2017 Reads

Reads for Me:
1. Two by Two* by Nicholas Sparks
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
3. All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
4. 15th Affair (Women's Murder Club #15)* by James Patterson
5. See Me* by Nicholas Sparks
6. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet* by Jamie Ford
7. The Grownup* by Gillian Flynn
8. Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - a Memoir by Kelle Hampton
9. Leaving Time* by Jodi Picoult
10. Save Me* by Lisa Scottoline
11. Enclave* (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre
12. All the Light We Cannot See* by Anthony Doerr
13. Delirium (Delirium #1)* by Lauren Oliver
14. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
15. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
16. The Lost Girls by Heather Young
17. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
18. Bullseye (Michael Bennett #9)* by James Patterson
19. The Big Bad Wolf (Alex Cross #9)* by James Patterson
20. Invisible* by James Patterson
21. Before the Fall* by Noah Hawley
22. London Bridges (Alex Cross #10)* by James Patterson
23. Haunted (Michael Bennett #10)* by James Patterson
24. Chase (Michael Bennett #9.5)* by James Patterson
25. Always Watching by Chevy Stevens

Reads for School:
1. Mighty Jack (Mighty Jack #1) by Ben Hatke
2. Spy School (Spy School #1) by Stuart Gibbs
3. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
4. The Pinballs by Betsy Byars
5. Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics (Mr. Lemoncello's Library #2) by Chris Grabenstein
6. Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
7. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
8.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio
9. I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 (I Survived #6) by Lauren Tarshis
10. Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner

* audiobook

Books Read: 18 books
Audiobooks Read: 17 books
Total Number of Books Read: 35 books

Best Books: Two by Two, See Me, Leaving Time, Invisible, Counting by 7s, Wonder, Making Bombs for Hitler
Most Disappointing Books: All the Light We Cannot See, Chase

{A Book Review} Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

⭐

This book makes me gag. Ugh.

Save Me is actually a rather clever title because it does hold several meanings as the story progresses. In addition to characters needing saving, I was constantly thinking, "Save me from this book," and yet I needed to finish it to see just how everything would turn out perfectly. Because, of course, I knew it would.

This book picks up speed quickly with an explosion in the cafeteria of an elementary school. Volunteer lunch mother Rose must make a choice - save the little jerk bully or her own daughter who happens to be hiding in the bathroom from said bully. After this unfortunate explosion, Rose must get to the bottom of what really happened. If she doesn't, the other mothers will never talk to her again. Ever.

The only star I'm giving this book is for the decent story idea. Unfortunately, I felt the story was very poorly executed. Bear with me, while I provide you with a list of reasons.

• Rose's husband. I finished this book just a few days ago, and I've already forgotten his name. Lance? Leonard? Leo? How could I possibly have already forgotten his name? Well, because while his step-daughter nearly dies, recovered in the hospital, and his wife has a potential civil lawsuit and criminal charges coming her way - he has to work. And no, he definitely can't get out of it. Really? Come on now.
• Princess Google. Who the heck names their dog Princess Google? And then calls her Googie? Puke.
• Amanda. What a little jerk this kid is. How is it possible that no one else recognized how mean she is the Melly?
• John (?). Once again, another character name that I hope I'm remembering correctly. John (?) is Melly's baby brother. Sorry, no sitter available - until Rose needed to solve multiple crimes and save the day. Then suddenly there's someone available for her to dump the kids on.
• The mothers. Give me a break. People can be mean, but I have never heard of adults talking such smack to another adult on Facebook or in email. It was over the top, and just plain didn't seem realistic. At least I hope grown adults don't pass judgment on another mother's Facebook page like they did in this book. Really, though, they should be upset with Rose for letting her 8 year old child ride in the front seat of the car.
• Harry Potter. Harry Potter is cool. I know it because I spend all day in a classroom with kids Melly's age. Kids are not picked on for liking Harry Potter. A fascination with him is contagious. (Now those are good books. Check those out instead of this one, maybe.)
• Amanda's father. I don't want to give too much away, but it was really easy for Rose to figure out what really happened here.

I could go on, but I'll stop. I'll save you from reading any more about this book. Ha.

~ Becky

{A Book Review} Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton

⭐⭐⭐ 

This book is a memoir telling the story of a mother's love when her second daughter is born with Down Syndrome. The Down Syndrome diagnosis was unexpected. The author focuses on her journey of acceptance and love during the first year of baby Nella's life.

Have a tissue box ready - especially for the first chapter, and most definitely if you have a child with special needs. Kelle Hampton does a beautiful job telling about her journey. I felt she was a bit whiny; perhaps because we are now 8 years into our Autism journey with Isaiah. I also remember the roller coaster of emotions at the time of diagnosis...but something about her was just ever so slightly...I don't even know how to explain it. She writes well and has a beautiful story to tell, but I just didn't find myself relating to her. Memoirs reveal so much about a person. I guess I was hoping to connect more to her story because I am also a special needs parent. I just didn't feel that connection. 

