Best Friends Forever: Jennifer Weiner

I have a thing for Jennifer Weiner books. I have to be in the mood, that girly, la-di-da... almost like a summery feeling to read them, but I like them.

The latest one I read when we went camping last month, its called Best Friends Forever. 

The book is about two former best friends, that I had sort of, lost their friendship at the end of high school. It's been 10 years since then, and when some crazy stuff goes down at their reunion, they are able to find their way to each other, and to the friendship they once had.

I really liked it. Y'all should check it out.


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Say You're One of Them

I loved this book. Loved it.

Say You're One of Them, by Uwem Akpan

What it is, is a collection of different stories, from children's points of view, on their lives in Africa.

I got interested in this because of the attention it drew from both Anderson Cooper from CNN, and Oprah; but then with finals, and starting a new job, I didn't finish it until recently. But, it was well worth the wait, I would definitely recommend it.

So, at least that adds to my 50 books in 2009-2010 list, eh? Only 25 more to go.

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The Lost Symbol

I was so excited for The Lost Symbol release in September. I picked it up on the day that it was released, and started reading it the day of. However, I just barely finished reading it. I haven't had any time! And frankly, it wasn't as exciting and fabulous as I thought it was going to be. Oh well. I still think Angels and Demons was better than the Da Vinci Code, but both of those books were better than The Lost Symbol.

And this brings up the fact, that yes, I am deeply behind on my 50 books in 2009 goal. Shoot! I'm hoping that I can catch up. Here's my list as its gone so far..

1. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay: LOVED it! Very educational, and an altogether really good book.
   
2. Dispatches from the Edge, A Memoir of war, disasters and survival, by Anderson Cooper: might just be my favorite book now, but I do love me some Andy.. any day.
   
3. Veil of Roses, by Laura Fitzgerald: very good book, interesting view of the United States and Iran.
   
4. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kid . I loved this story of Southern Life. I also really enjoyed the movie. However, as it usually goes, the book tops the movie.
   
5. 1984, by George Orwell. I still am not sure how I feel about this book. I can see how it has influenced many other things I love, i.e.: The Matrix, V for Vendetta. (V for Vendetta the book is on my to read list!) But yeah. Not so sure I'd read it ever again.
   
6. Holly Would Dream, by Karen Quinn. Anyone that loves Audrey Hepburn will enjoy. :)
   
7. In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner: Awesome book! See blog post here.
   
8. Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot: I'm really loving these girly books.. what does that say about me? There are 2 more in this series, I am going to get them next week! Yay!
   
9. 3 Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen. Good guy, good idea, but was really hard for me to stay interested..
   
10. Cote D'Ivoire, by Patricia Kumer
    
11. Aya, by Margarite Abouet ~ I read both Cote D'Ivoire, and Aya for my Cote D'Ivoire presentation for my French class. I actually liked Aya's graphic novel-esque setup. Never really read a graphic novel all the way before.
12. The Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karmali: this is an AWESOME book that is super helpful in understanding the world around you, and how Islam really is.
13. My Sister's Keeper
    
14. Michelle Obama, In Her Own Words by Lisa Rogak. I love Michelle Obama.
    
15. Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld.
    
16. Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld.
17. Extras, by Scott Westerfeld.
18. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (reread)
    
19. Essentials of International Relations by Mingst (for school)
20. Essential Readings for International Relations by Mingst (for school)
21. Social Work Policy (for school)
22. Parallèles (for school: en français)
23. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.
24. Le Petit Prince (in progress)
25. 
    

Eek.. 26 more books to go..

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Uglies

Has anyone out there read the books, Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld? I really like it!! It kind of reminded me of The Giver.. and The Host. Sorta sci-fi, fantasy-ish, with a touch of political activism hidden motives. I like it. I like it.


















Now I just need to go get the last book in the trilogy, Specials, and the follow up book Extras!

