50 in 2014: 13-15

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Chasing the Dead - There is only one word for this book: INTENSE. It wasn't my cup of tea, but the plot was good enough to keep the pages turning. I had to know the ending and those types of books always hold a special place in my heart.

Across the loneliest back roads of Massachusetts, in the black expanse of a New England winter, Sue is forced to confront her most awful fears as she is met at each step by ever increasing horrors created by a monster who is surely something less than human. In the hope of saving her daughter from a kidnapper whose origin seems darker than anything she could ever have imagined, Sue will discover just how much trauma and fright the human body is capable of absorbing. (excerpt from goodreads)

Invisibility - I had high hopes for this book because I have enjoyed his others. This book started out so strong and held so much promise, but somewhere just past the middle it began to fall apart. It never really came all the way back together for me.

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth. (excerpt from goodreads)

Double Dexter - This may be where I depart from the series. The early books in the series were so well done and now I just don't know if I can hold hope for that style to return. There are too many books to read in the world to keep being let down.

A witness. Such a simple concept - and yet for Dexter Morgan, the perfectly well-disguised monster, the possibility of a witness is unthinkable. But when Dexter is on a very private, very satisfying excursion one evening with a wretchedly deserving playmate, the unthinkable happens: someone sees him. (excerpt from goodreads)

I guess this was a streak of less then awesome books... but it happens! Anyone out there fall in love with any of these? I would love to hear your take!

Charlie

My Summer Reading List

All photos and excerpts are from goodreads

Where'd You Go Bernadette

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

Veronica Mars - The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first book in a thrilling mystery series that picks up where the feature film left off.
Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.
Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

The Edge of Never (#1)

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

Attachments

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "
Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.
Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

Notes From a Blue Bike

Part memoir, part travelogue, part practical guide, "Notes from a Blue Bike "takes you from a hillside in Kosovo to a Turkish high-rise to the congested city of Austin to a small town in Oregon. It chronicles schooling quandaries and dinnertime dilemmas, as well as entrepreneurial adventures and family excursions via plane, train, automobile, and blue cruiser bike.
Entertaining and compelling--but never shrill or dogmatic--"Notes from a Blue Bike "invites you to climb on your own bike, pay attention to who you are and what your family needs, and make some important choices. It's a risky ride, but it's worth it--living your life according to who you "really" are simply takes a little intention. It's never too late.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

Hollow City

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.

The Third Angel

Now, in The Third Angel, Hoffman weaves a magical and stunningly original story that charts the lives of three women in love with the wrong men: Headstrong Madeleine Heller finds herself hopelessly attracted to her sister’s fiancé. Frieda Lewis, a doctor’s daughter and a runaway, becomes the muse of an ill-fated rock star. And beautiful Bryn Evans is set to marry an Englishman while secretly obsessed with her ex-husband. At the heart of the novel is Lucy Green, who blames herself for a tragic accident she witnessed at the age of twelve, and who spends four decades searching for the Third Angel–the angel on earth who will renew her faith.

 What is on your summer reading list?

Charlie

50 in 2014

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Dexter is Delicious - I am not sure why I am continuing to read this series. I guess it is just because I hope that it could be good again. This book was ok... but just ok. If I wasn't listening to it while I sew, I wouldn't be able to finish it.

Dexter Morgan's happy homicidal life is undergoing some major changes. He's always live by a single golden rule - he kills only people who deserve it. But the Miami blood-spatter analyst has recently become a daddy - to an eight-pound curiosity named Lily Anne - and strangely, Dex's dark urges seem to have left him. Is he ready to become an overprotective father? To pick up soft teddy bears instead of his trusty knife, duct tape, and fishing wire? What's a serial killer to do? (excerpt from goodreads)

The Whole Stupid Way We Are - This book... THIS BOOK... It stays with you. When I finished it, I was so mad about the lack of information that I felt like I wasted my time getting to know these characters. Then, for the next week or so, they just stuck with me. I would wander off in thought thinking about Skint. Bravo N. Griffin, I love books that linger! 

