Book Review: We Were Liars

I'm currently binge reading which means I'll be binge book reviewing. You're welcome!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart has been on my list to read for a long time, but I never bought it. (which is weird because I usually have zero problem buying books!) But since getting my library card a few weeks ago I have been going crazy with reserving all the books I've been waiting to read, including this one.

I didn't know what to expect and I've never read anything from this author before. Just like every other book when I'm binge reading- I read this one in a day and a half. It was a really easy read and I was able to get through it quickly. Through the first 90% of the book I was entertained, but not super hooked or anything. The plot seemed a little weak and a little light for an entire book. The main characters are young teenagers so it felt very young teenager-esk. Don't get me wrong- I love an easy "way below my reading level and age group" book just like the next guy.

Then the last chapter happen and MY MIND WAS BLOWN. Seriously. I think it reached the same level as when I finished Jodi Picoult's latest book. I just didn't even see this little (BIG) plot twist coming. I had to read the first line of that chapter a few times to make sure my brain was connecting all the dots. WHAT?? It made the book 100 times better. I was really happy as I finished it. Feeling totally satisfied as a reader. Bravo to authors who risk having people NOT finish their book because all the juicy goodness is literally at the very end of the book.

If you're looking for a fun, quick read with an amazing ending- check it out.

Book review: Rousey

Can you believe this is the first autobiography I've ever read? Minus the random ones they might assign in high school (I can't remember either way). And I loved it! Time to start searching for the next one. 

I heard about Ronda Rousey for the first time earlier this year when she beat her apponent by something crazy like 14 seconds. She was on Jimmy Kimmel and I saw the interview. Then I saw more of her on GMA and finally on Ellen. She was talking about her new book and I was intrigued right away. So when I got my new library card it was the first book I wanted to check out. 

It didn't disappoint and I read it in 2 days. The only negative thing I have to say is that she uses the F word. A lot. Like several on almost every page. So if that's a deal breaker for you than this isn't your book. 

The main thing that struck me as I read was how totally and completely hard core she is, and she's been that way since she was a kid. She wanted to be an Olympian and by 16 she competed in Athens. And then again when she was 20. She talks about all the crap she had to go through to get there. Her battle with bulimia because she constantly worried about making weight. Her fighting her way through injuries and getting the crap beat out of her. She talks about her losses in the Judo circuits and Olympics. The first 3/4 of her book is very intense and it's mostly her going through really crappy stuff. To say she lived a hard life is a bit of an understatement, but she also brought it on herself because of the sport she was in and the goals she had. 

The underlying messages of being great and being the best were pretty inspiring. She isn't ashamed to say that she is the best. She doesn't believe in humility- and I respect that. She is also pretty scary and a very tough fighter. I'm a little afraid of her after reading this book. 

I love when I can't put a book down, and when I think about it when I'm not reading it and want to talk about it to anyone who will listen. This is that book. It's inspiring. It's depressing at times. It's exciting. It make me realize once again why my life is so vanilla (and why I'm SO happy that it is!). To be a world champion, to be an Olympian, to be the best- your world is anything but easy or ordinary. And there are only a few people that can handle a life like that. Ronda Rousey is one of them. 

Book review: What Alice Forgot

After seeing this book pop up all over the blogging world and on Pinterest I decided to give it a try. I haven't really been on an author kick lately, so anything goes.

The premise of the book intrigued me and for the most part it didn't disappoint once I started reading. The main character wakes up after bumping her head not remembering the past 10 years. She still thinks she is madly in love and pregnant with her first baby. Turns out she has three kids and is getting divorced. 

80% of the book is about Alice trying to figure out what happened to her life. How could so much happen in just 10 years? It was cool to see how her younger personality affected her now older life. It makes you stop and think about all the positive traits you have that maybe society says you need to grow out of. It was disheartening to see a seemingly perfect relationship not make it to the 10 year mark and all the reasons why. Toward the end the author throws a curve ball and as I read the last chapter I was about to be pretty upset. But everything ends happy, even if it's not how you think. 

This was a fun and entertaining book and the Internet reviews didn't leave me disappointed. 

