Books for Breakfast

There's nothing quite like finishing a good book on a warm (not quite summer) day. The sun is slowly setting, the birds are happily chirping, and the breeze is cooling the weather down. I can't think of a better story to wrap up than The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. There will be some exciting changes happening in my life this week; exciting but slightly scary! This continues my comfort read-a-thon and it was just what I needed. I loved this continuing storyline of the four Penderwick sisters. Even though the original Penderwick novel will always be near and dear to my heart, the follow-up was just as sweet and endearing. Each sister got their time to shine and the storyline involving their father was well fleshed-out and relatable. I think Birdsall was really able to expand on each sister's personality in this story, and we get glimpses of where she might take them next. I can't really say much more, except please read this sweet story! Stats: Completed: Apr...

 There is comfort in friendship. The Lord has led me to many different ones over the years, some discouraging, but many uplifting. I am so grateful for the friends He has blessed me with now. The ones I can pour my heart out to; the ones that listen with an attentive ear and speak with a quiet wisdom. One of these friends, in particular, is my reading buddy. She is one that I have had many conversations with regarding books, from George Elliot to Jane Austen. I trust her book recommendations and have enjoyed many stories as her suggestion. She has a quiet and steadfast demeanor that is soothing and I am so blessed that she is in my life. This particular season of life has been difficult, not just because of the current world climate. She showed up at my door today with a little care package and my soul felt comforted. It's funny the ways God comforts us; sometimes He does it directly through His peace and sometimes He does it through other people. In the bag were two books: s...

YAY! I've hit 30 books! April has been a really slow month for me. Due to a family tragedy, my interest in reading plummeted. I have not wanted to touch a book for the past couple of weeks. This month has been hard. So when I did decide I wanted to pick up a book again, I wanted something comforting. Comfort reads, for me, are familiar and usually re-reads. I already know what's going to happen, so I'm not surprised or blind-sided. My comfort read this time just so happened to be a childhood favorite, The Penderwicks. I can't tell you how many times I have read this over the years. It's actually a series, with 5 books I think, but I have only read the first two. I think there was just something about the original book that touched my heart and kept me coming back, over and over again. The Penderwicks reminds me of Little Women  in a way. Four sisters, an absent parent, and a boy that becomes a close friend. Each sister has a fully developed character and story...

I have owned this book for approximately 5 years and have only just now read it in its entirety. I would like to use this book to make the case that timing matters when it comes to reading. A novel you read 10 years ago and absolutely abhorred might shine in a different light were you to read it now. In the same way, a book you adored 10 years ago might not hold the same appeal to you now. We change and evolve; our tastes and interests take many paths, and while certain stories might hold sentimental value to us, the reading process will always change. I can't tell you how many times over the years I have picked up Mr. Penumbra ; each time, I get a little farther in the reading, but ultimately put it down out of boredom, disinterest, or simple ambivalence. This weekend, it finally clicked for me. I felt myself in a mini-book slump. I had started Voyage of The Dawn Treader , but really wasn't in the mood to read it. I'm still 30% deep in Gone With The Wind , but again, ...

via weheartit Harry Potter is back for another year of Hogwarts, and this one might be the most exciting yet. The Triwizard Tournament is coming to his school, and with it, comes students from two other magical academies. When his name is put into the Goblet of Fire, declaring him a Hogwarts Champion, alongside three other students, he quickly realizes someone has it out for him... again. I looked forward to diving into Goblet of Fire because the movie was such a fun ride; mazes and mermaids and dragons, oh my! I was curious to see how Rowling would tell the adventurous story of Harry competing in the Tournament. Man, this book was a CHUNK! And it's not even the longest one :) I think this was the first book where I read significant portions that were not included in the movie. I mean, I can't blame the movie writers; like I said, the book is enormous, something had to be cut. Despite the excitement of the plot in this installment, I felt like the story really dragg...

I feel that I should begin this review with two things: first, a spoiler warning; in order for me to fully discuss my thoughts and feelings regarding this book, I gotta drop some big spoilers. Sorry, not sorry :) Second, I would like to share, word for word, the review I left on Goodreads immediately after finishing In The Woods ... "This book MESSED. ME. UP. That is all." After reading so many books in March, it feels like kind of a let down to have only finished one book in what is now the ending of the first week of April. However, I am in the middle of some rather large books; I might be a fast reader, but there is no way I can tear through the 700-page behemoth that is Goblet of Fire  in two days. That being said, my Kindle hold for In The Woods  came in on Sunday, and I felt the complete urge to drop everything I was reading and read it... hey, you only get 14 days! The premise of the book is this: three children go missing in the Knocknaree woods of Ireland. La...