My Book Report: The Books I Chose to Read In 2015

According to Goodreads, I read a total of 13 books last year.  That is 10 books less than the year previous.  The past year was an accomplishment, however, because I finally finished the 1,472 pages of the book, Gone with the Wind, which was a New Year's Resolution of mine for 2015.

Here is my review of it from Goodreads:

Book #1  Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell  My rating:  4 stars.

Wow. I cannot believe I finally finished this book! It is a long book, and I took my time to fully enjoy it.

I was not expecting to like this book much, because I saw the movie years ago, and found the movie to be boring back then. The first time I fully watched it, I had a really bad sinus infection, so that might be part of the reason. I remember renting it again, and still finding it boring. Now, that I have read the book, I feel like giving the movie a 3rd chance. I thought the main actors chosen in the movie were great for their parts, at least.

I started this book years ago when my book club suggested it. I knew I wouldn't finish in a month, but I started the book, hoping it to be more interesting than the movie was. It started off well (but so does the movie). I was frustrated that it didn't have the text-to-speech feature, though - of all the books not to have that! I then became very busy at work, got distracted with life, other books, etc. I wound up putting the book down for a few years, and picking it back up because I really did want to finish what I started.

The book could have easily been a series of 5 books, and is actually broken into 5 separate parts, which I found interesting. It follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara and all the trials she goes through. There is also Rhett Butler, who appears in different stages of the book. Each character seems to develop, and reveal more about themselves with each section.

There were some surprises I didn't see coming, and some things I should have seen coming, but didn't. Reading this book was almost like watching a soap opera, set in the 1800s. Some parts made me laugh (which I didn't expect at all), some parts shocked me, other parts angered me, and some parts frustrated me - so many emotions on one book!

Even though the book is fiction, it gives some insight of how some people may have really thought of things back then, and how they interacted with each other over certain situations. There were some parts of the book that seemed irrelevant, which I feel could have been cut, but for the most part, I really enjoyed reading it.

Now I am just curious how the movie version will compare.

I borrowed the movie, giving it a 3rd chance.  I actually liked the movie this time.  I felt it did a pretty good job with the book, of course it had to omit several parts, but I remember overall liking it.  It seemed like the book helped me get a better understanding of what was going on in the movie, too.


Book #2  The Giver  by Lois Lowry.  My rating:  3 stars.  If you read this book, you probably liked it better than I did.

I decided to read this book because a reviewer wrote that one of the books I really liked, called "Matched," was "a total rip-off of 'The Giver.'" So, I expected this book to be just as good or better than the Matched series, that I like so much.

I felt "The Giver" had some good concepts, but I felt the plot was weak. I also felt the characters were underdeveloped, and their dialect was not very believable for their age group. I do understand that it is supposed to be a more advanced society, but still. Also, some horrific things happen, which I found fairly predictable.

There is an addition of magic that really doesn't make sense with the story. I overlooked the magic part, because maybe advanced technology could possibly create something that seems like magic in our time, but even so, it did not really seem to fit in well with the rest of the story.

I actually liked the ending, because it can be viewed in more than one way. I did not realize that this book in the series was going to end the story however, and there were some things brought up that were never explained, so it seemed pointless to even bring them up in the first place.

Matched may have been influenced by this book, there a few things that are the same, but overall, Matched is totally different, and a much better book.


Book #3  These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, Arizona Territories (Sarah Agnes Prine #1) by Nancy E. Turner. My rating:  5 stars.

I am so surprised how much I liked this book. I started to read it a long time ago for my book club, but never had time to get into it. It was just recently added to my library as an audio version, which makes it easier to get through, since I can listen while I work.

The first part of the audio version, the narrator, Amy Rubinate, sounded a bit stiff, and I was wondering if she was right for the reading of it, but later on, I felt like she did a really great job.

The book itself put me through many emotions. I was grossed out by some things so much, I almost decided to stop reading. I also wondered if it would be too much like "Follow the River," which was also a good book, but I really did not feel like reading something like that at this time.

Luckily, it has more going on than the "Follow the River" book had, and the plot is totally different, once you get through the first part.

"These Is My Words" has some really gross, graphic scenes, but it also has humor, sadness, frustration, romance, and more. It is a great read and/or listen.


Book #4  Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens  by Earl Hipp.  My rating:  5 stars.

This book was written for a younger audience than me, but I still thought it had some great tips, even for adults. I wish I read this when I was a teenager, it may have helped. The book is wonderfully illustrated, and gives readers tips on how to be more calm, positive, and goal oriented.


