Books, Books, Books, and Kolaches!!!

I've had a very openly scheduled summer this summer. As you have already read I've been able to go on a few adventures (not even all of them were written about, I know it's a crime but Shanna You're the only one that is disappointed) and I've had time to take up my favorite past times again. READING!!!! I know some people have never been fond of reading, but I'm not one of those I don't get 'those people'. I have gotten so wrapped up in reading that I will sit and read in plane guts, sitting on plane tugs, I even sneak away into the women's restroom and sit and read. Now, I know you're telling me that's probably tmi right now. However, there are two couches in the women's restroom so I choose the most comfy one and sit and read for many many minutes. And the same group of people is always right outside the door at a table talking. I only imagine what they have thought about my frequent escapes into the restroom for such extended amounts of time. It's weird though, I'm starting to feel smart again. I even learned a new word from my last book..... Syphilitic. They were talking about someone being dafter than a syphilitic polecat. Hmmm, I never thought of polecats being at all syphilitic before that point. So, the point of today's entry on here is to list and rate some of book readings from this summer. Very ambitious you all say, aloud, to know one but your computer screen and syphilitic polecat... it's actually much less ambitious than the pile of laundry that needs to be put away. So, here starts the listing, and I know and expect that none of you will agree or even care how I rate such matters. But, alas....

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and someone else.....4 stars. Very clever and funny, and something very boylike to do. I wish I had thought of doing something like that to make football more interesting for myself.

Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger....on a scale of 1 to 10, it gets an 11. Much like the great artist Bon Jovi. My new favorite book. I love it!!!
Franny and Zooey also by J.D. ...entertaining. Loved the characters.
Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour, an Introduction. Another Salinger one. (there is a pattern here folks) Flopped after the wedding. I'm sick of Salinger using the same storyline for his books.
Nine Stories by Salinger (His last book for me to read) I got sick of the New York setting in this one. I love the writing style of Salinger. I just wish he could have put his characters in some other city once in a while.

Farewell to Arms by Sir Ernest Hemmingway. 3 stars, maybe 3.5. I got frustrated with the simple sentences that the author used. And, I'm not one to notice that sort of thing so it must have been very frustrating to people who do. But the story was enough. Tragic ending.

1984 George Orwell. I wasn't let down with this one. I find futuristic stories great. And, I hate big brother. I was so mad at this ending.

Fahrenheit 451....two thumbs way up. I loved this one as well. As far as futuristic stories goes, Ray Bradbury did a marvelous job. I was so enthralled the whole time.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series of 5.... Clever, light and enjoyable. Rick Riordan captured the reader's attention. Yes, they were juvenile reading levels.... but I learned so much about Greek Mythology from these books and he made the characters real so I actually remember the stuff.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Loved it! Another 11. I couldn't put it down. Another tragic one.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Murder mystery that was intriguing, but very violent, and much about sexual crimes. Rapes, murders and that sort. And too much of it. (If I'm saying that there must have been way too much) I won't be reading the other books. But, did teach me my new word and just found out the author was born Stig Larsson but changed his name cause his best friend had the same name and they didn't want to be confused. Fun fact!

Slaughterhouse Five. I read this one trying to figure out why it has such a great following. I never found out. I give it the bronze. Not that it's third, but it's not the best and not second.... but not the worst either.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins... 4 out of 5 stars. Entertaining, capturing. Reminded me of the Lottery.

The Summons by Grisham. Boring. Rarely have I left a book unfinished. I got 3/4 of the way through and didn't care who was the criminal following the hero around.

This is an incomplete list of my reads, there were more and there are still more to come, but I don't want to rate any more. I find this is enough of my opinion for one blog.

On a much more sider note I want to report that I have found a new love. His name is Johnny Kolache. He has stolen my heart and my palate. He prances around his store giving his samples of kolaches and cinnamon rolls and tells all the ladies that Johnny would make the best wife ever. The philly cheese with jalepeno (my newest love. I can't get enough of jalepeno at all. I order it wherever I go) is to die for. If only I could take Johnny up on being the best wife. Here's the link to his website. I encourage the masses to go. But, since my three readers are in New Mexico, Houston, and stuck at home in Provo I'll just post it so you can dream about them. Except you Ms. Houston. You have them there. http://johnnykolache.com/