Vacation Reading

I stocked up at the Borders going out of business sale earlier this summer in anticipation for our Cancun getaway with some classics-The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Lord of the Flies, and Gulliver's Travels.

I powered through Tom Sawyer (loved it-never read it) and am almost through Lord of the Flies (Sorry Mr. Leon, I remember nearly nothing of this from 10th grade!) Still working on Gulliver's Travels.

What piece of amazing literature took the cake, pie, cookies, and ice cream:

Snort, cry, laugh out loud reading. So much I know Scott was annoyed by the continued outbursts. I wanted to buy this book from the day it came out, but I forced myself to wait until it would apply to beachside reading. So glad I did. Ironically, American Airlines has some sort of agreement with NBC so I saw the same episodes of 30 Rock*, The Office, and Community on four different flights (sans headphones) and in one, it was the season finale when Tina Fey has a fantasy and Ina Garten is her neighbor!!! ZOMG my worlds collided! I do realize this is actually her character Liz Lemon, but let me say if there is a dinner party waiting to happen it includes me and those two ladies. Meryl Streep is optional.

I was tempted to put quotes here from the book but then I'd just be retyping everything and thus, people should just borrow it from me or buy it. I even went against my principles and bought it in hardcover. Doesn't come out in soft until January of 2012. Too long to wait people!
Do yourself a favor and ignore the depression of the world for a few hours and crack open these pages of fine American literature.

*I'm not sure what happened but we fell out of 30 Rock Thursdays so you can bet I've added them to the Netflix queue to catch up.

Good Reads

One of my favorite referrals in life besides a great new wine or DIY project I think I'll get to is a good book. My mom and Kerri did not disappoint this month. I now pass this on to you (besides Kerri and my mom who have read 2/3 or 1/3 of these books, respectively) because it can be overwhelming to declare you want to read something and not know where to start. Plus there are only so many times one can read the Harry Potter series.

The Pioneer Woman: From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, by Ree Drummond
For those who may not know, The Pioneer Woman is a blogging sensation. I read recently that it's estimated she makes approximately $1 million in sponsor ads on her website. In true Erin form, I don't remember the reference, so just believe me. She is one of the few with a simple story and a way with words (and food-which also translated into a cookbook) which now sounds like a pretty good income next to her husband's cattle ranch.

The book chronicles the love story with her "Marlboro Man" (but I did do research here-I wanted to know his real name. It's Ladd.) up to the point of their wedding and first year of their marriage. It's a lighthearted read, filled with her trademark quips, anecdotes, and recipes.

Kerri is her number one fan and hopes to win one of her contests to go to her ranch someday. I would write her every recommendation letter required, citing her perfectly executed Sloppy Joe's and Proscuitto Pizza.

Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, by Diane Chamberlain
Suffice to say I devoured this book. I found it completely intriguing and with a story line I had not read before.

From the book itself: "CeeCee Wilkes knows how Genevieve Russell died, because she was there. And she also knows what happened to the missing infant, because two decades ago she made the devastating choice to raise the baby as her own. Now Timothy Gleason is facing the death penalty, and she has another choice to make. Tell the truth, and destroy her family. Or let an innocent man die in order to protect a lifetime of lies…"

It is part mystery, part mistaken identity, and entirely suspenseful.

Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah
My mom raved about this book. Twice to me. I think she forgot about the first time because she was so excited. It was definitely a good read, but it took about 2/3 of the book to get there. I found the set up entirely too long and repetitive to achieve the time length desired. That aside, once the book got to the point, I really enjoyed the tale and I think I even shed a few tears.

Next up, I'm giving Gone with the Wind a second go. I started a few years ago but was interrupted and it's high time Katie Scarlett and I met again.

Bedside Reading

I'm always curious to know what other people read at night. Usually I am a one book girl, devoted to a single story because generally I like whatever I'm reading that much. (Sidenote-books get three chapters before I'm out. Never could get into "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.")

My tune is changing, possibly because the novel of the bunch has been read before and I'm in more anticipation for the movie.

