Can You Believe It?!?

Can you believe it?  I finally finished a book!  It seems like I've been reading this one forever.

Source:  Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads...

Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who committed suicide.  The body, however, is not Megan's and it becomes instantly clear to Pat that Megan staged this, that she is in serious trouble, and that she is calling to him for help...

Source:  www.jamesleporefiction.com

This book wasn't what I expected when I started reading it.  It isn't a bad book by any means, but I really wasn't  interested  in reading a middle eastern terrorist mystery.  I think I was intrigued by the first paragraph of the summary and didn't bother to read the rest.  I'll know better next time, but if you are interested in the middle East or Europe this book might be for you.

When I'm not really into a book, it takes me FOREVER to read it.  I'm so bad at just putting a book down when I'm not into it.  That's something I have to work on!

With that said...how many pages do you give a book before you give up on it?  I'd love to hear some comments on this.  Thanks!!!

We Saw The Hunger Games

Friday night was date night for my husband and I, and it's been our plan for a month to go see The Hunger Games.  Even though my husband is not really a reader, (not like me anyway, he reads the Bible, the paper, and magazines, but not many books) he was fine with this since he saw the preview during our last movie date night and was interested.  Plus he's been listening to me rave about these books for  months.  I'm happy to say that we were not disappointed.  The Hunger Games was a great movie!  And most importantly to me very true to the book. This always makes me very happy because then my husband can get an idea of what the book is about and why I love it so much!  Of course there were a few differences and things left out, but that's always to be expected.  On the whole, the movie does a very, very good job of staying true to the book!

Just as I thought when I saw the very first preview, the casting is brilliant.  Jennifer Lawrence is perfect as Katniss.  Katniss is one of the best female characters in a long time, and Lawrence definitely does her justice.  Although Josh Hutcherson may not immediately pop into your mind when you think of Peeta,when you see the movie it's obvious that it works.  To me there couldn't be a better Gale than Liam Hemsworth, and Lenny Kravits as Cinna is genius!

So if you are a fan of The Hunger Games, you must see the movie.  I don't think you'll be disappointed!

I'm Still Reading...Just A Bit Slower!

Since our daughter is playing on two softball teams this season, and we are coaching one of them...we have a very busy spring on our hands.  Due to this I will be posting less frequently...definitely not every day.  My goal is to post at least two or three times a week.

I'm still reading everyday...just a bit slower.  Thanks so much to those of you who read my blog!

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A Trip To The Bookstore

We went to Barnes & Noble this afternoon to do a little book shopping.  My daughter finished the first book in the Harry Potter series today.  She read the last page while we were parking, so she bought book number two.  She's really getting in to this series...guess I'll be reading it soon!  She also got a Harry Potter bookmark.

Source:  Goodreads

I was looking through a pile of books on a Buy 2 and get the 3rd free table, when I found a book that is on my list of mysteries to read, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley  This book was recommended by picky from The Europa Challenge Blog, and I'm excited to read it.

Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On "One For the Money" by Janet Evanovich

Source:  Goodreads

From the back cover...
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems.  Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate:  family...


Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company.  She's got no experience.  But that doesn't matter.  Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli.  From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got in her pants, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e.  And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder...


If Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand.  All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man...

Janet Evanovich
Source:  Goodreads

This month has not been a very productive reading month for me, I finally finished my first mystery for the month, and it was a good one.

I had never read anything by Evanovich before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I had seen the previews for the movie, and I have to say I wasn't that impressed.  After reading the book though, I'm sure I'll watch it.

This was a really fun book.  Stephanie Plum is funny and honest and I really liked her.  I started to care about her early in the book, and that's always a plus for me.  I like to settle into a book early and stay there.  There was enough action, danger, and intrigue to keep me interested.  All around I really enjoyed it, and I'm sure this won't be the last Stephanie Plum book I read!

After watching the preview again, I'm super excited to see this!

Have You Ever Just Needed A Break?

I haven't read a word in either of the books I'm reading for the past four days.  I just needed a break!  But I'm ready to get back to it (:

We Saw The Lorax!

We took my daughter and my nephew to see The Lorax on Saturday, and they really enjoyed it.  I thought it was visually beautiful, and I loved the musical numbers in  it.  I do have to say that I thought it was a bit lacking in content but I'm not a kid so....

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better.  It's not.

---Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Source:  Goodreads

Seven In February...A Recap

I read seven books in the month of February.  They were all from the romance genre since I am participating in the Cupcakes War Reading Challenge, and it's genre for February was of course romance.  To read my thoughts on any of the books below just click on the link below the book.

Redeeming Love...Powerful!
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On The Notebook
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On Like Water For Chocolate
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On Home Front By Kristin Hannah
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On The Romance Novel, One True Love
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On Bluegrass State Of Mind
Photo Source:  Goodreads

My Thoughts On Daughter Of Joy
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I had hoped to finish The Thorn Birds by the end of February bringing my total to eight, but I just couldn't fit it in.  I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days.  I'm really looking forward to March and a month of mysteries.

My Thoughts On Daughter of Joy

Source:  Goodreads

From Goodreads...
Abigail Stanton's whole life was rooted in her faith, a faith she now clings to for survival.  After losing her husband and young son, Abby sets out alone, bereft, and heartsick.  And when she is lead to Conor McKay's doorstep, the very foundation of her belief starts to shift.

Kathleen Morgan
Source:  www.kathleenmorgan.com

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Daughter of Joy is the last romance I finished for the month of February, and I really liked it.  If like me  you LOVE Francine Rivers', Redeeming Love, you will really enjoy this book as well.  The copy I read was free for my Kindle Fire which makes it even better.

It takes place during the late 1800's which is one of my favorite times in history, and it has it all...love, loss, laughter, anger, fear, and faith.  I love reading books where people use their faith in God to guide them through life even when it's not always easy to go where God wants you to.  I relate to that because that's what I try to do in my own life.

Abby is weak but her faith makes her strong, and she is a perfect illustration of what I feel is one of the most important things in life...doing what's right no matter what.

There are several other books in the Brides of Culdee Creek Series, and I liked this book enough to read the next one in the series, Woman of Grace.

Source:  Goodreads