Vanessa Diffenbaugh
*spoiler, I discuss the ending
I really liked this book. It was interesting to think of the meaning of flowers and how important those meanings used to be. I also like how the book reminds us that in every language there is room for interpretation. I thought the story was really interesting as well. I think it was probably a pretty accurate representation of a troubled young girl. It is interesting to me to hear how others in my book clubs perceived her character as unrealistic, but as I deal with young, inexperienced moms sometimes I don't really think it was that far off. I have to admit I thought the end was a bit cheesy. While I always say I love things tied up in a neat bow, and a huge part of my loved that neat bow, it was in my opinion incredibly unrealistic.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Bossypants
Tina Fey
OMG! I laughed and laughed when I read this. I was a little worried I had been oversold by the people who kept talking about how funny it was, but I was not disappointed. Without this book a day of being delayed 6 hours from getting to see Avery for the first time in a week would have been miserable. Instead I was that weird lady in the airport/airplane laughing far too hard at her fancy e-reader. I wished I had the book so people would know it was a really funny book. A great read with good insights as well!
OMG! I laughed and laughed when I read this. I was a little worried I had been oversold by the people who kept talking about how funny it was, but I was not disappointed. Without this book a day of being delayed 6 hours from getting to see Avery for the first time in a week would have been miserable. Instead I was that weird lady in the airport/airplane laughing far too hard at her fancy e-reader. I wished I had the book so people would know it was a really funny book. A great read with good insights as well!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Before I Go to Sleep
S.J. Watson
I really liked this book. I haven't read a good mystery in a long time. I don't know if my standards are lower because of this, but I really thought it was good. I like that it was very suspenseful but most of the time not too scary. I loved the plot of the woman forgetting every night when she went to sleep, I felt for her. I feel like I can't say much without ruining the plot. I am sure this isn't a life changing read, but it would definitely be a great summer read. I stayed up until 1:20 last night because I got to the good part and had to know what happened.
I really liked this book. I haven't read a good mystery in a long time. I don't know if my standards are lower because of this, but I really thought it was good. I like that it was very suspenseful but most of the time not too scary. I loved the plot of the woman forgetting every night when she went to sleep, I felt for her. I feel like I can't say much without ruining the plot. I am sure this isn't a life changing read, but it would definitely be a great summer read. I stayed up until 1:20 last night because I got to the good part and had to know what happened.
The Paris Wife
Paula McLain
I thought this was a good book, but probably not a great book. I loved the setting and learning about this time period from a different vantage point. I don't know much about Ernest Hemingway, but I thought it was interesting to learn (I use that lightly since this was fiction based in fact) about his life near the beginning of his career. I am never quite sure what to think of the fiction based in fact, because it is hard to know what to accept as fact and what is not. I like things to fit in a box :) I am tempted to read the biography of Hemingway mentioned in the sources, but not sure I care that much. That tells me it wasn't an amazing book, but a good book. I do think it will be fun to discuss at book club. I am excited to see what the girls think!
I thought this was a good book, but probably not a great book. I loved the setting and learning about this time period from a different vantage point. I don't know much about Ernest Hemingway, but I thought it was interesting to learn (I use that lightly since this was fiction based in fact) about his life near the beginning of his career. I am never quite sure what to think of the fiction based in fact, because it is hard to know what to accept as fact and what is not. I like things to fit in a box :) I am tempted to read the biography of Hemingway mentioned in the sources, but not sure I care that much. That tells me it wasn't an amazing book, but a good book. I do think it will be fun to discuss at book club. I am excited to see what the girls think!
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Clan of the Cave Bear
Jean M. Auel
I didn't want to like this book. I am not an outdoors kind of girl. I don't like long, flowery descriptions in books. I thought I wasn't going to make it with the pages and pages of descriptions of what the clan foraged for, or ate. However, I got sucked into the story and learned when to click and skim the long flowery descriptions. I don't think that the world should revolve around men, and I have no tolerance for a culture where men show women "their place" with their fists. I found myself HATING Broud and cheering for Ayla. I really don't have time to read a 6 book series, but I just might have to and make sure that Ayla wins in the end!
I didn't want to like this book. I am not an outdoors kind of girl. I don't like long, flowery descriptions in books. I thought I wasn't going to make it with the pages and pages of descriptions of what the clan foraged for, or ate. However, I got sucked into the story and learned when to click and skim the long flowery descriptions. I don't think that the world should revolve around men, and I have no tolerance for a culture where men show women "their place" with their fists. I found myself HATING Broud and cheering for Ayla. I really don't have time to read a 6 book series, but I just might have to and make sure that Ayla wins in the end!
