we have to try | weekly inspiration

If I could go back in time it would be either during the Renaissance time period - only if my family was rich and I got to attend all of those glamorous balls - or the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement.  I have always found injustices fascinating.  Maybe it is because I grew up in the south but I think it is because it is something I could just never understand.  Treating another human being as an object to be bought, sold, abused, and used just because of the color of their skin or beliefs is unfathomable to me.  

So once I read the description of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, I knew I would enjoy it.  A story of two girls - who become impeccable women - who live in Charleston in the early 19th century, one a plantation owner's daughter, Sarah, and the other a slave of the plantation owner, Handful.  The story of how these seemingly two different people's lives come together and how each are affected by the other is beautiful.  This was another one I could not put down.  I loved the different perspectives of the two characters and hearing the story told from each point of view. 

Pictured below is one of my favorite lines from the book.  Anyone with an ounce of compassion and empathy wants to help those who are in need.  I mean isn't it human nature to what to change what is wrong with the World?  

"Life is arranged against us, Sarah.  And it's brutally worse for Handful and her mother and sister.  We're all yearning for a wedge of sky, aren't we?  I suspect God plants these yearnings in us so we'll at least try and change the course of things.  We must try, that's all."

Have you read The Invention of Wings?

If so, what did you think?

If you could go back to  any time period, what would it be?

Linking up with Shanna and Julie today!

scars | weekly inspiration

When I first set my 2014 reading goal I had every intention of sharing a little review on the books I read.  Alas, it is now September and I have not shared one review.  I honestly cannot remember what I liked, or didn't like, about each book.  I mean I have a hard time remembering yesterday. 

Instead I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes from some of the books that stood out to me.  

I have not finished Little Bee yet - had to take a little break not because I don't like it, in fact I found it rather hard to put down, but because it's pretty dark at times and I found myself getting too emotionally involved in the characters' stories (and it's fiction).  Does that happen to anyone else?  Anyone? No? Bueller? 

Anyway, the quote (below) from the beginning of the book really struck a chord with me.  Accepting our imperfections and not allowing others to knock us down is something everyone needs reminded of on daily basis.

"... and I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly.  That is what the scar makers want us to think.  But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them.  We must see all scars as beauty.  Okay?  This will be our secret.  Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived." 

Have you read Little Bee?
What does that quote mean to you?

What are you currently reading?

Any favorite quotes that have stood out?

Linking up with Shanna and Julie today! 

symmetry {twosday tuesday}

Linking up with Stephanie today!

2014: read 25 books

I have decided to attempt to read 25 books this year.  As I made this list and thought about it some, I realized this is quite the lofty goal for someone who only reads at night before bed.  I guess I'll just have to plan a beach vacation at some point this year if I have any hopes of finishing them all. (And these do not include possible book club books).  However, it is nice to have a list to work from.  My Goodreads "to-read" has only gotten larger and I find myself so overwhelmed when I am looking for my next book.  So if nothing else, this will serve as a good guide

1 // re-read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. {more than half way done with this one. i forgot how much slower paced this book is compared to the others}
2 // Looking for Alaska by John Green

3 // The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer {my mom said this was really good}

4 // The Book Thief by Markus Zusak {hear both the movie and book are excellent}

5 // Blog, Inc by Joy Deangdeelert Cho, Meg Mateo Ilasco

6 // Five Days in November by Clint Hill {i am fascinated by the Kennedy assassination and am eager to hear about it from a different perspective}

7 // Divergent by Veronica Roth {finally deciding to jump on the bandwagon}

8 // James Potter and the Hall of Elder's Crossing by G. Norman Lippers {if you know my obsession with harry potter then you will understand}

9 // re-read The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger {read this back in HS.  would like to read it with an adult mind}

10 // Winter of the World by Ken Follet {loved fall of giants}
11 // The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult {i have loved every book of hers. well minus the pact. wasn't a fan of that one}

12 // The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser {who doesn't find king henry viii interesting?}

13 // World War Z by Mark Brooks {because i love the movie and brad pitt}

14 // My Story by Marilyn Monroe {i have heard she was quite the intelligent woman despite always playing the token bimbo}

15 // Insurgent by Veronica Roth

16 // Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld

17 // The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

18 // 11/22/63 by Stephen King 

19 // Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 

20 // The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman

21 // Allegiant by Veronica Roth

22 // Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr {I also find WWII and nazis occupied germany fascinating as well}

23 // Winger by Andrew Smith

24 // We Are Water by Wally Lamb {there is not one book of his that I have not loved}

25 // The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison

Follow me on Goodreads for updates and to see how I am doing!   

