Category Archives: book club

A Video, A Winner & Nora's Mish-Mash

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First of all, thanks to everyone who entered the Nintendo Points Card Giveaway! There were a total of 33 valid entries and thanks to random.org, number 16 was the winner which happens to be the lovely Erin. While we are on the Nintendo subject, a big shoutout and thanks to Rebekah for putting together this little video from the party in which you will see me and KH furiously boxing, Liz bowling, the famed Heracles Chariot Racing, as well as the other party goers and witness some of Rebekah’s awesome video-editing skills.

If you’re jonesing for another giveaway, be sure to check out last Friday’s post for the chance to win “Swimming,” a novel I recently read for one of my book clubs.

And now, for Nora’s Mish Mash:

* I do not have a green thumb. I was recently gifted some beautiful parade roses and I think I killed them. Or at least it looks I tried to kill them. Fortunately Darling is better at gardening than I, so she’s helping me nurse them back to health. I hope it works because they are beautiful!

* From Barnes & Noble to the Library. It’s no secret I’m a book addict but now it’s even worse since I can check books out of the library for FREE at any time, renew them online at any time and etc. I wrote about my library obsession last week so I won’t bore you with it again, but you would think I’d take out one, maybe two books out at a time but it’s not the case. I went Saturday afternoon and walked out with four books, once of which is a 1,000 page book. No way I’ll be able to finish it in the two week allotted period.

* Billionaire & Sookie Stackhouse love. I’m probably late to both of these things, but I’m kind of decided that Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” is going to be my summer song (sorry, Katie Perry, I hear you’re up for best summer song with California Gurls but I don’t dig it).

And Snopp Dogg’s tribute to Sookie Stackhouse? I was dying from laughter and even made my parents watch/listen to it:

* Fireworks! I have a three-day weekend, possibly four-day weekend coming up and I literally can’t wait. Ignoring the fact that part of the weekend will be spent working on a finance midterm, my brother is coming into town which means the nose piercing just might finally happen (he’s my courage for these kinds of things), I’ll be poolside, reading, getting ready for my trip to DC and just mellowing out as much as possible.

So, tell me, am I the only one who kills plants and is in love with poptrashy music?

Swimming: A Review & A Giveaway

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I recently finished “Swimming,” by Nicola Keegan for one of the book clubs I’m a part of. At first, I admit, I had no idea where this book was going. It seemed depressing, random and a bit scatterbrained but after about 75 pages, I started rooting for the main character, Mena or Pip as her teammates call her. I guess what they say is true: give a book 100 pages before you judge it.

This story is about a young woman who finds solace through swimming, pushing herself day in and day out, searching for a way out of her family situation which was incredibly difficult. Through her tenacity she becomes an Olympic swimmer. This entire book is her story as she struggles with loss, addiction to sugar, lack of friends and awkwardness around men, daily workouts and training regimes for swimmers, pride and glory and much more. I can’t relate to Mena very well but the author did a good job of making me feel the way Mena must have felt throughout most of this book, which to me is indicative of a good story teller (whether or not you like the story).

If you’re looking for a new book to read, a change of pace, a different style of writing, then you’re in luck because I’m giving away my copy of this book!

Rules for Entering:

* You must love books and reading.
* You can live anywhere; (this means you my fabulous friends in foreign countries! I’ll figure out a way to get it to you!)
* Entries must be received by Thursday, July 1st at midnight.

How to Enter:

* For one entry, leave a comment telling me about the best book you’ve ever read over the summer.
* For a second entry, blog about this giveaway. Be sure to come back and leave the link to your blog in a separate entry.

Letters: Russell Brand, Fish Wire, Libraries, Knees and more

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Dear Russell Brand,

Thank you for being hilarious in Get Him to the Greek. After wrestling with advanced corporate finance for a day, it was just what I needed. I’ve developed a new crush on you, your accent and your eyeliner-wearing self. Please do a comedy tour and come to StL.

