For her to have the confidence to stand up and speak for herself and others, but to have the grace to do so with integrity.
To think for herself and research why she believes in whatever she is passionate for.
To never feel inferior to her peers and resort to name calling to increase her standing.
To never be be afraid to try new things, but have the sense to be weary of the possible consequences.
To appreciate the beauty and simplicity of a warm sunny day.
To love unconditionally.
To believe that nothing is impossible.
To know that every action and reaction I make or have is in her best interests.
Not to be ashamed if her laugh is a little too loud, her jokes fall on flat ears or her ideas ridiculed. What matters the most is trying again after being beaten.
To appreciate good tasting food and ignore those who harp on calories and her figure.
To live, laugh and love the hell out of life each and every day.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
April Group Read Suggestions
Books we have already read..
In the Woods
Shanghai Girls
The Weight of Water
Water for Elephants
The Color Purple
The One That I Want
The Secret Garden
House Rules
American Wife
Firefly Lane
Middlesex
The Reader
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Awakening
Pride & Prejudice
I See You Everywhere
Leave a suggestion or two before March 17th (Happy St. Patty's Day!) and I shall include them in our poll!
For next month, I am wanting to do something a bit different, let me know how you feel about this in the comments. I was thinking that instead of me writing up EVERY Friday's main post, that at least for one post a month, someone else who is participating in the read could do a guest post, so that way we can have a different perspective leading the conversation? I would be willing to let anyone who volunteered pick which ever discussion would work the best for them, as long as they could have the guest post done and to me by 7pm the Thursday before. Heck, I would even welcome more than one volunteer if I got that and share, I'm not too picky. ;)
I have been thinking, and I know May is going to be insane for me and I am already pre-planning posts for then, so I would realllllly love if you don't feel up for it in April, that if in May you could do so that would be fab.
Just let me know what ya think... ;) Have a great weekend!
In the Woods
Shanghai Girls
The Weight of Water
Water for Elephants
The Color Purple
The One That I Want
The Secret Garden
House Rules
American Wife
Firefly Lane
Middlesex
The Reader
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Awakening
Pride & Prejudice
I See You Everywhere
Leave a suggestion or two before March 17th (Happy St. Patty's Day!) and I shall include them in our poll!
For next month, I am wanting to do something a bit different, let me know how you feel about this in the comments. I was thinking that instead of me writing up EVERY Friday's main post, that at least for one post a month, someone else who is participating in the read could do a guest post, so that way we can have a different perspective leading the conversation? I would be willing to let anyone who volunteered pick which ever discussion would work the best for them, as long as they could have the guest post done and to me by 7pm the Thursday before. Heck, I would even welcome more than one volunteer if I got that and share, I'm not too picky. ;)
I have been thinking, and I know May is going to be insane for me and I am already pre-planning posts for then, so I would realllllly love if you don't feel up for it in April, that if in May you could do so that would be fab.
Just let me know what ya think... ;) Have a great weekend!
Friday, March 11, 2011
In the Woods - Discussion # 2
Welcome back to the 2nd discussion over In the Woods by Tana French. This discussion covers from chapter 7 through the end of chapter 11, but anything from the beginning of the book til chapter 12 is fine. Spoilers should be expected. Anyone and everyone is welcome.
My thoughts
I really liked how these chapters picked up a bit and we got more into the investigation. It's quite scary how downhill Detective Ryan's mind seems to be going as he gets further into the investigation and it still irks me that he hasn't said anything nor has anyone outed him. Bad for business. Also, I am not impressed that he keeps some things from his talk with Rosalind from Cassie. It's like he is trying to protect Rosalind by not revealing her crazy. Cassie also seems to be keeping some things from Ryan, which is probably good since his mental capacity is so iffy.