Book review: Global Mom

Global Mom

This book has been sitting on my nightstand and book shelf for over a year. I picked it up a few times and would get into it, but then get bored and put it back down. It's different from what I usually read so it took my little brain a while to switch gears and start enjoying it.

Once I did change my mindset on what to expect, I really liked it. It's an autobiography about a mother who births and raises her 4 children around the globe. Her story and life goes through Paris, Germany, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and more. She tells funny and frightening stories of having to learn the language while living in a whole new world (no flying carpet though). She is honest about being depressed after having to pick up and move her family after a few years of finally feeling like they are home. She goes through the cultural differences that shocked her kids and her parenting style and opened my eyes up a little bit more to that big world out there.

It's so interesting to read about a mother trying to do all the daily things a mother does, but in a totally foreign place. She has to enroll her kids in school, figure out how to get them immunized and even how to find a doctor who will let her have a natural childbirth (which apparently is something most French women don't do). She's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and while she doesn't mention it very often, there are some things in her life that are helped along by divine intervention. 

As I read through most of the pages I was jealous. It's the kind of life I would love to live. I know the grass is always greener on the other side, but Bart and I have always dreamed of living somewhere far far away and having our own adventure with our little family. It's hard to believe we will ever get to do anything like that, but this book helps me dream a little bit.

There is a heartbreaking point to her story that left me crying for several pages. I tell ya- become a mother and ALOT of new things make you cry. 

I would love to meet the woman behind this book and pick her brain and hear even more stories! Totally worth spending a few afternoons getting lost in someone else's adventure 

Book review: 50 Jobs in 50 States

When Bart texted me and said he was at a meeting and listening to a speech from a guy who had 50 jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks, I wanted to read his book. By the end of the book I was disappointed. My suggestion? Think of how cool that idea is, and let your imagination write the story. This book was written from his (Daniel) point of view. He obviously wrote it himself and I think it could have been better if someone else did the writing. Daniel came off as a spoiled brat during some chapters and a total douche in others.

I got halfway through and stopped reading for a while because I got bored. Each chapter summarized a different job in a different state. It wasn't in depth enough to really grab your attention and sometimes you could really tell he was stretching to find any kind of story to tell. It leaves the reader totally bored and not committed to finishing his story. He mentions a weird love interest with a crazy chick that really didn't need to be in the book, but maybe it's just his weird way of getting back at her? His writing was cheesy and hard to read. I was excited to start, but a few chapters in I was over it. I skimmed the last several chapters and totally skipped over the last two. 

That being said, I love the idea! How amazing would it be to visit 50 states in 50 weeks? I think if I had endless money that is a trip I would like to take. His book made me really want to visit Louisiana!

I think it's such a fun idea, but I was disappointed in the book. 

Book Review: Still Alice

I need some book reccomendations!  I am in a bit of a funk. My little bro gave me a Jodi Picoult book for Christmas and I just don't like it! I haven't been able to finish it which is really werid. Usually those are 24 hour books for me.

So instead I picked up "Still Alice" at the Harmon's checkout line when I took a sick day from work and read it by the end of the evening. It was so captivating! I couldn't stop thinking/talking about it for a few days which is a dead giveaway that I loved it. I guess it's been out for a while and the movie is now in theaters (which is probably why the book was in the checkout stand). My next goal is to see the movie!

It's about a Harvard professor who learns she has early onset Alzheimer's. The book is written from her point of view and you slowly start to feel like you're losing your own mind right along with her. It's heartbreaking and I quickly grew to hate the husband. It's such a fascinating and scary concept- literally losing your mind. It was so sad to read and it didn't really have a happy ending. It was written beautifully and there was never a dull moment. During the random parts of my day that I wasn't reading I did feel a little off and like I was forgetting things. Those of you who get totally consumed in a book will understand what I'm talking about. It made me think of my own life and what if that happened to me? It made me so grateful to know that I have Bart who would love me and take care of me, but it's still a pretty sad book. Really fascinating and thought provoking- but sad. That being said- READ IT!!

