The Graceling Realm

There are three books in this series and I will rate them as a collection with 5 stars. First, I must say how impressed I am that "Graceling" was Kristin Cashore's first book published. Also, Kristin Cashore gets a shout-out from me because she spells our name the right way. :) Moving along ... I am a sucker for a book that is able to create a whole other world other than my own. I liked that despite it being in a time of seven kingdoms that the people living within them were more progressed than my real fellow Americans. Cashore manages to provide great depth to not just the main characters but also the sub characters. It wasn't drawn out for us either. We get to know them as people and conclude how we feel about them based on the experiences we watch them learn from. Each person was flawed and made mistakes which made them so relate-able.

In Graceling, Katsa is graced with killing. People can be graced with many things like cooking, swimming, being fearless. The graced are ostracized and become property of the king. Katsa doesn't enjoy being a weapon for her uncle the king. Katsa and Po face an unusual mystery regarding the kidnapping of Po's grandfather. They alone suspect a king known as a peaceful man across all seven kingdoms. Because of this, Po and Katsa face challenges on their journey across kingdoms from others who don't agree with their suspicions. I was surprised by several things in this book: the love story line, the results from the kidnap investigation, and the overall ending just to name a few. This is definitely worth reading.


In Fire, we go back in time before Graceling takes place. One important person from Graceling makes an appearance in this book. The presence of the person is very significant yet isn't overshadowing the main character Fire. The story Fire follows a "monster girl" named Fire. The sight of her draws desire from humans. I won't elaborate too much here because there is something to be said about surprise. :)






Finally, in Bitterblue, we follow the conclusion in what happened to the seven kingdoms ten years after the conclusion of Graceling. I discovered that I felt sympathy for characters I disliked. There were moments so terrible that my eyes welled with tears. Not everyone connects to books enough to cry, I am one who will. I never wanted to put this book down. Too much was happening that kept me on the edge of my seat. They worked so hard to uncover secrets within the kingdom that I had to keep reading to learn the secrets with them.

These books get 5 stars from me. Why? A book gets five stars when it captivates me. Another series that got 5 stars? Harry Potter. :)  I don't like to give out five's to just any book/series because that means serious business to a book worm like me. I intend to buy these books in print (I read them on my kindle from the local library). If I truly love a book, I buy it in print for my actual shelf at home. I hope to lend these books to friends (though not really because it makes me nervous) and I would like to see my kids read them when they're older.

Read the series! It's worth your time!

Three Years of Love and Chaos

Oh my son, how wild you are. Literally every time I try to get you dressed or put on your coat I have to chase you. Once you realize a wardrobe change is coming you run giggling to the next room. This is my fault. When you were 10 months old I chased you around the house. You've enjoyed running from me ever since. Every morning you want a cup of "milk, quease (please)". We watch PJ Masks in the morning which you call "batman". Why can't daddy cuddle with you and watch it? "Way-down Momma." Most days you would rather sit in time-out than eat food that is not pizza or cake. If I'm feeding you, your mouth remains closed. When daddy comes along you take a bite. You always deliver a good night kiss, noseies, bonk, and a pound-it (in that order) to daddy and then snub me. The funny thing about our night time snub is that you still expect me to cuddle with you. "Momma, way-down." You may have slept through-the-night one time in the last three years. You sleep alone but at some time of the night you will loudly enter our room and sleep on my pillow. We have a king size bed yet I'm always at the edge because we have to share my pillow. Yes, I have switched to a second pillow but you find your way right next to me on any pillow I'm using.

You are a strong willed child. You challenge me everyday, yet you are set in enough routines to be predicatble as well. Our blended family was united by you when you were born. I guess you don't take that responsibility lightly. Daddy is your favorite to play with, and you expect me to do all of the care-taker responsibilities. "No, momma do it!" You will run into your sister's room at any time the door is left open. Once you're in she struggles to get you back out. You expect to play video games with your brother every time he is home as soon as you see him. You try to pillow fight with him and run around the house but he's too strong and you boys aren't supposed to run in the house. It's too loud!

I whine and complain about the challenging personality you have and yet I am hoping it serves you well in adulthood. Don't ever lose your will to get what you want. Set goals high and achieve them. I love everything about you, including the stubborness you throw at all of us. When you're excited you squeeze your arms in, your nose crinkles, your eyes squint tight, and your smile is huge. It is the sweetest sight and you give it to us daily. It's easy to play with you and keep you happy. If it's an off-day, well then you have your ipad. ;)

I love you my sweet son. Happy third birthday!

"Stay behind the line." *Stands on the line*

"I get more cake."

Everything I Never Told You

Sometimes I find a good book long after it was published. The buzz around this book might be over since its 2014 debut but it was still worthy of my bookshelf. What I mean is, even though I borrowed it on my kindle, I feel the need to buy it and display it on my bookshelf at home. I don't like clutter. Sure I love the feel and smell of a real book as much as the next bookworm, but I don't like holding onto them if I'll never read them again. My bookshelf at home may be small, but it only holds books that I want to display proudly. My invisible kindle shelf would cover the span of my living room wall (or close to it). Eventually I hope my kids will read them when they become "mature readers."

This story follows the bumpy life of an interracial middle class family of five in Amercia. The caucasian mother and the asian american father battle their own insecurities throughout the book and project them onto their middle-child Lydia. For mom, Lydia has a vast amount of academic potential. For dad, she is part asian but passes for caucasian and therefore won't have to face the challenges that he did growing up. Both parents love all three of their kids; however, each is focused on Lydia which causes a lot of issues within the family. When Lydia turns up dead, the family is left wondering how a child who seemed so happy and popular could suddenly be gone forever. Her death is a shadow on the family and its up to them to find their way back from it.

