Tuesday Tunes - 06/30/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

Young
Hedley, Artists
Hoggard, Howes, and Poederooyen, Writers




I'm tired of waking up at 5AM
My boss has lost his freaking mind again
I'm getting so sick of the same routine
And living out somebody else's dream
Another zombie coming back to life,
Only 20 but I'm feeling like I'm 45

Better burn out than fade away
So come and have a drink on me
On me, on me

We were young, having fun
Used to party all night long
Jumping up and down and getting crazy,
Banging our heads to AC/DC
We were young, turn it up
Used to party til we'd drop
And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun
We were young
Young
Young
Young
Young

I'm tired of dressing up and stressing out
I'm guessing messing up's what I'm about
Kicking and screaming inside my head
A white picket fence, you blink you're dead.
Another zombie coming back to life,
With the beat like a bomb in the blinding lights.

Better burn out than fade away,
So come and have a drink on me,
on me, on me

We were young, having fun
Used to party all night long
Jumping up and down and getting crazy,
Banging our heads to AC/DC
We were young, turn it up
Used to party til we'd drop
And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun
We were young

Hey hey hey!
Time is ticking, they say
Hey hey hey!
Not a minute wasted
Hey hey hey!
It's better to burn out than fade away

We were young
Young
Young
Young
Young

We were young, having fun
Used to party all night long
Jumping up and down and getting crazy,
Banging our heads to AC/DC
We were young, turn it up
Used to party til we'd drop
And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun
We were young,
Having fun
Used to party all night long
Jumping up and down and getting crazy,
Banging our heads to AC/DC
We were young, turn it up
Used to party til we'd drop
And we wouldn't stop until we'd see the sun
We were young

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Gone Girl - Flynn

Title: Gone Girl

Author: Gillian Flynn

Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2/5- Just okay.  Choose with extreme prejudice.

Book Source: Library
 
Recommended if you like: Fiction, Mysteries

 
What Its About:  
Nick Dunne met his wife, Amy, at a party and despite losing contact with her for a year eventually reunited, fell in love, and married. Their "perfect" life carried on in New York City until both Nick and Amy lost their jobs. Then Nick's mother developed cancer and Nick dragged his wife to his home town of North Carthage, Missouri - quite a change for a born and bred New Yorker.

Amy and Nick do their best to adjust to their new lives, despite arguments and struggles. Neither are happy, but both seem to be trying, perhaps. Until one day, on Amy and Nick's fifth-year anniversary, Amy disappears. Out of the blue, she is gone. There appears to have been a, questionable, struggle in their home. The police quickly focus on Nick and pull out all the Missouri "stops" to locate her, or a body. Clues, including an anniversary scavenger-hunt (a tradition between them), lead both the police and Nick to come to conclusions about what happened to Amy.

But...

The Bottom Line: 
This book sounded like such a great concept. It was so very hyped by so many!

But...

In the words of Patricia at American Thinker...

"Gone Girl was one of the best books I had read up until the last few pages. Then it became the worst book I'd ever read..."

Agreed.

Ugh! What a waste!


...sorry Gillian, never again.

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Tuesday Tunes - 06/23/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

Love, Me
Collin Raye, Artist
Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes, Writers

I read a note my grandma wrote back in 1923
Grandpa kept it in his coat and he showed it once to me
He said, "Boy, you might not understand but a long, long time ago.
Grandmas daddy didn't like me none. But I loved your grandma so."

We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together
Get married in the first town we came to and live forever
But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet instead
I found this letter and this is what it said

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me
I'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long Ill be but I'm not gonna let you down
Darling, wait and see

And between now and then til I see you again
I'll be loving you, love me

I read those words just hours before my grandma passed away
In the doorway of a church where me and grandpa stopped to pray
I know I'd never seen him cry in all my 15 years
But as he said these words to her, his eyes filled up with tears

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me
I'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long Ill be but I'm not gonna let you down
Darling, wait and see

And between now and then 'til I see you again
I'll be loving you, love me
Between now and then 'til I see you again
I'll be loving you, love me

Between now and then 'til I see you again
I'll be loving you, love me.

