The Handmaid's Tale was actually a book I had to read for class out of a list of several banned books. I am shocked that this book never found my hands before. But then again, I would probably be shocked at all the books that will never meet me but probably should.

This was written but Margaret Attwood, an author my instructor has been sure to SEVERAL times let us know is Canadian. I think this is because my instructor is Canadian and hell, she gets a kick out of being Canadianically related. Yes, I just made up that word.

The story follows a handmaid, a woman that is forced to serve under a Commander who is the man of the household. She is only to be someone that is fertile for an infertile couple. They have weekly ceremounious intercourse that involves the wife of the commander laying behing the handmaid.

This book is a sort of woman's 1984. It was banned for the sexual content but mainly for it's portrayal of the Catholic religion. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend reading this book if you are a woman. I don't think it is a "male" book. But man, all you need to do is read the first chapter and I won't even have to persuade you. IT-IS-GOLD!!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I frequent headaches lately inbetween my eyes. This could be the fact that my eyes have changed again and I am waiting for my new glasses. OR it could be that there are so many things in the air right now.

Because I can't really disclose what it is that will be changing (very soon) I will relate how I feel. It is as if I was standing in the dark and threw 16 knifes into the air and I was waiting to see if they all stuck to the ceiling or if one was coming back down to murder me. That is to say both Aaron and I are very stressed. Very.

Monterey

Aaron and I had the opportunity to go to Monterey this summer with Courtney and Jared. Some of my favorite parts were finally getting my feet in the cold, wet sand and having the best lunch of my life at a French cottage in Carmel. We can't wait to go back!

Invisible Monsters

Palahniuk made me relate to a character I would never relate to realistically in this book. And perhaps that is disturbing. He made me laugh at inappropriate things on Christmas morning and smile to see a bride's dress torched. Ah. I loved it! If it ever becomes a movie I just ask that Christopher Walken play the father.

This story follows a former fashion model after a car accident that leaves her disfigured and mute. Brandy Alexander as her guide in her new body, heaven help us. Suspense to follow, everything tying together to a brilliant end I never saw coming. Palahniuk fans, read it!

Lullaby

So I love Chuck Palahniuk. I would only meet him in a very public place and at least 5 yards between us but, I love him.

Lullaby is about a man who is seeking out a culling song to be destroyed from ever being used. A culling song being something originally sung to people who were dying to ease them into their next life. This song, misused, is responsible for the death of hundreds of children as it is printed in a book found in any given library.

I read Lullaby hoping for a good fix. I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed. Maybe I wasn't that into it because I have been more in the mood for a rather *ahem* delayed Half Blood Price...but it seems there was too much repetition. It follows a definite formula and I have grown to love that his books do NOT follow a formula. I kind of felt every chapter was the same chapter. Eh.

An "OMG" Moment

Yesterday night I received an email that I have been waiting for since I was 13. My favorite childhood author and writing mentor, Bruce Coville, sent me an email that simply said "It's out, it's early. They are shipped and already on the shelves." Book three of the Unicorn Chronicles was about a decade in the making. It was set to be out August 1st but I received my beautiful detailed copy yesterday!


So for any fellow fans out there, happy reading. And to dear Bruce, happy writing on the 4th one!

Well it was a long bumpy ride for Aaron and I this last year. We spent much of our time clipping coupons, playing softball, rushing from work to classes, sitting in dentist chairs and filling out employment applications. We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Christmas was/has been a wonderful time. We got to spend some good time with Aaron's mother who's health has dramatically improved. Every year we get to know Kendall, her husband, better and we adore him.

We are living out in the ASU housing on Williamsfield and thoroughly enjoy our home with a great view of the mountains. You can't really beat the low rent and large houses.

Aaron will have his BA in March and will start his Masters program and will hopefully finding a job that doesn't make him insane. He has had the oppurtunitiy to play football just about every weekend, which he enjoys, but would like to get a part in a play.

I, Cassie, just returned to the known evil this is University of Phoenix. However, I've started working at the ground campus rather than online and this has already proven to be a lesser evil. I enjoy my job, the people and my manager. I am slowly but surely approaching the end of my AA. When working full time I only sign up for two night/internet classes at a time. Although I do have the option to transfer all my credits back to Eastern Arizona College after this next semster and get my AA that way.

All in all, we are doing really well. In fact,I am constantly surprised how well we are doing. Call it planning, call it luck or blessings. Whatever it is, we're happy.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My half sister-in-law, Rene, reads probably close to the amount I did when I was her age. This has lead us to buy books for each other as presents and up until Twilight Rene always hit the nail right on the head for the kind of book I would enjoy. This book can be described in three words: teen, thriller, romance. I don't like teen novels, I can hardly stand romance novels but I do have a soft spot for thrillers and vampires. So about every 3rd page I found something I enjoyed.

The premise of Twilight is Isabella, a young, rather pretty and klutzy, woman who falls for a dashing 17 year old vampire, Edward, with a blood lust for exactly Isabella's blood. Their romance is stuttered by secrets and obvious differences in diet. Although I do not like romances I will throw Meyer a bone and admit that the romance was easy to root for. I would not classify this book as a vampire book. To suggest so is to slap Anne Rice in the face.

Did this book make me want to read the sequel? No. But did I get general enjoyment out of it? Yes.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

Haunted is quite possibly the only book I will ever say that I both adored it but would never recommend it to another reader. This is because I cannot assume someone can tolerate the level of disgusting gore that I put up with, especially through that first stomach churning chapter. This is a story that has us stumbling and gagging until the very last page. I know this doesn't make you want to go out and read it and I urge you not to bearing me in mind. The magic of this book is threefold. Chuck gives us a story, mangled back stories and poetry. Almost each chapter is prefaced by a poem about one of the characters who's names are as whimsical and telling as Comrade Snarky, Miss Sneezy and Saint Gut-Free. Some chapters follow the entire story while others are short stories written by one of the 17 characters. The story takes place at a writer's retreat where all these characters come together. My favorite parts in Haunted were the short stories of the nightmare box and the bowling balls....of all things. I will admit the story was choppy, too edgy and followed a rather weak storyline. I was okay with this because the character development and short stories were pages and pages of Turkish delight, I couldn't get enough of it. So, don't read it unless you were already planning to. Forgive the first chapter...and be warned of language...but if you can look past that, the story is amazing! ~Cassie~

The Ruins by Scott Smith

Let me preface this review by noting that I am not a horror novel fan. This could have an impact on my general disliking for this book.The Ruins was a good idea that was over embellished. Good character development for the first 70 pages, though there were 5 characters that needed proper introduction. The story takes these 5 characters on a hike to find one of the character's brother. Entering into the ruins they find themselves unable to leave the site by force of the Mayan villagers nearby. Perhaps too quickly, they find that there is something rather unusual about the vegetation therein. Like I said, the story was a good idea but as we discover who/what the adversary is, its hard not to laugh. But even suppressing the urge to laugh and giving it a shot, Smith destroys our tolerance. The author had a few clumsy sexual parts that hardly had pertinence to character development or the story. I am one who can stand a sexual part in a book now and then, but it must build the story. I can accept a lot of things, but this book was nothing short of a serious Little Shop of Horrors...and nobody wants to see that. I would only recommend this book to pure lovers of cheesy horror stories. To each their own. ~Cassie~