Free eRead-a-thon Goal Checkups

Sunday--

See original goals HERE

I started reading Desperate (30%) but discovered that this is not a book I want to rush through. It is craaazy good and has such a wealth of knowledge that I am going to set it aside and read after the 'thon is over. Thus I moved onto Geoducks are for Lovers.

Monday--

See original goals HERE

Didn't have much reading time with grocery shopping, baby, and coaching. I am 37% finished with Geoducks are for Lovers. Not what I thought it would be at all, but not bad. Somewhere around chapter 10 the author decided to start changing the POV from the MC Maggie to the love interest Gil randomly and without warning. One sentence will be from Maggie, the next Gil. SO CONFUSING! 

Tuesday--

Well, not going to lie. Today is Wednesday as I write this....and I don't seem to remember much of Tuesday. But I don't think I read much, I was 84% done with Geoducks are for Lovers. 

Wednesday--

Finished Geoducks. I reviewed it only on Goodreads, where I stick to brief notes and thoughts. I started Awakenings and so far like it. Tough times seem to start immediately for Jacey, and several things are said or indicated around her that she is not picking up on like a normal person would. I often call that in my head 'dumb MC syndrome/Oblivious MC syndrome'. I read 22%. 

FRIDAY--
Started off lovin Awakenings but it is now dragging on......I should have DNF so I could read more books on my goals list, but by then I was 83% through the book.  Thursday, Friday, and tomorrow are going to be tough to find reading time with Hubby home from work! 

Saturday--
Well, finished Awakenings. And made it 5% into Tegan's Blood. Still not sure which direction this one is going to take me. After Awakenings though, I feel like I need a contemporary. I just bought "My Life Next Door'' last night so will probably dive into that one before taking on what appears to be another paranormal.

Well, overall.......this was a bad week for a read-a-thon for me :(( I missed the first twitter chat because of baby and the second because I misjudged the time zones. I read through a lot of it later though. So basically: I am a dork. I also choose two loooong feeling books. Geoducks was okay, as was Awakenings but man oh man I had to slog through them both. I feel vaguely off, like car sickness or something. The challenges for this read-a-thon were tough! I sorta participated in the recipe challenge, but posted on Facebook so I am not sure that counted. 
Bottom line??? It was a busier week for me and then hubby came home. I hardly ever get to read much with Hubby home. I am hoping to start fresh with My Life Next Door tomorrow!! 

Green Plastic Monkeys Review

There's a Green Plastic Monkey in My Purse by Jessie Clemence
Visit the author's blog HERE.
Goodreads Summary:

There’s no doubt about it! Motherhood changes your life—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Find practical insights and biblical wisdom to help you display humility, patience, and love in the book There’s a Green Plastic Monkey in My Purse. With a casual tone and sense of humor Jessie Clemence creatively expresses challenges faced by moms as she explores God’s perspective on motherhood and shares her personal experiences as a mother of two. Includes a funny quiz, interesting interviews with moms, study questions, and more

I recieved this book from Discovery House Publishers via Netgalley in exchange for a review. It's current price on Amazon is $8.99 (8/11/13).

My Thoughts:
Jessie Clemence is right on the mark: Motherhood changes you. There is the loss of time and freedom, but there are tons of intrinsic changes as well. All of a sudden you realize how horrible you are. Suddenly you get to see how impatient you are, how selfish you are, how rude you are....just me??

The layout for Green Monkey addresses these changes. Eleven chapters focus on a trait mothers might hope to exemplify. The chapter titles say it all: "I want to be a Selfless Mother", "I want to be a Coherent Mother" or "I want to be an Organized Mother". Each chapter then, of course, discusses the trait listed and breaks up into sections to cover all aspects.

The book has a very down-to-earth, meet over coffee feel to it. Clemence is friendly and open, but not overly personal. Instead of feeling like a close friendship, it felt more like a good mentorship.

What I loved?? The short chapters! No really! Because it is broken up so well, I could easily put it down, diaper a baby, and then pick it up again and not feel lost or like I forgot something. Perfect for new and busy mommies.

Green Monkey is also a Christian based book. I think Clemence did a good job of working verses and Bible stories in with her own ideas. It wasn't overbearing nor was it non-existent. Clemence could be both encouraging and admonishing depending on the topic and it was easy to accept because you knew she had been there already. The Bible definitely felt like a guide which is so important and can be left out in Christian non-fic books.

Another aspect I really enjoyed were the end of chapter study questions and text blurbs (includes Q&As with her friends and longer in-depth interviews). I usually skip study questions in books, but read them this time to be honest in my review. There were only 4 or 5 questions at a time and were well phrased, pushing to make me really think about the topic and apply it to my life. The Q&As were honest and relatable. I would have enjoyed reading plenty more!

