I've Lost Control

Costco is a black hole. It will suck you in and spit you out dry, especially their book section. If you've never shopped there before, I warn you not to go on payday. I've given you fair warning!

I've purchased an exorbitant number of books over the past few months from all venues (i.e. online, school bookstore, Barnes and Noble, etc.). Booksobuyase overload. I thought I'd share some of my purchases:

The Ghost at the Table
Wicked
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
A Peach of a Murder: A Fresh Baked-Mystery
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

Baker Towers
The Hudson Series
Alias Grace
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities
The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories
The Bookshop
Frangipani
Something Wicked This Way Comes
The Devil and Miss Prym: A Novel of Temptation
Fahrenheit 451
Girls in Peril
The Myth of You and Me
The Tortilla Curtain
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (New Hardcover Edition)
If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News From Small-Town Alaska
Gals!
How To Prepare for the Nursing School Entrance Exams
Black Swan Green
The Secret River
The Emperor's Children
Lisey's Story
Carry Me Down
The Woman in White (Modern Library Classics)
Crow Lake
Too Beautiful For You: A Novel
The Founding
Stardust
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Fables Vol. 1 - Legends in Exile
Garner
The Historian
Looking For Alaska
A Gracious Plenty
The Mermaid Chair
Frida: A Biography Of Frida Kahlo
The Screwtape Letters
Charlotte Temple
Life and Death of Harriet Frean
Butterfield 8
The Red and The Black
Private Entrance
The Tea Rose
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Hotel Paradise
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop
Class Mothers
Silk
The Beach House
A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons
Our Inner Ape
The Dancing Girls of Lehore: Selling Love and Saving Dreams in Pakistan's Pleasure District
Murder of Bindy Mackenzie
Uglies
The Goose Girl
Elsewhere
New Moon
How I Live Now

Purple Hibiscus

And this touches on just a smidgen of what I've purchased, which includes a slew of graphic novels and manga whose titles I can't remember. I have three more bags and two bins (of new books) waiting to be looked through. And yes, those bags are so full that they keep falling over. BTW - The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories has illustrations in it (and the cover is really nice). I'm a sucker for illustrated novels. Of course, I have yet to finish Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell, but I have absolutely loved what I have read so far. I'm actually half-way through, so I just need a couple of free days (an exam-free week) to buckle down and finish it.

Now please excuse me while I stick my head in the toilet bowl and flush until I drown.

Updating Links

I've begun the tedious process of updating my links. This means trying to remember all of the blogs that I adore but forgot to link.

If you would like me to add your blog to my blogroll, or would like it removed, please contact me either via e-mail at TerracottaTurtle@hotmail.com or post a comment below.

Thanks!!

Ami McKay Book News

As you all may already know, I cannot praise The Birth House enough. Kailana was sweet enough to post comments about Ami McKay's upcoming new book. Yep - she's working on a new novel! Apparently, it's titled The Virgin's Cure. Hmmm....I wonder what she has in store for us?

Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh

Last weekend found me studying for a HUGE Anatomy & Physiology exam that I had the following Monday evening. In the midst of studying the anatomy and physiology of the heart and blood vessels, the lymphatic system, the immune system, and the respiratory system, I picked up Mrs. Kimble. This novel was so good that I finished it on Sunday afternoon, while reading 5 chapters of my text. It was that good!

First, I really love the cover. I also had a bookmark with ribbons and such that matched the colors of the front cover, which made it all the more appealing. Every time I had to close the book, I would admire how nice my bookmark looked. I showed it to my husband 5 times, so he got the hint. Yes, I am a dork.

When this novel was first released, I have to be honest and admit that the premise noted on the back cover did not appeal to me. The plot revolves around three women who marry the same man, how it affects their lives, and how they move forward with the decisions that they make. It sounded like a light read, so I decided it would be the perfect distraction during my studying. It came to be SO much more.

I highly recommend Mrs. Kimble. The version I have is the P.S. series edition, which has a helpful interview with the author at the end that sheds light on Ken Kimble. I have since added Baker Towers to my TBR tower.

I am truly honored!!

Imagine my surprise when upon perusing through Ami McKay's website for The Birth House, spotting an excerpt from my review linked there. Well, my jaw just about dropped to the office below mine. I printed it out so that I can pull it out and stare at it when I'm feeling down. I also offered to autograph it for my co-workers, but they didn't bite. Player haters!! heh heh :)

I also had a very well-known author contact me (Yay!!) but first I have to find out if it's okay for me to post about it. If not, then I will relish in my secret!

I hope everyone had a great day! I'm off to study for A&P, which includes a quiz, two essays, and an exam.

Also, stop by The Written World. Kailana posed a great question that is sure to make you all salivate!

By the way, if you haven't read The Birth House yet, please do so. It truly is fantastic!

The Departed

When The Departed was first released, I was not sure if I was going to enoy it. My husband finally convinced me to see it, particulary after my parents and sister raved about it. I am so glad that I saw it. I can honestly say that it was fantastic! And the beginning of the film was well-done.

The cast is rife with well known actors, including the one and only Mr. Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, and the scrumptious Leonardo DiCaprio. Prior to this film, I knew that Leo was a great actor, which I can attest to after watching the heart-wrenching film The Basketball Diaries years ago. But, I always thought of him as a boy-man. Well, boy-man no more - he's manly and quite lovely ;) My new crush ***blushing***

It's a Scorsese film so expect some violence, strong language, and controversial themes. I don't want to give anything away in regards to the plot as I do not like spoilers and I feel that should you choose to watch it, it's better to let the story unfold by surprise. I do want to add that the violence should not deter you from watching this incredible film. I left the theater with a severe tension headache. Later that night, my husband had a dream that he was part of the New Jersey mob. Plus, if this might influence you at all, People magazine gave the film four stars and stated that this is what a great movie is all about.

Now I'm off to fantasize about Leo....

Currently Reading

Since so many books I want to read reference Jane Eyre (i.e. The Eyre Affair and The Thirteenth Tale, to name a few), I thought it would be a good idea to read this classic first. I thought I had read this when I much much younger, but I might have confused it with Daddy Long Legs. It is pretty good so far but it's taking me a long time to finish it, which is driving me mad. I keep glancing over at all my TBR books...

Moving Forward....

I want to thank you all sooo much for all your kind words. You don't know how much they meant, and still mean, to me. I actually reread your comments several times and they did put a smile on my face because of the sincerity and overall compassion in your words.

It wasn't easy but I believe that I got through it. It was extremely difficult because it happened when my husband was away on business. I went through all the phases - denial, anger, sadness, bitterness, and now, peace. I have a strong faith in God and I believe that when the time is right, it will happen. And Joy, your comment did give me hope - thank you!! :)

Like Maggie noted, it happened for a reason. I truly do believe that. And I will take this time to better myself so that when it does happen, my body will be ready. Besides, the practice isn't so bad ;) heh heh