No exuse

I don't have any good excuses for not blogging earlier. Well, maybe that isn't true. After I typed that, I remembered that report cards and IEP progress notes were due this week, my husband left to go to a school for a month, and I got sucked in by this book:

(image source: amazon.com)

This one was just as good as Sloppy Firsts. I bought this on a Saturday and had it finished by 8:30 Sunday night. I became even more intrigued by these books when I realized that Jessica Darling was the same age as me. I made this connection when she described 9/11 happening in the fall of her senior year. Her story was just like mine. She had decided to go to Columbia University when suddenly our country was attacked. I couldn't believe it as I read this. I was actually scheduled to go visit a college on Long Island the week after 9/11. The trip was obviously cancelled and my world was shaken. Her story continued to parallel my life throughout the book. I can't wait to buy the third book today.

On another note, I have decided to buy a Kindle. After I finished Second Helpings, I found myself wishing that I could instantly download the next book. I think I have convinced Dave that I need one so I think that will be my Valentine's Day present. I did a little research and I think I have decided on the Kindle over other e-readers. If you have a Kindle or another e-reader, let me know how you like it. What are the pros and cons of the one you have?

Book Review: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

With the month of January almost over, I have finished my first book of the year. I was given a Borders gift card for Christmas. Usually I spend those immediately, but I held off in order to make an informed purchase. As I stated in a previous entry, I have quite a few books that I need to read. For some reason, I just have not been motivated to read them. Anyway, I finally spent my gift card two weekends ago. I decided to buy Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Both of those books were on my TBR list.
I decided to read Sloppy Firsts first. I wanted a light-hearted read to ease me into the goal of reading 25 books this year. This book was a great choice. There was a smile on my face the entire time I was reading it. When it was over I literally yelled “What? It’s Over?” out loud. If it hadn’t been 8:00 on a Monday night, I would have gotten in the car and driven to the bookstore (which is 30 minutes away).

Sloppy Firsts is about sixteen year old Jessica Darling whose best friend, Hope, has just moved away. Jessica has trouble relating to her “friends” aptly nicknamed the Clueless Crew. Jessica struggles to decide if it is better to have acceptance and be unhappy or express herself and lose acceptance. She finds an unlikely ally in Marcus Flutie, a socially unacceptable druggie.

It is easy to say that I loved this book. It was not an extremely deep, thought provoking book. However, I could totally relate the Jessica’s internal struggles. I found myself thinking about my own teenage years and wishing this book had been around then. I asked myself many of the same questions that Jessica asked and had many similar experiences. I think almost any female that has lived through high school could relate to this book. If you are looking for a light, feel good read, be sure to pick this book up.

Trouble Focusing

I am having a very difficult time focusing lately. I am terrified that it is my anxiety coming back to haunt me. It has been at least 5 years since I was on any sort of medication for anxiety and I would like to keep it that way. However, I am finding myself worrying about little things lately. As I said before, I really don't want to go back on medicine. That feels like admitting defeat. I am hoping to combat it through things like yoga. If anyone has other suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Now on to what led me to post this in the first place. It is now the 17th day of 2010 and I have yet to truly start working on my goals. I am eating better but I still have to start exercising. The one I am really struggling with is the reading. I have started two or three books that I am having a hard time sticking with. The thing is, I was really excited to get these books. Now that I have them, I can't seem to focus for more than a couple of pages. I need to commit myself to reading these which means I need to start turning my computer off and get reading. Here are the three new books that I am excited to read:

(Image source: borders.com)

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

(Image source: borders.com)

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

(Image source: borders.com)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I am starting with Sloppy Firsts because I've heard it is a nice light read. 24 starts tonight so I'm not sure how much reading I will get done. However, I have tomorrow off so I plan on doing as much reading as possible then. Hopefully I'll be able to focus.