Two things I didn't quite enjoy: 1. I didn't feel the content was completely original. It was arranged in a creative, helpful way, but I didn't feel as though the content were something I couldn't find elsewhere. It is a light read and if someone were looking for that, this would be a great book to recommend. 2. I would have preferred more practical tips and advice to be interspersed with the coffee talk knowledge. I'm a girl who needs it spelled out. Give me practical ideas of how to overcome impatience and I'm sold!

Overall, Green Monkey is a book I would recommend to any of my mommy friends. Women out there struggling with mommy guilt or struggling to keep up with the 'World' would benefit from reading this light novel. Four stars from me!

Twitterature for August 2013

I love reading everyone's Twitterature. One of my fave ways of seeing what everyone is reading! Check my July post as well!

Modern Mrs. Darcy 

(which by the way is one of my all time fave blogs)

The lowdown: write short, casual reviews on books you have read or are reading. 

WHAT I AM READING NOW:

A geoduck is a clam like object. Adult beachy romance. #inappropriatejokes #toomanypolitcalstatements

#toolong #stillenjoying

You need to read this if you are a mom and you like anything. #refreshing #practical #yes

Netgalley book. #good devotional, #practical ideas. Need a willing to participate husband though!

WHAT I HAVE READ:

Too many to include so I am sharing my last three finished books

ARC copy. Go me! #contemporary #good #3stars. Short, sweet, and want more!!

Blog tour book coming soon! #4stars #needbooktwo !!!! 

#no #no #1starbarely Everyone else seems to like this story. I couldn't attach to MC at all. Good idea, poor follow through. See my review for more

Checkout my Goodreads for instant book reactions and feedback! I would love to connect!

What have you been reading in August???

Favorite Literary Fantasy Worlds

Terrific TTT to ya all! Today's topic: "Favorite Books with X Setting". I read such a variety of books that I felt I couldn't pick ''books about school, or books about Alaska'' or something perhaps more creative. Fantasy remains one of my favorite genres because I love the idea of new and unexplored lands. Personally, I believe that it is one of the more creative genres out there (have you read kid's books these days?!) So, as you can tell where this is going, let's jump in!

My Top Ten Favorite Fantasy Worlds: (no particular order. Don't do that to me. In fact, I'm not even going to number them!)

-Shannara created by Terry Brooks. I love the history! I would love to visit beginning of the middle. Preferably as an elf :)

-Narnia create by C.S. Lewis. Because it's perfect and sweet.

-Stardust created by Neil Gaiman. It would be fun and crazy. 

-The world in Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I am still so pissed at him for taking YEARS to finish book three. Book 2 came out in 2011. Book three is hopefully released in 2014. This man understands TORTURE

-Middle Earth created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Many people may be bored with LOTR, but I hope all agree that Tolkien was a master of the written word. Everything created with such detail and care. Love it.

-The world of Harry Potter by JK Rowling. As long as I am not stuck as a muggle. 

-Percy Jackson's world by Rick Riordan. Okay. I admit I have only read the first book. 2 years ago, and apparently I didn't rate it on Goodreads...but I am sure I liked it. The reason I add it here is because I think a world of demi-gods and ancient mythical creatures would be fantastic! 

-Princess Bride by William Goldman. Preferably as Buttercup. Hello Wesley :)

-Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. But only for a visit. It would be crazy to live there. Yikes

-Oz created by L Frank Baum. Did you guess this one :)) I should re-read these and soon!

I also thought about Neverland, the world of the Neverending Story, and even Twilight!

Which fantasy worlds would you love to visit?? Any ones I forgot? 

My Free eRead-a-thon check up::

Monday--

See original goals HERE

Didn't have much reading time with grocery shopping, baby, and coaching. I am 37% finished with Geoducks are for Lovers. Not what I thought it would be at all, but not bad. Somewhere around chapter 10 the author decided to start changing the POV from the MC Maggie to the love interest Gil randomly and without warning. One sentence will be from Maggie, the next Gil. SO CONFUSING! 

Behind the Blog Monday

Soooo excited to be participating in brand spankin' new feature from Holly @ Bookish Musings !! Make sure to check it out and give her some love!

This week's question: 

If there was a world where books were outlawed, and you were able to smuggle three books from the books you own, which three books would you choose??

************************************************************************

1. The Bible. Yes, honestly. Even if you weren't a Christian it would be a great book to bring. It technically has 66 books inside, hundreds of stories, and a wealth of wisdom and knowledge that should be shared down the generations

2. Jane Austen Chronicles. Wow, I love the wild cheating I am doing. But I do own a tome of all of Austen's works. This way I would have my favorite Pride and Prejudice with me and also Emma, and that Northanger Abbey I somehow keep avoiding.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Still my favorite HP book. I love the innocence and newness of it all. If books were being banned I would want something light hearted to remember the good times with.

What three books would you smuggle and why??



Link up OVER HERE