Right now I'm listening to Unlimited by Jillian Michaels.
Right now I'm working hard on the business side.
Right now I'm enjoying the cooler weather. Still.
Right now I'm loving that the boys love board games.
Right now I'm excited about scrapbooking again.
Right now I'm still processing the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead. Wow.
Right now I'm wishing I had gone to bed earlier. I want a nap.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Right Now
Right now I'm listening to Unlimited by Jillian Michaels.
Right now I'm working hard on the business side.
Right now I'm enjoying the cooler weather. Still.
Right now I'm loving that the boys love board games.
Right now I'm excited about scrapbooking again.
Right now I'm still processing the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead. Wow.
Right now I'm wishing I had gone to bed earlier. I want a nap.
Right now I'm working hard on the business side.
Right now I'm enjoying the cooler weather. Still.
Right now I'm loving that the boys love board games.
Right now I'm excited about scrapbooking again.
Right now I'm still processing the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead. Wow.
Right now I'm wishing I had gone to bed earlier. I want a nap.
Monday, December 2, 2013
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (Thoughts On)
Title: If You Find Me
Author: Emily Murdoch (website)(Twitter)
Pages: 256
Source: library loan
Published: March 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Rating: 5 of 5...wowsers.
Summary from Goodreads:
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.
Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.
*****
This is one of those books that has gotten buzz and I immediately put on my TBR list. I hadn't gotten around to reading it yet because all.the.books but when Kat had a review of it and told me to bump it up my list, I listened. Sooooo glad I did.
The story was a tough one to read because of the subject but the writing...oh my. Lush and lyrical. When Carey and her sister are found at the their campsite in the woods, their worlds change forever. Getting the back story in bits and pieces made the story even more compelling. There was a bit of a mystery since Carey spoke of the "white star night". They had to relearn and in some case plain learn things about the way the world really works. They had been at that camp site fending for themselves - with their mom popping in and out randomly - for so long that it was hard for them to adjust. The way that was written was so amazing. Just thinking through how two girls would react is amazing and that Murdoch so easily pulled it off is even more amazing.
The things those girls went through in the woods were so horrific and yet there is still such a strong sense of hope throughout the entire novel. This is a testament to Murdoch's stellar writing skills. I connected with Carey and Nessa from the beginning and rooted for them the whole way through. I hated that Carey felt at fault for whatever made Nessa stop talking. I hated that she had to adjust to high school after never having been there. I wanted to tuck them into a soft, warm bed and let them do whatever they wanted.
The use of Carey as the narrator and her flashbacks and sidebars were helpful in putting the story together but it also made the story even more real. Had the narrator been anything other than first person, I think the story would have missed some of the emotional punch it had.
If You Find Me has really wonderful characters that were well rounded. From the social worker to the new family members - both good and "bad" ones - they felt like real people with real histories. I enjoyed seeing how they all progressed into a true family. The hardships and bumps along the way just made the good things that happened be even more special.
And the way the title played into the story at the end? Gah.
It is hard to believe that this was a first novel but If You Find Me was Emily Murdoch's debut. She is an auto-buy author for me after this one. I want to hug this book and poor Carey and Nessa too. I almost can't put into words how wonderful this book was. The subject was terrible but the emotions were so wonderfully drawn. All.the.feels.
This is one of those books that has gotten buzz and I immediately put on my TBR list. I hadn't gotten around to reading it yet because all.the.books but when Kat had a review of it and told me to bump it up my list, I listened. Sooooo glad I did.
The story was a tough one to read because of the subject but the writing...oh my. Lush and lyrical. When Carey and her sister are found at the their campsite in the woods, their worlds change forever. Getting the back story in bits and pieces made the story even more compelling. There was a bit of a mystery since Carey spoke of the "white star night". They had to relearn and in some case plain learn things about the way the world really works. They had been at that camp site fending for themselves - with their mom popping in and out randomly - for so long that it was hard for them to adjust. The way that was written was so amazing. Just thinking through how two girls would react is amazing and that Murdoch so easily pulled it off is even more amazing.