Book #5  The Perfect Scent:  A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York by Chandler Burr.  My rating:  4 stars.

I would have never picked up this book to read, except it was suggested for book club. I don't often wear fragrance because most female fragrances give me a terrible headache (which runs in my family, on my father's side).

I found this book to be fascinating. I really never thought about what makes a fragrance, or how it is made, but is explained as a piece of art that tells a story. After reading this book, it totally makes sense.

I wound up switching from the hardback book to the audio edition in order to get through the book faster. Mel Foster does the narration. His voice sounds smooth, and a bit clinical.

Foster's voice is a good match for the book, but I looked up Chandler Burr, who wrote the book, and wondered why he did not narrate it. Burr's voice is more animated, and I think he could have added more passion to his own story.

Nevertheless, I thought the book was interesting, and sometimes funny. I did zone out on some of the more technical aspects that were mentioned, however. I did not care to listen to the long list of compounds mentioned. I would have quickly skimmed the compound part if I were actually reading the words. The audio helped with the pronunciation of some of the words I did not know (there are a few words in French), and other complicated sounding brands such Hemès, which I was familiar.

It seems like it would be helpful to have an imagination while reading this book, because some scents described (like specific flowers), you may not necessarily know what they smell like. Some of the author's descriptions are downright hilarious, he doesn't sugar coat anything.

My favorite part of the book is Chandler's first meeting with Sarah Jessica Parker. She adds a cheerful lightness to the story, and I found her thoughts intriguing.

I wasn't sure I should go to Book Club, the week they had it on this book. The woman who suggested the book had a whole bunch of fragrances that she said we could smell and try on. I was worried about getting a bad headache.

I decided to go anyway, and found that most of the fragrances did not cause any problems. I really liked the "Lovely" fragrance. When upon hearing how much I liked it, the owner gave it to me as a gift to take home! I have even worn it a few times since then, I still really like it. It really smells lovely!

So whether you like fragrance, or are just curious about the process, this is a good book to listen to!

Book #6  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  My rating:  4 stars.

I really liked this book, but I felt like it had so much sexual reference, drugs and abuse, that it overshadowed the main really good parts of the book. Some of it was essential to the plot, but I just felt it was overdone. It also seemed to make light of things that really should be seen as more serious.

I loved the format of the book. The letters really draw the reader in, and makes you feel like a character in the book, yourself. I felt I understood Charlie, even though most of his actions are so different from how I would act. I still found him relatable, despite our differences.

Most books I either feel happy or relieved when I finish them. This one I felt a little sad about finishing. That is all I will say.


Book #7  Stones Into Schools:  Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson, Atossa Leoni.  My rating:  2 stars.

This was another book I started for book club a long time ago, but never finished. I just couldn't get into it.

When I saw it as an audio-book, recently, I decided to get through it that way. I liked the dialog parts, but only seemed to last about 25% of the entire story, in the center section. The narrator, Atossa Leoni, really added life to those parts. The rest of it made me zone in and out frequently. Every once in awhile I thought it would pick up, but then it didn't for me. It was mostly depressing, too. It was not a bad book, it just wasn't my cup of tea (pun intended).


Book #8  The Manga Japanese Cookbook:  Japanese Bento Boxes, Main Dishes and More!  (International Edition) The Manga University Culinary Institute, Chihiro Hattori (Illustrator).
My rating:  4 stars.

This is a very cute cookbook. I borrowed it from the library mainly because I wanted to know what dango had in it after watching Clannad. The book makes some references to other anime and manga between recipes.

The recipes look interesting and tasty. Maybe someday I will try them!

I was influenced by this book to put a bit of sugar in my omelets.  I think they taste so much better now!


Book #9  Lost Cat:  A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology by Caroline Paul, Wendy MacNaughton (Illustrations).  My rating:  5 stars.

This is a book about a woman obsessed with the goings on of her cat. It is humorous and entertaining, but it also made me cry. The illustrations are delightful! It makes a nice, quick-read for those who like cats.

Book #10  The Rules:  A Guide for People Owned by Cats by Max Thompson.  My rating:  3 stars.

This book was just okay for me. I guess my main problem, is that it felt inconsistent. Starting with the cover. I like the cover, it is a beautiful illustration. The illustrations inside really don't correspond. They seem amateurish compared to the cover. They could also be seen as quirky and fun, but the cover suggests otherwise.

