Book Club Friday- The Great Gatsby

I had to read this book back in high school, but I really didn't remember much of it at all except that this Gatsby guy was rich and threw parties and was in love with someone.

When I saw the previews for the movie, I knew I had to re-read this because the books are always better than the movie versions.

Just like I remembered, Gatsby is rich and throws lavish parties.  He is in love with a married woman, Daisy.  They were in love years ago, but Gatsby went off to war and Daisy ended up marrying someone else.  But Gatsby never forgot her.  He bought this mansion on "West Egg" strategically because it is directly across from Tom and Daisy's house on "East Egg".  Ironically Daisy's husband is cheating on her.  And that plays a big part in the story line too.

All of this is narrated by Nick who is Daisy's cousin(?) and Gatsby's next door neighbor.  Gatsby is portrayed as this mysterious guy that no one really knows well, but everyone knows of.  Eventually Nick learns of Gatsby's connection to Daisy and Daisy and Gatsby are re-introduced to each other.

About 2/3 of the way through the book picks up pace and a crazy string of events happens (I won't spoil it for you).  At the end it is just really tragic and sad the way things end up and the lessons you can derive from the story are just sad too.

It was interesting and weird (I think that is the formula to become a "classic").  It's not a huge book, so it is probably worth picking up.  The beginning can be a tad slow though.

Overall I didn't love it so I am just giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Originally posted on my bookshelf blog.

Linking up...

Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers

I started this series back in December and even though it took me a long time to finish, it is one of the best series I have ever read!  It's The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers:

Let me tell you, I was really hesitant to start these books.  I gave in and read Redeeming Love by this same author a few years ago and loved it but for some reason I was still hesitant about Christian fiction.  I mean the covers do look a little romance novel-ish don't they?

Voice in the Wind is the first book in the series.  It is the story of Hadassah.  The story opens with her city Jerusalem being destroyed by the Roman army.  Her family is killed and she is captured and sold as a slave to the Valerian family.  So much happens in this book!  The first few chapters are a little slow but things quickly pick up.  Julia Valerian is so messed up and by the end of the book you will hate her.  Marcus too is very troubled but you root for him.  And Hadassah is remarkable.  She really shows you what it means to live out your faith in a world that does not agree with it.  Even though ancient Rome may seem very different than today's world, there are a lot of similarities.  This was probably my favorite book in the series!

Echo in the Darkness is the second book in the series.  And I'm telling you if you get close to the end of the first book, go ahead and have this one on hand because you will want to start it immediately after you finish the first one!  This book continues the main story from the first book.  I can't tell you much more without including spoilers.  I really enjoyed this book as well and loved finding out what happened to all the characters on their long twisted journey.

As Sure as the Dawn is the third and final book in the series.  This book is somewhat different from the other two because it focuses on one of the other main characters from the first book Atretes, a German warrior who was captured by Rome and forced to become a Gladiator (which is not something you want to be forced to become).  Artetes goes through a lot in the first book and this book picks up kind of where you left him in the first book.  New characters are introduced and you will fall in love with and hate some of them just as much as the others from the first two books.

I give this series 5 out of 5 stars and I'm sad this it is over.  These characters were so real to me and I learned so much from them and experienced the full range of emotions with them.  Even if you aren't a Christian I think you would love these stories.  It gives you a taste of what life was like in Ancient Rome.  It reminded me of the TV series Spartacus on Starz a little, but with a little less sex and violence (but not much!).  I highly recommend you add these to your must read list!!

Ten Ranodm Thoughts Tuesday

1.  I saw this movie on Friday and it was awesome.

I didn't think the torture scenes were too bad.  And I think Bin Laden would be rolling over in his grave if he knew it was a woman that found him and was the driving force behind his death!  Oh and I don't know how accurate the actual mission to capture/kill him was, but I loved watching the portrayal.  Seal Team Six was HOT!  Two thumbs up!

2. I tried out this hot new place Rise in Durham.  I had heard a lot of buzz about it and a lot of people had experienced 30 min.+ wait times just to order.  We went Monday for lunch and it wasn't too busy at all.  There were two of us and we each ordered a biscuit and a donut and split everything.  It was all yummy!