The things those girls went through in the woods were so horrific and yet there is still such a strong sense of hope throughout the entire novel. This is a testament to Murdoch's stellar writing skills. I connected with Carey and Nessa from the beginning and rooted for them the whole way through. I hated that Carey felt at fault for whatever made Nessa stop talking. I hated that she had to adjust to high school after never having been there. I wanted to tuck them into a soft, warm bed and let them do whatever they wanted.
The use of Carey as the narrator and her flashbacks and sidebars were helpful in putting the story together but it also made the story even more real. Had the narrator been anything other than first person, I think the story would have missed some of the emotional punch it had.
If You Find Me has really wonderful characters that were well rounded. From the social worker to the new family members - both good and "bad" ones - they felt like real people with real histories. I enjoyed seeing how they all progressed into a true family. The hardships and bumps along the way just made the good things that happened be even more special.
And the way the title played into the story at the end? Gah.
It is hard to believe that this was a first novel but If You Find Me was Emily Murdoch's debut. She is an auto-buy author for me after this one. I want to hug this book and poor Carey and Nessa too. I almost can't put into words how wonderful this book was. The subject was terrible but the emotions were so wonderfully drawn. All.the.feels.
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (Thoughts On)
Title: If You Find Me
Author: Emily Murdoch (website)(Twitter)
Pages: 256
Source: library loan
Published: March 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Rating: 5 of 5...wowsers.
Summary from Goodreads:
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.
Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.
*****
This is one of those books that has gotten buzz and I immediately put on my TBR list. I hadn't gotten around to reading it yet because all.the.books but when Kat had a review of it and told me to bump it up my list, I listened. Sooooo glad I did.
The story was a tough one to read because of the subject but the writing...oh my. Lush and lyrical. When Carey and her sister are found at the their campsite in the woods, their worlds change forever. Getting the back story in bits and pieces made the story even more compelling. There was a bit of a mystery since Carey spoke of the "white star night". They had to relearn and in some case plain learn things about the way the world really works. They had been at that camp site fending for themselves - with their mom popping in and out randomly - for so long that it was hard for them to adjust. The way that was written was so amazing. Just thinking through how two girls would react is amazing and that Murdoch so easily pulled it off is even more amazing.
The things those girls went through in the woods were so horrific and yet there is still such a strong sense of hope throughout the entire novel. This is a testament to Murdoch's stellar writing skills. I connected with Carey and Nessa from the beginning and rooted for them the whole way through. I hated that Carey felt at fault for whatever made Nessa stop talking. I hated that she had to adjust to high school after never having been there. I wanted to tuck them into a soft, warm bed and let them do whatever they wanted.
The use of Carey as the narrator and her flashbacks and sidebars were helpful in putting the story together but it also made the story even more real. Had the narrator been anything other than first person, I think the story would have missed some of the emotional punch it had.
If You Find Me has really wonderful characters that were well rounded. From the social worker to the new family members - both good and "bad" ones - they felt like real people with real histories. I enjoyed seeing how they all progressed into a true family. The hardships and bumps along the way just made the good things that happened be even more special.
And the way the title played into the story at the end? Gah.
It is hard to believe that this was a first novel but If You Find Me was Emily Murdoch's debut. She is an auto-buy author for me after this one. I want to hug this book and poor Carey and Nessa too. I almost can't put into words how wonderful this book was. The subject was terrible but the emotions were so wonderfully drawn. All.the.feels.
This is one of those books that has gotten buzz and I immediately put on my TBR list. I hadn't gotten around to reading it yet because all.the.books but when Kat had a review of it and told me to bump it up my list, I listened. Sooooo glad I did.
The story was a tough one to read because of the subject but the writing...oh my. Lush and lyrical. When Carey and her sister are found at the their campsite in the woods, their worlds change forever. Getting the back story in bits and pieces made the story even more compelling. There was a bit of a mystery since Carey spoke of the "white star night". They had to relearn and in some case plain learn things about the way the world really works. They had been at that camp site fending for themselves - with their mom popping in and out randomly - for so long that it was hard for them to adjust. The way that was written was so amazing. Just thinking through how two girls would react is amazing and that Murdoch so easily pulled it off is even more amazing.
