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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

the girl on the train by paula hawkins available on Amazon (kindle, paperback, and hardcover)

by Paula Hawkins
available on Amazon
Kindle paperback, and hardcover

Why is everyone drunk or drinking all the time? I can’t tell if this part was intentional to draw out the recovering alcoholic character perspective, that she the character is noticing it so it is being made extremely obvious to you as the reader, over explained in some parts of the story even. I kept wondering to myself am I supposed to notice all this use of alcohol or is it just page filler…

Anyway. It took some getting used to the back and forth between the timelines and I had a hard time getting into the book because of it at first, but after the first few chapters and perspective switches I got into the flow of the story and it was easier to follow. My husband said the same when he was reading it. When you’re about one-third of the way through the book the threads start to tie together a little more and then you reach those “can’t put it down right now” parts. [Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

the eyes of the dragon by stephen king

Available at Amazon

It’s hard to choose a favorite book. I love to read and I love stories. But if I were forced to choose just one book to have and to hold forever and ever, I would choose this one.

In case you didn’t know; This is NOT a Horror Novel

When most people see Stephen King as the author of a book on the shelf they expect a good scare, a bit of blood and gore at the very least. This is not that book. Nor is this a book On Writing, which Mr. King is also very well known for. This a fairy tale with a twist that only Stephen King could provide.

It has everything that a good fairy tale should have. A vast kingdom, tales of dragons and beasts, peasants frustrated with their way of life who are ready to stand up for what they believe is right and true, princes who will take over their father’s throne some day, and of course a magician. It’s a story of growth, bravery, magic, and forgotten lore.

I’ve read almost everything Stephen King has published over the years, including those published under the pen name of Richard Bachman. This is my favorite of all of them – and truly one of my favorite books ever. I have a first edition hard cover copy (the green cover pictured here) and the pages are very well worn from reading it over and over again. [Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books, fairytales, stephen king

The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen

The Light of the Fireflies book by Paul PenI want to start by mentioning that The Light of the Fireflies as I’m reading it is a translation from another language. I do think the translation was done very well, the sentence structure and word order all makes sense and flows well for the most part. I’ve read some translations in the past that were just plain confusing and frustrating in their English versions, so bonus points for this.

Book summary from Amazon:

A haunting and hopeful tale of discovering light in even the darkest of places.

.
For his whole life, the boy has lived underground, in a basement with his parents, grandmother, sister, and brother. Before he was born, his family was disfigured by a fire. His sister wears a white mask to cover her burns.

He spends his hours with his cactus, reading his book on insects, or touching the one ray of sunlight that filters in through a crack in the ceiling. Ever since his sister had a baby, everyone’s been acting very strangely. The boy begins to wonder why they never say who the father is, about what happened before his own birth, about why they’re shut away.

A few days ago, some fireflies arrived in the basement. His grandma said, There’s no creature more amazing than one that can make its own light. That light makes the boy want to escape, to know the outside world. Problem is, all the doors are locked. And he doesn’t know how to get out…

One thing that sort of bothered me is that no one in this story has a name. Everyone is nameless. The boy. Father. Mother. Brother. Sister. Grandmother. Grandfather. The baby (sometimes referred to as nephew). At certain parts of the story it would have been much easier to follow if everyone just had a name.

Then to call further attention to the lack of names, at one point one of his siblings refers to the boy as “the boy” and one of the parents says, “He has a name you know.” Well, no, no we don’t know, because you didn’t tell us anyone’s name. It’s not a big deal, but it did sort of drive me crazy at several points throughout the book. I think it might be an attempt to dehumanize the people, or maybe the author just doesn’t like names, I can’t be sure. [Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

Crewel Yule – a Needlecraft Mystery

crewel yule by monica ferris

available on Amazon

Part-time sleuth and full-time owner of the needlework shop Crewel World, Betsy Devonshire prepares for a chilling holiday season filled with mistletoe–and murder.

I love the Monica Ferris Needlecraft Mysteries line of books ~ combines two of my favorite things ever, great mystery novels and great needlework! what’s not to love?

This book – or any book in this series – makes a fantastic gift for the needle-crafter on your holiday shopping list (or of course yourself) The details the author goes to in order to capture the world of needlework are astounding, she picks up lingo, fiber specific detail, and more in each and every book.

Murder is in the air everywhere–even at a needlework show. Betsy Devonshire, owner of the shop Crewel World, finds herself snowed in at the convention hotel in Nashville along with her policewoman friend, Jill, and employee, Godwin.

When another shop owner, Belle Hammermill, falls over the railing, plummeting down nine stories into the middle of the atrium, even the most avid sewers look up from their tatting.

Everyone, of course, assumes the fall to be an accident. However, as Betsy, Jill, and Godwin start talking to the show’s attendees, they begin to learn that a selfish and devious Belle had plenty of enemies–and they are all in the hotel.