Lines I Liked
pg. 320 "Want to read my door-to-door reports for me instead? O' Gorman structures sentences like George Bush; most of the time I haven't a clue what he's on about."
pg. 382 "Strange though it may seem, I had only just understood up there on the stand with the flare of panic in MacSharry's eyes, that I was falling apart. I hadn't been aware that I was sleeping less than usual and drinking more, that I was snappy and distracted and possibly sort of seeing things but no specific incident had seemed particularly ominous or alarming in itself."
From the Author [ Source ]
Q. To tell the story of In the Woods, you have transgendered your voice; you speak to us through the male persona of Rob Ryan. Why did you opt for a male narrator, and did you encounter any particular challenges in adopting a masculine perspective?
Almost as soon as I thought of the basic premise of the book, the character of Rob Ryan came into my head: intelligent, sarcastic, secretive, proud, too badly damaged to be honest either with himself or with his readers—and male. It was never a conscious choice; that's just how he popped up.
I didn't run into any particular difficulties to do with writing from a male perspective. I've always had a lot of good male friends, which may have helped. What was much more difficult was writing from the perspective of someone as deeply messed up as Rob Ryan. His friends' disappearance and his loss of memory have sent cracks straight across his mind: he's unable to trust anything either around him or within him. At the point when the book begins, he's more or less functional ñ good at his job, sustaining at least one close friendship, basically happy—but as the case draws him back towards his past, those cracks widen and his mind starts to disintegrate. Trying to see the events of the book from that increasingly skewed perspective was an immense challenge.
Q. American readers who have a quaint vision of Ireland as a place of Old World traditions may be surprised to find that many of the cultural references in your novel come from distinctly American sources like The Simpsons and Sex and the City. Any comments on the prominence of these Americanisms, either in your writing or in Irish life itself?
There's always been a huge amount of cultural interplay between the United States and Ireland. For a long time now, it's been very difficult to write truthfully about Ireland without including some American cultural references—for people my parents' age, for example, watching cowboy films or dancing to Elvis were often defining experiences. The Irish historically have had an enormous appetite for every form of culture, and such a small country can't produce enough to meet that demand, so people here soak up American TV shows, films, books, and music. Transposed into an Irish context, those become part of our culture, too—they become part of that interplay. Take The Commitments: Roddy Doyle transposed very American music to a Dublin context to create an intensely Irish book, which then went back to America both in book form and in movie form.
I think it's probably impossible to have satellite TV and the Internet and still be quaint and Old World; that demands a level of cultural isolation that just doesn't exist here. When I referenced The Simpsons, for example, I wasn't even thinking of it as an American reference, because it's omnipresent here as well: everyone's watched it, everyone knows it, its catchphrases have become part of the language. The reality of Irish culture today is that it's not wholly indigenous; it's a fusion of homegrown elements and imported stuff, and it's all the richer for that.
Questions from Penguin
1. How does Ryan's experience In the Woods at the age of twelve affect his ability to function as a detective? Is it always a hindrance to him, or are there ways in which it improves and deepens his insights?
2. The plan to build the new motorway, trampling as it does on a past that some regard as sacred, is an outrage to the archaeologists who are trying to preserve an ancient legacy. How does this conflict fit thematically with Ryan's own contradictory desires to unearth and to pave over his past?
Questions from me
3. So far in your reading, who do you think killed Katharine Devlin?
4. What do you think happened to Detective Ryan and his friends in the Wood all those years ago?
Thanks for once again participating in a group read discussion! Our third discussion on In the Woods will take place next Friday and will cover Chapter 12 through the end of Chapter 19.
My thoughts
I really liked how these chapters picked up a bit and we got more into the investigation. It's quite scary how downhill Detective Ryan's mind seems to be going as he gets further into the investigation and it still irks me that he hasn't said anything nor has anyone outed him. Bad for business. Also, I am not impressed that he keeps some things from his talk with Rosalind from Cassie. It's like he is trying to protect Rosalind by not revealing her crazy. Cassie also seems to be keeping some things from Ryan, which is probably good since his mental capacity is so iffy.
Lines I Liked
pg. 320 "Want to read my door-to-door reports for me instead? O' Gorman structures sentences like George Bush; most of the time I haven't a clue what he's on about."
pg. 382 "Strange though it may seem, I had only just understood up there on the stand with the flare of panic in MacSharry's eyes, that I was falling apart. I hadn't been aware that I was sleeping less than usual and drinking more, that I was snappy and distracted and possibly sort of seeing things but no specific incident had seemed particularly ominous or alarming in itself."
From the Author [ Source ]
Q. To tell the story of In the Woods, you have transgendered your voice; you speak to us through the male persona of Rob Ryan. Why did you opt for a male narrator, and did you encounter any particular challenges in adopting a masculine perspective?
Almost as soon as I thought of the basic premise of the book, the character of Rob Ryan came into my head: intelligent, sarcastic, secretive, proud, too badly damaged to be honest either with himself or with his readers—and male. It was never a conscious choice; that's just how he popped up.
I didn't run into any particular difficulties to do with writing from a male perspective. I've always had a lot of good male friends, which may have helped. What was much more difficult was writing from the perspective of someone as deeply messed up as Rob Ryan. His friends' disappearance and his loss of memory have sent cracks straight across his mind: he's unable to trust anything either around him or within him. At the point when the book begins, he's more or less functional ñ good at his job, sustaining at least one close friendship, basically happy—but as the case draws him back towards his past, those cracks widen and his mind starts to disintegrate. Trying to see the events of the book from that increasingly skewed perspective was an immense challenge.
Q. American readers who have a quaint vision of Ireland as a place of Old World traditions may be surprised to find that many of the cultural references in your novel come from distinctly American sources like The Simpsons and Sex and the City. Any comments on the prominence of these Americanisms, either in your writing or in Irish life itself?
There's always been a huge amount of cultural interplay between the United States and Ireland. For a long time now, it's been very difficult to write truthfully about Ireland without including some American cultural references—for people my parents' age, for example, watching cowboy films or dancing to Elvis were often defining experiences. The Irish historically have had an enormous appetite for every form of culture, and such a small country can't produce enough to meet that demand, so people here soak up American TV shows, films, books, and music. Transposed into an Irish context, those become part of our culture, too—they become part of that interplay. Take The Commitments: Roddy Doyle transposed very American music to a Dublin context to create an intensely Irish book, which then went back to America both in book form and in movie form.
I think it's probably impossible to have satellite TV and the Internet and still be quaint and Old World; that demands a level of cultural isolation that just doesn't exist here. When I referenced The Simpsons, for example, I wasn't even thinking of it as an American reference, because it's omnipresent here as well: everyone's watched it, everyone knows it, its catchphrases have become part of the language. The reality of Irish culture today is that it's not wholly indigenous; it's a fusion of homegrown elements and imported stuff, and it's all the richer for that.
Questions from Penguin
1. How does Ryan's experience In the Woods at the age of twelve affect his ability to function as a detective? Is it always a hindrance to him, or are there ways in which it improves and deepens his insights?
2. The plan to build the new motorway, trampling as it does on a past that some regard as sacred, is an outrage to the archaeologists who are trying to preserve an ancient legacy. How does this conflict fit thematically with Ryan's own contradictory desires to unearth and to pave over his past?
Questions from me
3. So far in your reading, who do you think killed Katharine Devlin?
4. What do you think happened to Detective Ryan and his friends in the Wood all those years ago?
Thanks for once again participating in a group read discussion! Our third discussion on In the Woods will take place next Friday and will cover Chapter 12 through the end of Chapter 19.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Posts You Need to Check Out
I read a wide variety of blogs. When I started this one, it was mainly to cover my reading habits because I was overloading my other private blog with too many book posts. Then I started venturing off 'just' book topics. Now it is a random blog, but I don't share too many personal details but I have multiple interests that I sometimes share. And these interests lead to random blogs. So I decided to share some posts made in the last week from some of the many lovely bloggers that I follow, so you can also bask in their awesomeness and the random that is my various interests.
