Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

What is Talent?

I'm thinking that talent is turning a pile of crayons on paper to this.

I think that talent can also mean turning a pile of vegetables into this.

Whatever it is, talent seem to suggest that it's going to turn one thing into another. It could make a picture out of a pile of ink, or turn random noises into music. What does talent mean to you?

Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

Fearless Fourteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel
by Janet Evanovich

Yeah! My local library just informed me that this newest Stephanie Plum is waiting for me. I like to listen to audio because there's just so many chores and it's hard to listen to books while sweeping the floors.

Janet Evanovich was in town, not ten miles away from me, signing Fearless Fourteen. I missed it because I didn't know she was in town, and I can't find a sitter for last minute gallivanting around town.

I was so bummed out, I couldn't bring myself to buy a copy. I waited just about forever for this book. I can't wait to listen to it and laugh my head off. Get real! This is Stephanie, she gets into trouble and I laugh my head off.

Lisey's Story by Stephen King

Okay, about broadening my horizons; I decided to read Stephen King. My husband likes his book, and I did enjoy Carrie, The Eyes of the Dragon and Fire Starter. I even watch the movies and enjoyed it. I started reading Lisey's Story. I don't know if it's the reader or the book, but I've never encountered a whinier book lately. Seriously. It sounds like it was written by the other Stephen King, the boring one. While it's true that it might be because I'm not used to 'non-romantic' tales, but this one just about put it to sleep while my blood boils.

They say it's easy to criticize a book than write it. Still, that didn't make me like the book at all. It could be the reader. I have all 16 discs in my iPod. I'm listening to it again just to see if it's me, but I have to wait another month because it's just really annoying right now.

Nora Roberts gave this book a dazzling review, so I will try again, but it's just so whiny. It just keeps stating and re-stating the same bloody widowhood all the way to disc 4...get on with the story already! I enjoy love story, but I didn't find one so far. It's not a bad book, I just didn't like how it just keeps going and going and going while I am waiting for the story to get going.

I Just Really Love Reading

I am aware that I have a narrow reading pleasure. I say that with pride because I get so much enjoyment reading romantic books, contemporary or historical. Lately, I've enjoyed reading about vampires and all other creatures that usually go bump in the night. It doesn't hurt that today's books have creative section on love-making. Really!

I'm amazed how one author can have varied sexual encounters and make it unique in each book. Take for example JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It's got a chunk of erotic section that's really worth reading. It's unique in each book. I find that fascinating. Let's face it, sex can get really boring, but this author makes it NOT.

It Had to Be You

This is a book written by Susan Elizabeth Phillips about a girl inheriting a football team but she doesn't know anything about football. I love this story. Phoebe and Dan is one of my favorite romance couple of all time. Right there with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

If you've never heard of this book, well, it's time you read it then. Buy it here. It's perfect for a summer read.

New Era of Romance


I used to read many romances like this. I enjoy it. I think that I'm evolving as a reader. I'm actually reading sci-fi now. I thought I would never deign to hold one, but I've read over 10 sci-fi this year! I guess I didn't know anything about preference as a young girl then. I still read romance; this time, I read sci fi too.

Review: Hot Ice by Nora Roberts

I just love an adventurous guy. I also love cute face and sexy body. I do. I find them highly attractive. What I don't find attractive is a thief wrapped up in this sexy package. But then again, I'm not Whitney MacAllister who years for adventure. I wasn't the one who had to be around Douglas Lord, a charming, handsome, first rate thief.

This book is action-packed, with a spicy romance and a heroine who is not a simpering idiot. I just cannot stand a simpering heroine. It makes me want to dive into the book and knock her around a bit. This is one of my favorite Nora Roberts book.

What is your favorite Nora Roberts?

Winning is Great

I won lots of book prizes lately. I love it! Nothing like being a winner that gets me in a happy places. Now, I just need to find a nice quiet corner and read all my prizes. I mean, I have lots and lots of it.

Company Man by Joseph Finder

Company Man
by Joseph Finder
Hardcover

Read more about Joseph Finder .

This is a wonderful thriller. I listed to the audio, so maybe the reader has something to do with it. This is about a man who was made into CEO of a company, the Stratton Corporation, which makes premium office furniture. This dream job turned sour when he has to lay off half of their workers. He's become the town's favorite man to hate. When his house is vandalized, the cops does not even do a proper investigation.

