Tales from the Crib

This is anoter free Kindle book. and it was well okay.  The story was interesting but there were parts that I was bothered by. 

 

 

It starts off with a couple who have been married for several years and have been unable to have a baby.  So sad.  The years have been hard and they were having some struggles in their marriage.  Well, the wifey finds out she is going to have a baby and is beyond thrilled to tell her husband and when she does he tell her he wants a divorce.  RUDE.  And then to add insult to injury he says that it would be cheaper to not do it.  To live as roommates raising their baby together they would keep their house and pay taxes together.  He would pay the bills and she would be a stay at home mom and they could date who ever.

 

I mean think about it a live in baby sitter.

 

How awful is that?  The poor woman didn't know what else to do but agree.  So as she get bigger and bigger with child she had to watch her fake ex-husband date other women.  So wrong.

 

 

Well, over time you can imagine that this situation wouldn't work out so well.  They eventually ummmm.....well I don't want to ruin it just in case you do want to read this middle of the road book.

 

 

There were some other interesting characters in the story that made the characters have some layers to get through.  It was interesting.

 

But it made me mad that people would actually think this would be a good idea.  It was interesting to say the least...



War Brides

What a delightful story!  Unlike most books that I have read from this era (WWII).  But this is the first one that takes place from the perspectives of the ladies left behind.  It has now been a month or two since I last read it so chances are I have forgotten some of the details  but here is the basic run down.

 

A handful of girls all find themselves in the same small English town waiting the war out as best they can.  Not planning on falling in love, but finding themselves madly deeply neck deep in some cases.  Some carry with them secrets of murder, affairs, involvement in the war and smuggling children out of a Nazi camp. 

 

This story is FULL of love, murder, mystery, and even a spy or two.  It took me a few chapters to figure out who was who...I mean really there were just too many characters...but there isn't a single one I would want to cut out.  By the end I cared about each of them.  It was interesting to read about WWII from the wives and girls left behind.  Very well written.  There were parts of the book I could have done without.  At times they would take breaks from the girls and see what their families where doing in Nazi camps and that was awful to read.  I don't enjoy that kind of reading...to real and heartbreaking.  I could have done without those chapters.  Otherwise it was nice.

 

It was a free book on the kindle and well worth the money and time I put into it.  

Sarah's Key

Sarah is a 10 year old in Paris happy with life...well that is until the French Police start making rounds gathering up the Jewish families.  She is taken with her parents in the middle of the night...in a a desperate moment Sarah wanted more then anything to protect her baby brother and locked him in the closet sure that she would be able to return later the next day to let him out when things are safer. 

Flash forward 60 years to Julia who uncovers Sarah and her story.  The people in Paris have tried to forget this ugly part in their history but Julia can't do that.  Julia's findings change her relationship with her family, with others and herself.  Thing won't be the same. 

It is a heartbreaking story...as most all of the stories from this time in history are.  It is gut wrenching to think that people could be so cruel and awful to other humans.  Disgusting really.  It is amazing the strength that people have as the endure things that I truly can't imagine. 

It is amazing story...one worth reading.

Flashback Friday

 

June 11, 2010

It has been a few years since I read this book...but I think I would still list it has one of my favorites.

 

Elantris

By Brandon Sanderson

I am the farthest thing from a SiFi fan. Up until now I have never even picked one up at the library to even look at the cover, in fact I pretty much stay away from that section...you know they are weird stories about weird people (if they are even people). But when a friend suggested I read this book, I thought "why not my last few books have been losers" figuring I would add to the list of books I never want to see again I went to that strange Science Fiction section and took the book home.

BOY OH BOY was I wrong. From the beginning the book caught my attention. If fact, this morning I was about 20 pages away from finishing and I almost skipped a shower to read. It has killed me this week to pay attention to my household duties and more than once Dave come home with no dinner ready, or even thought of. oops.

As far as SiFi goes its not as weird as you would think. In fact the weirdest thing were the names they came up with. It was such a fun book to read and I loved it right down to the last page. It is interesting and has a great moral.

 

I highly suggest you read this one! Even if Science Fiction isn't your thing, this is worth it.

*totally forgot that I read Ender's Game and the sequel in HS. It was long enough ago I should re-read them.

An Invisible Thread

I am on a roll for good books.  I feel like the last 5 books have been great...this book is no exception.  And one great thing about this story is that it is true.


