What's Your Personal Legend?

Merry Christmahannukwanzakah to everyone! 

This year I was truly blessed with great family and friends, although, our Christmas Day was a little rocky ( think being sick and driving in the rain lost for 5 hours). Although, Christmas is never about gifts.. I got all the gifts I would have liked to have and even some more books! You know how I love love love my books, as well as a Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Which I cannot WAIT to use. I also, discovered that you can make your own profile on Barnes and Noble's Website which I did. If you want to find me, and be my friend, just ask.. I don't know if you can search using the Pen Names but mine is KTTDH5 and I also, have an account on Amazon as well. Point is books, make me happy. = ) Now the book review...

The Alchemist is a great book, it truly is... I recognize the greatness of the book. However, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I will say the book is universal in the sense that it speaks to everyone. It talks about finding your personal legend and sticking to it. The book, uses religion and nature beautifully. 

If you haven't read the Alchemist even though it has been around for 20 something years. Then I will late it out for you. It starts off with a Boy who is a Shepard. The boy became a Shepard because he wanted to travel. Although, content with the life he had been having, he kept having dreams about Pyramids. So, he went to a gypsy who translated the dream saying he must go to these Pyramids and he will find his treasure. The boy shrugs it off at first but then he meets a man who tells him that this is his personal legend and gives him the motivation he needs to follow his dream. From there the boy goes on a long journey, through Spain and Africa to find the Pyramids in Egypt along the way he meets thieves, works for shop owners and finds love, but most importantly he meets The Alchemist who teaches him about life and how to face challenges that would keep him from his personal legend.

As I stated before, I recognize the greatness of the book and I liked the book, but to me I felt this book was perfect for school. It felt like a book I was to read for English class and learn a lesson from, the books we read in English are great books, they are for the most part books I will always remember (which I believe makes a great book), but I think for me at least the trifecta of a great book also is when, you just can't put it down. I understand that this is debatable cause some books aren't the most well written books, but you can't put them down and some books you remember cause they  sucked.. or sometimes a well written book, isn't intriguing enough to never want to put down (like in this case). ANYWAYS, for me if you can get through the first 60 pages, which for me are rather boring then you will be fine. I am just saying for me this book was alright.

What's Next?

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ! I am always, excited to read a new book, but this book excites me for many reasons. Mainly cause I know it is a beloved classic, that many people have read and well, I haven't. I am excited about this book, because I don't really know much about it, besides that it takes place in the 20's era (an era I love). I am also excited cause right after I bought this book, it was announced that they were making it into a movie. Which means I will have read the book, before seeing the movie, which I love.

"Breaking" News Update #2

Welp, the progress Brandon has made on reading his book Where Men Win Glory is exactly where he was last time I Updated you.. he is six pages in...However, Brandon was really excited today because he received a new book in the mail The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. Brandon was extremely excited to get this book the moment he saw it at a Border's ...So, with a Gift Card that my Aunt gave to him for Amazon he purchased the book. Brandon was not happy though... when I told him, he could not read the new book, until he finished reading Where Men Win Glory...It may sound harsh.. but I have My reasons..


You see, Brandon in general wasn't a big reader.. So, one day (last December) while we were at Target... I was looking at books in the well, book section and as we were leaving Brandon mentioned he would like Where Mean Win Glory and I laughed it off.. since He never reads.. well Brandon for the next few days kept bringing it up that he wanted that book and every time I would say "why buy you a book... you won't read?" and every time he would assure me he was going to read it. So, I bought him the book... and now, a year later and he ha on read 6 pages of this book, he HAD to have, this book he PROMISED he would read. Needless, to say... He will read this book before he can read another. Brandon's not so happy with this.

Elixir

WOW! What a debut novel by Hilary Duff. May I first add I have always been a huge fan of Hilary Duff, I always preferred her over Lindsay Lohan. I think I made a great choice. However, when I saw on Live With Regis & Kelly (love that show) that she was coming out with a book... I will admit I was skeptical about it.. Now, let me clarify I am not saying people have to have one life's passion or be good at one thing... being as I am someone who has myself finished writing a children's story and on top of that busy opening my own event planning business and hope to open a baby boutique later on in life. So, why can't she be a talented Actor, Musican, and Author? But... Hollywood can be SO cliche and some people do it just cause they can. However, like I said I really like Hilary Duff and when she described the book, something told me this is the real deal.. although I was still skeptical....

The book is hard to really explain.. The book is about Clea Raymond (17) who at her young age is an accomplished photo journalist and also, the daughter to a Senator and Researcher. A Year after her father goes missing, Clea notices that in all her pictures a mysterious man appears in all of them. Although creeped out at first she feel drawn to him and his soon dreaming of him.. Until one fateful night in Rio. Where she meets him and the mystery of who he is and where her father is start to unravel.

