Paula Girton

Another great story! A classic girl next door vs the bad boy. Who can resist a set bad boy with a heart of gold? Bing doesn't stand a chance against a heart as sunny as Alexa's. I was swept away by her cheerful attitude and the way she handles the grump.Will Bing's “sordid” past be enough to make her run? I had in following along this story. It was sweet, fun and sexy. I laughed, because, well you'll see. I teared up a few times. I even got some ideas. This book is a ride worth taking. I can't wait to read more.

The preview on this book says it all.
I absolute loved the way Jodi Picoult “shows” the delicate intricacies to racism and prejudice. She does this through both sides. I just don't know what I can say that others haven't already said. I am waiting for a copy of the full story to become available at our library (all copies are checked out including digital).
In the end of this story I want to cry for Ruth. For all the Ruths out there today who are STILL having to deal with the ignorance that should no longer be.

I started reading this book simply because it's a Nicholas Sparks book. When I got to the first “Beverly” I became confused. Not understanding why two seemingly unrelated stories were being told. After the switch back to Colby I decided to stop.

For the first time ever, I wasn't going to finish a Nicholas Sparks novel.

A few days later I read the synopsis and decided to continue reading it. I would say that is was the last half of the book that was difficult for me to put down. I found myself reading any chance I got. Which is how I normally read a Sparks novel.

When I realized just how the two stories connected I gasped and startled my husband with a loud “no” followed by “of course”. Because while the connection hadn't at all been what I was thinking, not even close, it was kind of an obvious connection if you knew there was supposed to be a connection. Had I NOT read the synopsis I would have been more shocked. Well done Mr Sparks. Well done.

Literally a book full of snippets of letters sent to Mr Rogers as well as snippets of his responses and even just him talking to us about his thoughts on questions asked. I watched Mr. Rogers as a child and when my girls were little we tried to watch it but couldn't really find it on tv. Then when they were 6 they started watching Daniel Tiger.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. And, in reading his responses and thoughts I felt as if I were hearing his voice. I truly wish I had found this book when my girls were toddlers. His words and advice would have helped me tremendously. That said, although my girls are teenagers now I feel as though his words have helped me even now.
Even if you are not looking for advice I think this is a great pallet cleanser of sorts. It makes you smile.

15 lessons from Kevin Hart on how to be a more positive, hard working, successful person.
It's one of those books where you can actually “hear” the speaker's voice. Much of what he says isn't new or ground breaking. Hell, I've not only said similar things myself but put these lessons to work my entire life.
What makes this a great read is the tone. The way he presents things. The “examples” he uses. He turns “Lessons” into tidbits of knowledge from someone you respect. But, you also learn a little about the author hisself which makes you respect him even more.

Ignore the fact that this book is Matthew Perry's memoir. Look at it as an addict sharing the deep, down and dirty of being an addict. Read it with the intent to learn what it is like to live with the disease. Perry does a great job sharing the inner workings of the mind of an addict. This is a very eye-opening book, or it was for me anyway.

I read a review that slammed the book for the author being whiny and “poor pitiful me”. Accusing him of playing the “it's not easy being rich” card. And, while I do not agree that this is what he was doing I can see where someone might think this. To this I repeat my sentiment above. Go into this book as a way to see into the mind, heart and life of an addict.

Perry is very open about what was going through his mind while fighting the Big Terrible Thing. He is really sharing his story to give us an insight and hopefully and understanding of an addict's life. I really do believe he has written this book to help not only other addicts but really to help us be more patient and empathetic toward our own loved ones fighting this disease. Maybe, give us some tips to help our loved ones navigate the mine field they travel through daily just to survive.

Bonus, you are hearing it from one of this country's most beloved “Characters”. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is that Perry jumps from reminiscing about 2006 and then suddenly he's talking about 1999 and you don't really know that unless you are like me and keeping tabs on what happened when or he mentions the year. Other than this I think this book was great and I now have a deeper understanding and empathy for addicts.

WTF?

Wow. Ok. Parts of this were so...disturbing. Like, make me nauseous thinking a person could actually think the way Verity thought.
More than a little... Odd at the love story happening. I wanted to smack my head often at Lowen and Jeremy.
There were moments I worried about the sanity of the little boy. Maybe he's the “villain” or at least had the potential to be one.
It's the ending for me though. This didn't end the way I thought it would. I thought it was going to be... I don't even have the words to say what I thought.
One question I am left with is... Which Verity is the real one?