Room
Emma Donoghue
An interesting read for sure. Hearing the story from the perspective of a 5 year old boy really made the story for me. It was disturbing and hard to read, but I couldn't put it down despite the premise. I am glad I read it, I thought it was great but it feels weird to gush about a book with such dark subject matter. I think Ma was an amazing woman. I hope I am half the mother she was in Room. Even though it wasn't real I find myself hoping she was able to put the pieces of her life back together for herself and for Jack, but mostly for herself. It also made me think I really need to teach Avery and Hank more and spend less time distracted by the world.
An interesting read for sure. Hearing the story from the perspective of a 5 year old boy really made the story for me. It was disturbing and hard to read, but I couldn't put it down despite the premise. I am glad I read it, I thought it was great but it feels weird to gush about a book with such dark subject matter. I think Ma was an amazing woman. I hope I am half the mother she was in Room. Even though it wasn't real I find myself hoping she was able to put the pieces of her life back together for herself and for Jack, but mostly for herself. It also made me think I really need to teach Avery and Hank more and spend less time distracted by the world.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
I LOVED this book. It was so very interesting. I don't know if you would love it if science wasn't your favorite subject, but I think you still might. This was such an interesting story of the woman behind so many life changing discoveries in American and world-wide medicine. I love that this book was also so much more than medicine, it talks about race relations 1950s, family relationships, and race relations now. I am so glad that Ms. Skloot finally told the Lacks' family story! I am so sad that the Lacks' family story is what it is and I wonder what it would have taken to really change it. It is overwhelming, but incredibly interesting to me to consider the many ethical sides to medical research. Ms. Skloot did an excellent job of personalizing the things that in medicine we generally try desperately to make anonymous. Like I said as a loud and proud member of the nerd herd for as long as I can remember, I thought this was a really great book!
I LOVED this book. It was so very interesting. I don't know if you would love it if science wasn't your favorite subject, but I think you still might. This was such an interesting story of the woman behind so many life changing discoveries in American and world-wide medicine. I love that this book was also so much more than medicine, it talks about race relations 1950s, family relationships, and race relations now. I am so glad that Ms. Skloot finally told the Lacks' family story! I am so sad that the Lacks' family story is what it is and I wonder what it would have taken to really change it. It is overwhelming, but incredibly interesting to me to consider the many ethical sides to medical research. Ms. Skloot did an excellent job of personalizing the things that in medicine we generally try desperately to make anonymous. Like I said as a loud and proud member of the nerd herd for as long as I can remember, I thought this was a really great book!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Forgotten Garden
Kate Morton
I really want to give it 4 and 1/4 stars like on Star Search. :)
I really liked this book. It was a great break from a stretch of ho-hum novels. I have really liked several non-fiction books, but this is the first good fiction in awhile. I normally get very annoyed with switching narrators and times, but the author won me over. I loved hearing the story from several different angles and piecing the puzzle together with all of their help. The Secret Garden is one of the first "chapter books" I remember really loving, so I think that made me like the garden aspect of the book as well. Their probably were a few too many side stories for the present day characters, but I liked them anyway. This was a great read!
I have started using Goodreads! It is a really fun website where you can put books you are reading, want to read and have read. You can post reviews and updates as you go. Are you on goodreads? If you are let me know so I can follow you!
I really want to give it 4 and 1/4 stars like on Star Search. :)
I really liked this book. It was a great break from a stretch of ho-hum novels. I have really liked several non-fiction books, but this is the first good fiction in awhile. I normally get very annoyed with switching narrators and times, but the author won me over. I loved hearing the story from several different angles and piecing the puzzle together with all of their help. The Secret Garden is one of the first "chapter books" I remember really loving, so I think that made me like the garden aspect of the book as well. Their probably were a few too many side stories for the present day characters, but I liked them anyway. This was a great read!
