Why I have these books: I got hooked on the Hallmark series on Netflix, so when I ran out of episodes, I decided to read the books the series was based on. On Kindle, they are sold in Volumes that contain four books each. I just finished Volume One which includes:
16 Lighthouse Road
204 Rosewood Lane
311 Pelican Court
44 Cranberry Point
It was hard to separate the characters in the tv series from the characters in the book for the first several chapters (or more) of the first book. The story lines are somewhat different in the books than on the show, so I really had to erase the tv series from my mind so I could get engrossed in the books.
There's romance, drama, mystery, relationship issues, etc. throughout the books. It's kind of a peek into the lives of the people of this small coastal town. Something about both the series on tv and the books brings this cozy feeling. I'm not sure why, but it just feels like a comforting place to be in my free time. I've enjoyed them. (Although when I'm thinking what the story lines involve - divorce, murder, relationship drama, bad choices, etc., I'm wondering how I find them comforting and cozy. Haha! Makes no sense, other than it's just life set in a beautiful small town setting with people who seem real and who care about each other.)
I wouldn't call these books squeaky clean… there is quite a bit of what would be considered "mild" swearing (like the "D" word and the "H" word) and there is more than a passing amount of sex, although it's not what I would call a "smut" book. Each encounter is maybe a paragraph or two in length, but there is a bit of description. It's not crude, but there's enough detail that I wouldn't recommend it to my "purest" reading friends. ;)
Thursday, November 20, 2014
A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life (John Kralik)
Why I have this book: I read an excerpt of it in Reader's Digest, and then I recommended it for a book club. It was chosen for this month of Thanksgiving. (Apropos, ya?)
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author had a dry sense of humor that gave me quite a few smiles, but even beyond that, I loved the message of the book. I was raised to write thank you notes, and I'm glad I was. Today, because it is so rare, I notice and appreciate those newlyweds and new parents who take the time to write a note after receiving gifts. It really is a wonderful characteristic to be grateful and to take the time to say thank you.
Reading this book has motivated me to be more active in expressing my gratitude, especially with a handwritten note.
Clean.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author had a dry sense of humor that gave me quite a few smiles, but even beyond that, I loved the message of the book. I was raised to write thank you notes, and I'm glad I was. Today, because it is so rare, I notice and appreciate those newlyweds and new parents who take the time to write a note after receiving gifts. It really is a wonderful characteristic to be grateful and to take the time to say thank you.
Reading this book has motivated me to be more active in expressing my gratitude, especially with a handwritten note.
Clean.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Women and the Priesthood (Sheri Dew)
Why I have this book: I had seen a lot of "discussion" from embittered women in an LDS message board I sometimes follow… then I saw this book was coming out. I like (and respect) Sheri Dew, so when it was available on Kindle, I bought it.
We also read it for book club, but only 2 members finished it on time! I think I was only one chapter into it… oops.
I had a hard time getting engrossed in this book, although I found it most of it interesting, and I highlighted a bunch of stuff. I even learned some new things. Maybe part of the problem is that I didn't need convincing of her point of view. Maybe it was because it seemed like a lot more information than I needed before getting to the "meat" of it. Maybe it was because there never really was any definite, concrete answer. Matters of faith rarely are that concrete, and I'm okay with that.
I definitely enjoyed the last part of the book more than the beginning, so it's worth pressing through if you've started it and find it slow going.
Clean.
We also read it for book club, but only 2 members finished it on time! I think I was only one chapter into it… oops.
I had a hard time getting engrossed in this book, although I found it most of it interesting, and I highlighted a bunch of stuff. I even learned some new things. Maybe part of the problem is that I didn't need convincing of her point of view. Maybe it was because it seemed like a lot more information than I needed before getting to the "meat" of it. Maybe it was because there never really was any definite, concrete answer. Matters of faith rarely are that concrete, and I'm okay with that.
I definitely enjoyed the last part of the book more than the beginning, so it's worth pressing through if you've started it and find it slow going.
Clean.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
The Match Maker (Karey White)
Why I have this book: I bought it as soon as I finish the first book in the series (The Husband Maker, reviewed a few posts ago.) I had to wait a whole week for it to be released! BUT… it came on Saturday and I quickly read through it as soon as I had some time. (Meaning I neglected my housework and nearly everything else because I couldn't get my nose out of it.)
AAARRRGGGHHH! I seriously have to wait until February of 2015 to read the next book??? I think it's also the last book in the series, so at least I will be able to get off this roller coaster.
I went into the second book thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to happen, and things seemed to be going in another direction. Then I changed what I wanted to happen, and things have gone in another direction again! And I just really want the main character to get on a plane and go where I want her to go and be with who I want her to be with. And that's all you need to know.
Although… I am doubting that the "feelings" that end this book can possibly be for real. It just seems… too fast? Too convenient? I don't know. The next book might clear that up for me.
I highly recommend this series… so far. I just hope I close the last page of the last book with a satisfied sigh. I'm sure it would be ridiculous for things to work out the way I want them to at this point, but hopefully my feelings will change to match what actually happens.
Really, so enjoyable. You should read this series. :)
Clean.
AAARRRGGGHHH! I seriously have to wait until February of 2015 to read the next book??? I think it's also the last book in the series, so at least I will be able to get off this roller coaster.
