Read / Write / Shoes

Nina is defnitely not OK! I finished this book an hour ago, and I am sitting here still trying to process the roller coaster of emotions this book brought out of me. I felt so much while reading this - contentment, embarrassment, anger, laughter, and the ending brought tears out of my eyes, both happy and sad at the same time. There has only been one other book that made me sob the way this one did (here's looking at you Marley & Me!)  I always say that any book that can produce these types of emotions while reading is a great book. The author, Shappi Khorsandi, introduced me to the world of Nina being not OK, grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Anytime I had to step away from the book I would wonder what was coming next. When it seemed like the story was over, another speed bump would occur.  Nina's story starts right off the bat with an event that propels Nina into a downward spiral. She was already heading there, but this guarantees her free fall. We are invited in...

We all know the tale of Freaky Friday - mom and daughter don't understand each other and through magic are each moved into the others life to live without a road map. Big? 13 Going on 30? A youth is now an adult bumbling through life. Who doesn't love these stories! Enter Life Swap... This is a book I judged by it's title and cover. The cover looked whimsical and, based on the title alone, I wanted to dive in. After reading the plot summary I was hooked! "This should be great!" I thought. Two people who are upset with their lot in life get to swap lives only to find out the grass isn't always greener. Do they swap with each other? Do they swap with others? Is this anything like the show Wife Swap where they get to critique each other afterward? And so I began... The first 100 pages or so of the book introduced us to Simon and Polly and showed us just how bad their life had become. Memories of the past are sprinkled throughout. Simon is turning 50 soon and ...

I loved this book! Like a breath of fresh air, it felt nice to read a story with an idea I have never seen before. Even better - I never saw the ending coming! To help her sister out, Grace finds herself in Amsterdam working as a celebrity impersonator who also strips for the first time in her life, all the while hiding it from her fiance. With a star-studded (albeit impersonators) cast of characters, this book made me laugh and had me intrigued with shenanigans that can happen in this world. Highly highly recommend to all who are looking for a book that can make them laugh, is a quick read  and is hard to put down! Paige Nick has a fan in me, and I look forward to any new novels from her in the future! I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every since I resigned my position, on the days I send my daughter to daycare, I have felt a bit lost. Someone suggested since I read so much and always review it on Goodreads, and had been thinking of beginning to use my blog to do reviews as well, that I should join NetGalley. I am so glad I did! So far I have reviewed 3 books and I was able to connect with one author. That is amazing! More reviews to come!

This charming story made me nostalgic for that time in your childhood when you begin to mature and you go crazy not understanding why your friends are acting strange, and why you begin to see people you knew your whole life in a different way. Charlie, having just started year nine (that's 13 years old for those who don't know) is going through a lot - her friends since childhood are changing (Max, Toby and Allie), her Aunt is sick and she's starting to have very vivid dreams that start coming true causing her to find out family secrets, and the thoughts of her friends.  When I read the summary, I thought this was going to be a fanciful tale of "I dreamed I could make people fly and look there they go." I'm so glad it wasn't. No one turned into a vampire. No one changed into an animal of any kind. No wizards, witches or bullying. Am I the only one who is getting sick of that? I feel like every time I walk into the young adult section, I am bombarded with H...

Years ago, I saw the movie The Princess Diaries and, as I always do, I had to seek out the book. After reading The Princess Diaries, I fell in love with Mia and her world. I read all 10 of the books in the series, and as many of the companion books that I could find. So when Meg Cabot announced that an adult novel of Mia's wedding was to be published, I cheered louder than anyone could imagine! Once it was received, I could not read it fast enough. And now there was a new princess, and half-sister, in addition to Mia? Well, hello Olivia! I welcome you to Genovia and the family that I almost feel that I am a part of as well! I became a fan of Olivia's books as well ( From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess) . Now, a e-short story will be released in early May before Olivia's second story comes out!  Note: If you have not read  Royal Wedding  yet and plan to, this short story (and my review) may provide spoilers! Like a soft, comfortable and familiar blanket, Ro...

Online dating - nowadays it's getting tough to run into someone who hasn't tried it, or met someone they have dated or married on it. I found my husband-to-be through online dating, and the stories I could share leading up to that meeting could make anyone laugh like crazy while shaking their heads thinking "I'm so glad that didn't happen to me." This book was the baby boomer's version of my experiences. Becky Andersen makes for a great storyteller, as I found myself immediately sucked into her tale of how her husband passed away years ago, and her family encouraged her to give online dating a try. It reads as though she was sharing these stories over a meal or drinks. I found myself laughing (actually out loud) as she dove into the different dates, sharing with everyone her thoughts, fears and misunderstandings. Her horse riding experience had me gasping for breath I had laughed so hard. I also found myself cringing at some of the naive thoughts and act...

Hello little blog of mine. Has it really been 9 months since I last wrote? Not hard to believe given I barely have time to find shoes to wear much less read a book or write either in you or the stories in my head. So where have I been? Read:   Surprisingly I have found time to read while I was on maternity leave and she was asleep. And when I went back to work when she was 4 months old (the hardest time of my life!) I would take my one hour lunch and would read as much as I could, as when I went home my time was devoted to my daughter. So what have I been reading? Young Adult has attracted me lately, and I have been focusing on that shelf in my library. Now? My daughter is in daycare and I have signed up for a NetGalley account. In addition to my Goodreads reviews, I want to expand into doing book reviews on here as well. I have 6 books I have been approved for thus far. Let's begin! Currently reading a few different books including Liza Palmer and my NetGalley approvals. Write...