December Book Exchange

We would like to thank Mary for hosting our December Book Club Exchange. We all had a wonderful time!

Vampire yourself...or a loved one!

My sister loves Twilight so I thought I'd photoshop a picture of her to look like the movie posters. (You may be asking what a 23 year old would do with such a picture, she'll probably use it as her avatar for facebook and myspace.) Unfortunatly my photoshop skills are lacking and I couldn't get it to look right. So I checked etsy, you can find anything there, and found someone who creates a movie poster out of your picture. She gave my sister really pale skin and goldish eyes. It looks so awesome! If anyone is looking for a last minute Christmas gift it only takes 48 hours for her to email back the finished picture. Just search twilight on the etsy website and you'll be amazed at what comes up!

Help!

Did I loan my copy of "Breaking Dawn" to one of you? The cover is on my bookshelf, but the book is not. Please tell me that one of you has it...please

Twilight!

We now delcare November 21 National Twilight Day!!! Me and Kathryn saw a button thats said:

The sign Kalala's holding says "Twilight Freak"

Oh Yes, Kalala loves Jacob

Next Meeting

Hey Everyone,

Our next book club meeting is in one week and it's the holiday party. No book to read, but bring a wrapped book for the book exchange and also bring your ideas for next year's reading list. I was browsing at Costco and the bookstore today and found some great possibilities. Also, if you have any other suggestions on how we should run things next year, that's the night to bring it up!! See you there and have a great Thanksgiving.

Vanessa

Look Familiar?

I found this picture today and it sums it up perfectly.

Look familiar anyone?

December Book Club Christmas Party

Hey ladies,

We need a head count for the December book club meeting. It's December 2nd at Randi Y's house and we want to start planning a few things, so I need to know if your coming. Leave a comment here or give me a call! I'm hoping to have a solid number by the end of tomorrow

Thanks!

Vanessa

Twilight Weekend--GET READY!

Hey Everyone,
The movie is only one week from opening and I know we're all getting pretty excited!
In response to trying to get things underway, I've mapped out the two sets of plans that seem to be forming. Take your pick:

For the Ultimate Die Hards...
We will be attending the midnight show at the Oceanside Regal Cinemas on Mission. The show starts at 11:59 pm. Plan to be in line early for good seats and it's probably a good idea to get your tickets beforehand. You can purchase advance tickets here.
And... if you purchase tickets in advance they will send you a code to get a free mp3 download of Bella's Lullaby remix from the Twilight soundtrack (FUN!)


For the people who are just as die hard, but need sleep or babysitters...
Friday night we will be attending the 9:55 pm showing at the Vista Village Krikorian Theaters. You can purchase advance tickets for that show here.
On Friday Night we will also be going to dinner as a group if you would like to join us. I think we will meet for dinner at 7:30 (our standard after hours meeting time) and we are still trying to think of a place. Over in Vista Village there are several choices. There is a Chili's, California Pizza Kitchen, even something easy like Chipotle or Panera. My vote is for CPK at this point. Fun, Yummy, lots of choices. I don't think we can go wrong. I plan on going to both nights right now (as long as I have the energy and the movie isn't completley atrocious)--lets face it, I can't get enough of you guys, or Edward for that matter.

I hope everyone can make it to at least one of these. Spread the word, invite your friends, bring your daughter, if you can only make it to the dinner or to the movie, still come, whatever... JUST COME! It's going to be so fun!


Now, on another awesome book-to-movie subject, a new trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out today. It WILL be shown this weekend with Twilight, but you know I couldn't resist seeing it now. It's fantastic, I can't wait for this movie! If you want to check it out, Click Here.


Have a great Weekend Everyone and I hope to see you Next Weekend at the Movies!

Twilight Premier

Have we picked a time or date that we're going to go see this together?
-My crazy Utah Utes fan husband is flying out to UT for the Utah vs. BYU game that weekend, so I'm going to have to line up a babysitter to go, so the sooner we decide when we're going the better!

I was thinking Friday night sometime would be good (although I know a few people are going to the midnight showing...)

What does everyone think?

sara

Where shall we three (or thirty) meet again?

Hey Literachicks, I am probably completely out to lunch on this one, but have we selected a place to meet next week? btw-- I love your quiz results. I bet you won't guess mine, though!

Hmmm

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I'm the man!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!