The content is all very tongue-in-cheek. Is it supposed to be written (and illustrated) by a cat or a human? It seems to be one or the other at different times in the book. It has humor, but sometimes you wonder if the author is trying to convince you of things you should not do. Other times, it seems important that you should do what the author suggests.

There were some things that definitely made me laugh out loud, but overall, I was disappointed in this book.


Book #11  No More Bad Decisions by Sydney Finkelstein.  My rating:  3 stars.

This book made some good points, but I wished it was longer.

Book #12  The Mystery of the Green Cat by Phyllis A. Whitney.  My rating:  5 stars.

My 3rd grade teacher read this to our class, and I absolutely loved it then. This book, and a picture on the back cover of a little cat, inspired me to make a little ceramic cat in college that I still have.

I haven't probably read the book since 3rd grade, but I still found it intriguing today. Some things and phrases are quite dated, yet it still stands the test of time. I am surprised I could not borrow this book from the library. It is quite a classic.

(My Dad saw this book, sitting on my lamp table during the Christmas holiday.  He read it, and also really enjoyed it.  He thought it gave a great description of San Francisco.)


Book #13  Exploring Calvin and Hobbes:  An Exhibition Catalog by Bill Watterson.  
My rating:  5 stars.

I haven't even reviewed this book on Goodreads yet, but I absolutely loved this book!  When I read it, I felt like it was written just for me!  Of course, I knew it wasn't, but it was a very satisfying read.  In "Exploring Calvin and Hobbes...", there was a nice, long interview of Bill Watterson with smart questions about his cartooning, as well as some of his personal life.  He also included some favorite comics from other cartoonists, pointing out what he liked about them.  Watterson comes across as very intelligent and kind, which is probably explains why he doesn't want to hang around just anybody.  The artist showed off a little of his photography and painting as well.  He is obviously incredibly talented and continues to grow.  Most of his answers did not surprise me, except for the fact that he has a brother.  I guess I just figured he was an only child.  I wish he did answer the question of what the little gadget with holes in it was.  I have one of those, and I used it during cartooning class on one setting only.  I have no idea what it is called.  I guess if Bill Watterson doesn't know, it really doesn't matter.

A Small Update

Snap Dragon '09 RIP

My poor snap dragon (and surrounding arrangement) died awhile ago.  My basil, too, is about to die due to one day of missed watering, which happened to be a scorcher of a day.  The other small plant is still alive though.

I ate my strawberries before I could make freezer jam with them, but I still plan on trying it sometime.

After much research, I decided the Kindle e-reader was for me, and I love it.  I still love books too, and still think there is room for both e-readers and books in people's lives.  I love artwork on book covers and children's books too much to think differently. 

Besides, if you lose a book, that is one book.  If you lose an e-reader, you lose an expensive device, that you would have to replace to get your collection of books back.

Book Club Books and My Thoughts

So... it looks like I must be coming up a over year on the book club I go to, because my "books that I have read" collection is a little past 12. We also skipped some months due to other's travel plans.

I really like the book club I am in. We all contribute and bring food for a nice lunch, people can bring their kids if they want, and they go off and play. I really enjoy hearing others people's thoughts on the books as well as expressing my own. It is a good activity for me.

The first book club I went to, I just went to listen, since it was too late to read the book. They discussed "Little Women." I watched the movie ages ago, but did not remember enough of it to contribute to the conversation. I do want to eventually read this book when I get the chance.

The first book I read for book club was "Plain and Simple" by Sue Bender. It was a short book. It is about a woman who went to visit the Amish. I found it interesting to read about how Amish live. I thought the author was a little strange, though.

The second book chosen was a favorite of mine, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. It is a book about prejudice, and how it was viewed through a child's eyes. The movie is really good too, but I suggest you read the book first.

The third book that was chosen was "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale. I had never heard of it before, but I am glad it was chosen, because it became a favorite of mine. A unique fairytale, with twists and turns, and a little humor and violence as well. A good summer read.

The next book was "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre, d. Ält. Dumas. I felt a lot of pressure to get this one read in only a month. It is about a man who is unjustly arrested and escapes from prison, wanting to get revenge on all who had done him wrong. At times it felt like the plot was long and drawn out. I think I would I would have liked it better, had I had a little more time to enjoy it. Most people I know really love this book. I thought it was okay.

After reading "The Count of Monte Cristo," I was nervous to read "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Emmuska Orczy, I had read it once before, right after seeing the movie (which I loved), and I was VERY disappointed in it the first time. It was so different from the movie I had seen, I decided it was the worst book I ever read. I now really like the book, now that I have given it a second chance.

