Emotionally intelligent couples are intimately familiar with each other's world.
--John Gottman, Ph.D.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Marriage Monday: Everything You've Got!
I wish more people understood this deep down and put it into action. No keeping score. Just give it everything you have.
"Marriage is not 50/50; divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100/100. It isn't dividing everything in half, but giving everything you've got!"
Monday, March 10, 2014
Marriage Monday: Blessings and Burdens
Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens.
Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Reading Report February 2014
Reading Report
What I read from
February 1-February 28
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
Regency, Romance
Carter leaves for his duties in London shortly after his marriage to Miranda so she's off to one of his estates. Three years pass until they see each other again and things are slightly awkward between the two.
I jumped to the end of the mystery of this one quickly but it was a fun read. I love the characters Eden creates and she's good at writing swoon worthy men. I honestly dont read a lot of regency stuff but I just love Sarah M. Eden and will gobble up anything she publishes.
Gullivers Travels by Gill Harvey
Classic
There's this guy, Gulliver. He travels.
So. I listened to this one on audio book because it came in a bundle of other books. I was a bit bored out of my head. He was giant. He had a master. He was moved around. I really don't remember much because at one point I was just listening to get through. :/
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Historical, Fiction, New Adult, Mystery
Josie's mom has a pretty shady job and Josie knew just how dangerous it was from an early age. She wants something better for herself and her life so she's set out to make it happen. Only she's still got a ways to go and her mom has started causing trouble for her again.
There's no question this book jumps right into it. I was taken in after the first page and chapter and wanted to learn more about Josie and cheer her on. She's a strong character but I liked the way Sepetys portrayed and stayed true to both her age and what was available to her in the 1950s to portray her situation. I'd recommend this to others.
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The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen
Fantasy, Middle Grade
Sage, a young orphan, is recruited by Conner, a court nobleman, to train up with a few young boys. Sage makes a couple of friends among the other boys and learns that Conner has plans he doesn't agree with.
I had heard some good things about this one. I did enjoy this one and was pleasantly surprised the author kept my interest (which is sometimes tricky w/ middle grade reads) or at least was entertaining enough for me to enjoy what I was reading. My 10 y/o read this one too and liked it! I'm not in a hurry to read book #2 but I have added it to my tbr pile.
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Vain by Fisher Amelie
New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Sophie Price has a lot of things. The 'friends', the money, the big house, the freedom. However what she doesn't have she'll need to find. And she'll be forced to do it.
Picked this one up on a friends recommendation and was blown away. It was like nothing I'd really read before. A bit of a rich girl learns her lesson formula and w/ a bit of a political message along for the ride. (Warning: It starts out pretty raw and rough so this isn't one for everyone. But if you choose to read it, that only lasts 1-3ish chapters.)
Working it Out by Rachael Anderson
Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Clean
Grace is organized and dependable and likes things predictable. Seth is adventurous and outgoing and full of risks. He makes her crazy. She drives him wild.
A cute easy read. The characters were likable and the plot was fun. I found it a tad obnoxious that Grace was so stuck on Seths adventures (mainly that it was pointed out once a chapter) but I overlooked it easily and still enjoyed it. And this is a clean romance.
Bullets in the Washing Machine by Melissa Little
Non fiction
Stories were sent in to create a collaboration of a police family book.
I was gifted this book and was excited to get a book that I could relate to on a level not many others can. However after the first few depressing chapters I quickly got a sinking feeling that the rest of the book was similar. I'd say 95% of this book deals with officer deaths. While I appreciate those who participated in this book, their commitment, courage, and sacrifice, I just don't know who this books market is. Who would want to read an entire book about law enforcement tragedy's (especially other LEO families)? Honestly I almost didn't' finish this one (which is RARE for me) because it bothered me so badly. (Not the fact that these things happen but that this book would be marketed to the very people that need the deep support and help and love and instead to sink you deeper.)
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Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie
Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Harper has just turned18 and no longer able to stay in foster care. Callum has been on his own for a while. The two run into each other trying to find a place to sleep for the night and become inseparable. Now to figure out where to sleep each night.
