New Year's Resolutions for your book club! (via Book Club Girl) http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/How-to-Have-a-Succesful-Book-Club
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Nook simple touch and back to the movies
On Black Friday this year I bought a Nook simple touch. I must say I do love it. It is actually a bit easier then my first generation and has some really great features I can use. Looking up words is easier and making notes and highlights. Navigating is also a bit easier. It was an awesome purchase and I am very glad I bought it. I would recommend it to anyone. Now it is time to save up for the nook table. ;-)
My movie club is starting back up in January. Which I am excited about. I will be posting movie reviews as well, even if they are not about books. I am very excited about all the new movies coming up!
I have been playing on the goodreads site and must say I really like it. It is a good way of keeping track of the books you have read and want to read. I stopped using shelfari when they changed it and I did like how it worked anymore. I may go back and see what has been going on recently with the formatting. I wish I could post a goodreads widget in my blog, but I have not figured out how to accomplish that yet.
I have been reading a lot of good education books. One I want to start soon is Waiting for Superman. I actually watched the documentary last week and found it very informative and interesting. If you are interested in public education I would definitively recommend it. It discusses some problems which I understand. As a teacher I can understand what they are saying and some of the changes that need to be made, but there are some issues that are not as black and white.
I am going through the books I would like to read for the upcoming year. I have joined the goodreads 2012 challenge. I started my goal to read 50 books in 2012. I did a similar challenge a few years back and accomplished over 50. But with me being so busy and having to take classes. i decided to stick with 50. So I should have plenty of reviews to write. That is all for now.
My movie club is starting back up in January. Which I am excited about. I will be posting movie reviews as well, even if they are not about books. I am very excited about all the new movies coming up!
I have been playing on the goodreads site and must say I really like it. It is a good way of keeping track of the books you have read and want to read. I stopped using shelfari when they changed it and I did like how it worked anymore. I may go back and see what has been going on recently with the formatting. I wish I could post a goodreads widget in my blog, but I have not figured out how to accomplish that yet.
I have been reading a lot of good education books. One I want to start soon is Waiting for Superman. I actually watched the documentary last week and found it very informative and interesting. If you are interested in public education I would definitively recommend it. It discusses some problems which I understand. As a teacher I can understand what they are saying and some of the changes that need to be made, but there are some issues that are not as black and white.
I am going through the books I would like to read for the upcoming year. I have joined the goodreads 2012 challenge. I started my goal to read 50 books in 2012. I did a similar challenge a few years back and accomplished over 50. But with me being so busy and having to take classes. i decided to stick with 50. So I should have plenty of reviews to write. That is all for now.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thor
This summer we have a lot of movies coming out based on comic books. I sometimes think that comic book fans are a harder audience to please then book lovers. Which I find to be an amusing thought. I will be reviewing these movies based off of famous characters in beloved comic books.
Last week i saw Thor. Now I do want to set straight that I have not read this comic book, and actually have read very little in the way of comic books. I enjoyed the plot of the movie. Even though I do not know the stories in the comics I could follow what was going on. Which I always like when I can understand a story. The effects were pretty cool as well. I did like how the backgrounds were done and the rainbow bridge was wonderfully done. It could have been really corney but I think they did a good job with it.
I also enjoyed the actors in this movie. All the roles were perfetcly cast. The guy that played Thor, whos name escapes me at the moment, was delightful. The really gave that Norse god feel. Natalie Portman was fantastic. She was a real treat to watch in the movie. The supporting cast was well selected. And my favorite SHIELD agent is always fun to watch.
This installment of the Avengers was fun to watch. The only problem I had with this movie was filmed oddly. During the action sequences would have a lot of movement in the frame, then they would move the camera as well. I like when they pick one. Too much movement make me motion sick. But more movies are doing that now.
Overall I would recommend the movie. I liked the plot and the actors were fantastic. Alos there is a scene after the credits to stay for.
Last week i saw Thor. Now I do want to set straight that I have not read this comic book, and actually have read very little in the way of comic books. I enjoyed the plot of the movie. Even though I do not know the stories in the comics I could follow what was going on. Which I always like when I can understand a story. The effects were pretty cool as well. I did like how the backgrounds were done and the rainbow bridge was wonderfully done. It could have been really corney but I think they did a good job with it.
