Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

After a night of partying, Lexi wakes up in a hospital and she can’t remember the last three years. She can’t even remember her husband. Hilarity ensues as she tries to resume her life, but its quite different. She has a new job, new husband and a new life, with the clothes, body and face to match.

This was my second read of this book. It was enjoyable enough both times, but not as laugh out loud funny as the Shopaholic series and the Undomestic Goddess. I can quite put my finger on why. Perhaps because I couldn’t identify with the main character as much. Granted, I know I have wished for a different life once or twice, but I have never actually gotten my wish, as Lexi appears to have done.

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

25 things about me

Got this from facebook and since I can't get on facebook at work, I decided to post it here.
1. I have no patience. Secretly, I think its because I am lazy. I know if I don’t hurry up and do whatever it is that I need to do, it might not get done at all.
2. I love to read and I read fast. I finished HP 7 in somewhere around 8 hours.
3. I passed the CPA exam on the first try. I studied for 4 months, which is probably more studying than I have ever done in my life.
4. I gave birth to my 2 children with no drugs. Believe or not, the breathing actually helps. That isn’t to say I didn’t consider it at the time, but still, drug free labors. But, getting the IV in my arm made me cry.
5. Caffeine, in the form of pop, is my addiction. I would take a Mt Dew over alcohol any day.
6. I like to scrapbook, but I don’t think I am any good at it.
7. I never dated anyone other than my husband.
8. I am not sure I believe in God.
9. I like the idea of the outdoors, but would much rather stay inside where there are no bugs.
10. I am scared of the dark.
11. I only like to listen to loud music when I am alone in my car. Otherwise, I find loud music annoying.
12. I love Louisville, KY and if I was going to move somewhere other than Minnesota, Louisville would be high on my list of places to move.
13. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers, which seems like a lot to other people, but not really to me.
14. I love the county fair and I wish I was still a kid so I could be in 4H again.
15. I hate the idea of watering my lawn in the summer, but sometimes I am embarrassed that my lawn looks like crap. I keep telling myself, “Its only grass.”
16. I wonder how life would be different if I had gotten a degree other than in Accounting or followed a different career path.
17. I sometimes wish I could be a stay at home mom, but I really don’t know if I could handle it.
18. I like dogs and cats but I don’t want one of my own.
19. I love making spreadsheets for tracking things, such as vacations, my household budget, taxes, etc. Yes, I am a nerd.
20. I find it hard to make friends. I never know what to talk about with people.
21. I worry about my kids a lot. Mainly that they are going to get hurt or lose an arm or a finger or fall down the stairs and break their necks.
22. I don’t like to be touched by anyone other than my kids or my husband. Hugs give me the creepy crawlies. A handshake is fine, thanks. Even my own hair brushing my neck makes my skin crawl. Receiving lines at weddings and funerals are my idea of torture.
23. I have lots of wall space in my house, but I am afraid to hang anything up. I am afraid it will look stupid.
24. I used to “hate” onions, green peppers and country music. One year, my resolution was to just try them and it turns out I like all three. However, I have tried eating fish and I still don’t really care for it.
25. I love the beach, but I find the sand annoying. Its hard to walk in and it clings to everything.
26. I had a really hard time coming up with 25 things and here I am adding a 26th. 

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse can read minds and she wants to meet a vampire. All of this is discovered within the first 5 pages of the book. What wasn’t clear is why she wants to meet a vampire. Indeed, it is very unclear as to why vampires are roaming around unchecked. As it turns out, vampires have “come out of closet,” since the Japanese developed synthetic blood. If the reader can get past the initial confusion than this book is quite enjoyable.

I felt the author could have developed the story in the beginning a little better. I felt throw into the story and I was very unsure of even what time frame the book was supposed to be in. I have not seen the series on HBO. I ended up calling my sister-in-law, who had already read the books, so that she could get me up to speed. Otherwise, I was so confused that I almost stopped reading the book completely.

I also felt that there were a few other plot points that weren’t developed well. Sookie’s relationship with her parents was confusing, as at one point it appeared that she had had a good relationship with them, but then other news comes to light that appears contradictory.

I would call this book a more adult version of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I enjoyed Ms. Meyer’s version of vampires more, more than likely because her vampires seemed less dark. I do believe I will continue to read the series though.

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Gran Torino

My husband, G, and I actually got to a movie a few weeks ago. G is into cars, so he really wanted to see the new Clint Eastwood movie, "Gran Torino." I was somewhat less than excited, but I do love going to the movies so I went along.

This movie is set in present day Detroit. The main characters wife has just died. He is still living in their home, however, the neighborhood has become run down and many immigrants have moved in. Clint becomes involved with his neighbors, despite trying to avoid mingling with them and comes to realize that they are not so different after all.

G thought it was an awesome movie. He had nothing bad to say. He remarked as we were leaving the theatre, "You don't even think of him as Clint Eastwood as you are watching, do you?" For the most part, I would have to agree. I would note that at one point I was thinking about how Clint is looking a bit old, which is to be expected at his age.

I enjoyed this movie, although I did not enjoy the ending. It was funny, but yet moving at the same time. I do think that not everyone will enjoy it, mainly because Clint's character is quite racist throughout the whole movie.

Still reading...

I have been reading books lately, but I have recently discovered Facebook and now I am addicted. I will post a review soon.

I recently reread the Twilight Series. I like these books, but I don't think they can compete with Harry Potter. My favorite Twilight book is the fourth installment, "Breaking Dawn." My least favorite is "New Moon."

I am currently rereading "Remember Me?" by Sophie Kinsella.

I am trying to read "Wicked," but I got about 100 pages in and I haven't gotten any farther. It just hasn't grabbed me yet.