Reading Report 9

What I read from 

March 3-17

Grow Your Marriage by Leaps and Boundaries by Jerry L Cook

 Self help, Marriage, Non Fiction
 (Reviewed Previously)

Requiem (Divergent #3) by Lauren Oliver

Dystopic, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Told from both Lena's and Hana's points of view. The third in a serious and a good ending to the trilogy.

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

 This story felt so complete to me. We follow Blue Echohawk as she discovers who she is after being abandoned by her Mother and ending up alone. It wasn't just a quick glimpse though. A full, well rounded, emotional, interesting journey.

Also Known As by Robin Benway

 Mystery, Young Adult, Contemporary
16 year old Maggie has followed and helped her spy-parents on many missions but now she gets her first solo assignment, in a NY highschool. It felt in between middle grade/ YA to me. A quick, easy, fun, mystery when you're in the mood for something light.

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Humor, Non Fiction

I listened to this one on audio (which I'd HIGHLY suggest because Gaffigan reads it himself) so it really felt like each chapter was a little routine itself. This book is all about family, parenthood, and the crazy-ness that is children.  

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

 Self Help, Non Fiction
Information and plans on how to make your money work for you instead of you working for your money. Inspiring.

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty

 Young Adult, Contemporary
A fun plot where girls from one school are paired up with boys from another to be pen pals. We get to know their characters through letters. (Lots of language.)

Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck

Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Kelsey works with tiger Ren to help break an ancient curse. I had a lot of friends like this one, but it just didn't do it for me. (I couldn't get into the characters and relationships and I felt it was way too wordy). 

Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

I read this directly after finishing A Different Blue because I enjoyed Harmon's characters and writing, and story telling so much. This one was the same. I very complete story that was woven with heart.
Josie and Samuel became fast friends, despite their age difference, when they were assigned to sit next to each other on the bus. 

Marriage Monday: Act As If

Act As If, Michele Weiner-Davis

Can you think of a time when you've unintentionally set the stage negatively?

Make a goal this week to act as if you're expecting things to work out.




You can find my other Marriage Monday's here.

Winner

Congratulations!

Monica has won Grow Your Marriage by Leaps and Boundaries! 

I just sent you an email so please let me know if you've received it.

Thanks to all those who entered.

Marriage Monday: Grow Your Marriage By Leaps And Boundaries (Review & Giveaway)

Title: Grow Your Marriage By Leaps And Boundaries
Author: Jerry L. Cook, PhD, CFLE
Genre: Marriage, Self-Help
Release Date: Dec 2012
ISBN: 13: 9781462110698
Publisher: Plain Sight Publishing & Cedar Fort
Pages: 176
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari

My review:
Sometimes it's easy to assume that because you're married your spouse understands you completely or maybe at least where you're coming from. This book brings to surface many discussions we should have with our spouse to remember or often times establish boundaries that will help strengthen marriage.

Things I liked!
+good variety of topics
+At the end of each chapter are several questions and activities to further look into the boundaries and review the lessons learned in each chapter.
+The fun list of date ideas at the end of the book.

Excerpt I liked:
"Proper boundaries serve as our moral 'smoke detectors,' letting us know when there is danger. But just like smoke detectors, boundaries need to be checked, maintained, and placed correctly to be most effective. If you've ever had a smoke detector that was oversensitive or didn't work even when the house was filled with smoke, you know that lack of detection or a 'false negative' in detecting smoke to be annoying at best, and very dangerous at worst.
Drawing boundaries, and knowing where those boundaries are, allows them to serve as guides in our marriage. One way that boundaries are formed is through the expectations or standards that each spouse has for their marriage, themselves, and their spouse. The higher and more clear the standards are in a marriage, the more clear the boundary is. These expectations or standards can involve communicating with each other, physical affection and the emotional investment each spouse makes."

About the book (from the back cover): In a marriage, you have to know where to draw the lines. Growth is essential in keeping a healthy, satisfied relationship with your spouse, but a marriage's growth can be stunted through difficulties with financial concerns, physical relations, and parenting decisions. Marriage expert Jerry Cook has a breakthrough approach to marriage that turns these difficult decisions into progress, bringing you and your spouse closer than you ever were before.
Discover -How to use boundaries to strengthen -not limit- your relationship. -What daily practices will bring you closer together. -What you can do when your spouse is unwilling to change. Encouraging and uplifting, Grow Your Marriage by Leaps and Boundaries is perfect for new and longtime couples looking to move forward in their relationships.

Buy It:

Win it!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reading Report 8

What I read from 

April 18-March 2

 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Contemporary YA

Reread this one because I'm hoping to get to meet miss Perkins later this month. Easily one of my favorites books. Stephanie Perkins has a way with words, story telling and wanting after that swoon worthy boy.

 Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Contemporary YA.
Reread. LOVED it just as much the second time. It isn't a series but a companion novel but rest assured the characters you loved from the first you'll see again. I might just love Cricket Bell even more than St. Clair.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

YA.
John Green is more extreme than other YA authors I read, and while I enjoyed his other books this one I didnt love. It was just ok for me. 

The Summer Hideaway (The Lakeshore Chronicles) by Susan Wiggs

Adult romance

This is part of a series and while it could stand alone ok, I felt the relationship didn't feel real enough. I generally really love Wiggs though and this was fun, just wish the relationship actually developed some more.

Dirty Red (Love Me With Lies #2) by Tarryn Fisher

Adult

Not your average book. Tarryn has a knack for writing about the brutal honesty of the dark side of these characters. You gotta read The Opportunist first (be warned it's extreme, language, etc) but book #2 will give you an interesting look into the life of a side character. 

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, John & Elizabeth Sherrill

Historical, Autobiographical

Read this one for book club. Memoir of Corrie Ten Boom and her family helping others during World War II