Reading w/ my daughter "A Series of Unfortunate Events"

I read this series of 13 books, a few years ago and thought it would be an intriguing series to read with my daughter who is 8, I read, she listens.
If you are not familiar with the series, the title "A Series of Unfortunate Events" fits it perfectly, three children are put through a lot of crazy horrible circumstances but it is written in a humorous way. Situations that in all reality would be sad and depressing don't come off that way in the books. The author constantly writes, "this book is unpleasant, don't read it, put it down, read something happy", haha!

We recently finished the first book in the series:
A Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
My daughter enjoyed the book and was always eager to find out what would happen next!

It is about 3 children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire who become orphans when their parents die in a fire. They are put in the care of the villain of the series Count Olaf. The Baudelaire's parents were wealthy and Olaf is out to get the inheritance left to the children.

We just started the next book in the series: The Reptile Room

There was a movie made in 2004 titled Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Jim Carrey was the villain Count Olaf! The movie covered events from the first 3 books. I told my daughter we had to read those books before I would let her watch the movie.

The Book Club Begins

We (myself and the other 2 contributors) have decided on a book to read!

The Help by KATHRYN STOCKETT

We should be able to begin reading and posting sometime in the next few weeks once we all have the book in hand! Stay tuned!

I finally finished reading "The Time Traveler's Wife"

Warning: This post contains Spoilers of the book.

I loved it, wonderful book!

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This is totally a book I can relate to, always having to wait for the love of your life to return to you.
So sad that he died, why did he have to die... It made me cry. And it seems their daughter will be able to control her time traveling more so than Henry could. Awesome book, I cant wait to see the movie now!!!

I'm Currently Reading

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I have not gotten very far in the book yet, there not even married, but so far I totally love it! Being married to a Marine who deploys a lot, its a love story that I can totally relate to.

I admit, I had not heard of the book until the movie came out which I plan to see After I finish the book. I love the lead actress in it who plays Clare, Rachel McAdams who was also the lead in another book movie combo that I loved, The Notebook (which I read and posted about here on Novel Bloggers)!

Twilight - UPDATE

I have completely neglected this blog for a while now.
I did read all 4 Twilight books. In fact I became completely obsessed with reading them. I read them very fast. Faster than I usually read. I LOVED them!
I am reading THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer right now. And I am already half way through it. I may get around to posting about it on here. Eventually I plan to re-read the Twilight books and post about every chapter in my usual fashion. But I will be moving in the next few months and may not get around to it for a while.
Until then, don't forget me.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight - Chapters 1-9

I really love this book. I just got it Wednesday and I really have a hard time putting it down. Especially the last two chapters, 8 and 9.

First off I am very intrigued and puzzled by the Preface of the book. I am wondering what the full story to that is....

Bella, the new girl in a small town, who gets asked out by 3 boys in one day. That was funny. But she is not interested in any of them. She has this obsession with Edward and at first she cant seem to figure him out.
Then he comes out of nowhere and saves her from being squished by a car. WOW. I love how he tries to avoid the truth that he obviously has incredible speed and strength.

Chapter 8, when Bella takes a wrong turn, gets lost and is being cornered by the 4 men. It was like watching a movie and being on the edge of my seat, I wanted to cover my face with my hands in suspense, but then I would not have been able to hold the book to keep reading. I was reading as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen. (Right now I am typing as fast as I can trying to get my thoughts out). Then Edward her Hero shows up out of nowhere and saves her yet again. WOW, I loved it.
Now she finally knows the truth. Edward is a Vampire.

Quote from the end of chapter 9:
"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him - and I didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."


Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
This is my first time reading this so please do not leave comments with any spoilers. Thanks.

"The Historian" Chapters 3-5

The diplomat father travels often and takes his daughter with him.
The author descriptively paints a picture of the towns they travel to. Filled with quaint cafes, stone streets and beautiful scenery.

-Rossi said emphatically, "I discovered in Istanbul that Dracula lives among us today. Or did then, at least."
The reader learns the story of Professor Rossi (who also has one of the books). In his early years he is researching the supposed burial place of Vlad Tepes. While pondering over old maps that possibly point to the location of the Unholy Tomb. A strange man burst into the room and informs Rossi that he does not have authority to examine the maps. He confiscates them and leaves, but not before Rossi notices 2 strange puncture wounds on the mans neck...

At the end of chapter 5 a friend of the fathers states:
"Poor Rossi, Tragic, wonderful man. Strange to think anyone one has known personally can just - poof - disappear."
The father has agreed to explain what happened to Rossi starting in chapter 6.