I have started using Goodreads! It is a really fun website where you can put books you are reading, want to read and have read. You can post reviews and updates as you go. Are you on goodreads? If you are let me know so I can follow you!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Ree Drummond
This was my mother's day gift to myself. I was lazy and read the whole book on Sunday. (While the boys were napping and after they went to bed, I didn't totally ignore them.) It didn't take long. I love the Pioneer Woman! I think she is a fabulous blogger because we all read her book or blog and find ourselves convinced we would be best friends. If only I lived near her ranch in Oklahoma, but wait I don't want to live on a ranch in Oklahoma. While I don't need black heels, I am also not up for tractor wheels. This was a fun story with a little realism, too. I forget that Ree's life is anything but perfect, and she has had her share of rough times. Some I could very much relate to these days. I think this is a good old fashioned fun, chick flick read. Run on out and grab you a copy.
This was my mother's day gift to myself. I was lazy and read the whole book on Sunday. (While the boys were napping and after they went to bed, I didn't totally ignore them.) It didn't take long. I love the Pioneer Woman! I think she is a fabulous blogger because we all read her book or blog and find ourselves convinced we would be best friends. If only I lived near her ranch in Oklahoma, but wait I don't want to live on a ranch in Oklahoma. While I don't need black heels, I am also not up for tractor wheels. This was a fun story with a little realism, too. I forget that Ree's life is anything but perfect, and she has had her share of rough times. Some I could very much relate to these days. I think this is a good old fashioned fun, chick flick read. Run on out and grab you a copy.
What the Dog Saw
Malcom Gladwell
I like Malcolm Gladwell books. They make me feel smart because they are non-fiction and I don't read much non-fiction. :) I have to say I didn't love this like I loved the other two Gladwell books I have read. For some reason the collection of essays bothered me a little, I am not a huge fan of short stories, and there were some that just weren't as interesting to me as others. Overall, I did very much enjoy it though. I like to think about things in a different way and Mr. Gladwell always helps me see things with a little more information and perspective. For instance, I knew I was a little bit frustrated with Avery's preschool teachers and the section on evaluating performance and how to promote as a result hit the nail on the head for our situation. His teachers are kind and nice, not bad at all. They just aren't that amazing teacher you sometimes find, they get the nuts and bolts perfectly. But, I don't think they know wiggling and leaning forward to look at the story doesn't mean you are disobedient, it means you are very interested in knowing more. You should read this when you want to feel smart and be entertained all at the same time.
I like Malcolm Gladwell books. They make me feel smart because they are non-fiction and I don't read much non-fiction. :) I have to say I didn't love this like I loved the other two Gladwell books I have read. For some reason the collection of essays bothered me a little, I am not a huge fan of short stories, and there were some that just weren't as interesting to me as others. Overall, I did very much enjoy it though. I like to think about things in a different way and Mr. Gladwell always helps me see things with a little more information and perspective. For instance, I knew I was a little bit frustrated with Avery's preschool teachers and the section on evaluating performance and how to promote as a result hit the nail on the head for our situation. His teachers are kind and nice, not bad at all. They just aren't that amazing teacher you sometimes find, they get the nuts and bolts perfectly. But, I don't think they know wiggling and leaning forward to look at the story doesn't mean you are disobedient, it means you are very interested in knowing more. You should read this when you want to feel smart and be entertained all at the same time.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Anybody Any Minute
Julie Mars
I thought this was an okay book. The main character was interesting enough however the plot didn't grab my interest and keep it. I think the story was just a little too contrived for my taste. I am not sad I read it, but it is definitely not worth the trouble it took to find it since it is not available on kindle. I won't spoil the ending but it was weird. The more I think about it, this just wasn't that good of a book. None of the characters were developed in a way that made you fall in love with them and want to really know their stories. I am an easy to please reader so I certainly didn't hate it, but I am an easy to please reader and I also didn't love it.
I thought this was an okay book. The main character was interesting enough however the plot didn't grab my interest and keep it. I think the story was just a little too contrived for my taste. I am not sad I read it, but it is definitely not worth the trouble it took to find it since it is not available on kindle. I won't spoil the ending but it was weird. The more I think about it, this just wasn't that good of a book. None of the characters were developed in a way that made you fall in love with them and want to really know their stories. I am an easy to please reader so I certainly didn't hate it, but I am an easy to please reader and I also didn't love it.
