I Bought 2 Books!

I bought 2 books!

Last Saturday, my family was at a massive barbecue competition. There were tons of competitors, each with their huge equipment. My husband is actually a certified barbecue judge and when he’s not judging, he’s competing! It’s his most favorite hobby and our patio is always overflowing with smokers, grills, etc. We have entire pieces of furniture and sheds devoted solely to his grilling supplies.

But we weren’t there on Saturday to support my husband. He wasn’t judging and he wasn’t competing. We were there to support my 9 year old DAUGHTER! There was a kids BBQ competition happening right next to the adult BBQ competition and my daughter entered. It was awesome! She NAILED IT! She worked SO HARD with absolutely zero help from us (and by us I obviously mean my husband…I have no clue how to grill). My husband, my son, and I sat on a bench and watched as my daughter made DELICIOUS looking burgers from scratch, plated them, and turned them in. She used secret ingredients, fancy methods, and was so proud of herself.

Once her burgers were officially turned into the judges, we had to wait for 2 hours until the winners were announced. We hung around the competition for a bit while we waited and then my husband had a GENIUS idea.

As it turned out, the competition was just a few miles away from the GLORIOUS Half Price Books Outlet that we stumbled upon when returning from our beautiful Galena getaway (you can read about our vacation HERE and about the amazing Half Price Books Outlet that we found HERE). My husband asked if I would like for us to drive there while we awaited the competition results.

Ummmm do I even need to answer that?! GET. IN. THE. CAR.

We jumped in the car and headed straight to the MECCA. We did some quick math and realized that I would have approximately 20ish minutes to be in there before we needed to head back to hear the competition results. Would I have preferred 3 hours? Hell yes. Was I prepared to take advantage of the 20 minutes that I had? Also hell yes.

The last time I was here I purchased what turned out to be the very best book I have ever read so my expectations from now on when making purchases here will remain HIGH, lol.

We pulled up, I threw on my mask, and I quite literally JUMPED out of the car.

I took this photo WHILE I WAS SPEED WALKING IN. I’m shocked it’s not blurry! No time to stop for a photo, lol! Aaaaand as I uploaded it to the blog, I noticed my reflection in the window! I’m cracking up…actual PROOF that I didn’t even stop walking as I was snapping this photo, lol!

There was no time for selfies but I did manage to snap a few pictures while inside!

I have now been to this amazing place 2 times and each time I was super limited on time with my family waiting in the car, ugh. I MUST get back there alone one day when I have lots of time to browse the shelves! It’s so incredibly AWESOME there.

20 minutes to run in, browse, AND pay? I got this. My husband and daughter might win barbecue competitions but if there was an award for shopping, Mama would be the CHAMPION.

I Bought 2 Books

While browsing (and by browsing I mean frantically scanning each shelf as my 20 minutes quickly ticked by) throughout the young adult section, this book caught my eye. Have any of you read it? After reading Starfish (oh Starfish is so amazing, synopsis and my review HERE), I’m curious as to how this one will compare with a similar topic.

Goodreads Synopsis of 45 Pounds:

Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.

Welcome to the world of infomercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.

And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up!

A quick glance at my Fitbit told me that I literally had 3 minutes. 3 minutes! Only 1 choice on what to do! I clearly BOLTED to the clearance section. The first book that caught my eye was a hardcover copy one of my favorite books of all time for A DOLLAR. A DOLLAR??? Someone is going to hit the JACKPOT finding this beautiful $1 gem on that shelf. (You can read why this book is so special to me HERE).

And then I noticed this book. For some reason I haven’t read it although it’s been on my list to read for YEARS. Why have I not read this book yet? Have any of you read it? I’m sure many of you have, lol. I definitely grabbed this one for $1.00! I have very high hopes for this book since I LOVED Liv Constintine’s The Wife Stalker (synopsis and my review HERE).

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Mrs. Parrish:

Amber Patterson is fed up. She’s tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more—a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted.

To everyone in the exclusive town of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne—a socialite and philanthropist—and her real-estate mogul husband, Jackson, are a couple straight out of a fairy tale.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive . . . if she didn’t have a plan. Amber uses Daphne’s compassion and caring to insinuate herself into the family’s life—the first step in a meticulous scheme to undermine her. Before long, Amber is Daphne’s closest confidante, traveling to Europe with the Parrishes and their lovely young daughters, and growing closer to Jackson. But a skeleton from her past may undermine everything that Amber has worked towards, and if it is discovered, her well-laid plan may fall to pieces.

With shocking turns and dark secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Last Mrs. Parrish is a fresh, juicy, and utterly addictive thriller from a diabolically imaginative talent.

Once I purchased my books, I literally RAN back to my waiting family in the car, jumped in, and we headed back to the competition to hear the results.

2ND PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, so proud of her!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE DID IT!!!!!!

Proudly hanging in her bedroom. Note the cloth on top so she can polish it each time it’s touched. She’s the cutest 🙂

I hope you are having a good day! I’ll be back on Friday with a review of an AMAZING book that I recently read and LOVED!

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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1 Book I’m Currently Reading, 1 Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, 1 Thing Currently Making Me HAPPY!

Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me happy!

Book I’m Currently Reading:

Goodreads Synopsis of Are we There Yet {Kathleen West}:

Alice Sullivan feels like she’s finally found her groove in middle age, but it only takes one moment for her perfectly curated life to unravel. On the same day she learns her daughter is struggling in second grade, a call from her son’s school accusing him of bullying throws Alice into a tailspin.

When it comes to light that the incident is part of a new behavior pattern for her son, one complete with fake social media profiles with a lot of questionable content, Alice’s social standing is quickly eroded to one of “those moms” who can’t control her kids. Soon she’s facing the very judgement she was all too happy to dole out when she thought no one was looking (or when she thought her house wasn’t made of glass).

Then her mother unloads a family secret she’s kept for more than thirty years, and Alice’s entire perception of herself is shattered.

As her son’s new reputation polarizes her friendships and her family buzzes with the ramification of her mother’s choices, Alice realizes that she’s been too focused on measuring her success and happiness by everyone else’s standards. Now, with all her shortcomings laid bare, she’ll have to figure out to whom to turn for help and decide who she really wants to be.

I’ll post my review as soon as I finish reading!

Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:

I’ve read online that people swear this is the very best coffee creamer on Earth. Apparently it’s incredibly hard to find so when I randomly walked right by it at my local Target last week, of course I knew I had to try it for myself!

I’ve been pretty obsessed with oatmilk in my coffee lately so I had high hopes for this creamer!

Eh. I liked the “oaty” (that’s definitely not a word) flavor but the oatmeal cookie flavor just tasted fake and chemically to me. I’ll take plain old Half and Half any day! I’m always on the hunt for ways to take my coffee to the next level so I’m glad I tried this but…I would say this was a fail. Have any of you tried it? Does anyone have other coffee creamer recommendations?

Currently Making Me Happy:

READING OUTSIDE!

I finished reading Malibu Rising 2 days ago! I’ll have my review posted next week!

Oh how I love to read outside and the time is HERE! I try to read outside whenever I can find the chance to do so. On my hammock, on our front porch rocking chair, on a chair in our backyard, etc. I LOVE reading outside, especially when the sun in shining! The weather here has been beautiful and I’ve definitely been taking advantage by spending as much time outdoors as possible…with a book!

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!

What are you currently reading?

What coffee are you currently enjoying?

What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

The 1 Phrase That I WISH Authors Would Stop Using!

I have never written a book. I can’t even imagine how hard it ust be for authors to find words to convey to the reader the innermost thoughts and emotions in characters. That being said, there is 1 phrase that I WISH authors would stop using. I cringe every single time I read it and authors use it OFTEN.

Authors: STOP DARKENING THE EYES OF YOUR CHARACTERS.

Examples:

“His eyes darkened”

“Darkness spread over his eyes”

“His eyes suddenly went dark”

Like…What does that even MEAN? He intently stared? His eyebrows furrowed? He frowned?

The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of the work “darken” as a verb :

VERB

2 Make or become gloomy, angry, or unhappy.no object ‘his mood darkened’
1. 2.1 no object (of someone’s eyes or expression) show anger or another strong negative emotion.‘his face darkened and he lunged away’
2. 2.2 with object (of anger or another strong negative emotion) show in (someone’s eyes or expression)‘misery darkened her gaze’

Thanks Oxford. Still a stupid verb.

“His eyes got wide”…Ok so THIS I can understand because it actually is something physical that can happen. But…how does someone’s eyes go DARK?

Eyes suddenly darkening is my #1 most hated phrase in books and for some reason authors use it ALL THE TIME. I notice it each and every time and I hate it so, so much. It takes away from whatever scene I’m reading because all I can think is, “UGH! Not again! Whyyyyy???”

Other examples of things that I wish authors would stop doing can be found HERE and HERE!