With adoration,
Nora

*************

To: Rude, Loud Neighbor
From: Nora, the eternal Hippie

It has recently come to my attention that you have strung fishing wire above your pool and deck area in an attempt to keep (trap?) ducks from coming into your pool area. We live in suburbia with trees, ponds, shrubs so it’s only natural that we will have ducks. It’s one thing to not like them; it’s an entirely different beast if you try to kill/harm them. Have you thought about the noise, pain and mess the ducks will make if they are trapped? I’m incredibly disgusted. Animals were here first, then humans. Consider that before you continue to concrete your entire backyard.

*************

Attention: Left Knee

It’s been about five weeks of physical therapy and overall, you’re showing great signs of improvement. I appreciate your cooperation and willingness to work hard to allow me to exercise again. However, this little bit of inflamation and setback for no good reason? It’s not ok. Exercise is my release. It’s how I get through the work weeks. Sure, I’m learning to cope in other ways but let’s commit to getting 100% better. I’d like to run a few 5ks later this summer, so let’s work towards that shall we? Keep up the good work and keep the eye on the prize.

Yours in Exercise,
Nora

*************

Dear St. Louis Libraries:

I’m pretty excited about the adult reading challenge you have in place this summer. Chances to win Barnes & Noble gift cards? Sign me up. I also love that you have a book club and have increased the new releases section. My only request: plesae be open on Sundays and maybe consider some outdoor seating for the lovely summer nights we have?

Always,
Book Addict

************

To: Summer
From: Nora

Please don’t disappear within a blink of an eye. My weekends now through mid-July are filling up and sadly my days are spent within the walls of corporate America but I’d really like to have some lazy summer days and really enjoy you. Try to stick around as long as you can.

************

Dear Jack,

Your sixth birthday is coming up in July. I can’t believe we’ve shared six years together already; you’ve been such a loving, happy, spunky, adorable dog. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and waiting for me by the door each evening. Adopting you was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made.

Love,

Your Dog Mamma

***********

Any letters you want to write today?

Review: Alice I Have Been

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The lovely Ashley invited me to be a part of the Slowreaders Forum earlier this year. The premise is simple: love books, read books, discuss books. I joined just in time to vote on the next book: Alice I Have Been, by Melanie Benjamin.

Synopsis of the book from Publisher’s Weekly, as seen on Amazon:

Benjamin draws on one of the most enduring relationships in children’s literature in her excellent debut, spinning out the heartbreaking story of Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Her research into the lives of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) and the family of Alice Liddell is apparent as she takes circumstances shrouded in mystery and colors in the spaces to reveal a vibrant and passionate Alice. Born into a Victorian family of privilege, free-spirited Alice catches the attention of family friend Dodgson and serves as the muse for both his photography and writing. Their bond, however, is misunderstood by Alice’s family, and though she is forced to sever their friendship, she is forever haunted by their connection as her life becomes something of a chain of heartbreaks. As an adult, Alice tries to escape her past, but it is only when she finally embraces it that she truly finds the happiness that eluded her. Focusing on three eras in Alice’s life, Benjamin offers a finely wrought portrait of Alice that seamlessly blends fact with fiction. 

At first I was apprehensive as I’m not usually a huge fan of historical fiction but this book changed all my views of historical fiction. It’s not soley about facts and truths but about what went on behind the scenes, what caused the facts that we know to be true. This is when the author takes creative license and liberty since we have no idea what really happened between Dodgson and the Liddell family. Benjamin carefully weaves friendship and passion, responsibility and expectations, preconceived notions and the truth throughout the course of this book. Benjamin is brave in this novel; Dodgson’s character borders on being an utter creep (old dude who enjoys taking pictures of young women) yet at times he seems like a sweet doting uncle.

I walked away from this book with a better understanding of the expectations of a woman during the Victoria era in all senses: fashion, family responsibility, education, recreation, love and romance in the Victorian era. I laughed. I cried. I turned the pages of this book into the wee hours of the night, took this book everywhere I went and have it now stored safely and proudly on my bookshelves. This is one I definitely want to read again, perhaps after reading the works of Lewis Carroll.