So in no particular order some of my favorite reads of the past week:
To Monetize or Not by the lovely Not Super. . . Just Mom
- She brings up a good point about bloggers and ads and why others rake other the coals for trying to make a buck.
Dear World. Signed, A Teacher by the lovely Dream As Big As the Sky
- She says about everything I think/feel about the way people treat teachers and how discouraging it all is
teaching isn't just my job, it's my job by the lovely Sluiter Nation
- She discusses the wonderful gift of reading and the awesomeness that is RIF.
I'm tired of thinking about weight by the lovely Charmingly Chandler
- She talks about how hard it is to get back out there and how daunting the dang Couch to 5k can be for those who are NOT runners.
Please check out these lovely ladies and their blogs and just maybe you will make yourself some new friends this week!
So in no particular order some of my favorite reads of the past week:
To Monetize or Not by the lovely Not Super. . . Just Mom
- She brings up a good point about bloggers and ads and why others rake other the coals for trying to make a buck.
Dear World. Signed, A Teacher by the lovely Dream As Big As the Sky
- She says about everything I think/feel about the way people treat teachers and how discouraging it all is
teaching isn't just my job, it's my job by the lovely Sluiter Nation
- She discusses the wonderful gift of reading and the awesomeness that is RIF.
I'm tired of thinking about weight by the lovely Charmingly Chandler
- She talks about how hard it is to get back out there and how daunting the dang Couch to 5k can be for those who are NOT runners.
Please check out these lovely ladies and their blogs and just maybe you will make yourself some new friends this week!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
30 Weeks
How far along? 30 weeks! 10 more left.. holy crap.
Weight gain/loss: up 6
Maternity clothes? my tshirts are getting more snug but they still work
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep? is fabulous..
Best moment this week? getting our dresser all assembled! now i need to clean up the floor and start putting clothes in the drawers!
Food cravings: anything sweet
Gender: Girl
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? all the time! my belly moves. it gets uncomfortable when she decides to punch my bladder
What I miss? breathing deeply
What I'm looking forward to: getting my plastic containers from my mom so i can organize the clothes we have so far and get clothes more organized! and our ultrasound next Wednesday.
I haven't heard back from the midwife's office about my 3 hour glucose screening so I am going to assume I passed! Woot! I didn't get a picture today because I felt I just looked massively fat instead of pregnant. It definitely is all in the clothes you wear! I need cuter ones!
Quick Poll... Lila (lie-la) or Lilia (lil-ee-ah) ?
Weight gain/loss: up 6
Maternity clothes? my tshirts are getting more snug but they still work
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep? is fabulous..
Best moment this week? getting our dresser all assembled! now i need to clean up the floor and start putting clothes in the drawers!
Food cravings: anything sweet
Gender: Girl
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? all the time! my belly moves. it gets uncomfortable when she decides to punch my bladder
What I miss? breathing deeply
What I'm looking forward to: getting my plastic containers from my mom so i can organize the clothes we have so far and get clothes more organized! and our ultrasound next Wednesday.
I haven't heard back from the midwife's office about my 3 hour glucose screening so I am going to assume I passed! Woot! I didn't get a picture today because I felt I just looked massively fat instead of pregnant. It definitely is all in the clothes you wear! I need cuter ones!
Quick Poll... Lila (lie-la) or Lilia (lil-ee-ah) ?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
Name Style.. brought to you bv Chelsea!
1. How did your parents decide on your name?
My mom always had loved the name and informed my dad if I was a girl that would be what my name was. Oh and my middle name at birth was her grandma's name.
2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
They are now END. And I find it fun.
3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
My middle name is my maiden name and it is kind of long and most people comment on it, but it's my name and if I could go back I wouldn't have changed my name when I got married.
4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
Probably not.
5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I have changed my favorite names waaaay too many times. But I do not like any of the same ones anymore.
6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
Elizabeth, Leslie and Emmons
7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
Not really.
8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
I don't do pets.
9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Uh yes. Faaaar too many names have been X'd out because of former students/people.
10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
Girls: Anna, Lydia, Isla, Lilia, June, Nora
Boys: Cael, Lucas, Conner, Finn, Bennett, Callan, Emmett
I love names.. and it is very hard for us to come up with one for our daughter that is for sure!!!
1. How did your parents decide on your name?
My mom always had loved the name and informed my dad if I was a girl that would be what my name was. Oh and my middle name at birth was her grandma's name.
2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
They are now END. And I find it fun.
3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
My middle name is my maiden name and it is kind of long and most people comment on it, but it's my name and if I could go back I wouldn't have changed my name when I got married.
4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
Probably not.
5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I have changed my favorite names waaaay too many times. But I do not like any of the same ones anymore.
6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
Elizabeth, Leslie and Emmons
7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
Not really.
8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
I don't do pets.
9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Uh yes. Faaaar too many names have been X'd out because of former students/people.
10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
Girls: Anna, Lydia, Isla, Lilia, June, Nora
Boys: Cael, Lucas, Conner, Finn, Bennett, Callan, Emmett
I love names.. and it is very hard for us to come up with one for our daughter that is for sure!!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Spicy Chicken & Cheese Pasta
I spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon trying to find something that was easy and matched what I wanted, which was a nice marinated/spicy chicken with pasta and cheese. I kept finding things that either required ingredients I didn't have or things that didn't sound good or right. So, I came up with my own, loosely based on this recipe and the random others I saw and decided to throw ingredients in. We had it for dinner tonight and it was fabulous!
Ingredients
- Box of whole wheat rotini pasta (I used Healthy Harvest and it was delicious)
- 1 tablespoon EVOO
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut in small cubes (seasoned with basil, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and cracked red pepper)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ small onion (I would use more next time)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk (I used 2 percent)
- 2 cups shredded Monterrey Cheddar Cheese (about.. I measured out 1 cup for the sauce and just spread out a bunch on the top before I put it in the oven)
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
- Parm cheese, salt and pepper to taste/look
- Handful of fresh spinach (I definitely would use more next time.. didn't seem like a lot when it had cooked)
First, I got the pasta cooking via its directions and preheated the oven to 350. I also greased a casserole pan. Then I took the chicken bite size pieces that I had sitting in the seasonings and put it in a pan with EVOO.
I cooked up the chicken and while it was going I also cut up the onion, garlic and got the spinach ready.
When the chicken was done cooking I dumped it into a bowl to sit.
Then in the same pan, I melted 2 tablespoons butter.
When that melted I cooked the onion and garlic and a few random spinach leaves that fell in, whoops. I let that cook for about a minute.
Then I added 2 tablespoons flour. Mixed the flour around and then poured in 1 cup milk. After that was well stirred and warm, I poured in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 cup Monterrey cheddar cheese and sprinkled parm cheese on top. Kept it on the burner until it was all melted.In the mean time, I poured the spinach in with the pasta for the last minute the pasta boiled and then drained it.
Then I mixed the chicken with the sauce and then the chicken/sauce with the pasta. I added some salt and pepper on top.
Then I poured it into the casserole pan and topped it with more Monterrey cheddar cheese/parm cheese and some paprika on top. Then put it in the oven for 20 minutes.
Yum!Verdict? It was fabulous and I would repeat again. I would probably had a sauce/liquid to the marinade of the chicken next time, and the additions I added with the ingredients, but it tasted great! Would have been awesome with some garlic bread.
Friday, March 4, 2011
In the Woods - Discussion #1
I have recently moved sites. If you don't have the new site in your google reader/favorites it is http://www.themanythoughtsofareader.com/ If you are still using the old link to get here, your comments will most likely not show up on the blog. I get them in my email but they are not appearing on the screen. So please make sure you update your settings!
