My boys love to read. We are always at the library picking out new books to take home. We read many of books at bedtime with each kid picking out 2 each. At some point throughout the day, we cuddle up to read a few stories. Lately, L(3) follows me around the house carrying a book asking me to read to him. "Will you read to me, mama? Will you read to me?" I think my uterus may explode from the cuteness. Seriously. But enough about my uterus! Let's talk about books. I am introducing a new segment called "What My Kids Are Reading". I will post a picture of their current favorite book and give a brief summary. I am very excited about this idea because 1) I love reading and 2) I hope to encourage others (whether it be kids or adults) to read and enjoy books as much as I do.
Currently, my kids love The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water by Gemma Merino. L walks around reciting the story all the time. Sometimes he will have the book in hand. Other times he is playing and talking to himself. So cute. This is frequently requested by both J(5) and L for story time each night. They both really love this book. While searching for another book at our local bookstore, I saw this one lying on the counter. The cute cover caught my eye so I picked it up. After a quick skim, I decided to get it for the boys. This little story is about a crocodile who doesn't like the water but his brothers and sisters do. This little crocodile likes climbing trees, but nobody else does. He really wants to play with his brothers and sisters so he makes up his mind to play in the water. He soon finds out he isn't a crocodile at all. He's a dragon! This is such a cute story with a wonderful message. The message is about becoming the person you were meant to be. Kind of like a modern take on The Ugly Duckling. If you are looking for a cute read with a wonderful message, this book will not disappoint. Happy Reading!
**The previous post with Nat and Adam can be found here.
Leaning in, he pauses as he looks me in the eye, silently asking if I want him to stop. Yes. No. His warm breath tickles my face. He ever so gently brushes his lips against mine. It's the faintest whisper of a kiss. This is nearly my undoing. Adam deepens the kiss and my body moves of it's own accord. I feel myself scooting closer to him. This is nice. Very nice. First an ice cream shop. Then, tubing. Now, a church library. A church library. We are making out in a church library! And mom. I was just thinking how mom would have loved this place. I feel embarrassed. And shameful. I barely even know this guy! This very hot, ridiculously charming guy. Summoning all my willpower, I pull back from Adam. He looks at me in confusion. His eyes are bright, his lips are swollen and his cheeks are flushed. He looks even more amazing.
Get your head on straight, Nat! Trying to make light of the situation, I quip, "We are in a church." Looking quite serious, he replies, "I am aware of that." Playfully punching him the chest, I state, "No. We are in a church. Making out. With Father Donovan down the hall." Shrugging, Adam questions, "So what's the big deal?" Rolling my eyes, I mutter, "I thought I just covered that." Grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine, he responds, "Look Nat - ." But he doesn't get to finish because a voice from below interrupts, "Adam? Adam, are you and Nat still here?" Giving me a wicked wink and a smile, Adam hops up and leans over the railing. "We are up here, Father Donovan," he replies.
Father Donovan makes his way up the stairs. He grins looking back and forth between Adam and me. Adam appears completely at ease. Oh please just let the floor open up and swallow me. Father Donovan announces, "Please tell your mother that I will be attending her fundraiser for the children's hospital this weekend. I thought I had sent in my RSVP card earlier but I found it in a stack of papers just now." Uh huh. I bet you did, Father Donovan. Just right at this very moment. It almost seems like he was trying to catch us. Wait. That means he knew Adam and I might make-out. Like maybe he kissed other girls in the church library before. Like this is a pattern for him. The first cute guy in a long time gives me the slightest bit of interest and I'm willing to throw myself at him. I am such an idiot. Adam smiles that lopsided grin of his and says, "I'd be happy to, Father. I know mom will be glad you can attend." Clasping Adam on the back, Father Donovan responds, "Thank you, Adam. Now what else do the two of you have planned for the day?" I blurt out, "I have to get home." Adam looks at me like I have something sticking out of my head. I continue, "My dad bought The Cozy Nook. He's up to his eyeballs in inventory and he could really use my help. There are probably books stacked everywhere. He's needs help with the spreadsheet. Dad's not real great with technology." Oh geez. Here come the nerves. There goes the verbal diarrhea. They're baaaack! Nat and Adam have been on vacation while I returned to posting my usually witty personal antidotes. What?! MOST of them are witty. Nat just makes me laugh. And Adam. *Swoon.* He may just be Prince Charming. Or Prince Charming mischievous brother, Prince Handsome. I think I may have to work on another post right now...
This past month, I read several books. I enjoyed all of them. Some more than others. What better time than summer to lounge around reading a good book! Okay, I don't really lounge around with two tiny people running around the house. But I do steal some time at bedtime to read. If you are looking for a good book to read this summer, check out these books below.
Source: Goodreads Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout Let me first say that Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of my favorite authors. I love her sassy, sexy romances. So there was no doubt I was going to check this one out. In this book, she tries her hand at mystery and it did not disappoint. The premise is that Sam is found lost and bloody without her memory and her best friend. Sam tries to remember who she used to be but she discovers she was a raging witch and her best friend was more like a frenemy. Sam decides she will not be the same girl as before and she will help find out what happened to her best friend. And she gets help from the one guy she least expects. Couldn't put this one down. I just had to find out what happened to her best friend. And the romance. *Swoon.* Another sizzling love development.
Source: Goodreads The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Those of you who know me are probably like "Why does she have this book on here? This isn't the stuff she usually reads." Yes, dear reader, you are correct. But since the movie is coming out AND this book has had so much hype about it's greatness, I just had to check it out for myself. Guess what? It totally lives up to the hype. And then some. This book made me smile. And laugh out loud. And cry. Like ugly sobs with snot running down my face cry. But it was a magnificent book. Can't wait to see the movie. Source: Goodreads
Defy by Sara B. Larson So this novel is a YA fantasy debut. It centers around a girl named Alex who is part of the prince's royal guard and she is one of the best. But the others believe her to be a boy as she plays the part to keep her real identity hidden at to keep her safe at the request of her brother. Then in a time of upheaval, her identity is discovered by one of her closest friends in the royal guard as well as the prince. This book is about Alex becoming who she is meant to be. Kick-ass heroine? Check! Action and adventure? Check! Romance? Check! Really enjoyed this book AND it's a series. You people know how I love my series! Source: Goodreads Avalon by Mindee Arnett If you love Firefly with Nathan Fillon, then you will love this series. (Another series! Squee!) There are a bunch of similarities. But that being said, it is an entertaining read.
If you enjoy science fiction or just a good read, check this one out. It won't disappoint.
Source: Goodreads Half Bad by Sally Green Another YA fantasy debut novel. The story centers around Nathan who is a witch. However, he is unique in that he is half good and half bad. Because of this, people treat him badly, yet he remains tenderhearted. This story was very sad and dark at times. I really felt for Nathan. But I can also tell he is strong. And good at heart. I cannot wait to see where his story takes him, especially after the ending. (Another series! Woo hoo!)
Source: Goodreads The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski This story focuses on rich kid, Kestrel, who purchases, Arin, a young slave up for auction. They form an uneasy bond and eventually fall in love. But is Arin keeping things from Kestrel? Things that could lead to her countries demise? Or her father's? This was a great story because it involves a "switch-a-roo". I won't say more because I don't want to give it away. But interesting, face paced read. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Source: Goodreads Panic by Lauren Oliver Lauren Oliver wrote the Wolves of Mercy Falls series which I loved. That series was tender, ugly, harsh and raw at times. Ms. Oliver pulls no punches in her writing style which I find intriguing. This story is written in much the same way. It is about an end of the year game called Panic. It is played by seniors in a small town. Winner gets thousands of dollars that will get them out of this dead end town. But the game doesn't go exactly as planned. Even though it was slow at times, I enjoyed the plot, the characters and seeing how they all interacted with each other.
