What I've Been Reading Lately

If you follow me on Goodreads then nothing will be new here but I've read some really good books lately so I thought I would highlight a few here. 

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton: I'm a huge Kate Morton fan so I was so excited to read her latest this fall and it was a great seasonal read! This is one of those books I looked forward to reading at the end of the day. I just couldn’t read too late into the night by myself because it would freak me out slightly.

This one is a little different than her other novels except for the fact of jumping time periods like she usually does. There’s no real twist but it’s all about weaving stories together that revolve around Birchwood Manor. You’re always curious to what did happen in the summer of 1862 and how do all these characters relate?

But she throws in a TON of characters. I was nearing page 300 and there were still new characters being introduced. I can see why people didn't like this as much. The writing style was different because of the ghost character but I thought it was done tactfully even though it took me a couple of chapters in to get the groove of it. 

Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern: Recommended by my sister, this was such a sweet middle grade novel and different than what I've read in a while. It's from the perspective of Chester, the dog, who is been trained to find 'his person' to help. And he feels he's found it in an autistic boy named Gus. I'm usually not an animal person or I like reading about them but I really loved that even though it was from the dog's perspective, it had some real emotions without being cheesy. 

Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall by Nina Wilner: Interesting look at a family's story that is divided by the Berlin Wall. I learned so much about East and West Germany at this time and I'm glad I learned it through the eyes of this family. It's heartbreaking to think that some of the siblings and their parents had little to no connection with each other, some for almost 40 years. This was written by a granddaughter so it had a similar feel/story to "We Were the Lucky Ones" but told in a non-fiction standpoint instead of historical fiction. (side note: Georgia Hunter, author of WWTLO, did a podcast interview with Anne on What Should I Read Next that I thoroughly enjoyed and Anne's book recommendations sound so interesting!) At times this book felt a little lengthy but overall really good. The central theme I felt was you don't know what it's like to have freedom until you lose it. 

Sweep: The Story of the Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier: This one came highly recommended by Sarah McKenzie on her instagram feed and I'm a sucker when someone says it's the best book they've read this year and they hope it wins the Newbery because it's that good. It was really really good. It's about Nan, a chimney sweeper in Victorian London and her experiences with Charlie, her golem and protector, while trying to escape from her evil master. There were so many great lessons that would be great discussion builders for kids and adults. It does have a bit of Dickens' feel with the time period and themes of child labor and poverty. And you need to read the author's notes at the end. Makes the book more meaningful.

Some quotes: “I’m not going to tell you it’s easy or that you shouldn’t be scared. But being scared’s not the whole story of it. There’s another reason we climb—one that makes all that danger worth it. It’s the view. There’s nothing in the world like it.”

"We are saved by saving others.”

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray: It took me a little bit to get into but then there was a point that I wanted to find time to read it. I blew through this book. She packs a ton of drama in these 600 pages which can be exhausting but definitely makes you want to keep reading. I felt like I was reading a combo of Gone With the Wind and The Kitchen House. I think it would have been too much for me if it wasn't historical fiction. I realize the author elaborates a lot but reading what she included and why was interesting. I learned a lot (maybe too much haha!) about Thomas Jefferson and his family. 

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy: I read The Mapmaker's Children from this author last year and really enjoyed it. And I thoroughly enjoyed this one too. Even though she's making up the story of Marilla growing up and what her relationship with John Blythe might have looked like, it worked. I did roll my eyes a little bit with some of the romance but it was sweet and sad, even if you know how it ends from the Anne books. I loved the little connections between Marilla and Anne and fun to see some of the dots connect. Even the chapter headings were similar to the Anne books. Recommend if you need something light and nostalgic. 

August 2018 Reading Round-Up

I've been finding more time to squeeze in reading when I put my phone on silent and keep it in another room and read while I nurse. I can pop out 200 pages in a day in a easy middle grade novel that way! Also, audiobooks have been very helpful. I'm in the middle of many books right now and a lot of them are long so it could take me a while before I finish. But here's what I read in August. 

