"Keeping Faith" -- and other stuff

So it's been a bit since I posted anything. I have read one more book since my last post -- "Keeping Faith" by Jodi Picoult.

I wasn't going to read 2 Picoult novels in a row (I try to stagger what I read, between pure chic-lit and something a little more grown up-- which is what i classify Picoult novels as because her topics are usually pretty heavy).

So this was definetly an interesting novel. It tells the story of a little girl named Faith. As the story starts her parents are getting a divorce. Her father has been having an affair (not for the first time). Her mom is a little unstable. The father leaves and Faith stays with her mom and things are pretty ok until Faith starts to show some peculiar behavior.

Ok, I'm not the best book reviewer so I'm going to write the synopsis off the back because I know I'll give too much away (and this is not a book I want to do that to.)

When the marriage of Mariah and her cheating husband, Colin, turns ugly and disintegrates, their seven year old daughter, Faith, is there to witness it all. In the aftermath of a rapid divorce, Mariah falls into a deep depression -- and suddenly Faith, a child with no religious background whatsoever, hears divine voices, starts reciting biblical passages, and develops stigmata. And when the miraculous healings begin, mother and daughter are thrust into the volatile center of a controversy and into the heat of a custody battle -- trapped in a mad media circus that threatens what little stability the family has left.

So this book was pretty intense -- because religion is such a touchy subject. But one thing Picoult is known for is her extensive research on the subjects in which she writes. What's great about this is in the story Mariah is Jewish (but not the most practicing) and Colin is prodestant. But then suddenly because of the stigmata and other events the Catholic church is involved.

I recommend this book to anyone, it won't offend anyone (or shouldn't, but I'm pretty open-minded so I could be wrong). The ending is fantastic -- though the very final pages weren't quite what I expected - but it's written so you can take it as you want.

Now I'm reading "Everyone Worth Knowing" by Lauren Weisberger who wrote "The Devil Wears Prada" -- so far its really good. I actually think it's much better than Prada.

Ok, on another note I'm listening to this song called "Brooklyn & Austin" by Sara Evans and the girls name in the song is Brooklyn -- and for some reason I think that's really cute for a girl, it's different but not totally bizarre. :)

So let's see -- what else is new with me? Oh I'm going to Orlando this week (Wed - Fri) for work this week. But what is great is my boss and I are going to see our client for Universal Orlando -- which means we get to work & play. :) I can't wait!! It's going to be 90 degrees all week! So when I get back I should be fairly tan (or burnt, whichever happens is fine with me!). But before that I get to go see Wicked with Tom!! YEP that's what he got me for my birthday!!! I'm SOOOOOO excited. I've been dying to see it for like a year! :) I'll let you know how it is. Plus I get to wear my new dress (from Ann Taylor LOFT) that i LOVE LOVE LOVE. :) THis week is going to be great.

Then next weekend I'm going to hang out with my cousin Melissa, and it's Julie's graduation party (woo hoo!). Plus sunday i'm taking Laura, Amy & Crystal to the spa for a birthday celebration (Laura's Belated, Amy's Actual and Crystal's Early). :)

Ok that's enough for now. I'll post pictures from Orlando next weekend.

<3