Next chapters: 6 & 7 pages: 43-61
on Thursday Oct 23rd
THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova

Mrs. Marine

"The Historian" Chapters 1 & 2

Its 1972, the reader is introduced to a 16 year old girl and her diplomatic father.
The young girl stumbles across a strange old book in her fathers library, all the pages are blank except a strange picture across the two center pages of the book. When she asks her father about the book he tells her the story of how it came into his possession.
The story involves; another book just like it which belongs to a university professor, the history of Vlad the Impaler and the legend of Dracula.

I am quite intrigued so far. There is a lot of history involved (hence the name of the book). But not too much that I have lost interest. I am not a history buff in the slightest. My husband is, I may have to get him to read this book when I am done with it.

Join me and read along, write your own posts here or comment on my posts.

Next chapters: 3-5 pages: 22 - 42
on Thursday Oct 16th
THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova

Mrs. Marine

The Historian, Are you reading with me?

I finally got The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova today in the mail. I will read a few chapters at a time (around 20 pages) and write a post about each set of chapters. I plan to post every Thursday. If you would like to read along with me you can be a guest blogger and write your own posts. Leave a comment here or email me if you are interested. SAHMilitaryWife @ aol.com

My first post will be on Chapters: One & Two: pages 1-21
On Thursday October 9th

Mrs. Marine

Next Book:

Sorry for all the delay. I will still be reading The Historian. I ordered the book online and then I waited for it to arrive. I received a confirmation email after I ordered.
It never showed up? For some reason I finally found out (after emailing customer service to see where my order was) that my order never went through.
So, I have ordered it again and should hopefully receive it shortly. That's what I get for ordering online, right.... I do it all the time and usually I don't have any problems.

I will write another post as soon as I get the book and schedule a start date.
Until then, I'm trying to finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (for the second time) before it arrives. I'm almost done. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan!

Mrs. Marine

The votes are in:

My next book will be:
THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova

Read along with me and be a guest blogger. Read one chapter every week and post your thoughts on each chapter. Leave me a comment or email me if you would like to join me. Ill be starting this book in a week or so as soon as I get it.

Mrs. Marine

What should I read next?

Join me in the next book and be a guest blogger. Place your vote in the left column! What book should I read:

WHERE ARE YOU NOW? by Mary Higgins Clark

THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova

HONOR THYSELF by Danielle Steel

If you would like to read with me and have another book suggestion let me know.

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" chapter: Winter for Two

I was going to break this chapter up because its 61 pages long, but once I started reading I could not stop.

"Winter for Two" (153-214 the end)
This chapter goes back to the old man from the beginning of the book, reading a story to a old woman we now know is his wife (Allie) who has Alzheimer's. The old man is Noah. Allie of course told Lon it was over and went back to Noah and they have been married for 49 years.
He reads there story to her every day he can in hopes of bring her memory back. Some days a miracle happens and she comes back to him. But not for long.
I had to fight off the tears during this chapter. Its such a powerful and sad love story. The kind of love they have is amazing. They have had children together and grown old together and soon there lives will end. But they have lived full and happy lives filled with love. What more could you ask for.

I really enjoyed this book. It's one I will read again one day.
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

THE END
What should I read next?
Join me in the next book and be a guest blogger.

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" chapters: A Letter from Yesterday

"A Letter from Yesterday" (pg. 148-152)
NO, how can Allie leave Noah like that. Who cares about Lon, how can she be so undecided. Noah kept writing to her for two and a half years without a reply from her. Which wasn't her fault, her mother kept the letters from her. She thought he never wrote at all. How sad...
Knowing that he kept writing, that he has loved her all these years. That should seal the deal. Allie belongs with Noah. She reads the last letter he wrote and he signed it "I love you, Allie".
She goes to talk to Lon and the chapter ends leaving the reader hanging, not knowing who she chooses, Lon or Noah?

Next chapters: "Winter for Two"
pages 153-214 -the end
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" chapters: Courtrooms, An Unexpected Visitor, & Crossroads p. 131-147

"Courtrooms" (pg. 131-132)
Uh-O, Lon is has finally put Allie before his job and is now on his way to New Bern......
Hence the next chapter title:

"An Unexpected Visitor" (pg. 133-139)
It gets better, there are two visitors... Read the book and you will know who they are. I liked the first one, making amends for old mistakes.

