The Gift of Books: Ordered, In the Stocking, and Under the Tree

Hello again, friends! It is probably no surprise that I get excited about books. ;) So, like an eager little child, I just wanted to share about these ones I got for Christmas this year!

My aunt and uncle kindly sent Josh and me a gift card, and we really enjoyed picking out books to buy—one for him, one for me, and a children's book to add to our collection for our little girl on the way. :) Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes was my pick! I've posted about one of her novellas before. She's a great author, and I've heard wonderful things about this book. Between the author and the reviews and the Maine setting and the gorgeous cover, this one seemed like the right choice!

Josh and I have fun stuffing stockings for each other, picking out little gifts and treats—and you can see my sweet stash from Josh in the picture! I confess I "helped" him pick out the book. ;) And after seeing Rissi's review, I was especially excited to receive My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff. Should be fun! (And I also can't wait to enjoy those candies!)

The Language of Souls by Lena Goldfinch was a gift from my parents, one that I had on my list. Not that I haven't read it before...it was actually the book that introduced me to Lena's delightful work! But I had first read it as an ebook, and now that Lena has updated the cover (so beautiful, right??) and added an epilogue (so sweet!), I loved the thought of finally adding it to my shelf. Yay!

Another gift from my parents! Entertaining with Disney by Amy Croushorn caught my eye online, and I had so much fun looking through it yesterday. While I'm not sure when or if I'd be able to actually host a party like the kind this book presents, I'd love to try some of the recipes (cupcakes, cookies, gumbo...lots of neat options)—and the pages are really beautiful for viewing and dreaming!

* * * * *

What about you? I'd love to hear about any new books you got for Christmas or ones you're excited to borrow/buy/read in 2020! 

January 2019 Reads + a Few Reviews

We are now just a few days away from February! I'm excited for the month of Valentine's Day...and to be even a bit closer to spring and the end of winter. :) But first, I thought I'd share about my reads from this month!

You can see in the snipped image above (or at this link) what I finished in January. (I believe I started both Price of Privilege and For What It's Worth before January, so that helped! Not to mention Blizzard at Three Bears Lake and Maggie's Song are both very short reads.)

I rated all except a couple of the book 4 stars. I gave P.S. I Like You and Maggie's Song 5 stars. So, they're all great stories! The nice thing is that I'm mostly at a point where I'm reading what I want to read. I still have some books I was given with the hope or expectation that I would review them, but not so many as I used to have. And I've been going through my shelves, picking out titles I don't really think I'd like or want to try. If I start a book I'm not obligated to read and don't want to finish it, then I typically remove it from my shelf (as well as on Goodreads).

Anyway, of these nine books, four were paperbacks from my shelf, three were ebooks on my Kindle, and two were library finds. I'll share a few quick reviews below! (If you'd like more of my thoughts on The Silver Chair—and you don't mind spoilers—be sure to check out The Silver Chair read-along posts.)

For What It's Worth by Karey White

Description on Goodreads

My Rating

Spring

My Review

Karey White's stories are so readable, filled with must-see locations and sweet adventures! It was a lot of fun to immerse myself in the world of a wedding cake business, from its beginning to its booming success. The recipes in these chapters (not just pertaining to cakes!) are enticing, and some definitely seem worth trying. I loved the mention of Victoria, British Columbia, as well; my family and I have made a lot of delightful vacation memories there.

For What It's Worth has a clever premise and great descriptions of the bakery and various aspects of starting and running such a neat business. One thing I didn't care for as much was the direction of the theme... There are some interesting thoughts regarding "worth," but I didn't like the emphasis at one point on becoming "worthy" of love and blessings (in a sense, earning them), instead of growing and loving from the foundation of God's grace. (But I did appreciate the encouragement to show what's worth the most to you by your priorities.) 

All in all, a sweet, gently romantic reading experience.

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Description on Goodreads

My Rating

Summer

My Review

This is the second Kasie West book I've read, and it's definitely my favorite of the two! (The other being The Fill-In Boyfriend, which was still good!) This one has an engaging high-school plot that keeps each chapter interesting, great characters (including a fun family and a more-than-meets-the-eye hero), and a lot of sweetness. I loved the letters between the hero and heroine, of course, but I also loved the heroine's interactions with her little brothers and the way this story promotes forgiveness, character growth, and supportive love.

Maggie's Song by Karey White

Description on Goodreads

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

This is one of those short-but-sweet ebook novellas! I enjoyed that the story covers a guided outdoor trip in Arizona—showcasing Karey White's great descriptions. (I love the locations and activities she chooses to feature in the stories I've read by her.) Maggie's Song doesn't include any super exciting plot points, but the characters are endearing and the backdrop inviting. There's a scene toward the end that's very clever and cute. :) I don't want to ruin the surprise meaning behind the title, but I will say that I absolutely loved and appreciated the reference. Just a little, adorable story about being brave when it comes to romance!

A Special Silver Book Birthday + Giveaway

Join me in wishing a happy book birthday to the second book in a poignant, dramatic, and romantic historical fiction series by Rachelle Rea Cobb! :) This two-week celebration includes an awesome giveaway too! So please read on to learn more about this series and to get your name in the drawing...

* * *

ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES 

In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love erode?

