The Bit

Hey everyone! I know, I'm a little late getting this out, but we've been traveling and it's finally been nice enough for the kids to play outside! You have no idea what a relief it is for the weather to have finally turned. My kids were completely stir crazy, first with the never-ending snow and then all the rain and flooding; finally there's sunshine to be enjoyed! So, without any more preamble, let's get down to business. "The Beach"- Alex Garland I choose this book for our book club this month and I was really impressed. There was a film adaptation that was <very loosely> based on this novel starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Has anyone seen it? Well, the book is better! We meet Richard as he's back packing around the world. While he enjoys the solitude most of the time, a little company is welcome here and there. The night he lands in Thailand, he meets a man that leaves him an interesting map, apparently a way to paradise. Teaming up with a fel...

Hey all! I hope summer is in full swing for everyone. We had a particularly long school year due to all the snow days we accrued. Luckily the weather is finally turning and we're getting more and more warm days. Unfortunately, we're also getting colossal amounts of rain. Like, too much. Is anyone else just wanting some nice summer days where the pool is an actual option? I'm sure I'll regret saying that in another month. Anyway, I managed to put away two very good books this month. We have a new addition to our family, a baby boy, who joined us on May 13. So, I've been a little preoccupied this month, but I still managed to get some reading done. It's a nice little escape from my chaotic reality. Let's get started. "A Wrinkle in Time"- Madeleine L'Engle This was the book club selection this month and I could not have been more thrilled. Talk about a blast from the past! My mother used to check out this book on audio tape (yes, cassettes!) f...

I'm so on my game this month, I'm shocked! I finished all my books with a week to spare. Good thing too, because we've been crazy busy. Anybody else feeling the pressures of Spring Cleaning, gardening, and getting the house ready for the upcoming summer? It probably doesn't help that I'm about to have my third (yes, third!) kid in two weeks. I look around and only see all the work that still needs doing, but have absolutely no energy to do it! My poor husband has been run ragged every spare minute he's not at work. Anyway, I hope everyone's April has been great. We love the weather now that all the snow is gone. We still get the occasional cold day when the heater needs to be kicked on, but overall, we're delighted. Now, let's talk about books! "The Dinner" by Herman Koch If you didn't already know, this book was made into a film co-starring Richard Gere. That was literally all I knew about it when I picked it up from the library. ...

I hope everyone had a pleasant March and an exciting Spring Break. We got tons and tons of rain and snow melt. If you heard about the floods in Nebraska, now you know someone who lives near the action! Thankfully the flooding is subsiding, slowly, but there's still tons of damage and families without homes. We were lucky enough not to be directly affected, but much of our community is suffering. Keep sending us all your good vibes and thoughts, we sure need them! Moving on. I managed to (barely) read three outstanding books this month. I hope some of you took a book vacation over Spring Break! That was always my favorite thing to do when I got a break from school. My mom, sister, and I would go to the library, stock up on books, and just read. Great memories there. If you read something you think I'd like, let me know! Let's get started. "Black Klansman"- Ron Stallworth This book recently got a film adaption, so of course, I needed to read it before...

February really got away from me! In my defense, it's a short month and I always easily lose track of the days. But this year, I felt like I went to bed on the first and woke up on the twenty-eighth! Amidst my time warp, I was able to read three books this month, one of which has been on my TBR pile for a few years now. Let's begin. "Descent"- Tim Johnston A family vacation for the Courtlands turns tragic when eighteen-year-old daughter, Caitlin, is abducted and brother, Sean, is severely injured on a Rocky Mountain hike. The trip was the final hurrah before Caitlin started college in the fall. With a marriage already on the rocks, Caitlin moving away, and Sean struggling to connect with his parents, a morning run between siblings seemed like an excellent way to start the trip. Little did they know how things could go devastatingly wrong. A mash-up tale told by varying family members and Caitlin, we get weaved into the story a few years later as everyone is s...

Welcome to the New Year, everybody! Is it just me or is everyone else falling behind on their to-dos already? Please tell me I'm not alone? I feel like January steam-rolled right over me! Only the bare essentials have been taken care of, but there's always a chance at a fresh start in February! I know I promised a post of my Top Five for 2018 and I have failed to deliver. I swear, I'm actively getting my life together and will put the blog post up asap. Now. Let's talk about what I read this month. "The Arrangement"- Sarah Dunn If the thought of an open marriage has never crossed your mind (even in a drunken fantasy), I would say you were a liar. Everyone has thought about it at least once. And sensible couple Lucy and Owen balk at the idea that their friends are going for it. Once fast-paced New Yorkers, they left the hustle and bustle of the big city for the burbs. And once they realized their son was autistic, the dynamic of their relationship signi...

Phew, the holidays are finally over! Did everyone have a festive season this year? Well, we didn't pursue Christmas with our usual vigor this year, but I think the kids had a fun time and that's all that really matters. I put away three good books this month to finish off the year. And in January, I'm going to do a Top 5 of 2018 to talk about my favorite books from this year. It's going to be a hard decision, but it'll be fun to revisit and gush about some of my favorite titles once again. I hope you'll tune in for that one! Let's get started! "Girls' Night Out"- Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke This was such an exciting book. Imagine you're on a getaway with your besties in a foreign country. Everything is beautiful beaches, fun in the sun, and endless margaritas. Then on your last night together, one of you goes missing from the bar. Of course, it's not nearly as simple as that. What fun would that be? Ashley, Natalie, and Lauren were...