The 4 Books I Finished in June

* Linking up with Anne Bogel at Quick Lit *

Don’t forget to check out and join The Bookspired Linkup on July 20th!

In June I read two books I loved, one book I liked, and one not-so-thrilling thriller. Not a bad run, eh? I’m going to jump right in with the four books I finished in June.


No One Knows  by J.T. Ellison

My Thoughts: This was the not-so-thrilling thriller. Aubrey, whose husband disappeared the night of a friend’s bachelor party, is still struggling five years later after he is eventually declared dead and, through various encounters with suspicious people, wonders whether her husband is really gone. It is a page turner, but I was hoping for a big payoff at the end, and I felt let down. I know a few people who have really enjoyed this book, so I would recommend it with the caveat that it’s a good story but not a thriller. I liked it better than The Girl on the Train (which I didn’t like much at all) but not as much as The Good Girl and Gone Girl (both of which I really liked). If you have any thriller recommendations, please send them my way … I like this genre, but my thrill threshold is high!

Length: 368 pages

When I Read It: May 31-June 10, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Bought it at Gibson’s Bookstore; read it the old-fashioned way.

————————————————————————–

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

My Thoughts: I resisted reading this book for a while, even after hearing people I trust gush about it, because I didn’t love Rowell’s big hit Eleanor & Park, so I thought her writing just wasn’t my style. Well, I was WRONG. This book is absolutely delightful. I found myself smirking, giggling, and swooning over the story of Cath, an awkward but lovable fan fiction writer, her twin sister Wren (Get it?), and the characters they meet during their first semester at college. This is a perfect book if you need a pick-me-up or want something light but well-written to take to the beach. It’s one of my favorites of the year. And I won’t hesitate before giving Rowell’s other books a try.

Length: 445 pages

When I Read It: June 10-21, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive app; read it on the Kindle app on my phone.

Memorable quote: “There are other people on the Internet. It’s awesome. You get all the benefits of ‘other people’ without the body odor and the eye contact.”

————————————————————————–

You Learn By Living by Eleanor Roosevelt

My Thoughts: When this book went on sale for $1.99 on the Amazon Kindle deals, I snatched it up. I’d heard it was a flying-under-the-radar great book, and I really enjoyed learning more about Eleanor Roosevelt and pondering her nuggets of advice. It’s a very short book and not an amazing literary work, but still, I’d highly recommend it. There’s some great wisdom to soak up.

Length: 211 pages

When I Read It: June 10-June 26, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Bought it from Amazon; read it on the Kindle app on my phone.

Memorable Quote: “I wish with all my heart that every child could be so imbued with a sense of the adventure of life that each change, each readjustment, each surprise–good or bad–that came along would be welcomed as part of the whole enthralling experience.”

————————————————————————-

The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See by Richard Rohr

My Thoughts: This is the second book I’ve read by Richard Rohr, and I’ve come to realize he’s one of the great religious thinkers living among us. In The Naked Now, Rohr shows us how we can move beyond our typical human issues into a higher level of spirituality. I turned down many pages of this book to mark my favorite passages. (I would have used a highlighter, but my kids take them and wreak havoc.) I can’t wait to read more of Rohr’s work. I need to space them out because it’s pretty heavy reading that takes some time to process.

Length: 187 pages

When I Read It: May 31-June 29, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Bought it at Gibson’s Bookstore; read it the old-fashioned way.

Memorable Quote: “The enormous breakthrough is that when you honor and accept the divine image within yourself, you cannot help but see it in everybody else, too, and you know it is just as undeserved and unmerited as it is in you. That is why you stop judging, and that is how you start loving unconditionally and without asking whether someone is worthy or not.”

I mean, really. It doesn’t get much better than that.

————————————————————————-

You can friend or follow me on Goodreads for the latest updates on my July reading progress.

The Bookspired Linkup (June 2016)

Welcome to The Bookspired Linkup! Each month we share posts that fit The Bookspired Linkup theme: exploring how a book has inspired you. You can read about my inspiration for starting the linkup here. Check out the linked-up posts through the blue inLinkz button at the bottom of this post and add your own, or participate through the comment feature.