Books review: Lost December, Walking on Water, The Mistletoe Promise

As we have discussed, I am a binge reader. I read 4 books over the course of one week earlier this month. 3 of them were by Richard Paul Evans. Usually when I binge read I read multiple books from the same author. This time was no exception. I love finding a new author! He has been on my show before, and this year his newest book came in the mail. Two of his other books were on my coworker's desk and she let me borrow them. I really liked 2.5 of them. They were all easy reads and I finished them within a day or two.

Lost December was the first one I read. It's a twist on the bible story of the prodigal son. A hard working, well raised young man is the son of a multimillionaire. He goes off to college, becomes friends with the wrong people and ends up blowing his 1 million dollar trust fund. Under the impression that his father wants nothing to do with him, he doesn't reach out when he hits rock bottom and ends up on the streets. The story continues to play out and I won't tell you the rest. I loved this book! It was a realistic story that really could happen to anyone. (anyone with a million dollars anyway). The underlying message was there the whole time and it of course has a happy ending. The love the father has for his son got me choked up a little bit. Even though it was an easy read, it wasn't superficial. There were a few parts I skimmed over- the dialog between friends was just boring to me. (I'm not into random dialog in stories) but other than that I really enjoyed it.

Since I loved Lost December so much I immediately picked up the other book from my coworker's desk Walking on Water. I didn't realize this was the last book in a 5 book series until a few chapters in, but I wasn't really lost either. I will say this was my least favorite book out of the three, but I'm assuming it's because I haven't read any of the others. The first half of the book was good, the last half was very boring. It was several chapters of what this character ate on his long walk across America. Full paragraphs naming off his meals. snooooooze. I skipped a lot and just wanted to be done. I don't know if I could read the first 4 books now that I know how everything ends, but maybe I will try!

The Mistletoe Promise was the book that landed on my desk and had me reading Richard Paul Evans in the first place. I haven't read a love story for quite some time, so I really like this. I have always loved a good love story as long as it's not too sappy- this one isn't. The characters are great and the sad past of the main character really struck me as a mother. This is also a really quick read and if you're looking for something fun to read this Christmas- this is it!



Lost December was my favorite of the three, followed closely by The Mistletoe Promise. I am now interested in reading his other holiday stories and will definitely be watching out for more books from Richard Paul Evans.

Book Review: Leaving Time

If you know me or have read this blog long enough, you know I LOVE Jodi Picoult. I discovered her when I was probably 13 and have read every single one of her books. Every year when she releases a new one it's on my birthday wish list. This year was no exception.

I was so excited for Leaving Time because a few months before it was released Jodi released a FREE digital short story. It was the book about elephants that I was telling all my nurses about when I was in labor. I loved the short story and was really excited.

It starts with a teenage girl looking for her mother who seems to have vanished into thin air after a dramatic night. She teams up with an old retired and alcoholic cop and a washed up psychic to find the answers. As in all of her books, Picoult uses different chapters to go back and forth between the different characters. One of those points of view is the mother who is missing. Her story reads as a flash back history lesson, while the other characters are speaking of present time. 

It's clear Picoult did extensive research (just like all of her books) and the topic of research for this story was Elephants. I learned more about elephants than I thought I wanted to know (just like the topic of wolves in "Lone Wolf"). One of my favorite things about her books is learning about something in the process of reading and this was no different. 

I read almost the entire book waiting for the other shoe to drop. While it was entertaining, it didn't make me question things like her past books. It didn't change my view or look at a topic with a new set of eyes. Toward the middle of the book I was actually getting bored thinking the plot was moving pretty slow. It wasn't until nearly the end of the book that a huge PLOT TWIST leaves you with your head spinning and your mouth wide open. Once the dots start to connect you look back on everything you just read with a totally different perspective.

If you had asked me if I liked the book as I was reading it, before the twist, I would have said EH. It's OK. But by the time I closed the book my mind was blown and I was entertained for a few days afterward just thinking about it.

Leaving Time is different from a lot of her other books, but I am a true blue fan and really enjoy anything Jodi Picoult writes. If you found her past books to be a little too intense or deep for you- this one would be a little more up your alley.