Heaven is for Real
Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent
This was another book club pick. I was a little nervous to read and discuss because we typically have a "no Jesus book" clause. This sounds a little silly as we are a group of Christian women, but we didn't want to get bogged down in feeling chained only to Christian works and let's be honest most Christian fiction is a whipping. We did read the Red Tent and it was great, well worth breaking the rules for. I have to say this book was just okay. I thought it was a sweet story and a very easy read, I finished it in an afternoon. The little boy seems like a sweet kid and I loved the way he described heaven, it would be more than great with me if that is how it is. I think he positively impacted many lives and that is awesome! Can you tell I feel weird talking negatively about a Jesus book? Another reason not to chose them, it's too hard to be honest. I think it is a sweet story. I think it is weird that he had an out of body go to heaven experience when he never died, normally people that tell these stories actually died. I also think it isn't a coincidence that he is the son of a small town preacher. My uncle was small town preacher for years and my cousin did go with him to visit people in the nursing home and hospital, or drive the joy bus on Sunday mornings. I think these experiences are hugely shaping in all the best ways, but probably greatly affect the experience written about. No matter what I am glad that this little boy is okay today, making a positive impact in people's lives for Christ, and most importantly I am so glad there is a heaven for us to go see for ourselves someday!
This was another book club pick. I was a little nervous to read and discuss because we typically have a "no Jesus book" clause. This sounds a little silly as we are a group of Christian women, but we didn't want to get bogged down in feeling chained only to Christian works and let's be honest most Christian fiction is a whipping. We did read the Red Tent and it was great, well worth breaking the rules for. I have to say this book was just okay. I thought it was a sweet story and a very easy read, I finished it in an afternoon. The little boy seems like a sweet kid and I loved the way he described heaven, it would be more than great with me if that is how it is. I think he positively impacted many lives and that is awesome! Can you tell I feel weird talking negatively about a Jesus book? Another reason not to chose them, it's too hard to be honest. I think it is a sweet story. I think it is weird that he had an out of body go to heaven experience when he never died, normally people that tell these stories actually died. I also think it isn't a coincidence that he is the son of a small town preacher. My uncle was small town preacher for years and my cousin did go with him to visit people in the nursing home and hospital, or drive the joy bus on Sunday mornings. I think these experiences are hugely shaping in all the best ways, but probably greatly affect the experience written about. No matter what I am glad that this little boy is okay today, making a positive impact in people's lives for Christ, and most importantly I am so glad there is a heaven for us to go see for ourselves someday!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand
Wow, what an interesting read. This was definitely tough to get through at times. I am a little embarrassed to admit I almost never think of anything other than the persecuted Jewish people when I think of World War II. While they absolutely deserve our respect and remembrance, there are so many other people who suffered miserably for our freedoms and fought valiantly for them. I thought this was a very interesting picture of a soldier's life on the Japanese side of the story. I really like that the author portrayed Louie as he was lovable at times, and very unlovable at others. I think she did a great job of letting us learn to love and respect him on our own. I did think the acknowledgements were interesting when she mentioned some of his fellow soldiers. Because Louie was famous for being a great runner he was automatically a great and well know soldier, I wonder if it was even harder to be an outstanding soldier and who gets lost in the shuffle because you weren't famous before hand. A very interesting read. Well worth the time it took, but you may have to step away occasionally it is pretty heavy. I am once again finding myself so very thankful for my charmed life!
Wow, what an interesting read. This was definitely tough to get through at times. I am a little embarrassed to admit I almost never think of anything other than the persecuted Jewish people when I think of World War II. While they absolutely deserve our respect and remembrance, there are so many other people who suffered miserably for our freedoms and fought valiantly for them. I thought this was a very interesting picture of a soldier's life on the Japanese side of the story. I really like that the author portrayed Louie as he was lovable at times, and very unlovable at others. I think she did a great job of letting us learn to love and respect him on our own. I did think the acknowledgements were interesting when she mentioned some of his fellow soldiers. Because Louie was famous for being a great runner he was automatically a great and well know soldier, I wonder if it was even harder to be an outstanding soldier and who gets lost in the shuffle because you weren't famous before hand. A very interesting read. Well worth the time it took, but you may have to step away occasionally it is pretty heavy. I am once again finding myself so very thankful for my charmed life!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
Jim Fay & Charles Fay, Ph. D.
As I mentioned on my regular blog Avery has been getting into some trouble at preschool. While we now think he is only a piece of the puzzle, we still decided this was a good time to have a little more method to our madness.
Love and Logic was far and away the most recommended resource from our pediatrician to friends to the preschool newsletter.
