A Perfect Beach Read

Finally!  A book on my summer reading list that I didn't want to put down. Thank God for Elin Hilderbrand. She is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors and maybe next summer I'll make it my goal to read all of her books. Summerland, which I finished yesterday, is a perfect example of a beach read.

Although it is not one of my favorite of Hilderbrand's, I love the setting and every time I closed the book all I wanted to do was visit Nantucket again. Her descriptions of the island are so realistic that you can really imagine walking through town or sitting on the beach.

Summerland is great because Hilderbrand weaves together the stories of two generations. After a tragic summer accident ends an evening following a celebratory bonfire on the beach, the lives of both the younger and older generations are changed in unimaginable ways.

The accident kills Penny Allistair, the driver of the car, yet leaves her twin brother Hobby, boyfriend Jake and friend Demeter alive and dealing with the aftermath of the accident in their own ways. They must overcome severe injuries, teen alcoholism and young love lost, all as a result of the accident.

The older generation, the parents of these teens and close friends, struggle with the accident and the effects on themselves and their children. Zoe Allistair has to come to terms with the death of one child and the recovery of another. Her lover, Jordan Randolph thinks taking his family to Australia is the answer while the Castles figure they have escaped the worst of it since their daughter Demeter survived the accident unhurt.

Summerland is a quick read but well worth it. At times it is very descriptive and slow but Hilderbrand weaves such an intricate plot that you will find yourself turning the pages eagerly awaiting what will happen next. Will Hobby survive his injuries? Will Jordan Randolph save his marriage by moving to Australia with his family? Will the Castles continue to lead their idealistic lifestyle?

Read Summerland to find out the answers to these questions and take a trip to the beautiful island of Nantucket. I would definitely recommend this book to those who need a paperback for the pool or beach, as well as all of her other books, especially Castaways.

Happy Reading!

How does your garden grow?

I will be the first to admit that I am definitely not a green thumb. I don't really even like flowers, which is why sunflowers were definitely the simplest option for wedding flowers. The ugly dirt and bare deck stairs were getting to me last year at the apartment. Something needed to be done.

Last year Dennis and I started with I think three pots. We bought some seeds and used some leftover plants from a library program. Surprisingly, all of the plants lived through the summer. They looked like they were dying though. The sunflowers had to be tied to the deck to not fall over.

This year, I was determined to do better. I bought more pots for the stairs. I planted the sunflowers in an ugly dirt patch formerly tended by our deceased lawn guy. Dennis planted tomatoes. I actually bought a shovel and a watering can to improve our gardening skills.

(Lettuce and tomato plants)

The plants are growing like crazy, especially the lettuce. There's just a few problems. I threw away all of the seed packets, so now I have no idea what pot has what plant. Oops. I know the tomatoes, lettuce and sunflowers. That also means, I have no idea what a weed looks like. Ha ha!

Let's play a game before I have to get my parents involoved. Ha ha! Spot the weeds and identify the plants! And go!

(Spot the weeds. There are sunflowers, black eyed Susans, lupines and maybe astors planted in this garden. Pretty good that I actually knew what I planted. I know there are weeds but I don't what's a weed and what's a plant. I'm so clueless.)

(The good new is that I haven't killed these plants yet. The bad news is that I have no idea what is in each of the four pots. I guess that's why you mark your plants or you are just smart like that. Hey, gardening is a domestic sport and we all know I'm not that great at those.)

Another Book Bites the Dust

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I'm reading like crazy right now. It's my favorite thing to do on the weekend. Relax in my Adirondack chair on the deck with a good book basking in the sunlight.

 

Last week I finished, The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters. Somehow this book made it from my sister's book shelf to mine because it had her name in it. I'd never heard of the book nor did I know what it was about.

 

Perhaps I'm being too critical because this is the first time in a while that I gave back to back books only three stars. This one was even tougher to get through then The Fault In Our Stars. I was disappointed to because it was written all in letters and I love that style.

 

The entire book was written in letters, faxes and emails from the main character, Olivia, to family, friends and colleagues. I will say it was interesting to see the more modern forms of communication with the traditional letters; however, it was confusing at times that is was only Olivia.

 

The story begins with Olivia just plain down on her luck - she loses her job, her boyfriend leaves her and eventually she is evicted. Yet we soon find out that her sister is all down on her luck - she is dying of leukemia. Her outlook on life is much more optimistic than her older sister.

 

The story evolves with Olivia trying to be there for her family while also rebuilding her own life by producing a movie, Don Quixote. There are ups and downs throughout but as in Don Quixote we find who achieves their "impossible dream" - surviving cancer and/or producing a blockbuster hit. 

 

Although it was interesting and did keep my attention, it was definitely not one of those books that had me rushing to get back to it so I could find out what happens. I will admit I did like the correspondence although confusing at times and the aspects of Hollywood.

 

The author was working on another book when this one was published and I might give it a try. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a summer read or a quick fiction title. I will warn you the emotions in the book are up and down throughout.

 

Finally, I'm reading one of the Elin Hilderbrand novels on my summer reading list. So right now I'm lost in Nantucket, right where I'd love to be in reality too and although the book has sad elements its already much better than those last two downers.

