Help me out?

My nook and I need your help.


Having recently finished reading Eat, Pray, Love, I don't know where to go next. I've had a few books recommended to me by friends, but I don't know where to start. What do you all think? Here are the recommendations, in no particular order:

Cleopatra, by Stacy Schiff

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

and Enchantment, by Donald Spoto

Read any of them? Heard anything good? Have your own recommendation for me? Let me know!

Last-minute holiday madness

Today was the first day of break that Sophie and I both had off. Since we're both slackers, we devoted it to finishing off our holiday shopping. It. was. crazy. I didn't even think we were going to be able to get parking spaces at the mall or Barnes and Noble, but we ended up getting lucky and scoring spots close to the door as someone else was leaving. Then we got into the store.


And THIS was the line I got to wait in. Apparently Barnes and Noble was the place to be this afternoon. Everybody and their grandma was there. Absolute madness. At least there the checkers are pretty fast, so I didn't end up waiting as long as I thought I would. But man. I've got to remember this next year and try to get my shopping done before Christmas week.

Bonus quote of the day
Sophie, as we pass a decorative, light-up reindeer in someone's yard: Oh my gosh I thought that was a live giraffe!

Moving Weekend

I stayed at the boy's place with them through this weekend so that I could help Jon move from his apartment back to campus. (He's moving in early for training for a USRH position).

Friday
We didn't do a whole lot, but I did get a bunch of free new ebooks from Barnes & Noble, which is always awesome.


This was the most exciting by far. I read it my sophomore year in high school and loved it, so once I finish reading all of the new books on my reading list, this will be one of the first that I reread.

Saturday
We started packing up Jon's stuff so it would be ready to go when he could move in today.


Of course, when boys try to pack, it ends up being a really disorganized mess. Cause in point: Jon couldn't find his clean clothes this morning. We also saw the Expendables, which was an really good movie :)

Sunday
Jon and I were really busy finishing up his packing and loading everything up and moving him into the new building, but we did have some fun.


For example, Jon rode around on this wheeled tv stand for a bit in between using it to roll stuff to the car. Once we were done, we went out for dinner too, and had a really delicious wood-fired pizza. Now I'm just watching some Heroes with my sisters until we feel like going to bed.

More Firefly

We had a lot of fun hanging out at Barnes and Noble yesterday, but today we decided to try a different cafe- the Firefly (which is also where I met Phil the other day). Remember the fun mugs?


Brenna and i both got hot chocolate, and Sophie tried a mixed berry smoothie, which was a big hit.

In other, more exciting news, today also happens to be my mom's birthday! (She's turning 37 again.) Happy birthday Mom!

Barnes & Noble

I may have mentioned this before, but I happen to be in love with my Nook. Also, books. Reading in general, really. So I absolutely love Barnes & Noble. I love all of the new books, and the squishy armchairs, and the Starbucks cafe, and the friendly workers. This summer, my sisters and I have logged a number of hours hanging out in the cafe area. For instance, this afternoon.


Action shot of Soph checking out her Facebook. Somewhat surprisingly, she wasn't on Frontierville.


Bren, on the other hand, doesn't do candids, so she took a break from her computering to flash a pretty smile.

I heart nook

Just to clarify, I LOVE my Nook! It's absolutely wonderful. I mention this again because some of my relatives gave me Barnes and Noble gift cards (some of the best gifts ever, btw) for my birthday, so I downloaded some books yesterday. Also, I bought a cover for it, and it's cool!


There are 46 quotes on the cover (front and back). Right now, I can name the source of 22 of them. Eventually, of course, I hope to be able to name all of them :)

I am a slacker.

Terribly sorry. Here are the pictures I haven't posted yet, including today's.

Wednesday
Shep, my elephant/pillow on guard duty.


Thursday
Soph and Bren had fun chilling in Bren's room for awhile after dinner. Dork and dorkier? lol, at least they were having fun :)


Probably they were saving woobies. You can find the game here :)

Friday
My grandma brought doughnuts over from the good bakery where she lives! AND W came over! It was def. a good day. Here's a shot of W playing with Soph and Bren.


His favorite new phrase of the day? "Trooper come here?"

Saturday
Saturday was a Farmer's Market day. We got some good snacks (bison jerky) and some potatoes to make with dinner on the 4th. We also found this guy sitting on top of one of the buildings. I'm not sure that I've ever noticed him before, but it seems kind of hard to miss now.


Sunday
What did we do on the 4th of July? Not go to fireworks. It was too drizzly. Instead, we took the shaggy puppy to get groomed.


He loooooves the car. And taking up Soph's entire seat.

Monday
My parents gave me my birthday present early this year, and it.was.AWESOME!


YAY!