As with all of her books I was finished within a few days. Not her best book*, but not her worst either.

*In case you were wondering: my favorites are "The Storyteller", "House Rules" and "Nineteen Minutes". I really didn't like "Sing You Home"

Book Review: Committing, The Lovely Bones

How many of you can say you are friends with a published author? I feel pretty cool about it...I call Ben my friend because 1. he came to my wedding, B. he sends the typical "who's your hot friend" FB message on the reg and 3. he sent me a signed copy of his new book!

His one request was that I review it after I finished and how could I deny that? My book reviews are not even on the same planet as the reviews he does over on his blog, but I will do my very, very best for you, Ben.

Committing, By Benjamin Wood

Have you ever known the author of a book? This was my first time, and it changed the way I read it. I kept thinking of what Ben would mean by this certain character and/or trying to draw connections in a way I usually don't with books. I know Ben likes girls who wear sundresses so I wasn't surprised when the hottie of the story seemed to frequent a dress. Honestly a few chapters in I thought, is Ben depressed? Is this a cry for help? It's crazy because a book with a depressed character has never brought that thought into my mind about the author before.

As for the story itself it had a few twists I wasn't expecting and even though I wasn't really surprised by the ending, I did put the book down and thought Whaaa?? (which is always a good thing). There were a few parts of the booked I skimmed through. I found the dialog between the group of friends boring and a bit over my head so I just skipped over it. Ben is an incredible writer and it shines through with this book. Sometimes I felt like the description he used to set the scene was a bit much, and I found myself wanting to just "get to the point" of that chapter/section. I couldn't decide how I felt about the main character and I liked that I cared enough to notice. I was invested in that character which made the reading more fun.

All in all, it's a short, easy read (took me about a day to finish) and you should get it and read it. The end.

The Lovely Bones, Alice Seabold

This book came out in 12 years ago so excuse me for just getting around to reading it. (no, I haven't seen the movie). The title sounded familiar when I was browsing the shelves and it was on sale soo....naturally I had to get it!

I didn't like it. I hated Alice's depiction of Heaven. The story is about a young girl who gets murdered and narrates the rest from "her heaven". "her heaven" is depressing. She is pretty much alone and even though she can get whatever she imagines, she spends her time watching her family live on Earth. It's a very depressing way to think about what happens to you after you die. I also found a bit of a disconnect within the book. The first third is about her getting killed and her family dealing with it and the killer getting away with it, then the next third is all about her family and various stages of their life as they all grow up and she watches from heaven. Then the last third she possesses a body for a quick second so she can have sex (what?) and then everything gets tied up in a neat little bow.

I thought the author did a good job at depicting the grief of parents who violently lost a daughter. It was heartbreaking to see how the dad handled it, and it was interesting to see how her siblings dealt with it too.

I guess my biggest issue was this whole heaven situation, and I just couldn't get past that part. How depressing (I use that word because I really can't think of a better word to describe it) to think that when you die you won't be surrounded by people you love and who love you and you will just have to sit there on a bench and watch life be lived without you. thanks but no thanks!

Book Review: Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob - William Landay

I love me a good crime novel. I also love me a good crime TV show. What love came first? I don't really know...but I do know that I watch way more crime TV than I do read crime books. I don't know why! They are easy reads but totally entertaining. That's what I found with "Defending Jacob".

Written by the father of the accused (Jacob) this does a bit of a flash back and goes back and forth from past (Jacob being accused of murder) and present (Jacob's dad being questions by a DA for something readers don't know about yet).

At different parts of the book I thought I knew where it was going and what was going to happen...I was wrong. Is Jacob innocent or guilty? We may never know....

Like other books I have read lately [ ie Reconstructing Amelia] I was definitely reading this book from a parent's perspective. How can they really be unaware of their kids' activities online? or what is happening at school? Is that just reality? Murder accusations aside, it kind of made me think of the power/control/awareness I will have over my own children.

If you're looking for a compelling read and if you like courtroom, crime, drama books...check it out! I found this book for pennies on Amazon and now have a former NYC library book on my shelf. I'm not above a used book!


