Vacation Reading | Book Recommendations

blankinstagramportraits-38

Are you heading away to escape from the cold anytime soon? Or maybe you are like me and are just looking for something engaging to cozy up with on a February weekend afternoon…either way, you are in the right place.

One of the most frequent questions I get is “what should I bring to read on vacation?!” For me, reading on vacation should be enjoyable but there is a fine balance between an easy read and a cheesy one. I love “pleasure” reading but it needs to strike the right balance. All of these books were super engaging and easy to get lost in, but also made me think…


All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

This book was timely and I flew through it. I really enjoy that Giffin is starting to take on more “serious” topics in her writing while also still keeping them somewhat light-hearted and predictable.

“Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton. 

Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.

Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school.

Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in—and her overprotective father doesn’t help—but in most ways, she’s a typical teenaged girl, happy and thriving.

Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame.

At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together—all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.”


Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza

Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win was one of my top books of 2018. It was the perfect balance of women’s issues, double standards for women in the workforce and political world, marriage, parenthood and more…all in a super engaging read that was hard to put down. The characters were imperfect which I think made this book even more relatable and powerful.  We are discussing this one soon in our book club and I can’t wait!

“From Jo Piazza, the bestselling author of The Knock Off, How to Be Married, and Fitness Junkie, comes an exciting, insightful novel about what happens when a woman wants it all—political power, a happy marriage, and happiness—but isn’t sure just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it.

Charlotte Walsh is running for Senate in the most important race in the country during a midterm election that will decide the balance of power in Congress. Still reeling from a presidential election that shocked and divided the country and inspired by the chance to make a difference, she’s left behind her high-powered job in Silicon Valley and returned, with her husband Max and their three young daughters, to her downtrodden Pennsylvania hometown to run in the Rust Belt state.

Once the campaign gets underway, Charlotte is blindsided by just how dirty her opponent is willing to fight, how harshly she is judged by the press and her peers, and how exhausting it becomes to navigate a marriage with an increasingly ambivalent and often resentful husband. When the opposition uncovers a secret that could threaten not just her campaign but everything Charlotte holds dear, she has to decide just how badly she wants to win and at what cost.

A searing, suspenseful story of political ambition, marriage, class, sexual politics, and infidelity, Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win is an insightful portrait of what it takes for a woman to run for national office in America today. In a dramatic political moment like no other with more women running for office than ever before, Jo Piazza’s novel is timely, engrossing, and perfect for readers on both sides of the aisle.”


The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain

Diane Chamberlain can do no wrong in my mind but this is one of my very favorites of hers. She is able to engage her reader with all different kinds of topics and characters with such ease and I was drawn into this one so quickly.  I love to read Chamberlain’s books on vacation because they truly are the perfect balance of in-depth characters, real issues mixed with a little mystery and intrigue.

“It is 1944. Pregnant, alone, and riddled with guilt, twenty-three-year-old Tess DeMello abruptly gives up her budding career as a nurse and ends her engagement to the love of her life, unable to live a lie. Instead, she turns to the baby’s father for help and agrees to marry him, moving to the small, rural town of Hickory, North Carolina. Tess’s new husband, Henry Kraft, is a secretive man who often stays out all night, hides money from his new wife, and shows her no affection. Tess quickly realizes she’s trapped in a strange and loveless marriage with no way out.

The people of Hickory love and respect Henry but see Tess as an outsider, treating her with suspicion and disdain. When one of the town’s golden girls dies in a terrible accident, everyone holds Tess responsible. But Henry keeps his secrets even closer now, though it seems that everyone knows something about him that Tess does not.

When a sudden polio epidemic strikes Hickory, the townspeople band together to build a polio hospital. Tess knows she is needed and defies Henry’s wishes to begin working at there. Through this work, she begins to find purpose and meaning. Yet at home, Henry’s actions grow more alarming by the day. As Tess works to save the lives of her patients, can she untangle the truth behind her husband’s mysterious behavior and find the love―and the life―she was meant to have?”


Winter In Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand 

Hilderbrand is what many would call “the perfect beach book author”. I have read so many of her books while on vacation and I would agree! Welcome to Paradise is the first book in her new Paradise trilogy and it takes place on St. John USVI. I loved meeting a new cast of characters and I am excited to see where she takes us with these books…which is also her first series based in a tropical location.