I refused to take the chick quiz cause I knew I'd be Esme...now I'm super cool and everybody knows it.

It Figures.....

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Which Twilight Charactor are you?

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I'm Alice of course! "You are intelligent, outgoing & stylish. A true girly girl, you love shopping & makeovers. Although you are a generous friend, you can be coy, tricky & very persuasive in order to get your way. You are known to zone out occasionally during conversations, but your friends forgive you because you are understanding, supportive & know how to throw one heck of a party!"

Click the link to find out who you are!

Two Great Halloween Reads...

For those of you done with this month's book, here are two great creepy reads for the Halloween Season.



We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This is a short novella written by the author of the creepy short story "The Lottery." Shirley Jackson is a master at creepy and macabre without any gore or gross. There is also a lot of humor. This is a story about two sisters who live in an isolated family home after the death of the rest of the family. Merricat and Constance are very intriguing characters and you'll be hooked right away.












The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Another member of our book club asked me about this book the other day and I started thinking about what a great read it would be around Halloween time. This is actually a non-fictional account of the correlating events of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the serial killing rampage of killer H.H. Holmes in the city at the same time. The book reads like a suspense novel and I particularly loved it for the creepiness AND truthfulness of H.H. Holmes, however, there is so much history involved pertaining to the World's Fair you can't help but actually learn some stuff, too!

New Twilight Trailor!

Here is a link to the new Twilight trailor! It looks so good!! I am so sad that I won't be here to go to it with you guys:( http://www.myspace.com/trailerpark

You Must Read This Book!!

Seriously, this was one of the best books I've read in quite awhile. I couldn't put it down. It's written entirely in the form of various letters between the characters. I didn't think I would like that, but the writing was so good and the characters so vivid that I didn't even notice. I felt like I personally knew each and every person in the book by the time I was done, it was absolutely fabulous. Check it out!

Twicon

Any one up for trip to Dallas?

www.Twicon.org

The 13th Tale

This book seemed to be on the best seller list for so long I figured it was finally time to give it a read. It's a great little mystery that takes you in a new direction. It's characters are intriguing and you really become absorbed into their little world. It starts off a bit slow and a little confusing, but soon you can help but love the narrator and the woman she is interviewing during the book. I really give this one a thumbs up!

Friday Night Knitting Club

I LOVED this book!

Now I want to learn how to knit, open a knitting store and start a club of my own.

Dare I say... this might even be my favorite book right now...

Midnight Sun Sadness

It's too sad to blog about.

Check out the awfulness that has occurred in Stephenie Meyer Twilight World.

Let us mourn the presumed death of the complete Twilight Edward account...

Vote For Me!!

Hey Ladies,

My first entry into the Iron Cupcake Competition is a smashing success (just ask the few girls in the bookclub who got to taste it!) Now I need your help, check out the link below and cast your vote! Hopefully it will be for me, but there a LOT of great cupcakes in the running! Spread the word, too! The more interest the more votes and the more interesting it will be!

http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/


To check out my entry on my blog, click on the link below

Vanessa's Iron Cupcake: Chili

Got any good books?

Okay, so I'm getting ready for our trip this Sunday, and need to take a handful of good reads with me. Has anyone read anything worth reading that I can borrow or recommend?
-Lani, I finished your Breaking Dawn book and brought it to church, but didn't see you. Let me know when I can drop it by.
Sara

Edward Cupcakes, Anyone?

Okay, after our online poll and some informal verbal polling, I think that Vanessa's cupcakes(or the lack of Pope's head) have won everyone over. We will have Book Club the last Tuesday of August at Vanessa's home. Hooray!! We will miss you, though, Sara!

Oh yeah-- did you all notice that "Twilight" is being released in NOVEMBER now!!

Buca or Vanessa's?

Hey Book Club Ladies! After discussing our August Book Club venue with a few people, a thought came out that it might be fun (and more suitable for discussion) to have our August "Breaking Dawn" meeting at Vanessa's, rather than at Buca. I love, love Buca, BUT last time it was somewhat difficult to have a group conversation AND with such a large group, the separate bill situation was a bit dicey. What do you think?

Alternatively, we could go to Buca on a night when the discussion is not so necessary and we don't have so many people, or we could have our "Breaking Dawn" meeting catered (all pitch in $10 for Pat & Oscars or similar establishment).