Words of Wise Women

Last Friday my favorite podcast, Sorta Awesome, released one of its best shows yet, Episode 63: What We Know Now That We’re Here. You should just download and listen to it because my description won’t do it justice, but it’s basically a pep talk from two lovely big-sister-type ladies (Megan and Kelly) about what they’ve learned about their minds, bodies, and souls thus far in life. It sounds like a heavy topic but they don’t take thylblemselves that seriously, which makes it just right.

After listening to the podcast, I guess I was in an advice-seeking mood, because when I saw that the Kindle version of Eleanor Roosevelt’s memoir You Learn By Living was on sale for $1.99, I immediately bought and downloaded it to start reading during a short road trip. I’m about halfway done with it and although I don’t love all of Mrs. Roosevelt’s advice – She once told a little boy that if he needed to cry, he should go “cry alone into the bathtub” (???) –  many of her words are wise, such as these

“Our emotional interests, our intellectual pursuits, our personal preoccupations, all change. So do those of our friends. So the relationship that binds us together must change too; it must be flexible enough to meet the alterations of person and circumstance.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

My podcast and book choices this week got me thinking about some of the other wise women whose words I’ve taken to heart lately. I’ve been into reading memoirs recently, and I’ve also taken an interest in the self-improvement genre through podcasts and books. Although I like to think I have a good head on my shoulders, I don’t claim to be an expert on most things, and I look for opportunities to learn new things every day. My favorite sources of wise words are lovely, smart, brave, interesting women. Here are just a few of the wise women I’m listening to these days:

Emily Freeman – Simply Tuesday23411600

I bought this book on a whim and thought it would be mildly entertaining or kinda good. I had no idea how connected I would feel to Emily and how much I would take to heart her words about the importance of “small moments.” I gave this book five stars on Goodreads, and I don’t award stars willy-nilly. One of my favorite tidbits:

“But Tuesday teaches me that part of living well in ordinary time is letting this day be good. Letting this day be a gift. Letting this day be filled with plenty. And if it all goes wrong and my work turns to dust? This is my kind reminder that outcomes are beyond the scope of my job description.”   -Emily P. Freeman

Sarah Bessey – Out of Sorts23492740

I joined Sarah’s book launch team for the release of Out of Sorts because A. It sounded like fun, B. I would receive an early (free) galley copy of the book, and, most importantly, C. I was smitten with Sarah’s writing, which I knew from her blog at www.sarahbessey.com. Sarah is a big picture thinker and seems to be a wonderful combination of funny, serious, and devoted to both her family and her call to preach. There’s something magnetic about her. My favorite nugget from the book:

“May we be the ones who don’t give up on radical inclusion. May we be the ones to whisper to one another, every now and then, on purpose, at the right time: You belong here. There’s room for you. There’s room for all of us.” – Sarah Bessey

Gretchen Rubin – The Happiness Projectthehappinessproject

This was another book I expected to enjoy but ended up loving. Gretchen Rubin is very different from me. She seems extremely intense and driven, and I’m just not that wound up or motivated. But I adore her, and I especially love her tips and tricks for habit formation and increasing happiness in everyday life. What I love most about her, though, is her honesty about her own self-discovery.

“I have an idea of who I wish I were, and that obscures my understanding of who I actually am.”  – Gretchen Rubin

Eleanor, Emily, Sarah, and Gretchen are just a few of the wise women who I’m tuned to these days. I’m always looking for new inspiration – Who are your favorite wise literary ladies?

 

 

 

 

The 5 Books I Finished in May

Linking up with Anne Bogel at Quick Lit

May is my birthday month, so I decided to read whatever the heck I felt like reading this month with no concern about expanding my horizons or increasing my knowledge on important subjects. The result was a diverse collection of books including true crime, an old-favorite author, a “true wuv” memoir, a thriller, and a lovable grumpy old man. Without further ado, here are the five books I finished in May:

1. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

My Thoughts: This is the crazy, horrific, intensely interesting true story of serial killer Ted Bundy. The book was written by Bundy’s friend Ann Rule, who was contracted to write the book before she knew Bundy was a suspect. At many points I could not put the book down. It is difficult to read because Bundy’s crimes were so terrible and prolific, but any fans of the true crime genre should read this book because it is so well done.

Length: 560 pages

When I Read It: April 30-May 17, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold at the library; read it the old-fashioned way.