At work, I'm asked to employ graphic design skills that I do not have, so I figured it was time to seek out some help. Enter the assistance of our go-to designers at work, the Decaro's, who have graciously let me borrow this book-Thinking with Type. It's great for my (remedial) skill level and written effectively, but unfortunately, has been the recipient of least attention.

Glamour. My monthly mail indulgence. I usually skim it all in one sitting, reading the short articles and Q&A, and then go back one more time for the editorials. Then it's round-filed. No magazine hoarded here, and why I buy magazine subscriptions on Amazon for $2 a year.

My newest addition comes through my thoughtful mother-in-law, the gardening guru. 52 Weeks in the California Garden will be my bible take two piles of dirt from drab to fab. Let's hope it can instill some holy works to get me seeing more green and less brown.

The book to the left is Scott's: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." I may start that once the aforementioned are complete.
What are you reading?

44 days...

And the Nerd Supreme returns:


There are now TWO trailers for the film. Both give me goose bumps and bring tears to my eyes. And they are all of 2.5 minutes long. I'd try to attempt to embed the videos but they are better viewed full screen, from the official site here. Don't let people make fun of you if you want to watch more than once.

Since we are now in a house I have decorated for Halloween and want to dress up to hand out candy to the darling trick-or-treaters on the porch. I was considering Professor Trelawny, because at the end of the day, I'm not into the dark arts. But I just love how Helena Bonham Carter interprets Bellatrix so perhaps for one night only I'll dabble on the Borgin & Burke's side of things. I'm still trying to convince Senor Haselton to be a couple character. He's quite repelled by all of my ideas: Sirius Black and Bellatrix LeStrange, Wednesday and Puglsey Adams, Dog the Bounty Hunter and Beth, Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton...wel'll see what happens.

In the meantime, I'm debating on hosting a A Very Harry Potter Party in celebration of the movie.

A Book Review

My mother-in-law is often my source for new reads and most recently she gave me one I could not put down.


The Glass Castle is a memoir that reads like fiction. The author, Jeannette Walls, opens the book with a story recounting her in a taxi, driving down Park Ave. in New York City, glancing out the window to see her mother digging through a dumpster. When the scene closes as she slinks into her seat, we are taken back to her childhood, growing up in a nomadic family running from the law, debtors, with a patriarch who keeps chasing his pie in the sky, the glass castle.

The book is shocking-as I said it reads like fiction. Though there is no doubt love in the home and family, yet the kids act as caretakers beginning at the age most are learning to tie their shoes and read, while living in unnecessary poverty. For example, Walls was boiling her own sausages at age three. The father is a gifted engineer, foiled by his alcoholism and gambling. The mother, an artist at heart that repels social norms, finds her muse in sleeping and laying on the couch all day while the kids scrounge for food in bins after school, or distract themselves with homework during lunch hour. Food was considered edible even if vermin had already claimed it.

Walls narrative of her life's story is poignant and tests the reader in how to view the family-do you sympathize or empathize? Neither her or her siblings call upon help when frustrations mount to a level where child protective services takes them away, following bouts of rage from their alcoholic father or incapable mother. Remarkably, the children display the American attitude of picking themselves up by their bootstraps and carrying on.

This book is a page turner and on the New York Times Bestseller List for good reason-because I highly recommend it.

Inaugurational Reading

I have enjoyed American history since as early as I recall learning it...which dates back about 15 years to 5th grade. When I saw Glory for the first time in 8th grade, followed by a trip to Washington D.C. I was hooked. Probably most notably by the historical reenactment of Jamestown.*

My favorite year of history was my junior year in high school. The teacher was one of the best I ever had, and he presented America's story in a way that truly felt like the birth of a nation. And even though I excelled in the class, there was still a part of me that was absorbing the information into my short term memory to do well on an exam or trench warfare Jeopardy.