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Called - Jefferson

Title: Called: Hello, My Name Is Mrs. Jefferson. I Understand Your Plane Is Being Hijacked. 9:45 Am, Flight 93, September 11, 2001

Author: Lisa D. Jefferson

Genre: Memoir
Rating: 2/5- Just okay.  Choose with extreme prejudice.

Book Source: Purchased
 
Recommended if you like: Stories about 9/11,  memoirs

 
What Its About:  
Lisa Jefferson, a GTE Airphone supervisor, was taken by surprise on September 11, 2001 when an employee informed her that a man on the telephone system was informing them that he was on a plane that had been hi-jacked. She took over the call, thinking there must be a misunderstanding, and soon found herself speaking directly with Todd Beamer.

Beamer, one of several passengers including Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, who formed a plan to take try to recover the plane from the hijackers, shared with Jefferson what was occurring and explained the plan. She spoke and prayed with Todd, a Christian, until, during his final moments, she heard him state the now infamous words "Let's roll!" shortly before the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

Jefferson recalls these moments with Todd and hearing the doomed passengers on Flight 93 and discusses how this event greatly effected her life.

The Bottom Line: 
Overall, Jefferson's story is very interesting and touching. However, her story only represents about half the book. And, her interaction with Flight 93 was considerably less. She shares quite a bit about how her life was changed after this event. Already a Christian, this event seems to have strengthened her belief in God... that's it. The remainder of the book was input from others who lost loved ones on 9/11.  While valuable stories, I was interested in hearing much more about Jefferson's experiences, more of her conversation with Beamer, and felt cheated when it was cut short.

To be fair, such a dramatic event probably made it difficult to remember many specifics... but  overall, I just felt cheated. Well written though, this one's worth it if you are really into stories of 9/11, otherwise there are better accounts of that day out there.

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Tuesday Tunes - 06/16/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

I Will Remember You
Sarah McLachlan, Artist
Sarah McLachlan, Seamus Egan, and Dave Merenda, Writers




I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light

And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories

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Mondays & Monday Mailbox - 06/15/15

Monday Mailbox hosted by Marcia @ To Be Continued.

It's Monday! hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Now Reading:

There Was a Little Girl (Brooke Shields)

Just Finished: 

We Should All Be Feminists (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

On Deck:
So, so many!



My goodness my "Mailbox" was busy this week!







This one came from a publisher...












These arrived from the book sale...

And these came from the town event, library book stand!

Overall, a pretty great week book wise!!!

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Sunday Salon - 6/14/15

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Life:

Hey there, how the hell are you?!?

It's been a little while, hasn't it? After six months, I am finally at a point at work where my every second isn't triple filled! Which is not to say I've got anywhere near the free time I used too, but at least I can arrive after 8:30 a.m., leave before seven p.m., and even eat lunch, while still keeping up. God willing it will continue to be reasonable. I'm still exhausted by the time I get home though.

Hubby took a week off from work in May, but I wasn't able to join him. But now I'm feeling like it's possible, so I looked up my time and discovered that, in fact, I am no longer accruing vacation because I'm maxed out.  So I have planned three weeks of vacation this summer, with the boss' approval to use some up. Clearly, I can use every second of the rest!  The first is next week, so I am literally counting the minutes until this week ends...

The babies are doing really well. They are eating well and playing lots. We finally opened the summer porch for the season and they are permanent fixtures out there! They love the birds that live in the tree next door and the looking down on the bunnies and chipmunks that are finally around after last year's fix family living next door.

The PV ladies are back together again, at least for the summer, since Vicki got back from her overseas travels. We've got several performances planned this summer, but are enjoying a reduced rehearsal schedule as summer is very busy for everyone.  But it's nice to sing with my gals once again!

Blogging:

I had gotten so behind in blogging, it was crazy. But I have continued to read, as that's about all I have energy for after work...other than TV. And let's be honest, at some point, you have to turn that sucker off. You know?!

