My Book Buddies

Reading Challenge: Support Your Local Library

2010-01-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

I was browsing through some of my favorite book blogs tonight and came across the Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge from J. Kaye's Book Blog.

And who am I to say no to a challenge? Especially when it comes to reading.
So I joined her Mr. Linky and will be participating in another 2010 reading challenge.

Want to join in? Visit the J.Kaye Book Blog - it's easy! Read 25 books and you've done it.

I'll keep this blog post updated with my library reads throughout the year. You can also click on the Support Your Local Library Widget to the left for updates. :)

Here's the first book on my list:

Book Review: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

2010-01-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two– the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

The fateful tale of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in Cleopatra’s Daughter. Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters: Octavia, the emperor Octavian’s kind and compassionate sister, abandoned by Marc Antony for Cleopatra; Livia, Octavian's bitter and jealous wife; Marcellus, Octavian’s handsome, flirtatious nephew and heir apparent; Tiberius, Livia’s sardonic son and Marcellus’s great rival for power; and Juba, Octavian’s watchful aide, whose honored position at court has far-reaching effects on the lives of the young Egyptian royals.

Selene’s narrative is animated by the concerns of a young girl in any time and place–the possibility of finding love, the pull of friendship and family, and the pursuit of her unique interests and talents. While coping with the loss of both her family and her ancestral kingdom, Selene must find a path around the dangers of a foreign land. Her accounts of life in Rome are filled with historical details that vividly capture both the glories and horrors of the times. She dines with the empire’s most illustrious poets and politicians, witnesses the creation of the Pantheon, and navigates the colorful, crowded marketplaces of the city where Roman-style justice is meted out with merciless authority.

Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of the past, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart.

NOTE: Minor Spoilers included

A couple months ago, My Book Buddies was graciously given a copy of Michelle Moran's, Cleopatra's Daughter. The book was soon selected to be the December 2009 Book of the Month reading selection for our book club, and was recently completed and discussed in our online forum.

What a wonderful gift to have been given from this author! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of historical fiction. Often times when reading historical fiction, I find myself encumbered by difficult language or floundering through a point in time trying to find a reference point to fully grasp the setting.

I didn't have that problem at all with this novel. Moran writes a complete story in simple language. She follows the life of Selene, and her twin, Alexander, through their assimilation into Roman life. It was so easy to emphathize with the individuals in this book. Even in a world where a child is used as a pawn, and life is dictated by politics or circumstance, I was able to identify with the characters, feel their emotions, and definitely cry over their pain.

I appreciated that the story focused on the lives of these two displaced children of Kleopatra and Marc Anthony without being hampered down by schemes and overdone conspiracies. I thought that was the beauty of the story - their lives were as typical as they could come, considering the time period, but there was still tragedy and triumph to be had.

I look forward to reading more of her work, and already plan on picking up The Heretic Queen, later on this month.

Thank you Michelle for introducing your novel to our community!

Book Info
Unedited Proof Copy provided by author, Michelle Moran
Book discussions at the MBB Forum

Jan BOTM: Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

2010-01-02T20:24:00.000-08:00

Join us in the New Year for our January BOTM selection - Sweep Up Glass by Carolyn Wall.

Destined to be a classic, Sweeping Up Glass is a tough and tender novel of love, race, and justice, and a ferocious, unflinching look at the power of family.

Olivia Harker Cross owns a strip of mountain in Pope County, Kentucky, a land where whites and blacks eke out a living in separate, tattered kingdoms and where silver-faced wolves howl in the night. But someone is killing the wolves of Big Foley Mountain–and Olivia is beginning to realize how much of her own bitter history she’s never understood: Her mother’s madness, building toward a fiery crescendo. Her daughter’s flight to California, leaving her to raise Will’m, her beloved grandson. And most of all, her town’s fear, for Olivia has real and dangerous enemies.

Now this proud, lonely woman will face her mother and daughter, her neighbors and the wolf hunters of Big Foley Mountain. And when she does, she’ll ignite a conflict that will embroil an entire community–and change her own life in the most astonishing of ways. (courtesy of Amazon.com)

Find a copy of this book at our MBB Bookstore
Join in the monthly book discussion at the MBB Forum

Reading Challenge 2010

2010-01-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well, it's that time of year again. New year, New beginnings, new challenges!

