Saturday, November 29, 2008

A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray


My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found this book at a library sale for $3. Couldn't pass it up since it's been getting a lot of hype lately.



A 16 year old girl witnesses her mother's murder in India through supernatural means. It's set around 1900. She's sent to a girls boarding school in London where she becomes friends with 3 other students. Of course, they go to the woods in the dark and go to another "realm".



Although I enjoyed the book, I only gave it 3 stars as more than half of the book was setting up the story. In fact, the entire book is really a set up for the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. It's too bad this book didn't have more to it. The last 3rd of the book rates 4 stars.



The next two books are on my TBR list now. I'm sure they'll be more satisfying.


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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Doggies

It was a beautiful day on the lake. Winter is around the corner, but that didn't stop the kayaker.





Shopping with the kids.









My new nephew, Emmett the Puggle.



















Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Religion (Audio Book) - Tim Willocks

The Religion: A Novel The Religion: A Novel by Tim Willocks


My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
Finally! I listened to this audio book on recommendation of a stranger at the library. He said it was 'fantastic'. Not. It was 21 CDs of gore, lust, gore, bad accents, gore. Did I mention gore? As in, she fell into his arms, overlooking the gore on his armor. Actually, the last 2 CDs were pretty good. Everyone died. Don't bother.


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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
An interesting book about realizing one's dream and purpose. It's a fable set in Spain and North Africa; a young man meets a mysterious stranger, sells everything he has and goes in pursuit of his dream. His road is bumpy and inspiring.


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Friday, November 14, 2008

Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sorry I didn't read this earlier, Tonya. It was great and reminded me a little of The Poisonwood Bible. Craziness ensues when the white missionaries show up.



It would be interesting to see where Africa would be now if it had been left alone.



This book was a short, interesting read. I loved reading about the customs. Would definitely recommend.


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Monday, November 10, 2008

Moving on up - to the 4th floor

We moved to the 4th floor this weekend. Yay, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Rosie loves to look out the windows of the new apartment. In this picture, she's looking north. Seattle skyline is in the distance over the lake, but it's not visible in this picture.



Here's the view out our west window. Looking at Boeing and the lake. It's so bright and open.



From the kitchen looking toward the livingroom. We even have a fireplace.


Another view toward the west of our dining room.




Finally, the bedroom. Floor ceiling windows, have to be careful changing clothes.




90 Minutes in Heaven - Don Piper

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper


My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
I really wanted to like this book and did get one valuable piece of advice, but overall the writing was poor and slow going. I couldn't give it more than 3 stars. The description of Heaven was very interesting, but the advice was to live with purpose. Can't go wrong there.


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Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer

Breaking Dawn (Twilight Series, Book 4) Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finished the series and enjoyed every minute even though it a little longer than it needed to be. Maybe I'll have to take a road trip to Forks and La Push, the local Sunday paper had an entire travel spread on the Olympic Peninsula and included quite a bit of Twilight Lore.


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Wavy Gravy Hat


I bought the yarn for this fun hat at a knitting shop in Bend and finally got around to making it when I was in California a couple weeks ago. It was very fast and easy
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Monday, November 03, 2008

Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer

Eclipse (Twilight Series, Book 3) Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another page turner Vampire/Werewolf story. Lots more about the wolves in this one. ...and who's better for Bella? Jacob or Edward? Hot or Cold? Mortal or Immortal? You'll find out her choice if you read this one.


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