Barefoot

So, I have recently finished a book by Elin Hilderbrand called Barefoot. Now, I enjoyed the book, and I quickly ate up every word. I connected with some of the characters, and I enjoyed the love story of some of the other characters. The problem is, there is one character that I absolutely HATED. I mean HATED. My understanding is that she was supposed to be portrayed as someone who isn't perfect, and she isn't, by any means, the heroine in the story. But I HATED her. It almost made it unbearable to read. She was a woe-is-me, selfish, aggravating person. Who I know - in real life. I've got some friends like this woman. And she personified everything I do not like in these friends of mine (not a book club friend). So, my question to everyone is, have you ever confronted this in a book? What have you done? Were you able to finish the book? Did it detract from the story or add to it?
I was able to finish the book, as I said above. It was a touching story about a sister who is dealing with lung cancer, another sister who is dealing with the loss of her job in a scandalous fashion, and a friend who is in a bad marriage and just found out she's pregnant. They all go to Nantucket for the summer to swallow what has happened in their worlds. Love, heartbreak, intrigue. I still enjoyed the book, despite my dislike of a main character. I recommend it, although partially because I'm curious what other people think of Brenda. (I am also somewhat selfish in my motivations, apparently. Hmm...)

What is this I hear? Outlander is being made into a MOVIE???

For any of our book club members or wannabe members... if you didn't already know that the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon is THE BEST historical fiction EVER written (and therefore the best book series ever written if your favorite genre is historical fiction/adventure).

Now... my dissertation procrastination has led me to some groundbreaking news... there will be an Outlander movie scheduled to begin shooting in 2009.

Apparently there are others out there who are extremely excited about this prospect and there is a ton of speculation among people with ALOT of time on their hands who have proposed casting for various roles... check these out.





Johnny Depp as Jack Randall?
Jude Law as Lord John?
I like Rachel Weiss for Clare - I think it does need to be an English actress.
This Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor (recently stared in 300) who seems to get the most votes: he is hot but is he rugged and big enough to pull off Jamie?

Thoughts???

Travel Reading

So, I've been thinking of a new topic that we can all get in on discussing. Here's the best I've come up with:
What do you read when you travel? Do you prefer magazines for the simplicity and ease of short articles that are easily disrupted? Or are you more into your engrossing novel du jour to help distract from the annoyances at the airport? Crosswords or Soduku puzzles more your thing?
More importantly, why? Lets discuss!!

Back to the real world

My first posting - thanks for the invite - Kate! Just back from a 2 week vacation out west. Sorry we missed you and Rae in Albuquerque! My hubby and I had a great time together - got along great - we packed in a lot each day and returned to the hotel at dark - dirty, exausted, and hungry only to start the next day ready for more. The pic is from the top of Angel's Landing at Zion National Park. An awesome, somewhat scary hike. Hopefully, you've all been there - it's a must see!

I'm reading eat, pray, love - compliments of Ruth. I'm mid-way thru. I send Jill text messages while reading it testing her Italian...I stumped her on "tasso"! Ruth could of written this book....

Jill is moving back to NC in October (Wilkesboro) and I am so happy for her, me, our family! She's been gone too long.

I hope to stay up w/ the blog - thanks for including me - hope you had a great time w/ your mom - birthday and all!!!

Rae's Current Reading

This book is a MUST read for all of us dog-lovers. Don't get me wrong, this is no "Marley & Me" feel good fluff. The story is complex and deeply moving, but it doesn't hit you over the head with tragedy. The relationship between dogs and humans is like the glue holding the story together, not the whole purpose of the book. Much like it should be in real life. This is just my opinion, informed by watching every episode of The Dog Whisperer, and not yet informed by my own attempt to raise and relate to a dog of my own.

The Short Story

So, I made a happy trip to Village Books last week with happy thoughts of book club blogging in my happy head. After a short time browsing, I discovered a used Elizabeth Gilbert book. I really enjoyed Eat Love Pray, so I was hoping I didn't go wrong with Pilgrims, and you can never go wrong with a used book, right??
While it is an easy read, and I have enjoyed the first several stories I have read, I just have issues with short stories. I know, I know, they're supposed to be enjoyable, slice-of-life type things, but I get in to the characters and I want more more more! There's never a beginning middle or end, and I'm always left wanting MORE! Where did they ride off to on that horse? Did the truck ever get fixed? Are those two strange people actually brother and sister? Tell me MORE!

Eat, Pray, Love - Fini!

Well faithful reader(s), I completed Eat, Pray, Love - yes indeedie. There was a long hiatus with only a few pages left to go... but I am glad that I waited because I found the diamond in the sand:

My favorite line of the whole book: "I was the administrator of my own rescue."

I just love it. I say it over and over... in present tense... "I AM the administrator of my own rescue"... in future tense... "I will always be the administrator of my own rescue." Love it!

It really sums it all up for me... now... let's discuss (preferably over a glass of wine).