Wednesday, December 30, 2015

TBTB Secret Santa 2015!!!

Today is Wacky Wednesday at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs, which means that I get to share something with y'all that's outside the norm!

It's not a secret that I'm crazy about Christmas! One of my favorite holiday activities is doing Secret Santa gift exchanges with my friends and family. For me, it's the thrill of the hunt - looking for just the right gift for your person. Love it. 

This year, I signed up to participate in a Secret Santa hosted by one of my absolute favorite blogs, The Broke and the Bookish! Seriously, guys. Go check them out, they are beyond awesome at what they do! All I had to do was give them my info and a wish list of the books that I might like to receive. I also got to tell them a little about myself and my interests. Then they did the work, matching me up with a SS and then also giving me an opportunity to play SS for someone else! 

I received the most thoughtful package from my Secret Santa, Gina! She went above and beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. She included handmade items, and personalized them just for me! I was blown away. It felt like I had gotten a present from my best friend, even though she and I have never met!

I also had a blast playing Secret Santa for Allison. Go check out her blog! She loves to do calligraphy and bake, so I looked for little things like notebooks, pens, cupcake liners, and mini cookie cutters for her gift. I also got to pick out which books from her wish list to send. I went with At the Water's Edge by Sarah Gruen and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. 

Perhaps the best part about the whole experience was getting to meet two lovely ladies with whom I have a lot in common, and I'm so happy to be able to call them my new friends! If you're looking to meet new people and want to spread some smiles next Christmas, I highly recommend signing up!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Books of 2015

Hello Everyone,

2015 is soon drawing to a close! It was a great year filled with fun memories with my favorite people. It was also a year filled with great books! My goal was to read 30 books in 2015, and I ended being 8 short of reaching that goal. Of those 22 books, there are 10 that really stand out in my mind. So to wrap up the year, these are my Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!
What was your favorite book of 2015? Comment below!

Happy New Year :)

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Hannah Reviews: "The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust" by Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger

Title: The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust
Author: Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger
Published: 2008
Genre: YA Literature, Nonfiction

Hey y'all. I'm bringing Hannah back with a long overdue review that she has so graciously put together for your reading pleasure.

Prepare yourselves. I am about to say something incredibly controversial. I, Hannah, have never been a fan of The Diary of Anne Frank. This is not to say I do not like Anne Frank her self or that I am a heartless human being, I simply do not think that it is the best book to use to teach children about the Holocaust. The first time I read The Diary of Anne Frank I was probably about 12 and I remember thinking how mad I would have been if my Dad had decided to publish my diary. It seems to be mostly about a girl coming of age than about the Holocaust. I think that if I used it in my classroom one day, I would only use parts of the book that are related to the time of history in which she lived. 

At this point you may be wondering why I am talking so much about a book I am not even reviewing. That's a great question. It is because since reading The Diary of Anne Frank I have been trying to find a book that would be more suitable for the classroom. I believe that The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust may be the one. This book was written by Lola Rein Kaufman with the help of Lois Metzger. Lola Rein Kaufman was only six years old, the German army invaded her hometown in Poland. Within a very short amount of time, some of her family members die and she goes into hiding on her own. For a while she is able to stay with a family who claims her as their distant relative, but as time goes on some of those in the family get too nervous, and they send her to hide at the farm of someone they know. You would think that she would be able to run and play on a secluded farm, but because of the fear of someone finding out Jews were there, she was forced to live in a hole in their barn floor for nine months. If this were not incredible enough, the hole is six-and-a-half feet by six-and-a-half feet and is barely tall enough for her tiny body to sit up in. Additionally, she shares the hole with two adults and another little girl. In this grave-like compartment she sits until she is told that the Germans have left and she leaves the hole for the first time in nine months.

Not only is this an amazing account of Lola in hiding, it also is about the struggles she faced after the war: a part of the suffering we do not always consider. Throughout the time she spent in hiding, Lola wore a dress on which her mother had embroidered a colorful design. This dress she would save throughout her life would end up in the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. 

This story is enlightening. Before reading this book, I had heard that some people had to hide in very small places during World War II, but this story helped me realize how terrifying the circumstances really were. I would say that, depending on the maturity level of the child this story could be read by a student in 5th-8th grade. The story itself is only 98 pages long, but there are several pages of suggested resources in the back of the book. This book has many Social Studies and History connections, and as a teacher, I have found that there are YouTube videos in which Lola Rein Kaufman addresses her experiences, so the students can put her face with her story. I would highly recommend this book to all students and teachers who would like to learn more about the experiences of children in hiding during the Holocaust.

