It's Unbecoming

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Published: September 27, 2011
Series: Mara Dyer #1
I've been wanting to read this book for so long, since before it was even published, and was so excited to finally have a chance. Except once I started reading, I was a little taken aback because it wasn't at all like I expected. It actually took my a while to get into it, and I started off disappointed. But about 100 pages in everything picked up, and from there, I couldn't put it down.

If I have any major complaint about this, it's that it's a little too confusing. But I think that's somewhat the point. By the close of the story, certain plot lines started to come together, although there were a ton of questions left unanswered. I already have the second book to start, and while I imagine that some questions will be answered in it, I'm guessing we'll need to wait till the third to have any real closure.

One aspect I loved about the book is that Mara is Indian, and by that I mean I loved how it was mentioned. It isn't over the top and in your face, but even so, you can't ignore the fact that Mara and her family is of Indian descent. She mentions photos of her grandmother wearing a sari, and she sits down to dinner of rice and curry. They were small simple details, but I thought it was a nice way of making clear Mara heritage, without making a big deal of it. On a similar note, I also really like the way Mara's family was depicted. They're in no way perfect, but they felt real and their relationships among each other made sense, which is something you don't always find in YA books.

While I'm not quite sure this book lived up to all the hype I built for it, I still really did enjoy it. Part of me wants to jump into the second immediately, but an other makes me think I should be patient now, so I'll have less time to wait for the third book.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Silly Little Hobbitses

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
I remember loving all the Lord of the Rings movies, but unfortunately I don't feel quite the same about The Hobbit movies. Don't get me wrong, I still like them, but they just feel so drawn out and long that it's hard to sit through them.

With that said, I do think I liked this one better than this first. And while the movie did feel a little much, that wasn't a whole that that felt like filler or parts where I was bored. I think it's more that it's hard to sit through a movie that is so long, especially since really each movie is only part of the story.

But even with these complains, I still feel like the movies are worth watching, and am definitely looking forward to the last one to see how it all ends.

December Blog Love

You may have noticed my current blog sponsor Organized Choas in my sidebar. If you haven't check her out yet, here's a few reasons that I really think you should!
Organized Chaos
Shana lives in South Africa, which means while I'm freezing in cold winter weather, at least cold for Louisiana, Shana is just starting her summer. And nothing is better than a trip to the beach in the summer, right? These next two posts are her recaps of her family trip to the beach

Durban Vacation: Part 1 Our First Trip to the Beach

Durban vacation Part 2: Old Friends, New Laughs, and UShaka

In the next post I'm linking to, Shana write a letter to her son on his first birthday.

LJ turns one: Happy Birthday!

"I can't believe that a year has passed already. Last night as I held you in my arms, I could just see that very first moment I held you! It all happened so quick and before we knew it you were born!"

If you want to look into sponsoring From L.A. to LA, be sure to check out my sponsor page.

What are your favorite posts from around the blogosphere this past month?

Mailbox Monday (58)

Mailbox Monday is a weekly link-up for bloggers to share the books they've added to their reading pile recently. Currently it's on tour, with Rose City Reader as our host for December, but starting in 2014 we're be backing linking up at the Mailbox Monday Official Site. This past week I picked up the following new books...
From Goodreads
The Innocent Sleep by Karen Perry
In this book a father runs out to pick up a birthday gift for his wife leaving his son asleep at home. Except while he's out an earthquake hits that destroys his home with his son inside. The main story looks to take place 5 years after this event and looks to deal with how it's still impacting the couple lives. This books sounds a little eerie and heartbreaking, that while I'm looking forward to reading it, I'm also a little apprehensive.

For Review from Historical Fiction Book Tours
The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein
This is a historical fiction that takes place in Japan during WWII. I tend to love reading about WWII, and while I haven't read of ton of books about Japan, I did love spending time in the country and it's a place I definitely want to learn more about.

Borrowed from a Friend
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I've been dying to read these books for so long, that when I friend said she had read them recently I couldn't say no to borrowing them. I've already started the first and while it is different than I expected, I am enjoying it.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? Have you read any of the books I picked up?

