BOOK REVIEW: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

I loved this book. I don't recall who recommended it or what list of books I nabbed it off but I'm glad that I did.

The story line is that of Lucky Linderman who is getting bullied by Nadar McMillian. Lucky is having problems at school with a project he started for one of his classes that revolved around how you'd kill yourself. Cause his parents and school counsleors to consider him "at risk". He has problems at home with a father who doesn't know how to be a father and is very absent in his life and a mother who just goes along with it all. Lucky escapes in his dreams to the jungle during the Vietnam War and has full on conversations with the Grandfather he's never met who is a POW/MIA. During all of this he manages to grow up and come to peace with his life and finds himself able to stand up to his bully.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a fairly quick read but very well written and something I feel everyone could relate to.

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I received this book from a good friend of mine the other day and I couldn't be happier with it. The story is told from the dogs point of view. So many books I've read in my life time and only a few that come from an animals point of view. 

Enzo's (the dog) health is declining and in the bringing you learn its the eve of his death. While this might down like a super downer to start with, trust me, it's not. Enzo continues on to tell you his life (ultimately his masters as well) story. He takes you through being plucked out of a group of other puppies right up until the end of his life. You learn about his master Denny and his love of racing cars, which in turn Enzo develops a love for this as well. Denny's wife Eve and what it was like when they first met and how Enzo felt about her intruding in on their bachelor pad. He goes through Denny and Eve's wedding, her pregnancy, their child Zoe and both Eve and Denny's parents. Denny and Eve go through a lot with Eve being sick and then in turn Denny goes through a lot with her parents due to a custody battle. Without giving away all the major points of the book... its a very touching story. 

I currently have a dog who was diagnosed with Lymphoma and I imagine some of the things that Enzo says and feel, are things that she feels as well. The one thing that Enzo doesn't want to have to do is have his master HAVE to hurt him intentionally (put him down due to illness) and that is the one thing I hope and pray for my Bitty. 

I'm sure my description of this book really does it no justice as there is so much more emotion and passion involved in Garth Stein's writing... just know:

I laughed. I cried. I cried some more. I loved this book.

This is another book that I found as a trailer for it. Seriously.. why do all books not have this. (All though, the last trailer I found did a much better job making me interested in the book)

The Art of Racing in the Rain (A Trailer)

I found this trailer too which I think did a much better job of getting me excited about the book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain (A Trailer) #2

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

This was a really cute story. It was written in prose as if the three girls the book is about are writing the stories personally. It was a very quick read, couple of hours tops. Having gone through what these girls did in high school I was really able to relate to the story. I almost could add myself as another chapter.

The topic of the book was a boy in high school who is a jerk, basically. You know the type, the drop dead gorgeous football player that you feel would never be interested in you and all of  sudden he is? The book covers love, heartbreak, kissing, sex pressure, prude and slut. I wish I could have read a book like this before I went through high school. Would have made me a little more aware of what I'd be running into. Granted not all guys are like the guy in this book, but they are hard to pinpoint and if you aren't already aware that someone like this does and can exist.. you can get caught up in the trap.

I think every girl should read this before entering high school. 

My First Envelope from PIPSTICKS

My First Envelope from PIPSTICKS

Stickers in the mail once a month? WHAT?! Sounds amazing right? After much deliberation (okay like, 2 seconds) I decided I was going to try it out. I LOVE STICKERS!

I got my first envelope in the mail today and it was kind of funny actually. I completely forgot that I had signed up so it was a super awesome suprise today.

It was decorated and wrapped fantastically.

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BACK

After I greedily tore open the envelope and dumped the treasures out:

First I couldn't believe how many stickers were included and second I didn't realize that they sent OTHER things than just stickers. It was a pleasant surprise.

Stickers:

My favorite stickers by far are the pink flamingos and the unicorn. In the top photo of pictures there is a ticket with a star on it. By being a subscription member I am entered in a drawing this month to win a pink typewriter! A PINK TYPEWRITER! My fingers and toes are crossed.

The something extra (postcard & quote card):

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And lastly there was a newsletter included that informed me of my chance to win the pink typewriter, a photo of said pink typewriter.

I don't remember what I paid for this but when I look up the subscriptions online it looks like I paid about $14.95. I think it was worth it for a envelope full of stickers, a postcard, and a quote card. I'm doing it again next month for sure!