I think I am more of a movie buff...

I got this list from a friends FaceBook and thought I would post it here. I have also added a * next to the ones that I have seen the movie. After looking at the list it sure seems like I have some catching up to do. What would you suggest I start with??

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here. Instructions: Bold those books you've read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read an excerpt...

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen*

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien*

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling*

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6 The Bible

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott*

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare

15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell*

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald*

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29 Alice' Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis*

34 Emma -Jane Austen

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis*

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden*

40 Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne*

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown*

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52 Dune - Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen*

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck*

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas*

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett*

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses - James Joyce

76 The Inferno - Dante

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal - Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94 Watership Down - Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas*

98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl*

100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo*

Looks like I need to get me a couple Jane Austen books and catch up a little.
What Books have you read that you would suggest I start on next???

Out of Jacob's Head...Thank Goodness!!

It's finally here. I am at the half way mark and the book is back to Bella's voice.

Jacob's head was a very depressing place to be. His life is terrible, he's going to run away his group of friends has split, his first love wants to belong to a group that are his mortal enemies.

I'm glad that it is back to Bella's voice, Stephanie seems to be able to write better from Bella's perspective. Now that the baby is finally born I am kind of curious what kind of turn the story is going to take now. In my mind there is so much more to cover about other loose ends and the first half of the book {Jacob's part} could have been A LOT shorter. Well, I'll continue going to the gym and reading as I'm on the treadmill. Time really does go by faster on the treadmill when you have something else to help occupy the time and I'm all about multitasking.

A New Determination!!!

WOW!! I have been slacking. Looking at this blog I have realized how long it has been since I added anything here. The main reason for that is I haven't been reading my book. I really need to finish this book but it is being a difficult one as well. It is completely obvious that she didn't have her editor go over this book and help tighten it all up. I have already read about a third of the book but all that has happened is that Jacob figured that the baby needed to be fed blood so that it would stop attacking Bella. I mean everything that has gone on so far could have all been told in just a few chapters.

Well I just need to finish it and move on. I am making a new resolve to finish the book. I also haven't been as diligent in my exercise routine as I would like. The in-laws have decided that they want to do family photos some time this month {it will most likely have to be the end of the month because everyone has so much going on}. So my new resolve is to loose 10lbs. by the time we do family pictures and finish the last book in the Twilight Series.

A Fun Book Mark

When Twilight first came out I borrowed the book from my sister and the book mark she had with it. The book mark was a hook that you would put down the spine of the book and hanging out of the back of the cover was some cute bead work. I haven't known where to pick up the hook to make my own but I found another example and was finally able to make my own.

It even looks nice hanging there!!

Details. They are so much fun!!!

'They' were right ~ so far

I have started the last book in the Twilight series Breaking Dawn. So far everyone is right, it is the best of the series. I have just read the first of the book so far, I'm to the point where Jacob has seen Bella on the Cullen's sofa like death warmed over. Already there has been so much going on. My attention is finally captured again like it was with Twilight it and I have had to remind myself to walk away and get other stuff done for the day. I'm excited to see how this one continues on ~ please no spoilers!!! The unfortunate thing is that I will have to wait until the end of next year for the movie(s) to come out.

Oh wait now that I think about it, I have gotten to the point where Sam has decided that they, the pack, will do whatever it takes to destroy the baby. How could I have forgotten that part?

We are having tons of people over for the 4th, but we are doing our festivities on the 3rd, so I am going to have to keep the book on my shelf so I can clean and get everything ready for this weekend. Happy 4th of July to all of you!!

It's finally done!!!!

Oh my goodness! I do not know what to say about Eclipse other than I am glad that it is over! The first half she is complaining about being grounded and how hard life is. The middle was all about her self-inflicted torment between her love for Edward and Jacob, then her constant complaining about how it should be her that will die and is put in harms way. The very "climatic" part of the story was leaving a bit to be desired ~ it was a bit anti-climatic. For being the longest of the first three books it was so drawn out and I felt like there was a lot less story there, just fluff and text to fill up space. In the last few chapters of the book the whole thing was resolved and done ~ and I couldn't be more excited.

