soooooo, i was trying to text and call my husband today but he never responded…all day. which was weird since he was off work. i started to actually worry that something might be wrong so my texts became more frantic, like “if you’re just busy building my shelves, let me know cuz i’m freaking out”. the joksters that my husband and dad are, they sent me this picture of my dad in response:
then they sent me this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a little paint and a lotta books and that’s all she wrote 
my dad and husband were busy today! i’m getting really excited
should be done tomorrow!
after royally sucking at blogtoberfest, i am back with an actual book post! here’s my excuse: i was thrown into a new project at work against my will, which stressed and annoyed me to no end that i didn’t even have the focus to look at words in a book. the timeline totally fits–i started the project at the end of september which equals one actual book review in october (lame!). the tides turned eventually and i have been greatly rewarded no more project and no more going to work .period. BECAUSE I AM WORKING FROM HOME!!! well, sunday is officially my last day going into work (as long as my karma holds up and doesn’t curdle or anything). this means LOOOOOOOOOOTS of time for reading…hehehehehehehehe!!!!
so, let’s talk about the book that took half my life to read, shall we? it! was! really! great! the ending to clary’s adventure was spectacular. this third and last book of “the mortal instruments” series was a little more adult (that demon was so trying to rape that girl!) but it pumped some adrenaline into the story. it helped set this book apart and establish it as one of the better grand finales i have read.
so much is revealed, especially jace and clary’s origins. i already had an inkling about jace from the second book but i still managed to be surprised. you’ll see, i just don’t want to give anything away. we see idris and alicante, a grand battle with demons, actual angels (ithuriel’s story is just gut-wrenching and raziel’s appearance is AWESOME!). clary’s mother is back in action and you’ll burn right through the chapter on her backstory. and valentine’s true evil is exposed with what he did to jace, clary, and a smoldering new guy. dear sci fi/fantasy genre, why are you so good to me? this last book has officially cemented me as a fan.
movie notes: where?!
i officially suck at blogtoberfest. i’m scraping the bottom of the bucket. anyway, i found DIY instructions for building floor to ceiling shelves. my library is so on its way now. these particular instructions seem very easy with minimal damage to the walls. and judging by the pictures, they seem to be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of a rediculous amount of books–superb.
check it
my husband recently got promoted. as a direct result, we now have in our possession the toy he’s always wanted. good for him, but i feel like we’re moving farther away from the mini cooper i’ve always wanted.
i’m so excited! my friend mendie from the spectator has given me this award. when you have a moment, you should visit her blog too because it also fits into the “it just rules” department. thanks mendie!
since i didn’t post on 10-13-09, i’m doing a double post to keep in line with blogtoberfest i have an update on my pictures. my dad so eloquently told me that i should figure out a way to flip my pictures to prevent people from thinking i’m an idiot. my mac has a built in camera and i use it to take my “book & me” pictures. the photo booth app tends to reverse the pics when initially taken. i didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but apparently it IS. so just in case you thought i was dumb, please observe the following:
corrected version
idiot version
so i’m getting pretty serious about turning one of my walls into my own personal library: shelves floor to ceiling. i’m thinking floating shelves. this is my victim:
i am a HUGE antique lover. as a matter of fact, i go antique shopping about once a week. i can hardly afford anything but every once in a while there’s that thing i can’t live without. i recently bought the following at a tiny shop called “the feathered nest”:
it’s a tree! with deer and everything i turned it on its side so it would look better hanging over my bed. i think it works. the aged fabric of the background looks pretty darn good against my blue walls. the embroidery is just gorgeous!
for an early birthday and christmas present, my friend brandi gave me following:
it knocked my socks off. you have to know me pretty well to know that an antique chair (in my favorite color!) is the most perfect thing EVER to get me. i didn’t even know it was the perfect gift until i got it. surprise!
get your tissue. i’m glad i’ve finally finished this book. i have to say that it took me a while to get through it. not in a bad way. i was frequently finding myself going back over what i had just read. the way alice sebold writes is so leaden with meaning and just so plain beautiful i wanted to make sure i didn’t miss anything. i’ll admit that at the halfway point, the book’s momentum picked up big time and it turned into an unputdownable page turner. i wasn’t expecting that.
i have never come across a story like susie salmon’s before. written from the perspective of a 14 year old in heaven, she brings innocence to the story and surprisingly tells it without judgement. i mean, the girl is murdered for goodness sakes! don’t worry, this is established on the first page of the book. when susie reviews her murder once in heaven she gives a play by play as she’s lured into her murderer’s trap. susie’s companion in heaven Franny eerily says it was “like taking candy from a baby”. i love that line. it caught me by surprise. it was so frank and it set the no-nonsense tone that they have in heaven. the struggle of susie’s family is heartbreaking. the effect her murder has on her friends and community is unexpected.
there is a heavy layer of forgiveness threaded throughout. the relationship of susie’s parents Jack and Abigail was particularly emotional to me. to think that they went through ALL that and they were able to fall in love again…amazing. and jack understanding that what abigail did was her way of coping and the way he patiently waited for her…amazing. at the end of the story i felt as if i had been completely ripped apart then put back together again. it was the best unhappy happy ending i have ever read.
movie notes: i’m so there. i would just like to say that i’m a huge fan of saoirse ronan (atonement) and she is an amazing pick for susie. peter jackson is directing and i think he pulled it off. december 11th. you wouldn’t want to miss it!
 | mendie on the lovely bones |
