fall & winter reads

I loved doing a write up for all my summer reads, so I thought it would be fun to continue on the idea for the fall/ winter times - it's an easy way for me to keep track of the books I've read and what I thought of them.  Here goes!

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The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

This was a story I was vaguely familiar with, but had never actually taken the time to delve further into.  The plot idea is intriguing, however the story is pretty horrible, and I mean horrible by how the characters go out and do awful things, and then go out to the opera and complain of a slight headache.  It's pretty dark stuff, but entertaining at the same time.  Note: there aren't any warm fuzzies in this book, so don't go looking for them.





Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe

David's brother Stephen was reading this book over the summer when we were vacationing with the Nemrow family in San Clemente, and he sparked my interest in it again.  It's one of those classics I never read in school and always thought I should have; so here we are.  Surprisingly I found myself becoming very attached to these characters and was very impressed by Stowe's satire on the effect of slavery on the people of the South.  It's a new favorite.

 The Causal Vacancy - J.K. Rowling

Being the avid J.K. Rowling fan that I am, you can imagine how excited I was for her new book to come out, but when I caught sight of the $30 price tag I decided I could wait for the paperback version.  Not long after that, I spied the very book sitting on my parent's kitchen counter and got so excited!  My mom had gotten it to put in her to-read pile and said I could read it first if I wanted to.  And I did.  And then I stopped.  Turns out, even though I'm an adult, this was too much "adult fiction" for me.  I couldn't bring myself to finish it.  Feel free to read an actual review of the book here.

State of Wonder - Ann Patchett

I was actually pretty pleasantly surprised by this read and found myself being excited to read it on my lunch break at work.  It's a very unique storyline with an ending that isn't quite sad...but isn't quite happy.  I couldn't decide, but I still liked it.

The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Due to the fact that I can't bring myself to go to the bookstore and pay $15 per paperback, I've been making my way through the Kindle's free book selection.  The Scarlet Pimpernel was among its masses and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's a quick read and has a fun plot twist that I didn't see coming (ok, that's half true, I kind of guessed it).

 The Iron King // The Iron Daughter // The Iron Queen // The Iron Knight - Julie Kagawa

Sometimes it's nice to put down books written in the early 1900's and pick up a series that's sugary sweet and easy to read.  The Iron Fey series was that for me.  It's a fun twist on characters from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night Dream and modern times.  Sometimes teen fiction just hits the spot.

issues

I have a problem.

I admit it.

I completely and seriously will not buy something that is needed until I find something I like.

My motto: If you don't love it, don't buy it.

I'd pretty much rather live without than live more conveniently with something I dislike.

However this can cause a bit of a problem, forcing us to live sans pillows on the couch, sans kitchen table, sans bedside tables, sans iPhone case, and sans calendar for a period between one to eight months respectively.  Currently we are sans iPad case.  I admit it.  I'm being incredibly picky.  I want a case, not a cute sleeve (like pictured above), something that covers both sides, is not a slip-in fit, and has a hard front (not one of the foldable one like Apple makes), and there are a few more specifications...

I actually was very proud of myself.  We DID buy a case about a week after we got our tablet (ahem back in December).  It was cute, affordable, and I was pretty sure it would do everything we wanted it to.  Unfortunately David uses our iPad almost more than I do and well...when it was delivered it was a little bit too pink for him to carry around and feel good about himself.  Darn.  So that got returned.

We are now again on the hunt.  Feel free to throw out suggestions.  I'm all ears.

Also we could use a few bedside lamps for the bedside tables it took us three months to acquire.  It's getting old to have to get out of bed to turn off the light.  This is my next project...

Love Day

Yesterday Dave and I continued our annual heart shaped Vday dinner which wouldn't be complete without homemade whip-cream. In an attempt to surprise my valentine I stopped by Ralph's on my way home from work with the masses of men in suits in ties buying last minute bouquets. I ran to the back, grabbed a tiny carton of heavy cream, paid at the register, turned around...and saw Dave. Buying the exact same thing plus an armful of goodies that were supposed to be a surprise for me.
Oops.
Surprise ruined.
The grocery store clerk probably thought I was crazy when I busted up laughing and kissed the man he was ringing up, but that's okay.
Great minds think alike I guess, and in David's case, he can read mine. (Lofthouse heart-shaped cookies for dessert?? That's my man)

MIA

Sometime I will get back to blogging regularly, but right now is not that time.  Right now this picture is making me smile:

Isn't she a cutie?  We spent most of Saturday night down in Orange County taking (lots and lots of) pictures of her and her date. 

That's all the update I have time for right now.  Till next time!