The Bookworm News & Reviews

Sunday, March 05, 2006

February Book Review

I read a total of 4 books in February. Overall, pretty average reads but I was surprised at being disappointed with Unleash The Night. This book is part of a series that I usually devour but I had to struggle with it for the first half of the book.

Over Her Dead Body by Kate White - 7/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3136463

You Have To Kiss A Lot Of Frogs by Laurie Graff - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2490371

Unleash The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon - 6/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3573241

I Is For Innocent by Sue Grafton - 7/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2810897

Monday, February 06, 2006

January's Reading Review

I read 5 books in January. Good variety overall...

HUNTING FEAR by Kay Hooper - 6/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3062991

L.A. WOMAN by Cathy Yardley - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2328805

METRO GIRL by Janet Evanovich - 5/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2232538

CARPE DEMON: ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM
by Julie Kenner - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3037649

SEE JANE DATE by Melissa Senate - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2385341

Friday, February 03, 2006

An Obstacle On The Road Of Life

So, last Friday, I am in my 2001 Dodge Stratus on my way to MaryAnn's house to pick her up to go to the library. A trip I have made so many times I could probably do it with my eyes closed, right? Which probably explains why what I am about to tell you even happened to begin with. I must have had my eyes closed.

I ran over a branch in the road. By the time I saw it in the road, I couldn't veer around so I went over it hoping it wouldn't hit the tire. It wasn't a huge tree limb but more along the lines of a branch from a bush or some other shrub. I didn't feel the tire hit it so I continued on down the road. After a few minutes I hear a "shhhhhh" noise coming through the vents. Uh-oh. Sounds like a tire is going flat doesn't it? Damn! I pull over, get out and inspect the tires. They're fine. Can't hear the noise anymore either. OK, I'm 40 now so maybe my hearing is going though that's a whole other post! I get back in the car and continue on my journey. After a few minutes, I hear the bloody "shhhhhhh" noise again! This is irritating, let me tell you. I pull over again and get back out of the car. Noise is gone and tires are fine. I figure "what the hell" and lie down in the road and look under my car. There, in all its glory and pride, is the damn branch sticking out from where it got stuck under my car and has been dragging on the road as I was driving! No big deal, right? I reach under the car, a car that I should mention has less than 12 inches of clearance between the car and the road, grab the offending branch and pull. Nothing. I pull again. Still nothing. I begin to cuss while pulling. And still nothing. That damn branch has gotten stuck and won't budge! Now, I'm worried. What if it punctures my oil pan or severs a break line? Having no idea where these items are in proximity to the branch, I began to experience all manner of panic and anxiety.

I get back in the car and head on to MaryAnn's thinking if we could get the car jacked up higher then it would be easier to pull the branch out. I arrive and they aren't home! Not sure of what else to do, I call the dealer and ask for my service advisor. I explain the situation and he says to bring it in and within 20 minutes I am at the dealership. Along the way, I take the freeway, driving at speeds of 65+ when I realize that there is a branch stuck under the car that is dragging on the road. Could the friction be generating sparks under my car? This is not an ideal moment to have a thought such as that. I remained tense anticipating my car to turn into a huge fireball with me inside.

After about a hour at the dealer, I got my car back, branch free and inspected with no damage found. In addition, the dealer did not charge me! They were so sweet!

Unfortunately, this incident became the final straw for me to stop procrastinating and get rid of the car. Ever since I injured my back last year, I have noticed that having to step down to get in the car aggravates my back so I knew I would need to buy something that sits up higher (small SUV or mini-van). Having it sit up higher will avoid future branch incidents in the road as well.

Last night, I became the proud new owner of a 2006 Honda CRV. Here's to a less bumpy road of life.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

A Year Of Reading

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

December's Book Review

In December as with the majority of 2005, my reading was sorely diminished. I read 4 books for the month. Wait a minute! That can't be right! 4???? Just 4??? How can that be? Sadly, it is just 4.

Sins Of The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2971664

Superstition by Karen Robards - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2855217

The Other Woman by Jane Green - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2840332

The Trials Of Tiffany Trott by Isabel Wolff - 6/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2333531

Happy New Year!

Another year over and a new one beginning and once again, I'm starting the new year off sick. Every flipping year at this time, I am sick. Is it a cold? Is it allergies? Is it valley fever? Who the hell knows! After living in Arizona for over 18 years, the damn doctors sure as hell don't know. It really is a "medical practice." Home treatments do very little for the symptoms so I will be making my trek to the doctor to pay out the big bucks for an office visit and probably an antibiotic that doesn't work either. Most colds are viral and antibiotics are useless with viral infections.

