30 Things ...

I highly recommend women check out this book that Cheryl had on her Goodreads page called 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30. Glamour magazine created this list of 30 things and thanks to its popularity, the editors created a book with essays discussing these items. The essays provide an intriguing commentary on the various topics and show how diverse we truly are. For myself, I found it interesting that even now, I am missing some of the items on the list.

Some of the items that I lacked:
- The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
- The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
- That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

And items that made me pause:
One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. Everyone knows the latter was easy for me, but I struggled with thinking of the former, but I did finally think of an ex who I could see myself going back to because I miss the friendship though I know it would never work.

When to try harder and when to walk away. I struggle with this regularly, but believe I have gotten better with age.

A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age. During a recent conversation with hubby, he stopped me to remark, "my wife, ladies and gentleman," in a snarky tone because stories from my past can be quite scandalous at times.

One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. I am truly blessed in this.

Check out the entire list at Glamour and let me know what you think.

Wear Out Their Welcome

It is a two fold post today that also reflects my nerdiness. Becky and I were leaving the other day when ta-da, the new Charlaine Harris book, Dead Reckoning, loomed on the Express rack. Though we're both on the holds list, we grabbed a copy to check out, as we both wanted to read the latest excitement in Sookie Stackhouse's life. I finished my copy in two days, but this doesn't mean I enjoyed the book.

Here's my review of the book:
Better than the last book, which isn't saying much. I think the series is dying from longevity. The fae story is weird and rather uncomfortable to read. Eric has gone from rallying hero to possessive jerk. And we're back full circle to cheering on Bill, though Eric had a few brief moments of being our sick sadistic hero. And all the humor in the series has died.

Harsh words for a series I truly enjoy, but I think the series has run its course. Enough already! Don't ruin the series by riding the money train because the tv show is doing so well.

Many tv series have the same problem. They wear out their welcome. They don't end on a high note like they should. I have plans with my tv this weekend with one of these shows which is finally ending, though I think it found steam towards the end. (I'll write about this next week.) As I went through my DVD collection, I realized many shows have their best seasons between the 2nd and 3rd year then tread water the rest of the series, sometimes to the detriment of the show's integrity. That lead me to another thought. Are you familiar with any shows that have hurdled over the three year mark? That you can honestly say a season past the 3rd year was the best season. I actually can answer that one. I'm currently watching Supernatural, which I feel is a phenomenal show. Its 4th season was the best, but it's current season is going strong.

So do you have any shows you think should have ended early, rather than continuing on? Or any book series that has overstayed its welcome? Or any tv shows that you feel overcame the 3rd year hump? Please share. I'm always looking for another book or tv series.

Harry Potter

Of course, the gals and I went to see Harry Potter last night and as a fan, I feel I can't write a proper review. Yes, I loved it. I felt it stayed as true to the book as it could. I felt the last minute introductions to characters that we knew from the books was a little janky, otherwise a phenomenal movie. It had the right feel, the actors were great, and I was mesmerized for hours.

What I find humorous is the fact that I had been counting down to see this movie and can't wait for the next one in July, yet I didn't fall in love with Harry until a few years ago. To be honest, my love affair began a few months before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in print. Harry has been in my life for over a decade, beginning when I worked at a bookstore. If you've ever worked for an establishment that didn't order enough items for the line of screaming kids and parents, you would understand why Mr. Potter annoyed me for years. All my friends were excited about the final book and were determined that I had to read the series. It got to the point that one friend thrust the first book in my hand and said I had to read at least the first one, which led to me reading all the books in a very short time. I had become one of those people who had to read the final book the day of its release, in which I was desperate for my copy.

As for the movie, did it live up to your expectations as a fan of the book or as a fan of the movie? Not to offend, but there is a difference between the two types of fans.

Oldies but Goodies

Kay has her Memories Schmemories section where she periodically returns to some of her favorites to see if they stand the test of time. I recently decided to check back in with two of my favorite heroes to see if I still feel the same passion for them.

In Lisa Kleypas Dreaming of You, we are introduced to Derek Craven, who many have voted the most romantic hero. He is the anti-hero of the worst sort, he grew up in the slums and gladly admits he became a prostitute, grave robber, and gambler to acquire his wealth. Within the first five pages, his face is slashed due to his treatment of a married woman.

J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts has recently published her 30th title in the In Death Series, which began with Eve Dallas meeting the mysterious Rourke in Naked in Death. Roarke is an unknown quantity, who slowly over the series reveals his past, which includes being a petty criminal, smuggler, and murderer.

Yet both of these villains discover that love can make you a better man. I realized though Derek Craven is a historical hero and Roarke is a futuristic hero, both men keep mementos from the women in their lives without realizing the significance of having a piece of her. Derek keeps a pair of Sara's glasses, while Roarke carries a button from Eve's suit through the entire series. Revisiting both of these characters has been fun and yes, I still believe they are great heroes. If you haven't read either book, I highly recommend them.

True Blood

I went and did it...I discovered another obsession. Most of us have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse series and are aware that HBO created a tv series based on the books. Kelly told me I had to watch the show. Colette bought the series. Erin ordered it. Being a librarian, I read the reviews and decided to keep my distance.

Netflix delivered the first four episodes to me on Thursday. I stayed up late watching them because I was so engrossed. I have to qualify, a great many changes were done to various characters and their stories for the purposes of "good tv", but the heart is still there.

Actually that was one of the first things to strike me. Sookie actually emits more emotion in the show than in the books. She has true reactions expected of her situation. Even Bill is more personable. Most of you know I have been a Bill-hater until recently in the book series, but watching Bill on-screen, I can finally understand the appeal of the character. I'll admit I began sighing every time Stephen Moyer came on screen as Vampire Bill.

After reading the reviews, I was positive I would hate Tara and the fact that they have her in a relationship with Sam, but the story felt right. I won't deny the scenes involving my least favorite character, Jason, leave much to be desired. I began debating fast forwarding through his scenes because I know he's a male slut, but it was a little too graphic for my taste. Lafayette is truly enjoyable and more vivacious on-screen though we know how he ends.

Alan Ball, who created the show has read the books and is friendly with Charlaine Harris. He expands on the stories we peripherally hear about from Sookie, since the books are from her point of view, but he has much respect for the storyline from the books. The big revelation of Bill's motivation that is revealed in Book 6 is hinted at throughout the story and Ball says he will stay true to Sookie's storyline.

Overall a great tv series. I'll even go further and admit, I couldn't wait for Netflix to send me my next discs and bought the set on Friday. I know, yet another obsession. I have to ask, what is it with vampires? What was your opinion of the show? Did it do the books justice?

The Dog Ate My Homework

You know the saying, "My dog ate my homework", well it's true. Living in a household of librarians, my dog should be comfortable around books. My hubby and I have books lying around. This weekend, James left a book sitting by the chair for a moment. We discovered Bartle eating the book upon our return. Apparently he took issue with the binding. (Not the book in the picture.)