Twilight Tuesday--I Stopped Reading My Second Book...

I don't know about you, but I sometimes really get excited about a book, I wait to read it, and then, sometimes it is a great disappointment.

I remember reading this book.  It was a hard read, and I would not have persevered had it not been for the fact that I felt I needed to read it to understand my students. I once taught a student whose father killed his mother.  He was in foster care, and he had all sorts of trouble.  Unfortunately, this has become something that too many kids face in today's society.  I will never regret that I read this book.  It was one of my first reviews on this blog.







The other books I did not finish.  This was the first of those.  I was on a very long waiting list to read this, and when it arrived, I was ready to stop all my other reading and just devour this book.  Imagine my surprise when I was on page 70 and I couldn't get into it.  I was so disappointed, and I decided that I would not read it.  After all, with a classic book, I say it usually takes about 50 pages to get into it.  I gave this book till page 70, and I have enough interesting books to read that I didn't have time to invest in a book that I didn't enjoy.






Today I met the second book in recent times that I just couldn't get into.  I had started this book last week, and the premise was intriguing.  And it fit in with one of my challenges.  I will say that I enjoyed the two main characters, but I got tired of the senseless profanity and the other characters in the book.  I was around page 80, and I decided to set it aside.








Now, if I was reading these books for a publisher review or something like that, I would have persevered.  But what is the point of reading a book you don't like just to be reading it?  There are enough books in this world to read that I think setting a few aside that I don't like is not shameless.

I begin this book tonight.  Here's hoping it will be better!

Solution Sunday--Update on My Challenges

Here it is! The big post that will cover all of my challenges.  I think I have a lot to report today!

This is the last week I will be posting on this.  I only have one thing to show here.  While I plan to keep this mindset going and I will post updates to a degree, this is the last official week!  This vest was one I just never wore.  I wore it this week and love it!  I am keeping it.

While I only have gotten rid of one thing this month, I have been able to wear some items I have not really worn and thought I didn't like.  And I think I have finally understood my style--sweaters with sleeveless tops and slacks.  I have loads of clothes to wear, and I plan to keep on going!  I plan to tackle my accessories eventually as well.

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Week #4--I got my bookshelf organized!

I am still a week behind with this, but I got this done.  Remember this for last week?

 Look at it this week!!

Okay, it's not perfect, but I can find my books!  I didn't realize I had so many wonderful books that I have won and bought.  I have a lot of reading to do.  I also listed a lot of books to sell.

This week, I am supposed to be working on the DVD's/VHS cases.  I feel pretty good about the prospects of this one.  I plan to purge and straighten.  I love this challenge!

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Still working on The Book Thief.  I may have it done by next week.

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I am still reading through the Bible in a year.  I will start Proverbs when this is done.  But I did finish Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy.  That makes 2 books in this challenge.  I have enjoyed these!

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Nothing new to report here.  I will be reading my first book for this challenge pretty soon!

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The cool thing is that the "romance" I am currently reading has turned into a mystery!  I get to list it for this challenge when I'm done.  I never dreamed it would be.  I am reading Scandal Becomes Her because a friend sent it to me.  I didn't know what I would think of it, but I am more  than half through it and looking forward to discovering the secret to the mystery.
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Nothing to report here.  Sorry.

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Okay, I have this one going.  You will notice at the bottom of my blog posts that there is a map.  Sorry you have to zoom out to see the map, but for some reason, that is the default setting.  I have visited England, Indiania, and Texas.  You can see them on the map.  The hardest thing for me is to figure out where non-fiction books take place.  If I am not sure,  I go with where the author lives.  Or where the book takes place mostly.  

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Okay, that should do it for this week.  Man, I am a busy lady!!

Kid's Animal Books Giveaway (ends 2/20)

I happen to belong to the children's book of the month club.  They are a wonderful company, and I love the fact that once you meet the requirements of your membership, you never have to order again!  The only problem is that their books have gotten better!!  So I often can't turn them down.

In November, I got a call from them, and I accidentally ordered a book we already had.  I know I could have sent it back, but I was also given a free book as a result, so I figured I would keep it and offer it to my readers.  Which I am now doing.

These are the two books, and here is the link on the children's book of the month club site.  These books have lots of pictures and stickers.  My daughter was so excited to get these books on Christmas.  They are quite interactive and entertaining.  If your child(ren) enjoy animals, these are the books for them!







Ready to win?  This giveaway will end February 20 at 9 P.M. Pacific Time.  Please make sure your e-mail is in your comment or visible in your profile. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1.  Become or state that your a follower of this blog via google friend connect.
2.  Become my facebook friend.  Be sure to leave your user name.
3.  Like my new facebook page.  Leave your user name.  (2 entries)
4.  Post my button on your blog.  Please leave  the url so I can check it out.  (5 entries)
5.  Subscribe via e-mail and/or RSS.  (1 entry for each)
6.  Share this giveaway any way you like.  Please leave any applicable links.  You may do this once a day per method.
7.  Enter my Mary Kay giveaway that ends 2/2.  (5 entries)

And the unlimited entry!


What is a favorite book from childhood or one of your child's current favorites?  Please state the name of the book and the author.  I am always looking for good reads for my daughter!

Well-Spoken Wednesday--Quiet Strength Book Review

Summary from Goodreads:

He led his team to #1 in the world and showed the world a better way to live, lead, and succeed.

When Tony Dungy led the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLIand made history as the first African American coach to win the big gamemillions of people, amazed by the success of his quiet, authoritative leadership style, wondered: how does he get it done?

In the pages of this fascinating memoir, Tony Dungy reveals the secrets to his successprinciples, practices, and priorities that have kept him on track despite overwhelming personal and professional obstacles, including firings, stereotypes, and the tragic loss of a child.

In the face of so much adversity, Tony has not only survived but risen to the very top of his profession in a way thats won the respect of fans, players, and even his competitors. His thoughts on leading, succeeding, and attaining true significance will inspire you to take a long, hard look at the things that really matter in your own life.

Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, I am not a football fan.  I watch it only because I have two people in my life who do love football.  The only time I even showed any interest in football was when I lived in the Tampa Bay area.  I remember when Tony Dungy took over as their head coach, and I remember how impressed I was and how the team changed.  I was horrified when he was fired, and then we he became the Colts coach, I was somewhat interested.  I remember how my heart broke when I heard of his son's suicide.  The constant for me with Tony Dungy was that he is a Christian, and he never yelled at the officials and the players like the other coaches did.

I was not looking forward to reading this book because I figured it would be filled with football stuff.  I was pleasantly surprised as I read the story of Dungy's life, and on almost every page, his faith showed forth in a very simple manner.  I was so inspired, and more than once he almost had me in tears.  To have the faith that he demonstrated throughout the book!  Goodness, he puts me to shame!  He gave all glory to God for everything, and he learned to trust Him in all things.

Indeed, this is the best Christian book I have read in ages.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to deepen their walk with the Lord.  It is autobiographical, but it is first and foremost a book of faith in God.


View all my reviews

Well-Spoken Wednesday--2 Books I Love But Have NOT Finished Yet!

I had to give my very exciting copy of The Woman in White back to library yesterday.  Our library only has one copy, and at one point, there were four holds.  I really worked hard to read it and only got about half of it done. I know that some have reviewed it as boring, but I have absolutely loved it!  I did not want to send it back!

I first became interested in The Woman in White when Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical came out starring Michael Crawford!  I listened to the album and enjoyed it.  But I did not really understand the story line.  I just remembered that Michael Crawford played Count Fosco!  I so enjoy reading about that character and wish I could have seen Michael Crawford in it!  I know it got somewhat of a bad rap, but I think the musical was not marketed well.  I guess I don't find the story slow--it is just like many classics.  It has lots of detail, and I cannot say I know how the story will end.  I almost remember how the musical ended, but I never saw it--I only listened to it.  I definitely look forward to finishing this book.  Hopefully by January, it will be back in my hands.  I thought about looking up a free version online, but I decided to wait.

I am now reading a book that I knew very little about, and I honestly figured I wouldn't finish reading it.  It is called The Mailbox.  I had no idea it was a Christian book until I was reading the acknowledgements.  It is nice light reading, and I look forward to writing a review on here.  I should finish just in time for me to read The Help.  It is finally on its way to me after being in number 291 on the waiting list.  The library was at least smarter since they have about 10 copies of it.  I hope it lives up to it hype!