Julie Of The Wolves by Jean Craighead George

This was another book I read with my son for a school book report.

At first, I thought Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George couldn't get any slower or dull!  But by the end of the book, I was so enamored of Julie that I didn't want her story to end.

Julie is a young Eskimo girl whose mother has passed away.  She lives on the Alaskan tundra with her father, Kapugen.  When she is thirteen years old, Julie is promised as the wife of a neighbor, in an arranged marriage.  Although apprehensive about becoming a wife, the boy's mother tells her they will live as brother and sister.  But when Daniel, her betrothed, forces her into a sexual situation, Julie takes to the tundra to live life on her own in the Alaskan wilderness, with only a pack of wolves to protect her and help her stay alive.

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This story started out very slow.  My son & I had a hard time with some of the names in the book, as they are Eskimo names that were hard to pronounce, and we read it aloud.

I was not crazy about the so-called "rape" scene, where Julie's husband Daniel forces himself upon her, but it was not a graphic description - just obvious as to what was happening.  But this is recommended reading for my son's age group (he will be twelve in February).  And there was one mention of Julie having her "periods", but again... these kids are in sixth grade and have already had health education regarding these things, so it wasn't that big of a deal - for me.
I think parents should take their own kids' maturity level and knowledge into consideration.  (There has been some controversy over this passage, but I do think it's necessary for the reader to know the background as to why Julie is out there all alone.  As I mentioned, parents should consider their own kids' understanding of this subject).

After a few chapters I got so wrapped up in Julie's story that I found myself saying, "let's just read one more chapter".  Aside from the two scenes mentioned above, it was a beautiful, innocent story.  This young girl was out on the frozen landscape all by herself trying to survive the elements with no food, water, or human companionship.

The whole book had me guessing what would happen not only with Julie, but with her wolf family as well.  They took her in as one of their own, she named them all, and they became her family - it was hard not to wonder how it would all pan out.  There was heartbreak and triumph, and the ending - though surprising - left me feeling very satisfied, and very glad indeed that this one was on the school reading list.

Downton Abbey - Part II... This Sunday January 8, 2012 on PBS

Oh, how I've been waiting for this day!

Tomorrow night at 9:00p.m. on PBS marks the return of Downton Abbey!

If you love historical, period drama from the early 20th century that involves romance, scandal, betrayal, royal ties, class distinction, and everything in between, you have got to see this mini-series!

Part I took place in the early 1900's, and ended with the declaration of World War I in 1914.  Part II is supposed to pick up right where the first one left off.

It's been months since Part I ended, and I have been absolutely chomping at the bit waiting for the next installment!
Seven episodes set to air on January 8, 15, 22, 29th and February 5, 12, and 19th, with actresses Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern at the helm, Downton Season 2 promises to be worth waiting for.  I hope it doesn't disappoint.

When Was The Last Time YOU Cried? (Semi-Spoiler Alert... Where The Red Fern Grows)

I'm a crier.  I admit it.  I cry a lot!  I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad.  I cry over movies.  I cry at church.  I cry at weddings and funerals.  You get the idea.

But there is one thing I have never cried over.... until now.  I have never cried over a book.

This week I did.

My son was reading Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls for his sixth-grade class.  Even though he's twelve, he likes when I read aloud.  We like to alternate.... he'll read a chapter out loud, then I'll read a chapter out loud.

I'll admit: in the beginning of the book, I was thinking it was a tad outdated.  But by the second chapter, I was enjoying it much more than I thought I would.

Red Fern is a classic American tale about a boy who has a dream to own hounds and teach them to hunt coons.  It takes place in a bygone era, set in the Ozark Mountains.

The story is simple, clean, and moving.  And it made me bawl like a baby.  I'm not kidding.  By the last three chapters, the tears were streaming down my face.  I haven't been so moved by a book in a very long time!  And I have never, I repeat - NEVER cried over a book.

I will not say exactly what put me over the edge.  (I'm sure if you haven't read the book, you might be able to guess what happens in the end.)  But this has never happened to me before.  I've read all kinds of books, stories, articles... whatever.  Romances, chick-lit, literature... you name it.

Something about Red Fern just hit me the right way.  Maybe because I had a hound (Daisy) for 8 years, and just last year I had no choice but to put her down?  I guess I could relate to the way Billy felt about his hounds Old Dan & Little Ann?  The love, the loyalty when you look into those soulful big brown eyes?

Where The Red Fern Grows was a classic, innocent, coming-of-age story.  I loved it.  My son liked it (which is saying a lot because, like the rest of my household, he is not a big reader.  So when he admits he "liked" a book, I consider it a success!).
Don't be surprised if you too find yourself sniffling at the end.

How about you guys?  Have you ever cried over a book?  Which ones?

The Lost Boys vs. Twilight

Now, I'm going to say this right up front: this is a very bias post.

Last week, I watched The Lost Boys.  Classic, 1987 vampire movie starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, the two Coreys (if you are from this generation, this needs no explanation.  If you are not of the 80's, it is Corey Haim and Corey Feldman), and Jamie Gertz.

Sweet cast.  Great movie.

So, here's my question:  why is this one of my favorite movies of all time, when I'm not the least bit interested in the whole Twilight thing?  Is it because it is not my generation?  Is it because there is so much hype about the whole saga?  Is it because I'm getting old, and I just don't get it?

