46. Anti-Social, Jillian Blake
Only one book this month! I am so burnt out at work and finding time to just read didn't happen. This was a quick read that was enjoyable but I have no problem passing it on to someone else to enjoy.
Here's hoping I can read 4 books in December to finish off the 50!
I have always been a Holiday person.
I get up early and decorate for birthdays and any holiday that I can. I go over the top for birthdays and I live for the Holiday season with all the fun events!
There's a line between doing things because you enjoy it and doing things because you feel like you have to and it's important to know your line.
Here's a list of all the exciting events happening before the end of the year that I'd love to do or attend!
1. Cirque Holidaze
They have two local performances next month in Boston and Providence, but the show goes country wide if you're outside this area!
2. Nutcracker Ballet
The Boston Ballet show is classic, but you can find lots of local performances that are often much less! We've gone to the Norwood Theater, and there is another show at Framingham State University this year as well.
3. Roger William's Lights
Roger Williams Park Zoo has had amazing success with their Jack-o-lantern Spectacular and are trying a Holiday Lights walk through this year! The walk through makes me think of the drive through set ups, but with walking! We'll grab some cocoa and meander through the lights.
4. Drive In Holiday movies
Moonrise Cinemas in Plymouth Ma is showing Holiday movies every weekend at it's drive in theater! They have concession stands and are playing some holiday classics. It's a fun, relaxing way to end the week.
5. Tree lightings
So many towns are doing tree lightings again this year! We're planning on going to a few local places but I've found that Facebook Events has the most up to date information for local lightings.
6. Drive around and see the lights
The drive through Christmas displays are a great way to see the lights while staying bundled up and warm. THe kids and I always grab some hot cocoa and blankets and get cozy in the car. There's a great lights display in one of Gillette Stadium's parking lots (Magic of Lights) and another great on in Waltham (Greater Boston Celebration of Lights)
7. See Santa!
He's everywhere right now, right? Kangaroo Community has done an amazing job pulling together so many locations to find him in the Metrowest area! We're especially excited to go to our favorite zoo and see him!
8. Decorate cookies
Make them yourself, hack it with some store bought cookies and frosting, or purchase a "Decorate your own" set! Wegman's has a great set! Don't feel like baking? Just buy some delicious holiday cookies and call it a night! We love Bardellini's Cookies, Lauryn's Desserts, and Cheryl's Cookies.
9. Get family pictures done
Gear up for holiday cards with some great family photos. We're big fans of Wave Kissed Photography and Alisha Marie Photography.
10. Volunteer at a Food bank
Even though it's always a good time to think about how fortunate you are, it's especially important for the holidays. Go make a difference. Volunteer at the Boston Food Bank or donate to A Place to Turn.
39. Local Woman Missing
40. Good Girls Guide to Murder
41. Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
42. Everything Everything
43. Two Can Keep a Secret
44. Where the Truth Lies
45. Memory Boy
What a busy reading month!
With it being the end of term at school, my three new books are done and were great to read with students.
Local Woman, Good Girls Guide, Two Can Keep a Secret, and Where the Truth Lies (Formerly known as Tall Bones) all fell into the murder, mystery genre that I just love. The twists in each story make it interesting.
Full disclosure: Where the Truth Lies was incredibly difficult to read for me. It centers on a small-town in Colorado complete with small town religious nuts who think that conversion therapy cures homosexuality and that the Bible says they should light a person on fire for being a gypsy and not an American. There is pedophilia and rape. BUT if you are able to detach and read it as a murder mystery, it is one that you will not want to put down because you will find yourself holding your breath and hoping these characters find a better world.
I haven't been as focused on reading lately. Every night is sports or practice and every weekend is a home project or an adventure and s...