“Irene Steele shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to sky-writing, sentimental extremes. But as she rings in the new year one cold and snowy night, everything she thought she knew falls to pieces with a shocking phone call: her beloved husband, away on business, has been killed in a plane crash. Before Irene can even process the news, she must first confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death on the distant Caribbean island of St. John.

After Irene and her sons arrive at this faraway paradise, they make yet another shocking discovery: her husband had been living a secret life. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her sons find themselves drawn into the vibrant island culture, they have to face the truth about their family, and about their own futures. 

Rich with the lush beauty of the tropics and the drama, romance, and intrigue only Elin Hilderbrand can deliver, Winter in Paradise is a truly transporting novel, and the exciting start to a new series.”


Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain 

Necessary Lies is another favorite of mine by Chamberlain.

“Bestselling author Diane Chamberlain delivers a breakout book about a small southern town fifty years ago, and the darkest—and most hopeful—places in the human heart

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm. As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.
When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed. She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients’ lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband. But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed. Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong. 
Set in rural Grace County, North Carolina in a time of state-mandated sterilizations and racial tension, Necessary Lies tells the story of these two young women, seemingly worlds apart, but both haunted by tragedy. Jane and Ivy are thrown together and must ask themselves: how can you know what you believe is right, when everyone is telling you it’s wrong?”


Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge 

Castle of Water is one of those underrated books that I am surprised more people aren’t talking about. Huckelbridge’s writing was extraordinarily beautiful and it is so much more than just a “castaway” story.

“Two very different people, one very small island.

For Sophie Ducel, her honeymoon in French Polynesia was intended as a celebration of life. The proud owner of a thriving Parisian architecture firm, co-founded with her brilliant new husband, Sophie had much to look forward to―including a visit to the island home of her favorite singer, Jacques Brel.

For Barry Bleecker, the same trip was meant to mark a new beginning. Turning away from his dreary existence in Manhattan finance, Barry had set his sights on fine art, seeking creative inspiration on the other side of the world―just like his idol, Paul Gauguin.

But when their small plane is downed in the middle of the South Pacific, the sole survivors of the wreck are left with one common goal: to survive. Stranded hundreds of miles from civilization, on an island the size of a large city block, the two castaways must reconcile their differences and learn to draw on one another’s strengths if they are to have any hope of making it home.

Told in mesmerizing prose, with charm and rhythm entirely its own, Dane Huckelbridge’s Castle of Water is more than just a reimagining of the classic castaway story. It is a stirring reflection on love’s restorative potential, as well as a poignant reminder that home―be it a flat in Paris, a New York apartment, or a desolate atoll a world away―is where the heart is.”


The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

I read every book that Hilderbrand writes but wasn’t blown away by her releases from the last few years. The Perfect Couple changed this streak for me and I enjoy this one so much! It was the perfect mix of mystery/thriller/contemporary fiction and it kept me guessing until the very end.

“It’s Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom’s wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate.

But it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom’s famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. Featuring beloved characters from The Castaways, Beautiful Day, and A Summer Affair, The Perfect Couple proves once again that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read.”


You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart

You Were Always Mine was my first Nicole Baart and it won’t be my last. I was hooked from the beginning and it was completely engrossing. I love that it focused on the issue of adoption but it was so much more than that. I loved the mystery about Jessica’s husband and it kept me guessing until the very end.

The characters were incredibly detailed and I felt like I could totally connect with what they were going through on this journey of what makes a family and who the people around you really are…

“Jessica Chamberlain, newly separated and living with her two sons in a small Iowa town, can’t believe that a tragedy in another state could have anything to do with her. But when her phone rings one quiet morning, her world is shattered. As she tries to pick up the pieces and make sense of what went wrong, Jess begins to realize that a tragic death is just the beginning. Soon she is caught in a web of lies and half-truths—and she’s horrified to learn that everything leads back to her seven-year-old adopted son, Gabriel.

Years ago, Gabe’s birth mother requested a closed adoption and Jessica was more than happy to comply. But when her house is broken into and she discovers a clue that suggests her estranged husband was in close contact with Gabe’s biological mother, she vows to uncover the truth at any cost. A harrowing story of tenacious love and heartbreaking betrayal, You Were Always Mine is about the wars we wage to keep the ones we love close, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult.”