Over the last couple of years, it's been a personal challenge to read 50 books in a year. (So far, I have yet to hit that mark. BUMMER!) So once again, I am going to challenge myself to read 50 books in a year. But, I am adding a few more elements to it:

50 Books a Year Challenge +

Read 50 books
Read 10 new Classics (Classics I've never read)
Read 10 new ARCs (defined as Advanced Release Copies, but also includes books offered by authors/publishers for review)
Read 10 Historical Fiction Novels
Read 25 new authors

I'm pretty excited to see what new authors and books I discover throughout the year. My reading challenge list will be displayed on the right-hand menu, and updated throughout the year.

I'm also interested in other reading challenges. So if you're participating in a reading challenge, let me know what you're getting yourself into. :) And if you're interested in joining in on this MBB Challenge (or modifying it to suit your interests), let me know!
Let's get to reading!!!

My first read on the list is The Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It's 2010! What are YOUR New Year's Resolutions?

Reading Challange 2009

2009-12-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

Did you participate in a reading challenge this year?

In 2009, I decided to do the 50 Books in a Year Challenge.

Did I succeed?

Oh so close!
I made it to 45 books! Oh so close!
Here's the list of books I read in 2009:

1. Twilight
2. Wives of Fisherman
3. Sword of Truth Series: Wizard's First Rule
4. The Eight
5. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
6. Angels and Demons
7. Weekend in Paris
8. The Last of the Mohicans
9. Delicious
10. The House of the Spirits

11. Honolulu by Alan Brennert
12. Are You Somebody: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman
13. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eunides
14. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
15. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
16. A Rogue of My Own by Johanna Lindsey

17. Say That You Love Me by Johanna Lindsey
18. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
19. Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
20. Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
21. Zorro by Isabel Allende
22. The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
23. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

24. Rick & Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage
25. If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper (BIG Snoozefest!)
26. The Painted House by John Grisham
27. The Sister Pact by Cami Checketts
28. Megan's Way by Melissa Foster

29. Advanced Selling Strategies: The Proven System of Sales Ideas, Methods, and Techniques Used by Top Salespeople Everywhere (Courtesy of Executive Management, bleh!)
30. Blood of the Fold (Book #3, Sword of Truth) by Terry Goodkind
31. The Wedge: How to Stop Selling and Start Winning
32. Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
33. Eli Gold: From Peanuts to the Pressbox
34. She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
35. Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
36. Smoke Screen
37. The Smart One and the Pretty One
38. Temples of the Winds
39. The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman
40. The Reliable Wife
41. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
42. A Dog Named Christmas (so cute!)43. Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown
44. Double Take
45. What to Expect Before You're Expecting

Of the books I've read, my favorite "discovery" books were Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji. Both novels were incredible journeys into worlds I can't even comprehend. They brought to life a spirit, strength and courage of people faced with extraordinary trials and tribulations.

I later went on to read Alan Brennert's new release, Honolulu, which I found equally enjoyable and incredibly moving.

I also had the distinct honor of meeting and speaking with both authors, Alan Brennert and Mahbod Seraji. In both instances, I found their author appearances to be engaging, informative and inspirational.

Check out the blog posts of both of those events:

Mahbod Seraji: Author Interview

Alan Brennert: Book Signing Event

What are your challenges for the New Year? Leave a comment and share them with us!

Vote for the Best Books of 2009

2009-12-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

If you're a member of Goodreads, be sure to vote for your favorite book of 2009.

Goodreads: Favorite Books of 2009

I noticed a couple of the Book of the Month Selections on the list, including The Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

While you're there, be sure to add My Book Buddies to your Goodreads profile. :)

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

It'll be difficult for me to get to my laptop over the holiday season, so I wanted to say it early and say it loud:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Best wishes to one and all for a joyous, spirited and safe holiday. May you all be in good health, have plenty of laughter to pass along and even more love to share.

When you come back, here's what you have to look forward to:

2009 Reading Challenge Progress Report
MBB's Book of the Year Selection
Best of 2009
2010 Outlook

See you soon!!

