Book Review-The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

I was at a wedding luncheon one day and one of my friends recommended that I read this book. I'm always a little skeptical about reading World War II books, because after awhile they can become tiresome and the stories are redundant. Not that I am in any way lessening the impact that World War II had on millions of lives, but you can only take so much sometimes. Well this book brought something new to the table. It was told in Death's perspective. And it wasn't about anyone in a concentration camp, it was a story of a German girl and her experiences throughout the war. This book has so much heart, feeling, and love it just inspires your soul. The author himself gives spoilers throughout the novel, so you already knows what happens at the end, but still you can't help but brush your tears away. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, and it was such a breath of fresh air from the others awful books I've been reading. Go and pick this one up!!

Book Review- Q & A by Vikas Swarup

I have just finished reading Q & A written by Vikas Swarup which the movie Slumdog Millionaire was based off of, and for once the movie is so much better than the book. In the movie you feel inspired and uplifted, whereas in the book, the stories are more perverse and doesn't have the same warm, fuzzy feeling you get at the end. You feel as if you like the characters more and can relate to them more. It's still an okay book, but I would definitely recommend the movie over the book any day. Maybe it's because there's a love story involved and that is his inspiration to win the money in the end in the movie. I would give this book a C, whereas with the movie, a solid A.

Bikram Yoga

Yesterday I decided to branch out and do something a little different with my workout. I've heard a couple of girls talk about this Bikram Yoga and I thought I'd check it out. I'VE NEVER SWEAT SO MUCH BEFORE IN MY LIFE!! It's a mixture of 26 postures and you are working out in a 100 degree room. Within the first 10 minutes, you are literally dripping!! I can see how this would be addicting for some people because it's probably such a natural high doing this. I am pretty sore, but it's the good kind of sore, the rejuvenating sore. I'm going again tonight to see if I can push my endurance even further since I had to take a few breaks last night. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to switch up their workout a bit, and try something completely different! Words of advice, don't eat anything beforehand, but make sure to eat plenty of calories during the day and stay hydrated.

Sunday Afternoon

Today Mike and I decided to take a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and go on a little walk. We ended up going up to Moss Landing, not too far up from the mouth of the canyon, and climbed up some rocks and saw a little waterfall. With all the rain we got yesterday, there was a lot of water coming down. Now anyone who knows me knows I hate hiking, but the temperature was so nice, and I had my amazing husband with me to hold my hand, so it wasn't too bad.
Umm...a little privacy please? :)
My handsome soulmate. 

Favorite Songs EVER!!

I have decided to compile a list of my top 10 favorite songs EVER! I have already chosen two of them. I think my number one will always and forever be Starlight, by Muse. It's got a fantastic beat that just keeps you interested and hooked. The tone of Matthew Bellamy is beautiful, and it's got such a beautiful progression that lights you up from beginning to end!! Second, I have Vega4's Life is Beautiful. Talk about an amazing progression with the melody. It is so simplistic, and it's lyrics are beautiful as well. "Life is beautiful, but it's complicated.We barely make it.We don't need to understand.There are miracles, miracles." It's an amazing song and you should check it out!

Third, I've got Sex on Fire, by Kings of Leon. I've just become a new fan of this band, and what a great song to become a fan on! The sexy tone of Caleb, again it just reels you in and you can feel the passion in it. Like the Muse song, it has a beat that is just pounding and making it just impossible not to like... I wanted to get everyone's opinion on their favorite songs of all time!! I want to compile an amazing list!! Let me know!!

Road Trips

So, I've never been on a road trip to anywhere but California, and that was mostly with family. Mike and I did go on a couple, but again, that was to California for our honeymoon. We started to think of things that might be fun to see, maybe a bit spontaneous, quirky. We finally started thinking of going to New Mexico. I mean, who goes to New Mexico? We were thinking of going to the Carlsbad Caverns and see the caves and the bats. Roswell is not too far away from that, so we could go make fun of the people that believe in all of that UFO and extra-terrestrial stuff. Does anyone have any other suggestions that might be fun?

Book Review- The Appeal

Before you start reading, I have completely ruined the ending, so if you want to read this book (which I hope you don't), do not read on. I have just finished reading The Appeal by John Grisham. I kept reading because I thought there would be some sort of gratification at the end after reading line upon line about people suffering through agonizing trials. I guess I was wrong. This book is about the town of Bowmore and how a chemical plant tainted their water for years and eventually people started getting cancer and started dying. One particular woman, Jeanette Baker ends up suing Krane Chemical for the loss of her husband and son due to the chemical poisoning. The jury rules in favor of Baker, but the verdict quickly goes up for appeal. Carl Trudeau, one of the major shareholders in Krane's stock decides he will do anything to reverse the verdict when it goes to the supreme court justices. He hires a company for a hefty price to "purchase" one of the seats up for grabs in the November elections and get rid of the more "liberal" judge in that seat who was up for re-election and get a judge that would be sure to rule in favor of the chemical company. So the book goes through all the motions of the elections and everything, and I'm sorry to say, the bad guy totally wins!! The good guys go bankrupt, hundreds of people lose out on the money that could have helped them with their medical expenses, etc... While this ending probably goes along with more "real life" situations, I can't help but wonder why I read this book just to be completely disappointed. I will probably never read this book again. Come on John Grisham!! Good guys need to win!!