The Lake House by Kate Morton

I adore Morton’s writing but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a lot of her books for vacation reading because the writing is so rich and detailed. The Lake House is a hefty one too but it was super captivating and I raced through this one. This was a complex mystery that left me hanging on her every word.

“Living on her family’s idyllic lakeside estate in Cornwall, England, Alice Edevane is a bright, inquisitive, and precociously talented sixteen-year-old who loves to write stories.

One midsummer’s eve, after a beautiful party drawing hundreds of guests to the estate has ended, the Edevanes discover that their youngest child, eleven-month-old Theo, has vanished without a trace. He is never found, and the family is torn apart, the house abandoned.

Decades later, Alice is living in London, having enjoyed a long successful career as a novelist. Miles away, Sadie Sparrow, a young detective in the London police force, is staying at her grandfather’s house in Cornwall. While out walking one day, she stumbles upon the old Edevane estate—now crumbling and covered with vines. Her curiosity is sparked, setting off a series of events that will bring her and Alice together and reveal shocking truths about a past long gone…yet more present than ever.

A lush, atmospheric tale of intertwined destinies from a masterful storyteller, The Lake House is an enthralling, thoroughly satisfying read.”


 The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo 

I got lost in this book and connected so deeply with the characters. It was a surprise hit for me as I wouldn’t classify myself as a big fan of “romance” novels but this was so much more.

“Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story–their story–at the very beginning.

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated–perhaps they’ll find life’s meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other’s hearts.

This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.”


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book took me by surprise with not only with its depth but also how much I was reeled into this story of perseverance and success, survival and love.

“In this entrancing novel “that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all” (Kirkus Reviews), a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.”


On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

I read this book years ago but it still sticks with me now. Graves words flow so easily and I always feel so connected to her characters because of her amazing ability to draw you in from the first few pages of her books.

“Sixteen-year-old T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. With his cancer in remission, all he wants is to get back to his normal life. But his parents insist that he spend the summer catching up on the school he missed while he was sick.

Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher who has been worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere. To break up the monotony of everyday life, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring T.J.

Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahans’ summer home, but as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens: their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover they’re stranded on an uninhabited island.

At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, and as birthdays pass, the castaways must brave violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the worst threat of all—the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. With only each other for love and support, these two lost souls must come to terms with their situation and find companionship in one another in the moments they need it most.


Do you have any vacation reading recommendations? I would love to add them to my list! <3

 

Class Mom by Laurie Gelman | Book Review

Book Review-30.png

“Jen Dixon is not your typical Kansas City kindergarten class mom–or mom in general. Jen already has two college-age daughters by two different (probably) musicians, and it’s her second time around the class mom block with five-year-old Max–this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the-wisest-candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree.

From recording parents’ response times to her emails about helping in the classroom, to requesting contributions of-special-brownies for curriculum night, not all of Jen’s methods win approval from the other moms. Throw in an old flame from Jen’s past, a hyper-sensitive -allergy mom,-a surprisingly sexy kindergarten teacher, and an impossible-to-please Real Housewife-wannabe, causing problems at every turn, and the job really becomes much more than she signed up for.”


I enjoyed Class Mom and found it to an easy and engaging read, especially relatable as a mother to two children in grade school. It is definitely a snarky take on school politics and there are the cliched characters to go with it.

I know it was meant to be “stereotypical” but I found the characterization of the “allergy mom” to be particularly insensitive…it did have plenty of funny moments but this was just a smaller thing I noticed.

There was plenty of drama and secrets and this was a great “mindless” read to cozy up with on the couch on a chilly day. This was a light-hearted read and if you are looking for something like that, I think you will enjoy this one a lot.

 

Coffee Talk | Currently Loving…Cozy Socks & Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

blank instagram landscapes-3

Checking-in:

Good morning! I hope your week is off to a good start. My last week was busy with work obligations which always makes everything else harder to fit it. I have been feeling like a little bit of a slacker with reading. I love having a book blog but I do have a hard time not feeling the pressure to constantly share new books. I want it to be authentic and with that comes times when I have more to share and sometimes less. 🙂

Pleasure Reading:

I have been doing some “pleasure reading” the last few days and it’s always nice to just read to escape for a bit. I am currently reading Class Mom by Laurie Gelman and it is super funny and totally relatable as a mom of kids in school. Have you read it? She has a new one coming out this summer called You’ve Been Volunteered so I thought this was good motivation to finish her first one.