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

My brother recommended this to me while I was at the reunion and I couldn't pass it up-it sounded so interesting. It definitely way. A piece of history that I didn't know about. Sometimes I felt like it dragged but if you like McCullough, you'll probably find this one interesting. 

Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson

I saw this on Everyday-reading.com for book clubs and this one intrigued me. I've entered a whole new realm of books-parenting books...I don't know if I should be happy or scared about that prospect. This one I liked because it turns your head upside down with regards to how we 'think' we should parent. This would be great for discussion because certainly there would be some heavy agrees and disagrees on each topic like teaching about race, praising children, and dealing with teenagers. 

The Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls

This one was cute and I can't believe I've never read it before. The ending was really sweet. But I felt there was a lot of 'filler' pages that didn't propel the story along in my opinion. Maybe I should give 'Where the Red Fern Grows' a try. I know, I know. I can't believe I haven't read that one either. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

First, I can't believe Wilde is the same man that wrote this AND The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband. They are so different. I guess that's a sign of a great writer. I gave it an extra half for the eeriness effect at the end of the book. Definitely lots to think about and discuss on the obsession of youth/beauty and how it can destroy you. But also very depressing just like I heard it would be. 

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place by Andy Crouch

This is one of those books that I think could have been condensed to an article rather than a book. Really, a whole chapter on giving the idea of waiting until their 10 till you buy a TV? I came into this book knowing the harmful effects of the phone so it was redundant and I was pretty disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high or maybe I have a real issue and am in denial...especially since I read it on my kindle app, ha!

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

I've heard Sarah Mackenzie rave about this book and how it gave her the drive and passion to be a "Read-Aloud Revivalist". To be honest, I would recommend her book over his any day! But I did really like his. You obviously don't have to read both (again, read hers!) but I like the subject so much that I blew through this in two days. He is more focused on how reading aloud helps kids academically and Mackenzie is all about how it connects you with your kids. I loved the examples he shared in the book. There were times where I felt he was slightly extreme but it was still a fascinating read. I love the wealth of books he shared at the end. Worth checking out just for that. 

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand

This was picked as a middle grade novel but with what goes on in this book I would definitely give it to those 13 and up. It's about an 11 year old girl named Finley who goes and spends the summer with her grandparents who she's never met until now. Her parents need the summer to 'work things out.' Finley is dealing with a lot of emotions that she can't explain and her only way to work through them is to write about Everwood, her imaginary story about knights and queens and adventures in the woods. What goes through this novel is a lot of keeping secrets, being authentic, and how to deal with a range of emotions with yourself and others. I really enjoyed this novel for its realistic as well as fantastical elements to it. Again, it has some more darker elements to the story (not terrible) but just not something I would give an 11 year old to read unless I had read it myself. But I actually would think about using it as a book club read. Lots to discuss. 

June 2018 Reading Round-Up

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

Quite an interesting portrayal of Wilbur and Orville Wright and how they came up with the airplane. I really liked their determination and how genuine they were. I also loved their sister, Katherine. She was a fun character to read about.

To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

I've heard this talked about a ton on everyday-reading.com. It's not the worst YA chick lit that I've read but still lots of fluff and not a ton of substance. And I'm not sure if I'm invested in the story enough to read the other two. I might just look up a summary of it later. A quick beach read if you need one.

Maisie Dobbs by Jaqueline Winspear

This is the first in the series of 14 (!) so far. If you read it, do it on audio. I loved the narrator. Overall, it was a fun read and I can see myself turning to it when I need something light and fun.

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

I loved her book Flipped and this one was really great as well. Even though pretty sad at first it turned out to be lighthearted and a perfect feel-good book when you need it. Sometimes a bit cheesy but again, it was another quick read that I needed.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

True crime isn't what I am drawn to but I was intrigued with the story nonetheless. It is a bit disturbing (as I'm sure most true crime is) because this actually happened and generations are affected by it. Basically it is 'secret combinations' in real form. But it was also hard to put down. A lot of characters and plots to sift through but it's crazy how interconnected they all were.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

This was a re-read for me as I have a list of postpartum books that I'm going to read because I loved them so much the first time, I know I'll love them again when I needed something fun during this new transition. Two things I forgot about this book: Morton is a great writer but by golly she has a lot more detail than I remembered. I always highly recommend this book but I can see how it would be hard to get into with all the background of characters. It was fun to read this knowing the twist and how crafty the author was in creating the story. 