Welcome to our March Group Read! Today is our first discussion on In the Woods by Tana French. Since we are discussing the book, be prepared for spoilers! Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate, even if you read this ages ago. We love to talk and exchange ideas. This discussion goes over the beginning of the book through the end of Chapter 6. Oh, and I have the large print edition so my page numbers may differ from yours!
Watch the Book Trailer
My thoughts
I am really liking it, but every now and then the narrator either loses me in random thought or I am not always so sure that I like the narrator's tone. I don't really know how to explain it but it sometimes seems off, and I am not sure if it is because of the woman writing the man role or a cultural thing or the main character is that weird. There have been some parts where I have laughed out loud and share a line or two with my husband and others were I am engrossed and don't want to get up. I love this genre of book though, I am a mystery/crime reader and watcher junkie!
Line I Liked
pg. 39 - "If it hadn't been for Cassie, I think I might have ended up turning into that detective on Law & Order, the one who has ulcers and thinks everything is a government conspiracy."
Something that Irks/Bothers Me
I am finding it very hard to believe that NO ONE knows he is the little boy from the previous case in the Knocknaree Wood, also the fact that he gets Cassie to cover up for him. Their jobs both could be affected if it comes out and even if he 'thinks' he isn't contaminating the case he is. I think it needed to come out to make this a little more believable but then again I am a fan of believable fiction ha.
An excerpt from an interview with Tana French (relating to my it bothers me part)
Q. To tell the story of In the Woods, you have transgendered your voice; you speak to us through the male persona of Rob Ryan. Why did you opt for a male narrator, and did you encounter any particular challenges in adopting a masculine perspective?
Almost as soon as I thought of the basic premise of the book, the character of Rob Ryan came into my head: intelligent, sarcastic, secretive, proud, too badly damaged to be honest either with himself or with his readers—and male. It was never a conscious choice; that's just how he popped up.
I didn't run into any particular difficulties to do with writing from a male perspective. I've always had a lot of good male friends, which may have helped. What was much more difficult was writing from the perspective of someone as deeply messed up as Rob Ryan. His friends' disappearance and his loss of memory have sent cracks straight across his mind: he's unable to trust anything either around him or within him. At the point when the book begins, he's more or less functional ñ good at his job, sustaining at least one close friendship, basically happy—but as the case draws him back towards his past, those cracks widen and his mind starts to disintegrate. Trying to see the events of the book from that increasingly skewed perspective was an immense challenge.
Questions from Penguin
(Obviously, some of the questions I picked can only be answered through where we have read, but I think they are still relevant)
1. How does Ryan's experience In the Woods at the age of twelve affect his ability to function as a detective? Is it always a hindrance to him, or are there ways in which it improves and deepens his insights?
2. Ryan states that he both craves truth and tells lies. How reliable to you find him as a narrator? In what ways does the theme of truth and misrepresentation lie at the heart of In the Woods?
Have a question you want to ask? Line you want to share? Thoughts? Love it? Hate? Share and discuss in the comments! Next week we will discuss Chap 7 through the end of Chapter 11. If you want to share your info to put in the main post, email it to me by Thursday evening. If you want to do a guest post/something extra with the book, have at it!
Welcome to our March Group Read! Today is our first discussion on In the Woods by Tana French. Since we are discussing the book, be prepared for spoilers! Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate, even if you read this ages ago. We love to talk and exchange ideas. This discussion goes over the beginning of the book through the end of Chapter 6. Oh, and I have the large print edition so my page numbers may differ from yours!
Watch the Book Trailer
My thoughts
I am really liking it, but every now and then the narrator either loses me in random thought or I am not always so sure that I like the narrator's tone. I don't really know how to explain it but it sometimes seems off, and I am not sure if it is because of the woman writing the man role or a cultural thing or the main character is that weird. There have been some parts where I have laughed out loud and share a line or two with my husband and others were I am engrossed and don't want to get up. I love this genre of book though, I am a mystery/crime reader and watcher junkie!
Line I Liked
pg. 39 - "If it hadn't been for Cassie, I think I might have ended up turning into that detective on Law & Order, the one who has ulcers and thinks everything is a government conspiracy."
Something that Irks/Bothers Me
I am finding it very hard to believe that NO ONE knows he is the little boy from the previous case in the Knocknaree Wood, also the fact that he gets Cassie to cover up for him. Their jobs both could be affected if it comes out and even if he 'thinks' he isn't contaminating the case he is. I think it needed to come out to make this a little more believable but then again I am a fan of believable fiction ha.
An excerpt from an interview with Tana French (relating to my it bothers me part)
Q. To tell the story of In the Woods, you have transgendered your voice; you speak to us through the male persona of Rob Ryan. Why did you opt for a male narrator, and did you encounter any particular challenges in adopting a masculine perspective?
Almost as soon as I thought of the basic premise of the book, the character of Rob Ryan came into my head: intelligent, sarcastic, secretive, proud, too badly damaged to be honest either with himself or with his readers—and male. It was never a conscious choice; that's just how he popped up.
I didn't run into any particular difficulties to do with writing from a male perspective. I've always had a lot of good male friends, which may have helped. What was much more difficult was writing from the perspective of someone as deeply messed up as Rob Ryan. His friends' disappearance and his loss of memory have sent cracks straight across his mind: he's unable to trust anything either around him or within him. At the point when the book begins, he's more or less functional ñ good at his job, sustaining at least one close friendship, basically happy—but as the case draws him back towards his past, those cracks widen and his mind starts to disintegrate. Trying to see the events of the book from that increasingly skewed perspective was an immense challenge.
Questions from Penguin
(Obviously, some of the questions I picked can only be answered through where we have read, but I think they are still relevant)
1. How does Ryan's experience In the Woods at the age of twelve affect his ability to function as a detective? Is it always a hindrance to him, or are there ways in which it improves and deepens his insights?
2. Ryan states that he both craves truth and tells lies. How reliable to you find him as a narrator? In what ways does the theme of truth and misrepresentation lie at the heart of In the Woods?
Have a question you want to ask? Line you want to share? Thoughts? Love it? Hate? Share and discuss in the comments! Next week we will discuss Chap 7 through the end of Chapter 11. If you want to share your info to put in the main post, email it to me by Thursday evening. If you want to do a guest post/something extra with the book, have at it!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
29 weeks!!
29 weeks. HOLY BELLY. I was looking at the pictures my hubby took and I was like NO WAY am I that big and he was like ummm E look at you, you are. I may have pouted! (isn't my apron the cutest?? It is from Anna Carrie Baby )How far along? 29 weeks
Weight gain/loss: 6 pounds
Maternity clothes? mostly, still can wear some shirts
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep? No issues, I sleep the same about every night but I do wake up and roll over but fall back asleep often.. not much different than before!
Best moment this week? We got the dresser in the mail! So excited to get it up!
Food cravings: anything sweet
Sleep? No issues, I sleep the same about every night but I do wake up and roll over but fall back asleep often.. not much different than before!
Best moment this week? We got the dresser in the mail! So excited to get it up!
Food cravings: anything sweet
Gender: Girl
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? all the time! as i typed this she gave a little kick :::hi blog!:::: (yes i did that annoying thing where i talked for my kid.. ughh)
What I miss? having the energy/want to work out! oh and beer lots and lots and lots of beer.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting the dresser up this weekend and then finalizing the placement of the glider/dresser and then getting the picture and decals up on the wall that we have already!
Milestones: Well we have passed 28 weeks where survival rates are around 85 percent. Scary to think I could have a baby anyyyy day. Eeek!
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? all the time! as i typed this she gave a little kick :::hi blog!:::: (yes i did that annoying thing where i talked for my kid.. ughh)
What I miss? having the energy/want to work out! oh and beer lots and lots and lots of beer.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting the dresser up this weekend and then finalizing the placement of the glider/dresser and then getting the picture and decals up on the wall that we have already!