Vote, and we can decide next week what will be the best place for a "Breaking Dawn" break-down.

Love you ladies!!

Michele

Breaking Dawn Concert

Hey Everyone,

I hope you are all having fun reading Breaking Dawn. For any of you done (or planning to be done) by Thursday, here's an extra special treat.

There will be a live webstream of Stephenie's Los Angeles appearance and concert at 7 pm on Thursday August 7th. Here is the link.

http://panther.iclips.net/breakingdawn


Now, this will totally and completely full of spoilers, she is discussing the entire book. So, if your not done, DON'T WATCH or it'll probably give away everything.

Enjoy!

Tonight!

Okay Laides, its finally here, we are LESS THAN 12 HOURS away! Are you excited? We'll be meeting tonight at the Outback Steakhouse across from the bookstore at about 9:30. From there we'll head over to Barnes and Noble. Even if your not getting a book you are absolutely more than welcome to come and hang out--in fact I'm always for the more the merrier! I'm sure a few people are up for carpooling, so check around and call me with any questions.

See you tonight! (ummmm.... did I mention we are LESS THAN 12 HOURS away! )

Liken yourself unto Bella or not!

Here is a quote Kathryn and I found amusing from Twilight;

"He used to go fishing with us during the summer," Charlie prompted. That would explain why I didn't remember him. I do a good job of blocking painfully unnecessary things from my mind.

Kathryn and I caught several fish while up in the Sierras, but we would like to let our friends/leaders know that we love you even if you don't find fishing interesting or are afraid of bugs...cough, cough DeEtte.

stephenie meyer website quote

Check out the quote on the SM website today. The goosebumps are spreading across my arms! www.stepheniemeyer.com

Preview

It was great to see everyone last night! Thanks to Julie for hosting (and for yummy enchiladas) and thanks for all the great discussion and conversation. Here's an extra thanks to Rabecca for letting us know the trailer for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is finally out. (HOORAY!) This one comes out in November. The trailer is short, but so far creepiness abounds, it looks pretty good-- I can't wait!


Here's the link to check it out. Harry Potter 6


I'll be seeing many of you this coming Friday. If you have any questions email me.

I can't come tomorrow...

I was so excited to come to book club this month. Mostly because I actually read the book. Or listened to it rather. Then I double checked my calendar and found that I won’t be able to go - I've got some seminary teacher training or something. I’m bummed.

I really liked this book. I was just coming off of the first three Twilight books, so this one seemed a little difficult to get into. Things didn’t move very quickly. My heart wasn’t racing, I wasn’t having to take breaks just to calm myself. It was a peaceful read and flowed like a slow river.

I soon fell in love with the characters. My favorite of all of them was the dad. I loved his humility, respect, determination and his humanity. He wasn’t afraid of people or of what they thought of him. He had his family and he loved them and cared for them. He taught them things that the people around them all seemed to be lacking. He was who he was and you could like him or not, take it or leave it.

I listened to the book while I was working on a mindless project. I found myself at times stopping to listen to the story and feel the rhythm as it flowed along. I never got bored. I appreciated the author’s sense of how to describe a situation without getting wordy or leaving things out. I could picture every scene as though I were watching a movie but it wasn’t over done.

Simple but beautiful.

Official Twilight Movie Website

I'm sure I'm the last to know about this, but I found the official Twilight movie website today and didn't see it already posted here (probably missed it somewhere). Here's the address:

http://twilightthemovie.com/

There are three different teaser trailers and a comic-con reel, a photo gallery, the works!

Mark your Calendars!

First off, I just want to commend Lori for crossing borders and yet still finding Edward related obsessions (although, I'm not entirely convinced she didn't spray paint the name herself...)

A lot of you have asked me about the release of Breaking Dawn and whether or not we're all going and what the whole deal is, so I went ahead and called the store today to find out the skinny.

The Breaking Dawn release party will start at 10 pm on Friday August 1st and the Barnes and Noble in Oceanside. There will be festivities of all kinds, poetry readings, games, I think there is a costume contest. I'm not sure how much of that we are all interested in... The main event, of course, is getting lined up and ready for the sale of the book at exactly 12:01 am on August 2nd. The store has informed me they will be doing wristbands for the line like the Harry Potter releases and wristbands will be available starting at 9 am on August 1st. HOWEVER, the bands will be different this time around that in you will only be able to receive one wristband per person and one band = one book. What this means is no picking up 5 wristbands for other people (like you could at the Deathly Hallows release) and also no wristband acting for you and other members of your family (once again, like at the Hallows release.)

