Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher

Goodreads Summary

She blames him for her brother's death.  Can she let go of resentment and open her heart to love?

Penny Cartwright found it difficult to understand why her younger brother would choose to join a country singer's band rather than return to Kings Meadow after college...and the separation strained their relationship.  Then a car accident made certain her brother could never return.

Trevor Reynolds has chased stardom in Nashville for more than a dozen years, but it remains out of his reach.  After an accident kills his young drummer, Trevor goes to Kings Meadow to keep a promise - and perhaps to discover what truly matters in this life.

Thrown together by circumstances, Penny and Trevor must learn to give and receive forgiveness.  And if they do, perhaps something beautiful can rise from the ashes of heartbreak.

My Thoughts

I wasn't opposed to reading this book but I honestly wasn't really excited to read it either.  I have been in the mood to read exciting, suspenseful books and this clearly wasn't going to be that kind of book.  I was actually kind of dreading it a little bit.

However...

I really enjoyed it!  Keeper of the Stars has just the right amount of enjoyability, heart, love, faith, and a touch of sadness (not too much) to make it a really good and cozy read.  I give it two thumbs up!  I started it yesterday, late afternoon, and had to make myself put it down so that I could go to bed since I had to work this morning.  I finished it an hour or so after I got home from work.

I am happy to say that I have found a new author that I will be on the lookout for.  Keeper of the Stars  by Robin Lee Hatcher was well written and enjoyable.  Definitely one I will recommend to fellow readers.

*Note: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

My Name is Mahtob by Mahtob Mahmoody

Goodreads Summary

The daughter at the center of the international bestseller and film Not Without My Daughter finishes the story that captivated the world: held hostage in Iran, escape over the mountains, growing up in fear of kidnapping, battling deadly disease, and leaning on the sustaining power of God's goodness.

Two decades ago, Not Without My Daughter (a global phenomenon are into a film starring Sally Field) told of the daring escape of an american mother and her six-year-old child from and abusive and fanatical Iranian husband and father.  Now the daughter tells the whole story, not only of her imprisonment and escape but of life after fleeing Iran: living in fear of re-abduction, battling recurring nightmares and panic attacks - all under the menacing shadow of her father.

This is the story of an extraordinary young woman's triumph over life-crushing trauma to build a life of peace and forgiveness.  Moving from Michigan to Tehran, from Ankara to Paris, Mahtob reveals the profound resilience of a wounded soul healed by her faith in God's goodness and his care and love for her.

My Thoughts

My Name is Mahtob is a companion book to Not Without My Daughter.  Mahtob Mahmoody shares her experiences in her own words.  She writes about her feelings, thoughts, and experiences while being held captive in Iran and even afterwards when she made it home.

I actually haven't read or watched Not Without My Daughter but that didn't make My Name is Mahtob any less interesting.  I enjoyed reading this book and I definitely plan on reading and watching Not Without My Daughter now.

I do have to say that after about the first half of the book it got pretty slow.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't quite as interesting as the first half of the book.  It got a little confusing at times because it wasn't necessarily in chronological order.

Mahtob Mahmoody did discuss her faith but not to an extent that it was overly religious toward any certain religion.  She is Lutheran but this book isn't offensive to readers of any religion.  It is just an autobiography of her life and faith and it is a lovely book.

*Note: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Life-Changing Magic: A Journal by Marie Kondo

Goodreads Summary

“Does it spark joy?”

These four little words have the power to create a revolutionary shift in your mindset. By asking yourself which things, activities, and relationships spark joy—and which don’t—you can mindfully zero in on your ideal life. Peppered with quotes and inspiration from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, this journal is an invitation to apply Marie Kondo’s principles to not only the objects in your home but also the moments in your life, one day at a time.

My Thoughts

To be honest, I thought this was going to be one of those journals that have the prompts at the beginning of each page that kind of give you an idea of what to write.  I actually like those journals.  However, this journal isn't like that.  It leaves little spaces to write down a little something everyday for three years.  Here is a page to show what I mean...

And it also has little spots of "joy" here and there.  Little quotes and inspirational sayings every few pages.  Here's a sample...

All in all, I do like this journal.  It's different than I expected but that's a good thing!  I like it and will recommend it to journal lovers!

* Note: I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

** Vinegar Girl will be available in stores June 2016 **

Goodreads Summary

Kate Battista is feeling stuck. How did she end up running house and home for her eccentric scientist father and uppity, pretty younger sister Bunny? Plus, she’s always in trouble at work – her pre-school charges adore her, but the adults don’t always appreciate her unusual opinions and forthright manner.

Dr Battista has other problems. After years out in the academic wilderness, he is on the verge of a breakthrough. His research could help millions. There’s only one problem: his brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, is about to be deported. And without Pyotr…

When Dr Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying – as usual – on Kate to help him. Kate is furious: this time he’s really asking too much. But will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to win her round?

Anne Tyler’s retelling of The Taming of the Shrew asks whether a thoroughly modern, independent woman like Kate would ever sacrifice herself for a man. Its answer is as individual, off-beat and funny as Kate herself.

My Thoughts

I was super skeptical about this book.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it at all and then when I first started reading it... I found it to be boring.  But, I kept reading and I realized that I was wrong!  Vinegar Girl turned out to be a very enjoyable book!

