Reading

I have been reading quite a bit lately and figured it might be a good idea to write about some of what I've read over the past month or so.

I am currently reading Watership Down. This is one of Jerry's favorite books and he has been trying to get me to read it for ages. Of course, his convincing was hindered by the fact that he didn't own a copy and I never remembered to pick it up at the bookstore. This has been remedied. Actually, while my mother was visiting, we bought a ton of books. I've read three or so of them since she left. I'm currently a little more than halfway through this book and it's really really good. Far different from what I was expecting, and actually, anything I've ever read. I kind of like reading about books from the point of view of animals, it gives everything a much more novel perspective, and makes you think. Anyway, I realize this is an older book, but if you haven't read it, you should consider it.

The book that I finished last week was Castles by Julie Garwood. This is also an older book, actually, from back in 1993. I really like Garwood and thought I had read everything she'd put out, but somehow I missed this one. Mom and I picked it up while she was here. This is typical Garwood fare. There's a guy and a girl, thrown together through some (usually dangerous) circumstances, they fight falling in love, but eventually succumb, there's some plot going on to kill one or both of the main characters....or, in the case of this book, a couple different dangery type people or groups skulking about. Of course, the hero and heroine save the day and wind up married and happy. I realize that this doesn't make it sound like a good book, rather makes it sound like everything that she writes is the same, but that doesn't mean they aren't still good. Her historical books, of which this is one, all take place in the early 19th century England, and unlike a lot of authors, she doesn't get bogged down in the minutia of making sure that everything is accurate 'societally'. Where she shines is in her characterization, and if her plots are a bit repetitive, the unique and exciting people that she introduces make them seem fresh. Anyway, she's a good author, you should check her out.

The book I finished before that was Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie and a couple other women authors who I can't recall and am being too lazy to look at the page I just linked. I find Crusie an interesting author, because unlike a lot of romance writers, she's genuinely funny. I haven't read a book of hers that hasn't at several points throughout caused me to laugh out loud. She's also very good at bringing her characters thoughts and voice to the forefront. This book was a bit absurd and kooky, with a fair bit of mysticism thrown in. I laughed a lot while reading it.

Before that, I read, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I don't think I can say that enough. This is Rothfuss's debut novel and I had heard and read a whole lot of fantastic reviews of it. All I can say is every one of them is correct and when people compare him to George RR Martin, Tolkein and Robert Jordan, they're absolutely right. It's a fantastic book and I was soooo sad to finish it and realize that the next one isn't out yet. And don't be concerned with the Martin and Jordan references, while he is writing a series, it is already planned out as a trilogy, and, if I'm not mistaken, all three books are already written. This isn't the type of author where we'll run into the problem of his series never ending or falling off after book 9, or making us wait years and years for the next installment. In any case, it's been a long while since I had read a book that I literally couldn't put down (Since the last Kushiel book, actually). So anyway, if you are a fantasy fan at all....GET THIS BOOK!

And just before that, I finished, Vision in White by Nora Roberts. This was a fun, light diversion for a couple of days. I'm actually a rather big fan of Roberts. I do have every book she's written, well, or I did at one time anyway. They're good, a nice break between deeper fantasy novels. She's excellent at characterization and her books are always full of fascinating details about different careers or lifestyles. This book is the first in a series based around four women that run a wedding planning company. This one focuses on the photographer, and while she's done dozens of books about mildly crazy commitment-phobic women, this one manages to be interesting and amusing. I think it will be a good series.

Anyway, there you go, that's what I have read this month. Enjoy!

Oversight

Wow, so...after reading Zeb's blog entry, I realized that my last entry was before I knew I was pregnant and in yesterday's I didn't bother to mention it, or for that matter, anything else that has happened since November.

So...yes...I'm pregnant, about 29 weeks along now. Which is exciting and fun and I can't wait to have little Jared. That's actually why all the people will be here on Saturday, Myranda's throwing us a baby shower. Not that there's anything else we need, we already had a huge shower in South Dakota, and then there's my aunt Peggy, who has been collecting baby stuff for me pretty much since I was born. Seriously. She sent me home with 4 bins of clothes, 2 boxes of books, and a bin of toys and other stuff. But yes, little Jared will have more outfits than he can ever wear. It seems like it's pregnancy season right now actually, as I have two friends that are also pregnant and due in the few months after me. This will be nice, I think, as then our kids will have other kids their age to hang out with, of course, Alison's moving way down to Florida with her's, but hey..we'll visit. =) Anyway, the pregnancy has been pretty much picture perfect. I had very minimal morning sickness and every appointment they say that he looks prefect. There was a little hiccup this month because I screwed up the amount of iron I was getting, which made my heart have some problems and made me very tired, but that's all fixed now...I think. So, anyway, that's the big thing that's going on.

I also have a new job....which I hate. Well, not hate, really. I mean, it's convenient in that I never have to go there or do anything, but I really wish I were actually making money. The problem with this place is that it's contractual, so I only get paid when I actually see clients. So if I sit at the office for half an hour, hoping they show up and they don't...I get nothing, and am just out all that time, plus the half hour it took me to drive there. People also have a tendency to never answer their phones or return my phone calls. This is making it hard to actually see anyone. I do have a few more appointments this week, but last paycheck I only worked like 10 hours and 6 of those were the 'paperwork' hours I get paid for...so yes, 3 appointments in two weeks.... Not exactly going to break the bank with this one. The plan right now is to keep it up at least until August and then look for something new while I'm on 'maternity leave'. I may keep it for a little while after, just because it's convenient to not have to go there that often, but I really need something full time, or at least moderately structured. They also don't take out taxes, apparently, which will be a huge pain come when I have to actually figure that out.

I'm less worried about the party now, while the house is still small, we're doing a good job of getting it clean and I think it'll work out even if people are a bit crowded. I don't really have all that much else to talk about right now, although I'll probably think of something later, and maybe make another post tomorrow. See how on top of this I'm being now? *grins*

Apologies

I have not blogged in way way too long. No one will probably even come and see this, because it has been so long since I have made an entry that none of you will think to come back and look here. I'm not going to write much tonight, either....sorry to get your hopes up, you nonexistent reader, you. It's late...well, late for current me anyway, I have been sleeping earlier and earlier lately, which I suppose is a good thing. In any case, I will attempt to write more tomorrow.

I'm also frazzled and crabby and in a 'mood' tonight, so going to bed is probably the best plan. I'm worried though. There are going to be a lot of people coming over on Saturday and our house is small....really really tiny small and I'm afraid that it will be far too crowded and no one will have any fun. I'm also worried about mom, but she yells at me when I say anything, so that's where I'll leave that.

This weekend was fun though, in spite of the feeling stressed and worried. Stacey came up and we played D&D yesterday and today we took Tommy to a birthday party for my friend, Becky's, son. He had a fantastic time and I'm really glad we took him, because he never gets to play with other kids. We had fun too of course. Anyway, off to bed with me, and I'll post more tomorrow and more frequently in the future too. I promise! =D