New Restaurants: November 2009
Books I Read: November 2009
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Books are rated on a scale of 1 to 10
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Books are rated on a scale of 1 to 10
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Bled Dry by Erin McCarthy
The Jersey girl in me can't help but love the Stephanie Plum series. The one flaw? In Seven Up, Stephanie seems to be running in circles a little more than usual which is kind of distracting. Other than that, it was like all the others, a super fast read with a couple of surprises that you don't see coming. I'm going to have to read the next one really soon because I'm dying to know what happened after that last scene with Stephanie and Ranger. I gave this book 7 stars. (I already owned this book)
I bought Bled Dry not realizing that it was the third in a series. Apparently, this book can stand on it's own very well as I never felt I was missing important back story. I devoured the book in two hours, which is quite a feat around these parts. I just couldn't put it down. It was fast and easy and fantastic. Erin McCarthy took two of my very favorite topics, vampires and pregnancy and wove them into a very entertaining read. I gave this book 8 stars because I can't wait to read the other books in the series. (I already owned this book)
The Jersey girl in me can't help but love the Stephanie Plum series. The one flaw? In Seven Up, Stephanie seems to be running in circles a little more than usual which is kind of distracting. Other than that, it was like all the others, a super fast read with a couple of surprises that you don't see coming. I'm going to have to read the next one really soon because I'm dying to know what happened after that last scene with Stephanie and Ranger. I gave this book 7 stars. (I already owned this book)
N or M? by Agatha Christie
I think Dead Until Dark had the possibility of being a 10 star book, but I watch True Blood. I spent the majority of the novel wondering where Tara was, comparing the actors to the characters in the book and wishing they had used Bubba in the show. Had I not watched the show first, I really believe this book would have been amazing. The book is still very good and I picture Sookie more Jessica Simpson than Anna Paquin now. It was fast, easy, fun and has the potential of being very exciting for someone who hasn't seen the show yet. 8 stars. (I already owned this book)
Dune was so hard for me to get into. The first hundred pages dragged on and I often thought of just giving up on the book completely. Luckily I'm stubborn and kept with it because once I got into it, I really got into it. The last 400 pages flew and I began to understand why Dune is one of the most beloved science fiction classics. 7 stars. (I already owned this book and it was on the BBC list)
The Mists of Avalon is my favorite book and I had been wanting to read this prequel for years. While nothing could surpass the original, The Forest House is a very good book in its own right. I enjoyed the story of the priestesses but found the focus on both Gaius and Cynric during battles and military maneuvering less interesting. Even though it is a prequel, I could see readers enjoying it without having to have read The Mists of Avalon. A highly entertaining read with less depth than the original. 7 stars. (I already owned this book)
I loved the romance with a touch of fantasy in this story. I loved the characters. I loved the premise. Basically I loved this book. But, and it's kind of a big but, once the romantic interest turned to romantic action, I got pretty weirded out. The concept of being the adult friend of a young child, even if you are imaginary, and then becoming sexually involved with that child when they are in their thirties is a little too pedophile-esque for my taste. Once the thought occurred, it distracted me from the rest of the book. I couldn't get past it, which is the only reason that took this 10 star book to 8 stars. (I already owned this book)
Jane Eyre was long, wordy and old. It was a recipe for instant dislike. While I didn't love the book, I certainly enjoyed it. The character of Jane Eyre was upstanding and brave. She showcased many qualities women strive for and find hard to reach even today. Mr. Rochester was both off-putting and strangely likable at times. The mixture of drama, romance and a bit of mystery was engaging. While I often put the book down, I never once thought of not finishing it. A deserved classic. 8 stars (I already owned this book and it was on the BBC list)
I'm a big fan of True Blood and I just can't help comparing Living Dead in Dallas to season 2 of the show. While I enjoyed the book, it was so very different from the show. Normally that would be okay, but the show was more entertaining than this particular book. I really wish I had read the book before the show began so that I wouldn't have had it in the back of my mind while reading. 8 stars (I already owned this book)