From front to back: Fried Chicken Biscuit, Peanut Butter Cup Donut, Myer Lemon Bomb donut, Apple Braised Pork biscuit

3. I listened to this sermon on how God made Eve to be a helper for Adam.  In it the pastor talks about how men and women interact in the workplace and how a lot of relationships and affairs happen in the workplace because when women and men are working together this reflects God's original design.  It makes sense to me because I do think when you are spending so much time together and working as a team it can form bonds and cause attraction.  Thoughts?

4.  I am loving The Bachelor!  But is it just me or does Sean seem too perfect sometimes?  I gave in and looked at the spoilers at who supposedly wins.  I can tell you she would not even be on my radar if it weren't for seeing that.  Here are my favorites right now:

AshLee- but really?  how can you make a living as a personal organizer?

Lindsay- I know she was a little coo-coo for wearing the wedding dress, but I like her and she's from NC!

Lesley- I loved her awkwardness with Sean during her 1-on-1 time because that would totally be me!

I also really like Kaci B. (although I don't think she is really out of the "friend zone") and Sarah (but I think she could find a better match than Sean.  She wants someone more exciting than him I think.)

5. I just got my first paycheck of 2013 and I want to cry.  I spent months working on my 2013 budget and now I have to figure out how to cut $80/month out of it.  I seriously hate taxes.

6.  I didn't think I would, but I am totally loving this Mark of the Lion series I am reading.  A friend had let me borrow the first book and last night I just ordered the whole series from Amazon because I think this series will end up being one of my all time favorites!

7. Apparently Scotty McCreery came to our church on Sunday.  I did not see him because I go on Saturday nights.  Our campus pastor wrote a blog post about how to respond when a celebrity comes to your church. I'm kind of glad I wasn't there because I probably would have been one of those to point, stare and whisper with my friends.  Who knows?  The closest I've ever come to a celebrity was one summer the guy that played Minkus from Boy Meets World came to work where I worked.  It was right when One Tree Hill had just come on the air so he wasn't too famous for being "Mouth" yet.   His dad worked there and he was on break from Wake Forrest that summer.  I actually had to train him and acted totally normal, but that didn't mean the day before I wasn't pointing and staring and whispering with my friends.

8. I need a maid.  But that will not happen anytime soon.  (see #5)

9. I feel very blah and "stuck" lately.  Frustrated.  I can't seem to get myself out of this general funk.

10. Yesterday we had most of my team and a bunch of people from Worldwide Marketing in a room at work testing some new webpages we are getting ready to launch.  One of the guys in the room said "this is definitely Susan in this video." and people started joking about "was I moonlighting as an actress??"  Of course my heart dropped and I was scared to see what this girl looked like.  Do you guys kind of freak out when people say you look like someone?  The video is below and I do see some resemblance but that girl is way skinnier, younger, and prettier than me.  I said "Haha yeah maybe me when I was 16!"

Sorry for the randomness today, but it's been kind of a random month so far.

  

Book Club Friday- Year in Review

For Book Club Friday this week I am jumping on the bandwagon I saw Amber jump on and doing this book meme all about the books I read in 2012!

My Stats:

How many books read in 2012? 18 (I was pretty slack this year, but in my defense I finally finished The Bible which is a super long book!)

How many fiction and non fiction? 13 fiction, 5 nonfiction

Male/Female author ratio? 5 male, 14 female. I know that is 19, but The Vow was co-written by the couple that experienced it.

Favorite book of 2012? Sorority Sisters-  I read it during beach month and loved it!

Least favorite? Love Lies- I knew it was going to be biased but I was so curious I jst had to read it

Any that you simply couldn't finish and why? I think I started a book but put it back on my to-read list because I was ready for some fiction and it was a non-fiction book

Longest and shortest book titles?  The Bible was about 900 pages of tiny font so that was definitely the longest.  Empty Promises was probably the shortest at 224 pages.

How many books from the library? none.  I live within biking distance of a library but I get most of my books through paperbackswap.com

How many books read did I purchase? I think I actually purchased 3 of them.  The rest were trades through paperbackswap.com or borrowed from friends

How many were gifts? One was from a blog book swap, but I don't think any were gifts

How many were given to me for reviews? One

How many books read on kindle? none.  I don't have an e-reader yet.  But I really want a nook or an i-pad mini

Any re-reads? no...i have too many on my to-read list right now to re-read

Which countries did you go to through the page in your year of reading? hmmm honestly I can't remember.  The Bible of course had many and the one I am reading now has already taken me through Germany, Rome, Capua, Judea, and Africa.

