2011 - Starting Fresh in the New Year!

I admit that I'm both excited & nervous for this upcoming year. It's always great to have a fresh start - I feel like I can accomplish just about anything! But at the same time, setting overzealous goals can cause me to fail before I've even begun. Plus the idea of keeping this blog up & the pressure to make it worth reading is a little daunting, especially since I'm so new to the book blogging world (just a few weeks)! 

So my plans for this year are to set some year-long reading goals (mainly with my challenges), but more importantly, to set smaller, attainable goals & change them each week/month as seems fit. Let's face it, who doesn't feel happy & encouraged when they meet goals, even the simple ones? And if I can meet those, who's to say I can't meet the more lofty ones as well?! It's just about taking it in stride & not getting overwhelmed & burnt out.

Enough of my rambling - here are my goals!

1. Blog at least 5 times a week.
2. Write reviews for more than 2/3 of the books I read.
3. Host giveaways (monthly or every other month?).
4. Complete reading challenges: BIO, Around the World, YA Debut Author.
5. Don't compare myself to other bloggers unless it's to learn from them & improve (& not to get discouraged by feeling inadequate to their stellar blogging skills & creativity ;).
6. Don't let blogging/reading take priority over my family & home b/c when it comes down to it, these two men are much more important.

Reading Plans for January:

Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
Unearthly, by Cynthia Hand
Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer
Thirteen Moons, by Charles Frazier
Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare
The Council of Dads: My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me, by Bruce Feiler
The Luxe, by Anna Godbersen
The Lying Game, by Sara Shepard
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling

What are YOUR New Year's goals?

Through the Pages (2) - Snow Flower & the Secret Fan

"Through the Pages" Thursday is something I hope to do on a weekly basis.  Its purpose is to go beyond reading a book just to check it off a list & build up your number of reads. There is so much to learn from books - background behind its creation, history involved within the story itself (whether true history or mythical), the thoughts & impressions a certain passage may leave us with if we take the time to ponder instead of rush through. The subject matter for "Through the Pages" can be expansive if you just stop to think & let your creativity flow.

(Anyone is welcome to join me with their own current read's "Through the Pages" - just leave a comment w/ a link to the specific post on your blog.) 

I am currently reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See, a book I've been meaning to read for a few years now. I considered posting about the foot binding traditions, but was so disturbed by it, I didn't think I could stomach looking at the pictures & describing how it's done (shudder). Instead, I decided to look into nu shu, or women's writing.

Women in China were not allowed to attend school or receive an education until the early 20th century. Because of this, many were illiterate. Although no one seems to know the origins of nu shu, it is said that a young girl from Southern China created it after being chosen as the emperor's concubine. It was her way of communicating with her mother & sisters back home. Nu shu is a phonetic written language used to write stories, poetry, & autobiographies. It was also a way to write letters & communicate between "sworn sisters" (or friends) & mothers. Unlike traditional Chinese characters which are boxy, nu shu was slanted, long & frail.

Nu shu was a secret language hidden from men & was often disguised to look like art. It was also embroidered onto everyday items & clothes.

 With the increase in literacy among women in the 20th century, nu shu began to fade away & was no longer needed. It is now considered an endangered language.

Information researched on Wikipedia & Lisa See's webpage.

Review - The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Title: The Pillars of the Earth

Author: Ken Follett

Released: February 2002 (1st published in 1989)

Publisher:  NAL Trade
Pages: 976
Rating: 5/5
Purchase

Summary:
An enjoyable historic thriller, well told. A mystifying puzzle involving the execution of an innocent man, the erection of a magnificent cathedral, romance, rivalry, murder, arson, lust, and love. Set in 1135 England.

Tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known... of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul...of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame...and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.

Review:
The Pillars of the Earth follows the lives of Tom Builder & his family, Lady Aliena, Prior Philip, Jack Jackson, William Hamleigh & many others in Medeival England. You witness Civil War, heartless Earls, corrupt bishops, famine, the building of a cathedral, endurance, renewed hope, & love.

