, of the full novels.  "Persuasion" started off a bit slow for me, perhaps reacquainting myself with the language and writing styles of her time, aka old school literature. I'm not finished yet but am definitely much more invested with the Elliot family and our protagonist Miss Anne Elliot - naturally the only likabl...

Finally! Do you know how long it took me to get a new post to open?? I mean seriously, I could've written the entire thing in my head and forgotten it by now, twice. My laptop is four years old and we're trying to keep her alive. Why? I don't know. She overheats and is SUCH a moody little bitch. She gets the most ridiculous hot flashes that ones fears she'll cumbust into flames at any moment. Next thing you know your legs are on fire and the awesome leather sectional is burning. Yes, burning, real fire people, and you're thinking 'will my husband save my legs or the couch?' Talk about skin damage, geez louise. Ok, sorry I'm going to stop. Stopping. We don't want to tempt fate. However, I sincerely do feel as though it could happen at any second - except for the part about choosing between me or the couch. Obviously he'd better choose me but first he'd have to believe me and/or see flames. Fair enough; it's pretty far fetched that this wou...

Before we get to the really exciting stuff, I want to recommend "Happiness Sold Separately" by Lolly Winston. Great book that explores real and raw emotions as the characters wander through infertility, marriage, temptation, etc. Very good but respectful transition.... I most recently finished reading "The Carrie Diaries" by Candace Bushnell and ohmygosh I absolutely loved it! I figured that any "Sex and the City" fan would be predisposed to like a prequel set in Carrie's high school years but let me tell you, this would definitely stand alone very well. SATC fans and wannabe writers will love and appreciate everything about it from Carrie's first love and musings on men, relationships and friendship to her emergence as a writer - complete with lots of sarcasm and drama. You're also made privy to the details on Carrie's family who play a large role in the book. And the ending...oh it's great, one of the best. Well done Ms. Bushnell! S...

I know it's been awhile but I've been busy. First and foremost I have a huge recommendation for Kathryn Stockett 's "The Help" . It's no wonder why book clubs across America are raving about it. "The Help" is one of those precious gems that entertains while educating and enlightening. Stockett switches the narration between three very different but strong female characters. They are of different age, class, and circumstance. The women are also different races, which was the largest barrier between them at the time. However, this is a story of growth and change. They learn to open their eyes and see one another as fellow women and more importantly, individuals. Through her eloquent story telling, Stockett weaves so much into one story while never coming off preachy but letting the women's experiences and interactions speak for themselves. "The Help" is definitely a must read. I cannot say enough good things or recommend reading more s...

I was incredibly excited to hear about a new release from a favorite author of mine: Emily Giffin . I texted, BBMed, Tweeted and Facebooked about the fact that Ms. Giffin had a new book out, "Heart of the Matter" , that we all needed to promptly acquire and discuss. What do you know? Three of my friends actually ran out and bought a hard cover copy! This of course meant that I didn't have to put myself on yet another long wait list at The Columbus Metropolitan Library but could borrow it. Clutch. However, about half way through I seriously wanted to throw the book across the wall, frustrated at what readers knew was happening. Despite the fact that it was wrong, what was happening (no spoilers!) made some happy while destroyed others. Just depends on your perspective I guess as to whom you identify with and root for while reading. I must say, Giffin must have written it well for me to care enough for her characters to feel such strong emotion, and not all negative haha....

I was, and still am, a huge fan of the author's previous book "Eat, Pray, Love" (see note at end) and was beyond excited to hear she had another, follow-up, out on the shelves. I borrowed "Committed" from the library in an effort to save money, ha, and quickly realized I need to own a copy of my own as folding pages and making notes on scrap paper just wasn't cutting it. Alas, I wait. In the meantime, Elizabeth Gilbert has done it again, won my heart and admiration with her brilliant living and writing. A divorcee who never planned to marry again, Gilbert shares an open, frank and honest exploration of the institute of marriage in the wake of her impending nuptials (mandated by the US Department of Homeland Security.) Gilbert shows no fear, at least in dissecting marriage, as she dives in and thoroughly explores some unpleasant truths and statistics regarding the institute and its history. However, she concedes even statistics are not always valid due to ...

Do you hate the paparazzi for invading the lives of public people and celebrities? Or do you love them for the salacious gossip their stalking fuels in the media? In a society obsessed with celebrities, whom haven't all garnered their fame by talent or achievement, the paparazzi play an intrusively integral role in exposing both real and largely skewed versions of their realities. I recently read "Accidental It Girl" by Libby Street in which the lead, and extremely likable, female character is herself a paparazzi who feels the hate from celebrities and everyday peeps alike. Then, our lady photog gets the tables turned on her. It's a fun quick read that speaks to the times while not getting too serious. Read and enjoy!

Have you read any of Dan Brown's novels?? If you haven't, you should. Right away. There's been some controversy surrounding his work in the past but I think regardless of personal religious beliefs, or lack thereof, they are indisputably interesting and SO good! Years ago I read "The Da Vinci Code" and absolutely loved the it. The movie was pretty good for what it was, from what I can remember. However I've heard "Angels and Demons" was even better. Sadly I didn't get around to reading that one before seeing the movie, which I loved, and can see why others said that story served a better novel than the other. As always, I'm sure there was more to the storyline surrounding the Vatican  and how it unraveled than they were unable to pull together in the movie but it's hard to imagine. Without reading it the movie seemed pretty intricate and complete but I know from experience that there's likely details or meaning that I didn't p...

You don't have to be married to appreciate this post! However if you are in fact married then I know you will identify and will most certainly be guilty of at least a few of these lucky 13 reasons husbands and wives are like children (had to be fair and do wives too.) Husbands Are Like Children Because... They leave pop cans and cups all around the house. They leave dirty clothes on the floor. They have trouble putting away their clean laundry/don't do it. They pretend they don't know how to do something or can't do it well in order to get out of it. They play video games. They leave things turned on or open - clear path of where they've been. They don't say anything or genuinely don't think anything's wrong when you're upset with them. They forget that their plans affect others. They like to tickle and chase you around the house. They love to play outside. They see things more simply in black and white. They like you to pick out the...

I'm big fan of Nicholas Sparks books however turning them all into movies...not so sure. While the stories overall are still engaging, entertaining and all that, it's the old argument of book vs movie. Us readers all know that the majority of the time the movie isn't true to the book nor is it as good as the book no matter how great the effort (a strong testament to authors I believe.) While some efforts are better than others, a lot of movies created from books end up lacking details and what was originally a beautifully flushed out novel gets crammed into a two hour movie. The stories are often changed in minor or even major ways for reasons which I can only believe are to conform to what the movie studios think will make more money. There may be an exception where the changes are made to make it more 'workable' as a film for one reason or another. As a movie goer, while you may still see and appreciate the detail the author painted in painstaking detail but i...

So, I've been waiting and thinking and changing my mind about how and when to do book and movie reviews on here. At first I thought a whole blog dedicated to comparing movies to the books they originated from. Then I thought, no that's too much work and I may have to read or watch something I really don't want to just to feel like I'm covering it all. Eh, pass. Now I'm thinking one day a week or once a month. We shall see. Look for something next week however to kick things off as I think I just may have some free time opening up....