Hurricane Florence

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

How are you? My family and I are prepped and waiting for this Hurricane to be over. I looked at the amount of books that I read during Hurricane Matthew (7 books in 3 days,) and I have a giant stack to work through, during this Hurricane. (The reading clock will begin tonight.) As this storm is being a bit stubborn and moving a bit slow, it looks like there will be more than three reading days for me. As soon as I am able to post an update, I shall.

I hope that everyone will remain safe during this storm and the days that follow.

~Ariesgrl

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To Finish or Not to Finish…

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

To Finish, or Not to Finish… that is today’s question. When you stumble upon a book that you just can’t get into, do you power through or do you toss it aside for something more entertaining?

I have always been a firm believer of sticking it out. I always hope that a book will redeem itself. For instance, Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult had an incredibly slow beginning, but the ending made it a wonderful book! Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead was written in a unique style that took time to get used to, but the ending still makes me want to scream. In all my years of reading, I have set aside a few handfuls of books and picked them up at later times to finish. There has only even been one that I have not been able to pick back up… and it has been almost 10 years…

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Happy Read A Book Day!

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Did you know that September 6th is Read a Book Day? Every year, book lover’s get another reason to curl up with a wonderful story! (Too bad it is not a National Holiday, since many of us will be at work today.)

When I get home, I will be finishing Perennials by Julie Cantrell and Ghosts of War by Brad Taylor!

How will you be celebrating the day?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

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Great American Read

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

I am ashamed to admit this… I took the quiz and it turns out that I have only read 18 out of 100 books on the Great American Read list. However, sadly, it is true. I took several literature courses in school, therefore I have read numerous excerpts from most of the other titles… but I have only read 18, from cover to cover. (I am currently working to change that!) How many have you read?

There are a lot of great books on the list, but a few missing titles surprised me. Nancy Drew is not included! (Neither are the Hardy Boys, but I was always a Nancy Drew girl.) I mean, didn’t we all spend our childhoods solving mysteries with our favorite friends? Recent novels that I am sure will be on the next Great Challenge… Wonder by Palacio and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. What great novels do you feel are missing from the list?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

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Let’s Talk Covers!

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

We all know the famous say, “Don’t judge a book, by its cover.” However, when picking out our next book, the cover is most likely what is going to get our attention. A title can be quirky and intriguing, while the synopsis teases us and forces us to read more. But a cover is the chance to represent the story, for those offering it a passing glance. For instance, I picked up Shadow of the Wind because the cover intrigued me, yet it was the book’s blurb that drew me. (It is still one of my all-time favorites!)

Have you ever bought a book based solely on the cover? (Below is my answer.)

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

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National Dog Day!

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

My boys posed with a few of my favorite books to celebrate the holiday!

Jagger loves Southern Stories by Mary Alice Monroe, Lisa Wingate, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Karen White.

Ozzy loves the magical world of Harry Potter. Can you say Wingardium Leviosa?

What do your pups love to read with you?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

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Forgotten Book Challenge Friday

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

So the negative side of being up for 24 hours straight, is obviously the lack of sleep. The wonderful side of not sleeping: More Reading Time!!! In the early morning two days ago, I scrolled through my ebooks and discovered an Alafair Burke book that was a free download over five years ago. I had not read anything by this author, but I have heard numerous great things about the books she wrote with Mary Higgins Clark. So, I decided to give it a try. I quickly read the first 80 pages, and was hooked. Throughout the early morning hours today, I devoured the last 270 some pages. I am now on the hunt for her other books!

Have you discovered a buried ebook treasure, lately?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

212

By: Alafair Burke

(Ellie Hatcher #3)

Ellie Hatcher is a New York City detective who has been assigned to a brutal murder of a college student. The young woman’s roommate was severely injured, in the attack. While diving into the homicide, another woman is murdered and strangely the two cases seem to be connected Will Ellie and her partner be able to catch the murderer before someone else is killed or will the secret lives of social climbers interfere with the cases?

Alafair Burke is a an incredible author. The twists and turns will lead readers in different paths, before sharing the shocking ending. The intricate details weave a fast-paced, thrilling read. Readers will be instantly hooked on this author’s work. Despite this being the third in a series, readers will not feel as though they are missing anything, if they read this first.

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A Book from a Friend…

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

I always enjoy a great book recommendation… especially when a friend says it is a must read. One of my neighbors recommended a poignant story that her son had mentioned to her. It is called Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small-Town Obituary Writer. It is by Heather Lende.

Right from the bright, yellow lemon on the cover, I could tell this was going to be an emotionally uplifting story. And then personal life happened, losses, and numerous trips to doctors. I knew I was not emotionally ready to read a book that had the potential to make me cry. So I kept waiting. I would pick it up, skim the first few pages and set it down. Then, one afternoon, I gained the courage to pick up this book and see what life-changing lessons it contained.

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50 Books in 72 Days

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Let the #SummerofBooks begin!!! Starting today, through Labor Day, the goal is to read as many books as possible. For those that can’t physically travel, they can enjoy amazing trips through destination-themed books. For those who only have time to read during the summer, they will want to pack in as many books as they can.

As for me, the boys and I are prepared. We have the Great American Read list, the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge list, the local library reading challenge bookmark, the lists for the 3 book clubs I am in, and as of Friday… the Tonight Show Book Club pick. So I think we are ready. I wanted to set a higher goal, but let’s be real…

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Release Day!

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Today is the release day for the new B. A. Paris thriller, Bring Me Back. Below is my review for this author’s third book. Trust me, you will never guess the ending.

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