Peace. Love. Books.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a reading obsession. I devour books. They make me happy. (Sometimes law school gets in the way... But it has books too! :)

My Topeka bookshelf. I'm out of room. Ty is really looking forward to moving them...

However, I like to think that asking me my favorite book is like asking a mother to pick a favorite child. (I say I like to think because I have no children. Shoot, it may be easy for a mother to pick a favorite. In my experience, they don't tell. But I digress.) So I thought I would compile a post of my favorites! I always like to hear what others are reading so I thought it might be fun for you to see what I read. And I wouldn't mind suggestions...

Just a few favorites.

So, in no particular order:

Harry Potter Series. (Photo: See above.) If you have yet to read the Harry Potter Series: get out from under that rock. Harry Potter is not a series about learning to practice witchcraft. It does not propose a new religion or a new deity to worship. No, Harry Potter is about good vs. evil; a battle everyone has. And, spoiler alert, the power of good over evil. Common themes: Friendship, loyalty, bravery, intelligence, innocence. I cannot sing the praises of J.K. Rowling's hit series enough. Love them. If I could teach a class just on Harry Potter, I would.

The Hunger Games. (Photo: See above. Also see: Catching Fire & Mockingjay.) I mean, honestly, what more is there to say? The first film just hit theaters less than a month ago (awesome, by the way). I think America knows what's up. But just in case: read them. They are not insanely graphic like one might think when told the premise of the story. I like to think of them as a modern 1984-esque series. But not as dry. Just do it, read them. I have. Ten times.

The Help.

Thank you Google Images and Amazon.

Another great book, and the movie does not do it justice. If you are one of those "I'll just see the movie" types, it won't work here. An eye-opening tale about the life of a maid during times when segregation was popular. Stockett does an excellent job of truly bringing the characters to life.

Water for Elephants.

Thank you Goodreads.com.

This is one that I have heard people either love it or they hate it. Obviously, I am in the "love it" camp. Another "one day" read for me. Just a great story. This novel is written as a "looking back" novel from the perspective of the main character as he "puts in his time" in a nursing home. The character really lets you know how it feels to be him, both young and old. The ending offered an extra special twist for me. Throughout the novel I could only think of an Alzheimer's patient at my late grandpa's Alzheimer's home. He told everyone he used to be an elephant trainer. I don't think he really was, but I couldn't help but relate the main character to this man's "stories."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.  

Thank you Goodreads.com.

This book was suggested to me last summer, and I was running low on options so I finally checked it out at the library. And it was a great decision. The author told the character's stories through letters. Set in England in 1946, the book follows an author looking for her latest inspiration. Really interesting to watch the characters' relationships develop.

To Kill a Mockingbird. (Photo: See above.) The first time I read Mockingbird was 8th grade English. I remember forcing myself to read the first few chapters. And then I was hooked. Great character development and portrayal of a young girl's perception of the Civil Rights and segregation. As well as one of my favorite lawyers: Atticus Finch. (See previous posts to meet Atticus the dog :)

The Book Thief. (Photo: See above.) (Really, anything Holocaust themed.) First read this as one of my weekly chapter books for an undergraduate course. It was one of those that no one would read because of its thickness. Naturally that means I'll read it because that's just even more time I get to spend with the characters. Anyway, this novel is actually told from the perspective of death. And it does not focus on a Holocaust victim. Instead it focuses on a young German girl who becomes educated about the horrors around her through a refugee and some books.

Authors:
James Patterson. (Photo: see above.) I just feel like everyone knows who James Patterson is. The guy writes nonstop. I really like his Alex Cross books... Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider, and his new one: Kill Alex Cross. Really keeps me interested and, sometimes, genuinely creeped out. Alex Cross is one of those characters that you (at least me) never get tired of.

Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum series. One for the Money made me laugh out loud. Absolutely ridiculous the things Grandma Mazur says. And the love triangle between Morelli, Stephanie, and Ranger is not a bad incentive to keep reading. Overall, these are just fun books. They don't make me think; they make me laugh. I have not seen the movie. I am almost afraid to see it. I just don't feel like an actress can do Stephanie justice. Especially with a fake Jersey accent.


Emily Giffin.

My own photo. I have real talent.

Also the other of the Something Borrowed book, Giffin writes some truly interesting story lines. They all tend to follow the same style, but I really love following along as her characters experience real-life crises and work their way through them. It can help anyone keep the things truly matter in perspective. I am really looking forward to reading her newest book, Where We Belong, when it hits shelves this summer.

Currently reading:

 Kind of a nice little $3 purchase at the law school book sale... I am only 20 pages in but so far so good! Hopefully I finish this week so I can focus on real reading (aka cases).

Looking forward to reading:

I purchased two of these at the law school sale and one on the bargain table at B&N. Probably going to be more of summertime reads... But I'll keep you posted.

While I know there are more that I have missed (see earlier analogy to children and picking favorites), these are the ones I share today. I'm sure I will have more to contribute as books continue to be published and classics continue to be classics. But that is for another day. And remember:

Special thanks to my friend Sami for buying me this bag!

April Showers

Wow! It has been almost a month since my last post. And it's not because I haven't had things to update! So I'll do a basic rundown:

Wedding - Coming along awesomely! Everything seems to at least be booked / scheduled. Now it's just the follow-ups, and those will come at the end of May. Crazy to think we are less than two months away... Seven years in the making! I have also had two showers already. I have the best friends and family there is. My maid of honor, Rachel, threw a shower over Easter weekend, and I enjoyed spending time with our friends. Today, my soon-to-be sisters-in-law and a law school friend hosted a Topeka shower for the KC family and law school friends. Fortunately, my mother and grandmother as well as Tyler's mother were able to make it. It wasn't for sure with this crazy weather! Needless to say, Tyler and I are very blessed. Thank you to all who have been able to come out!

House Hunting - Over! I believe we have found a place. Now it's just making sure everything is final. The idea is that we will take possession May 1. With finals, we will not officially move in until May 15.

Everything Else - I have been enjoying this awesome weather we have been experiencing this spring. It seems we are going to have a major bug problem; Tyler has already had a tick. But I'm likin' it right now! School is going well... Just hoping to survive the last four weeks, and then it's summertime! To end, my almost sister-in-law and I had a crafty / pinterest Sunday a couple of weeks ago so I think I will leave you with the photo montage...

The beginning of my crafty Sunday. The yellow scared me a little at first...

What I should have been doing that crafty Sunday. Appellate Brief. It's all turned in now!

The ingredients for dessert: Faux Key Lime Pie. Courtesy of a fellow law school student.

The finished project! Still needs some modge podge. It will go in our kitchen.

Dinner! Discovered it during a lunch break watching Food Network. BBQ Chicken Pizza. Even had green apples!

The Faux Key Lime Pie. Not too bad!

Not a crafty Sunday picture... Just making salsa in my new blender!