Wish List

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

My book TBR list is SO LONG now I am not sure how or when I will ever get to it. (thanks a lot bookchickcity and wishlist participants - lol) But I love knowing I will be able to find a book (or eight million) that I love. I decided this Wish List is dedicated to the two (maybe three) I am DYING to read NEXT. Or at least as soon as I am done with Jodi Picoult's Sing You Home and watching Lost Episodes. This last two weeks has been hell at work with inventory. I worked four closing shifts in a row (and I love to go to bed early - like 8pm) followed by two overnights and then yesterday I worked for my boss on my one day off (my next day off isn't scheduled for nine more days). When I crawl into bed at night, my eyes will bleed if I try to read, so sadly these are really going to have to wait a few more days since reading has been so slow and second nature. I've began the last two days with two aspirin and a large glass of water. Sadly, I digress. On to Wish list -

Allison Hewitt is Trapped:

From Booklist Roux’s debut tells the story of a zombie apocalypse through the eyes of Allison Hewitt, graduate student and bookstore employee. Allison is working in the bookstore when she sees one her regular customers have her head bitten off. It’s clear that something very bad has happened. Alison and the survivors lock themselves into the back rooms, hiding out from the relentless zombies. In an attempt to stave off her loneliness and connect with the outside world, Allison begins a blog (blog entries and comments from readers are included at the end of every chapter). The use of the blog as a storytelling device, drawing in additional characters and points of view, helps enliven what is otherwise an average zombie story, albeit one with plenty of action and a high body count. Suggest it to zombie fans who enjoyed Ben Tripp’s Rise Again (2010) or Charlie Huston’s Sleepless. --Jessica Moyer

Hex Hall:

Synopsis

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father-an elusive European warlock-only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

And the last book I will have to figure out a way to read next, Jennifer Rardin's series JazPark, which I know I have already listed as a wishlist book, but seriously, I am dying to read this!!

Once Bitten, Twice Shy:

Synopsis:

Jaz Parks is an assistant assassin who works for the CIA. She and her boss, Vayl, have just received an assignment to meet, assess, and neutralize a Miami plastic surgeon with some disturbing supernatural connection. A spunky tale with real bite.

Which books can you not live without reading NEXT?

Lost in Lost

Work has been insane this past week. We are currently doing inventory - or prepping to do inventory anyway. I've been working odd hours and my body is all out of sorts which is never good for me. I am so in need of structure and routine. Right now, I am exhausted, but can't seem to get to sleep and then so tired in the morning, I can't get up. My allergies are making me sneeze all the time and when I am not sneezing my nose is so plugged I can't breath. I haven't been eating the best food either. Couple more days and then inventory day which will be a 12 hour day not to mention an overnight 12 hours. But this is such an exciting time at work. I am learning so much. I am meeting so many wonderful people. It's great.

We went to another store to assist with their inventory day. I loved it. I have been in inventory for other companies and other stores, using the same inventory company. It is all pretty much the same process, just need to learn how we do it at my new place. Everyone I meet has no qualms with helping me, teaching me how it is all done. They all give great tips too on what things we can do better at our store or what things they have done to improve their own store.

I'm happy. Despite the fact that Saint is so far away. I get to see him about once a month now. It is hard and sad, but as he says, we are making plans for our future. These changes may be scary (him finding an apartment in another city without me; me taking a job without him) we are making choices to be together in the future.


In my down time, I have been watching as many Lost episodes as possible. One of the guys at work recommended I see them. I used to read a plethora of blogs about the show, but never really watched them. From the first couple of episodes I was hooked. Now I am loving them and can't get enough.

I have tried to read the books in my Nook - We Bought A Zoo and Omnivore Dilemma - which We Bought a Zoo lost my attention after about half the book and Omnivore Dilemma is good, but not good enough to keep my constant attention. Then I saw Jodi Picoult's new book on the NY Times Best Sellers, but can't bring myself to buy it because I can borrow the book for free from work (if it's a hard back), but not til after inventory. So I am trying to be patient. I can read for free one hour a day at B&N, but only when I get the chance to head over there. Just a couple more days and then I can finally read the entire book without interruption. It will be almost like a reward of working so hard and so many long, weird hours at work.