Don't mind me...I'm usually bitchy and cranky when I don't feel good. Anyway, despite the getting sick part, 2006 made its arrival very quietly in my life. I spent it with Lee and MaryAnn watching movies and eating "New Years Food" which is nothing more than snacks and finger foods.

The upside to the New Year is that 2005 is FINALLY over! That year has gone down in the record book as the worst year of my life and I have been so ready for it to be over and to begin a new and hopefully much improved year.

Friday, December 02, 2005

November Book Review

I sure hope that in 2006, my reading totals go up...It's a little disheartening to see that my favorite hobby has taken a downward spiral this year...

6 books for the month but most of them were really good, so that's a positive. (smile)

Shopgirl by Steve Martin - 5/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3313754

Stolen by Kelley Armstrong - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3136466

Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2480877

The Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3045093

Dating Without Novocaine by Lisa Cach - 7/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/991597

The Ex-Factor by Andrea Semple - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2490387

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Manners

Have people in general forgotten what having manners mean? Or have people become oblivious to saying thank you or please? Or do they just not care?

When I was growing up, I was raised to say please and thank you when asking for or receiving something. It's become a part of who I am today. Now, however, I look around me and see gratitude sorely lacking in people. It's sad to think this is what society has become.

Maybe I will just chalk it up to one more disappointment this year as this has been the year for me in disappointments. Maybe next year will bring out the manners in people. Maybe next year will find me being more reluctant in the area of gift giving.

Post Holiday Ramblings

Survived the holiday in one piece. Went to TX to see my parents. Had a good time but I really need to rethink the whole staying at their house next time. All of the cigarette smoke got to me and now I'm coming down with a sinus or upper respiratory infection, which is so NOT what I need.

Picked up some Zicam cough mist which seems to be helping the scratchy throat and cough and congestion. It's supposed to cut the life and symptoms of a cold in half. It's also supposed to reduce the severity of the cold.

I've reinjured my back today. Getting out of my bed this morning, I didn't have a light on and tripped on a footstool so I am back in pain but am taking the drugs left over from the last time. I am tired of this already. I've been using heat and ice alternately hoping that will help too and doing the exercises. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. If I still have pain, I will call Dr. White to get adjusted.

I bought a portable DVD player to use in the bedroom and also take with me on the plane when I go to Alabama in January. On the flight from Dallas to Phoenix last week, I was sitting next to a woman using a laptop to watch movies and thought it was a great idea to pass the time during the flight. Usually, I read, but sometimes feel nauseous after reading for too long on the plane. Happens all the time, especially if I try to read in the car. It's a Polaroid brand and has a 10" screen which is a pretty good size.

Friday, November 11, 2005

October Book Review

Here is my October reading review:

Conspiracy In Death by J.D. Robb - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1014140

Kill The Competition by Stephanie Bond - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1192289

Alone by Lisa Gardner - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2461899

Wedding Season by Darcy Cosper - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1915992

The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2971660

Gobble Gobble Gobble

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe it is November and it's nearly half over already! Let's recap:

October was pretty good. Divorce was finalized on the 13th. Rob and I had been talking about going to counseling to see if we can rebuild our relationship. Decorated my apartment for Halloween and it looked fabulous! Had a tarot reading party on the Friday before Halloween and that was a lot of fun with some friends. Looking forward to doing that again in about 6 months.

November didn't start out too well. By the 4th, I discovered that Rob betrayed me YET AGAIN! How do I fall for this shit over and over? Apparently, while he was making promises to me about wanting to be together and working out our problems, he was exploring his feelings for someone else! A different someone else, I might add, than the first skank he ran off with. He really is the most selfish bastard I have ever had the misfortune to meet. So, now, not only are we not going to reconcile, there will not be a friendship thanks to his lies. I would rather be friends with Charles Manson....

I also finished physical therapy for my back. Hopefully, there will not be any recurrences. With my back injury, there is usually an 80% chance, which frightens me somewhat because I never want to go through that again. I will be looking into taking some Pillates classes which come highly recommended to me from the therapist and doctor and chiropractor.

Now, here we are on the 11th. Happy Veteran's Day to all our brave armed forces personnel currently serving our country and to those who gave their lives to serve that didn't make it home and to those who have served in the past and are deserving of this day.

