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Reading Resolutions--And a Free Reading Log Printable!

It's the start of 2016, which means it's time for New Year's resolutions.  Maybe you want to shed some pounds, cut out soda, or join a gym.  But have you made some READING resolutions?  Have you made a few goals that will keep you reading great books throughout the year?

Take a peek at MY reading resolutions and then print out a reading log so you can keep track of your 2016 reads!

Read 75 books.

A numerical goal keeps you motivated even when you're going through a long reading slump.  My goal of 75 keeps me on pace to read a little more than 6 books a month.  I think that's do-able for me; being a working mama of two littles, I need to be realistic on what goals will fit with my schedule.

Listen to 15 audiobooks.

Goals are a fun time to try other book formats.  I love audiobooks but don't always have the time to listen.  My commute to work is fairly short and my boys aren't old enough to hear the older stories. Setting a goal of 15 puts me at a little more than one audiobook a month--I can do that!

Read 10 nonfiction books.

Is there a certain genre that you usually shy away from?  For me that's nonfiction.  But I know there is nonfiction out there that I will really enjoy, so I want to make sure I don't stray away too much. Ten books isn't too many but it's definitely nothing to frown at either.  And I've actually already gotten started!  I finished 7 by Jen Hatmaker on New Year's Day--one book down! 

Finish 10 series that I've already started.

Ever start a book or series and just never get around to finishing it?  As a librarian, I see a LOT of new books--shiny new books that grab my attention away from series that I've already started.  And I recently did a count of series that I've started and not finished...and I counted 30!  Thirty!  I want to finish some of these series before I start even more.  And right now I'm reading Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, the 3rd and final book in the Miss Peregrine's series.  I'm ready to roll on this goal!

Read 1 book each month that was published within the last 3 months.

Ever feel like you're the last person to read a book?  I often feel that way since I'm always giving away my library collection to my excited students.  So I'm making this goal to force myself to be a little selfish with my reading.  It's okay to be a little selfish here and there, right?


Now it's your turn to make some reading resolutions!  How many books do you want to read?  What genres do you want to read (or avoid)?  To help keep track of your 2016 reading, I've made a reading resolutions log for you!  Simply click on the link and print out as many copies as you need to keep track of your reading.

Click link here to access and print out the reading log!

I hope you enjoy getting started on your reading list!

Books mentioned:
 
This post contains affiliate links.  That means that any books you purchase for your collection help support my love of reading.  Thanks for all your reading support!

Happy 2016!

Hi, friends!  Happy 2016!!!!

Can you believe it's New Year's Day?!  Wow, another year gone.  I love new beginnings and fresh  starts so New Year's is always so fun for me.

The word that I hope will describe my 2016 is all-in.  I want to jump in with both feet to multiple parts of my life--parenting, marriage, faith, etc.  I'm taking each month to focus on something that I really want to take to the all-in level.  January's focus is nutrition.  Wish me luck!

I'll be back on Monday with my new 2016 season of blogging!  I took the last few weeks off to be with my family and just have a break from it all.  It was refreshing but I am ready to be back!

REVIEW--Daughter of Deep Silence

My friend Emily at The Gnoming Librarian beat me to a review on Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan, so go check her review out!

Emily and I listened to this book together on our way down to YallFest.  We wanted to listen to books by YallFest authors, and I indeed got to meet Carrie Ryan!

However...I wasn't a fan of this book.  Let's discuss.

 

• Standalone novel
• Mystery/Realistic

The Gist:
A cruise ship called Persephone doesn't make it to its destination, and all but three passengers survive the devastation.  Survivor Frances Mace knows that the ship was attacked by armed men, but the other two survivors--a wealthy politician and his son--lie to the media and say the ship was capsized by a rogue wave.  Frances is now out for revenge and will stop at nothing to avenger her family and best friend's death.

What I Loved:

• I loved the concept of the book--a girl seeking revenge without fully knowing the truth behind the cruise ship's destruction.
• I love the TV show Revenge, so it's fun to see the tricks Frances has up her sleeve when trying to uncover the secrets.

