Book Reviews: Burn (by Linda Howard), The Girl She Used To Be (by David Cristofano), If I Stay (Gayle Forman)

I have read so many books lately, but here are three that stand out:



Burn: Linda Howard






You know I love me some romance novel, yo and Linda Howard always delivers for me. She really is one of my favorite romance novelists and not only because the stories are always so hokey, but because the men described are usually what I'd like in a guy. Nevermind my husband is not like any of her characters- which let's be real, is probably why I read these. :) But Burn is a really fun, quick read. Is the story plausible? No- but who gives a damn when you get kidnapped by a hot guy who you end up having great sex with and he falls in love with you? Oh yeah- very cool. Plus, anytime Linda write about Black Ops/Secret Agents- I'm there. Secretly- I'd like to think I'd like that kind of job being all secretive. :)

The Girl She Used To Be: David Cristofano

I have to be honest with you here. I cried on this one. I usually don't read the backs of books to see what they are about, as I've mentioned several times I judge books by covers. I totally do. I don't have a lot of time to read, so if the cover can't catch me it's screwed. So this cover kind of reminded me of myself- staring down at my options, figuring out what to do. Coincidentally- the book really isn't about that, it's about a woman who has lived most of her life in Witness Protection and tries to get out of it, but then the book takes a turn into a love story. A sad, but really endearing love story. I'd like to think there would be a part 2 of this where the characters get together..but I suspect David will keep me waiting. I wish he wouldn't be such a bastard and just write a sequel though! :)

If I Stay: Gayle Forman

Some are asking, "jeez Sara, if you judge books by covers- why did you pick this one?" Because I really like the color blue, bitches. Don't get all technical on me.

This book is a "Young Adult" book which means nothing because it is FANTASTIC and you MUST read this. I don't get all strong willed about a book, ok- that's a lie, I feel the same way about this book (which if you haven't read it yet- I'm disappointed in you). But this book is about a young girl, on the brink of so many great opportunities in her life who's family is taken away from her. She's in an accident and basically has to decide whether to fight for her life and live, or give up and die- in order to be with her family who've already died. Talk about heart wrenching. You are right there with her, weighing the pros/cons and thinking about what would you do. The amazing thing is that I got this book done in THREE HOURS. I could not stop reading. I started at bedtime just to get a few pages in and literally could not stop. Needless to say I looked terrible at work the next day- but it was totally worth it.

My favorite parts of the book are when the nurses are talking to her remaining friends and extended family and keep reiterating that it's up to her. They can only do so much as medical staff- but it's up to her to decide. Most heart wrenching moment that made me burst into tears and wake up my husband? When her Grandfather talks to her (she's not awake, she's in a coma) and basically says he'd like for her to stay, but understands if she needs to go, thus giving her the permission she needs. OH.MY.GOD. Cry like a mother fucking baby. And I agree, I think people do decide when to go. At least I would like to think I have some control over it. :)

These are GREAT reads and I highly recommend them!

Get Sketchy Wit It- You Know You Want It

It's that time of week again- (you'll notice I said 'week', not 'month') it's time for the Get Sketchy Challenge! Yes- I did it again. The threat of winning free stamps is what sent me over the edge. It's like, "Alright already...I'll make something. Put the stamps in an envelope and stop waving them at me."

So drumroll folks...

I found some pearlized cardstock at Michaels...on clearance folks. Yes, clearance. What would have been $19.99 for the pack only cost me...(wait for it...wait for it....) $3. I know- bow down you jealous bitches. I am 99% sure this was a fuck up made by a newbie overly zealous with the sticker gun (and really? I think we've all been there with our label makers so let's know jeer this person too much.) But I also go the cardstock on clearance so yeah- this is like a ghetto fabulous card. And we all know I'm all about ghetto fabulous. ;)

Anyways- so there it is. Let's hope I win. I'm also not above "we feel sorry for her" winnings- I'm all for those. :)

