here's how I see it: a review of "Before I Go To Sleep

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!!  Gripping, twisty and a fantastic debut book for S.J. Watson.  The premise is that Christine has amnesia, so every day she wakes up with memories starting as if she were in her early 20's, but she's 47.  At the urging of a neuro doctor, she begins keeping a secret journal so she can try to make sense of everything around her, which ends up making her question everything around her, including her husband, Ben.

I couldn't put it down!  I love all the questioning because I was trying to figure everything out along side her.  A huge portion of the book is her journal entries.  So you're never sure if she's a reliable narrator, or if what others are telling her are true or not.  I loved it!  This is one of those books you don't want to say much about because you don't want to spoil the ride for anyone else!  Just read it. :)

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here's how I see it: a review of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book!  I didn't really know much about it going in, but it's the story of how the author came to learn about Henrietta Lacks.  Henrietta's story is the unfair and tragic tale of a woman who develops cancer and dies- but the cultures taken from her before her death were the first ever immortal cells, known as HeLa.  They are still used all over the world today, but Henrietta was virtually unknown or recognized for her contribution to science.  Rebecca Skloot spent years tracking down Henrietta's family members, and anyone who knew anything about Henrietta or her cells, trying to get correct information to honor Henrietta's memory, in the form of this book.

The book takes on the form of an investigative journalist and I zipped through it really fast because I felt like I was on the hunt with her.  I can't believe all the horrible things Henrietta's family went through and I also can't believe how long the author continued trying to write the story!  I loved the relationship she formed with Henrietta's daughter, Deborah and really enjoyed hearing about how much it meant to Deborah to find out the truth about her mother.

When Deborah dies near the end, before the book has come out, I was totally caught off guard!  I wasn't ready to say goodbye to her and I couldn't believe she never got to see it in print! At least she spent the last years of her life learning the truth about her mother.

This was such an interesting book and I'm really glad I learned about Henrietta Lacks and her contribution to science. I totally recommend this book, and I think it would be a great book to discuss in a book club!



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gotta get outta town!

I've been feeling the need to get out of town!  I'm pretty sure its the time of the year for me- holidays are over, its been cold for a few months now... and I'm ready for SUN and the BEACH and SUMMER.  But, I still have... oh... at least 4 months of winter left here!

My husband found this cool website called Airbnb that features homes all over the place that you can rent out for a day or a few days or whatever, instead of hotels.  You can choose to stay somewhere that the owners of the place live and they will host you, or you can book a place all to yourself.  It looks like a fun alternative to staying at a hotel, and with a young baby, I think it would be much less stressful!  We looked around and there are some pretty cool places in really fun cities.  Hopefully my husband's interest in Airbnb will transfer into a trip!

As a follow up of my vision board for 2013, I really had a good start on it.... but my downfall was that I went with a magnet board... and soon after, my baby decided that magnets are the BEST toy ever.  And he's just so funny playing with it, that it kind of turned into his toy.  BUT I still have a picture of it in my mind and I WILL be reaching my goals this year!

I've been "reading" a lot lately... and by "reading" I mean listening to audiobooks!  How have I never thought of this before??  I just put in little ear buds in and then I can be cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, running errands, driving, grocery shopping etc.... and it all goes by SO fast!!  That's why I've had so many reviews lately!  I find that reading so constantly is really helping me with my own writing as well.

I finished a full edit on my book and I'm working on my query letter while my husband and my sister (who has written her own fabulous book!) are editing my book.  Well, my sister is... we will have to see if my husband finds time to do it before the deadline I gave him- which is the end of the month.  I really want him to read it because he's FABULOUS at catching holes in movies or book or any kind of production.  It's always interesting to hear what he thinks about a movie because he like to figure out what he would have done differently, or what character didn't work etc and he has these brilliant ideas.  So, it's both exciting, and very nerve racking to share my book.  Hope he makes his deadline!!!

That's all for now!! Hope everyone has a great day!

dizzylittlechatgirl

here's how I see it: a review of: A Casual Vacancy"

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book, I really did.  But I totally didn't.  In all fairness, I am putting it down before I get to the end, although I'm not far off.  I felt like the storyline had good movement in pieces, but not enough to pull all the good segments together.  There was so many characters and I felt like I kept getting who was related to whom or what their relationships were confused, and normally I'm really good at that.  Which means, I didn't feel enough of a connection to the characters.  I feel like the idea of the plot worked, but the execution didn't.  I feel bad saying that J.K. Rowling, but that's really what I thought.  If anyone thinks I would have a completely different opinion if I just stuck it out til the very end... let me know.


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here's how I see it: a review of "The Alchemist"

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ok so.... it's not really THIS book that doesn't speak to me... it's just books like this in general I don't ever feel very attached to.  All of the philosophical and meandering questioning just leaves me wanting something more.  I did like the idea of a personal legend and I agree that not many people still seek to find theirs.  If they do, I agree that they encounter a lot of resistance and that it gets harder towards the end. This book does have many little one liners that could inspire discussions, so it's probably a good book club book.  I'm sure many people will enjoy it, it's just not for my personal taste.


