tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68030622072463833142024-02-01T23:17:30.232-08:00Alli's Cannonball ReadAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-64195415033692346992014-12-19T12:11:00.000-08:002014-12-19T12:11:01.073-08:00I have movedI am still writing book reviews (and various other things at times) over at:<br />
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<a href="http://allichamp.wordpress.com/">allichamp.wordpress.com</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-33643231336041456022012-12-27T14:40:00.001-08:002012-12-27T14:40:47.583-08:00Book 52 (52!!!) Gone Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I have finally done it, on my third try I finally managed to read 52 books in a year. I am glad that I chose Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl" to finish off with, it was a great read, one that I couldn't wait to get back to reading and one that I was sad that it had to end as well. I have already bought a couple more of Flynn's books for my kindle app and I am looking forward to reading them for <a href="http://cannonballread5.wordpress.com/">CBRV</a> next year. </div>
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Ok, so I just had to read this book after reading all the buzz about it on the <a href="http://cannonballread4.wordpress.com/?s=gone+girl">CBR4 blog</a>. Everyone promised me an engaging page turner with plot twists, intrigue and some fear mixed into the batter as well. I was not disappointed. It is definitely the type of book that you want to go in unspoiled as there are some twists and turns and it is way more fun if you go in blind. </div>
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I will give you a few details however. On the surface it is about a woman (Amy) who goes missing on her 5th wedding anniversary. Her husband Nick is shocked and upset about this turn of events, but doesn't always show emotions the way that most people seem to do so he is quickly seen as a suspect in her disappearance. </div>
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As the book goes on, we get to know Nick and Amy as a couple. The book alternates between his point of view and hers (told mostly through diary entries). This allows us to get to know both characters and it is an interesting portrait of a relationship as well. Nick and Amy have moved from New York to Nick's home town of Missouri in order to look after Nick's ailing mother, although they have both lost their jobs due to the decline of jobs in the magazine industry. Much of the town is also in decline, Flynn tells us of a place where all jobs have been taken away for various reasons. Although it rings true, her prose made me see a place almost like a ghost town where little hope for the future exists. There is a section that takes us to the abandoned mall, where many of the town's homeless live. I find abandoned malls <a href="http://www.deadmalls.com/">eerily fascinating</a> so I was pleased to read about one here.</div>
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As I said, there are a few juicy twists and turns and Flynn's writing really sucked me in and I really enjoyed the ride. I am glad that I jumped on the bandwagon for this one and I am looking forward to reading more of Flynn's books next year. </div>
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YAY ALL DONE!!!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-53400703274863172342012-12-21T11:45:00.002-08:002012-12-21T11:45:43.720-08:00Book 51 - Life's Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bought this book a really long time ago during one of my impulse buying days at the book store. I have recently just moved and so I decided to give it a read to help me along with setting my new place up for success with as little effort as possible. Overall I really enjoyed reading it, and there are tons of tips that I will use to help keep my new place clean, organized and looking nice. </div>
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"Life's Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets" is written by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Quinn">Lisa Quinn</a> who apparently is some kind of domestic diva type of TV host, but felt that she was trying too hard and also living a lie to a certain extent because she was having trouble living up to her own (and what she felt were society's) expectations. I personally could give a shit about society, but I want to improve my home for my own enjoyment. </div>
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Sometimes just reading a book like this, even if the tips were all useless, keeps you in the right frame of mind so that you can get more focused on your goals. This book however did have many useful tips like spot cleaning your floors so that they look nice more often without having to drag out a mop and bucket all the time. I went out and bought some disinfectant wipes to use for this purpose, and even have made my son help out by wiping the outside of the fridge so all the fingerprints are gone. It is amazing what even a few minutes of work can do to make a home look cleaner.</div>
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Along with cleaning, there are tips on decorating, party planning, getting rid of clutter (much needed on my end!) and many more things that I can't remember right now but I am sure I will refer back to this book in the future. I am glad that I bought this one as it will be a useful book to have around the house in the years to come. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-43322342529183332872012-12-03T12:58:00.000-08:002012-12-03T12:58:31.740-08:00Book 50 - Slam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Book 50, wow that feels great, I am already into book 51 and then one more after that and I will finally reach my goal, pretty sweet. Ok on to the actual review then. </div>
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"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_(novel)">Slam</a>" by Nick Hornby is another book that I picked up during my impromptu Chapters shopping spree. I was trying to think of another book that I would like to purchase and often what I will do is choose an author that I have <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/02/book-11-how-to-be-good.html">enjoyed</a> <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/07/allis-cbr-iii-review-22-about-boy.html">in</a> <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/06/allis-cbr-iii-review-18-juliet-naked.html">the</a> <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/07/allis-cbr-iii-review-23-high-fidelity.html">past</a> and just blindly pick another of that authors books and see what happens. So when I started reading this book I didn't really know what it would be about, although I did guess a bit of it based on the cover (judging a book by it's cover, how improper of me). </div>
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I must say that this was not my favorite Hornby book but I still enjoyed it well enough overall. It is narrated to us through 15 year old Sam (turns 16 midway through if you are sticky on details). Initially Sam's main drive in life is skating (and don't you dare ask him if that is on ice as it will make him very upset). He also is obsessed with Tony Hawk and even talks to a poster on his wall and thinks that the poster talks back to him (although all that the poster says comes out of a bio that Sam has read over and over again). </div>
