I can't believe I have literally not blogged since 2010 on here! I won't try to catch up with all I've read but I will try to add some new material.
For Christmas my love bought me a Nook. I wasn't sure how I would be with it. I love high-tech stuff but when it comes to my reading I tend to have a heart based upon holding a book in my hands. I bought this amazing pink (my fave color) gummy protector and a pink zipper carrier/cover off ebay for really cheap and decided "OK, now I have to get serious and truly start reading off it!" I still wasn't sure about giving up holding those sweet, soft pages that I was so used to and grew up with though. Well that was quickly dismissed with my first download. In the beginning I used to think that I wouldn't be too keen on paying $10-$15 or so for a book I couldn't share with others because I really love to share my books; so I basically scanned and downloaded every "freebie" they had on Barnes and Noble. I still don't think I'll be able to read all those let alone the ones I have or want to purchase! 
Which leads me to the first book I purchased for my Nook, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I had been listening to everyone saying how amazing the series was and kept saying "I'll have to get those" but with all the books I have sitting here waiting to be read on my bookshelves and those that I get for book reviews (although I rarely even do those anymore because of time limits and it seems lack of paying ones getting worse and worse) I never really got around to buying the first of the series. I decided that I'd bite the bullet and buy my first book for my Nook because to be honest I really, really loved the idea that I could easily take my book with me (tucked in my purse safely) without forgetting the book someplace (somehow you are a lot less likely to leave a Nook LOL) and decided why not begin the series I keep saying I'm dying to read?!I had often read where people would say "It was hard to get into but when you finally did it was great" however, I really had read so many "It was amazing" types of reviews that I kind of pushed the others aside. It looked like something I would enjoy and B&N had The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on sale for 1/2 price at $5 so I figured my first paying download would be a deal too.
I started to read it and I was so intent on wanting to read it that I really did push and push. After about the first 30 pages or so I found myself stopping and saying "Are people insane? THIS is what is so wonderful and amazing?" In all seriousness I honestly debated just considering it a loss for my money and quitting but I thought perhaps if I put it down for a bit maybe I'd "get it" better later on.
I tweeted about my "lack of interest" or the slow pace of the book and a ton of my fellow Reading Twitter Friends quickly responded with "I swear, if you can get past the first 100 pages or so it is amazing!" I will admit that I am NOT one to force myself to read something. If you don't have me within the first chapter or so I just consider it a loss. Perhaps that's the wrong attitude but for me I truly feel as though I have so many options out there and so much waiting to be read that I see no purpose putting myself through hell as I trudge through the pages of something "hoping" it gets better. I decided to believe them, because those same posts came to me in quantities and in particular by one of my fellow reading twitter friends that really seems to enjoy the same books as I do so I trudged on. All I can say is I AM SO GLAD I KEPT READING!
Seriously, the book is excellent! While I really wish the author would understand how to make the ENTIRE book as interesting as the rest of it, I have to admit that there was a point where you went "BAM!" and realized why all the boring stuff (although I still think it could have been written better so you'd be more interested) all pulled together to create this amazing story. If you're looking for an amazing book and series to read for the summer I highly recommend The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I can't wait to get started on book two of the series but I keep forgetting to grab a B&N gift card to make my purchase (I refuse to put books on "credit" and pay that much in charges/fees when I can use a gift card to purchase them).
The story not only took twists and turns that you never expected but was so well written, as opposed to the beginning, that I almost wondered if the original author hadn't been replaced! The characters are truly intriguing and range from quirky to slightly insane to completely whacked. LOL The writing style finally became smooth and easy flowing, making it a quick read once I hit that top of the long trudged mountain that was making it so hard to read! Just when you think you have it all figured out you suddenly realize you're wrong. Best of all, just when it's all finally wrapping up you realize you wish the book were going to keep going! To me that's the best sign of a good book, not only that you don't want to put it down but you also don't want it to end.
Of course if you couldn't tell by now, I give The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a definite 2 thumbs up review. It's wonderful and intense, intriguing and interesting, edge of your seat reading. While I'm still very disappointed in the fact that the author for some reason had to bore the reader to death for so long in the beginning, I do kind of see his reason for writing what he did but just not HOW he did I guess. I truly am one of those that say "Push on, keep reading it, it will be sooooo worth it!"
