Sep 27, 2010

When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra by Colin Falconer



When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra
Author:  Colin Falconer
Publisher:  Three Rivers Press
Date Published:  March 26th 2002


From Goodreads

Arrestingly beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Cleopatra VII of Egypt was barely more than a teenager when she inherited the richest empire in the world—one that stretched from the scorching deserts of lower Egypt to the shining Mediterranean metropolis of Alexandria. Imperiled at every turn by court conspiracies and Roman treachery, Cleopatra brazenly sought a partnership with the only man who could secure Egypt’s safety: Julius Caesar, a wily politician and battle-hardened general with a weakness for women. The result was a passionate love affair that scandalized Rome and thrust Cleopatra into the glittering but deadly world of imperial intrigue and warfare—a world that she would mesmerize and manipulate even after Caesar was gone.


Colin Falconer takes the reader inside the walls of Alexandria’s great palaces and into Cleopatra’s very heart, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman who thrived and triumphed in a world ruled by men. This is the glorious story of a legendary woman, a story that blazes through thousands of years of history to capture the imagination of readers today.

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When We Were Gods is a fascinating read.  At 512 pages I took my time so I can savor every word.  Cleopatra has always been a interesting figure in history to me, as well as anything Ancient Egyptian, so slowly I've been gathering books both fiction and non-fiction about it's history, and famous rulers.

Author, Colin Falconer did a super job in describing the times, and giving us a glimpse of Ancient Egypt and Rome.  Ruthless, that would be the word I would describe what was going on in Cleopatra's time.  When We Were Gods takes us into Cleopatra's reign of Egypt, how ambitious she was, and cunning.  What a grand women in history.  She did things all the way, or not at all.  The author takes us through all the major history plots in her life from her time with Julius Casaer, to her ending.  I loved getting to know Cleopatra as a mother.  I really felt that her ambition came from wanting to give her kids the world in their hands. So much of what she did was for them. 

Some parts in the book were racy, and sexual but we are reading about Cleopatra, and she sure knew how to use what she had to get men to do her bidding.   In no way did the scenes leave a bad taste in my mouth. When We Were Gods is a well-researched book that will enthrall you, and leave you wanting more of Ancient Egypt. 

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Sep 24, 2010

Recommendation (Chick Lit)

There are so many books that I absolutely loved, and recommend that I've read before I started my blog, so sadly they never got reviewed here.  I really want to spotlight these books and put out there that I wholeheartedly recommend them.  Right now I want to put the spotlight on a chick lit book I read around 4 years ago.  First, I would like to put out there that my taste in books have changed, I use to at one time only read chick lit books, but though I dabble in a chick lit here and there, my joy in that genre has waned.  The book i'm mentioning is one that still puts a smile on my face when I think about it, and yes, I still think about the characters.  Okay, so the book is





The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Men I've Dated
Author: Shane Bolks
Publisher:  Avon Trade
Date Published:  May 5th 2005


From Goodreads


Not so long ago in a galaxy of single men ...

Rory Egglehoff is looking for her knight, but she seems to attract only nerds ... until Hunter Chase touches down in the office next door.

Her high-school crush and quintessential dream man, Hunter sends Rory's pulse into hyperdrive. Now all she needs is to get gorgeous Hunter to notice her, take her to their high-school reunion, and pledge his undying love.

But putting the Ultimate Jedi Plan into play is harder than it sounds. An unfortunate incident at the gym, a family straight out of "The X-Files," and some seriously suspicious pizza toppings all conspire to send her plan spinning outrageously out of control. And for one would-be princess, confronting the Dark Side is child's play compared with landing the perfect hero ...

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Why do I recommend this?

First, the characters are great.  Rory is such a nerd, but of course has that heart of gold.  She is definitely the underdog, and don't we all root for the underdog.  I think all can find a bit of us in Rory.  So yeah Rory is a nerd, and hey why not have Rory a a Star Wars geek!  There are quite a bit of Star Wars references, it didnt bother me and i'm not a Star Wars fan, infact, I don't think I've watched the whole movie before.  Hunter is dreamy.  I love that he's matured, but also flawed.  He still stereotypes, but is growing as a person, and Rory is a big reason for his growth.

Secondly, there relationship had me giggling like a school girl.  I love stories of love that feature two people who are complete opposites.  So not only was I giggling, but I was laughing too.  Yes, the story is predictable but you read the last page with a smile, and are completely satisfied at it's ending.  I remember reading this book in record time.  I was that glued to Rory and Hunter!

Seriously, you should really give this a read!

You can get this book new for .1 on Amazon





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Sep 14, 2010

Review: The Duff- Kody Keplinger


The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
Author:  Kody Keplinger
Publisher:  Little Brown/Poppy
Date Published:  September 7th

From Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

 
But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

 
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.
 
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What a great debut for author Kody Keplinger.  I was immediately intrigued by the title, and knew this was one book I had to get  my hands on.  The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) is a book that deals with self- esteem in a way that resonates with young adults.
 
Though the language and sexuality of The Duff is unrestrained it did nothing to deter from the greatness of the story being told.   Let's be honest, I'm not too old to know that this is realistic.  Do I cringe that this is the norm, yes, but why put the truth of today's youth under the rug?  Bianca is a teenage girl with some self esteem issues.  She feels she is the ugly duckling of her set of friends, and is not fond of Wes, the man slut, saying such out loud and to her.  His words impact her, though she hates that it is affecting her.  Things at home are not so great either, her mom is gone, and her dad refuses to see the reality of his situation.  Somehow escaping a couple of hours with Wes makes her numb to her surrounding problems.  Wes becomes her escape, but what starts off as a past time quickly changes when she begins to feel something..something real.
 
Bianca is a character that I was able to relate to.  We shared some of the same characteristics.  I could understand her cynicism.  I wanted her to find what she was looking for.  Basically, I was rooting for her.  It's always a great thing when you attach yourself to a character.  Wes, what can I say about him, but that author Kody Keplinger wrote a character that we should dislike, but somehow made him endearing.  I actually loved his character..What?  He was flawed, and could be an ass, but basically he had a good heart.  Both Bianca and Wes together made a exceptional pair.  They are up there in my favorite couples this year.
 
Kody Keplinger hit it out of the park with her debut, The Duff.  I didn't want it to end.  I will definitely be reading more books by the author.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Sep 3, 2010

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Blogging has opened my world to so many things, and great people.  Through reading my fellow bloggers blogs I've found my passion for cooking, i've gained renewed hope of getting back to my high school weight, and have broaden my reading taste.  It's a really great world out there, "blogging world" that is. 

I've been lucky enough to have been approached by CSN again, and I'm excited to dive into their websites to browse through their le creuset cookware, and fitness stuff.  With this newfound love of cooking I realize that I am in major need of some basic cookware.  To offset the food I am and will be making I'm gonna need more fitness items so I can burn off some of those pesky calories.

If anyone can recommend a blog about cooking/losing weight/fitness, please leave me a link!

 
Disclaimer: CSN requires that I provide a link on le creuset to participate. Review will be 100 percent honest.

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