May 2018 Reading Round-Up

I have been packing in the books this month (can you tell that I'm about to have a baby?) ;) but thankfully I got out of an audiobook rut and was able to finish several of these through audio. And some other ones were just really quick, fun reads. 

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

This was a really fascinating look at aging, dying, and what our norms in medicine push us to do or how we should "treat" this as if it's a disease. What it comes down to is asking the hard questions like what are you willing to give up and what would you want your life in the end to be like? It's not so much that we want them to die pain free but rather live fully. I wish I had read this when I worked as a hospice volunteer. My perspective of that job changed from reading this. I would have been more sympathetic and had more desire to grant their wishes instead of meeting a criteria for my job. I'd be interested to hear those that have read it who have had to make these decisions concerning loved ones who were nearing the end of their life. Highly recommend.

The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie

If you've ever listened to Sarah on her podcast, you will know how enthusiastic she is about reading aloud. It's a bit contagious. I don't feel like I can give a full, life-changing review because I don't have kids yet BUT I still saw so much value in it. The first part is all about why reading to your kids is one of the best things to do as a parent to connect with your kids. The second part is the how to do it and the third part is what books she recommends. There were a lot on the recommend list that I had never heard of before. I think that was her intention. The classics will always be there but there are a lot of great hidden gems as well.

One of my favorite parts of the book was when she talked about compelling questions to ask your kids about what they're reading. This is what I wish my teachers would have done in elementary school. Instead of being bogged down with details of the story and quizzing them on little facts, get them to write down their thoughts to some interesting questions. Here are a couple of examples: What is the character most afraid of? What does the character want, and why can't he or she have it? What is something you don't want to forget from this book?

I loved this part because not only would it be great to ask kids but also ask these questions in my own book club and think about it with my own books. I can keep these questions in the back of my mind and dig a little deeper when I'm reading something. I'm amazed at people's insights to questions and things I would never think of.

For instance, I was talking to a friend about the book club read for the month (When Breath Becomes Air) and she asked, "would you give this book to someone with cancer? Would you give it to someone who is dealing with a loved one with cancer?" I never thought to ask those questions.

Anyway, there is so much to this book that I could share but simply read it! So many great takeaways.

Restart by Gordon Korman

I'm proud to say that this came recommended by my niece, Julia, and she has excellent taste-this was great! It's about Chase Ambrose who falls off a roof and gets amnesia and can't remember the last 13 years of his life. Once the bully in school, now he gets a new start at his life and what he wants to be. This one hit a lot of great spots for me in terms of middle grade/YA fiction. Reminded me a little bit of Wonder or Flipped where it makes you laugh but also can pull at your heartstrings.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

This was my classic book for the month and the first time reading this one. It’s been a while since I’ve read a Jane Austen novel and while I enjoyed reading the beginning in book cover, there’s something about listening to her beautiful writing through audio that makes it better. I thought Fanny had some great moments in this book and I realized how much Edmund bothered me. He seemed more the timid character in my opinion. 

QB: My Life behind the Spiral by Steve Young with Jeff Benedict

This was an interesting and fun memoir with a lot of snippets about Steve Young that I would have never known about. I don't have real memories of him playing on tv but I do have memories of playing the NFL computer game where I always wanted to be 49ers because of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young. My other favorite team was New York Giants because of LT (Lawrence Taylor). Anyway, I liked the book. I think my only hang up was the excessive play by play in writing. I tended to skim a little bit unless it was a real big game like the Super Bowl or NFC championship or something. 

