Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Book Review: True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Title: True Colors
Series: Standalone
Author: Kristin Hannah
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Published: 04/01/2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

DESCRIPTION

True Colors is New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah’s most provocative, compelling, and heart-wrenching story yet. With the luminous writing and unforgettable characters that are her trademarks, she tells the story of three sisters whose once-solid world is broken apart by jealousy, betrayal, and the kind of passion that rarely comes along.
The Grey sisters have always been close. After their mother’s death, the girls banded together, becoming best friends. Their stern, disapproving father cares less about his children than about his reputation. To Henry Grey, appearances are everything, and years later, he still demands that his daughters reflect his standing in the community. 

Winona, the oldest, needs her father’s approval most of all. An overweight bookworm who never felt at home on the sprawling horse ranch that has been in her family for three generations, she knows that she doesn’t have the qualities her father values. But as the best lawyer in town, she’s determined to someday find a way to prove her worth to him.
Aurora, the middle sister, is the family peacemaker. She brokers every dispute and tries to keep them all happy, even as she hides her own secret pain.

Vivi Ann is the undisputed star of the family. A stunningly beautiful dreamer with a heart as big as the ocean in front of her house, she is adored by all who know her. Everything comes easily for Vivi Ann, until a stranger comes to town. . . .
In a matter of moments, everything will change. The Grey sisters will be pitted against one another in ways that none could have imagined. Loyalties will be tested and secrets revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both their family and their beloved town.

With breathtaking pace and penetrating emotional insight, True Colors is an unforgettable novel about sisters, rivalry, forgiveness, redemption---and ultimately, what it means to be a family.

MY THOUGHTS

I've read most of Kristin Hannah's books for a reason. I get thoroughly involved in her stories! I find her characters to be human and the dialogue realistic. I felt connected and involved with the people in True Colors. I cared what happened to them and I cried along with them. I know for a fact that horses can help a person through the darkest of times. The author captured that type of healing bond beautifully. The sisters had their rough spots and true love and devotion was tested, but it all came together so beautifully in the end.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Music to My Ears

 

 

I'm quite jazzed about my most recent song purchases. Not many, but they are all excellent!

  • A Fine Frenzy - You Picked Me
  • Coldplay - Fix You
  • Elvis Costello - Complicated Shadows
  • Thriving Ivory - Flowers for a Ghost, Twilight, Secret Life, Overrated, and Angels on the Moon
  • Jason Mraz - If It Kills Me
What say you? What are you listening to these days?

Monday, March 30, 2009

My "Twilight" Zone


I wasn't in so much of a bubble that I hadn't heard of the Twilight books or the movie. I rarely go to the theater. When I do it's with my husband and usually to see the latest Harry Potter movie.

Twilight was released to DVD on March 21. I told my husband that I wanted to see it so he rented it at the local video store for me. On Sunday, my house-all-to-myself day, I watched it for the first time. I think because I had not read the book(s) or any reviews of either the books or movie, I didn't have any true expectations. For this I am so R-E-L-I-E-V-E-D!

I can't put into words my immediate and overwhelming fixation with the movie (I'll get to the books in a bit); but promptly after watching it I downloaded the Twilight soundtrack from iTunes.  On Monday, my husband bought Twilight on eBook for me. On Wednesday I got the other 3 eBooks. I've been scouring the Internet for all things (positive) Twilight since.

In one week I've watched the movie 9 times, the special features 3 times, read all four books, and have the soundtrack playing nearly non-stop! I've got the movie, soundtrack, and all 4 books on my iPod so I can escape into my own "Twilight Zone" almost anytime I want.  *sighs*

I didn't think Robert Pattinson was any cuter than the rest of the young cast members in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He was attractive but so young and definitely not SPARKLING!  As Edward Cullen though...oh my! He is quite stare-worthy. At this point in time I have not become overly critical of the movie. There are definitely issues with continuity, script, and bland performances, but I still LOVE IT!