Even though I'd heard how amazing this book was, I always pushed it aside for something else, partly because I wasn't sure I cared to read about the building of a cathedral, but even more so because of its near 1,000 pages (32 discs on audio!). This book was going to be a commitment! But man, am I glad I took the time for this big boy. This book pulled me in dramatically from the very start. Follett's ability to bring the characters to life was incredible! I came to a point in the book (a couple points, really) when I felt like I'd been punched in the gut & actually mourned for the characters. At other times, I laughed out loud & rejoiced with them. It shocked me to feel so involved in their fictional lives!

This book alternated between different narrators. In some books this is frustrating b/c certain characters' stories are never as interesting as others'. I didn't find that to be the case in Pillars.  I would get so involved with one narration, & then it would switch to another's perspective. I would hate seeing some narrations end, but would quickly get caught up in the new one. There was hardly an uninteresting moment throughout the book. The story completely captivated me!

I also appreciated the research Follett did in writing this, not only about that time in history, the culture, land, laws, . . . but also the actual construction of the cathedral. I found it fascinating!

This is one of the best written books I've read, & I consider it a new favorite. I highly recommend it!

5/5

"Having faith in God did not mean sitting back and doing nothing. It meant believing you would find success if you did your best honestly and energetically."

~ Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth

Kindle vs NOOKcolor - Which one?

Which one to get? I would really appreciate any feedback!

My husband surprised me with the Kindle for Christmas, but because of some errors (on his side?), the order was canceled, & it didn't get here until after Chritmas. That gave me time to consider whether or not I should get a different e-reader - the NOOKcolor.

My main beef with Kindle is that you can't easily download books from libraries (you have to change the format to one compatible with the Kindle first - what a pain!). I also think the keyboard is a little awkward. Another downside is that it requires a light to read at night - not any different than an actual book, but I'm unsure if I'd rather have the back-lit screen or one like this.  I do, however, love the e-ink, the sleek look, the light weight, the non-glare screen, & the fact that it comes in white. The battery is also supposed to last for a really long time. 

As far as the NOOKcolor goes, I don't like that it doesn't offer 3G capabilities since I don't have Wi-Fi at my house (one more thing I'd have to get). It also has more glare when reading outside or in bright lights. It's quite a bit heavier than the Kindle & only comes in black (really not that big of a deal, but I do like the white better).  I worry that the backlit screen will hurt my eyes, especially since they're already horrible.  However, I love that it has color - it just brightens everything up! I also like that you can go to an actual Barnes & Noble to get help with it, read any book for free up to an hour each day (while in the store), & I like the touch screen since that's what I'm used to on my phone. Magazines also look great on it, as well as children's books.  It reads ePub files, so books can be downloaded from libraries as well. 

 

Please share your thoughts!!!

Top 10 Books I read in 2010

"Top 10" Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

This week's list:

Top 10 Books I read in 2010

(in no particular order)



1. The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck: I hadn't read anything by John Steinbeck since high school & was wary of reading this brick of a book. Once I slowed down with the reading instead of trying to fly through it, I was able to appreciate what a wonderful, beautifully written book this was. I found it to be very touching & loved seeing a glimpse of what many people struggled through during the Great Depression.

2. The Hunger Games series - Suzanne Collins: I avoided this series for a while because the idea of reading about teenagers fighting it out to the death sounded so gruesome! But I am really glad that I gave into the pressure to read it because it easily became one of my all-time favorite series!

3. Vampire Academy series - Richelle Mead: This was another surprise series for me. After reading Twilight & loving it, I didn't think I'd care to try out another vampire book/series.  I thought one was enough. Well I started reading the first book b/c my neice loved them so much, & I was hooked. I flew through this series & am anxious to read the final book: Last Sacrifice.

4. The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton: I loved, Loved, LOVED this book!!! I thought the language & descriptions in the book were so beautiful. It really captured me straight from the beginning. I also loved how Morton interlaced the different narratives through different time periods to slowly bring the mystery together.

5. The Mortal Instruments series - Cassandra Clare: This was a fast-paced series that I didn't want to end. I loved the characters & storyline (although it was a bit predictable). I definitely have a major crush on Jace - just call me a cougar :) I'm excited for the fourth book to come out later this year: City of Fallen Angels. I'm also anxious for the movie due out in 2012!

