January bookclub

This months bookclub book was Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry.

The central character, Kira, who has a twisted leg, is orphaned and must learn to survive in a society which normally leaves the weak or disabled exposed to die in the fields. In Gathering Blue Kira needs a reason for the Council of Edifice to keep her in the village and not take her to the Field. Along the way she meets characters such as Matt and his dog (Branchie), Thomas, Jo, and Christopher (Kira's dad). For Kira, finding Blue dyes is the best thing for her. Along the
way, she learns more about the truth of her village and the terrible secrets they hold.

We met at Nadine's house (which is really nice and comfy) and Abigail Nielsen was the lead. Seemed like everyone cept a few read this book. Her discussion came from the questions in the back of her book and everyone pretty much had the same outlook on the story. (We all love Matt and Branchie)
This is the companion book to The Giver.(there's another too) I read The Giver awhile back and to be honest didnt really see why everyone loves this series so much. But I'll read the 3rd book since the main character is Matt. Even though we had the meeting at Nadine's, she didnt want to pick a book so I graciously volunteered. I fretted over it tho, going back and forth and with a little prodding from another reader....I chose Homer's Odyssey which is what I really wanted to pick. The girls took it in good stride. (Since it's about a cat,I didnt want them thinking"oh gosh, Dayna and her cats")
So we'll see how it goes!!!

updates

BOOKS

 Beautiful Darkness-Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
The 2nd book to the Caster Chronicles and just as good. I liked the same writing style and the added kick to the story. Cant wait for #3

Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
I cant say enough about this book. It's a true story of Gwen and her blind cat that she adopted at 4 wks old. He grows w his disability and she grows just from the care and love that comes from not only taking care of an animal but from one w/no sight and doesnt know it. They have an amazing story and is a definite must read even if you dont like cats!!!!

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
This was our BKclub for Jan. Its one of 2 companion books to The Giver. Everyone really praises these books, but I dont see the what all the attention is for.

Hannah's Dream by Dianne Hammond
REALLY loved this one. An Elephant trapped at a failing local zoo is cared for by an elderly couple that treat her just as if she's a child to them but the man has literal dreams of her being at a better place. It's a great read and very heart touching. 

Mistletoe and Molly by Janet Daily
I only read this cause I forgot my book and it was a slow day at work so my coworker gave me this to pass the time. It was one of those silly romance books but the storyline and writing wasnt as bad as some I've read.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
I've read Shannon before and really like her and this book is no exception. Great story....involved characters and a great ending. I love her books cause they're written for young adult girls but us old ones love them too.








MOVIES

dvd
I only watched this cause its spoofed the Twilight Saga Movies and it was pretty funny if you have an open mind. There's some inappropriateness to it but it was worth seeing just for a laugh.

Netflix dvd
this is a made for tv movie about Temple Grandin who is autistic but educated herself and has many accomplishments. The movie was really good and interesting.

dvd
This was given to us by our Secret Santa and I wasnt sure that I would ever watch it but it was actually really good. Nicholas Cage and Jay Baruchel w/Alfred Molina. Liked it very much.

Redbox dvd
Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz in this action type movie and I liked it. It's hard to watch Tom now cause he's so weird now, but it was a good storyline and there were certain parts that I thought the filming was being portrayed as an old classic type movie which I enjoyed.

Netflix dvd
This is a movie done in 1988 starring Lucas Haas who I love, love, love. It was good when I watched it back then and it was still good all these yrs later. It also stars Len Cariou, Alex Rocco and Katherine Helmond and is a suspenseful, supernatural thriller. It's good!!!

Netflix-dvd
I started crying w this one right away and it was nice seeing Zac Efron play a serious role. The story is good, I ddnt know much about the movie so I was surprised at the turn it took. It also stars Amanda Crew that is in one of my other updates.

Redbox-dvd

This was a waste of $1.08!!!!

Tho it had Greg Kinnear, that was its only value!!

Netflix-instant
I was very very hesitant to see this movie. I dont really like the Disney version due to a little 3yr old about 22 yrs ago that would watch it over and over and over and over and over and over and over, but I watched it out of boredom and now its on my to buy list. I thought it was very well done!!!

Redbox-dvd
I was so excited to see this movie and it was such a disappointment. The dinner part was only like the last 20 min. and the before stuff was just a bunch of crap. I love Steve Carrell but this is not one of his good ones.

Netflix-instant
This is an older movie and have never seen it. Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs(lucius malfoy), Michael Rosenbaum(smallville), Frank langella so it had a good cast and it was good at the beginning but when she got sick I think that when it went down hill and then the ending was so ridiculous. I didnt like this one.

Netflix-instant
 This one is a classic for me. My sister and I used to watch this one alot. Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Alexander Gudunov (who I love) and it's a cute comedy and is classic Tom Hanks humor.

 My favorite part is when Walter is on the stairs and the whole thing is falling apart and he's hanging onto the ledge and anna comes running out of a bedroom where a raccoon has attacked her and steps on his hands. Love that!!

Netflix-instant
Watched this a good while back. It came out in 96 and I had forgotten the ending of it.  Has Will Patton,Ellen Burstyn, Marcia Gay Harden and its about a young girl released from prison and ends up in this small town becoming really good friends w/the owner of a diner and tries to start over. It's pretty good.

DVD
Love this one.....Hayden Christian Anderson, Samuel L Jackson and others. I saw it in the theater and loved it then. I love the storyline and kinda wish they had done more of these.








TV

Parks and Recreation- NBC
Netflix-instant
This has been on their programming for 2 seasons and I started watching ssn 1 just out of curiosity and it's really good. Couldnt stop watching and headed into ssn 2. It's funny and cute and cant wait for the 3rd ssn coming up in next week!!!!!

BBC
Netflix-instant
Found this one by accident and looked cute, plus I'm a succor for british comedies and it was good. Had alot of smoking and drinking but it had a good story and good characters and there's a series 2 but not available yet. Darn it!!!