2. As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

My Thoughts: I started this book more than a year ago and put it down for some unknown reason. I picked it back up again as an antidote to the creepiness of The Stranger Beside Me and devoured the rest of the book quickly. Elwes’s stories about life on the movie set with the amazing cast of characters (Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, etc.) are delightful, and fans of the movie would love this book. Several people have told me that the audio version is fantastic because the cast contributes.

Length: 259 pages

When I Read It: March 11, 2015-May 20, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Bought it at Target; read it the old-fashioned way.

3. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy

My Thoughts: I’ve read almost all of Maeve Binchy’s cozy Irish novels and decided to give this one a try during the long drive to and from New Jersey for my friend’s baby shower. While it’s not as good as many of Binchy’s earlier books, it was an enjoyable, light read for the car ride. Binchy is masterful at creating interesting characters and weaving their lives together, and her descriptions of the Irish countryside always make me want to jump on a plane and head across the Atlantic.

Length: 10 hours and 57 minutes

When I Read It: May 20-22, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive app/listened to the audiobook.

4. Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

My Thoughts: I loved Kubica’s first novel, The Good Girl, so I knew I wanted to try another one of her books. When I first started Pretty Baby, I was lukewarm to it, but it picked up in the second half and toward the end I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a true thriller, but Kubica keeps you guessing about the characters: a mysterious homeless girl and baby, and the not-so-perfect family that takes them in. This would be a great beach read. I’m definitely going to put Kubica’s most recent release, Don’t You Cry, on my to-read list.

Length: 380 pages

When I Read It: May 20-30, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Bought it at Gibson’s Bookstore; read it the old-fashioned way.

5. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

My Thoughts: I kept hearing amazing things about this book and was skeptical that it would live up to the hype. I started reading it several months ago and put it down because I wasn’t in the right mood, I guess. I heard that the audio version was fantastic, so I put myself on the hold list and finally got my copy last week. One of my Goodreads friends deemed the book “practically perfect,” and now I see why. Ove, a grumpy, hilarious, sad, lovable old man, is one of those characters you’ll never forget. I kept alternating between snorting with laughter and sniffing with tears. I loved this book and will probably read it again. That’s high praise from me because I rarely reread books.

Length: 9 hours and 9 minutes

When I Read It: May 25 -31, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive app/listened to the audiobook

Favorite Quote: “He went through life with his hands firmly shoved into his pockets. She danced.”

————————————————————————-

You can friend or follow me on Goodreads for the latest updates on my June reading picks.

Don’t forget to check out and join The Bookspired Linkup on June 15th!

The Bookspired Linkup (May 2016)

Welcome to The Bookspired Linkup! Each month we share posts that fit The Bookspired Linkup theme: exploring how a book has inspired you. You can read about my inspiration for starting the linkup here. Check out the linked-up posts through the blue inLinkz button at the bottom of this post and add your own, or participate through the comment feature.

This month I’m also hosting a giveaway! Details are at the bottom of this post. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch and Other Things I Love

A year and a half 7284508ago, I was scrolling through my Goodreads updates feed and this book caught my eye: Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim. How could I resist the saucy title, the Pepto-Bismol-pink cover, and the collage of one of the best TV villains from one of the best TV shows, Little House on the Prairie? I put the book on my Christmas list, and my parents fulfilled my wish.

I was so intrigued by Arngrim’s stories about her days on the TV set that I read while holding my newborn in one arm and the book in the other. I loved learning about Arngrim’s relationships with Melissa Gilbert (they were and still are close friends), Melissa Sue Anderson (not so close with this Melissa), and of course our beloved Michael Landon. Arngrim had a difficult childhood, and her persistence through some terrible situations, along with her wit and likeable real-life personality, puts the character of Nellie Oleson into a whole new light.

In addition to loving this book for its own story, reading Confessions of a Prairie Bitch sparked my interest in reading other memoirs so that I could dive into the details of other people’s lives, learn more about their true personalities, and understand the good (and sometimes the not-so-good) things they’ve done. Some of my favorite memoirs from the past couple of years are:

Dad is Fat and Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Gregory Boyle

Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey

Nellie Oleson now has a special place in my heart. I owe her, and the talented actress who played her on TV, for fueling my interest in good memoirs. Here’s to the biggest bitch on the prairie!

