Alyson's Reads

This Morning

2009-12-19T03:45:00.000-08:00

Treyton and I went downstairs at 6:30 this morning. He went straight over to the big glass doors and plopped himself in front of them. He said all he wanted to do was look at the snow. I said, "Well, I'll just put on a movie, just in case you want to watch it." After about ten minutes, he says, "I don't really like movies anymore because they make me tired. I just like the snow. Only looking at the snow. It's my 'faborite' part about Christmas. Well, that and presents. But that's not the reason we have Christmas. I think I like snow better than presents even." All during this conversation, he has not taken his eyes off of the snow outside. I am SO excited for him that it snowed! We went out for about ten or fifteen minutes last night to play in it, just because I thought it was mean to make him wait until the morning when he had been waiting for the last five years to play in it. The one time it did snow last year, we were out of town in sunny Texas. In your face this year, Texas!!

2009-12-17T18:46:00.001-08:00

Snow

2008-07-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

I finished Snow Falling on Cedars a couple of days ago. It was so good. I loved the way the author told the story. It wasn't chronological but was told from flashbacks throughout the course of a murder trial. It was a beautiful and tragic story, but has an ending that I really liked. It was a semi-happy ending, which was okay by me. I hate it when all of the characters just magically get everything worked out for them in the end. It didn't happen like that but you still feel happy for the characters. I recommend this book for sure. Alhtough, it does get a little bit graphic with a couple of sexual encounters between husband and wives. Nothing too nasty and easy to skim over, but just beware.

Now I am on to rereading Twilight before Breaking Dawn comes out in two days. WAHOO!

The Walking Drum and The Sisterhood

2008-07-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

WHile I was on vacation I finally finished The Walking Drum. I actually really liked it. It is not the best writing or great prose or anything like that, but it was fast-paced and interesting. Lots of action and lots of insight into the violent dark-ages. I would recommend it for a light and fun read, not real edifying or uplifting though. And I don't think Kerbouchard ever meets a girl who wasn't considered one of the most beautiful women around. Curious....

I also bought and finished the fourth book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. I had been wanting to read it and since the movie is coming out soon that encompasses the last three books, I thought I should read it before I see the show. Becuase it is a teenage book, it is super easy, pretty predictable, and sometimes cheezy, but that doesn't mean I didn't love it! It is weird. I don't know why, but I totally love to see those kind of movies and (every once in a while) read those kind of books. I recommend the series!

I started reading Snow Falling on Cedars yesterday. The movie made a huge impact on me when I watched it YEARS ago. It's one of the contributing factors to my fascination with minority history in the US. So, I am SO excited to read it. YeA! I will give an update when I am done.

The Robe

2008-06-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

I finished today. It was completely worthwhile. I have moved this book high on my list of ultimate favorites. It is such a different view of the Christian movement and the path of conversion and what true faith in Christ and His power really is. It was incredibly inspiring, thought-provoking, and also a fun way to read about the stories of the New Testament. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Loved it.

Yes, I am a runner in training!

2008-06-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

So, to lose the baby weight that I STILL have yet to get rid of, I have decided to take up running. Sure, I ran a 10K about two months ago. But I kind of decided to just wing it. I really didn't train, so therefore no benefits of running. So, I bought this book: The Complete Book of Women's Running by Runners World. It has programs for complete beginners to marathon experts. I have decided to start at the beginning and work my way up to train for a half marathon this year. If anyone is interested in training or running with me, let me know! Last week, my first week, I got up to 2 miles. Which is pretty good for my first week. Now, to keep it consistent is going to be my challenge. Wish me luck! But, in reference to the book, it is great! Lots of good advice for women. Love it so far.

The Robe Con't..

2008-06-21T03:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still reading the Robe. It definitely won't take me as long as Anna, but it is taking me a good three weeks. I am LOVING every minute of it though. It is seriously amazing. It makes everything in the New Testament seem so real and vivid. It really makes you feel what it was like to have faith in someone who was living and performing all of these miracles at the time and how hard it was for them. It also kind of gives you an understanding for those who were on the other side too. Their entire belief system and traditions were being torn upside down. You can see why they were on the defensive. Anyways, more to come on this later. So far, I love it.

It's Done

2008-06-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Anna Karenina last week while I was on my trip. It is a slower, harder read, but I loved it. It is so insightful into human nature and the inner struggle we all have with good vs. the natural instincts within us as well as philosophy on religion. I really loved it. It was incredibly tragic and romantic. I also loved it for the Russian social commentary, since I don't know too much about Russian history and culture. Great read. I don't recommend it to those looking for entertainment. It is a thoughtful read.

I am now reading The Robe. And even though I am only 100 pages into it, it is fantastic. It is quickly engaging, well written, interesting! I love it so far and will keep you updated.

1 Down 6 to Go

2008-05-17T04:10:00.000-07:00

I finished Harry Potter yesterday. Needless to say, I liked it. It was light and entertaining and good writing. And apparently they get infinitely better, so I am excited about that. The thing I am disappointed in is that I did not read the books before the movies. I hate having certain people and faces associated with the characters rather than imagining them as I would like. Oh well, not much I can do about that now I guess!

I thought of some of my other favorite books. These ones aren't as high on my list as the others, but still great reads:

Cane River
The Bell Jar
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Other Boleyn Girl
Dispatches from the Edge
The Josephine Bonaparte trilogy
The Da Vinci Code
The Sound and the Fury
Jane Eyre
The Historian
Wicked
Widow of the South
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
The Secret Life of Bees
Stiff
The Kite Runner
The Devil in the White City
The Jungle

Those are just a few recommendations I have.

Meanwhile

2008-05-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

While I am trying to knock back two books at once, which will probably take me a while, I thought I would list out some of the books that are my all time favorites! If you read them or have read them and didn't like them...Sorry! I bet there are some you liked that I didn't!

How Green Was My Valley - A sister recommended book that has become my all time favorite.

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - I thought this book was very clever and thought provoking about issues that are relevant today.

Twilight (all three) - How could anyone dispute these? Pure entertainment.

Roots- Classic. Loved learning about the culture and I actually liked how the story for certain characters ended abruptly. We never knew what happened to Kunta once the story started following his daughter, which is what she really experienced. I thought it was very real and loved the author's explanation of how he came to write it.

Little Women- Another classic. I just love classics because the prose and language is so much more sophisticated and beautiful.

Atonement- There is a little bit of language in the war scenes, but I still thought the end was very redeeming. I love books that make you feel something intense about life and not just enjoyable.

What I am Reading Now

2008-05-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been wanting to read Anna Karenina for over a year. So I started it about two or three weeks ago. I think this is the longest it has ever taken me to read a book! I love it so far, it is just slow going. So, since Fara (my neighbor and friend)has long been appalled that I, as a girl who always has a book in her hands, had yet to read Harry Potter, I decided to read that at the same time. You know, one is a classic and harder read while the other is fast and easy. It seemed like a logical solution to read Harry while I take breaks from Anna during the day. It is going well so far. I don't know why I haven't read Potter before. I guess it is because it is so mainstream. But I guess it is that way because it is good! So here I go. I will update on how they turn out.

Welcome!!

2008-05-09T16:44:00.001-07:00

Alright, so if you know me but at all, you know that I am an AVID reading, often knocking back two books a week! I thought I would keep kinda a journal for me and a book review site for everyone else about the books I am currently reading, wish to read, or have read. So, hopefully you will enjoy and can get some recommendations or recommend some to me!