Do you agree with me? What is an expression that authors use that you hate? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

{Unpopular Opinion} Book Review: Beach Read {Emily Henry}

I’ve been staring at Emily Henry’s Beach Read sitting on my bookshelf for months but refused to read it until the summer because I cannot read a seasonal book during a non corresponding season, lol. Summer in Chicagoland is officially HERE and so is the time to read and review this book! I was so excited to start reading, I couldn’t wait to see what the hype is all about.

Goodreads Synopsis of Beach Read {Emily Henry}:

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

My Review of Beach Read {Emily Henry}:

I REALLY didn’t like this book.

So with a title such as Beach Read, one would assume this would be a light hearted story, correct?

Wrong.

This is most definitely not a lighthearted story. It’s deep, it’s sad, It’s so boring, it’s NOT what I would call a “beach read”. Not at all. There were definitely some parts where I smiled but mostly I was just bored.

And the words. THE WORDS. There were just so many words, so many descriptions, so many thoughts, so many WORDS. Like…it’s a book, of course there are words. But this book just had SO MANY DESCRIPTIVE WORDS. And thoughts. SO MANY THOUGHTS. Every character just did SO MUCH THINKING.

Aaaaaand one would assume with all of those descriptions that the sex scenes would be steamy and amazing, right? Nope. They were CRINGEWORTHY. Ugh.

I really didn’t like this book and it absolutely dragged for me the entire time. The one and only reason that I even finished it was because so many people love it so much!

There were definately some good life lessons and the last 50ish pages were definitely the best parts BUT…I still really was not a fan of the overall book.

This is just one of the amazing things about books…each reader can view them so differently. Years ago I wrote an entire post about this after I reviewed another book that everyone else loved and I hated! You can read that post HERE.

If anyone local would like my copy of Beach Read, I’ll leave it on my front porch for you. Free to a good home! Clearly, I don’t recommend it but you might love it (everyone else seems to)! If nobody wants it, I will put it in a Little Free Library.

Bottom Line:

I have no idea why there is so much hype surrounding this boring book.

Have you read Beach Read? Do any of you agree with me? Or…did you love it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

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*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

Book I’m Currently Reading (I Bought It!), Book I Recently Read (Review Coming Soon), Book I Plan On Reading Next (Looks Awesome)

I love when Book Coffee Happy can participate in WWW! The Three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

Thanks so much to Sam from Taking on a World of Words for hosting this fun weekly post!

I looooooove reading outside! Happy Summer!

What Are You Currently Reading?

Goodreads Synopsis of Malibu Rising {Taylor Jenkins Reid}:

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over–especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud–because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own–including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

From Facebook:

If you don’t follow Book Coffee Happy on Facebook, please do! Lots of awesome book discussions are always happening over there!

I’ll let you know my thoughts when I finish reading this book!

What Did You Recently Finish Reading?

Goodreads Synopsis of Beach Read {Emily Henry}:

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

I finished reading this one yesterday morning! I’ll have my review posted on here soon!

What Do You Think You’ll Read Next?

Goodreads Synopsis of Are We There Yet {Kathleen West}:

Then her mother unloads a family secret she’s kept for more than thirty years, and Alice’s entire perception of herself is shattered.

Sounds so good, right??? I’m excited to start reading!

Have you read any of these 3 books? What did you think (no spoilers)? What are you currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Happy Friday! I hope you weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!

Xo,

Jenny

Click on the images below to order through my Amazon link. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

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*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

Psychological Thriller Book Review: The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}

I hated the story of Tarryn Fisher’s The Wives but I didn’t actually hate the writing so I thought that maybe I would like The Wrong Family??? When I saw it on the shelf at my library, I decided it was time to read and review another one of Tarryn Fisher’s books. Maybe I would like this one better?

Goodreads Synopsis of The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}:

Juno was wrong about Winnie Crouch.

Before moving in with the Crouch family, Juno thought Winnie and her husband, Nigel, had the perfect marriage, the perfect son—the perfect life. Only now that she’s living in their beautiful house, she sees the cracks in the crumbling facade are too deep to ignore.

Still, she isn’t one to judge. After her grim diagnosis, the retired therapist simply wants a place to live out the rest of her days in peace. But that peace is shattered the day Juno overhears a chilling conversation between Winnie and Nigel…

She shouldn’t get involved.

She really shouldn’t.

But this could be her chance to make a few things right.

Because if you thought Juno didn’t have a secret of her own, then you were wrong about her, too.

My Review of The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}:

This book was a bit of a mess.

So many storylines, SO many insignificant characters, not nearly enough character or storyline development. The “twists” weren’t nearly as twisty as they could have been and my prediction for the ending would have been a million times better than the ending which I got.

