Recent Reads: The Book of Joe (Book #7 of 2013)

When I read my first Jonathan Tropper novel, This is Where I Leave You, I was in love. It was the first time in a long time that both a book and it’s author made an impression on me. I read plenty of enjoyable books, but it’s rare to find an author whose works I consistently enjoy (for the record, I also love John Green and Emily Giffin). There was a potential there for me, and, after reading The Book of Joe, my 3rd Tropper novel (I’m not reading in order of publication, just as a heads up), I can honestly say I am in love with Tropper’s writing.

The Book of Joe was just excellent. I found it hard to explain while reading it, so I’ll attempt a brief summary. Joe Goffman grew up in the town of Bush Falls, Connecticut. Before he turned 13, his mother killed herself by jumping off the cliff at the falls. From that moment on, he has felt supremely disconnected from his father and brother. A series of unfortunate and frustrating events occur during his senior year in high school which cause him to leave Bush Falls, estranging himself from his family and his past. He writes a book about his experiences (deeming it fiction, but everyone in Bush Falls knows better) that becomes a best seller and a hit movie. He quickly becomes a household name, but the people of his hometown are less than thrilled with it. Joe is fine with never returning to Bush Falls (as are the townspeople) again if given the chance, but his father suffers a stroke, and it leads him back home, where he isn’t exactly welcome.

I loved this book. I laughed, I cried. And that seems to be the going theme with Tropper’s novels. Of the three books I’ve read, there are a lot of similar themes…coming of age, self-discovery, death, family, love. I never feel like I’m reading the same book, though. And, while it may seem easy enough to gather what will happen and predict the events, Tropper always seems to keep you surprised and wanting more.

I highly recommend this novel. I highly recommend all three of the books I’ve read, and hopefully the other three I have yet to read.

The Weekend

A quick, crazy weekend. Pizza at Tommy’s with some boys. Work. A new iPhone 5! A MYO 6 pack filled with crazy yum beers. Cheesesteaks.
Crying while finishing my latest read. Coffee, bagels, omelets. The Oscars (the everlasting, forever-long Oscars).

Me with the iPhone 5! I got a white phone, I wanted that color when I originally got my 4. I didn’t need a reason to love the iPhone anymore than I already did, but this beautiful piece of technology did it for me.
A PBR in a frosty glass with my fried Sicilian pizza.
Burrito Deluxe from La Tolteca. So damn good.
My picks for the 6 pack.
Brad and I made a list of things we want to do to help make our lives better. A lot of health and money related goals.
Leopard print nails…I followed this tutorial from CutePolish, and it’s so easy and amazing.
A little bubbly for viewing the Oscars.
A Monday morning bagel, coffee, and Bon Iver. Took the day off (thank God, the Oscars were on until midnight).

I had a nice little weekend. I hope you did too! 

On the To-Do List

I’m currently on book 7 of my challenge…and according to Goodreads, I’m a book behind schedule. No surprise there, considering my little fallback. The plus side is, I have a bunch of books stocked up to read. At least I’m not having a hard time finding things to read. It’s finishing them that’s posing the problem! My to-read list is long, with varying subject matters. Here are 4 of the books I have for the future:

Feed by MT Anderson – Young Adult/Sci-Fi-esque
Your Voice in my Head by Emma Forrest – Memoir
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – Romance
20 Something 20 Everything by Christine Hassler – Self-Help

Read any of these? Any good? Any suggestions for the future?

A slice of my life, via the iPhone.

Just some photos of little things in my life, taken with Instagram (@mikeylynn) and Afterglow.

Sleepy pup #1 (Cali).
Snowy trees on a winter morning.
My mom bought me this mirror, which showcases my favorite animal doing my favorite thing…perfect!
Lucky Brand yellow skinnies I bought for $10 and my Minnetonka mocs.
I go nuts for donuts.
Mix ginger beer with white wine, and you have yourself a “Cork Soaker”…according to Cork restaurant anyway.
Hannah: Hapless Hunter Green. Love this color, but the whole Deborah Lippmann GIRLS collection is awesome.
Sleepy pup #2 (Artie).
Several of my Amazon purchases…there are more coming too. I HAVE A PROBLEM. God, I love books.
I am obsessed with this mug I got from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Recent Reads: Beautiful Creatures (Book #6 of 2013)

Beautiful Creatures, which was co-written by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, is how I chose to hop back on the saddle after this little debacle.
It is book 6/52 and it took me over 10 days to read it. It’s not that it wasn’t good. I found myself a bit busier and more preoccupied. But I also found myself reading a book that is nearly 600 pages after my first real snag in the challenge. That’s a great way to pick back up, eh?

Beautiful Creatures caught my attention because a movie was just released based on the best-selling book. It is the first of a series of 4 books.
I had seen the trailer and commercials and was slightly amused, but after the “Oscar Wao incident” I think I needed something Young Adult, a little fantastical and possibly simple to read. Obviously, I didn’t think about the page count. The reason it’s so damn long is probably because every possible detail is written down, which is both great and exhausting at the same time.