ABOUT The Sound of Silver (Book Two)

The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.

Meanwhile, Dirk’s quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth’s searching hearts ever sing the same song?

Amazon (paperback) |  Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Goodreads

Read my thoughts on The Sound of Silver (Book Two) and The Sound of Diamonds (Book One)!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about years long ago—her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance. Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.

Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Website

GIVEAWAY 

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win a beautiful necklace created by Baubles, Beads and Stuff and your choice of any one of Rachelle’s three books (the series begins in Book One, of course, but in case you have one or two of her books already, Rachelle will gladly send you the next one to read!). 

International friends, the paperback & necklace giveaway is open to continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because one international winner will also be chosen to receive an e-book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Life According to Literature: A Borrowed Book Tag

This tag was recently shared by the creative Courtney (The Green Mockingbird), and was previously shared by the clever Kara (Flowers of Quiet Happiness). Apparently, according to a comment I wrote on Kara's blog, I had been inspired to post about this tag back in March...but well, here I am in September! Oh well. I'm glad Courtney posted about it recently so I could be re-inspired!

The goal of the game is to use book titles to respond to the given prompts. I'll be using titles from books I've read so far this year. So grab a macaron and enjoy a slice of my life... ;)

* * *

Describe yourself: Made Perfect in Weakness

(God's grace is sufficient for me! See 2 Corinthians 12:9. ♥)

How you feel today: Spell Bound

(Aren't we all a little out of it on Sundays? And I started an interesting paranormal book last night I want to finish soon that has me "spell bound"!)

Describe where you currently live: Lost Lake House

(Okay, not really. But there's a lake somewhat nearby...)

If you could go anywhere, you would go to: Mountain Hideaway

(Sounds lovely, especially if the cabin were surrounded by gorgeous fall foliage!) 

Your favorite form of transportation: Sofi's Bridge

(Bridges offer a nice way of getting from here to there.)

Your best friend is: Anchor in the Storm

(The best kind of friend is one who's there for you in the hard times, right?)

You and your friends are: Scary Close

What the weather is like: Blue Like Jazz

You fear: The End of the World

The best advice you have to give: Breathe In

Thought for the day: Love Does

How you would like to die: A Daring Sacrifice

(Well, at least I'd like to be willing to die this way, if need be!)

Your soul's present condition: Broken Things to Mend

(Because God is faithful to continue mending the broken and sinful places within.)

* * *

As far as I know, this tag can continue to live on as long as people keep sharing it! So feel free to have a go - it's a lot of fun! :)

Side note: I knew I had done something like this before! I've actually already shared a couple of "fill in the blank" posts like this. You can read them HERE and HERE if you're interested in more bookish games!

The Beauty of Tuck Everlasting: Confessions of a Non-Book-Purist

The sweet earth opened out its wide four corners to her like the petals of a flower ready to be picked, and it shimmered with light and possibility till she was dizzy with it. 

~ Tuck Everlasting (Book)

Let me just dive right into the confessions:

• I watched and loved the movie many times over before I picked up the book.

• I adored both the movie and the book.

• I really don't mind that they were different from each other. 

• In fact, I love them both for being their own brilliant works.

I just finished reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt for the very first time the other night. It's an enchanting and strange little tale about a 10-year-old girl who speaks for so many growing-up hearts with her conflicting desires to explore the world and never leave the familiarity of home. It's also, of course, about the Tucks - an endearing family with a desire to belong...to Winnie, to the world, to life.

There's an innocence about the story that makes the profound questions and observations all the more powerful for the contrast.

The movie version shares many similarities in plot and distinct elements. But it's also an altogether different story experience. Miles is a heartbroken man "looking for wars to fight." Romance is a much more imminent possibility for teenage Winnie. And the Tuck family is more of a sober (but still entirely lovable) mystery.

You won't find answers about everlasting life in either version, at least in a direct fashion (although I believe the movie offers a beautiful hint), but you can find thought-provoking questions, as well as memorable words and portrayals of deep love and wise living. 

Some of my favorite lines from each to ponder...

Do not fear death. Fear the unlived life. 

(Movie)

She had done it because - in spite of everything, she loved them. This of all things her family understood, and afterward they drew together staunchly around her.

(Book)

Wake up with the dawn. 

(Movie)

You can't pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing.

(Book)

I feel quite happy to have finally enjoyed the book! And I've started watching the movie again, because this story world...? It charms me and begs me to linger in a moment where time's wheel pauses and offers much-needed perspective on life, "shimmer[ing] with light and possibility."

***

Have you read or watched Tuck Everlasting? What struck you most about the story? 

If you've experienced both, were you OK with the movie being different from the book? Do you prefer one version over the other?

Really Reading vs. Just Skimming

As Elizabeth Bennet warns Colonel Fitzwilliam (at least in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie), "Prepare yourself for something quite dreadful."

I confess that I've gotten into a terrible habit of skimming books. Not all of them, mind you, but it seems the more "for fun" books I acquire, the easier it is to justify skipping through virtual or paper pages. Unless I've agreed to review it or determined from the get-go that I want to read every word, the temptation is there.

Perhaps that's saved me time reading books I wouldn't overly enjoy anyway.

