Post-Mexico Progress

Best. Vacation. Ever.

Everything I wanted. Plus all the reading I got to accomplish just made my world.

I finished The Big Short the day before we left on the trip. I didn't like the way it ended. I want to know more about what happened to all the guys who bet against the mortgages. Plus it was hard for me to understand everything that went on in Wall Street. It's just over my head. But, once again, Michael Lewis tells a great story.

On the plane and the first couple days in Mexico I read The Girl Who Played With Fire on my kindle. And BTW, I love my kindle. Sometimes it was tricky taking it to the pool and being paranoid about water. But I got over it. I was more concerned about rain. When it started raining there was no place to take cover. If I had a normal book that would be okay to be a lil wet, but not the kindle, not my baby. I think Millenium #2 was really good, but not as good as #1. Some good twists, good surprises, but not my fave. I think that when #1 is great & #2 is good, then that means #3 will be fantastic. I'm going to start that in Myrtle.

On Wednesday I started Caught and finished it by the end of the day. (good, it's nice reading a thriller by a different author for once, it switches things up)

On Thursday I read Sail by James Patterson. (good, not great, but JP is always entertaining)

On Friday I started Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (via Kindle) and finished it on the plane ride back yesterday. (very good, as I was reading it I thought it was his best -- better than Outliers, but I got a little bored at the end. The stuff on Sesame Street, AIDS, crime, Airwalks, all really just fascinating, but I zoned out during smoking. I found the material on the different types of people; salesman, mavins, connectors real cool too)

I'm currently working on The Sleeping Doll by Jeffrey Deaver (via Kindle).

So that brings me to...25 weeks past and 22 books read!!! I did a nice catch up job this week (love having summers off!)

I think I will be able to crush through books in Myrtle Beach as well. If I try to do 50 in 52 weeks, then I feel like I'm only 1 week behind. I will try to change that this week.

Meh-he-Co Book List

Here are some books I want to read in Mexico:

A Picture Is Worth A 1,000 Words

What I've Been Up To

Here are the books I read in April/May and my brief reactions.

The Blind Side. Phenomanal. Had NO idea it was based on a book when I saw the movie (though I knew it was based on a true story) had no idea that the book was by none other than Michael Lewis. Blown away. Better than the movie. Shows that the movie was true to form. Make me want to live life like the Tuohys. I really admire them. Also, loved all the stats about football. Similar to Moneyball. The focus isn't JUST on Michael Oher. It gives the whole picture. I want to adopt an inner city child now. For rizzle. I also got my book club to read it which makes me the bomb.

Blink - Not as good as Outliers, but still interesting. The most memorable part for me (as I think about it now) was when he talks about the coke/pepsi taste testing. However, the concept of thin-slicing has become a regular idea in my circle of friends.

Liar's Poker - Not as good as Moneyball or Blind Side. However, it proves two things. Michael Lewis can write great stories about some blah topics and that he lives an incredible life. The fact that he worked at Salomon Brothers and was a "success" there before he came an author proves that he has something special. Also added to the fact that he was friends with the Tuohys in college tells me that he's a cool guy. I want to meet him.

The 9th Judgement - blah. So pumped that a Women's Murder Club book finally came out (too bad they cancelled the TV show) but this one just didn't feel write. Unique plot & storyline but the last 20 pages were forced and all over the place. Didn't make a lot of sense. However, I'm loyal so I'll read #10 when it comes out.

The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo - Awesomeness. Was a lil boring in the beginning, but got REAL good. Also had a scene that scarred me and almost made me put the book down for good. But I'm glad I hung in there. It was a good thriller and I'm ready to read the sequel.

Middlemarch (unfinished) - Ok, maybe I'll finish this book by the end of the year. I'm on page 200. Book club decided not to follow through (but I'm 200 pages in) but I'm gonna stick it out (even if it takes me forever). A lil boring and not pleasing.

What Wives Want Their Husbands To Know About Sex - Super cheesy and there are parts I just can't agree with. But I'm gonna read it through. Some of the language is ridiculous. I get there points, but they don't seem authentic. Which is a shame because I had high hopes for it after reading the first page.

Your Love Is My Drug

I've just been in love with reading this year.

I've always loved reading and I've always wanted to "better" myself, become more educated, and have a positive influence on others. I feel like my adventures with books this past year have really helped me to do that.

I've been so busy reading that I haven't done any blogging. I'll make efforts to change.

Meanwhile...I got a kindle for my birthday!!! Best gift ever! It came with an awesome case (courtesy of my mommy). I've already download a handful of books included The Big Short (Michael Lewis, of course). It's like a follow-up to his 1980ish Liar's Poker that talks about Wall Street, the economy, the mortgage industry, the crash, etc. There is something about the way he writes that I really connect with. I don't get stocks & bonds at all, but his characters are riveting. I want to be them, I want to know them, I want to emulate them.