The story is narrated by Ethan Wate, a 16 year old boy who’s mother recently passed away and who simply cannot wait to escape the small-minded small town of Gatlin, South Carolina. His father has become a shut-in since the passing of his mother (car accident) so he is mainly raised by a grandmotherly figure named Amma. When the book starts, Ethan tells us about a recurring dream he has been having in which he is trying the save a girl whose face he can never see. He’s overwhelmed by the reality of these dreams, but keeps them to himself so as to not come across as crazy. But then Lena Duchannes arrives in town, a relative of the shut-in Macon Ravenwood who lives on a manor everyone deems haunted, and everything changes. She is different than the Georgia Peach types that hold court over his high school. And more than they’ll ever know.If you’ve seen the trailer for the movie, then you know that Lena is a Caster, basically a witch, along with the rest of her family. This is all well and good, but she is not yet 16, so she has yet to gain control over her powers. And, the worst part, a curse has been placed on the women of the Duchannes family tree, in which they have no choice whether they will be claimed into the Light or Dark on their 16th birthday. What follows is a mystery to discover what will happen to Lena on her birthday and whether or not a relationship with the mortal Ethan will work out. And of course, tons of other stuff happens, because the book is forever long.

After I read the book, I was ready to see the movie (I went on Sunday) and was shocked at how completely different it was from the book. I know it’s hard to keep a 500+ page book completely intact when translating to the screen. I also know that some things just don’t translate the same. But there were SO MANY CHANGES. Unnecessary ones, too, in my opinion. If you’ve read the book and seen the movie (or are going to see the movie and have already read the book), you should check out this list of 14 things they changed.
In my opinion, it’s one thing to omit some unimportant details, but to change things? So weird.

Anyway, the book was entertaining. The day I finished reading them, the entire series (The Caster Chronicles, as they are known) was on sale on Kindle for 2.99 a piece. I obviously bought the remaining 3 and I do plan on reading them. But I’m going to take a breather for a while.

If you like the paranormal and a good teen romance, I would recommend this book. Considering how long it is, it obviously doesn’t skimp on the details. And there’s a lot more to learn, I suppose, as the books continue. It’s definitely not a favorite, but I don’t regret reading it.

A Sweet Weekend

I have been having a lovely long weekend over here. Today is the third and final day (Presidents’ Day), but it has been wonderful.
Thanks to tax refund season, I’m a bit financially stable at the moment. A BIT. I’m struggling to not want to spend money all the time, but I’m making up for lost time, treating Brad to lunch at Canteen 900, going to the movies with Dana, and buying my friend Catie a couple of tiny birthday presents. And, well, of course, treating myself. The most important thing to me, of course, is saving some and having a nice cushion for a while, so I don’t have to struggle as much paycheck to paycheck. There are still bills to be taken care of, absolutely. So I’m being smart, whilst also being a little goofy and buying books and DVDs I’ve been wanting for a while…

We kicked off Friday with a happy hour at Bar Louie in the casino. I had a couple of Blue Moons and a lot of laughs.
I got my first haircut since May on Saturday morning. I feel like a new woman! I just love shorter hair.
I treated Brad to lunch at the super delicious Canteen 900. I could eat there everyday, seriously. We both enjoyed salted caramel lattes.
Brad looked super handsome, as usual, on our anni-valentines-versary date on Saturday.
A toast to 3(ish) years. Cork Bar and Restaurant has great cocktails. He had The Bond and I had a Blushing Lady champagne cocktail.
A cutie stuffed dog as part of my gift.
Sunday fuel = Toasted Almond coffee and my everything bagel with cream cheese
WE DID IT AGAIN! This time we saw Beautiful Creatures. But we still had our Icees.

Seriously, it’s been an excellent and relaxing weekend. Our anniversary date was lovely. Amazing food at a restaurant I’ve never been to before now. Champagne cocktails. Cuddles all night. And, yes, some Netflix. That’s just how we do. I’m so happy to spend my days with Brad, with all the cool people in my life, and to just enjoy life as it comes. There are a lot of changes that need to be made, but I’m happy.
Why not?

Dinner Last Night: Valentine’s Edition

I had an excellent Valentine’s Day! Did you?
I decided to make London Broil for my family, a step up from the usual tacos and soups (like I mentioned yesterday) and we enjoyed it with wine, my green bean recipe, and a fresh tossed salad! Oh, and of course some red wine!
Brad came to join us and it’s always so excellent to have him around my parents and my sister. I love how well he fits in, and I loved that we all sat at the table (we have a tendency to park in front of the television with our meals and not really talk) enjoying food and company.

I am so blessed that I have a great family, a sister I can call my best friend, caring and funny parents…and I am so glad I have Brad and that he fits in with us and vice versa (I feel very comfortable around his family). I bought everyone a little present (some Orla Kiely note cards for mom, tea for sister, and my dad’s favorite gums and cinnamon candies) and treated everyone to a great meal. (Brad deserves the credit for the perfectly cooked meat…not sure if I could’ve done it on my own…I’ll have to do it next time!)

Are you ready for the weekend?
I so am. Last week was so long, this one definitely made up for it. It’s already Friday and I have a 3 day weekend thanks to President’s Day.
I plan on getting a haircut, enjoying an anniversary/Valentine’s dinner with Brad, and sleeping in as long as I can without wasting the day.

Have a great weekend, folks!