Giveaway Details:

I’m giving away my copy of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post to explain why you want to win the book. All commenters will be entered into a random drawing after the linkup closes in one week. One entry per person, please.

 

 

 

My Favorite Place To Browse

“Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.” Lady Bird Johnson

My favorite place to browse for books is the Staff Picks section at my local library. Although tastes can differ, a good librarian won’t recommend a book that is poorly written. Most (I’d venture to say all) librarians are serious readers and see hundreds of books come through the library doors. They get the latest scoop on what’s hot off the presses and are typically knowledgeable about the best books in all different genres. There’s no incentive to recommend bad books because they’re not making any money from sales, so their recommendations can be trusted to be books they truly loved.

IMG_20160511_145048.jpg

I’m sure the caliber of staff recommendations varies depending on the library, but there’s an easy way to tell if it’s a top-notch selection: Check to see if any of the best books you’ve already read are included on the shelf. When I spotted Wally Lamb’s The Hour I First Believed as one of the staff picks, I knew I’d hit the literary jackpot. Since we moved to our town a year and a half ago, I’ve read six Staff Picks books. Five of them were great, and one of them was well-written but not my style.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff – A very interesting novel that flashes back and forth between the stories of Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young, and a young man exiled from a fundamentalist Morman group in the late 20th century.

Precious and Fragile Things by Megan Hart – Apparently Megan Hart is known for writing erotica, but this book is not that. It’s a dark, suspenseful cabin-in-the-woods novel that would make a great beach read for any woman, particularly a mother, who doesn’t mind dark stories. A page turner.

You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon – An excellent collection of fictional stories about military families on the Army base at Fort Hood, Texas. I was a military spouse for almost three years, and the characters rang true for me.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes – A very dark and graphic suspenseful novel that I could not put down. It’ll have you checking the locks on your doors and maybe even hiding under the covers. Much more suspenseful than some more recent disappointing bestsellers which shall remain nameless at this time.

A Small Hotel by Robert Olen Butler – This is the one I didn’t like. It’s a bleak story about a broken marriage. I can understand why it was recommended, though, as the writing is very good.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin – As I shared in my last post, this book is a gem and one of the best novels I’ve read in a while. The small town Mississippi setting and complicated characters are so well done. My favorite, so far, of the Staff Picks.

Then there’s these three, the Staff Picks checked out to me at the moment.

IMG_20160512_095220

I’m not sure I’ll love them, but I’m pretty confident they’re worth a read.

What’s your favorite place to browse?

 

The 6 Books I Finished in April

*Linking up with Anne Bogel’s Quick Lit at Modern Mrs. Darcy*

I consider it a good reading month if I read at least one book that I love. In April, I loved two of the books I read and liked the other four, so it’s been a good run. Without further ado, here are the six books I finished in April:

512QYi8RoLL__AA300_1. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
My Thoughts: Amy Poehler grew up in Burlington, Massachusetts, not far from my hometown of Needham, and attended my alma mater, Boston College. It was fascinating to hear her talk about her childhood and her college years at BC. I also loved her stories about working on Saturday Night Live and the births of her children. The audio version of this book was great because it was read by Amy herself with several guest appearances including Carol Burnett and Amy’s own parents. Their thick Boston accents made me giggle.

Length: 7 hours 31 minutes

When I Read It: March 30-April 3, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive App/Listened to the audiobook.

Favorite Quote: “That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.”

2. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

My Thoughts: This book is a gem. I picked it up from the staff picks section at my local 7948230.jpglibrary knowing nothing about it. The story jumps back and forth between the 1970s and present day in small-town Mississippi and unravels the mystery surrounding the disappearances of two girls. The writing is great, and the ending is satisfying. It’s one of the best novels I’ve read in a while.

Length: 274 pages

When I Read It: April 3-10, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Found it in the staff picks section at my local library/ read it the old-fashioned way

Favorite Quote: N/A

3. Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

My Thoughts: I liked this memoir even more than Gaffigan’s Food: A Love Story, which I finished back in March. This book is all about the Gaffigans’ family life and hilariously depicts many of the challenges of living and traveling with young kids. Quite a bit of this material is used in The Jim Gaffigan Show, the TV Land sitcom which will air its second season starting in June. I’d recommend both watching the show and reading the book because both are too funny to miss.