Believe me when I say that something like this has NEVER happened to me before. I talked to my oldest sister on Friday and told her of my Twilight obsession. She said something like, "If it makes you happy, then what's the harm?" and "You've been so serious all your life; you should have fun with this now."  I'm old enough to be Bella's grandmother! What really counts is that I'm not old enough to be Edward's grandmother.  Not technically.  So, I'm going to allow myself to be majorly crushing on that gorgeous, smoldering, sparkling character.  *swoons*

I ordered Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion from Amazon and it is due to be delivered tomorrow! I can hardly wait! This is the first movie I've watched that I feel compelled to purchase merchandise for.

My husband has watched it twice and gave it four stars. So, he likes it, but he likes LOTS of movies. My daughter saw it on Saturday (after my husband and I both issued caution regarding Bella's behavior with Edward).  She LOVES the soundtrack and enjoyed the movie, but she's not obsessed LIKE HER MOTHER IS! It's almost embarrassing. I'm not going to admonish myself for this because I think I do deserve this little bit of Twilight happiness.

There is a quote, that is one of my favorites:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  — Maya Angelou

I've learned that Twilight has made me feel youthful and giddy. That swooning feeling ain't bad either!

Re: the books. Sci-fi/fantasy are definitely not my favorite genres, but I was able to concentrate on the human characteristics rather than the whole vampire thing. Twilight is my favorite by far. I rated the books as follows:

Twilight (5 stars - Loved it!)—Bella and Edward meet. We are along for the amazing ride!
New Moon (4 stars -  Really liked it)—The absence of Edward was deeply felt. :(
Eclipse (4 stars - Really liked it)—Exciting? Yes. Don't understand the whole Jacob detour.
Breaking Dawn (3 stars - Liked it)—I would have appreciated it much more had it continued only from Bella's point of view and featured less detail about Renesmee and the visiting vampires.

Okay, so there it is. My confession. I won't apologize and I only ask that you be kind.  I have a deep seated fear that any negative vibes I get will extinguish MY (Twi) light.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Doggy Keywords

 

I'm a doggy talker, are you? You know, one of THOSE people who talk to their dogs—a lot! If you do, then your dogs probably have KEYWORDS. Those words, when heard in the midst of lots of other words get their attention.

I've been thinking about Lizzie's keywords a lot these days. The longer you and your dog are together, the more specific words spark their interest.

Of course, changing your tone to a doggy friendly one can assist you in identifying your dogs keywords.

With Lizzie it goes something like this...

"I was thinking about going for a WALK, does Lizzie wanna go for a WALK?" Head tilts, eyes open wide, ears are alert, and then she takes off for the door.

I figure she probably hears, "Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah WALK blah Lizzie blah blah blah blah WALK!"

Same goes for RIDE, BISCUIT, GOODY, TREAT, GO and a few others.

I also noticed how well she knows her "new" name. She was Ginny for almost 5 years and has only been Lizzie for 9 months. Talking to dogs has its rewards, especially when they respond to their keywords so adorably.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Family Research News for 17 Mar 2009

 


Latest Discoveries and Acquisitions

  • Death certificate for Dr. Herman Clark KENYON
  • Death certificate for Blanche (GULLIFORD) KENYON
  • WWII Enlistment Data for Richard Harrison WASHBURN
Added the Following Individuals to the Tree:
  • George Edward LITTLE
  • William O. PARMENTER
  • Josiah William PARMENTER
  • Eva PARMENTER
Added Data for the Following Individuals:
  • Herman Clark KENYON
  • Blance (GULLIFORD) KENYON
  • William O. PARMENTER
  • Harriet Matilda (HILL) PARMENTER
  • Josiah William PARMENTER
  • Eva PARMENTER
Latest Requests and Queries
  • Received the death certificate for Richard WASHBURN
  • Received gravemarker photographs for Richard WASHBURN
  • Requested a copy of the obituary for Charles HILL from Akron-Summit County Public Library
Latest Contributions