It’s Fri-YAY!!! Linking up with Andrea, Erika, & Narci to share my favorites from the week! Also with Narci for her Carpool Book Club for my January book reviews…
Project 52, Week 3 layout
Yesterday I shared more about how I preserve our memories using Project Life for a scrapbook of each anniversary trip & then a yearbook compiled from the weekly layouts like about that I create in the App.
On Monday I did a wrap up post of our weekend FUN!
I posted this on Instagram/Facebook Monday night and it was my FAVORITE moment all week! There really is no greater feeling than these 2 choosing to curl up with me at the end of the day <3
Now for Carpool Book Club with Narci! I upped my reading goal this year, you can follow me on Goodreads, and am off to an EXCELLENT start in January!
Sunlight Burning at Midnight by Jessica Ronne
I thought think book was just okay, but it was a really quick and easy read for me – I finished it during one of the legs of our flight home from Arizona. This is a memoir from Jessica and the unrelenting heartbreaks she endured throughout her young life so far – from a baby diagnosed with a life changing disability, to her husband succumbing to brain cancer and leaving her at age 33 with 4 young kids to raise. I really did enjoying reading about how Jessica prevailed and triumphed through it all, finally finding someone who had endured a similar life over the same time and starting a new life with his family. Some parts just felt like there were too many details that didn’t add to the overall story while other parts I wish there were more details discussed.
Why I Hate Green Beans: And Other Confessions about Relationships, Reality TV, and How We See Ourselves by Lincee Ray
I received an Advanced Readers Copy digitally of this one and began it on our trip home from AZ then finished it within a week. Another easy read but I really enjoyed this one! So raw, real, and incredibly funny! Lincee feels like the best friend I’ve always known and makes all the struggles of life seem a little bit smaller. This one will leave you smiling and feeling like a better person even when we’re all still a hot mess. 😉
The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
My SIL recommended this one to me while we were still in AZ so I requested it at our library and picked it up soon after returning to MI. This book falls into more of a historical fiction/fantasy book, which is quite different than what I would normally grab. I did enjoy this one and plan to pick up the others in the trilogy. I will say that the words & names could be quite difficult to pronounce at times since it is loosely based on Russian folklore and I found myself doing some major skimming that I don’t normally do when I read – I did like the story line though and that kept me engaged! Also, if I’m honest I was more motivated to finish this book because the one below was ready at the library for me 😉
The story follows young Vasilisa living at the edge of Russian wilderness with her family, though her mother died after childbirth with her. The theme of a tale about Frost King – a winter demon – is strong throughout the book and Vasilisa calls upon her dangerous gifts to protect the ones she loves after it seems the tale might be true after all.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
This book/movie has been everywhere and my sister & I saw it in theaters before Christmas – I had wanted to read the book first but the hold list at my library was like 60+ people so I saw the movie while I could and just finally got my hands on the book.
The movie had me in tears and feeling ALL THE EMOTIONS! But of course the book was just SO much MORE! This should be a must read for every single human being, it’s really quick & easy. Though I will say that I gained a whole other perspective when I read Shay’s review here – she has a little girl with a disorder that has an impact on her physical features and Shay spoke about how while the book ended on a happy note it’s still fiction and Auggie still was only in 5th grade with his whole life ahead of him of repeating those same exact struggles. It is important to remember that even though the story ended, Auggie’s (and any other similar kid) struggles did not & likely will not end.
The dogs look like they are seriously reading- SO CUTE! Wonder was such an incredible movie- really moved me and more importantly my 9 year odl
Ha, thanks Holly! I love that they join in with me when I’m reading 🙂
Yes, Wonder was AMAZING! Both the movie & the book, so glad you got to experience it with your daughter as well!
Wonder was so good! We read it and saw the movie here. I used to do Project Life, but for some reason I stopped!
Yes, SO good Dara! Glad to hear you enjoyed it too 🙂
I am SO impressed with your picture organization! Love the idea of capturing each week although don’t know if I could keep up with it! Great job!
Thank you Jaclyn! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Thanks Jaclyn! I think you could keep up with it 😉
Hi Rechelle….you have the cutest reading partners! I felt the same way about Wonder…every human! And Why I Hate Green Beans has my interest….adding to my read pile!
Thank you Genevieve!!! 🙂
Why I hate Green Beans sounds like a book to read just based off of the name! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Kasey! 🙂