Part The Lottery, part The Matrix, and part The Wave, Uglies is the first of a trilogy that shouts from the rooftops of literature why Westerfeld is a master of his genre. If Uglies isn't considered for a Hugo for 2006, then either Westerfeld got robbed or this will just have been an uncommonly good year for science fiction output. The pinnacle of speculative fiction for teen readers that does more than deliver pulse-pounding adventure but also forces introspection into the way we perceive ourselves and others.

~ excerpt of a review from The Trades

PS: Yes, I know these are made for teens, but did you ask if I cared? Cause I don't. :: wink ::

That's Number 13 and 14 on my 50 Book Challenge list (and the 2 more from the series will make me at 16). Slowly approaching the goal.

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Sarah's Key

This last Christmas, Amanda gave me Sarah's Key, a really good book by Tatiana de Rosnay. I loved it. Its a very fast-moving, suspenseful, yet historical, interesting book that centers in present France, as well as the 1940's war stricken France. I really loved the book. And the author, Madame Rosnay, is a really nice lady. I am friends with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Now, I'm excited, because Sarah's Key is being made into a movie. How cool is that? See the Sarah's Key blog here, for more information. Apparently, they are filming this Summer and Fall, and the movie should be released sometime next year. Yay!

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Fling off Thy Sadness!

I have been reading a lot lately. I got into a few girly~girly novels, and read one of them in just one day! So I have updated my 50 Books in 2009 list again. I've read 11 books now. I'm slowly creeping towards my goal. I hope I can really make it! Eek! At the rate I'm going, I don't know if it will work. Guess we will see. I think since I'm taking the Summer off from school I will have more time to read books and catch up.

Today is April 1st, and it still snowed here most of the day!!! WTF?! So not cool! Its like some sort of April Fools joke, by the Weather Guru or something. I don't know! But it better stop. This poem is perfect for today:

"Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!"
- Thomas Blackburn, An Easter Hymn

Tomorrow is The Grand Opening at The Rack. I hope there's not too many people! Ick. I worked at the Sugar House Rack on Saturday. It was interesting. I got to go with Lindsey from work, and she's pretty awesome, so it was good. I'm glad it was her I got to go with. The manager of that store, Bridget, took us out to a cafe nearby, and paid for our food. Way nice. The actual manager of the Accessories department was totally weird though. Our actual manager from the Sandy Rack called while we were on break and wanted us to call her back, the manager at Sugar House told us not to! She's like "oh, we need you to keep working, don't call her back." WHAT? So so strange. Yeah, here, let us disobey our actual manager, sure that makes sense..

I finally watched MILK the other day with Ashley, my sister. I can't believe how crazy this world is! WHY do some people think they are so important, and that they are so great and religious and wonderful, and think it is their right to belittle people that are "below" them!?!? I don't understand. It made me so mad.. and sad.. and happy that we are actually getting somewhere in the Gay Rights struggle. BUT at the same time, I was like dude! there was a proposition (Prop 6) that had similar arguments to Prop 8, and people are still so super bigoted?! Guess we haven't changed that much. I mean, Prop 6 was almost thirty years ago!! Ah, it just amazes me. My sister wrote more about the whole struggle, and the crazy woman, Anita Bryant that was the voice for the Religious Right during the movement. Click here for her blog post about it. All in all it was a good movie, and I am glad that it was made. We all need to be reminded of the different struggles for equality in this imperfect country.

In other current events, the G-20 starts tomorrow in London. I hope that people will protest for their causes peacefully, so that their voices can be heard, and not be overshadowed by not-needed violence and disruption. Although, I would love for someone to be like HEY Why didn't anyone arrest al-Bashir when he traveled out of The Sudan to Qatar, this past week?! Argh.