I really liked this book. I liked that it was short and sweet, but thoughtful. I liked that it had lots of examples. I like that so far it is working. A lot of it is not all the different from what we were already doing, but it gives us ways to do it better or lets us know we were already on the right track. I of course do not agree with every single thing they say, but I would highly recommend putting this on your list if you are looking for some help with parenting. I think I am going to read the extended version as well and then take a break for awhile. I would love it if we could go to a workshop where we can ask questions, too. I wonder if there is a version for preschool teachers I could give as a gift. :)
As I mentioned on my regular blog Avery has been getting into some trouble at preschool. While we now think he is only a piece of the puzzle, we still decided this was a good time to have a little more method to our madness.
Love and Logic was far and away the most recommended resource from our pediatrician to friends to the preschool newsletter.
I really liked this book. I liked that it was short and sweet, but thoughtful. I liked that it had lots of examples. I like that so far it is working. A lot of it is not all the different from what we were already doing, but it gives us ways to do it better or lets us know we were already on the right track. I of course do not agree with every single thing they say, but I would highly recommend putting this on your list if you are looking for some help with parenting. I think I am going to read the extended version as well and then take a break for awhile. I would love it if we could go to a workshop where we can ask questions, too. I wonder if there is a version for preschool teachers I could give as a gift. :)
A Vintage Affair: A Novel
Isabel Wolff
So cute! I thought this was a very fun read. While it was definitely a chick flick it had some decent substance. I have always loved reading because a good book makes you forget you are reading while you picture the movie in your head. I LOVED picturing all the cool clothes and scenes in my head, and was so glad the author could get me there without long, flowery descriptions. I think this is a perfect spring break read!
So cute! I thought this was a very fun read. While it was definitely a chick flick it had some decent substance. I have always loved reading because a good book makes you forget you are reading while you picture the movie in your head. I LOVED picturing all the cool clothes and scenes in my head, and was so glad the author could get me there without long, flowery descriptions. I think this is a perfect spring break read!
Monday, February 21, 2011
For Men Only
Shaunti Feldhahn & Jeff Feldhahn
We are in counseling. We are fine, good actually. But, for a long time I have liked my sister's philosophy that you get a check up for your physical health every so often why not your marriage? Then Michael's parents shared with us that they are getting a divorce and that pretty much pushed us into finding someone to help us handle this in a Godly way. We looked, but there are no guide books for when your parents give up on 34 years... but I digress and get less Godly. Anyway, our counselor reccommended this and For Women Only which is next on my list. I liked it. I thought a lot of it was really true. I thought it was an easy read and I think both of us reading both of these will make us a better couple. The lessons were not rocket science to me, but I think will be revealing to my husband. I laughed out loud at the section about why men can't follow women's conversations that jump all over everywhere. My dad always gets frustrated with my mom, sister and I for that. Jeff explained it perfectly! I would definitely reccommend this quick read for you and your spouse. (Ladies you read this first, men you do the opposite, then switch!)
We are in counseling. We are fine, good actually. But, for a long time I have liked my sister's philosophy that you get a check up for your physical health every so often why not your marriage? Then Michael's parents shared with us that they are getting a divorce and that pretty much pushed us into finding someone to help us handle this in a Godly way. We looked, but there are no guide books for when your parents give up on 34 years... but I digress and get less Godly. Anyway, our counselor reccommended this and For Women Only which is next on my list. I liked it. I thought a lot of it was really true. I thought it was an easy read and I think both of us reading both of these will make us a better couple. The lessons were not rocket science to me, but I think will be revealing to my husband. I laughed out loud at the section about why men can't follow women's conversations that jump all over everywhere. My dad always gets frustrated with my mom, sister and I for that. Jeff explained it perfectly! I would definitely reccommend this quick read for you and your spouse. (Ladies you read this first, men you do the opposite, then switch!)
The Red Garden
Alice Hoffman
I liked this book. I thought it was a good collection of short stories more than a novel. The setting remained the same and occasionally involved ancestors from a previous story, but it didn't flow as well as I thought a novel should. Just when I was getting into a story it would change and we would be dealing with their great grand children's lives. I do wonder if this would have bothered me less if I had read it in fewer sittings rather than here and there over the past few weeks. A good book, not a great book.
I liked this book. I thought it was a good collection of short stories more than a novel. The setting remained the same and occasionally involved ancestors from a previous story, but it didn't flow as well as I thought a novel should. Just when I was getting into a story it would change and we would be dealing with their great grand children's lives. I do wonder if this would have bothered me less if I had read it in fewer sittings rather than here and there over the past few weeks. A good book, not a great book.
