Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul

Title: Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul
Author: Various
Pages: 308
Personal Rating: 4/5

From the Back Cover: A Tribute to the women who uphold the written and unwritten oaths of service and of marriage.

All military personnel swear an oath to uphold the constitution and protect our country, while their spouces take the unwritten oath to live a life of frequent moves, lengthy separations and endless anxieties.  Their commitment requires a unique blend of patriotism, dedication, hard work and, most of all, flexibility.
The stories in Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul are written by military family members and the courageous women who themselves serve int he military.  Each page celebrates the women who unite with kindred spirits to raise families,maintain homes and uphold the most positive attitudes when faing the fears of losing a loved one.
This special volume celebrates the unique bond between military wives and their spouses and their dedication to home and country.

Personal Thought and Reflection: It was hard for me to get through this book. As a military spouse this book hit a sensitive nerve in my heart, and I found myself with tears streaming down my face after reading many of these stories. I chuckled at some, as I shared some of these women's stories as my own. The hardships and tribulations that a family goes through when you are a military wife are many, and it was great to read these stories and know that we are truly not alone. Many women have gone before us and made the same such sacrifices that we ourselves have made, and many more will do so after our spouses have left or retired from the military. This book truly reiterates the fact that the military becomes your family, when you are far from home, your fellow military members and their families become your family. You call on them, and help them also in time of need. Personally I feel this, as my family has been stationed in Japan for the past 4 years. There is a family-like feel shared between the people who serve with you in a far away land. This book will touch the hearts of any patriotic person, not just spouses of military members.

Book review-Salem Falls

Title: Salem Falls
Author: Jodi Picoult
Pages: 514
Personal Rating: 5/5

From the back cover: A handsome stranger comes to the sleepy New England town of Salem Falls in hopes of burying his pas: Once a teacher at a girls' prep school, Jack st. bride was destroyed when a students crush sparked a powder keg of accusation.  now, washing dishes for Addie Peabody at the Do-Or-Diner, he slips quietly into his new routine and Addie finds this unassuming man fitting easily inside her heart.  But amid the rustic calm of Salem Falls, a quartet of teenage girls harbor dark secrets-and they maliciously target Jack with a shattering allegation.  Now at the center of a modern-day witch hunt, Jack is forced once again to proclaim his innocence: to a town searching for answers, to a justice system where truth becomes a slippery concept written in shades of gray, and to the woman who has come to love him.

Personal Thought and Reflection: Loved this book! I had a rough start with Picoult, but have since found magic in her books. She writes on some very tough subjects that tug at the heartstrings and brings her readers to strong emotion. I experienced so much during my reading of Salem Falls.  I felt angry, hopeful, fear, dread, and happiness at the end result. Picoult somehow makes her readers want to pull for the underdogs in her story. You fall in love with them, and start hoping with them that the end result with be in our favor. I have two more of Picoults works on my shelves and am looking forward to reading them!

2012 Yearly Rundown...

Well, I once again did the 75 book challenge with the group I'm in at Goodreads. I really had to push it to get there. And I "cheated" by adding the books I read to Alyssa.

So, I have decided not to participate in that challenge next year, and lowered my number to a 60 book challenge for the year. I think that is alot more realistic for me, as I am just so busy with my daughter, and fitness goals, and other hobbies, besides the fact that we will be moving this summer, so will be busy with that, for at least a few months!

So, here is what I read in 2012:

1. Dragons of Autumn Twilight
2. The Romance Readers Book Club
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
4. Strawberry Shortcake Murder
5. Of Mice and Men
6. Dragons of Winter Night
7. The Secret Garden
8. Dragons of spring dawning
9. Three Fates
10. Every Breath You Take
11.Nostalgic Noel
12.Girls Night In
13. Ask again Later
14. Waiting to Exhale
15. The Appeal
16. Mansfield Park
17. Sammy's hill
18. Summer Breeze
19. The summer House
20. I is for Innocent
21. Sea Glass
22. Naked in death
23. Glory in death
24. Sir Apropos of Nothing
25. J is for Judgement
26. The White Queen
27. At First Sight
28. Ape House
29. Where Two Ways Met
30. The Pact
31. Immortal in Death
32. The Mayor of Casterbridge
33. The Confessions of Max Tivoli
34. Shanghai Girls
35. Dreams of Joy
36. The Queens Fool
37. Envy
38. Miracle
39. Summer's End
40. Rainwater
41. Fannin' the Flames
42. K is for Killer
43. Blueberry Muffin Murder
44. The Help
45. Haunted Illinois
46. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
47. Season Of Love
48. Destination Frightville
49. Fudge Cupcake Murder
50. Changes
51. Truth about Stacey
52. Boy Crazy Stacey
53. Christmas Threads
54. Lunatics
55. Sugar Cookie Murder
56. The Woad to Wuin
57. Atlas Shrugged
58. Zuckerman Unbound
59. Peach Cobbler Murder
60. Elsewhere perhaps
61. All I want for Christmas is You
62. Cherry Cheesecake Murder
63. Key Lime Pie Murder
64. Carrot Cake Murder

