March Reading Receipt

Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy for Quick Lit today!

I "only" read two books this month.  The use of the quotation marks is because one of them was Justin Cronin's The Passage.  This was a monster of a book.  When I read a novel like this one, I am always amazed by how some writers can create a complete world of their own.  This book was tense and complex but so easy to read at the same time.  Paradox?  Yes, those are the best kinds of books.  If someone had told me that this book was about vampires (and I hesitate to write that because I don't want to turn you off), I probably would have thought, "More than 700 pages about vampires?  No, thanks."  But it's not about vampires.  It's so much more.  Just give it 25 pages and you'll see what I mean.

This was a month of extremes because the other book I read was The Grownup by Gillian Flynn.  I read this in under half an hour.  Some people might argue that this is more of a short story, but I'm counting it because it was actually in the physical form of a book, all by itself.  I think Flynn easily could have developed this story into a full blown novel, but I'm glad she didn't.  I've read books where it feels like the author is milking an idea that should be a short story into a novel.  I find this annoying.  This book was short and completely satisfying.  I really applaud Flynn for being the master of the unlikable, but somehow likable, protagonist. 

I thought this picture says it all.  Good things come in all sizes.

Kim

What's Up, Wednesday?

Hi, have we met?  I'm Kim and I used to post every Wednesday to answer the question, "What's Up?"

Ha ha.

Even though it's late and I slept like crap last night, I still feel the urge to post this.  Let's get to it.

Our girl turned 13.  I do feel like I'm old enough to have a teenager, I just don't necessarily think it should be this little girl.  Ah, well.

We made a trip down to wine country because my brother had a big birthday this year as well.  It was a very last minute decision.  Here's the thing about last minute decisions.  I usually have to feel pretty strongly about them to make them happen.  Well, I did.  And I'm glad I did.

Let's hear it for the arts.  The girl and I went to the ballet last weekend.  Cinderella, and it was perfect.  I hope our local fine arts center will have more offerings like this.

And spring.  Okay, it's not really spring.  And I feel this probably won't last.  But we've had two beautiful days this week and it's been enough to trick our early bulbs to flower.  I'll take it.

And this book.  Whoa.  I mean, really just - whoa.  When my husband picked it up for me from the library, he handed it over with a warning about the due date being the earliest one of the bunch.  Being that is 700 plus pages, I thought I'd give it the 50 page test and if it didn't grab me, back it would go.  But it did grab me.  Firmly.  By the lapels.  It didn't take 50 pages either.  It was more like 5.  I guess it's a good thing Spring Break is next week.

Kim