Elixir is fast paced and at times can seem a little jumpy, however.. I didn't want it to end. It has everything a good book should have, it has the paranormal elements, mystery, revenge, romance, a love triangle, friendship, history and so much more. I was almost sad that the book was coming to an end... it's kind of like watching the season finale of your favorite TV show and it end with a cliff hanger.. then realizing you have to wait a few agonizing months until next season to find out what happens. Like a said for a debut novel, Hilary has definitely put a really really good book under her belt. I don't know how to explain it really. The best way of saying it, is that she wrote a REAL book and is a REAL author in her own right.  There are many celebs who write decently good books and can call themselves authors but to have a book that is truly something that can stand on it's own  without a celebrity name is rare. I would read this book and enjoy it just as much had it not been written by Hilary Duff. I recommend it to every one to go out and buy it.. even boys and although it is in the Young Adult Category.. the adults will enjoy it as well. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out and if it gets turned into a tv show or movie.. I can not wait to watch it either. Hell I'd love to star in it.. Clea is definitely a character I would enjoy playing (hey, who said I couldn't be an actress too ; p). At your next book club meeting suggest Elixir or if you're looking for your next great read.. go to the book store and pick it up. You will not.. I promise you will not regret it.

What's Next?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.. Okay I honestly know NOTHING about this book.. besides that it comes highly recommended. So, with that I am excited to read it.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

This may be the first and only time I have said this but the movie is better then the book. Well to be fair.. the movie and the book are basically the same thing. Pretty much word for word the exact same. So, let's just say the movie gave the book the extra umph it needed. Given that the book was like the movie.. there isn't much to this review.. besides the fact that I recommend you just watch the movie... instead of the reading the book. UNLESS, you really prefer reading over movies.. then read the book.


Currently Reading: Elixir by Hilary Duff

I Do, Now What?

 

Let me start off by saying, this isn't a book I would typically read.. the whole celebrity advice book, our life thing... isn't well, my thing. However, Giuliana and Bill are actually the one celeb couple I love and admire. Having watched there show on the Style Network, I found them to be a genuinely solid couple who had got the whole marriage thing mastered. It also helped that my fiance and I both shared a lot of similar qualities with them. So, when they came out with a book, I instantly Wish Listed It.

Why should you go out and buy this book? Well , first off the book is funny. If you have seen their show, then you will not be disappointed since the book is told through Bill and Giuliana. What I mean by that is.. it's like they are there talking to you about their marriage.. Bill will begin with the story, then Giuliana adds her two sense and back and forth even sometimes interuppting each other. Who they are comes in cleary. The book covers everything from Work, Babies, In-Laws, Money, Sex and everything in between. They share there own life expeiriences with these problems while also backing them with studies and facts. Although at times you may feel a pang of jealousy about how perfect they seem to be.. they also, never claim to be perfect and admit they are human.

This book is good for anyone to read really... but, you will probably appreciate it more if you are in a committed long term relationship. I also, find that this is a good Engagement and even extra wedding gift to give. It's not insulting to give either because this isn't "how to fix your marriage" it is more of 'ways to keep your marriage happy" all while being entertaining. I hope they come out with more books and I wish them the most success and happiness a couple could have, cause they are truly amazing people and my couple idols.


What's Next?
My next fabulous read is Elixir by Hilary Duff. From what I understand the book is about a young female journalist who goes to find her missing father and on the way has some paranormal experiences.. I actually have very high hopes for this book.

American Wife

 

I read American Wife about 2 or 3 years ago and when I picked the book, cause honestly I pick 90% of my books on there cover and title and rarely read the back to see what they are about.... So, when I picked this book, I thought it would be simply about an American Wife and it is... but with a literal twist.

The book follows Alice Lindgren through out her life. The book starts from when from a young age well into her late 50's. As a teenager Alice is in a terrible accident and also, gets pregnant and has an abortion. These two incidents, haunt her her whole life and affects her relationships and life views. Later on we see her become a nice young woman, moving out on her own , dating and enjoying her job as a School Librarian. Until one fateful night where she meets Charlie Blackwell at at friends BBQ. From there her life becomes a whirlwind. and soon her a Charlie are married.  The Blackwell's a quite wealthy, a little snooty and Republican family are very different from what Alice is used to. But her life REALLY changes when her husband Charlie has political ambitions, going from Mayor, to Governor and then President. You see how Charlie's political career, takes a toll on the family and how incidents from Alice's past come back to haunt her, however, but despite all that she remains the perfect American Wife.

First off, you can't help but read this book and think about the parallels between the character Alice and Laura Bush. Which leads to some intirgue.. but overall the book isn't anything magnificent. BUT it is isn't dreadful either. The book is very realistic and endearing though. If you need something to read you will definitely enjoy it, you won't hate it.. it's just not "action packed"

Currently Reading: I Do, Now What? By Giuliana & Bill Rancic