BOOK REVIEW: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

As much as I say in life never judge a book by it's cover I have to admit that it's the cover that made me pick this book. While the title is easily as intriguing it was ultimately the levitating girl on the front that drew me in.

Miss Peregrine's Home for the Peculiar Children is about a 16 year old boy named Jacob who has grown up on his Grandfathers tall tales of life after he escaped World War II. While in the beginning Jacob believes every last breath from his Grandfather as he grows older he started to believe less and less.  It's only when Jacob comes face to face with things from his Grandfathers past does he realize all the tall tales are true. There are a plethora of fantastic characters in this book, too many to get into detail. 

The best thing about this whole book (and series really... as there's two more books after this one) is that its a form of mixed media. The book is full of old photos that go along with the description of the characters. The story line and the description of the characters is so fantastic that it's amazing to be able to look at photos of real people.

I'd recommend this book (and series) to any reader. Once I finished this book I had to run out and purchase the next two immediately. *I've already read this one twice!

*UPDATE*

They have made this book series into a movie and the trailer was released today. Having read the series and then watched the trailer I would say that you should do one or the other. Read the books and skip the movie, or skip the books and watch the movie. The reason I say that is from the trailer they've changed a lot of major things from the book. Maybe watch the movie and THEN read the books if you haven't done so already. I can already tell I love the book series way better than the movie.

BOOK REVIEW: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

It's been a really long time since I've read a book that I couldn't put down. Not only was this book fascinating to read in its subject matter but so powerful and heart wrenching in its words and descriptions you can't help but live the story right along with the characters.

The main character Lina, is a 15 year old Lithuanian, who is arrested by the Soviet secret service along with her Mother Elena and younger brother Jonas. The are hauled like cattle in trains many away from their home and forced to work in prison camps.  Lina is an exceptional artist and uses her drawings throughout the story to not only help her cope with the situation she's found herself in but to try and get in touch with her father, who was taken as well but sent in a different direction.

I don't recall learning about Stalin growing up and the 20 million some people he murdered but after reading this book its really peaked my interest to learn more. Maybe I was sick that day in history class.

Between Shades of Gray is a beautifully written book about sacrifice, human endurance, and the will to live. I highly recommend this book for any age reader.



*Started 6.17.15
*Ended 6.17.15

Book Review: Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron

Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron

Chasing Francis is a story about a pastor who loses his faith. Not only does he lose his faith but he loses it right in front of his whole congregation. For fear of losing the church and his mind he goes to Italy to study the life of Francis of Assisi and try to reclaim his faith. There he meets up with his Uncle Kenny, a Franciscan priest and a group of friars. While he is in Italy he follows the path of Francis of Assisi. His journey takes him many places around Italy both physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

I really enjoyed this book. It seems more and more the church is how Chase, the pastor, sees it at the beginning of this book. Religion has become so commercial and fake. I was really happy to read that he was honest with his congregation. He lost his faith and he didn't know what to do.. instead of backing him up however. I was a little disappointed the elders of the church would send him away... but if they hadn't he might not have taken the trip to Italy and learned what he did. I haven't read much about Francis, but I have heard of him. This book really piqued my interest in him, as a saint. I would recommend this book to anyone, it's a very interesting read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Booksneeze Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Book Review: What's your Mark? Every Moment Counts (Curation & Photography by Jeremy Cowart)

What's your Mark? Every Moment Counts 

(Curation & Photography byJeremy Cowart)

When I picked this book to review I didn't actually look to see what the book was about first. You could say I blindly pick this book to read. I am really glad that I did. What's your Mark is a small book about people who have made a difference in the world. Not all made huge differences but they were making 'A' difference. It was basically a book pointing out, I felt, how easy it is to change someone's life with your own. I was truly inspired to get off my duff and do something to make my own mark. I really like how the people telling their stories were so diverse. From young to old and rich to poor, it was nice to read about people who are just like me, making a difference.

My boyfriend has always wanted to make a difference in the world, be remembered and he feels that the little things that he does just aren't enough. I had him look at this book and told him that even the smallest "mark" in life is important. He read it cover to cover.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Booksneeze Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Book Review: UNGLUED Devotional by Lysa Terkerurst

UNGLUED Devotional by Lysa Terkeurst
60 Days of Imperfect Progress

This book is 60 days of devotionals from a woman's point of view. It deals with the common struggles and emotions women go through in life. It includes how to be a more positive role matter for yourself, your family, and your co-workers. It also touches on being confident in how to resolved conflict in your closest relationships and living in the grace of making imperfect progress. For each of the 60 entries there is an opening Scripture, thought of the day, devotion, and closing prayer.

