Thoughts on books I've read recently #4

  

I didn't realize that I had no idea who he really was until I read this book.  I didn't choose it, of course, I read it for my history class.  But you really think you know a person, and then...everything shatters.  While he was obsessed with morality and quite kind in not patenting any of his useful inventions, he was kind of a shitty husband.  He was gone for years at a time (his wife died while he was still out of the country) and was a total perv, even into his seventies.  While the actual writing could use some sprucing up, it's worth taking a look at.  It kind of makes me wish I had time to read about some other men our country holds on pedestals.

Now that the sun is shining and it's warmer outside, my ambition has returned.  I have spring break from school next week and I plan to get ahead on this blog.  Some things you can look forward to seeing include Remy, outfit posts...perhaps an outfit post of Remy, a little book review on Night Road by Kristin Hannah, and some new crafty stuff I've been working on.  Pinterest is my favorite way to avoid legitimate To Do lists.

Thoughts on books I've read recently #3

Maybe this is cheating somehow since I was forced to read it, but thanks to my history professor, I'm one book closer to my goal for the year.  Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma really set me straight and did a pretty good job of holding my interest in the process.  I have never seen the Disney version of the Pocahontas story (the closest I got was being jealous of my neighbor's Pocahontas bedding set).  I plan to watch it soon, just to see how much they mutilated the historical information that was available to them, though.  I won't be all nuts about it, but I'm interested to see what they changed for marketing purposes.

Anyway, this is definitely worth the read.  Even if you don't ever want to read it again, I think that being reminded every so often that what we are taught as school children is typically skewed (especially in this area).  I remember so much from what I was taught in elementary school and while the basic math, speech and writing skills have proved valuable, there was apparently much to be desired.

Thoughts on books I've read recently #2

Holy hell, Hunger Games, you rocked my world.  If I'd allowed myself the time, I would have read it in one sitting.  It's such a quick, interesting read; a real page-turner, if you will.  I'm so intrigued by the entire story in this book and I just cannot wait to get the second one.  I'm borrowing this book to my stepdad, so once he reads it and just buys the second book, I'll snatch that one for awhile.  :)

It reminded me, just at first, of Unwind.  It got way better and I enjoyed it much more, but the whole setting and heartlessness of everything just reminded me.  I used to hate futuristic stuff like this, but when it's so vivid and realistic and you have likable characters to hold on to throughout, it's brilliant.

I love the way the characters develop in this book.  I love love LOVE the "thing" going on with the two main characters, although parts of it are purely for survival.  I couldn't get enough the two of them bunked down in the cave...sigh.  So basically, totally in love with the first book.  Yay!  Thanks, Heather!  :-D

Thoughts on books I've read recently #1

Sunday night I finished Water for Elephants.  I loved it.  I've been thinking a lot about it for the past two days and I didn't plan on blogging about it until I couldn't get it out of my mind.  First of all, the young female author continually impressed me with her insight into the thoughts of an aged man.  I literally felt like (and I think any good book makes this happen) I knew the character, like he was a real person, by the end of the story. 
Second, while the book did seem to start off slowly action-wise, the details and background were both necessary and interesting.  I am excited to watch the movie now, but I'll be very disappointed if it strays far from the book.  I always get pissed when I read books and the movies blow (Twilight, anyone?) but I love the details and characters (perhaps it has something to do with the animals, too) in this book much more than any story I've read in quite awhile.
Anyways, I obviously recommend this to anyone and everyone over the age of...like 13.  A few things took me by surprise and if I had kids, I suppose I wouldn't want them reading about those scenarios.

I'm getting really excited for the rest of the week.  Wednesday after work I'm going to my sister's new apartment to help her hang pictures.   Friday night my aunt is going to teach me to crochet!  I'm so pumped for making granny square everything.  I hope I'll catch on quickly so that I can become a pro and learn a few other variations, too.  Wooo!  Hopefully somewhere in there I'll have time for a pedicure because my husband told me I don't love him if I don't let him buy me one.  Well, okay, twist my arm.  <3 

Monday Jonesing

Coolest giveaway ever by Kaelah Bee!  Lomography Fisheye "I love U" camera!  Totally jonesing...

I hardly got through the first chapter of Bound South without being distracted by a brilliant idea.  I'm already up to my elbows in yardwork but I need a rock garden.  I found a bunch of ideas on this website and I feel like it'd be easier to manage than our vegetable garden which is hosting a lovely little celebration of weeds right now.  I mean, they're rocks.  They crush unwanted plants.  I just want to paint a bunch and lay them out so that I can pretend I have time to meditate in a colorful place with my eyes closed.  I'm kidding myself, I have no time to paint rocks.  But I do need to find time to hit up the field across the road and sneak some rocks home to arrange in such a fashion that stops tension in its tracks.  Heck, maybe I'll get one of those speaker rocks so I can blast relaxing nature sounds...Oh, and I need some more solar-powered globe lights (like these).  I'll get some low-maintenance perennials from my mom's next week...Here's what I'm thinking:

Seedum - Stonecrop

Hen & Chicks

Eep!  I need these little guys, too!

Squirrel with Lantern

I need this nail polish, too.