Marley & Me

John Grogan’s Marley & Me

As a number 1 New York Times Bestseller, most people obviously love this book, have heard about this book, maybe have even read this book. If you know me, you’d know immediately that I’d love this book. It is a dead give away. I can’t pull a poker face and lie to anyone about not loving dogs of all kinds. Big, small, energetic, lazy, well behaved and the untrained. I’m a sucker for most four legged animals. I suppose I was born that way, but I can also suppose that I could blame it on my mother and father for raising me surrounded by animals my entire life. I don’t even remember the first cats we had, or the poodles that my mother adored, but I cannot deny that they were in my family before I was. Candy, obviously a poodle, Sam, the Siamese cat, Tiger my sisters cat, Taffy the Shetland sheepdog. I think there were several Sam the Siamese cat’s. I don’t remember Tiger or Candy, but Sam and Taffy I do. They both came home with us from Florida where we were living when I was born and where they joined our family. I remember Sam in the kennel in the back of the car as we drove all the way home to Utah. I felt bad for him but I knew that was better than him crawling and crying the whole way home all over the station wagon. By the time I was five, I had my own dog one of Taffy’s pups I named Nipper. We were inseparable until he was 17 and we had to put him to sleep.

Now for the book, Marley & Me. It was my book of choice to accompany me on my surprise vacation to Hawaii. I wanted something I knew I would love, would be easy to read, and easy to hold. Check, check check. John Grogan delivered a fantastic book not just about his dog, Marley, but about his family, how they grew into each other, their struggles and heartaches as well as the joy and challenge of owning a dog. I loved how candid and honest his experiences were shared. I loved that after trash talking about Boca Raton, he ended up a resident! I adored Marley from the beginning, but he didn’t try to make me love him either. He wasn’t cuddly and cute for more than 5 pages the whole book, but it was full of his adventures, mishaps and I’ll be honest here, Marley was a pain in the pocketbook as well as the pants!

It is a great light read that will tug at the heartstrings of any dog lover. An honestly good book for those looking for something that won’t turn your stomach, will likely not offend, and if you have a dog, you might very much just enjoy comparing John’s Marley to your dog Blue. Okay, so that is my dog, Blue. And I’d never let Blue AND Marley into the same home at the same time. That would be disastrous. But they would have loved playing at the dam together, roughing around in the waves fetching sticks to their hearts content.

Several descriptions in this book brought me to laughter, and several to tears. Yes don’t forget the tissues for this one. In fact, most of the book I was giggling, if not out loud, then chuckling within myself and shaking my head. One particular description of Marley antics that I particularly could relate to was about the “Portable Alcatraz”. If there ever was an unsuspecting couple, it was John and Jen and man did Marley take that portable kennel for a trip!! I won’t spoil the description for you.

I highly suggest this book, I probably could even highly suggest the movie. The cast contains two of my personal favorites. And who could resist a show about a dog for Christmas? It should be a pretty big box office hit just like the book has been and will likely continue to be.

From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman)

Oh me oh my sweet baby!!! This was a great read, and it isn't finished!! From the webpage The Pioneer Woman, (go to http://thepioneerwoman.com) an amazing woman wrote out her love story about herself AND her husband, Marlboro Man, how they met, how their romance blossomed. It is amazing. Did I say it is amazing? Oh, I did, let me say it again, AMAZING!!

Ree Drummond says (from her website) "Grab a cup of coffee. Curl up with a blanket. Have a box of kleenex and a fan handy. Here's the complete saga (to date) of the rip-roaring true story of how I met my husband, Marlboro Man, and how I went from spoiled city girl to domestic ranch wife in the blink of an eye."

She's not kidding about that cold shower, the cup of your favorite beverage, a blankie or a box of tissues... really! She's just getting ready to post another chapter soon and I can't wait. I'm at home waiting for "light duty" to get better from my somewhat difficult pregnancy, and I read Ree's posts daily, and several per day sometimes!!

Her language is clear and whitty and pretty darned close to what I'd say! Right down to the "pansy ass". These little glimpses of what a real (as in life-like) hot romance is, is a wonderful addition to my personal collection of Good Reads. It has left me waiting for my own hiney tingly experience inducing husband to come home from his rough day at work. Too bad I can't do much about it!! Doctor's orders! And man, do I ever want that to be lifted soon! Thanks Ree for such fantastic words and for lighting the fire again!!

Yehaw!!