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vision board for 2013

The last few months for me have been exhausting and full of just surviving.  NOT what I want!  I am feeling ready to get excited about life again, filled with family, memories and happiness!  One of my good friends makes a vision board so that she can see every day what's important to her, and to help her prioritize and stay motivated through the year.  I'm a very visual person and this sounds like much more fun than a new years resolution list!  So this weekend, I'm going to make one.  I'll take a pic when I'm done so you can see. :)

Just wanted to throw it out there!

See ya soon!
dizzylittlechatgirl

here's how I see it- a review of: "Unbroken"

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If there is one inspirational book you read all year, it should be the amazing story of Louie Zamperini.  I don't often get completely swept up in biographies, but this book was fabulous!   I am in complete awe of Louie and his overwhelming desire to survive, his ability to see the silver lining and to endure.  I cannot believe that one man went through all of this.

In the beginning I loved hearing all about his mischievous youth.  He was such a trouble-maker!  But I loved that it underscores his stubborn personality. I enjoyed hearing about his success as an olympic runner and all that went along with it.  I loved Pete- such a great brother to him.

As it continues, set against the horrors of WWII, the atrocities of war are front and center.  I did not know the stories of the POWs in Japan during this time, and I am so glad I got to learn about them, to honor their memory.  I was on the edge of my seat during all of the flights and the crashes.  I am horrified that they were even allowed to go up in the Green Hornet!  I can't believe he actually went up... after Superman crashed.  Well, I guess I can, as it was a rescue mission.

The endurance on the raft... the only word that comes to me is unbelievable.  I am floored by his good attitude throughout, his ability to overlook the chocolate being eaten, to continue to come up with new ways to try to survive, to realize the necessity of keeping their minds sharp- to endure.  I loved how they told stories of his mothers cooking time and time again until they all knew every tid bit of every dish.  I loved the moments in the doldrums.  Laura Hillenbrand did a fantastic job of portraying the dire situation.  I am amazed by their sheer will to live.

Once that part was over, I thought surely things would calm down and there would be some happiness for him.  But, then came their capture and The BIRD.  The Bird was unimaginable to me.  I cannot comprehend such human indecency and cruelty.  Seriously, I cannot believe things like that happened, its jus too awful.  I am horrified by the things all of the POWs had to endure, and staggered by the propaganda.  It drove home again for me just how inhumane wartime can be.  I felt so terrible for Louie, how he feared and despised the Bird, and the things he was forced to endure.  At the one part where the Bird went to the other camp, I felt like cheering for Louie, and could just imagine his immense relief.

But then to be sent somewhere new and then have The Bird walk in- it must have been the lowest moment for him.  My heart just sunk when I got to that part.  I can see how they would get to the point where they felt like they had to kill him to save themselves.  When the war finally ended, I was elated for them.  But then I realized that in some ways, the war never ended for them.

The after effects from the war sound like they were inescapable.  I don't know how someone can pick up the pieces and just be thrown into life after something like that.  It must feel so unsettling.  I'm so glad he was able to find a nice girl to help him battle his demons.  I thought she was going to leave him for sure though.  It was interesting how he found God and then was able to forgive.  I am astounded that he was able to send that letter to the Bird.  I think he is a bigger person than I would be.  I kept hoping for the Bird's capture and imprisonment. I wanted some justice for what Louie and all of those POWs had gone through!

I'm sure it was freeing to Louie to be able to forgive.  After so many years of enduring all that he did, and then feeling as though he had to get revenge and searching for the Bird with no success, must have ben completely draining.

I love that Louie was finally able to find another purpose for his life after the war.  I love that he helped all those boys.  His life story easily could have turned into a tragedy if he wasn't able to get past his need for revenge, and if he couldn't put the bottle down.  I love that was able to get through everything and find some good.  I love that he was still out doing all sorts of stuff until he was very old.  I picture him as this funny old man with a zinger personality, just out and about, beating all the youngin's at something or other.

I think Laura Hillenbrand did a phenomenal job with this book.  And the title is perfect.

Louie truly was UNBROKEN.  I feel honored to "know" this man, and hope that a little of his spirit can rub off on me.  I recommend this book to anyone, always, as it is purely inspirational story and can only leave you a better person for having read it.



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here's how I see it: a review of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty  Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book!  I immediately loved Francie's voice, optimistic outlook and her tenacity.  She is lovable and fierce at the same time.  All of the characters of this story are complex and felt so real to me.  The story is set against staggering poverty and heart-wrenching circumstances that make you root for Francie and her happiness all the way through.
There were situations in this story all the way through that tug at your heart, especially as a mother.  There are many times when Francie's mom would appear as hard or unfeeling with the things she expects from her children and her demeanor towards them.  But then you see things through her eyes and you understand how it hurts her to do this, but she feels it's her responsibility as their mom to prepare them for the hardships the world will bring.
This coming of age book is rich and meandering, and you truly fall in love with the characters.  I see how this book has become so beloved over the years.  Even through all the hard situations Francie and her family are faced with, I am amazed at their positive outlook and will to make the best of things.
This book made me incredibly grateful for my own circumstances, more thankful for my family and determined to emulate the positivity in my own life.  Loved this book and I recommend it for anyone who wants to fall into a book and forget themselves for a while.


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