Kiddie books I read to fill out my challenge
65. If you have a Hat
66. Cougar Cub Tales
67. My Little Pet Dragon
68. The Going to Bed Book
69. Good Night Moon
70. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
71. Moo, Baa, La,la,la
72. Love and Kisses
73. Good Night!
74. How Kind!
75. Julius! I love color!
76. Guess How Much I Love You?
77. National Geographic Look and Learn:Counting
78. Easter Bunny Flap Book


So, there it is, my list for 2012. I didn't get as much read as I would have liked, since 13 of those books were picture books, but hey! They were books and they counted for the challenge!  So, I guess I can just say I got 64 books read this year. And so, I have decided to take it down a notch next year, by only reading 60.  With how busy I am anymore, I think that is a good goal, and I have a few huge ones I wanna get to, like The Stand, Don Quixote, and The Shining,11/22/63 for example!  This year I made a list of 65 books that I wanted to read from my TBR shelf, and I think I read 36 off of it, Next year I am not doing that, I'm just gonna read what I please, because even though I was good and knocked a good 36 off my list, I also bought a bunch for my Kindle (Like all the Hannah Swensen series ones!) and read them, as well as some library books, and so while I'm glad I was able to get a bunch read off my shelf, I just want the freedom to pick and choose and if I want to go buy a new book and start it right off, or go to the library then I don't want to feel guilty about it.

Birthday Book Loot!

Well, I haven't posted here in a long time, but I got some books for my birthday and I'm really excited about them, so decided why not blog about them?

Here is what I got:

Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
Getting to Happy By: Terry MacMillan

and then for my Kindle I got the four books in the Lois Lowry "The Giver" series. Then I got the next two I needed for the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke: "Key Lime Pie Murder" and "Carrot Cake Murder". 

These should definitely keep me busy for awhile!  Not that I needed any new books, but it is always wonderful to get some new ones every so often!

WHERE did this year go?!

Ok, so I know we still have a good 2 months left of this year, but man, it's flown by! And as usual, I have not been keeping up with this blog at all....oops....I am sad to say behind on my 75 book challenge for the year.  I logged the picture books I read to my 1 1/2 year old daughter....talk about cheating!!  With the baby books, I'm like 5 books ahead of my goal, without, I am sadly behind!!

Next year I am not going to even attempt a challenge....I am setting a goal of 50 books and THAT is IT! I am just too busy now with my little toddler to really focus on reading like I used to! I think 50-60 books is a good goal for me! I have not yet decided if I will make a pre picked list like I did for this year (which I strayed from quite a bit!) or just pick and pull as I go!

One thing the pre-selected list did for me this year was keep me from purchasing as many books as I normally do! Which was a good thing! So, I'm thinking maybe I will make a pre-selected book list, and tell myself if I read all of them, then I can reward myself with some buying! We'll see how that works!

Right now I'm on vacation, visiting my in laws. I'm getting some reading in. I brought "Woad to Wuin" By Peter David (The 2nd in the "Sir Apropos of nothing" trilogy) but then went to the library with the step mom in law and she recommended a book called "Lunatics", which I've been reading, and I've gotten about half way through it in about 2 days, so it's going pretty quick! I am really enjoying it, and am hoping I can get it finished before I leave here next weekend.

I am still also working my way slowly through "Atlas Shrugged" I started it towards the beginning of September, and by the last week of the month was STILL trying to finish it, so set it aside to read some smaller books so I'd at least have a few finishes under my belt for the month. In October I decided in order to be able to get some books done AND work my way through "Atlas", I would read 100 pages in atlas then read a shorter book, then read 100 in Atlas, then read a smaller book. I got quite a bit done in October.  I'm not sure on specifics, but I know I am behind on my monthly run downs, so I will know for sure how I did when I go back over them to update this blog!

Cute video of my 16 month old "reading"

Alyssa loves books just like I do!

2012 Book review #6: Where Two Ways Met

Author: Grace Livingston Hill

Pages:247

Personal Rating: 4/5

From the back of the book: Handsome Paige Madison didn't know what to do. He had returned from the war and was on his way to building an exceptional career with a prominant businessman. But, though Paige couldn't quite put his finger on it, he was sure there was something wrong, maybe even unscrupulous, about his new boss. And to make matters worse, his boss's beautiful, headstrong young daughter had decided she wanted Paige-and that she would do all she could to make him want her as well.

then, in the midst of his confusion, Paige is thrown together with a lovely young minster's daughter when they try to help a family in need. Both drawn and challenged by this girls gentle faith, Paige soon finds himself faced with a vital decision.

Which girl should he trust with his most precious possession: his heart?

Personal Thought and Reflection: This book was published in 1946, so it was quite old fashioned, with old fashion goodness at the core. However, Grace Livingston Hill still wove a pretty enchanting tale! I have a few others of hers on my shelves and I am looking forward to what is coming next! If you want a good clean book with Christian themes and undertones I would go with this!