The Latest Books

I've read some really great books this summer.  I continued the fun game of just grabbing a book and hoping for the best and found some great ones this summer.


All the Wrong Places - Joy Fielding

This has been one of my favorites all year.  The beginning of the book sets up the suspense for the rest of the book and the twists and turns made it so good.  I finished it in a day and have been thinking about it for weeks.


Tight Rope - Amanda Quick

Apparently this is my second Amanda Quick story but I didn't know it when I grabbed it. This was another very cute "murder mystery". I got a bit confused with so many names but figured it out in the end. It was a quick and easy read.


Heroine - Mindy McGinnis

I'm obsessed and everyone should read this book.  It's the story of a girl who falls into addiction and it's done in a way that is real. I honestly wish this was taught in schools.


Library of Lost and Found - Phaedra Patrick

A very quick and easy read that was very playful. A book left behind leads to the unraveling of a mysterious backstory.  It's worth the beach read.


Pretend She's Here - Luanna Rice

I loved this one. Creepy enough that I was riveted but not so creepy that I had bad dreams. ha. The idea behind it is terrifying but possible, which made this impossible to put down.


The Last Romantics -  Tara Conklin

Similar to Little Fires Everywhere, it was slow going and told a story about a family dynamic.  I didn't love it, but also didn't hate it.


I really should be making more summer time to read but I just haven't wanted to lately.  I've been spending my days at summer school and on the beach with the kids but maybe I'll add a few more books before I go back to work in 2 and a half weeks?

April Books

Another month and more books....

David Ramsey Total Money Makeover

I know people swear by this book but ehhhhhh. It's all things that I know/have thought of etc. It's good if you need to stop and really look at your finances but like most self help books, you probably already know it.

The Woman in Cabin 10

This one was so good! It's a thriller involving a missing person, who may never have existed in the first place.  It's so fun and I finished it in a day. It's a must read for me!

It was a smaller selection this month but the Woman in Cabin 10 was a definite winner.

a 40 in 4 Update of Sorts

My 40 in 4 list has taken a slow down lately, especially as I find myself thinking about what I want in my life. So much has changed for me in the past two years, between happiness with my career and my body, to plans for the future that keep changing. 

So why not replace some things with things I really do want to accomplish?

I'll add...

a. Got a nose piercing! I've been talking about it for years and finally did it as a gift to myself for my 33rd birthday!

b. Buy a NEW new car! I've never owned a brand new vehicle but after having so many issues with our last car, we decided the extra money on a brand new car (under warranty) was smarter than any other option. 

1. Run a 5k
2. Have my palm read.
3. Weekend in the Vineyard with my family.
4. Buy a bicycle.
5. Wear a bikini to the beach, no cover up.
6. Put my toes into the Pacific Ocean.
7. Go back to Disney
8. Go to Universal Studio
9. Get a job in Higher Ed
10. See another Broadway play
11. Fit into a size 8.
12. Travel to Europe, ideally London or Rome.
13. Get another tattoo (or two).
14. Be debt free, minus student loans and mortgage.
15. Put away a 4 month emergency amount.
16. Begin working on an administrator's license or a PhD.
17. Take a photography class.
17. a. Got a nose piercing! I've been talking about it for years and finally did it as a gift to myself for my 33rd birthday!
18. Travel somewhere tropical.
19. Go camping.
20. * Get professional head shots for the blog.
21. * Sew Emma a matching dress for her and her dolls
21. b. Buy a NEW new car! I've never owned a brand new vehicle but after having so many issues with our last car, we decided the extra money on a brand new car (under warranty) was smarter than any other option. 
22. * Consider selling the custom shirts I've been making for the kids...
22.
23. Take a cooking or baking class.
24. Take a cake decorating class.
25. Go to Ireland.
26. Find a local church to belong to/Baptize Tyler.
27. Get out of the minivan.
28. Take a calligraphy class.
29. Participate in Restaurant Week in Boston or Providence.
30. Go to Disney Land.
31. Work on our kitchen: backsplash, new desk, new table...
32. Buy a jacuzzi and redo the back deck.
33. Fence in our yard.
34. Landscape.
35. Finish the basement.
36. Attending the NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade
37. Create a real vegetable garden for an entire season/year.
38. Spend the day at the spa, getting pampered.
39. Splurge on our 10 year anniversary.
40. Save $10 for each accomplished task and spend it on something extravagant.

I'll be excited to pay off some debts and work on our backyard soon. 

x, Heather