That's What She Read

It's New Year's Eve- how is that even possible!  I want to talk real quick about the books I've read this year. I thought I had read a  TON because there were a million top picks running through my head but after looking at the list, I realized I barely read 30 books this year, which is really not like me at all! Probably something to do with the fact that I managed to get engaged, elope and move all in 6 months...all that craziness will definitely put a damper on one's extra time to read but I can't say I hate it.  Here are my picks for favorites and not-so-favorites. Enjoy!  My Favorites, Hands Down: The controversy surrounding this book was a little crazy. She's the most talented, witty and electrically imaginative woman in this generation and I just want to be her friend.  This is the mother ship book for moms everywhere. It's Desperate Housewives meets Snapped and it couldn't be more perfect.  Ding Ding Din...

What do you hate most about reading a  book you don't love? The anticipation and then the subsequent let down? The wasted time spent reading a mediocre book when you could have been reading your next favorite novel? The let down after being so intrigued by the description? For me, the worst part of not liking a book is when I a fan of the author already because of their other books. The biggest sadness I've ran into with authors is Leila Mecham. She wrote Roses , which is one of my all time favorites. After that, she wrote Tumbleweeds and let me tell you about a whomp. I was so, just like, wahhhh about it. The first one as a multi-generation saga about a family's cotton plantation. Tumbleweeds was about a high school love triangle and one of the men turned into a priest. Right? So anyway, a few years ago, I read My Sister's Keeper, before it was a movie. I loved the story, even though it made me completely bawl my eyes out. It was gut-wrenching. I was in a...

Remember that one time I saw our wedding pictures and fell in love ?  Because we all know that pictures are the best part of the wedding, especially when time has passed and then you get to relive the day all over again looking through all the snapshots!  and that one time we had the most perfect book themed reception at the most adorable winery, Windy Wine Co. in Osborn, Mo. And that one time when we were on top of the Kansas City Public Library and it was just too perfect to dance among the giant chess pieces... And that other time that ModCloth had the most perfect dress... And that other time his letter made me cry  And his smile made my heart burst  And I gave him a watch before we walked down the aisle so he'd make it in time I am so blessed to have fellow bloggers who love books as much as I do who sent me piles of their favorite books to help me decorate the tables! Y...

Finally, some quiet time to actually blog!  On top of Halloween, looking for a house, having the kids busy with school and activities, I have some time to put together one of my favorite posts to do, a book round up! It has literally taken me days to finish this post but better late then never, right?!  Here's a collection of books that have caught my eye lately with an explanation about why I think it sounds like a good read along with a short synopsis. Enjoy!  Reunion by Hannah Pittard I just love a good reunion. High school, family, old friends. There's just something about revisiting the past while comparing it to your present that is interesting. The possibilities for drama are endless. In Reunion, you'll find a woman who is, according to herself, failing at life. Her career and her marriage have ended and now she's facing her siblings (whole, step and half) in the wake of her father's death. There's ex wives, old feuds and a father she...

Reasons why this video is my life: First, I DID start a blog...and do a half ass job of posting a couple times a month, or week if I happen to find super powers somewhere. But I still love it!   One time, I too made the mistake of driving with children and balloons in my car. I told one of the kids to stop, for the love of PETE, banging a balloon on my head. After threatening to throw the balloon out the window 10 times I snapped. I threw the car into park  at a stop sign, got out and stomped those balloons to their untimely death. The silence from the backseat after that was like heaven to my ears.  R2 is lucky to get to dance class dressed in a proper leotard. She's worn a leopard print skirt before and a gymnastics leotard, though, gosh darn it. Can I get an "amen" for whatever it takes to get them out the door?  I do want R2 to look up to me...as long as it's not for my sailor's mouth or my addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper and bad reality televi...

 I am happy to say that I can easily name my favorite book of the year thus far! I bring you: Not That Kind of Girl, A Young Woman Tells of What She's "Learned"  By Lena Duhnman First of all, I think it's safe to say that we would all need to put "learned" in quote marks when telling others our life lessons. Because how do we really know if we have fully learned, comprehended and appreciated all of our life experiences? In the whole scheme of my 28 years, my life lessons are a spec of what is to come, I am sure. (Which is scary because just considering reliving for the sake of retelling them all for you gives me heart palpitations)  If you don't already know, Lena Dunham is a    actress, screenwriter, producer, and director. She's the star actress and creator of the HBO show, Girls, which has a bazillon awards under its belt. Do yourself a favor and binge watch it, starting yesterday. This is Lena's memoir about her ado...

The leaves are turning, the pumpkins are carved and I am high from spray painting costumes so you know it must be time for Halloween! I always say that Christmas is my favorite holiday but then when Halloween rolls around I find myself getting totally revved up. It's the candy corn, the caramel Tootsie pops, the pumpkin patches...and the crisp Fall weather that makes snuggling up on the couch the most perfect place to be. The only way it could be better is if you have a spooky book to read just in time for good Ol' Hallow's Eve. So if you're looking for a scare I bring you:  Gone Girl I remember reading this book in stunned silence. I remember wondering how in the world an author comes up with the psychopath that is Amy Dunn and then being chilled to the bone watching her frame her dumbfounded husband. It's creepy to know that there really are people out there in the world like this. Gone Girl fits the bill for a great Halloween read not just because ...