Nonfiction streak

So, I spent a good hour working on a post, describing things while trying to keep them brief, then blogger when nutzo on me. Started moving my curser to weird places. Typing where the curser was not.  Computer worked fine every where else. Restarted comp,  blogger is still possessed... but just in that one draft, mind you. It didn't like my entry.

Then it decided to replace my entire post, for no reason, with a duplicate of my last post.  UGGGG.

So this is all you get.

Still on a non-fiction kick. Still interested in some Nutrition books, but needed a break.
Borrowed 2 pregnancy books.
Part way through reading the first, I got preg.
Bought 2 more books.
Before I could read those, people started giving my books (8, I think)
8+2+2=12

I haven't read them all, but since about July/Sept, I have read all the ones pictured below:

I am ready for something different. I don't want to read 4 more books about it right now, as they all start to overlap as it is.

This is where you tell Cha Cha what she should read:

1. hypnotic theory (I don't like the idea of working from "scripts," or listening to CD's during labor, but I find the concept of building pavlovian responses to cues rather fascinating. 
2. Ecconomics— but where would I start. I don't want something so technical I don't understand it, or so menial it teaches me nothing
3. Something else educational that you recommend.
4. Move on and read something Fiction. But it had better be good. It's one thing to loose interest partway through learning. Another to loose interest when your reading for entertainment.

If I've learned one thing though, it's that you can't read something non-fiction when the drive is not there. Like, I have some political things I want to read eventually, but right now it's just not going to happen.

The Long Lost Goals of 2011: Goal 1—Part 2

Goal 1— Read: 4 fiction, 2 nonfiction, all 12 issues of the Liahona (I’m horrible at reading magazines). I can do 12 books, I’ve proved that, but in order to encourage more learning, I am giving myself more time to devote to nonfiction (because those are rarely “can’t put it down” books.)