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This is mainly a story about teen pregnancy. Sam was born to teen aged parents and ends up falling into the same trap himself. He meets Alicia and is initially smitten with her and the two enter into a sexual relationship quite quickly. He loses interest fairly quickly, the two just don't really have much in common. After the break up, Sam finds out that Alicia is pregnant and wants to keep the baby. From there the story takes an unconventional approach to things, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone (but if you are curious you can read the wiki article, but it doesn't really explain it right). </div>
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One issue I did have is that this book makes it seem that there are only two options for a pregnancy, abortion and keeping the baby. The wiki article also says that 800 copies of this book were passed freely throughout Southampton in the UK with this note: "take me, read me, discuss me and then pass me on and then wait till it comes." So if this book is being used to educate youth then it should discuss all options. </div>
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But all in all I did enjoy this read, and I will keep on reading more Hornby books when I get the chance.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-26971966334305463022012-11-29T10:31:00.001-08:002012-11-29T10:37:28.258-08:00Book 49 - Ordeal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know why I thought this would be a good book to read. Temporary insanity I guess? I generally like to read stories of survival, of triumph over adversity so maybe that was why. Maybe because it is being made into a movie, I usually like to read books before the movie comes out, but having read this there is no way I am going to see the movie. </div>
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For anyone not aware, Linda Lovelace was the star of the famous 70s porn movie "Deep Throat". This book tells the story of how she met a man, Chuck Traynor who eventually forced her to become a hooker at gunpoint then held her captive for several years and made her do so many awful things including being in adult films. </div>
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I do really feel for Linda, I am sure her life must have been awful with Chuck and I am sure it must have stayed difficult as everywhere she went she was recognized from her work. Reading about some of the things that she was forced to do made me quite upset. Having said that, I do not agree with some of her personal views, mainly that anyone who doesn't like straight up vanilla sex is a bad person. But I do understand that what she had been through would have made her judge anyone that she would associate with the many, many people who abused her and used her.</div>
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I think from now on I will be much more careful with the kinds of books I choose, I just don't need to know some things. I long ago stopped watching horror movies and movies full of violence because it is just not the kind of things that I want in my head. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-39345353600427935322012-11-29T10:18:00.003-08:002012-11-29T10:20:26.700-08:00Book 48 - Thrive Fitness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Thrive Fitness" is another book that I have been reading here and there in between other books but I finally finished it the other day. It is an excellent companion book to "<a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/04/book-18-thrive-diet.html">The Thrive Diet</a>" and although it shares a lot of similar information it doesn't seem like a retread but a fresh take on his philosophies and experiences. If I could only follow his advice then I would be able to achieve some of my goals, but I am taking things one day at a time. Once I get settled into my new role at my company and finish moving then I will be able to devote more time to my health and fitness goals. </div>
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Although it is a fitness book, there is a lot of talk about nutrition and stress reduction. I think this is all incredibly valuable for anyone trying to become more healthy and fit because it is all connected. I was unhappy in my job so I took steps to reduce stress in my life by requesting a change in departments, it has resulted in short term stress for various reasons, but it will result in long term happiness for me as the new role is a much more positive one and more suited to my personality. Now when I go home I am able to leave work at work and focus on my personal life and goals. Right now those goals are finishing my 52 books, moving my belongings and setting up my new place, and maintaining my weight as best I can. Once things settle down, I will be able to implement more of the practices in this book (with my own personal spin on some as I think that everyone needs to tailor things to their own lives and nothing should be too rigid).</div>
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Thrive Diet and Thrive Fitness recommend a completely vegan diet, and from having tried several recipes from both books, I am sure this is an excellent way to live. I have been a vegetarian for over two years, but I do enjoy cheese from time to time and I am not sure that I am wanting to ever give that up, but I think that I will tone it down. One thing that I will take away from this book is to eat more fresh foods and less processed ones. There are also lots of excellent exercises contained in this book that will help me tone up, I usually go to the gym for cardio but I slack off on the toning exercises so it will be good for me to work on those. There are also training logs to help track your progress. I took that basic idea and made myself a blog to track my workouts. I haven't been on there due to the above mentioned detours in my life but I will be using it again in the future.</div>
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All in all it is an excellent book and resource for anyone looking to get fitter or stay that way. There are many types of information inside that would be valuable to most anyone, and I recommend it highly. Just look at this guy's abs and tell me you don't think he knows his stuff ;)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-91101638566189992962012-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:002012-11-29T10:00:05.263-08:00Book 47 - When You Reach Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I purchased this book off Amazon to read on my Kindle app and I have been reading it here and there when I had nothing better to do and I finally finished it on Sunday night when I was waiting for the Paul McCartney show to start (incredible show btw). I think I had this book mixed up with another with a similar title when I bought it but I can't recall which book that I thought it was anyways.</div>
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I didn't realize when I bought it (since I bought the wrong book ) but "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_You_Reach_Me">When you Reach me</a>" is actually a young adult novel but it was pleasant enough for a grown up like me to read as well. It follows a young woman named Miranda who lives in New York City. She finds a series of strange notes that seem to come from a time traveller. This is one of the major plot points, but the book spends as much time discussing her day to day life, her struggles to get along with friends and her interactions with her family and other people in the neighbourhood. </div>
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This is not really a book I would recommend to my adult friends, but I think it is something that maybe its intended audience would like. I think the 12 year old girl inside me enjoyed it a lot more than the 34 year old on the outside.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-17490881328086361522012-11-29T09:41:00.002-08:002012-11-29T09:41:16.067-08:00Book 46 - A Scanner Darkly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This book has been on my to read list for some time so when I was out shopping at Chapters (they reeled me in with a card that got me savings from $5-$50 if I spent $50, guess how much I saved) I decided to pick this one up. I really enjoyed "<a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/01/book-7-do-androids-dream-of-electric.html">Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep</a>" so I was excited to read another Philip K. Dick novel and I wasn't disappointed. </div>
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"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Scanner_Darkly">A Scanner Darkly</a>" is set in "the future" well it was when it was written. This book was written the year I was born and set the year before I graduated High School. It is hard to say what it is "about" per say, drugs and conspiracies maybe? It is set in a world where you are either drug user or a "straight". The drug that most of the users are addicted to is called Substance D, Slow Death or Death. It is a drug that apparently is grown and has only one source. Our protagonist, Bob Arctor is an undercover narcotics agent seeking to take down a big time supplier and maybe one day even take down Substance D from the top. </div>
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The problems with being an undercover agent are many. One is that in order to be a convincing agent, one must actually use the drugs. This topic has been covered in many such a tale, as it must ring true to life as well. In the world of this book it is made further complicated by the "Scramble Suits" that an agent must wear when meeting with the other agents and supervisors in order to maintain their cover as much as possible. Early on in the book, Arctor is assigned to spy on himself and his own household where he has a circle of users who are both brilliant but ineffective in accomplishing much due to their own drug use.</div>
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Spying on oneself, living a double life and taking drugs that have an extreme effect on the brain do take their toll on Arctor and it is hard for him to know who is real and what is what. One of his associates is a young woman named Donna, they have an almost romantic type of relationship but she always seems to pull away when he tries to take things to the next level. Arctor is trying to use Donna as well to obtain her sources in order to get a bust. Donna's motivations are unclear, is she just another drug user or is there more to her?</div>
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I really enjoyed this book, although I felt that the ending was rushed, and could have perhaps been elaborated on further in order to make the entire story stronger. But overall I would still recommend reading this book. Reading the Wiki article it seems that much of this book was based on Dick's life experiences. The last page of the book is some dedications to people he knew that were inspirations for the book and their fates are quite sad. I look forward to reading more of Dick's works in CBR5!!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-37627380337994101952012-11-20T15:47:00.001-08:002012-11-20T15:48:52.083-08:00Book 45 - We Don't Live Here Anymore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am rededicated and determined to meet my goal this year. Now that I have finished this book I have beaten my count for the last two years (CBR2 I read this many books but the deadline was Oct 31 and I only had 41 then kept reading until December 31). I also hit up the bookstore (I am still fighting with the library since they want to charge me for a book I did not damage) and I purchased 3 books that I am very excited to read. That only leaves 4 after that. I will be taking transit to work again which means a potential of two extra hours of reading time. I just have to focus on it, turn off the TV or games and just dive into a good book. I am still planning to do CBR5 but I think I will just do a half so that I can take it easy and also tackle a few longer books that I have on my shelf. Anyhoo, on to the review.</div>
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"We Don't Live Here Anymore" by Andre Dubus is another book that I found as I was packing up my things and deciding which books that I would donate and which to keep. I purchased this one for a bargain at a book sale at the library (jerks). I remember liking the movie, but when I first tried to read this book I just couldn't get into it. I decided to give it another go rather than just giving it away and I am glad that I did because I really enjoyed it. </div>
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This book contains three novellas, but they all contain the same cast of characters so really feel like a cohesive novel rather than a collection. The first story is the one that contains most of the movie plot, it introduces us to Hank, Edith, Jack and Terry, two married couples that are also very close friends. It is about monogamy, love, marriage and commitment. Several of those terms really mean the same thing, but then again they don't. This story is told from the point of view of Jack as he tries to decide if he can continue in a marriage that he feels has lost the love contained within.</div>
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The second story is told from the point of view of Edith and takes place about three years after the first. It tells us of Edith and a lover that she takes on after her marriage has taken on a new definition. It is a touching story about faith, love and one's life path. Edith's lover is an older man, who makes a radical life change before meeting her, and he ends up teaching her that life is too short to settle for less than you deserve.</div>
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The final story is told from the point of view of Hank, again a few years down the road from the second story. Hank is an interesting character, the stereotypical womanizing college professor in some ways but there is more to him than that. It seems fair when he says that he has tried dating women his own age, but in the small town they live in, they just don't share the same interests, mainly literary, that Hank values. He is a writer and many women have felt that he puts that above all else in his life. In this tale, Hank comes to learn that as we age, our bodies deteriorate even if we try to maintain optimum physical shape. The reality is that college girls will not find him irresistible forever and he doesn't want to end up alone. Hank gets a piece of troubling news from his current lover, something that today would not really be all that scandalous, but these stories are set in the early 70s. This news forces him to take stock of his life and make some changes. </div>
