Book Review: What I Read Last Week

Okay, I am taking a relatively light course load over the summer, so the studying and assignments have yet to pile up. With a little more free time on my hands, I decided to take any spare moments last week to read a few books that I have been wanting mark off of my reading list. To my surprise, I was able to breeze my way through five books. Let the review begin...

The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini

4.5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book! One of my favorites from the stack...plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

by Khaled Hosseini

5 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed this one the most! Maybe because it followed the story of two women, so I was able to sympathize with their plight. This one was definitely a page turner.

Beautiful Lies

by Lisa Unger

4 out of 5 stars

I loved this book so much that I read it in one sitting...a very quick read. Just my kind of story...a mystery with lots of suspense and even a touch of organized crime. Sexy and thrilling!

Sliver of Truth

by Lisa Unger

4 out of 5 stars

This was the long awaited sequel to Beautiful Lies, and it was more than worth the wait. Just as good as the first book and loaded with new spins on mysteries that we only thought were "solved" in the first book. Another quick read!

The Pact

by Jodie Picoult

3.5 out of 5 stars

It seems that most of the reviews that I have read were better than my impression of the book. I just didn't feel like the ending was strong. Interesting book, but in a "deeper meaning" sort of way.

6 Things About MommaDrool

random mommy tagged me for this one...

Here are the rules:

Write six random things about yourself. Then, tag six people at the end of your post with links to their blog.

Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1) I am not a picky eater...not just that, but I will eat almost anything. I love foods that most people despise. Case in point: I have a deep love for anchovies, caviar, strong cheeses, smoked oysters, capers, green olives, smoked salmon, and pickled okra. The only food on this earth that I cannot even stomach is pickled ginger. I will gag if I even eat something that has come into contact with it. It reminds me of a cross between soap and Listerine. StickyBun-Scotti can eat it by the spoonful...weird, huh?

2) I am scared to death of bad weather. A chance of thunderstorms or tornadoes will keep me glued to the TV for hours...even through the night. My next house will be equipped with a panic room that is severe weather proof...and you think that I am kidding.

3) I can no longer sleep at night unless I have earplugs in my ears and am holding a pillow. Since having kids, I can hear a pin drop on the other side of the house. Even with the earplugs in my ears, I can still hear my kids if they cry or call my name. Very odd because I can't seem to hear anything else.

4) I was scared to death of cutting my kids fingernails when they were babies, so I bit them off. I know that this is going to gross out most of you, but I couldn't bear to think of cutting their little fingers with nail clippers.

5) One of my least favorite things to do is dry my hair...it takes forever, and I am usually sweating profusely by the time I finish. Therefore, I usually take a shower at night and go to bed with my hair wet. I know, I know...if I would just cut my hair, it might not take so long. I just can't bring myself to do it.

6) There is nothing I dislike more than women bashing other women for unjustified reasons...you know what I'm talking about...just being catty because they don't have anything better to do. Now, if you have a reason, and it is justifiable, have at it!

Now ladies, if I am tagging you, this means that I think that you will actually take the time to do this, and your posts will be funny as hell...TAG...YOU'RE IT!

Roll Call: Terribly Shy, Non-Lucid Drivel, Glider Rider, We Doo Doo You, Little Red's Momma , and Hill Family Momma.

Conversations with The Fred

The Fred: "Momma, I want some of those animal cookies."

MommaDrool: "Well, why don't you go over there and ask StickyBun-Scotti if you can have some."

The Fred: (in her most serious tone of voice) "Momma, I don't think that will work so well to ask him. He is not so very good with talking."


She really makes me laugh...

Happy Mother's Day

There is nothing better than Mother's Day...a day to enjoy how great your kids are and to get plenty of "mommy love" from your family. When I woke up Sunday morning, I was happy to notice that the clock read nine o' clock. I had stayed up half the night watching the weather and keeping an ear out for the tornado sirens, so I was happy to have the extra sleep. When I rolled over, I realized that The Husby was already up with the kiddos...is there anything sweeter?

When I entered the kitchen, The Husby was busy preparing breakfast. Have I ever mentioned that this man is a fabulous cook? The Husby had whipped up a breakfast that couldn't have been better if I had dreamed it up myself. We had egg sandwiches on sourdough ciabatta with sopressata, Havarti, and hot pepper relish...dee-lish!

The Fred and StickyBun-Scotti were excited to give me my cards and my present. The Fred's card was outfitted with SpongeBob, and it said that she loved me because I make sure she has clean underpants...funny...and true. StickyBun-Scotti's card was sweet and made me tear up because he had scribbled his "signature" at the bottom of the card. My present was a new all-in-one printer to replace the one that someone mysteriously broke by putting irretrievable Barbie accessories into the paper feed...hmmm...I have a feeling I know what partners in crime were behind that disaster.

After church, we enjoyed a wonderful three-course meal at The Plaza II, complete with Caesar salad, filet mignon, and tiramisu. Both kiddos were on their best behavior, so lunch was very enjoyable. After lunch, we did our traditional Sunday grocery shopping for the week before heading home for nap time. The Husby and I enjoyed some quiet time together and watched a movie while the kiddos were sleeping. After nap time, we enjoyed a late dinner with The Husby preparing shrimp quesadillas....once again, dee-lish! I'm starting to wonder why I don't let him cook more often...

All in all, it was a wonderful day with my family...a Mother's Day that I will not soon forget. To all of my fellow mothers, I hope that your Mother's Day was as wonderful as mine because it feels good to be appreciated. Happy Mother's Day!

Fun at the Beach