Anna Begins

(Google, a girl's best friend!) There are SEVEN Halloween movies?!

Oh no!

August 16th This book defends the undefendable... ?

Did you read The Alchemist?

I rated the 3 I've read all 5/5's. I haven't gotten to Becoming Chloe or Take Me With You yet, but I think a book of hers will be next for me, I just don't know which one. I have the longest TBR Catherine Ryan Hyde list ever! Nice- I just looked up Becoming Chloe again on Amazon and read three spoilers- damn

That's good to hear, because I've liked the Dickens I have read (not much). Didn't he also write a novel about the poverty in tenements? Or is that Orwell with Paris and London? I thought they both did. I googled but now I'm confused. I've only heard of The Turn of the Screw by James, but that's just cause I like/ was involved in theater.

Well, 3 days at school and my little girl is already sick She had a sore throat Thursday and yesterday, a pounding migraine and a fever last night. Great. Even though I hate them, I might end up getting a flu shot this year. I only have 3 absences allowed in my class, before my grade drops- I do not need to get sick. Especially in August- I mean, ALREADY??? On my school side, I just wrote my first paragraph (lol but not really), due the 22nd. I mean, honestly, how long can it take to bang out a paragraph? We had 3 sentences to pick from, to be our "main topic sentence" (Good lord), I chose "The place I'm most at home is_________". I wrote it about my mother's house, then read it to her and made her cry! Oops We have to do peer review and do TWO (I mean, seriously) drafts, so I left some errors in and some things I wanted to change. I even did the stupid outline and topic brainstorming they want us to do. Ugh- what a lot of extra work! But I did enjoy some of the things we got to read in class yesterday and I really can't complain if the writing is easy, I'm sure it will get tougher in the months to come. My first "journal" assignment (roll eyes) is on the media and it's role in human suffering, do they show too much, etc. I'm still mulling that one over in my head before I write it. I worked in news radio for 13 years so I don't know if I want to use that perspective or just ignore it and write from a viewers standpoint.

I'm still reading Elie Wiesel, but honestly, it is so good, I don't care how long it takes me to finish. I also picked up BBC History magazine for September- lots of good stuff in there this (next) month. I have no idea, but knowing me last year at the time, it was probably me! It was odd too, because I usually finish a book once I start, no matter what. But at 67% in, you'd think I could've hung in there This is too bad- I've had Bleak House on my TBR for a while now. I've heard the same from others. I will still give it a go, but I don't want to have to slog through it! Was it just listening to it or the way it was written that gave you problems?

(Told you I peak in at your thread and reviews ) Just wanted to let you know, if you didn't see it in the Book News thread, BBC History has a piece on Ian Fleming's life in Jamaica and James Bond. Also, my first journal essay (ugh) for school is on the media and how it portrays human suffering, do they go too far? I am going to be writing on Robin Williams.

Just saw you're reading Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands- I hope you like it as much as I did!

Oh- I know, I was just going off topic a tad I haven't heard anything about her other works.

I love your review about Don't Let Me Go. You captured the book's ambiance great! If you liked this one, you will like When I Found You, as well. I like your cover so much more than mine- mine shows a small girl holding a key...but the girl looks too young to be 10!

Yes! This is SO me! Ever since I decided to write my reviews in a more concise manner, I started thinking critically more often and experience more enjoyment- in both reading and writing. I still AM petrified when posting reviews!! That's an interesting person to have in mind when writing a review! I never thought of it that way before- usually, I write with future potential readers in mind but I also don't want to throw anything too controversial in my forum reviews... start up a big deal. That's why I write one for myself, too, basically the same, just written for me. I also think of it as writing for a school class, which helps it be more proper.

What did you think of this? I disliked The Handmaids Tale, but would like to try something else of hers.

I know! I wish more there were more posts in here- it's so fun! August 14th- Best quick read At only 280 pages, Go Ask Alice by Anonymous is in journal form, so it really is shorter than 280 pages. It's an interesting insight of drugs, written by a 15 year old, the journal/ book made an impression on me. Filled with weight issues, crushes, etc she realizes she has a problem with drugs after having an LSD trip. And the end took me by complete surprise. The "written by" Anonymous part is very interesting as well. August 15th- Best looooong read I'm giving this to Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged. The 1188 pages fly by (believe it or not) and is not heavy on philosophy and controversial topics. In Rand's elegant prose, I don't think I will ever forget Atlas Shrugged and I will probably read it again. Other than the Stand, this is the longest book I have read to date. I have lots of ideas for tomorrow, Book that defends the underdefended.

I love good wine! I especially like Tempranillo grapes. I live in Napa I don't drink much now, but I have to have a glass a few with a steak or Italian food!

Hilary Mantel talks about Wolf Hall (did ya know there's a movie coming!?) and Thomas Cromwell in BBC History Magazine, out now for September. There is also a large piece on James Bond/ Ian Fleming.

Aw! Thanks! I googled your wine is it from Spain?

His wife just announced he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/08/14/robin-williams-was-battling-parkinsons-disease/14062707/

I'm trying to learn the lyrics- besides the catchy chorus- it's pretty hard!

So this class, I'm reading my text for tomorrow's class (let me just say, a 20 page chapter takes much longer than I possibly imagined). And I already write the way they want us to, it's just teaching me why. It's strange, especially when I look at my reviews from the last few books. They have all the stuff the book is teaching us- theme, opening statement, conclusion, etc. I guess, over 20 years, I just forgot why I write the way I do. I wonder if I'm in the right class.

Did you see the sequel on Amazon? Always Chloe and Other Stories... a short story collection! I LOVE short stories, so am anxious to read this one too I must read Becoming Chloe first though! I dunno, might be the book! I thought I read it, but when I looked it up in my Kindle, I stopped at 67%. Why, I do not know. I remember nothing beyond the synopsis

Yes! This is my problem too. After I think about it a bit, it might be better or worse than my review or rating. That's why I like Kells rating- nothing is too negative. SO True!

That is a great rating system! I think I might adopt that next year. You almost make me wish I wasn't single!

I can't speak for Pontalba but I think some of the problem that people have is the way he did it. He was there, anyone could have walked in, be it his children, wife, etc. Thankfully, it turned out to be his agent, but that is still awful. I have struggled with depression and suicide so I do have perspective. Personally, I felt (and feel) I would go somewhere to be a not be such a burden emotionally to my family... if I was thinking clearly. Sounds like maybe he wasn't- it does take over you, but still, I think it's mainly the way he did it. I DO NOT agree with calling him a coward or shellfish, etc We are thinking about going sans TV as well- or at least, just basic cable. I read the link (I didn't have much time to respond to that part yesterday), reminds me of The Bridge, when I was in the media, we discussed it a lot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_(2006_documentary_film)