What I Didn't Love:

• The cover.  Don't get me wrong--the cover is GORGEOUS--but it doesn't fit the book.  It makes the book look historical and romantic...and it's not.
• This book is really a copy of the TV show Revenge.  Which is disappointing since I thought Ryan's book The Forest of Hands and Teeth was awfully similar to the movie The Village. So it just seemed like a copycat.  There's even a character named Grayson, which is a major name on the TV show.
• Frances fell HARD for Grayson when they were on the cruise ship for ONE WEEK.  And he fell for her too.  So a few years later they're still pining for each other?  Really?  And maybe it's because I listened to this book on audio, but she sure talked about her love for him A LOT.
• There were so many plot holes here.  It just wouldn't work.  Frances takes her friend's identity--and successfully fools people--and the media doesn't go crazy when they discover her as a survivor.  I just kept coming across things that wouldn't work in the real world.  Which made the whole book fall apart.

So this one was a blah book for me.  Only 2 stars for me.

What are some recommendations that you have for me?

Pushing the Limits-Inspired Outfit

Happy Monday!  It's my last week of school before Christmas break and I am SO looking forward to a few weeks off to celebrate with friends/family.

Today I'm showing off an outfit that I designed for Echo from Pushing the Limits.  This one was fun to design and I think I got pretty spot-on with it!  And I would TOTALLY wear this outfit, so that's an added bonus. 

Check it out:

Let's dig a little deeper:

• First, I chose a tunic with long sleeves.  Echo has scars on her arms so long sleeves is a must for her.  This tunic is stylish and Echo's former popularity status would ensure she would have stylish shirts in her wardrobe.  Plus green is the BEST color for redheads. 
• Skinny jeans.  They're on trend and go perfectly with tunics.
• Tan booties are a nice complementary color with the olive tunic.
• Echo wouldn't want to wear bracelets around her wrists (thus drawing attention to her hands/arms), so a headband wrap is a nice accessory that again draws attention to her red hair.
• Of course the leather jacket.  Noah loans his leather jacket to Echo, and I like the look of this one.  Kind of has that "tough guy" look to it.

 So what do you think?  I love this look--would YOU wear it?

Want to check out each individual piece of the outfit?  See all the details here!

REVIEW--Pushing the Limits

A few weeks ago I interviewed authors Katie McGarry and Lex Thomas (two guys) for a library conference panel.  And it was amazing!  I loved every minute of it!  They were all so gracious and just plain fun!  You can watch about ten minutes of the panel here:

Today I'm reviewing Katie's book Pushing the Limits.  My students have been obsessing about this book for the past few years and I loved it, too!  I'm not always a big romance fan, but this one was just so great!  Let's jump into the review:

• First book in the Pushing the Limits series
• Romance

The Gist:
Echo Emerson used to be super popular...but life has changed.  Her brother died in the Iraq War, her parents divorced and her father married Echo's childhood babysitter, and Echo now has horrific scars on her arms and isn't allowed to see her mother.  And she can't remember why.
Noah Hutchins lost his parents in a house fire and he and his brothers have been separated in foster care.  He would do anything to get his brothers back, but he most deals with it by using girls, doing drugs, and giving adults an attitude.
These two, who have so much to deal with in their own lives, find themselves together in a tutoring session.  And the more they learn about each other, the more they start to fall for each other.

What I Loved:

• Sure, this is a romance book, and sure, these characters are going to fall in love.  But there was so much depth to them!  This book wasn't the "fluff" that so many romance books get labeled.  I really appreciated that.
• The romance was good, too.  I mean, it is a romance book after all. :)
• When you read a romance book, you know the main characters will end up together, but in this book you just don't know how it's going to work out.  I liked that "suspense" part of the plot.
• I love that Noah told part of the story and Echo told part of the story.  You really get to know the characters intimately this way.

What I Didn't Love:

•  Noah's pet names for Echo were silly...and cheesy. 

A really enjoyable read and it made meeting Katie even more special!  Four heels for me!

Have you read Pushing the Limits or any of the others in the series?  I'm anxious to read more!

An outfit for Echo coming up tomorrow!

Rebel Belle-Inspired Look

Yesterday I reviewed Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins, a funny yet exciting fantasy book about pretty girl Harper Price getting unexpected (and unwanted) supernatural powers.  The book opens on Homecoming night, when Harper is 99% sure she is going to be crowned queen.  Before all hell breaks loose, of course.