NON FICTION-2011/2012

• 1/2  of my Humanities Textbook : It counts. It was a lot of reading. This is when I was taking a secret class. 
• Tons of Historical litterature exerpts, some quite long to be called exerpts: Same class. Usual suspects: Beowulf, Aeneid, Iliad, Divine Comedy, Confessions, as well as some law exerpts and such.  True, many of these are Fiction, but they become Non fiction in the study of them... right?
• 1/2) of the 2011 issues of the Liahonna
• Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler First off, 5 star book. Should be entitled " 7 million things more important than the crap they taught you in sex-ed," or "guess how many false facts you've been told about your reproductive system." Generally, I haven't been one for books on infertility. They have drama filled titles, like "Every drunken cheerleader, why not me?" and "Empty womb, aching heart." BLEH. UGGG. GAGGG.  I've always been okay with my infertility  and the concept of adoption. I didn't want a book of Chicken Soup for the Infertile Soul. Anyhow, Tracie and I  were having one of those conversations  where our husbands somehow end up in the office "working" on the computer, and she lent me this book. I knew some F.A.M. basics from a lecture I had attended, and I had tried vaguely to chart before, but WOW DOES THIS BOOK HAVE A LOT OF INFO.  So much to learn, so much that I felt should have been handed down by my ancestors. So many LIES people believe (shall I mention my neighbor who thought she had to have intercourse on the 14th day of every cycle? ).   Now, I can tell when my period will come in approx. 2 weeks even though I am highly irregular. I could also tell that I might have a hypothyroid (which, when I went off sugar, my basal temps stopped being so abnormally low after while).  This book answered more questions than any obgyn I've ever been to, and helped me realize why I've hated every OBGYN I've been too, and felt like they were missing the point—cause they were. They were more interested in putting me on drugs with side effects than teaching me to recognize my bodies own signs, like fertile cervical fluid. 
• Lick the Sugar Habit, by Nancy Appleton I picked this book up at D.I. super cheep. It fell apart as I read it. Wasn't a five star book, and I in know way fully retained the info in it, but was the first thing to explain and bring to my attention how horrible sugar is to your body. Sugar uses up minerals in your body, and without these minerals, your body cannot make use of the vitamins . Sugar also causes some organs in your body to under function, forcing other organs to work overtime, causing them to exhaust and become more susceptible to degenerative diseases. This book wasn't a 5 star book, but it was enough to motivate me to go 3 weeks without sugar (with a few planned cheating days in the mix), before sugar got a hold of me again. Shortly after, I had my first fertile quality cervical fluid in years, and my period came more often—though I was simultaneously doing other dietary changes (hormone free meat, raw dairy, cod liver oil, etc), so sugar doesn't get all of the credit. This book also kickstarted my interest in the nutrition genre of books. 
• The Word of Wisdom - A Modern Interpretation, by John A. Widtsoe: My biggest frustraition with the book that it was written in the 50's and supposedly updated by his grand daugher, or something, but the there is no way of knowing what is old information, and what has been checked recently. It was slow at times. I found the sections on Alcohol and Tobacco rather "duh," but he did make a rather interesting point here—that these things not only have no nutritional purpose, but are harmful and make our bodies weaker, and that if mankind used the money they spend on these things to help the poor, we would make a huge  impact on the world. That struck me deep when I realized that (for me) sugar consumption is the same way. Hundreds of dollars a year spent on things that that hurt my body when it could be spent helping others.  It also spent a short chapter highlighting a verse (D&C 89:4) that I usually don't take notice of.  His mention, there, of fraud and food adulterations in the food industry had me giving more weight to the importance of making food from scratch, from fresh ingredients. He also reminded me of D&C 89:13, which I do think about from time to time, and how I don't eat meat sparingly, only in times of winter or famine.  Overall, I liked how he tried to explain how different vitamins worked, where they came from, how some are fat soluble (gettcha butter here....). Boring at times, but over all a motivator to eat healthier. 
• Gut and Psychology Syndrome—Natural treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia, by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD I have mixed feelings on this book. Like most of the nutrition books so far, this one gets dull at times. Oh, and repetitive. The basic concept is that the balance of your gut flora can effect your brain, because byproducts of bad gut flora put of toxins that seep into your blood—often as the chemical reaction between that flora and your food. Food that is not fully digested because you do not have enough good flora can also have a toxic effect on the blood, often causing food allergies. Often times this is the effect of antibiotic treatments, that kill off good bacteria that your body needs, along with the bad bacteria. This leaves room for bad funguses and bad bacterias ( not effected by that particular antibiotic) to homestead in your gut.  Your gut flora is passed on to child during birth or gestation or both or something, so over generations, some conditions get worse.   To fix this, you adhere to a strict diet, which starves off bad bacteria, repeatedly introduce food containing good bacteria, eat foods that require little work of your digestive system at first, and over time you reintroduce certain foods. The more severe the person's condition, the slower the process, and the stricter the maintenance level of the diet might be. She does a decent job explaining how all the bacterias, enzymes, enterocytes, opportunistic floras, etc interact and  cause issues, how neurotoxins can be formed in your gut, etc. But, at last, I have no way of knowing if she made all this up. She also does thing bad-logic thing where she uses Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) to define itself—several times. I've had someone defend this to me, saying English is not her native language, but seams to me like the kinda thing you shouldn't do in any language.  Anyhow, I'm curious about it, it makes some sense and  I don't see how it could do much harm. Some people might be a little scared of her love of  natural fats (but really, what has margarine ever done good for you?), but after my familiarity with WAPF and new knowledge of fat soluble vitamins, this doesn't phase me much. I am leery though, that adhering to the strictest phase for too long might deprive your body a bit,no matter how many vitamins supplements she recommends you take, and I think she overemphases meat (I'm gunna let the word of wisdom win it out on this matter). I've considered implementing Gaps to some extent to clean and reset. I think she's on to something, though I don't necessarily think she has the fulness of truth here. 

A weird thing has happened here. I wanted to get myself to read more non-fiction so that I could teach myself about things, expand my learning. I did not expect that I would go from having no desire to read non-fiction, to where I am now. Now, I actually prefer non fiction. I hunger for it.  It's also weird because I used to think that Nutrition was the most boring majors available at school. Now I find myself wanting to know more and more and more about nutrition.  