But perhaps it's kept me from fully experiencing some great stories.

By jumping ahead to the fun, exciting, more adventurous parts, I miss the journey of characters growing and blossoming and emerging through fire. I miss meaningful encounters and everyday exchanges.

I get the gist, but I miss the chance to read between the lines.

This confession doesn't mean I'll never skim a book again. Sometimes we have to let things go so we can devote our focus to things better-suited for us.

But I hope to take the time to fully enjoy more of the books I have and to experience all that the stories might hold in store.

Same goes for how I live my life.

My Bookish Reality

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that when your mom comes for a visit, lots of shopping will be involved.

I had such a wonderful time with my mom this past weekend - taking a day trip to the coast, seeing new-to-me places, eating out, and yes, doing some shopping. ;) My mom very generously bought me a new couch, and though I've been claiming to be fine without one, I must admit I'm excited to have a comfy place for me and my guests to sit while watching movies and reading! 

A happy side effect of the new couch is that I got to move my bookshelf in preparation for the couch's arrival. Why is that news-worthy? Well, in my living room I used the bookshelf for knick-knacks and whatnot - more of a decorative piece. But now that it's in my guestroom, I've actually filled it with *gasp* books!

For now, I decided to use it as a place to put my TBR books. I think this will help with the whole Mission: Contentment thing, as I'll now be able to actually see how many books I have to choose from, as well as browse them when I'm feeling in the mood to try something new. :) Check it out...

Besides the two "filler" book boxes at the end of the top row, these are all books I have yet to read! I may have started a few and then set them aside, but for the most part, I have all these lovelies to enjoy from cover to cover sometime.

And yes, there is sort of a system!

Currently, the top left is for review books, the top middle has the Love Inspired/Heartsong Present books, and the top right has some Harvest House Amish books that I might want to read for AmishReader.com.

The second shelf begins my Christian fiction (alphabetical order by author's last name)...

...which continues into the third shelf. The right side of the bottom shelf is for my YA books.

Will I keep that system? *shrugs* I like the way it looks for now. :)

I should add that:

1. I bought a couple of these books this weekend when I went into Barnes & Noble (Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade - I've heard such good things! - and Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz). A mama's visit is a special occasion, no?
2. There are a few stragglers in boxes in my closet that didn't fit into my neat little categories (or on my shelf). 
3. This doesn't even include all my Kindle books... 

In other words, I have a lot of reading to do! *laughs*

Tell me, friends, where do you keep your TBR books? Any books we have in common?

P.S. While visiting Barnes & Noble, I went on the hunt for Harvest House books - and I didn't have to look too hard! Loved seeing these Harvest House books and more in the wild...

Get Unstuck, Be Unstoppable by Valorie Burton

Choose Love by Stormie Omartian

P.P.S. Speaking of Harvest House books... I'm guest-blogging over at Seekerville tomorrow (Tuesday), talking about marketing tips - and we're going to be giving away four new Harvest House releases in honor of the company's 40th anniversary. Hope to see you there!

More Fun with Filling in the Blanks

 My writing corner!

Hello, hello! How are you all this fine Tuesday night/Wednesday morning (whenever you read this)? I'm still loving my job, still trying to get my head in the game with Morning Glory (but I'm sensing a breakthrough if I could just focus a bit more! Research and daydreaming seem promising...), and still navigating the ins and outs of living on my own. It's all good. :)

I should have some more blog reviews for you all soon, as I'm participating in some August blog tours, and apparently I can't seem to stop reading when I should be writing...but I digress. I'm also participating in the Writing Process Blog Tour that's been making the rounds, so be looking for that post on Monday!

Anyway, I saw that Kara of Flowers of Quiet Happiness decided to do a retake of the book-themed Mad Libs post from last fall, so I thought I'd do the same, because it's just so fun! Here's the link to the last one I did: Fun with Filling in the Blanks. Here's the link to Kara's latest post: Mad Libs with Books :: Second Edition. And here's the link to the original outline from Books and Movies: Bookish Mad Libs.

***

I filled in the following blanks with titles of books I've read so far this year.

In school I was: Full Steam Ahead

People Might be Surprised I'm: The Dancing Master

(If dancing around my apartment counts, which it totally should.)

I will never be: Fairchild's Lady

(Sad but true...)

My fantasy job is: Uncovering Cobbogoth

(I mean, that is pretty fantastical!)

At the end of a long day I need: Sweet Mountain Music

I hate it when: Love Gone Wild

Wish I had: A Hero's Promise

My family reunions are: Out of the Blue

At a party you'd find me with: A Cowboy Unmatched

(Or at least, that would be nice.)

I've never been to: Austenland

A happy day includes: Sun and Moon

Motto I live by: God's Will

On my bucket list: Fly Away Home

(I've sort of already done that...but I wouldn't mind doing it again!)

In my next life I want to be: The Weather Girl

***

Any of these titles familiar to you? How would you fill in the blanks?

The Sweet Serenity of Books

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, and all the sweet serenity of books...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I'm discovering that living on your own involves a lot of trial and error.

Broke a knick-knack? Oh yeah, I've got super glue in my junk drawer! Hmmm, doesn't it harden right away? Since some is leaking out of the tube, I can just pick it off and throw it in the trash.