So today's outfit inspiration comes from that Homecoming night.  Harper says she is wearing a pink dress and pearls, so that is where I started with the look.

It's a lovely outfit, and those heels could definitely do some damage (and boy do they!).

• The light pink dress is lovely.  Feminine, elegant--just like Harper.
• Harper's bare neckline is dressed up by this chunky pearl necklace.  A trendy style for a classic jewelry piece.  The earrings are small and therefore don't take away from the jewelry.
• The silver shoes are SO beautiful!  The heels are high but not overwhelming and the color is a lovely correlation to the pink dress.
• The silver clutch is dainty and sweet.  Just like a southern woman would be, right?

I think this outfit is so sweet--do you think Harper would wear it to Homecoming?

Want to see each piece of the outfit?  See all the details here.

REVIEW--Rebel Belle

Today's post is a review on Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins.  The cover alone should cause you to stop--isn't it gorgeous?!  Even with a dagger on it!  I listened to this book on audio in November and it was fun and suspenseful.  I can't wait to read the sequel!

• First book in the Rebel Belle series
• Fantasy

The Gist:
On Homecoming night, all Harper Price can think about is how she forgot her lip gloss and will need it when she's crowned queen.  But as she's fixing herself up in a bathroom, a custodian and history teacher burst in, fight to the death, and pass the Paladin superpower on to Harper.  A power that makes her super-strong, agile, and lethal.  Not necessarily the most ladylike skill.  And as a Paladin, Harper has to protect David--her everyday enemy.

What I Loved:

• This book is adorable, fun, and surprising.  The villains are fun and the action is buys.
• It should be mentioned again that this book is fun.  Who knew killing bad guys could be so fun?  I even laughed out loud.
• The Southern scene with the Southern characters really came through.  This setting added so much to the plot.
• If you're going to have a nemesis, it should be someone who beat you in the spelling bee...just saying.

What I Didn't Love:

• I saw the poisoned punch coming...but I don't think younger readers will.
• Maybe it's because I was listening to it instead of just reading, but I got a little confused at some of the Paladin/Effers/etc rules and system.  I probably should have re-listened to some parts.   

A really fun read and I can't wait to read the sequel, Miss Mayhem!

Since You've Been Gone-Inspired Outfit

Yesterday was a 5-star review day!  I loved Morgan Matson's Since You've Been Gone and especially all its characters.  It's part realistic, part romance, and all parts fun to read!

Today's outfit is based off Emily, the protagonist.  Around the middle of the book, she attends a gala event and confronts some of the romantic feelings she's starting to have.  And she makes an impression of her love interest in her dress.  So this outfit is all fancy with a little of Emily's simplicity thrown in. 

Here it is:

Here's how I designed it:

• Emily wears a backless dress, so I chose an elegant backless dress that gives Emily a mature look.  Trust me, there are a lot of immature backless dresses out there!  This one is elegant in color and style.
• The silver sandals downplay the dress a little.  Emily isn't the kind of girl to run around in heels, so sandals would keep her comfortable.
• The pearl earrings and tennis bracelet are simple, understated accessories.

So what do you think?  Would you wear an outfit like this to a gala?  Lovely, right?!

Want to find these pieces?  Check out all the outfit details here.

REVIEW--Since You've Been Gone

There are some authors that I just can't keep on the shelf in my library, and Morgan Matson is definitely one of them!  Amy and Roger's Epic Detour is NEVER in the library because word is always spreading about it.  But I recently read Since You've Been Gone and think it is my new favorite Matson book!  Check out my review!

• Realistic/Romance
• Standalone book

The Gist:
Emily and Sloane are a package deal.  But anyone will tell you that Emily rides on Sloane's coattails...everyone notices Sloane and then notices Emily behind her.  When Sloane and her parents disappear, Emily feels completely lost.  But then Emily finds a list of tasks that Sloane has left for her and she believes that if she completes the list, she will find where Sloane and her family went.  But the tasks aren't easy.  Skinny dipping?  Kissing a stranger?

