Breaking Dawn

** Possible Spoilers **

Breaking Dawn
(The Twilight Saga Book 4)

by Stephenie Meyer

Published in 2008. 768 pages.

Amazon link

Click to read my reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult (YA), Fantasy

My Overall Score: 2.5/5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): In Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final installment in the series, Bella’s story plays out in some unexpected ways. The ongoing conflicts that made this series so compelling--a human girl in love with a vampire, a werewolf in love with a human girl, the generations-long feud between werewolves and vampires--resolve pretty quickly, apparently so that Meyer could focus on Bella’s latest opportunity for self-sacrifice: giving her life for someone she loves even more than Edward. It’s as if Meyer was afraid of hurting her characters too much, which is unfortunate, because the pain Bella suffered at losing Edward in New Moon, and the pain Jacob suffered at losing Bella again and again, are the fire and the heart that drive the whole series. Diehard fans will stick with Bella, Edward, and Jacob for as many twists and turns as possible, but after most of the characters get what they want with little sacrifice, some readers may have a harder time caring what happens next.

What I thought: This was definitely my least favorite book of this series. It had nearly zero 'spark'. I had to force myself to pick it up each time to read. The characters were blah. This story contained nearly no romance. Strange story lines. Way too many new characters introduced, none of whom I remotely cared about. Um, pedophilia? (OK that may seem like a stretch, but that's what it felt like to me). Breaking Dawn should have been cut in half, maybe then it could have redeemed itself? This book just had a completely different tone than the other three - some have even speculated that Meyer didn't actually write it? It left me feeling.... like I wish I had stopped reading after Eclipse...

Why I read it & where I got it: I ordered this from amazon.com and read it to complete the 4-book Twilight series.

Date finished: March 28, 2009

Currently reading: The Shack by William P. Young

Clementine's Letter

Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker

Published in 2009. 160 pages.

Amazon link

Authors Website

Genre: Fiction, Children's Lit

My Overall Score: 3/5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): Clementine can't believe her ears - her beloved teacher, Mr. D'Matz, might be leaving them for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt! No other teacher has ever understood her impulsiveness, her itch to draw constantly, or her need to play "Beat the Clock" when the day feels too long. And in his place, he's left a substitute with a whole new set of rules that Clementine just can't figure out. The only solution, she decides, is to hatch a plan to get Mr. D'Matz back. If it means ruining her teacher's once-in-a-lifetime chance -- well, it's worth it. Isn't it?

What I thought: I adore Clementine. This is the third Clementine book and Kaitlyn and I have read all of them. This was probably my least fave of the three, but it was still good. Clementine is in third grade and has an endearing personality. I love how Clementine comes to terms with her impulsivity. And there are some sweet, tender moments between she and her dad. Kaitlyn really enjoyed this story as well!

Why I read it & where I got it: Kaitlyn brought this home from the school library. We read it for a book report (she's in second grade). Here is the pic of her final project:

Date finished: March 13, 2009

Currently reading: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer ...Still...

Happy 1st Birthday Ian!

On Sunday, February 15, I drove out to Harrisburg alone with the girls to celebrate Ian's first birthday party. Unfortunately, once again, Tim was away on a trip (even though it was his scheduled week off...sigh) but it was important to me to be there for Ian's special day. And also very nice to spend time with Gary, Beth & the boys :)










It was great fun seeing Ian tear into his cake!





We stayed overnight at Gary & Beth's house Sunday night and had lots of fun, as always.

Beth made a big breakfast for us on Monday morning, then it was time to leave for home around noon... I'm already counting down till the next time we get to see them - as of right now, it may not be till Summer :(

Happy Birthday BIG BOY Ian!!

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things You Won't Miss About Winter

Play along HERE!

1. Cold weather
2. Getting dark so early
3. Layering up with coats, hats, gloves, scarves, ... you get the idea!
4. Lack of color - brown grass, bare trees, no flowers blooming
5. Having to stay inside with the girls
6. The exuberant heating bill (Gas)
7. Keeping the windows closed & not hearing the birds sing
8. Getting into a freezing cold car each morning
9. Everything closed on the boardwalk (except Macks of course!)
10. No outside picnics, beach fun, daily bike rides to the park

Next week: 10 Songs You Hate

Manic Monday

Manic Monday #158

What would you do with an extra hour each day?

What would I like to do? Read, exercise, digital scrapbook. What I would probably do? Sleep!

Do you wear a watch? If so, tell us about it. If not, how do you keep track of time?

Yes, I wear a watch every day and feel naked without it. My watch is a Seiko that Tim bought me about 8-9 years ago and I LOVE it! It is mostly silver with some gold touches.

If it was possible, would you want to know how many days you had left to live?

Yes, I think I would want to know. Could be scary, but I couldn't resist if that info was available to me.

The Guy Not Taken

The Guy Not Taken (Stories)
by Jennifer Weiner

Published in 2007. 320 pages.

Amazon link

Authors Website

Author's Blog

Genre: Fiction, Women's Lit

My Overall Score: 3/5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): Jennifer Weiner's talent shines like never before in this collection of short stories, following the tender, and often hilarious, progress of love and relationships over the course of a lifetime. From a teenager coming to terms with her father's disappearance to a widow accepting two young women into her home, Weiner's eleven stories explore those transformative moments in our every day.

We meet Marlie Davidow, home alone with her new baby late one Friday night, when she wanders onto her ex's online wedding registry and wonders what if she had wound up with the guy not taken. We stumble on Good in Bed's Bruce Guberman, liquored-up and ready for anything on the night of his best friend's bachelor party, until stealing his girlfriend's tiny rat terrier becomes more complicated than he'd planned. We find Jessica Norton listing her beloved New York City apartment in the hope of winning her broker's heart. And we follow an unlikely friendship between two very different new mothers, and the choices that bring them together -- and pull them apart.

What I thought: First of all, Weiner is from the Philadelphia area so it was interesting to read of local places I'm familiar with (including the King of Prussia mall!) This was the first book I've read by Weiner and I did enjoy her writing style. I am not generally a fan of short stories, however, these were well-written and conclusive enough for me to feel some closure by the end of each. There were maybe one or two which left me wanting more, but overall, when each story ended in the book, it ended in my mind. I suggest you don't buy this one, but if you happen across it in the library, I say go for it.

Why I read it & where I got it: I got this book at the Annual Family Book Swap at our elementary school this past Fall. I had been curious to read one of Weiner's books for awhile, so I snatched it up when I saw it on the big table.

Date finished: March 3, 2009

Currently reading: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (almost 800 pages - HOLY MOLY!!)