I fell asleep, head into book, multiple times while trying to read this. I have no idea why people think this is one of the best books of all time. It was boring and confusing. It gave me a headache trying to decipher what was happening, especially since Joyce apparently doesn't enjoy proper punctuation - like quotations marks. He also seems to hate the concept of paragraphs and will run on in one large block of text for more than 5 pages sometimes. Dreadful. 1 star. (This book was on the BBC list)
N or M? is my least favorite Agatha Christie novel so far. Halfway thought the novel I realized that absolutely nothing of any importance has happened yet. I pushed on and found that the mystery came together nicely in the end. I'm glad I stuck with the book but half a novel of set-up before any action is pretty extreme. The book had it's rare moments of surprise, but not enough for me to ever recommend it to others. 4 stars (I already owned this book)
I think Dead Until Dark had the possibility of being a 10 star book, but I watch True Blood. I spent the majority of the novel wondering where Tara was, comparing the actors to the characters in the book and wishing they had used Bubba in the show. Had I not watched the show first, I really believe this book would have been amazing. The book is still very good and I picture Sookie more Jessica Simpson than Anna Paquin now. It was fast, easy, fun and has the potential of being very exciting for someone who hasn't seen the show yet. 8 stars. (I already owned this book)
Dune was so hard for me to get into. The first hundred pages dragged on and I often thought of just giving up on the book completely. Luckily I'm stubborn and kept with it because once I got into it, I really got into it. The last 400 pages flew and I began to understand why Dune is one of the most beloved science fiction classics. 7 stars. (I already owned this book and it was on the BBC list)
The Mists of Avalon is my favorite book and I had been wanting to read this prequel for years. While nothing could surpass the original, The Forest House is a very good book in its own right. I enjoyed the story of the priestesses but found the focus on both Gaius and Cynric during battles and military maneuvering less interesting. Even though it is a prequel, I could see readers enjoying it without having to have read The Mists of Avalon. A highly entertaining read with less depth than the original. 7 stars. (I already owned this book)
I loved the romance with a touch of fantasy in this story. I loved the characters. I loved the premise. Basically I loved this book. But, and it's kind of a big but, once the romantic interest turned to romantic action, I got pretty weirded out. The concept of being the adult friend of a young child, even if you are imaginary, and then becoming sexually involved with that child when they are in their thirties is a little too pedophile-esque for my taste. Once the thought occurred, it distracted me from the rest of the book. I couldn't get past it, which is the only reason that took this 10 star book to 8 stars. (I already owned this book)
Jane Eyre was long, wordy and old. It was a recipe for instant dislike. While I didn't love the book, I certainly enjoyed it. The character of Jane Eyre was upstanding and brave. She showcased many qualities women strive for and find hard to reach even today. Mr. Rochester was both off-putting and strangely likable at times. The mixture of drama, romance and a bit of mystery was engaging. While I often put the book down, I never once thought of not finishing it. A deserved classic. 8 stars (I already owned this book and it was on the BBC list)
I'm a big fan of True Blood and I just can't help comparing Living Dead in Dallas to season 2 of the show. While I enjoyed the book, it was so very different from the show. Normally that would be okay, but the show was more entertaining than this particular book. I really wish I had read the book before the show began so that I wouldn't have had it in the back of my mind while reading. 8 stars (I already owned this book)
I fell asleep, head into book, multiple times while trying to read this. I have no idea why people think this is one of the best books of all time. It was boring and confusing. It gave me a headache trying to decipher what was happening, especially since Joyce apparently doesn't enjoy proper punctuation - like quotations marks. He also seems to hate the concept of paragraphs and will run on in one large block of text for more than 5 pages sometimes. Dreadful. 1 star. (This book was on the BBC list)
Movies I Watched: November 2009
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Movies are rated on a scale of 1 to 10
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The Innocents