Currently Reading:
"The Lovely Bones"
"Committing" by Benjamin Wood

Book Review: The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, Baby Wise

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio- Terry Ryan

I LOVED this book! A memoir written by the daughter, it's a story of how one woman raised her 10 children in the 1950's-'60's with an alcoholic husband/father. She supported them by winning writing contests. 25 words or less, jingles, short stories, etc. Time and time again she pulled her family out of a tough spot by winning a contest. She never gave up and always had a positive attitude. It's filled with funny stories (that only come from  a houseful of 10 kids) and examples of her rhymes and lyrics. To be honest poetry isn't my strong suit so I didn't always understand her jingles, but that didn't matter. I loved the message of this true story. You can always make your situation better if you work hard enough. There's also the message of a mother's true love and selflessness for her children. She won prize after prize after prize and the money always went toward supporting her kids and their dreams. As I'm getting ready to be a mother myself this book took on a whole different meaning for me: how can I be a mother like that? No, I won't have to submit thousands of entries to win $5 and pay for a new pair of glasses, but I can still teach my children the value of hard work and determination and optimism. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone/everyone! (You can find a used copy totally cheap on Amazon).

On Becoming Baby Wise- Gary Ezzo

When I first found out I was pregnant I bought 3 different books on pregnancy. I stopped reading within a few weeks because first, they all say the same things so you really only need one and 2, they were boring. So I'm not a big reader when it comes to pregnancy. Getting my baby to sleep? That's a whole other story! I heard about this book from a few different people and finally got around to ordering it. I read it in one afternoon. I skipped a few parts where they get technical when talking about babies 7 months and older because at the moment, I just want to know how to get my baby to sleep through the night by 7-8 weeks. Yes please! It's a pretty big claim...but this guy says he has the magic formula to make it happen. Being the sleep diva that I am, I would love to be able to get my baby sleeping 8-10 hours a night by the time I have to get back to work. This book made me nervous/excited/apprehensive/curious/etc about having a new baby. It was a pretty easy read and I realize I will be reading it again and again once the baby gets here. Plus, I will follow up in 4 months and let you know if my 8 week old is sleeping through the night!

Book Review: and the Mountains Echoed, The Kite Runner

And the Mountains Echoed- Khaled Hosseini

Since there was no new Jodi Picoult book out in time for my birthday, my mother in law took a chance and bought me this book instead. Her chance paid off! I was introduced to a new author who I have come to appreciate and really enjoy. The first few chapters of this book were harder to get into because the writing style is different than what I am use to, and honestly I didn't understand where the plot was going. Once my little brain caught on I loved it! It's a mix of stories and lives that mingle with one another at different parts of the character's lives and show how everyone was all connected. This took me a little longer than usual because I couldn't speed read like I can with other books. I really had to concentrate and remember names and stories and how they connected to the next person in the next chapter. By the end I felt smarter (which is awesome) and I ordered his other book "Kite Runner" that I am reading right now. This isn't an easy read, but it's totally worth it.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This book wasn't as hard to follow has "and the mountains echoed" but it was just as good. The first 75 pages could have made for a story all its own. There were shocking moments you didn't see coming, and that made you squirm in your seat. He is powerful and doesn't hold back. A few of the twists I kind of called early on in the book, but there were definitely plenty of surprises. It's a look inside a culture and country I don't know anything about and yet you hear all the time in the news (Afghanistan and the Middle East). It's not super political, but there is a taste of it. I couldn't put this story down! It's an intense story and brutally honest. I loved reading it!

Reading List: The Time Keeper, The Last Lecture, Reconstructing Ameila

Just to get all caught up, here are a few more books I have read that you might want to add to your summer reading list!

The Time Keeper- Mich Albom

As soon as I got done reading "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch I started looking for more of his books. Once I find an author I like I usually read all their stuff (cough cough Jodi Picoult cough cough). This was another quick read for me. The man who invents time (back in the time of the tower of babel) is cursed and left immortal until he helps two people in present day accept their life with the time they have. Moral of the story? Man has taken the concept of time and has turned it into an obsession. It's not laid out in a typical story format, but I liked reading something different from what my brain was use to. I think Mitch is a brilliant author and his stories leave you thinking.