Project 365: Days 334 Through 343

Enjoy how awful it would be if only a few weeks before the end of the year I missed a day of my Project 365? Thankfully, that didn't happen! I only didn't have the chance to write about them last week. Finally, here are my daily photos from the last two weeks.
November 30, 2013 - 334/465: When I first took this picture I was thinking it was an azalea. But now looking at it, I'm not so sure. Either way these pink flowers are blooming in our front yard.
December 1, 2013 - 335/365: Playing Settlers of Catan.
December 2, 2013 - 336/365: Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce panini.
December 3, 2013 - 337/365: The 7th night of Hanukkah.
December 4, 2013 - 338/365: The last night of Hanukkah.
December 7, 2013 - 341/365: Changing my holiday tradition up a bit, having a slice of gingerbread with a gingerbread frappuccino.
December 6, 2013 - 340/365: Thai chicken salad at BJ's Brewhouse.
December 7, 2013 - 341/365: Dinner at TJ Ribs for my FIL's birthday. This was actually my first time at this restaurant, which is another restaurant to add to my 101 in 1001 list. I had sausage, a short rib, and chicken along with sides of mashed potatoes and carrot souffle (which isn't pictured).
December 8, 2013 - 342/365: The boy made dinner this night, which was braised duck with carrots and snow peas.
December 9, 2013 - 343/465: My 2013 Erin Condren planner. This is my first year having one and I'm so excited to start using it regularly!

Do you have an Erin Condren planner? Or have you at least heard of them? I feel like they're huge in the blogger world, but I've yet to know anyone who isn't a blogger who has heard of them.

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

Three Sides

Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
Published: October 18, 2011 by Atria Books
This book had been lent to me by a friend, and one of her big reasons for lending it out was that she wanted another's opinion. She wasn't sure whether she liked this one or not, and wanted confirmation either way. So with that type of introduction I was a little unsure how I would feel, but surprisingly, I wound up being a much bigger fan than expected.

I can see why it's easy not to be a big fan of this though. The title, Triangles, could relate to the fact that it's told alternating between three women. But it's likely due to the fact each woman relationship is touched by infedeilty, which make each woman's relationship a triangle of people. There's one women who is cheating on her husband. A second who isn't in a relationship, but the man she is involved with is married. And a third whose husband is cheating on her. With so many characters making such poor decisions it's hard to like anyone.

But what made my love this book is the writing. It's all told in verse, which I adored. Plus I loved the way each section flowed into the next. It really was beautiful to read. And even the fact that it alternated between characters wasn't confusing because each woman had such a unique story and voice.

If you don't like reading books where you can't agree with the decisions made, this one probably isn't for you. But if you can get past that, and enjoy it for what it is, you might wind up a little entranced by it like me.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Spirit in Style {Sponsored}

This post is sponsered by Dockers® Game Day Khakis
A few weeks after I first moved to Louisiana it was time for my first LSU football. Except as I quickly learned I had practically no purple and gold in my wardrobe. Thankfully I managed to find a single yellow shirt, which I wore to my first tailgate, and a single purple shirt which I wore to my first game.

Me & one of my Bridesmaids at our first tailgate

At Tiger StadiumIn the years since I've greatly added to my purple and gold collection. In fact when I'm buying clothes more often than not if it's an option I'm likely to choose purple.

Celebrating my 25th Birthday

At Alex Box StadiumMy LSU clothes have been with me at some pretty big occasion from shopping for my wedding dress,

With that same bridesmaid and my MOHto meeting blog friends,

With Melissa from Little Miss Mariedto the release of the newest Backstreet Boys cd.

With A World Like ThisThey even traveled halfway around the world with me to Japan.

At Tokyo DisneyThe boy on the other hand, having grown up in Louisiana has always had a big collection of purple and gold. But that doesn't stop him from wearing the same shirt, without washing it of course, for an entire season just because it's good luck.

The boy wearing Dockers® Game Day Khakis

Drenched in Death ValleyHow do you show your school spirit? And is there one color you wind up buying for yourself most often?

The Dockers® brand has announced the US launch of its Game Day Khakis collection, a new line of khaki pants specific to 10 college partners including Louisiana State University, University of Minnesota, Oregon State University, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Missouri and Washington State University.The brand’s first collection of licensed college apparel will consist of two different khaki styles that incorporate the college logos and mottos. Blending the rich traditions of college sports with the versatility of Dockers® signature styles, Game Day Khakis give fans the ability to express team pride through their everyday wardrobe.