Book Club Friday: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

By: John Boyne

Pages: 215
Read: 2/15/13

"When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences."

{GoodReads}

I saw the movie that was based off of this book, probably about 3 years ago.  I recently learned that it was a book and immediately put it on my to-read list.  I do have to say, I think in this case (and it is super rare for me to say this), the movie was better and more powerful.  The ending of this story is absolutely tragic and I felt no emotion at the end of the book, but the movie had me crying every time I thought about it for days after I watched it (and normally if something sad happens, I cry even though I expect something bad).   I gave this book 3/5 stars simply because the story is still ok and the message is still powerful.  Though I do recommend that if you read the book, also watch the movie (damn, I can not believe I just said that)!

I gave this book a 3/5 on my GoodReads.

Noodles and Company

#81 on my Day Zero list is to eat at 5 new restaurants.

Restaurant #4: Noodles and Company

2/14/13

Josh and I had plans to go to the shooting range on valentines day but got there about an hour before they opened ... oops.  So, we decided to get some lunch to kill some time.  I didn't want to get fast food or anything too bad for me because I knew we were going to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. 

I remembered that they just built a Noodles and Co. right near the Barnes and Noble in my town so we decided to give it a try (my Uncle Steve is the Market Director of Noodles and Co. at their corporate office in Colorado).   It was really good!!!  Josh got Mac and Cheese with pulled pork & Tomato Basil Soup and I got Buttered Noodles with Shrimp and Chicken Noodle Soup. Yummm!

I didn't think about taking a picture until I was halfway done eating.  Oops.

I took this after Josh mixed everything together.  Epic picture fail.

I think Josh would eat that Mac and Cheese every day if he could!  I also love the fact that they post the nutrition information for the food right on the menu!!  We will definitely be coming here for more lunch dates!

Hearts Day

On Valentines Day ... We Shoot Things.

Josh also got me this super yummy edible arrangement since he knows I don't like getting real flowers :)  



Book Club Friday: The Book Thief

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak

Pages: 424 (on Nook)
Read: 2/11/13

"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery....

Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist – books. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever they are to be found.

With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, Liesel learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids, as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement."
{GoodReads}

I can not say enough good things about this book!  It was a great story and I liked hearing the story through a German child's eyes (even though the story was told by death, which was also interesting) because for someone that age it must have been hard to grasp the concept of what was happening in Germany.   The end broke my heart into little pieces and I cried like a baby .... at school in the library ... Slightly embarrassing.   I think it was very well written and it kept my interest, I never got bored.  I highly recommend this book, especially those interested in the WWII era.

I gave this book a 5/5 on my GoodReads!

Happy Valentines Day!

I am not the biggest fan of Valentines day because I really don't think I need to be told when to get gifts for Josh and tell him I love him.  But Happy Valentines Day, anyway :)

Happy Hearts Day!  And as a present from my physics professor?? First Exam on Chapters 1-3!! Yes! Just what I have always wanted ...



Book Club Friday: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

By: John Green

Pages: 313
Read: 1/4/13

"Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind."
{GoodReads}

I loved this book!  I thought it was wonderfully written and a great story.  I really don't know what else to say.   It was a tear jerker at the end, but I was expecting it ... it still sucked, what happened.  I would highly recommend this book.  It was a quick read and kept me interested throughout the whole story.

I gave this book a 4/5 on my Goodreads!

Baltimore!

Best fans in the nation!

Welcome Home, Ravens!!!