Do you have a book goal for this year?

What are you looking forward to reading?

Which ones from my list have you read?

Any favorites?

Linking up with Tori, Kimberly, and Tiffany today!

until next time

summer reading

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is snuggle up with a good book with a big glass of red preferably soaking in a hot bath.  Some of my favorites are Harry Potter (in case you haven't already figured that out yet), My Sister's Keeper, DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons, Black Like Me, I Know This Much is True.  I didn't start loving to read until after high school but the first book I fell in love with was To Kill A Mockingbird in 9th grade Honors English (Honors English? I know, right).  I also love to spend Summer evenings on our back deck as the sun sets with a drink and book in hand.  So since I am posting from Topsail, NC on a week long vacation with my husband and his family I thought I would share with you what I have read over the Summer so far.  

*all images via Google Images

Inferno by Dan Brown

In case you have been living under a rock for the last 10 years, Brown made it big with DaVinci Code in 2003.  And his ability to capture your attention from page 1 has not changed.  Of course I loved this book.  Maybe not as much as Davinci or Angels & Demons but still a page turner.  And like all of his other novels, he throws in some good twists throughout just to keep the reader on their toes. 

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini 

I am a huge fan of both Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns so I was excited to see Hosseini's next book on our book club's list of choices.  During the 5 minutes we discussed the book, most everyone found it to be quite depressing.  If you have read JK Rowling's new book The Casual Vacancy then you'd agree this book is no more depressing than it is maybe tragic.  I love Hosseini's writing.  He does such an excellent job of describing the story line so that you feel as if you are there.  I do have to admit I did confused a lot as I didn't always catch the transitions in the story lines and didn't realize he had moved onto a different character until a few pages later.  And unlike Inferno, while it's not a hard read, there were times I would have to put it down for something less heavy.  This is definitely a book you need to be in the mood to read.  But if you love learning about different cultures, this is perfect.  And if you'd like a much better summary of the And The Mountains Echoed, check out Casey's thoughts over on her blog.  She does a much better job at describing it than I would ever do. 

Deviants and Compliance both by Maureen McGowan

I accidentally discovered Deviants while browsing the Amazon's Top 100 Cheap books on my kindle while looking for a little break from And The Mountains Echoed.  If you are into those mindless post-apocalyptic young adult novels then this is perfect for you.  Both are page turners and entertaining in the same away The Hunger Games series is (although I don't think they are nearly as good as the The Hunger Games).  If you are into this kind of stuff then these are perfect.  I am hoping for book #3 soon. 

  

Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

As the last season of Showtimes' Dexter nears its end, I am starting to have a hard time letting go, so I decided to read the books in an attempt to ease the pain.  The show is loosely based on these books by Lindsay.  And by loosely based, I mean season 1 followed the first book almost exactly (until the end.  don't worry I won't give anything away) but starts to go a completely different direction in season 2 than the book.  From what I have read so far, all of the characters are the same from the show.  And to be inside Dexter's mind even more so in the books is just great.  That's my education in Psychology and sick interest in sociopaths talking.  I mean both my husband and I have laughed out loud to Dexter's thoughts.  If you can appreciate a sociopath serial killer who works for the police department as a blood splatter analyst humor then this book is for you.  And if you watch and enjoy the show, you will very much appreciate the humor as it is great in the perfect Dexter way.  

What books have you read this Summer?

I am currently reading Lindsay's #3 Dexter book but I am looking for some good mindless beach reads.  What do you recommend?!

Also, on Goodreads?  Friend me!

linking up with Tarole, Leann, Bre, and Carrie today!

Until next time