Which book wouldn't you have read without someone’s specific recommendation? The last one that I read on fear, worry, and anxiety.  I haven't reviewed it on the blog yet, but it was excellent!

30 Days of Thanks- Day 9

Today I am thankful for...

BOOKS

I love books!  Lately I have also been loving audio books.  I just posted a bunch of reviews on my Bookshelf Blog:

4.5 out of 5 stars

2 out of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5 stars

I'm also linking up for

Books, eBooks, CD Books?

I just posted two reviews on my bookshelf blog:

A Dog's Purpose- 5 out of 5 stars! Loved it!

The Story of Beautiful Girl- 4 out of 5 stars- Beautiful Story!

Right now I am currently reading this for fun:

And listening to this on my daily commute and while driving around town:

And I am reading this one for Bible Study:

That's a lot of books huh?  It's been a while since I listened to one on CD, but I enjoy doing that because my "to-read" list is so long I would never get to them all if I didn't listen to a few.  I've been thinking about listening to books during my runs this winter too, but I am afraid it won't be as upbeat as I need it to be to keep going!  What do you think?  Do you listen to books?

I've also been wanted to give in and get some sort of eReader.  It is between these 3:

Nook Simple Touch with Glow Light- $119

Kindle Paperwhite- $119

iPad or possibly the iPad Mini- ??

Do you guys use an eReader?  Do you like it?  If you have an iPad, do you use it as an eReader too?  Any recommendations are welcome!

Things you need to listen to and read!

A few weeks ago one of my Bible study girls posted a link to this sermon on her Facebook.  I listed to it that day while I worked and I went back and listened to it again today.  And I'm sure this is one I will listen to again and again.

Me Beautiful?

Will we listen to those voices, or will we listen to our Father, who loves us, created us in His image,
and gifted us with purpose.



I also posted some more reviews on my Bookshelf Blog.  These first two are a must read!

5 out of 5 stars!

5 out of 5 stars!

3 out of 5 stars

Book Swap and Major Book Review Catch-up

I linked up for a book swap by this dynamic duo- Heather and Katie- a few months ago and it went so well I decided to do it again.  Last time I was paired up with Heather and this time I was paired up with another Heather!

I got not one, but three books!

I've already read The Last Song and The Perfect Elizabeth (oops! I tried to give suggestions for the exchange...I hope Heather hasn't already read the book I sent her) but I have not read The Vow, so I was happy to get that.

These swaps are really fun and I love getting stuff in the mail!  Thanks so much for the books Heather!!

I also did a little catching up on my Bookshelf Blog!  So go check out my reviews of these books!

Nantucket Nights- 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Delirium- 4 out of 5 stars 

Sweet Potato Queens One True Book of Love- 3 out of 5 stars 

50 Shades of Grey- 4 out of 5 stars 

Love Lies 2 out of 5 stars 

Fishbowl- 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Sorry for being MIA

Hi remember me?  I feel like it has been so long!  I have been so busy.  What have I been up to?

I read some books (full reviews coming soon on the Bookshelf blog):

Fishbowl- 3.5 out of 5 stars

Love Lies- 2 out of 5 stars

Fifty Shades of Grey- 4 out of 5 stars

I have been busy trying to figure out what to do with all the veggies I have been getting in my CSA box each week.  It's only been two weeks but so far all the veggies have been things I would never buy at the grocery store.

Week one was kale, lettuce, turnips, and mizuna.  I made kale chips (will post about that tomorrow) and ate the turnips raw with some hummus or on a salad with the lettuce.  They were both yummy.  I ended up throwing away the mizuna.  It was supposed to be like arugula but it looked very wilted after about a week.

Week 2 I got beets, red leaf lettuce, scallions, and swiss chard.  I already threw away the red leaf lettuce because it wilted after just 3 days.  I have a recipe for the beets and scallions.  Look for that on an upcoming Pinterest Wednesday post.