Why did I enjoy such a sad story? I always try to veer away from books and movies that involve harm befalling a child. It was readable for me because her death is addressed in the book right away before we know her character. Then as the story unfolds we go back and forth in time, learning about each person in the story. When you're inside the minds of each character every situation they face seems so simple and understandable. I found myself wanting to tell characters "that's not what she meant" or "Lydia thinks this is her fault." A lot of the stress and struggle in the family stemmed from each person's perceptions and insecurities. It seemed that open conversation could have prevented a lot of their problems. Ultimately, this book was a good read even with tragedy involved.

Nerdy Thirty

Today, I am thirty years old. In my early twenties I joked that I felt thirty because of the toll my kids took on my life. Turning thirty I can appreciate how young it actually feels. It's not how I expected it to feel. I am grateful for another year of life. Not everyone is given the chance to live to the young age of thirty. I appreciate my birthdays for what they are, a celebration of another year lived on earth.

I decided to make a list of 30 things I've experienced over 30 years.

1. I've lived in two states
2. I've traveled out of the country
3. I have witnessed the birth of a loved one
4. I have felt the loss of friends and family members
5. I married a wonderful man
6. I have given birth to two beautiful children
7. I have miscarried one child
8. I swam with dolphins and stingrays in Florida
9. I've visited Disneyland and Disneyworld
10. I swam with a sea lion and seal on my honeymoon
11. In the last three years alone, I've read at least 346 books without counting textbooks from college. (Thanks Goodreads)
12. I am a few months away from finishing my Bachelors Degree
13. I started my own business. Go have a look!
14. I raised over $1,000 in my first year volunteering with Relay for Life
15. I won a free trip to Disneyland on a radio station but didn't know that until it was too late. (I'm still pained by that)
16. I won a radio contest for submitting an original quote: "Our words are like fingerprints, so choose them wisely. You'll never know the lasting impression they leave behind."
17. I learned to swim in college
18. I've had a biopsy before. No cancer here!
19. I have been in four non-serious car accidents.
20. I designed the cover of a yearbook in high school. I thought I was super cool for that.
21. I was captain of the Varsity cheer squad my senior year. Thought I was cool for that also. LOL
22. I joined a gym for my first time at 29 years old.
23. I saw Paramore in concert this year. The best concert I've ever attended.
24. I have been a Maid of Honor, Matron of Honor, and Bridesmaid. One time each. :)
25. I attended bookstore parties and bought the last two Harry Potter books at midnight of their release.
26. I cried when Dobby died. (duh.) Both in the book and the movie.
27. I cried at least 12 times when I read "The Fault in Our Stars"
28. I have met one of my favorite authors at Powell's bookstore.
29. I attended a meet and greet of Twilight actors, but hated the movie.
30. The moment I knew that my husband was truly my soulmate was when he said, "Halle is just as much mine as she is yours." I cherish those words. You can't understand how important that is to hear unless your partner is a step-parent to your child. I bet he doesn't even remember. :)

Wildflower

I had the pleasure of attending Drew Barrymore's book signing for her newly released "Wildflower". She has a fun personality and was a joy to listen to. I was moved by her personal stories that she shared with our group and I hadn't yet read them in full detail. I am very glad she came to our bookstore.

Her life story fascinates me. It is unthinkable to me that a child can become a partier and use drugs and alcohol. Even more fascinating is her ability to turn all of it around by herself. She emancipated herself at 14 and became an adult without parental guidance. She didn't just survive, she eventually thrived and is now telling her stories in the book Wildflower. Each chapter is a story that she finds significant to her life's path. Each story tells a lesson she learned or shows the impact of people in her life, such as Steven Spielberg. The chapters are not in chronological order. At her signing she explained that the book is a long love letter to her children. She understands they will hear about her untraditional childhood and mistakes. This is her way of sharing what she has learned.

I can appreciate that from her journey she learned what kind of a person and mother she needs to be. It seems that she doesn't take her position in life forgranted. As she said, she had the perfect example of what not to do as a mom. Some people don't realize that like she did, and the cycle continues. Applause to Drew for growing up without parents but instead relying on good friends and mentors. She is fortunate to have risen above her early mistakes.

This is an easy read. You can pick it up at any passing moment. If you're interested in how a child grew up to fast and yet became a responsible adult, I recommend the book. I also recommend watching "Ever After". I think it was her best movie.

I Almost Killed the Tooth Fairy

Call me lazy, but last night when my nine year old lost her tooth I almost said, "it's me! I'm the tooth fairy!" Why would I ruin the sweet belief my child has in a fairy? I was tired from the previous night of little sleep thanks to her two year old brother. When she walked out of the bathroom holding the tooth that she pulled out herself, I smiled outside while inside I said, "damnit, I have to stay awake late tonight." I am impressed that she still believes in the tooth fairy. I don't want to ruin the magic for her, but I was tempted. Lucky for her, I randomly woke up in the middle of the night and therefore placed two dollars under her pillow for the bloody tooth. Had I not woken up by chance, I would have accidentally missed the chance to make the exchange and we would have had a serious talk the next morning before school.

This morning she came out of her room holding a single dollar. I asked her if she was sure there was only one. She replied that she was sure. So I went into her room and found the other bill hiding behind her mattress. I'll be damned if the tooth fairy looks cheap. Suprisingly enough, this didn't arouse suspicion and the fairy lives on. If my eight year old stepson loses a tooth at our house I'll be considering the death of the tooth fairy once again.