Thanks, Shutterfly!

Thanks for the free art print, Shutterfly! What a great souvenir from our summer vacation.

Book Review: Legacy by Ron Underwood

Legacy: How Much Can You Learn After You Know It All? by Ron Underwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As part of my 2015 reading challenge, I needed to read a book set in my hometown. Luckily, I found out that Ron Underwood published this book this year, and it's set in my hometown, Gowrie, Iowa. I have to admit, I wasn't positive I'd like it (before I read it). I left small-town Iowa for a reason. It just was not for me as an adult. So I was suspicious. Well, I really liked this book. The writing is good and the story and characters are pretty well-developed. And it was super fun knowing all the details mentioned in the book's setting, and even some familiar character names!

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How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'd have to say this book was a wake-up call. Really good perspective on what over parenting can be doing to our children, and action steps to change and be the parent you really want to be. Great examples. A quick read.

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Book Review - The Dinner by Herman Koch

The Dinner by Herman Koch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it definitely surprised me as characters revealed themselves.  STOP READING if you haven't read it but want to!









My mom recommended this book to me. Or rather, I wanted to check off my 2015 list of "A book your mother loves."  Ends up it was originally written in a foreign language, which is another 2015 category. So I'll probably read another book that my mom loves and count this book under the foreign category.

Anyway, this book started out clever and funny. Which was enough to keep me reading.

Then, it gets dark.  Characters who before simply seemed private (or public with a private side) begin to become more obviously horrible people.

Excellent reading experience!

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Quick Review of Nick Hornby's Funny Girl

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quick read for a 450 page book. Nick Hornby never disappoints. I kept it at 4 stars because it wasn't life changing, but it was cute and I really liked it.

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Fire Shut Up in My Bones - Review

Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Charles Blow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't know if it was me, or my mood...but this book was slow starting for me. Maybe I just needed to get into the author's writing rythm. I read the last half of the book much quicker and couldn't put it down. Heartening and heartbreaking, Charles Blow shares with us his past as he comes to terms with his life and his possibilities. The writing is so gorgeous--quite a talent.

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