Hey Everyone!

I wanted  to stop by quick with a reading recap from this weekend. I was very fortunate to have a nice relaxing weekend at home. As a result, I was able to get through six books! I am happy to say that one was for the #HoHoHoRAT and one was for my #0by16 list. Yay! Progress is progress.

Here are the highlights:

Bliss
This was a book that I won off GoodReads. I enjoyed it very much. One of the writers, Shay Mitchell is a star on the tv show Pretty Little Liars. The stories centers around 3 friends and the quest that they have to make their lives to be everything that they can dream of.

Winter Stroll
The new Elin Hilderbrand Winter book. This is book #2 for the triology. We are taken back to Nantucket and get to check on how things have changed over the course of the last year. It was a quick fun, holiday read!

Brave Enough
In this book, Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild) shares with us some quotes and inspiration. There were several that I marked that I loved including this one: When the path reveals itself, follow it.

Shopaholic to the Rescue
The follow up to Shopaholic to the Stars. We finally get to see what happens to Becky's Dad. The setting for this one is mainly Las Vegas, but we get to see a few other sites as well. An interesting story.

Ranger Confidential
What is it really like to be a park ranger? I have often that that myself. In this book we get the behind the scenes look at what really goes on. Told by a former ranger, it is full of stories and interesting tales from the field.

Rat Queens
My next graphic novel! I enjoyed this one. Not quite as much as Lumberjanes, but it was jam packed with adventure and fun. I loved the funny one liners and the illustrations were great too.

What did you guys read over the weekend?

Happy Reading!

HoHoHo Readathon Mini Challenge-Recipe!

As part of the #HoHoHoRAT challenge they encouraged us to post a holiday favorite. Posting a recipe that was one of my Grandma's favorites to make for the holidays! 

Fanny Farmer Fudge 4 ½ cups sugar
1 can (13 ounce) evaporated milk
3 (6 ounce) pkg. milk chocolate chips
½ pound. Butter
2 cups walnuts
3 teaspoon vanilla


Boil the sugar and evaporated milk 13 minutes, use a heavy sauce pan as this scorches easily. Add chocolate chips, butter, walnuts, and vanilla. Beat and pour into a buttered pan. Makes 5 lbs.

Book Review: Coming of Age in America

Author: Mary Waters, Patrick Carr, Maria Kefalas, and Jennifer Holdaway

Summary from Goodreads:
This book offers insight into the transition into adulthood in the world that we live today. This book outlines four different places to discuss those experiences. The authors interviewed people from around the areas to learn about patterns as students make this transition.

Personal Review:  

I enjoyed this book. I picked it up because a couple of the authors wrote, Hollowing Out the Middle, which discusses rural issues. I loved that story and I thought this might be an interesting as well. I was right. Though I didn’t love it quite as much, it was still interesting research that they conducted.
 
I enjoyed seeing what the research said about work, marriage, becoming a parent and the lives of the young people from such diverse areas. It was especially interesting to see the differences between rural Iowa and St. Paul, MN.  Even more contrast was noted between NYC and San Diego.

I appreciated the ideas shared in this book.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Fates and Furies

Author: Lauren Groff

Summary from Goodreads:
This book offers insight into love and marriage. A book that shares different perspectives regarding it and how that changes over the course of time, I found it an interesting read.

Disclaimer: I was awarded this book in a Goodreads giveaway. While I did not pay for the book, the opinions expressed in this book are strictly my own.

Personal Review:
I enjoyed this book. I think one of the big reasons that I enjoyed this book was the multiple perspectives of the situation. It is interesting how two people can be in the same place, but have a completely different take on what was going on around them. How do you make an effort to keep your relationship strong.
 
In the write up that was sent to me, it says sometimes the key to a great marriage is not its truths, but its secrets. I feel like that is a  good summary for this book. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I encourage you to read it for yourself.

Happy Reading!

Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to create a short post to let you know that I am participating in the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon this year. More information here.

The Read-A-Thon is about reading winter theme or holiday themed books. I will be honest, I only have one book currently that fits that theme. The new one by Elin Hilderbrand, Winter Stroll. If I can get through that, I will be happy.

I am also going to try to capitalize on the energy of the Read-A-Thon and get through a few books that don't  'count.'  But for those of you who have books that would fit this category, I encourage you to join in on the fun!

Thanks,
-Valerie

Book Review: The Professor Is In

Author: Karen Kelsky

Summary from Goodreads:
This is a book about the academic job market. Karen uses practical advice to help the students she works with to create a plan and to help those who earn a PHD succeed.

Personal Review:
I enjoyed this book.  I have been considering getting a PHD for some time now and I wanted to get a better understanding of what that might entail if I decided to do so. This book certainly helped with that. I enjoyed the practical advice.
 
I have a better understanding now if I would decide this is something that I wish to pursue, about the different items that I should be considering when as a student. There is a significance in publishing and ensuring that you can write effectively. Both of these are important considerations as I move forward in learning more about my future.
 
I enjoyed the book.
 
Happy Reading! 

PS. This book also is #100 for the year for me! YAY!!