Review: Off Season

Off Season
Off Season by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

too predictable and not my favorite.

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Review: Yerba Buena

Yerba Buena
Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“She existed outside of her life and she knew it. When faced with danger, she couldn’t even shout. She barely heard a word people said, too busy making her face appear eager, nodding her head, and saying, “How interesting.””

I read and loved LaCour’s previous books and was very excited to see an adult novel. It did not disappoint.

I loved the story of Sara and Emilie, each of them struggling in their own way, trying to feel whole and trying to make their lives “work.” Trying to survive in a world that hasn’t been kind to them. I loved how each of them have an art (flowers/renovating and making cocktails) that allows them to bring forth their creativity and add their unique beauty to the world. I loved how real and flawed they are.

This story is about love. It’s about trying again, being willing to be vulnerable and be seen and finding your way in a world that hasn’t always been good to you. LaCour is an excellent story teller and this story will stay with you for a long, long time.

with gratitude to Flatiron Books and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: The Atlas Six

The Atlas Six
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book in one swallow. Yes it wasn’t the best writing, yes some of the characters should have been developed more, yes it might have had flaws but i still really enjoyed my time with it and i can’t wait for the next one. Though it looks like I will have to wait quite some while.

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Review: The Lincoln Highway

The Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love Towles and this was no exception. This story the journey to California was engaging and I loved the characters. It was not as funny as his previous story but I still loved it. Towles’ writing is excellent and never disappoints. A great adventure of a story.

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Review: Cackle

Cackle
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meh. This story had so much potential. I read it despite the mediocre reviews and they were right. It wasn’t a bad story but it also won’t stay with me.

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Review: A Line To Kill

A Line To Kill
A Line To Kill by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t help it, I love all of Horowitz’ books in this series. They are clever and funny and so self-referential. Just my kind of stories.

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Review: French Braid

French Braid
French Braid by Anne Tyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“There were advantages to being a girl and having nothing much expected of you.”

Anne Tyler is one of a kind, for me. I love her characters and I love the way they burrow into your life and you never want to let them go. This was no exception.

This is the story of a family over multiple generations. You see them grow away and towards each other. You see them struggle and you see them be there for each other. Tyler is so good at portraying “ordinary” people and the struggles we go through.

“Still, though,” David said, “you can never take it for granted that family members will like each other.” “Oh, David. Families love each other!” “ ‘Love,’ well, sure. I’m talking about ‘like,’ ” he said.

A lovely story around what it means to be family.

with gratitude to KnopfPenguin and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Daily Year of Yes – 328

Year of Yes – 328

 

We had an early Thanksgiving today because Jake is off to an adventure. I loved being with my people and I am also looking forward to a quiet few days, reading, resting and being grateful.

Yes to downtime.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Daily Year of Yes – 327

Year of Yes – 327

Vacation mode on. Exercised. And now relaxing in the bath while listening to the Nagoskis’ book on Burnout.

Everyone is doing their thing and I am trying to slow my brain, my body, and my anxiety all the way down.

Yes to time off.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Daily Year of Yes – 326

Year of Yes – 326

There is so much opportunity for delight in an average day. Sometimes all you have to do is ‘look up’ and sometimes all you have to do is pause.

Yes to delight.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Daily Year of Yes – 325

Year of Yes – 325

Day two of adventures went without a hitch. It was cold and windy but we didn’t let that stop us.

Grateful for the mountains and grateful for my husband who has the lead skills to make all these adventures possible for us.

All four of us got to climb and see some breathtaking views.

Yes to family adventures.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Daily Year of Yes – 324

Year of Yes – 324

Adventures in the wilderness are the best kind of adventures. We climbed today in the middle of nowhere without a person in sight. The rocks, the wind and the four of us.

100ft up these beautiful rocks.

It was magical.

Yes to adventure.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes