What is the first thing you notice about people?

Appearance. Things like whether or not someone takes good care of themselves (cleanliness, weight, etc.) and whether or not they are willing to look up and acknowledge me. Where I work, a lot of people won't even give me the time of day just because I wear an apron to work.

What song always makes you happy when you hear it?

I can think of a couple right now. "Love Song" by Taylor Swift and "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire.

What fashion trend do you just not get?

Skinny jeans. Hardly anyone looks good in them and yet every store I go into sells almost exclusively skinny jeans.

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In The Things They Carried, protagonist "Tim O'Brien," a writer and Vietnam War veteran, works through his memories of his war service to find meaning in them. Interrelated short stories present themes such as the allure of war, the loss of innocence, and the relationship between fact and fiction. Novelist Tim O'Brien's collection of vignettes provides powerful insight into the experiences of foot soldiers in Vietnam — a connection from past to present.

What I liked: Almost everything about the book. I couldn't help but be drawn in for the simple fact that my grandfather served two tours in Vietnam in the United States Marine Corps. I have always wondered about what it was like for him over there because he absolutely refused to talk about his experiences during that time period. This book is so amazingly written that the reader can't even begin to imagine what is real and what isn't real, much as the soldiers in Vietnam had problems discerning what was there and what was in their heads. Although the novel was, understandably, dark and heavy, it invited the reader to experience some of the tumultuous emotions facing the young men sent to fight an "enemy" that they did not understand. It forced me to imagine what sort of nightmares my grandfather most have brought home with on his return.

What I didn't like: There was nothing about this book that I didn't like although one part of the book does stand out as being frustrating. When O'Brien begins talking about the young man that he killed only to reverse his statement shortly thereafter I had to stop and reread the chapter. Once I released what was happening things made a lot more sense and I could see the point of that particular technique.

Details:

• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Pub. Date: December 1998
• 246 pgs.

Plans: Passed on as part of book ring/ray

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Odd Thomas is a regular nineteen-year-old with an unusual gift: the ability to see the lingering spirits of the dead. To Odd, it’s not such a big deal. And most folks in sleepy Pico Mundo, California, are much more interested in the irresistible pancakes Odd whips up at the local diner. Still, communing with the dead can be useful. Because while some spirits only want a little company . . . others want justice.

When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability–plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him–is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who’s always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again? (from Barnes & Noble)

What I liked: I liked that the comic/graphic novel style of this book gives the reader a visual of Odd and Stormy as well as the town in which they live. I love the Odd Thomas books and this was a great prequel to the stories found in the rest of the series. Odd is such a great character and the love between him and Stormy is real, heartwarming.

What I didn't like: N/A

Details:

• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Pub. Date: June 2008
• 176 pgs.
• Series: Odd Thomas Series
• Author website: Dean Koontz

Plans: Lent to my boyfriend and then available

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While visiting London, a beautiful young woman becomes homesick for the West Indies. Unfortunately, her only available chaperon for the perilous journey is her rakish, hot-tempered cousin.

What I liked: The fact that the book was fast paced and steamy.

What I didn't like: Parts of the story just didn't add up and the ending was a bit contrived. My other complaint with the novel was some of the dialogue. It was meant to be witty banter but it often times just came across as flat.

Details:

• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Pub. Date: January 2004
• 416 pgs.
• Author website: Catherine Coulter

Plans: Added it to historical romance bookbox

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The rules are pretty simple:
1. Every Monday post a photo with a little or a lot of yellow.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a Mellow Yellow Badge or a link to this blog in your post.
4. Leave the link to your Mellow Yellow post below on Mr. Linky.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

This shot was taken in Atlanta on our recent vacation. It's the capital building which is modeled after the capital building in Washington, D.C.

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What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?

My current and only boyfriend. We have been together 3.5 years and even though there isn't a person in the world that can annoy me as much as he does I love; I don't know what I would do without him.

What is on your bedside table?

I don't have a bedside table.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?

Anywhere from 3-5, it depends on if the boy toy is staying over or not. I personally own 3 pillows.

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I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires…

From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure.Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man....

What I liked: The heat and the intensity as well as the love story and the mysticism tied into the story. I am impressed by any author that can tie in the paranormal aspect of a story without making the entire unbelievable. Another impressive feature of the story is that Moning very aptly managed to make the spark between Dageus and Chloe steamy as well as touching. I will definitely be checking into more of her work.

What I didn't like: I really don't have any complaints about this novel.

Details:

• Publisher: Dell Publishing


• Pub. Date: October 2002


• 370 pgs.


• Author website: Karen Marie Moning

  
  

Plans: Available

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