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

The Paper Magician

the paper magician

available on Amazon

This is the first short story in a series of shorts. Despite being short, it actually took me a lot longer than usual to read. The pacing of the story was all over the place and I was having a hard time staying focused on it. It’s not that I didn’t like the story, it had great elements and interesting angles on magic, I just didn’t feel sucked into the world as much as I would have liked.

The whole hunting through a person’s heart while their heart isn’t inside their body thing went on for ages, it’s most of the book, and I just didn’t enjoy it I guess. Some parts of the book also seemed rushed, while others felt excruciatingly slow to me. Still the magical concepts and ideas were very interesting, and I liked that there were limitations on each person’s magic.

I’m not sure if I’ll read The Glass Magician (the second book in the series) or not. I might pick it up on Kindle Unlimited if I get bored one weekend, but I don’t feel the need to mark release dates for this series on my calendar right now. Actually, I’m sure curiosity will get to me eventually, because I often find the second book in a series like this can sometimes be better than the first.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

Alone (A Bone Secrets Novel) by Kendra Elliot

Alone (A Bone Secrets Novel)

available on Amazon

Last night I finished reading Alone (A Bone Secrets Novel) by Kendra Elliot.

This was a pretty smooth read and I enjoyed the story. It’s a combination of mystery, thriller, sort of drizzled with romance. There is one sex scene in the book, but it’s pretty mild. In other words, the book is 98% story, no smut.

I didn’t realize this was the fourth book in the series – but fortunately each book in the series focuses on a different character, so I can go back and read the other three novels at another time and they’re all standalone stories that link together in small ways.

I kind of like that concept, little stories in their own universe that go together but don’t necessarily need to be together. Reminds me a little bit of comic book crossover stories, but in novel form.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

Timebound (The Chronos Files Book 1) by Rysa Walker

(Available as part of Kindle Unlimited if you’re a subscriber, but also available in the usual other formats as well)

Timebound by Rysa Walker

available on Amazon

I love time travel stories and this one was fun with the layers and ripples. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series when it comes out in October.

Things get a little bit confusing if you try to read it when you’re half asleep, but I’d say that’s true of any time travel story. The story moves around quite a bit, from place to place and from time to time. It can be a lot to keep track of, but it’s worth the brain power required to do so, there’s some good stuff and some subtle little links between the timelines.

There are lots of little loops in this story, along with things to make you think about how life could be different if just one tiny thing changed in the scope of a lifetime.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books, time travel

The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry (The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, Son)

When I first picked up The Giver to read I didn’t realize there was an entire series of four books. The way The Giver is talked about I always assumed it was a standalone story. If you haven’t read this book or series yet, I want to warn you in advance that it’s not really a standalone story. Well, at least in my opinion it’s not. (And when I’m done here you may well want to throw things at me, because my opinion of this book isn’t as high as the popular consensus seems to be.) [Read more…]

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

Too Deep to Fall Free on Kindle for Five Days

Too Deep to Fall on KindleToday’s post is a bit off topic, as it’s not about stitching but about reading. This is my husband’s poetry book and it’s free on Kindle for the next few days. (We actually just celebrated 19 years since our first date yesterday – gees I feel old.)

The Kindle version is free from July 20 through July 24, but it’s always free to borrow on Amazon Prime if you’re subscribed. I’d be so very grateful if you picked a copy up in the next few days and read through a few pages. Reviews on Amazon are always appreciated 🙂

No worries if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still read the book via the Kindle app on you computer, tablet, or even sync it up to your phone.

Thanks so much ~ Have a great week!

Filed Under: Random Happenings and Family Life, What I'm Reading Tagged With: books, poetry

Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles [Book Review]

I needed something lighthearted and entertaining, but I wanted a little mystery too. I had read some reviews and seen a few people mention Nearly Departed in Deadwood on Facebook, plus the Kindle version of this book was reasonably priced, so I gave it a shot.

Personally I could have done without some of the sexual visual descriptions because cheesy romance on a whim novels aren’t really my thing. I think the time could have been better spent developing some of the other parts of the story. However, that didn’t stop me from finishing the book. I found Violet Parker and her twin children to be very down to earth realistic characters for the most part. Although, I decided not to purchase the second and third books, I just wasn’t that drawn into the overall story.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it. Leave a comment below. Or tell me what you’re reading, my book list could always use some new additions 😉

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: books

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cross stitcher ✂, writer ✍️ , transcriptionist ⌨️, dabbler in all things creative ✂ , mom, wife, finder of lost shoes....

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Project stitched by Alexis Krobatsch added to the Project stitched by Alexis Krobatsch added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
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The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
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Project stitched by Dawn Middleton added to the al Project stitched by Dawn Middleton added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
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The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
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#instastitch⁠
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Project stitched by Julie Cockerton with Jodyri De Project stitched by Julie Cockerton with Jodyri Designs variegated threads added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
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The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
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Project stitched by Denise Kelly with DMC Satin Fl Project stitched by Denise Kelly with DMC Satin Floss added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
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The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
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