*one second later*

Nope, that stuff is definitely still wet and sticky.

*two seconds later*

Man, my fingers and thumbs are coated in glue...

*a minute or so later*

Google, here I come!

(Apparently warm water, soap, patience, and time work fine. I'm glue-free again!)

Made some popcorn on the stove (go me!). It's sort of burnt, but a little bit of melted butter should help. Hmmm, I don't really have super small bowls, but I could use this metal measuring cup, right? 

*about six or seven seconds later*

Stop the microwave! If that electrical spark is any indication, that probably wasn't one of my brighter moments.

(I quickly removed the metal measuring cup and transferred the butter to a small, microwave-safe cup.)

Yeah, some of these things I should have remembered or known from my previous twenty-three years of life. Honestly, I'm kind of scared to find out what other sort of silly (but important) things I've forgotten or never really thought about, LOL.

In all the stress of settling into a new place, working in a more-structured schedule, and figuring out how to do all the big and little things I need to do to get by, I've found a "sweet serenity" and cheer in my books.

The Art of Creative Living

My living/dining room is my "Thomas Kinkade Room." Thomas Kinkade painting, Thomas Kinkade tapestry, my grandparents' Thomas Kinkade clock, a Thomas Kinkade lighted church, and a couple of Thomas Kinkade books. On a whim, I decided to pick up one of them while I was eating breakfast. (Breakfast is awfully quiet when you're on your own, getting ready for work at seven in the morning.)

The Art of Creative Living...seems fitting for a writing/marketing job, right? I've only re-read a few chapters, and I'm not sure I completely agree with how everything is worded/presented, but still, I'm enjoying revisiting this one. The first section talks about solitude and finding a quiet place within yourself where you can both retreat when the stresses of life close in and also begin the creative process. I definitely agree that taking time to be still before God and even yourself is so crucial to having a good attitude and embracing creativity. I'm looking forward to diving a little more into this one - plus, I love seeing Thomas Kinkade paintings. I guess this book is my new breakfast companion. ;)

One of Us

One of my very favorite series when I was in elementary school was the "Disney Girls" series. I confess that I was only-so-slightly (or maybe a lot) obsessed. I loved the thought of being a Disney princess, and I loved the way the author brought a touch of that magic to the lives of everyday girls. From martial arts classes, to making a gingerbread "castle" for school, to going on a trip to Disney World, I adored following the group's adventures.

 Some of the books I've edited, written, or publicized, along with the Disney Girls series (on their sides) and my Bibles on my bookcase in my apartment. :)

Anyway, when I was packing for the big move, I decided to take this series off our "children's" shelf downstairs and bring them with me. And since I've moved in I re-read the first book, One of Us. There's something incredibly comforting about re-immersing yourself in childhood favorites and dreams. Funny enough, I'm back in a place where I could relate to being the "new girl" and making new friends. ;) The theme of belonging, of longing to be a part of something special, resonates with me even now. (The guest pastor at the church I visited today even gave a sermon on community - how important it is, and how we're built with a desire to be connected with God and with other people.)

I'm thinking that I'd like to re-read the rest of the series sometime...maybe sooner rather than later! So cute, and I just love all the adventures they have and how the stories of the princesses they love reflect in their lives.

A Snicker of Magic

Huge S/O to Kara from Flowers of Quiet Happiness for introducing me to my new lunch companion, A Snicker of Magic! She convinced me that this is a book well worth reading, and from what I can tell so far, she is so right.

I started this on my birthday back in June, but I'm only now getting farther into it. I decided to pull it up on my Kindle one lunch at work. Let me tell you, I'm in love. The simple but profound ideas shared in such creative ways... The cutest characters and display of magical realism... And the way words are woven together to present such warm and cozy and beautiful word pictures... It's really quite the fun read!

Here's a quote from the book (button from the author's Pinterest page):

Revisiting old book friends and making new ones brings this quote home for me. Yes, there is still magic in the air! I'm so grateful for the precious gifts of imagination, creativity, and words.

What books - old or new - have reminded you lately that "there is still magic in the air" or provided you with some much-needed serenity?

Newsy

October is coming to a close, and project deadlines are looming! I'm currently working on an editing project for a new client with Editing Through the Seasons, as well as doing a final read-through of client Sandra Leesmith's November release, Love's Refuge. (Interested in participating in the November blog tour? Sign-ups are still open for a couple more days!) Once I wrap up these two projects, I think most of my business projects will be publicity ones for the rest of the year...

...which will hopefully allow me to focus on rewrites for Forget Me Not in November! I'm not officially participating in NaNoWriMo (since I'm not starting a new novel from scratch), but while all my writer friends are working on their new projects, I can pretend I'm a part of it all. ;) I've started to realize just how much work editing this book will be. Yet some ideas have been buzzing in my brain that have me excited to make the story better. You can get a glimpse at the main characters and see a little of where my mind's been via the Forget Me Not Pinterest board, as well as the Forget Me Not "Soundtrack" Pinterest board, which I recently created. (I'm hoping to have the Forget Me Not soundtrack be a little more focused than Bleeding Heart's - maybe that will entice more readers to give it a try, since it's not as overwhelming!)

