Jessica ’s Notes

Hey Jess, no worries :) its good hear from you whenever you get on! I keep seeing Sherrilyn Kenyon's new book Acheron in Barnes and Noble - I haven't read any of hers yet because I haven't found the first one anywhere. I might have to wait until I'm home next semester for student teaching and then I'll be near the good library.
All of my friends are getting engaged and married as well. I have 3 weddings in October alone and then 3 this summer (so far). Fun but a reminder that mine's a bit further off. Steven is a Senior this year and has always wanted to be a commercial airline pilot...so that means more school. We'll see what he decides to do.
Chick-fil-a has quite a variety of delicious choices. I usually switch between the number 1 (classic chicken sandwich and waffle fries, with extra pickles), the number 2 (grilled chicken) and number 6 (chargrilled chicken wrap). They're all wonderful and they have GREAT milk shakes - the cookies and cream one is the best. No sweet tea is why I don't think I could live anywhere but the south, it'd be too hard ;)
I'm from Virginia (not PA..just in case that was a typo). And I love it. It's beautiful but I've lived here all my life so I'm probably biased. I live near the "historic triangle" so I got to go to Yorktown, Jamestown, and Colonial Williamsburg a lot as a kid. Bush Gardens is around here to. No big city life but I'm definitely ok with that, I'm more of a small town girl.
I completely understand about American Wife. I have the hardest time reading things that aren't completely fiction. I don't know why. They could be really good but I have a mid set of reading for myself (not for school) = pleasure and anything that isn't completely pleasure is hard to get into.
I'm reading some random books that I found in the free exchange paperback section of my library like you recommended. They're good - nothing to talk about but easy reading. I'm also reading this series by Kathy Tyers called the Firebird Trilogy. I read it a long time ago and wanted to read it again. Really interesting sci-fi/fantasy mix with romance. I'm enjoying them this second time. How about you? Anything other than Sherrilyn Kenyon? (and the never ending American Wife? haha)
School is going ok - the teacher that I am placed with isn't the greatest but she's warming up to me. My kids are in 4th grade and its my first time with the upper elementary and I like it a lot. They get to do all the cool history projects (like skits and dioramas, etc) that I loved as a kid. Its one of the things I'm most excited to do as a teacher. There are always problem kids but none that are particularly awful. I teach in a mountainous area and so the types of people that live there are very interesting and different from what I'm used to. For example: We had picture day last Tuesday and this little white boy, named Elijah, came in with cornrows on the top and shaved sides. Hopefully you can picture that. On Thursday when I came into class again, it was out, so apparently it was a special picture day do. Kids are still wearing huge bows in their hair and lots of poofy hairsprayed bangs. Its delightful :)
Any more nursing drama?
Renee

posted 3 days ago. ( send a note )

jessica m says

Hehe, yeah that's why I added you.
Sorry if I freaked you out!

posted 5 days ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Sparkle Stardust? That's ridiculous...Note to self - never pick up anything by Nina Bangs. I haven't heard of American Wife - do you like it so far?

I'm so sorry that your town library is like mine - BUT I think we have the paperback book trade too...maybe I'll have to check it out - I usually just walk right by it. Thanks for the tip :)

I just spent a lot of money too - I bought some beads, pliers and wire to make some more beaded lanyards for some of my teaching friends :) I don't have my mom's pliers anymore...she took them back - haha, it was good while it lasted. I also got a lunch box! Haha, no more grocery bags.

My boyfriend's name is Steven too! We've been dating for almost 2 1/2 years, not quite 4 but still feels long. ;) We went to PA this weekend for his cousin's wedding. It was really fun and a beautiful wedding! I love weddings..and a good thing too - I have 4 more this fall and 3 this spring as of right now. All my friends are getting married - haha I can't wait til its my turn...I have a hard time being patient but Steven is a year younger than me - so he's just starting his senior year and wants to wait a bit. Seems fair ;)

I just got your note saying you got some Lori Handeland books! Let me know how you feel about them? My library doesn't have any. They don't have any Sherrilyn Kenyon either so I'm waiting til I head home to go to the better library.