I loved this book. Craig, my boyfriend,  and I read one each night before we went to bed. Lysa's writing style is that of one person talking to another. It was literally like reading someone's journal to you about their life. I found these very inspirational and it always sparked a great conversation with Craig and I. The conversation either lead to me and how I handle myself, or to Craig and how he handles himself. It also lead to great conversations about our life together and the struggles we have as a couple. I know this book is geared towards women and the struggles and emotions we go through in life but it really was a great conversation starter for Craig and I. My favorite part of the book is the "Thought of the Day". My favorite one was, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day." That's so true with all conflict during the day.  I really enjoyed this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Booksneeze Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Book Review: Stand by Me by Neta Jackson

Stand by Me by Neta Jackson

I was a little caught off guard with this book. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy the characters as much as I did. I've read a lot of reviews about Neta Jackson and her Yada Yada Prayer Group series. I haven't read any of those but after reading this and the way she is so detailed with her characters and their interaction with each other, I'm going to look into that series.

Kathryn is a white woman who after finding herself with many problems left med school and found religion by going to a Christian school. She meets a very successful black woman by the name of Avis who judges Kathryn without knowing her first, as I'm sure we all can relate to.. I know I can. Throughout the book you read about the struggles these women go through in life and family and how their paths cross and how they deal with these things to become better women, better people.

 It really makes you think about yourself as a person and what you can do to improve yourself as not only a woman, in my case, but also as human being.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Booksneeze Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Holiday Hell

Vent

I need to vent. So this post is going to be out of the ordinary for me, add no value or knowledge to your life... just simply be me venting.

Christmas. I love Christmas. I love the snow, I love the music, I love wrapping presents and getting together with family. This is the first year that I've wanted Christmas to not happen. My parents are in Texas, and this is the first year I haven't been able to share the holiday with them. While that makes me sad in itself, I had a moment and then was okay with it. I was okay with not spending Christmas with my family. This meant I was going to get to spend my Christmas with just Craig (my boyfriend). What a wonderful Christmas this was going to be.No rushing around.. no spending all day driving... ! Get done with a 60 hour work week at 4 on Friday, hang out with friends Friday night... wake up Saturday morning and head to Craig's Mom's house for the weekend to celebrate with his Mom and sister, work on Monday and then Tuesday... Christmas day... it would just be Craig and me and our five furry critters. What a great holiday. (Insert screeching sound here). Fat chance Lora Lynn!!! Out shopping for Craig's Mom's gift he calls her to see what would be a good gift for his sister. Phone call starts pleasant enough, Craig says were coming this weekend, Mom says no come Tuesday, Craig says okay no problem, sister yells in the background that we're too good to hang out with them for Christmas (even though there is no problem with going down there Tuesday) and then WHAM... Craig's screaming into the phone to his Mom to tell his sister to shut up. Of course his Mom hangs up. Craig calls back numerous times only to get the machine. Finally someone answers and his Mom yells into the phone "I dont want to talk to anyone"... click. What a great start to the holiday season. Okay, I can deal with this... we will just celebrate our Christmas, Christmas eve and then go down to his Mom's Christmas Day. Not what I had planned, but whatever we will make it work. (Insert screeching sound here) Fat chance AGAIN Lora Lynn!!!  Craig fights with his sister basically all weekend... only to find out 1. His Mom feels she needs to babysit us while we are down there...great.. I really want to go down there now.. 2. His Mom apparently is not okay with me sitting on the couch the whole time I come down to visit (I'm not sure why.. there isn't anything else to do or places to go... and we came to visit.. not do other things...?) 3. Apparently I'm a "christmas asshole". Wow! Okay, so at this point plans are still Christmas Eve with Craig and the fur critters, Christmas Day at his Moms. Ring ring... ring ring... "Yeah why don't you guys not come down on Christmas, we can pick a Wednesday and I'll come up and see the house and we can go out to dinner. I can't handle the stress". Whoa... you can't handle the stress? The stress of brother and sister fighting because sister thinks we are nasty people and you don't feel the need to speak up and stop it, Craig maybe.. its her brother... but me?! What the hell did I do?!  Wow.. what a great holiday season this has turned out to be. Long story short... we stayed home for Christmas, didn't get dressed, and appreciated the life we have together. What Christmas is all about. While my family isn't perfect I am thankful everyday for the family that I have. We have ups and downs but we're still a family and we're still there for each other. I can handle mine. I can't handle his. I don't even know how to fake nice to people who apparently don't like me for some reason I am unaware of. Maybe there is no reason.. maybe it's just because I'm with Craig. How can people not like you for no reason at all.... ? 

***Things change for the better when we take responsibility for our own thoughts, decisions and actions.***

***You are responsible for your life. You can't keep blaming somebody else for your dysfunction. Life is really about moving on.--- Oprah Winfrey*** 

***Holding onto negative people or things will make your life harder than it has to be.***

***Your life will change for the better when you learn to surround yourself with positive people and keep the negative ones away***