Saturday Snapshot- January 5

Saturday Snapshot

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books

It's easy to participate- just post a picture that was taken by

you, a friend, or a family member, and add your link

on Alyce's site. (no pictures from the internet!)

I was looking through all of my photos from this summer, and this was one of my favorite days. My friend, who has been my friend for 20 years, and I went to Greenfield Village with her children.  It was such a wonderful day, perfect weather too.  I love snow but I love days like the one above as well. 

Blankets - Review

Title: Blankets
Author/Artist: Craig Thompson
Source: Library (but buying!)

Goodreads Summary:

Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. A tale of security and discovery, of playfulness and tragedy, of a fall from grace and the origins of faith.

My thoughts:

When I saw this book on The Relentless Reader I knew I wanted to read it when there was snow on the ground, all snuggled under my own blankets.  When I picked this up from the library, I was struck by how absolutely heavy it was; it was not an easy book to read in bed, I actually had to prop onto a pillow on my lap in order to read it.  That being said, it was a quick read, and took me about an hour, although I do want to go back and look at the illustrations more closely.

The story was more than I expected; I imagined this book would just be boy meets girl, happy happy, etc.  But this book is more - feeling trapped and helpless, guilt over failing someone who loves you but you needed protecting too; feeling outcast and separate, different from the rest. First love with someone who gets you and seems to need you too, and then hanging on them like a life raft (or a security blanket).  I thought this book was beautiful and broke my heart many times, right from the beginning.  

This book and the illustrations were so familiar to me - familiar not like I have seen them before, but familiar as I could relate to them. I grew up in the time of grunge in the midwest too.  I am from Michigan, and a portion of this book takes place in Marquette, a city I have visited and felt like I was so far north I was on top of the world.  I couldn't relate to the religious aspects of this book, how Craig the younger in the book grew up in rural Wisconsin raised by conservative Christian parents. I didn't grow up that way, but I still understood what it was like to not fit in. I felt like I knew these characters, because in many ways I did.  

And the drawings- they were gorgeous.  I can't draw at all, my attempts are embarrassing to everyone involved, but I wish I could. And Thompson's illustrations were fragile and charming and poignant, and at times I wanted to rip the pages from the book and hang them on the wall. (I didn't though) 

I think you should read this book. Don't be afraid of it being a graphic novel.  Just read it. Under a blanket.

My favorite books of 2012

(not my favorites this year - just some random books I photographed)

I like to wait until the very last second of the year to decide what my favorite books I read this year were. Not all of them were written this year, that is just when I read them. That being said, my favorites in no particular order are:

11/22/63 by Stephen King: Who knew that King could write such a beautiful love story? I loved this book so much.Viva la Stephen King!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I couldn't put this book down, and it blew my mind. Amazing and brilliant. 

Wild by Cheryl Strayed:  Inspiring. I have never so actively read a book in my life.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick: I stumbled upon this author thanks to my stepmother. Wow, I am glad she introduced us.

Looking for Alaska by John Green: I wanted to live within these pages.

Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick: Yes, this was year of Goolrick love for me. 

The Wisdom of the Shire: A Short Guide to a Long and Happy Life by Noble Smith: Everyone should read this book and live the Hobbit lifestyle. 

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn:  Flynn writes the scariest, craziest, smartest books. 

And for some YA love:

The Diviners by Libba Bray:   You have to love a book you learn from. Bray really researched this book well, and it had a little of everything for every reader.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: I just really loved these characters. 

What about you? Did you read any of these? What did you think? What books did you love best this year?

Saturday Snapshots

Saturday Snapshot

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books

It's easy to participate- just post a picture that was taken by

you, a friend, or a family member, and add your link

on Alyce's site. (no pictures from the internet!)

Marlow Meepers says Merry Christmas!

 And "Get this hat off my head!" 

(He only had that on for the photo, I immediately took it off.)  

Mini Reviews to Wrap Up

 Looking for Alaska - John Green

I read this book right before Christmas, amidst all the gift wrapping and making and buying. It is the first book by Green I have read, and I have to say, I am in love. It was love at first sight, really. Every word, every sentence was perfect.  I don't feel I can say anything about this book that hasn't been said a million times before. The only thing I will say is that everyone should read it, and immediately, if they haven't already.

His Mistress By Christmas by Victoria Alexander

It is tradition that Santa leaves me a Christmas romance in my stocking every year. And really, is there anything happier than a Christmas romance?  This year I received His Mistress by Christmas, and the main character woman was pretty different than most of the books that I have read of this type. Outspoken, adventurous, risk taking, not afraid to go after what she wanted, Veronica was an interesting character.  I liked the inclusion of the Adventure/Exploration Club, and this book was just fun and enjoyable.










I got the idea for little mini reviews from Jennifer at The Relentless Reader. Sometimes I just don't have much to say about a book I read, so this format is perfect.

December Book Club

Hostess: Mary

Book: An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham

Food: Pizza, Cheese Tray, Veggie Tray, Hummus and Pita, Milano Peppermint Slices, Lemon Bars

Month: December

Wine of the night: Island Winery- Shipwreck, which is local wine. And it was good!

Mary chose An Angel for Christmas and it was the perfect book for the season. It was festive, short, and an easy read escape, all things that are appreciated in such a stressful time.   The book was more religious than I had anticipated, I guess I thought the angel would be more figurative. Jennifer and I disliked the main character Morwenna, but liked the rest of the characters.  It was a thriller-mystery type book, and I found the mystery itself interesting. Overall, it was a fun holiday read.  

Every Christmas for the past few years we have been doing a handmade Christmas gift exchange, and every year it is so fun to see what everyone has created.  Alyssa and Jill were unable to attend this month, but here are the gifts from the rest of us. 

From the left: The painted pink horse was from me (this is Jill's that I have to take to her house tonight). It is a planter idea I got from this blog. Chrissy made the purple ornament with the snowflake (my favorite color!), Mary made us the Bottle of Wine Book Club ornaments, Kelly commisioned her mother-in-law to  make us fabric book covers, and Jennifer made us homemade caramel, from The Pioneer Woman's recipe.

We always have a great time, drinking and eating and chatting.  I can't even tell you how loud book club gets, its crazy! 

Next month is Alyssa's month to host.

Closer look...  

Chrissy's ornament

Mary's Ornament

Kelly's cover

Jennifer's Caramel

My painted plastic animal planter

      

Book Blogger Holiday Card Exchange #1

The Book Bloggers Holiday Card Exchange was a super fun event to participate in.  It was easy - you were assigned three bloggers that you were to send a card to, with some sort of bookish message inside.  If you wanted to include something in your card, you were not supposed to spend more than $5.00, and the the card had to stay flat. 

The cards and gifts I have received have been so creative!! I don't think I was as successful in the department, but I hope they enjoyed my cards and gift as well. 

Suey at Sueys Books made me the most adorable card, with words from my blog on the star. So cute!I also love the laminated Read bookmark. Suey told me about some of the best books she read this year, and crazily I haven't read any. But I am definitely going to read The Scorpio Races very soon!

Ashley of Book Labyrinth sent a super cute snowman card and 5 bookmarks! 2 that she made and laminated (on the tree) and 3 advertising different books. I will have to check the books out!  Ashley also included a few titles that she has loved, and I haven't read them but I am going to read them for sure in 2013.

I am going to have to come up with some cute ideas for next year! I am really enjoying this fun little blogger holiday treat.