6. The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson: This was a very different book. It was quite disturbing & made me uncomfortable, but at the same time, the message was very powerful & stuck with me for a long time. Davidson is a very blunt writer - he didn't sugar-coat anything. I loved the stories written within the story that transported me to different times & places. I also loved the use of Dante's Inferno throughout the book.

7. The Maze Runner - James Dashner: I read this one before reading any of The Hunger Games series, so I wasn't tainted by any comparisons like others were (I personally didn't see that many similarities.). I loved this book & couldn't put it down. I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading this & after finishing, paced back & forth freaking out. I went out & bought it right after returning the copy I had read to the library b/c I wanted a copy for my personal collection.

8. The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett: This is another book I put off reading due to its massive size. I just finished it a couple days ago & loved it! I was sucked in from the very beginning, & the story never slowed down for me. Follett brought the characters to life, & I felt very deeply for them - I was surprised with how attached I felt.

9. The Kitchen House - Kathleen Grissom: I read this book for a book club & thought I was going to have an anxiety attack pretty much throughout the entire book. Even feeling this way, I loved it. It was a heartbreaking look at plantation life, & I really connected with the characters in this book. I thought it was very well written.

10. Peace Like a River - Leif Enger: I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. It was one I swiped from my mom's shelf, but then put aside for years before finally picking it up. It's not one to rush through. It was beautifully written! I loved the characters, the narrator, the story, the relationships, the life lessons, & the miracles throughout.

In My Mailbox (2) - Christmas Edition

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren
AND
Mailbox Monday
December hosted by: Let Them Read Books.

I received the following books for Christmas:

Nevermore - Kelly Creagh: I am really excited about this book. I'm a sucker for YA paranormal fiction, & the fact that Edgar Allan Poe's writing is inspiration for this just makes it that much better!

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.

Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir - Natalie Goldberg: I love learning about my family history & am always gripped by the need to record family stories - those of my ancestors as well as my own personal family's.

Millions of Americans want to write about their lives. With Old Friend as the road map for getting started and following through, writers and readers will gain a deeper understanding of their own minds, learn to connect with their senses in order to find the detail and truth that give their written words power and authenticity, and unfold the natural structure of the stories they carry within. An absolute joy to read, it is a profound affirmation of the capacity of the written word to remember the past, free us from it, and forever transform theway we think about ourselves and our lives.

Expressive Photography - Shutter Sisters: I've always really enjoyed photography, & this last year, I have gotten even more into it - I took classes & just a couple months ago, I bought my first DSLR. This book was written by a group of women who belong to the Shutter Sisters blog, & I just love all the wonderful pictures inside & can't wait to dive into the little bits of advice

When a photograph captivates you and stirs your soul, you know it instinctively. You not only see the image, you feel it. But how do you capture shots like that with your own camera? How do you make your photographs worth the proverbial thousand words? From portraits to landscapes, still-lifes to documentary shots, Expressive Photography will not only show you why certain images sing, but will also teach you how to create your own compelling photographic images-one click at a time.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand:
I also bought this book for my husband & am anxious to read it myself. A true WWII account of survival after a plane crash in enemy territory.

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.  Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.  It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard.  So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini.  In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails.  As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile.  But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater.  Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion.  His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit.  Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit

"Waiting On" Wednesday (2) - Unearthly

Jill at Breaking the Spine hosts the weekly meme,

"Waiting On" Wednesday. 

It offers the opportunity to share the soon-to-be-released books that I am excited to get my hands on.

I am really anxious for Unearthly by Cynthia Hand to be released. I love paranormal fantasy & am especially excited since this one deals with angels, something I've only briefly enountered in The Mortal Instruments series. I think it will be a nice change from vampires, werewolves & shadowhunters (not that I'm opposed to any of these!).

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees. . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what it is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place--and out of place, at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make--between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Release Date: 1.4.11

I'm taking a break from blogging until after Christmas - Happy Holidays!