 

Happy Reading!

The Fault in My Reading

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that the rest of the world loved but you found really wasn't your cup of tea? That's exactly how I felt last weekend when I finished The Fault in our Stars. The book received great reviews, has been listed on multiple teen reading lists and is beloved by teens and adults alike yet I struggled to even make myself finish the book after one day of reading. Thank goodness it was a quick read and by the next day I was done.

Perhaps it was a wonderful book. I'm just one reader among millions. I'll be the first to admit that I normally don't like bestsellers. That's probably why... This book just became way too popular for me. I tried unsuccessfully to read the Harry Potter series three times. Yes, I am the only librarian who doesn't like Harry Potter. I even come from a family of crazy Harry Potter fans. I've tried twice to read the Shades of Grey series. It was so poorly written I couldn't even make it through the first book. At least Harry was well written. Didn't someone read Shades before it was published?

I don't even know the popular TV shows because I have my head in what some would categorize as an unpopular boring book. 

Well, enough of my rant. Back to The Fault in our Stars. For some reason, I found myself thinking I had read or watched this storyline before. To my knowledge there have been similar books and movies but nothing to this plot line. It was reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks A Walk to Remember, which I also hated although I will admit I was a slight Sparks fan in high school until I realized the books were all the same. It also seemed a little to Lifetime TV for me. I'm surprised they didn't grab the manuscript first for the movie! It's right up their ally!

Some props to John Green because he is a great writer and he does engage the teens. I'm sorry but this former teen librarian was just not impressed. Hey, we all can dislike books. I was disappointed when my book club hated  Maine, which is one of my favorites. We all have different tastes and I guess teen romance mixed with adolescent cancer isn't mine. Don't get me wrong. If I didn't like it, you probably will. So, my friends, give it a try. It is a bestseller after all but do me a favor, don't buy it. Go to the library!

Summer is Here! Finally!

This year more than ever, summer is needed! After a long winter and cold spring, I'm ready for hot weather, reading on the deck, swimming and trips to Lakeside. There's a lot I want to do this summer.

2014 sUmMeR bUcKeT LiSt!!!

*  Have a CAMPFIRE.  *  Go on a HIKE.  *  Have a PICNIC in the PARK.  *  Got to at least 10 different PARKS.  *  Go to an OUTDOOR CONCERT.  *  Go to the ZOO.  *  Play DISC GOLF.  *  TIE DYE.  *  Go to a DRIVE-IN MOVIE.  *  Hang out with all of my FRIENDS. *  Spend all day at a BEACH.  *  Go FISHING.  *  Make POPSICLES.  *  Go ot a FARMER'S MARKET.  *  Go to FLEA MARKET.  *  Ride BIKES. *  BBQ with friends.  *  Play TENNIS.  *  Have a summer CRAFT NIGHT.  *  Play MINI GOLF.  *  Go to a DRIVING RANGE.  *  Go to an AMUSEMENT PARK.  *  Take a ROAD TRIP.  *  Meet NEW friends.  *  Make ICE CREAM.  *  Go to a FAIR.  *  SHOP for honeymoon.  *  RELAX!!!

My Summer Reading List

Last week I made my summer reading list. Yes, I'm a nerd because I'm super excited about reading this summer! This year, I created my list by adding five books I own that I need to read, five that were on beach read recommendation lists and then five from my to-read list accumulated from Barnes and Noble trips.

Here's my list for the summer...

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Island - Elin Hilderbrand

The Hurricane Sisters - Dorthea Benton Frank

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters - Elisabeth Robinson

Summerland - Elin Hilderbrand

Nantucket Sisters - Nancy Thayer

Dune Road - Jane Green

Palisades Park - Alan Brennert

Where'd You Go Bernadette - Maria Semple

Open House - Elizabeth Berg

When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead

The Starboard Sea - Amber Dermont

Summer We Read Gatsby - Danielle Ganek

The Matchmaker - Elin Hilderbrand

Beautiful Ruins - Jess Walter

So, what will you be reading pool side this summer? 

Happy Reading!

MaRcH, ApRiL and MAY book recomendations! - Part 1

Wow! I haven't posted a book review/recommendations post since February. It's almost halfway through March. It's not that I haven't read either! I've been on a reading binge. I'm always devouring books but the minute the weather gets nice there is nothing I enjoy more then sitting in the sun on the deck with a good book. In the last two months, I've read a little bit of everything...children's books, YA books, biographies, book club picks, old favorites. Here's a little taste. Maybe you'll find something that interests you. Go to the library, check it out and enjoy it out in this beautiful weather (well, maybe not today).

The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall

This book club pick is a page turner. Don't let the length and Russian theme deter you, its a great read. Read more here.

Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl

A must read for any royal watcher! Kate is such an interesting person and she her and William are adding a whole new light to the royal family. Read more here.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Interesting young adult read! Fans of Eleanor and Park will enjoy the latest by the same author. Read more here.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to post more about my other reads, so this is just going to be Part 1. More to follow this week!

Happy Reading!