Audio Review: Fat Tuesday

2009-12-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

After a gruff 'n' tuff New Orleans narc, Burke Basile, mistakenly blows a hole in his partner's noggin, he vows revenge--not only on the thug who was directly involved, but also on the sleazy kingpin behind it all.

And in finest cop-drama tradition, he vows to do it outside the law. Fat Tuesday only begins to cook after Basile turns in his badge and--mixing charm and coercion--enlists various underworld elements in his cause. It's all a little B movie-ish at times, but for every hooker with a heart of gold, there's a fresher character like Gregory, the homosexual hustler who uses his drama degree to Basile's benefit. The villains are bad, the heroine good, and the hero a big, wounded warrior looking for true love. What's not to like? (Goodreads.com)

A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans and treat my senses to it's exotic culture. Reading Fat Tuesday brought me back to that wonderful visit.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown. The author drew me completely into the setting. The mystique and romance of New Orleans gave me a completely different perspective of this colorful city. It's descriptions gave the story new depth.

It also didn't take away from the actual story itself. I loved how the author left "mini cliffhangers" that kept me clinging to what would happen next. The twists throughout the book were not at all predictable. I found myself constantly thinking about what would happen, who would save the day, and when would redemption come.

The characters weren't compromised either by the story or the setting. I thought Brown did a fabulous job developing realistic, complex and good people. Neither the heroine or the hero were perfect people, but they were incredibly human - driven by circumstance and emotion. I applauded them both throughout the book and my admiration grew for them progressively as the story went on.

This was a complete book, and one of my favorites so far from this author.

Book Information
Fat Tuesday (audio CD)
ISBN 9780553455571
Copy provided by Solano County Library

Author Info
website
facebook | goodreads

This book is available for purchase in the MBB Features Store. Buy your copy today!

No More Teachers, No More Books?

2009-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

And here I thought my school days were long over.
Not so!

Starting in 2010, I've decided to pursue a degree in Photography!!! WOO HOOO! I'm extremely excited!
I, for one, have always loved being in school. After I got my Bachelor's degree, I really felt like my educational options opened up for me. I tailored my Master's degree around my professional life, in order to really benefit from the educational experience.

And now - I feel like I have even more flexibility. Now I feel like the courses I choose for myself can now enhance my life outside of the office. I really want to improve on my skills in the areas that are of interest to me.....and that pointed me straight to photography.

Looking at the course catalog, I'm bouncing with excitement at all the photography books I can add to my library! WOOO HOOOO!

Audio Review: A Dog Named Christmas

2009-12-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

“Todd, they always want you to adopt a dog. That’s what they do. Besides, we don’t need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog.”

When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.

But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men—and animals.

Oh how I love the holiday season! Combine the season with a holiday, feel good read and it's even better!

I recently finished the audio version of A Dog Named Christmas. What a TREAT it turned out to be!
It was a quick read (only 3 audio discs!), but it was full of Christmas cheer. For a few days, young Todd is allowed to take in a dog from the shelter to partake in the shelter's "Adopt a Dog for Christmas" program. That small act of generosity turned out to be such a heartwarming tale of a young boy with a true heart of gold, who wants nothing more than to share his goodness with his family, friends and community.

The message behind the story is absolutely perfect for this time of the year. I highly recommend this book for all dog lovers. Maybe it'll push you to visit your local shelter and add a new member to your family.

And in the spirit of our canine families, here are pictures of MY two friends, Princess and Duchess.

Learn more about this touching "tail"
Purchase your copy in our MBB Store
Author website

Book Review: A Reliable Wife

2009-12-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

"He was a dessert that was too rich, but she had run to him from the time he was hardly more than a boy, the mixture of beauty and arrogance, the tenderness and charm which cost him so much...."

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book this month, knowing very little about the author. What I got was a wonderfully written story, filled with characters that were complex and incredibly human.

The story starts with Ralph Truitt, a lonely, wealthy widow, waiting for the bride he advertised for in the newspaper. From there we are taken on an emotional roller coaster of guilt, compassion, heartbreak, love and anger.

It's been awhile since I've read a book that had such multifaceted characters. Each character I encountered in this book was incredibly flawed - driven by their arrogance, circumstance, anger or desperation. Yet, for each, I found sympathy for their tragedy, compassion for their losses and admiration for their willingness to learn and feel from the past.