Wordlesss Wednesday - vines

Wordless Wednesday

Wish List

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

Synopsis

They were young, brilliant, and bold. They set out to conquer the world. But the world had other plans for them.
Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman's new memoir is a hilarious and harrowing journey, a modern heart of darkness filled with Communist operatives, backpackers, and pancakes.
In 1986, fresh out of college, Gilman and her friend Claire yearned to do something daring and original that did not involve getting a job. Inspired by a place mat at the International House of Pancakes, they decided to embark on an ambitious trip around the globe, starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent travelers for roughly ten minutes.
Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche, an astrological love guide, and an arsenal of bravado, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads. As they ventured off the map deep into Chinese territory, they were stripped of everything familiar and forced to confront their limitations amid culture shock and government surveillance. What began as a journey full of humor, eroticism, and enlightenment grew increasingly sinister-becoming a real-life international thriller that transformed them forever.
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is a flat-out page-turner, an astonishing true story of hubris and redemption told with Gilman's trademark compassion, lyricism, and wit.

A Disobedient Girl -

Synopsis -

Ru Freeman's debut novel chronicles the trials and travails of two Sri Lank

an women and their pursuit of freedom. Orphaned then absorbed as a servant into a well-to-do Sri Lankan family at the age of five, Latha Kumari grows up in tandem with the family's spoiled young daughter, Thara. However, Latha's mysterious origins and ambiguous caste ensure her a future of unpaid servitude in the Vithanages's household. Resentful, she involves herself with the man meant for Thara. This choice ultimately causes her loss and suffering. Alongside Latha's story is that of Biso's, who is fleeing a drunken abusive husband, a murdered lover and townspeople who whisper "whore" as she walks past. Biso escapes blindly to the salvation and promise of distant relatives in the north, but her journey with her three children across the country is tainted by murder and terrorism. The kindness of strangers runs out, but the end of Biso's tragic journey will end up being the promise of Latha's future. Freeman ill

ustrates contemporary Sri Lankan life through the battles waged between lovers, friends and strangers alike in this study in dignity, strength of character, tolerance and perseverance.

The Laws of Harmony -

Synopsis

Sunny Cooper has been running since she was eighteen—from the New Mexican commune where she grew up . . . and from the haunting memory of the freak accident that took the life of her younger sister. Now, at thirty-two, Sunny voices radio spots in Albuquerque while struggling to hold on to a floundering relationship. But when a second tragic accident—and the devastating truths that come to light in its aftermath—turns her world upside down, Sunny runs again.

In the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island, she takes a new job, learns to ride a motorcycle, and makes some surprising new friends. But the past is never far behind. A startling discovery—along with an emotional and revelatory reunion with her estranged mother—is forcing Sunny to step out from the shadows of yesterday to embrace an uncertain future.

Visit BookChickCity to see other's Wish Lists or to join in!!!

Book Review: Pink Boots & a Machette

I was unpacking boxes at work last week and came across this book and was instantly fascinated. I knew without a doubt I wanted to read this book.

Pink Boots and a Machete

I was not disappointed. From the moment it started, I was hooked.

Mireya Mayor is a fiery Cuban who was raised to be a little girl, but secretly housed a love for the outdoors and animals. She ended up becoming an NFL cheerleader and was still able to find her true calling as a Primatologist.

I loved all the wonderful stories this book contained. I was gagging and grossed out by the worms under her skin, the swollen hands from blood poising and the leeches she picked out of people's eyes. I laughed and cheered when she encountered new animals and finally found the elusive smallest lemur on the planet, but failed to document it - the first time and had to go back. She doesn't hold anything to wonder. She tells all the gross, knitty gritty details. I waited patiently through this entire book to know how she met her husband. She also has a wonderful addition of photos clutched in the middle of the book that pulled me in even farther that I visited her website and on National Geographic. It is wonderful to read the book and then related the videos to some of the stories she details in it.

