by Sarah | Mar 4, 2009 | Random
(I continue to refrain from naming the series because it has enough publicity. If you don’t know what 4 book vampire series for young adults I’m speaking of, you seriously live under a rock. Email me if you really don’t know.)
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Holly made the comment to me that I was “biased” against a certain exceptionally popular vampire series because I refused to read it based on its obnoxious popularity (I did the same thing w/ HP). I hate being challenged like that, but it gets me motivated. I picked up book one of this 4 book series within the week.
I read book one pretty quick, I have to give it to the author – her books are very fast reads.
I hated it. Yes, all of you can collectively pick your jaws up off the floor, I speak the truth. I really did hate it. It was all back story forced into interview style conversations. The main characters annoyed me, and the writing was not good.
But – on my very own I committed to finishing the series. For the mere fact that book one was nothing but backstory, I had to hope that the rest would be better. I refused to pay for any other books, so I sought to borrow them.
For three days I immersed myself in the remaining books. My housework suffered, I spent all day with the text staring back at me. I spent the next week in what I call the “honeymoon period”. I thought about the books and characters. I mulled them over. I actually thought I might have liked the series – and that why I’ve waited so long to post.
Looking back now that I’ve had time to fully digest the series I can honestly say that I did not hate it. I can see why so many people are so obsessed with it, I can truly see where it comes from – but I do NOT feel it.
There were characters I liked (and one or two I LOVED)…and characters that truly deeply annoyed me (seriously, there’s only been one other novel that I’ve disliked a MC as much as I dislike the lead female here). The plot lines were pretty darn predictable – but the author DID manage to throw in a few surprises for me.Â
Overall I’m glad I read the books just so that I can say I can. When I saw my neighbor at the store and she mentioned she was reading them, I could carry on a decent conversation with her. I did not let my bias prevent me from reading them.
But I won’t re-read them. If I see the movie, I see the movie…I’m not going to be racing to the store to get it, nor participating in any ‘parties’ in honor of it. I read them it’s done with…and I can move back to the other vamp series that I DO love, and that I AM rereading…
Over this series, there are two other vampire series that I recommend:
The House of Night Series – P.C. and Kristin Cast. If you prefer YA fiction with a little bit of an edge – this is it. Within ten chapters there’s mention of a BJ…well, actually it’s witnessed, but I digress. Zoey is the MC and while she’s got a lot on her shoulders as a very special vampire – she’s still 17 and fallible. She makes mistakes, but tries to atone for them. One of the things I love about the series is the lore behind these particular vamps. It’s not your typical blood sucker story. It’s going to be a 9 book series, books 1-4 are published, but you can preorder book 5 for its release date of March 10.
And, of course – I would be totally remiss to not mention Sookie Stackhouse novels (Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries). My BFF tried to get me to read these a while back (she says) but I don’t remember that. Last year she finally got through to me and I bought the first book. Within a week I’d bought the rest of the series and read it up. I’m counting down the days to the May 5th release of book 9! They are fun, and as my BFF says…Vampire porn for women. Love Bill, Eric, or Quinn…you’ll love debating their merits for days!!
by Sarah | Mar 2, 2009 | All About Erik
Archie has a new mistress*. She’s younger than me, but needs some work. She’s living at Moe’s house (our next door neighbor) while Archie consults with the plastic surgeon over the cosmetic work, the GI for the internal work, and brushes up on his own skills to do what he can by himself.
I’m not jealous, she’s pretty – and I’ve promised him that he would be able to find another mistress once we were in a better financial position. I’ve been making that promise ever since we kicked out his previous mistress for false advertising.Â
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A 1985 Mustang GT. She wasn’t rnning when they brought her home last week – but they got her started. There is some rust – in fact Archie is currently upset because they found a new rust spot in the floor board – but overall she’s in good shape, and they got her for a great price.
As expected, Archie is a little intimidated by the amount of work she’ll need to get road worthy (which in the grand scheme of things isn’t much)…but I haven’t seen him this happy in a while – he’s very excited about her…
The nice thing is our neighbor Moe is a big-huge car guy (seriously, his Mustang/Saleen resto’s have been written about and appeared in books, etc)…so we have first hand knowledge-help in this project.Â
Right now it’s up in the air whether or not they’ll just make her road worthy and sell her for a profit (to turn around and buy one in slightly better condition and do the same) – or make her road worthy and Archie will drive it himself this summer. I don’t want Archie to sell it in a quick decision like we did the last Mustang…but I will defer to Moe’s better judgment on the issue.