I also enjoyed the actors in this movie. All the roles were perfetcly cast. The guy that played Thor, whos name escapes me at the moment, was delightful. The really gave that Norse god feel. Natalie Portman was fantastic. She was a real treat to watch in the movie. The supporting cast was well selected. And my favorite SHIELD agent is always fun to watch.
This installment of the Avengers was fun to watch. The only problem I had with this movie was filmed oddly. During the action sequences would have a lot of movement in the frame, then they would move the camera as well. I like when they pick one. Too much movement make me motion sick. But more movies are doing that now.
Overall I would recommend the movie. I liked the plot and the actors were fantastic. Alos there is a scene after the credits to stay for.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Books
I have not had as much time as I would like to read lately. But I should be able to catch up now. I am still reading Small Favor by Jim Butcher. My post will mostly be about movies tonight.
One series of books I would like to start reading are the books they based How to Train Your Dragon on. The movie is fantastic and I hope the books are just as enjoyable. I did not realize there was a book series until they advertised in the cover of the movie.
Coming out on DVD this month is A Christmas Carol. This animated classic is a wonderful version of the story. Jim Carrey is a wonderful Scrooge. The elements they chose to include were wonderful and makes it different from other versions. It is worth checking out this holiday season.
I will be teaching The Giver in my class soon. The Giver is a very good story and it has good points. It is a book that really makes one look at the world we live in and it is a good book to get kids thinking. But I also think adults can also get a lot out of this book. It is a book that will stay with you. I will have more on it in a later post.
So right now I am finishing Small Favor by Jim Butcher.
One series of books I would like to start reading are the books they based How to Train Your Dragon on. The movie is fantastic and I hope the books are just as enjoyable. I did not realize there was a book series until they advertised in the cover of the movie.
Coming out on DVD this month is A Christmas Carol. This animated classic is a wonderful version of the story. Jim Carrey is a wonderful Scrooge. The elements they chose to include were wonderful and makes it different from other versions. It is worth checking out this holiday season.
I will be teaching The Giver in my class soon. The Giver is a very good story and it has good points. It is a book that really makes one look at the world we live in and it is a good book to get kids thinking. But I also think adults can also get a lot out of this book. It is a book that will stay with you. I will have more on it in a later post.
So right now I am finishing Small Favor by Jim Butcher.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Jim Bitcher and Simon Green
I finished Jim Butcher's Proven Gulity and White Night. So I have 3 books left in the Dresden files...then I am all caught up with what the author has released. I really enjoyed these two books. The series is a very exciting and fast paced. I like how the books are structured apart form each other and how they build upon each other. The characters are really growing and developing in interesting ways. I highly recommend this series, especially if you like supernatural and magical books.
I also finished Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green. I really enjoyed this first novel in the series. I thought it had some interesting characters which I thinnk have a lot of potental. The plot was also unpredicable and fast paced. I really enjoyed the world Green created. It is a book i would recommend for readers of supernatural fiction as well.
I am currently reading Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green. Which is the second book in the nightside series.
I also finished Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green. I really enjoyed this first novel in the series. I thought it had some interesting characters which I thinnk have a lot of potental. The plot was also unpredicable and fast paced. I really enjoyed the world Green created. It is a book i would recommend for readers of supernatural fiction as well.
I am currently reading Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green. Which is the second book in the nightside series.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Lisa Kleypas, Jim Butcher, and the Nook!!!!
Well I have not updated in far too long. So there is a lot to go over.
First off I finished Lisa Klepas' Hathaway series. The last 2 books Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon were just released this summer. Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors so I am a bit biased. This series is very fun. It is a spin off from her wallflower series. Now i waited and actually read the last 3 books in the series not that far apart.
First up is Poppy's book, Tempt me at Twilight, which i enjoyed more then I thought I would. This story was delightful and I especially like how the hero is shown. They definately are a different type of couple. It has a really fun plot and moves very quickly. It was a delightful read.
The next book is Married by Morning which is Leo's book. This is the book I was looking forward to because it is a story about him and the governess they hired a few years earlier. So you get moments with these two characters in the previous books, which is nice. We already have a feeling for these characters and it is fun to fianlly get there story. I love also how Kleypas connects her characters and uses them throughout all the books in the series. This one was worth the wait and a fun time.
Beatrix's story Love in the Afternoon was the best in the series. I expected the previous book to be my favorite, but this one was a pleasent suprise. This book has strong interesting characters. I think the two main characters are the strongest in the series and was a wonderful end to this series.