Now I'm on to Braking Dawn. Already in the first couple of chapters I am so much more enthralled. Bella is still a bit of a whiner but the context so far is so much more captivating and her writing style has cleaned up a bit to not distract from the story.

Picking Up

As you all know I am still reading the Twilight series. I have had the hardest time with the third book, Eclipse. This thing was dragging on and on. Finally there was life given to the story when Jake came and took Bella from school, then it died down again. Then it picked up when she came home and found that someone or something, had been snooping around in her bed room, then it died down again. So many people I have talked to said that this was their favorite book. Well I'm half way through it and so far, I would have to say it is my least favorite. Even if it were to pick up again and keep me on the edge of my seat, the best I could give it is two and a half stars, cause only half the book would be worth it. But the movie comes out at the end of this month so I need to keep going with it. I have to finish the book before I see the movie, but in this case I really hope the movie has more life to it than the book.

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman

I just finished the book over the weekend. Really, it is not that heavy or thick of a book but I wanted to be able to take my time with it and I love Elder Uchtdorf so I wanted to really hear what he had to say in his book. It is a nice cute little book about some wonderful thoughts and insights to the soul of a women. If you are ever in the need of a pick me up, I would definitely suggest taking a half hour, sit in the corner of your sofa and spend some time reading this book. Don't worry about speed reading it, take the time with it and realize that he is talking about every single one of us.

I have a simple faith. I believe as you are faithful and
diligent in keeping the commandments of God,
as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity,
things will work together for your good.

Eclipse ~ When will it get good?

I have been trying to read the third book ECLIPSE in the Twilight series. Now I remember why I never finished reading it last time. BLAH. I got it, she's grounded, whinny and really wants to still be friends with Jacob. Let's move on and get to something good.

So many people have told me that Eclipse was their favorite out of all four. I am having the hardest time getting past the first 100 pages or so {all it talks about is the same thing over and over and over again} and waiting for something to happen is dragging on. When will the story pick up? Will the book be half over before it actually catches my interest? Will Bella ever stop whining? Who knows!!!?!!! I will have to force myself to keep reading.

I need to finish this book before the movie comes out because if I see the movie before I get 'involved' in the book I know I will never try to read it again. But from what so many have said there is so much that goes on in it and it's the best part in the series. I'll try to stay on track and just keep reading.

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman

This is the new book that came out around Conference this spring. I love listening to President Uchtdorf and if you had a chance to listen to his talk at the Young Women's Conference, you know what I mean. ~ Read ~ Listen ~ I am so grateful that I had to opportunity to take my Sister-in-Law with me to the conference. It has been just like being back on my mission. Being able to share the gospel with someone that I love. With family that I will be with for all time. But more than that, it has been a wonderful blessing to see the gospel grow in someone who did not have it before. There is no greater joy than to be an instrument in the hand of the LORD to bring his children back to him. Alma 29:9

His book is just as sweet. He always has such wonderful things to say about his wife. How do we deal with a fast passed life? What is the greatest kind of happiness possible? We all have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

We are not alone and the LORD is always with us. As he addresses all these questions and ideas I have felt a deep love by my Heavenly Father, I know I am not alone and am so grateful for the gospel in my life.

....Trust and rely on the Spirit.
As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life
and create something of beauty and helpfulness,
you improve not only the world around you
but also the world within you....

I have read the first half of the book and will post again when I finish the book. It's a small one so it should not take too long it is just a matter of making the time available to finish it.

New Moon ~ Finished

Well I finished New Moon last week. I have to say, I forgot about all the stuff that happens at the end. In the movie the Cullens take a vote, Jacob gives a warning, then it's over. It has been a long time since I read this book the first time and I forgot that so much goes on to finish the book.