That is HILARIOUS about your brother - an outhouse race! I wish I had something like that around here...that's also awesome about the guy who lost his pants - very ironic!

Do you have a fast food restaurant called Chick-fil-A where you are? Or have you ever been there? I know its kinda a southern thing..but its my absolute FAVORITE! andd I get to go there tonight for a group meeting. It's fast food but actually pretty healthy and they have great sweet tea!

talk to you soon!

~Renee

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Also, Have you read anything by Lori Handeland? I've heard good things but thats one of the authors that my library has nothing of...might be an option (deals with wearwolves)

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hi Jess,

School was great - Normally I will have practicum 2 days a week but we haven't been placed yet - and still haven't this week either. With 2 days completely free my weeks have been unusually relaxed. It has made for an easier transition into school :)

I'm sorry to hear about your back :( I'm glad its getting better. Is there anything to do to fix it? or are you just supposed to be careful?

I'll have to look up the Anne Stuart series - that sounds interesting! I haven't read anything by Sherrilyn Kenyon but I keep hearing her name so I'm going to have to start! I know exactly how you feel about buying books - my personal library is so tiny compared with how much I have read and how much I like to read.

Does fostering a dog mean adopting it? That's fun that you love animals so much - especially since your boyfriend has a dog! I'm not necessarily an animal lover but I'm definitely not an animal hater - we just get along ;) And golden retrievers are beautiful dogs! Haha, but i can't imagine a pet store being a place where I would spend a lot of money - good luck with not spending money for 10 years! ;)

What is your boyfriend's name? Have ya'll been dating long?

I haven't noticed a lot of foreclosures but that doesn't mean there aren't any - but I don't think its a huge problem.

My labor day weekend was not so fun - I got sick on saturday with a major case of the flu or something of that nature...NOT A GOOD TIME - but my mom was planning on coming for a visit and timed it perfectly so that she showed up and took care of me - somehow no matter how old you get you just want your mom when you get sick..haha or at least I do ;)

Let's see I'm reading this series by Karen Hancock - Its call the Legends of the Guardian-King. I'm just starting the 3rd book of the series and its pretty good. Not AMAZING but good - I'd recommend it if you didn't have anything pressing going on. Its fantasy with a little romance but also a loose allegory for Christianity. Its interesting!

The library where I go to school is AWFUL. So awful. I think every book that I think of to look up is not there - and not even in the surrounding libraries. So I've been scrambling and resorting back to my old habit (not an awful one but takes too long) of just wandering through the aisles and seeing what book covers grab my attention.

Did you do anything fun for Labor day?

~Renee

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

toni k says

Hello and Welcome to "Bibliophile Reading Group"
Feel free to start discussions or just put in your 2 cents on old ones! :) Have a great day! Happy Reading!!

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hey Jess! No worries! I'm going to be slower starting Monday when school starts, but we'll manage :) I'm sorry about your back...what happened?
I did love the Twilight Series and I AM one to reread books and those are definitely on my reread list! I'm so glad you didn't like Cassie Edwards either and that's funny that you felt the same way about her - I believe she does write a few Indian books so if we didn't read the same one that's sad that they're all so bad.
I don't think I was skeptical because (a) I read a lot of fantasy and have learn to expect/accept a lot and (b) you recommended it so I knew it had to be good. I loved all of that series and I REALLY hope she's writing more!
As for my last weekend before school - I'm not doing anything too exciting. I've just been setting up my apartment and might go to dinner with some of my friends tonight. I bought out Target and the grocery store and I don't want to spend money for another 10 years...haha. The beach sounds great! We have some family friends that live in Michigan and I've heard them talk about the beaches there - it sounds wonderful! I hope you have a relaxing time. Sorry about the nurse drama - clearly they were just jealous :) You would think they would be happy for you... As for drama with teachers, I'm sure that that happens - maybe not over days off since multiple teachers can have substitutes but I'm sure we'll find something to fight over. Such is human nature ;)
Hmm..Virginia - I guess we've got a little bit of everything - the beach, Bush Gardens is a local favorite or Water Country. I've been to Colonial Williamsburg more than i can count - there's great food there! Haha - I think that's my favorite thing to do anywhere - find good food to eat!

