Anna Begins

I try and do a set formula too, but I just do a simple one- cover, Title, Author, # of pages and genre. everyone here knows my Kindle is strapped to my hip lol so I don't bother putting what type of book it was, since it's always an e-book.

There is another that is quite good, Walk Me Home (Muggle liked it better than When I Found You, but I am the reverse). In any case, both are excellent. He is now two ahead of me now though I'm still trying to decide which to read of hers next and I just bought I, Claudius... which I'd love to get to for September's circle. So many books and not enough time (not even in a life, I don't think!) I'm days into this Elie Wiesel Memior (even though it's only 432 pages- ugh terrible), but I have been looking up stuff and referencing the events he is writing about, so I'm enjoying it.

The lab is mostly reading and writing exercises- reading essay's and then writing an argument or response. We also train for finals, which is a short read, with a 2 hour max response! Peri did great and passed out cold 5pm and then at 10pm (17:00 and 22:00), instead of her normal MIDNIGHT! But, we've banned the tablet in bed now too. Your salad sounds good! I use pesto too, but green. The spiral kind of pasta and I love little tomatoes in mine too!

Interesting- I do the exact opposite of everyone I start as soon as I get a solid impression of the book- usually around 30-40% and when I have a few lines composed in my head. I write as I progress, then, I edit. I do one for myself (with spoilers) and one for the board (without spoilers and usually more politically correct lol), but they are the same review minus a few lines. I've been doing this since I got Microsoft Word a month or two ago. I also keep a second list of quotes and passages. I'm liking Chrissy's idea of not rating books!

Oh, ok, I'll give it a shot Although, we do have similar tastes when it comes to CRH! I also have Where We Belong, When You Were Here and Second Hand Heart on my TBR list. My library only has Becoming Chloe, but I don't mind paying for them (as I read them!). Interesting, all her books are on the Amazon Unlimited list (the library thing).

Pugliese bread, Colby jack cheese and my mom's chicken noodle soup!

Whew! 50% into Elie Wiesel's memoirs- such a good book. Devastating news!! That's terrible.

I have been debating this too. I like to do them when they are fresh, but then after time has passed, I sorta change my mind a bit about how I perceived the book- and ratings! My ratings for the books I've read change in my head constantly. I haven't changed any- but there are a few I wish I would. I think you do that well- do you have in your head a specific person you are "talking" to (friend, partner, etc) or is it just a review in general? (hope that makes sense)

I totally agree about this. I can't imagine what his family is going through, with all those details swirling around in their imaginations- what were his last thoughts, how long did he hang there, etc. The media is NOT helping at all, either. The family just sent out a statement saying instead of leaving flower's at their doorstep, to please donate to St. Jude's instead. Everything related to Robin Williams around here is a memorial. Periodically, the local channels will just run a silent picture of him and his birth and death year...then return to normal programing.

Yes, it is Solomon Northup's memoirs/ autobiography. And I think exploitation is a good word for it, they took his story and Steve McQueen made it his own. No beating around the bush.

It was Hollywood-ized, IMO. The book wasn't as graphic as the movie, it's almost like they felt like they needed to make a horrific slave movie, just because slavery was brutal, not because of the book's story. I mean, there is bad stuff that happens in the book, don't get me wrong- but the way Solomon Northup writes it, is first person, past tense, so it is with detraction and no mystery what is going to happen. That wasn't captured in the movie at all. I also had to take some issue with the character Brad Pitt plays. He was in it for less than 5 minutes, while being the key player in the last, maybe 15% of the book. I would say it was just a "normal" read and a "normal" movie- but I do think both are worthwhile. I have heard of people walking out during this movie.

I bough it yesterday, so I think I might get to it for the circle- I think it will be my next read. Depends on school... so far, "homework" is one 20-30 page Chapter a class lol My mom's said that was like a yawn for me.

Well, for me, the class went fine. The teacher is on the young side, probably in his mid to late 40's. I think the class will be easy, but will improve my writing greatly (I hope). We will focus on theses, statements, opening sentences and paragraph structure. The class also includes a mandatory "lab" which basically is just more work in a separate class type setting. So my Monday, Wednesday, Friday hour class (13:00-14:00) is now in addition to Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2 hour class! Great, two classes. That starts October 8th. But its all for the good, I suppose. We won't be reading any fiction but mostly non fiction essays that present an argument. He did, however, point out the next class (English 1) includes lots of fiction and non and then after that, all fiction English classes. I just said "I know" with a big smile. Can't wait!

Do you take notes/ write down quotes as you read? When do you start your reviews- while reading the book or after finishing? How do you write your reviews?

Lorde- Tennis Court- another strange video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Ymd-OCucs

I've always wanted to read it! Looking forward to hearing your impressions! With a line like the Amazon synopsis, you just might get a surprise! I know exactly which part I hope you are liking it!

I love pasta salad- what did you put into it? I also hate when being woke up- especially by the gardeners- they use leaf blowers, major noise pollution! Thanks for the good luck, I'll need it! My anxiety level is ok right now, but it is several hours til I go myself. Peri started early this morning, my mom walked her to her class while I circled the madness in the parking lot. She got kind of scared when my mom left her, I guess she started trembling for a bit and claimed she was cold- uh huh. So they walked to her desk and her desk is next to the teacher. The walls are filled with the alphabet, cards with key sounds on them (like sh, th, etc) and a big colorful numbers poster with butterflies.

It is my favorite book. I think I've read it 3 times! In fact, I've read 10 of her novels.

August 13th- The Most Controversial Read... This one is too hard. I just don't know- I've been thinking about it since yesterday There are so many to choose from. Can I say the Bible?

I was just talking about this in the Film thread: I wanted to watch Dead Poets Society right after hearing. Tiburon, California, where he lived, is only a half hour away from me. And the house Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed. Both have become shrines. He lead the news- all of the news (didn't think a full hour was necessary, on every channel yet) last night. It's really sad.

Yes, that is the impression of California- sunny, warm, surfers, etc. But I live near the coast in northern CA. So it gets cold here. The northern coast is prettier than the south (especially the closer you get to Oregon and Washington state), but more people live there- Hollywood, LA and all that. I live closer to San Francisco, which is always funny to see tourists in tee shirts and shorts when its 50 degrees, windy and foggy out! They see seals on piers and kayakers amongst otters, not surfers.

It is odd to be starting school on a Wednesday. The good thing for me is, I only go Monday, Wednesday and Fridays so I will only have two classes and then the weekend. And I'm sure tomorrow will be more introduction than instruction. And then there is Labor Day, a 3 day holiday, the last weekend of the month. And yes, we go on semesters too (to answer from another thread). The school year is- Winter, spring, summer semesters. They last about 4 months, but most are only 3 times a week. Mine ends in December, a week or two before Christmas holidays. Summer semesters aren't taken a lot and most classes aren't offered in the summer. It is a shorter semester too, with classes all week long... so even though more intense, at least you have some summer. Tomorrow is the big day!

I wanted to watch Dead Poets Society right after hearing. Tiburon, California, where he lived, is only a half hour away from me. And the house Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed. Both have become shrines. He lead the news- all of the news (didn't think a full hour was necessary, on every channel yet) last night. It's really sad.

I never thought of them as being "environmentally friendly"

I like the Amazon description, especially the last sentence!! A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth. We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.