Category: Books - Welcome to Handcrafted by MEG MUNSON

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

5/30/2014

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the book:
Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

My Review:

This was such a cute read. I instantly feel in love with Josie and her wonderful personality. Josie has many quirks and an amazing wit about her. Some of the exchanges between her and her sister really had me laughing out loud. Her sister can be quite the Bridezilla at moments and I love how they tortured each other. (I think any siblings could relate!) Josie has unique relationship with her parents, sisters, and friends. I love how she used the different languages she gave each to relate to each one of them. It makes you think about your own relationships and the different languages we all use. A great summer read with lots of laughs!

Buy the book:
Amazon Kindle/Amazon paperback

About the author:
Erin McCahan is the author of the YA book I Now Pronounce You Someone Else (Scholastic, June 2010). Erin’s debut novel was a 2010 Cybils Award finalist. She grew up in Michigan and worked extensively with teenagers before beginning her writing career. She lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Connect with the author:
Facebook * Twitter * Website * Goodreads

Summer Reading Challenge 2014

5/20/2014

I am so excited to be part of the #SRC2014 with BooksparksPR. The first book I am reading is by one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin. I will be posting my review on Friday, but here is more info on her new book...

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

About the author:
Emily Giffin is the author of six New York Times bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, Heart of the Matter, and Where We Belong. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law, she now lives in Atlanta lives with her husband and three young children.

Free Book Friday- Blacklisted From The PTA

5/31/2013

Thanks to one of my favorite reading sites Chick Lit Central for sharing this FREE book today on Amazon! I got a copy for my Kindle App on my iPad. This book sounds like a fun summer read and has great reviews. Make sure you get it today while it is still free.

Great Summer Giveaway from Jane Porter

5/31/2013

I am loving Chick Lit Central today! Not only did I get a free book off of Amazon from them today, but they are giving away a great prize from Jane Porter. Jane is one of my favorite "chick-lit" authors. I have read all of her books and had the opportunity to meet her in person twice! I was able to host a book launch party at Mama Iguana's in Springfield, Massachusetts back in February (see picture above). Along with about a dozen of my friends we chatted and had books signed by Jane. She is so down to earth and such a generous woman. I am happy to call her my friend and help promote her wonderful books. To enter Jane's contest, head over to Chick Lit Central by June 5th. Good luck to all who enter.

PS- If you don't win the contest, buy one of Jane's books...they are very enjoyable:-)

Your Roots Are Showing- A must read for moms & wives

1/8/2009

I just finished reading Elise Chidley's book, "You Roots Are Showing".  It was an amazing story, but I think she wrote this book about me!  Isn't it funny how that works sometimes?  You see, I have had this book to read for a couple of months now.  I meet Elise online a few months ago.  I really wanted to attend one of her book readings, but the timing just didn't work out.  I finally picked up the book a few days ago, and I couldn't put it down!  I think the main character Lizzie could be my twin.  The truth is many of the qualities and thoughts Lizzie has are just like my own.  Without giving away too much of the story, Elise touched on some of the conflicts I often face as a mom and wife.  I have been struggling these last few weeks during this very long winter break from preschool.  I feel like I was meant to read this book NOW.  It spoke to me in ways I don't think would have touched me a few weeks ago.  I want to thank Elise for her wonderful writing and the great character she created in Lizzie.  One thing I would love to share from the book is actually called the "Send Off" at the end of the book.  This just shows the brilliant writing and humor from Elise (I hope she doesn't mind me sharing this).
Five Things to Expect When You Give Up "Work" to Be a Mum:

1. Don't expect to read a book or chat on the phone or even have a lunch hour.  Goofing off simply won't be tolerated by your new boss.  Your time, every minute of it, now belongs to somebody far more exacting than Donald Trump.

2. Don't expect to become a better cook.  The more time and energy you spend on preparing food, the more hostile will be its reception.  Best to stick to scrambled eggs and macaroni.

3. Don't expect to be able to follow current affairs en route to becoming a more stimulating dinner party guest.  You won't want children overhearing that there's been a bomb blast in Irag, for one thing; for another, the politics of your PTA will seem far more gripping and relevant than anything going on nationally, never mind internationally.

4. Don't expect to know what songs are playing on the radio.  By the time you have leisure to listen to anything but the Wiggles, you'll be saying things like, "This isn't music; this is noise."

5. Don't expect to have the time to organize all your photos into albums.  Yes, you'll be taking so many pictures that you'll barely have a moment to view them as a digital slide show, but no, you won't be lingering over acid-free paper in the crafts store.  You'll be buying Play-Doh.

My Sister's Keeper

9/4/2008

I had the pleasure of reading many great books this summer, but this was by far the best of all! The funny thing is I never would have chosen to read this book myself. It's not one of my usually "chick lit" beach reads, but I thought a would give it a try. Boy am I glad I did! I was hooked by the first page!!! I am amazed by J odi Picoult's work and I am starting to read more of her books. The research she put into the characters and plot make this book impossible to put down. It makes you wonder what you would do if put into this situation.

I don't want to say too much and give any part of this story away, but this is a MUST READ!!!!!

Jane Green's Bookends

2/29/2008

I just read another great book by Jane Green...Bookends. This book was so good I could not put in down. In fact I read it in almost one night (good thing the girls went to bed early LOL)! I was looking for a great book to help me escape reality for a little while and this book was just what I was looking for. Jane Green is such a gifted author and her book are always filled with amazing characters. They are so real I often finding myself thinking about them long after I have finished the book. If you're looking for a great, quick read this will do the trick!

*The original photo above was taken from Jane Green's website.

The Frog Prince by Jane Porter

8/27/2007

The Frog Prince is yet another great book by Jane Porter. I read it over the weekend and I could not put it down!!! Holly the main character is hysterical and I found myself laughing at her the whole book. There are a few dating situations in the story and I felt like I was sitting at the table right with her (or maybe it was because I could relate on some level)! I'm aniously awaiting a copy of Jane's new book due out on September 27th that I won on another site...it can't get here quick enough!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and happy reading!

*Original photo above taken from Jane Porter's website.

Megan Crane's Frenemies

8/5/2007

Frenemies is a great new book by Megan Crane I just finished! This book made me laugh all the way through and I managed to finish it in just one day!!! It you are looking for one last great summer read, this is it!!!

My next book will be "Odd Mom Out" by Jane Porter. I just won a copy and it doesn't come out until late September!!! I'll give you a full report when I'm done (but if it's anything like her last book, I know I will LOVE it)!

Summer Reading

8/1/2007

I've been enjoying some summer reading and thought I would share. A good friend of mine (thanks Kari) recommended two great authors, Jane Green and Jane Porter. I have been really enjoying both Jane's work. Jane Green also lives in my state of Connecticut and I find her books so easy to read and relate too. I often get a good laugh out of her characters and what they say...I can even see myself having coffee with a few! She has a new book out called "Second Chance" that in many ways I thought I was reading about myself or my friends. If you need to pick up a good book on the way to the beach, this one comes highly recommended!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!