"The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare turned out to be another favorite of mine after reading it for book club. I once described it as "To Kill a Mockingbird Meets Anne of Green Gables." It is another book about prejudice. It is set in the time when there were witch trials. It has some romance, and an orange cat (I love orange cats).

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a tragic tale of the changing of one man's soul. It was great discussion book, and my book club had mixed reviews on it. I never decided whether I liked the book or not, but I thought it had a good concept.

Around the month of December we read "The Christmas Box," by Richard Paul Evans. It was a short, easy read. For most of us, it was just okay. A young couple and their small child go to live to care for a rich elderly woman in her home, to learn the first gift of Christmas.

I know many of my friends really enjoy this book and read it to their kids once a year. Some of the members of my book club were disappointed when they found out that the book was fiction. It had a disclaimer right in front that said it was not a true story, but I guess they missed that part. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but it was very predictable and it a seemed little lacking in something in the end, I am not sure why. I briefly caught some of the movie later on T.V. and thought it was funny, because I felt the demeanor of the characters were totally changed. In the book the characters seem calm, in the movie they all seem angry.

"The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis was certainly different. C.S. is a favorite author of mine, but I would not say this is one of my favorite works of his. However, the way this is written in comparison to his other works, just proves how talented he truly is. It is a series of letters written by a devil to his devil apprentice. It is all very one-sided and selfish, and C.S. Lewis does a great job of making you loathe the main (and really the only) main character.

"The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure" by William Goldman. It expands on what the movie already shows you. One person in my book club did not like it just because it was too much like the movie, but I like it because of that, as well as giving more depth to the characters. Some funny questions brought up in book club were, "Did Morgenstern (who supposedly was the original author) exist?" (I think not), and "How does 'The Princess Bride' compare to 'The Lord of the Rings?'"

"The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son" was a very interesting book. I was not expecting to like it at all. It is a true story about a boy with autism, and how he relates to animals, mainly horses to connect with the human world. His father then takes him to Mongolia where a long adventure begins. I am really glad I read this book. I don't think I would be able to endure some of the things this family went through, but it was interesting nonetheless.

The book we are reading now is called "The Seven Miracles That Saved America, Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope," by Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart. It took forever to get it from the library, due to so many holds. So far, it is pretty interesting. I guess I will write my review of it later.

After that book is finished, we will read "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder," by Joanne Fluke. This is the first book I have been able to pick out for book club. I really debated on what I should choose, and I definitely had some others in mind, but I decided to go with something a little more light, and fun. It is about a cookie maker who gets involved in solving a murder mystery in a small town. It has a little suspense, a little romance, and an orange cat, which I love.

The Picute of Dorian Gray - A Book Review

It is August, the 23, 2009 @ 1:48 PM. I finished "The Picture of Dorian Gray" last night. My book club does not discuss this book until October, therefore I am presetting the post date for this blog at that time. I want to write about it now, while it is still fresh in my mind.

(I did write this blog in August, but when I went to the next book club meeting, they decided to post-pone Dorian Gray, so I guess this blog will go up even later than planned, as of now we are reading "The Witch of Blackbird Pond").

I had heard about the book of Dorian Gray a long time ago (as I stated in a previous blog). I originally thought it was a book about a man who kept his photo in a closet, and it ages while he stays young. That is sort of true, but not really.

It is a story of a young man who's portrait is painted. As time goes by, he notices that the portrait changes due to the change in his soul. It is a tragic tale. Most of the characters in the book are pretty shallow and vile. You hope that the main character will learn and change his ways, but will he?

Someone in my book club asked me when I was about half-way through this book what I thought of it. Did I like it? My answer was I think so..., but I honestly did not know whether I liked it or not. I have to say, after reading the book, I am still not really sure if I liked it or not. There was one chapter I thought was a bit overdone. Going on and on, about all the riches he had seen. It was very detailed, but a little too much. I wondered if the whole book was going to go on like that. Luckily, it only went on for one entirely long chapter. A chapter, that I could have skipped most of the pages on. Eventually, it got back on track.

I did think it was a good book. It does make one think. The concept is interesting. Is it likable? I don't know.

My notes after going to book club:

Well, this book stirred up quite a discussion! For one, there were two versions of the book, the original was shorter, and I guess more controversial. The second version, which I read, was tamed down. I cannot say, since I only read the second version (most of us in book club did). One lady apologized for suggesting the book, another person hated the book, another person loved the book! The book does have a lot to think about. I wound up having to present the book (due to changes in the book club), and that went well. I did find it interesting that we had our meeting on Friday the 13th, since the book is a horror novel.