Now I am moving on to Eclipse. I tried to read this one a couple of years ago but didn't make it too far, school had started up and the story really wasn't keeping my interest. My sister said that this book out of the series was probably her favorite so I'm going to give it another shot.

Suggestions???

I got a coupon in the mail for $10 off at Deseret Book. While there I noticed so many books that I was not familiar with. I am looking for suggestions on books that people would suggest. If you have read anything in the last little while that you would suggest let me know. I would hate to let such a good coupon go to waste.

I also had a coupon for 25% off one item. There is a whole package of the Tennis Shoes Among The Nephites ~ books 6-10. Paul has already read the first five and as a present ~ because he is great ~ I wanted to get him the other 5 but I needed to wait until we got this coupon. Because we bought the whole package at once it's already cheaper than buying them all separate, then with the coupon as well, we got the last 5 books in the series at 50% off.

New Moon ~ The Movie

I am so close to finishing the book that when my husband and I went to the store to pick up a couple of items I decided to rent the movie from Red Box. Holy smokes...can I just say that I liked the movie so much more than the book, for a couple of reasons.

First, obviously they had more money. For one, you didn't notice every time they re-colored someones hair for their character. The graphics were a lot better as well. To me, it also seemed that they didn't drag out the first part of the story and Jacob had a lot more of a back bone. The other part I thought was pretty great was how they dealt with bringing a story that was already a book onto the movie screen. Bella has a lot of internal dialogue so I was wondering how they were going to get the full affect of the story, but they covered that by having her send e-mails to Alice. As you all know by know I really think the first two-thirds of the book took way to long {not to mention, it was pretty depressing as well} and I really liked how they were able to condense it all, for instance Harry's heart attack.

Anyways now I need to make sure I finish the book and get started on book number three. I tried it a year ago but it never caught my attention so hopefully this time I'll be able to make it further into the story and not just give up on it. Anyone have any thoughts on the third book? Out of the series, which book did you enjoy the most and why?

Stuck in Denver

My husband and I were lucky enough to take a trip to Boston so that he could look into grad schools. The weekend part of our trip was fantastic. It was perfect weather for walking around and the commuter system out there is something else.

On the days that my husband went in and interviewed with the professors I sat out in the hall and had a chance to read. I decided that the reason it has taken me so long to finish this book is because it has taken me so long to get into it. The whole first of the book is spent with Bella telling us that she thinks of Jacob as a friend but is still using him to create situations in which she gets to hear Edward. It's hard for me to get into a story line where the main character is so self involved and only wants to maintain relationships that she will directly and immensely benefit from. For me the story FINALLY picked up when Bella took a dive off the cliff. I think if she was developing feelings for Jacob this whole time there would have been more to the story to keep my attention and make the twist in the book as she runs off to save Edward all the more intriguing. She would have to choose between two who really love her and want the best for her. It also would have helped Jacob not seem like such a noodle. Don't get me wrong, I really like Jacob and think he is a very honest character, but I think most of his character develops once Alice shows up to Bella's home and he reacts but making Bella choose.

While I haven't read the last two books ~ I know Bella chooses Edward. I still have never seen the movie The Titanic, but come on I know the ship sinks. I just would like to see Bella have more of a struggle in deciding between this two guys (boys) who care so much for her instead of her walking around like a zombie for most of the book and using Jacob.

Anyways, I got a little bit of reading done during his interviews but it wasn't until we got stuck in the Denver Airport that I was really able to spend some time in the book. Our flight from Denver to home was canceled earlier in the day because of the weather but if the airport had waited an hour or so before they canceled our flight, they would have seen the skies clearing, the snow melting and the sun out still 2 hours before we were supposed to take off. We were put on another flight was was canceled, and still put on another flight. At least we made it home the same day. Most people trying to get to the same place we were going, were told that they would have to wait until the next day to get on a flight. After standing in two different customer service lines for a couple hours each I was able to sit down and wait for my flight. I am now so close to getting done with the book, now I just need to be sure to make the time to finish it.

