The Beach House by Jane Green

This book is one of those woman's fiction novels that I rarely read.  For some reason, I am not that interested in most of the non paranormal books marketed to woman.  It is the June pick by my book club, however, so I picked it up.  I was not looking forward to reading it, but I wanted to make the effort for two reasons.   One, I love books and any book discussion is better than none.  Two, I realize I read mostly only paranormal books and enjoy stretching myself from time to time.  So, I ordered it from the library, picked it up, and let it sit for about a week.  I reluctantly started reading it and it seemed my worst fears were going to be realized.  It was about women who's marriages are falling apart.  Why are so many woman's books about that?  Does it make woman happy to read about other woman in pain?  I read slowly, often putting it down in favor of other, more preferable books.  At some point, though, I realized that this book was interesting and about more than pain and heartbreak. 

The book's main point seemed to be the theme, be true to your self.  I like that.  I think that many, many women aren't, that they are living lives for their husbands and families.  We do tend to get lost caring for others.   I loved the character's regrouping and finding out who they really are and what they want out of life.  I loved the sweet romances.  I loved the beautiful setting.  I got probably 1/4 of the way through the book and couldn't put it down.  It's a great summer read and a really sweet book with a happy ending and I love happy endings!   

High Blood Pressure

Yesterday I found out my high blood pressure is back.  I found out I had high blood pressure on Christmas Eve (yes, it kind of ruined Christmas for me).  I stopped taking Sudafed and the problem went away.  I thought the problem was over, but after a doctor visit yesterday, I discovered much to my horror, that I am still prehypertensive.  The doctor wants to start me of medication.  I now have a choice, I can take the pills for the rest of my live or I can make some changes to my diet and add exercise.  Maybe that will help.  Sounds like an easy choice right, but when I think of a lifetime of salads with tasteless vinegar dressing and chicken, chicken, chicken, I start thinking the joy of living is over.  I know, I am being a bit dramatic, but this is such a shock.  It is the first time I have ever really had to face the fact that I AM GETTING OLD and it sucks! 

I must go and start planning a new menu then take a walk with my new pedometer.  I don't want to rely on medicine and I would like to be around for a while longer--my youngest is only 7!



Lotion and Nostalgia



Okay, I know this is a weird topic, but I love Baby Magic lotion.  My kids are no longer babies, so why am I thinking about baby lotion?  It is because it reminds me of my childhood.  Growing up this is the lotion we used.  It is actually a great, all around lotion, and doesn't smell too babyish.  We all used it.  I remember my mom and her pillow always smelled like this lotion.  You know how a song or a smell can take you back to another time?  Well, this reminds me of my childhood.  I have had to stop using it just because it has become really hard to find, but on occasion, I find it at Wal-Mart.  So, until the bottle runs out, every morning I'll have a few minutes of nostalgia. 

be different, Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian



This book marks the 42nd book I have read this year, of those, this is the 1st non-fiction book.  Of the other 41, only 3 were not vampire books, although they were still of the paranormal genre.

As the title of the book indicates, this is about embracing who you are, using the gifts you have, and dealing with things that you can't do or have trouble doing.

I have read John Elder Robinson's other book, Look Me in the Eye and I was really affected by what he said.  This new book is just as memorable.  As the mother of a boy who could have Aspergers and possessing many Aspergian qualities myself, Mr. Robison's words really hit home.  He doesn't bog his books down with boring how to advice, he tell his life story and what he has learned.  He is an inspiration.  I recommend this book to anyone who has Aspergers, knows anyone who has Aspergers, or anyone who maybe just has never quite fit in.  It is informative, funny at times, and an inspiration.

Red, White, and Blood



Nathaniel Cade, Book 3

The official 'blurb' of what the book is about:

 

The Presidential Campaign Trail, 2012:A political operative and a volunteer are brutally murdered while caught in a compromising position. Written in their blood on the wall of the crime scene: IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK. And with that, a centuries-old horror known only as the Boogeyman returns to taunt Nathaniel Cade, the President’s Vampire. Against the backdrop of the 2012 pr...more The Presidential Campaign Trail, 2012: A political operative and a volunteer are brutally murdered while caught in a compromising position. Written in their blood on the wall of the crime scene: IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK. And with that, a centuries-old horror known only as the Boogeyman returns to taunt Nathaniel Cade, the President’s Vampire. Against the backdrop of the 2012 presidential race, with the threat of constant exposure by the media, Cade and Zach must stop the one monster Cade has never been able to defeat completely. And they must do it before the Boogeyman adds another victim to his long and bloody list: the President of the United States himself.

