#Collaboreads: A Sweethaven Summer

in Books and Reading, 8 comments

Collaboreads1I missed the July #Collaboreads link-up with Mr. Thomas and Me and Rachel A Dawson, but I’m back this month with another book to share with you.

This month’s topic was a book set during the summertime.  I was scrolling through Instagram the day I read Rachel and Amber’s July link-ups and I saw a post by Courtney Walsh about her new book.  The title?  A Sweethaven Summer.  And it just happened to be on sale for 99 cents.  That’s my kind of coincidence, right there.

The Amazon summary reads:  A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven.  Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends — Lila, Jane, and Meghan — haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored — just as Suzanne intended.

RIVETING. What part of this book could you not get enough of?

I read (skimmed?) through this book in just a few hours. It was chock-full of details, but not a whole lot of substance. Which was disappointing, because I so wanted it to be a great Christian fiction novel. I did enjoy seeing sparks fly between Campbell (the main character) and Luke.

ELEMENTS.  How did you relate to/care for the characters?  What’s your thought on the plot line?

I have never searched for my own father, obviously, but I imagine it would involve a lot more emotion than Campbell portrayed. The plot just didn’t have much depth. It was a good story, but it lacked the substance I tend to need in great books.

ASSOCIATE. What other books, movies, or tv shows remind you of this book?

I was reminded a bit of both Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  While this novel is faith-based, it has a strong friendship theme running through it.

Collaboreads

DESIGN.

The cover design is completely appropriate for the story, but not the most interesting I’ve ever seen.  I think it could have been “more”.

STARS.

3 out of 5.

The next link-up is September 28.  September’s theme is a Back-to-School book.  Choose a book and link up with us–you have an entire month!

#Collaboreads: The Girl On The Train

in Books and Reading, 2 comments

#CollaboreadsYou guys, I know.  I know it’s Tuesday and I don’t normally post on Tuesdays, but I missed the #Collaboreads link-up with Mr. Thomas and Me and Rachel A Dawson yesterday. Hence, today’s post. 🙂

The deal is this: Amber and Rachel choose a theme at the beginning of the month–this month it was a book currently on the NY Times Bestseller list–and we are challenged to read any book from that theme and review.  I chose The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins, and absolutely loved it. I could not put this book down.

RIVETING. What part of this book could you not get enough of?
The ENTIRE book. From the first paragraph, I was hooked. I stayed up until 2am one morning to finish it, and coming from a nursing mama who is already extremely low on sleep, this says a lot!

ELEMENTS.  How did you relate to/care for the characters?  What’s your thought on the plot line?
Typically, I can figure out the end game pretty quickly in these types of books.  Not so with this one!  I didn’t have even the smallest clue as to what would happen until the author told me.  (<–And that’s the best kind of plot!)

I actually felt sorry for Rachel.  She turns to alcohol to deal with her infertility and her alcoholism causes her to lose her husband, her job, and it seems, her sanity.

ASSOCIATE. What other books, movies, or tv shows remind you of this book?
At first glance, this book reminded me of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, simply because the chapters were titled similarly–someones name and a date.  It’s also been compared to Gone Girl, but I liked this one SO MUCH MORE than Gone Girl.  I can think of no other book I have read that is quite like this one!

DESIGN.
I absolutely loved the cover of this book–blurred background, just like you would expect to see when riding a train, with a simple white font for the title.

STARS.
ALL THE STARS.  Five.  (Y’all, I am a voracious reader and it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a book this much!)

Have you read The Girl on the Train?  What did you think?  (If you haven’t read it, GET IT NOW!)

The next link-up is July 27.  July’s theme is a book with someone’s name in the title.  Choose a book and link up with us–you have an entire month!

The No More Excuses Diet: Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

in Books and Reading, 3 comments

NoExcusesDietHaving just delivered a baby in January, and with swimsuit season right around the corner, I was thrilled to be given the chance to review Maria Kang’s book, The No More Excuses Diet. (Fun fact: Maria is the mom behind the viral “What’s your excuse?” photos on Facebook.)

“This book is about getting you to a place where you love life, love your body, and love your health.” I love that from the start, Maria puts an emphasis on being healthy instead of skinny. Yes, we all want to look great in that swimsuit, but the purpose of eating right and exercising should be better health.

Maria gives practical advice and ideas throughout this book to help readers formulate and execute a plan to get healthy. She shares her own story as motivation to those, like her, who don’t have good genetics on their side.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Maria encourages using NSV, or Non-Scale Victories, as opposed to simply watching your weight. She puts emphasis on vital signs such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate. Success with her plan is dependent on how you feel, not just how you look. Eating healthier, in itself, is a victory!

Packed with meal plans, grocery lists, and training structures, this book is a must-read for anyone ready to kick their excuses to the curb and change their lifestyle for the better.

Disclaimer:  I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own.

And now for the GIVEAWAY!! If you would like to be entered into a drawing for this book, click on the right sidebar to subscribe to this blog.  Then come back and comment below letting me know you are now a blog subscriber!  (If you are already a blog subscriber, just comment below!) Entries will be closed and winner announced on Friday, April 10.

 

What I’m Reading Wednesday

in Books and Reading, 0 comments

I think it’s about time I caught you up on the things I’ve been reading. Heaven forbid you go longer than a few months without being entertained by my thoughts on various literary works, right?  In no certain order, here are a few things I’ve read lately, along with what’s next on my giant to-read list.

Love Does by Bob Goff.  I had heard tons of great things about this book, but honestly, I wasn’t that impressed.  It was a good story, but I wasn’t moved like I expected to be.  I mean, if I had a bank account large enough to fly myself and/or my family around the world (often!) to meet with great leaders, I could solve a few world problems, too.  Final verdict:  It was a good book, but personally, I didn’t really find a moral to the story.  You know, other than the obvious title, LOVE DOES.

A Little Salty To Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson.  This book is full-to-the-brim of side-splitting stories about family.  My favorite happens to be when Sophie is attempting to teach her mother-in-law how to use an iPad, and her MIL keeps repeating every thing she says.  It was like deja vu to when I was doing the same thing with my grandmother.  Unlike Love Does, the underlying theme in Sophie’s book is that we can’t take the people we love for granted.  We need to slow down and treasure each and every one of them.

Home Is Where My People Are by Sophie Hudson.  If nothing else, the cover of this book is just gorgeous.  Even if it weren’t hilariously good, I would’ve bought it just to display in my living room.  Maybe it’s because I can so identify with her stories (being southern and all), but I just loved this book.  Just like her first one, it made me laugh out loud.

Danielle Girard Rookie Club series (books 1-3 so far).  I love books that have strong female characters, and what’s stronger than police detectives,

Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker.  This is the third time I’ve read through this book and I like it better each time.  I’m a big Jen fan–I’ve read several of her books, listened to her podcasts, watched her HGTV shows, and follow her social media accounts and blog religiously.  I’m even going to hear her speak in a few weeks (eek!).  But so far, this is my favorite of Jen’s books.  She is so hilariously funny and real and impassioned.  Interrupted is all about how she and her husband stopped doing church and decided to be the church.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.  Amazon reviews this as a classic novel of upper-middle-class family life, which is true, but it’s also full of humor and sarcasm and a twist I never saw coming.

Coming up next:
The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner. I’ve read Jessica’s blog, The Mom Creative, for years.  I fully intended to join in the book club she hosted with this book.  I even told you guys I was joining in.  And then I didn’t, so I’m just going to give myself a little grace on this one.  I can’t wait to read her book, though!

Nobody’s Cuter Than You by Melanie Shankle.  (The Kindle version is available now but the paperback doesn’t come out until April 7.) I’ve raved about Melanie’s other books here on the blog before–remember Sparkly Green Earrings and The Antelope in the Living Room?  I anticipate this book being just as un-put-downable as her first two!

Anxiously awaiting the publishing date (August 18, in case you were wondering) of Jen Hatmakers’ For the Love.  I tried so hard to be part of her launch team but she didn’t choose me.  I’m not bitter about that at all or anything.  ANYWAYS….You better preorder now if you want to get a copy in the year 2015.

I’m considering doing my own little virtual book club through the blog here.  Read a chapter or so each week and have a group-text discussion or vlog or something, depending on the number of participants.  If any of you would be interested in participating in this, please comment below and let me know.

SOOOOO……your turn.  What have you been reading?  Anything I should add to my giant list?

*Disclaimer:  All links are affiliate links.  So if you click them and make a purchase, I’ll earn a few extra pennies at no extra cost to you.  Go ahead…..click away!*

Favorite Children’s Books

in Books and Reading, 2 comments

FavoriteChildrensBooksYa’ll! Did you know that Read Across America week is next week, March 3-6?  It’s one of my favorite weeks as a librarian, but also as a mom.  It’s the week that everyone celebrates reading!  So in preparation for that, the girls and I thought we would share our favorite children’s books with you.

In no certain order, here is our list.

The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt.

Aaron’s Hair by Robert Munsch.

The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson.

the “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis.

Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens.

the Humphrey series by Betty Birney.

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.

Now share with us-what are your favorite children’s books?

2014 Quarterly Book Rewind, Part 2

in Books and Reading, 1 comment

I made a point, during this second quarter of 2014, to read a few nonfiction titles amongst all my fiction ones.  I tried my best, and a few were actually completed.  Each book is linked through Amazon, in case you want to form your own opinion. (And help me out in the process-they are affiliate links, meaning I get compensation for your purchase, at no extra cost to you!)

  • Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. This is not a book I’d normally read, but I was able to download it for free thanks to Amazon Prime. It turned out to be a very interesting read. Each chapter rotates between the points of view of a man, his wife, and the girlfriend.  Yes, wow.
  • The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.  Not being an English literature person, I knew very little about Ernest Hemingway before reading this novel.  The story is told in the point of view of Hemingways’ wife, and it was interesting to see (even fictionally) how Paris was during this time period.  
  • Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult.  This was an interesting storyline but it was very slow going for me.  I kept putting it down and making reminding myself to pick it back up.  If we were listing favorite books, this one wouldn’t be on my list.
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  I wasn’t sure if I would like this one.  The first few chapters started off slow but by the fifth chapter, I was hooked.
  • Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple.
  • Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller.  To a reading teacher, this book was GOLD.  Unless you are naturally curious about people who love to read, or instilling a love of reading in your child, this may not be the book for you.
  • Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand.  This was a true account of a WWII solider who was a Japanese POW.  While this was a great story, I felt like the author gave every single detail of the entire time spent in the Japanese war camp.  I found myself skimming just to find out how it ended.
  • Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle.  This book was very journalistic–and hilarious.  Each chapter told the story of Melanie’s life and her take on things had me laughing out loud.
  • Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.  I’ve heard great things about this author.  The book was good, but it’s not at the top of my recommendation list.
  • Simple Genius by David Baldacci.  I love David Baldacci.  This book is older, but it was no exception–wonderfully written and kept me entertained until the very end.
  • The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly. I’ve loved Michael Connelly’s books before (think Lincoln Lawyer and The Witness) and this one was no exception.  Loved it from the first paragraph to the last.
  • Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming.  I started reading this book as part of a Bloom book study through Incourage.  No offense to Jean Fleming, but it just wasn’t for me.  I gave it the standard 4 chapters, and then set it aside.
  • The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle.  This book is nothing short of hilarious.  I love how Melanie uses stories from her life and puts a positive spin on things.
  • Wild by Cheryl Strayed.  Not a fan.  After the third chapter, I mostly skimmed through just to see how it ended.  Both the language and some situations were rough.  Not recommended.
  • Paper Towns by John Green.  Not my favorite.  Definitely not as good as The Fault in Our Stars, which is one of my favorites.
  • Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Melton.  This book is real and hilarious, but I don’t know that I would recommend it.  The author has different beliefs than I do on things such as homosexuality and abortion.  
Books read with the girls:
  • Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary.  The girls enjoyed this.  In case you’ve never read it (or, like me, it’s been a million years), this is all about a girl who doesn’t want to learn to write cursive.  
  • Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.  We are all three loving going through this classic again!

If you decide to read any of these books, let me know.  We’ll have a virtual book talk over coffee or something.   What are you reading this summer?

2014 Quarterly Book Rewind: Those I’ve Loved, Hated, and Been Indifferent To

in Books and Reading, 0 comments

I’ve been a reading fiend these first few months of 2014.  What follows is a list of titles I’ve finished from January through March, with a sprinkling of book reviews along the way.

  • After the Storm by Maya Banks
  • That Time I Joined the Circus by J. Howard.  This is another one of my YA adult reads ( I think it’s 5th grade level?) but it was very entertaining.
  • I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
  • The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
  • The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore
  • I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Lauren Tarshis.  If you’ve never read an “I Survived” book by Lauren Tarshis before, stop what you are doing and find one now.  Immediately.  These books are elementary level chapter book and can easily be read in an hour, but are extremely well written and entertaining.  Historical fiction at its finest.  See here for a list of all her books.
  • I Survived the Japanese Tsunami by Lauren Tarshis.
  • I Survived the Nazi Invasion by Lauren Tarshis.  In all honesty, this is my least favorite of her books.  I think it was extremely hard to write a book based on the Holocaust at a child’s level.  She did the best she could with the situation, but the Holocaust was such a horrific, bleak time that she had to sugarcoat it for younger readers.
  • The Hit by David Baldacci
  • Split Second by David Baldacci
  • Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.  I have so much to say about this trilogy.  It is the prequel to the Mortal Instruments series, which the first of has recently been made into a movie.  I read the original three books of the Mortal Instruments series a while ago, and was waiting for the fourth to be published when I got sidetracked.  Cassandra Clare is an amazing author.  She has developed this whole world in her brain and her books detail that world.  This trilogy is a must-read.
  • Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
  • Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
  • Aftershock by Sylvia Day.  This is the sequel to Afterburn.  Sylvia Day is also the author of the Crossfire trilogy, which rivals (and surpasses) the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.  Afterburn was a great, short story with a good storyline.  Aftershock seemed to be a copy with name changes.
  • Whiskey Rebellion by Lilliana Hart.  This was a short, humorous read, but not good enough for me to purchase and read the rest of the books.
  • The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult.  I have never finished a Jodi Piccoult book before this one.  They are typically too sad for me.  The Storyteller was an exception. 
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  This book is a MUST read.  It is the one I stayed up until after midnight to finish while crying big, ugly tears.  I’m not usually into books that make me cry, but I have to recommend this one.  There is nothing I can say to explain it, so just do it.  Then you’ll see.
What have you read lately? 