The Long Lost Goals of 2011: Goal 1—Part 1

Ah yes. Remember how I said I was going to review my goals EVERY MONTH, and keep you up dated. Well, I failed at that... but that's not to say my goals were completely neglected.  In fact, I like to think that I've made some pretty good progress in the last year in a half

Goal 1— Read: 4 fiction, 2 nonfiction, all 12 issues of the Liahona (I’m horrible at reading magazines). I can do 12 books, I’ve proved that, but in order to encourage more learning, I am giving myself more time to devote to nonfiction (because those are rarely “can’t put it down” books.)

FICTION-2011

• Some book I don't remember (clearly amazing)
• Master of all Desires, by Judith Merckle Riley:  A historical fiction I read on recommendation/loan. I enjoyed it, but it took a long time before I found it more than vaguely interesting. 
•  Book of Lights, Chaim Potock:  When have I ever not fallen completely in love with a Chaim Potock book? Oh yeah.  The time I read this book. Now I know what a story is like when it has no climax.  Now I know why I bought this for 50 cents as an old library copy from a thrift store, and why I have never seen a modern reprint of it. 

This makes 3/4 fiction books read in 2011

 

FICTION-2012

This Year I started "The Joy Luck Club" but I got distracted by NON FICTION, that I was reading at the same time, and ultimately found more intriguing.  I do think I'll pick it up again though.

Music, Movies, and Books.

I'm totally obsessed with Aisling's Song right now, From The Secret of Kells. The cartoon was cute enough, a little odd at times, but worth watching once.



If you watch the movie, I thought it was interestingt that the cat's name is based on a 9th century poem about a monk's cat, named Pangur Ban/Ben... and that the Chi Rho Page they make a big deal about in the movie, is an actual illumination from a book referred to as the Book of Kells. Page looks pretty much the same, and all that makes me wonder if movies often reference history without me knowing it.


I also somewhat hooked on Healing Incantation song from Tangled. I think Mandy Moore did a great job... better than she does on her own music. As for the movie, I enjoyed it. Not in my top 5 Disney, but still fun, cute, and enjoyable. Prince Chuck Bartowski did bug me a little—not horribly, but it didn't seam to fit.

Whats with me lately and my obsession with songs from cartoons... I'm not 5.

Speaking of not being 5, I am having an incredible problem with capitols lately. I swear I've been capitalizing every 4-6th world arbitrarily. I have no idea why suddenly I am doing it more than normal, but it is driving me crazy. I look at things I've just written, and I have no recollection of doing it. I don't usually clean up my writing, but I feel like I have to at least get rid of excess capitols.

In other song news, I've been on a folkish music kick, listening to my 3 Nickel Creek songs a lot (When you come back down, I should've known better, and Anthony) Wish I liked more of their songs, but I kinda don't

Additionally, a modern dance type music kick, replaying my two Mirah songs ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cold-cold-water/id259153920?i=259153933, and The Garden)

On a more mainstream (but still quirky) note, via Carissa, I have come to enjoy Florence = the Machine... which I thought I hated when she first showed me. I was wrong. I love maybe 80% of her stuff. My favorite, by far, is Howl.

Back to movies... if you care.
I liked Inception, Salt was decent, The Tourest was also decent, Tron was fun enough ( but nothing amazing), surprisingly I loved King of California, I want to see 127 hours... or maybe just read it, You Again was disappointing, Alpha & Omega was barely ok...for a kid..., Megamind was decent (but could have been funnier), Mean Girls @ was absolutely pathetic, Dinner for Shmucks was somewhat good—not as slow as the french version, I don't even remember The Other Guys (same thing goes for the Bounty Hunter ), Ramona & Bezus was ok, Sorcerer's Apprentice was a little better, Shrek#4? was neither horrible or good, Eclipse was the worst twilight movie yet (and I still have to watch the 4th one because Lee Pace is in it), . and I can't remember what else I've watched, Airbender wasn't up to it's potential but still good, Grown ups wasn't worth it (neither was Easy A), Toy Story 3 was good, Nany McPhee was a step below the first one (Pigs+synchronized swimming= time filler content), and that is everything I remember watching in the last year.