I’ll keep you updated as time goes on.Â
*My apologies to Archie – he doesn’t care for me calling this car his ‘mistress’ because “it’s just a car – not my family”…but I’m certain he knows I’m just teasing him…he’s been looking for a car like this for ages and this one fell into his lap. I’m very happy for him and can’t help but tease him a little bit 😀
by Sarah | Mar 1, 2009 | Weekly Winners
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the wonderfully Sarcastic Mom, Lotus
This week is pictures from a couple of weeks ago. February went by in a haze and I remember little of it. However for Angel’s CF clinic this month I brought along my camera. So I’m calling this entry “Hospital in Black and White”
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by Sarah | Feb 18, 2009 | All About Me, Crap
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I’m sure no one noticed…but I haven’t posted in five days. This was not in my plans…but it’s what happened. The biggest reason is my life is NOT a musical…
For those that didn’t know – a little over two years ago I had my uterus and my very offensive remaining ovary wrenched from my body in what turned out to be a rather painful affair between my doctor and his scalpel (he knicked a nerve making recovery just a wee bit longer). Â
ANYWAY, it was the best thing I’ve done and I’m so thrilled to never ever have to worry about what time of the month it is or the need to spend thousands of dollars on “products” I’ve never ever complained…
Unless I’ve run out of hormone meds while simultaneously having an argument with my hubby, my BFF having plans all weekend and us not talking AT ALL, my daughters turn into raving lunatics and paint their room brown, and the most horrible of disgusting holidays occurs…ALL AT ONCE.
Which happened to all happen this past weekend. Starting Thursday/Wednesday night.Â
By the time I was feeling better it was Monday – but I was wrapped up in a few things…
1. The Wolverine movie previews that Fox was showing. I watched them OVER and OVER…I LOVE me some Hugh Jackman Wolvie…YUMM…
2. I was reading, finishing, and lamenting my wait for the next novel in the House of Nightseries. It’s YA vamp and I lurve it…
3. I was digesting my reading of that other YA vamp series that’s OH SO POPULAR…She challenged me by calling me biased (I hate that) so I read it. And to be even more fair, I picked up the other books in the series to see if I liked it more with passage (I really didn’t like the first one). I’ve read all of the second, and half of the third. I’ll post my thoughts when I finish. And no, I won’t name it because I don’t think it deserves any further recognition…and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you live under a rock.
4. Did I mention the Wolvie previews? Yeah…check them out. Yummy hotness and humor. I’m chomping at the bit here…seriously…
Oh, I’ve read about ten books in just the past month, which is half of what I read this past YEAR. I’m looking for major recommendations for more books. I’ll even take suggestions for ebooks since I’ve learned that my new laptop is rather easy on the eyes (though I’d die for a Kindle). I’ll read almost anything. I love fantasy, sci-fi, romance, historical fiction…just about anything…I’ve even read erotica (but I’m choosy on that 😉 )
So anyway…reccommend me some books. I need to build on my To Be Read pile…it shrank down a LOT in the past month!!
I promise… Iwll NOT forget to call in my hormone patches again next month. It was seriously not pretty. Of course that horrible psuedo-holiday VD won’t be around to bother me then…
by Sarah | Feb 13, 2009 | Crap
Yesterday was a horrible, very bad, no good kind of day.
I was feeling hurt/disappointed/angry out of an argument over homeschooling w/ the hubs.Â
Angel and Riley were obnoxious despite recovering from colds.Â
Brandon had been graciously left alone during our appointment on Wednesday – and promptly lied to me upon my return home about what he’d been doing.
My house was a mess and I did absolutely nothing to help the cause.
The day culminated in me going into girls bedroom after nap time to find EVERYTHING painted…with POOP. The bed was COVERED. The curtains, the walls…Angel – from head to toe – and it was thickly coating the hand she had in her mouth. No, I did not get pictures I was too thoroughly disgusted (and you should be glad).
I lost it. I think I may have had a small aneurysm. The girls literally spent the rest of the night in time out (after a thorough scream-filled bath because I used the shower head instead of being nice w/ my rinsing).Â
I don’t know how to get my girls to stay in bed. Their clothes are piled in my bedroom because they get out of bed and empty the drawers (and closet).
Do you think I’d get in trouble if I duct taped them to the bed every night?
by Sarah | Feb 11, 2009 | All About Kennedy, Crap
Sometimes it’s all about the timing. Monday I received a phone call from the children’s hospital. It was the pulmonologist confirming Angel’s appointment for Wednesday. It was not on my calendar, but I confirmed it and added it to my calendar. Monday night, Riley started sneezing. By yesterday it was a full blown cold and Angel woke up coughing (mildly – nothing panic inducing).
Last night Angel fell out of bed, and the end result was a big, barky coughing fit. I looked at Archie and in relief said, “Thank goodness her CF clinic is tomorrow. Now I don’t have to call.”
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Today we all woke up miserable. My throat was sore and it was tough to swallow. Riley is still snotty and miserable. Angel’s cough is getting worse, and when she talks it sounds like she has gravel in her throat.
I am ever so grateful that we’re going to the hospital today. OTherwise I would have had to make an annoying Mom phone call because she’s starting to make me worried!
On a good note…her mood is still pretty good – if a little tired. Hopefully it stays that way!