3 stars out of 5 for this one, though I would recommend it to others. It is worth your time.

2016 Reads

Reads for Me:
1. Cinderella* (junior movie novel) by Elizabeth Rudnick
2. Four Blind Mice* (Alex Cross #8) by James Patterson

3. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud

4. Tick Tock (Michael Bennett #4) by James Patterson

5. Allegiant*(Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

6. Messenger* (The Giver #3) by Lois Lowry
7. The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst
8. Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress by Lysa TerKeurst
9. After You (Me Before You #2) by JoJo Moyes
10. Don't Turn Around (PERSEFONE #1) by Michelle Gagnon
11. Don't Look Now (PERSEFONE #2) by Michelle Gagnon
12. Don't Let Go (PERSEFONE #3) by Michelle Gagnon
13. Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana
14. Rules by Cynthia Lord
15. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
16. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
17. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
18. Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst
19. Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
20. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
21. A Beautiful Wedding (Beautiful #2.5) by Jamie McGuire
22. Room by Emma Donoghue
23. I Was Here* by Gayle Forman
24. Those Girls* by Chevy Stevens
25. Finding Dory (graphic novel)
26. That Night* by Chevy Stevens
27. Rise* (Eve #3) by Anna Carey
28. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
29. I, Michael Bennett* (Michael Bennett #5) by James Patterson
30. Gone* (Michael Bennett #6) by James Patterson
31. Burn* (Michael Bennett #7) by James Patterson
32. Alert* (Michael Bennett #8) by James Patterson
32. the Bible 

Reads for School:
1. Hatchet (Brian's Sage, #1) by Gary Paulsen
2. Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
3. Who Was Neil Armstrong? by Roberta Edwards
4. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

6. Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart

7. Holes by Louis Sachar
8. Runaway Ralph (Ralph S. Mouse, #2) by Beverly Cleary
9. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
10. I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis

* audiobook

Total Number of Books Read: 42

Favorite Authors: Lysa TerKeurst and Chevy Stevens
Best Books: The Girl on the Train, Still Missing, Those Girls, That Night, Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
Worst Books: The Michael Bennett series by James Patterson has gotten a bit ridiculous.

2015 Reads

My goal this year was to read 45 books. Technically I missed my goal by two books. My disclaimer is that in June I started a reading plan to read the Bible in one year, so that's what I've been reading at night before bed. If you add in books that I've read at school with my students, I most definitely would have surpassed my goal. In the spirit of not being so OCD, I'm going to let go of the fact that I missed my reading goal and look back at all of the books that I enjoyed this year and smile. They are listed in below in the order I completed them. My hope is that my list and suggestions will inspire you to pick up a book and read. Believe it or not, reading is fun. I truly believe there is a book out there for everyone.

1. Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
2. Swimsuit* by James Patterson

3. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas* by John Boyne

4. Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock

5. The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel

6. Gathering Blue* (The Giver #2) by Lois Lowry

7. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

8. Divergent* (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

9. The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner* (Twilight #3.5) by Stephenie Meyer

10. Zoo* by James Patterson

11. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

12. Dark Life* (Dark Life #1) by Kat Falls

13. Number the Stars* by Lois Lowry
14. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
15. If We Survive* by Andrew Klavan
16. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
17. The Weight of Blood* by Laura McHugh
18. The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

19. Orange is the New Black* by Piper Kerman
20. Titanic: Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson

21. I Am Number Four* (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore

22. Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) by Leah Bardugo

23. Dark Places* by Gillian Flynn

24. Where We Belong* by Emily Giffin

25. Siege & Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

26. Eleanor and Park* by Rainbow Rowell
27. Prodigy* (Legend #2) by Marie Wu
28. A Corner of the Universe* by Ann M. Martin
29. The Power of Six* (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore
30. Champion* (Legend #3) by Marie Wu
31. Ruin & Rising (The Grisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo

32. If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman
33. Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
34. The Threads of Reading: Strategies for Literacy Development by Karen Tankersley

35. 14 Deadly Sins (Women's Murder Club, #14) by James Patterson

36. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

37. Worst Case (Michael Bennett #3) by James Patterson
38. Roses Are Red* (Alex Cross #6) by James Patterson
39. Violets Are Blue* (Alex Cross #7) by James Patterson
40. The Guardian* by Nicholas Sparks
41. Shades of Blue* by Karen Kingsbury
42. The Astronaut Wives Club* by Lily Koppel
43. The Choice* by Nicholas Sparks

* Audiobook

Favorites**: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Magic of Ordinary Days, Me Before You, If We Survive, Still Alice, The Light Between Oceans, Orange is the New Black, Titanic: Voices From the Disaster, Where We Belong, Eleanor and Park, Ruin & Rising, Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions, 

** Am I allowed to have so many favorites? It's my blog, so I'm going to go with yes. :)

Rereads: Divergent, Insurgent, Dark Places, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm

Did not finish:
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith,
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - I tried this one twice, both in audio and in print.