1961
1961
I wasn't expecting this movie to be in black and white. I couldn't quite figure out what what the deal was with the governess and the ghosts. Or if the boy was truly evil or just evil because of the ghost. I gave this movie 4 stars because I found myself not really caring what was going on. (This was my movie for 1961)
1952
The musical is just not one of my favorite movie genres. Though as musicals go, I enjoyed it more than most. I gave this movie 5 stars, since the songs were kind of catchy. (This was my movie for 1952 and is on the AFI Greatest Movie list)
1951
The more I watch Hitchcock films, the more I really appreciate his genius. I believe this movie would be just as exciting today as it was over 50 years ago. I gave this movie 8 stars because it was surprisingly thrilling. (This was my movie for 1951)
1958
1958
It took a little while to get into this movie and once I did, I could guess each plot twist. It was a fun movie but not one that could be considered thrilling present day. I gave this movie 6 stars because I found it a little predictable. (This was my movie for 1958 and was on the AFI Greatest Movie list)
The Bridge on the River Kwai
1957
1957
I planned on detesting this movie. While I didn't love it, I didn't dislike it either. War isn't my thing, but the movie was more than bearable. I gave this movie 6 stars because it surprised me by holding my attention. (This was my movie for 1957 and was on the AFI Greatest Movie list)
Dial M for Murder
1954
1954
Hitchcock again. Fantastic again. What can I say, the man had talent. I gave this movie 8 stars because it is twice as thrilling as most movies coming out today. (This was my movie for 1954)
Phantasm
1979
1979
This movie was about demonic aliens. Or graverobbing aliens. Or killer demon midget makers. I have no idea. I gave this movie 4 stars because I couldn't follow it, except for the zombies that became midgets through gravity (or something). (This was my movie for 1979)
#25. Participate and complete NaBloPoMo.
25. Participate and complete NaBloPoMo.
I'm considering this goal completed as this is my 29th post and the 30th post will be my 101 in 1001 monthly progress report.
This was hard. Much harder than it should have been. I wasn't doing NaBloPoMo on Reading with Tequila, but I posted everyday. More than everyday. I had 71 posts in November so far. Without even trying. It made me really reevaluate what I'm doing here. Changes are coming, again.
I normally post 5 times a week. Even then I sometimes struggle. To be honest, my life with my family just isn't than interesting or humorous. I'm okay with that.
I am no longer going to post here that often. I'll still be participating in Wordless Wednesdays and Girl Talk Thursdays when I have something to post. I will still be reporting on my progress with my 101 in 1001 list. When the random funny and interesting thing happens in my life, I will be posting it. Beyond that, I'll be somewhere else.
Blogging can go from fun hobby to tedious work if you push yourself too far. I've pushed beyond my limits here. It's no longer fun. It's stressful and the guilt of not posting makes me try even though I have nothing to say. So, I'll be here once a week. Maybe more if I have something to say. You can come visit me at Reading with Tequila (where I can't seem to shut up) and Twitter (which I'm slowly getting back into) if you need more of me than this blog is providing.
I'm considering this goal completed as this is my 29th post and the 30th post will be my 101 in 1001 monthly progress report.
This was hard. Much harder than it should have been. I wasn't doing NaBloPoMo on Reading with Tequila, but I posted everyday. More than everyday. I had 71 posts in November so far. Without even trying. It made me really reevaluate what I'm doing here. Changes are coming, again.
I normally post 5 times a week. Even then I sometimes struggle. To be honest, my life with my family just isn't than interesting or humorous. I'm okay with that.
I am no longer going to post here that often. I'll still be participating in Wordless Wednesdays and Girl Talk Thursdays when I have something to post. I will still be reporting on my progress with my 101 in 1001 list. When the random funny and interesting thing happens in my life, I will be posting it. Beyond that, I'll be somewhere else.
Blogging can go from fun hobby to tedious work if you push yourself too far. I've pushed beyond my limits here. It's no longer fun. It's stressful and the guilt of not posting makes me try even though I have nothing to say. So, I'll be here once a week. Maybe more if I have something to say. You can come visit me at Reading with Tequila (where I can't seem to shut up) and Twitter (which I'm slowly getting back into) if you need more of me than this blog is providing.
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