If I put myself into Nick Conover's shoes, I'll be one stressed out person. His wife died in a car accident, and while recovering from that, the company he works for is going down the drain. I think that the story would have been boring, except that it's written by Joseph Finder, and he never writes boring stories. Worth it to read.

Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

I wasn't planning to read this book. I didn't know this book exist at all. One day, I went to the library and saw the title among the new release. I stopped dead on my tracks and grabbed it. Right there and then, I sat down and started reading. It's a captivating story similar to Pride and Prejudice in some way. In fact, I don't think any Jane Austen fan should miss this. It's wonderful read. You get to 'see' what the Jane Austen tour in England would be like. There's a mystery or two, and love story guaranteed to keep you reading.

Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
by
Hardcover
List Price: $28.00
Published in 2001

I am a sucker for good books, and stories doesn't get any better than this. First it hurts your heart and then it will make you sob. Why read? Because there's also the promise of happy ending. Every one wants happy ending. I too want happy ending, along with happy middle and beginning. But that would make a boring story, wouldn't it?

Katie finally found the perfect man. Poetic Matt, tall and loving Matt. Then one day, he disappeared from her life. He left a diary for her to read. It's written by a woman named Suzanne for his son Nicholas.

This book will make you stop and take notice of what's important in life. The lesson of the 5 balls will resonate long after the book is over.

Barnes and Noble


I am a homebody. If I have a choice between going out and staying at home, I'd stay at home. I like being at home. It's nice here in my home. However, the few times I'd venture out into the read world, I find that I love it too. Take for example Barnes and Noble. I think it's a piece of heaven right here on earth.

We have a big one near my house. I took a picture of it with my phone camera. I went intending to only stay for a few minutes. An hour later, I had to peel myself from the place, I didn't want to go anywhere.

If I have a big house someday, I'd want Barnes and Noble to be in my library.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Part 1

I joined this book reader's group where I am supposed to read 4 Russian novels in 2008. As I was trying to decided which Russian novels to read, I was struck by how many where so thick. Thick, I tell you! I have also noticed that I am only noticing Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. I haven't really paid attention to Russian novels because in school project, I'd offer to read 3 non-Russian novels just so I can escape reading those very big and hearty tomes. So here I am now, 34-years old, about to embark on my first Russian novel journey. I decided to start with War and Peace. I am reading the first 10 pages, and they're at a party. It takes getting used to, but I noticed that this Tolstoy guy can write. I can picture the party. The host, I forgot her name, she's not really a major character, is disgruntled with the 'little man with big ambition.' Aha! It' set somewhere during Napoleon's wars. I am enjoying it between bouts of erotic paranormal like JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and Tara Janzen's Steel Street hunkies.

I have decided that I will chronicle this War and Peace Journey. I will blog as I read along. I am sure there's not a single iota that wasn't discussed in this book. It's alright, because I haven't read those discussion. I can start bumbling on my own, thank you very much.

Jessica Bird - You Gotta Read Her!

I have found a new author which I love! I have read all the books she has written which I can get my hands on. I first read The Billionaire Next Door and what an amazing story it was. I even cried! For me, shedding tears over my books is the ultimate enjoyment. I like the suspense, and all the romantic hurdles are so believable. I like how Sean was such a strong powerful guy, yet vulnerable when it comes to love. It's believable, because aren't we all vulnerable to love one way or another?

The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

image from fantastic fiction.co.ukI've been reading this book for a while now. It is set in England and I think later on, some foreign shore. In movie terms, this book is a blockbuster. I read a little bit at a time. It's a story about a good bad guy named Sid Malone and a rich-girl-woman-doctor named India Jones. I'm only on chapter 5 of the story. Already, Sid and India have met twice. Once in a bar and then later on, at the hospital where Sid was fighting a raging fever due to a big cut on his side while submerged in the river Thames. I guess Thames is not the place to be when you have a cut. Jones had just graduated from medical school at a time when they barely acknowledge women doctors. She works for what appears to be a do-gooder doctor, which turned out to be a facade only...for the other doctor that is. I like this book and I'll see what happens after this.