Hannah says:



Know of any other good Holocaust stories either for the classroom setting or just pleasure reading? Comment below!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

"The Midnight Visitors" by Juliet David

Title: The Midnight Visitors
Author: Juliet David, Illustrated by Jo Parry
Published: September 2, 2015
Genre: Children's Literature

Confession time: I am a Christmas fanatic! I love preparing for this special season by decorating my dorm room, shopping for presents for my loved ones, and setting my sights on the coming Christ Child with my daily Advent devotions and midweek church services. 

I'm kicking off the the holiday season here at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs with a review of Juliet David's new children's book The Midnight Visitors. 

The story follows Miriam the cow as she settles into her her cozy barn for the night. However, she is unable to fall asleep because visitors keep knocking at the door, asking to be let in. First comes a happy family of rabbits and then a lone fox named Freddy. Once they've drifted off to sleep, they are wakened once more by the innkeeper as he escorts a young couple to the barn. Miriam notices right away that the lady is going to have a baby! Once more, the animals fall asleep, and when they wake up again, there's a beautiful baby boy lying in Miriam's manger! Soon shepherds arrive at the stable after hearing about a special child from an angel and kneel before the baby. Miriam knows that this baby is special and she says that she'll never forget that special night before drifting off to sleep for good.

On the surface one assumes that this is going to be a cute retelling of the nativity story from Luke 2. And it is. Still, there are some serious issues about this particular children's book that I can't seem to get over. First, while the illustrations are lovely, the cover image is misleading. I though that the fox was going to be the main character. He's not. Instead it's Miriam the cow who doesn't appear anywhere on the cover. Second, in the scene where Freddy arrives at the stable, Miriam agrees to only let him in if there is absolutely no hunting in the barn. Remember, at this time the rabbit family is already inside. I'm all for kids understanding the predator/prey relationships that exist in the animal kingdom, but I don't want to find it in a children's book about the birth of Jesus. Third, there are places within the text where the vocabulary is beyond what a child of 4, 5, or 6 can understand. For example, the word "bedraggled" is used to describe the donkey on which Mary and Joseph arrive. Miriam also says "What a cheek" in response to a comment made by the innkeeper. No child is going to get that.

The book does have a few redeeming qualities in the charming illustrations and the fact that the second half focuses more on the arrival of baby Jesus and the visiting shepherds rather then the animals who just want to get some shut-eye. But with the three points mentioned above in mind, I have to give this one 2/5 coffee beans.

Kaylee says:



I want to know what your favorite Holiday children's book is! Share it with me in the comments below! One of mine is The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Published: March 1, 2012
Genre: YA Fiction

Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm a little late to the game when it comes to reviewing this book. It's been floating out there on my radar since last year, but I finally got my hands on a copy a few months ago and then finally found some time to read it while I was holed up with the flu bug 2 weeks ago. Besides having oodles of free time for once in my life, what finally gave me the push to read this book was stumbling upon the trailer for the movie version while scrolling through YouTube on one of my (frequent) binges. The movie made its debut at the 31st Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2015, where it also took home two awards. I have yet to see the movie, but I would like to give it a shot having finished the novel.

Here's a quick synopsis: Greg Gaines has a unique approach to surviving high school. He prides himself on the fact that he's mastered high school espionage by successfully inserting himself into every group and clique on campus. Greg only has one rule: make sure no one from any other group knows what he's doing. Therefore, Greg is completely invisible, which is just how he wants it. Well, except for Earl. Earl is Greg's "coworker" and only real friend. Together they make films. Bad ones. And neither of the boys show them to anyone.This arrangement works pretty well until Greg's mom tells him that his old classmate from Hebrew school, Rachel Kushner, has been diagnosed with leukemia. And as Greg puts it, "My life had reached its highest point. I had no way of knowing that as soon as Mom walked in, the prime of my life was over. It had lasted eight hours." Greg's mom forces him to spend time with Rachel, and the unlikely trio eventually bond over Greg and Earl's films. But when Rachel stops treatment for her leukemia, Greg and Earl must take on the near impossible task of creating a film for her, which thrusts Greg into the spotlight that he'd work so hard to avoid.

