The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

SUMMARY: The MacBrides lead a cozy life of upper class privilege: good looks (more or less), a beautiful home, tuition-free education at the prestigious private school where Rowan is headmaster, an altruistic righteousness inherited from magistrate Lydia.
But when Rowan and his three grown children gather for the first time since Lydia’s passing at the family’s weekend home—a restored barn in the English countryside—years of secrets surface, and they discover a stranger in their midst. A stranger who is convinced that Lydia was a murderer. A stranger who has been exacting vengeance upon the family for years without their ever knowing. And one who will threaten the youngest MacBride, baby Edie, and the clan’s memory of Lydia, shattering their world forever

This book was recommended to me because I enjoyed reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I managed to get a copy from the library. This book had parts and characters that were equally interesting and disturbing. It kept you on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what happened next. A very good book.

Open Heart by Elie Wiesel

SUMMARY: Eighty-two years old, facing emergency heart surgery and his own mortality, Elie Wiesel reflects back on his life. Emotions, images, faces and questions flash through his mind. His family before and during the unspeakable Event. The gifts of marriage and children and grandchildren that followed. In his writing, in his teaching, in his public life, has he done enough for memory and the survivors? His ongoing questioning of God—where has it led? Is there hope for mankind? The world’s tireless ambassador of tolerance and justice has given us this luminous account of hope and despair, an exploration of the love, regrets and abiding faith of a remarkable man.

This was a quick read. I picked it up at the library because I had read one of his other books, Night. This book wasn't near as good, but still an interesting read. A book you could read in a day, and feel good at the end.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Summary: Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.
Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane’s child’s-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.

I couldn't really remember learning or knowing anything about the Islamic Revolution. I could not imagine living in a place where everything you do is dictated and monitored. This book made me sad, mainly for the people around the world who do not have the same rights and freedom that we do. 

Twilight Part 1 : The Graphic Novel

This was a guilty pleasure I picked up a while back. Twilight the Graphic Novel. It was on super sale so I bought volume 1 & 2. It was pretty neat to see this book being told in a different medium. 

I met Dan Aykroyd!!

Dan Aykroyd is in Mississippi filming a movie about James Brown, called Get On Up. (The movie is actually being directed by my bosses son.) I heard Dan Aykroyd was going to be at a local store signing his vodka, and talked a co-worker, Morgan and Teresa into going.... It was a 2 1/2 hour wait but we finally got to meet him! It was a pretty fun experience!

People really went all out...

Entrance to the store.

Signed Crystal Head Vodka

Got my picture taken!!!!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Summary: Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun. When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, it was hard to put down. It was mostly a great book, just very sad. There was one part that made me want to throw the book across the room. But overall it was a good read!

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

Summary: Hyperbole and a Half is a combination of web comic and blog written by Allie Brosh. The comic is drawn in Paintbrush and is intentionally artistically crude. It is a retelling of her life, and includes stories from her childhood as well as the challenges she faces as an adult. Brosh has also expanded the comic into a series of web videos in a similar style, which have been popular.

I had read her blog a few times, but getting to read it in a book form was even better. She included several stories from her blog, and there were lots of new stories just for the book! This book was very funny. And had me loling a lot!

Happy Birthday Elvis!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

SUMMARY: If I Stay is a young adult novel and thriller by Gayle Forman. The story follows 17-year-old Mia as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family. In a coma, Mia has an out-of-body experience and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. Mia watches as her memories flash before her eyes as she comes to realize that she must decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die.

I had heard about this book for a while and finally got it on my Kindle for $2.99! This was a really quick read but but such a good book! The  book was well written and kept your attention. And flowed in a way were it was hard to put down! There is a sequel that I can't wait yo get my hands on.  

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories : Volume 1

SUMMARY: The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories packs a lot of talent into one quirky little gem of a book. The result of a collaboration between artists and writers from around the globe and edited by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, these illustrated stories--each merely a few lines long--run the gamut of funny, clever, poignant, and delightfully odd.

I got this little book off Amazon, along with volume 2 & 3. It was a cute little book that I was able to read through in one sitting. It made me wish that I was more creative and could draw.

This is a old video, but it tell you a little more about the book!

Hello 2014!

2014 Resolutions!!

1) Read a book a week.

2) Buy a book a month from the local book store. And shop local!
3) Gym at lease 3 times a week.

Last year I had resolved to read a book a week and shop local. I didn't make it with the book a week, I only got to 40 books this year. But I did buy a book a month at a local store. It felt good to shop local!