It’s Maine. It’s winter. And it’s FREEZING STINKIN’ COLD! Dinah is wildly worried about her best friend, Skint. He won’t wear a coat. Refuses to wear a coat. It’s twelve degrees out, and he won’t wear a coat. So Dinah’s going to figure out how to help. That’s what Dinah does—she helps. But she’s too busy trying to help to notice that sometimes, she’s doing more harm than good. Seeing the trees instead of the forest? That’s Dinah. And Skint isn’t going to be the one to tell her. He’s got his own problems. He’s worried about a little boy whose dad won’t let him visit his mom. He’s worried about an elderly couple in a too-cold house down the street.
But the wedge between what drives Dinah and what concerns Skint is wide enough for a big old slab of ice. Because Skint’s own father is in trouble. Because Skint’s mother refuses to ask for help even though she’s at her breaking point. And because Dinah might just decide to…help. She thinks she’s cracking through a sheet of ice, but what’s actually there is an entire iceberg. (excerpt from goodreads)

Shiver - This book has been on my to-read list for some time. I was nervous to read another book about wolves, which was a stupid concern. Maggie Stiefvater did a beautiful job coming up with her own version of a wolf and did an even better job weaving in a love story. It is beautiful, and not like Twilight in my opinion. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next two!

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. (excerpt from goodreads)

Have you read any of these? Do you plan to? What are you reading? I love book recommendations!

Charlie

50 in 2014

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Die For You - How well do you think you know the person you married? This book will truly make you think about it. I wish I could keep it together half as well as Isabel when faced with so much turmoil. This is my second book by Lisa Unger and I am really warming up to her writing style. She pulls you through the story with vivid descriptions and emotion.

Isabel Raine thought she had everything–a successful career, a supportive family, and a happy marriage to the man she loved. Then one ordinary morning, her husband, Marcus, picks up his briefcase, kisses her good-bye, and simply vanishes. (excerpt from goodreads)

Fangirl - I was so nervous to read Fangirl. I feared it wouldn't live up to Eleanor and Park, but IT DID! The relationships you make when you first start college are those unknowing moments where you learn a lot about who you are, and Rainbow Rowell writes them so perfectly. Plus, I am sucker for any story that includes a first love.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. (excerpt from goodreads)

The Story Sisters - I love Alice Hoffman books. She does erie and enchanting so well! She wastes no time sucking you in... instantly you are one of the sisters, speaking a made-up language and living in imaginary world, all the while trying to escape the pained realities of what has happened. The ending to this book is so realistically beautiful that it makes all the pain in the book worth it.

The Story Sisters, charts the lives of three sisters–Elv, Claire, and Meg. Each has a fate she must meet alone: one on a country road, one in the streets of Paris, and one in the corridors of her own imagination. Inhabiting their world are a charismatic man who cannot tell the truth, a neighbor who is not who he appears to be, a clumsy boy in Paris who falls in love and stays there, a detective who finds his heart’s desire, and a demon who will not let go. (excerpt from goodreads)

This leaves me at 9/50 books so far.if want to see the other six click here! Are you going any challenges this year?

Charlie

50 in 2014

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The challenge continues! If you missed my first 3 books, check here. With the continued bitter cold I have used it as an opportunity to read as many books as I can before it warms up. I know when summer gets here I will be distracted by the sun!

Dexter by Design (#4) - Even though this book did not live up to the previous ones (in my opinion of course), the tourist attraction angle kept me giggling... so cliche and so true! I think I am beginning to see why at a certain point the TV show decided to stray from the books. I am trying to forget the Dexter on TV and learn to like the Dexter in the books and so I hope 5 grabs my attention a bit more!

After his surprisingly glorious honeymoon in Paris, life is almost normal for Dexter Morgan. Married life seems to agree with him: he’s devoted to his bride, his stomach is full, and his homicidal hobbies are nicely under control. But old habits die hard--and Dexter’s work as a blood spatter analyst never fails to offer new temptations that appeal to his offbeat sense of justice...and his Dark Passenger still waits to hunt with him in the moonlight. (excerpt from goodreads)

Dare Me - Who knew there where such an ugly side to high school cheerleaders?! I know teen girls can be mean and full of angst, but this book took it to a whole different level. It left me with the "what the cuss did I just read" feeling. I will warn you that the dialogue in this book is at times a bit profane, because you know high school girls.