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

I started reading this first book of The Black Dagger Brotherhood because it's a story about vampires. It's a story with an edge, and lots of sex. Well, the sex I could do without, but the story is awesome. It's a story about friendship, and tough strong males who couldn't quite survive without the help of a female. Talk about Achilles heels. This weakness is probably what draws people to the story. Everyone knows that even super heroes have weakness. There's Kyptonite and Superman for example. So, I am reading this book now, and it's fun. I just don't get much free time to read, but it's definitely worth spending time with.

You can buy the book here.

The Great Cate Blanchett

I first noticed her in that 1998 movie, ELIZABETH. She conquered me! I couldn't stand THE GOOD GERMAN, a movie she was in with George Clooney. It's an adaptation from a book. After trying to watch it three times with the same result...me drooling on my pillow, I quit.



She was in another movie, CHARLOTTE GRAY, which was a book first with Sebastian Faulks. Now, that one is interesting. I had read the book first and got into the movie. Still, I like her best in her Elizabeth role.

She is great at playing Hepburn. They said she was in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, but I don't remember her. I guess I should watch that movie again and see where she is.

Benifits of Hobbies

USA Today wrote an article about how hobbies might help with Alzheimer's. Althought TV watching as a hobby is not recommended as it does nothing to slow down onset of Alzheimer's. It could even be a risk factor.

I like TV, I also like to read...both of these are classified as a couch activity. I am going to need a stationary bike to do my hobbies and get benifits of a sexy leg.

onset of Alzheimer's is delayed by education and by intellectually demanding professions.
Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, senior medical adviser to the Alzheimer's Association

The survey was centered on this three activities:
• Passive, such as watching television, talking on the phone or listening to music.

• Intellectual, such as reading, jigsaw or crossword puzzles, playing musical instruments, chess or other board games, knitting or woodwork.

• Physical, such as baseball, football or other sports, bike riding, swimming, walking or skating.

The study does not show that having these activities will stop Alzheimer's, but it delays it. I think delaying this devastating disease is a good idea.

Eric Segal wrote about a Nobel Prize contender in his fiction Nobel PRIZES. This guy was a geneticist. Nothing could be more "intellectual" than doing genetic research, yet this guy got the disease anyway. It's a great story, and worth spending time reading it. Eric Segal is the same guy who can make you cry in Love Story and in Man, Woman and Child. One of the best writer there is I think.

An Invitation to Seduction

by Lorraine Heath

Kitty Robertson has grown up wealthy and influential, and she's never more at home than when in an English parlour displaying her social graces.
When she looks for a husband, of course she seeks a man just as home in his position - hopefully a lofty one - as she is. Nicholas Glenville, Marquess of Greystone, is just such a man. He is so attentive and gentlemanly that she can't help but accept his proposal of marriage, and is now looking forward to this Season being her last one as a single woman.

But at the very first ball of the year she meets an enigmatic, gorgeous duke who asks her for a dance. That duke is Trevor Nicholson, a man who knows the marquess well enough to know that he would not make her any kind of husband at all. Instead he nominates himself for the position, but as he soon finds, convincing the beautiful Miss Robertson to marry him instead will be the trickiest - and most worthwhile - task of his life.
It's a fun read involving a naked Duke, a wealthy girl, intense lust with each other. It's nicely done story, nothing TSTL*, though Kitty came close a few times, but you can understand why she's doing it in context. It's not Trevor anyone...it's Richard, Duke of Weddington.

I would recomment this book.
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Fiction, historical romance

*Too Stupid to Live

Goodnight Nobody

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Wiener
I've watched her other book, IN HER SHOES and cried a little. It was made into a movie with Cameroon Diaz and Shirly McLane. It was fabulous! It was a touching story about a girl and a lot of shoes, a sister, a grandma, and being broke.

This book is about a housewife living in Stepford-land and finding it really boring. She's out of sync with everyone, and gives horrendous party, it's actually funny. I didn't find it so funny when she went necking with an old beau. I know that other guy is hot, the one who got away, but for God's sake, she's married with three children. Go neck with your husband, dammit!

Aside from that, it's a good book to read, the story will keep you entertain, and you might even chuckle a little through it all. I think I prefer Ms. Wiener the chick-lit queen.

I recommend this book, if you have no other book to read.
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Fiction, mystery