Milestones: Well we have passed 28 weeks where survival rates are around 85 percent. Scary to think I could have a baby anyyyy day. Eeek!
I took the 3 hour glucose test today and that was freaking miserable. I couldn't eat from like 9 last night until 11 am this morning. I had blood drawn at 7:50, had to chug the orange drink, blood drawn at 8:50, 9:50 and 10:50. The 7:50 to 8:50 hour was BRUTAL. I thought I would vomit and felt soo fidgety and weird. Hopefully I passed because I do not want to deal with GD! The 16th is our next appointment and we will have another ultrasound to check out my placenta and hope that it has moved so our darling daughter has an exit strategy!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
February At A Glance
Books Read
We had a TON of snow at the beginning of the month. It was soo deep and soo heavy that I didn't even venture out until we had been plowed out and my husband did a quick shovel. This is taken from my basement door haha.
This picture is super dark but I love the shape of my belly in it. This was one of my 25 week photos.
5. Sing You Home – Jodi Picoult (Feb. 10th)
6. Shanghai Girls – Lisa See (Feb. 18th)
7. The good daughters – Joyce Maynard (Feb. 24th)
6. Shanghai Girls – Lisa See (Feb. 18th)
7. The good daughters – Joyce Maynard (Feb. 24th)
A very good reading month! I enjoyed all three. I don't even know if I could pick a favorite because I liked all of them. And don't forget that Sing You Home comes out today!
Currently Reading: In the Woods by Tana French and am enjoying it! Join us Friday for our first group read discussion!
Movies Watched
No Strings Attached
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I LOOOOVED No Strings Attached. It was hilarious! And I adore Natalie Portman who is pretty darn funny in this movie. Also, Ashton Kutcher? Finally, growing up and appealing to me. Fear and Loathing? Horrendous movie! My hubby and I rented it for free via his Best Buy Rewards program and it was quite honestly the worst couple of hours of my life. Definitely, not what I was expecting.
What I want to See: Rabbit Hole (still!), The Kings Speech and I cannot wait until Hangover 2 comes out!
Favorite Photos
We had a TON of snow at the beginning of the month. It was soo deep and soo heavy that I didn't even venture out until we had been plowed out and my husband did a quick shovel. This is taken from my basement door haha.
This picture is super dark but I love the shape of my belly in it. This was one of my 25 week photos.
Favorite Recipes
Homemade Mac & Cheese with Eckrich Sausage
Sweet Potato Fries
This month in the kitchen I definitely was the 'semi-homemade' cook, which is why I didn't have nearly as many recipes. I used a lot of frozen sides/main dishes and did a lot of veggies/salads and fruit on the sides. For example, last night we had Gortons Fish Tenders, pineapple, a salad and my husband had leftover baked beans and cottage cheese and I had leftover cheesy rice from another meal. Another new fan favorite? Using Tyson Anytizer Boneless Buffalo Wings and throwing it into a salad we make... Yummmmm. I think the fact that my sciatica flares up when I stand too long in the kitchen has been thwarting my cooking endeavors. Or the fact that not many things 'sound' good when I am planning dinner.
And a grocery shopping/meal planning update
I know at the beginning of the year I talked about how I wanted to meal plan and grocery shop accordingly not to waste food. Well, I had already been cutting coupons and worked that into the mix. I have since given up full out meal planning and instead am basing purchases off of my coupons/store sales. I have started going shopping once a week and am STILL saving more money than I was before. We always have food in the house and yes the pantry is sort of overflowing with canned soup (which is an easy to grab lunch for my husband) and I have a stock up on toilet paper/lotion but, this will help me this summer with the baby. I am really enjoying it, even if it does take me most of my Sunday to read the paper, cut the coupons, look over couponing blogs/store ads and make my list. Well worth it, and it gets us out of food ruts by constantly trying new things/cheap things.
What were your favorite parts of February?
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