Addy Hanlon has always been Beth Cassidy's best friend and trusted lieutenant. Beth calls the shots and Addy carries them out, a long-established order of things that has brought them to the pinnacle of their high-school careers. Now they're seniors who rule the intensely competitive cheer squad, feared and followed by the other girls -- until the young new coach arrives. (excerpt from goodreads)

Every Day - I liked this book, but I by no means loved it. At times it felt long winded, but it did still leave me questioning a lot of things. I guess maybe the best thing to say is that it was frustrating and reminded me of the TV show Quantum Leap. I did enjoy the love story that is wrapped in there and the narrator's struggle with attempting to do the right thing. I guess I am still a bit undecided, because even though I didn't love it, it has stuck with me.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. (excerpt from goodreads)

What have you been reading?

Charlie

50 in 2014

Every year, I challenge myself to read a certain number of books. In the past, I have chosen 100. I would get close, and have fun trying, but I never made it all the way. With that in mind, I picked 50 this year so that it would be 100% attainable... I imagine it will be way more fun to exceed my goal than chase it!
Eleanor and Park - I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, it broke my heart, and it made me happy. Who doesn't want to read an epic love story?

TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE. 
It's 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under.

 A cross between the iconic '80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel. (excerpt from goodreads)

The Future of Us - This book was just fun. It was a cute take on science fiction/time travel and was a very quick read. I really really enjoyed it... I think I smiled the whole time! If you're looking for a light-hearted read with a underlying love story, give it try!

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future. (excerpt from goodreads)

Fragile - I love the mystery/suspense genre and I surprised myself by not enjoying this book. I finished it because it wasn't bad and I was really hoping for a big twist. This does appear to be the first book in a series to come, but I'm not sure I will be reading the others when they come out. If you have read this, I would love to hear what you thought.

Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint, charming town outside of New York City. It’s a place where neighbors keep an eye on each other’s kids, where people say hello in the grocery store, and where high school cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a kid, Maggie found the microscope of small town life stifling. But as a wife and mother, she’s happily returned to The Hollows’ insular embrace. As a psychologist, her knowledge of family histories provides powerful insights into her patients’ lives. So when the girlfriend of her teenage son Rick disappears, Maggie’s intuitive gift proves useful to the case – and also dangerous. (excerpt from goodreads)

What have you been reading?  Is anyone else excited for sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City? If you want to keep up with what I am currently reading, follow me on goodreads!

Charlie

Crocheting Season

I think the cold weather is here to stay, which means I can start all the crochet projects! Last winter I got a bit burnt out and I have barely touched a hook since, but I think I am ready to get back in the game! Erika Knight's book Simple Crocheting gave me the extra boost of inspiration I needed. It is filled with wonderful projects. 

Even though I already know how to crochet, I like to ease back into pattern reading and this book makes that possible. I also enjoyed the refresher on stitches. I can never remember how to HDC... I have to look it up every darn time! 

I have also pinned some projects to my yarn board that I would like to try. I'm excited to get back to crocheting again and I think I might start with a scarf (like I do every year when the cold comes). You can see some of my past projects here.

If you have a favorite pattern you would like to share, please do!

Charlie

(Just so you know this is not a sponsored post. I am sharing this book with you because I truly enjoy it, and the link I included is just for your convenience. I feel silly saying this, but I wanted you to know that I am not trying to sell you something).

For The Love of Books

I have been torn on whether I should keep sharing books here or not. Either way, I knew I wanted to share these two books with you.

Daring Greatly and Boundaries were both very thought-provoking books that helped me to put things in better perspective. I was living life scared. Too scared to say no, too scared to put anything real out into the world and too scared to put myself first. Maybe you can tell that both of these books helped me write my Journey to Epic Failure post... they certainly did!

