Reading Report: April 2014

What I read in 

April 2014

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Historical Fiction

Lina, a young Lithuanian girl is taken by Soviet officers along with her brother and mother and stuck on dirty train car (full of other Lithuanians) to travel to Siberia. There they are forced to work under Stalin's orders and fight to stay alive in the harsh conditions. 

A little different spin on most of the World War II stories I've read before, this book deals with some of the displaced Europeans.  This book was harsh and hard and dark but also deep and tender.

Melissa Explains It All by Melissa Joan Hart

Non Fiction, Memoir

The star of Clarissa explains it all and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa writes about how she grew up, got into acting and shares a few stories from set life.

It feels a bit too much like she's out to prove she's the All American Girl (what we mostly saw) but also has that wild dirty dangerous side (which she's trying to convince us of). I was thrown off right at the beginning when she starts the book with something like, I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks but let me assure you I'm on the right side, in an expensive house. While I liked hearing some of the stories on set and about her growing up and family life now as a mom I could have done without the 'let me tell you allllll my wild stories' part. Or maybe just fewer of those parts.

Revel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Fantasy, Young Adult

The popular girl at school, in a long line of Homecoming queens before her, doesn't make it to her own crowning. Instead she's finding out she's now a Paladin.  To make it worse, she's charged to keep David safe (possibly her least favorite person). 

I've read a few of Hawkins books before (Hex Hall series) and really loved them. This one was just ok for me. It was a cute book but not as fun as the first series I read of hers.

Rogue Island by Bruce Desilva

Thriller, Mystery

Set in Providence Rhode Island where Liam knows everyone from Priest to Prostitute this newspaper man has found some funny business going on and it's starting to get dangerous. The Police aren't finding it quick enough and he thinks he might have some answers but now they're after him.

Everything I'd expect from a thriller. Dirty business, not sure who to trust, someone wants to set it right. 

The Inventors Secret by Chad Morris

Middle Grade, Fantasy

Cragbridge Hall is an impressive school where the students learn a little differently a little more hands on. History is happening around you, learning about animals involves controlling an avatar and gym class includes virtual mountains. The founder of the school goes missing and his grandkids must figure out the secrets to solve the case.

Read this with my 11 year old. I liked it fine, a fun idea and good story telling. She loved it and is reading it again.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Classic, Fantasty, Romance

As You Wish.

A reread for me. I love it every time.

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose

Mystery

In an 11-1 vote Juror 8 doesn't believe this case is as cut and dry as the rest of the jury. 

I listened to this one on audio book which was fun because each character was voiced by someone different (a few noteworthy actors if you're interested).

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

Young Adult, Fantasy

The second book in The Lynburn Legacy series. Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers to rule the town and Kami is trying to devise a plan that will both save her town and the keep the ones she loves alive.

I love the characters Brennan has created. Snarky, witty, rough, and tough. Can't wait for the 3rd book!

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Zombies, Romance, YA, Fantasy

R, like most Zombies doesnt have memories of his life before. However, R is a bit different and dreams. While out hunting for food, aka humans, he finds Julie, and decides to save her instead. And the world starts getting brighter.

I'm not really a zombie fan in general but I have a lot of friends that are so I picked this one up. While I most likely still won't see the movie the book was fine. 

What's So Funny by Tim Conway

Memoir, Humor


In the life of Time Conway. He shares stories of growing up, getting his gigs, some of his best pranks and his family.

If you're a fan of Tim Conway you'll enjoy the book. Got this one on audiobook (I love getting memoirs on audio because they're read by them!).

Marriage Monday: Be Kind

You'll have an opportunity to go out of your way 

to be kind to your spouse today.

 Don't let it slip you by.

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Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Habits of a Hot Marriage

I came across this post from Kristen at WeAreThatFamily  and wanted to share it with you guys! She writes about the monotony of marriage in our every day to day lives with our endless chores and kid duties and jobs and what nots.  Jump over and read the whole thing (it's not too long!).  But! She gives some great habits to help create a hot marriage. Marriage takes work and if you put in the work you will reap the reward. Here's a sneak peak of the habits she suggests.

7 Habits of a Hot Marriage in the Middle of Monotony

1. Touch everyday
2. Be good forgivers
3. Pray for one another

Go here to read the rest of her article!  or copy/paste this link ( http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/09/7-habits-of-a-hot-marriage-in-the-middle-of-monotony/ )


I love her whole list. What do you guys think? Anything else you'd add to her list?  What works for you and your spouse? 

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Good Partner

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If you want to have a good partner, be a good partner.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: An Article From a Friend

Had a friend send this to me and I enjoyed it so much I wanted to post it. I'll share the four here (and only a snippet of each). Pop on over and read the whole article. It's a fun one!

15 Ways to Stay Married for 15 Years by Lydia Netzer

1. Go to bed mad. 
The old maxim that you shouldn't go to bed mad is stupid. Sometimes you need to just go to freakin' bed.

2. Laugh if you can.
In any fight, there is one person who is really mad, and one person who isn't that mad. That person should deflect the fight. Make a joke, do something stupid or corny, make the other person laught. If the fight is very serious for you and you fell like you really want to play your falg and die on this hill, fine. Do it. But.... ( go read her article!) :)

3. Be proud and brag.
Let your spouse hear you talking about them in glowing terms to other people.

4. Do your own thing.
Doing your own thing, having your own friends, being completely insanely passionate about something that the other person has no idea, really, about, is awesome. It allows your spouse to be your cheerleader, uncomplicated by knowledge or personal investment. And it means you'll always have stuff to talk about, because you're not overlapping all the time.