I really enjoyed that this book was a mixture of her journal and the story. It really helped develop the places she traveled to and the feeling of being there in the middle of the jungle, in a tent with nothing but a few survival items.

This book was seriously one of the best books I have read this year. (and yes, there have been a few already) BUT how wonderful is it that I have been so lucky?

Mireya Mayor is the type of woman who makes the feminist in me cheer wildly for women breaking the glass ceiling. She constantly goes out into the world of men and leads teams across wilderness and she does it with pride in being a woman. She shaves, she plucks and she looks good doing it. Not to mention, she is smart. Who knew we could have such a fantastic combination. She delves into the quandary of being beautiful and being in a stereotypical world.

This is a true must read!! Adventure all the way.

Synopsis

A quick examination of her roots, and one may never have guessed that Mireya Mayor would become the woman she is today. Yet, against all odds, this self-professed former "girly girl" daughter of overprotective Cuban immigrants blossomed from NFL cheerleader to Fulbright Scholar to field scientist and ultimately, quintessential adventurer. Now, with more than a decade's worth of thrilling exploits under her belt, Mayor recounts her life in a riveting, awe-inspiring new book.

In a series of short chapters, she relives each exhilarating event with uncanny charm and self-deprecating humor. Readers have the rare opportunity to follow the renowned primatologist around the globe as she unlocks the mysteries of the natural world and endeavors to save some of the planet's rarest creatures. Says Mayor: "I love the adventure, the exploration, the scientific discovery and the documentation. But really what drives me is the thought that future generations—my own children and their children—can one day learn to appreciate them like I do."

Throughout this unforgettable volume, she describes in stunning detail how she survived a plane crash...slept in jungles teeming with poisonous snakes...dove with hungry great white sharks...rappelled down a 14,000-foot sinkhole in search of frogs...draws blood from critically endangered lemurs...was charged by an angry silver-backed gorilla...was chased by elephants...and the list goes. Suffice it to say, Mireya Mayor has seen more in her 30-odd years than most of us will see in a lifetime. Her plucky spirit, brilliance in the face of calamity, and sheer will to succeed make this a classic mission book, and a thoroughly breathtaking read.

Here is Mireya Mayor's website with some really fun video's and footage of her in the field.

This is the bio of her on National Geographic's website.

Add it to your GoodReads list to be read.

Wordless Wednesday - clouds

Wordless Wednesday

kleenex, tissue or toilet paper

I bought my first box of actual real Kleenex today. It's probably been at least a few years since I have bought a box. I usually rely on tissue paper or toilet paper. When I am out and about I use a hankie. Yes, a handkerchief. My father carried them when I was growing up and I never fell out of love with them.

Saint came and visited me a few weeks ago, sick, so we bought or brought not sure, a ton of medicine and all his essentials - one of which is a box of the thickest, lotion filled kleenex. He then proceeded to leave it all here. The box of kleenex rests on his side of the bed (which since I sleep in the middle is moot point).

I have been eyeballing it since he left. Glaring at it really. Who needs to spend money on a box of what already resides in my bathroom. And I do not skimp on the toilet paper. I buy the good stuff. The TWO PLY people. It's quilted too. That's right. I am a total toilet paper snob. I refuse to use anything else in my house. (No Saint we will not be switching to your kind when we officially move in together).

Then one night, late at night, I was laying in my cocoon of duvet cover, down comforter listening to the wind whip around my place trying, and not succeeding in, breathing through my nose. After about twenty minutes of it all, I gave in and grabbed one. They were blessedly within reach without much moving.

I was instantly hooked. They are soft and since they are so thick I do not even fold them in half like they are marked to be. They do not make my nose more red, nor more sore than it already is in the high altitude. I have been having very dry and the occasional nose bleeds. No matter that I use my allergy medicine and try not to rub or excessively blow my nose. TMI?

I realized today that my box is probably about ready to run out. So I bought a box. Damn it.

Next I will be carrying those little perfectly folded pocket kleenex. What is the world coming to?