Neverwherewas an enjoyable audiobook. Would make the road trip list. Ending drug out a bit. The F word pops up every hour for the first few hours ... but other than that it's clean. I've started The Graveyard Book Audio book, also by Neil Gaiman, so far so good. I have Good Omens set aside by the same author.

I think I am liking these sci- fi fantasy things more than I usually think I will. I don't know why I avoid them, I often enjoy them... like Enders Game... Once upon a time I really liked that, but I never read much more or the serries.

Ta Ta for now.

Book 12 (of 12) ...and a movie (How to Train Your Dragon)

Another forgotten gift (so selfish) from my brother Corky. He sent me HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, A movie that I really enjoyed and highly recommend, even though I had no interest in seeing it and only saw it because it was the less stereotypically "male"of the movies that Brett wanted to see (it's not that I hate "male" movies quite as much as it is that I find long battle scenes incredibly dull). HTTYD is not as funny the 4th time you see it, because you know where all the funny parts are, but if I take a year off, I will love it once again. Everyone I've gotten to watch it has cracked up during it.

It may be my favorite movie of the year. Definitely better than Avatar.

My Brother Also sent me the book, How to Train Your Dragon, which worked out nicely for me, because although I finished book 11 several months ago, I haven't read anything leisurely (or practical) since. I figured I could squeeze in a children's book before 2011, and the book was much longer than a picture book, so I didn't feel like I was cheating. I can justify one children's book out of 12 in a year, right?


Title: How to Train Your Dragon
Author: Cressida Cowell
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Synopsis:Time has come for young Hiccup and the other boys of his age to be initiated into their viking tribe. Step 1: Catch a Dragon. Step 2: Train the Dragon. Step 3: Demonstrate his mastery over the Dragon. Hiccup, however, is a wimpling of a viking, and in order to train his dragon, he must develop an alternative lesson plan. Though Hiccup continuously fails, he saves the day in the end.
Review: Neutral Fact: This book is completely different than the move. While they both tell the stories of vikings and dragons, the relationship between the dragons and vikings is so dramatically different, that I wonder at why they bothered using the same title... just change some of the character names, and it is 95% a different story. Problem 1: My synopsis is more exciting than the book. Problem 2: I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how some one read this and was inspired to write such a clever screen play. I am amazed at the talent of this writer, who was able to mix two imaginative subjects (vikings & dragons) and create such unimaginative story.
Bottom Line: Watch the movie, skip the book (gasp). 2 stars.

theme gifts

So, I didn't get many things to unwrap this year, which makes Brett super happy, because he loves getting money, but it's kind of funny because of the two things I unwrapped, I got that foraging book from carrisa, and then this foraging book from Brett's Mom.


I am happy to report that I like them both. Carrisa's book is more regional, which is nice, and it has a lot more plants in it. B's Mom's is more universal (so plants you can find in most areas), and although it has fewer plants in it, is more thorough on each of the plants it lists, and includes many recipes along with the plant descriptions... so I now have a recipe on how to make homemade marshmallows from the mallow that grows near my condo.

Book 11 (of 12)

To be fair, this was technically book 9. I just forgot to review it, so now it is book 11.

Good News: I only have one book left to reach my goal, then I can stop being tempted by books
Bad News: Now that I've gotten back into the habbit of reading, I can hardly fathom the point of giving it up for the rest of the year. I feel that periodic reading restores balance to my sense of self.