I find now that I am craving the knowledge that was once presented to me, but on a deeper level. I live in a home that watches each Ken Burns documentary from the epic greats of the Civil War to baseball, and I find that also as I age, I am becoming more engaged in politics. Could be that I am a homeowner and taxes take on an entire new meaning to me now (ie they sucked before and now I really, REALLY want to stick to the Property Tax man) and of course being older, wiser, and more mature reveals more informed opinions.

The long and short of it is that I have decided to take a tour of history through presidential biographies. Being a Type A personality with extreme order required in life, you can guess that book number one starts with president number one:

Being that I don't often stray far from fiction, let alone HP, I decided that this one looked good among the 10 or so other authors. I admit it, I judge a book by its cover, and this one looked authentic. But, as I typed the title into Google search just now, it came up as predictive text so perhaps that's a good sign, along with the reviews on the back cover from the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Newsweek.

Like a good student I will offer my thoughts on this revolutionary hero (or is he???) when completed. The book is due back July 29 and I don't like renewing so ready, set, go!

*I am just waiting for the day Scott tells me he booked a surprise trip to Georgia and the first item on our agenda is a Civil War reenactment, Confederate style. I.Would.Die. Naturally he'd have the good sense to bring a hoop skirt for me too, and then we'd find a suitable Tara for ourselves and enjoy our new porch with sweet tea or and a mint julep. The end.

Fantasy Land

I have often written about my love for the Harry Potter series and how its story is entirely enriching and captivating. When I read books in a series, I find that my mind becomes quite in tune with the thematic and prominent elements. Example-lately, my ears, eyes, and other senses are rather sharpened due to my completion of the Twilight series for a second time. After reading Emily Giffin's chic lit, I can't help but notice babies galore.

My point is this: I am slightly embarrassed to admit that in any given conversation or experience, I internally relate events to and actions to Harry Potter. Dork to the extreme I know. Now before you think I would attend conventions or even try and make it to their Hogwarts theme park, let me explain. Reading those books...wait for it..8 times (!) has really sunk into the depths of my hippocampus. (I have really loved that word since 9th grade biology and really don't get to use it too often.)

Anyway, I try to refrain from actually verbalizing these thoughts, though some have been privy to hearing them, if I know I won't be publicly ostracized. The major culprits are spells (yes, I just lost any cool points if I had them to begin with). Think about it, how easy would it be to open a door with a simple Alohamora? Truly though, I wish Accio worked, for the many times I leave my chapstick in the bedroom and don't want to go retrieve it. Scott's been lucky enough to hear that one.

Because the books chronicle such a significant amount of time, I can't help relate Harry's adventures to my own (perhaps minus the Dark Art villain-slaying.) I know its weird. And I am kind of going out on a limb here putting it in the blogging world, but I think it's because Rowling did such an amazing job of detailing the lives and personalities of Ron, Hermione, and Harry. Though their fantasy world is in no way similar to my real one, readers can relate to the anguish, triumph, friendship, love, and teenage struggles. I can't wait to have my own kids read this series one day and fall in love with those characters.

Merely a Muggle

Life boils down to two camps, and you must decide which one you belong in:

Harry Potter or Twilight.

I literally wear my Gryffindor badge of honor on my sleeve. I have admitted to anyone that may ask, that I've read the series six times, maybe seven. Who's counting? The world that Rowling created is such a fabulous fantasy, layered with friendship, love, and sacrifice. Her web of this fictional world required extensive planning and research, beyond the story I can appreciate her absolute devotion to all that is the essence of Harry Potter.

Twilight on the other hand, is arguably similar in the fairy tale world that coexists with humans. Though a little more Romeo & Juliet, it captivates readers young and old, just like HP. Granted the fans are primarily women, and I can attest that I fell under Edward's spell. By casting a rather dreamy actor for the role (and I love the venn diagram that it produces with the lovely Rob Pattinson and his humble HP beginnings) it catapulted the character to tangible status. Simply, this page turning series is a harlequin romance. Edward is the perfect man doting on Bella-what other woman wouldn't want the same?

