4. The Secret Life of Bees

Book 4: The Secret Life of Bees by Susan Monk Kidd (B -)

Bees started off really strong. But there were weak moments that plagued it throughout the entire book. The back qcover uotes from book reviews kept talking about how it was "an amazing mother-daughter book" but I didn't see it that way at all. In fact, most of the so called "mother-daughter" parts I found to be annoying as the main character Lily moped around for her mom that abandoned her with the mean, spiteful father. I wasn't looking at it from a 14-year-old's perspective, but it just made it annoying to read another three paragraphs on how Lily dreamed of her mother returning or why she'd left.

I loved the Boatwright family! They were amazing characters and kept the book moving forward. Their love for each other and reaching out to Lily and her African American nanny Rosaleen was the whole point of the story and why I kept reading.

Honestly, I enjoyed the movie a bit better. Dakota Fanning as Lily just demanded less pity than the book Lily. I enjoyed that more because it was a sorry, moping girl but one with a bit of spirit and braze in the movie.

Overall, it was a nice, calming read.

3. The Constant Gardener

Book 3: The Constant Gardner by John le Carre (A+)

What an amazing book turned into an amazing movie!!! I'm not going to say the book was better (like everyone says). I will say that the movie and book were equally great in their own separate ways.

So if you didn't already feel paranoid about phramasuedical companies, then this is the book for you!! It is an amazing activist book for third world countries told through the tireless efforts of a British diplomat's wife then by her husband as he tries to avenge her death!

Tessa Quayle (pronounced like quail the bird) is viciously murdered while attending a gender conference. Her husband Justin, a diplomant for England's High Commission in Africa, finds out that her death wasn't just the stereotypical violence of Africa but a planned and ordered murder to silence his wife. Tessa and her assumed lover (which is another twist in the plot) Dr. Arnold Bluhm were trying to expose the horrors of the pharmasuedical company the House of Three Bees. Three Bees was selling and distributing a TB-curing drug in Africa even though the clinical trials for the drugs had been rushed and had shown horrible side effects, including blindness, death, and stillborn children in women. Tessa and Arnold try to expose the truth while bad people, including individuals from the High Commission who have ties and stock with Three Bees, try to silence them with everything from threats to public excommunication and finally with death. Justin picks up where his wife left off in an effort to discover to quell love triangle rumors and uncovers more than he bargained for. He then embarks on a worldwide mission to learn not only about the work his wife did but also who she truly was.

The story races from one scene to another and is tied with passionate, beautiful, raw flashbacks of Justin and Tessa. The characters are so deep and multi-layered that you can have a long list for each of why you hate and/love them. It is an extremely exhilariating read that you won't want to put down.
The only thing I have to say about it is that the ending was drawn out a bit but possibly necessary.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Today I was given my first breaking news assignment ever!! I am beyond proud and thrilled to now see my hard work from today pay off as it was published just minutes ago!!! I definitely have to thank my editor Justin Caudell for his tireless work to help me get into the meeting and for assisting with the details of the story and editing it. I thank you, sir, for your confidence in me! I hope you enjoy the story that I had a blast sinking my teeth into. Look out for follow-ups and editorials on The Western Carolinian's website!! There will definitely be more to come!!

Full story can be read here: http://www.westerncarolinian.com/news/voting-issues-plague-sga-election-eaves-wins-final-tally-1.2129961

Voting Issues Plague SGA election; Eaves wins final tally

"Though not reaching the magnitude of what happened during the 2000 election in Florida, voting issues plagued last week's Student Government Association (SGA) election, forcing a recount of the nearly 1,000 votes cast. "The votes for the election had to be recounted after allegations were made that "false votes" has been cast. Despite the recount, which took three days and included both the SGA Election Committee and IT Services, TJ Eaves and Alecia Page remained the SGA President and Vice President, respectively. Eaves and Page were first announced as Western Carolina University's new leaders of SGA via Facebook and Twitter on Thursday, March 24.

"The recount occurred when competitors Doug Bridges and Ben Collette, running for President and Vice President, respectively, cried foul saying that the election had been tampered with due to illegitimate voters. Eligible voters must be undergraduate or graduate students of Western Carolina University with at least one credit hour for the semester the election is being held. According to the allegations, WCU alumni or students who had withdrawn from the University were able to sign on to the election website and vote.