Check out the rest of her list here or copy/paste this link (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-netzer/marriage-secrets_b_1459770.html)

Thanks Amelia for sending this to me!

If you guys find good stuff you think I'd like send it on over or leave it in the comments!!! I love reading and finding new things on marriage and relationships.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Reading Report March 2014

Reading Report

What I read in March 2014

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Paranormal, Fantasy, YA

Kami has always had that voice in her head. Only this one talks back and has a life of his own, somewhere else. One day her small town turns upside down when the Lynburn family returns and starts causing trouble. And Kami finds out that the voice in her head is a real boy, and he's here. 

Witty, funny, spunky, punchy. I liked the set up of this plot. Laugh out loud moments kept the story moving right along. I liked it so much I bought the second one on my kindle since my library, oddly has the first in the series and not the second.

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Contemporary, YA

Courtney made plans with her boyfriend Jordan to road trip to college orientation. Only now that it's time to go they've broken up and she's still being forced to take the trip. 

I was intrigued with the story line enough to pick it up but I wasn't as impressed with the writing. Overall it kept my interest enough to keep reading but I kept wanting for more meat to the story. 

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Contemporary, YA

Parker's Senior year is completely different than her previous ones at Hundred Oaks High. She was on the all-star softball team, working towards Valedictorian, and had lots of friends. Now she's quit the team, sticks close to one friend and is trying to decide just how much of a new life she wants.

Something about the series keeps bringing me back but also something about each book rubs me a bit the wrong way. I was especially excited about this one because I loved/played softball in high school but other than knowing the guys on the baseball team there wasn't much play. I can't decide if I'm leery about recommending this book because of some of the plot points or a bit of the story telling. I'm still on the fence.

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson

Marriage, Self Help, Psychology

From Goodreads: Emotionally Focused Therapy views the marriage relationship as an attachment bond. Johnson teaches that the way to save and enrich a relationship is to reestablish safe emotional connection and preserve the attachment bond. 

Though it's been practiced among therapists longer, this book released in 2008 is a newer way to look at the relationship of a married couple saying it's okay to be dependent on one another. The book is loaded with case studies from  her own practice, advice to work through your own situations and exercises to learn what may need to be worked on. I'd highly recommend this one. 

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Mystery, YA, Contemporary

She's been half a dozen identities in half a dozen places and is tired of getting yanked from her life by the witness protection folks, 'the suits'. Somethings got to change and she's decided that her latest placement in Louisiana is going to be her last.

I enjoyed this one. Though the main character is a jr/sr (I can't remember) in high school, it seemed written for a younger audience, maybe middle grade. I had my theories on the ending but it was a fun ride to follow. 

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Contemporary, Adult

Pat is trying to cope with reality after life in a mental institution. He's convinced he's becoming a better man so his wife will take him back. He works out hours a day and reads the high school English class reading list. People aren't sure how to treat him. He's still on the road to recovery.

The book was way better than the movie. 

The Sisters Grimm The Fairy-Tale Detectives

by Michael Buckley

Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery

Sabrina and Daphne have been bumped around to foster homes after their parents disappear and end up with Granny Relda, who they thought was dead. They find out they have a bit of a colorful ancestry, the Brothers Grimm. Fairy tales are actually case files and the girls have a big job ahead of them.

A fun book to read with my kids. They enjoyed it.  

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Fantasy, Middle Grade

For his birthday he receives an old cupboard and a plastic Indian. 

This was my first read through and it was fun. I'm going to get my daughter to read it this summer.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Historical Fiction, Contemporary

Jacob loses his parents, falls behind in school and one night jumps aboard a freight train moving through town. He's thrown into the circus life. 

I've had this on my shelf for years and finally got to it. Though some scenes were pretty dark and others unnecessary it was an interesting read. I'm in the middle of the road on this one. 

Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook

Romance, Chick Lit

After a divorce Sarah is ready to start dating again. Her sister convinces her to put a singles ad in the paper. 

Kind of reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The family is all involved in her business and wants the best for her only it causes problems and crazy times. 

Tell No One by Harlan Coben

Mystery, Thriller

Dr. David Beck is madly in love with his wife Elizabeth. But one gut wrenching night changes his life when she's gone forever. Eight years later every one is still telling Beck to move on but one day he receives a message and then another and he's sure there is no other explanation, his wife is still alive. Only something a bad and dark and secret is going on and he must stay alive long enough to figure it out.

Read this one for book club. Not my typical read but I really liked it. I'd recommend it.

The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

Romance, Adult, Humor

Grace heads back out to LA for a second chance at acting. She crosses paths with the newest, hottest up and coming actor Jake Hamilton and sparks fly!

Really funny. A cute plot line. Very steamy. But be warned, there came a point in the book when it seemed like the author was trying to hit a certain number of pages of the sex scenes lasting.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Contemporary, Humor

Bernadette Fox is one of a kind. She doesn't really go out and she doesn't really socialize. Her daughter Bee is her world. They live in a huge (very run down) old boarding school. The book is how a little drama unfolded.

Strange, funny, crazy, and silly. This felt like no book I've ever read before. I'd recommend this one if you're looking for something different. 

Marriage Monday: Daily Actions

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The future of your marriage depends on your daily actions.

Marriage365.org

What are your thoughts on this?

How do you think this applies to you and your relationship?

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.