I'm still working on the Women of the Otherworld series - I have to make a trip to the library here at school to replenish my book stack :) What are you reading now? Recommend anything new?

Renee

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

therese b says

Hi Jessica....It has been a while since I have written to you. I wondered if you ever got to read Sugar Queen? I am reading it now and am enjoying so much. I love mysteries but I do love a whimsical book to sandwich my mysteries with. I just finished a book by Linda Fairstein....what a great author! Have you gotten to read Michael Connelly yet? He is till my favorite and always will be.

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hey! I had a chance to read the Poison Study series by Maria Snyder and LOVED it! It was so good. I didn't want it to end. I also started the Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong and I've read the first 2 of those. I like them a lot as well!

Also, how old is Valek? It didn't say did it?

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll let you know what I think of the rest of the Armstrong series - but I'm going to be reading slower since I start classes on Monday...

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hey! As you can see I was busy reading the Twilight Series - haha i was babysitting/house sitting for a family and their girls had all of them! I finished! They were SO SO good. I was hooked and literally couldn't put them down. Breaking Dawn was good too - it did start a little slow but I loved the ending! Couldn't have pictured it better myself :) Jessica, they were all so good. I loved the characters though I did get frustrated with the love triangle but it all fit together nicely at the end. All the hype over them is very well deserved.

I am heading to the beach on Wednesday so I'm planning on going to the library and picking up your suggestions. I'm excited! Anything you would recommend that I read first?

Also, I finished the Nora Roberts Irish trilogy and loved that as well. Its been a good week with lots of good books.

O - except for one...it was called Fire Cloud by Cassie Edwards. Someone recommended it and I thought I'd give it a try but oh man was it a bad romance. The couple saw each other as children (one time, no conversation) and 15 years later they meet up again...within 2 pages they're in love - have had sex - and are planning on getting married. He's an Indian and she's a socialite willing to give everything up to live in a teepee. They even talked ridiculous...anyways just had to get that out there. Hopefully you're not a huge fan of Cassie Edwards.

Come to Virginia! haha plenty of masters programs here! I start my student teaching in the spring and so far I've just had lots of practicum experiences (time in the classroom all day, once a week).

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

heather k says

Hey, I loved your bookshelf! I added a lot of books to my "Plan to Read" list from your shelf, including the Molly Murphy series. I read the one book my public library has, and I LOVED it. Once I started on Shelfari, it has been in the back of my mind, but I couldn't remember the author/book title. So it was a great find!!! Thanks!

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

sweet_melissa says

I have owned that for years and was about to give it away since I could not seem to get pregnant lol.

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

avidreader says

Hi Jessica. You know what's funny? I actually went fishing yesterday, which was the first time I'd been fishing in a very long time, and I caught one fish - it was a rock bass :-)

That's too bad about your copy of Breaking Dawn. Let me know how your discussion with Borders goes. I'd be pretty peeved too. I've only read the first book in the Twilight series, but am intending to read book two sometime over the next month. The Tiger Claw is a fictionalized account of a woman who was a British spy during WWII. It's neat because it's actually based on a real person. The book is good, but it isn't one I can just pick up and read non-stop.

What do I like to do for fun? I spend most of my free time reading or watching movies. I have a two-year old daughter who keeps me quite busy, so most of the fun stuff I do is with her. Today we took her to the zoo - she loves animals :-) I do enjoy travelling, although I haven't done very much of it lately. I'm not much of a TV watcher, atlhough I never miss Lost.

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

tali says

Thank You!!
Yes I loved Under the Tuscan Sun!! And sadly did not realize she had others like it until just recently so I am in a scramble to get them all now so I can dive in!! I truly loved all the descriptions! I felt like I was there!
No I am from the USA We moved here about 5 years ago due to my husband's job, now we are getting ready to move again! It will be busy but I am looking forward to it!
Yes I LOVE Sam Campbell's books! And all the tales of his animal friends and Hibub! *smiling* He is also a very good writer leaving one feeling as if there were there and witnessed these things first hand! It is a great series.
Christ Object Lessons is also very good! It has been a long time since I read through it but it is on my shelf along with all my other loved and treasured books! I only keep ones I love or really like...If I have any others they get donated or repurposed!
Once Again, thank you for accepting my request! ... see you around and Happy Reading!