The Last Lecture- Randy Pausch

After telling my mom how much I enjoyed The Time Keeper she loaned me this book. It really doesn't have anything in common except that I enjoyed this book just as much (if not more) than the other! The premise is kind of sad: Randy has been given a few months to live after his cancer returns. He has three small children he will be leaving behind and he wanted to leave words of wisdom and life lessons for his kids since they probably won't remember him. The book is filled with great little stories of his life and career and the lessons he learned along the way. It's like a self help book for people who hate self help books! It's not pushy or preachy, he just makes a few really good points. I teared up/cried at a few parts when he talks about his wife and leaving her behind (thinking of Bart dying gets me crying every.single.time). Since I read this book pregnant, I thought about my daughter through the whole thing and what life lessons I would want to pass on to her. This is a great book to read at night to unwind and leave you feeling like tomorrow will be a better day.

Reconstructing Amelia- Kimberly McCreight

This book reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book but maybe not as buttoned up. Jodi Picoult has the ability to hold me on until the very last page. With this book I was more interested in the first half. It's about a high school girl who appears to have committed suicide but as her mom looks closer into her death, secrets come out that maybe lead to other conclusions. It's the dark and twisted world of a teenage girl and it struck a cord with me since in 13 years I will have a teenage girl myself...It's like Mean Girls meets Gossip Girl plus something else all together. Reading this made me wonder how I can teach my own daughter to not get caught up in the crap that peer pressure brings! Anyway, off my soap box....it was an entertaining story idea but there is a twist I wasn't a fan of.

Reading List: The Guardian, Paper Towns, Heaven is for Real

If you know me you know I love to read. Bart binge watches TV series on Netflix; I binge read books. If I really love a book I will have it read within a day or two. Sometimes it takes less than 24 hours. One of my goals for 25 Before 25 was to read 12 new books this year. Halfway through and I have read 7 (ish...I feel like I'm missing one on my list but whateves).

Instead of going through all 12 books at the end of the year I just want to review them as I read them. I have a bit to catch up on buuuut....here's the first few reviews in no particular order:

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

OK OK I know what some of you are thinking. Nicholas Sparks? Really Meg? To be honest this was the first book I read of his, my mother in law left it over and I was in between books and had it finished within a few days. It was an easy read and it had a pretty sweet story. It was around the time we adopted Aggie and this book is all about a woman and her guardian angel aka pet dog. The love story was meh. There's a crazy stalker guy thrown into the mix. There were a few plot twists and in the end I finished it feeling entertained.

Paper Towns- John Green

Unless you have been living under a rock you have heard about "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. My bookie (kinda like foodie but for books...get it?) friend Chelsey mailed that book to me at least a year and a half ago and I fell in love with it. I always like to binge read books from the same author so I picked up Paper Towns. To be honest I didn't like this one very much. I thought the first chapter was the most entertaining and after that I was bored. It's about a typical boy in love with a mysterious and bad ass girl...who goes missing. The search for the girl just took waaaay too much time and my interest was lost.

Heaven is for Real- Todd Burpo

We were giving away movie tickets to see "Heaven is for Real" on the show one week and everyone brought up the book. I hadn't even heard of it before, but our sweet receptionist loaned me her copy for the weekend. I think I had this read within 12 hours. Totally fascinating and I would recommend it to anyone! It's about a little boy who has a near death experience, and after it's all said and done he starts talking about his experience with Jesus up in heaven. His dad is a preacher and draws parallels with stories from his son to stories in the Bible. I think of myself as a spiritual person, and I absolutely believe Christ and Heavenly Father love their little children enough to be with them during hard times (aka life threatening health problems). To hear this little guy's story made me think long after I finished the short book. It's an easy read but it will have you thinking of your own perceptions of heaven and the afterlife. I didn't feel like any of the doctrine I believe in was questioned, but it was one of those books that left me thinking.