This is not your stereotypical young adult "cancer novel." There's no great life lesson learned, no grand statement about the meaning of life. and none of the characters fall in love right at the last minute. Actually, it took a long time for me to figure out my feelings about this book. I felt almost no emotional reaction when I finished it, which is not something I expected in a book about a girl who dies - This fact is not a spoiler, simply because Greg tells you it's going to happen on page 2. Honestly, I got more emotional watching the movie trailer (probably the reason why I still want to see it). I also couldn't really find the book's message in between the potty language and the raunchy jokes. On top of that, Greg's constant interjections during his narration about how much the book sucks, got really irritating. But I think I finally got the point. Point number 1 is that death sucks. Unfortunately, that's also a part of life. The thing that endeared Greg to me in the book was his response to Rachel's death. He doesn't know how to deal with it, especially when the dead person was his friend. I'm 22, and I still don't cope with death well. I think teens who read the book will be able to relate to what Greg is feeling at that particular moment. Point number 2. Greg works so hard to avoid connecting with anyone. He's so afraid of rejection that he avoids any unnecessary interaction with anyone other then Earl. But what teenager hasn't felt that way? I think we all go through that phase where we just want to please our peers and fit in. However, once Rachel passes away, Greg regrets not getting to know her sooner. Readers should take this away with them when they read the book: take time to get to know people better. Create those bonds, even if you're afraid that one day they'll break because you never know how much time you'll get with those special people who you care about and who care about you. That's just life! 

I'm going to give the book 3/5 coffee beans for a colorful cast of seemingly relatable characters and worthwhile message, but I'm taking points away for the vulgarity (I think there's a swear word on every page) and the sometimes distracting narration. Parents might want to be cautious before letting your kids read this one.

Kaylee says:

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

"A Cup of Dust" by Susie Finkbeiner

Title: A Cup of Dust
Author: Susie Finkbeiner
Published: October 27, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while now know that I absolutely adore Historical Fiction! So I was excited to have the opportunity to review A Cup of Dust by Susie Finkbeiner. I was unfamiliar with both the title and the author, but the summary on the back cover piqued my curiosity right away.

Here's a quick breakdown. It's 1934 in Red River, Oklahoma, and 10-year-old Pearl Spence and her family can barely brush themselves off before another "duster" comes around and buries them. Pearl's father, Tom Spence, is the beloved sheriff of Red River, who is known for bringing down the notorious criminal Jimmy DuPre. Her mother, Mary, spends her time taking care of the sick and preparing food for the less fortunate. She is assisted by Pearl's grandmother, who is affectionately known as "Meemaw." Rounding out the family is Pearl's older sister Violet Jean "Beanie" Spence. Beanie's brain doesn't work the way that other people's do, and as a result, she doesn't always understand what is happening around her. As just about the only ray of light left in a county blackened by dust clouds, the Spence family does their best to care for their neighbors and provide a little hope to a town that could desperately use some. 

Life carries on as usual until a mysterious visitor named Eddie gets off the train and immediately knows everything about Pearl. As he forces his way into her life, playing the hero to win the trust of those around him, Pearl is the only person who seems to see the cold hatred behind his cornflower blue eyes. And the secret he claims to know about Pearl's family is enough to send her spinning like the very storm that threatens her hometown.

I certainly don't claim to be a expert on all things Dust Bowl, so what I love about this novel is that it has the endorsement of actual survivors who sign off on its historical accuracy. One such man, Virgil Dwain McNeil, has this to say: "The author does a great job of giving the reader a feel for those dark days in our nation's history." I couldn't agree more. Through Pearl's eyes, I really felt like I was experiencing what went on during that troubling time in our nation's history, and it was a tragic yet beautiful journey to take.

The characters in this novel were so believable. In the moments where the family is together, it was easy to picture their dynamic: the warmth during the good times and the tension during the bad. One character that I really want to focus on here is Eddie. He's the strange hobo who jumps off the train and steamrolls his way into Pearl's life, almost crushing it completely. It's been a long time since I've read a novel in which the villain actually made me feel fear. Eddie did that for me. He creeps in and out of Pearl's day-to-day existence in a crazy-stalkerish way, showing up at all the worst times. Maybe I can blame the feeling on my unhealthy obsession with Law and Order: SVU, but either way, Eddie made my skin crawl, and it was wonderful.