Laura is a big time....business woman in NYC.  Lots of money very important always on the go.  One day as she was walking the streets she saw a little boy begging for change.  She continued walking since she was a very busy and important person and then after taking a few steps past the young boy she realized she had a cancelled meeting which meant some free time.  She turned around and took the little boy to lunch. 

And there is began.  A very unusual friendship between an 11 year old and a grown business woman.  The poor boy  had next to nothing, his parents were drug addicts and there was very little if any stability in his life.  I was shocked throughout the whole book that lives like his actually exist...and I have a sinking feeling that some kids have it even worse.  What a heartbreaking thought.

Laura has experienced her own kind of struggles and heartbreak and so I think that they really needed each other.  And it was through their friendship that they learned life lessons that made them the people they are today. 

It is a wonderful book to read and an amazing story.  take a minute...or a few days...maybe a week a read it.  I think you will be glad you did.

Read on.

A Mother's Book of Secrets

This is a book I would highly recommend.  It is written by a mother daughter team and it is simply what as worked for them in their families.

The Chapters are short and sweet (love that) and their ideas are plenty and awesome and totally realistic.  Some times I read parenting books and I laugh because the author has no clue.  But here the authors real.  Another reason I enjoyed it was the two perspectives that were offered.  The first being the experienced mother and the 2nd being a mom in the trenches of motherhood as we speak.  They both offer sound advice and encouragement.

For example they share ideas about being organized, traditions, family laws, dinnertime, the five-facet review (which I love.  the mom and dad go out to eat once a month I think and they talk about the five different areas of each of their children and how they are doing and what as parents they need to be focusing on or helping with.  It is so simple and yet helps both mom and dad be on the same page and so aware.).  There is a chapter about putting your husband first and learning that the kind of mom I am striving to be is MY BEST.  I don't need to compare myself to other mothers and try to be their best.  I can be my own kind of best mom.  It also discusses money, choices and cleaning-which I loved this chapter one of the authors as a toy monster that they named and the mom would pull it out and anything left out would go in the bag and kids could do chores to get their toy out.  Toys that went in more than twice went to DI.  Toys left in there too long also went to DI.  What a great simple idea.

This book is worth the price tag....which I don't know what that is since my sweet Mom gave it to me.  But let me tell you it was worth her money!  This is a book I will keep close and read when I am at a loss for ideas or feel like I need a pick me up...since the chapters are so short and the pictures so sweet it is very doable.

 I LOVE this book.  Buy it and read it!

Enduring Light

This is the 2nd novel of Carla Kelly I fave read...in the last couple of weeks.  Apparently I was starved for a good fiction story and read through this two novels rather quickly.  Enduring Light is the rest of Julia's story.  Well, I should say rest I am sure there could be more.  When you are living on a ranch I am sure the stories can be never ending


I suppose I should say that if you don't want me to ruin the first book for you...stop reading this review and just now that although this was a wonderful book to read I didn't enjoy it as much as Borrowed Light.  Maybe it is too much Carla at one time but I was ready for the story to end.  However, I say read this one too.


Okay...so the story line...sorry if you haven't read the first one but Julia falls in love for the cowboy.  But I think that is pretty obvious...I mean what kind of love story would it be if she dumbed her lame fiance moved to a ranch with a hunky boss and returned to the lame brain boyfriend after all.  So I guess I am not really ruining it.  right?

Well, this story had some interesting moments that included rocky mountain oysters some more yummy food (this book made me want to make something great for dinner) and a crazy stocker man.  It had potential to be an intense book that was gripping and had me on the edge of my seat but it just didn't quit get there.  However, Carla did enjoy writing about the joys of being a newlywed.  There wasn't anything dirty and the author still kept it clean, but it nearly ever chapter there was a reference to the obvious love the two newlyweds shared...almost to the point of making it unbelievable.  There were a few conversations that I thought would never happen between a Ranch Boss and his ranch hands...but then again I have never lived on a ranch so maybe they do sit around and laugh about how in love their boss is in real life.

This is a good follow up story, but if you have only time for one fictional book read the first novel.

Happy Reading

on another note, these were Carla Kelly's first LDS novels (bravo Carla).  I have ready to read one of her earlier works...I will let you know how it goes.  She is obviously leans more towards the romance writing...I will keep you posted.