~Vicki

Pillar of Fire: Promised Land - David G. Woolley

Okay, I thought I wanted to read this series. I'll give Mr. Woolley points for writing an excellent novel on one of the things that "mormons" know like the back of our hand and making it interesting. I looked and looked for this one at the library for about ten minutes. I was glad I found it so quickly, and in the process found several other books that I really wanted to read.... I only wish that it had been an easier read!! I am wondering what "space" I am in right now because this book just wasn't that terribly interesting for me. Maybe I'm just not into this time period, or not into Woolley's style of writing: descriptive, wordy, and L O N G. But then I KNOW I love historical novels.... Maybe I'll pick it up again. My mother-in-law has the second book, that I checked out and just could NOT get into. At 200 pages in I was still bored stiff. I'd rather go read my scriptures. There are SO many characters (that did and did not exist in reality) and I had a hard time tracking them all down and kept flipping to the front of the book to the character sketches which I am very grateful were there!!!

So I don't have much GOOD to say about this series. Granted, I'm not very much into that part of my life right now. I seriously need laughs and entertainment (I'm on very light duty/near bed rest for my pregnancy). I'm sure, absolutely positively sure, that this series could be good. I have one question for David G. Woolley: Was this as painful to write as it was for me to read? It felt like I was PULLING the story, the very words out of the pages, and it took great effort on my part. I can only imagine how hard this was to write... though I have heard that "the words flowed onto the pages" for Mr. Woolley.

By the way, David G. Woolley is part of an incredible blog that you have to check out. And he's involved in some great hobbies and other activities. He's a GOOD man. And I do hope that one day I can read his series. And as far as book reviews go, I know this isn't my best written. But I had to get it out. So I can move on! Terry Prachett's The Color of Magic is next, and so far it is very colorful and very Terry!! READ ON!!!

Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyers

Monday, August 18, 2008

Breaking Dawn

Anyone who knows me knows that I have been a Stephanie Meyers fan. I really loved the first 3 books in her Twilight series. They are by no means in the category of "All time great literature" but I think they are a fun read, keeping in mind that they are geared for teenagers and are going to be sappy. But what girl doesn't love a good love story, complete with "Prince Charming"?
That being said, I really didn't care that much for Breaking Dawn, the fourth book. To say I was bitterly disappointed would be an understatement. I think that the author has had her fingers in too many pots and feeling the pressure to produce, gave a substandard story line. And, in my opinion, it kind of got smutty. No way would I let my teenage daughter read it. (If I had a teenage daughter that is.) It's too bad that I feel I wasted a whole week on this book.
I am still madly in love with Edward (sorry Ross!). I guess that's just the way it goes. *Sigh*

Posted by Rip Curl Mom at 3:16 PM
I borrowed this from my friend Kelly. She rocks and took on this series like a mad woman. Thanks Kel, for reading this for me!!!

Company of Good Women: Surprise Packages

Surprise Packages: The Company of Good Women

by Vicki Wight

(Quick note: I have a LOT of spoilers in this review. If you want to read the book, GO GET IT! IT is EXCELLENT! Then read my review later.)

The third, and final book in this series had a satisfying end. I felt more details could have been included, but knowing length and conclusions are considered in completing a book for publishing, the trio of Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hoefling Morris finished their series with Surprise Packages with love and grace. I will miss Deenie, Erin and Juneau. In this final book each woman experiences trials with discovering the contents of the packages they have made for themselves throughout their lives.

The book opens in 1996, but the prologue, dated 2004, left me stumped nearly through the entire book! Why was Deenie (the brunette) not “taking part in the fun” as they sat in the pizza parlor in Moab, Utah? The answer didn't become clear to me until after she hears a whispering from her sister, Sunny while visiting her home in Wellsville, Utah to attend Aunt Stell's funeral. In true Deenie flair, she keeps this to herself wanting to figure it out before she lets anyone worry about her.

The COBs (Crusty Old Broads) gather together in September of 2001 in Williamsburg for some Juneau writing research. I found myself looking forward with wonder as this special date in our nation's history approached. What will they do? How will they feel? What will they say? So many wonderful things come about because of this event in these ladies lives. And I'm very grateful that this event was included in the book. It was a great way to explore what I did personally and what others around me did following this terrible day in history.

Erin faces her own packages as she comes to the realization that she is keeping herself safe, and this is preventing her from experiencing love in a more complete form. Upon this realization, and some life changing events occurring, Erin makes a big decision and gets married! Moving a man into her life is such a big change for everyone. Cory moves on finding a partner and his parents begin their mission and his father has a change of heart. Time passes too swiftly in this book, just as it does in real life. Kayla grows up and gets married and starts a family of her own. Mark goes on a mission, and finds a special place in his heart for his own father, after a good talk from Erin. The story doesn't end there, Erin and her new husband celebrate having children of their own!

Juneau's closet of guilty secrets contains a package of something very dark. She opens her family history in Mink Creek again as she spreads Letitia's ashes with Pamela and Misty. Does Gideon come home? The events of 9/11 touch her husband in a different way and he offers her something completely amazing, does she take it? Juneau battles within herself the demon of how to be a good friend to a friend who is experiencing abuse. Her family grows and expands even broader as Trace marries, has children so does Ira! Nicole serves a mission, and pursues her dreams. There is more to the Nicole and Beto story that could be told, but it is unfortunately left to the reader to explore.

Deenie unplugs from Wellsville and moves to FLORIDA for Roger's new job leaving behind her boys to attend college at Utah State University in Logan. Elizabeth (Beth/Liz) travels Europe with Addie Spencer. She finds love from a person I hadn't expected and serves a mission before getting married. Evvy attends private school in Florida, makes friends and defends her faith. Deenie-Do-It-All faces the reality of her actions and makes a friend of a supposed enemy, Delia. Roger has an accident and an addiction and is admitted to rehab. He enters home life a lot like Deenie did, a little distant and trying to find the new Roger. Deenie and the ever faithful Bear join a Search and Rescue in the area, and the inevitable happens, Bear dies saving someone. Did he save only those children, or was someone else saved in a different fashion along the way?

I can hardly wait to get my hands on whatever might come out in the future authored by these wonderful ladies, together or separate. They are doing a Virtual Tour right now, you can visit them on their tour by going to their blog and checking in on their activities! Www.crustyoldbroads.blogspot.com

The Company of Good Women: Three Tickets to Peoria

Three Tickets to Peoria: The Company of Good Women

By Vicki Wight

Another refreshingly real read written by a trio of women who somehow made all their stories share simultaneously the events of three great characters and their extensive families!

In this book, the second in a series of three novels, Juneau, Erin and Willadene “Deenie” are completely exposed to all of the turmoil that seems could possibly happen. Tragedy, triumph, and tickets for each of them to their situational Peoria’s abound as Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris spin an enchanting and haunting tale published by Deseret Book.

In the first novel, Almost Sisters, Juneau lost a baby, and gained a lot more family in a very heartbreaking and loving way as she is advancing in her writing career. In Three Tickets to Peoria, her husband, Greg steps out into a different world as he starts his own business. Yet, there is still Clyde in the shadows. What will happen there? She has been warned by Gabby, Deenie, and her conscience that this is a bad idea, but their weekly chat sessions continue. Her family experiences several highs and lows as one that is loved is lost, another has a terrible case of wanderlust, and another spreads her wings to fly a little farther from the nest and heads to BYU.

Erin has her own battles to fight and troubles at home as her husband, Cory, explores and divulges the thing that is bothering him. Kayla reaches for the stars with her ice skates, and Mark receives honors for his talents on the piano. Ultimately, Erin and Cory define their relationship and changes are eminent as new additions to their family arrive.

Dennie faces unimaginable fears and gives in to the GRIF shortly after the birth of her baby, Evvy. This event in itself opens many more doors and experiences for Deenie. She discovers another side of herself as she becomes Dead Eye Deenie in a more literal sense as a vandal terrorizes the towns Wellsville. Roger, her husband is searching for the right job to finish out his working years and they end up someplace warmer! Beth becomes Liz as she reaches her final years in high school, the mission calls come and each boy serves in different climes.

There are losses and gains all across the character sprawl. Irony abides in every chapter as the women each face their fears head on. Gabby finally faces the skeleton in her closet, as the women and Gabby’s family watch in awe as she gives in to her need to “face the truth before she meets her maker”. She gives the three inseparable women an incredible parting gift as we say goodbye to the COB herself.

This second book in the series is has an incredible way of gathering you in as you turn each page. Each struggle and triumph approach with anticipation that you can taste. Don’t miss the surprising end to this series of good books. Surprise Packages is due out in August. You can get your copy at Deseret Book or most any store where good books are sold.

The Company of Good Women: Almost Sisters

Almost Sisters: The Company of Good Women

How many times have you gone looking for a good book? Just a simple, fun, uplifting, good adult book to read? One that you don't have to hide when your friends come over? One that you could display proudly in your bookshelf? I have looked myself for a book of this caliber for a long time. There are a lot of spiritual books, a lot of trashy books, quick reads and documentaries, but this series is a good book series. You don't want to miss it.

This book series published in 2006 by Deseret Book Company follows the journey of three women who meet at BYU Education Week in 1980. Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris started this lovely LDS novel similarly to how they met - at BYU Education Week!

The main characters are lively, colorful and so real that only a few pages into the first book anyone will find them all to be women that they would be friends with. I felt as though I could be the 5^th COB (Crusty Old Broad). Where do I sign up?

Juneau, a writer, Erin, a young new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Willadene (Deenie), the super LDS mom, meet at Gabrielle (Gabby) Farnsworth's home as they board there during Education Week. They get to know each other over cowboy cookies and milk. Through the course of the week, they come to know each other and vow that they will one day be just as Gabby, all of them Crusty Old Broads! They write back and forth to keep each other (and the reader) updated on what is happening in their very different lives. Though the set up of the back and forth was different at first, I found it quite easy to follow and separate who did what. The stories of their lives are shared with you, the reader, in a flowing, charismatic way that is informative, entertaining and satisfying! There is no need to skip ahead to find out what is going to happen in the next pages, because it comes at such a great pace. There is something going on with everyone and it is all very exciting.

With the turn of each page, you grow closer and more attached to these women, their families and friends, hopes, dreams and disappointments. The side characters are delightful additions to the scenery and really help to evolve and grow the story. Gabby, is the solid foundation, or so the women think. She is just the inspiration we all need in our lives to make do, be happy and change when necessary. Each additional family member adds some more spice to this recipe for a successful novel and each quickly becomes a member that you must know more about. The husbands are quirky and tend to be in the middle of several of the challenges that are presented to the women, and they are just as real as the wives! The children add laughter and tears as they do just what children do. There are even obstacles with the dogs. A little flavor with each character to make a fulfilling delightful dish.

In Almost Sisters, we follow Juneau through a difficult and unexpected pregnancy, as well as surprises from her own two girls and teacher husband. Erin through dating and family struggles. Deenie, through tantalizing and exhausting holidays and children spreading their wings and making decisions as well as a husband who is trying to reach the goal of a Master‘s Degree while working. Each page is inviting, each character explored and well thought out. No one is left out. No character unexplored.

Upon finishing this first installment of the three novel series, you absolutely must have the second book, Three Tickets to Peoria, waiting close by because the ending is merely a pause - a small gap for a brief commercial. You don’t want to miss this series!

You definitely want to get started on Almost Sisters right away as book three is due out in August of 2008, appropriately titled Surprise Package. Don’t miss these fun, good books! They would be a great addition to your family library as they are appropriate reads for any woman looking to read a good book.

~Vicki Wight

Eden, Utah

The Book Review Transfer!

Ok, so in order to write better, I will be continuing to read more and I'll be making one change to what I do when I read, I'll also be reviewing the books I read. I am hoping that this will help with my current writer's block. I'm really not in the "mood" to write, but I'm not in the mood for much of anything. Strange how that happens!! So I'll start this tomorrow. hahah!

I've read lots of books lately. I'll summarize them, and leave my thoughts about them, I have no idea if anyone will be looking at this post or not.....

Master, by Toni Sorenson: Oh my what a wonderful book. I loved this one. It was full of details (though I wanted more), description of landscape, miracles and the life of Christ with the feel of a novel. You could see the life of the Savior and the apostles and the time of the Romans. It was well written and I couldn't put it down. Better at the scriptures at keeping my attention, but full of the same stories.

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini: Khaled has a unique way of sucking me into the world he created. His words are descriptive and hypnotic. I could not put this book down AGAIN. This actually is the second time I read this book. First read through I read it in about two days total. I sat down with it right after work on day two and read through until 4 am. I even had work the next day. EXCELLENT read. Second time around I spent more time "chewing" instead of "swallowing it whole". Again, a wonderful, masterful read. I love how he ends his books. It is like a sugar or adrenaline let down though. You get so high and so excited and then you crash. The emotional wrap up is like after crying your eyes out for an hour and then rehashing it, but you can't cry, it is nearly emotionless.

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini: Again, another marvelous novel!! I had a hard time putting this one down at times too. I get so caught up in his characters and their lives and emotions and the mystery of the middle eastern culture. Maybe at times I feel like I could relate to the women because I sometimes want to cover all up and walk around like a ghost, no one can tell my emotions if they can barely see my eyes. But, hey, having a bad day every once in a while is no reason to take up wearing burkhas!!! Again, another great book. I will read this one again, and I'd recommend it to friends.

Almost Sisters: The Company of Good Women, Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, & Carroll Hofeling Morris:
Of all the books most recently read by me, this one boosted my heart and boyied up my spirits! I did not devour this book, I savored every moment with these dear women. The language is smooth, the story is catching, and the characters build as the pages turn. Deenie, Erin and Juneau are just like "us". They are very human and their flaws show to us and to each other. Their journey is continued in two more books. The cliff hangar ending of book one sent me immediately to purchase book 1 and 2 (I borrowed this copy from a friend) for me and for a friend! Don't wait to buy these books as a set, you'll hear Deenie's words of wisdom in your ears when you go to sleep and want to put them on your walls. You'll see Erin and her quirky beauty in your friends and want to tell them all about her! You'll see Juneau when you see your little girls and wonder about how they will turn out.

I Lost My Love in Baghdad: A Modern War Story, Michael Hastings
I just finished this book not ten minutes ago. It is so fresh in my mind. The language is harsh. Lots of F-bombs. If you can handle reading those, or get through them it is a great story. It is a love story; it is a biography; it is a documentary. I enjoyed this book, the end is really intense. The beginning was fast paced as well. In the middle I had to put it down for a couple weeks. If you are having "drama" of your own, don't read this yet. Get the drama over with and then pick this one up. I enjoy war books, histories, details, the nitty-gritty of all that. Hastings is a powerful writer, a gutsy guy, and an apprehensive lover (but how many guys aren't?). I felt like I was in Iraq. Dirty, hot and very very tired. His accounts are well written, quoted and placed. He risked his life so we could have this account, the accounts from his embeds, his news articles. And he lost his love, his only love, in a dangerous place that we are for some reason involved in. Stunning. Factual. The title says it all really. I Lost My Love in Baghdad: A Modern War Story.

Three Tickets to Peoria: The Company of Good Women, Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, & Carroll Hofeling Morris:
Like my above review, another charming book! I started this one on Monday morning and I finished by Wednesday morning. I love these ladies. They write with such reality. So plain. Erin and Cory's plight in this book really surprised me, but it turned out well. Just as I thought it should, every detail. I personally find the authors' work inspiring as a future writer myself. I am also inspired by the character's spiritual strength and real-ness. Deenie continues to amaze me, and yet not surprise me as she is the definition of a Utah Mormon Super-Mom, right down to the depression and the sense of loss. I love how in this second book each woman again has another trial, but so does Gabby! In the first book, she was everyone's idol with no flaws. This one we see it all. We feel it all and we wonder many things that should, hopefully, be answered in book 3, Surprise Packages which is due out anytime now! You can pre-order online at deseretbook.com or anywhere you buy good books! (I personally shop online at amazon for books that aren't going to be read more than one or two times, if at all possible.) Good luck to any of you COB's!!

I had to have a new place for my reading and writing...

I have a running room (my shin splints are finally getting better!), I share it with my reading room (really, I just keep my books I'm not reading there), and I share it with my writing room (that I usually do in the kitchen). So I figured today I would start my newest blog and it would resemble my exact reviews of what I've read, what I'm reading and the current state of the family laundry as it reflects directly the amount of time I've spent reading!

Today, June 16th, 2008 at 3:30 in the afternoon my laundry is as follows: One load to put away, two to fold (one in the dryer still), one in the wash ready to dry, and three waiting for the washer. (I wonder if there is a chart or measuring device of some sort that I can put in my blog that will help with this?! Any ideas are welcome!)

And I just got a new book today! I will start reading The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson after I fold two loads and put away three, and get one more in the dryer so it doesn't stink up in the washer! Dinner is thawing on the counter. I love Freezer Frenzy meals. And the house is relatively clean. So here we go! My Book Review blog is now open!

Dear Fellow Laundry Piling Women, Please send me your reviews as well. I'm not sure how to work that out yet, so for now, email them to me at wightfam@gmail.com. That should work out nice until one of you tells me how I can do that other than as comments....

Book club read for the month is: Follow The River by James Alexander Thom.