Going back to the Spence family for just a minute, I couldn't help but draw up some conclusions between them and Job from the Bible. Job was a man who had everything, and even when it was all taken away from him, he still trusted in the Lord. The same can be said about the Spence family. They're living in the most desolate county of Oklahoma in the midst of the Dust Bowl, yet they never completely lose the hope that God will protect and provide for them. If you ask me, that's an attitude that we can all work a little harder to adopt.

Kaylee says:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin


Today is a bit of a "Wacky Wednesday" here at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs! Let me explain. On the fourth Wednesday of every month, I'll post something "wacky!" By wacky, I mean something out of the ordinary for this page. It could be a tutorial, a bizarre picture I found that week, or perhaps something that's requested by you all! Subscribe to keep up with the craziness!

As today is the inaugural "Wacky Wednesday" post, I have a wacky review for you! Meet my best friend Zach! He is a piano extraordinaire, Taylor Swift enthusiast, pizza connoisseur, and all-around funny guy. He has a very special book that he would like to share with you. Take it away Zach!

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a story that some claim to be "The greatest story ever told" (Unke, 2015). Some have referred to it as "A monumental children's book" (Radue, 2015). Some have called it "Oh, yeah, I think I read that one time. Is that about cows that type?" These people are not wrong. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is the greatest story ever told about cows that type.

For those of you who either live under a rock or simply haven't lived at all, let me break it down for you. Farmer Brown (he's a human) has a whole bunch of cows (they are not humans) that like to type on an old typewriter that he left in the barn. The trouble starts when the cows start making demands via typed notes nailed to the barn door (where the cows learned spelling, grammar, and sentence structure will forever be a mystery to me). When their demands are not met, they start to leave super passive-aggressive notes saying that they will withhold their milk. It's Blackmailing 101, really. Various other barnyard creatures decide to get in on the cow' blackmailing scheme and some other stuff happens, I think, and eventually the animals and Farmer Brown reach an agreement.

What's great about Click, Clack, Moo is that it has something for everyone - kids like the pictures, adults can relate to both the animals and Farmer Brown, and the typewriter makes old people feel nostalgic. It's a delightful story that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling almost like being wrapped in an electric blanket. While it may not have the greatest moral lesson to be teaching our children - be very stubborn until you get your way - it does have the most cows that can type, which I think is something that's lacking from most literature these days. Click, Clack, Moo fills the hole in my bookshelf just as well as it fills the hole in my heart.

Zach says:



Check out Zach Unke Piano to learn more about Zach's amazing music and to order your copy of his new CD "How Sweet The Sound!"

Comment below with your suggestions for future "Wacky Wednesday" posts!!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

National Day on Writing - #WhyIWrite

October 20th is a special day for two reasons. First, it's my mother's birthday (Hi mom!). Second, it's a day set aside by the National Council of Teaching English, the National Writing Project, and the Teaching Channel to reflect on and celebrate why we love to write!  People are turning to social media and using #WhyIWrite to share their thoughts on the subject, but I'd like to share some of my own here with you, my wonderful readers.

Those of you who know me well are aware of the fact that I struggle with a speech impediment. I've had a stutter since my early grade school years, which makes it hard to communicate with other people. I stutter when I'm excited, stressed, sad, happy, or angry; basically, if I'm not at an emotional level of zero, I'm bumbling my way through sentences. Over the years, I've come up with my own system of modifications to make the stutter less apparent in my speech, but I'm still nowhere close to perfect. Writing has become a way to express myself when I can't necessarily do so with my mouth.

I stared writing at a young age. There is a pile of diaries in my closet filled with the scatterbrained scribblings of eight-year-old me to the angsty rants from the teenage days. Also, hiding somewhere in that pile is a Taylor Swift-esque attempt at songwriting that consists of me trying (unsuccessfully) to rhyme the names of the boys who broke my heart with fatal diseases. Anyway, even though I wrote a lot, I did it for myself.  I thought that people weren't interested in what I had to say, or I thought that maybe I just sucked at writing. Either way, I didn't share my creations (the good or the bad) with anyone, which sort of defeated the purpose.

Only in recent years have I felt confident enough in my writing to start sharing my work with others. It started on a small scale by publishing a few devotions here and there. One of those devotions will be included in a synod-wide publication that's coming out later this year! Yikes! And then last May, I threw all caution to the wind and created this blog! Two months later I got a sponsor, and now in October I've found a group of dedicated readers. I'm so proud of the progress I've made and the outlet of expression that this site has become.