Even though it may not have been one of my favorite books, I still think it had a good concept, and it teaches how one should not be so self absorbed that it makes everyone, including themselves, miserable.

They Seek Him Here, They Seek Him There...

I just finished reading "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy last night. In a previous blog, I wrote that I had read this book before, and I found it "dreadfully dull." I have since changed my mind, upon reading it for the second time, several years later.

I first saw the movie, ages ago while visiting some of my relatives one evening. Originally, it was a "made for T.V. movie," but they had it on VHS. Shortly after seeing the movie at their house, I bought my own copy of the movie, and read the book. I was disappointed in the book at that time. I guess I must have expected the book to be more like the movie.

The movie is quite humorous, and focuses more on the romance. The book has some subtle humor (which I did not even notice before), and focuses more on the mystery. Seeing the movie first, took all the mystery out of the book, taking away from the suspense.

The first time I read the book, this was the cover of the copy I borrowed. Two men fighting with swords, with a lady in the background. There are no sword fights whatsoever in the book. So, this cover baffles me. It is quite hilarious, really.

The movie has a sword fight scene. The book does not. Perhaps the illustrator never read the book. I guess that is one reason not to judge a book by it's cover-- it can be misleading.

Anyway, I realized after reading the book, a second time, without watching the movie first to refresh my memory of it, I really enjoyed it. I still love the movie too. I would suggest reading the book first, because it is more suspenseful that way. Just don't expect the movie to play out the same, or most of the characters to even play the same roles, really. The concept is still there, but the storyline is quite different.

As of now, I would recommend both of the book as well as the movie. I still love the movie. The actor, Anthony Andrews is superb is his role. I cannot think of anyone better to play the part. He is very humorous, and really brings the character to life. Jane Seymore is lovely.

I was worried that maybe the book this time would have ruined the movie, but it didn't. I anxiously woke up this morning to see how the two compare. As much as I remember the movie, I forgot enough of it to enjoy it again. There are other movies of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," but I have not seen them. Perhaps one day I will.

So...I Joined a Book Club

I have never considered myself a big reader, until maybe about now. As I am currently reading 4 books at the moment. More like, 3, because I keep putting one down, whenever I can find something better to read or do.

I once heard at one time that the average person reads 3 books a year. I would say I used to be average, in that sense. This year, however, I would say I have broken my record.

I think partly, it might have been the influence of my friend, Brianne, that got me started on my consistent reading for books. She would always be reading a book during her lunchtime. She told me she would never read her books at home, just at work, during breaks, but she read every single day (I did too, but it was just the comics page, and if it wasn’t there - then, oh well.)

It got to the point, however, that I would have no comics to read (either because someone else was reading them, or they just happened to disappear when I wanted them). So I started taking books just in case the comics section did not show up. I started reading every day. Even if it was for only 15 minutes or less.

A few months ago, some ladies in my church decided to form a book club. It meets during the day once a month, so it works perfectly for my nighttime schedule. I was invited to come during their 2nd book since starting. The book was “Little Women.” By the time I was asked, it was too late to read the book, which I never read before. I had seen the movie years ago, however. I have forgotten much of it, so I was unable to add much to the conversation, if anything.

So, the first book I read for book club was “Plain and Simple” by Sue Bender. The book, features the Author/Psychologist/Artist who decides to live with the Amish for awhile to see what living as an Amish person is really like. Personally, I thought the author herself was a little strange, but it was interesting to see how the Amish believe and live.

The next book, is my one of my all time favorites, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I had already read the book a couple of years ago for the first time after wanting to read it for years. I decided to borrow the movie, first, since I never watched it Then read the book a second time. Both the movie and the book were excellent.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is about prejudice. Not just against race, but against other types of people as well. It is done through a child’s eyes, who are untainted through innocence. If I could recommend any classic book, it would be this one. It has humor, it makes you think, it is very well written. The father, Atticus, is a very smart man and genuinely good person. People should be more like Atticus. Some people in my book club did not understand why the book was so critically acclaimed, but after a really good discussion, I think they understood. It is a good book. You should read it. Then rent/borrow the movie after.

The third book was “The Goose Girl” by Shannon Hale.