Title: Secret Adversary
Author: Agatha Christie (yes, I read another Agatha Christie)
Genre: Mystery
Synopsis: In her usual genre, but free from her usual characters, Agatha Christie writes the story of two young adults, reunited and in seek of fortune, who decide to advertise themselves as The Young Adventurers available for hire. Briefed for her first assignment, Tuppence unconsciously says something that angers the client. Driven to find out more about the subject, and hoping for blackmail money, Tuppence and her male friend set out to find a missing girl who has a secret that both the good and the bad guys want— including an elusive and powerful man, whom every one has met, yet no one can really remember or describe.
Review: A welcome variant from the statically structured plots of Christies Peroit and Marple mysteries, Secret Adversary flows more gracefully than expected, and places itself as one of my more favorite Christie novels. Full of the vibrant vocabulary of a now dated Brittan, this book left me hungry for colloquialisms outside of my own experience.
Bottom Line: A strong 4 out of 5, and easy read (Aside from my quality time with the OED).


Interesting Note: I read this on an ipad... I will hopefully eventually review my experience with that.

Book 10 (of 12)

Wishing I had done this while it was fresher in my mind, but better late than never?


Book: Mockingjay, book 3 of The Hunger Games trilogy.
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Synopsis: The conclusion of the 75th Hunger Games has left the nation on the brink of civil war. The Winner of The 74th Hunger Games has become, willing or not, a symbol of the revolution and struggles with his/her role in his/her new hideout, a place not much freer than the districts of Panem. While the victor understands his/her roll as a symbol, he/she wants more to be more involved than symbolically. Rebellions grow within the districts, and war ensues as the victor vows to somehow escape and make his/her way into the heart of a well protected capitol to bring the government to it's knees. Working towards that goal becomes somewhat of a Hunger Game itself, and many people close to the victor will die.
Review: As with book 2, it is addicting, but not nearly as satisfying as the first book, while having more action than the second book. At first I felt it was turning out to be worse than book 2 (catching fire), but in the end it becomes something far more satisfying. Contains violence, though not gory.
Bottom Line: I liked it and am glad I read it. Wish I could rate it independantly and without concidering the rest of the trillogy, but the stories are too connected to do so. I'm going with a not-so-confident 4.


Not certain WHAT I SHALL READ NEXT; I can't seem to remember what else was on my fiction list. I do, however have a few non-fiction I am thumbing through, as well as some on my wish list, I'm just not often in the mood to read non-fiction.

Book 9 (of 12)

Finished it some weeks ago, as well as book 10 of the year. Finally decided to write it up.

Book: Catching Fire, book 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Synopsis: The Winner of Tthe 74th Hunger Games goes on a victory tour, visiting all of the districts of Panem. The victor comes to see the lifestyle differences of other districts, how the level of the Capitol's control varies in each, and how his/her actions have caused a spirit of defiance (against the Capitol) within many of the districts. Threatened by The President himself, the victor must chose his/her actions carefully while knowing everything he/she publicly says/does will either feed or help smother a rebellion against a cruel overbearing government that will lead to certain government retaliation. As the 75th Hunger game approaches ( A special Quarterly-75th-anniversary edition with an expected, but specifically unknown, twist), the victor is to become a mentor to the players of his/her district. The 75th Hunger Games both begins and ends
Review: Still addicting, but not nearly as satisfying as the first book. Not nearly as boring as my synopsis (hey, I didn't want to give anything away), but I do suspect that part of the drive to read and read and not put it down stemmed from the glory of the last book. Still Enjoyable, but felt an imbalance between the Games and all the stuff leading up to it. No foul language, drug use, or sexual content. Lots of violence.
Bottom Line: While I liked it and am glad I read it, I can't help but compare it to the first book. I'm not certain whether a 4 is to high, but a 3.5 feels so low...

Tuesday

On Tuesday you will find me sitting on my doorstep with milk and cookies waiting for the UPS guy.
He is bringing me 2 presents.


And by presents, I mean to myself, from myself, in honor of my continued existence.


He is also bringing this.



I thought about getting book 2 earlier, but decided it would be better for my sanity if the last book was waiting for me to read it when I finished the second one... just in case it is awesome.

I also concidered pre-ordering at Barns and Noble so that I could dress up like Catniss the Teenage Warrior Princess and read my book in the parking lot with a headlamp, but I saved something like $1.50 by buying both books on Amazon.

