Book Review: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love books that manage to combine all my favorite things...mystery, the supernatural, suspense, history, and romance. Although this book is really long, it moves quickly and keeps you guessing.

The premise is a hunt for the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler. The mystery takes the characters (and readers) across the globe- America, Turkey, Bulgaria- all over Eastern Europe, really. As the historian follows clues taken from actual historical fact, danger follows him and those who assist him on his mission.

Kostova uses private correspondence liberally throughout to provide emotion and as a way to reveal secrets. A similar strategy was used in The Swan Thieves, another novel by the same author. This is very effective in breaking up the narrative and letting the reader see different sides to the characters.

Overall, a suspenseful story steeped in history. Highly recommended.

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Menu Plan Monday: 1/30/12

Monday- Breakfast bowls; biscuits

Tuesday- Slow Cooker Pork Chops; corn

Wednesday- Beef nachos

Thursday- Chicken pot pie; dumplings

Friday- Pizza night

Saturday- Monte Critso sandwiches; asparagus

Sunday- Spaghetti ham bake; salad

Find more ideas or link up at www.orgjunkie.com

Project 365: Week 4

Hope you all had a good week!

Pretty much our usual routine around here.

Errands, work, school...

Sunday- Reading time before bed

Monday- Justin cooking pancakes and bacon for dinner

Tuesday- chores!

Wednesday- watched my niece for a couple of hours

Thursday- stuck at a railroad crossing- I think some of the grafitti is kinda cool

Friday- picked up some books I had reserved at the library- this statue sits out front

Saturday- went to a birthday party for Vivian's school friend



Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Compelling, sad, poignant... Hannah Baker committed suicide and left a note of sorts, in the form of cassette tapes. With insight and understanding beyond her teenage years, Hannah recounts the people, experiences and interactions that led to her death. Each person she holds responsible will receive the tapes and hear their impact on Hannah's life. A map accompanies the tape, allowing the listeners (and readers) a tour of Hannah's last few months and the places that were significant to her.

I'm not quite so old that I don't remember my teenage years and the strong emotions that characterized them. Love, jealousy, fear... REAL feelings. Asher honors the strength and effect of such emotions in this book.

Besides serving as a warning about teenage suicide, this book reminds us to treat each other well. It's biggest lesson is that you never know what breif encounter might mean to another person, or the lasting imprint you will leave in another's life.

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Thankful Thursday: 1/26/12

Mainly, I'm just thankful that it is Thursday.

One more day until Friday.

The weekend is almost here.

Ever feel like that?

Nothing terrible going on.

Work has been ok.

The kids have been sweet and getting along all week.

Hubs has done more than his fair share around the house.

I just have a cold and have been tired and run down since Sunday.

Ready for it to be over.

Ready for the weekend, and the additional rest it will bring.

Thankful it's Thursday.

Book Review: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have no idea what made my pick this book off the library shelf...I read it when I was in high school. I guess I wanted to see if I still thought it was as racy as I did then. I don't.

The story itself is still gripping- circumstances force four children to become locked in a bedroom, at the mercy of their unloving grandmother. The moments of happiness they eke out are sweet, and the tragedies become even sadder as their mother withdraws farther into her new life.

I remember this book being thoroughly shocking when I was teenager, filled with sex and ongoing incest. From an adult and parental perspective, the abuse and neglect seem more shocking to me now. The "constant" sex is, in reality, one brief scene that is not described in detail.

The entire story is presented as being written by one the children as an adult- a memoir of sorts. So before the horrors even begin, the reader knows at least someone survived to tell the tale. I'll be picking up the next book in the series- Petals on the Wind- to see how they fare after an unbelievable childhood.

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Menu Plan Monday: 1/23/12

Monday- Pancakes and bacon

Tuesday- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetables; dinner rolls

Wednesday- Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Thursday- leftovers

Friday- Pizza night

Saturday- Dinner at my grandma's

Sunday- Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta; salad (Found this on Pinterest- can't wait to try this with some of the modifications suggested by blog readers on this site)

Link up and/or check out more yummy ideas at

http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday