Happy New Year!

review: Revolution

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Published: Delacorte Books (October 12, 2010)

Pages: 472

Source: Borrowed from library

Short Summary: Most teenagers would kill for a chance to spend winter break in Paris. But Andi can't believe her father is dragging her across the world with him so he can supervise her schoolwork. Ever since accident with her little brother, all Andi can handle is watching her mother to make sure she doesn't go completely off the edge and worrying about her music. Music. The one thing that helps Andi forget and bring her back into the world.

In Paris, Andi is thrown into the world of the French Revolution and the small child-king, Louise Charles, whose heart may or may not be in the glass jar that her scientist father has come to run DNA test on. When she unlocks a secret compartment in a guitar case, Andi finds the diary of Alex--a young servant to the royal family who risks life and limb for Louis Charles. Andi so finds herself wrapped up in Alex's world, in a very real way. 

My thoughts: I picked up this book from the library with no real intention on reading it. The plot summary didn't really grab me, and the book cover made me question how much I would really like (why, yes, I do judge books by their covers). But I also adore 17th century France and checking it out wouldn't hurt anything. I would just bring it back if I didn't like it.

Wrong. This is one of the best books I've read this year, and definitely the best YA book. It's written beautifully and Donnelly really brings the characters to life. Especially Andi, the narrator. You feel for her and zip through the book hoping for the best, because sometimes it doesn't seem like its going to happen.

Rating: 5 Stars. It's a new favorite

happy holidays

I really enjoy the week stretch between Christmas and New Years. The stress of the holiday is gone, but the spirit of the holiday isn't. It's a great time to think and relax and wait for that second three day weekend.

It's also a time to reflect on the last year and prepare for the new one. I'm a big fan of making resolutions and goals for the next year. Not really keeping them, though :) I'm pretty bad about that. But some goals that I do plan on making AND keeping this year include:

1. Taking more pictures. I think I might join some link parties throughout the year to keep me snapping pictures.
2. Learn more about knitting. I really enjoy this hobby, even though I'm not very good. I love looking at the different designs and I love having that finish project in my hands. I've signed up for a knitting class at my local yarn store. I can't wait.
3. Couch to 5K. I tried starting this in the middle of summer this past year. Bad idea. But I have some new motivation this time, some mp3s by Robert Ullrey and some new workout clothes. I'm ready to get this started.
I also really want one of these Road I.D. bands. Not sure why, but when I finish this program, I'm buying one.
4. Organize my house. Ugh. Help. Please.
5. Spend some more time doing things that my husband likes. Like working on the car or going to the shooting range.
6. Cooking. I've just started to enjoy this. I really need to step it up in the kitchen this year.

Just a few things that I am going to keep in mind in 2011, also know was the year of the rabbit :)

12 days til Christmas!

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

-Dr. Seuss

currently reading: The Botticelli Secret

This is what I'm currently reading.

I'm reading it as slow as possible...a chapter or two a day because I really don't want it to end.

It's plot is based of my favorite painting:

If you like historical fiction, art or Italy, The Botticelli Secret is perfect.