What I Loved:

• The characters!  Frank, Collins, Dawn, Emily--there was so much depth to all of them.
• I loved the organization/chronology of the book.  The chapters are organized by tasks with various flashbacks thrown in.
• All of the characters were fully explored.  There were no "weak" characters.
• I was completely wrapped up in the plot.
• At first I didn't like Sloane, but her character pulled through for me by the end. 

What I Didn't Love:

• The title...Kelly Clarkson, anyone?

A really enjoyable read for me--so much to love in this one!  I don't always enjoy realistic but this one really grabbed me--5 stars for me!  And tomorrow I'm sharing a fancy pants outfit that Emily might have worn to a gala!

Hollow City-Inspired Outfit

And I'm back!  I had a week to enjoy my family and collect my thoughts and now we're back into our normal schedule!

Before Thanksgiving break, I reviewed Ransom Riggs' Hollow City, the second book in the Miss Peregrine series.  I love this series and have already planned to read Library of Souls over Christmas break.

Earlier this year I designed my own outfit to fit the Miss Peregrine series, but today I thought I'd share an outfit geared toward one of the characters--Fiona.  Fiona is a very minor character in this book; in fact, she's not in the book for the second half.  But I'm so intrigued by her.  She loves Hugh but they're very quiet about their admiration for each other.  She doesn't talk because of a previous trauma in life.  She's reserved but steps in when needed and obviously loves the other peculiars.  So I decided to design a contemporary outfit based off her peculiarity with nature. 

Here it is!

So again, this is an outfit I designed based off of her character--not something I think she would wear.  That's what I love about this blog--I get to take characters and represent them through current fashion.

Here are the details:

• Since Fiona is all about nature, I found a leaf print blouse.  I love the variation in greens, and I think the color pairs nicely with the burgundy corduroy skirt.  These have a definite nature feel.
• The shoes and accessories again bring in a feminine yet rustic look.  Tall brown boots give the outfit an outdoor feel, and the brown watch and gold leaf earrings are simply yet sweet.

What do you think?  Would YOU wear an outfit like this?

To find all the individual pieces of the outfit, check out this resources link.

Many more book reviews/outfits coming up in the next few weeks! 

And Through the Storm...We Give Thanks

You guys, Thanksgiving couldn't have come at a better time.

I've been a little blog/YouTube silent the last few weeks with good reason.  First, life was just busy--I was in Charleston, SC for YallFest and then at an Indianapolis library conference (which was so fantastic--I received the Outstanding School Librarian Award for 2015 AND I got to interview authors Katie McGarry and Lex Thomas in a panel session).  And then everything got crazy.

Our whole family either got a 24-hour flu bug or some kind of bronchitis virus.  So we basically all took turns either on the couch or nursing each other to health.

And just when things were starting to return to normalcy, I got a very unexpected phone call from Luke.

Luke lost his job.

We didn't see it coming, and it hit us one month before Christmas.  That was a hard hit.

But you know what?  We are so thankful.

In the midst of the craziness of the last week--realizing how my salary will not cover all the bills, assuming that companies don't hire new employees during the month of Christmas, knowing that none of our money can go towards any kind of "want" right now--we are so, so blessed.

Blessed with a community that jumps in before we even think to ask.  We had all of our meals provided this past weekend from co-workers, friends, and family.  My assistant graciously gave me plenty of space in my office so I could just think.  We had a gift sent to us in the mail that totally humbled us.  We've had family tell us not to buy them Christmas presents, a co-worker pray with me in my school cafeteria, and endless hugs, prayers, and talks.

Blessed with a God who loves us so fiercely.  He's been preparing Luke's heart in the last few months for this moment--a moment when Luke will need to lead us to live sacrificially and on mission. God knew we would need Luke's strong mindset and I am so proud of how Luke has given God the glory in all this.  We have found ourselves praising God for being so able to take care of us.  We are not bitter or angry at our situation--jobs come and go, but the Lord is so so good.  We're not embarrassed that we're having to live minimally--for we are rich in His constant love.

Life is harder right now.  We're living a life of buying only necessities and avoiding expensive entertainment (yes, this librarian will not get to see Mockingjay Part 2 in the theater!).  But our family is clothed, fed, and safe in a home and so we give thanks for these provisions.

So Luke and I are taking this week to pour into each other and our family.  Luke has repeatedly told me to brace myself for what God is about to do in our lives.  His plans are good and we praise Him for walking ahead of us.

