It's been so long...

Well a lot has been going on good and bad. The bad I really don't want to talk about but the good I can. LOL!

I have started another book. It hasn't gotten very far, but I have a great idea and I can definitely finish this one a lot quicker than the other one. I came upon a block in the first one and when the second idea came in my head I figured I better run with it.

Oh and the reading. I've been listening to a lot of books again. It's been good to listen on the way to work and while I'm working on literature at the office. So what have I finished? Here's the list:

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colter - now this is a good book. It is the perfect book for young adults, I'm thinking around age 9-10. I always get hooked on young adult books this time of year since they are easy to read and I always have suggestions for parents looking for books for their kids.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - I had to read this book since the movie is coming out later this year. And I was really surprised how much I loved this book. I would actually like to try to read this book also. The audiobook was amazing. I felt like I was watching a movie in my head.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin - A definite classic. I don't know that it was a favorite classic but it was really good as well. I seemed to relate somewhat. Well not about the subject since she was trying to get away from her husband, and I love mine to pieces. :) I related to the fact of needing a change of scenery and feeling like I need to find out who I really am. I have a good idea, but things keep getting in the way!

Well I better go and get some things done, just thought I'd take a moment to update you all!

Just finished...

I just finished My Life by Bill Clinton on audiobook. Wow! I've never really been into politics which is kinda funny cause at one time I was really interested in being a lawyer, but this book was really good. I forgot how much I liked Bill Clinton despite all the personal problems he went through while in office. I'm not much for discussing my personal political values so I'm going to stop there and suggest you read it.

Life has been pretty uneventful this week. I got the flu, the icky, sicky flu and was in bed for two days. Now I'm getting back to life and figuring out what I missed. I definitely have missed out on working on my book. You would think with two days at home I would have done a ton with it. But my main concern was how close the bathroom was. When your tummy is reminding you that it can control your life you can't think about the next chapter or where you want your characters to go. Although I did get through some of my research. Plus it gave me a good starting point of where I need to be going.

Mindmapping! This is the best thing in the world. I used to do these in school all the time and I forgot how awesome they are. The one thing I could concentrate on where the ideas that were floating around that needed to be put down. So I got out a blank sheet of paper, thank god I've been keeping all those half used sheets of paper, and started writing down ideas in their little bubbles. Then came in the fun part of drawing all the lines on how everything relates. I think I worked through the problems I was having with my book and how to resolve it. So now that I'm feeling better I really should be working on my book rather than reading and blogging! I'll get there, just need a little time to warm up and get the creative juices flowing. I have a whole hour to devote to writing this morning and I plan on using it!

another one bites the dust

So the reading quest continues....

I finished Danielle Steel's Johnny Angel. It wasn't that bad and definitely a real quick read. I really need to quit reading books that talk about death. At least this one wasn't very dark. This is what I wish The Lovely Bones would have been more like. The Lovely Bones was way to lighthearted for the murder that took place. Johnny Angel on the other hand was sad, but relieving too. There wasn't any bad guys and troubling thoughts running through my head. It was just someone/something trying to make the world a better place.

So now I'm trying to finish I'd Rather be Writing and I get to continue with Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. It's been so nice that I've been able to go out and read on the front porch. It is a great way to start the day. But it's getting late and I better get ready to go to sleep. I've had a short weekend and tomorrow I return to work.

Just a little note

Okay, I'm having a ton of fun with the whole book thing so I promise that I will keep it up to date with what I'm reading and all that fun stuff! Gotta get my writing in one way or another. And this is great practice!

So what am I reading right now! Well for some strange reason I'm trying to read four books at once! Here's what's on my pile:

I'd Rather be Writing by Marcia Golub - this book is awesome about how writers have such a hard time staying on track and in the mood to write. I am totally relating to this right now. I want to write, but there are so many other things going on! LOL!

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - I have heard nothing but great things about this book, but I always pick it up when I'm half asleep already so I only get a few pages in at a time. I got it from the library so I need to finish it this week!

Stupid White Men by Michael Moore - this is our Book Club selection for May! I haven't gotten very far into it but Nick kept asking what was so funny. Seems I kept laughing out loud at everything in the book!

Johnny Angel by Danielle Steel - A resident gave me this book to read. I used to read a lot of Danielle Steel books but after reading the Lord of the Rings I gave up and started reading fantsy and sci-fi. Thought I'd give it a try though since she really liked it! Beside I know that her books are usually a quick read so I should be able to finish this book this week as well! Two books in one week, that'd be good!

Okay, and of course I have an audiobook going for the wonderful commute:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon - I'm starting it today on my drive so I'll let you know how it goes. This is our June Book Club selection. Wow am I getting ahead of myself! LOL!

Well that's it for now! Don't think I need to get anything else on board till I have the time to clear some of these off! I'll keep you posted!

Recommended Reading - Thanks for all your help!

Well it's been almost two months since I went on my quest for the great books to read. Everyone was very helpful so I thought I would share what everyone has shared with me! Sorry guys, I haven't gotten to all of yours, but there is so much to read out there I'm getting to them!

Recommended Reading:
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - I did read this and did like it. Not sure that I liked it more than The Da Vinci Code, but I think that it was the concept. I was very interested in the historical figures in The Da Vinci Code.

The Godfather by Mario Puzo - There has to be something here or they wouldn't have made all the movies!

Anything by Piers Anthony - haven't gotten this far yet, but it's fantasy so I'm sure I'm going to love it!

Marley and Me by John Grogan - Read this book in a weekend! Great short read, especially for the summer. Watch out, if you have dear pets it's a little sad. I cried and cried!

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - haven't read yet

The Husband by Dean Koontz - haven't read yet

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - okay this is a favorite. I have read it multiple times and think that the movie is beautiful.

Fall on Your Knees by Ann Marie MacDonald - haven't read yet

Running with Scissors by Augustan Boroughs - haven't read yet

Pillars of Earth by Ken Follet - haven't read yet

Gone for Good by Harlen Cogen - haven't read yet

Tell No One by Harlen Cogen - haven't read yet

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks - haven't read yet

Three Weeks by Nicholas Sparks - haven't read yet

Fifth Horseman by James Patterson - haven't read yet, and this is fifth in a series so I might start the whole series before this one

Mary Mary by James Patterson - haven't read yet

Eugene Onegin by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin - haven't read yet

Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse - haven't read yet

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - just started reading, will keep you posted.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - haven't read yet

Anything by Henry James - haven't read yet, but have The Wings of the Dove in my library to read thanks to wonderful Stephie!

Anything by Edith Wharton especially House of Mirth or The Buccaneers - listened to House of Mirth on audiobook and really did like it, love Ethan Frome too

The Iliad by Homer - haven't read yet

The Aenied by Virgil - haven't read yet

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - loved it in high school

Villette by Charlott Bronte - haven't read it yet

The Portrait of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde - haven't read it yet

Anything by Jane Austen especially Northanger Abbey and Persuasion - haven't read any yet, but love the movies based on her books: Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense & Sensibility.

Possession by A. S. Byatt - haven't read yet

Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif - haven't read yet

Arabian Nights aka: A Thousand and One Nights - haven't read yet

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf - haven't read yet

Orlando by Virginia Woolf - haven't read yet

The Hours by Virginia Woolf - haven't read yet

Dracula by Brom Stoker - haven't read yet

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly - haven't read yet

Okay, well this is what every sent me I will give a separate blog to those I've been reading and what are my favorites!