AND, because I know you love the card so very much...I know you want to buy it. Along with it's 5 siblings. That's righty-o folks, I made not one, but TWO sets of 6 of these because I was really on a roll last night. So if you want to purchase these- head over to my Etsy shop to do that. And support my children. They'd like a Christmas this year I'm sure and I'm not sure if saying Santa was affected by the recession will work. :)

Get Sketchy #5

Yay! I actually remembered to get my sketch done for this weekend. (golf claps, yo)



I am totally loving this card. As soon as I did I'm like, "Holy shit, Sara. It's actually super cute". GO FREAKING ME. :) Paper, Ink, and Stamp= Stampin Up, the rest is just scraps laying on my desk. Simple and cute. :) Like me. Go figure.

The 30/30 List- FINAL VERSION

Ok, I know that I have promised this for awhile. It has taken me a LONG time to think of 30 things that I can do before I'm 30 (March 10, 2012) that is within my budget and reasonable. My life's bucket list is obviously much larger, but I need to have something to ease me into the transition to 30. (*hold me*)

So here it is:
1. Go kayaking- DONE
2. Go parachuting
3. Go on a sailboat ride
4. Write a book-- in progress
5. Take the kids to Disney World-- scheduled for October
6. Try snorkeling again- try not to drown
7. Learn how to play one song on a piano
8. Take a road trip with friends
9. Go to Las Vegas with Matt
10. Run a 5K-- I'm training. Kind of.
11. Learn how to knit something
12. Attend my 10 year High School reunion (note to self, renew anxiety meds. LOL!)
13. See 10 concerts before I’m 30-- one in September (Kings of Leon) * Paramore in October
14. Go on a helicopter ride
15. Dye my hair
16. Trip to another country (Canada counts)
17. Lose at least 15 pounds
18. Go camping. Outside. In a tent.
19. Visit the Grand Canyon
20. Wear a bikini (preferably after losing the weight) (note to self: being drunk may help)
21. Read 500 books before I’m 30
22. Create a family tree book for the kids
23. See the Northern Lights
24. Go tubing and/or canoeing
25. Take kids to the Wisconsin Dells--tentatively scheduled for summer 2010
26. Hike through the sea caves in the winter
27. Road trip weekend with Matt to anywhere
28. See a waterfall I’ve never seen before
29. Try skiing
30. Be happy

I hope I can do these. I know I can- I am just really lazy. So I will periodically keep updating you on this. Feel free to cheer or jeer. I will post pictures of each thing I finish as proof. :)

Get Sketchy #3/Thank You Ann

So this is a two fold post because both go together even though it happened to be a coincidence.

#1. In this post I mentioned that I was officially a winner. Ann from Creative Antics had a blog giveaway happening and I managed to win. Because yah- I'm cool like that. So I got my prize (which was a mystery until I got it) just the other day:




#2. And as you'll notice from Ann's blog she makes awesome cards. Like the rest of us pale in comparison because she is so awesome. So I decided that I would make cards, using the supplies she so graciously mailed me. Please turn your head to the left to see these properly.

Um, Blogger? If you could just stop fucking with my pictures..that'd be great. THANKS.


#3. So then I see on her blog that she's a guest designer for Get Sketchy, and somehow I know I knew this but I tend to surpress things that I can't use day to day. Because really? There's only so much room. So the sketch this week is:



Um yeah...so I inadvertently did the sketch (without even knowing what it was), using the supplies Ann gave me, who just happens to be on the design team for the sketch challenge.

DIVINE INTERVENTION I tell you. If I don't win or at least get top 5 this week- I may lose my shit. You can't tempt fate folks. :)

And in a very sad turn of events, my cat Lenny ate my "You Rock My World" stamp and later puked it up on the kitchen floor. So I am mourning the loss of my cool new stamp that I only got to use two times (inside of each of the cards I made), but happy he puked on the kitchen floor instead of the carpet. Again.

