Book Review: The Hunger Games Series

I just finished reading the 3-book series of the Hunger Games. Knowing the book series is geared toward teens, I originally only purchased the first book for my Nook not knowing if I'd like it.

I finished the first book in two nights and quickly purchased the other two and had all three read in less than a week.

I enjoyed the series and it was a quick read that kept you interested, I'm a little surprised that the books are geared toward teens though. Some of the content if you really sit and think about it is a little disturbing. I think the ending in book 3 was a tad bit rushed but all-in-all a good purchase and I recommend reading them!

Looking forward to the first movie, coming out on March 23rd! I assume there will be 3 movies to mimic the book series.

On to other news, I'm going to make an honest attempt to start blogging at least one a week. Progress on the house has been slow, but I'm meeting with a contractor this week to talk about the remodel! Super excited for that and once it gets going I think it'll kick me in high gear about getting a few more things accomplished. The living room as been on total hold waiting for the remodel which is driving me nuts. I did purchase some furniture and a wall hanging for in there.

The master & guest bathrooms are the almost complete. Still need to get the crown molding hung, the hardwood floors sanded and re-stained, floor molding installed and get pictures/wall decorations purchased and hung. As for the rest of the house, well..... In my own defense, I haven't been twiddling my thumbs since my last post (when ever that was). My photography business has picked up, YAY!! This is both good news and bad - I still work my full-time job so my spare time/house time has been drastically cut or you could say non-existent which is also what I'm going to blame my lack of blog posts on too :)

I've pretty much stopped decorating weddings - takes up too much time. I have 3 scheduled for this year which are pretty much just for family. I'll photograph weddings but don't think I'll be decorating any more if I can avoid it.

This past weekend I did a fund raiser for our local Relay for Life. I shoot 20 minute mini photo sessions with the proceeds of the session cost going to the American Cancer Society. The Relay for Life team set up all the appointments. We had 50 sessions! I was pooped Sunday night when we finally finished. I'm not use to standing on concrete for 10 hours a day. I enjoyed the weekend and look forward to getting the edits done.

Book Review: The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

As with all most of his novels I give it TWO thumbs up - highly recommend you read it!

I started this book a few weeks ago but didn't actually 'read' it until the last couple of nights. In fact I read two other books after having started this one. I LOVE Greg Iles books which have always sucked me in within in the first couple of pages. The problem I had was that this book didn't do that, in fact it took about 50 pages for me to get hooked - but once I was I couldn't stop reading. I finished it around 3 this morning.

The first book of his that I read was Blood Memory (which isn't for young readers) and it's probably still my favorite. It was on an end cap at Barnes & Noble one day when I was wondering around looking for something to read and the cover caught my eye. I'd never heard of him but figured what the heck and bought it. Once I finished it I purchased everyone of his books that I could find. I read Mortal Fear, The Quiet Game, 24 Hours, Dead Sleep, Sleep No More, The Footprints of God, Turning Angel, True Evil & Third Degree immediately after reading Blood Memory. After reading that many books by one author back to back, it was hard to pick up another author for about a month.

Once I got past the first 50 pages The Devil's Punchbowl - I loved, loved, loved the book and read it in two nights. I truly enjoy reading about the life of Penn Cage in Natchez, Mississippi. If you haven't heard of or read any of Greg Iles books I highly recommend them. All are available at Barnes & Noble!

I'd enjoy visiting Natchez in real life one day to see what of 'Penn Cage's city' is actually a reality. Some of the aspects of the city that Iles describes are so detailed and he repeats these aspects in multiple novels so I assume that they're actual buildings and places in & around the city. I hope that it's not the same as when you see a movie of a book that you love and then can't believe how it just doesn't fit your mental picture of what you read. Which speaking of movies I'm surprised that none of his have been brought to motion picture. Of course if a motion picture follows his book they'll definitely be rated R, as I stated above his novels aren't for young readers. Certain aspects of the crimes committed are described in detail, lots of detail.

I wasn't disappointed or upset with the end of the book but at the same point in time I wasn't happy with it. Any book that he releases I'll read, he doesn't need to 'tease' me at the end of a book to get me to read the next which is exactly what happened at the end of this one. I guess I should walk away happy that Penn Cage will be returning for at least one more novel! But I don't like the thought of waiting a year to find out what happens.........

