Must Read Monday (#11)

Must Read Monday (#11)

This week's topic: Favorite book you were forced to read for school, classic or not!

Okay for this first week of my participation I chose Emma, by Jane Austin.  One, I really loved the book and reread it recently. Two, I'm baby-stepping into this acrostic thing as you'll notice by the itty bitty title.

 

Exceptionally beautiful and witty socialite, but spoiled to a fault. 

Match Maker extraordinaire... well, self proclaimed anyway.

Meddling in romantic affairs, misinterpreting connections in a precarious way.

Adoration disguised as a friend, a very sweet end to her match making days.



Reading Reflection: Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster

by Jamie McGuire

Published May 26th 2011

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

The book reminded me of this quote...
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe

I absolutely loved this book.  For the past few years I submerged myself in these young adult/middle grade paranormal romances: vampires, werewolves, psychics, telepathics, angels, etc.  Though I like this genre, I needed a change and Beautiful Disaster satisfied that itch.

It seemed so much simpler, realistic.  Bad boy falls for good girl.  Good girl fights attraction for bad boy.  Good girl doesn't have such a good girl background.  The relationship between Abby and Travis was anything but normal.  They presented a clear case of codependency, playing games with each other at every turn.  But... you wanted them to work it out.  You fought against your logical sense that told them to run and seek counseling and rooted for them to find a way to be together.  I loved Abby's attitude toward Travis, she wasn't easily impressed with his charms like every other girl.  He had to win her over.  I liked Travis' vulnerability, he absotuley needed her to survive... well, to continue trying to be a better person.  She grounded him.

Their relationship turmoil seemed to drag on at certain points and I became bored occasionally, impatient for the next up or down in their relationship.  It was realistic to me, like a real dysfunctioal relationship and I wanted to know if they can over look each other's flaws.  I even liked the supporting characters, America might be one of my favorite of all times.  She wasn't overly annoying which is constantly found in other novels I read.  I loved their friendship and once you find out about Abby's past you appreciate the bond they have so much more.  It was a real group of friends and demostrates how their relationships affect one another.  Overall, it was a very good read and I recommend it to anyone.

  

Reading Reflection: I am Number Four

I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1)

by Pittacus Lore

Published August 3rd 2010

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I Am Number Four is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I saw this movie before I read the book and that rarely happens.  I loved the movie and liked the book.  I'm not sure if I was influenced by the big screen or not, but I preferred the movie.

This book is written in 1st person present tense, which I'm not used to.  I feel this adjustment on my part affected my judgement in the novel.  It took several chapters for me to overcome this and become involved in the story.  The sentences are short and direct, lacking connection with the reader.  I like to get lost in the book, almost believe I'm there, this did not happen.  I am also not a big fan of aliens, outer space, world invasions, etc.  I'll give every genre a try, but these are typically not my style. 

Okay, now for the good parts.  I actually did like the story line.  It might be a bit predictable, but that suits me just fine.  I wanted to know what happened to the characters, especially John and Sam.  I wanted to find out about all the other Lorien aliens, if they would find everyone or not.  I was emotionally invested in atleast one, maybe two scenes (I don't want to give out any spoilers).  There was action, love, friendship, aliens, and super powers.  Though it might not be my favorite book of all time, I will be looking to see what happens with the rest of the series.

I recommend this as a quick read, but with the warning of not expecting too much.  It's  a story and that's all.  It doesn't evoke that great emotional connection that most readers pursue.

January Reading List

I think this challenge is going ot be the best thing for me.  It's forcing me to organize and take action against those piles of books accumulating dust in every corner of my house or using up memory space in my Nook.  I've taken a look around and found some candidates.

These our my choices for January

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Pub Date: May 26th 2011

Title: Hollowand (The Hollows #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
PubYear: October 6th 2010

It's Almost Over

Finally, my long long long educational career is coming to an end!  I can taste the sweetness of completing this goal in my mouth!   Whatever will I do without the hours of reading texts, studying notes, writing papers, and creating presentations?!  I'll have to find a hobby... or better yet... nothing.  Doing nothing.  What a concept.  Nothing.  It is quickly becoming my favorite word in the English language.  So, what will you be doing today?  Nothing!  Any plans for the weekend?  Yes... NOTHING!  Do yo think you could... NOPE!... I'll be busy... doing NOTHING!  AHA!!!  I'm delirious with excitement and anticipation.

Summer 2011

Summer 2011 Rocks!!!

I haven't written a blog in over a month, the whole point of blogging was to practice writing to the world, not just privately.  However, I had an epiphany this summer and have been very busy just trying to enjoy my life.  Something I had forgotten to do in the last several years. 

For a long while now, my life has been filled with high aspirations and to-do lists that I felt the had to be completed at all costs without consideration to everything else.  They defined my behavior.  I had to work three jobs, I had to get straight A's in school, I had to graduate with as many possible certificates in the shortest period of time, I had to keep my house spotless, I had to... had to... had to... blah blah blah.

What I failed to do, was have to enjoy time with my friends and family.  I failed to keep in touch with my friends, never going out socially with any.  I failed to visit my mother, though she was ill.  I failed to enjoy time with my husband because I always had things on my list... things I felt had to be completed. No more though... it was like I woke up and realized that I just missed a big chunk of my life, waiting to have nothing left on my to-do list, before I could do anything enjoyable.

Now I have come to realize that there has to be a happy balance.  Yes, I have to work three jobs, because my family needs me too. Yes, I have to finish college because I promised my mother and I have come too far to quit now.  And yes, my house does need to be cleaned more than usual because I have five dogs and it can get pretty gross.  But, I can do other things... have fun... be young, and the world isn't going to come to an end.

This might seem like common sense to everyone, but I just got it.  Literally, this summer it finally hit me and I haven't been happier.  Hopefully, when the next semester starts I can continue this happy balance... not feeling forced through everything in my life, but wanting and enjoring the events.

Testing my mobile blogging skills.