A Visit with author Michael Finklea

in Books and Reading, 1 comment

Michael Finklea, author of Who Are You Calling Junior and Creepers, made a visit to our school during Read Across America Week.  He read one of his books and spoke to the children about writing.  After his presentation, he sold autographed copies to the kids.  Kyndall chose the book Creepers.

 Libby chose Who Are You Calling Junior, a book about a sugar glider, and now both girls want a sugar glider as a pet.  I actually wouldn’t mind having one, but those things are e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e!  Whew!

It was such a great experience having a “real” author come speak to our students.  I love that my girls go to a school that encourages all career paths and helps them to know that they can be anything they want to be!

David Baldacci….favorite author?!?!

in Books and Reading, 0 comments
I am a book lover. I’ve not met many books that I don’t like. I tend to love every book that I read, while I’m reading it. It’s only after finishing a book that I can attempt to really judge it. 
That being said, I just finished reading The Hit by David Baldacci, and LOVED it. It is the first book in a long time that I have not wanted to put down. I read in the car, while drying my hair, and on the treadmill. It’s THAT good. 
Like all of Baldacci’s books, it’s not a mindless read. I’ve caught myself rereading several sections because I wasn’t paying close enough attention. 
Here’s the summary from Goodreads:
“Will Robie is a master of killing. A highly-skilled assassin, Robie is the man the U.S. government calls on to eliminate the worst of the worst–enemies of the state, monsters committed to harming untold numbers of innocent victims. 
No one else can match Robie’s talents as a hitman; no one, except Jessica Reel. A fellow assassin, equally professional and dangerous, Reel is every bit as lethal as Robie. And now, she’s gone rogue, turning her gun sights on other members of their agency. To stop one of their own, the government looks again to Will Robie. His mission: bring in Reel, dead or alive. Only a killer can catch another killer, they tell him. 
But as Robie pursues Reel, he quickly finds that there is more to her betrayal than meets the eye. Her attacks on the agency conceal a larger threat, a threat that could send shockwaves through the U.S. government and around the world.”
If you’re looking for something good to pick up, here’s your book!

Books I’ve Read and Loved… And a few I didn’t

in Books and Reading, 0 comments

Being the random blogger that I am, I thought I would give you, my readers, a listing of the books I’ve been reading lately.  This is something I did regularly when I started my blog, but has gone downhill since then.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.  Told from the point of view of ‘rising 6th grader’ Mo Lobeau, this juvenile fiction book is set in a southern town with some very memorable characters.  As with any small, southern town, everyone in Mo’s town knows everyone’s story except hers.  Mo washed ashore in a hurricane and searches for her ‘upstream mother’ the entire book.  If you’re a reader of children’s lit, Mo’s attitude will remind you of Junie B. Jones.  In the end, Mo comes to appreciate the only family she’s ever known.

If you’ve never read any Lauren Tarshis’ books, you are missing out.  I’ve only read the above two:  I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic and I Survived the Attacks of September 11.  I have several others from this series set aside to read soon.  Although juvenile fiction books, I could not put either of these down.  While relatively short reads, they suck you in and keep you enthralled until the very end.  These “I Survived” books are a HUGE hit in the library as well–they never stay on the shelves!
And now on to adult fiction 🙂  Sylvia Day is the well-known author of the Crossfire trilogy.  The Crossfire trilogy has been compared strongly to Fifty Shades of Grey, but in my opinion, Sylvia Day’s book were much, much better.  More real.  Less painful, if you know what I mean.  Anyways, this book did not disappoint.  Afterburn tells the story of Gia and Jax, who are being given a second chance at their relationship.  I love that Sylvia Day doesn’t make her female characters weak and needy–Gia is a strong, confident, successful woman and the sparks fly between her and Jax.  The sequel, AfterShock, is planned to be released November 12, and yes-I’ve already preordered it!
I’ve been a longtime fan of Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money series.  I even loved the first movie, with Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum.  I took a break from reading, and picked back up with Explosive Eighteen and I was a bit disappointed.  I just couldn’t get into it the way I have the previous books.  Not one to make myself read things I don’t like, I stopped about halfway through and didn’t finish.  I really hope to pick it up and finish it later–maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it right now?  I’m curious to hear if any of you have read it and what your opinions are.
I just started John Grisham’s Sycamore Row.  It’s reeling me in, but SLOWLY.  Here’s to hoping it picks up soon.
What are you reading?  Recommend any good books for me?