The Hard & Cold Truth...I wish the scale was wrong

OK folks. Now I know that I promised you that I would post this number and I am not one to go back on my word. But let me tell you something- I almost choked when I saw it. Things to note:


1. I was exactly 200 lbs when I went into labor for both of my kids. Nice, neat numbers.


2. I had only gained 15 lbs with Olivia, but 27 with Jackson (coincidentally, Jackson was 3 oz. and 3 inches smaller than Olivia. Obviously, the extra weight went to my ass)


But before I show you "The Number", I am going to post a pic of me, taken today, so you can see where the weight is:
um, side note? this shirt is Awesome. I love it. I love the colors and how freaking comfortable it is. I feel practically naked it's all swingy and cute. :)





OK, folks- now here it is. Try not to snicker like, out loud:

183.6

I'm not kidding. If my camera wasn't being an absolute bitch right now I'd actually post a picture. But since it is, that's what it is. My goal- lose 15 pounds. Yes- 15. I can do that. And you know what? I'd like to lose the double chin that somehow managed to hang onto my face. So gross.

So your job is to basically keep me going and keep reminding me to post the new weight figures...even if it goes up. Because yesterday I was 183.2 so yah- not such a fab start.

Dear Jennifer/Blog Contest

I got your box today.

um- yeah, you used a LOT of tape. :) Thank god I have a 4 and 16 month old to help me. Except then Jackson (the 16 month old) got it stuck on his face, and so his sister, (the 4 year old) ever so helpful ripped it off, and crying/screaming ensued. Then he pushed her and pulled her hair. I don't know what really happened next because I was too busy looking inside of the box. :)

Holy Shit!!! 5 Books?! You are a ROCKSTAR and my new favorite person.


Now some of you are probably wondering who the fuck is Jen and why are you getting books? Free ones? In a box with a lot of tape on it? Which turned you into a horrible mother for about 10 minutes while drooling over the new books?

um, yeah- I'm cool enough to get a handwritten note. No need to bow down- but yah- admire it. Be all jealous. And Jen?? LOVE your handwriting!

Well Jennifer works in an office...in New York.. doesn't William Morrow & Harper Collins Publishing mean anything to you? No? Well then you are a freaking loser and you should just school yourself. But if you do, you are awesome (not as much as me right now) and you should just be jealous. I was actually contacted via email by Jennifer because of this post about a fantastic book that I still believe EVERYONE needs to read because it is that good. I promise. Anyways, so she found my blog (which really? Is bizarre and random, but awesome) and it totally made my day. OK, let's just be honest here- made my last two months. She gave me some really cool starting points since I'm writing my first book which is going to be a memoir about my 30/30 list and my slow but scary progression towards aging.

And for those who say, "Hey Sara, um, yeah? Your list isn't finished"- I say be patient bitch. I'm working on it. I've got 3 more spots to fill on my handwritten list which WILL BE DONE AND POSTED THIS WEEKEND. But if you have any really fun/scary activities that you think would be fun to watch me do and document- leave me a comment, I just might add it. (And let me just state right now, that something like "streaking down the street" is not going to happen. Because really? NOBODY wants to see that happen. Not even my husband I'm sure)

So anyways- Because she found my blog, loved/appreciated my review I got some really cool bonus books for which I am THRILLED about. And no, I'm not giving out her name or email address. Or anyway to contact her. I am going to be completely freaking selfish. :)

CONTEST!!!!

OK, so you all are really here for the contest, aren't you?? Well luckily I'm a giver (see, I can be something other than a bitch..really I can) so I decided that I can't rightfully hoard everything. So if you want to win one of these books- you must do the following:

1. Post a Comment

2. Become a follower (if you aren't already)

3. Post a link on your blog back to mine about the contest

I will randomly pick a winner on September 15 (because I'll probably get most of them done by then).

And thank you Jennifer for being awesome at your job, actually responding to my emails which probably made you question my sanity, and for literally making my July & August. You are awesome!