In other bookish news, I have finally decided to get things rolling for an author newsletter! I'm hoping for it to be a quarterly one (with an issue coming out during each of the seasons), with the first e-mail newsletter being sent out in January, or thereabouts. Maybe I'll even throw in a giveaway, a newsletter-only article, or something like that. In addition to sharing all my latest book news, I'm hoping to also feature some of my clients' books. We'll see how it goes... It should be fun, though!  You can sign up for the newsletter via the link below:

Seasons of a Story Newsletter

(I named my "publisher" Seasons of a Story, in case you were wondering where the name came from. I think it ties in nicely with my business' name and my blog title. =))

And now, for some other noteworthy tidbits...

• The Haunting Joy blog tour concludes tomorrow! There have been a lot of great stops along the way - including a review from a "ghost" (too fun!). To catch up on all the posts, find links to purchase the book, and enter the tour-wide giveaway (which ends tonight!), visit the blog tour page. Also, don't forget that there's a Twitter chat tomorrow at noon EST/9 a.m. PST! It's the first chat Lena and I have hosted, so we'd love to see you there. (We'll even throw in some virtual M&Ms!) You can direct your questions regarding the book, the paranormal genre, Halloween memories, etc., to @lena_goldfinch, and include the hashtag #HauntingJoy. I'll be moderating via @SeasonsHumility.   

• Fellow self-pubbed author Heather Day Gilbert's Viking debut officially releases this Friday (November 1st)! Visit her website to learn more. Sounds epic! And isn't the cover stunning?

• The Kindle Matchbook program commenced yesterday! I enrolled Bleeding Heart. What that means for you is that if you bought (or buy) the paperback version, you can get the Kindle version for FREE, so you can read the book on whichever platform you feel like, whenever you feel like it. Pretty sweet, right? At least, I think so! Let me know what your thoughts are on the program. If you're an author, did you or your publisher enroll your book? If you're a reader, will you be taking advantage of this offer?

• And finally, one last thing on Bleeding Heart - the book is currently only $.99 for Kindle! I'd love any help in spreading the word!

Well, now that I've dumped all that info on you...have a fabulously bookish day! And be sure to stop by again tomorrow for the conclusion to the Haunting Joy blog tour.

Fun with Filling in the Blanks

I apologize for being scarce on the blog lately - things have been a little crazy these past few weeks! But I do have some exciting things to share soon, including the cover reveal for Forget Me Not (my second novel, and the prequel to Bleeding Heart) on October 16th, the blog tour for Haunting Joy by Lena Goldfinch at the end of the month, the blog tour for Love's Refuge by Sandra Leesmith in November, and hopefully another blog tour or two in December before the blog tour for Forget Me Not in January. Phew! I'm definitely keeping busy with editing and publicity projects. It's a little stressful, to be honest, but I'm blessed to have the work and the experience!

I do hope to share some reviews soon, too. But for today, I was inspired by Kara over at Flowers of Quiet Happiness to participate in a fun sort of Mad Libs/fill-in-the-blanks meme. (Kara got the outline from Books and Movies.) I can't resist bookish challenges like this! ;)

So grab a cupcake (isn't this honey-lemon one from Disneyland's Hungry Bear Restaurant adorable?) and enjoy! (I should probably save this pic I took for a post it fits better in, but hey, it's the weekend, sweets are always welcome, and this post needed a pic, so here you go!)

***

I filled in the following blanks with titles of books I've read so far this year.

In school I was: Swimming Through Clouds

(Daydreaming, sleeping, in a daze from late nights and too much homework...)

People might be surprised I'm: The Tutor's Daughter

(Actually, my dad's an adjunct professor at the local community college, but close enough, right?)

I will never be: Under the Never Sky

My fantasy job is: Stealing the Preacher

(How about the one from Christy? But then there's Neil MacNeill...)

At the end of a long day, I need: Shades of Mercy

(Don't we all?)

I hate it when: Though My Heart is Torn

Wish I had: Five Days in Skye

My family reunions are: Into the Whirlwind

At a party you'd find me with: My Fair Godmother

I've never been to: Doon

A happy day includes: The Letters

(...of the alphabet, or ones from friends and family in the mail!)

Motto I live by: Roses Have Thorns

On my bucket list: Chasing Jupiter

(Why not?)

In my next life, I want to be: The Fairest Beauty

(Because I'm already dazzlingly clever and angelically good. *wink*  ← Reference to Anne of Green Gables)

***

Have you read any of these books? How would you fill in the blanks? Do feel free to share!

Re-reading vs. Re-watching: What is my problem??

Why is it that I can watch the same movie over and over again, but I have a difficult time picking up a book I've already read? I know there are people out there who talk about how they love a book so much, they've read it multiple times. And yet, I only re-read three books for the Contentment Reading Challenge 2011, and I haven't really re-read much else without being forced to do so.

So, what is my problem??

If it had to do with a loss of surprise (i.e.: I already know the whole plot, including the ending), then I wouldn't like to re-watch movies for the same reason. There are movies I've seen a gazillion times (give or take a time or two), and I still love them, despite the fact that I can quote them almost word-for-word (and annoy the people I'm watching with).

Perhaps part of it has to do with the time commitment. When I sit down to watch a movie, generally I'm devoting an hour and a half to two hours of my time. But when I sit down to read a book, it takes a lot longer, especially if I have to read between other commitments (we're talking days).

Another big part of it has to do with greediness and the book-reviewer syndrome. You know what I'm talking about, right?? There are so many great, new books coming out all the time!! And my TBR stack just keeps getting bigger and bigger... Why re-read books when you have so many new ones you haven't even read once?

*Sigh* I sound so spoiled! I mean, how blessed am I to have so much reading material??

I think if I took the time to consider what would cause me to re-read a book - and if I reminded myself how many wonderful books I have read - maybe I would be encouraged to re-read more and not be so enamored with the new. (Not that there's anything wrong with enjoying new, unread books! I just want to understand the pleasures of re-reading more.) Worth a try, I hope!

Re-watching and Re-reading

• The Favorite Scenes - You know those scenes that make you sigh with delight, or feel warm and fuzzy inside, or make you cry, or make you gasp? It's fun to re-watch and re-read scenes like those! Unfortunately, that kind of makes up most of my re-reading - going back and just re-living those favorite scenes. So while they're great and can inspire return visits to the story, I think this is one I have to beware of, because in and of themselves those scenes don't always help me re-read the whole book. The favorite scenes have to be combined with other qualities...

• The Music - In a movie, the music really can make a big difference. And it's not just the soundtracks with lyrics (although I enjoy those, too!). Consider the BBC Sherlock series, or Kate & Leopold, or Tuck Everlasting, or How to Train Your Dragon. The music sets the scene and draws you in emotionally. I think the books that I would be more inspired to re-read are the ones that have a certain "music" to them - those books that are well-written and have their own unique, engaging style that makes me feel involved in the story and intrigued by the way the author strings words together. 

• The Setting - It's the place you want to re-visit. Like beautiful Ireland in Leap Year or New Orleans in The Princess and the Frog or Radiator Springs in Cars. 

• The Dialogue - My family and I kind of have our own language, and you'd have to have seen a lot of random movies in order to get it. You see, we quote movies all the time. I'm not sure this comes off quite the same in books (after all, you're reading it, not hearing it). But still - some great dialogue can make you want to re-live the wit or the zingers or what-have-you.

• The Characters - When characters become so dear that they're like family, or so similar to yourself that they're like your best friends, or so intriguing that you just want to try harder to understand them...that's when you want to spend more time with them.

• The Theme - Sometimes you need to reminded of something important. That's one thing I love about Hallmark movies and ones like them (the tear-jerkers) - they often help me put things in perspective. Even though it isn't always fun to watch or read about things like war and losing a loved one, those sorts of stories remind us of how precious life is, and how much we need to cling to hope.

Basically, I think the stories we want to re-discover and enjoy more than once are the ones that contain a journey we need/want to take over and over again. It doesn't matter that you've read or seen it before. Each time you take the journey, you learn something new and yet find comfort in the familiarity of it. Like a good friendship, it helps you grow while offering you something stable. You know the plot and are guaranteed a happy ending (generally!), but each new viewing/reading encourages and inspires you in new ways.

At least, that's why I like watching certain movies over and over again. And I hope that this exercise will show me that some books are worth the time investment of a re-visit!

Fall Friday

To steal an idea from You've Got Mail, I'd love to send ya'll a bouquet of sharpened pencils to celebrate the beginning of autumn! As it is, I hope this post will still help you get into a celebratory mood, even without the pencils. ;)

Why are we celebrating? Well, besides it being a new season (not quite officially yet, but soon!), it's also time to "hit the books." For me and all you other students out there, that can refer to textbooks and the like. But for all of us who are Christian fiction fans, there are some great books releasing this fall!!!

I "dolled up" a bit (ie: put on my fancy hat and my nice green shirt!) to do a photo shoot with Emma (on the cover of Julie Lessman's A Heart Revealed). Don't we look spiffy? ;)

I'm definitely not fancy in this picture (and I missed the top part of my head...), but I just had to share my excited face with you - my copy of Torrent arrived on Wednesday from Amazon.com!!! (Can you tell that I'm super excited to read the conclusion to this fantastic series???)

So are you ready to "hit the books"? This fall I hope to do some book discussions (including discussions of the two books pictured above!) and share plenty of reviews with you! I say, "Bring it on!!!"

What books have been pouring into your mailbox lately? Or what books are you most looking forward to reading later this fall?

Reminiscing: Favorite Books of 2010

Before we dive into today's discussion, I thought we could make our retreat/party even more hoppin' with some music and dancing! I recently bought a CD at Target (with a gift card from my grandparents) called "Big Band Memories." Gotta love that Big Band music!

So click on the video below to hear one of the songs, and enjoy the picture of some of our Charlie Brown Christmas decorations. ;) You can settle in on the couch here and enjoy, or get up and join me in some swing dance and lindy hop!



Phew! That was fun!

Today we're talking about our favorite books from 2010 (the books that were published this past year). I'll share my top 5 favorites with you, and count down backwards, starting with my 5th favorite. But first, I have to say that I don't know if this list is completely accurate, because I loved so many books that came out this past year, and I'm sure there are many more that could be put in this list! I should also add that there are 2010 releases I haven't read yet that could have made it on this list if I had read them by now.

