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Five Books For Fall 2016

November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

Reading is my favorite occupation. If I made money for reading books, I’d be happily settled in life. As it is, the reading itself must be my highest compensation.

Today I thought I’d share with you a few books that have occupied my reading pile this fall (some are still on the pile).

My Reading List:

5 Books for Fall

(I’m linking to Amazon and using affiliate links. If you buy through them, I’ll get a tiny percentage from Amazon. Thanks for your support!)

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

From the very first book of Katherine Reay, I have been caught in her writing. I’m rarely a loyal reader (that’s slowly changing), but Katherine Reay…I should probably never meet in real life because I would fangirl so hard that I might even faint.

She seems to be the most wonderful lady because when I wrote to her to tell her how I enjoyed her work she promised to send me an advanced reader’s copy. She even signed it.

I’m currently reading A Portrait of Emily Price, and I’ll compare it to food later on.

The Thorn Healer by Pepper D. Basham

The third book in the Penned in Time series swept me right of my feet with a tumble down a set of wooden stairs into the arms of gentle yet persistent August. Pepper has written a beautifully strong protagonist in the woman of Jessica Ross in this book. And I felt as though I were reading me in those pages.

As a fan and, dare I say, friend of Pepper’s, I think this book is my favorite of her Penned in Time series. Not many books cause me to cry, but this one certainly did. Twice.

You can read my Goodreads Review of The Thorn Healer!

Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall

Who doesn’t enjoy a Young Adult fiction book? Let’s be honest, there’s something truly wonderful about this coming-of-age group of people. If we’re not that age, we love to revisit it. I haven’t yet read Unwritten Melody, but it’s set to release soon and I plan on reading it.

I enjoyed Purple Moon by Tessa Emily Hall so I think I just might enjoy Unwritten Melody.

The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel

I won this book in a book giveaway, and it’s been sitting on my reading chair (by reading chair, I mean the chair where I stack my books) for longer than I care to admit. It’s my goal to get to it in the next few weeks.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ve read anything by Ann Howard Creel before so I’ll enjoy this foray. The book cover is pretty and mysterious enough to entice me.

438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin

My favorite thing is to recommend books to others, but my next favorite thing is to receive book recommendations. And a friend of a friend suggested this one to me. And oddly, sea survival stories truly intrigue me.

So I’m looking forward to delving into this book as well!

What Are You Reading This Fall? Do you have a book recommendation for me? Feel free to drop in the comments or on my Facebook page!

welcome sadness

November 7, 2016 Leave a Comment

Sadness is an uncomfortable guest.

When you see sadness coming, reach out to her, hands cradling her chin and kiss her hair. She needs to be invited in, welcomed and given space at your table and your bookshelf. To ignore sadness is like ignoring a broken bone that needs attention, to be realigned and bandaged, and bone healing takes time and it hurts.

welcome sadness.

I remember this one day where I woke up sad. Ridiculously and mopey sad. Blue bled into everything. Did someone paint everything that dreary blue shade? Nope, it was my eyes.

I listened to upbeat music. I peptalked my cubicle walls. I even smiled.

A friend told me to ignore the sadness and to force myself to be happy. Good vibes only. And I tried. I really tried.

But as the day came to a close, I accepted it: I was sad.

And I was done caffeine-coaxing my mood and chocolate-distracting myself. If I felt sad, then I was going to welcome sadness space in my beloved, rented basement bedroom.

I yanked out my laptop, flipped it open and then on. I can’t remember which sad song I started with, but if I have to venture a guess, I bet it was “Breathe Me” by Sia.

Sadness hugged me.

Instead of shrugging its arms off with positive vibes and joy-choosing, I curled up with sadness. Tears prickled at my eyelids and pooled in the corners of my eyes. Each tear released the pent-up sadness.

And then, sadness dried my tears and left.

Why do we run away from sadness, grief, or loss? Why do we rush to ignore our uncomfortable and unhappy moments? Will you drown in the puddle of your tears?

Have you been trying to escape sadness? Maybe it’s time to stop running and catch her in your arms and accept her as she is.

Open your heart’s door. Welcome. She’s a guest and won’t stay forever.

November 2016 Inspiration

November 3, 2016 3 Comments

So here’s the thing, I can hardly wait until I stop receiving phone calls from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton advertisements across every single banner. I’m just tired of this circus. But, this will not define my November because there’s more going on than the election.

Like Christmas music.

Like Thanksgiving.

Like watching my favorite FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes.

Like all the excitement circling Netflix releasing more Gilmore Girls.

So, Happy November, my friends! I hope that you’ve started to plan your Thanksgiving feast and you’re kicking back to enjoy time with friends and family.

Current Jam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg3omyesStg

Someone recently asked me if I’d rather go blind or lose my hearing. In all honesty, both are probably happening to me slowly. But for the sake of the question, I said that I’d rather go blind. Not seeing would be hard since I’m used to seeing, but I think I’d miss music terribly. I love the sound of the above song.

Current Food:

November 2016 Inspiration — A mess means good things are happening. No judgment!

While visiting some friends recently, they served me this magical kale salad. The flavors were so magical that I had to try it myself.

ingredients: kale, craisins, quarter of an onion, thinly sliced radishes, red wine vinegar (my friend used apple cider vinegar…but I didn’t have any), olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix!

Current Read:

Have you read anything by Pepper Basham? Well, as part of her street team, I had the chance to read the third Penned in Times novel, The Thorn Healer, before it releases in early December (I’ll be a part of a blog tour, too!). I just finished reading this book, and to be honest, it’s my favorite of Pepper’s yet.

Read Chapter 1 of The Thorn Healer.

Current Obsession:

Okay, so I watched Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland a few weeks ago, and I’m totally smitten. Not only with the soundtrack but with the Cheshire Cat. So many people think the Cheshire Cat is creepy, but I like him. I always have. I always will.

Current Quote:

The Thorn Healer quote — YOU NEED TO ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR READING LIST

The Thorn Healer by Pepper D. Basham has really gotten into my head. And this quote gave me pause as I was speeding through that delectable story. So I wanted to share it with you. I even made this image myself!

Aren’t we all looking for safety in the middle of our storms?

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are good things ahead even if you find yourself in a storm. Keep your head up and cling to the truth that you know.