I have always liked fairy-tales. This one is a little different -- not one I have heard before. It had more violence than I expected, but it had suspense, and humor. It was hard for me to put the book down. I really enjoyed this book. I might not recommend it for children, since it appears that it is more geared towards young adults.

The last book I have read for my book club is “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. Someone in our club started reading it before it was assigned, and seeing it, well… it overwhelmed me. It was so many pages! A month to read 1,276 pages, CXVII chapters (yes, they are in Roman numerals) during July. A very busy month for me, as I have many summer activities I like to do during that month. I really wasn’t sure I could do it.

I also had borrowed my mom’s third “Twilight” book for the summer, “Eclipse,” and a friend sent me a novel she is trying to publish for me to read and give feedback. Let alone, I just started “The Grapes of Wrath” which I had been planning to read forever, but just hadn’t.

I decided to dedicate most of my free time to “The Count of Monte Cristo” as much as I could. Yet, I would not sacrifice my fun summer activities for it. I also borrowed the movie, the one with James (Jim) Caviezel, to maybe help me out a little. It hardly resembled the book at all. You could read or watch either one first, just don’t expect either to be alike. There about as good as each other, if you can separate the two, I suppose. There were times in the book, however, that seemed long, and drawn out. I just wanted it to get to the point. At least, in about two hours time, the movie is over. I cannot say the same for the book.

One of my friends actually asked me, “Isn’t (reading that book) like putting a gun to your head?” Ha ha. No. I enjoyed it more than that. Some parts I found very interesting, to the point I did not want to put it down. The style definitely took some time to get used to, since there were many different stories going on in one book, with the same character being addressed different constantly (by their first name, their last name, or some other title). I am glad that I read it. It is possible I will read it again someday, but not right away, and not in one month, especially one that is extremely busy for me. It almost felt too much like a school assignment that way.

The next book we are supposed to read is “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Emmuska Orczy. I have read this book before. Normally, I am open-minded when it comes to comparing books to movies, but when I read this particular book, after seeing the movie, I found it dreadfully dull.

The movie, the one with Jane Seymour in it, has a lot of humor in it, where the book does not. I really liked the movie, and perhaps because I had seen it first, it might have ruined the book. The reason why I wanted to read the book in the first place, was because I had seen the movie. Now, after several years, I have the opportunity to read this book again. I am trying to go in with an open mind. It has been a long time since I have seen the movie, but I still remember it quite well. However, I will not watch it again till I attempt to finish this book a second time. Wish me luck.

Since “The Scarlet Pimpernel” has not been available at the library yet, I am reading the next book, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde I have heard about this book for years, and am a little curious about it. I am very relieved that it is much shorter than “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Almost every book now seems shorter than “The Count of Monte Cristo.” I think I might be a faster reader because of it… or maybe just a more patient one.

Free Comics Are Cool

I first discovered about "Free Comic Book Day" a few years ago while I was sitting in Twede's Cafe in North Bend (you know, that is the one that was featured in the T.V. series, "Twin Peaks?").

Inside that cafe, they have little books, and sometimes comic books to read while you wait for your food (I recommend their cherry pie a la mode, it is very good). I noticed on the comic book I was reading that it said "Free Comic Book Day" on it. Hmm... I never heard of it. Then I read on some one's blog last year (or the year before) when it was, but I had missed it.

I found out this morning that today was the day. So I drove out to one of the participating stores and was able to pick up a few ones that I liked from the "free" table. I feel like I picked up a nice variety. I really like DC Kids "Tiny Titans." It's funny. It's cute. Very kid friendly. It was actually a "Tiny Titans" comic that I read in Twede's. So it brought back memories. This one was a different issue though.

Another comic book I picked up was done in Manga, by Shonen Jump called "Karakuridôji Ultimo." It was made to be read from the back to the front. The book did not finish the story though. It said I could read the rest online, and I get the feeling it is a continuing series. Famous comic book writer, Stan Lee contributed to the original concept of this book, while Hiroyuki Takei worked on the story and art. It was pretty interesting.

Another one, had a flip cover. One side of it really stood out. It had in big, bold letters, "FREE COMIC BOOK DAY," with a background in red (one of my favorite colors), and a bunch of "Emily the Strange" characters on the bottom of it (as well as some other comic characters on top), which I think is really neat.

The last comic book I picked up has tips on how to draw comic books. It is called "Impact University." It is really cool as well. It had some big names from the comic book industry share a tip or two on how to create your own comic. Very nice.

For more information on "Free Comic Book Day," you can go to this site: http://www.freecomicbookday.com