The author has a writing style that was both gripping and powerful - a style that kept me turning the page and yearning for more. He created a setting that brought the woods of Wisconsin to life, brought the winter cold into your soul, and filled it with emotion that tore at your heart. I look forward to reading more of his work.

What a great read! I highly recommend this book.

This book was the My Book Buddies November BOTM selection. If you'd like to join us in the discussions of this monthly selection, please visit our forum

Book Info
This book was obtained at the Solano County Library
ISBN-13: 978-1-56512-596-4

Learn more about the author, Robert Goolrick
Website
Facebook

This book is available for purchase in our MBB Bookstore

Audio Review: Temple of the Winds (Sword of Truth Series)

2009-12-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

Book Four of The Sword of Truth, the series first begun in Wizard's First Rule, returns listeners to the world of Richard Cypher, a simple woods guide who never dreamed he would be named the Seeker of Truth and become caught up in magic, war, and dangers so extraordinary that the fate of his entire world would hang on his actions and decisions.

The dangerous, fanatical Imperial Order, under the leadership of the power-mad Emperor Jagang and his multitude of demonic underlings, unleashes a deadly plague. To find a cure Richard Cypher and his beloved Kahlan Amnell must seek out the legendary Temple of the Winds, a fortress of evil sealed away for three thousand years. But the path of the Seeker of Truth is never an easy one - even if he can reach the Temple at all, there is no guarantee he'll ever return.

I've grown to really enjoy The Sword of Truth Series over the first 3 installments. I thought Goodkind created fleshed out, complex, good characters when he created Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Virna, even Mord Sith Cara.

Unfortunately, this book didn't make the grade for me. With fantasy, the story and plot are, well, fantastic. They're over the top and take a lot of imagination to keep a reader interested. Add in strong, well written characters, then you've got a good fantasy story. In The Temple of the Winds, I thought the author started to deviate from the characters that he created. The traits that made Richard and Kahlan special paled in comparision to their former selves in the earlier installments.

Kahlan's constant crying, questioning and jealousy did not jive well with the trust and love she's supposed to have with Richard. Complete trust and love were the KEY elements in allowing their relationship to happen in the first place. Their relationship was only able to survive with the existence of a strong foundation of honesty, love and unwavering faith. It didn't ring true to how they were written in the past.

Richard's assimilation into power seemed to come with more ease than I would have imagined for our favorite wood's guide. I thought the ease into which he accepted his role as king was far too simple. And the thought of him proudly showing off his golden cape and finery were ridiculous. Even more than Kahlan's glee at seeing him in his new clothes. The Kahlan I knew would never had cared or pushed for it.

The story itself was filled with much more sadistic violence. The author always used this element in this story, but not in such a graphic, excessive way. There were moments where I had to step away from the story in order to remove myself from the experience. It disappointed me since I appreciated the subtlety in the earlier books.

On a side note, there were a couple of instances where the author described the prostitutes wearing "panties". Granted, it's a fantasy novel, but they didn't seem to fit into the setting of the book. In my mind, I'd be surprised if the women wore undergarments at all, but panties? For some reason it bothered me. It added to the list of inconsistencies that I found when going through this book.

I also had a couple minor gripes about this audio book. This is the 4th book I've listened to in this series. WHY did they decide to go with a new reader who decided to change the pronunciations of the names and places in the book? It took me several chapters to realize just which characters he was actually referring to in the reading.

I also thought this reader was far too theatrical. There is a certain degree of acting involved in audio books, but this was over the top. I didn't buy into his interpretation of the characters. I nearly cringed the first time Kahlan was crying. There always seemed to be a tone of desperation in the women, and one of overwhelming power in the men. It only emphasized the inconsistencies in the characters, so they didn't ring true for me.

Overall, not my favorite book in the series. I will try the next book to see if the author gets the series back on track, but I think I'm hanging on a very thin thread.

Book Information
ISBN: 1593351577
Book provided by Solano County Library

Related Links
Review: Blood of the Fold
Purchase your copy!

MBB Features Store

2009-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that My Book Buddies has a Features store within our Bookstore?

The Features page of our store allows you to purchase any of the books featured on My Book Buddies. This includes reviews, interviews and giveaways.