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All in all a great book about relationships, excellently written. If only my review could be as eloquent, but what can you do. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-24585885474817384942012-11-20T15:18:00.001-08:002012-11-20T15:18:03.483-08:00Book 44 - Trainspotting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm getting ready to move and as I was packing up my books I found a copy of Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. Back in the 90s I went through a big Irvine Welsh phase and I decided to reread Trainspotting to see if it held up. I had a tough time at first adjusting to the Scottish dialect that it is mostly written in, but soon found myself engrossed in the tales contained within. I had another copy of this book back in the day, and in the back there was a handy glossary that explained what some of the slang terms meant, I think that it should be contained in each edition of the book because although not essential it is quite interesting.<br />
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Trainspotting is a series of vignettes that more or less tie together. A lot of characters repeat and different stories are told by different characters. It sometimes takes a bit to know which character is telling the story, but that is all a part of this book's charm. There is Mark Renton, pictured above portrayed by Ewan McGeregor, a lovable junkie who just can't seem to kick the habit. In the book version, Renton is a ginger and there is an interesting sequence in where he is nervous to disrobe in front of his date because he has dyed his hair black but the carpets don't match the drapes.<br />
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In addition to the junkies, there are also the jocks who are all about bevvying. It is interesting to see these characters who are in many ways just as messed up as the junkies, slag on the junkies for their dirty habit. Most infamous of these is Francis Begbie, feared even by his mates who don't even know why they associate with him in the first place. Renton said he only did well in school so that he could advance and get away from Begbie, but he just keeps coming back around.<br />
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I could go on about all of these blokes, but long story short, I enjoyed this book again. I guess I have killed enough brain cells (or read enough books) so it was really like reading it for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised to see a prequel to this book at the store today, it is going on my Xmas list.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-41581110089018915472012-11-14T12:52:00.000-08:002012-11-14T12:52:02.135-08:00Book 43 - High Before Homeroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't written a review in forever it seems, I have really stalled on the reading, I now only have 9 books to go and I am already discouraged that I once again will not meet my goal. To add insult to injury, when I returned this book to the library they say I returned it wet and are charging me $30 to replace it. I am pretty upset about this as I take care of the books that I borrow and I don't really want to pay $30 for something that I didn't do. So I need to go into the library and talk with a supervisor, but I haven't had the time as I have been swamped in my personal life.</div>
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All that aside, I finished this book a couple of weeks ago and haven't taken the time to write up a review. "High Before Homeroom" by Maya Sloan is the tale of lovable loser Doug and the lengths that he goes to in order to change his image in the pursuit of "the girl". In this case, the girl he is infatuated with loves a bad boy, so he decides to get himself a nice little drug addiction in order to change his life.</div>
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I really enjoyed reading this one, it has the moral of an after-school special but it arrives there in an entertaining manner and it is not totally PG about the whole situation either. However, the parent in me has to say that the downfall of a drug addiction is not spelled out clearly enough, but at the end of the day it is just a fun little story told in a clever way so I will take it at face value.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-87758309882932875112012-10-13T19:49:00.003-07:002012-10-13T19:49:59.056-07:00Book 42 - Free Range Chickens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3I_B3xLUB7htGTehYr1cH94BRa9DKJRH1tMO56WAta0DavFmfdrjQYF99gyD6G8c-cUEfwZ1UIXj4HReJ5s1gd-O2SpTPKme2hdOLDqwyM3FVgNDiO4pTW_TnLFIC8N4cnu7WCN2yUBt/s1600/free_range_chickens_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3I_B3xLUB7htGTehYr1cH94BRa9DKJRH1tMO56WAta0DavFmfdrjQYF99gyD6G8c-cUEfwZ1UIXj4HReJ5s1gd-O2SpTPKme2hdOLDqwyM3FVgNDiO4pTW_TnLFIC8N4cnu7WCN2yUBt/s320/free_range_chickens_c.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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I was reading the 4th dark tower book but it is really long and I really just wanted something nice and light that I could finish quickly. After this one I only have 10 more to go!!! I am excited that I will finally reach my goal this year, nothing will get in my way. (JINX!)</div>
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Anyways, this book is a collection of jokes, sort of. That is how they are described, but I think they are more like amusing anecdotes, but I guess that is splitting hairs. It is an entertaining read, see this for an example:</div>
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<i>“God: Check out this human I designed.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: Wow, that looks pretty incredible. How does it work?</i></div>
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<i>God: It's pretty complicated. Point to something and I'll tell you what it does.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: Okay. What are these?</i></div>
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<i>God: Teeth. They're for chewing up food.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: How come there are so many of them?</i></div>
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<i>God: I threw in, like, three or four extra. If they don't like them, they can pull them out somehow, I guess.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: What about this weird bag thing?</i></div>
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<i>God: That's the appendix.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: What does it do?</i></div>
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<i>God: It explodes.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: Really? That's all?</i></div>
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<i>God: Pretty much.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: What causes that to happen?</i></div>
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<i>God: It just happens randomly. Like you'll just be walking down the street or driving a car and boom.</i></div>
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<i>Angel: Geez...that's terrifying. Does it kill the person?</i></div>
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<i>God: (shrugs) Sometimes.” </i></div>
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When going through a difficult time it is important to remember to laugh, and this book was just what I needed right now.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-91811478233519839322012-10-13T19:39:00.000-07:002012-10-13T19:39:12.515-07:00Book 40 + 41 - Catching Fire + Mocking Jay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I have been unable to complete these reviews for a few reasons, I am going through a rough time personally and I just haven't been able to get them typed up so I decided to combine them into one and just say a few things about how I felt about these two books.<br />
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I think most people have either read these books or if they haven't then they shouldn't read reviews since I don't like spoilers. But to each his own so if you want to read on then you might get spoiled. I am not going to do a plot summary or anything but as I type on who knows what will come out.<br />
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I really enjoyed both of these books. One of the best parts was being able to share my excitement with my coworker who lent me the last book. These books won't change your life, but they were sure entertaining to me. I am looking forward to seeing the movie versions as well.<br />
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Catching Fire was a lot like the first book in some ways, but they threw in a big curve ball that made it quite exciting. I really enjoyed the new characters and scenarios that they put them in. The love triangle continues, it is a young adult novel really so that is no surprise. There is a big part of me inside that is just a teenage girl that loves a good doomed romance so it was right up my alley. Part of me wishes that these books were written about a bit older people so it could have been a bit steamier, but it is what it is.<br />
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Mockingjay was quite a lot different from the first two, but I liked the direction that they took them in. I really enjoyed the ambiguity of who the enemy really is supposed to be. The battles, the heartbreak and the ending, just all great entertainment for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-44763267609324771062012-10-04T16:39:00.001-07:002012-10-04T16:39:21.022-07:00Book 39 - The Hunger Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wasn't immediately sold on reading "The Hunger Games". I am one of those people who get turned off when something is too popular. However, having said that I do take into account the opinions of those that I value before making a final decision on something. I had heard only good things from those people and I was just waiting for the right time to dive into these books. I had started two books in the last month but neither really grabbed me. Also I am going through a transitional time at work and I also started going back to the gym, so I really needed a book that I knew I would enjoy and that would get me back on track and back on pace to finally finish my goal of 52 books in a year. So now here we are, back in love with reading and with 3 more books under my belt.<br />
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I will start with the first book and work my way from there. I am sure most people have read these, or seen the movie, but just in case you haven't then you really shouldn't be reading this, but if you are, then you might get spoiled, so consider yourself warned. </div>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games">Hunger Games</a> is set in an unspecified future time. There has been a large war and one of the punishments that is that one boy and one girl from each of 12 districts is selected by a drawing to enter the titular Hunger Games where they fight to the death and only one winner can prevail. </div>
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Our protagonist is Katniss Everdeen of district 12. She volunteers to enter the games, be a tribute as they call it, in order to save her 12 year old sister who gets drawn on her very first year in the lottery. Her male counterpart is Peeta Mellark, a boy whom Katniss feels indebted to ever since he faced punishment in order to throw her a loaf of bread that he burned at his family's bakery. Katniss doesn't like to owe anyone anything, she is fiercely independent. Her father was killed in a mine accident and she has used her hunting skills to feed her family (even at her own peril as it is strictly illegal to do so). She generally goes hunting with her friend Gale Hawthorne, who lost his father in the same mining accident that claimed her own. There is some chemistry between the two, but Katniss is against the idea of love and marriage as she can't bear the thought of sending her own child into the games some day, not to mention that life in district 12 is no picnic on a day to day basis. </div>
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Once the names are drawn, the tributes are given a brief amount of time to say goodbye to their loved ones and then they are off on a train to the capitol where they are put in a training center then eventually into the arena. As soon as they board the train, they are surrounded by luxuries and food the likes that they have never seen. Once they reach the capitol, they are put into a training center where they learn new skills and show off skills that they already have (not for some though, it is often a better strategy to keep some things to yourself). Katniss and Peeta have a mentor named Haymitch to help them, he is district 12's only winner ever but he is not much help to them as he is constantly drunk. Likely the strain of mentoring tributes only to see them die year after year has taken its toll on him.</div>
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As training comes to a close, Katniss has managed to get the highest score of all the tributes due to her rebellious nature. All the the tributes are given stylists and then there is a grand entrance where the district 12 team really gets to show off as their stylist planned a big flourish for them, then again in an interview, both tributes manage to create a memorable show for the audience. This is very important as there are sponsors that can make the difference between life and death for them in the arena. The sponsors can pay to have supplies, water, medicine or really anything dropped into the arena with a little parachute (love this!). </div>
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Then the time comes to enter the arena and it is a battle for survival right from the start. As you can imagine, many don't make it through the initial blood bath. Katniss has an advantage due to her time hunting and of course it wouldn't be likely that our narrator would die right away anyhow. The description of the time in the arena is riveting, imagine being hunted by your peers, and knowing that you can choose to make alliances but you might end up killing someone that you have grown to care for. </div>
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I have said too much already about the plot, I wasn't planning to say much at all but here we are. I enjoyed this book immensely, even though it is technically a young adult novel I am not embarrassed to admit that I ate it right up. I was so hooked that I read the next two novels in a matter of days. Those reviews are coming right up.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-14642765722963984072012-08-22T15:44:00.003-07:002012-08-22T15:44:57.352-07:00Book 38 - The Wastelands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All I have to say is that I am very glad that I have the next book in the series and I don't have to wait 6 years for the next chapter in this engaging story. "The Wastelands" is the third book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. See here for my reviews of the <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/06/book-28-gunslinger.html">first </a><a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/06/book-31-drawing-of-three.html">two </a>books in the series. </div>
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Quite a few years ago I actually heard the audio book version of this tale. I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to start in the third book of a series but that is how it goes sometimes. In any case, I only remembered portions of the story so it didn't ruin the experience for me. </div>
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I won't summarize the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Tower_III:_The_Waste_Lands">plot</a>, rather I thought I would talk about my general feelings about the series, the characters and so forth. It is hard to write about a series because it is really a part of a bigger picture, more like chapters of an immense book. </div>
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Overall I am enjoying this series, I don't love it but I am getting there. I do love the characters, but the pace is a bit slow for me to really get into it. I did find myself counting down the pages (the next one is over 600). But towards the end of this book, the pace started to pick up more and I am excited to see what happens next. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-17392084397798917662012-08-22T15:21:00.003-07:002012-08-22T15:21:52.133-07:00Book 37 - Blisters and Bliss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OxYygL1icZ_wZ8tMpMpsB31Yn8oCPjiKAA2Lyz1wDIRMFicD6hO6g2gHmGa8ZG0VlSBeYIpGQHnTZrHQjjxgOdOPRH0cR_xnk1KqYPKnJULMRh083H_MDM6Clx4qhiQUz69Kcblvl5E8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OxYygL1icZ_wZ8tMpMpsB31Yn8oCPjiKAA2Lyz1wDIRMFicD6hO6g2gHmGa8ZG0VlSBeYIpGQHnTZrHQjjxgOdOPRH0cR_xnk1KqYPKnJULMRh083H_MDM6Clx4qhiQUz69Kcblvl5E8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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After reading "<a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2012/08/book-36-wild.html">Wild</a>" I am all gung ho to pursue some outdoor adventures of my own and over here the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Trail">West Coast Trail</a> is a pretty famous route to hike so I started looking into it and this book is recommended all over the place as being the best book to read on the subject so I decided to give it a go.</div>
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It is an excellent guide book, filled with advice, humour and lots of details about the trail without spoiling every little detail about it. There are directions for starting at the north or south end as well, this I found to be a weak point as the two sections are too similar and could have been made more unique as I am sure the trail does differ considerably depending on if you are travelling up or down hill. </div>
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I will be consulting this book again as I get closer to my trip over there. It is a very challenging trek and I plan to go in the summer of 2014. Next summer will be my canoe trip then I will keep up my training so that I can get through this difficult hike with as much bliss as possible.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-16757271602802732802012-08-15T11:37:00.002-07:002012-08-15T11:37:55.925-07:00Book 36 - Wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I loved this book so much I want to give it a big hug. I was expecting to enjoy it, as I love stories about adventures in the wilderness such as <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/03/allis-cbr-iii-review-10-into-wild.html">"Into the Wild"</a>, <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/03/allis-cbr-iii-review-9-into-thin-air.html">"Into Thin Air"</a>, <a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/02/allis-cbr-iii-review-3-in-path-of.html">"In the Path of an Avalanche" </a> and now after reading this one, I will be sure to seek out more of these types of tales as they speak to a big part of me that really loves the outdoors.</div>
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"Wild" is the tale of Cheryl Strayed who decides to hike the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail">Pacific Crest Trail </a> a long distance hiking trail that goes all the way from Mexico to Canada. Strayed hikes only a portion of this trail, bur still covers an impressive amount of miles for an inexperienced hiker. </div>
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Devastated by the death of her mother, Strayed makes a series of poor choices which leads to the end of her marriage. Looking for a new perspective and some direction in her life, she decides to hike the PCT. She quits her waitressing job, sells many of her possessions and takes off on this momentous journey all alone. </div>
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Although she meets many people along the way, she mainly travels alone as that is one of her main goals. She struggles every day with pain from her large back pack and her ill fitting boots. She considers quitting several times but manages to carry on. </div>
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Strayed wrote this book in such a way that I felt that I was right there with her. I loved this book so much that I stayed up late to finish reading it last night. I had a 7 day superloan from the library but I read it in just 2 days. </div>
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"Wild" has really inspired me. I am now planning a <a href="http://www.thesunshinecoast.com/whattodo/canoeroute.html">canoe trip</a> for next summer. Maybe some day I will take a long distance hike as well. There are so many beautiful places to see in this world and a lot of them are right here in my home province. </div>
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When searching for the book cover above, I found these <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/From-Lost-to-Found-Cheryl-Strayeds-Journey-in-Photos">photos</a> from Strayed's hike and some from her past as well. I wish these had been included in the book as it adds a lot to her tale to see some of the spots she is describing as well as shots of herself along her way.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-33654204697904047472012-08-15T10:37:00.002-07:002012-08-15T10:37:51.325-07:00Book 35 - Let's Pretend This Never Happened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr1p9m5n898wbnrQzTIptzTZTC8JbircPUer0TlW2woSrIDqyBlkIcvPBst0xwAzxqUZ1mutZAtPtDfN6ttDHSku2efWKQZwLejT7DMQq_NnMEt6Dc_WWacVHMTr7PLKjX0voiOpX77Xv/s1600/Letpretendthisneverhappened3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr1p9m5n898wbnrQzTIptzTZTC8JbircPUer0TlW2woSrIDqyBlkIcvPBst0xwAzxqUZ1mutZAtPtDfN6ttDHSku2efWKQZwLejT7DMQq_NnMEt6Dc_WWacVHMTr7PLKjX0voiOpX77Xv/s320/Letpretendthisneverhappened3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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While I was reading this book my son kept asking me why I was laughing, I cracked up so many times he must have thought that I was losing it. "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson has to be the funniest book I have read in a really long time, if not the funniest book ever. I have never heard of Lawson, "The Bloggess" but I am glad that I saw this book all over the #CBR4 site and gave it a read because it was a great time. </div>
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"Let's Pretend This Never Happened" is a memoir filled with outlandish tales from Lawson's childhood and young life. Turkeys that followed her to school, Stanley the "Magic Squirell", and her obsession with taxidermied animals such as the mouse on the cover that she develops in her young married life. </div>
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In addition to the humorous tales, Lawson also relays some more serious topics, although she inserts her humour into everything that she does. Lawson tells us of her struggles with anxiety and it warmed my heart to read about how she took a brave leap to take a trip to the winery with a bunch of lady bloggers. </div>
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So if you haven't already done so, I would highly recommend reading this one asap. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-40500963543456275802012-08-15T09:26:00.002-07:002012-08-15T09:26:27.033-07:00Book 34 - Inside Scientology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been sitting on two reviews for a couple of weeks now, I have never really had a difficulty in writing these reviews, even though some have been sub par at least they got done. I have always made it a personal rule to finish the review before moving on to the next book, but I read both of these when up visiting my family in the Okanagan then I just haven't been able to get my head wrapped around what I want to say about them. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy them. I found them
both great reads although in very different ways. Last night I finished another
book so today I will get my reviews done and no more excuses!</div>
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Scientology is a fascinating subject and one that I have spent a bit of time here and there reading about as I travelled the internet. "Inside Scientology" by Janet Reitman delves quite thoroughly into the life of L Ron Hubbard and also tells us the stories of former Scientologists. </div>
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Reitman strives for an objective book, and although I am sure the church would still not approve of this book, I think that she succeeded in this goal. She interviewed only those who did not have any lawsuits against the church or any books of their own about the subject (at least at the time that she interviewed them). She also managed to interview a current member of the church, a young woman who consented to the interview without the permission of the church (often church officials would also attend permitted interviews) and it was nice to hear the side of a person who had positive things to say about the church as there must be some good to it or no one would be a member. </div>
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Having learned more about it, I can now see the appeal (but also how people can be mislead and taken advantage of). Hubbard is somewhat like a Tony Robbins or a Dr Oz in that he promises an end to suffering and self help. He took it to a level that few would ever imagine or even dare to achieve. I still am amazed that so many invest tremendous amounts of money into something like this, and also how they can be a part of an organization with such a clouded past (and present as well I am sure). In the age that we live in, with information so free to us all, Scientology is no longer able to hide its secrets and it seems to be suffering because of it. Time will tell how it fares in the future, but it will be interesting to see, that's for sure. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-33292329999693169502012-07-20T13:37:00.001-07:002012-07-20T21:59:33.923-07:00Book 33 - Purge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having an eating disorder is unfortunately an all too common condition in this world. I am not sure what it is that causes the brain to get all messed up about body image, but I do know that it never goes away. I often wonder what it would be like to eat "normally", to not to have to worry about stuffing a whole box of chocolates in your face. I have come to terms with my own condition, and most of the time I do OK, but it will always be a concern and an effort to stay healthy. Then again, since I am hyper vigilant to others eating habits, I do see that no one really eats "normally" and the best I can hope for is to stay on a healthy path and not spend too much of my life stressing about body image. </div>
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Nicole Johns has written an excellent book on her experiences with her eating disorder and her experience in a treatment facility. In some ways it is quite similar to "<a href="http://alliscballread.blogspot.ca/2011/02/allis-cbr-iii-review-7-girl-interrupted.html">Girl Interrupted</a>" but I mean that as a compliment as I also enjoyed that book quite a lot. Johns tells us every detail about her time in the facility and intermixed into the text are copies of actual treatment documents and the facility's own literature. Johns tells us how hard it is to adjust to eating three meals a day plus snacks when one is used to either restricting or purging and not eating normally. She does relate that eventually she purged anyway, and some find a way to hide or throw away the food to avoid eating. </div>
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All together we are left with a bit of hope, as Johns seems to have made the most of her situation and is in recovery, but of course there are no happy endings for many suffers of this condition. Reading things like this helps to remember that eating disorders are a sort of slow suicide. Life is too precious to waste and there is always hope for the future. We have to all hold on to our happiness wherever we can find it and try not to let the negative voices in our heads win. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-10102820376606359862012-07-20T13:17:00.002-07:002012-07-20T13:18:00.061-07:00Book 32 - Bonk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4lBPhz4EZjLMwxhfr24R8dpOImE2rCR9qgnxRvunP5pmcxFlxtfGMWSZwdvDA_20I0NGbe1ykR1-t1JgxhXCMS6IRNRcnjtQf0wgLBRD3cqzeEOnM1BQ7xOyE0Vbc4rmIj52grwmClr9/s1600/bonkcover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4lBPhz4EZjLMwxhfr24R8dpOImE2rCR9qgnxRvunP5pmcxFlxtfGMWSZwdvDA_20I0NGbe1ykR1-t1JgxhXCMS6IRNRcnjtQf0wgLBRD3cqzeEOnM1BQ7xOyE0Vbc4rmIj52grwmClr9/s320/bonkcover2.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
I remember hearing about Mary Roach and her book "Stiff" when it was featured on "Six Feet Under" and at the time I thought it would be an interesting read. Then when I was reading reviews on the CBR4 site I found out that Roach had written a book about the science of sex and I had to check it out for myself.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"<a href="http://www.maryroach.net/bonk.html">Bonk</a>" is the humorous, unflinching, educational account of sexuality and the research that has gone into its study. Not for the squeamish, this book covers all the nitty gritty science behind the thing that got us all here. From meeting with Doctors trying to solve ED issues with surgery (men beware the descriptions in that section will make you cringe) to actually becoming a research subject herself, Roach really goes the extra mile to get us all the full story of sexual science. </span><br />