Sure it meant I had to wait an extra week (because the losers don't ship it until the release date) but it was worth it, because Barns and Noble wouldn't throw in a free box.

Truth be told I'd have waited 2 whole weeks to save $1.50 AND get a FREE cardboard box. Suckers

book 8 (of 12)

I finished this Sunday, so I am all caught up! 4 more books to go before New Years.

8: Suzanne Collins :The Hunger Games (I have a copy you can borrow, if you like).

It has been quite some time since I have read a book this quickly.

As far as writing style goes, it's good. Not mouthwatering, but I have nothing to complain about. It was simple, but it was never cheesy or insulting to my intelligence. I also appreciate that it was clean. A book I wouldn't worry about recommending to a young reader. Unless they are sensitive about violence.

It isn't graphically descriptive, but the whole concept is violent. People are murdered. Children are murdered. It is about corruption of power, and choosing between your life and being humane. It is futuristic without being too fake and spacie. It is about survival, hope, trust, empathy, revenge, love, and rebellion.

I loved the story. It isn't to kitschy, flows well, and reminded me of Ender's Game (which I also loved)... though the writing style was totally different.

Maybe 4.7 out of 5 stars? Mabybe 4.3? 4.5? I don't know! I do feel the style could be better, yet the story is way better than anything I've read in a while. I don't know why there are twilight fanatics out there when the Hunger GAMES deserves it so much more.

I'm tempted to pre-order the trilogy set, even though I haven't yet read the second book. I think I should wait until the last book comes out before I read the second though, because I don't want to sit around pining for the third book for a month.

book 7 (of 12)

7: Daphne du Maurier: Rule Britannia (I have a copy you can borrow, if you like).

I read this one a long time ago, and the only think I remembered, was that it was the first time I had heard about GUY FAWKES day, and that they burned a fake GUY. Oh, and that it had to do with war... or something.I rarely read books twice, because it is my theory that why reread books when there are so many out there I have never read. I'm glad it had been so long that I didn't remember any of it.

It is a story of deciding when to trust the powers that be, and when to fight against them. I enjoyed it. Harder to put down than the Agatha Christie books, but not as hard to put down as THE NEXT BOOK. I liked that while different characters were strongly on different sides of the issue, the main character wasn't sure who was right.

Much better than the "flight of the falcon" that I read earlier this year. More like the du Maurier I know and love.

books 5 & 6 (of 12)

5: Agatha Christie, Murder at the Vicarage: (I have a copy you can borrow, if you like).

Miss Marple's first appearance. For me, Agatha Christie (especially Miss Marple ones) rarely disappoint. Admittedly they are never life changing, phenomenal, or whatnot, but that is their beauty. They always manage to be satisfying and enjoyable without being so addicting that I can't put them down for 5 hours. I do keep reading after I think it is time to stop reading, but not for too long. Hence, I get to enjoy these books while still having a life.

I often read Agatha Christie books as a child, and it is my opinion that she writes much better than Mary Higgins Clark or Alexander McCall (#1 ladies detective agency series)

6: Agatha Christie, Sleeping Murder: (I have a copy you can borrow, if you like).

Same as #5 pretty much, except that I believe that it is miss Marple's last case. This one was pretty good. Better than the other one.

book 4 (of 12)

4? of 12? Why Charlotte, but it is month 8!

Okay. So I haven't been perfect with my book goal, I think I skipped May, but whatever, I'm all caught up now (I'll space out the reviews a bit, all in one day is a bit much), and not because I forced myself to catch up on my reading, but because I really do like to read, and one I got started, it became easier and even preferable to replace Facebook/TV time with reading time.

I don't really like facebook right now. Gardening is better.

Anyhow, my book a month goal was more about reading more, and setting a goal of about 12 books a year more than it was about spacing it them out as one per month.

... and to the point.

4: Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha (I have a copy you can borrow, if you like).

I really enjoyed the book at first... well, for most of it, honestly. I was actually believing it might actually be based on a true story after all-and if it wasn't it was at least a superb story.