So, you need to plan to get over to Barnes and Noble sometime during the day if possible to pick up your wristband in order to secure a place in line and not be there forever at midnight. The earlier you get your band of course, means the further you will be in the front of the line and the sooner you'll get your hands on the book.

For the evening, I haven't really planned anything for all of us as of yet. Plus I pretty much wanted everyone's input. I figured we could plan to meet up in that shopping center around 9 or 9:30, choose a place to have a bite to eat, discuss all our Breaking Dawn related theories, and then head over to the bookstore for some browsing and inevitable line standing.

So far there seems to be a pretty good group of us going and I hope more can make it! Don't forget to invite anyone you want, the more the merrier!

p.s. In honor of the release I'm posting something Twilight related on my own personal blog everyday until August 2nd. Some of these I promise you won't want to miss...

We're not the only ones obsessed with Edward

Trevor and I went to Puerto Vallarta last week and I re-read Twilight and part of New Moon while I was there. My last day, we came across this 'ode to Edward' -- Mexico style.
Apparently we're not the only ones who read this book & love Edward! I hope you all appreciate this as much as I did. :) -Lori

The official countdown has begun...

I'm sure most of you remember last year when Stephenie Meyer celebrated the countdown to the Eclipse release with "quotes of the day" from the book. Well, she's started it for Breaking Dawn as of today. There will be a new quote from the upcoming book everyday until August 2nd. You can find them here. http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/bd_quotes.html

Enjoy!

Arts and Crafts

I know many of us last week had our other halves up at Scout Camp. Jon was up there for most of the week and came home with a little present for me he made up there.

Check it out...





Yes, that's right. It's a handmade leather bookmark with LITERACHICK embossed on it (and of course topped off with a boondoggle charm-- cuz they like make a million of them at scout camp...)

He's says were dorks, but I think he's jealous. I think he should start his own book club and name it RMR-- Real Men Read (anyone else think that's a good idea?)

In the meantime. I'm using my bookmark and LOVING this month's book.

Girls who read are hot!

For pg-13 Eyes only...

I'm sure by now you've all noticed my obssesion with vintage advertising. I came across these gems today. See, girls who read are hot!!

For all you who love vintage ads like I do, check out this blog: www.pzrservices.typepad.com

Ode to Vanessa...

So for my birthday this year, sweet Vanessa went to the trouble of writing a poem for me, about me and even put it on cute paper, with a cute bow and sent it in the mail...getting it to my house on my birthday! How thoughtful, right? Well, you all know that is just how great she is. So in honor of Vanessa's 30th--I, along with many of you, spent her birthday writing a poem about her. Here goes:

Vanessa is 30? It canNOT be true!
We should throw a big party!....or I guess a poem will do…

Your 20s are gone, say ‘Hello’ to new wrinkles
I mean….in those cupcakes you make better than Sprinkles

Taking great photographs is one of your skills
Consorting with vampires gives you great thrills

Heathcliffs your man--he lives in the Moors
But would he appreciate those cupcakes of s’mores?

We know ‘Joanna’ would, she’s your best friend
Although some of us think, she might be pretend

Who is this girl that we’ve never seen?
Are you certain she didn’t show up in a dream?

You faked out Jon Olson, while at BYU
But HE was the wrestler & the joke was on YOU!

We’ve seen your mom & dad, so we know you’re not fakin’
Who else would eat an apple pie with bacon?

Using your coupons, you get food pretty cheap
$1.00 for cereal is just way too steep!

You’re full of fun stories, you make everyone laugh
You like teenage novels, ask Barnes & Noble staff

Hosting great parties is another talent you possess
If you’re not on the guestlist, there’s sure to be duress

You are super creative when it comes to hair-bows
And you’re a scrapbooking queen--everyone knows!

Your T-shirts are offensive, yet pretty darn funny
Maybe you should quit your day job & sell them for money

Although Sydney & Vivie are your pride and joy
Its probably a good thing you don’t have a boy.

With dress-ups & dancing he’d probably go queer
But with Jon as the dad, he’d steer him clear.

One more thing must be mentioned, you blog like a pro
You’re full of entertainment--more than you know!

