Books #35 #36 #37 #38 #39

I've been on a roll with thriller, good guys vs bad guys, repeat authors lately....here's the latest reads:

Book # 35 - Private OZ by James Patterson and Michael White  - some of the reviews I read criticized that the story is based in Australia but uses more American terminology than Australian (such as Fahrenheit vs. Celsius).  Look, I'm an American living in Australian, and I float between American English and Australian English all the time (that thing in the corner to throw things away? - sometimes I call it the trash can, sometimes the rubbish bin, sometimes it merges into trash bin or rubbish can). The story itself was fast-paced, a quick read, and a decent book. 

Book # 36 - Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan - another fast-paced, quickly read book that contributes to James Patterson's fortunes.  I'm not sure I cared about any of the characters, but the maze of the thriller story was a decent read.

Book # 37 - Cross My Heart by James Patterson - the Alex Cross books are still my favorites of James Patterson, and the only ones (of the thrillers) that he actually writes himself.  I've always liked the dynamics of the Cross family, the villains he presents, and the stories he creates in this series.  This one did not disappoint, and left the reader on a note where you know more is to come.

Book # 38 - Unseen by Karin Slaughter - as for thriller writers, Karin Slaughter is a personal fave.  I enjoy her characters so much - they are dirtier, darker, and/or more complex than say, a James Patterson character.  Right and wrongs; good and evil isn't always so clear which makes for interesting characters and stories.  She always leaves me wanting more.  Always. 

Book # 39 - Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge - This book takes us back to the Bennett family series (I think there's been 4 or 5 previous ones).  You know, I'm not the biggest fan of the main character, but the stories are pretty darn good.  I like the ruthless drug cartel villain in this book, so it was again...a fast-paced, quick read. 

Thoughts # 5 - Quotes

I've got a guest post on someone else's blog - I feel pretty special that she thought to ask me to do it - so go check it out here:

quirky pickings

Thoughts # 4 - Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of those days that make me miss my family and American traditions. Family, food, football, and giving thanks - what's not to love?  Most reflect on what they've been blessed with and express gratitude to their loved ones.  Everyone seems to treat each other a little nicer (except those in heated football rivalries).  

That's one drastic difference - past Thanksgivings for me always included the A&M/Texas, so that's a big change.  I have no doubt, instead of rushing off to College Station or Austin, I'd be planted in front of a tv watching the other football rivalries. 

For my family and loved ones, as you're stuffing yourself with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie, chocolate pie, and more...know that I'm thinking of you today (a little more than every other day). I'm thankful for you, and I'm there in spirit!  

Book # 34

 

Book # 34 - Khaled Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed -  I had high hopes for this book.  I've read the author's previous two books and thought they were heart wrenching and brilliant.  The stories in this book are layered with emotional complexities, but I still didn't feel the deep ache that I felt for the characters in The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.  It is definitely worth the read, and I can't quite put my finger on what was missing. 

List # 8 - Lost & Found

I discussed in a previous blog entry that I'm moving from a tiny one bedroom apartment to a spacious house in the 'burbs.  The major move occurred this past Saturday.  I still have bits and pieces (i.e. piles of clothes) to get from the old place, but the majority of the packing and moving is complete.  Moving isn't fun.  No one likes to pack, move, unpack......  Instead of focusing on the not-so-fun aspects of moving, I thought I'd look at some of the fun things - like rediscovering hidden treasures that I thought I'd lost, but now I've found...

1.  $100 gift voucher to a day spa - I got this for my birthday in June.  It expires in December.  After this move, my back will definitely be screaming for a massage!

2.  Tweezers - I never seem to be able to find tweezers when I need them.  When I was packing, I found three pairs.

3.  I have a bag full of posters that I've been moving with me since I was a teenager - mostly of Jon Bon Jovi - including my door size collage that I lovingly created in high school and used in a group presentation at A&M.  I got an A.  I forgot about this gem that one of my best girlfriends gave to me.  It is a colored chalk drawing of JBJ.  I was bothered then that the artist got his eye color wrong, and I'm bothered by it still.  Jon Bon Jovi does NOT have brown eyes.

4.  Christmas goodies from my mother like a Peanuts Christmas card with a recorded message from her that can be played, so I can hear her sweet voice, and these fabulous Christmas light pajama bottoms:

 

5.   White gold hoop earrings - I think I wore this pair of earrings only once or twice before I "lost" them. 

6.  A bag full of underthings - I knew I bought more when I was in Texas this past July!

7.  I have an assortment of sweatshirts I can't seem to throw away.  I forgot about my embroidered ORHS sweatshirt, but I rediscovered this treasure:

8.  I love pictures.  I have a lot of them of family, friends, travel, etc.  This one made me cry - (I still miss you so much, Jesse James):

Thoughts # 3 - The 'Burbs

It's official - I'm moving to the 'burbs!  Neil and I are moving to Blair Athol which is a suburb 57 km (35 miles) southwest of downtown Sydney.  The house is pretty nice for a lease house.  The finishings aren't fantastic, but it's a lease house.  It's a 5 bedroom 3 bathroom house - there's 1 bedroom and bathroom with a shower downstairs and the rest is upstairs.  Best of all - it has a walk-in closet, air conditioning!, a spa bath, a dog run with a dog house, plus a paved area in the backyard with a pergola.  Heck, I'm even excited to have a linen closet!  You know I'm not the cleanest girl in the world...when I don't have space or room to put things in place, like towels in a linen closet, it only encourages my messiness!  So...space is good. 

The biggest changes...(which are two big changes)...are the commute, gaining a 15 year old (Chelsea, Neil's daughter) and 73 year old (Graham, Neil's father) as housemates, and the change itself.  Graham is taking the bedroom downstairs which is by far the smallest.  So, we'll have our space upstairs.  There's conceivably 3 different living rooms - so every one can have their own little corners if need be.  I'm happy that Chelsea will be living with us.  She's a cool kid that I can relate to.  I've been a 15 year old girl, and although it was a long time ago, I still remember a lot of things from that time.  The commute - currently, I can walk to work.  With the move, I'll be on a train for over an hour.  I'm viewing this as reading time. The change - well, I haven't lived in a house since I was 17 years old.  I've been apartment living and mostly urban dwelling since that time.  So, it's a big change for me...but I have decided that I'm ready for the change.

We've definitely been busting at the seams in our current apartment.  It's a one bedroom.  It's small.  You can barely turn around in the kitchen or the bathroom.  All that being said, it was a place where I experienced a tremendous amount of self-growth.  For this, I will always be fond of the place and hold a special place in my heart for it.  And, damn...I'm going to miss the view.  My bedroom window looks at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  It's difficult to beat this view........ 

i'll miss Kirribilli, but it's time for a new adventure.  Now...for the dreaded act of packing, moving, and unpacking.  UGH!

Book # 33

I forgot this one.  Somewhere in my listing of books, I forgot to list this one.  I know why.  It's because I read it on my dad's kindle when I was visiting him in July.  I am not ready to give up actual books and use an e-reader.  Forgetting to list this book just gives me another excuse to avoid this technology.

 I may have mentioned before that John Sandford is my favorite author of this genre - crimes that mostly involve crazy, sick, murdering bad guys with reoccurring good guys fighting the good fight.  John Sandford reminded me of why he's my fave with this book.  Silken Prey served up the plot, characters, and style that I expect from Mr. Sandford.  Too bad I read it on a kindle.  I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it even more reading the good ol' fashioned book.