My Year in Pictures

Happy New Year! 2012 was a great year and I look forward to what 2013 brings! Last night I was going through pictures and got a little collage happy. Instead of flooding my instagram (which I did anyway) I decided to share them here!

First we have "Imafatkid". These are only a few of the things created at Cafe Bowen this year. I have been experimenting with cooking more and more and Bart is a great cook. We enjoy our time in the kitchen! in 2012 I canned some peaches, learned how to make a few soups, made my first pie and of course holiday candy. Cookies are a staple at Cafe Bowen and Bart perfected his omelets this year too!

Next up is "A.M. Real Job" with just a sneak peek of my past few months at work. I have been at ABC4 since June and have learned so much! I'm lucky to work with patient people who are willing to teach me and put up with my stupid questions and silly mistakes. Having a sloth at work is just a regular day!

This next collage is simply named "Moments". I loved sitting by the Christmas tree this year with some hot cocoa. We went through a few boxes this year and I may or may not have been addicted. My niece Ameri is such a doll and I love any chance I get to spend with her. This picture was taken in the Summer as we played in the grass. The "I love you infinity" note was written one of the many mornings Bart and I were up early eating breakfast together. Sometimes notes are better than words. One of my favorite pics of the year is this cute baby elephant who was jealous of all the attention her mom was getting, so she kept peaking out behind the fence and rock. 

I really love this next collage "Family". Obviously not all of my family is shown, and that simply means I didn't have a photo of them to use! (Jenny, Dad and Jake, we need to fix this!!). 

The one of Bart and I is cut off, but you have probably seen it before. I LOVE this picture of us. 

Next up is one of my fav pics of my BFF Sarah. She is such a beautiful person inside and out and I'm lucky to have her as a friend! 

The pictures of my mom and brother were both taken on the day we flew to Boise for a football game. I was terrified of the plane so my mom was trying to distract me. 

Dallin and I had great seats and it was fun having one-on-one time with him. 

The pictures of my nieces are special to me, and I'm happy I got a chance to see them in December! 

And last but not least, the picture taken with my baby sister Katie! She discovered that SheDaisy was playing in PG and we just HAD to go! It was so much fun hanging out with her. I realized that day it was really the first time her and I ever really hung out as friends AND sisters. I look forward to more days like that :)

I read a lot of books this year. A LOT. "Reading Time" shows a few of those. I went through phases where I would buy a new book every few days after I had finished a different one. Then around book 5 I realized I should probably stop buying so many and took a break....only to resume my habits a month or so later. Bart reminded me that there is a thing called a Library and to be honest that had never crossed my mind! I don't love libraries... I feel like I can't find anything good to read. These are just a few of my favorites from this year. 

My friend Chelsey was so sweet and sent me The Fault in Our Stars and I absolutely loved it. I read it within 24 hours. 

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a very good read, and it gets you thinking. 

Jodi Picoult is my favorite author and I have most of her books. I especially enjoyed her newest book Lone Wolf. 

Born To Run is the book that inspired Bart and I to start running. Even if you aren't a runner you should read this book. 

I discovered So Much For That one day roaming the isles of Barns and Noble. This is the kind of book you can read again and again! 

There were many others that I read in 2012, but these were some of my favs. I am always looking for new things to read, so if you have any suggestions.....suggest away!

I had a lot of fun writing this blog post today! Obviously this is only a sampling of what happened in 2012. Thank goodness for pictures right?? They making telling a story so much easier :)

Born to Run- Review

 "Born to Run"
by Christopher McDougall.

McDougall is an award winning journalist who set out to find the answers of why he kept getting hurt while he ran, and why there was a group of people on this planet who seemed to be able to run for days (literally) and never get hurt. This question led him to discover the greatest runners of all time, the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico's Copper Canyons. He soon meets characters along the way who are incredible in their own unique ways. It is composed of a handful of ultra-marathon runners who each have their own story to tell. Some of their experiences are hard to believe  if only because I could never imagine myself or anyone I know being able to do what they do. To give you an idea, one racer begins her day with 20 miles in the morning, does the things she needs to do and then as an reward runs another 20 miles. Later that evening, just to relax, she goes on another 15-20 mile run. THAT'S INSANE. This whole book blew my mind the entire time I was reading it.