This weekend, I am going to a Harry Potter marathon with friends where we will engorge ourselves on food and watch the three Harry Potter movies to prepare for next Friday when the new edition comes out in the theaters, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.

More later....

Saturday, October 29, 2005

All done

Got the final divorce decree in the mail signed by the judge on October 13. So, now it really is all done and over with.

Not sure if I am happy about it or not. Maybe a little happy and sad and still pissed off that it all came to this in the first place. If he would have just opened his damn mouth and started communicating, maybe none of this would be happening...

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Red Wine

Numerous people have recently told me that one glass of red wine each evening has wonderful health benefits. OK, I'll sip....

The problem is I am in no way, shape or form a wine drinker so I have no idea what is good. I tried a bottle of imported Sangria that wasn't bad. I believe the brand was Carlos Real Garcia or something along those lines. Then another person told me to try Yellow Tail Shiraz which is an Australian wine. Don't care for that. It's too bitter. I think I am definitely favoring a sweet fruity tasting wine.

Where do I begin?

Saturday, October 08, 2005

September's Reads

I'm sad and embarrassed to report that I only read 5 books in the month of September and all of them were audiobooks so does that count? I say it does...the upside is that they were all really good so it's definitely time well spent.

Sense Of Evil by Kay Hooper - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1822893

Puppet by Joy Fielding - 7/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3206939

Honeymoon by James Patterson - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2569156

4th Of July by James Patterson - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2832002

Ready Or Not by Meg Cabot - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3206935

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Can you believe it?

On my way out this afternoon to run a few errands and join up with friends for a BBQ. Stopped at the dumpster to drop off my household trash. Nothing unusual there. Noticed the dumpsters were closed which is usually a sign that they were recently emptied and saw several bags of trash lying in front. Still, I didn't think anything unusual as they probably fell out when the trash truck picked up the dumpster, right? When I got closer, I saw a bag and there was a book sticking out of the top. Upon closer inspection, I see the bag is full of books! Was someone going to throw out these books like they were trash?!? Seems like blasphemy to me to actually throw away a book! What else could I do but rescue those poor books and bring them home where I will register them at www.bookcrossing.com and find them homes where hopefully someone will appreciate them!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Books read in August

Didn't do too badly in August with my reading...the links will take you to the book on my virtual bookshelf so you can read comments about it.

Breakfast at Stephanie's by Sue Margolis - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1931431

No Second Chance by Harlan Coben - 9/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2810901

Seize The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon - 10/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2335376

Undead And Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3141595

Turning Thirty by Mike Gayle - 8/10
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/2258605

Gimpy

I don't know what I did but I have thrown out my back. Since last Sunday (Aug. 28), I have been in excruciating pain. I was sitting at my new computer desk and stood up to get ready for work when I felt a cramp in my right shoulder. Didn't think anything of it and started rotating arm and shoulder around thinking to work out the cramp when I feel a very sharp pain radiate from my shoulder down my back. Went to the doctor on Tuesday, August 30. He told me I had strained a muscle or pinched a nerve in my neck! My neck! What the hell medical school did he go to? Yeah, I know everything is connected but I have full range of motion in my neck and no pain there! It's my frickin back that hurts. He gives me a prescription for Soma which does absolutely NOTHING for me other than to make me feel loopy. So, on Friday, September 2, I go to a chiropractor. I am a complete and total chicken and have avoided going to such places because of the horror stories I have heard about them. I am surprised and amazed that this chiropractor is different and uses different methods. After the treatment, I feel pretty good. Really good as a matter of fact. I'm thinking, "Great! I'm healed!" That was probably my first mistake. On Saturday, it was starting to tighten up again. I went for a pedicure because they let you sit in a massage chair and that felt good but by Saturday night, the pain was getting intense so much so that I was taking Soma about every 4 hours. Nothing was helping. Not the Soma, not ice, not heat, not massage. By Sunday morning, the spasms were so intense and painful that I couldn't stand upright and I was in tears. My friend MaryAnn and her daughter Samantha were staying over for a girl's night so they called her husband Lee to come and take me to the emergency room. Rob was with Lee so he came along to help. We were at the ER for 6 1/2 hours. They gave me an injection of Demerol which helped, but I had a bad reaction to it and ended up passing out. They gave me 3 prescriptions (Percoset, Skelaxin, and Motrin) and the drugs seem to be helping much more than the Soma ever began to.