Being 30’s not so bad, its actually great
So stop all your moping & let’s celebrate! ;)

Happy Birthday Vanessa!!

(Lori, Sara, Julie, Allyn, Debbie, Michelle, Carmen, Phaedra -- all contributers)

Now, I will post the poem she wrote me on my birthday... (since I'm the birthday brat...and even though its Vanessa's birthday, we should still be thinking of me) ;)

Ode to Lori

Oh that Lori, She's so cute,

And she's super nice to boot

I'd like to hate her, but I can't

So I'll write poetry instead of rant!

She looks like Belle from Disney lore

And gets great bargains at the store.

Her music always strikes a note

From her blog you could quote.

Please don't think I'm being rude

But she's the youngest of the family brood.

Mesa's the place she grew and grew

She turned out normal (hey, who knew?!)

She studied families at the Y

Then a boy caught her eye.

His name is Trevor, he's alright

Loves to surf--day or night

She loves Savannah to no end

Scrapbooking so far is not her friend.

Recipes and book club she surely likes

But that's cuz I'm there (am I right?!)

Cold weather is her mortal foe

For her birthday its the Ellen show!

I wish her htis day the very best

Better than 364 of the rest!

Happy Birthday Lori!!

I think this should be a theme for book club one month--we should write poems about each other...I really enjoyed doing this, I hope you all get a kick out of it too! -Lori

Guess who's joined the "Forever 21 Club?!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA!!!!

You are a truly amazing, talented, spunky, fun, intelligent, beautiful, well read, person who is a wonderful friend, wife, mother, cook, and so much more!! I feel so privileged to know you and to call you my friend.

Hope you have a great birthday!
Sara

Toffee Brittle Crunch

I love this stuff, and it is so easy to make! From memory, here's the recipe, I'll check it when I get home and let you know if I forgot anything.

1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup Butter
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 cups Chocolate Chips

Pre-heat oven to 350. Place tin-foil over a cookie sheet.
Spread out saltine crackers on tin-foil, close together.
In a medium pan, melt Butter & Brown Sugar together. Once they are melted, cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour mixture over crackers and spread to evenly coat all crackers. Bake at 350 for 10 min. checking to make sure it doesn't burn. (Mine has never burned, but that's what the recipe says.)
Remove from oven and pour chocolate chips over toffee, they will melt. Spread to evenly coat. Add your favorite chopped nuts on top of chocolate if desired.
Cool for 30 min. (or stick cookie sheet in the freezer for 10 min.) then break into pieces. Enjoy!

Melted chocolate yummy goodness...

Here is the chocolate chip calzone recipe as promised. It tastes just like the one at Claim Jumper (except I think the one at Claim Jumper does have marshmallows in it, but I'm not quite sure.)


Chocolate Chip Calzone
(Recipe from Brian Okada)

1 pizza dough
3 oz. chocolate chips
3 oz. white chocolate chips
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate sauce

Directions
Stretch pizza dough to 10" in diameter. Place 1 oz. chocolate chips (about a handful) at the bottom of the dough and fold once. Place 1 oz. white chocolate chips down and fold again. Repeat 3 times until all the chips are used. Pinch the edges of the dough closed. Bake at 450 degrees for 7-10 minutes until golden brown. Cut into 6 pieces. Serve with ice cream and cover with chocolate sauce. Serves 2.

I also make a milk/sugar wash for the top before I bake it.

1 TBS of sugar
1 TBS milk

Mix together and brush on calzone before baking (it adds a nice sweetness and 'crust')


Enjoy!

Oh yeah, Sara-- I've decided I need that recipe of yours from last night too. I was craving it all night after I left!

I know it's not a book...

I know it's not a book and I'll delete this post soon...

Jon and I need a doggy sitter and a cat feeder for a weekend in July. The cat can take care of herself, she just needs to be fed. The dog on the other hand... well, she's not as bright.

She sure is cute though... Ellie's a sweet little dog. She stays in her kennel during the day while Jon and I are at work and while we're sleeping at night. She's used to being out for a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening (after work). She hasn't had a potty accident in the house in a few weeks (we're hoping that she's officially been housebroken) but she's not really good at letting you know when she has to go. You just have to make her go outside for about 30 minutes in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening. She likes it if you go outside with her, but she's capable of being outside by herself. Sometimes she "drips" when she gets really excited to see someone.

