1. Read 50 books (17/50).

LOVED the 1st and 2nd. I liked the last one as well, but it didn't grab me like the first 2 did. I can't wait for the movie to come out in march!!!!!!!

1. Read 50 books (14/50).

Desert Queen: The Extradonary Life of Gertrude Bell

Candy Girl














The Glass Castle

1. Read 50 Books (11/50).

A Wolf at the Table: A Memior of My Father

A fantastic read!!! Although my expierences with my own father were VERY different, I could easly relate to having a parent that that really dosen;t know how to love.

1. Read 50 books (10/50).

Magical Thinking

The Old Man and The Sea

The Great Gatsby

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

1. Read 50 books (6/50)

The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives.

This is exactly what I was talking about when I said that I wanted to read something a little bit "deeper".

Ted Gup does an a fantastic job bring names, faces, families, and stories to the "nameless stars" of the CIA. Each of the chapters is written well enough to stand alone as a short story, but over all he really does brings to life these fallen American hero's and solidifies the dedication and sacrifice that some individuals and families make so that we all may enjoy the freedoms we have become so accustomed to.

1. Read 50 books (5/50).

Last year, I heard a piece on my beloved NPR that featured filmmaker, Ethan Coen and did a review of his new book.

Generally, I'm not a lover of poetry, but this segment stuck with me.

On the day that I heard this piece, I happened to be giving my friend Cassie a ride home from work and I mentioned it to her.

For my birthday at the end of May, she gave this to me as a gift!!! I couldn't believe it! I had totally forgotten about it.....what a clever girl!!! She must have a memory like a bear trap.

Sorry, book swap buddies. Unlike most of the books I read that get handed over to friends and fellow lovers of stories, this one is going onto the shelf to be part of the personal collection.

1. Read 50 books (4/50).

I didnt have a problem with this book, it was actually a really enjoyable, easy, light read, but I am getting pretty tired of reading about over privladged whingy girls who are having issues with living in New York City.


I'm looking forward to picking out a few books from the shelvs that are a bit deeper. We'll see.

#1. Read 50 books (3/50)

Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking.

It was alright. Sweeney is a great writer, but I just think the actual story was a bit of a bore. She did a fantastic job describing NYC, not as the glittery glamorous set of Sex & the City, Gossip Girls (some of my favorites) and the likes, but as a tough-as-nail, hard to get by, and easy to get lost metropolis.
Through the whole book I went back and forth with my feelings for the main character Miranda, but mainly thought she was a bit of a self pitying, whingy baby. I found my self saying to her about 50 times "...Get over it..."

I would like to read more of Aoibheann Sweeny's work though.

#1. Read 50 books (2/50)

This weekend I finished 2 great books that I've been reading on and off for the past month or so. Although the books and the authors/main characters/narrators are completely different, I can see some of my qualities in both Koren Zailckas and Sarah MacDonald.

Smashed is a very dark story of Koren, a girl who starts binge drinking in her early teens and the habit continued and escalates through her college years and into early adulthood.

At Florida State I totally knew this girl, well lots of these girls. Not this exact girl or these exact set of circumstances, but pretty, accomplished young women that most parents would be proud to call their daughters. They shared the common bond that they are all completely disturbed or hurt and are drinking and self medicating to escape some unknown, internal dark force.

A really good book, an easy read for sure.

It makes me think of the Robbin Williams quote, "Being a functioning alcoholic is like being a paraplegic lap-dancer. You can do it, just not as well as the others."

Holy Cow, on the other hand is much more light hearted, find-your-self, feel good tail of Sarah MacDonald. An Australian transplant who follows her love to India and finds her self with quite a bit of extra time on her hands. Since I am still on my India/middle eastern kick this was right up my ally!!

In the beginning Sarah is quick to judge the proverbial Indian book by it's poverty stricken, slum dwelling, idol worshiping cover. As the story progresses and Sarah travels across the subcontinent and back learning about the different religions, faiths, beliefs, cultures and people of India and she learns to love the eclectic & eccentric land.