Book vs. Movie ~ Twilight Saga

Ok, it's been a while since I have written because I really have not done that much reading into New Moon. I talked with my sister a little bit and she was saying that she wants to read the books again but since New Moon (the movie) just came out and the third movie is coming out in the Spring, she told me that she is going to wait to read the books until after she sees the movies. Her reasons are ~ books are always better then movies: so she doesn't want to ruin the story in her mind by reading the book first then seeing the movie. It is like eating something that tastes bad, you always have to follow it with something better, and in this case, that would be the book. If she reads the books after watching the movies, then it will simply add to the story. Now I think I have changed my mind. Before I go much further in the books I think I will watch the movies first. That way I won't get a bad taste left in my mouth.

Bella's Birthday Party

I didn't read to much last night, my eyes were closing too fast. But As I was reading I couldn't help but think about how the movie for New Moon would compare to the book. Mostly the book has talked about how much Bella does not want to be older than Edward and her birthday party that the Cullens are giving her. Is the movie going to portray her disdain for her 'black' birthday? Will it portray how much restrain it takes for them to not get too involved in a simple kiss?

It's killing me but I really do want to finish the book before I watch the movie. Because I am not a speed reader...I will need to read fast and often.

What are some of your thoughts about the movie...?
Try not to give too much away, but were they able to portray the conflicting emotion between Edward and Bella better than last time? He hates the monster he is and she wants to become one. A life is at risk but common sense is put aside to fulfill their sense of belonging with one another even though they know that they will not be able to remain with each other if things stay the way they are. Was the story that we all read and liked so much followed more closely or was it condensed again?

Finally Done

Well....I finally finished Twilight this morning and started New Moon. I am really excited for a change. Cold...stone...cold...granite...cold...come on, branch out. Even one chapter into New Moon I can tell that her writing technique improved. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the story line. It takes us all back to being young and finding love. The intense and timed emotions that went with it all. Exploring and learning about ALL the emotions and roller-coaster that goes with finding love. But honestly, I feel like 50-75 pages could have been cut from the book if Edwards chilled perfection didn't have to be described every time he came onto the scene.

There is always a difference between the book and the same story being told on the big screen. Having just finished reading the book again and recalling the movie there is so much that was left out. For intense, Alice, her past and how she became a vampire. Never brought up in the movie but as it turns out James was the one who turned her. I also think they lost some of the intensity of the relationship between Edward and Bella that took place in the first half of the book. There was so much more drama between the two of them before they got together. The part from the book that I really would of liked to have seen in the movie was the Saturday trip, the first time Edward showed Bella what he looked like in the sun and their first kiss ~ I really didn't like how those topics were addressed in the movie.

Once I get done with New Moon I will be able to watch the movie and decide if all the hype was really worth it. I have heard from people on both sides, those who really liked it and those who were really disappointed in the way the story was changed to put it in the theatre.

Stay tuned...

Making A Schedual

I have found that the hardest part of my new goal, to read all the books I have been collecting over the past few years, is finding/making the time time to sit down and read. My husband and I have come up with a routine so that both of us can get some reading in. It always seems to be easier to get into a habit when there is someone else there who will do it with you ~ for me anyways. Now I just need to find someone to go to the gym with me. I got the pass but it is not doing me any good just hanging on my key chain ;).

I have restarted Twilight, again, last time I could not get into it and so much time has passed that I figured I would just start over again. Since it has been such a long time since I read to first two books in the series I have forgotten how different the books are from the movies ~ at least the first one. I have yet to watch the second movie but I told myself that I could not go and see the movies until I finished reading the books. Even though books are always better than the movies it is harder for me to want to read a book when I have seen the movie or could just watch it in an hour and half instead of making the time to read.