The Upside of our Epic Fail

Yesterday, I shared with you all the details that went into making our trip to Nashville a complete disaster.  But because I try to look at the sunny side of things, I was also careful to look for those little silver linings.  One of the clearest advantages of our trip was just how much time I had to relax...and actually get some reading done...without a toddler and/or baby trying to compete for my attention.  I mean, what else is there to do when you're in a hotel room with a sick husband in bed (although on day 2 I did manage to find a nice bench outside to sit on instead!).

Needless to say, it didn't take long for me to finish up my first selection...The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

                                                             

The book honestly hadn't really been on my radar, but when I was looking for something to download before the trip, it was in the iPad download's top 10.  And then I read the reviews and people were calling it a modern Catcher in the Rye...more thought-provoking than I normally go for, but I really liked Catcher in high school, so I was tempted.  And finally, I saw that is has been made into a movie that has just come out, and that was the clencher (I don't know why but I really like reading books that have been made into movies...it's fun to watch the story come to life I guess).  

So, I downloaded it, and approximately 4 hours later (our 1 1/2 hour flight + a couple hours of in-room time), I was done with it.  If my quick read time isn't enough of an indication, I will be straightforward and tell you I really enjoyed reading it.  It was certainly a nice change of pace from my usual chick-lit.  And even though I am far removed from high school, I found myself relating to it...not in the sense that I was ever a "wallflower" (nor was I wildly popular or anything), but just in the sense of trying to find your place...and your people...in the world.  

So if you're looking for a good, quick read, pick it up! 

50 Shades...Adding My 2 Cents

OK, so I am definitely way late on this one, but I finally read 50 Shades of Grey.  Not that I have been very good about making time for reading, but I had decided long ago that I would make it my vacation read.  I naively assumed I could crank through all 3 while I laid on the beach/by the pool, but I must have gotten my current life confused with my past one.  As I relayed in my vacation posts, reading just wasn't on the agenda for most of my vacation as I had a toddler and baby to entertain.  BUT...I did get some reading done and then made finishing it a priority once I got home (only book 1 mind you, although I'm working on the rest now), so now I know what everyone else has been talking about.
                                           
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, I'm sure you have, at least, heard of the book.  And I'm sure many of you have already read it, so I'm not going to worry about giving away plot or anything (*so if you haven't read it and plan to do so, I'm warning you!).  So even though I am a bit behind the eight ball per se,  after hearing so much about this book...both positive and negative...over the past few months, I feel like I have to add my 2 cents to the discussion.
Overall, I would say it was on OK read.  I wasn't completely bored reading it or anything, but I also wasn't overly eager to get back to it each day as I usually am when I'm in the middle of a really good book.
 Part of that may have been the sex.  Now I'm no prude or anything, but honestly the sex (which I had heard sooo much about and was certainly prepared for) just got boring to read.  After about Chapter 3 or so, I found myself just skimming through the paragraphs.  And, seriously, who has that much sex anyway?!?  Even in a new relationship?!?  I mean, again I'm no prude, but I honestly found myself feeling sorry for poor Anastasia.  It seemed exhausting and I just wanted her to be able to take a good nap or something!  The second one seems to be much better at laying off the sex a bit, and in turn, I'm enjoying it more!
As I sat down to begin reading the book, I realized I actually had no idea what the plot line was...just that there was a lot of sex...and as I finished the first book, I realized that was probably because there wasn't much of a plot line (although in fairness, I'm just now about half way through the second book and it seems to be getting into more of his past so maybe this one will be better?).  I found the book to be pretty redundant and predictable...event, have sex, event, have sex, have sex,  event, have sex.  I really wish it would get more into the mystery behind Christian Grey (again maybe in the future books?) and the romantic in me really hopes she can begin to chip away at who he is and help him heal...I personally think it would make for a way more compelling read than f***ed up dominant takes advantage of hopelessly-in-love girl over and over.
On a positive, though, I did really find myself rooting for the characters. Again, maybe it's the romantic in me, but I wanted Anastasia to help bring this man out of his dark place.  And I wanted Grey to experience love and believe in it.  I believed that they love each other...and I guess, that's why I kept (and still keep) reading.
On a side note, though, I have no clue how the hell they are going to make this thing into a movie...or I guess I should say a movie that doesn't carry an X rating.  With sex pretty much being the plot, they're going to have to work some miracles or something!
So that's my take on it.  Anybody else read the books?  Do the second and third get better?   I'd love to hear if you agree/disagree.

A Few Good Books

At the beginning of the year, I made myself a promise that I would rediscover reading after a prolonged break.  I mean, I did spend the the vast majority of my adult days encouraging the youth of America to read daily, so I felt a little hypocritical.  Luckily, two things happened...I got an iPad (which happens to have a reader) and I got knocked up!  You may be wondering what the h-e-double hockey sticks this has to do with reading?  Well, since I can no longer run/do anything too strenuous at the gym, I can actually see my reading material and because I have an iPad, good books are easily accessible/readable, and I can still listen to my music at the same time...I'm telling you, life is good!
So, in the last couple months, I have completed three FANTASTIC reads.

 I tried to choose things that were varied and not necessarily my typical picks (although admittedly the Emily Griffin book is right up my alley).  Instead of summing up each book for you, I will just tell you that I wholeheartedly recommend each and every one of them.  So, go get one (or all of them) and read away!

I Read a Book!

Obviously this shouldn't be such a big deal, but between working full time, being a mom, reading/writing blogs, etc I don't remember the last time I read a book. But this year I was resolved to start reading again, so I figured our trip (well more the airplane time) would be the perfect place to start on my conquest.

A couple weeks ago, I read someone talking about the book Water for Elephants. It didn't sound like my cup of tea...a circus setting from the 1920s. I usually am a straight chick- lit kind of girl, but when Colton's babysitter offered to loan me Water for Elephants (I commented on it when I saw it on her table and she raved about it) I figured it was worth a try. And I'm really glad I did. It was a quick, easy read (I finished it in a total of about 4 hours). It was fast paced and not at all predictable. I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, and very excited to have rediscovered reading...now let's just hope I keep it up once I am back home!
So, now that I am on my roll...what do you all reccomend?  Any good reads out there for my next conquest?