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Today a ton of books I need to buy/read come out. All by authors I love.
Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson
Sweet Tea at Sunrise by Sherryl Woods (the second book in a trilogy)
Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (the first in a trilogy)
Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
and finally a book I can't wait to get
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. It's the third book in a 4 book series. The other books are Vision in White and Bed of Roses. There about 4 friends running a wedding business.
This is the first book by Kristin Hannah that I've read and if any of her other books are as good as Winter Garden, then I'll be hooked.
Winter Garden is about two sisters finally connecting with their mother in adulthood. The book shifts between present day and Leningrad during WWII to tell a heart wrenching tale.
I was hooked on this book from the first page. One sister is struggling with empty nest syndrome and the other can't stay in one place, traveling the world for work. It's the death of their father that brings them together and forces their mother to tell her story from many years ago.
My mom read the book first and kept asking where I was so we could talk about it. (Where as when I read the book first I say nothing, even when she asks. My response is usually 'keep reading'.) My mom told me I would reach a point in the book where I wouldn't want to put it down. That happened. Then she told me to have the kleenex handy. I did and man did I need them.
Pick up this book right away. It will move you and break your heart at the same time.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I sometimes still read Young Adult books. If they’re good then they don’t really seem like YA books.
I’ve been a fan of Ally Carter since the first book of I read. She just has a great writing style. She’s published 2 Adult fiction books and 4 YA books.
Heist Society is the first book in a new series. It’s about a teenage thief, but she only steals for good. Like saving her father’s life. Kat’s dad is being framed for a robbery and the only way to prove his innocence is to steal back what he is being framed for.
One of the things I liked about the book was all the traveling. Sure, I don’t think a girl Kat’s age (the main character) really could jet around the world, but it is fun to imagine.
The cast of characters in the book add a lot to the book. Hal is the kinda sorta soon to be boyfriend. The boy Kat’s known most of her life and will eventually be with. Then there’s Uncle Eddie that reminds me of a guy in the mob. He knows everyone and everything and can get things done without living his kitchen.
Heist Society is a fun, quick read. It’s full of great dialogue, action and the lesson that most YA books seem to have.
I would recommend this book to anyone, it’s just fun!
I have been a fan of Jodi Picoult ever since I read My Sister's Keeper. The book pulled at my emotions and surprised me with the ending.
Since that time I've read some good Jodi Picoult and some not so good.
House Rules would fall into the not so good.
First of all the boy on the cover is too young as the main character is 18. I know it's just a little thing.
Next, this book seemed to take one a lot of the same plot characteristics as last year's Handle With Care (which I wasn't such a fan of). A parents, 2 kids, one with a disability and the other one gets no attention. So the 'normal' kid acts out but the parents have no clue.
I had to force myself through the book. I didn't really like any of the characters and the story just moved soooooooo slow.
The basic plot is that one of the sons has Asperger's syndrome and likes crime solving. Then one day his social tutor suddenly ends up dead and the police arrest him for the murder. The book then focuses on his trial and what happens after.
The book could have easily been cut in half for the reader to get the point of the book.
I would not recommend this book. Save your time and money, it's not worth it.
If you haven't read anything by Jodi Picoult try My Sister's Keeper or Nineteen Minutes.
Welcome to Book Week! This week I'll be reviewing some books I've read recently. Hope you enjoy!
Around the end of January I came across The Lightning Thief. I knew that a movie was coming out based on this book soon so I picked it up at Barnes and Noble and read the first page. It grabbed me immediately so I had to go home with the book.
I read it quickly. And enjoyed it. I found it to have some similarities to Harry Potter. Like that Percy didn't know who he really was for some of his life. That he's the one they think can save the world. And that he has to go away to a camp to learn how to be a half-blood (half human/half greek god).
The thing I liked about the first book, and the following, was that the author didn't talk down to the reader. Sure the books are for kids but they can be enjoyed by all ages and not feel stupid for reading them when you're done.
You'll also learn about Greek Mythology in the books. Something I knew very little about before Percy Jackson.
After reading the first book I had to go out and buy the second book, The Seas of Monsters. Then the same with the other 3 books in the series. The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian.
Each book builds off the previous so you have to read them in order. The final book is the battle to save the world. It's not anywhere close to the Battle at Hogwarts (from HP7) but it is still satisfying.
I recommend these books to anyone over the age of 10. There is some violence, the world is about to end. And there's some learning to be had. But I don't think you'll be disappointed if you pick up these books.
When I planned my Happiness Project, April was supposed to be the month for friendships. But as it got closer to April, it wasn't something I was super excited to do and if I'm not excited about it, I'm not going to do it.
Instead I'm using a concept that comes directly from the book.
The definition comes from a blog post and says, "by spending out, I mean to stop hoarding, to trust in abundance." Another blog post about spending out is here.
What does this mean to me?
It means to not buy any books because I have piles at home that are unread. Same for magazines.
It means to use those post-its and pretty note paper.
It means to actually wear the clothes at home that still have tags on them.
It means to finish the scrapbook layouts/projects I've started.
It means to not buy something if I have 100 of the same thing at home.
I'm going to use what I like and give away the things I know I won't use.