I am sure someone who is reading this now will be like "oh, she reads self-help books", but what a gross stigma to put on a book. To me, these were like manuals for staying sane as an adult. If you would like to get past the shame you feel for being who you are, and you're ready to stop re-arranging your life every time someone asks, then I highly recommend these two books.

If you want me to continue sharing books I read, let me know!

Charlie

For the Love of Books

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I am not sure what genre to classify these books as... my guess is between romance and chick-lit. I do know that I have never really ventured into this type of book before, but I did say that this summer I wanted to dive into the type of books you would take to the beach. This series definitely qualifies. It has all the staples: forbidden love, tragedy, heart break, a male character you fall in love with and poetry. If I had a summer must-read list, this series would be at the top! They're page turning reads and I finished each book in a night. Yes, I stayed up way too late, but I couldn't put them down.

Slammed - (summary from goodreads).

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

The next two books go on from there. I promise, once you read the first one you will have no problem finishing the rest and falling in fictional love with Will Cooper! Colleen Hoover did an amazing job and I am thinking that I might read Hopeless by her next!

~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Requiem -
This is the third book in the Delirium series, a dystopian series where the government has enforced the removal of love from each person (Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't). I feel in my heart this cannot be then end... there were so many loose ends. Who will Lena choose? For the record, I am team Alex. Who died? Where are they going? What happened to Hana? See what I mean? It can't just end this way... I will always wonder!
I also read the little Alex edition that was included in the back of Requiem.

Annabel/Hana/Raven -
These were books from the same series, written in between the three primary books. I didn't end up reading them until the very end. I wasn't aware they existed when I first started, so I just saved it.  The one that I found the most eye opening was Raven. It really makes the ending of Requiem jaw dropping. The other two were worth the short little read and gave you perspective on a few things, but nothing as monumental as in Raven.

Have you read this series? If you enjoy dystopian, I highly recommend it. It is a good one!
~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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These Things Hidden
This book will keep you guessing until the end. It is full of secrets and when it is all finally revealed, I am sure you will be sitting there with your mouth gaping open like I was. I highly recommend this book if you like a thrilling mystery.

Because it is My Blood
Anya Balanchine is back! Unlike the first book in this series, it hooks you from the start. This time you are met with a bit of mystery and some heartache. If you are curious what a world would be like where chocolate is illegal, then you should give this series a shot.

How I Live Now
Seriously, what in the world???? I finished it and it boggled my mind. I just don't know how I feel about it. It definitely gives a "who knew" meaning to "kissing cousins." Did you read it? I would love to get someone else's perspective.

What are you reading right now?
~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Hatchet

I am sure most of you read this in school, but I wasn't lucky enough to have the chance. This is a story of surviving in the wild. A young man learns to fend for himself after the unthinkable happens and he is left alone in an unknown place. I enjoyed this book, but it helped that it was short. There were little lessons to be learned hidden within this book... that self pity gets you no where, and it is encouraging to work hard. I was surprised to find out that there is actually sequel and an entire Hatchet series. I think I might read them since I am curious as to what becomes of Brian!

Call of the Wild

I read this book when I was in school, and when I saw it at the library I felt like I should re-read it. This is a timeless classic that breaks my heart every time. I have a huge soft spot for animals and this book makes me cry like a baby. I have now made a promise to myself to never read it again! Twice is enough times to have to hear all the sad things that happen to Buck. Did you cry when reading this book? Please tell me I am not alone.

The Colorado Kid

After liking The Gingerbread Girl I thought I would give this book a chance. I truly enjoyed the way it was told from the perspective of two small city reporters. It is a great mystery and will keep you wondering until the end. It is super short and I highly recommend you give it a try if you like murder mysteries. 

What have you been reading lately? I am ready for fun and easy beach-type reads... have any recommendations?

~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut
Why did I not read this sooner? Just go read the book... it is amazing and you will feel foolish if you put it off, so don't! It is hilarious and realistic and he just has a way of spinning serious things in a funny way... does that even make sense? I have no idea. If you have read it you understand, and if you haven't then you will!

Please Ignore Vera Dietz - A.S. King
This book is a heartbreaker. It is about loving and losing while being a teenager. The story is told from multiple perspectives, but mostly Vera's and it goes from past to present. I know that sounds like a lot, but it really helped you get to know the story and the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Vera and her reasons for not wanting to tell the truth about her best friend. Yes, there is a bit of mystery tied up in this story and it will pull you through till the end. Here is a little teaser to get you hooked: “Is it okay to hate a dead kid? Even if you loved him once? Even if he was my best friend? Is it okay to hate him for being dead?”

The Gingerbread Girl - Stephen King
I listened to this book. It is super short (about two hours) and I really recommend it if you like realistic, suspense thriller type books. It wasn't like other King books where you find yourself too scared to turn the lights off. It is very much an I could see myself in this situation, it could happen to anyone type horror. I really don't want to give too much away since it is so short. Just give it a shot... you won't have wasted enough time to be disappointed, I promise.

Have you read these? What did you think?
~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Shine
I was initially intrigued by this book because it was mistakenly nominated as a finalist for the National Book Awards and pressured to withdraw. I am so glad I let this mixup intrigue me because this book was amazing (it helps that I have a soft spot for any book where the main character is a quiet loaner). The book deals with bigotry and how teens in the rural south deal with it, and it is balanced out with a thrilling mystery. If you like a good whodunnit mystery with a good side story, you should definitely give this a read.
“I loved everyone who said yes to the world and tried to make it better instead of worse, because so much in the world was ugly- and just about all the ugly parts were due to humans.”
I love this quote from the book. There were a million more I marked, but I thought maybe you would rather read the actual book!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
We all have heard those stories in our families that just seem too unbelievable to be true. Well, this book is all about those stories and believing them just enough to see if they're really true. This book was so creepy and cute and I really did enjoy every minute of it. I had to know what was going to happen! It kept reminding me of Big Fish... anyone else get this feeling when reading it?  Anyways, I just heard there is going to be a #2 and I can't wait to see where it picks up.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmuck
I laughed so hard, I cried. This book is hilariously genius. Just read it... Seriously!

I'd love to hear what you think about these books... or if you plan on reading them? You can always follow me here to see what I am currently reading!
~Charlie

Right Now

I am....

Listening to: Alabama Shakes' album "Boys & Girls" on repeat. If I had to pick a favorite off the album it would be "You Ain't Alone". Click here to listen!

Watching: How I Met Your Mother, Revenge, and Grey's.  I am also really excited for Pretty Little Liars to come back and I am waiting very impatiently for Dexter!

Reading: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.  I thought I would read another by him since I enjoyed Slaughterhouse-Five so much! I am also slowly working through the books Boundaries and The Happiness Project.

Looking forward to: Sunshine!! I cannot wait for the spring weather to arrive.

Happy about:  All of the love and culture I just experienced at my uncle's wedding. It was so beautiful and left me feeling so happy!

Anxious about: Listing more flower brooches in the shop.

Working on: A little surprise for you guys because Wednesday of this week will be my 3 year blog anniversary!

~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Hate List: READ IT! This book made me so sad and then so mad.  I wanted to punch the parents in the face and give Valerie a hug.  Yes this book is about a school shooting, but it is so much more.  It gets into the lives of the those impacted.  You are torn between seeing Valerie as a villain and as a hero... it is totally worth a read, I promise. 

Leftovers: This story confused me so badly in the beginning. The author just kind of jumps in and it takes a bit of reading to understand and get your bearings.  Even after I had my bearings I still thought this book might be a dud, but the ending completely saved it! It is told from the perspective of two best friends, Blair and Ardith, who have done something horrible in the name of love.  If that is intriguing to you, go ahead and give it a try... remember the ending makes it worth it. 

After: I did not love this book. I finished it, but it really just made me sad. It is about a teenager who abandons her newborn and it really was just not my cup of tea.  

Have you read any of these books? I would love to know what you thought. You can also follow me on goodreads.

~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Before I Die
Warning: you will need tissue! This story follows a girl (Tessa) who has a terminal illness and is fighting against having to "fight" for what time she has left. Since she wants to live and experience things before it is too late, she compiles a list and the story follows her as she attempts to accomplish them all. It will make you laugh, make you cry and make you scream "why?". I enjoyed this book very much, and because you will get sucked in, it is a quick read.

