Book List Update: February

Where in the world did February go?

Okay, I know that it's a short month, but seriously, that was way too fast for me.

I didn't meet my goal this month for my book list. Between Paigey's birthday prep and celebrations and sick kids, I barely had time to sit, let alone read.

Here's what I read in February:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - I liked this book; I don't think it's one of my favorites, but I can see myself reading it again in a couple years. I loved the character development and growth, especially in Mary. It really made me want winter to be over so I can go out and work in my gardens, though!!!

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber - Debbie is one of my favorite authors, and this book started off a new series, but is set in a town with characters from one of her series that she just finished a year or so ago. Even though this series is based on new characters, it felt like coming home when familiar characters popped in to the story. Loved this book, and can't wait for the next one to get to the library!

The Survivor, Families of Honor Book #3 by Shelley Shepard Gray - Shelley is a somewhat new author that I discovered, and she's quickly becoming one of my favorites. I haven't read book one or two in the series, so I'm going to have to find them. Although I read out of order, it wasn't too hard to figure out what was going on. This one is definitely a keeper (thanks, Mom!).

Unashamed by Francine Rivers - This book was recommended to me my my mother-in-law. It is part of a five book series, all based on women in the Bible, that according to the cover, "changed eternity." This one was about Rahab, and although it's historical fiction, it helps paint a picture of what may have happened during the time when the wall around Jericho fell. It was very inspirational, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Oh man oh man. This book took me three weeks to read. It was so random and nonsensical, and I can't decide if I liked it or not. There were definitely times where I wanted to throw the book across the room, yet others I was laughing hysterically. It was strange. Jury's still out on this one if I'm going to read the rest of the series or not.

This brings my current total up to 14 books read in 2013!

I am currently reading:
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkein
Unshaken by Francine Rivers


Have you read any good books lately?

Book List Update: January

As you may remember, a goal for this year is to read 100 books that I've never read before. That translates to 8-9 books a month, and I'm trying to shoot for 9. This month has been crazy; I've had two guest posts I've had to work on, a heavier than normal babysitting schedule, and I was sick for two weeks with a nasty head cold. For awhile it was looking like I wasn't going to even get 4 books read as some books took longer than I expected, but I was able to get 9 done!

Here are the books I read in January:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein – The story was not what I imagined it was going to be like at all. It was easier to read than I imagined, and so much fun! I was entertained the whole time and hated putting it down. Loved this one!

Creative Girls Club Adventure Book #1: Wellspring of Magic by Jan Fields – Yes, this is a kid's chapter book. One of the teachers at school gave this book to us to see if Paige would be interested in it. I read it first to make sure it was something we'd want Paigey to be reading, and if it would be something that would challenge her and be enjoyable for her. It wasn't too bad; I enjoyed that the six girls in the book had to work together in order to get their jobs done. Parts of it were a little cheesy, but then again I'm not an 8 – 12 year old girl :) We will probably let Paige read this, but talk to her about certain things that our family doesn't agree with (trees having sprits, magic being in all of us, etc.).

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine – I didn't know anything about the book before reading it (well, other than it was about a girl named Ella...), so again didn't know what to expect. Although I feel like the ending was slightly rushed, I liked this book a lot. Paigey's getting this one for her birthday, so I wanted to read it first to make sure it was appropriate.

The Fiddler, Home to Hickory Hollow book #1 by Beverly Lewis - Beverly Lewis is definitely one of my favorite authors, and I'm rarely disappointed in her writing. This is a brand new series by her, and one of the librarians set the first two books aside for me after our board meeting. I love reading about the Amish; I find them fascinating! I especially loved the main character in this book, but I'm biased as she had one of my favorite girl names: Amelia.


The Bridesmaid, Home to Hickory Hollow book #2 by Beverly Lewis - Book two in the series, and I'm disappointed because I have to wait until April at the earliest until book three is released!!! Don't you just hate reading a book to find out the sequel isn't out just yet?


Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber - Another one of my favorite authors, and this book has some of my favorite recurring characters - three angels named Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy! They get sent to Earth each year around Christmas to help answer the prayers of three people, but they get themselves into all sorts of messes along the way.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - This was a very difficult read for me, even though it was only 100ish pages long. It was very good, but when you have a head cold, it's very hard to follow Sherlock Holmes' logic! It was neat seeing the original story; I've seen a modern day adaptation of it in Sherlock. I'll probably read this again, but it won't be one I'd read often.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - I had to get this and Through the Looking Glass from the library as I just watched Alice in Wonderland and loved it. I loved the book just as much as the movie, and couldn't put it down! I think I read it in an afternoon/evening. I ordered the children's version of this for Paige, and I can't wait until she can read it, too!

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll - I didn't think it was possible, but this was even more nonsensical than Alice's Adventures in Wonderland! I read this in the span of 24 hours, and loved it. It's very quick and easy to read, but if you happen to skim any part, you'll get lost/confused because of all the nonsense. That probably doesn't make any sense, but I highly recommend these books!!!!


What's next on my list:
- I'm almost finished with The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett; it's taking me a lot longer to read this one because I can only read it when Paige isn't home (it's one of her birthday presents!). I read half of The Hound of the Baskervilles and both of the Alice books while reading this one.
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber


Have you read any good books lately?

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Our year is starting out not as expected, but in the grand scheme of things, we are so blessed. We all woke up tired and fairly cranky, then went out to run errands, and either the stores we wanted to go to were closed, or we forgot the gift card we needed to purchase things at the stores. We were able to get some things, and I'll go back tomorrow to get the big item (a new living room light) with the gift card. The kids refused to nap, so the crankiness has gotten worse.

