I decided that with the whole World War II thing, Germany should be my first country in my Read the World journey. Because I’m just kind of making this up as I go along with a vague idea of what I want—to explore one country per month—I’m going to read a fictional novel based in Germany…
WWII Update: Thoughts on Hitler
I’ve been faithfully plugging along on my WWII reading, though I’d be remiss in making you think that it’s a trial; “plugging along” has such a negative connotation, like something you have to do. I enjoy history and learning about such a critical war in American—and human—history. Currently, I’m listening to The Rise and Fall of…
World War II
I’ve been jotting down World War II books that I want to read and have upwards of 20. I’ve decided to read across genres on this subject as each gives you a new look into that world. At this rate, I’ll have to read several a month to really do the Great War justice. Here’s…
2017 Reading Goals
One of the best parts about a new year are the bright, shiny goals that you set for yourself (not that all those goals come to fruition—they become less bright and shiny around February time when the thrill of trying to change yourself wears thin). However, reading goals are much easier to achieve because it’s…
Twelve Days of Christmas | Book Review
As promised, here’s my review of Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber. I thought that I should really pound out this review before the New Year because, as far as I’m concerned, Christmas doesn’t really end until January 1st. The front of my book informs me that Debbie Macomber is a New York Times bestselling…
Light the World
This year, I spent 25 days serving others for the LDS Church’s #LIGHTtheWORLD campaign. I donated food, clothes, and my cute little face to the world to show that everybody can make a big difference in a small way. For all of you who missed my daily Instagram posts about being Christ-like, here’s my entire month in review: Most importantly,…
Why I Now Ask Children What They Gave Instead of Got for Christmas
As I write this blog post, I’m not sure I’ll actually publish it because it sounds so much like criticism, and I don’t mean to criticize. I like Christmas. I love Christmas. I love seeing a living room filled with presents; I love seeing the joy on children’s faces; I love the whole idea and reality of…
Top 10 Christmas Books
If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Hm, Christmas on Sunday equals a long weekend equals plenty of reading time! Score.” If you’re not like me and have kids, you’re thinking, “I can spend post-present opening time sleeping, or I can read a good Christmas book to ensure that the kids don’t burn down the house during…
Little Lizzies
For our annual family cookies exchange, I decided to take a different approach and use Lizzy as my inspiration. What resulted was an army of little hedgehogs, almost too cute to eat (although I managed to down one—chocolate is definitely not a hardship to eat). They must’ve turned out pretty well because I won the overall…
The Mistletoe Secret: Book Review
I’m a huge, nerdy fan of Richard Paul Evan’s Christmas books. Ironically, it began with the Sunflower, which wasn’t a Christmas book. Maybe it’s that the books always come out around Christmas time or they’re usually Christmas themed or even that they’re super-adorable with the small sizes and rough-edged pages. Whatever it is, I love his books. That…
My Mani and Pedi
For weeks Mom tried to trim my nails, but I’m deeply protective of my feet (you know, I need them to run on my wheel for about two hours straight in the middle of the night). I huff up every time she attempts it and because she doesn’t want to hurt me, she’s let it…
The Arabian Nights: Book Review
Reading the Arabian Nights (or One Thousand and One Nights) was a long time coming. I mean, a loooooooong time. You can’t see it, but that expression on Lizzy’s face is relief. I started this book last summer and just couldn’t make myself read it at my normal clip. It became THAT book I looked sideways at on…
Tyger Tyger 