Lock and Key

Late last night I finished Sarah Dessen's, Lock and Key. Ruby, a 17 year old girl, is abandoned by her mother. Ruby slowly builds new relationships with her sister and brother-in-law. In Ruby's struggle to adjust to her new life, she learns to trust others and develops her understanding of what family means to her.

The following synopsis is from Sarah Dessen's homepage:

"Lock and Key: "Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?"

Sarah Dessen's Homepage

My thoughts:

Regardless of age, most young adults and adults will get something out of Sarah Dessen's story. Dessen's characters deal with real life issues and hardships that make her story full of life lessons.

I also recommend:  Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

What Next? I'm reading several books at the moment. At this time, I'm not sure what I'll be writing about next week.

Get involved with the Sunday Salon!   Sunday Salon 

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Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

So far my weekend has been fantastic. No, I'm not being sarcastic. I've been reading a few new books--I'll eventually finish Breaking Dawn. It's just that I read more than one book at a time, so I rotate books based on my mood. At night, I don't want to read anything too suspenseful--unless I plan on staying up late. Same goes for watching TV at night. My rule is nothing too action packed or gory before sleeping. Anyway, in my opinion, Breaking

Alien (The Director's Cut)

Dawn doesn't fit the latter description. Nope. If anything, the first half of the book reminds me of the movie, Alien. I'll write more about that once I finish the book.

Back to my weekend. I've been out and about a bit. I'm only doing the bare minimum--grocery shopping. Other than that, I've been watching some of the Olympics--rowing, swimming, gymnastics, and volleyball. Tomorrow will probably look the same, except there will be other sports games, etc..

Tonight I went out to buy coffee--my other top necessity. I've had a headache all day. I really didn't feel like moving until late this afternoon. I told myself that after dinner that I'd go out. I had some coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. My headache is gone. Funny how they say caffeine can intensify headaches. Sometimes that happens with me. Thankfully, now I'm no longer suffering.

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So I'm sitting in the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for a LONG while. Luckily, other than being hungry--I hadn't had lunch yet, I sat in front of the TV in the "waiting" room. It just so happened that there were 2 chairs together right smack in front. Not only did I get the best seat in the room, I also got to have my back to the ever growing line of people. I don't think I've ever seen the DMV office empty--not once. However, it's common to see absolutely no one working up front--taking customers in line and so forth. Literally, there were 3 workers assisting 50 people.

My lucky seating arrangement allowed me to get a front row seat to the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Oh yea. And no, not the newer version. No one plays the role of Willy Wonka better than Gene Wilder. For some reason I found a good amount of humor watching this movie. No wonder the kid actors in this movie had to see shrinks later in their lives.

The experience of watching this particluar movie in a waiting room full of people from all walks of life was somehow hilarious to me. Most people weren't paying attention to the movie until one of the song and dance scenes of the movie got really loud and some mysterious, unknown person turned the volume down. There is something maddening about watching angry, impatient people and Willy Wonka's Oompa-Loompas singing simultaneously. Not only that, but the Oompas-Loompas are singing about raising kids with morals and values. Then there's the woman swearing as she's walking across the waiting room. Hmmm.

The most amusing part of the movie is when Charlie and his grandpa break out into the song, "I've Got a Golden Ticket!" Here's where I begin to daydream. I glance down at the number on the DMV ticket and at that moment, I had the urge to stand up and sing "I've got a golden ticket!" Instead, I just smiled.           

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Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

Last night I went to one of the many book release bookstore parties to get my copy of Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn. My original plan was to purchase the book and go home and read all night. Instead, I purchased the book, went home, and read 13 pages of the book and forced myself to read something else so I wouldn't be awake all night. HA. Here's to a day filled with surprises--happy reading. =) 

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What fashion trend do you wish would come back into style?

Slap bracelets & 90s grunge...

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I recommend these titles:

Cassandra Clare's: City of Bones and City of Ashes        

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments)

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments)

Piers Anthony's Xanth Series (I've read the first 7 books) 

A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, Book 1)

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

   Ah, what can I say? I've been patiently

   waiting for David Sedaris's latest book.

   It was well worth the wait.      

Light A Penny Candle

      Maeve Binchy produces       

      another pleasurable read.

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl~ The historical aspect

is interesting.

 Philippa Gregory's, The Other Boleyn Girl, is a story filled with corruption, deceit, lust, and loss when the Boleyn family forces the young Boleyn girls to pursue the highest position of power in the court of Henry VIII. The Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne, are ordered to fulfill their family's duties by offering their services to the royal family. Mary and Anne compete for the attention of Henry VIII. Even though the plight of Anne Boleyn is inevitable, Gregory delivers an enticing story from Mary Boleyn's perspective on the 

success and folly of the Boleyn family.

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 1)

***** Yummy vampire series! Anita Blake

kicks major butt--this tough female character

 is a breath of fresh air.

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Carolyn Scott & Rookie

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As some of you may know, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight is now a "movie in the making." It's exciting, but I'm a bit skeptical after seeing the trailer.  

Twilight teaser trailer OFFICIAL HD

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Believe it or not, my students don't usually fall asleep during library class. However, I think I'll try this with them anyway... or on myself for that matter. =)

Stimulating Sleepy Students -- Acupuncturists Show Students How to Stay
Awake by Stimulating Pressure Points

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0106-stimulating_sleepy_students.htm

"Simple techniques inspired by traditional Chinese medicine may help
students stay awake during class. Researchers report that college students
were more alert if they massaged or tapped areas on the back of the
neck, the hands and legs -- areas that acupuncturists believe can
stimulate the release of endorphins."

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Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

Nah. I can't say that I enjoy reading or watching anything with vampires.

New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

However, after reading Stephenie Meyer's The Twilight Saga: Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, I'm slightly convinced otherwise. I just so happened to really enjoy all 3 books and I'm looking forward to reading Meyer's fourth book in the series. Yes, I know there's a movie and future plans to write from Edward's (character) perspective. Actually if you want, you can read about all of that here: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ . I don't think that I would have given this series a second thought, however, I've read excellent reviews in the School Library Journal http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com and elsewhere. I've

Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)

also had a few students recommend the series. Even if you're not into this genre, you should check it out because Stephenie Meyer tells one great story.

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