"Beginning on Saturday, March 26, SGA Election Committee members Mike Corellie (also the advisor for SGA), Austin Walker, and SGA graduate assistant Ryan Burnette recounted the votes along with IT services. Out of a total 968 votes cast, 15 were found to be illegal after cross referencing over 7,000 student 920 numbers. Both IT and the committee members found that 15 920 numbers were from either past graduates of WCU or withdrawn students. Neither party could determine which campaigner the votes went to.

"However, the 15 votes were not enough to sway the election and the election committee made a unanimous vote during a special meeting held Thursday night that Eaves and Page were the new President and Vice President. The committee did not release the final vote count..."

Kodak Moment: Photo of the Day Sparta Goes Wild

Today I went to the animal shelter to volunteer and gave Sparta a bit of cat nip when I returned. He hates the smell of the all the other cats and dogs on me and I wanted to give him a treat to make up for it. I gave him the cat nip lid with some flakes sprinkled in it, putting the jar in the sink. When I returned to the bathroom, this is what I found!!!!!

Sparta gave himself a nice, long bath in the catnip until I dragged him away to clean up. Thankfully, I was able to save most of the catnip!

Kodak Moment: Photo of the Day March 25

It's the brink of prom season, people! Bust out your credit cards and hit the stores (well, store if you live in Gastonia/Mount Holly/Bessemer City... you know which one I'm talking about, in the corner of the bottom floor of the mall).

I was looking forward to going to the Honors College formal again but it's doubtful that Morgan will be able to make it down since he's so popular for the weekend shifts. Also, we would have had to buy pricey tickets that don't match the value of the dance before he could have found out if he could have gotten off work. Also, I didn't want see or not see certain people, if you know what I mean.

So it's best just to not go and enjoy each other's company in better ways!

This photo is from my very first prom. It wasn't a very nice night. Senior prom was much better! However, I did look freaking fantastic in this ankle-length ruby red gown. But... my hair was another story! We accidentally left the curlers in too long and I looked like a blonde cocker spaniel! Grr...

2. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

Book 2: 20,000 under the Sea by Jules Verne, Great Illustrated Classics version (A)

The haunting story of Captain Nemo has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Today, I reread the abridged classic throughout the stormy afternoon while Sparta quietly slept parallel to me on his ottoman.

I have always been enthralled by the ocean so an entire book dedicated to exploring and living in the sea is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the book has lost some of its magic since I last read it. Because of its adaptation style, the writing is "dumbed down" for children. It's the reason this book gets an "A" for a grade instead of an "A+." At the same time, I knew I'd probably never be able to plow through the original novel by Verne. It's why the Great Illustrated Classics series are so great; I can read classic novels but not suffer through them. I believe the only classic I can truly stand is Wuthering Heights, but I still have to be in the mood for it!

At the end of the book, Captain Nemo admits to Aronnax that he is a writing a book of his life. Could there be a sequel to 20,000 Leagues that is like the book Captain Nemo mentions?!?! Is there a book like that? I think that'd be even better than 20,000 Leagues because it wouldn't have Ned the harpooner whining about escaping and Aronnax gasping and marveling over everything. Honestly, man, get over yourself! You wrote an entire book on the wonders of the sea. You've researched all this. Now, shut your gaping mouth and just enjoy the scenery. Your never-ending questioning and badgering of Captain Nemo ticks me off!!!! ...Anyway.....

For those of you who can't make it through a page of Bronte, Austen, or any of the other classics, pick up a Great Illustrated Classics next time you're in Books-A-Million. You get to read a great book that everyone who plays Jeopardy is supposed to know about and you get a black-and-white illustration on every other page!! Fun, yeah?!

Kodak Moment: Photo of the Day March 23

A bit of pottery painting with Morgan at Claymates in Dillsboro. From now on, it will be one of my favorite memories with my boyfriend! Even though we didn't talk much because we were so engrossed with what we were doing, it was just a calming moment to spend with each other. I painted him a cup that is a keepsake of our other perfect day, the day we spent at Wrightsville Beach over Spring Break. He painted me a bowl for my never-ending craving of cereal with a little tulip in the center! I can't wait to pick them up later this week!!!

Morgan's cup, my bowl in the background