I will say that there was one FASCINATING storyline in this book but…the rest of the storylines just fell so flat. I can’t elaborate on this as it would give away a huge spoiler and you know how I feel about spoilers 😉

It’s like 5 separate books with a million characters and storylines…and although they were supposed to all fit together at the end, they did not.

Bottom Line:

1 FASCINATING storyline. The rest of the book? Not nearly as fascinating.

Psychological Thrillers:

If you love psychological thrillers like I do, HERE are a few of my recommendations!

Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

I wasn’t a fan of this book…but you might love it! Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

My 2nd Sunshine Blogger Award

WHAT IS THE SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD?

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

A huge thank you to Mani from Mani’s Book Corner for this nomination! If you have yet to check out her lovely blog, you must! She’s such a nice person and her book blog is wonderful.

My Answers to Mani’s Questions:

1. What’s the biggest book you have read?

Probably THIS BOOK…which is absolutely one of the very best books I’ve ever read!

2. What was your favourite book when you were a kid?

The Baby-Sitters Club! I read every single one and LOVED them all. Team Claudia and Stacey forever 🙂 My daughter is reading the graphic novels now and she’s obsessed with them!

3. What’s the last film/TV show you watched?

iCarly! My daughter and I are working our way through the series before the reboot comes out next week! She’s already watched the whole series but is rewatching them with me. We snuggle up in my bed whenever we can fit in an episode. Love it!

4. Would you accept a job as a librarian in an haunted library?

Hard pass.

5. What would be the title of the book based on your life?

Happiness 🙂

6. If they make a movie based on your life, who would you cast as actor/actress for your role?

Not just the actress but the character: Beverly Goldberg from The Goldbergs. Hands down. I feel her in my soul.

7. Who is your absolute favourite writer?

Oh man I don’t have just one! A few that I love: Gabrielle Zevin (she wrote the VERY best book I’ve ever read!), Claire Lombardo (read THIS BOOK), and Liane Moriarty (but only sometimes…read my thoughts on my love/hate relationship with her HERE).

8. Are you keeping up with your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions? (it doesn’t have to be reading goals)

I’m proud to say that I am! Both blog related and personal 😉

9. Is there a book you keep saying “One day I will read it” but you never do?

Love in the Time of Cholora! I’ve owned it and have been wanting to read it for years! Read my thoughts on why HERE.

10. Can you name an underrated book you read and loved?

THIS BOOK. I loved it so much and am shocked it’s not more popular?

11. What’s one movie you want to be novelized?

Eh. None? I would never watch a move and then read the book….but I ALWAYS read the book and then watch the movie! And truth be told, I’m actually not a big movie fan. I’d much rather read a book or watch a tv show.

I nominate:

Anyone who would like to participate! Please tag me so I can read your answers 🙂 Mani’s questions were great so I will keep them for you to answer. Aaaaaaand I didn’t have a Sunshine Blogger logo to use so I just tossed a selfie on the top of this post instead. Basically I followed exactly none of the rules but I enjoyed answering the questions, lol…???

**You can read my answers to a whole different set of bookish questions when I was last nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award HERE.**

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

I LOVED THIS BOOK AND SO WILL YOU! Review: Starfish {Lisa Fipps}

Oh how I LOVED this beautiful book! So will you! Starfish {Lisa Fipps} was such a joy to read and review.

Goodreads Synopsis of Starfish {Lisa Fipps}:

Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules–like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” And she’s found her safe space–her swimming pool–where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life–by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

My Review of Starfish {Lisa Fipps}:

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical when I saw it was written entirely in verse. I got past those concerns once I got to page 2. I actually LOVED reading a book written this way. It made it SO EASY to FLY through these pages! I could have easily read this book cover to cover in 1 sitting. Don’t let this unique writing format intimidate you…it’s truly so easy to acclimate to and made this story even more meaningful. Perfect format for this lovely story.

I read this entire book in less than 24 hours.

Only being 244 pages, written completely in verse, and a story so beautiful = 24 hours FLEW by.

I absolutely loved this beautiful book. I smiled, I cried, I loved these characters so much.

My dear friend and “Book Twin” Jana said it best…this should be required reading and it’s comparable to Wonder (and I loved Wonder!!! Read my thoughts HERE).

I truly feel that some of the very best and most meaningful life lessons can be found amongst the pages of YA books. This book is such a perfect example.

Starfish is important for EVERYONE to read. It’s beautifully written, beautifully told, beautifully perfect.

Bottom Line:

Read this. And if you have children of any age middle school and up…please encourage them to read this as well.