 

I, of course, love vampire books.  Vampire romance is my favorite, but vampire action isn't bad either.  Book 1 in this series was my favorite.  We learned a lot about Cade and it was really interesting an unique.  The 2nd book seemed more like an action book than a vampire books--not as interesting.  This installment has more of Cade in it, what makes him tick, why he does what he does, and a bit about what he thinks.  This is the real meat, why the series is unique.  The relationship between Zach and Cade is interesting and I liked the Presidential Campaign/Boogeyman story (even though the villain name is stupid).  Good, not great.  (The book title is great!)

 

 



True Blood Season 4

True Blood Season 4 is now out on DVD and Blue Ray!

(Of course, I picked the image featuring Eric.)

I am not one to be on the front lines of popular culture, I kind of do my own thing.  So it took me a while to hear about True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse or Southern Vampire Mystery books that inspired the HBO series, but I think it was sometime during the first season.  I immediately sought out the books, fell in love with them, and proceeded to read them one after another until I had read all, I think it was, 10 that was published at the time.   I love the books and have reviewed them here in the past.  I even went to see Charlene Harris and have an autographed copy of one of her books. 

After I read the books, I anxiously waited for the first season on True Blood to come out on DVD.  I do not have HBO and I am not willing to pay for HBO, so I waited for the DVD release and immediately scooped it up, feeling very guilty about spending the money.  I raced home and started what was a True Blood viewing frenzy!  I had never seen anything like it before.  It was cutting edge, suspenseful, full of wonderful acting and characters, and featured completely delicious vampires and werewolves.  I was enraptured!  I was hooked!  I was obsessed!  I also felt completely guilty, the T.V. show is full of nudity and inappropriate scenes, so I had to hide it from my kids.  To make matters worse my husband just does not understand my obsession with vampires.  So, it is my guilty pleasure.  I watched all the episodes in just a few days and then went back and watched all the special features and commentaries.  Watch and repeat with seasons 2 and 3. 

I was probably looking forward to season 4 even more because it was to be my end of the school year reward.  I just entered the job marked last fall for the first time in 8 years.  Juggling work and home responsibilities was difficult, but I managed.  Working in the school system, I, of course, get the summer off and was really looking forward to relaxing, spending more time with my kids, getting to read more, and watching Season 4 of True Blood.  I raced out got the DVDs and OH MY GOD!  It was probably THE BEST thing I have ever scene on TV or the movies.  It was the best season by far. 

It covered probably my favorite book in the series, although the TV show does not follow the books literally I think they are the better for it.  It did, however, cover Sookie and Eric's romance.  I really like the Sookie/Eric romance.  Eric is by far my favorite character in the books and in the series Alexander Skarsgard is perfect as Eric.  Casting a Swede as Eric is a touch of genus.  The only thing is wish was different is Alexander does not have the wonderful long hair Eric is supposed to have.  Seeing a softer side of a ruthless, 1,000 year old viking vampire was so cool.  We also get to see the ruthless side of Eric.  When he pulls the beating heart out of that witch and then sucks the blood out of the artery like it was a soda in heart shaped cup, was so wonderfully cruel, I laughed out loud!  There are several more fight/killing seasons that are similarly gross, wonderfully disgusting, perfectly shot, and cruel. 

Season 4 had it all, romance and ruthless vampire business.  I am now going to watch all of the episodes again, this time with the commentary.  I can't wait!  



I signed my kids up for the summer reading program at our local public library.  Summer reading programs are a great way to get kids interested in reading over the summer.  They really like turning in their forms and getting a prize.  
I picked up the book the library's adult book club is reading.  I can't wait to get back to my book club.  I haven't been able to go because I was working.  I considered attending a book club that meets in the evening so I can go all year around, but I decided that when I am working even if I could find the time to attend an evening book club, I probably wouldn't have time to read the book anyway.  I will enjoy meeting over the summer while I can.

Update:  Now it looks like I won't even be able to make the June meeting.  The group is meeting at a different location and I won't be able to pick-up my son from Lego Robotics camp from that far away.  Sigh, the kids always come first.