Again, moments of inappropriate for teens (in my opinion). Other than that I loved this story. I really enjoyed how the author lets us see Grace and Hudson's friendship grow. It's not your typical page 1-10 they hate each other and page 11 they're in love. This really is a story of two people becoming friends and eventually more.
Not only do you get to see them grow together, but we see them grow as individuals. Hudson's growth is drastic for the timeframe but still very well written. I think my favorite part of his growth is his love of Smokey.
I feel that Grace's growth happens more after she learns what she is.

Not the genre I usually go to, but this was recommended and I'm trying to be more open to different genres.
I am glad I gave it a try.
Right from the beginning I kept thinking “This reads too... I don't even know but it can't be real.” To the point I actually double checked to make sure it wasn't a fiction book. But in 2 days I was about 25% done. I don't have much time to read AND I read kinda slow.
After a few chapters I started having a hard time reading. It seemed like a lot was being repeated. Not that it was bad, just my ability to stay focused was being tested.
But then, things start to change and I couldn't seem to put the book down. Every chance I had I was reading.
In all honesty, his story fascinated me. I have soooo many thoughts on this book. I think the thing that hit me the most was the glimpse into the mind of the loved one who was a criminal and spent time in jail, the loved one lost to h. How it felt to be that person. And then the full circle of him finally understanding the mind and feels of the loved ones watching their child go through these things.
In short. Give it a read. It's worth it. His message is clear.

I am so very tempted to give this 5 stars. (Maybe I did and just haven't updated this)
Anyway. I very much enjoyed this book. The best relationship development is between Feyre and Rhysand. Hands down. Straight from the get go. Starting in ACOTAR.
As a reader I could sense the relationship building between even though Feyre did not. Or, would not. Being Tamlin's enemy puts Rhy at a disadvantage with Feyre. But, because of Rhysand and his patience and kindness she begins to heal and learn to read.
Then she goes back to Spring Court and all is undone until Rhy steps in again. Until, one day Tamlin goes too far with his controlling and something inside Feyre finally snaps.
I absolutely adore the way Rhy and the Night Court let Feyre work through things. The way they support her and care for her even though they barely know her. And, say what you will but I do not believe it is only because of the bond. It's because of who they are.
This book made me dislike Tamlin even more than I had in the first book. Like, really really not like him. He's a spoiled brat. Poor Lucien stuck in the middle. Between a long friendship with someone who gave him a home and a budding friendship with someone who truly cares for him but is becoming a part of another Court.
What Tamlin let happen to Feyre's human family was cruel. And, let's not kid ourselves. He is the reason Hybern got to the sisters. He is the reason they were captured. And he hardly fought at all when kind and sweet Elain was being forced into the Cauldron. Even with the woman he supposedly loved begging him to make it stop. Spoiled brat that he is.
Anyway.
Another very well written book. Great character and relationship development. Oh. Though we don't know much about him, I think Azriel is my favorite character.

There were things I rolled my eyes at, but I still think this is a 4star read. I have actually finished the Series and have so many thoughts. I originally rated this book as 5 stars but took it down to 4. This and the last book (Silver Flames) were my least fav simply for the sexual content. It is not something I felt comfortable reading at work. Books 2,3,4 were MUCH better in that department.
Let's get into the book...
I really did enjoy the development of Feyre and Tamlin. But, what I enjoyed more was Feyre and Lucien's friendship. I hope their friendship continues to develop and they become siblings by choice. I really hope that's the direction the author takes them.
While Under the Mountain we meet other characters. Rhysand is one that I thought we HAVE to see more of in future installments. The friendship that started between Feyre and Tamlin's enemy is intriguing. He and Lucien both helped her. Each in their own way. One more than the other, but they still risked themselves to do so.
Feyre's family... I know this is a story but I don't like them and would be glad to not see them in future books.
Two last things...
I Honestly think this book could've been TWO separate stories. Maybe short stories but still. It was kinda like reading two books. Although, I guess maybe not. Because it would be Before the Mountain and During. Hmm. Anyway.
Lastly,
The characters, not just the “main” ones, are so well written I can also see them in my head as I read. (It's something I do. Envision the characters based on descriptions and writing). I can see them and their personalities. That is some great writing to me. When I can visualize characters, even minor ones.

