A Dog’s Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

I’ve never reblogged someone else’s blog before, but this is too good not to share. If only we could all love and live like a dog the world would be a better place.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).

How Fast Do You Read?

Here’s a link that will test how fast you read.  I’ve always known I wasn’t the fastest reader, but was surprised to find that I came in 19% above the national average.  I wish I was faster but I just don’t grasp the content if I try to skim or read any faster than I do.  Check it out and see how you compare!

Test Your Reading Speed

Fifty Shades Freed

I just finished reading Fifty Shades Freed, the third and final book of the Fifty Shades series. I have to say this was the best of all of the books. I felt like there was a lot more of a plot than the other two. I find that I really enjoy the parts where Anastasia and Christian are not together, it always make for more of a plot than just repetitive sex scenes.

And…..I have to gloat just a little. I was right, I was right, I was right! My prediction that Ana would either agree to have children or be pregnant by the end of the book was dead on!

I also really enjoyed the part where Jack Hyde had Mia held hostage. Ana is so much more interesting and strong than Christian. I feel like most of the books are either her reassuring him or fucking him, yeah, it gets a little old after a while.

I’m glad the author threw in an epilog, not only did Ana and Christian have their first child, two year old Ted, but she is pregnant with their second child, a little girl they want to name Phoebe….although Ana wants to name her Ella after Christian’s birth mom. I personally like Ella, but you kiwi ow Christian always have to have his way. Control freak!

Fifty’s First Christmas, and Meet Fifty Shades were both done from Christian’s point of view. Once again I have to say that Ana is much more interesting (with the exception of her inner goddess, the multiple “oh my’s” etc), but it is still nice to read a small bit from Christian’s childhood, and his take on their first encounter…the interview she did for Kate.

Speaking of Kate, she gets engaged (and later marries) Ethan, although the wedding is never discussed. They also have a little girl.

So, would I read them again? I don’t think so (at least not any time soon), but this last book was a saving grace in my opinion, and it makes reading the other two worth it to come to this book. So many twists and turns, people on the brink of death, you really come to care about the characters more in this final book….finally!

Now, back to Game of Thrones book one!

Fifty Shades Darker

I just finished reading 50 Shades Darker by E.L. James, the second book in the 50 Shades trilogy. This one took me a long time to get through. Partly because I’ve had less free time to read but also because it’s incredibly boring. I’m sorry but I can only read about sex, described exactly the same way down to the phrases, so many times. On top of that I just have to mention that this girl Anastasia comes more often and easier than I could ever imagine. I’m fairly certain everyone has at least one off day.

I’m sick of the phrases “my inner goddess”, “the smell of Christian” and I’m sure there are others that constantly repeat themselves…..like “my sex”, but I can’t seem to think of them at the moment.

I still find the story completely unimaginable. Here they are, dating for a month or so now and she’s agreed (or as the book says over and over again “consented”) to marry this weirdo billionaire. I’d say the only saving grace for this book is that Christian is much more romantic, but even that I have a hard time believing would be possible to change in such a short amount of time.

I try to keep pretending this book is just make-believe (because it is), but it’s just a little too far out there for me. One book to go. Wondering how on earth they plan on ending this thing. I’m going to make a prediction, either they decide to have a child, or she’s pregnant by the end. They keep dropping hints with the new house purchase of lots of extra rooms. Could any relationship ever move so fast? I suppose it happens but I don’t think it’s smart.

Here I go…..50 Shades Freed.

Fifty Shades of Grey

I just finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey. I’ve had so many of my Facebook friends reading this book in a matter of hours and giving it rave reviews. I hate to admit that I think I’m on the other side of the fence from the majority on this one. I started out knowing very little of what this book was about, only that it was popular, and someone did mention the fact that it was about dominates and submissives; bondage if you will.

The book starts out great, Anastasia Steele heads out to interview Christian Grey for her sick friend, the editor if the college paper. I love Anastasia’s inner voice, so much like my own. I love that she’s clumsy like me, nervous around boys, etc.

But, as the book progresses we read to find that Anastasia has been asked by Mr. Grey to become his submissive. What we the reader, and Mr. Grey, don’t know is that Anastasia is a virgin. Here is where the story gets unbelievable. I find it hard to believe that a virgin….one that has never even had a relationship with a boy/man would even consider signing a contract to obey every word, from a practically unknown man, or face being beaten for “not following the rules”.

As the book ends Anastasia has left Christian because she realizes just how “fifty shades of fucked up” he is and that he can never love her the way she loves him.

But, there are two more book to go in the series so I’m guessing she’s going to decide to give it another try…or possibly she’s just as fucked up as he is now with her hostile introduction into the world of sex.

As much as I didn’t love this book, I hate to admit that I’m curious to see what happens. I think Anastasia’s character is strong and I hope she stays that way, sticks to her guns and doesn’t give up on what she truly wants in life, someone to love her. Because, after all, that’s what we’re all looking for in this life.