Sometimes you just need a break

After reading some pretty intense books the last two weeks, I decided I wanted to read a light an easy read. Luckily, I had Sarah Jio The Bungalow on my list. I think I read the entire book in less than 24 hours. The story is captivating. While most of the story is told through a flashback, the two stories meet and mysteries are solved.

Sarah Jio brings together the perfect blend of character development, plot, and intrigue. Anne and her friend Kitty leave to serve as army nurses in the South Pacific in WWII. The stories the come together and plot twist make this a great book with a surprising twist at the end.

(PS: On a side note, I highly recommend reading this book on the beach or any tropical location.)


Currently evaluating my next book options.. can't decide off my list!

Happy Reading!

A little dark with purpose

The Lovely Bones may have been one of the more talked about books of my high school and college days. I have been an avid reader most of my life and I always avoided this book. Everyone seems to have read it and liked it.

I now can say I join this club. Susie Salmon is kidnapped and murdered within the first 20-30 pages of the book. She then leads her family and close friends to the killer and then how to come to peace with this difficult time. While this book is not traditional in any form or fashion, it has enough plot and story line to keep non-readers entertained, but it has enough depth and meaning to keep the serious readers appeased. I was impressed. Overall, the book was great. To see a family fall apart, yet carefully come together was brilliant.

Alice Sebold did an amazing job with this difficult topic and text. While this is not my favorite book because of this topic,  I do believe most people will like it! Go check it out!

I just finished Dan Brown Inferno.

Happy Reading... starting on The Wind in the Willows

Gone...What?

Currently, I am back in the real world for 3 more days. (Side note: it took me 3 days to actually publish this post. Now, I leave for the beach in the morning!) During my first beach vacation, I read The Secret and Gone Girl. Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl was a 2012 and even 2013 best seller that received so much hype. Amy and Nick may be two of the weirdest characters that I have ever seen come into literature.

With a twisting plot, characters who are not what they seem, and all in all weird book, this book does not leave you wanting more  for action. Nick and Amy live a wonderful happy life in New York. After their career's tank and the trust funds falls apart, they move back to Nick's Missouri hometown. The drama unfolds as Amy suddenly disappears on their wedding anniversary. While this can be a good beach read because of its fast pace mentality, overall the plot was just a little too cliche yet to far fetch for me.

I leave you to be the final judge.

In other news, I am leaving for the beach and will post in the morning on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that I just finished. My week long family vacation will however include some great reading!

Below are my 4 Beach/Airplane Books for the trip. (Depending on the vacation will depend if I make it to number 4)

Catch 22
Inferno (I know I am cheating, but I can't wait!)
A Lion Among Men
The Lovely Bones

Happy Reading!

Read, Recharge, Reflect, and Relax

Lucky me. I still work at a university that takes a partial spring break. After an interesting and busy few weeks in Baltimore, I jumped on a plane and headed to the warm weather of sunny Clearwater Beach, Fl.
Now, I am going to meet up with a few friends and spend the next few days reading and relaxing right on the beach. I love the beach; it is where I find my peace.
I left my computer at home. So all blog post are coming from my phone.
At the beach, I plan to read:
I've Got Your Number- Sophie Kinsella
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince-  JK Rowling
Tuesday with Morrie-  Mitch Albom
What Color is Your Parachute? -Richard Bolles
Excited for the beach!
Happy Reading!