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If you have ever been interested in how penile implant surgery works, or how MRIs have enabled us to see what happens inside the body during intercourse, then this could be the book for you. I liked it, but I didn't love it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-89169556811763055422012-06-28T14:00:00.000-07:002012-06-28T14:00:01.868-07:00Book 31 - The Drawing of the Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVbyyrpSy0XCoxcCmqYBRu1sbQTxueosav_jWxAbwElVrE78nzYbVwXKAPRx2bvdt7Np1bdi9_2y42HgcWDQ_0UF2kAngbXJh2ODYlLkRfe3A7fedcZVCjrbNLT8R9xyIbzv5J1dzHWYX/s1600/dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVbyyrpSy0XCoxcCmqYBRu1sbQTxueosav_jWxAbwElVrE78nzYbVwXKAPRx2bvdt7Np1bdi9_2y42HgcWDQ_0UF2kAngbXJh2ODYlLkRfe3A7fedcZVCjrbNLT8R9xyIbzv5J1dzHWYX/s1600/dt.jpg" vca="true" /></a></div>
So now that I have read the second book in the Dark Tower Series I am getting quite into it and I am excited to keep on reading the rest. This book picks up where we left off in "The Gunslinger" and as per the title, tells us the tale of the three that Roland picks up along the way to aid in his quest for the tower. <br />
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This book takes is back and forth between Roland's world and our own, he travells through mysterious doors like on the cover picture above. He travells to New York City at different periods in time. Through these doors he is able to see from another's viewpoint and even take control of their body himself. He has found himself in peril so it is lucky that he is able to also bring items back that will help him and the others along on their quest. <br />
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I am quite interested to see how things progress from here on in. I have book three all lined up and ready to go on my Nook and I start reading it tonight!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-61610399473418986452012-06-28T13:46:00.003-07:002012-06-28T13:46:26.338-07:00Book 30 - Eating the Dinosaur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently have been rewatching "The OC" (Don't judge me!) and Seth Cohen was reading "Sex Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" and that title alone seemed quite interesting but my library didn't have it so I decided to read "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_the_Dinosaur">Eating the Dinosaur</a>" by Chuck Klosterman instead as it seemed intriguing as well. Even though it is not a buther's guide to dinosaur meat, it is still a highly entertaining set of essays on a variety of topics that I highly enjoyed (except for the two about sports, but that is only because I hate sports). <br />
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Starting out with a discussion about interviews and the reasons why people subject themselves to it, then going into a comparison between Cobain and Koresh then touching on time travel from a realistic standpoint. I particularily enjoyed the ABBA essay (perhaps because it followed one of the sports ones, and in that essay it said if you don't like sports then skip to the ABBA essay and I was sure tempted to do so). Did you know ABBA was offered a BILLION dollars to reunite and yet they still refused. I agree with Klosterman that it was probably a wise choice as what act could ever live up to the hype of a billion dollar tour?<br />
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Klosterman offers insight, humor and intelligence to pop cutlure topics and I am very much looking forward to reading more of his works in the future. <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-61195916502666537372012-06-18T15:29:00.002-07:002012-06-18T15:29:37.312-07:00Book 29 - Nerd Do Well<br />
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Much like Simon Pegg's feelings about the new Star Wars movies, I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn't quite make it there. "Shaun of the Dead" is one of my favorite movies, and "Spaced" is a real gem, so when I found out that Pegg had written a book I made sure to get my hands on it. "Nerd Do Well" tells us the tales mostly of Pegg's formative years. Overall they were entertaining, if not a bit confusing as the time frame jumped back and forth and it was hard to keep track of what era we were in. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>The book spends the majority of the time in Pegg's younger years, detailing his entrance into the performing arts as well as his romantic exploits and other various tales from his youth. He goes into great detail of his school years, and it is admirable the amount of detail that he remembers from that time (especially in light of the indications of the amount of weed that he smoked in his later years). <br />
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Interspersed within is the book that apparently Pegg really wanted to write, it is a spy novel sort of thing where Pegg makes himself out to be a devastatingly handsome sex-magnet with a custom built robot butler. I found it quite amusing at first, but as it went on I just lost interest and skimmed through it. <br />
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Overall, I found it worth reading, but it just wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. There is just something really likable about Pegg and it does come through on the page. I just found it a bit lacking, in what I am not sure, but something was just not there for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6803062207246383314.post-66419463942414254322012-06-13T21:13:00.001-07:002012-06-13T21:13:06.502-07:00Book 28 - The Gunslinger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I am taking on the Dark Tower series. As an avid King fan I am surprised that I have not read them sooner but the e-reader that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02824616737492737914">youthfulzombie </a>gave me has the books on there so what better time than the present to get started. I have a few library books to read as well so I might not be reading them back to back, but you never know.<br />
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In any case, The Gunslinger is the inaugural tale in the series. It takes place in a world that is not our own, but seems to share a few things in common with ours in a mysterious way. It is a world that is not what it once was, the phrase that is apparently often used through the series is that the "world has moved on". We meet the mysterious Roland right away, he is the titular Gunslinger and is apparently the last of his kind. He is following a mysterious man in black and seems to be seeking revenge.<br />
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Along the way he meets Jake, a boy who seems to be from our world but was killed there by the man in black. Roland loves the boy immediately, but can never trust that everything he encounters is not a trap set by the man in black.<br />
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This tale was a bit hard to get into at first, but now I have found myself a bit sucked in and looking forward to seeing where this story goes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030686775674455059noreply@blogger.com0