Month: July 2024

July’s Reading

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I read 12 books this month. An amazing feat considering I was on vacation for 7 days and a girls weekend for 2 and a half and I NEVER OPENED A BOOK! I’m at 87 books for the year.

4 romances, 3 fantasy, 2 non-fiction health, 2 kids fiction, 1 kids picture

4.5–5 stars

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. 4.5 stars, Romance, 352 pages, 2023

Clementine is publicist for a New York publishing company. James is a famous young chef. They’ve just met, haven’t they?

What happens when you meet in different times, 7 years apart. I loved this story of heartbreak and waiting, acknowledging that a person is never the same moment to moment. In love and life timing is everything. Romantic and sweet.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. 4.5 stars, Fantasy, 419 pages, 2015

This book has been everywhere for so long and I was finally double dared to read it this summer. This is book one of a 4 book fantasy series about Feyre, a 19 year old young woman who supports her family by hunting. One day she kills what she thought was a wolf but was actually a fairie and Tamlin, a high lord, comes looking for her to seek reparations. She is taken to the fairie lands and faces danger and love with equal bravery. Loved it and am reading the second book now.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. 4.5 stars, Fantasy, 396 pages, 2020

I finally read the House in the Cerulean Sea. I’m not sure what took me so long? From the descriptions I was reading it just didn’t seem like something I’d like. I was so wrong. But apparently I read it at the perfect time so it fresh in mind for the sequel coming in a few short months.

Linus Baker and his transition from company man who asked no questions to man defending magical children was a delight. I loved all of these characters so much and the story is hopeful and joyful at such a time when we could all use a bit more of that in our daily lives.

4 stars

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. 4 stars, Romance, 320 pages, 2022

In a tale as old as time, a book editor inspires a behind deadline famous person to write the book of his life. All she has to do is move into his magical mansion in Santa Barbara and be taken care of by cooks and cleaners, and lazy days by the pool. It’s a hard life.

This is supposed to be a modern story based on Beauty and the Beast and while there were nods to it, it wasn’t enough to really feel like Belle and the Beast and crew. BUT, I did like it!

If you take away the B&B expectation, I found it to be a sweet romance. Sure Beau has some issues, but what we came to know about him made those issues seem like they could be overcome. Because this series is sponsored? by Disney the spicy stuff was behind closed doors. 

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinley. 4 stars, Romance, 435 pages, 2023

❤️ The main character had a learning disability- dyslexia- and it was a big part of her story.
❤️ Learning more about how dyslexia affects not only reading but executive function.
❤️ Hot librarian.
❤️ Bad mothers exist and many cannot be magically made into caring matriarchs.
❤️ Love returning home story where you reconnect with family and friends.

😐 Hot librarian guy was a little too perfect.
😐 This led to a lack of tension.

It was a solid beach read, but missing a spark 🔥 I was looking for, even though there were spicy scenes.

My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner. Middle Grade Fiction, 261 pages, 2020

Ben hates everything to do with potatoes, considering himself cursed. When his family moves from California to Idaho and a potato is the school mascot things look sketchy. But he’s made friends and the most popular girl in school likes him, so things aren’t all bad. Until…

I’ll say no more. Middle schoolers who like to laugh or have a thing for mascots will love it. There are even a few small illustrations thrown in once in awhile for fun. Gage’s favorite book of the summer so far.

Practical Ayurveda. 4 stars, 224 pages, 2018

How familiar are you with Ayurveda?
Practical Ayurveda follows the vision of renowned Indian yoga master and medical doctor who wrote over 200 books.

Covering a wide range of topics in its 224 pages this is a beautifully laid out and edited book that made it easy for a beginner like me. I loved the inspiring quotes included. There was a quiz and a set of questions to answer to help you fine tune what you’re looking for in life.

This covered the health of the body and the mind and there are many things I’ve already started (or restarted) while reading this book and so many things to consider for the future. The yoga poses and what each does for the mind and body is something I will be working on. I’ve also started my morning tai chi again. I’m not sure how I ever let that go. Life gets in the way and I forget, and that’s why I need to be consistently reading books that remind me of what I know works for me.

The Complete Guide to Fasting by Jason Fung. 4 stars, Health, 304 pages, 2016

This is a great book, especially when read after the Ayurveda book which touches on fasting. Fasting has been around forever. Fung focuses on the history, the studies, the ailments it can help control (diabetes being the big one), and how to get started. I have fasted at different times in my life and am going to focus on it for the next few months and see if I can feel the benefits. He suggests a 24 or 36 hour fast 2-3 times a week. I just finished my first one today.

3-3.5 stars

The Parrot and the Merchant by Marjan Vafaian, 3.5 stars, Kids Picture Book, 24 pages, 2019

Based on a Persian tale by Rumi a merchant has a parrot who was captured and very unhappy. She promised to talk to his friends when she travels and the message they send back sets him free. Interesting illustrations and a fun story.

The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts. 3.25 stars, Dystopian Fantasy, 464 pages, 2019

I finally finished the Chronicles of One trilogy. The first two were fast, addicting reads, but this third one was a bit of a slog with so. many. people. It was too much and it took me forever to finish it. It was a fine ending, when it finally came, but getting there felt somewhat tedious.

The Doom virus wipes out most of the world’s population (this is before Covid) and the people who are left are divided by people with magical powers and those without. But it’s the fight between light and dark that is the heat of the series. Fallon is The One to lead them all to victory, but she must be born and trained first.

The Turtle of Michigan by Naomi Shihab Nye. 3.25 stars, Kids Fiction, 336 pages, 2022

This is an upper elementary, lower middle school read. Aref is 7 in the book the language feels somewhat young. It was a great in many ways. It was a love letter to Michigan, Oman, and immigrants. Aref is forced to move from Oman and his grandfather to Ann Arbor so his parents could attend UofM and his welcoming is warm.