But the best news of today, I don't know if I said anything recently but I have been talking to my adviser at school about doing an Internship next Spring for my Social Work degree. It will get me so much closer to graduating. Well, last Wednesday, an opportunity came up in New Delhi. I thought it was a total long shot, but I thought what the hell, I'll apply. My adviser called me this afternoon to tell me I got in. So I will be in New Delhi, India from January 2010 to April 2010! Wahoo!! I've always wanted to go to Delhi! Now we're just trying to get my sister over there doing something, so we can go together. I'm so excited!
Just Kidding! APRIL FOOLS! :)

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In Her Shoes

Has anyone read In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner? I started reading it yesterday, and haven't really been able to put it down! I read over 200 pages in one sitting. Oops.



I remember wanting to see the movie, with Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz, but I never did. Now , once I am done reading it tomorrow or Saturday, I am going to have to rent the movie. Yay.

I'm still working on Three Cups of Tea but the book kind of drags. Its hard for me to fully get into. I think what he did is amazing and I love it, but I guess I'd rather not read the day-to-day minuscule details about climbing mountains, and all of the crazy details that worked against him in doing it. I don't know. I think it might just be better as a movie, not a book. I heard they might be doing that. Anyway, that's my progress on my 50 Books in 2009 Goal. I also checked out more books at the Library, since I seem to always get to school too early (amazing, right?) and need something to do, so I've been reading. These are the books that are next:

• V for Vendetta
• Aya
• Watermelon
• The Muslim next door, the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing
• The Bell Jar

The first two are Graphic Novels.. Anyone like those? I can't decide what I think. At first I was like, oh, (disappointed sounding), V for Vendetta is a graphic novel? But then I started looking at it, and I kind of like it. And Aya, is by an author from Côte D'Ivoire, which I have to do a report on, in French for my French class, so I thought it might be interesting. We will see, we will see.

Yup. :) Exciting I know.. I just realized how boring that must be to read about. Oh well, its Thursday:

This must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays.

~ Douglas Adams, British comic

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Mixed Fortunes

I have always really liked fortune cookies. I know that they can be cheesy, and I know that they are used over and over and over again at many places ~ especially where I most often go, Panda Express. But, I still like them. I think they are fun, and really, you can find meaning in the same fortune at different times, where it applies to you. Maybe its my way of getting some sort of forecast while I enjoy my Mandarin Chicken. Yum.


I've received these two fortunes in the last few months, and being a crazy that I am, have held on to them in my wallet. I really like them, maybe they're my version of Inspiration.

It has been nice the past week working at the Rack. Obviously, it is not my most favorite thing to do, and being that I have to go back to work tomorrow, and work everyday until Saturday, its not going to stay exciting for very long. However, it is nice to feel productive, and to know that my hard work will bring me some money. Because, unfortunately, I have yet to get the fortune cookie that says Plant this seed and a money tree will grow. I have merchandised some pretty awesome things at The Rack so far. I really want to buy everything . But I won't. Maybe just one or two small things. There's this cute bright green wallet that I want, that is only like $12, probably much more in my price range than the $230 Juicy Couture handbag that I covet. I should really buy more scarves, belts, and vests though, since we have to wear 3-piece outfits. Still not completely sure what that means. Guess I will find out when the store opens.

I have decided not to goto school this upcoming semester. Bummer, I know. I might be able to sign up for the one Statistics class that I need to take, but I am not sure. I really wanted to be able to get my Associates this August, but now I am thinking maybe I don't need to get the Associates, and I can just keep working towards my Bachelors. It makes more sense money wise to work full time this summer, and take more classes in the fall. We'll just have to see what exactly happens I guess. I should still be able to get my Bachelors either by December 2010, or May 2011. Which, sounds sooo far away, but one step at a time, right?*

I am slowly plodding towards my goal of reading 50 books in 2009. I just finished Holly Would Dream, by Karen Quinn, it was a fun book. The author, and the main character, are very obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. The book had something like 127 Audrey-inspired happenings. Which, was fun because I think I recognized quite a few of them, thanks to my own Audrey obsession, but even I got a little annoyed sometimes. Anyway, I felt like I needed to read a book that was going to be a light, fun read, instead of some of the harder books I have been reading. I tried to read the Poisonwood Bible, but sadly, I couldn't really get into it, it was so boring! Now I am reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I have wanted to read this for a long time, and kept almost buying it at Target, but now I finally got it from the Library. I also just heard about a book called, The Muslim next door, the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing, by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, I am going to go get this new book from the Draper Library today, and it is next on my list.

