IPod

I love my IPod. I never thought I'd actually admit to it, but it makes sense, doesn't it? After all, I love music, why shouldn't I enjoy it in it's most updated technology?

I would not have my IPod if Faith would not have given me her "outdated" one when she upgraded. It was so easy to load all of my music on it, and my complete file has 699 songs, which doesn't even take up the space. It is quite fun to make up playlists, I feel like I did when I made my mixed tapes. With the adapter for the car it is fun flipping through all those songs to find the one I am in the mood for, even though it can be dangerously distracting.

I will take out my earbuds and listen to the music while on lunch at work, hoping that the music will tell others I am on break and don't disturb me, but it doesn't work. You see, they are tiny earbuds attached to a tiny cord plugged into a tiny machine. No one sees it, but it is quite funny to look up at someone talking to you and you can't hear a thing they are saying. Even more funny is when you pull out an earbud and say "what?". That gets them apologizing every time.

Lori Armstrong

I would like to introduce you to one of my great finds, and a local writer. Lori Armstrong caught my attention with her first book, "Blood Ties". After doing a little research and discovering she lives in Rapid City, I picked up her book and was hooked right away. The main character is the strong woman who is trying to get by, which is typically my favorite type of book.

Although disappointed when the series ended with "Snow Blind" I was happy to see a new publication, "No Mercy" was being released. This newest book also had a strong female lead and also took place in the land that sits between the Black Hills and the Badlands. I always enjoy finding new local authors, and if I owned that bookstore in Hill City (yes, can't get it out of my head!!!) this series would be one I would love to introduce to the tourists, just to prove that in South Dakota you can find good writing. Now if I could just figure out how to post pictures. I can never get them right!

Happy Birthday Trung!!

I would like to wish my favorite brother-in-law a Happy Birthday. I know, he's my only brother-in-law, but he's still my favorite. The poor man has to deal with our family, and his patience with us is tremendous. I don't know any other man who would willingly (of course I don't live in their house, but I'd like to think that) drive my sister and nephew the long distances to spend time with us, or put up with our visits staying in his house and using all of his water and electricity.

Trung can get along with all of us. He enjoys being a kid when around Faith and Caleb, whether it's teasing, wrestling, or trying to attack them in the video games. He can talk cars with Dad and understand it. Trung can talk to his mother-in-law about anything she is interested in, and can put up with his annoying sister-in-laws when around (of course I'm sure Kristen isn't half as annoying as I am). What more can this family ask for? A normal guy who can do the crazy stuff we do, but I don't remember him participating in the 4th of July parade. Thanks Trung!!! Your the best and love you:)

Sizzling Sixteen

The whole gang is at it again. I was excited when I checked my library account and found that Janet Evanovich's newest Plum novel was on hold, waiting for me to come get it. I knew that I would not have any problem reading it over the last two days I had left on vacation, and was not disappointed!

The gang is trying to save Vinnie, but only because without Vinnie they would not have a job. With it's usual car accident, Lula problems, and Grandma's issues, the only thing missing was Bob the dog. We still don't know who Stephanie will choose, Morrelli or Ranger, and never did hear from her sister and family. Sometimes I wish I was just starting the series again and able to enjoy it for the first time!

So Kristen, did you finish yours yet???

Dead In The Family

I was so excited to have one of my favorite authors, Charlaine Harris, along for the ride during vacation. The Sookie Stackhouse series is perfect to read in the car or between the "Logan" times while at the cabin. This book in the series did not disappoint.

Without spoiling it for anyone who hasn't gotten to the newest publication, I was excited by the new character introduced. Even more excited than when I discovered that Elvis was turned into a vampire. This new character was from farther back in time, and is part of a family that has always been an interesting topic, because it is always discussed if someone ever lived through the tragedy. We also found out about Eric's "dad" and Bill's "sister".

After watching the HBO series "True Blood" season one, I did have difficulty finding myself comparing the two differences, and the theme song kept running through my head. Jace Everett's "Bad Things" is a song I had to download as soon as I heard it. It is a country/blues/zydeco song that is addicting. In fact I am listening to it right now (Dad-you should try it too!). Once again a literature addiction has turned me onto a new recording artist. Strange how that happens, huh?

The Millions Website

I was referred a website that had information on all types of publications, as well as reader comments and reviews. It has been interesting to look through it every once in awhile, because I am always on the lookout for a new author, especially since I enjoy a wide variety of book types.


http://www.themillions.com/books-reviews/

Stieg Larsson

Well I am back. It has been a crazy week, and there might be more on that to follow, but I have been trying to finish a book. This took me a long time because my mind has been at work, but it was a little hard to get through the final book in this series.

Sometimes I pick up a book just because of the title or cover art is intriguing. That was the case with the first book in the series by the late author Stieg Larsson. "The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo" introduced me to Lisbeth Salander, a petite fireball who has been dealt a terrible beginning in her life because of her father and the Swedish government's lack of caring. Helping her without her wanting any help at all is a popular journalist Mikael Blomkvist.

The second in the book, "The Girl Who Played With Fire" introduces us to Salander's father, who turns out to be a protected Swedish citizen who defected from Russia. His crimes are continually covered up by a secret section in the Swedish government. This particular section is not even known by the prime minister, but Blomkvist uncovers everything but is not able to publish his discovery because Salander is trying to kill her father. Blomkvist thinks he needs to protect Lisbeth, and the book ends on a cliffhanger.

I anxiously awaited the third publication, I had become so wrapped up in the character's lives. I did not have to wait very long because the author had turned in all three manuscripts at the same time, and passed away shortly after. "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" shows alot of government intrigue as Blomkvist and friends try to help Lisbeth uncover the business surrounding her father's protectors.

While it was a great series with a good plot, I found it very interesting how much I learned about Sweden. It did get somewhat confusing at times because the places and names were local, but I now realize that Sweden's government is not that simple. Even though they do things a little differently than the US does, they still have problems. Larsson used actual scandals in the country's history to back up his fact that the secret section could have been real.

I am really disappointed that this will be all from this author. I learned alot about Swedish culture and politics, and feel that reading really teaches us while we enjoy the story. Even though I had struggle through the last book, I am glad I finished it.