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The Nightingale

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah 5/5 Last year, when I opened a Goodreads account, I decided on an easy ranking system, so I’d know how to rate each book I read. A 4 is usually what I give a book... enjoyed the read, had fun, carried it with me everywhere, etc. A 3 would be kind of ‘meh.’ Like, I didn’t love it, and I didn’t hate it, but it could have been better. A 2 or 1 would be books that I finished but either didn’t like it or it was written well. A 5 would be reserved for the best of the best, and ladies and gentlemen... this book is a 5. I couldn’t put it down, it gave me an emotional response, and when I put the book down finally (late last night) I think I just said, “Wow.” It’s stuck with me all night. The book is about two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, living in Nazi occupied France. Isabelle wants to join the resistance, but her sister wants to pretend like the war isn’t happening... until she’s forced to host a Nazi soldier in her home. The story is how bo
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What I’m Reading Now

I was so, so wrong. When I saw this book was over 500 pages long, I assumed it would take me all summer. I mean, I loved The Book Thief and I had to renew that thing about 4 times. But... I accidentally read 139 pages Sunday... and I had stuff to accomplish in the afternoon. I cannot put this thing down. Don’t make me. I should have taken the week off of work. I’m also listening to the audiobook of Falling Into You by Kristy Woodson Harvey. I finished Ghosts of the Tsunami... while it was interesting, I didn’t realize it was about real ghosts as well... and that’s not really up my alley. I did appreciate hearing the survivor’s stories as they struggled to come to terms with their losses. I’m really enjoying Falling Into You, although I’m not too far into it yet. It seems like the perfect summer read... something to take to the beach with you, although clearly I’m not doing that this summer. Sigh. I think The Nightingale may have taken me out of my slump... I had originally assu
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My Favorite Books of 2020

I’ve been struggling so far with finding my mojo to read. I think quarantine has definitely set my mental state reeling. Now that I’m more in a self-imposed quarantine, I’m reading more and more. I think sometimes my brain is more amenable to doing something if it’s my choice. During the actual shelter in place order, I ranted and railed and plotted what I would do once this was over. Now I’m mostly quarantining because I choose to- at this point it’s obvious I can only watch out for my own health and those I love since no one is going to do it for me. Rant over. This blog post is supposed to be about my favorite books I’ve read so far this year. In truth it’s a hard question to answer, since I’ve mostly struck out. I think the award goes to A Night to Remember why Walter Lord. Recently I’ve come to appreciate narrative nonfiction. This book reads like a novel, which I truly appreciate. I completely binged this thing- while working from home, going on runs, and doing chores. 
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Top 5 Favorite Children’s Books

Still stuck inside while social distancing or quarantine? The south is opening up but we’re pretty much still staying at home as much as we possibly can, enjoying some of our old favorites. Here are the ones my children reach for over and over again: 1. Race Car Count, by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. I have a son who is fascinated by all things planes, trains, and automobiles. You can tell how beloved this book is based on the spine, haha. It’s a countdown book with fun rhymes... each of the car has their own personality and the illustrations are so fun. 2. The Book With No Pictures, by B.J. Novak This book is a RIOT! Sure, there aren’t any pictures, but that doesn’t matter at all. The fun comes in the silly words the book makes you read out loud. We first bought the book when my first child was about 3, and she just didn’t get it at the time. Now, this book produces belly laughs at each read. A definite favorite. 3. Cars and Trucks And Things That Go, by Richard Scarry
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What I’m Reading Now

I definitely feel like I’ve been struggling this year with the motivation to read. Last year I finished 30 books so I set myself the goal of having read 35 by the end of the year. I checked today and I’ve read... 6. Pitiful. My husband slipped this book in my Easter basket, and I felt just the thing to get me back into my groove is an easy romance. It’s been an enjoyable read so far. I like that I don’t have to think too much and it’s easy to get back into the story when I’ve put it down for awhile. It’s the story of two empty nesters who find romance in unexpected places. Very predictable but comforting- the perfect quarantine read, to be sure. I have never been much of an audiobook person, but I’m finding now that I’m working from home I like to listen to them in the background while tending to some easier tasks. I also have been listening while doing housework and going for a run. I just finished A Night to Remember by Walter Lord, and promptly picked up Ghosts of the Tsunami
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Check in

For once in my life, I believe I have all my Christmas knitting done... before Christmas. I just have a few ends to weave in, but that shouldn’t take long. My son’s scarf. I honestly thought I’d never finish it. I had planned to make it twice as long until my husband reminded me that he’s really only three feet tall, but I still think it’s short. If it is, I’ll whipstitch it and make a cowl. I went back to the  Elf Hat  I’d been working on. It seems majorly huge and I’m not sure how it’ll work once seamed up, but either I can’t measure heads or I totally misunderstood gauge, or it’s really supposed to be this huge:  It just seems impossibly ginormous, doesn’t it? Oh well. I’ll figure something out, even if I have to give it away to an adult with a huge head. ;)  I think I mostly have Christmas figured out. All I have to do is wrap a few more gifts and do some baking, and my part is done. Although it’s been a crazy month, for once in my mom life I shouldn’t be up until
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An update

I finished the blanket I was working on, which immediately got hijacked and checked for coziness by my children. I put that one down in the tent in their playroom, for a cozy place for them to read and chill out.  I’ve never knitted a hat before, but I’m making a search for the Elf Hat from the Harry Potter knitting book I got ages ago but have been too chicken to try anything from.  I had to improvise with the yarn since they’ve discontinued the recommended yarn, but it’s knitting up beautifully and I’m really loving it. It’s Lions Brand yarn, which I love. Once I check the gauge I’m hoping to be able to cast on this week. There’s another hat I have my eyes on that’s actually knitted in the round, but I don’t have everything I need for that one yet. Once I have that, I’m hoping to make it for myself.  I’m hoping they’re quick knits. I hear hats tend to knit fast and go under ‘instant gratification’, but we’ll see.
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