From Ashes to Africa

I had heard about this book a while ago from Amy’s blog and once it was availablt to order, I jumped at the chance.  This is a book about a young couple who after learning that they can’t have children, find themselves drawn to Africa to adopt a child.  Both Josh and Amy are incredibly honest in their story and I found myself smiling at parts and tearing up at others.  If you are intersted in reading a book that will open your eyes to the situation in Ethiopia and one Christian couple’s journey to Africa to bring their child home, please give this book a try — you won’t regret it.

Visit this website to learn more about the book.

Moving soon…

Before I talk about my moving to a new apartment, I thought I’d fill you all in on what I’ve been reading lately.  While I was home for Christmas I read the first 5 books of the Black Jewell Trilogy by Anne Bishop.  I had read so much about the series online that I wanted to try it out for myself.  It is defenitly a series that grabs your attention right from the start and doesn’t let go.  Though its also a series that I’m not waiting with bated breath for the next installment.  Parts of it are very dark and violent (sometimes a little too much for me) and I needed a break from that — but the characters are engaging and Janelle is simply amazing; watching her grow and change was interesting. I would give all of the books a B-. Mainly because for me they aren’t books that I’d re-read, but would certainly recommend them.

While I was home my sister turned 23.  For her birthday I bought her the first 2 books of the Twilight series (she’s read them but wanted to own them) and the I also bought her Wicked Lovely By Melissa Marr.  After racing through the Black Jewell books, I was in need of something else to read and borrowed Wicked Lovely.  Reading that book convinced me that I’m not reading enough young adult books. The world building was interesting and different.  Basically the book is about a teenager who grew up with the ability to see fairies.  The fairies that she can see aren’t pretty Disney fairies like Tinkerbell and the ability had always scared her.  This book introduces us to the world that Melissa Marr has created and allows us to see how an average teenager (well average in every way other then her ability to see fairies) takes ownership of her ability and comes to terms with what it means for her life. Grade: B+

After reading and enjoying Wicked Lovely, I had my mom bring home the next book in the series, Ink Exchange.  I also enjoyed this book, but had a few issues with it.  This is one of those series where there is a different main character each book and that annoys me.  Ink Exchange’s main character is a friend that was introduced in Wicked Lovely. Melissa Marr creates an interesting charchter that the reader feels for, but for me, there was something missing in this book.  I do plan on reading the next book in the series Fragile Eternity that comes out in April, but I’m not really sure if I’ll read anymore after that. If she can draw me in a againg like she did with the first book, then great — otherwise, I’ll move on.  Grade: C

Now, onto news of my move…I’ve moving to this little town called Laytonsville, Maryland. Few people have heard of it (I hadn’t heard of it before I found the apartment.:)  My commute to work will be the same distance, though from the other side of the red line (for those famliar with the DC metro system). I’m totally psyched about moving.  I’ll have access to a yard and 2 bedrooms instead of the one I have now.  Yesterday a couple of friends measured out the apartment and are going to help me figure out where to put my furniture.  Its a basement apartment, so in some places the ceilings are low — causing issues for my entertainment center.

This weekend was designated for packing and I’ve been working on packing books.  I currently have 10 boxes of books packed and I’m going to have one more. While packing I weeded out some books that I know I won’t read again and don’t really need to keep anymore. (2 garbage bags full!!!)  I plan on dropping them by the library, so they can be passed on to some other reader with the space on their bookshelves.

So, a week from this Thursday I’ll move into my new place. First though, I’m off to Denver for the ALA Midwinter conference.

Tears…What’s up with me lately?

I don’t know whats wrong with me today. Maybe it’s because I didn’t get home and to bed until after 12:30, but I’ve cried at least 4 times.  I’ve been working and taking breaks to read a blog here and there and man the tears just keep coming!  For instance the Wardrobe and the White Tree.  I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be preparing yourself to pick up a child in another country – to see the poverty there and want to help, knowing that you can only do so much.

One person posted today about meeting her son in Ethiopia and how he just cried and didn’t want her to hold him. I simply can’t imagine. That child had to leave everything that he’s ever known and doesn’t understand that its whats best for him, doesn’t get that his parents have been waiting and planning for him to come home — and then to consider what his birth parents must have gone through making the decision to give him up.  The entire thing is heartbreaking while at the same time its such a blessing to read about these people who are willing to do something that very few are. They are giving this child a chance at a healthy, happy life and that is such a gift.

Could I really do that one day? I suppose this is one of those things that only God knows.

P.S. Yes, I know that I’ve been a bad blogger lately. I do plan on writing a blog this weekend about the books I read over the holidays.  I finally got around to reading the Black Jewel trilogy by Ann Bishop and a couple of others.

Too cute to pass up…

I am basically writing this post to give me an excuse to show you all the totally cute picture.

I haven’t read much more of the Harlequin the past couple of days because I’ve been getting ready to head out of town and because I decided to watch some tv instead.

I did however start listening to Twilight.  I am still enjoying it, but I’m noticing much more that this is a young adult book. I find myself thinking things like, “what do you mean you’re not telling your dad you’re dating the crazyily dangerous vampire?!” and “seriously, being that obsessed, might not be healthy”. I’m pretty sure this new thinking is because I read to myself much faster then the tape reads to me, which provides much more time to analyze what is being said.  I suppose I am an adult after all.

Anyway, if I don’t get to post again before Christmas, Merry Christmas to all of you and Happy New Year!

Crazy busy time of the year!

I can’t believe that I leave to go home for Christmas in less then a week! Does anyone else feel like Christmas has just sprung up out of no where this year? I still have three presents to buy (though that might wait until I get to Florida) and I have to finish the cd case calendars that I’m making for some of my friends (they are basically small desktop calendars).

My sister, Cece was in town over the weekend. We had a really nice time and kept busy. Saturday morning we met for brunch and then headed into DC to the National Gallery of Art. They have a fantastic exhibit on Pompeii right now. I would recommend it to everyone within driving distance. That evening we had Ethiopian food for dinner. (a little fun fact, DC has the largest population of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia!) The food was definitely different. I didn’t not like it, but I don’t think that it would be my first choice either. Then on Sunday, we went to church and it was time for her to head back up to NYC. After dropping her off at the train station I headed over to Sharon’s house to bake a ton of cookies. I would have pictures, except that well — I was feeling too lazy after baking them to take a picture. So you all will have to trust that they came out alright.

I’m still rereading the Anita Blake series and am up to the Harlequin. I’m thinking that I’ll skip the next one and just head over to Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop. Its been in my TBR pile for a while now and after the talk around bloglandia lately on it, I’ve decided to rush it to the top of the pile.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their week so far and remember (as I’ve had to remind myself) that this time of the year isn’t meant to drive us crazy! Its actually supposed to remind us of something that took place 2000 years ago.

Baking

Ok, so i’m still not feeling great.  I did one productive thing today, I made a carrot cake from scratch.  This is a cake that I grew up eating. We’d have it for birthdays and Christmas.  I decided that I wanted to make one for this holiday party that i’m going to tomorrow night.  I used these new silicon cake pans (i think thats what they’re made of).  While the cake was cooking the house smelled like plastic; not too appealing.  I’m very hopeful that the cake will still taste good.

I’m off to rest, I’m determined to go to work in the morning.

Oh, yeah and I burned my fingers taking dinner out of the oven. I can be such an idiot!

sick….

Yep, I’ve caught the sickness that has been traveling around my office.  I left early today (that makes 4 people out b/c of this icky thing) and plan on sleeping.  However considering that I have not been making time for my blog, I thought I’d do a quick post.

The only new book I’ve bought lately was  Zen and the Art of Vampires.  I love me some Katie MacAlister — she cracks me up!  Haven’t started that yet because I’m in the process of rereading the Anita Blake series and am currently on Inncubus Dreams.  I’m still loving the series. I’ve even asked my mom to buy me a couple of the hard back books for Christmas.  I’ve gotten to the point that my paper backs are falling apart.  I suppose I could go to the library, but I want them here to be able to read them at my leisure.

Anyway, that’s what i s up with me.  I hope that everyone out there in bloglandia is enjoying this holiday season!

Oh yeah and I went to NYC for Thanksgiving to visit my sisters.  We had a great time.

Outlander Movie Update

I can’t express fully how much I adore author blogs and yesterday Diana Gabaldon gave me one more reason.  She did a whole post on what she knows so far about the movie.  Mollie, she agrees with you that Kiera isn’t quite the size that she would need to be to play Claire.  Apparently the book is just optioned, meaning that the production company can choose to make a movie during the given amount of time — but not all optioned books get made into movies.  Maybe this is a funding issue? I’m not sure and don’t really know enough about movies to guess.

Anyway, I figured I would direct all of you fellow Outlander fans over to her blog to hear from the author’s mouth or, read from the author’s key board – what is really happening with the potential of Outlander as a movie.

P.S. As I’ve thought about this some more, I think that this will be one of those times where I’ll have to go to the movie expecting to enjoy the movie — not to enjoy seeing a book I love turned into a movie.  That way I can still be drawn into a great story and not feel like I have to analyze everything.

Swallowing Darkness By: Laurell K. Hamilton

Ok, so we all know how I enjoy LKH and this book was no excetion.  I was going to work on a review tonight (the weekend just got away from me), but then while going through my Google Reader I came upon the review that SciFiGuy did of this book.  I pretty much agree with him 100% and have decided that I don’t need to write my own review — I’m just going to refer you over to his blog.  So, go on over and check out his review of the seventh book in the Merry Gentry series.

Honestly guys, I couldn’t have written it better.

Grade: B+

Random Friday Update

Because I wanted to share a bit…

• I finished reading Swallowing Darkness by LKH on Tuesday night while I was waiting for the election results to come in.  I loved it.  I felt like there was more oomph in this book then some of the others and am looking forward to the next one.  I’m going to attempt to write a review this weekend.
• LKH said again on her blog that this will not be the last Merry book.  A friend asked me the other day if this was the last one and so, I thought I would put that on here.  She is contracted to write more, though she does have an end in sight — its just not any time in the near future. (where as with Anita, there is no end in sight!!!) Oh and she’s on Twitter now! Super fun!
• This weekend is going to be busy: I have a church thing tonight and meeting my Care Group for dinner before that, a funeral tomorrow morning (If you pray, please pray for this family who has lost their 5 week old little girl) and then I’m supposed to help paint a friends apartment. Oh and Sunday I will be up bright and early to attend the first service b/c I’m volunteering during the second.  I get to play with the toddlers again, should be fun.
• Oh, and today is Friday!!!!! So, lets all rejoice that one more week has almost come to an end.