Freedom
Jonathan Franzen
I have to say this was not my favorite. It actually lead to some pretty good discussion which I enjoyed, but it felt forever long. I guess I don't understand why popular novels about "American families" have to be about how sad and miserable and depressed they are. In the end no one or very few people are happy. I have to say I have a great life, even with really crappy things happening that I have NO control over I still have so much I love. I can think of amazing Godly men and women I know who have endured tragedy after tragedy and I don't think their novel would be nearly so whiny. But, it did have my beloved bow ending that I found especially uplifting these days. I also have to say that man Jonathan is obsessed with sex scenes, good grief! We get it already. So, I wouldn't read this unless this is your favorite genre and you won't mind lots of inappropriateness and whining. Sorry!
I have to say this was not my favorite. It actually lead to some pretty good discussion which I enjoyed, but it felt forever long. I guess I don't understand why popular novels about "American families" have to be about how sad and miserable and depressed they are. In the end no one or very few people are happy. I have to say I have a great life, even with really crappy things happening that I have NO control over I still have so much I love. I can think of amazing Godly men and women I know who have endured tragedy after tragedy and I don't think their novel would be nearly so whiny. But, it did have my beloved bow ending that I found especially uplifting these days. I also have to say that man Jonathan is obsessed with sex scenes, good grief! We get it already. So, I wouldn't read this unless this is your favorite genre and you won't mind lots of inappropriateness and whining. Sorry!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Faithful Place
Tana French
Some of my book club friends were all pumped up about a new Tana French novel to read. I have to admit I didn't even know who she was. I thought this was a good book. It took me awhile to get into it. I definitely struggled with the colloquialisms (SAT word, huh) of another culture. It got on my nerves throughout the whole book that I often couldn't fully appreciate the dialogue or know just how offended I should be by the cursing. :) I did like the story though. It was a little predictable, but I liked learning about the relationships involved and the special place it gave to your first true love. The book also makes you think about what your life would be life with a different parents and my sister would LOVE the importance placed on birth order in this family. I think this is a good read if you can get past the language barrier even though it is in English.
Some of my book club friends were all pumped up about a new Tana French novel to read. I have to admit I didn't even know who she was. I thought this was a good book. It took me awhile to get into it. I definitely struggled with the colloquialisms (SAT word, huh) of another culture. It got on my nerves throughout the whole book that I often couldn't fully appreciate the dialogue or know just how offended I should be by the cursing. :) I did like the story though. It was a little predictable, but I liked learning about the relationships involved and the special place it gave to your first true love. The book also makes you think about what your life would be life with a different parents and my sister would LOVE the importance placed on birth order in this family. I think this is a good read if you can get past the language barrier even though it is in English.
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Nancy Pickard
I think I liked this even better than the other book I recently read by this author. I thought it was less predictable and I identified with the characters more. I thought this was my kind of mystery, intriguing but not scary. I also liked the perspective on family and appreciated how the mom in the story had realistic opinions about her children while fiercely loving them.
I think I liked this even better than the other book I recently read by this author. I thought it was less predictable and I identified with the characters more. I thought this was my kind of mystery, intriguing but not scary. I also liked the perspective on family and appreciated how the mom in the story had realistic opinions about her children while fiercely loving them.
Brava Valentine
Adriana Trigiani
A cute holiday read. This was the perfect unwind for a few minutes at the end of a long day book. It was fun, sweet and not challenging in any way. It even involved celebrating the holidays, but you also got to escape to Italy and South America. This was the second in a series and I enjoyed it. I liked that it had a little more meat to while still remaining fun and overall light hearted. I do hate that people are so laid back about the commitment that a marriage is, but this is a cheesy novel so I won't get up on my soap box. And, I did love the story of her parents working through a challenge in their marriage rather than giving up!
A cute holiday read. This was the perfect unwind for a few minutes at the end of a long day book. It was fun, sweet and not challenging in any way. It even involved celebrating the holidays, but you also got to escape to Italy and South America. This was the second in a series and I enjoyed it. I liked that it had a little more meat to while still remaining fun and overall light hearted. I do hate that people are so laid back about the commitment that a marriage is, but this is a cheesy novel so I won't get up on my soap box. And, I did love the story of her parents working through a challenge in their marriage rather than giving up!
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