Monday was a holiday so I ended up sleeping most of the day and taking the pills. I was able to get a doctor's appointment for Tuesday. Rob took the day off and drove me around to the doctor and to get xrayed. I'm going back to the chiropractor on Thursday. My doctor told me to continue going to the chiropractor and depending on what the xray tells him, I may have to get an MRI done. So, needless to say, it's been a rough few days that I will be glad to be done with.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Finally!

Today is 6 weeks from the day I ordered my living room and office furniture. When I placed the order in the showroom, I was told 4-6 weeks. Rob, the soon to be ex, tells me that his living room furniture was delivered just over 4 weeks from his order. So, for the last two weeks, I'm wondering where the hell my furniture is! I am sick to death of sitting on this piece of shit futon that has served as my bed and couch since March. Thank God the bedroom furniture came last month and I have had a real bed to sleep in or I would have taken hostages already.

So, here we are at the 6 week mark and my furniture is FINALLY in. I am going down there today to pay off the balance and schedule delivery. It will be so nice to have a real couch and chairs in the living room (though I have discovered that Rob and I have bought the same couch) and the room will actually take on the shape of a living room instead of a studio/dorm room look. I will also be able to FINALLY unpack the last several boxes of office stuff.

It's the little things that mean so much...

Monday, August 01, 2005

Bad Blogger...

I've been a very bad blogger, it seems. So much has happened since the last time I posted, I hardly know where to begin...

OK, where was I? House sold late June and I stayed with some wonderful friends who were so gracious to open their house to me while I was waiting for my apartment to become available. I moved into the apartment officially on July 1 and have spent virtually the entire month of July just acclimating to having my own place and being physically on my own for the first time in my life. Still not completely unpacked, though I am getting there. I've been buying new furniture and have received the bedroom set so now the bedroom looks like a bedroom. Still waiting on the living room and office. I found the most awesome rolltop computer desk at Ashley Furniture and had to have it. So I decided to scrap the dining room and use that space as an office instead. Unfortunately, if the rest of the furniture is anything like the bedroom, my next move will be a real chore. I am still amazed at the size of the furniture, though it fills up the space quite nicely.

Haven't gotten as much reading done as I usually do but I am hopeful that will change. In the month of June, I read:

Truth Or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz - 5/10. The story was OK. It is the sequel to Light In Shadow and I enjoyed that one better.

Body Double by Tess Gerritsen - 8/10. Very good story featuring Boston PD Detective Jane Rizzoli. I really like this character and look forward to more books with her in them.

The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket - 9/10. I'm quite enjoying this series about the trials and tribulations of the Baudelaire orphans as they try to find some happiness while eluding the clutches of the evil Count Olaf.

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong - 9/10. First time read by this author and I was very impressed. This book is the first in her Women of the Otherworld series. Bitten features a woman who happens to be the only female werewolf in existence. She's trying to make a life for herself in Toronto when she is summoned back to the Pack to help them track down a rogue werewolf who is attacking humans. I will definitely be looking for the sequel.

Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot - 9/10. Very good story. I really enjoy this author. This book is written entirely in emails and journal entry format, which made the book easy to read. It's about a cartoonist who accompanies her best friend to Italy to help out with her elopement. Along the way, she meets and hates the best man...but not for long.

July was an even slower month for me in terms of reading:

Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich - 9/10. Another action packed adventure for Stephanie Plum. Still no decision on whether she wants Ranger or Joe.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison - 9/10. Another new to me author. This book reminds me of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Rachel is a witch who is also a bounty hunter who teams up with a vampire to go into their own business. Only problem is, the company they work for don't react too kindly to paranormals wanting to branch out on their own. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris - 9/10. Another good installment in the series of Sookie Stackhouse. This book finds Sookie trying to deal with the aftermath of discovering her brother had been bitten by a Were-Panther and will change with the next full moon. To make matters worse, someone is attacking and killing shapeshifters. Could it be her brother Jason? Sookie has to find out the truth before her brother is next or worse...her.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - 10/10. Fans of the Harry Potter series will not want to miss this sixth book. I found the story to not be a happy one so I am hoping that book 7 will tie up all of the loose ends and resolve the unhappiness.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Going, going, gone!

The house has officially sold! Close of escrow was yesterday and my agent called me yesterday to let me know that title recorded the deed at 4:20 in the afternoon, so it is now official. I am "homeless." LOL

So now, I am waiting for the title company to call me to pick up the check. I can't believe after all the stress of the entire process that it is finally done. Now, we can pay off everything and get focused on filing the divorce and starting over. Feels kind of good and a big relief to have it done now.