I think everyone is constantly changing. Hundreds of little things and dozens of big things happen everyday to each one of us that has the power to influence change within ourselves.
Most days I find myself struggling with always keeping a positive outlook throughout my day. When there is constantly people, places and things pulling you down and making you feel so small, sometimes it is all you can do to put a smile on your face while viewing or experiencing something hilariously funny. Then there are negative aspects to our days where they turn out to be not so negative after all. Like receiving a denial letter but it is littered with compliments and praise and joy. These are the things that keep me going and pushing through the days that pull me down below the dirt of the earth.
People need to know that the smallest things count.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Books, books and more books.
Thanks to the help of Amazon and Whatshouldireadnext.com I have found some awesome books this summer. Since my last blog post I have read four books. A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White, Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay, These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf and Never Knowing by (who has become one of my all-time favorite authors) Chevy Stevens.
First, I will talk about a soft place to land. This "dramedy" novel was very well written, and one of the best non-suspense books I have read this summer. Most of the books I have read have been very complex, mystery filled plots that keep you guessing at every turn. This sister-relationship novel didn't have those plot twists but did keep my interested and connected to the book. It is definitely a summer-esque book and I would recommend it. I would give four out of five stars!
The next book I read was Sarah's Key, part of Target's book club picks, and for good reason. This historical novel takes place in modern day Paris, France and in World War II France. The books goes back and forth between Sarah Starzynski and Julia Jarmond. Sarah is a France-born Jew living with her parents and brother in Paris in 1941. Julia is an American living in Paris with her husband Bertrand and daughter Zoe. With short chapters and interesting writing, this book is a true gem. Five out of five stars for me. I loved it!
The next book I read was These Things Hidden. I enjoyed this book. The story is told by an array of different characters, Allison, Brynn, Charm and Claire. Allison and Brynn tell the story in first person and Charm and Claire are told from a third person's point of view. Throughout the book you learn how each are intertwined, and it creates a very interesting voice. Surprisingly, having the story told by four different women was NOT confusing. It actually made the story that much richer in comparison to other novels, where you only get one person's insight. It was a little repetitive at times, but overall it kept me very much engrossed. 3 1/2 out of five stars!
Finally, just last night, I finished reading Never Knowing. Holy cow. I don't know how she does it, but Chevy Stevens created another knock out even after her best-seller Still Missing (which I adored and my mother also loved). Both stories hold a complex plot and have very different and interesting characters, twists and turns at every possibly moment and a shocking twist when you think the climax has already happened. Despite these similarities, the books are very different and don't feel like you're reading the same story all over again. I will even say this this novel is better than her first! Keep it coming, Chevy. I will read everything you write if it's even half what Never Knowing was. Five out of five stars!
NEXT UP: The Kindness of Strangers - Katrina Kittle and The Weight of Silence - Heather Gudenkauf.
First, I will talk about a soft place to land. This "dramedy" novel was very well written, and one of the best non-suspense books I have read this summer. Most of the books I have read have been very complex, mystery filled plots that keep you guessing at every turn. This sister-relationship novel didn't have those plot twists but did keep my interested and connected to the book. It is definitely a summer-esque book and I would recommend it. I would give four out of five stars!
The next book I read was Sarah's Key, part of Target's book club picks, and for good reason. This historical novel takes place in modern day Paris, France and in World War II France. The books goes back and forth between Sarah Starzynski and Julia Jarmond. Sarah is a France-born Jew living with her parents and brother in Paris in 1941. Julia is an American living in Paris with her husband Bertrand and daughter Zoe. With short chapters and interesting writing, this book is a true gem. Five out of five stars for me. I loved it!
The next book I read was These Things Hidden. I enjoyed this book. The story is told by an array of different characters, Allison, Brynn, Charm and Claire. Allison and Brynn tell the story in first person and Charm and Claire are told from a third person's point of view. Throughout the book you learn how each are intertwined, and it creates a very interesting voice. Surprisingly, having the story told by four different women was NOT confusing. It actually made the story that much richer in comparison to other novels, where you only get one person's insight. It was a little repetitive at times, but overall it kept me very much engrossed. 3 1/2 out of five stars!
Finally, just last night, I finished reading Never Knowing. Holy cow. I don't know how she does it, but Chevy Stevens created another knock out even after her best-seller Still Missing (which I adored and my mother also loved). Both stories hold a complex plot and have very different and interesting characters, twists and turns at every possibly moment and a shocking twist when you think the climax has already happened. Despite these similarities, the books are very different and don't feel like you're reading the same story all over again. I will even say this this novel is better than her first! Keep it coming, Chevy. I will read everything you write if it's even half what Never Knowing was. Five out of five stars!
NEXT UP: The Kindness of Strangers - Katrina Kittle and The Weight of Silence - Heather Gudenkauf.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
"Still Missing" & "A Stolen Life"
(Original post on Thursday) I finished Still Missing last night around 11:30 pm. Woah, was that a ride. A coworker of mine had told me she had read it just after I decided to buy it at Target on my lunch break. Great decision!
Just a little bit of the plot: Annie O'Sullivan is a realtor on Vancouver Island who is dating a lovely man and only slightly likes her mother and stepfather. One day, she is hosting a slow open house when a gentlemen decides he wants to see the house. Before she knows it, the gentlemen with the charming smile has a gun to her back and is telling her to get into his van. She is held captive for a year up in the woods and has to bear horrific routines, chores, rules and abuse. She escapes, however, and the book is broken up in sessions with her therapist. She speaks the whole time, retelling the stories of what happened on the mountain and what is going on now that she is home. With so many twists and turns, this novel is way more than what I have already described.