So why do I write? I write to share. And through this blog I'm sharing two of the things that I value most with you: literature and my faith. No stuttering or stammering, just my words on a page...well, a screen. So, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read what I have to say, because without you I'd be back to writing really bad songs in my journals. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey and publishing the things that you guys want to read. I love you all!

Now it's your turn! Write a post on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and use #WhyIWrite to tell the world what inspires you!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Author Duos I'd LOVE to See Write a Book Together!

Happy midterm!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by the lovely people over at The Broke and the Bookish! There's a new topic each week, and you can check out that list here.

This week's topic is to list ten author duos who I think should write a book together. I came up with this list based on authors I like and have read a lot of. If you don't like my combinations, go ahead and make your own. :)

  1. Jodi Picoult and John Green - Just think of all the feels that would be felt!
  2. Lisa See and Jane Austen - Feminists unite for the ultimate book for women, by women
  3. Ernest Hemingway and J.K. Rowling - These two, as arguably two of the best writers in history, uniting together would result in a novel so epic that it can not be spoken about.
  4. Frances Hodgson Burnett and Donna Jo Napoli - A magical fairy tale in the making
  5. Stephen King and Edgar Alan Poe - I'm thinking "American Horror Story" in print form.
  6. Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) and Agatha Christie - The crime novel of the century
  7. Sharon Creech and Richard Peck - My two favorite authors from growing up working together would be an absolute dream team.
  8. Jeannette Walls and Meg Cabot - The result would be equally humorous and heartwarming.
  9. C.S. Lewis and George R.R. Martin - Think of the fantasy world that would come out of this union of minds.
  10. Cornelia Funke and J.K. Rowling - Again, awesome potential for an amazing fantasy!
Can you tell I like J.K. Rowling?

Friday, October 2, 2015

Hannah Reviews: "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Title: Schooled
Author: Gordon Korman
Published: 2008
Genre: Realistic Fiction, YA 

Hannah's back, everyone! This time she's put together a short 'n sweet review of "Schooled" by Gordon Korman for you!


I first came across Schooled by Gordon Korman when I was helping sort through extra books we had lying around at our house. Since my Mom is a teacher who has taught every grade from Kindergarten to eighth, she has quite a few books that seem to come from nowhere. I figured, being a future teacher myself, I would see what it had to offer. 

Although this book was written in 2007, you would have expected it to be written in the 60s or 70s based on the cover art. In fact, it is about a boy in 2007 who has been raised on a commune by his grandmother his entire life. When circumstances conspire that force him to leave the commune for a time, his world is shifted upside down. 14-year old Capricorn Anderson is forced to go to a real live public middle school for the first time ever. Crazy situations ensue, but in the end both Capricorn and the other students at the school learn a lot about each other. 

I rather liked this book, however I did think that only some students might enjoy this book. There is not much background knowledge involved, but I think it makes a little more sense if one knows a little bit about the hippie movement. I would probably recommend it for students from 5th-8th grade. I give it 3 out of 5 beans.

Hannah Says:



Guys, this blog would seriously not exist without Hannah! It's so hard sometimes to come up with content for y'all while trying to stay focused on school and work. So, I absolutely rely on her to help me out every now and then! Thanks, girl! I owe you a coffee (or five)!!!



Tuesday, September 29, 2015

"The Hardest Thing to Do" (The Hawk & The Dove #4) by Penelope Wilcock

Title: The Hardest Thing to Do (The Hawk and The Dove Series #4)
Author: Penelope Wilcock
Published: September 27, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

One year after book 3 ends, the monks at St. Alcuin's are waiting for their new Abbott, Father John, to arrive. While they wait, they busily work to prepare for the upcoming Easter season, which will bring hundreds of guests to the monastery.

John's arrival starts a period of adjustment for everyone within the walls of St. Alcuin's, especially for John himself. Formerly the infirmary man of the monastery, he finds himself struggling with the transition from healer to his new position of authority.

Just as things are beginning to settle down, an old enemy from the priory's past, Prior William of St. Dunstan's, knocks at the door in need of help. The wounds from his feud with their former leader, Father Peregrine, still sting. Can the monks inside set aside their feelings of hatred and help a fellow brother in need?