Then the ending comes along, and it is SO RIDICULOUSLY FAKE and Happy la-la-land ending the way things so suddenly fall into place, that it annoyed me, and I was glad the book was almost over.

I'm all for happy endings, but the ending must be congruent with the beginning. This book switched genres at the end; it was an intriguing, cultural story of struggle and determination, and then it decides to be a dime-a-dozen romance novel.

Could have been a 4+, but it's not, because (face it) ENDINGS MATTER. Still though, I think it was worth reading. Even if the ending makes you want to slap Arthur Golden next time you see him.

Book 3-March-The Mermaid Chair.

I forgot to post about march's book. thought I technically finnished it around April 3rd, it was March's book.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kid


I read it because:
1. Same author of The Secret Life of Bees, and I did enjoy that book.
2. Brittany Reed read it and liked it... or was going to read it and was excited about it. I don't agree with her on everything, but she has decent taste as a general rule.
3. I found it for a dolar at D.I.


I concluded that
1. It was not as good as The Secret Life of Bees,
2. The main character is selfish and kind of immature about some big decisions (I suppose the goal was to make her "human," but I thought she was a too guiltless to be human)
3. I enjoyed the book anyway and at least don't feel like it was a total waste of my time.

2 down, 10 to go.

I finally finnished STARDUST by Neil Caiman... one of those books I started in the summer but never finished because of house hunting. My review?

Ok.

Didn't hate it. Enjoyed it enough, but didn't love it. I actually can say, for once, I liked the movie better. Though I rarely watch a movie before reading the book, so that could have something to do with it.

I was warned by B's cousins that it was not Gaiman's best work, and seeing as I didn't hate it, I might try the author again sometime in the future. They've suggested "Neverwhere" and I suppose next time I try him, I will start with that.


Meanwhile I am collecting suggested tittles for possible futures, including:
The Road
Hunger Games
The Guernsey Litterary & Potato Peel Pie society. \
Memoirs of a Geisha

And on Monday, there was Challah

So, last weekend, I made jam. Brett was worried that the strawberries would go bad, so I found a recipe and canned my own jam. I had pectin, but this recipe didn't call for it. While I was at it, I made a spicy pear jam with some pears that were a little to soft. I was too lazy to wash the pot between, so there is a little strawberry remnent in my pear.

They both came out thinner than I am used to jam being, but they were nummy.


Come Monday, I decided that jam like this deserves homemade bread. I haven't made bread in years... and only a few times before that. I wasn't having much patience searching online for bread maker recipes, so I decided to break out this cookbook that I bought long ago at a BYU progressive sale.


I've never used it. Mostly because the recipes seamed to either take forever, or they required ingredients I had never heard of. I had, however, marked 2 recipes (once upon a time) that had seamed feasable, so after a quick skim, I decided that (of the two) Sweet Vanilla Challah would be perfect for my jam.



Challah, if you are interested, is a jewish bread associated with manna in the desert, and has various symbolisms and rituals that go with it.


I didn't burn a portion of my bread, or save a portion of my dough for a priest. I did, however, make the tradtional 2 loaves... mostly because I didn't realize the recipe would make such large loaves. See how it is as big as a dinner plate?




The combination of Challah and Jam was truely addictive. Made me wonder why anyone would want to eliminate carbs. the bread was light and fluffy, and moist. Brett said how he liked how the bread "tore." He also tried to demand 2 loaves a week—he didn't have the heart though.


In related Jewish news, Brett is taking a Judaism class, and i am kind of jealous. Apparently BYU puts on this fancy passover dinner every year that is mostly authentic. It's a bit pricy, but when Brett said he wanted to take me there on a date, I couldn't really argue. It sounds awesome and Brett never comes up with his own date ideas, so I am pretty proud of him right now. Luckily, he can get a coupon from his teacher so that his meal is only 10 bucks (some rich couple went once upon a time and loved it so much they decided to subsidize a portion of student tickets).


Also, he brought home this "text book" for his Judaism class.

It's, I believe, written by a rabbi to explain Judaism to those who want to know more. Supposedly one of the better books on the subject.