Be back next week--thank you all for being part of our community.

REVIEW--Hollow City

YOU GUYS.  I got back from Y'ALLFest yesterday and it was amazing!  I loved every single second of it!  Overall I met 38 authors and got signatures from all--that's huge!  I'll be making a video recap for you, so watch for that on my YouTube channel.

Today I'm reviewing Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, the second book in the Miss Peregrine series.  I absolutely love this series!  It's killing me that I haven't read the third book in the series yet, but I'm waiting until I'm done teaching Hollow City in an English class (I don't want to get the two confused).  So let's get more into the specifics--

• Fantasy
• Second book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series

The Gist:
Following the events of the first book in the series, the peculiar children leave for London with Miss Peregrine stuck in the form of a bird.  They need to find help for Miss Peregrine, themselves, the other ymbrynes, and the rest of the peculiar world.  

What I Loved:

• You get to see the minor characters in larger roles in this book.  I loved seeing their personalities and back stories, especially Bronwyn, Enoch, Hugh, and Millard.
• Speaking of Millard, I LOVE him!  The soft side of him really came through in this book.
• The ending!!!!  What a shock!
• There are crazy action scenes just full of suspense.  I kept wondering how in the world they would make it through certain scenes.

What I Didn't Love:

• There was a slow start to the book.  My friends and I have been telling our students that you just have to "get across the water."  That's when the momentum picks up.
• I miss that the photos in this book weren't photos that Jacob found; they were photos that just showed what Jacob was seeing in the moment.  It took away a little bit of the magic of the photographs. 

It's hard to list anything I didn't love in this book, because it really was a fun, suspenseful, crazy read! 

Have you read Library of Souls yet?  What did you think?

Goodbye, Rebel Blue-Inspired Outfit

You guys!  Tomorrow I leave for YALL Fest!!!!  I just cannot wait for it!  I will be vlogging my trip, so stay tuned for next week to see all the details!

And if you can't go a few days without seeing me (haha!), check out my YouTube channel for some videos I'll be uploading.

Yesterday I reviewed Goodbye, Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell.  It was such a fun read that inspires you to think beyond the typical day-to-day busyness.

Today's outfit is inspired by the protagonist, Rebel.  She likes to push the limits and sometimes admittedly jump past those limits.  She has a hard time fitting into the established life of her family and longs to be independent. 

And that is all reflected in this outfit:

I know, I know--there's practically no blue in this outfit.  But Rebel doesn't play by the typical rules, right?

• Distressed jeans and a rock n' roll T-shirt give Rebel the edgy look.  
• The other accessories are also edgy and not straight-from-the-mold.  High top, black-toed shoes, stud bracelets, and a fringe purse all work together to make a "rebellious" outfit.

What do you think?  Would you wear an outfit like this?!

Want to see all the specifics of the outfit?  Check it all out here! 

REVIEW--Goodbye, Rebel Blue

Happy Tuesday!  Tuesdays are officially my least favorite day of the week (which I'm not alone on and probably inspired this book).  And today it's foggy.  So a blah-looking Tuesday.  So let's review a book I loved to cheer it all up, ok?!

Today's review is on Goodbye, Rebel Blue by Shelley Coriell.  The cover is so striking (of course, I AM obsessed with all things blue).

• Realistic fiction
• Standalone novel

The Gist:
Rebecca (Rebel) Blue is what her nickname replies--rebellious.  She lives with her cousin, aunt, and uncle after her mom passed away and she just doesn't fit into their suburban, rule-following lifestyle.  After-school detention is no surprise for her, but it is for goody two-shoe Kennedy Green.  When Kennedy and Rebel make out bucket lists as an after-school detention assignment, Rebel doesn't take hers seriously.  But Kennedy is killed on the way home that night and Rebel finds herself completing the items on Kennedy's bucket list in her honor.

What I Loved:

• Rebel doesn't complete Kennedy's bucket list exactly as written. She has to be creative in finishing the list (gondolas/kayaks), and I think this is a good lesson--sometimes your big dreams can be closer than you think.
• Rebel's own bucket list is hilarious--vacuum a magic carpet?!
• The story is fast-paced and engaging.
• There was strong characterization here--not as fluffy as I first expected.