Change Your Words, Change Your Life by Joyce Meyer

Don't waste your time: Zoo by James Patterson,

Biggest disappointment: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Book Review: Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess

by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess is the third book in the Infernal Devices trilogy written by Cassandra Clare. All three books take place near London during the late 1800s. Tessa Gray is caught in a love triangle between James (Jem) Carstairs and Will Herondale (*swoons*), but love isn't Tessa's biggest problem. She must stay away from the Magister. If he manages to get what he wants from Tessa, he may succeed at destroying the Shadowhunters forever.

I'd like to take a moment to give my niece Shelby a great.big.THANK.YOU. She suggested that I read this trilogy, and I am so glad that I did. Books 1 and 2 - Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince - were good reads, too; but I gotta tell ya' - Clockwork Princess was absolutely fantastic. I did not want this book to end, but when it did I was completely happy and satisfied with the ending.

Why did I enjoy this book so much? I think the setting had a lot to do with it. I've read another book from this time period that I truly enjoyed - The Night Circus. I'm thinking I should check out more books taking place in the late 1800s. Another thing in common was the fantasy genre. I didn't think fantasy would be my "thing" - though, I did devour the Harry Potter series - but the Fire and Thorns trilogy completely changed that for me. (You should most definitely check out that trilogy - whoa!)

- becky

Reads of 2013

Goodreads does a spectacular job of tracking my books; however it's fun to list them on my blog, too.  I'm pretty confident this is the most of I have read so far.  It is for sure the most/best that I have kept track.  I set a goal to read 35 books, and I exceeded my goal by 29% by reading 45 books, which should actually be 46.  (I didn't add a reread of a book on the site.)  I should mention that some books were audiobooks, but reading is reading.  I have indicated audiobooks with an asterisk* after the title.

Here are my Reads of 2013, listed in the order I finished them this year:

1. The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, book 1) by Rae Carson 

2. Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy, book 1) by Anna Banks

3. All She Ever Wanted by Barbara Freethy

4. More Like Her by Liz Palmer

5. The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

6. Coming Home: A Story of Undying Hope by Karen Kingsbury

7. The Casual Vacancy* by J.K. Rowling

8. Eve (Eve, book 1) by Anna Carey

9. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

11. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

12. The Shadow Cats (Fire and Thorns, book 0.5) by Rae Carson

13. Shatter Me (Shatter Me, book 1) by Tahereh Mafi

14. Walking Disaster (Beautiful, book 2) by Jamie McGuire

15. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

16. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

17. Destroy Me (Shatter Me, book 1.5) by Tahereh Mafi

18. The Shattered Mountain (Fire and Thorns, book 0.6) by Rae Carson

19. 10th Anniversary* (Women's Murder Club, book 10) by James Patterson

20. 11th Hour* (Women's Murder Club, book 11) by James Patterson

21. The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns, book 2) by Rae Carson

22. Guilty Wives* by James Patterson

23. Speak* by Laurie Halse Anderson

24. Once (Eve, book 2) by Anna Carey

25. Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy, book 2) by Anna Banks

26. The Prince (The Selection, book 0.5) by Kiera Cass

27. The Elite (The Selection, book 2) by Kiera Cass

28. Dangerous Voices by Rae Carson

29. Don't Turn Around (Persefone, book 1) by Michelle Gagnon

30. Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, book 1) by Leigh Bardugo (reread)

31. No Escape (Persefone, book 0.5) by Michelle Gagnon

32. Siege and Storm (The Grisha, book 2) by Leigh Bardugo

33. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, book 1) by Cassandra Clare

34. Defending Jacob* by William Landay

35. Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, book 2) by Cassandra Clare

36. The Language of Flowers* by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

37. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

38. Allegiant (Divergent, book 3) by Veronica Roth

39. The King's Guard (Fire and Thorns, book 0.7) by Rae Carson

40. Along Came a Spider* (Alex Cross, book 1) by James Patterson 

41. Now You See Her* by James Patterson

42. The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns, book 3) by Rae Carson

43. Sail* by James Patterson

44. Mercy by Jodi Picoult

45. Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

46. (unsure of finish date) Catching Fire* (Hunger Games, book 2) by Suzanne Collins

My absolute favorite books this year were Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns.  These books are ABSOLUTE MUST READS.  They're not what I would have thought I would enjoy, but I loved them!!!