Favorite Books of 2010

#5: Making Waves--This was such a cute book! I really enjoyed it, and it was so fun to travel to Lake Manawa through it's pages. A great summer read (or anytime you're longing for a summer vacation!). You can read my review of the book HERE.




# 4: Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii--This book was so unique and so epic! The cover gives you a hint of the adventure found within the pages. Very beautiful! (And might I add that purple is one of my favorite colors!) And I love that this book has an historical and a modern storyline, and the romance is so sweet. You can read my review of the book HERE.

#3: A Tailor-Made Bride--This book has it all: swoon-worthy romance, a Western setting, and well-woven-in spiritual truths. I loved it! You can read my review of the book HERE.






# 2: She Walks in Beauty--This book is just plain beautiful. The historical detail is amazing, and the book is very well-written with great details that transport the reader into the past. And the romance...*sigh.* You can read my review of the book HERE.




#1: Courting Morrow Little--Gorgeous! The setting, the characters, the heartbreak, the drama, the romance, the love...this book is amazing! I couldn't put it down! With a grand cover and an even grander story, this book is not to be missed! You can read my review of the book HERE.



Haven't the covers been fabulous this past year?

Here are links to my reviews of some of the other 2010 books I loved (in no particular order):

• Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
• A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall
• A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
• Emily's Chance by Sharon Gillenwater
• Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist

What are your favorite books from this past year? And which books are you really looking forward to in 2011? I think if I dived into that last question, I would have to write another post! ;)

Fall Friday

Well, it is Friday and it is still fall, so it makes sense to have another "Fall Friday" post today. As far as having something brilliant to say on the subject, though, I might be found a bit lacking. ;)

Reading is a great past time. And reading and fall somehow go hand-in-hand, right? I mean, it's delightful to think about colorful fall leaves, the last remnants of warmth before winter, and enjoying it all while reading an engaging book, right?

Right.

So, today I'm going to talk about books. Due to my interest in the "Love Finds You" book series recently (click HERE to see the main reason why), I found myself browsing Christianbook.com to see if the upcoming "Love Finds You" books were listed with their covers. And guess what I found? Beautiful, fabulous covers! Want to see?


These are just a couple of examples of the "Love Finds You" books coming out next year (April 2011 for these two). Aren't they lovely? I absolutely adore the Prince Edward Island cover--it reminds me of Anne of Green Gables and is so beautifully done!

Just thought I would get you all to share in my excitement. ;) What are you reading right now? I'm reading Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander, and soon I hope to be reading Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler and maybe Nightingale by Susan May Warren (if it comes in the mail soon!).

*blissful sigh*

I love books!

A Tardy True Love Tuesday

First of all, I apologize for being late in posting this. I've been keeping busy with homework and such, so I didn't quite find time for it until now--and it's only 15 minutes until Wednesday! Talk about waiting until the last minute (or 15)!

I had been thinking about doing a post on North & South for today, but I think I might reserve that for another day. ;) I definitely need time to compose a well-thought out post for such a beautiful, grand movie as that!

So today (which will be Wednesday for most of you!) I thought we could talk about the examples of true love that we've seen in the books we've read recently or are in the process of reading right now.

*There might be spoilers in the next part of this post, so if you haven't read the books I discuss proceed with caution!*

I'll start with Love, Charleston. I finished this book last week, and as hard to read as it was, there was one especially memorable example of true love within those pages.

One of the main characters, Della, and her husband are going through a rough time. The country is in a recession, and both of them are "artists" (one's a writer and one makes sculptures) who don't make very much money. Della detests their home and the way they are forced to barely get by. She is especially concerned about the welfare of her daughter. And so, she finds herself giving attention to the man she had turned down years before--a man who can afford a comfortable, "normal" life.

The relationship between Della and her husband is put to the test. Will they remain faithful to each other? I think it's so important, especially for those of us who are still single, to consider the "happily ever after" part of the story--the part that comes after you say "I do." I haven't yet experienced marriage, but from what I can tell it can be both wonderful and at times very difficult. It is so important to have openness, honesty, and patience in any sort of relationship, especially in marriage.

For those of you who are already married, perhaps you can give some pre-marriage advice to those of us who have yet to experience it. ;)

One thing I really loved in Surrender the Heart was its reminder that true beauty lies in the spirit of a person, and true love will see beyond the outward appearance. What a valuable lesson for us to be reminded of in this day and age!

I also appreciated the reminder that true love doesn't judge. Perhaps true love will take time to fully grow to this point, but when it does it shows understanding and compassion, realizing that there is much that one doesn't know about the other. This can be applied to many different relationships, for sure, but it certainly is an important aspect of romantic relationships!

I think I'm a little over a third of the way through with Making Waves, and I've really been enjoying it so far! =)

The heroine and the hero are really fun, and some elements of true love that I've seen are the importance of caring for each other and the importance of recognizing each other's dreams and passions (and encouraging them!). This has mostly been on the side of Trip (the hero), as he has come to Marguerite's rescue, shown her that he is willing to stand up for her, and appreciated her apparent love for sailing.