I am catching up finally, though. My recaps have been updated, and I have gotten a bunch of reviews set to publish... Yes, the books are finally returning to my book blog!! I've also got a bunch of new Tuesday Tunes ready for you and will do my best to keep my Monday posts going.

This past week was wonderful book wise! The town library had their annual book sale. When I mentioned it, hubby didn't threaten to divorce me despite our overflowing shelves. So I went!! As well, this past weekend was a town event where the library always has a book tent where they bring the left-over books and you can take what you want for a donation. I spent about $20 at both events. Not as much as last year, but I got a bunch of great books and look forward to an awesome reading vacation!

What I Am Reading Today

I seem to have finally beat my recent book blahs and have powered my way through a bunch of books recently. Currently, I am reading the third book (I almost positive) of a well known actress. And I read the very short We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanfa Ngozi Adichie this weekend. Short but powerful!

Here's to just a few days left until vacation!!!

Hope it's a great week all!

Shannon

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April & May 2015 ReCap

April 2015

This month I read: 
1. Moloka'i

May 2015

This month I read: 
1. Love Life
2. Etches in Sand

3. Working Stiff

In numbers:
Total Read: 4
YTD: 13
Adult: 4
YA/children's: 0
Abandoned: 0


Favorite Book(s) of the Month/s: 
Moloka'i (Alan Brennert)


Challenges Update:
 

 

Books to read 2015: 50

Books read in 2015: 15
Books remaining: 35




 
Books to read 2015: 23
Books read in 2015: 6
Books remaining: 17




Books to read 2015: 25
Books read in 2015: 5
Books remaining: 20

Letters to read 2015: 26
Letters read in 2015: 11
Books remaining: 15

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Tuesday Tunes - 06/09/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

Both Sides Now
Judy Collins Artist
Joni Mitchell, Writer

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughin' when you go
And if you care don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
But something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

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Tuesday Tunes - 06/02/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

How You Ever Gonna Know
Garth Brooks, Artist
Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks, Writers



That old wind that's whipping out there
It's whistlin' your tune
That wind blew pyramids to Egypt
And footprints to the moon

And that old star that you been wishin' on
Is shinin' mighty bright
But it's the fire inside your heart
That's gonna lead you to the light

How you ever gonna know
What it's like to live there
How you ever gonna know victory
How you ever gonna know
What it's like when dreams become reality
How you ever gonna know
How it feels to hold her
How you ever gonna know
What it's like to dance
How you ever gonna know
If you never take a chance

You know failure isn't failure
If a lesson from it's learned
I guess love would not be love
Without a risk of being burned

Anything in life worth havin'
Lord, it has its sacrifice
But the gift that you're receiving
Is worth more than a price

How you ever gonna know 
What it's like to live there
How you ever gonna know 
What you never knew 
How you ever gonna know 
If you're down here doin' 
What the good Lord put you here to do 
How you ever gonna know 
If you could have done it 
How you ever gonna know 
How it feels to fly 
How you ever gonna know 
If you never dare to try 

Listen not to the critics
Who put their own dreams on the shelf
If you want to get the truth to admit it
You gotta find out for yourself

How you ever gonna know
What it's like to be there
How you ever gonna know
If you're the best
How you ever gonna know
What you believe in
If you don't put it to the test
How you ever gonna know
How it feels to hold him
How you ever gonna know
What livin' means
How you ever gonna know
If you never chase the dreams

How you ever gonna know
Your potential
How you ever gonna know victory
How you ever gonna know
What it's like when dreams become reality
How you ever gonna know
How it feels to hold her
How you ever gonna know
What it's like to dance
How you ever gonna know
If you never take a chance

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Mondays - 06/01/15

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Now Reading:
Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)

Just Finished: 

Working Stiff (Judy Melinek)
Etched In Sand (Regina Calcaterra)
Love Life (Rob Lowe)

On Deck:
Just gettin' by...

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