Little Women

I've always thought that classic means boring. Lately, I have decided to give them a try. I'm nothing if not open-minded about some new experiences when it comes to reading. I might just read a lot of sci-fi yet.

Reading the classics need a lot of preparation. One of the things I have to do is borrow the movie of Little Women which fortunately for me have Christian Bale in it. He's just very sexy, who wouldn't watch the movie with him in it? Plus, I like Wynona Ryder in that movie. That was before a bunch of lawyers who's probably just jealous of her fame and fortune. Some lawyers are just asses that way. Anyway, Wynona is really great on that role.

After watching the movie, I meant to get the book and read it. Lucky for me, my husband saw the unabridged DVD in the library and got it for me. The movie was pretty much faithful to the book, right until the part when Jo came home from NY. It's different from there all the way to the end. The movie was engaging, and the book even more.



I was bombed when Jo didn't marry Teddy. The book explained that part much better. I wouldn't mind re-reading the book in print a few months time. That's how good it is. It's going to my keeper file.

I listened and looked forward to doing my laundry when the kids are asleep or busy so I could finish the story. I did, and I am now going back into classics and catching up. I have Tolstoy's book with me now. It's in audio...the next laundry book. Anna Karenina

Fantastic Read!

My friend Harlot loves book. I am very glad we found each other because I now have read a lot of fantastic books which I would never have found by myself. Come to think of it, I haven't yet read a book she had recommended which I didn't like. I won't count Flowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale against her. I don't think it was her recommendation. I can't get past the first third of the book without falling asleep. I will try for the 10th time again to read that book because I heard great things about it. I am stubborn about things like that.

I had to start reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon about six times before I got into the book and didn't want to put it down. It was most inconvenient as the book was over 700 pages. I won't even mention the time I read The Bronze Horseman by Paulinna Simons, or its sequel Tatiana and Alexander. All I can say is, my usual 4 hours of sleep went down to two hours until I finished the book. Needless to say, when I finished the book, I was surprised to find my house in total disarray. I love reading. Did I mention that I really love reading? Check the books I've finished this year on my sidebar.

So, The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is fantastic! Even if you're not into reading, but like it a little, grab this book. Don't let it's size intimidate you. Park it in your bathroom if you have to and read a page or half a page each time. It's simply a book not to be missed. Fiona and Joe. Simply marvelous, darlings!

In fact, the book is so good, it's sequel not due for release in US until January, I decided to order from UK. Considering it's now 2.03 USD per pound sterling...actually, I don't even mind the cost. I must simply read the next book. Have you ever felt this way about a book?

What Got You Started?

Wordless Wednesday Entry too:

♥♥♥♥♥

I was just visiting my favorite author's board, and I have seen this thread about how someone likes reading a romance author's book, but is not fan of romance. It just got me thinking that I am foremost a romance fan.

I started sneaking at nine to read my mother's Silhouette Desire. I love the stories about relationship. I must have been so young because I actually skip the "loving" bits of the book. I should have paid particular attention to them. That's how one can learn all about sex and keep their hymen intact.

Anyway, I only read romance for a long time. I was in my mid-twenties before I started venturing to another genre. I listed to John Grisham's THE FIRM on audio and feel in love with the guys stories.

I could not stand first-person-singular type books. I feel like I am missing so much and I get frustrated not being able to "eavesdrop" on what the other characters are thinking. Then along came John D. MacDonald and his Travis McGee. What a fun series to read, and I got over my hang-up quickly. I enjoyed J.A. Jance, then Sue Grafton and many more.

As for general fiction, books which read like a movie, Robert Crais and Matthew Reilly broke my cherries. Hostage by Robert Crais became a movie with Bruce Willis in it. I am pretty sure Matthew Reilly's book will turn into movies soon. It's very good and action-packed.

So, if you're into reading, what got you started?

Here We Are Again

Do you remember that love song from 80's? I think Peter Cetera sung it. I love his songs. He's the album I reached for if I wanted to be dramatic in love. I have the lyrics below, just in case you know the tune and wants to sing along. I'm like that. I hear a line, and a song goes in my head. It's annoying sometimes, because I really wanted to talk about the book which arrive today. Actually, I received two books. I thought the first seller cancelled, and I decided I have enough of waiting, and bought another one. It turned out the first seller didn't cancel, and now I have two of the same books.

As a side note, my friend in New Zealand, Tart, tried to send me this book twice with chocolates! It never arrive. Turned out she had to declare the chocolates or the book is dead mail. I wonder if NZ post office burned my book along with my chocolates? They could have at least sent the chocolates over! That was over a year ago. What a waste of good book that was...and I am not even going to start on the chocolate. I was pregnant with DS4 then and I really wanted that New Zealand chocolates. Being a good and perceptive person that she is, she sent me some. I could have cried. I didn't get either.