West With the Night by Beryl Markham

This one has been on my list since I heard it talked about on the What Should I Read Podcast episode with Kathleen Grissom (one of my favorite episodes). I agree with what's been said already that the writing is exquisite. I'm so glad I listened to this one. I started to read it but with all the African names, I knew it would flow better if I listened to it. But the narration really enhanced the whole experience (the narrator was Julie Harris). You really felt like she was telling a story and not just reading a book. The only problem is you can't take time to write down all the quotes. I'll admit that I was more invested in Beryl's story once she started flying but I still thought all of it was worth listening to, just to hear her descriptions. 

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I remember hearing about Malala being shot in my culture and gender class back in 2012. Our teacher, Matt Whoolery, had a daughter that same age and he never gets emotional but he choked up just talking about the incident. He has four daughters and they have lived all over the world including the Middle East so everything hit home for him. I love her courage to stand up for what's right and her advocacy towards education. Makes me want to do more. 

Middlemarch by George Eliot

I'm so glad I finished this! Even though it took me 4 months to do so. The first and the last third were really engaging but there was something about that middle third that was really tough to get through. I bet if someone did it on audio they might be able to get it through quicker. Excellent writing, great themes, and I loved the complexity of the characters. I think my next Eliot novel (but maybe not for a while) will be Adam Bede. Anyone read it? 

Cold Sassy Tree by Olivia Burns

A fun southern fiction book. I enjoyed listening to this on audio. Not a favorite but a good read overall. Great characters. 

Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

A very predictable and quick read about WWII. Not great literature but not terrible either. Reminded me a little bit of Julie Klassen's books. 

The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson

This was my first Jackson novel. She creates some fun and memorable characters. I wasn't pulled into this book as much as I was hoping. And the comic-con aspect didn't really work for me but I can see why her books are popular. 

At the Pulpit

See my full review here.

What good books did you read this month?

January 2018 Reading Round-Up

I did snippets of monthly round-ups when I first started mentioning books on my blog but then lost the habit. But I decided that it’s a fun way to remember what I read and maybe add more things than what I put on Goodreads. 

It took me forever to finally finish a book because of the holiday. Usually that’s when people get the most reading in but I find the opposite happens. Not sure why. This one I read mostly on the plane ride back to Oregon. I liked it well enough. It was like the super mild/middle grade version of the The Hate U Give but I don’t see it being as impactful as that one. What I did like was the setting took place in Portland, Oregon so it was fun to read about the places that I grew up visiting. 

I kind of cheated and read some of this in 2017 but finished it up this year. I loved how he went through each chapter with a characteristic of Christ and how He exemplifies that in our life. It helped me to feel more personally connected with Christ and want to spend more time learning about Him. 

I guess this is a Christmas novella but it doesn’t reference Christmas all that much. It only takes 48 minutes to listen to (I love that Santino Fontana did it) but I actually thought the whole story was really depressing. I think there was supposed to be this great philosophy lesson in it but I just didn’t get it. Maybe not one that will cheer me up in the holidays. 

Like everyone had said, this one was really moving. It was a little queasy listening to his surgery experiences, especially the ones about labor and delivery. I was really touched by him and his wife attitudes towards life and how they would approach this trial together. I also came away from wanting to think deeper and write more. I love that we have this legacy of Paul because he decided to keep writing. It makes me want to continue to write despite my flaws with it. I know I never regret writing down experiences and my thoughts. 

So timely. Read full review here.

After being in Pearl Harbor, I really wanted to read more about this part in history. I found this on another blog and eagerly got it from my local library. It's a really short, quick read but very powerful. He goes into a lot of detail that you wouldn't get unless it was a firsthand experience, like how he escaped the ship, his thoughts and emotions towards war, his leaders, military of Japan, and how it effects him today. The wording in the book was interesting because it felt like I was reading an interview or sitting in his living room listening to his stories. They put a lot of "you're probably wondering why I'm mentioning so much about my shoes, so let me tell you why." I don't know, it was just a lot different than other memoirs I've read. It felt personal and honest which I really liked. 