I think I might make it MARCH's book of the month. This month, I am finishing up Stardust (another one I had started last summer and not finished). I was doing well reading it, but this last week+ I've been going to bed between 7pm-12:30 am, so I haven't been doing my tub reading.

I ruined that tonight, staying up late, but hopefully I can still keep a decent sleep schedule. I have such trouble maintaing a normal sleep routine.

A book a month, month one

Okay. So I adore reading, I truly do. But I have been pretty horrible about it. I used to read and read and read, and now I am lucky if I read 2 or 3 books in a year. I cheat and do a lot of audio books while I work, which is awesome, but nothing quite compares to reading a physical book. If I hadn't read those 2 or 3 books while living with my brother, I doubt I would have read anything last year.

So, one of my goals is to read 12 books this year. One a month, totally doable. I have a handful of books around the house that I've started and never finished, so I am going to start with those. It is not necessarily that I disliked the books... its just that wellll...

I have this theory. I only have 1 read speed. I either read a book in several hour increments, over the course of a week, or I try to ration myself and I never finnish the book. So I have resumed reading in the bathtub, during my pre bed bath. The result of which is that I once again take 3-4 hour prunny baths until 3 am.

January's book.


I am proud to say I have already finished January's book. Finished it around 3 am monday morning.

I am sad to say that I don't recommend it.

I used to love Daphne Du Maurier. In the beginning, I found the beginnings of the books a little tough, but I usually ended up liking them. This was a book I had never read, meaning that the Los Angeles county library didn't have it when I was in Jr. High. I don't blame them. Not her best. I enjoyed reading it okay, but I didn't get into it. No wonder Amazon doesn't have any new coppies of the book!

The Alchemist/Middlesex

The Alchemist was a good book... and by that I don't mean amazingly written. It wasn't bad, but the style didn't strike me to the core, yet, it truly was a good book.

Its hard to classify... but you know when the church says you should read good books.... I now think that this is what they mean... not because it is clean (which it is extremely) or that it is religious (which it does have an element of spirituality), but that it is... uplifting? is that the right word?

Empowering a bit....

Anyhow, it is the kind of book that boosts your faith in ambition. You really feel good about yourself while reading it, and you forget that it isn't the most beautiful sentences. You start thinking about your potential... and the stupidity of your fears. You start thinking about what separates your accomplishments from those with notable success in life. You think about making opportunities out of thoughts... the difference of dreaming and aspiring.

It's about conquering the world.

and you wonder why there aren't more books that take you away from the darkness of this word... stories that actually might help you make the best of yourself.

Now, compare that to MIDDLESEX, which I will not be finishing.

There is something different about his writing style, that is enveloping. I adore it. He is such a talented writer... but I will not be finishing it. It is not a good book.

Maybe if I hadn't just finished reading the Alchemist, I wouldn't have noticed that so much, but it is not one that pushes you forward in life... probably backwards.

Now, I was interested in how the story of a hermaphrodite (the middlesex) was going to play out... but before the birth of the hermaphrodite came the incest... and while they didn't go into explicit details (at least where I decided to stop reading) it is enough. Like I said, a very talented writer. Something about siblings developing impure thoughts towards each other does not speak to me the way I want a book to.

How I wished he used his talent though to producing something inspiring (but not cheesy).

I did, however, catch on to some writing style choices that make a story enthralling to me—though they are not exclusive to writing. It is related to the introduction in the film "Amelie" if any of you have seen it.

Anyhow, so now I am thinking about how to describe what makes a "good" book, and about how both Middlesex and the Dog in the Night-Time stories mentioned the character finding their father's porn... and how grateful I am to never-ever-ever have come across porn in my homes. Thanks Dad. Thanks Brothers.

...dog in the night -time

started it last night, finished it early this afternoon, and yes, I did go to bed and sleep.  Wasn't very mysterious, but was both easy and entertaining enough. If anyone local wants to borrow it, you can. I'll even let you read it in the bathtub (my copy has no water damage, but I got my use out of it, so I'm cool with that).