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

avidreader says

Hi Jessica. How are you? Things are pretty good here. Don't you hate having to wait for new books to come out in your favourite series? Sometimes I think it's best to wait until a series is over to start reading the books, although I don't actually do that myself :-) The Arthurian Saga is a trilogy by Mary Stewart. The first book, The Crystal Cave, tells the story of Merlin's early life and ends (if I remember correctly) with the birth of Arthur. The second book, which I just added to my to read list, is more about Arthur but since Merlin is the central figure of the trilogy he figures into the story quite prominently. I like to read about Arthurian legend, and I think Stewart's trilogy is quite popular.

I'm now reading The Tiger Claw (set in England and France during WWII), and The Three Musketeers. I'm also reading Angie Sage's Magyk.

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hey! We're definitely long, lost reading twins!

I keep trying to get Twilight at the library but the wait is so long - and I'm not much of a book buyer due to my limited student budget. I'll get to it when the craze dies down. I might have to try the Molly Murphy series - it sounds good! And of course I want to know your favorite fantasy novels! I'm always up for something new!

Question: I told you I was rereading the Russians - and I finished the 3rd book of the series and it seems the story of Sergei and Anna is over - the 4th book moves on to Katrina and Dimitri's daughter...is it worth continuing? Or should I move on to the next books on my list...which happen to be Nora Roberts books...The Irish Trilogy. I read the Circle Trilogy and the Three Sisters Island Trilogy and LOVED both of them! I can't wait to start the next one!

I am not teaching yet because I am in a 5 year program. I graduated in May (after 4 years) with my B.S. and I'm starting my masters in a few weeks - give me another year and I'll be in the classroom! I can't wait! Are you nursing now? What makes you think that you'd like teaching? Nursing was my second choice :) I just couldn't get past the Chemistry and Physics..yuck.

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

sweet_melissa says

I'm due March 27th so I will be nice and plump in the winter. I am glad to not be going through that in this heat!

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hi Jessica,

I haven't read that series by Judith Pella but since you reminded me, I am rereading the Russians in hopes of finishing the series - I don't think I ever finished it since I omly had the first 3 books in my personal library and always forgot to get the rest of them! I am also rereading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon! Its a wonderful wonderful historical fiction series that throws in a little fantasy with some time travel.

Recently, I've been straying away from historical fiction and into fantasy, though I love it when my fantasy reads have a historical setting. I am experimenting with some of Nora Roberts fantasy stuff and I like it so far! A few vampires and sorcerers and I'm hooked. They're a little scandalous but I love the story lines. :)

Truth be told, I think the Harry Potter series is what got me started on fantasy and I've been on the look out for anything that mixes my love of history with my new love of fanstasy.

I haven't been into true mystery series since I read Nancy Drew (all of them!) when I was younger. Does the Molly Murphy series have any romance mixed in?

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

sweet_melissa says

Just found out I am having a baby so if you know if any good books on pregnancy or related topics I would love to hear about them

posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )

renee n says

Hey Jessica,

I love historical fiction with a Christian basis - in fact, until recently, that was all i read. I have read the Russians series (at least the first 3, I'm not sure how many there are) and I've heard great things about the Theone series, i just keep forgetting to pick it up at the library. I have read and re-read the Cheney Duvall series about 10 times and I love it! Shiloh and Cheney are such wonderful characters! I have not heard of the series my Victoria Thompson, but I'll look into that as well!

Have you ever read the Brides of Montclaire series by Jane Peart? Its another long one like the House of Winslow and follows a family tree through history. They're wonderful and i would recommend all of them. Also, have you read any of Francine Rivers?

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I didn't know I had a message! woops!

What is the Lady Elizabeth about? I haven't heard about it?

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