Randomness & The Winner

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  • Iron Man 2 rocked. RDJ is looking better than ever, the music was great (I think I need to purchase the soundtrack), Mickey Rourke is still creepy looking, and the movie gets a 9.5 out of 10 from me. If ScarJo hadn’t been in the movie I probably would have given it a 10/10 but I’m just not a fan of hers.
  • End of semesters stink. I’m struggling to push through these last five days. I know I can do it, I just wish I didn’t have to. Knowing that wishing won’t get me anywhere I’ll get ‘er done but I’m longing for a weekend where I can hug my pillow for a few extra hours each morning and lay around listlessly staring at a variety of chick flicks.
  • I’ve seen the penguin exhibit at our zoo approximately 15 times. It doesn’t get old. Nor do the giraffes, sea lions, and “big cat country.”
  • People should have more picnics. I spent the majority of my day yesterday celebrating my mom and gram at one of our favorite parks with an array of food and drink, activities and relaxing. Combine food, reading, dog & people watching, family, laughs and just being and seriously, who wouldn’t want to have mor picnics?
  • Mother Nature is confused. We had to turn the heat on at our house last night. The. Heat. It’s May. This shouldn’t be happening.
  • Big events are around the corner: my best college friend’s baby shower is the weekend; my dad is turning the big 6-0 next week; my brother will be home for a few weeks; and the basement is finally going to be finished after the great flood February 2010!
  • I guess you want to know who won the book giveaway, eh?… the winner is: Veronica from Simply Charmed! Congratulations, Veronica!

Anything random on your mind this Monday morning?

Read or Die (and a giveaway!)

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Each spring, StL is fortunate to have a huge outdoor book fair. I’m talking about 10s of thousands of books: fiction, short stories, true crime, biographies, graphic novels, science fiction, mystery, comic books, memoirs, cookbooks, history, autographed books, textbooks, children’s books and other categories I’m forgetting. Rows upon rows upon rows of books.

Darling and I set out early on Saturday morning to beat the rush (this is a huge event, parking is always out of control) and started grazing through the neatly organized rows of books with the other book lovers. (Pictured below: Just an example of one row of fiction books!)

Nothing is priced over $5, though most books are $1. ONE DOLLAR. One Dollar for writers such as Jane Green, Dan Brown, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Judith Krantz, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and hundreds of other famous (and not so famous) authors. Hardback books in brand new condition for only one dollar. It’s a book addicts dream, that is, until you get home and can’t find a place to put the new books you’ve purchased.

After one hour, I had eight books for myself, two as presents and two to giveaway to my readers. It was time to go as my trusty bag was overloaded with amazing books for less than $25 which all goes to a local charity, the Crisis Nursery.

As I was perusing the book aisles, I happened upon two of my favorite books: Jemima J by Jane Green and Getting Over it by Anna Maxted in perfect condition. These authors are two of my favorites: just the right combination of whimsy and chick lit, add in some serious topics and intelligent writing and voila! Recipe for perfect summer reading. And so, dear readers let’s consider this reader appreciation week: one lucky winner will win both of these books!

 

The Rules:

* You must love books.
* Readers from all countries can enter.
* You must leave your comments/entries on this blog by this Friday, May 7th at midnight Central Daylight Time.

Earn up to three entries (each comment must be separate to be counted):

* Leave one comment telling me what your favorite all-time book ever is.
* Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your blog in a separate comment. Use this link on your blog: http://tinyurl.com/2b8kxtq
* Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment to your tweet below. Use this link in your tweet: http://tinyurl.com/2b8kxtq

Good luck!

The March Obsession List

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* InItToGymIt. An awesome new group started by the fabulous Livit, Luvit. It’s designed to keep us motivated, give us a place to whine, moan, encourage one another and above all, stay strong. I debuted on the blog today with my “Why I Workout,” list (check it out here) and am loving the other contributors so far! Hope you’ll join us for the journey. I have a feeling the best is yet to come with this group!

* Sadly and occasionally to the detriment of my workout efforts, Easter Candy. Who can say no to a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup when it’s in the shape of an egg!? Not I.