The things those girls went through in the woods were so horrific and yet there is still such a strong sense of hope throughout the entire novel. This is a testament to Murdoch's stellar writing skills. I connected with Carey and Nessa from the beginning and rooted for them the whole way through. I hated that Carey felt at fault for whatever made Nessa stop talking. I hated that she had to adjust to high school after never having been there. I wanted to tuck them into a soft, warm bed and let them do whatever they wanted.
The use of Carey as the narrator and her flashbacks and sidebars were helpful in putting the story together but it also made the story even more real. Had the narrator been anything other than first person, I think the story would have missed some of the emotional punch it had.
If You Find Me has really wonderful characters that were well rounded. From the social worker to the new family members - both good and "bad" ones - they felt like real people with real histories. I enjoyed seeing how they all progressed into a true family. The hardships and bumps along the way just made the good things that happened be even more special.
And the way the title played into the story at the end? Gah.
It is hard to believe that this was a first novel but If You Find Me was Emily Murdoch's debut. She is an auto-buy author for me after this one. I want to hug this book and poor Carey and Nessa too. I almost can't put into words how wonderful this book was. The subject was terrible but the emotions were so wonderfully drawn. All.the.feels.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
#novemberthon wrap up
#Novemberthon was an impromptu read-a-thon put together by Amber from Books of Amber. Running from Sunday, November 24th to today, it was a read-a-thon with no rules but to read.
I've managed to finish:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (review coming soon)
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (review coming tomorrow. Soooooo good!)
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
and have started on Bold by Julia Swift and Andrew Landis
I'm not sure that I will be able to read much more today so I'm posting this wrap up now. I love read-a-thons and impromptu ones are the best!
I've managed to finish:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (review coming soon)
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (review coming tomorrow. Soooooo good!)
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
and have started on Bold by Julia Swift and Andrew Landis
I'm not sure that I will be able to read much more today so I'm posting this wrap up now. I love read-a-thons and impromptu ones are the best!
#novemberthon wrap up
#Novemberthon was an impromptu read-a-thon put together by Amber from Books of Amber. Running from Sunday, November 24th to today, it was a read-a-thon with no rules but to read.
I've managed to finish:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (review coming soon)
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (review coming tomorrow. Soooooo good!)
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
and have started on Bold by Julia Swift and Andrew Landis
I'm not sure that I will be able to read much more today so I'm posting this wrap up now. I love read-a-thons and impromptu ones are the best!
I've managed to finish:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (review coming soon)
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (review coming tomorrow. Soooooo good!)
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
and have started on Bold by Julia Swift and Andrew Landis
I'm not sure that I will be able to read much more today so I'm posting this wrap up now. I love read-a-thons and impromptu ones are the best!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
RIP Paul Walker
This is mostly a books only blog but I just can't not say something...
Driving home from the BFFs house, stopped at a red light and pulled up Facebook to do a status update on how much fun we had. Saw the news that Paul Walker had died.
He was one of my longest running celebrity crushes. I loved his movies and own almost all of them. Have watched all the Fast and Furious movies over and over. Have been looking forward to Fast 7 since we walked out of the theater after watching Fast 6 (which we watched back to back - literally twice on the same day!).
This is one of those times when I'm glad that I don't have cable. Hate to hear it said out loud. Reading it is bad enough.
It is so sad and I feel so bad for his daughter.
RIP Paul Walker
This is mostly a books only blog but I just can't not say something...
Driving home from the BFFs house, stopped at a red light and pulled up Facebook to do a status update on how much fun we had. Saw the news that Paul Walker had died.
He was one of my longest running celebrity crushes. I loved his movies and own almost all of them. Have watched all the Fast and Furious movies over and over. Have been looking forward to Fast 7 since we walked out of the theater after watching Fast 6 (which we watched back to back - literally twice on the same day!).