She doesn't like kids very much but only because they like to reach and grab for her and she doesn't like that. She's lost a few of her wiskers that way and is a little hesitant. She has never bitten or even snapped at anyone and certainly tolerates everyone. The Boneys used to come and take her for the day because the kids love her and she did just fine with them - including Noah (see Allyn's post). She only barks when the doorbell rings or someone knocks on the door.

We would prefer to have someone that could housesit for us too but we know that the chances are slim for that. Second choice would be to have someone take her home with them and just stop by to feed the cat once a day. Zoe is totally anti-stranger so you would probably never even see her.

It would only cost us $100 to take Ellie with us but we don't really have the funds for that. I could throw in a cheesecake though, if someone is willing to take her for us. Just let me know.

Austenland

Hi Ladies,
I just finished Austenland , if anyone would like to borrow it, and it is quick read. I am interested in knowing what others thought of it. I laughed at some parts and had some of Jane's same fantasies/train of thought in my past, but overall I thought that it was o.k..

P.S. I will give the author credit in the fact that when I finished I wanted to watch the movie, or is that just my own desire to have a "Mr. Darcy" charge? Ha, Ha.

Favorite Book Lines

I know I'm still behind, but I'm finally getting to finish I Capture the Castle and I had to laugh out loud at "I had the most currios feeling in my solar plexus..."

That has to be one of my favorite book lines. Who would have though to use solar plexus?

What are your favorite lines from books? Why are they your favorite?

Breaking Dawn Cover Art!!

Here it is Ladies,
So give us your predictions... What could the cover mean???



Also, get ready.. Barnes and Noble Oceanside will be having a midnight release party of Breaking Dawn starting Friday August 1st at 10 pm. You know we're going!

Underrated!!!!

Everything has its opposite, so here is the yin to our current yang. Have you ever read a book and thought, "why hasn't everyone read this? This is the best book in the world!" So here is our new list, the underrated books in your life. Spread the word on your favorite book that maybe not everyone has heard of or appreciate. Here are my current two:



Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency SERIES!! by Alexander McCall Smith

Emphasis on the series here. There are 9 of these and they are all fantastic. Whenever I'm reading them it seems like I get the comment, "oh I read the first, I didn't know there was more." There's more people, and they are all just as good if not better than the first. If you are unfamiliar with the series, it is about a woman named Precious Ramotswe who runs a detective agency in the rurual Botswana and the family and friends in her life. She comes across some interesting cases and despite the lack of any formal training, has a keen instinct for solving most cases that come her way. Mama Ramotswe gets funnier and even more philosophical with every book and you become to really care about these characters even more with every new chapter of their lives. I find myself pining away for Africa and its beauty in every read--and I've never even been there. They read very fast and each have beautiful messages in them about life and love and our relationships with the people we care about most.



Giants in the Earth by O.E. Rolvaag

I LOVE this book. It's set in the Dakotas in the late 19th century and is about a family named the Hansas who come from Norway to settle and try to prosper in this brutal untamed land. It's gracefully written and its descriptions of the landscapes and characters can't help but bring you in into the story and live it all with them. I can't help but empathize with the mother and wife, Beret, and she tries to work through the isolation and frustration of this new life. It's both beautiful and tragic at the same time. I'm sure it's my own pioneer roots showing, but you cannot help feeling grateful for all those who came before us in this country, who, with sweat, faith, tears, and sacrifice made it possible to have the nation we have now.


So everyone, Tell us about your favorite hidden gem!!!

Hmmm.... Vampires Win!!

Need I say more?

Overrated?

Have you ever read a book that when you finished it you thought it had to be the most overrated book in history? I have quite a list, but the most recent one is this puppy...


Seriously ladies, leave this 'award winner' on the shelf. Margaret Atwood has written some really great stuff, so I had high hopes. Was it awful? No. Was is completely overrated? Yes.
I'd like to say I totally got it. That it completely made sense to have 2 storylines from two different periods of time AND a science fiction novel going on in a book about the relationship between two daughters of a rich Canadian industrialist, but it didn't. Atwood left you clues throughout the whole book as to what was happening, but still, by the end there were so many holes that needed patching the entire last chapter was solely a 'wrap-up' of explanations that still didn't even seem to leave you satisfied.