The Nightstand Series:

If you are looking for more suggestions or more varied recommendations, I would recommend checking in here on Fridays. If you haven’t seen it already, I have a friend book recommendation series, The Nightstand Series, and I am hoping it offers some new viewpoints for both different genres and also a new perspective.

Kristy’s Recommendations

Emily’s Recommendations

Molly’s Recommendations


What are you listening to?

Unknown.jpg

I am up to date on The Cold Podcast and I am now listening to The Happy Face Podcast, another true crime one. This one is about Melissa, who is the daughter of a serial killer. I know these kinds of things are not for everyone but I really find it interesting to hear about the history of people and what kinds of things might have happened in their early lives and how it affects them today.

believed_podcast-tile-1-_sq-42fcbb856afa11be104260b615ae8c61fa96ab7f-s700-c85

I am planning on listening to Believed next. “How did Larry Nassar, an Olympic gymnastics doctor, get away with abusing hundreds of women and girls for two decades? Believed is an inside look at how a team of women won a conviction in one of the largest serial sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. It’s a story of survivors finding their power in a cultural moment when people are coming to understand how important that is. It’s also an unnerving exploration of how even well-meaning adults can fail to believe.”

What are you watching? 

I am actually watching something! Last night we started the Ted Bundy Tapes. Documentaries are one of my favorite things to watch, which I suppose is why I enjoy listening to true crime podcast series as well. Is anyone else watching this?

What are you eating? 

On Sunday I tried out a new recipe for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.  It was a little time consuming so it would be better for a weekend meal but you should try it out. It was amazingly delicious and made easier by starting with a rotisserie chicken that you then use to make the broth (why it tasted like you cooked it all day).  It was the perfect winter comfort food and very filling. We had it again last night as leftovers and it was even better then! I couldn’t find the noodles she suggested but these are available at our local grocery store and were perfect and didn’t get soggy at all which I think is why she suggests using heartier noodles.

What are you wearing?

1904_LimeStripe_5acca1c2-3780-4720-886b-00617b3584c3_597x1071.png

Same old same old over here. I do love winter clothing. There is nothing better to me than a pair of jeans and a comfy sweatshirt and cozy socks. I loved being at our photography class the other day and looking around the room…almost everyone in there was wearing darn tough socks too, real Vermonters know how to dress for the weather. 😉

What are you looking forward to?

f37a637523272e333a45b297bdf942a5.jpg

We have a weekend with no plans and I can’t wait! We are planning on doing some ice skating, making a bonfire and making some tasty apps for the Superbowl. I am not a fan of football but I do love party food!

I hope you have a great rest of your day. <3

 

Your Life, Your Camera | Intro to DSLR Photography Workshop | DETAILS

Genevieve Trono and Kristy Dooley

Your Life, Your Camera a South Burlington, Vermont Photography Workshop…

Kristy Dooley Photography Workshop

This past weekend we taught another run of our introductory DSLR photography workshop, Your Life, Your Camera. Kristy and I wrote and began teaching this course in 2014 and it is exciting to see how much it has grown and the amazing local photography community that has been built as a part of this. We have met many so many amazing people along the way and love connecting with others who share the same passion for photography as we do.

We always ask for detailed feedback after each workshop and so much appreciate with our participants take the time to respond because it helps us make this workshop the best and most helpful it can be.

I get a lot of questions about our class and so I thought I would give a brief summary of what a day in the life of our workshop looks like…

What Does A Day In This Workshop Look Like?

Genevieve Trono

Kristy and I spent a lot of time discussing how we could best use our four-hour workshop to educate and also allow for lots of hands-on assistance and practice. Our goal is for everyone to leave feeling more knowledgeable not only about photography but also about their own unique camera.

Kristy and I both shoot with Canon cameras but we are familiar with many brands including Nikon, Olympus, and Fujii We have some participants that come having some experience using their camera and some that have never even opened the box and we are able to work with both of these situations.