But this book wasn't just a bunch of stories mixed together. He had scientists' and researchers' stories about how they discovered why the human body is meant to run. Needing speed back then makes sense, out run danger so you don't get eaten, but it was the endurance aspect that was puzzling. They soon realized the speed of most animals that humans would have hunted back then was similar to what a human can run. They also realized those same animals can't run for long periods of time without stopping for rest. This is where endurance comes in. The fact that ancient people were able to run 5+ hours at a time, chasing the same animal, is why they were able to catch it, not because the humans were faster in the first place. Isn't that interesting? I learned so much in this book, but I didn't feel like I was reading a scholarly assignment. He weaved in the science and facts in with awesome inspiring stories making everything connect.

There are stories within stories, but the transitions are seamless and don't seem distracting at all. Since I am training for a small race myself, I was obsessed with his descriptions of how these people were running, and what their secrets and techniques were. Last night I even put them to the test and while I can't run even 5 miles yet, I still did much better. This book helps you realize what your body can do. We weren't meant to sit around and be inactive, our bodies need us to move, that is why they were built the way they are. Another piece to the puzzle? Loving to run, and being a good person, makes you a better runner. That is the theory behind great runners like the Tarahumara and champion Scott
Jurek - They were compassionate and service oriented people, who loved to run. I haven't quite gotten to that stage of Zen quite yet, but hey, it's all about the journey...right?

Anyway, I loved this book. I think I loved it because I am currently killing myself in this race training and this just made me more motivated and excited to finish. That being said, I think I would still love it even if I wasn't a runner. It was so well written I couldn't put it down and I would recommend this book to anyone.

so much for that- review

so much for that
by Lionel Shriver

Shriver's novel begins with the main character, Shep, packing for the trip of his life. He plans on moving away, with his six figures he has saved, to a remote island and living out his days. The catch? He is going with or without his wife and teenage son. This has been his dream since he was a child, and he was no longer going to let others get in the way of that dream. As Shep tells his wife he is going and hopes she joins him, she surprises him with the diagnosis of a deadly cancer. Obviously all plans are off.

This novel takes us through the challenges of a marriage, already on the edge, that has to deal with the slap in the face that is cancer. Their relationship is one of love, but also frustration and pain. Shriver makes me love to hate Shep's wife, who is impossible to please, and not at all the "i accept my fate" cancer patient we sometimes expect. It's a harsh reality to how life is like for the terminally ill.

Shep gets to confide in his best friend Jackson who just happens to be a far right wing enthusiast who hates anything government run. His rants were entertaining, but they also made a great deal of sense and got me thinking. Jackson, although slightly annoying, is hard not to like. His family is just as captivating. He has an infuriating sister who makes my top 5 list of characters I hate (she's that annoying/awful) The characters throughout this book are well thought out and keep things interesting. There is such a wide range of personalities in their lives it reminded me of my own.

Shriver approaches a serious topic -the price of health care in the Unites States- in an upfront, no nonsense way. Both Shep and Jackson face bankruptcy even though they both have insurance. It goes to show the ridiculousness of the system and how it influences medical decisions. "how much is a life worth" is just one question trying to be answered in this novel. There is little romance in this book, but when it shows up, it is very sweet. Shep's marriage seemed very realistic to me, and I appreciated the dynamics between husband and wife that weren't picture perfect or even perfect the majority of the time. These two had issues, but doesn't everyone?

While Shriver writes in the way that creates pictures in my head, she also can come off as a bit too stuffy. Using words and phrases that no one would ever speak aloud made me skim over some explanations and conversations. There were also a lot of very rare diseases and things happening that I doubt really happens to someone all at once.

In the end, I read a book to enjoy myself, not to change my outlook on political or social issues. I don't think the ending could be anymore perfect, and was probably my favorite part. How she ended the story left me satisfied. This book entertained me and made me a fan of Lionel Shriver. Because of this book I read We Need to Talk About Kevin, which blew me away (review pending). I am not a picky reader, but that being said, I still really liked this book.