What I Didn't Love:

•  A police officer hints that Kennedy's death wasn't an accident, but that's as far as that plot line goes.  I would have loved for that to be explored.
• The story was a little predictable.

My favorite quote:
"I try to live fully and passionately in the moment without a bucket list, but maybe other people need one to get them started."

A fun read that gets you inspired to live beyond the typical day-to-day.  Four stars for me!

 
Don't forget to watch my YouTube channel!  I'll be back with a Rebel-inspired outfit!

My Stylish Week

My Stylish Week is now a video!  Check it out if you'd like!

Enjoy!

A Time To Dance-Inspired Outfit

Happy Friday!  Whew, after this week I am READY for a weekend!

Yesterday I reviewed A Time to Dance, a lovely book about a girl overcoming adversity and finding her love in dancing.  The book taught me quite a bit about Indian culture and dance, so today's outfit is inspired by the female protagonist Veda and her love of the dance bharatanatyam (look it up on Youtube; it's really cool!).

This outfit is inspired by the clothes used in bharatanatyam.  Here's what I came up with:

• These flowing pants are very popular in bharatanatyam, so I chose a pair that wasn't too bright or patterned.  The black button-up top is similar to the shirts seen on the male dancers.
• The black flats are simple yet a definite part of the outfit.
• Bubble bracelets and anklets are very popular in the dance, so I chose a group of bracelets that are similar yet still chic.
• Evil eye earrings ward off bad spirits--there's much symbolism behind them.

So what do you think?  Do you see the resemblance?

Want to see details about this outfit?  Get all the specific here!

REVIEW: A Time to Dance

Time for another review!  I read this book back over the summer, but I'm finally cranking out a review for it (isn't it crazy how life can just put things on the back burner?!).  Today's review is on A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman.

 

• Realistic fiction/Multicultural
• Standalone novel 

The Gist: 
Veda is a dance prodigy in India and defines herself by her dance ability.  After being elated at winning a competition, she is in an awful accident and loses a leg.  Veda must now learn to adjust to her new life and learn how to dance all over again.

What I Loved:

• This book showed me a side of a culture that I had never seen before.  I felt like I was learning as I was reading.
• Veda's feelings for her therapist (and his lack of feelings in return) was very real.  I've seen this happen in school settings before and found this representation to be spot-on.
• This book wasn't just about preparing for a competition; it was about learning to readjust your life and loving something so important to you.
• I loved Veda's grandmother.  A great role model in a fictional character! 

 What I Didn't Love:

• As much as I enjoyed learning, there was a LOT to take in with this book.  I did have to do some research (especially on bharatanatyam) to make sure I was following the story correctly.
• Veda's recovery seemed REALLY fast.  From reading Josh Bleill's nonfiction book One Step at a Time, I learned a lot about recovery from losing a body part.  I think Veda should have had more recovery time before dancing so soon.

My favorite quote:
"I love that he's such a gentleman.  I hate that he's such a gentleman."

A fairly enjoyable read for me, but one that I had to focus on in order to fully follow.  Three stars from me!

 
I'll have an outfit for Veda this week so come back to check it out!

My Stylish Week

This will be the last "normal" post for My Stylish Week, because starting next week I'm bringing you VIDEO!  Yes, I love watching vlogs and it has inspired me to make my own, so from here on out you'll get to watch my week unfold!

Our church is about 35-40 minutes away from our house, so we have started a tradition of stopping at restaurants in the city on our way home.  Last week we ate Bazbeaux's Pizza...yum!

 

 We were tempted to order "The Luke."

We also went to Zoo Boo, a Halloween-themed event at the Indianapolis Zoo.  We joined my sister and her two littles, too.  I love my little Buzz Lightyear's face in this photo!  Baymax was the perfect costume for my older son and I heard MANY kids say, "Look, Mom!  Baymax!"  I think he stood a little prouder because of that.

Our Buzz was obsessed with the tigers.

 Christmas catalogs started coming in last week and this guy was so excited to circle his toy wish list.

 

So of course his little brother joined in, too.  He had no idea that he was actually circling bedspreads and mixers rather than toys.

 The weather cooled down a bit so I got to wear my new coat!

What made your week stylish?