Okay I'm just about finish this one but I'll put it in this month's read. It's part of my 2018 reading challenge. But I'm in the minority here that I just didn't really like it all that much. I guess I'm more indifferent to the story than having a strong dislike for it. I guess I'm just not that interested in a rabbit adventure story. I'm really curious why people love it so much so if you read and really liked, let me know your thoughts. I don't have anything against it, I just wasn't that interested. 

Third Quarter Reading

Here are some of my favorite reads these past three months. You can see my full list on Goodreads. And then I'll post at the bottom some books I'm looking forward to reading this next quarter. 

Fiction

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: I pretty much decided to read this on a whim. I knew one of my goals this year was to read a book over 700 pages so I decided to go with this one. And then I decided my Mom should join in on the fun. For a book about 1000 pages, it didn't seem that long...ok, there were some skimming parts for sure, but it wasn't a dread to pick it up. Mitchell is a fantastic writer and she gives you a lot to think about it by the end. My Mom and I had a great 45 minute chat once I finished about characters we liked and disliked, what we would do in certain situations, and such. We both concluded that Ashley was a really weak character. Meaning him and Scarlett were actually more perfect for each other than him and Melanie. He just fell flat in my mind the whole time I read the book. I felt some pity for him at the end (if you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about) because it seems any sort of spark of courage or determination was plucked out of him. 

Despite Rhett being a womanizer, we actually really liked him. Him and Scarlett were a lot alike in my opinion but he was more mature to not let her run his life like she did with so many other men. I loved his relationship with his daughter at the end. 

Scarlett was so self absorbed it was almost comical. But in the end, I felt a twinge of sadness for her. I mean she was finally understanding what she really wanted and now it was out of her reach. But by the last sentence of the book, I thought, 'nope, she still has no idea what she wants.' #facepalm 

Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker: I never know what I'm going to get with a re-telling of a classic story. I'm glad this wasn't just another rehash of Jane Eyre told in modern setting, though. The author was able to use her own liberties with the story but then come back to Bronte's version pretty seamlessly. I thought she was a great writer and even though it's hard to match Bronte's style exactly (I mean, it's Bronte!) I thought it was well done. 

I was a little skeptical of his side of the story and the extra drama that the author put in but it really flowed so seamlessly that it felt like that really was his backstory. It's so weird not to have Jane's side of the story. It almost made her seem really flat as a character because she wasn't in it a ton. The time when she's at Thornfield is more condensed. There was a lot of back story before she comes. All in all, a great read and it makes me want to pick up Jane Eyre again. The audio version of Mr. Rochester is fantastic. 

Nonfiction

Not in God's Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: Full review here

The Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: I feel sad to say I hardly knew anything about RBG...okay, basically that she's on the Supreme Court and that's it. This was part of the social book club read in September and I'm glad I read this fast and interesting book. It was a great look into her life and the hoops she had to jump in a world of even more suppression of woman becoming lawyers and succeeding in a "man's world". She did a lot for our country in equalizing men and women in the workforce. 

I really appreciate people who can tell their ideas on some hard issues of the day like abortion and marriage rights, etc., and I get an 'uh, never thought about that before' moment. It doesn't drastically change what I believe but I'm grateful for the other side that makes me think differently on such subjects. Two words for RBG: girl power. 

Memoir:

An Unseen Angel by Alissa Parker: Wow, lots of tears in this one. It made me depressed and comforted all at the same time. I don't know why certain things happen to certain people but I appreciate when they tell their story of hope, forgiveness, and how their faith is strengthened so it helps my faith to be strengthened. 

Textbook by Amy Krouse Rosenthal : I know a lot of people got weepy in this one but one thing I remember from reading this is the funny parts (does that make me a bad person?) I was trying to explain to Austin one part of the book and I couldn't because I was laughing too much. She explained a part of my life to a T. I am saddened by her loss, though. She wrote such beautiful essays. I'm in the middle of a food memoir and the essays just can't compare at all. 

Young Adult

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Overall I'm really glad I had this book because it's an eye opener for sure. The language was a bit much for me but I can see how it painted a picture of their life and I'm guessing it's pretty accurate. It's just a bummer that I'm apprehensive about recommending it for that reason. 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys : This one is great if you're looking for a fast but engaging read. At first it took me a little bit to get a sense of place in the story. It's not a very detail read because the chapters are so short but it's one that can pull at your heart strings at the end. And about a part of history that I knew nothing about. 

Middle Grade

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar: This might not be knock-your-socks-off-amazing but it's a story that I think sticks with you. I don't really look at bees the same and it's fun when an author can throw in some magical realism to change your thinking on things. Solid middle grade fiction. 

4th quarter TBR:

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

Still Life by Louise Penny

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Caroline by Sarah Miller

The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper

Code Girls by Liza Mundy

What's on your reads this fall? 

Second Quarter Reading

Instead of putting all the books I read this quarter, I'm just going to mention the ones I really enjoyed or thought were interesting. You can find a full list of my books here on Goodreads. 

Fiction

We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (see full review here)-This is classified as fiction but partly nonfiction as this is the author's ancestor's story of WWII. One of the reasons why I loved it was the unique perspective that you get when you write a family story. She added things but wow, for a debut, this was wonderfully written and captivating. I gave it 5 stars when I read it but it might be more of a 4 star because it hasn't stayed with me as much as I was expecting it too. Maybe next time I should wait a few days because I review something. :) Still worth reading though!

Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens-I finally read a Dickens novel! This was one of my goals this year. And I'm so so so glad I read it. Amazing! The day after I finished it I told my friend that she should read it so I could read it again and we can talk about it. It took me a little bit to get the hang of Dickens' writing but how it all came together was brilliant. He is a masterful storyteller. I'm pretty sure I'll love it even more the second time.

My cousin started this business called Good Friends Good Books and she was doing a Jane Austen reading group and I asked her if she would do a Dickens' group which she happily obliged. She sent out character list, reading schedule, videos throughout the book to get us thinking about things, etc. and it added to the experience of reading the book. The character list and having someone guide me through it was so helpful. I read it with my Mom and then my brother read it a couple of weeks later and all of us loved it. 

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin-This is one I would pose for a book club. Lots to discuss here. Really fascinating look into Charles and Anne Lindbergh's marriage and the complexity behind it. The novel was from Anne's perspective and read almost like a memoir instead of historical fiction. I kind of wish I had read her book Gifts from the Sea after this novel knowing more about her.

Nonfiction

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (full review here)-Excellent! Highly, highly, recommend. The topic of criminal injustice in America is something we need to be talking more about. 

A quote from the book that sums it up: "We're supposed to sentence people fairly after fully considering their life circumstances, but instead we exploit the inability of the poor to get the legal assistance they need-all so we can kill them with less resistance." 

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama XIV, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams-This was so enjoyable to listen to! I can see where you would want the physical copy as I was having to pause the audio and write down quotes. I like how they each have their own perspective (they didn't agree on everything) but they embraced their differences and you can just tell they epitomize joy. :)

Some quotes I liked:

-Our mind is the axel that determine if the ride (of life) is bumpy or smooth.

-When we think of threat as a challenge, our body responds very differently.

-Suffering makes you appreciate more the joy.

-You grow in kindness when your kindness is tested.

-A prayerful, meditative life gives you the ability and freedom to respond rather than react. 

-If we want to change the world, we must teach compassion. 

Memoir

Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin-This was a wonderful memoir. I have yet to read Goodwin's 'Team of Rivals' (I feel like it'll be forever on my TBR list) but this was a fun snippet into her growing up years in Brooklyn. Her love for baseball mirrored my love for football and basketball growing up so I was laughing at her passion because I saw myself in her in those moments. Probably my favorite part was her first Confession with the priest and having to repent because she prayed repeatedly that several New York Giant players would be injured! haha And her description of the Dodgers winning the World Series gave me chills.

Young Adult

Flipped by Wendell Van Draanen-I think this one is borderline middle grade but it was a fast-paced read that surprisingly packs in a lot in the short novel. It taught about how our perspective changes when we really get to know people. I loved Juli and her dad's relationship through the whole thing. And the movie is wonderful and follows the book almost exactly. I now want to read Van Draanen's The Running Dream. 