We start the class with introductions and a conversation about what makes a “good photo” and the emotional connection behind them. We then move into the more creative side of photography composition and engagement with your subjects.

A Presentation, Group Work & Hands-On Learning!

Kristy Dooley Photography

We have a powerpoint presentation that helps us explain this information as well as small group discussions to really make sure everyone is understanding the concepts. This part of the class is fun because these topics relate to any type of camera you are shooting with, even if it is your phone.  Learning DSLR photography is a process and we love that this information can be taken away and used immediately to improve your overall creativity with photography as a whole.

The next part of our workshop discusses the more technical aspects of DSLR photography. We break down the exposure triangle and then discuss metering and how to choose your manual settings. Choosing your settings allows you to have full control over your camera versus letting your camera decide for you in automatic mode.

After discussing these topics we move into a visual demonstration and then allow all of our students to follow along as we set up different shots and then decide together what settings would work in different lighting situations. It is very important to us that this section of the class has enough hands-on practice to allow everyone to get comfortable with their own cameras and the concepts of metering. Due to our small class size, we are able to help each student individually as needed.

We gather together again to finish our presentation which includes a discussion on different types of natural light situations, choosing your ideal location, white balance, lenses, focal lengths, storage and editing program tips. This class does not cover a lot of discussion about editing.

Our Goal For Your, Life Your Camera

Vermont Photography Workshop

Our goal for Your Life, Your Camera is to teach you how to get the results you want so that when you do eventually move on to editing you are able to enhance your photos instead of trying to fix them. Choosing your manual settings allows you to take control over what your camera does instead of letting it guess on automatic mode. We want you to leave with the knowledge and confidence to keep shooting in manual after our class is over.  Our class ends by talking about what’s next and then having more hands-on camera practice in small groups.

We do offer an intermediate and advanced DSLR class that many of our YLYC participants have taken. We are teaching another run of our intermediate class in March and I will make sure to share those details then. I hope you enjoyed hearing more about our class and please let me know or email us at kristy@kristydooleyphotography.com if you are interested in a future workshop. <3

 

What’s On Your Nightstand Series | Book Recommendations & More | Kristy

Poppin' Bubbles.png

I am so excited to introduce you to one of my favorite people today. You may recognize Kristy because I feature her a lot on here as she is not only my friend but my co-worker.

I first met Kristy almost 9 years old when our oldest children happened to be in the same baby playgroup. We bonded over having the same wedding photographer and our friendship blossomed from there. We love that we met through photography because that is what we do together now.

We spend a lot of time together and we have the same taste in books which makes for great lunchtime conversations. We often read the same books at the same time but I read them on my Kindle and she is a hard copy book lover. I hope you enjoy “meeting” Kristy, today!

The Nightstand Series Intro:

Hi, I’m Kristy! I live in Vermont with my husband and two daughters and I work as a family photographer. I was an avid reader as a child but like many, lost the habit when I had children. As my kids have gotten a little older, I have rediscovered my love of reading.

Anytime I did have for reading in the last several years was dedicated to non-fiction and for the most part, business related. Although I still love a good non-fiction read, I have most recently enjoyed reading for pleasure and have found so many new favorite fiction authors. This past fall I discovered Diane Chamberlain and quickly devoured all her best sellers. Kristin Hannah was up next and now I have moved onto T. Greenwood.

I am a hardcore hard copy book fan and I have never read a book in a digital format and I don’t have plans to change. I love our local library, sharing books with friends and visiting our local bookshops.

What’s on my nightstand for books:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I just finished this enjoyable read it was definitely one I looked forward to reading every night. It was much different than I expected, engaging and while it kept me on my toes it was easy to follow. I polished this one off in under three days which is a definite sign that it was a hit for me.

Two Rivers by T. Greenwood

I am currently reading Two Rivers and this is my second book by T. Greenwood. I finished Rust & Stardust last month and was captivated by her storytelling. I also enjoy that she is a Vermont native and many of her books connect to local areas. I am excited to see how this one unfolds.

Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

This book is an easy to read guide to mindfulness and meditation. I have been slowly exploring both of these practices and found this to be a very helpful resource. It is definitely a book that I have read a little at a time and while I haven’t finished it yet, I have enjoyed the moments I have picked it up and read a couple of chapters.