"Crossroads" (pg. 140-147)
NO, Allie can not go to Lon. Noah is better. She has to realize that she will be happier with Noah. The love with Noah is passion and friendship and he's her soul mate. Yes, maybe she cares for Lon, but its not the same. Allie needs to break it off with Lon and go back to Noah. She needs to follow her heart.

Next chapters: "A Letter from Yesterday" and "Winter for Two"
pages 148-165*

*Winter for Two is the last chapter of the book which is pages 153-214 so I will break it up into about 20 pages at a time with paragraph breaks.
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" chapter: Swans and Storms p. 109-130

I would love to jump into the first scene in this chapter. A lake full of swan and geese, how beautiful a picture that would be.
Then as Allie and Noah are heading back to the house it begins to downpour rain.

They change out of wet clothes and snuggle in front of a fire.
WOW, things heat up between them, the rest of the chapter is quite steamy (in other words they do it, in front of a fire, how romantic can you get). I knew they were going to get back together. Although, Allie is still engaged. Oops, what about Lon.... Hmm, I am waiting for him to show up looking for her, he knows something is up.
Allie and Noah are in love again!

Quoting Noah:
"You are the answer to every prayer I've offered. You are a song, a dream, a whisper, and I don't know how I lived without you for as long as I have. I love you, Allie, more than you can ever imagine. I always have, and I always will."

Next chapters: "Courtrooms", "An Unexpected Visitor", & "Crossroads"
pages 131-147 on Tuesday July 29th
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" Chapter: Moving Water p. 98-108

This was a short chapter so I don't have too much to say.
How romantic, Allie and Noah alone in a canoe.
Quoting the book, Noah said to Allie:
"Poets often describe love as an emotion that we cant control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. That's what is was like for me. I didn't plan on falling in love with you, and I doubt if you planned on falling in love with me. But once we met, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like that has happened only once, and that's why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory. I'll never forget a single moment of it."

Next chapters: "Swans and Storms" pages 109-130
on Tuesday July 22th
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" Chapters: Phone Calls & Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams p. 80-97

(Sorry this was late, long weekend mixed me up)

Phone Calls:
Lon has a good memory. Too bad he neglects Allie, maybe if he didn't she could have loved him as much as she loved Noah.... He is beginning to suspect something for sure. The question is, what is he going to do about it, he doesn't want to loose her. But I don't think he ever fully had her to begin with. Allie has never fully given him her heart.

Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams:
I like small towns. Sometimes I think I want to move to a small town again, but a large city has its perks too. New Bern seems so quaint and friendly. Being out on a kayak on the river at sunrise, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful scene.
Good for Allie, she is drawing again. I wonder what the second picture is of? Is it Noah? Maybe.
Allie doesn't want to talk to her fiance, that's not normal. Why didn't she call him when she got in the night before? She cant marry him.


Next chapters: "Moving Water" pages 98-108
on Tuesday July 15th
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" Chapter: Reunion p. 57-79

- This is the second half of this chapter. -

Thats so terrible that Allie's mother hid all her letters from Noah. It's unfair. If Allie had gotten the letters she probably would be married to Noah right now and not ingaged to Lon...

Well my question about the painting was answered. Allie didnt notice it when she walked through the house.

These two are going to drive me nuts. When are they going to confess to eachother that they are both still in love with one another. Just kiss already.... There eyes lock and they share a "moment" which is interupted by the kitchen timer.
Allie can be herself with Noah, she can tell him anything. They were friends and lovers. Thats the way a relationship should be. She doesnt have that with Lon.

I enjoy a good love story! Its been a while since I have read one.

Next chapters: "Phone Calls" & "Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams" pages 80-97
on Tuesday July 8th
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine

"The Notebook" Chapter: Reunion p. 37-56

- This chapter is 42 pages long so I broke it in half. At the bottom of page 56 is a gap in the paragraphs so its a good stopping point. -

How sweet, Noah and Allie lock eyes and neither knows what to say, so unsure around each other.
They are going to drive me nuts. It's obvious they want to be together, otherwise why is she there. She didn't need to tell him she's getting married, especially in person. She just wanted to see him to see if the spark is still there. She is unsure about her engagement. She still loves Noah. He was her first love and he is still in her heart. They both keep staring at each other when the other isn't looking (does that make since?).

Noah thinks of a painting Allie had given him that "hung above the fireplace". Is it still there? If so why didn't Allie notice it when she wandered through the house? Maybe she will see it later.

I am really enjoying this book.

Next pages 57-79 the second half of chapter "Reunion" on Tuesday July 1st.
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Mrs. Marine