16141924Length: 5 hours, 26 minutes

When I Read It: April 7-14, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive app/listened to the audiobook

Favorite Quote: “If camping is so great, why are the bugs always trying to get in your house?”

4. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr

My Thoughts: I read this book with The Red Couch Book Club, a group of writers and readers of SheLoves Magazine. I’ve had Richard Rohr on my to-read list for a while and jumped at the chance to read along with a smart group of women. I was, quite frankly, blown away by this book. Rohr has an amazing gift and language for expressing the magnitude of God’s mercy, among many other big topics. I plan to make my way through his other books and am particularly looking forward to his forthcoming book, The Divine Dance. 9963483

If you’d like an intro to Richard Rohr, check out Rob Bell’s recent interview with Rohr on the Robcast. It’s pretty special.

Length: 199 pages

When I Read It: April 9-19, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Requested it through my local library/ read it the old-fashioned way

Favorite Quote: “In the beginning, you tend to think that God really cares about your exact posture, the exact day of the week for public prayer, the authorship and wordings of your prayers, and other such things. Once your life has become a constant communion, you know that all the techniques, formulas, sacraments, and practices were just a dress rehearsal for the real thing – life itself – which can actually become a constant intentional prayer. Your conscious and loving existence gives glory to God.”

5. Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly

10587120My Thoughts: Although I wasn’t crazy about having Bill O’Reilly’s voice in my ears for hours while I walked the dog and cleaned the house, I did like this book on Lincoln’s assassination. I appreciated the chronological account of the end of the Civil War and the events leading up to the assassination, the night at Ford’s Theater, and the hunt for John Wilkes Booth. Although I’ve been to Ford’s Theater a couple of times and went on a walking tour of the area just a couple years ago, I picked up some new fascinating details about this terrible event, including the fact that EIGHTY-SEVEN men drowned while searching for Booth after the assassination. I might check out O’Reilly’s Killing Kennedy after I take a break from his voice for a bit.

Length: 7 hours, 49 minutes

When I Read It: April 15-28, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold through the Overdrive app/listened to the audiobook

Favorite Quote: N/A

6. Still Life by Louise Penney

My Thoughts: I’ve heard the Inspector Gamache series recommended over and over again, and I was glad to finally check out book #1 to see what the hype is all about. I enjoyed the depiction of life in Three Pines, a village outside of Montreal, and the introduction of the fun cast of characters and a solid plot about a suspicious death in town. Although I can’t say I loved the book as much as I’d hoped, I did enjoy the story. I’ve heard the writing gets better as the series progresses, and I think I’ll read at least one more to see if I’m in it for the long haul. I might even jump into book #2, A Fatal Grace, in May because I find that if I don’t continue with a series right away, I lose steam and abandon it. 338691

Length: 293 pages

When I Read It: April 19-30, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: I received this book in the first book swap we had in the SortaLiterary Facebook group. I was thrilled with the surprise pick that my fellow SortaLiterary member Joni sent my way, as it’s been on my to-be-read list for a long time. I sent Joni Sarah Bessey’s Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith.

Favorite Quote: “I think many people love their problems. Gives them all sorts of excuses for not growing up and getting on with life.”

————————————————————————-

Audiobooks beefed up my reading game this month. I’m hoping to spend more time with good, old-fashioned paper books in the month of May. You can friend or follow me on Goodreads for the latest updates.

Looking Ahead …

The Book I’m Most Excited To Read in May:

  • The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule. I just started this true crime classic about serial killer Ted Bundy. I’ve been wanting to read it ever since I first got hooked on the true crime genre a few months ago … I’ve heard it’s one of the best. So far, I’ve learned the creepy fact that Ted Bundy studied at University of Washington, where I attended graduate school. I’m grateful he wasn’t there when I was.