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham-I did stay up late finishing this one. It was one of the better YA novels that I read, probably because it didn't have a lovesick romance in it. ;) But they do hit some good themes and I think this book would be good paired up with the book Just Mercy.

Middle Grade

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper-I'm mentioning this book because it's not getting a lot of attention but I think it's unique. I thought this was similar to Wonder but not executed as well. It's about a girl who has this rare disease where people's words, whether good or bad, get etched into her skin. It's about how she combats the negativity and finds confidence during her 6th grade year. 

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan-One of the best audio productions I've ever heard. The narrators were good but what made it was the music which is a very integral part of the story. This is a hefty read for middle grade but worth it. It feels like three books in one because it's about three kids (one in Germany, Pennsylvania, and California) and how they're all connected by this magical harmonica before, during, and after WWII and how they all come together in Carnegie Hall in the 1950's. There are some great themes in this book about belonging in a family and how music can heal the injustices we're facing. There was also a touch of magic in this story-overall just a fantastic read.

Have you read any of these? Thoughts? What have you been reading lately?

2017 First Quarter Reading

Here is my Reader's Digest version of What-I-Thought-Of-The-Books-I-Read-In-the-Last-Three-Months. I link to those that I did more of a full review if you're interested. I took the idea for quarter readings from another blogger. 

I have the hardest time jogging my memory of books I've read lately so hopefully this will help. I'm always stumped when some friends ask what should they read next. My default is always Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt. :) Sorry if these reviews are a bit short, just trying to capture the overall feel I felt about the book. The rating system is another topic of discussion. I'm always a little conflicted; some 3 star books I had a hard time putting down but in the end I'm not sure I would recommend where some 4 star books I liked them a lot but not necessarily one that people have to read. 

Some favorite reads this quarter:

-Most Dangerous by Steve Sheinkin

-The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

-Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
-For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

Break-it-down

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and The Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin, 4.5 stars. Full review here. This was so fascinating! I didn't really know much about Vietnam war or The Pentagon Papers but everything in this book is similar to politics/war today. It would provide great discussion on secrecy in government and how much is too much. The scariest thing about the book is the similarities I see between Nixon and Trump (especially in attitude towards nuclear weapons). 

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey-4.5 stars. Full review here. I don't know what it is about this book but it was just perfect for me, especially during these winter months. Mabel and Jack will probably be one of my favorite fictional couples. I related to them in so many ways and just felt drawn to this book-the writing, the story, the setting, everything was just magical. Highly recommend.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, 3 stars. There were a few good points (I agree on her love for children's literature) but not life changing/awe inspiring like people kept saying. I don't think it's a must read. I've kind of decided that Gretchen and I don't jive well together since I didn't really enjoy her Better Than Before book either. Oh well. 

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah Eden, 2 stars. No real substance in this book. 

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, 3.5 stars. I can't believe this was based on a true story. I can't imagine the things that Salva went through. I didn't love the back and forth between Salva and Nya narrations but I liked how it all came through in the end.

Upstairs at The White House: My Life with The First Ladies by J.B. West, 4 stars. Full review here. I thought this was really interesting getting a behind the scenes look at the First Ladies and how things were run at the White House from Roosevelt to Nixon. It's not necessarily a must read but still enjoyable. My favorite part was when Jackie Kennedy asked to see the bomb shelter and was pretty disappointed to find it actually in use because she wanted to turn it into a basketball court, haha. My kind of woman!

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, 3 stars. I'm glad I did this on audio. Cute book.

Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck, 3 stars. Full review here. I thought it had some interesting points and I look at towns a little differently but not necessarily a must read. 

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen, 2.5 stars. It didn't capture my attention as well as her other books. I wonder if it's because this is a series and not a stand alone book.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson, 2 stars. There were some funny lines but all together it really disappointed me. And I wouldn't suggest this for young readers. There were some references and content put in there that didn't add to the story and it just seemed inappropriate.

