It's almost Fall---my favorite time of year, and I'm already planning on baking up some delicious things for my family! Here are a few ideas to inspire you, as well!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
Summer Reading Challenges
I absolutely love love love to read, but it's something I have a very difficult time getting done. You might think it's because I've got sooooo much responsibility---but no, that's not it at all. We're a family of hobbyists so most of us are always off doing whatever thing it is that feeds our creative souls. No, it's because I find so many things to distract me. Blogging, reading blogs, planning blogs, taking photos for blogs, applying for jobs for blogs...see a pattern here?
Over the next two months, I'm participating in two reading challenges and am really hoping to focus on knocking out a few books before the first day of fall. I'll keep a running list of what I've read here---it's fun to have a record of books I've enjoyed. Here's the info on the challenges I've joined---in case you're wanting to join too!
Simply Audra Marie is hosting the Summer's Flying By reading challenge from August 1st to September 21st. You can read whatever you want, and there's even a drawing at the end for an Amazon gift card. You'll need to write up a quick intro post, as well as an "all done" post at the end, to be eligible for the drawing.
Lost Generation Reader is hosting Austen in August---a whole month dedicated to reading Jane Austen-themed books. Novels, biographies, and modern-day fan fiction all count---even rereads count! They've even got their own hashtag: #AustenInAugustLGR.
What's on your reading list this summer?
Linking with:
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
A Stillness of Chimes -- book review
I'll be honest: I'm kind of a snob when it comes to Christian fiction. To me, it seems that so much of it is either very much contrived and preachy or very much not-really-Christian with a few references to Jesus thrown in to make it (sort of) work. That's why I was so so SO pleasantly surprised by Meg Moseley's A Stillness of Chimes. It's like a real story. Written by a real author. With real talent. It's really good!
Laura Gantt has just lost her mother, so she's hanging out in her hometown of Prospect, Georgia for awhile to settle her household. Twelve years ago, she lost her father to a suspected lake drowning, but now rumors are circling that he's been seen around the area. Former fiance and lifelong friend, Sean, has his doubts, but he's willing to help Laura find out. Together, they discover the truth---with some very surprising secrets being unearthed along the way.
I love a good mystery and this one didn't disappoint---too much. I usually do have the mystery figured out early on, but it's always fun to see how it all plays out. Though I had this one about half way through, I definitely enjoyed this story of grace, forgiveness, and ultimate sacrifice. The scenes where Laura misses and remembers her mother lead me to believe that this author has dealt with that kind of loss on a personal level. The part where she takes the last blackberries out of the freezer and makes a cobbler---with the last berries ever picked by her mother---oh. my. goodness. Girls, that was too much. Really made me miss my mama so far away in Oregon. For more info, check out the author bio and read chapter one.
I've been on the lookout for good Southern fiction---this one is a definite must-read. Do you have any other good suggestions for me? Lets make a list in the comments---and don't forget to link up with the Homemaking Party!
I received this book from Blogging for Books to review on my blog. All opinions are honest and are my own.
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