I could totally picture this as a movie.  But not a typical "these days" kind of movie.  More like an old classic!  With Audrey Hepburn playing the part of Kate!  It would have been so good! Oh, and I am aware that The Taming of the Shrew was made into a move in the 1960's but this is not at all the same.

Anyways, I really did enjoy this book (and the movie played out in my head).  I already have a few people in mind that would definitely enjoy this book.  Another book added to my "Recommend" list!!!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Goodreads Summary

A charming and laugh-out-loud novel by Lauren Graham, beloved star of Parenthood and Gilmore Girls, about an aspiring actress trying to make it in mid-ninties New York City.

Franny Banks is a struggling actress in New York City, with just six months left of the three year deadline she gave herself to succeed.  But so far, all she has to show for her efforts is a single line in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters and a degrading waitressing job.  She lives in Brooklyn with two roommates - Jane, her best friend from college, and Dan, a sic-fi writer, who is very definitely not boyfriend material - and is struggling with her feelings for a suspiciously charming guy in her acting class, all while trying to find a hair-product cocktail that actually works.

Meanwhile, she dreams of doing "important" work, but only ever seems to get auditions for dishwashing liquid and peanut butter commercials.  It's hard to tell if she'll run out of time or money first, but either way, failure would mean facing the fact that she has absolutely no skills to make it in the real world.  Her father wants her to come home and teach, her agent won't call her back, and her classmate Penelope, who seems supportive, might just turn out to be her toughest competition yet.

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a funny and charming debut about finding yourself, finding love, and, most difficult of all, finding an acting job.

My Thoughts

I actually bought this book several months ago, put it on my bookshelf, and sort of forgot about it!  I would remember occasionally when I was already in the middle of another book and then forget again later!  I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it!

I have been a huge Lauren Graham fan since Gilmore Girls and was absolutely thrilled when I heard that she had written a novel!  To be perfectly honest, it made me a little nervous to read this for fear that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.  However, I really enjoyed it!

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a very charming, fun read.  It wasn't super predictable, which made it even better, in my opinion.  It didn't end "just perfectly" like some might prefer, in fact, it was left open ended.  I hope that means she might write a sequel!  I have heard that it's might happen but I haven't been able to confirm it.  I would certainly be happy if she does!

I certainly recommend reading Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham.  It's a good book and I'm pretty impressed with Lauren Graham's writing.  It just makes me a bigger fan that I was before!

Last Act by Craig Shirley

Goodreads Summary

His name in American politics is more cited than any other president. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are radically different today, mainly as a result of Ronald Reagan and the force of his ideas. No twentieth century president shaped the American political landscape so profoundly.

Craig Shirley s Last Act is the important final chapter in the life of Reagan that no one has thus far covered. It is the kind of book that widens our understanding of American history and of the presidency and the men who occupied it. To tell Reagan s story, Craig has secured the complete, exclusive, and enthusiastic support of the Reagan Foundation and Library and spent considerable time there reviewing sealed files and confidential information.

Cast in a grand and compelling narrative style, Last Act contains interesting and heretofore untold anecdotes about Reagan, Mrs. Reagan, their pleasure at retirement, the onslaught of the awful Alzheimer s and how he and Mrs. Reagan dealt with the diagnosis, the slow demise, the extensive plans for a state funeral, the outpouring from the nation, which stunned the political establishment, the Reagan legacy, and how his shadow looms more and more over the Republican Party, Washington, the culture of America, and the world.

My Thoughts

Last Act was such a wonderful book!  I loved reading about Ronald Reagan and learning so many things I hadn’t heard before.  Insights into the kind of man that Reagan was, his character and his honesty, so amazing.

So many people loved and adored him.  Most of the people who worked under him seemed to love him as well.  I found all of it so interesting and I kept wanting to read more.

Last Act is a great read, especially for anyone who loved Ronald Reagan, but really for anyone who enjoys biographies.  Honestly, I don’t read that many biographies but this one was so interesting.  Definitely a book to recommend!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

Goodreads Summary

Have you ever finished a meal that tasted horrible but not noticed until the last bite?

Eaten in your car so you wouldn’t have to share with your children? Gotten hungry while watching a dog food commercial? Does the presence of green vegetables make you angry?

If you answered yes to any of the following questions, you are pretty pathetic, but you are not alone. Feast along with America’s favorite food comedian, bestselling author, and male supermodel Jim Gaffigan as he digs into his specialty: stuffing his face. Food: A Love Story is an in-depth, thoroughly uninformed look at everything from health food to things that people actually enjoy eating.

 My Thoughts

If you like listening to Jim Gaffigan’s stand up comedy, you will love this book!  He loves food and he loves to talk about food!  In this book, he talks about food he likes, food he doesn’t like, and some of his favorite restaurants.

He is so funny!  He talks about being overweight and that he won’t take restaurant or food advice from skinny people because they aren’t passionate enough about food to overdo it!  Jim also said that he doesn’t call himself a foodie; instead, he says he’s an “eatie.”  Hahaha!

Food: A Love Story is a very funny book that made me laugh out loud quite often!  It is definitely a book that I will be recommending.  Actually, I already recommended it to my son and he’s reading it now!  However, I do feel that I need to put a warning out there…. Do not read this book if you are on a diet!  All of the talk about doughnuts, pizza, burgers, and all the other deliciousness will ruin your diet!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.