* Unless there is some Millionaire out there, reading my very entertaining blog that wants to loan me some money (although, I accept cash presents as well).

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Dr Pepper is Heaven

I haven't written in awhile. At least, not really written with updates and information on my life; just with little tidbits and lists here and there. So, I thought on this Saturday morning I would start by babbling. Babbling is one of those things.. I do best ;) haha.

A week and a half ago or so, I went and saw KITE with Kim at the University of Utah. It was a very interesting film, and I really liked it. It focuses on life with an ever changing border - between Lebanon and Israel. They have a Middle East Center at the University, and they are sponsoring Middle Eastern films there, about once a week, that is open to the public for free. This is how we saw KITE. It was fun, I hope to do it again and go see another one of the films. They are also having discussions and workshops as well, there is one about Middle Eastern Women that I really want to go to. After the movie, Kim and I went to Lunaberry on 4th South. It was really good! I had never been there before, and Kim was right, the crepes are really good! And they have funky French music playing. I like it.


Right after seeing the film with Kim, I got sick. Yuck. My dad and I both had the flu, and Tim was sick too, but I'm not really sure if he really got what we had because he was only sick for a day or two. So yuckie. I still have the stupid cough and am really tired. I hate being sick. However, having so much "down time" and not wanting to go around and get everyone sick, it gave me a lot of time to read my books and really make a dent in my 50 book project. I managed to finish Anderson Cooper's Memoir, which I LOVED. It was really fun to kind of "get in his head" and see things from his point of view. I loved me some Anderson before, but now its even worse. I'm sure I'm driving my sister crazy with my "Yeah, and did you know.. ?" comments of random Anderson Cooper trivia. Oh well.
I also read Veil of Roses, by Laura Fitgerald; and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kid. I enjoyed both books. Quite a lot. Veil of Roses is about an Iranian girl that has escaped having an arranged marriage so far by going to University in Tehran, but now she is done with her studies, and will need to get married soon. Her parents are able to get her a passport and one-way ticket to visit her married sister in Arizona. She has three months to find a husband, and get married, so that she never has to go back to the oppressive "Revolutionized" Iran. It was more of a fun read then a cultural one, but I did enjoy seeing Victoria Secret and Starbucks through the eyes of Tamila in the book.

The Secret Life of Bees.. I loved! It was so good! I really need to go rent the movie now that I have read it. The story is really good, it's during the 1960 Civil Rights movement in South Carolina. I really liked it, it was one of those feel good, southern books. Almost reminded me of Fried Green Tomatoes.

Being sick also kept me from going to my first day of Tutoring with The IRC, which is a bummer. But I am excited for this week! We are going to have a Valentine's Day themed party, and teach the kids about collages. I am excited. I wonder if I can take pictures of the kids. Hmmm.

I don't talk about my Daddy very much. BUT I do have to mention that my daddy loves me. Haha. A couple of days ago my dad was going to go pick my brother up something to eat at KFC. He asked me if I wanted anything and I asked for chicken fingers; and then I was like "OOOH! I want a fountain drink! Will you get me a Dr Pepper?" (anyone who knows me.. knows I love me some fountain drinks! They are so MUCH better than from the can or bottle!). Anyway, so my dad said yeah he'd get me the drink and went on his way. When he came home he had two drinks in his hand, one from KFC, and one from the gas station. They didn't have Dr Pepper at KFC and he had gone to the gas station to get me a Dr Pepper fountain drink! How nice is that?! I love my daddy.