I went into the second book thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to happen, and things seemed to be going in another direction. Then I changed what I wanted to happen, and things have gone in another direction again! And I just really want the main character to get on a plane and go where I want her to go and be with who I want her to be with. And that's all you need to know.
Although… I am doubting that the "feelings" that end this book can possibly be for real. It just seems… too fast? Too convenient? I don't know. The next book might clear that up for me.
I highly recommend this series… so far. I just hope I close the last page of the last book with a satisfied sigh. I'm sure it would be ridiculous for things to work out the way I want them to at this point, but hopefully my feelings will change to match what actually happens.
Really, so enjoyable. You should read this series. :)
Clean.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Moms' Night Out (Tricia Goyer)
Why I have this book: I saw someone talk about about it online and it sounded good, so I downloaded it to my Kindle.
So this is a book based on a movie screenplay. I know that happens from time to time… I probably read more than a handful as a child. This is the first I can remember reading as an adult. It definitely had the "feel" of a movie. I'm kind of curious if the author watched the movie and wrote the entire book exactly as it unfolded on her tv screen.
It started out good. I could totally relate to the emotions of the main character… I felt her frustration and I even found humor in her experiences. But the story turned into something akin to the movie "Baby's Day Out" ("Moms' Night Out"… coincidence?) or "Home Alone." Seemed like a lot of improbable circumstances and a bit of a slapstick comedy.
I didn't hate it… I just think the message got swallowed up in the chaos of the storyline. That's too bad, because sometimes moms need to know that they aren't alone.
Clean.
So this is a book based on a movie screenplay. I know that happens from time to time… I probably read more than a handful as a child. This is the first I can remember reading as an adult. It definitely had the "feel" of a movie. I'm kind of curious if the author watched the movie and wrote the entire book exactly as it unfolded on her tv screen.
It started out good. I could totally relate to the emotions of the main character… I felt her frustration and I even found humor in her experiences. But the story turned into something akin to the movie "Baby's Day Out" ("Moms' Night Out"… coincidence?) or "Home Alone." Seemed like a lot of improbable circumstances and a bit of a slapstick comedy.
I didn't hate it… I just think the message got swallowed up in the chaos of the storyline. That's too bad, because sometimes moms need to know that they aren't alone.
Clean.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
How Do I Know If I Know? (John Bytheway)
Why I have this book: I saw it and I bought it. Haha! (On my Kindle, of course!)
This is a book about understanding what it means to have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought parts were slow, but overall, it was a worthwhile read. Definitely a good one to have on hand if you have youth or others in your life who wonder how to, well, know if they "know." And to let them know it's okay to not "know," but maybe it's enough to believe… or even to want to believe. It's okay to have questions, and it's good to know how to listen for God's answers and direction.
I thought the best part was the last part of the book, but maybe different people would feel connected to different chapters in the book. I think maybe it depends on how one's mind works or what affects one's testimony the most.
I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to others.
Clean.
This is a book about understanding what it means to have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought parts were slow, but overall, it was a worthwhile read. Definitely a good one to have on hand if you have youth or others in your life who wonder how to, well, know if they "know." And to let them know it's okay to not "know," but maybe it's enough to believe… or even to want to believe. It's okay to have questions, and it's good to know how to listen for God's answers and direction.
I thought the best part was the last part of the book, but maybe different people would feel connected to different chapters in the book. I think maybe it depends on how one's mind works or what affects one's testimony the most.
I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to others.
Clean.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The Husband Maker (Karey White)
Why I have this book: I think after I read another of this author's books (My Own Mr. Darcy), I looked her up on Amazon to see what else she had written. This book was pretty inexpensive, so I bought it quite a few weeks (months?) ago.
I read it this weekend and really, really liked it. Maybe even loved it. I knew there was a second book in the series (possibly going to be a trilogy?), so when I finished this one, I went to Amazon to buy it so I could get started right away. Too bad it's not going to be released until November 1st! I pre-ordered it and will try to wait patiently until next week when it will be delivered to my Kindle. :)
It's a bummer that the third book probably won't be out for quite a while if the second one is barely coming out. Oh, well… something to look forward to!
There were a few editing issues, but nothing big. It was a nice, smooth read with a great storyline, nice character development, and a bit of a different format than you typically see in a romance novel. I'm still stumped as to what is going to happen in the next book.
I am really liking this author. I still have another of her books on my Kindle (unrelated to this series), so I'm happy about that.
Clean.
I read it this weekend and really, really liked it. Maybe even loved it. I knew there was a second book in the series (possibly going to be a trilogy?), so when I finished this one, I went to Amazon to buy it so I could get started right away. Too bad it's not going to be released until November 1st! I pre-ordered it and will try to wait patiently until next week when it will be delivered to my Kindle. :)
It's a bummer that the third book probably won't be out for quite a while if the second one is barely coming out. Oh, well… something to look forward to!
There were a few editing issues, but nothing big. It was a nice, smooth read with a great storyline, nice character development, and a bit of a different format than you typically see in a romance novel. I'm still stumped as to what is going to happen in the next book.
I am really liking this author. I still have another of her books on my Kindle (unrelated to this series), so I'm happy about that.
Clean.
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