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!

Have you read Starfish? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

Chicago, Hammock Reading, Garage Sale, Little Free Libraries, Currently Reading, Library Love

Chicago, Hammock Reading, Garage Sale, Little Free Libraries, Currently Reading, Library Love

Hello!

I’ve been a bit MIA on my blog lately because life has been buuuuusy 🙂 I’m hoping to get back to regularly posting on here ASAP!

So what have I been up to? So much!

Chicago

My husband and I spent 24 hours together (without our children!) in downtown Chicago and it was AMAZING. We took a stunning boat ride, shopped on Michigan Avenue, ate a romantic dinner, stayed in a GORGEOUS hotel room, and so much more. I absolutely loved every second and him and I had the very best time together.

View from our gorgeous hotel room on Michigan Avenue

Nighttime view from our amazing hotel room

If you know me in real life, you know my obsession with my last name. I collect anything that says “SHARE” and seeing it hanging on a massive banner at Watertower Place made me so happy! Felt like a personal welcome, lol ❤️

And of course, I woke up early the following morning to get a bit of reading in before the day began. Always to best way to begin the day, especially while on vacation! I’ll have a full review of this book (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend By Katarina Bivald) posted soon 🙂

Lazy, Hammock Reading

Now that we are back home, I’ve been doing lots of reading on our hammock!

Garage Sale and Little Free Libraries

I had my annual garage sale this past weekend and I LOVED IT. Hands down one of my favorite traditions and I SO missed not doing it last year due to Covid.

Giving away books for free was such a fun experience. People were so THANKFUL and it truly made my heart so happy.

Once the sale was over, I was still left with TONS of books. What better way to share books than to put them in Little Free Libraries? I drove around and filled 3 different Little Free Libraries with both adult and childrens titles. It felt so great to do this! I hope all of those books eventually will find happy homes 🙂 If you have never donated to a Little Free Library, I highly encourage you to do so. Such a wonderful way to share books.

The 3 Little Free Libraries that I stuffed with my books:

Currently Reading

I haven’t really been blogging but I most definitely HAVE been reading! I’m currently reading The Mothers {Genevieve Gannon} . I’ll have a full review posted as soon as I finish!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Mothers {Genevieve Gannon}:

Grace and Dan Arden are in their forties and have been on the IVF treadmill since the day they got married. Six attempts have yielded no results, and with each failure a little piece of their hope dies.

Priya Laghari and her husband Nick Archer are being treated at the same fertility clinic, and while they don’t face the same time pressure as the Ardens, the younger couple have their own problems.

On the same day that Priya is booked for her next IVF cycle, Grace goes in for her final, last-chance embryo transfer. Two weeks later, both women get their results.

A year on, angry and heartbroken, one of the women learns her embryo was implanted in the other’s uterus and must make a devastating choice: live a childless life knowing her son is being raised by strangers or seek custody of a baby who has been nurtured and loved by another couple.

Library Love

Last week, I received the most lovely piece of mail from my favorite local library (the same library where I was a total celebrity Library Hero):

How sweet is that?! Thank you so much, Indian Trails!

Speaking of Indian Trails, they have officially rolled out their Summer Library Adventure! Click HERE to learn more about this wonderful summer reading opportunity and to access registration information.

I actually stopped by Indian Trails today…

…and picked up these 3 books (2 for me and 1 for my daughter. She’s been on pins and needles waiting on the newest Baby-sitters Club book to be released)!

Thanks for letting me share a bit of my personal life with you today! I’ll be back later this week with a review of an AMAZING, MUST READ book!

What have you been up to recently? What are you currently reading?

Xo,

Jenny

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

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*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

1 Book I’m Currently Reading, 1 Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, 1 Thing Currently Making Me Happy!

Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me happy!

Book I’m Currently Reading:

I’m starting this book tonight and I’m so excited! I think it sounds awesome. I’ll let you know!

Synopsis of The Mothers {Genevieve Gannon}:

Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:

I’ve never been a big Starbucks fan (#dunkinforlife) but I recently discovered a DELICIOUS way to order my iced coffee from Starbucks! I go back and forth on liking iced coffee ever since I discovered it during our trip to Disney World back in 2019.

If you like iced coffee, this is delicious (I’m always a fan of anything that contains oats in any form) :

Let me know if you try it!

Currently Making Me Happy:

This lovely comment that someone made on Facebook! Writing this blog is such a fun hobby for me and I always love when people say nice things. I don’t personally know this person but she definitely made me smile 🙂

What are you currently reading?

What coffee are you currently enjoying?

What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE