Dusting off the ole blog

2015 has been a great year for me as far as reading is concerned. As of today, I am reading my 56th book. I’m really surprised that I have been able to read that much honestly. And what I enjoy the most about it is that they are books that I am choosing for myself.

Previously on this blog, most of the books I reviewed were ones I had been given or that I chose to review in exchange for a free copy. It’s a fun idea in theory, but 9 times out of 10 I found myself bored to tears with the books. It is much more interesting and engrossing to read something you have picked off the shelf based on your own interest.

I have found myself going back and reading books that are a bit older that I never got a change to read during their ‘time’, if you will.  Examples of this would be Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Satran Foer, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston (aka 127 Hours), Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot,  and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

Into Thin Air freaked me out but I could not stop reading it. The fact that people know what a trip up Everest is going to do to their body yet they still do it just blows my mind.

I read several biographies too including those by Tina Fey, Russell Brand, Brian Wilson and Darryl Hammond. Generally, I don’t care for biographies but when someone has a truly intriguing story it makes it more like reading a novel and I can definitely get into those. I had a few weeks there of being obsessed with Brian Wilson. We saw the movie Love and Mercy at the Belcourt, I started reading the book and then we were able to see Brian perform at the Woods Amphitheater. It was a pretty cool month of delving in to one man’s story in varying mediums.

I am not a purist when it comes to reading. You will find me reading a book or reading on my Kindle, it just kind of depends on where or how I found the current book I am reading. Kindle has started a new service called Kindle Unlimited where they have a rather large library of books that are ‘free’ when you sign up for this service. It is $11 a month and I have found many good books this way and even a few new to me authors. You are able to keep 10 Kindle Unlimited books on your Kindle at a time, so I find myself going through that library and selecting 10 I think look interested. I will then read about half of them, ‘return’ them, and then fill my Kindle back up.

Reading for me is a great way to relax and escape the real world. I am hoping I can make it to 100 books this year, but with it now being the beginning of October I am not sure I will be able to achieve that.

But the fact that I’ve read more books this year than some people read in their entire life makes me happy with what I have achieved so far.

 

Album Review: Emmy Rossum ‘Sentimental Journey’

Emmy Rossum is not just a gorgeous actress known for roles in movies such as The Day After Tomorrow and The Phantom of the Opera.

She also has a silky smooth voice that takes you back to the golden era of music. On her latest release, Sentimental Journey, Rossum takes us back with covers of classic songs ranging from the 1920’s to the 60s.

In a recent interview, Rossum said that each song on this album represents one month in a year. My favorite would have to be the song that represents June, Summer Wind which was made famous by one Frank Sinatra.

 

The first time I gave this album a listen, I was mesmerized. As a fan of black and white movies, I felt like I was right in the middle of the soundtrack with Rossum channeling Doris Day, soothing me through my work day. Each track is just as good as the next, with songs I can sing along to and also new ones that I will surely listen to again and again.

This is a great album to listen to as you’re working, or even better as you are lounging on the couch with a good read and a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday.

Rossum can currently be seen on Showtime’s ‘Shameless’ alongside William H. Macy. Her next feature film, Beautiful Creatures, also starring Emma Thompson and Viola Davis opens February 13th.

Be sure to catch Emmy on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on February 6th.  Sentimental Journey is available now at Amazon and I suggest you give it a listen.

 

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network.  I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

 

Chicken Posole Recipe

Ahhh, today is a good day. It is Sunday, I’m off work, the NHL Lockout has ended, and my house smells like Chicken Posole. This meal is one of my faves to make, simply because it is easy, awesome, and has plenty of leftovers. I think I stumbled upon this dish when a friend posted about it, and found the original recipe on a cooking site but has since modified it. Someone was asking today how to make it and so I thought I would share.

Chicken Posole Stew

2 Chicken Breasts

2 15oz cans white hominy (rinsed and drained) (I sometimes use one white, one yellow, or whatever I have)

3 cups chicken stock

2 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes (again, depending on what I have I may use Rotel)

3 scallions sliced

3 carrots sliced/peeled (I tend to use canned ones)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbs Cumin

1/4 tsp Cayenne (I sometimes leave this out)

2 tsp Chili Powder

1 1/2 tsp Mexican Oregano (I’ve never been able to find ‘Mexican’ specifically and therefore just use regular).

Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. Put remaining ingredients in and stir just the top to mix in the spices. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours. Remove your chicken and shred it. Return the chicken to the crock pot and stir.

The best part for me is the ‘optional toppings’. The list they suggest is:

Chopped Cilantro

Mexican Cheese

Shredded Radishes

Avocado

Sour Cream

Tortilla Chips

We normally do crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese (whatever kind we happen to have, it’s good with the kind that has taco seasoning in it), sour cream and Texas Pete.

Hopefully you guys like this as much as me. It’s so good that it’s bad. Ya heard?

 

Quick update

Up until now, this blog has been mainly just for book reviews. While I enjoy doing those, I have decided to take a break from them for a while. Partly because I was burnt out on reading for someone else, and partly because I wanted to start reading a series of books that someone suggested for me. Thus, the review of the entire Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon will happen at some point. I think i will do it when I have completed all books that have been released to date. Unless it takes me until the new book is released to get through the series, in which case it will be a complete review.

Also, I have started working with Influenster to review products. I am happy to report that I will be getting my first box of products (which they call a voxbox) this week, full of ‘Beauty Blogger’ items. I cannot wait. I was also sent some Manic Panic lipstick from a friend and I will be reviewing that as well.

Check back soon for hopefully at least one product review!