While I really did enjoy the book. The author does a great job telling the story in Grace's voice in what I call “Real Time”. It really is as if you are “hearing” her thoughts as they come. There's something about a story written this way that gets me.
Grace is a witty teenage girl who has been through something terrible and is brought in to a world she didn't know existed. She then goes through a few terrible things leading to the big bad. Throughout it all she stays the same caring girl she was at the very beginning. Setting her own pain aside to assuage or protect the emotions of those around her.
I am a huge Twilight fan and I have a feeling this series is going to give that a run for my favorite spot.
I don't know that I agree it being a YA book. Maybe if YA is 17+. Maybe I'm being too “prude”. I don't know.

WOW. When reading the first “Turk” chapter I almost just put the book away and filed it under “I tried”.
I kept going though and am so very glad I did. The research Jodi Picoult did to make this book what it is. An eye opening. A look into racism from 3 different views. And let me tell you. Reading “Turk”'s parts were... I felt mortified that there are still people who think this way and act this way.

I found this on our “lending library” shelf at work thinking my 5th grade nephew might want to read it. I read it so we can talk about it later.
I am glad I read it first. Mostly because I found it interesting. Partly because I found It does get a little graphic when describing the head wound and other parts but not so much that I wouldn't let my 10 year old nephew read it.
This was an interesting read. I'm not a fan of “time hop” style writing but this is different. The author follows a timeline and just tells the story from different perspectives. (Not sure I'm explaining this right)
April 14th... story from Booth, switch to Lincoln, switch back to booth, and so on.
Anyway. I'm excited to see what my nephew thinks.

Wish I could give 3.5. I did like this more than Wild, however, I can't help but wonder if there was another story to read before this. It feels as if I'm starting in the middle of a story and then skipping to the end. It's kinda strange. That said, I did enjoy seeing her view of her relationship with her mother in law evolve. I love how open she is about her love for her own mother and how, in the end she finally was able to tell her mother in law she loved her.

Easy read. I've never read a book like it. At first I was a little thrown but the more I read the more I liked it. I didn't frown up in the city of Chicago, nor am I Hispanic, but it's amazing how much her vignettes felt so similar to vignettes in my own childhood.
And after reading some other reviews I found that this is a “vignettes” style of writing. Got to say that I might like this style of writing.

This was a random pick for me. I had no idea what I expected, but it wasn't this. This isn't about #vanlife or traveling cross country or whatever. “The Scenic Route” isn't about getting from physical point A to physical point B by way of a the most scenic route. Instead, it is a brief telling of one woman's trauma and healing. The amount of story we get in such a short book is amazing. I saw parts of myself in her. Through her story I recognized an inner strength in myself I hadn't noticed before.
Side note: I looked for her Instagram but don't think it exists anymore.

This is 2 short fiction stories with the note the author actually wrote to her son when he went to college sandwiched between them. There is a common thread to these written pieces. That thread is Leaving Home.

The first story, in my opinion, has 2 instances of leaving home. One unthinkably heart wrenching and one heartbreaking but was a choice. The ending does have me a bit confused. My tired brain(I was pretty exhausted when reading this) wondered if this was a science fiction ending. The more aware brain today sees the growing wife and shrinking husband as more of a metaphor.

The Note is what resonated the most with me. It puts to words things that I feel for my children and worry I don't convey and wont' be able to convey. More over, there is such great advice. Advice that is sadly missing from today's society.

The last story is probably my favorite. Right from the start I had a really good idea what the mom was doing. I can see so many moms in today's society feeling the way this mom feels but never doing anything to change it. Most moms today would not “go on vacation” for fear that their families just wouldn't care. I love that this family pulled together and saw the lesson for what it was and went to “get her back”. I love MOST that in the end the family takes the time to bond and enjoy vacation instead of rushing back to “real life”.

I'm not a huge fan of the time hops. Other than that, everything is good.

I wish I had read the books before watching the show. I was expecting this to be all about Belly pining over Conrad but it's not. Not really. Not until the end anyway. The book also leaves me to wonder about the tv adaptation. But, I'm not a writer or producer so what do I know.

Anyway, good read. Quick read.