I was not at all familiar with The Hawk and The Dove Series before I opened this novel, so I didn't have much to form an initial opinion on. Based on the description on the back cover, I assumed that this was going to be another medieval story featuring monks, knights, and pretty women in distress. I was surprised to find that was not the case in The Hardest Thing to Do. The novel chronicles the daily lives of the monks who live within the wall of St. Alcuin's Monastery. While this aspect was charming, it was also one of the novel's downfalls for me. First, there are a lot of characters to keep track of. Thankfully, Ms. Wilcock includes a guide with the names of all the characters throughout the series. I did, however, find myself checking in the front of the book to remember which character does what. Second, the daily actions of the various brothers sometimes distracted from the main plot. The central plot itself was great, but I found myself getting bored in places, because the story kept sidetracking. I will concede, that these subplots were probably necessary, because in each case the monks share what they find to be the hardest thing to do in life, adding to the overall theme.

My favorite part of the novel was the message of forgiveness and love. Unfortunately,our sinful natures make this very hard for us to do. However, the Bible is very clear on the matter. Jesus says in Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" This means that there should be no limit to the amount of times that we forgive someone for wronging us. The Bible is also clear on the matter of showing love to those around us. Matthew 22:39 says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I think this passage is pretty clear. Show love to others. Be kind and compassionate. It was nice to be reminded of these important points alongside the monks of St. Alcuin's. Forgiveness and showing love aren't always on the forefront of my thinking, but reading this novel brought them back into focus for me, and I hope it will for you who choose to read it too.

Kaylee says:

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Quick Q&A with Author Lisa See!!!

Hi guys,
Photo courtesy of www.lisasee.com

One of my favorite authors ever is Lisa See. She's written many highly acclaimed novels, including Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and the Shanghai Girls series. 

I love novels that are written by women, for women. Something that See does that makes her unique from any other author that I've read, is that she explores the wonderful, yet complicated relationships that exist between women and the world and women and each other. The result is a beautiful portrayal of the nuances (both good and bad) that are part of what it means to be a woman. So when 
I had the opportunity to ask Lisa a question via Goodreads a few weeks ago, I knew I needed to find out why she loves to write about women so much. I was completely shocked to receive an answer!

KM: I just finished reading "China Dolls" and loved it! In a lot of your novels, you explore the interpersonal relationships between women. What made you decide to pursue that as a theme?

LS: Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed "China Dolls!" Relationships between women -- whether friends for life, sister-wives, or actual sisters -- are very different. At the same time, they are uniquely female. A woman will tell her best friends things she won't tell her mother, husband, or children. That particular intimacy is wonderful and a true blessing, but it can also leave you open to betrayal and hurt. Women being married to the same man -- whether in China or with the Mormons or with whatever group anywhere in the world -- is also unique and rife with jealousy and rivalries, but this relationship can also be the basis for great friendship and comfort. As for sister, well, the sibling relationship is typically the longest we'll have in our lifetimes. Our parents will die before we do, our children will outlive us, and often women outlive their husbands, right? A sister can be your closest friends, someone who is almost a stranger, or even an enemy. What's the difference between sisters and women who say they are "closer than sisters?" A sister is for life. I write about these relationships because I'm a woman, because I want to connect to women, and because women's stories still need to be told.


You can find the original post and more Q&A with Lisa See here!!! 

Monday, September 7, 2015

Rachel Reviews: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Hey everyone, I'm going to introduce to you all to the second of our wonderful guest writers!

This is my good friend Rachel! She and I met at college, while sitting in one of the many English classes that we've shared throughout the years. Rachel is also a double major in Elementary Ed. and Secondary Communicative Arts and Literature. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys hiking, running, music, and spending quality time with her friends and family. In the past few months, she's been hopping from mountain to mountain in Colorado, teaching VBS with her sister. Lucky for us, she was able to find the time (and internet service) to write a review! Thanks, Rachel! I'll let you take it from here!



Hi everyone! Although it took me 2 months to actually write this review, Kaylee has still accepted me as a guest writer which is very generous of her. Thanks for having me, Kayles!

We made a pact where we would both read the same book and then review it side-by-side. We chose The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society since it was one we’d both had on our lists for a while. You can find Kaylee's review here!

My initial impressions of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were based mostly on word of mouth. It came with high recommendations from my aunt and older cousin, both big readers with wonderful taste. But when I asked for an overview, all I got was, “It’s hard to explain. But you’ll love it!” They were right on both counts. Even the title is hard to say, much less explain!