You can view our store by click on the Store tab at the top of the page, then selecting Features under 'Browse by Category' on the right-hand menu.

Or just click HERE

Book Review: The Sign for Drowning

2009-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Sign for Drowning
By Rachel Stolzman
(SPOILERS included)

The Sign for Drowning is a touching novel of a young woman, Anna, who witnesses the drowning death of her sister. It deals with a family's emotional turmoil in dealing with the death of a child, and the horror of facing life after a tragedy. When Anna adopts Adrea, a young girl from the school where she is a teacher for deaf children, we are taken on her journey to open up her life, deal with the heartbreak of her past, and find a way to build a life for her daughter.

I thought the novel was very well written, leaving me with a poetic, romantic view into the thoughts of Anna as she dealt with life without her sister. I felt a little mislead when I read the synopsis of the book. It's description lead me to believe that I would be drawn into an intimate relationship between sisters, with Anna communicating with her departed sister through sign language. I was expecting to be pulled into the hollowing ache of grief, but never full grasped it in the writing.

What the novel did do was draw me into the difficult introspection of a person's fears. With the adoption of Adrea, Anna is forced to re-evaluate the relationships in her life - with her father, mother, lover and a friend from the past. I saw her dealing with the wounds of her broken heart, and her broken family in order to fully open her heart and her life to her daughter.

The best moments in the book were those where we could see Anna face her loss in order to love her daughter completely. It's in these moments that I was able to forge an emotional connection to Anna. I didn't feel the emotional grief of losing her sister, but I did admire the woman who faced her demons to provide for the child she was growing to love. That aspect of the story provided me with the emotional impact that I expected to get from the novel.

The ending left me a little bewildered. I saw progress in Anna as she re-connected with her father, found love with Pablo, and forged a mother-daughter connection with Adrea. Then, her mother dies and we see Anna alienating Adrea the same way her mother alienated her. I didn't get a feeling, in the end, that she had finally let her sister go. As she turned to go home, I wasn't confident that she was giving Adrea back the mother she loved so much.

Overall, a good summer read. Though it deals with sensitive issues; it is more a story of hope.

Book Info
Paperback
ISBN 978-1-59030-720-5
Copy provided by One Person's Journey through a World of Books

BOTM: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

2009-11-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

My Book Buddies was incredibly fortunate to have received copies of Michelle Moran's latest book, Cleopatra's Daughter. We invite you to join us for the month of December as the MBB Community reads this historical fictional novel.

Moran's latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father's greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power.

As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar's family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene's perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome's first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre.

Read an excerpt from Cleopatra's Daughter

Thank you very much to Michelle Moran for sharing this piece of work with the MBB Community.

To learn more about Michelle and her work visit her website at http://www.michellemoran.com/

Related Links:

Discussion Forum

Guest Blogger: Michelle Moran

Cyber Monday Shopping!!

2009-11-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

Black Friday has come and gone. Now it's time for CYBER MONDAY!
Check out the latest deals on Amazon.com and take advantage of today's great deals on dvds, books, electronics and so much more.

Click HERE to start shopping.
Happy Holidays!!

Here are some of my favorite holiday gift selections

Sunday Snippet

2009-11-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

"I looked down at her open mouth, wet face. I lightly touched her cheek, thinking I was too young to comfort her. There were small baby hairs clinging to her neck, and I combed them with my finger tips. Then I forgot about my distance and the usual numb space between us, and I smoothed her hair back with my flat palm.

For the first time, I saw that I would one day be a woman like she was, full grown, with breasts and long legs, and the kind of skirts and stockings that she wore. For the first time since Megan died, she didn't look unfamiliar and strange to me. She looked like what I would someday be, and I felt as if I were becoming a woman right then."

Alice in Wonderland: Movie Trailer

2009-11-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Wow! I'm really excited about watching this! I love the story AND I love Johnny Depp.

Movie Review: New Moon

2009-11-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last night, I joined the hoards of screaming females in the midnight premiere of New Moon. I was incredibly excited and happy to be there, although just a bit more than a little tired.

After about 2 1/2 hours, I was a very happy Twilight fan.