All three books were fantastic. I highly recommend this series which consists of five books. This was a wonderful series and is very well done. Strong characters and interesting plots.
I also am having a wonderful time with my Nook. It was a wonderful investment!! There are lots of free books and with the wish list feature makes it easier to buy the books i intend to buy. It is excellent to read on and very convientent. So i recommend getting an e-reader. You can also use library e-books but I have not figured out how to do that yet. But it is a lot of fun and worth the money.
I have also been listening to the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. I have gone through the first 7: Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death Mask, Blood Rites, and Dead Beat. This is a very good series. I am really enjoying the books and recommend them. They are very dark and some have some pretty intense scenes. But they take an interesting look at supernatural creatures and situations. The characters are strong and enjoyable. I also like how much Butcher has going on in the books and that he has storylines that continue through the books. I would recommend reading them in order to get the most out of the series. If you like vampires, ghosts, demons, talking skulls, and werewolves you will really enjoy the books. And the main character Harry Dresden is fantastic.
Right now I am reading Proven Gulity by Jim Butcher and Something from the Darkside by Simon Green
First off I finished Lisa Klepas' Hathaway series. The last 2 books Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon were just released this summer. Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors so I am a bit biased. This series is very fun. It is a spin off from her wallflower series. Now i waited and actually read the last 3 books in the series not that far apart.
First up is Poppy's book, Tempt me at Twilight, which i enjoyed more then I thought I would. This story was delightful and I especially like how the hero is shown. They definately are a different type of couple. It has a really fun plot and moves very quickly. It was a delightful read.
The next book is Married by Morning which is Leo's book. This is the book I was looking forward to because it is a story about him and the governess they hired a few years earlier. So you get moments with these two characters in the previous books, which is nice. We already have a feeling for these characters and it is fun to fianlly get there story. I love also how Kleypas connects her characters and uses them throughout all the books in the series. This one was worth the wait and a fun time.
Beatrix's story Love in the Afternoon was the best in the series. I expected the previous book to be my favorite, but this one was a pleasent suprise. This book has strong interesting characters. I think the two main characters are the strongest in the series and was a wonderful end to this series.
All three books were fantastic. I highly recommend this series which consists of five books. This was a wonderful series and is very well done. Strong characters and interesting plots.
I also am having a wonderful time with my Nook. It was a wonderful investment!! There are lots of free books and with the wish list feature makes it easier to buy the books i intend to buy. It is excellent to read on and very convientent. So i recommend getting an e-reader. You can also use library e-books but I have not figured out how to do that yet. But it is a lot of fun and worth the money.
I have also been listening to the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. I have gone through the first 7: Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death Mask, Blood Rites, and Dead Beat. This is a very good series. I am really enjoying the books and recommend them. They are very dark and some have some pretty intense scenes. But they take an interesting look at supernatural creatures and situations. The characters are strong and enjoyable. I also like how much Butcher has going on in the books and that he has storylines that continue through the books. I would recommend reading them in order to get the most out of the series. If you like vampires, ghosts, demons, talking skulls, and werewolves you will really enjoy the books. And the main character Harry Dresden is fantastic.
Right now I am reading Proven Gulity by Jim Butcher and Something from the Darkside by Simon Green
Friday, April 2, 2010
Kenyon, Maguire, Jefferies, and Phillips and the Nook!!
Ok lots of reviews to do tonight. I have a lot of catching up to do! So i will be writing 4 reviews tonight. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover, Margo Maguire's Taken by the Laird, Sabrina Jefferies' The Truth About Lord Stoneville, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips' What I Did for Love. All of which I really enjoyed.
First up Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had strong characters and an interesting story. It had more content then I actually had originally thought. This is the first book in a series. But how I understand it it was written after some of the other books, so it's more of a prequel, but it is the best place to start. I am planning on reading the next one in the series. I liked the character interaction and the use of the Roman gods. It was well written. I would recommend this book.
Next up is Margo Maguire's Taken by the Laird. This story was delightful! i would really like to read some more of this author's books. It was a fun story. It had strong characters and a comlelling story. It was an easy read and a joy. it also has some hauntings and mystery in it, which is always a treat. It was the type of book your sad to see end. I wish it was a part of a series. But alas that is not the case. I would highly recommend this book as well. it is well worth your time to read!
