What I've Been Reading

My reading has been slacking A LOT. I've just recently gotten my reading mojo back. I check out books through our library and have been waiting in line for After You since the night I finished Me Before You. I recently got the notification that it was available and gobbled it up quickly.

Next on my agenda was Missing Pieces. I haven't finished it yet but I'm halfway through it and am enjoying it. I've read a few of her other books and liked them so this was a safe bet. 

What I am really excited about are the books that are coming out soon. Here is what I'm waiting to get my hands on.

1// Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Due out July 26. Yay for a summer read!

2// Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Not available until October 11. Insert sad face. 

3// Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica. The wait isn't as long and will be available May 17. 

Linking up with....

January Books (Hits and Misses)

January wasn't a big reading month for me. It probably has something to do with my new obsession with my bullet journal. However, I have read a few books and tried to read one. Here are those books.

What book have you read that I need to read? 

HIT

Goodreads Synopsis:
More than twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia's teenaged sister Julia vanished without a trace. The two women have not spoken since, and now their lives could not be more different. Claire is the glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. Lydia, a single mother, dates an ex-con and struggles to make ends meet. But neither has recovered from the horror and heartbreak of their shared loss—a devastating wound that's cruelly ripped open when Claire's husband is killed.

The disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart: what could connect them? Forming a wary truce, the surviving sisters look to the past to find the truth, unearthing the secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago . . . and uncovering the possibility of redemption, and revenge, where they least expect it.

My take:
It was a quick read because it was so good. I just love a good thriller. There were a few things that I wish would have gotten cleared up and some relationships just didn't make sense to me. With that said, I really liked it. 

MISS

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Great comic writers are as rare as hen's teeth. And Helen is one of a very select band who have created a character of whom the very thought makes you smile. Bridget Jones' Diary, charting the life of a 30-something singleton in London in the 1990s was a huge international bestseller, published in 40 countries and selling over 15 million copies worldwide. Its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, published soon after was also a major international bestseller. Both were made into films starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

Set in the present, the new novel will explore a different phase in Bridget's life with an entirely new scenario. As Helen Fielding has said: "If people laugh as much reading it as I am while writing it then we'll all be very happy."

My take: I couldn't even finish it. It didn't have the same Bridget Jones feel. I loved the other two Bridget Jones books but this one was a miss for me. 

HIT

Goodreads Synopsis: In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

My Take: I love reading Hollywood stories now and then. Add some funny and I love it even more. Right after finishing it I added her other book to my "to read" list. 

HIT

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Raised by working-class immigrant parents and later exposed to Hollywood's most elite experts in every field, Access Hollywood's,Today's, and Nightly News's reporter Maria Menounos reveals her EveryGirl secrets on everything: her systems to organize life, manage time, and ascend the ladder of success; her lazy woman's workout; her weight-loss tips (how she lost forty pounds and kept it off); and her guide to styling yourself like the stars—a self-proclaimed EveryGirl, Maria often does her own hair and makeup for celebrity events.

In The EveryGirl's Guide to Life, Maria shares personal experiences and photos from her life and professional journey as well as the various mantras, mottos, and philosophies she's adopted from the world's most impressive women. She gives advice on health, career, relationships, renovations, recreation, and more. From your carpet to the red carpet, Maria teaches the EveryGirl on a budget how to do it all, while living a healthier and happier life.

My take: It is basically like a really great blog in a book. So many great ideas! I have actually read this one in the past. It's been awhile so I picked up another copy of my own. It has some really smart and simple ways to improve your life. 

Books I've Loved in 2015

I love books! I guess that's a good thing since I'm a librarian. I've read many wonderful books in 2015. Today I want to share with you some of my favorite. If you would like to view my Goodreads profile just click here.

Black Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin



Me Before You by Jojo Moyes



Somebody I Used to Know by David Bell


The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown



The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson



The Good Girl by Mary Kubica



Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple



What is your favorite book of 2015?

Reading and What I Want to Read

I've been doing lots of reading again. I think it has to do with the weather. Today I'm going to share with you 3 books I've just read and 3 books I want to read. 

What I've Read

1// Somebody I Used to Know. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. I really debated giving it 5 but settled on 4. It is a great mystery novel. It is a wonderful quick read that is very entertaining without bogging you down. 

2// The Gifts of Imperfection. This was one of those books that I've been hearing about for awhile. I checked out a digital copy but will soon have my very own copy in the mail. I loved the message. I even went to the author's blog and downloaded other material. I really loved it (as if you couldn't tell). 

3// Going Off Script. I love Giuliana Rancic so I knew I would be reading her new book. It is a very fun read. It has great stories of her childhood and then there is the celebrity stuff that I just gobble up. 

Want to Read

(summaries provided by Goodreads)

For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers.

Once the thriving attraction of rural Vermont, the Tower Motel now stands in disrepair, alive only in the memories of Amy, Piper, and Piper's kid sister, Margot. The three played there as girls until the day that their games uncovered something dark and twisted in the motel's past, something that ruined their friendship forever.

Now adult, Piper and Margot have tried to forget what they found that fateful summer, but their lives are upended when Piper receives a panicked midnight call from Margot, with news of a horrific crime for which Amy stands accused. Suddenly, Margot and Piper are forced to relive the time that they found the suitcase that once belonged to Silvie Slater, the aunt that Amy claimed had run away to Hollywood to live out her dream of becoming Hitchcock's next blonde bombshell leading lady. As Margot and Piper investigate, a cleverly woven plot unfolds—revealing the story of Sylvie and Rose, two other sisters who lived at the motel during its 1950s heyday. Each believed the other to be something truly monstrous, but only one carries the secret that would haunt the generations to come.

A young widow raising two boys, Sarah Laden is struggling to keep her family together. But when a shocking revelation rips apart the family of her closest friend, Sarah finds herself welcoming yet another troubled young boy into her already tumultuous life.

Jordan, a quiet, reclusive elementary school classmate of Sarah's son Danny, has survived a terrible ordeal. By agreeing to become Jordan's foster mother, Sarah will be forced to question the things she has long believed. And as the delicate threads that bind their family begin to unravel, all the Ladens will have to face difficult truths about themselves and one another—and discover the power of love necessary to forgive and to heal.

Halloween Books for Toddlers

1// One, Two....Boo!  2//The Spooky Wheels on the Bus 3//Mickey's Halloween 4//Peek-a-Boo! 5//Where is Baby's Pumpkin? 6//Trick or Treat?

5 Favorite Books Right Now



I haven't been doing much blogging but I sure have been doing a lot of reading. My plan is to get back to blogging soon but for now I'll leave you with my 5 favorite books I am loving right now.

 

 

What I Want to Read

I recently finished The Girl on the Train. Although it took me a little time to get into it, once I made it about 50% through I was hooked. The first half was good, and important to the story, but it was just slow. Once it got really going it was very addicting. Once I finish one book I like to have another waiting for me. Here is what I want to read next.

1* I've always been a huge Diane Chamberlain fan so I'm pretty excited to try this one out.

2* This book got my attention when I read this post. My weight has always been an issue with me so I hope to gain a little insight from someone elses life experience. Also, the author is a fellow blogger so I love that.

3* I have read everyone of Chelsea Handler's books. I always read them in one day and I always laugh the entire time. When I get my hands on one of her books I always make sure that I have a little time to myself because I know I'm gonna want to read it all at one time. The last Handler book I read I was at a conference and had the night to myself. I got some yummy take out food, the book, and I tucked in for the night. I'm sure this Handler book will not disappoint. 

4* The last book on my list is one I've been wanting to read for awhile. Big Little Lies has gotten quite popular after Moriarty's success with The Husband's Secret (which I loved). 

Have you read any of these?

4 Photos That Summarize My Spring Break

This past weekend I went to Fayetteville and had an amazing time. My "official" Spring Break started yesterday. Honestly, it has be freaking wonderful! I took a nap today, like seriously a real nap. Jack still has daycare so I have the days to myself. I present to you the 4 photos that summarize my Spring Break right now.

I started this last week and the fact that I'm still at it is a miracle in itself. I actually can do the jogging part now without feeling like they are going to find me dead on the treadmill. 

I binge watched season 1 of Orange is the New Black. For someone who rarely watches tv binge watching feels wonderful. You know what doesn't feel wonderful? Is when I first put it in the DVD player my parents were in the living room with me. Yeah, I so did not know it was gonna show all that. Awkward! 

I saved up the first 4 episodes of The Following to watch during my Spring Break. That show freaks my stuff out but I'm addicted so I deal. 

After What Alice Forgot, I needed a new book. I've head good things about this one so I downloaded it today. I'm not too far into it yet but I do know it's one I'll finish quickly. I will let y'all know my thoughts on it after I'm finished. If you have read it, what did you think? 

I'm not sure how much I'll be around here this week. As you can see I have my priorities straight. 

Reading Surge

I've been in a bit of a reading surge the last two weeks. When you fall in love with the works of an author you tend to read them all up like you are having a Netflix marathon. My online reading group voted and Dark Places was chosen.

It actually took me a few times starting it to really jump into the book. It is a lot darker than Gone Girl. Reading about dead children is never a light read. The story and the mystery was what had me hooked. One of the things I love about Flynn's writing is that the characters aren't wrapped up with prettly little bows at the end of the book. People are flawed. Also, she doesn't approach love and romance like so many other authors. 

As soon as I finished Dark Places, I downloaded Sharp Objects. I read it super quick. Sharp Objects was as dark as Dark Places, if not more so. Both were thrilling reads with main characters that were understandable, relatable, yet so screwed up that you wanted to read more. 

I stayed up later than usually just so I could finish Sharp Objects. I needed something new to take its place. Texas Mrs. posted yesterday that the book What Alice Forgot was one of her February Favorites. I'm now a few chapters in and it's a hit. I've read a few of Liane Moriartys other books and have liked them also. 

Have you read any great books recently?