(Please note, if you haven't read the books, the following review will contain spoilers)

New Moon, for me, was a much better film than the first installment. The storyline flowed so much better and followed the book very closely. The actors, overall, seemed much more comfortable with one another and with the direction. It just felt like more effort went into the production and direction of the film.

One thing that really stood out for me in this installment was the chemistry between all of the characters. In the Cullen family scenes, they felt like a very close knit family. All throughout the film, there was humor, playfulness and a comfort that made the story much more endearing to me. Mixed in with Bella's depression and Edward's torment, it kept the film from being too dreary and sad.

I was so-so with Book #2 of the Twilight Saga, simply because there wasn't enough Edward. I think that's why I walked away from that book not truly grasping the friendship between Bella and Jacob. The movie truly brought that relationship to life in a way that was subtle, emotional and very realistic. I loved their honesty with one another.

AND I loved that TPTB showed that her relationship with Jacob is just as conflicted as her relationship with Edward. At the end of the day, IMO, Jacob is not better or much different than Edward. Both are wonderful individuals and both play a key part in her life. But I almost have to discredit Jacob's anger towards Edward because I have no doubt Jacob would hurt Bella if he thought it was for her own good. He certainly is already trying to find ways to prevent Bella from being happy with Edward. I liked that that part of him is not sugar coated. He does have the ability to hurt Bella, just as much as Edward/

That being said - oh my, Jacob Black! How you've grown and changed. That man is beautiful. After seeing over an hour and a half of the Bella/Jacob friendship, 80% of Jacob's gorgeous (stupid shorts), well formed body - I think it left Edward at a disadvantage in the end. The lighthearted, easy friendship was a very stark contrast to Edward's tormented face. It made me cringe a little when Edward showed up on the scene again.

And in the end, Team Jacob wins hands down when it comes to the physique. And in all honesty (coming from a Robert Pattison fan), RP needs to step it up a little in the strength department. He comes off much stronger in the books than he does in the film.

I was on the fence with Kristen Stewart after the first film. But she has an undeniable chemistry with both men. And in this film, she was absolutely beautiful IMO. I enjoyed her in most of her scenes. And that ending scene when she told Jacob, "If you make me choose, I will choose him. It's always been him" brought tears to my eyes. There was so much honesty and conviction in her eyes in that scene.

The werewolf pack, just like Jacob, is gorgeous! Wow are they a beautiful, close knit bunch. I enjoyed their unity just as much as the Cullen's. I am absolutely looking forward to the conflict between the vamps and the wolves.

Oh my, and let me not forget the awesome Volturi. That is casting at it's best. Dakota Fanning was incredible in her part, short as it was. I hope we see more of her in Breaking Dawn. The group embodied authority, power and tremendous violence. I sure hope I'm never alone in a room with them.

Some points for discussion:

While I am a Bella/Edward fan, I am glad that this is fiction. In all honesty, Bella's depression bothered me. An intelligent girl, that young with so many opportunities in front of her, should not revolve her life around one person. The destruction of her emotional state was hard for me to grasp. I can't imagine being in Charlie's shoes, watching his daughter waste away her life over a guy....any guy.
Rosalie is not the most sympathetic character but I absolutely loved the glimpse we got at her humanity. How much is too much to sacrifice for love? It's fiction, I know - but I applaud Edward for wanting more for Bella. And while I won't have anything but a happy ending for Bella & Edward, I can't honestly say that I agree with Bella throwing her life away. There is more to life.

I want to hear your thoughts on the movie, the story or the characters!! If you have a review, please share. If you have any thoughts, post a comment or visit our New Moon movie thread at our forum.

Can't wait for Eclipse in June!!!!

The Day is Here!

2009-11-19T11:38:00.000-08:00

For those who know me, you'll understand how ubber (yes, ubber!) excited I am about tonight's midnight release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Just as we did last year, the girls and I will don our respective "Team" shirts, swing by Starbucks, grab some caffeine, and stand in line with our Twilight books in hand. We're guessing that tonight will be a bit of a madhouse, so we'll be in line at 10:00 pm for the midnight showing. Yes, we'll be in line early.

Luckily, I also have a digital copy of Twilight uploaded on my ipod, so I'll either be reading or watching.
Check back in tomorrow for my movie review!!!