Do NOT waste your time on Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury.

Add me as a friend on Goodreads if you would like to read my book reviews.  According to this site, I read 14,886 pages, but this does not include my reread of Catching Fire.

I think I'll set a goal of 40 books for next year.  I would also like to read more by Cassandra Clare - recommended by my niece Shelby.  In addition, I have a few trilogies to complete with upcoming release dates.  Happy Reading!  :)

becky

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm

The Grisha Trilogy, book 2

written by Leigh Bardugo

Well done, Ms. Bardugo.  This book is ridiculously amazing. Bardugo succeeded in improving my vocabulary, that's for sure. Her word choice was excellent! Good thing I read on an eReader because it made looking up words to see what they mean a lot easier - ha! I'm having trouble deciding if I like this installment better than Shadow and Bone. I definitely liked it - at least - as much as book one in the Grisha trilogy, but maybe even more. 

The suspense throughout the book makes it an emotional page turner. Alina is such a lovable heroine. She reminds me of Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Siege and Storm shows Alina coming to terms with the responsibility her gift as the Sun Summoner gives her. She's learning to lead, and it is impressive yet realistically written how she gives commands, and is met with some resistance. I also loved how Bardugo was able to write the Darkling into the book, even though he wasn't actually present...oh, but was he?! He is most definitely a villain that you want to read more of... ;) I'm super confused which team I'm on, though because of Nickolai. Team Mal? Team Darkling? Or Team Nickolai?!?! *swoons*

I can't believe I have to wait an entire year for book 3. *sobs hysterically*

- becky

6th Target

6th Target

by James Patterson

I am so glad that I have finished the required work for the six credits that I earned this school year. I can read.for.fun! YAY!

Today, I finished 6th Target by James Patterson. This book is the 6th - obviously - in a series of books about the Women's Murder Mystery Club. There are four women whose paths crossed in their professions, and now they are great friends working together and pooling resources to solve murder mysteries. The four main characters are Lindsay Boxer, homicide detective; Claire Washburn, head medical examiner; Yuki Castellano, assistant District Attorney; and Cindy (insert last name here - I forgot what it is), reporter for a major newspaper. All of the books take place in San Francisco, CA.

As I started reading this book, it seemed awfully familiar to me. Well, that's because I've read it before - a long time ago. I didn't intentionally check this book out of the library to read it again. It was on the shelf, I hadn't read one from this series in a while so I had forgotten where I had left off, and Mallory was with me. She was talking loudly, so I was trying to get her out of the library FAST.

I like that there were several cases going on at one time in this book. Even though this turned out to be a reread for me, I did enjoy it. The short chapters in James Patterson novels are great for a mom with young children. It's quite easy to find a stopping point at a moments notice.

Next up - Daniel Isn't Talking - a book about Autism that I borrowed from a friend.

In the future - more from the Women's Murder Mystery Club. I think the series is up to book 10 by now.

If you use the Good Reads web site, we should become friends on there. It's a great place to track books and make recommendations.

- becky

Mommywood

Mommywood

by Tori Spelling

Yes, I am a closet watcher of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. Yes, I would like to meet Tori so that we can become good friends and let our children play together. Yes, I wish she had more Christian principles in her life. But I still like her. I will just pray for her.

Tori wrote this book to talk about being a Mommy in Hollywood. Duh - it's called Mommywood right?! She is quite an entertaining writer! I read her first book, sTORI telling, on vacation last year (or maybe the year before?) and enjoyed it, too.

I think Tori is a good mom. It's quite obvious that she loves her children. She's trying to balance being a good mom with the rest of her life, just like the rest of us mommies. As the book progressed it was nice to see her confidence as a parent build.

When I finished this book, I am looking forward to reading her new book that is out - unchartered terriTORI!

- becky

The Choice

The Choice

by Nicholas Sparks

I've decided to add something new to my blog posts - book reviews. I figure this will be a good way for me to keep track of books that I've been reading. It's always fun to look back at things like this.

I've always been a fan of Nicholas Sparks. This book is one of my favorites (of books written by him). I was an honest reader - that means I did NOT peek ahead to see what would happen! I have a hard time with that sometimes, and I think that can really ruin a book. Instead of peeking, I stayed up until nearly midnight one night to finish and see what would happen. Boy, was I tired the next day!

This book is a love story; after all, it is written by Nicholas Sparks! A lot of time is spent in telling how the two main characters, Travis and Gabby, met and fell in love. This allows the reader to really connect with them, which makes the events that much more emotional.

When I finished this book, I was pleased with the ending. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who might want to read this book.

- becky