{via}

* Parenthood. Darling and I decided to watch the pilot because it has Lauren Graham in it, who is one of our favorites thanks to her role in Gilmore Girls. (Darling = is Lorelai, I’m Rory, even though we look nothing like them.  We sometimes talk that fast and collapse into a heap of laughter for no apparent reason. If you want proof as to how Gilmore we can be, read Darling’s post about our Saturday morning escapade.)  Anyway, I knew I loved the show when I missed one espiode and promptly watched it on Hulu, something I rarely do.

* My Wireless Mouse (for my computer, of course). Gifted to me at Christmas time, it’s become my new best friend. Makes using a laptop oodles easier. Not sure how I survived without it for the last five years.

* Books, but I suppose this is nothing new. Confession: I went through the books I own but have not yet read and it’s a lot higher than I thought. I’m officially on a book spending freeze until further notice. The *only* books I can purchase will be those for a book club. Everything else will have to wait or be borrowed from the library.

* Twist Ice Cream, in a cup, with sprinkles. It’s a comfort food. It’s a guilty pleasure. It’s a bit of an obsession.

{via}

What about you? Any new finds or obsessions?

Three a Month

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Earlier this year I said I’d read three books a month and so far, I’ve been on pace! In an effort to keep myself honest and perhaps inspire you to pick up a new book, I thought I’d post the list of books read so far in 2010:

January 2010

Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks. I read this book because of my commitment to read books before I see the movie. I don’t read a lot of Sparks books because I kind of hate to give into his popularity and sometimes the books are formulaic to me, but the movie has Channing Tatum in it which is incentive enough for me. That and the book was on sale for $5.98 at Barnes & Noble, in hardback! Once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down. I cried a few times while reading this book and thus made the executive decision to not go see it in theaters. No need to have a repeat of the time I went to see “P.S. I Love You,” and come out of the theater with bright red, swollen eyes from bawling for two hours. The book, however, was intriguing but I didn’t like the end. It seemed rushed, forced, and not the outcome I had hoped for.

Italian Fever: A Novel, by Valerie Martin. The book started off promising, a mix of love and ghost story but quickly turned into one run-on sentence after another, the ghost story element seemed forgotten and the air of the book overall was depressing. Not one to stop reading a book once it’s started, I saw it through but was disappointed. 

Disney After Dark: Kingdom Keepers #1 by Ridley Pearson. So maybe this is young adult fiction but oh my goodness is it amazing! I think I loved this book as much as I do because I spent several of my younger years in Orlando, FL with season passes to Disney so my family and I grew to know the park inside and out. The premise of the book is pretty cool and I can see what younger children would love it. I have to admit there were a few chapters in the book that gave me goosebumps which I attribute to Pearson’s excellent story weaving. He also writes mysteries for adults; I highly recommend you check his stuff out.  

February 2010

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton. Definite chick-lit though the vocabulary and themes weren’t entirely chick-lit-ish. The characters are all loveable in their own way (except for one) and I found myself talking out loud to the characters as I read the book, as if they could hear me. A few parts of the book reminded me of “What Happens in Vegas,” but overall I really enjoyed this book, most likely because it appealed to the hopeless romantic in me.

All Together Dead, by Charlaine Harris. Feeding my vampire addiction. Enough said.

The Help by Katheryn Stockett. I’ve always found civil rights and American history fascinating so this book was right up my alley. Told from the points of view of several different characters the entire book, plot, characters, history is intriguing to me and kept me reaching for the book any moment I could. Which was a lot. I finished the book in a week. I didn’t want it to end and found myself wondering what happens to the characters after the book ends. I’m secretly hoping for a sequel.

Disney at Dawn: Kingdom Keepers #2, by Ridley Pearson. The second book in the Kingdom Keepers series is just as a good as the first. Maybe one of my favorite things about young adult fiction is that stuff actually happens in these books; they move along quickly but still including detail, “showing” not telling, and a surprisingly complicated plot. I met Pearson in February at a writer’s conference type thing and he revealed the news that the third book is coming out in April so I felt the need to make sure I have it read before the next book comes out. There are also rumors of a movie which would be pretty freakin’ sweet, at least if you’re a dork like me.