If you're a fellow Twilight fan, I'd love to share your reviews on the MBB Blog as well. E-mail me your links and I'll share it on my blog!

Related Links:
Twilight Baseball Part I
Twilight Baseball Part II
Twilight Baseball Part III
Twilight Conclusion

My BookShelf

2009-11-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

My bookshelf is in overdrive right now!

Ever feel like you're juggling too many books at once? Of course, I'm anxious to get some new reviews up on my page, and enjoy some of the books that I've put off reading for so long. Hopefully the holidays will give me much needed BULK reading time.

Check out what's on my "currently reading" list:

Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon - I've got 300 pages left, and it seems to be harder to get through than expected! Ack!

Feddie Girl by Nona David - I was graciously given a copy by the publisher and am in the process of finishing it up. Check in for the upcoming review!!!

The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman - I'm completely engrossed in this book! I won a copy from One Person's Journey through a World of Books and am thoroughly enjoying it!

The Sword of Truth: Temple of the Winds (Book #3)/Audio - And finally, my journey continues with Kahlan and Richard in the Sword of Truth Series. I've 'read' the audiobooks from the start, but it takes awhile to get through 26 disks!! LOL! Speaking of the Sword of Truth, check out my personal blog later today for my current review of the Legend of the Seeker: Season 2 television series.

Back to "sneak" reading while here at the office!!!

Game Day! Let's Go 49er Faithful

2009-11-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

I think it's safe to say that I won't be reading today. LOL! It's game night at Candlestick Park!

GO NINERS!

Friday Focus

2009-11-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

Ouch! It's been awhile since I've done one of these. Once September passes, apparently, so does the time!

Unfortunately, I don't think my TBR list has changed all that much. Boo Hooo! Currently on my "reading" shelf is Echo in the Bone (still!) - which turned out to be a much slower read than originally anticipated.

I did, however, read my first Sandra Brown book, Smoke Screen, which was a very pleasant surprise. Check out the review that was posted last week.

I also started on book #3 of the Sword of Truth Series, Temple of the Winds. This series has become quite the companion on my commutes home since I listen to it in audio format. The upcoming MBB review will be a little different this tiem around - if early impressions are any indicator. Vague? Guess you'll have to come back and see what my thoughts are on this installment.

In other news - November is HERE. Wow, where did 2009 go? But you know what November means......NEW MOON comes out. I can't help it. I love the Twilight series. It's such a guilty pleasure of mine. It gives me an opportunity to be a giddy teenager, hang out with girlfriends and just have fun! I've seen quite an increase in the movie trailers over the past week. I can't wait for November 20th!

And yes, my girlfriend and I WILL attend the midnight showing. NO we will not be in costume! LOL!

I'm reminded a little bit of the Lord of the Rings days, where the anticipation of the next installment added to the general excitement of the holiday season.

That's it for now. It'll be a slow reading weekend for me. I'll be ziplining in Santa Cruz this weekend, and preparing for a Tahitian Competition on Sunday. I'll share details when I get back.

For now - Happy reading!

BOTM: The Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

2009-10-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

Please join us in the November Book of the Month, The Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

Rural Wisconsin, 1909. In the bitter cold, Ralph Truitt, a successful businessman, stands alone on a train platform waiting for the woman who answered his newspaper advertisement for "a reliable wife." But when Catherine Land steps off the train from Chicago, she's not the "simple, honest woman" that Ralph is expecting. She is both complex and devious, haunted by a terrible past and motivated by greed. Her plan is simple: she will win this man's devotion, and then, ever so slowly, she will poison him and leave Wisconsin a wealthy widow. What she has not counted on, though, is that Truitt — a passionate man with his own dark secrets —has plans of his own for his new wife. Isolated on a remote estate and imprisoned by relentless snow, the story of Ralph and Catherine unfolds in unimaginable ways.

With echoes of Wuthering Heights and Rebecca, Robert Goolrick's intoxicating debut novel delivers a classic tale of suspenseful seduction, set in a world that seems to have gone temporarily off its axis.

Learn more about this BOTM selection:
Order a copy of the book in our MBB Bookstore
Join in the online discussion
Author Website: Robert Goolrick