As for Roger, the other potential love interest . . . let's just say that I've been reminded that true love isn't selfish and it respects the other person. (Take the hint, Roger!) ;)

So, what have you been reading lately? Have you learned or been reminded of anything about true love that you could share with us? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Reading Retreats: In the Company of Animals

Pets can make great reading companions, can't they? Of course, that's only when they're behaving--otherwise, they're horrible reading companions (even if they are cute). Above is my wonderful purring-machine, otherwise known as Mr. Murphy. Isn't he adorable? I agree that he does have the "fierce tiger" look, but don't let him fool you. He can be tamed by a simple scratch behind the ears or rub on the belly. =)

Anyway, today I would like to welcome one of my great blogging friends, Kav from Best Reads (2010)! She's got an interesting story to tell about her own furry reading companion, so be sure to take a moment and read the following interview:

Amber: Where is your favorite place to read? Do you prefer curling up by the fire or going out into the sunshine?

Kav: Pretty much anywhere I have a book in hand. Maybe the bus while I’m traveling to work and home again. I’d go squirrelly if I couldn’t read on the bus.

Amber: Where is the most interesting place in which you have read a book? (This could include an intriguing town, an exotic trip, or simply an unusual quiet spot.)

Kav: Okay…this is going to sound weird and definitely not glamorous – but walking my dog. I have this sheltie with a prey/herding instinct so high that he really should be a working dog. Wish I’d realized that when I got him. Let’s just say he’s had challenges adapting to city life since he was a puppy. He has issues with squirrels. BIG ISSUES. Basically he thinks this planet isn’t big enough for both species. His soul purpose in life is to chase (thankfully he never catches) squirrels. So what does this have to do with interesting places to read a book?

Well, after multiple obedience classes and personal trainers and oodles of cash I had a perfectly trained dog – unless there was a squirrel around. Since I live in a lovely treed neighbourhood with a squirrel family living in every tree…well, I won’t go into the grim details here. In desperation I tried the desensitization theory -- taking your dog into an area that is ripe with his problem and totally ignore him while he goes demented. You keep him on a short leash and only walk when he is behaving nicely. The minute he goes ballistic you stop and ignore. It’s very important not to make eye contact or engage the dog in anyway because that just feeds the frenzy. He thinks you’re joining in on the squirrel rampage. The dog trainer suggested reading a book.

So that’s what I did…for months. Walking down streets and stopping every time Simba saw a squirrel. I’d open my book and read and he would howl and yowl and moan and cry. It created quite a sensation. I could read pages before he’d calm down enough to continue the walk. We’d barely get half a block before there’d be another squirrel sighting and off he’d go again and I’d start reading again. The neighbours thought it was hilarious and still greet me with “Read any good books lately?”

And, in case inquiring minds want to know – alas, the desensitization method did not work on Simba. Seven years later after quite a bit of negotiating and mediation we are more or less on the same page now…He doesn’t chase squirrels on a walk and I don’t haul him back by his nice plumy tail.

Amber: Wow--that's quite a story, Kav! ;) If you could choose any location to read in for a day, with any kind of scenery, where would you want to go? And if you could choose to bring only one fiction book with you for this day trip, which would you choose?

Kav: Hmmm…only one location? Well, I guess I’d say I’ve always had a hankering to own a wingback chair in my very own home library. With a fireplace. And a window seat close by. And an old globe – the really big kind with an oak pedestal. And a plush comfy lounger. Oriental carpet on the floor. Brocade drapes framing the window seat (glass would be leaded). I’d spend the day moving from window seat to wingback chair to lounger with my nose stuck in a book all the while.

And you actually want me to name only one fiction book????? You know I’d read more than one in a day if that was all I was doing, don’t you? Well…it’s impossible for me to name just one. That’s like asking your mother who her favourite child is. It’s just wrong. I’ll just say that I would bring the book I was currently reading at the time and I’d sneak in the top book off my TBR pile when you weren’t looking.

Amber: I like the place you envision. It's lovely! So, which upcoming release (book) are you most looking forward to, and why?

Kav: Ack – is this a trick question? Book as in not plural? I can’t do that either…it’s just so wrong to pick favourites.

Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad (she’s a writing buddy of mine and she writes historical romance with a touch of comedy. I’ve read some of her other work and it’s fantastic. This is her debut novel with Revell and it comes out beginning of September).

A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman (need I say more…I’m really looking forward to this one – especially since she gave us a sneak preview on your blog).

The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (Her debut novel as well. It’s a YA fantasy – retelling of a fairy tale – from Zondervan. I LOVE that kind of fantasy so I’m really excited to read this one).

Made to Order Family by Ruth Logan Herne (I’m committed because this completes her first series and she knows how to spin a tale full of laughter and angst and romance. Sigh. It’s also due in September…though if you order from eharlequin I think you can get it in August sometime.)

Okay – I could go on…but I’ll stop there. Those are the September releases I can remember at this point but now I’m feeling guilty because I’m sure I’ve left somebody out.

Amber: Remind me never to suggest picking just one book again to you! ;) I think I've learned my lesson now! Thank you so much for joining us today, Kav!

I'll leave ya'll with another picture of Mr. Murphy. I confess that usually he's not the best reading companion because he always likes to knead me and rub all over me, which is a bit distracting. Doesn't he look guilty here? =)