But we have a warm house, food cooking for dinner, running water, clothes on our backs, and love to spare. I was also able to work on some projects today: cleaning up the basement, putting together an organizational system for the kids' school papers, and I made two American Girl sized silky blankets for Paige's best friend's birthday gift (they match the twin sized one I made her).

A lot of people make resolutions this time of year, and in years past, I've done that. I've fallen short every time, and all I do is get depressed. Last year we did something different and made a Family Bucket List. It worked pretty well; we crossed off about 80% of the things on our list, and we were okay with the ones we were unable to do.

So here's my bucket list for 2013:

- Tackle my book list. I started The Hobbit today and have finished the first paragraph. Not bad for a busy day!

- Hug more, yell less. When my kids are cranky and disobeying, it usually means something is bothering them. I tend to yell, only to find out later that they're not feeling well, they're tired, their best friend was mean, etc. After I give them a hug, they feel better and are ready to start listening again. Wouldn't life be easier if I just hugged in the first place?

- Date my husband. With our busy lives and trying to stick to a strict budget, going out on dates weekly or even monthly is difficult. In December we started implementing Date Night, where we would take turns planning one date night a week. It's been just movie nights so far as December was busy, but even just sitting next to each other on the couch with the phones and computers off was a great way for us to connect. Best part? It's free! I would still like to have at least six nights out with just Pete this year. Birthday/anniversary dinners can count towards this number :)

- Have family night once a month. We put this on our bucket list last year, and it worked pretty well. We tried to have game night once a month, and it didn't always work out. Some months were just crazier than others, so we'd have a movie night with a picnic dinner on the living room floor. Movie nights or game nights count towards this; any ideas of other things we can do?

- Finish The Magician's Nephew with Nate. We started this last summer and made it through the first three or four chapters. He's been asking me to read it again, so I'd like to finish it with him this year.

- Overcome one fear. I don't know which one yet; it might be touch a fish after I've caught it, remove a snake from my garden, or fly on an airplane. I really want to go visit my best friend in Florida, but I'm afraid to fly....I can't let that stand in my way!

- Redecorate our basement. The plan is set, now just have to tackle it! I'm thinking it'll be a summer project. We'll be repainting, finishing the stairs, hanging new curtains, putting up new art work, and making lots of new pillows.

- Launch my Etsy site, SEA Creations! I think this will also happen later in the year; I don't have time to fully devote to it right now.

- Teach Paigey how to ride a bike without training wheels. We were going to do this last summer, but never made the time. This year will be the year!!!!

- Exercise more...but more for health instead of weight loss. I tend to get frustrated after I've been exercising for a few weeks and quit because I'm not losing weight. I forget that having a healthy body is more important, and the weight loss is just an added bonus. Maybe changing my focus will help :)

- Be silly more often! I love being silly with my kids. I don't do it often enough, and laughter is the best medicine!


What are your goals for the year? May it be a blessed year for you and your family!

My Book List

I love books: I love to read, I love their smell, the way they sit so nicely in your hand. I'm not usually picky about what I read. Granted, I have my favorite authors and subjects, but I'll give almost everything a chance.

Lately I've been in a reading rut. I'm reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for a second time, and am loving it more this time than when I read it last year. Part of that is because I'm addicted to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a modern day adaptation of the book done in a video blog style. It's fantastic, and even though they've changed things a bit, it's helping me understand what's happening in the book better. If you're interested in becoming addicted like me watching them, start with the first vlog here. Other than P&P, I'm kind of stuck as what to read next. I've read all the books I own and most that are at our library that my author's have written or are in the genres I like, and don't know where to go from here.

Along the same lines, I'm thinking about what I want to do in 2013...almost like I'm making a bucket list for next year. Then it hit me:

Why don't I figure out a list of books to read for next year?

And so my Book List was born!

My goal is to read 100 books next year that I've never read before. I'll read other books as well, because there are some I just have to read over and over again. I'm not going to write out a full 100 book list, because I want to leave room for my favorite author's putting out new books, new finds at the library, or my mom sending me books (cause she's awesome like that). The list I'm working on now is just to help me get started, and actually find time to read some that I've been meaning to read but have never gotten a chance to.

Here's what I have so far:

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - I promised Pete that this would be the first book I read next year. He and his brother nag (in a loving way!) me all the time that I haven't read the series...I'm finally giving in! 
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - Okay, so I was going to count this as three books, but then got lectured by my dear husband that it is actually one book in six parts. I learn something new every day :) 
3. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
4.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - I won't forget my towel. Why, you ask? 42 :)
5. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
6. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - It's the next one in my Sherlock Holmes collection to read, and I think this will be the first thing to read after Tolkien!
7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I read Dracula, so on to the next monster! And apparently there's a rumor that I'm actually related to Shelley...
8. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne - Only because it's a prequel to #9 on my list....
9. The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne - "A must read!" says my hubby
10. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
11. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
12. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
13. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - I first heard about Dorian in a movie, and am fascinated by his story!
14. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells - Same thing with Dorian Gray, I find the idea fascinating!
15. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - Nate has a copy of this. Maybe we can read it together :)
16. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
17. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
18. Emma by Jane Austen
19. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
20. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - Paigey will be getting this for her birthday, and she likes it when we can discuss the books she's reading/has read
21. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Another one Paige will get for her birthday. How have I not read this one???


Do you have any recommendations for what I should read? It doesn't have to be the classics!