An instant bond that builds rapid and strong. Callum and Harper both need and need to be needed and they fill it for each other. The last 1/3 of the book was a bit, I dont know another word, weird for me. While the plot point was set up, it almost seemed to be 'plugged in' earlier just so that there could be a conflict. Overall not as wonderful as I wanted it to be but I might still tell someone about it under the right circumstances.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult / Adult
15 year old Christopher finds his neighbors dog dead and sets off to solve the mystery so he can finish writing his book. However he has Autism and finds it difficult to interact and read others socially which makes interviewing his neighbors a bit of a task.
An interesting glimpse into what it might be like to live with Autism. You get some idea of how his parents, teachers and neighbors view him also. Entertaining and thoughtful.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Marriage Monday: To Make A Relationship Last....
"To make a relationship last, couples must become better friends,
learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other's hopes and dreams." -John Gottman, Ph.D.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Marriage Monday: Safety
"Make it your goal to create a marriage that feels like
the safest place on earth." -Greg Smalley
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Reading Report January 2014
Reading Report
What I've read from January 1-January 31
An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden
Regency Romance
Pritchard comes into an estate by an inheritance of a distant relative but once there realizes the home is already occupied...by a ghost. Unlike the previous owners who couldn't handle the haunting's the two manage to find some common ground.
I adore Sarah Eden and have yet to read one of her books I don't enjoy thoroughly. This one had been sitting on my shelf for a while and I admit I hadn't read the synopsis again when I picked it up so I was somewhat surprised to learn where the story was going, but I'll tell ya what. She totally pulled it off!
Anne of Green Gabels by L. M. Montgomery
Classic, Childrens / Middle Grade
Awaiting an orphan boy, the Cuthburts unexpectedly receive Anne Shirley instead. Not quite the hired hand they were hoping for, they still decide to give her a chance. But it's not hard to fall in love Anne.
I picked this one up a few years ago but lost it in my move and decided I needed to actually get around to reading it. Of course, now I want to go watch the movie. Perhaps I need to schedule a weekend of tv.
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Classic, Childrens, Animals
As told by Black Beauty and his many adventures through his life from an easy life as a colt, to a carriage horse and later hard driven cab horse.
I had never read this one before and thought it would be fun to get a few more classics read this year. I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would after reading a few reviews. I'm going to read this one with my 6, 8 and 10 year olds.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Contemporary, Adult, Humor, Romance
To quote from Goodreads: "oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love."
Quirky, funny, frustrating, sweet. This is one you gotta read to get the real feel of it. Certainly one I'll recommend to the right reader. (Warning: once you start you'll want to finish it, so make sure you have some time carved out.)
Three Little Words by Susan Mallery
(Fools Gold #12)
Romance, Contemporary
Isabelle comes home to Fools Gold to help run the family's bridal shop while she recovers from her failed marriage. Of course, she then crosses paths with an old crush.
A formulaic romance but if you're looking for easy and fun here's your thing. I haven't read the others in the series so I'm betting you could pick up any of them and still enjoy.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Classic, Childrens
Mowgli the man cub is raised by the wilds of the jungle.
Another classic I wanted to be able to say I could read.
My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White
Contemporary, Romance
Obsessed about Mr. Darcy in the movie Elizabeth bases her dating life on somewhat of a far fetched dream. After a dare from her best friend she finally gives a guy (very un-Darcy) a chance only to run into a close competitor a few weeks later.
I was up and down with this one. When I was done though I really did like it. Overall a good story telling and a decent plot (a tiny twist on a very overdone topic) but I felt she told me too much instead of let me watch the characters experience it (they went here. they ate this). Go into this one with a 'fluff' attitude and I think you'll enjoy it plenty!
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Classic
Jim Hawkins adventures on and off the sea.
This one couldn't end soon enough. I just couldn't get into it. I'm not sure if it's because I've seen a few versions of the movie but I was just so bored.
Haven by Kristi Cook
Young Adult, Paranormal
Violet is starting her first year of boarding school and realizes her 'differences' aren't so different anymore.
I feel I've been a little paranormal-ed out so I haven't really picked many up, but this one was cute and fun (though formulaic, but few aren't these days). I think I'll pick up the next in the series.
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