Pretending To Dance by Diane Chamberlain

Pretending To Dance is next up on my fiction list and this copy was loaned to me by my future neighbor. I have heard great things about this one and I already know I love all things Diane Chamberlain.

The Art of Money by Bari Tessler

This is my current non-fiction read and I have been enjoying reading one chapter at a time. I love how Tessler is able to incorporate mindfulness and awareness into how past experiences with money can affect you today.  Her approach is practical and relatable without being overwhelming.

What else is on my nightstand:

I love Bee Love Herbals Lavender Herbal Body Oil. I first connected with this local business at a Burlington craft show this past fall. I struggle with extremely dry winter skin and this is the first thing that I have found that is keeping my skin happy all winter I also love knowing that I am supporting a local handmade business. My kids have also started using it and ask for it after every shower.

I am a sucker for salt lamps and have several in our home. I love the soft light that it produces and supposedly it helps with allergies and keeping your air clean.

I love my Tabbatha Henry luminary. I had seen these at many local businesses and treated myself to two last year. Unfortunately, only one is left standing because my husband likes to toss his socks long distance into our neighboring laundry basket and doesn’t have perfect aim. 😉

I love Gen The Book Worm and my renewed love of fiction. Thank you for including me in your series! <3


Thank you so much for sharing, Kristy!

Wednesday Randomness | Vulnerability

cbee30a912ad308b499f5e164153e3a1

It’s true. Every day I try to do my very best, but I often fail and sometimes I say or do the wrong thing. I make mistakes. Sometimes they are small and no one notices and sometimes someone does, and they tell me. It is hard not to be defensive or embarrassed.

One of the things I am working on is the idea that we all are growing and much of growth comes from times of discomfort. No one really knows what they are doing all the time and most people learn by doing things.

I have found that some of the very best things in my life have come from starting things that really felt hard at first. I often feel very uncomfortable in times of adjustment and transition. It’s also hard to say “I am new at this” or “I need help”.  It’s tough feeling like you aren’t that great at something, but the only way to get better is to keep doing it and it’s okay to not always know how.

I feel like I am in that place with many parts of my life right now and it can be a hard place to feel confident in your own skin. If you feel like this too, you are not alone. Everyone starts somewhere and starting itself is a huge accomplishment, even if you don’t exactly know where you are headed yet. <3

 

Coffee Talk Tuesday | Currently…

blank instagram landscapes-3

Good afternoon! Is anyone else forgetting which day of the week it is? The kids had a long weekend from school for MLK Day and I have been feeling confused all day…It also means trying to fit everything into a 4 day work week which usually means there is a lot of juggling going on…

With the holiday break just a few weeks ago and a random snow day, I really am looking forward to having a full week of school at some point soon…Figuring out how to juggle work and kids in school is a constant challenge as their schedules and mine are somewhat inconsistent but it is a work in progress!

Yesterday we embraced the day off with negative degree temperatures and had a playdate with some school friends. We are at the age where play dates consist of the kids playing (in another room) and us moms chatting, which is the best! We had many years of not even being able to have a full conversation so I totally appreciate this so much now.

What are you listening to? 

I have been taking a little break from audio books and have been binging on true crime podcasts after getting some awesome suggestions last week on my Instagram post.  I listened to Bear Brook Podcast which was just fascinating and I am just a few episodes into The Cold Podcast.

170x170bb (1)

170x170bb

What are you watching? Nothing right now.

What are you eating?

img_2307

I am obsessed with this strawberry licorice, it is amazing, and addicting. I made the mistake of keeping it at my office desk, and it didn’t last long…

IMG_1159.jpeg

I am also going to a cocktail making class tonight! I currently only know how to make one cocktail so I am really hoping to expand my horizons a little.

What are you wearing?

91sriawbk3l._sx480_

I am loving my UGG boots. They are super warm and cozy and make the perfect “commuter’ boot. I think they are super cute and perfect for getting around town when I don’t want to wear my huge Bogs winter boots. Winter is long here and having winter shoes you love makes such a big difference!

What are you looking forward to?

49752987_2210943385623652_2140867800636325888_o

We are teaching our first 2019 YLYC class this weekend and I can’t wait to meet everyone! Teaching is one of my very favorite parts of my work and I always get excited about meeting a new group of photography friends when we teach our beginner class. We have quite the class lineup this winter and spring and it is exciting to think about how much our classes have grown and being able to watch so many amazing photographers blossom in the process.

