Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Book Review, 8 Miles, Book Update

Happy Tuesday! I hope you're all having great days. Mine is going pretty well so far!! Backing up real quick - Sunday was pretty much a wash. I got up, packed up and me and mom enjoyed a 4-hour car ride together. I really enjoyed chatting with her - she cracks me up. Great mother/daughter time for sure - and she helped SO much with the pups. Check her out - my resident dog whisperer!
(from l-r): Buster, Remy, Mom, Reuben and Momo

Little Remy did well on her leash - and even peed every time we stopped on her leash. Proud mom, indeed! We got home and got settled in around 6, then Austin got home around 9 and we were just beat! No workouts for me. Sad. :(

Monday I felt kinda like a zombie. Just worked, walked 4 miles during lunch with Stacy, worked more and then headed straight home to my PJs, pups and chill time with Austin. We even ordered a pizza - talk about lazy bones! It was good though - Papa John's onion, tomato, green pepper and mushroom - FAB. Then it was lights out at 10 p.m. I mean really - that's SO early for me!

Today has been much better. Work, 4 miles during lunch with Stacy, and more work - blah. Hope to go for a run after work - we'll see!

So on Friday I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I thought it was clever and enjoyed the twists, although, like most readers have said, it took me quite some time to get into it. And, there were a lot of characters to keep up with - it definitely needed a guide! I listened to this, rather than read it, thanks to my friend Lindsey. I think this helped me stay with it and stay engaged. So pluses: great leading characters, nice dual mystery, great surprises, smart writing and interesting topics, like the security stuff/private eye stuff/etc. Minuses: slow build up, too many characters, a bit confusing at times. All in all, I give it a 4/5 and definitely want to read the next in the series, although, with most series i'm DYING to get my hands on the next one. With this one, I actually need a break from the writing style. I just found myself thinking "GET ON WITH IT" one too many times in traffic! LOL

Book Update: I've since started two new print books - P.C. and Kristin Cast's Marked that I borrowed from my bestie Teresa, and Suzanne Collin's Mockingjay that I borrowed from my mom! I'm SO pumped about both - great treadmill reads. Mockingjay is th last in the Hunger Games series, and Marked is the first in the House of Night series. I also started a new audio book (from the library) - Sue Grafton's M is for Malice, an old 'alphabet' series that i've always heard good things about. She's actually still making these (U was in 2009; this book, M, came out in 1996).

Q: Do you prefer reading series or singles? I honestly like both, but if given the chance I always prefer a series!!

Q: Any books you're planning to read over the upcoming holidays? I always find that I read SO much more when I have the vacay!

15 comments:

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

Just started reading these books! I love getting in on a series!

Just Me said...

I really really want to read this book so when the movie comes out I can compare and contrast.

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said...

Your night last night reminds me of ours. We just had grilled cheese and leftover soup. I wanted EASY and to be in bed EARLY. Perfection.

Anonymous said...

Can your mom please come to Nashville and help with Charley?? ;)

I've been "reading" that book since July. I cannot get into it!!! Andrew, on the other hand, read the entire series in a week. He swears they're the best books he's ever read. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who disagrees!

Kaneil

Tyler said...

I like single books best. I tend to forget what I've read when I end the book. I'm an old woman apparently! I love the puppy pic with your madre! Adorbs!

Kacy said...

I usually just read single books, it's easier to follow that way haha.

Sunny said...

ok i just tried reading this book and could NOT get myself past the first chapter even. it was so complicated and i kind of have a short attention span. not sure if i will try again...

Jenny said...

No preference really, but sometimes it's nice to follow along the characters in a series.

I just finished listening to that same book on tape. It was hard to follow along with in the car - I felt like I needed a family tree! It was interesting and I'd like to read the rest of the series, as sometimes the abridged audio versions can make it more difficult. I just started "Catching Fire", the second book in the Hunger Games series - hope it's as good as the first!

Cute pic with the pups!

Samma said...

I listened to the first one as well, but read the rest of the series. I liked reading them a lot better than listening- I think because of all the Swedish names- it's easier to keep up reading I promise!

Erica said...

That pic of your mama with the puppers is too cute. Glad you're back in your groove. Traveling always throws me off a bit. Wish I was more of a reader....Hope the rest of your week is fantastical

Unknown said...

I agree - it takes 4-ever to get into...the next book "The Girl Who Played with Fire" is my FAVORITE. AND it's already on its way to you via FedEx. I sent your purse you left in my car too!! :) LOVE YOU!

Gabriela said...

I love series! Have you read the Megan McCafferty Jessica Darling series? Hilarious. The covers are seriously misleading- they look like teenybopper books but they're in the adult section and SO witty!

Unknown said...

I read the Dragon Tatoo book and I'm almost finished with the second one. I love them so far. yes the first was hard to get into but you won't have that problem with the second. :)

Lindsey said...

I agree - it takes 4-ever to get into...the next book "The Girl Who Played with Fire" is my FAVORITE. AND it's already on its way to you via FedEx. I sent your purse you left in my car too!! :) LOVE YOU!

Tyler said...

I like single books best. I tend to forget what I've read when I end the book. I'm an old woman apparently! I love the puppy pic with your madre! Adorbs!