On to Sabrina Jefferies' The Truth Abour Lord Stoneville. Now i really enjoy Jefferies' books. They are alwasy a fun time. This book is the first in her new series and I have to say it is a treat. It was very humorous and worth the read. The characters are strong and enchanting. I look forward to the next books in this series. While some of her series are stronger then others, this one is off to a wonderful start. I would recommend checking this one out, especially if you liked her earlier stuff.
Last but not least Susan Elizabeth Phillips' What I Did for Love. This is one of my new favorite authors. Her strories are wonderful. They are original and fresh. The characters and situations in this story are wonderful. This is a must read. This is a strong story that is well written. I loved it. It is very funny and has a lot of heart.
Also I bought a Nook last month. I adore it. It was worth the money i spent. I was able to get a lot of free books, and a lot fo the books are very cheep. i think in the long run this will prove to be a very good investment.
First up Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had strong characters and an interesting story. It had more content then I actually had originally thought. This is the first book in a series. But how I understand it it was written after some of the other books, so it's more of a prequel, but it is the best place to start. I am planning on reading the next one in the series. I liked the character interaction and the use of the Roman gods. It was well written. I would recommend this book.
Next up is Margo Maguire's Taken by the Laird. This story was delightful! i would really like to read some more of this author's books. It was a fun story. It had strong characters and a comlelling story. It was an easy read and a joy. it also has some hauntings and mystery in it, which is always a treat. It was the type of book your sad to see end. I wish it was a part of a series. But alas that is not the case. I would highly recommend this book as well. it is well worth your time to read!
On to Sabrina Jefferies' The Truth Abour Lord Stoneville. Now i really enjoy Jefferies' books. They are alwasy a fun time. This book is the first in her new series and I have to say it is a treat. It was very humorous and worth the read. The characters are strong and enchanting. I look forward to the next books in this series. While some of her series are stronger then others, this one is off to a wonderful start. I would recommend checking this one out, especially if you liked her earlier stuff.
Last but not least Susan Elizabeth Phillips' What I Did for Love. This is one of my new favorite authors. Her strories are wonderful. They are original and fresh. The characters and situations in this story are wonderful. This is a must read. This is a strong story that is well written. I loved it. It is very funny and has a lot of heart.
Also I bought a Nook last month. I adore it. It was worth the money i spent. I was able to get a lot of free books, and a lot fo the books are very cheep. i think in the long run this will prove to be a very good investment.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Believe and Beauty and the Duke
I have a lot of books on my nightstand that I am in the process of reading. So I am hoping to have a bunch of reviews up soon.!!! So let the reviewing begin!
Today I am doing reviews on Victoria Alexander's Believe and melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke.
I am a huge Victoria Alexander fan. Her novel Believe is not a disappointment. I thought it was a magical story...pun intended. This is a time travel romace...which i love. The heronie, Tessa gets transported back to Camelot and has to help Galahad on his quest for the grail. The characters are great and there is a lot of humor in the story as well. She does a wonderful job of weaving her story together with the Arthur legend. Now the cover may be deceiving and it came out around christmas. It's complicated, but it's not a Christmas story...but I was not disappointed the story was delightful. i would highly recommend any of this author's books!
Next up is Melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke. I really enjoyed this book as well. it was a fun read. The characters where interesting and the plot was original. I liked the way the characters interacted and how they all fit together. It was a very fun book. Some of the scene's were not writen as well as they could have been, but for the most part those are just the sex scenes, which does not have a lot of weight in this instance. So that flaw was not that a big deal. But i would recommend this book as well. I will be reading more of this author. This is the first of her books I have read. But her heronine is one of the first palentolisgists trying to have a career in science...in 1840...she is delightful!
Next time I am planning on doing a write up on Sabrina Jefferies. I just finished The Truth about Lord Stoneville. Currently I am reading Margo Maguire's Taken by the Laird
Today I am doing reviews on Victoria Alexander's Believe and melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke.
I am a huge Victoria Alexander fan. Her novel Believe is not a disappointment. I thought it was a magical story...pun intended. This is a time travel romace...which i love. The heronie, Tessa gets transported back to Camelot and has to help Galahad on his quest for the grail. The characters are great and there is a lot of humor in the story as well. She does a wonderful job of weaving her story together with the Arthur legend. Now the cover may be deceiving and it came out around christmas. It's complicated, but it's not a Christmas story...but I was not disappointed the story was delightful. i would highly recommend any of this author's books!