Like many books, movies do not always transfer to the screen. That is a tough pill to swallow as a devoted fan. I bashed my teeth 5 minutes into "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" this summer. It was an utter disappointment. The artistic direction was comepletely lacking. Add to the fact I stood in line for four hours to see the midnight showing and was definitely a grump about its complete crap translation.

Sunday morning, Scott and I went to see "New Moon," when I realized how desperately I wanted to see it. I have read the Twiglight series only once, probably two years ago, or when the last book came out. I didn't have such a fresh mind going into the movie, and after seeing the first which was laughable, knew not to expect much. Did anyone else completely loose it when any of the vampires gave their infamous glare? Jasper in particular has the same exact face in every scene. I just about hear the director saying "I'm going to need a little more vampire brooding." I suppose the book is not always looked to for guidance in these cases.

These books are exciting, adventurous, and engaging stories. One is more of a romance with the other having occasional romantic moments. They are page turners and have made readers out of many children, teens, and adults-I have seen several friends take them up after declaring themselves non-readers. In some ways its exciting to be a part of this fantasy phenomenon, books that may be classics someday (well, I believe Harry to be more likely, but if also judged by Twilight then that as well.) I have such a love for this literature it reminds me of my younger years when I could not get enough Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Babysitters Club.

I am waiting on pins and needles to read New Moon again, borrowed from my sister, but apparently the series is loaned out among many friends. I tried to buy it at Barnes & Noble on Friday but they only had it in hardcover (not a fan) or paperback with the movie cover-NEVER ok. I am hoping the fabulous Costco will have the set in paperback that I can purchase.

Oh, and to answer which camp I am in-very much Harry Potter, but I would still declare Team Edward. Cedric Diggory did come from Hufflepuff you know.

My Thoughts on Potter

As anyone who has seen the post below this, you can identify me as a self-proclaimed Potter-Head. I have read the series six times, yes six times, consecutively, with the exception of the 7th, which I will read on its own out of sheer literary love.

You can bet I bought my tickets to the July 15 midnight showing a week in advance and did a countdown each day. Also note that I drove past the theater on my way home from work at 5:30, then drove back again at 7:30 inspecting crowd size, finally beginning to hold our place in line, at 8:30. I have waited in line longer than 3.5 hours. Last November for our first tv, Scott did it across the way at Best Buy. I am no stranger to sidewalk-derriere. But I digress, or mostly want you to read through that veiled claim at my dedication.

I was ready for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. What I was not ready for was feeling like a lost reader hung out to dry. I don’t want to list a litany of spoilers for those who have any desire to see the movie, other than point out they are only spoilers for those who read the books. Don’t expect to see truth. Don’t expect to see accurate representations of stories, accounts, and accusations, though there will be scrambled, notable one-liners. Don’t imagine to witness two of the most described, envisioned, and emotional scenes on screen. And don’t look forward to Hagrid, who makes a brief two appearances in the movie, and that’s including full camera and focus time on screen.

Look forward to your next reading of the story and slip back into your own imagination. I can only hope that production seeks a new director next time otherwise your theatres won’t be full of Hogwarts’ greatest fans.

The Day Has Come

90 degrees outside today, and I will wear my Gryffindor scarf. I think I have officially crossed the threshold from cool to dork. And I am ok with it!

Countown To HP

3 weeks from today, I will be one of THOSE people, waiting for the pure epic adventure that is THIS movie. Like a giddy school girl, I can hardly wait.

(source)

The Boy Who Survived Death

Never have I been sucked into a series since The Babysitters Club, as much as I have with the Harry Potter books. I don't know what it is about the stories, but they capture so much emotion, suspense, thrills, adventure and fantasy. I feel like kind of a nerd--and not a nerd that is going dress up and march off to a convention and start practicing spells on friends or anything, but am intrigued by the specials on television and hearing people's theories..just for fun though.

That is what I have been looking forward to at the end of my days these past weeks, as time ticks by and I wait for My Boy to come home, it's three teenage friends of mine that I spend time with in the late hours...wow I AM a nerd.