(New post, Sunday afternoon 7/17)
In conclusion, this book might not be literary genius but it is an eye grabber and you become hooked. And it is not hard to get wrapped up in the story and find yourself grinding your teeth, making fists or find yourself with your jaw touching the floor!
AND - Special extra! I just finished A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, an instant favorite of mine. Here is a good review of the book, you can find it here.
I think this critic does an amazing job describing the best qualities of the book, so if you want to go ahead and read that to get insight into the instant bestseller! I read this in 3 or 4 days. I feel very proud of my reading lately!
So I have read two books back to back about women who are held captive. One (Still Missing) a fictional story of a 30-something who is kept for a year. The other, (A Stolen Life) a real life horror about a pre-teen girl taken and held captive for 18 years before she is reunited with her family and friends. Both are very powerful and captivating. They are eerily similar but different at the same time. Both are wonderful! Happy reading everyone!
NEXT UP: A SOFT PLACE TO LAND BY SUSAN REBECCA WHITE
Just a little bit of the plot: Annie O'Sullivan is a realtor on Vancouver Island who is dating a lovely man and only slightly likes her mother and stepfather. One day, she is hosting a slow open house when a gentlemen decides he wants to see the house. Before she knows it, the gentlemen with the charming smile has a gun to her back and is telling her to get into his van. She is held captive for a year up in the woods and has to bear horrific routines, chores, rules and abuse. She escapes, however, and the book is broken up in sessions with her therapist. She speaks the whole time, retelling the stories of what happened on the mountain and what is going on now that she is home. With so many twists and turns, this novel is way more than what I have already described.
(New post, Sunday afternoon 7/17)
In conclusion, this book might not be literary genius but it is an eye grabber and you become hooked. And it is not hard to get wrapped up in the story and find yourself grinding your teeth, making fists or find yourself with your jaw touching the floor!
AND - Special extra! I just finished A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, an instant favorite of mine. Here is a good review of the book, you can find it here.
I think this critic does an amazing job describing the best qualities of the book, so if you want to go ahead and read that to get insight into the instant bestseller! I read this in 3 or 4 days. I feel very proud of my reading lately!
So I have read two books back to back about women who are held captive. One (Still Missing) a fictional story of a 30-something who is kept for a year. The other, (A Stolen Life) a real life horror about a pre-teen girl taken and held captive for 18 years before she is reunited with her family and friends. Both are very powerful and captivating. They are eerily similar but different at the same time. Both are wonderful! Happy reading everyone!
NEXT UP: A SOFT PLACE TO LAND BY SUSAN REBECCA WHITE
Monday, July 11, 2011
Still Missing
I have decided to blog about a book. I'm thinking this will be my way of making myself stick to a book and finish it in a timely manner. The title is still missing my Chevy Stevens. I have heard good things and hope to enjoy this journey throughout the novel. I will post every so often about it in hopes to spark my interest in reading. Hope anyone who follows or stumbles upon will find joy in this blog for the time being. Over and out.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Confessions
What to talk about today? That is the plaguing question. I think I am going to talk about a certain aspect of life.
I enjoy life. Most days I am filled with laughter and busting at the seems with smiles to greet everyone. But the other days I have my cranky pants on and don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I struggle with anger and depression, I won't lie. My anger stems from my strong convictions about life. I have a few beliefs that seem to creep into every aspect of my life. Anger can be healthy and it can also be dangerous.
I guess what makes me angry the most is Fatherhood. Fatherhood has become something that is not appreciated but dreaded. There are few men that I have had the
pleasure of knowing who have taken their life-long commitment as a father seriously. I think all the good that is supposed to come out of commitment has been replaced with the free life. Men want to be free from women. I'm sorry, were we suffocating you with your responsibilities? I wonder when this general decline in Fatherhood began to happen? The 60's when everyone started to lose control and fall into the wonderful world of sex, drugs and rock and roll? Maybe this was the beginning of something great but also could be the beginning of an era of Fatherless Homes - which I have written an article about in the past. There needs to be a book a man reads before he is ever able to have an erection. Maybe that might be a little young to all you conservatives out there, but that would sure help this problem. It seems like some men these days are raised to only think of themselves and to avoid commitment.
Now, all you angry men out there just calm down. You know most of this is generally true of your species. More to come. That's all for today. Over and out.
I enjoy life. Most days I am filled with laughter and busting at the seems with smiles to greet everyone. But the other days I have my cranky pants on and don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I struggle with anger and depression, I won't lie. My anger stems from my strong convictions about life. I have a few beliefs that seem to creep into every aspect of my life. Anger can be healthy and it can also be dangerous.
I guess what makes me angry the most is Fatherhood. Fatherhood has become something that is not appreciated but dreaded. There are few men that I have had the
pleasure of knowing who have taken their life-long commitment as a father seriously. I think all the good that is supposed to come out of commitment has been replaced with the free life. Men want to be free from women. I'm sorry, were we suffocating you with your responsibilities? I wonder when this general decline in Fatherhood began to happen? The 60's when everyone started to lose control and fall into the wonderful world of sex, drugs and rock and roll? Maybe this was the beginning of something great but also could be the beginning of an era of Fatherless Homes - which I have written an article about in the past. There needs to be a book a man reads before he is ever able to have an erection. Maybe that might be a little young to all you conservatives out there, but that would sure help this problem. It seems like some men these days are raised to only think of themselves and to avoid commitment.Now, all you angry men out there just calm down. You know most of this is generally true of your species. More to come. That's all for today. Over and out.
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