Plumdog

I thought this book looked so cute - it was an adorable design and was about dogs! It's a graphic novel/ journal type of book. It took no time to get through obviously because there's only a couple sentences on each page. The pictures were all pretty cute - I thought it was a sweet little premise. I wouldn't read it again, but it seems like it would be a great children's book, very easy to read and pictures to make it more interesting! I recommend it as a gift for a dog-lover, a child, or even if you want a beautiful book to sit on your shelf!

*I received this book from Blogging for Books in compensation for this review

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Reading Challenge Update

Well I have a little over 2 months left to finish up this reading challenge! I have most of my books selected at least, I have about 10 books left to go!

I just finished "The Secrets of Blood and Bone", this book was actually a sequel which I didn't realize until I got it. There were a few questions unanswered, but for the most part the author did a good job explaining what was going on. I don't like scary books, but I do like fantasy fiction, this was fantasy it pulled a lot off the vampire and werewolf legends, but it did get a little too into demons, for my taste.

This book also went back and forth between modern day and 16th century Italy. I don't feel like the Italy segments were as well thought out, there were also almost too many characters in those segments, it was difficult to keep track.

There are a lot of unfinished story lines, but it was very obvious there is another book to follow. I wasn't so interested in the story that I will be reading that 3rd book or going back to the first one.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review.

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The Martian & Other Reading

I have to say I'm pretty proud of how much reading I've done over the past few weeks. I am currently on my 30th book. 

I just finish the Emily books by L.M. Montgomery. They were very good, and I fell in love with Emily almost as much as Anne, I did read a lot of reviews that noted the darker writing, and I completely agree with that, but I still liked them. 

I also read A Thousand Country Roads - an epilogue to The Bridges of Madison County. I had always wanted to hear the rest of that story, this was a heartbreaking book, it didn't make me cry or anything, but I did hurt for every character!

I received The Martian from Blogging for Books for this review. I was so excited when I saw this was an option to read. I saw the trailer a couple months ago, and thought it looked so interesting. This book was so good! It was very intellectual and there were a couple parts I had to reread because of the science/math. I kinda looks books like that, I feel like they force you to use your brain, when so many books now-a-days are just fluff that you don't have to think about. While it was very intellectual it was very funny! There were quite a few times that the sarcasm and wit literally made me laugh out loud. They were just enough plot twists to keep it interesting and keep you reading well into the night! I would definitely recommend this, and I can't wait to see if the movie does it justice! 

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The Gracekeepers

Continuing on my Reading Challenge journey! I need to step up my game, that is for sure!

One of the best things I've discovered while doing this challenge, is the Blogging for Books program. I've received 4 books from them so far, their service is amazingly fast, and I think it's great that I get to read all these books that I wouldn't normally get.

The Gracekeepers was a very original and well written book. Often now-a-days you can feel like you're reading the same story over and over again. . . you know what I mean! This world setting was so interesting and made the story really intriguing. The two main characters were well thought out and very likable. I was very surprised the book ended where it did. I can't say I liked the ending that the author gave, but I didn't write it! I would recommend this book, but I probably wouldn't spend money on it. It was good, and I appreciated the new world the author created for us, but I don't think she developed that world as much as she could have.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books" for this review.

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The Mapmaker's Children & Other Reading

I'm just stopping in to catch you up on my reading challenge for this year. I haven't got as much done as I'd like, but I'm getting there! 

The Mermaid Chair - I read this after The Secret Life of Bees, I loved it so much I was excited to read something else by the author. It wasn't as good as The Secret Life of Bees, but I would still recommend it. 

The Tricksters Choice/The Trickster's Queen - I love Fantasy books, and Tamora Pierce was always one of my favorite authors in middleschool/highschool. These were both great! They were very easy reads. . . since they're technically Young Adult books. 

The Mapmaker's Children* - I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect mix of history and modern day. Sometimes I can't follow along very well when authors switch back and forth, but this book seemed effortless. Set in New Charleston, WV it follows an Underground Railroad mapmaker, and a modern day wife struggling with infertility whose lives coincide through a house that was part of the URR. Some of the story was based on truth, and she brought a lot of interest into it with her own imaginings. I will say it didn't end the way I wanted to, but it was still happy! I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.  

Bossypants - I got 2 free audiobook downloads a couple weeks back, and thought well I'll pick 2 for my Reading Challenge. I don't normally like talk radio, and so many of them were like 20 hours long! I was a little nervous about finding one I liked. This was read by the author Tina Fey, which I think really made the book for me! She is so hilarious, and hearing her read the jokes made it even better! Now I just need to figure out another audiobook! 

Chronicles of Avonlea - I've read this before, and it's just a small collected of short stories by L.M. Montgomery the author of Anne of Green Gables. 

Nobody's Cuter Than You - I loved this book, and cannot say enough great things about it! Go get it, I'll just leave it at that!

There are a few more I've read, but I'll probably review them later! 

*This book was received from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review

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How to Get Dressed

This is an interesting book to review, I don't have any strong opinions about it. Since it was informational I did think it went a bit slow sometimes, but the author did manage to make it a little interesting, considering there were no amazing photos. I was expecting a lot of photographed examples from a book about clothes, but o well. I felt like it was very practical, but I also thought I knew a lot of the information that was given. This women definitely knew what she is talking about though and gave so many awesome tips! There are some people I think that could definitely use this book! I am glad that I have it now for future reference, but I don't think I would have bought it myself. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who wasn't comfortable with style and wardrobe choices.



*I received "How to Get Dressed" from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for a review*

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Grapevine Wreaths

One of my favorite things for a house is a good grapevine wreath! I feel like these beauties can be made to match any season, and you only need 1! I have had this grapevine wreath since we got married 2 1/2 years ago, and am constantly changing out the flowers for a new fresh look! Here are 4 of my favorites! 

1. Cotton Bolls - I love this one for late summer/ early fall!

2. Fall Berries - This one will last me from early Fall through Thanksgiving if I want. I put the berries through the entire wreath, but you could also just do a corner like I did with the other wreaths. 

3. Ombre Hydrangeas - This is always my favorite, it's so full, and you could do any color! I've also hung an initial in the middle for a personal touch. 

4. Roses - I did this one for Valentin'es Day this year, you can do as few or as many as you like! 

Do any of you have grapevine wreaths you use throughout the year? What type of decor/flowers do you put on them? 

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