Some of my other "overrated" reads are as follows:

The Great Gatsby
What is this book? Really, what is it? I pretty much just remember a lot of rich people with no accountability whining about their lot in life and who loves who and who doesn't. I know there are some of our members who love it. Please, I beg you, tell me why.

The Scarlet Letter
The only thing this book taught me was not to sleep with your clergymen, especially in 1700's and especially when your already a married woman. Although, this is some pretty sound advice...

The Awakening
This is supposedly a story about feminism and women's rights. I really just read a story about a very spoiled, rich housewife with no moral compass.


Anything that's starts with "Chicken Soup" or "Seven Habits"
I don't think this one needs explaining.



This list could go on and on.


So, here it is ladies, the official post of the most overrated book you've read. What is it? Don't be shy, throw your hat in, let us know how you feel about that book that's made you think, "I just don't get it."

Oh yeah... and, if any of you (cough **DeEtte** cough) say Wuthering Heights, we are officially in the biggest Literachicks fight ever....

Amazon Kindle

Check out this thing that Amazon has available - called the Kindle. It's like having all your books in your bag with you wherever you go! How cool would that be? Watch the video that you have to scroll down to get to. It's a little wider than the rest of them.

I know that it takes away a little from the "reading a book" feel though. That's why my jury is still deliberating. Plus... it's pricey...

Please Tell Me It Gets Better

I started reading New Moon yesterday and I'm so incredibly depressed by it that I'm not sure I can go on!

Someone! Please! Tell me that it gets happier!

If you have it, I'm on page 132. It seems as though it may be picking up a bit, but I've got to know that it's going to get better.

I have this nasty habit of skipping ahead to some random point in a book to give me hope in hopeless situations such as this, but I can't find anything to give me the hope I seek. Hence my asking my book club buddies to help me out.

By the way... have you checked out Stephenie Meyer's "official" website? I'm sure I'm the last one to see this, but she's writing a book that tells the Twilight story from Edward's point of view. Check it out under the "Other Projects" tab.

She's also coming to La Jolla on May 23rd for a discussion and signing for The Host. Tickets are $30 and it appears that there are still some available. I haven't looked into it deeper than the website though, so they could be sold out.

Thirsting For More

I'm done. I'm on my way to catching up.

I loved it! I'll be on to the next one in no time.

Read It People

I just finished this late last night and I totally loved it. Stephenie Meyer is just great at pulling you in and really making you love these characters! This was a terrific story about humanity and (of course!!) love. I didn't even feel like I was reading a science fiction novel. I highly recommend. You can get it at Costco right now for $14.95, it's a good buy.

Trailing by a Mile...

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for deciding to keep me even though I seem to only pretend to love to read.

Second of all, I just have to say that Bella and I are going to get along just fine. I love her! (So far. I'm only on chapter 5 in book 1.)

A Marianne Dashwood Elizabeth Bennett wannabee...

Of course we all want to be Lizzy, but alas! When I was taking the quiz, I could see where this was going, and I was tempted to pick some of the answers like "dark and exotic" that would have perhaps changed this to Elizabeth, but decided to answer honestly.

I am...Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! After reading her description, I must admit it does fit me: I am impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest. I do enjoy romantic poetry (Ok not really poetry) and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully (violin perhaps?) To boot, my singing voice is captivating. -They said it, not me... I feel deeply, and love passionately.

I don't really remember her character that well, perhaps we all should watch the movie again!

Take the Quiz here!

B&N Coupon

I have a coupon for 40% off the new Stephanie Meyer book. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll forward it to you. It's good at the store or online.

Really?!

I have to admit I'm very surprised. I never would have thought....

Take the Quiz here!

Meaghan

Yummy Twilight Trailer Goodness

You know you want to watch it.

What say you ladies? Are we going to be in line on opening day for this one? My guess is yes. Everyone keep December 12th open (it's never too early to schedule and Edward fix.)

Twilight Trailer



FYI, Meyer's new novel The Host comes out tomorrow. So anyone planning a trip to Barnes and Noble, keep your eye out!

My Hopes Are Dashed

I was kind of expecting this, but not really hoping for it...you know what I mean? Honestly, who wants to be Elinor Dashwood? She's not very romantic or cool, is she? I always knew I was an Elinor deep down, it's rather disappointing.

Take the Quiz here!