 

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

By now, you all know how I feel about a few things…namely, the bargain fiction section at McKay and Holocaust literature. This book combines both!  I remember someone telling me a while back that I should check this book out, that it seems like something I would really enjoy.  I’m not sure why I didn’t get around to it…but I’m glad I picked it up on one of my many trips to McKay.

(From the back of the book): Paris July 1942, Sarah, a 10 year old girl, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.  Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard – their secret hiding place – and promises to come back for him as son as they are released.

Sixty years later, Sarah’s story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup.  In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.

In Sarah’s Key, Tatiana de Rosnay offers up a mesmerizing story in which a tragic past unfolds, the present is torn apart, and the future is irrevocably altered.

(And back to me) Sarah’s Key is a great mixture of Sarah’s story from the Holocaust and Julia’s modern day story and her discovery of Sarah and how it changes everything in her life.  Also, Paris and the like are territory that I don’t feel like I have covered much in the books that I have read in the past about the Holocaust. 

This book…this book played with every single one of my emotions and it was glorious!  Julia is such a daring and strong character and her daughter is learning right there at her side.  Bertrand, Julia’s husband, ignites anger in me and a yearning for him to understand.  And of course there is the never ending anxiety you feel when reading of Sarah herself. I the ending to be a little lacking – it will surely leave you filling in some of the blanks yourself.

 

 

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

When I first heard about the story of Randy Pausch, I remember thinking that I really need to read this book. It wasn’t until I saw it on the Amazon Prime Kindle Lending Library that I actually gave it a show. And I’m really glad I did. The Last Lecture is a book full of great inspirational lines and quotes and leaves you with a feeling of needing to make changes in your life and make a difference in the lives of those around you.

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”

Many professors in college are known to give talks titled “The Last Lecture” in which they are asked to consider their “demise” and to think about what really matters the most to them which in turn makes the audience look at themselves and ask these same questions.  Questions like: “What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?”. 

(From the back of the book): When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn’t have to imagine it as his last since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  But the lecture he gave – “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” – wasn’t about dying.  It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because “time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think”). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe.  It was about leaving.  In this book, Randy has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form.  It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.

Normally when I read books like this I am writing down quotes or inspirational quips that I find in the book…however with The Last Lecture I would have been just writing down the entire book.  It is that good.  Just one giant inspirational quote.

And as I finished it, I just remember thinking…Wow, what a story.  I love that Randy was not too proud to admit that he has flaws and didn’t do everything perfect.  And he is not afraid to show that his marriage (even in this darkest of times for him) still has it ups and downs.  This book is about taking this thing we call life by the horns and living it, no matter what the circumstances.

 

Test post

I am thinking of sharing some photos in a post and this is just a test to see if I like the idea or not.

With Shea Weber at Nashville Predators Practice

Me with Shea Weber at Nashville Predators Practice.

 

Review: “Eyes of Justice” by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl with April Henry.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not told what to write nor was I paid for my review.

This book is part of The Triple Threat Club series of books. Three friends – Cassidy, Allison and Nicole – use their various professions in criminal justice yo solve mysteries everyday. With a crime reporter, FBI agent and federal prosecutor among them they are a triple threat to any criminal on their path.

This time though, the crime hits too close to home and they have to enlist the help of a PI named Olivia to assist. But just as it appears that the bad guy is caught he somehow strikes again which sets off a pretty risky game between the Triple Threat ladies and the criminal.

If you like a good crime novel with dome meat in the plot, this is for you. ‘Eyes of Justice ‘ is a great story of loss, love, finding hope and helping those around you. At times there is a very religious feel to the story, with much reference to Bible verses.

I have read one other book in this series and they were both equally thrilling.

 

Book review: “Titanic: The Long Night” by Diane Hoh

Titanic: The Long Night by Diane Hoh

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not paid for my review and was not told what to write.

In this classic love story aboard a historical ship, we follow two teenage girls from completely different backgrounds as they discover love (and a little about themselves) along the way.

Elizabeth Farr is our spoiled first class passenger, wanting to do everything that her parents think a lady should not. You know, like make her own decisions about who she wants to marry and what type of career she wants to pursue. She has an arranged marriage awaiting her upon her return to American soil.

On the other hand, below deck in steerage we have Katie Hanrahan. She is Irish and full of spunk, leaving what she knows at home to head to America, the land of riches and dreams.

Even though we all know what will happen with the ship, I found this book to be fantastic. Our cast of characters are very well developed and I found myself wanting to find out more and more about them. As we reach the inevitable sinking of the ship I found myself totally stressed out like it was me fighting for my life.

If you enjoy love stories, the Titanic, or both then you will find yourself really enjoying this read.

 

Book review: 31 Days to a Happy Husband by Arlene Pellicane

31 Days to a Happy Husband: What a man needs most from his wife.
Arlene Pellicane

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  I was not paid for my review nor was I told what to write.

Arlene asked numerous husbands this question: What does a man need most from his wife? Based on their answers, she identified the five keys that will ‘give wives a new appreciation and understanding of how to love and care for their mates.’ Pellicane also provides instructions to better equip both the new and seasoned wife to show their husbands the affection and care they long for.

This book offers ways a 31-day program to work on building up her husband instead of tearing him down. The book is structured as daily devotions but could be read in chunks as well.

Much of this book to me feels like the author assumes that wives do not work. She focuses on ‘making your husband feel appreciated ‘ when he gets home from work and emotionally supporting during a time when be might be laid off.

A lot of attention is also focused on families with kids. Not all married couples have kids or even want them. So large portions of this book don’t apply to people in that situation.

Personally, I have a hard time with the whole submission thing and to me the author makes everything about the husband. Nothing about the marriage in this book is equal.