The book is written in the form of letters, each one between different characters. I might as well say now that I feel weird even calling them “characters” so instead I’ll just use the word “people” because that’s what they felt like. The voice of each person is masterfully done, and makes the novel constantly fresh. Each one is so unique and exaggerated just enough that they’re endlessly entertaining.

A quick plot summary so we’re all on the same page:

Juliet is an author in England shortly after World War II. Her magazine column and her humor in the face of tragedy have gotten the city of London through the war, and now that the war is over, she’s in high demand. But one day, a book she formerly owned ends up in the hands of a reserved pig farmer, Dawsey Adams, on the island of Guernsey in the Atlantic. The new owner writes to her – and so begins an unlikely relationship between Juliet and an entire group of people on the island. Discovering these people and their incredible war stories captures Juliet’s heart, as do the mysteries behind their “Literary Society.”

What really made this book stand out for me was the deep love of reading and writing the authors so clearly displayed through the people in the book. As an English major I spend a lot of time reading books for class, and very little of that time actually enjoying them. It’s a shame, really. But this book reminded me of all the magic that can be found in literature, and all the reasons I love it. It leads us to discover other wonderful people, and to discover more about ourselves. Many of the letters in the book were written by uneducated people from Guernsey sharing their favorite quotes or authors with Juliet, and I found myself touched by many of them.  Literature is not just appreciated by the educated because, really, it’s about sharing experiences. This book explained that through the plot and also by bringing in famous authors and quotes and moments in history. Reading it was like getting to watch people find the joy in reading who never had any before – which brings great joy to the heart of any future teacher.

I can’t say the book met my expectations, because I really didn’t know what to expect. It was entirely different than I thought it would be, and it was delightful. Have you ever had that experience where the perfect book comes to you at the perfect time? That was Guernsey Literary Society for me. Right when reading was starting to become a chore, the people of Guernsey let me borrow their eyes to see the magic of discovering it for the first time. So I’ll gladly give it 5 beans!


Rachel says:


Kaylee Reviews: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Authors: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Published:
Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII

Hey all,


This is my review for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. My pal Rachel and I each read the book over the summer and though it would be fun to write our own reviews for you all! Thanks for coming aboard, Rach! You can read Rachel's review here


Like Rachel, my initial impressions of the novel came by word of mouth. My mother picked up this novel on one of her book hunting adventures and read it right away! She talked about it for weeks and weeks before I finally decided to open it up, and I am very glad that I did!


TGLPPS  follows author Juliet Ashton right at the end of WWII in London. Juliet's articles kept the public laughing throughout all the devastation. When we meet her in the beginning of the book, she is working on deciding what her next book is going to be about. One day,  Juliet receives a letter from a man she has never met. His name is Dawsey Adams, a quiet handyman from the island of Guernsey. Dawsey reaches out to Juliet, because he had come into possession of a novel by Charles Lamb that Juliet had owned before the war. Over the next few months, Dawsey introduces Juliet to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, a book club that was formed by the denizens of Guernsey Island as a way to pass the time during the Nazi occupation. Soon the other members begin to write to Juliet as well. As she gets to know the members of the society more personally, Juliet's fascination grows, and she finally makes plans to travel to the island to meet them face to face. Little does she know that what she discovers there will change her career and her personal life forever.


The most striking feature of this book is that it is an epistolary novel. In layman's terms, that means the entire book is written in the form of letters. In my opinion, this accomplished the feat of giving each of the characters and strong, unique voice. It was done so successfully, that I could clearly picture each person in my mind! And since we're talking about characters, never in my life as a reader have I ever wanted to visit a place as much as I want to go to Guernsey! I just want to spend time with all of the characters! Yes, I understand that they're fictional beings, but they seemed so lifelike! I'm going to make a bold statement and say that this book had the strongest characterization of any novel that I have ever read!


I'm giving this book 5 coffee beans! If not for the touching but funny plot line of the amazingly lifelike characters, then certainly for it's theme The characters in this book love to read. They will show you that you don't have to have an education to appreciate literature or to enjoy a good book. Anyone who understands what it means to find the magic in reading will love this novel!