It’s a gentle story, one that was slow, but also one that is uplifting for kids. They see the best of people in this book and that’s a nice find. If only we could all live up to the love and acceptance shown to Aref and his family.

Captive by Brenda Joyce. 3 stars, Time Travel Romance, 448 pages, 1996

I love Brenda Joyce’s romances. They are romantic and steamy. This one, however, suffered from an insufferable heroine. She was a ‘modern’ 23 year old woman who went to Turkey to find a ghost of a man she considered herself in love with. Somehow she gets thrown back in time and enslaved as a second wife at the palace. She was ridiculous. What saved it was the palace political intrigue, her personal slave and best friend, and the hero who does eventually show up and unfortunately falls for this woman.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. 4.5 stars, Romance, 352 pages, 2023

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

Clementine is publicist for a New York publishing company. James is a famous young chef. They’ve just met, haven’t they?

This took a few minutes for me to get in to since I thought I could see where it was going. And then it took a nice turn and I was hooked.

What happens when you meet in different times, 7 years apart. I loved this story of heartbreak and waiting, acknowledging that a person is never the same moment to moment. In love and life timing is everything. Romantic and sweet.

I listened to the audio and could have listened to him calling her Lemon all day long. Oh wait, I did that!

I did take off half a point for the somewhat slow start of the book.

Have you read it? Do you like time bending books?

I also loved her first book The Dead Romantics and gave it 5 stars last year.

Favorite Actress – Sandra Bullock

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I first saw Sandra in Speed (1994) and then fell in love with While You Were Sleeping (1995). It’s her girl next door charm and goofiness packed into a body with that megawatt smile. She’s charming in a way that makes her seem approachable and she brings that to most of her 60 movie credits. Of those 60 I’ve watched 29, but it’s those A movies that I’ve seen countless times that have made a lifelong fan. The vest majority of her movies that I’ve seen have been As or Bs.

She’s from Arlington, Virginia, where I was living when I met Jason. She’s adopted two children. She has a BFA in drama. She recently lost the love of her life to ALS. She’s lived the highs (winning and Oscar) with the lows (ugly divorce in the public eye).

So what is your favorite Sandra movie?

*Giving these movies an A*

While You Were Sleeping (1995) I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this romantic comedy.

The Proposal (2009) A different kind of romantic comedy that was just as fun.

The Lake House (2006) Her domination of my favorite romantic movies continues.

Crash (2004) She had a smaller part that showed her not so happy side.

The Lost City (2022) I was expecting not to like this, so imagine my surprise!

Bullet Train (2022) Her part in this movie was fun (and small)!

Speed (1994) As a vehicle to stardom this bus worked.

*Giving these movies a B*

Gravity (2013) She carried a film few others could have.

Miss Congeniality (2000) Just goofy fun.

28 Days (2000) Dealing with addiction isn’t pretty.

Two Weeks Notice (2002) Another romantic comedy with an equally witty actor.

Hope Floats (1998) A romance, yes, but so much heartfelt family drama.

Murder By the Numbers (2002) I love dark thrillers.

The Blind Side (2009) A well deserved Oscar for Best Actress.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) A moving film dealing with 9/11.

The Net (1995) It would probably be funny to watch today with the advances we’ve made.

Bird Box (2018) So much stress (in a good way).

The Unforgiveable (2021) Dark.

Minions (2015) Villain voices count!

The Heat (2013) Those two are hysterical!

So, so movies

Two if By Sea (1996), Forces of Nature (1999), Miss Congeniality 2 (2005), Premonition (2007)

Big Fails for me

All About Steve (2009), A Fool and His Money ( 1989), Fire on the Amazon (1993) this was so bad and it had a surprising sex scene with lots of skin.

See my other Top 100 Actors here.

Practical Ayurveda by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center

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Practical Ayurveda: Find Out Who You are and What You Need to Bring Balance to Your Life. 4.5 stars, Health, 224 pages, 2018

My early morning reading is always nonfiction. Most often spiritual or related to health, I find it a great way to start the day focusing on important things. And, if it’s spiritual, health related and it’s something new to me, all the better.

How familiar are you with Ayurveda?
Practical Ayurveda follows the vision of renowned Indian yoga master and medical doctor who wrote over 200 books.

Covering a wide range of topics in its 224 pages this is a beautifully laid out and edited book that made it easy for a beginner like me. I loved the inspiring quotes included. There was a quiz and a set of questions to answer to help you fine tune what you’re looking for in life.

This covered the health of the body and the mind and there are many things I’ve already started (or restarted) while reading this book and so many things to consider for the future. The yoga poses and what each does for the mind and body is something I will be working on. I’ve also started my morning tai chi again. I’m not sure how I ever let that go. Life gets in the way and I forget, and that’s why I need to be consistently reading books that remind me of what I know works for me.

A fabulous resource that I’m sure I’ll be referencing in the future.

A few of the highlighted thoughts to be found…

“Ayurveda is the knowledge of happy and unhappy, a good and bad life, and that which contributes to those four aspects.”

“Have faith in yourself; do the right thing; help others. This is the key to success. health, and happiness.”

“The secret of being healthy and happy at all times is to be a little hungry all the time.”

“Let your diet be anything, but it should pass this test: it should protect health and prevent disease.”

“Thought is a dynamic force; it shapes your destiny. Entertain pure and noble thoughts always.”

“Life is meant for service and not for self-seeking. Hold your life for the service of others. The more energy you expend in elevating others, the more universal energy will flow into you.”