The Summer Garden by Paullina Simons is the book I am talking about. It's not publish in the states at all. It takes extra effort to get it. The first in the series is The Bronze Horseman, then Tatiana and Alexander. These are long books, but they are really great books. You get history, you get romance, you get fantastic sex, you get angst, and just about everything in between. It will make your heart race, it will make you mad, it will also make you sigh with love.

My friends over at The Book Bitches are nuts for this book. One more than the other, I think. Actually, that's saying it mildly. She's insane about this book. In a good way, I think. She's the reason why I went all out and ordered this book overseas because I can't find it on my usual hunts. I almost paid 50 bucks for it from Australia. Whew.

So, if you ever feel like going on a grand adventure, witness and get involve in an epic tale of love and war and treachery, you can't find anything better than this series of books.

I do believe this songs goes with the series too! Now, stack up on chocolates, tissues, and find a most comforatable spot and start reading.

After All by Peter Cetera

Well, here we are again;
I guess it must be fate.
We've tried it on our own,
But deep inside we've known
We'd be back to set things straight.

I still remember when
Your kiss was so brand new.
Every memory repeats,
Every step I take retreats,
Every journey always brings me back to you.

CHORUS
After All the stops and starts,
We keep coming back to these two hearts,
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall.
After All that we've been through,
It all comes down to me and you.
I guess it's meant to be,
Forever you and me, After All.

When love is truly right
(This time it's truly right.)
It lives from year to year.
It changes as it goes,
Oh, and on the way it grows,
But it never disappears,

CHORUS

Always just beyond my touch,
You know I needed you so much.
After All, what else is livin' for?
CHORUS

TBR Challenge List

For this challenge you should....

** Pick 12 books - one for each month of 2007 - that you've been wanting to read (have been on your "To Be Read" list) for 6 months or longer, but haven't gotten around to.

** Then, starting January 1, 2007, read one of these books from your list each month, ending December 31, 2007. :o)

1. Sticks & Scones - Diane Mott Davidson
2. The Cereal Murders - Diane Mott Davidson
3. Catering to Nobody - Diane Mott Davidson
4. The Last Suppers - Diane Mott Davidson
5. Red Lily - Nora Roberts
6. London's Perfect Scoundrel - Suzanne Enoch
7. Beginning with Baby - Christie Ridgway
8. A Family Christmas - Carrie Alexander
9. Killer Takes All - Erica Spindler
10. Testing Miss Toogood - Stella Cameroon
11. Taking a Chance - Janice Kay Johnson
12. The Lonely Girls Club - Suzanne Forster

Note: Green font colors means, I finish reading the book.

I am a month late posting this...we'll see how I do. I noticed that my two little boys at home are wanting more and more of my time. They love to read and wants to show off to Mommy. I am already reading a whole lot of Dora, Berenstein Bears, Little Bears, Blues Blues, Spot and the likes. I wonder if I might have to change my TBR list to suit their needs. Maybe I can do a trade off of 20 childrens book per title I have to trade.

Thursday Thirteen #13 - Books

Out of all the 63 books I've read last year, I decided to pick the top 13 from the list. As usual, they're in no particular order because I can't decid which goes where. Some books are more powerful than others, but my list below took me away for 3-10+ hours it took me to finish them. Ten hours plus being the audio books I got instead of the text.

1. Tatiana and Alexander by Paulinna Simons

2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

3. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough

4. Kiss Me, Annabelle by Eloisa James

5. The Curious Indident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

6. Wild Swan by Jung Chan

7. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

8. Into The Storm by Suzanne Brockmann

9. The Secret Life of Bess by Sue Monk Kidd

10. Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

11. Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

12. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

13. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory


Honorable mention:
*Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster
*The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez *Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
*Anybody Out There? by Marian Keys
*Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keys


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Book Review and a Tag

I impulsively joined a "From the Stacks" group, I even have a button on my sidebar! The idea is to pick 5 books from your "To Be Read" pile and then read it by January 31. I've finished 2 by last night...the other one was a re-read.

Nerd Gone Wild by Vicki Lewis Thompson is great. She's making it hip and cool to be a nerd. There's a rich girl, a nerd, an S/M-loving villains, and a cute town in Alaska populated with lovable residents. The sex was hot, the S/M scene attractive, makes me want to go out and get me a whip! The nerd? He's got a hot little body underneath his dorky clothes.

Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah is a magical story about a woman who's been betrayed by the people closest to her. It's a fun read, especially during the holidays. If you haven't read it yet, please do. It's a must-have feel-good book.

Now, onwards to tag.

My dear Vixen tagged me about this fun list. I doubt I have done plenty, but it's worth a try. I bet I've done 20 percent. What about you?

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink - this is begging the question of "have I ever been in a bar?
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. 1Climbed a mountain - it's a small one, my grandpa owns it, but it's got steep rocky side, and I have to crawl to do it...so yeah, I'm counting it!
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. 2Held a tarantula - can't be in Texas and not hold one. Although it's inside a zoo exhibit, it was alive and still freaky. I was assured that it's not poisonous, but I am convince that these little creatures has someone fooled!
07. 3Taken a candlelit bath with someone.
08. 4Said “I love you” and meant it.
09. 5Hugged a tree. - who hasn't? I hope this isn't the "hugged a tree" as a form of protest and peeing into a bottle because then I haven't done it yet, and not very probable either.
10. Bungee jumped.
11. Visited Paris.
12. 6Watched a lightning storm at sea - can't live in an island all my life and not see one. It's scary, and spectacular!
13. 7Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise. - it's what night-owls do, or an addicted to books people.
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa - I wanted to do this. Even if I have to be in Europe to do it.
17. 8Grown and eaten your own vegetables - Papa is big on this. I have planted potatoes, sweet potatoes, peanuts and corn. What, you don't believe me? (After all, I've been a serial plant killer for a while now) Ask my Lil Bro.
18. Touched an iceberg
19. 9Slept under the stars - then I crawled into my tent because it's too cold and the mosquitoes just about killed me.
20. 10Changed a baby’s diaper - can't have 5 children and escape this fate! By the thousands, baby!
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. 11Given more than you can afford to charity - who hasn't at one time or the other?
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. 12Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment - at grade school, in a sectarian school, during a praying session. I would have been embarrassed and offed myself, but it was too entertaining to see the faces of the teachers who's trying to hush me.
27. 13Had a food fight - my mother does not approve, would not approve and will not approve. As a mother I won't approve, but it's actually fun, except when it's time to clean up.
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. 13Had a snowball fight - with DH. It's so cold! Not my thing.
31. 14Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - this is cathartic. Really!
32. 15Held a lamb
33. 16Seen a total eclipse of the moon.
34. 17Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run - don't like ball games other than bowling, but I don't think bowling counts.
36. 18Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. 19Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. 20Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. 21Taken care of someone who was drunk - and I am still freaked out by any drunk. Any. drunk.
42. 22Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. 23Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. 24Taken a road-trip - DH and I love to do this. It's fun.
48. Gone rock climbing
49. 25Midnight walk on the beach - everyone should try this. It's awesome and scary at the same time. It's all that dark water trying to grab you.
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. 26In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them - I was in 5th grade and my family is on the next table. I was playing translator to two Swedish tourist who can't seem to understand English...at least not Filipino English.
54. Visited Japan
55. 27Milked a cow
56. 28Alphabetized your CDs
57. 29Pretended to be a superhero
58. 30Sung karaoke
59. 31Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football - I don't do balls!
61. 32Gone scuba diving
62. 33Kissed in the rain
63. 34Played in the mud
64. 35Played in the rain - all the time when I was a kid. It's like taking a shower when it's tropical torrential rain.
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. 36Started a business
68. 37Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. 38Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. 39Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. 40Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. 41Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. 42Got flowers for no reason
84. 43Performed on stage - all the time while in school
85. 44Been to Las Vegas - yep, I even walked a whole store front!
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. 45Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. 46Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. 47Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. 48Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking 103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. 49Piloted an airplane - it was single engine, and I find it ver boring after a few minutes.
09. 50Touched a stingray
110. 51Broken someone’s heart
111. 52Helped an animal give birth - our cats, it was great.
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. 53Broken a bone - my right foot, so painful for weeks!
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. 54Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. 55Ridden a horse
119. 56Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. 57Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours.
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. 58Eaten sushi
128. 59Had your picture in the newspaper
129. 60Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. 61Touched a cockroach - ewwwwwwwwwww
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. 62Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. 63Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. 64Killed and prepared an animal for eating - chicken. The whole 9 yards!
137. 65Skipped all your school reunions
138. 66Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. 67Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. 68Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head - I left 2 inches all aound, so I guess not.
149. Caused a car accident
150. 69Saved someone’s life

I am tagging Momsquared, Ev, Ghee, HouseDad, and Ethel. You're not obliged to play, but if you do, let me know so I can take a look. :P

Books I've Read in 2006

With all these blank spaces, click here to see the list.


Related Lists:
Movies I've seen in big Screen. Meaning, I went out on a date with my husband!
Movies I've seen in which I've rented a DVD, or recorded a show on TV.

No.	Title		Author		Notes/Series
1	Blue Dahlia		Nora Roberts		1st In The Garden
2	Birdsong		Sebastian Falks		WW1 fiction
3	Tatiana and Alexander		Paulina Simmons		Trilogy?
4	Unleashed the Night		Sherrilyn Kenyon		Dark Hunter
5	Deadly Pleasures		Brenda Joyce		1st in Pleasures
6	Rachel's Holiday		Marian Keyes		1st in the Walsh Sisters
7	My Sister's Keeper		Jodi Picoult		audio
8	The Thorn Birds		Colleen McCollough		audio
9	Manhunt		Janet Evanovich		hospital reading book, DS4 was born
10	False Premises		Leslie Caine		1st in Domestic Bliss Mysteries
11	Kiss Me, Annabelle		Eloisa James		2nd in Essex Sisters
12	Love with a Scandalous Lord		Lorraine Heath		Rogues and Roses
13	As an Earl Desires		Lorraine Heath		Rogues and Roses
14	When we Meet Again		Victoria Alexander		**
15	Black Rose		Nora Roberts		2nd In The Garden
16	In the Mood		Suzanne MacPherson		**
17	The Taming of the Duke		Eloisa James		3rd in Esses Sisters
18	Promise Me Forever		Lorraine Heath		Rogues and Roses
19	The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time		Mark Haddon		Non-romance
20	Never Love a Cowboy		Lorraine Heath		Rogues and Roses
21	Runaway Jury		John Grisham		lawyer fiction
22	The Summons		John Grisham		lawyer fiction
23	The Last Juror		John Grisham		lawyer fiction
24	The Lake House		James Patterson		audio, children with wings
25	The Five People You Meet in Heaven		Mitch Albom		non-romance
26	These Old Shades		Georgette Heyer		audio, Regency Romance
27	Bad Moon Rising		Katherine Sutcliffe		audio, good
28	Something Borrowed		Emily Giffin		The Book Bitches Book Club Selection
29	The Secret Life of Bees		Sue Monk Kidd		audio, fantastic
30	Skye Cameron		Phyllis Whitney		audio, v. good
31	The Reptile Room		Lemoney Snicket		audio, A Series of Unfortunate Events
32	Magic Hour		Kristin Hannah		tear-jerker
33	Birthright		Nora Roberts		audio
34	Something Blue		Emily Giffin		next book to #28 above
35	Spindrift		Phyllis Whitney		audio, okay
35	The Maze		Catherine Coulter		audio, FBI Series
36	Poisonwood Bible		Barbara Kingsolver		audio, Fantastic, Must read!
37	The Dirty Girls Social Club		Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez		The Book Bitches Book Club Selection
38	The Maze		Catherine Coulter		audio, FBI Series
39	The Edge		Catherine Coulter		audio, FBI Series
40	Otherwise Engaged		Eileen Goudge		good
41	Hemlock Bay		Catherine Coulter		audio, FBI Series
42	The Red Tent		Anita Diamant		audio, Fantastic, Must read!
43	The Fortunes of Francesca		Betty Neels		comfort read
44	The Other Boleyn Girl		Philippa Gregory		The Book Bitches Book Club Selection
45	The Wrong Hostage		Elizabeth Lowell		audio
46	The Dark Side of the Moon		Sherrilyn Kenyon		Dark Hunter
47	Into the Storm		Suzanne Brockmann		Trouble Shooter
48	Constant Princess		Philippa Gregory		audio, prequel of The Other Bolyn Girl
49	Angela's Ashes		Frank McCourt		Memoir
50	Eleventh Hour		Eleventh Hour		audio, FBI Series
51	Cover of Night		Linda Howard		a favorite author
52	Wild Swan, The Three Daughters of China		Jung Chang		Biography, Autobiography
53	Daddy Long-Legs		Jean Webster		the letters are fantastic. It's meant for young adults, but it caught my attention just the same
54	Impulse		Catherine Coulter		hot sex scene, overshadowed by cheesy dialogue
55	Angels Fall		Nora Roberts		everything I like in her book. A tough, soft guy, a strong, vulnerable heroine, cunning villain
56	Angels		Marian Keyes		audio, about Margaret Walsh
57	Anybody Out There?		Marian Keyes		audio, about Anna Walsh
58	Lovely Bones		Alice Siebold		audio, dark-themed book
59	The Sherbrooke Bride		Catherine Coulter		Bride Series, small excerpt here.
60	Much Ado About You		Eloisa James,		re-read, 1st of the Essex Sisters
61	Nerd Gone Wild		Vicki Lewis Thompson		Nerd series
62	Comfort and Joy		Kristin Hannah		a comfort of a novel to read.
63	Carolina Isle		Jude Deveraux		***