So far I am not loving the CSA.  The way it works is you pay for the whole year (mid May-Oct).  It comes out to be about $11.75/week and you get a grocery bag full of random fruits/veggies delivered to my work each week.  It has forced me to eat more veggies and try things I would never buy, but can I get some regular old green beans or peas or something?  And a girl can only eat (and store) a certain amount of lettuce each week.  Enough with the greens!

I took a fitness test at work.  It was for National Employee Fitness week.  We had to run 1.5 miles, bike 1 mile, do as many sit-ups as you could in 1 minute, as many push-ups as you could do in 1 min, and a wall-sit for as long as you could stand it.  We were supposed to try to beat the president of our North America Group's times/numbers, but considering he is a super in-shape guy who did the 1.5 mile run in like 9 minutes and I still can't even run a mile in 9 minutes I didn't come close.  I did the 1.5 miles in about 15:20, the 1 mile bike in less than 4 min., the wall sit for 90 seconds, and about 25-30 of the sit-ups and push ups. 

I have made progress on The List.  It looks like I will hopefully be going on a kayak trip June 9, I only have 77 chapters left to read it the Bible, and I am on my way to the healthy weight range and beginning treadmill training to run a 9 minute mile so I can declare myself in the best shape of my life.  Now I just need to find a cute boy to take me fishing and kiss me in the rain.

I finished my sewing class and made a pair of PJ pants.

I still need to hem them because we ran out of time.  But due to a mix up and them only having 1 sewing machine for the whole class, we get to take another month long class in September for free!

I also went to see this for the second time and it was great even though they didn't do justice to my favorite song "I'm not the girl".

I've also been super busy at work.  I just got to create a Pinterest account for Lenovo US!  I love Pinterest and don't think twice about pinning things or setting up new boards on my personal account but for some reason I was so nervous setting one up for Lenovo!  Would people follow us?  What should I pin?  Please do me a HUGE favor and FOLLOW US!  I promise I will try to pin good stuff and not be annoying or overwhelming.  PLUS we will be having an awesome contest on there in a few weeks for Back to School and you could win a new computer with accessories or an Android tablet!!

I'm going to try to get back to a regular posting schedule.  Thanks so much for still following despite my silence lately.

Pinterest Inspired- Hunger Games

OMG y'all!  It's tomorrow!  I get to see the Hunger Games tomorrow night!  I'm so excited!

In case you didn't know the Hunger Games was filmed in North Carolina.  In fact a lot of it was filmed just right up the road from where I grew up.  The Visit NC site has an article with a list of 12 Places to Experience the Hunger Games.  They also have a Pinterest Board with pictures of some of the places.

Here are some of my favorite Hunger Games related pins:

Source: ponytaillove.tumblr.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

So excited just reading that!!!

Source: google.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

I bawled my eyes out after I read that!

Source: weheartit.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

I LOVE Peeta but DANG Gale is HOT!

Source: etsy.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Again, probably my favorite quote of the whole series!

Source: Uploaded by user via ncsuz on Pinterest

I wish I would have re-read the whole series because it's been a while since I read the books, but maybe that will make the movie even better??  Sorry for all the Hunger Games obsession.  It will die down next week, i promise!

Book Reviews and Hunger Games OMG!

I finally finished The Host!  It took forever.  I also posted another book review so go check these out:

The Host- 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Choice- 3.5 out of 5 stars

Also I am so freaking excited! I have my ticket to the midnight premiere of the Hunger Games on Thursday night!! This is the first time I have ever gone to a midnight opening. How early are you supposed to get there? I feel like a giddy little teenager over this!

Book Blog Swap

Sometimes I am hesitant to sign up for blog swaps.  But when I saw this Book Blog Swap was being hosted by someone I had been following for a while I thought why not?

Thanks Heather and Katie!  I can only imagine how hard it is to coordinate a swap like this!

I got paired up with Heather from Life with Heather.  She was a fabulous partner and so easy to communicate with!  Our Goodreads accounts came in handy as we used those to figure out what to send each other.

Are you on Goodreads?  I just got on there so I need some friends to see what you all are reading!  My "to-read" list is already overflowing, but how will I know about the next best thing without y'all??

Heather sent me a book that has been on my "to-read" list for a while!  I love Chelsea and I can't wait to read this!

Thanks for being such an awesome book swap partner Heather!