Thankfully Reading Weekend

Just joined a Thanksgiving weekend event - hey, anything to keep me from shopping.  Don't know what I plan to read yet but will figure it out in the next few days.  Thanks Jenn for hosting!

My Poor Little Boy

Booker T has a seizure this morning.  It didn't last long and the last one he had was about a year ago (at least we think since we can't be home all the time).  He is doing fine and his vet is against putting him on meds full time unless they become more frequent (my husband and I agree).  His Daddy was home with him so he wasn't alone, but I can't help but worry about him.  He is such a sweetheart. Please say a prayer for our boy.

Booker T - October 2014

A Few Reviews

Reading is slowly picking up.  Seems I have been in a slump for a while and it was really bringing me down.  Reading helps me keep my sanity and October was definitely a month of crazy!  I managed to finish two books this weekend so thought I would add a few mini reviews rather than waiting for the end of the month.

TITLE: Bridget Jones's Diary
AUTHOR: Helen Fielding
PUBLISHER: Penguin Books

FROM GOODREADS: Meet Bridget Jones—a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could:

a. lose 7 pounds
b. stop smoking
c. develop Inner Poise

"123 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent), cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..."

Bridget Jones' Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement — a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and learn to program the VCR.

Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic. Through it all, Bridget will have you helpless with laughter, and — like millions of readers the world round — you'll find yourself shouting, "Bridget Jones is me!"

MY THOUGHTS:  I read this as part of a Goodreads group - The Reading Adventures Book Club.  I have read some chick lit and usually I find it a fast read.  However I struggled with this book.  I blame it having seen the movie and not being able to get it out of my head (and I was not a fan).  I did enjoy participating in the book group, but am in no hurry to continue with this series


RATING: 3 PAWS 

TITLE: On Borrowed Time (Library Lover's Mystery #5)
AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay
PUBLISHER: Berkley

FROM GOODREADS:  Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery.

Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all.

Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…

MY THOUGHTS:  This book came out just last week and I couldn't wait to read it.  If chick lit can't break a slump, a cozy mystery sure can.  I really love this series as it centers around a head librarian and the events of a small coastal town.  This was a great addition to the series and the mystery kept my attention. I love all of the characters and think McKinlay does a wonderful job of creating a cast of players.  I really like this series and hope it continues. 

RATING: 4 PAWS

It's the most ZOMBIE-filled time of the year!!!!

Hello guys!  It's me - Booker T!  Mom and Dad are away for the moment, so I thought I would write a post from me and my shadow, oops, I mean sidekick, Cassius.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!!!! 

Last night was Trick-or-Treat in our neighborhood and man, did I see all kinds of creatures - hippies, vampires, nurses and my all-time favorite of the evening - 2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  They were the cutest little guys ever.  There was only one zombie early on and he didn't stick around for long, so he must have heard about my zombie killing abilities.  I think tonight the folks may burn some candles, turn out the lights and watch a few horror movies.  I am game.  However, Cassie is a scaredy cat of a dog and I will have to make sure he has a blanket or two to cover his eyes. Here are a few pics of this years pumpkins - Cassie is even afraid of them.  Catch ya later!

Still Alive

It's been so long since I last posted, I don't know where to start.  Basically, I got sick at the beginning of September and felt like a cast member of The Walking Dead all month - and not one of the kickass main characters!   More like one of the things hurt, flesh falling off, just go ahead and kill me kind.

Then October brought training for work, lots of hours spent working on work projects, and little free time.  I have managed to squeeze some time for me and the family but not a lot.  There have been some good things...Marshall University is undefeated so far this year, The Walking Dead is back on and it is rockin' this season, darling husband got the house painted, and both pups are happy and healthy. 

Trick-or-treat is tomorrow night so this evening I need to shop for candy.  Maybe Booker T and I can get back on a regular blogging schedule soon.  I will leave with a few pup pics of my crew, who are getting ready for Zombie hunting Halloween night!  (well, Cass is resting up for Zombie hunting as you can see).

ZAC AND MIA

TITLE:  Zac and Mia
AUTHOR: A.J. Betts
PUBLISHER: HMH Books for Young Readers
RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2014 (already available)

FROM GOODREADS:
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this tough and tender young adult novel that's a lot about love (and a little about cancer).

Winner of the 2012 Australian Text Prize

"When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics." So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can't forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.

MY THOUGHTS:  I received an invitation from Netgalley to read and review this book and am happy that I did. First let me say, this is a book about cancer, which I feel seems to be the new trend in Young Adult. And while I initially feared it was trying to be another The Fault in Our Stars, I am glad to say I am pleasantly surprised. I do wish I had not read the two books so closely together, but I have to say that I actually liked this one better. Both Zac and Mia are struggling with their illnesses. Zac is extremely likable, but Mia takes some getting used to. However, Betts portrays them brilliantly. I loved the various family dynamics and seeing the friendship between the two main characters develop. There are several pop culture references, which made the book seem even more real. I especially enjoy the way Zac looks at life. One of my favorite quotes in the book is when he is talking about being in the hospital at 3am – “Three is the worst hour. It’s too dark, too bright, too late, too early. It’s when the questions come, droning like flies, nudging me one by one until my mind’s full of them.” I can’t stress enough that this book deserves to be read. Don’t just write it off as “just another cancer book.” Give it a chance like I did and I don’t think many will regret it.

RATING:  4 PAWS

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just knew something was up with Mom!  I warned everyone she was showing zombie-like symptoms, but nooooo, I'm just a pup......why take me seriously????  And then, about 10 days ago, Mom came down with the worst cold/bronchitis/hacking/sleep-sucking disease she has seen in years. She has been walking around like a zombie and even making zombie noises.  The past few days have been somewhat better, and when we went on a walk last night, she wasn't soooooooo scary looking, but for days, I was wondering about the safety of myself, Dad, and even Cassius, the annoying pup.