This is one of those times when I'm glad that I don't have cable. Hate to hear it said out loud. Reading it is bad enough.
It is so sad and I feel so bad for his daughter.
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (Blog Tour)
Title: Dear Mr. Knightley
Author: Katherine Reay (website)(Twitter)
Pages: 325
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group for blog tour in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 3 out of 5
Summary from Publisher:
Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself “Mr. Knightley”) offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam’s program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it’s pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is – once again – made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.
I have to be honest and say that I didn't read much from the summary. I read that a girl loves literature and saw the cover and just wanted it. It reads much like Daddy Long Legs, a childhood favorite, but was confusing because it was modern. It read like it was from long ago but wasn't. It cracks me up that it mentions it has a "delightful dash" of Jane Austen. She or her contemporaries are on almost every page it seemed to me.
Samantha was a frustrating character for most of the book. I didn't really like her in the least until the last 25 or so pages. She had been through so much in her life but she seemed way younger than her 24 years and her quoting of classic literature got old fast. I think I know what the author was trying to do with her and I could appreciate it but she was so frustrating.
On the other hand I loved the character of Alex until the last 25 pages of the book. It's pretty obvious what is going to happen but the story in between is compelling enough that it held my attention. He was parts swoon and parts flawed and that made for a completely adorable man. He's a best selling novelist and I couldn't help but picture...
And I wanted to read about the delightful sounding Cole he writes about. I like my men funny and he lacked that but otherwise...swoon.
The best part of the book for me personally was her growing relationship with 14 year old foster child Kyle. His character was so engaging and sad. The foster system in our country is so flawed and the people that are a part of it are so flawed. The stories that you can read are beyond heartbreaking. I enjoyed Kyle's story arc immensely. It gave me hope.
I mentioned before that it read like Daddy Long Legs. I have mixed feelings about books written with letters but I really enjoyed the letters she wrote to Mr. Knightley. They truly show her growth throughout the book.
Although this is marketed as a Christian fiction, the presence of God is limited. He contributes nothing to their lives except in passing. There is a Father that is throughout and he prays and a couple of others pray but it's limited. For those who want God out of their stories, this one is slight. To those of us don't mind Him, it might be a bit too little.
Overall it's a sweet story that lovers of literature will more than likely enjoy immensely. A wide cast of characters keeps the pace moving. Real life - the good, the bad, the ugly - plays out over the pages and pulls a heartstring or two.
3 (or I liked it) out of 5 stars.
Samantha was a frustrating character for most of the book. I didn't really like her in the least until the last 25 or so pages. She had been through so much in her life but she seemed way younger than her 24 years and her quoting of classic literature got old fast. I think I know what the author was trying to do with her and I could appreciate it but she was so frustrating.
On the other hand I loved the character of Alex until the last 25 pages of the book. It's pretty obvious what is going to happen but the story in between is compelling enough that it held my attention. He was parts swoon and parts flawed and that made for a completely adorable man. He's a best selling novelist and I couldn't help but picture...
And I wanted to read about the delightful sounding Cole he writes about. I like my men funny and he lacked that but otherwise...swoon.
The best part of the book for me personally was her growing relationship with 14 year old foster child Kyle. His character was so engaging and sad. The foster system in our country is so flawed and the people that are a part of it are so flawed. The stories that you can read are beyond heartbreaking. I enjoyed Kyle's story arc immensely. It gave me hope.
I mentioned before that it read like Daddy Long Legs. I have mixed feelings about books written with letters but I really enjoyed the letters she wrote to Mr. Knightley. They truly show her growth throughout the book.
Although this is marketed as a Christian fiction, the presence of God is limited. He contributes nothing to their lives except in passing. There is a Father that is throughout and he prays and a couple of others pray but it's limited. For those who want God out of their stories, this one is slight. To those of us don't mind Him, it might be a bit too little.
Overall it's a sweet story that lovers of literature will more than likely enjoy immensely. A wide cast of characters keeps the pace moving. Real life - the good, the bad, the ugly - plays out over the pages and pulls a heartstring or two.
3 (or I liked it) out of 5 stars.
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (Blog Tour)
Title: Dear Mr. Knightley
Author: Katherine Reay (website)(Twitter)
Pages: 325
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group for blog tour in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 3 out of 5
Summary from Publisher:
Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself “Mr. Knightley”) offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam’s program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it’s pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is – once again – made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.
I have to be honest and say that I didn't read much from the summary. I read that a girl loves literature and saw the cover and just wanted it. It reads much like Daddy Long Legs, a childhood favorite, but was confusing because it was modern. It read like it was from long ago but wasn't. It cracks me up that it mentions it has a "delightful dash" of Jane Austen. She or her contemporaries are on almost every page it seemed to me.
Samantha was a frustrating character for most of the book. I didn't really like her in the least until the last 25 or so pages. She had been through so much in her life but she seemed way younger than her 24 years and her quoting of classic literature got old fast. I think I know what the author was trying to do with her and I could appreciate it but she was so frustrating.
On the other hand I loved the character of Alex until the last 25 pages of the book. It's pretty obvious what is going to happen but the story in between is compelling enough that it held my attention. He was parts swoon and parts flawed and that made for a completely adorable man. He's a best selling novelist and I couldn't help but picture...
And I wanted to read about the delightful sounding Cole he writes about. I like my men funny and he lacked that but otherwise...swoon.
The best part of the book for me personally was her growing relationship with 14 year old foster child Kyle. His character was so engaging and sad. The foster system in our country is so flawed and the people that are a part of it are so flawed. The stories that you can read are beyond heartbreaking. I enjoyed Kyle's story arc immensely. It gave me hope.
I mentioned before that it read like Daddy Long Legs. I have mixed feelings about books written with letters but I really enjoyed the letters she wrote to Mr. Knightley. They truly show her growth throughout the book.
Although this is marketed as a Christian fiction, the presence of God is limited. He contributes nothing to their lives except in passing. There is a Father that is throughout and he prays and a couple of others pray but it's limited. For those who want God out of their stories, this one is slight. To those of us don't mind Him, it might be a bit too little.
Overall it's a sweet story that lovers of literature will more than likely enjoy immensely. A wide cast of characters keeps the pace moving. Real life - the good, the bad, the ugly - plays out over the pages and pulls a heartstring or two.
3 (or I liked it) out of 5 stars.
Samantha was a frustrating character for most of the book. I didn't really like her in the least until the last 25 or so pages. She had been through so much in her life but she seemed way younger than her 24 years and her quoting of classic literature got old fast. I think I know what the author was trying to do with her and I could appreciate it but she was so frustrating.
On the other hand I loved the character of Alex until the last 25 pages of the book. It's pretty obvious what is going to happen but the story in between is compelling enough that it held my attention. He was parts swoon and parts flawed and that made for a completely adorable man. He's a best selling novelist and I couldn't help but picture...
And I wanted to read about the delightful sounding Cole he writes about. I like my men funny and he lacked that but otherwise...swoon.
The best part of the book for me personally was her growing relationship with 14 year old foster child Kyle. His character was so engaging and sad. The foster system in our country is so flawed and the people that are a part of it are so flawed. The stories that you can read are beyond heartbreaking. I enjoyed Kyle's story arc immensely. It gave me hope.
I mentioned before that it read like Daddy Long Legs. I have mixed feelings about books written with letters but I really enjoyed the letters she wrote to Mr. Knightley. They truly show her growth throughout the book.
Although this is marketed as a Christian fiction, the presence of God is limited. He contributes nothing to their lives except in passing. There is a Father that is throughout and he prays and a couple of others pray but it's limited. For those who want God out of their stories, this one is slight. To those of us don't mind Him, it might be a bit too little.
Overall it's a sweet story that lovers of literature will more than likely enjoy immensely. A wide cast of characters keeps the pace moving. Real life - the good, the bad, the ugly - plays out over the pages and pulls a heartstring or two.
3 (or I liked it) out of 5 stars.
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