Kaylee says:




Wednesday, August 12, 2015

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction

"Would you want the ability to hear other people's thoughts? Of course you would. Everyone answers yes to that question, until they think it all the way through. For example, what if other people could hear your thoughts? What if they could hear your thoughts...right now?"

Clay Jensen has a chance to experience that very ability when a strange shoe box arrives on his doorstep. Inside are 7 cassette tapes, which when played, reveal the voice of Hannah Baker, Clay's classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice explains that there are 13 reasons why she decided to take her life, and Clay is one of them. Now he needs to find out why.

Guided by Hannah's voice and a map that she drew, Clay takes a tour of the different places that played a significant role in the last months of Hannah's life. Each location is accompanied by a piece of Hannah's complicated, interwoven story -- starting with a seemingly harmless high school prank and ending with the infamous party that claimed the life of another classmate. Clay's narration alternates with Hannah's as he pieces together the motive behind her death, and in doing so, uncovers some sinister secrets that his classmates are desperately trying to keep hidden.

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this novel. I saw on sites like Amazon and Goodreads that it was highly rated, but my research didn't go much past that point. Then, on my birthday, I found a copy at the local thrift store and decided to pick it up. Initially, my mother wasn't crazy about the idea of reading a novel that dealt with teen suicide. However, curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to try reading it one morning. She finished it later that afternoon! With her endorsement, I jumped right in! Once I started, I couldn't put it down! In the book, Clay had this need to keep listening to the tapes; he couldn't stop. That's how I felt while I was reading. I needed to figure out where the story was going, what twist or turn would be revealed about Hannah's life. It was exhilarating!

I loved the alternating narratives. Hannah would say something on the tapes, to which Clay and the reader would react simultaneously. I think it was that back and forth action that made the book such a fast read. I also felt that the characters were relatable. Many teenagers can empathize with Hannah's feelings of  loneliness, and even betrayal. I'm sure even more can relate to the confusion and helplessness that Clay feels throughout the book. The combination of these things is what made me decide to give the book the rating that I did. The reason why I did not give it a full 5/5 beans, was that I felt that Hannah's decision to send the tapes (even with the intention of revealing the truth) would cause more pain and suffering to others. It was an act of revenge, which is something that I, on principle, refuse to endorse.

The subject matter is tough. No one likes to hear about suicide, especially when it's a young person who takes his or her own life. Other difficult topics come to light throughout the story, but I won't spoil them here for you now. Parents and teachers should be aware if they have children who want to read this book. That being said, use it to start a conversation about suicide and what the signs are in someone who is contemplating taking their life. The more aware you are, the more you can help!

Finally, if you decide to read this book, let it serve as a reminder of how you should treat others. Do you remember the "Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" comeback from your grade school days? Asher's novel gives testimony that this little phrase may not be true. Words hurt! Especially during those volatile high school years. The things you say to another person may affect them more deeply than they let on. The consequences may extend far beyond hurt feelings! So be kind to people! Smile at them when they pass by you in the hall. Pay them a compliment. Be there to listen to them if they need it, and throw a little love their way! 

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31

Kaylee says:



Sunday, August 9, 2015

Happy National Book Lovers Day!

August 9th is National Book Lovers Day!!!

Celebrate by cracking open that new novel you've been dying to read or by dusting off that old favorite!

"Books are the plane, and the trail, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home." 
- Anna Quindlen



Sunday, August 2, 2015

Bookshelf Reveal!!!

Hello everyone,

I'm finally getting around to sharing the picture of my finished bookshelf. It's a well overdue post, since we installed it well over a month ago. Work has kept me really busy, so I continue to put off posting. Anyway, here it is!

I'm so thankful to my family members who helped me with this project, especially my grandfather. He and I designed the shelf together, and he built it by hand. Whenever I look at it, I think of him and the special bond that we have. I love you, Grandpa! This could not have turned out any more beautiful!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Birthday Book Haul 7/25

I celebrated my 22nd Birthday last week Saturday. I received a copy of American Sniper from my parents as a gift, and then my mother and I hit up our local Christian Thrift Store to check out their selection. As it turn out, they were having a 50% off deal on all of their novels! Here's what we brought home:


A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
American Sniper by Chris Kyle
Amigoland by Oscar Casares
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes
Cat & Mouse by James Patterson
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells
River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke
Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris
The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich
The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton
The Rain Before it Falls by Jonathan Coe
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Happy book hunting fellow bilbiophiles!