What I’m reading now:

The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band, Motley Crue
Me: Stories of my Life by Katharine Hepburn
The Frong King by Adam Davies
… and two textbooks. Does that count?

Not sure if I’ll finish these three books this month considering I have about seven chapters of school reading to do a week (plus those pesky things called assignments) but I’m sure as heck going to try!

Tell me, what have you been reading lately? Anything I must add to my “to be read,” list?

Today I…

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… left the office feeling good about what I do and how I do it (a welcome change)

… received an invite to my cousin’s wedding in Florida and plan to go

… hugged my Gram twice and gladly met several of her neighbors

… enjoyed my first Tequlia Sunrise and got a tiny buzz

… started the new Book Club book (The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins)

… found out my old roomie and his fiance had their baby girl (and have dually noted the Baby Fever that is surrounding me)

… made plans to be poolside with KH this Saturday while Irish kicks butt during his Kickball League

… ran out of time to make all the phone calls that I want to make

… found my stack of cute notecards which means I can start creating

… talked to AT&T and discovered they failed to process my internet disconnect at my old place but have fixed it and credited my account

… jumped 10 feet in the air after lightning struck outside my office building, making the loudest “CLAP!” sound I’ve ever heard in my life

… started Season One of Gilmore Girls, just for fun

… cried over a segment I saw on Oprah

… laughed at the things I accidentally overheard while out to dinner with my parents

… had my heart melt when my younger brother shouted “love ya, sis!” on his way out the door to the Cards game

… sent Irish kisses over the phone

What was one thing you did today that stood out for you?

The Rest of Nora's Life

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What else is new with me besides TDH???

  • Grad School. Ever-consuming, ridiculous amounts of reading, grad school. I love my class mostly because the teacher has a knack for making us read a case study about caviar or wool production and apply it to globalization, the international economy and outsourcing. I know more about sturgeon farming and the Kingdom of Lesotho than I ever thought possible. Apart from the fact that I am being a super-procrastinator this term, the course is going quite well.
  • My apartment! I realized today I have spent a total of 10 days/nights in it since I moved in due to Canada, house-sitting for my parents, evenings at TDH’s and bridal shower/bachelorette fun. I’m super excited for this weekend as its my first entire weekend there. TDH is putting the bed frame together this evening for the cost of a home-cooked dinner. I’ll be putting up pictures and artwork. Then all that’s left is dining room table chairs, for which I have a plan: garage sales and flea markets. Four different style chairs. All painted the same base color. Each one has a different design on the seat that I’ll miraculously come up with.
  • Jack. I’ve been watching my parents house (Darling and the Boss have been on white-sand beaches in Florida since Friday) so he’s been running with the pack. Despite the fact that my parents dogs are 12 and 14 years old, Jack gets them riled up and runs in circles around them. We go back to my place tonight and I’m already prepared for Jack to be “dog depressed,” for two days.
  • Two weeks and counting until Mel’s Wedding. This year of weddings has been great for me because as a bridesmaid the experiences have been completely different. New Year’s Wedding. Indian/American wedding. Church/Farm Reception Wedding. And there is a light at the end of the tunnel. No one else is engaged. I’m not in anyone else’s wedding for the forseeable future! Which means I can save money. And buy dresses I want to wear.
  • One Tree Hill. I’m completely into it. And I’m almost 25. Mondays at 9pm is for couch time with Chad Michael Murray and the gang.
  • Present buying. TDH’s birthday is coming up. Not soon, but not that far away and considering his tastes are different than mine (he prefers older, antique, hard to find things), I have to get started early. I love buying presents. I love giving surprises.
  • Other than that, it’s business as usual: Work. Sleep. Social life (mostly with TDH’s friends lately, I need to remedy that). Think about going to the gym since I’m not allowed to (again) and get grumpy because I can’t workout. Pine for clothes I want to buy. Read an excessive amount as I’m still on the Twilight Series and really enjoying Gentlemen & Players.