The Plot To Kill Hitler by Patricia McCormick, 3 stars. A very quick read on Bonhoeffer's life. But it almost seem too quick. I guess it was enough to make me want to read more. What an incredible brave person he was.

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, 4 stars. Full review here. I'm a little hesitant to recommend because of all the language so just be aware if you want to read this. A really fascinating read on the honest look of the white working class in America. It reaffirmed that what happens (or doesn't happen) in the home matters. A stable support of just one person can make all the difference in a child's success later in life. It opened my eyes to these people's struggles and why it seems like the American dream is unreachable for them. 

Much Ado About Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick, 3 stars. Cute 2nd book in the Mother-Daughter Book Club. Light and fun. Gotta love 7th grade drama. ;)

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, 3 stars. Is it bad that I liked the movie better? There was a lot of technical details in this book which is fine but I guess I was looking more for the story. It covered a span of 30 years compared to the shorter span of time in the movie. The climax to the movie was just a fleeting sentence in the book. An interesting thought that was brought up that I didn't think before was the reason why the Russians were winning the space race was because they weren't dealing with segregation unlike the US. You wonder if the US weren't putting their focus on this problem, how much they could have gotten done and how much more quickly than the Russians.

Room by Emma Donoghue, 3 stars. From the perspective a 5 year old where him and his mom live in a shed all his life and their story of trying to escape and life in the outside world. I'll admit I had a hard time putting this one down but really sad and at times a bit disturbing for me. But a lot of people like it. There was a movie that came out recently so maybe check out the trailer if you think you'll want to read. 

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 3 stars. Interesting perspective of the slave children of Thomas Jefferson but isn't one that I'll remember. I liked her book The War that Saved My Life a lot better. 

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, 3 stars. Really beautiful writing but the whole story itself didn't capture me in the way I thought or hoped. I'm not sure if listening to it would have helped me grasp onto the feel of the story. 

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud, 3.5 stars. There were some definite 'aha' moments but at times it felt a little too preachy. Still a good read.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, 4 stars. Even though this isn't my type of genre that I usually read and it might not be for everyone, I really had a hard time putting this one down. I liked how all the storylines were interwoven together.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, 3 stars. I read this knowing there would be a movie coming out soon and the trailer looked interesting. It was good and some sweet moments but not one that I'm dying to tell others about. 

A Severe Mercy: A Story of Faith, Tragedy, and Triumph by Sheldon Vanauken, 4 stars. What a beautiful story. When I was reading near the end I thought of Pres. Packer's quote: "Mature love has a bliss not even imagined by newlyweds." It's a story of how their love grew through trials, their conversion to Christianity, and their friendship with C.S. Lewis.

The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon, 3 stars. Lawhon definitely knows how to write a story that makes you want to finish it in one sitting (I almost did it with this one). But it wasn't my favorite story and there are things about it that make me hesitant to recommend.

For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards by Jen Hatmaker, 4 stars. Essays written by a pastor's wife that made me laugh out loud a lot. I know moms out there would really appreciate the humor and relate to her stories. And there was a good bit of wisdom in there as well. 

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan, 3.5 stars. I really have a hard time rating this one but I think it's about a 3.5. A mix of delightful and aggravating characters, an epistolary novel that actually worked out really well in this novel even though a little contrived because most journals and letters don't have exact quotes in it but it worked. Not necessarily a light but not heavy WWII novel that has a wrap-up nicely kind of ending so if you like any of these sort of things, you might enjoy this. And I love that the setting of the story felt a little like Lark Rise to Candleford. 

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, 3.5 stars. This was a little long but still enjoyable. It had a good amount of action, romance, and humor to keep me engaged. And it doesn't hurt to throw in a few Princess Bride quotes in there for good measure. :)

The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson, 3.5 stars. I'm not a architect minded person but I'm just amazed at how the World Fair came together, especially about the Ferris wheel. The murderer side of the story was a little disturbing but the investigation at the end was really interesting. I hear this one is great on audio.