Don’t forget to join The Bookspired Linkup on the May 18th! Check out the linked posts from last month, including the close-to-my-heart one from my friend Kerry at Inspired By Baking.

zombomeme14042016135948

The 5 Books I Finished in March

*Linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays and Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Quick Lit.*

March was a great month for reading. Three of the five books I read exceeded my expectations, and one of them completely knocked my socks off.  Without further ado, here are the five books I finished in March:

1. Love is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson

My Thoughts: I heard about this young adult dystopian novel on the What Should I Read Next podcast and immediately requested it through my library. The Washington, DC setting and strong female protagonist were appealing to me. Although the writing wasn’t incredible, the storyline of a national flu epidemic and secret government intrigue held my interest. I’m glad I read this book, but I probably won’t go out of my way to read more by the author.loveisthedrug

Page Count: 352

When I Read It: February 16-March 7, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Placed a hold a the library; read it the old-fashioned way.

Favorite Quote: N/A

2. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

My Thoughts: I’ve been listening to Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast for months. I love the back-and-forth banter between Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft. They are two very different people, but they seem to truly enjoy and learn from each other, and they definitely entertain their listeners. I was a bit skeptical, though, when I started reading The Happiness Project because it was such a manufactured scenario – a woman with money and privilege sets out on a mission to make herself happier. Alrighty. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the book and how many great, practical tips I picked up. Since finishing this one, I’ve started one of Rubin’s more recent books, Better Than Before. More on that one next month.

thehappinessprojectPage Count: 292

When I Read It: January 15-March 11, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Found it on the shelf at the library; read it the old-fashioned way.

Favorite Quote: “Enthusiasm is a form of social courage.”

3. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

My Thoughts: This is the book that knocked my socks off. It is a beautifully written, sad, yet somehow hopeful dystopian novel. I spent a lot of time marveling at how the author even came up with the story because it is so creative and also makes so much sense; I could see most of the plot happening in a real apocalyptic scenario. I heard many people rave about the book before I picked it up at the library, and now I’ll be raving for a while. Station Eleven is the best book I’ve read so far this year and the best novel I’ve read in years.

stationelevenPage Count: 336

When I Read It: March 7-19, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Found it on the shelf at the library; read it the old-fashioned way.

Favorite Quote: “She was thinking about the way she’d always taken for granted that the world had certain people in it, either central to her days or unseen and infrequently thought of. How without any one of these people the world is a subtly but unmistakably altered place, the dial turned just one or two degrees.”

4. Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

My Thoughts: Jim Gaffigan is funny, especially when he talks about food and his family, which are the focus of this book. My husband Dave and I laughed our way through season one of The Jim Gaffigan Show last summer and are eagerly awaiting season two (coming in June). Listening to this audiobook read by the man himself was a good way to bridge the gap. The only problem was that it made me extra hungry.food.lovestory

Page Count: 340

When I Read It: March 22-25, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Downloaded the audiobook from my library and listened through the Overdrive app.

Favorite Quote: “I’m convinced that anyone who doesn’t like Mexican food is a psychopath.”

5. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

My Thoughts: This was a well-written, suspenseful novel about a teenage girl’s death and her family’s quest to figure out what happened to her and how to function without her. The book flashes back and forth between present and past, and we slowly learn more and more about each member of the family. It was a page turner, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected. Although the story fell a bit flat for me toward the end, I’d still highly recommend it.

everythingineverPage Count: 304

When I Read It: March 26-31, 2016

Where I Found It/How I Read It: Found it on the shelf at the library; read it the old-fashioned way.

Favorite Quote: “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet. 1977, May 3, six thirty in the morning, no one knows anything but this innocuous fact: Lydia is late for breakfast.” (These are the first few sentences of the book, an impressive literary hook.)

 

————————————————————————-

Two non-fiction books and three novels in March; it felt like a good balance. I’m already off to a good start with my April reading. You can friend or follow me on Goodreads for the latest updates.
https://bookspired.com/category/book-lists/
bookspired.com
crawl=CC-MAIN-2017-26
157566
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:Q65XBTE4RUDHPY5WVHINM7A7KESVC4VT
<urn:uuid:48c0a815-6d08-4e00-990c-93bb3b93768a>
2017-06-25T03:46:42Z
192.0.78.25
text/html
sha1:AYNWEPQRJ6GFSRA5AERUJ2JITHXTSZYA
<urn:uuid:9e0b0d83-86cb-4079-b56d-c6168aac3167>
https://bookspired.com/category/book-lists/
length
response
<urn:uuid:c33c2183-4ef3-44dc-9dad-d9c286e91431>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-170-156-139.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2017-26
operator: Common Crawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for June 2017
publisher: Common Crawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf