Reading Report August 2014

What I read in August 2014

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Contemporary, Romance, Adult

Company policy states that work email is subject to be read by a third party yet it doesn't stop Beth and Jennifer from sharing friendly, funny, or personal correspondence. It's Lincolns job to monitor company emails and he can't help but feel like he's getting to know Beth and Jennifer, even though they've never met before.

I thought this was a fun idea and I think Rowell pulled it off rather brilliantly. She has away of capturing and expressing the vulnerability in her characters without making them feel weak. I liked this one!

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley

Mystery, Thriller

While on assignment in a foreign country, Kate is approached by an old man who makes a passing comment about her grandmother. After the brief conversation she's left wondering more but it's too late as he's struck and killed by a hit and run car. She can't leave it be and starts uncovering a story about her beloved grandmother and a man she never knew, but must have been a bigger part of her grandmothers life. Some one is trying to keep things hidden though as the trail turns even more dangerous and deadly.

I read this one for book club and liked it okay. The plot sounded fascinating but I felt like it took too many turns and at some points got a bit confusing how she kept figuring things out and how one person was involved in the plot. Maybe if I had more time to really jump in I could have focused better. 

The Winners Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian 

Kestrel is the general's daughter and is supposed to get married or join the army, though she wants neither, At the auction she unexpectedly finds Arin, a slave up for bid, and buys him. 

An interesting world. Deep characters. A rich story. I want to reread it. (FYI the first in a series, and it just came out so the next couple will be along but are not out yet.)

As You Are by Sarah M. Eden

Regency Romance, Clean, Historical Fiction

Corbin Jonquil comes from a large powerful family. He's always been more comfortable in the stables with his horses and just blending in.  But when Mrs. Clara Bentford is new in the neighborhood he takes notice and wants her to notice him. His brothers all suggest ways to catch her eye but none of them are him and Corbin and Clara fumble around each other. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love anything by Sarah M. Eden. Her characters are vivid and full and interesting. She's a great storyteller and her writing is engaging. Usually when I pick up her books I can't put them down until I'm done. I've read these completely out of order, which I haven't minded but if you haven't started yet, the first one was is Friends and Foes.

Marriage Monday: Deal with Conflict

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"In all kinds of relationships, people have conflict and disagreements and hurt one another's feelings. What determines the success of the relationship is the way people deal with conflict." 

-John and Julie Gottman

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Priority

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Scheduling sex doesn't take the romance out of it, it just makes it a priority in your marriage.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Opposite of Loneliness

The opposite of loneliness is not togetherness it's intimacy. -Richard Bach

How can you cultivate intimacy in your own relationship? 

What can you this week to create more intimacy within your marriage?

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Each Other

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Learn to love and appreciate the good in each other.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Expressions of Love

Expressions of Love

 


Don't withhold those natural expressions of love.

Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful.                                       --Richard G. Scott

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Reading Report June and July 2014

What I read in June and July 2014

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Historical Fiction, Non fiction, Biography

Recalling her times as a servant in 1920s England. Starting at the bottom and moving and working her way up the ranks of servants. 

Read this one for book club and really enjoyed it. If you like books or shows with regency themes this is very interesting. It's not totally fluid but a small flaw. I haven't watched either show on the books cover but if you've seen those I think you'd like this book even more. 

Defy by Sara B. Larson

Fantasy, Young Adult

To fight for her life Alexa disguises herself as Alex and joins the kings army. As one of the best swordsmen in the land she earns a spot in the princes guard. Prince Damien is abducted and Alex and fellow guard Rylan must risk their lives for the prince and the country they love.

A debut novel by Larson, she builds an interesting society that will be fun to see where it can lead in the rest of the series. 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Young Adult, Contemporary

There's a hat box in her closet that she keeps the letters she writes to each of the boys she's had a crush on. These boys never knew she had crushes on them. After being confronted at school by one of her past crushes she discovers the box's contents have been mailed to each boy. She must now face what her heart once felt. 

I liked the way Han crafted this one. It could have been cheesy or watered down but I thought she crafted her characters well and I enjoyed the plot. 

Infinity + One by Amy Harmon

New Adult, Contemporary

Clyde and Bonnie Rae are lost souls who find each other, but can they help each other find themselves?

I love all of the Amy Harmon books I've read so far and this one was no exception. Fun plot idea and great characters. If you're interested in trying another one by her, check out Running Barefoot or A Different Blue.