Mockingjay

I just finished Mockingjay. This is the third and final book in The Hunger Games series. I can't help but feel sad that it is over. I enjoyed all of the books and am very happy how it ended. I spent the last week devouring the three books, with only work and sleep to distract me. Now that it is over I just feel lost. Every once in awhile I get caught up in reading. Not just reading a few hours a day, but all day, everyday. I will wake up from this state and realize that the world has just gone on without me and I need to catch up. Luckily I have a fabulous husband that thinks it is endearing that I enjoy reading so much. So now it is time to do my homework that I have put off, catch up with my family and friends, and decide what book to read next. . .

Catching Fire

Well I just finished Catching Fire the second in the Hunger Games series. I tried to fly through it as much as I could with school and work, so that I can start to read Mockingjay the third in the series. I really enjoy these books and I am going to stop writing now so that I can go read Mockingjay.

The Hunger Games

I have already read this book and the sequel, Catching Fire. The third and last of this series came out yesterday and at the last moment I decided I should reread the first two so it is fresh in my mind when I read the third. If you remember my previous post last year, I love this book and nothing has changed. As much as I like reading and experiencing new books, I love rereading books. It is like talking to an old friend that you haven't seen in awhile. You have a general idea of their personality and what they are about and you quickly remember the small details that made you friends in the first place.

On a side note, Michael and I started school today. Michael is taking Algebra and Japanese and I am taking Chemistry, Engineering, and Calculus. The first day went really well and I am excited for the rest of the semester.

Water for Elephants

Let me start by saying that I started reading Paradise by Toni Morrison. It was the first time in my life that I had decided to read a book and not finish it. Even books that I hated the whole time I read them, I finished. Paradise wasn't a bad book, I probably will read it sometime, but I found myself thinking of other things to do instead of reading. It was just not the right time and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to read it. So with a lot of hesitation I picked up Water for Elephants and I am glad I did.

This book is depressing, really depressing and I enjoyed every page. I have been told that I enjoy depressing books, which is probably true because I loved this book. The writing was incredible. The movie for this book comes out next year and there is no way they are going to live up to this book.

Water for Elephants is about a 93 year old man in a nursing home remembering back to 1931 when he joined the circus.

Read it, you'll like it.

Employee of the Month

Well it must be my year. I got employee of the month again!

Michael and I have both been working a lot. Michael just helped open a new restaurant and I just got a new boss. And it is about to get much busier since we both start school in 11 days.

Burton family reunion

Last weekend we went up to Prescott for Michael's family reunion. Here is a picture of the whole family. Michael has four siblings, who are all married and have kids. All together we have 10 nieces and nephews.

Below is just us and Simon.

The family reunion included games for the kids and a picnic. Here are a few pictures of the event.

Here is a picture of Simon and Michael's parents' dogs, Taki and Yoshi. We stayed in the shade because it was hot.

There was even a cotton candy machine!!!

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything other than book reviews. We have been busy and are going to be much busier. Michael has started a new position at his job, so he has been working 10 hour days and I barely see him. Also we both start school again in about a month.

After Dachau

My favorite book of all time is Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I can't even begin to explain the impact that Ishmael had on my life. It changed the way I think, the way I look at the world, and the passion that I have for books. Since reading Ishmael I have read several of Daniel Quinn's books, My Ishmael, The Story of B, and now After Dachau. I loved all of them and without fail this book change my prospective of the world.

This book takes a look at a world if the Nazis had won and what the future might have become. As almost always I recommend this book, but I HIGHLY recommend you read Ishmael.