I told you this would be a bias post. 

I have not read the books.  I have not seen the movies.  The whole premise of vampires and werewolves just seems so.... silly to me!  But why did it fly in the 1987 version of "paranormal"?

Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric were definitely two hotties in my day.  Are Taylor Laughtner and Robert Pattinson our modern day "Lost Boys"?  (oh, how I hope I got those names right! That goes to show you how little I know about the series!)

I'm thinking it might be time to see what I've been missing with Twilight, etc.  If I see it on Netflix, I might take a look at it.  And if I like it enough, I'll try to read the books.  This is totally going against my grain because I'm a big fan of reading the book first, then checking out the movie.  But this time, I think I'll do it the opposite way.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject?  Do you love/hate the Twilight saga?  Why?  What makes it so great?  What turns you off about it?

I would love to hear from all the "Team Edward"s and "Team Jacob"s out there (see, I do know that much!)
What should I expect?  Total genius or total ridiculousness?



Help this 80's girl come into the 21st century!



Men of the Stacks

Well, I knew there was a good reason why I love the library!

Check out the Men of the Stacks! 2012 Calendar!  Can you say, "hubba, hubba!"??

I would love to see some of these cuties at my local branch!

Seriously, all the proceeds from the sale of this calendar go to the "It Gets Better" Project which helps raise awareness for the bullying of young people, especially gay and lesbian teens.  What a great cause. 

Kids especially need to know that it's okay to be proud of who they are, and not feel like they have to hide the truth for fear of being bullied and teased.

Pajama Friday

I know I've posted about it before.  But I'm so excited that it's finally time to indulge in "Pajama Friday"s again!

The summer time is no time for Pajama Friday!  Fridays in the summer mean sitting out back with a fire, some cold beers, and a table full of hamburgers and hotdogs.  But come the fall and winter, I like nothing more than to come home from work on a Friday afternoon and change right into my p.j.'s.  It's time for me to catch up on all the catalogs, magazines, and reading material that came in the mail all week.  It gets dark early, the week was long, and it's time to unwind.

Well, now that the cool weather has returned (yay!), Pajama Friday is soon to be back in full swing!  I love getting into my bed at 7:00 on a Friday night surrounded by reading material, and just lounging out.  Especially after a day like the one I had today.

I got really irritated by a situation I had going on in the office, and I really lost my cool.  Then a couple of co-workers said some things that really hurt my feelings, and I just wanted to crawl under a rock!  And of course, after that I felt like I just couldn't do anything right, and I wanted to crawl even further under that rock.  Ever have one of those days?

So, I thought it was the perfect time to reinstate the Pajama Friday I so dearly love.  I actually had some errands to run after work today, so I'm already a little behind schedule here.   But now I'm ready to get undressed, climb into my bed and call it a night. Tonight I have a new People magazine to read (slow week in the periodical department), but then I'll be continuing the book I started last week, The Confession by John Grisham (one of my all time favorite authors).

Here's hoping tomorrow will be a sunnier day. :)

Sunday Evening Dinner Chat

So, I'm back to blogging, and I'm really excited about it.  But as I was going through the list of blogs I follow, a lightbulb went off.

Seeing many of these blogs' latest posts reminded me of why it was so easy for me to let blogging fall by the wayside.  I mean, don't get me wrong... I have been ridiculously busy!  BUT, I think I was secretly harboring a deep resentment towards not only my own blog, but many of the blogs I follow.

As I was scrolling through, I realized that a lot of the blogs are the same-old, same-old.  I guess I'm tired of that.  The memes, the reviews of the same book by 120 blogs, the challenges, etc!  I've had it.

My blog is not supposed to be "work".  It's supposed to be "fun"!  And it was kind of turning into a chore.  Trying to "keep up with the Jones's" left me feeling irritated and cranky.  I already have a full-time job, thankyou.  When I come home from a long day, I have dinner to think about, kids with homework, meetings, schedules..... LIFE!

So from now on, I'm doing things MY way!  I don't have time to read 6 books a week, and then review them.  I'm lucky if I can read just one!  And you can bet your sweet bippy that if I do have the time to pick up a book, it's going to be something I like, something I've been wanting to read.  Not something I agreed to read and review because it will score me some more followers.  I need to be true to myself and get back to basics here.

I do like to participate in a meme here and there (i.e. Cat Thursday), but that's because it makes me happy. 

I don't mean to sound bitter and petty.  So I'm sorry if I'm coming off that way.  But seriously, the In My Mailbox just gets my goat.  Or maybe I'm just envious that I don't have the time to read 8 or 9 books that have been sent to me in a timely fashion.  And then the energy to write a quality review.  Maybe I've just spread myself too thin in the past, and it finally caught up to me.

I do know that from now on, my blog is not going to be work!  I want it to be fun and fresh... not a cookie-cutter of every blog you see in the "blogosphere" when you're surfing around to see what's what.

It just feels like a huge competition, and truthfully.... I've been through middle school.  I don't need the drama.

I just want to read books.  That I like.  At my own pace.

They might not be the newest release, or the current bestseller, or by the next up & coming author.

But they will be books that I enjoy.  So most of my reviews will most likely be positive ones.  After all, why would I read stuff that I'm not into?  Just to get a free advance copy and a leg up on other bloggers who are coveting the same book?

Not up in here.  Not up in here.