Book Review: Sookie Stackhouse Series

I've finished reading books 1-8 of the Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris. The first book was a little slow getting going as is with many books when the writer introduces the characters and the history that pertains to the upcoming plot. I must admit, upon reading the first book I was disappointed and almost didn't continue the series but since I bought the books in a set I figured I had them already and could muster enough strength to read at least one more.

I'm not disappointed in the decision to keep reading the series, things started picking up when half the book wasn't about the who and what aspect but rather the story in general. After the third book I was able to somewhat predict the general plot in the remaining books though. There were of course things that happened while reading the books that I wasn't expecting but the general flow of the book was predictable, more so in #7 and #8. So I was able to read them quickly.

I'll buy and read the 9th book, Dead and Gone, when it becomes available in softback. My interest isn't peaked enough to pay the cost of a hardcover book - I buy a lot of hard cover books if that tells you anything. Had I not read the Twilight Saga I probably would have found this series more interesting, but in comparison this series just doesn't stack up. Twilight was the first vampire series of books I'd read, I was surprised at the similarities in vampire traits between the two sets of novels.

In all I'd give this series 3.8 stars out of 5, it just wasn't 'enough' to warrant more stars. But on the up side it was a quick, easy read that was entertaining enough to get me to read 8 books in a short period of time. I would recommend reading the books, I just don't think it'll knock your socks off (you won't be calling me saying they're the best books you've ever read).

Book Review - Twilight

Sorry I haven't been on here in FOREVER. I've been without internet at home and have been waaaaay too busy at work to "play". We should be getting our new internet satellite hooked up this week!! As soon as I have internet service at home again I promise to get back to regular posts. I've been catching some heat from the Aunts for my lack of posts. This will just have to hold you over for a short period of time until I'm hooked up and running again.

I was off during Christmas and New Years, with all of the deaths that happened in our family over the past year I'd describe this Christmas as "reserved". My mother woke up Christmas morning sick so we had to cancel the Galloway Christmas and there was just something missing from the Shurtz's on Christmas Eve.

I ended up with a bad sinus infection the day after Christmas that didn't clear up until after New Years. The sinus infection caused some major issues with vertigo that landed me in bed literally for a week. Everytime I tried to even sit up I was dizzy!

The only good thing to come from that was that I had 7 days of laying in bed READING!! It was the only thing I could do other than watch TV. I had put off reading the four book Twilight saga because of the fact that it was advertised as a tween series and I thought I'd find it well, boring. In the 7 days of laying around I read the entire 4-book saga TWICE. I absolutely loved it. I'm letting others read my books right now but plan to read it again when I get them back....loved it!! I really,really hope that Stephanie Meyer continues that series - at least one more book. It was written in a way that I feel like the characters are real and I want to know what happens next, I'm not satisfied with where the story ends. I'm a junkie, I want more..... I haven't seen the movie and probably won't until it's released on DVD. The only cast member that somewhat fit my mental picture is Bella so I'm not holding much hope for loving the movie. I'll admit I typically enjoy the book much more than I like the movie rendition. In fact I can't name a single movie which I'd read the book first that I like the movie any where near as much as the book.

On a personal note, not much else has really gone on since I posted last. I've taken quite a few more pictures which I promise to get up on the other blog sometime next week. Last weekend was a bridal show in Murphysboro. I decorated the booth for Joyce's Bridal (Aunt Eileen) and will be doing that again this weekend in Marion for them. The booth in Marion should look pretty darn good, I'll be sure to get pics up of it. Arielle will be modeling at that one too.

I've got 5 weddings booked to decorate and 2 to photography already this year along with decorating a graduation party in May and most of the seniors I took pics of in the fall want spring pictures. So needless to say I should be keeping pretty busy....big shock to you all I know. Just booked my reservation in Destin, Florida for my cousins wedding the last weekend in June......now time to DIET, can't hang out on a beach in Florida without wearing a bathing suit and this body the way it looks right now isn't getting anywhere near a bathing suit.

Well, I think that's enough of an update at the present time. I'll be in touch again soon....promise! Oh yah, didn't get Christmas cards done this year - sorry.