In other news, my Grandma Jean is home! I am so excited. I haven't seen her yet, or much really this week, I didn't want to get her sick so I stayed away! My whole family has been pretty sick with different things, (my mom had a bad bout of asthma too), so we haven't really visited much. I think my extended family is mad at us for this, but I would really rather not see Grandma and have her not get sick and them mad at me, than the other way around!! My Uncle and his wife.. ~ sigh ~ BUT that's not the point, family drama will always be just that: drama. But my Grandma is home now and that just makes me so much happier. I HATED seeing her in the Nursing Home. It made me sad every time. She didn't belong there. Sure she has some problems, and needs a lot of assistance right now, but she's still very much there "upstairs."

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50 Book Challenge List

As I talked about in this post: I love to Read I have decided to do the 50 book challenge this year. I have never done any of the book challenges I have seen other bloggers do, so this is a new experience for me. Here is the beginnings of my list..I will be adding to it periodically, as I finish the books and reach for the goal, to read 50 Books in the year 2009. Any suggestions for books are welcomed. ;)

1. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay: LOVED it! Very educational, and an altogether really good book.
   
2. Dispatches from the Edge, A Memoir of war, disasters and survival, by Anderson Cooper: might just be my favorite book now, but I do love me some Andy.. any day.
   
3. Veil of Roses, by Laura Fitzgerald: very good book, interesting view of the United States and Iran.
   
4. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kid . I loved this story of Southern Life. I also really enjoyed the movie. However, as it usually goes, the book tops the movie.
   
5. 1984, by George Orwell. I still am not sure how I feel about this book. I can see how it has influenced many other things I love, i.e.: The Matrix, V for Vendetta. (V for Vendetta the book is on my to read list!) But yeah. Not so sure I'd read it ever again.
   
6. Holly Would Dream, by Karen Quinn. Anyone that loves Audrey Hepburn will enjoy. :)
   
7. In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner: Awesome book! See blog post here.
   
8. Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot: I'm really loving these girly books.. what does that say about me? There are 2 more in this series, I am going to get them next week! Yay!
   
9. 3 Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen. Good guy, good idea, but was really hard for me to stay interested..
   
10. Cote D'Ivoire, by Patricia Kumer
    
11. Aya, by Margarite Abouet ~ I read both Cote D'Ivoire, and Aya for my Cote D'Ivoire presentation for my French class. I actually liked Aya's graphic novel-esque setup. Never really read a graphic novel all the way before.
    
12. Michelle Obama, In Her Own Words by Lisa Rogak. I love Michelle Obama.
    
13. Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld. I can't wait to read the next 3 books in the series!!
    
14. Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld.
15. 
    
16. 
    
17. 
    
18. 
    
19. 
    
20. 
    

I am excited. I have a lot of books written on my "to read list", both old and new, classic, and not so much.

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I love to READ

I just signed up for www.goodreads.com, a few friends had been talking about it, and Ardie sent me an invitation. I am already a member of www.livingsocial.com, where you can track your books and things (I first discovered it on Facebook). However, I don't LOVE living social, so I thought hey why not, I'll try Good Reads. I still haven't decided what I think but I have decided that I want to do a challenge this year that a blogger friend of mine: Marg, is doing. Where you track 50 books that you read in 2009. I challenge all of you to it. :)

Here's the beginning of my list..
1. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay: I am almost finished with it, and I am completely hooked! I would highly recommend it. Amanda gave it to me for Christmas because she's awesome like that. The book follows a Journalist as she investigates a real life incident that happened in Paris in 1942, during the Nazi occupation known as Vel d'Hiv. It's crazy and heartbreaking.. but also a really good book. I think once I am finished I will write a post about the Vel d'Hiv.

So, as you can see.. I have a lot of room left on my list, but we all have to start somewhere right? I am open to suggestions, if anyone can think of some favorite books that they love, or new ones that are awesome, I would love to hear about it. As I was looking at the books on Good Reads, I realized I haven't read some of the very classic books. Like Animal Farm, or 1984. I think I will read those next.

Here's a link to me on Good Reads. And on Living Social. Check it out ;)

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