I'll Be There
If you are now singing the Jackson 5 song, that's okay I did too! Believe it or not, it is used in the book. This book is all about destiny/fate. The pastor's daughter (Emily) has a sort of hobby of drawing connections between people and seeing if she can understand how destiny has worked in their lives (and then destiny happens to her!). I am sucker for fairytale type stories and this book easily falls into that category. I loved how developed all of the characters were, but I also felt like the book was very long-winded.  I know that developing characters takes time... I guess I just can't be pleased. I really did enjoy this book though. Read it when you have the time to relax and really get connected!

Once Was Lost
This book is about losing faith during hard times and trying to figure out how to find it while everyone is looking for you to be perfect.  As the pastor's daughter, she is attempting to save face and hold everything together while her family is in a less than perfect state. While dealing with all of this, a community tragedy happens and she is forced to change her focus. This book is very short and a quick read.  The community tragedy I mentioned above adds a mystery aspect to the book and you will want to know who, when and where and it makes you keep turning the pages.

Phew! Two books about pastor's daughters... That was totally unplanned, but they really couldn't have been more different. What have you been reading?  You can see what I've been reading here (you could be my friend too ;))

~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Jasper Jones: This book took a little while to hook me.  I still find books told from the male perspective odd. I have no idea why... it just always catches me by surprise. I ended up really enjoying this book and all of the characters. I loved the fighting over which superhero is better, Superman or Spiderman (arguing that Batman couldn't be a super hero because he had no real powers). This argument made me laugh, how realistic the back and forth was. This book is also packed with lessons. My favorite was "it is easier to condemn another man than right your own wrongs".

Life As We Knew It / This World We Live In: I enjoyed these two books in this series (books 1&3) I honestly could not get into book two so I gave up and went on to three (Gasp! I know). I love LOVED these books! I am usually not big into end of the world things, but these books made me think.  In the book a natural disaster hits (vague, I know) and forces the family to band together and learn to live on less.  The writer thought of things that I would have never even realized would change.  Seriously, read this series! I won't judge if you can't make through two either!  Oh, and of course there is a bit of a love story in there.

If you want you can follow along on my journey to read 100 books in 2013 here!
~Charlie

For The Love of Books

These were the last three books I read in 2012.

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Sweethearts (Sara Zarr) - I enjoyed this book and it kept me intrigued. I really liked that it wasn't a cliché love story. I couldn't really anticipate what would happen, or what had happened to bring two of the characters so close. This was one of those books I started before bed and stayed up way too late to finish... totally worth it!

After (Amy Efaw) - This book just wasn't my cup of tea. I finished it, but I truly had to work at it... for some reason I wasn't longing to finish it.  It was heartbreaking and realistic, but I felt like more emotion could have been created around the topic. It felt kind of cold.

Stolen (Lucy Christopher) - A letter to her captor. A story told from the perspective of a taken 16 year old girl. This was truly moving and disturbing, but you had to go on. The writing was so descriptive that you felt like you were right there with her. The author sucks you right in and her emotions become your emotions. It was a twisted story of love and survival.

I know this is vague, but as always I don't want to ruin it for anyone. If you want to talk about any book, just email me. I love to talk books! Also... you are more than welcome to be my friend on goodreads!

~Charlie

Books

Invisible - This book started out so normal and I kept wondering when I was going to get sucked in... what the hook was... and then, BOOM! I swear, he keeps you just intrigued enough and then drops the bomb, making you want to start reading it all over to see how you missed it in the first place! This was a super quick read and if you have a free afternoon I recommend it.

Beneath a Meth Moon - This story is beautifully told and not cliche. I don't have much to say because I don't want to give away what happens!

The Great Gatsby - This was a re-read. I hadn't read this book since high school, and I could barely even remember why I liked it.  It was totally worth the re-read... different things stuck out to me this time through, and I definitely learned a different lesson than I did in high school.

~Charlie