I hope you are having a great start to your week. <3

A Ladder To The Sky by John Boyne | Book Review

book review-28

The new novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Heart’s Invisible Furies , a seductive Highsmithian psychodrama following one brilliant, ruthless man who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of fame.

Maurice Swift is handsome, charming, and hungry for success. The one thing he doesn’t have is talent – but he’s not about to let a detail like that stand in his way. After all, a would-be writer can find stories anywhere. They don’t need to be his own.
Working as a waiter in a West Berlin hotel in 1988, Maurice engineers the perfect opportunity: a chance encounter with celebrated novelist Erich Ackermann. He quickly ingratiates himself with the powerful – but desperately lonely – older man, teasing out of Erich a terrible, long-held secret about his activities during the war. Perfect material for Maurice’s first novel.
Once Maurice has had a taste of literary fame, he knows he can stop at nothing in pursuit of that high. Moving from the Amalfi Coast, where he matches wits with Gore Vidal, to Manhattan and London, Maurice hones his talent for deceit and manipulation, preying on the talented and vulnerable in his cold-blooded climb to the top. But the higher he climbs, the further he has to fall…


Wow! This was my second John Boyne book and following The Hearts Invisible Furies, I had high expectations. This book was totally different and the storytelling was just truly impressive. This story follows Maurice Swift and his rise to fame as an “author”. Maurice is introduced as a handsome young man who wants nothing more than to be a famous and celebrated writer.

“I think Maurice is whatever he needs to be, whenever he needs to be it. He’s an operator, that’s for sure.”
― John Boyne, A Ladder to the Sky

Maurice is actually not a likable guy and he does “whatever it takes” to get the story. But this book keeps you hooked through its dark humor and that this story brought to life through the people that guided (and assisted) Maurice along his way.

This story was truly unique and kept me on my toes. The middle lagged for me a bit but the ending was satisfying and I enjoyed when the tables were turned. A big thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

 

Sunday Kindle Deals | E-Book Deals

Blank Instagram Portraits-34.png

Sundays seem to be the best day of the week to find great Kindle book deals! I picked up In Pieces by Sally Field and enjoyed all of these other books previously…

The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe

In Pieces by Sally Field

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Meet The Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

 

 

Bodies of Water by T. Greenwood | Book Review

Book Review-27.png

“In 1960, Billie Valentine is a young housewife living in a sleepy Massachusetts suburb, treading water in a dull marriage and caring for two adopted daughters. Summers spent with the girls at their lakeside camp in Vermont are her one escape–from her husband’s demands, from days consumed by household drudgery, and from the nagging suspicion that life was supposed to hold something different.

Then a new family moves in across the street. Ted and Eva Wilson have three children and a fourth on the way, and their arrival reignites long-buried feelings in Billie. The affair that follows offers a solace Billie has never known, until her secret is revealed and both families are wrenched apart in the tragic aftermath.

Fifty years later, Ted and Eva’s son, Johnny, contacts an elderly but still spry Billie, entreating her to return east to meet with him. Once there, Billie finally learns the surprising truth about what was lost, and what still remains, of those joyful, momentous summers.

In this deeply tender novel, T. Greenwood weaves deftly between the past and present to create a poignant and wonderfully moving story of friendship, the resonance of memories, and the love that keeps us afloat.”


What an amazing book. I have been completely engrossed by T. Greenwood’s writing the last few weeks, this being her third novel I have read in a row. Her detailed characters and ability to draw you into her scenes make her books so powerful.

Bodies of Water was such a moving story about love during a time when if it didn’t fit inside a certain box, it was forbidden. This was the love story of two women, Billie, and Eva, that started in the 1960s. This book is narrated by Billie and alternates by her in the present (when she was in her 80s) and going back in time. It was raw and heartbreaking and also just breathtakingly beautiful. The story was depicted so accurately for the times and showed both the personal and financial circumstances that altered the path of their story in such a powerful way. It covered so many issues including domestic violence, loss, friendship, alcoholism, infertility, marriage, and motherhood. I didn’t want this one to end and it is a book that will stick with me for a long time.