Next up is Melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke. I really enjoyed this book as well. it was a fun read. The characters where interesting and the plot was original. I liked the way the characters interacted and how they all fit together. It was a very fun book. Some of the scene's were not writen as well as they could have been, but for the most part those are just the sex scenes, which does not have a lot of weight in this instance. So that flaw was not that a big deal. But i would recommend this book as well. I will be reading more of this author. This is the first of her books I have read. But her heronine is one of the first palentolisgists trying to have a career in science...in 1840...she is delightful!
Next time I am planning on doing a write up on Sabrina Jefferies. I just finished The Truth about Lord Stoneville. Currently I am reading Margo Maguire's Taken by the Laird
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Natural Born Charmer
Hello readers. I am sorry I have neglected this blog for over a month. That is sad. But I am back and am planning on updaing much more frequently.
Well todays review is on Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Natural Born Charmer. Now I will admit I bought this on a whim because it was on sale at Barnes and Noble. I was very suprised how much I enjoyed the book. Now it is the first book I have read by this author and let me tell you last week I saw another one of her books and bought it. Her writing is engaging and her characters were fun. I like reading about a group of misfits coming together. What I truely loved about this book is it wasn't just about a romance between two people, but the love that grew between all the characters and how they made each other happier. It was a fun read. I would highly reccommend this book.
I will be reviewing Victoria Alexander's Believe and Melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke.
Right now I am ready the anthology Ladies Prefer Rogues. which is 4 romance stories...that involve time travel,,,i am sucha sucker for time travel.
Well todays review is on Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Natural Born Charmer. Now I will admit I bought this on a whim because it was on sale at Barnes and Noble. I was very suprised how much I enjoyed the book. Now it is the first book I have read by this author and let me tell you last week I saw another one of her books and bought it. Her writing is engaging and her characters were fun. I like reading about a group of misfits coming together. What I truely loved about this book is it wasn't just about a romance between two people, but the love that grew between all the characters and how they made each other happier. It was a fun read. I would highly reccommend this book.
I will be reviewing Victoria Alexander's Believe and Melody Thomas' Beauty and the Duke.
Right now I am ready the anthology Ladies Prefer Rogues. which is 4 romance stories...that involve time travel,,,i am sucha sucker for time travel.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Further Posting on E-Readers and a Christmas Carol
ok so I have personally touched a sony e-reader, the nook, and the kindle. so i am very excited about this technology. Comparing all three, I will not buy a Sony e-reader, now that does not mean it is not a good model. I just perfer something with more features and the option to download books directly to it, as opposed to having to use a computer to do it. Since right now I don't have my own computer that would be a problem. So I like having the option of doing more with it. The kindle and the Nook are basically the same. But i liked the nook better. it was slightly lighter and it has the color touch screen at the bottom. in all honesty. it does not really matter between the nook and the kindle. You will have to look at what the two offer and decide which features and how much space you want. I knew someone who had the kindle which is how i got a look at it. And you can go see the nook at any Barnes and Noble. They have working models at the customer service desk. So i just wanted to make a quick update on that. I will have a few books to review after the holiday. Have a fantastic holiday!!!
I also saw Disney's animated A Christmas Carol. I thought it was wonderful. I thought it was a strong retelling of the classic story, that has been remade hundreds of times. It is one of the creepiest versions i've seen, which i liked. It is a ghost story, but can sometimes be watered down. The characters are portrayed well. Jim Carrey did a fantastic job, which I was not suprised about. It was a wonderful version and I would highly recommend it. But I saw it in 3-d and don't think you need to spend the extra money on it. I do no thtink seeing it in 3-d improves anything or adds anything for this movie.
this week I am reading Red Hot Santa by Cheery Adair, Leanne Banks, Pamela Britton, and Kelsey Roberts
Happy Holidays!!!!!
I also saw Disney's animated A Christmas Carol. I thought it was wonderful. I thought it was a strong retelling of the classic story, that has been remade hundreds of times. It is one of the creepiest versions i've seen, which i liked. It is a ghost story, but can sometimes be watered down. The characters are portrayed well. Jim Carrey did a fantastic job, which I was not suprised about. It was a wonderful version and I would highly recommend it. But I saw it in 3-d and don't think you need to spend the extra money on it. I do no thtink seeing it in 3-d improves anything or adds anything for this movie.
this week I am reading Red Hot Santa by Cheery Adair, Leanne Banks, Pamela Britton, and Kelsey Roberts
Happy Holidays!!!!!
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