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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Mockingjay- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #76



What Mockingjay is about:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. 

I've heard the good and the bad about book three,  but I didn't let any of that influence me as I finally cracked open the spine of the last book in the Hunger Games trilogy. For me,  this last chapter in Katniss' saga was absolutely compelling. I couldn't wait to get back to my book and honestly, I'm a bit sad that it is all over. Much like Katniss, I wasn't sure who to trust and I was on edge the entire time she was making her way through the Capitol to hunt down Snow. I wasn't surprised at the final shot that came from Katniss's bow....I think it needed to be done! The ending was perfect....and it worked for me!!

Recommend? Oh yes!! I'm glad I waited so long to read book 2 and 3 because I didn't get caught up in the hype, spoilers (can you believe it?), and the fight between love interests Peeta and Gale.

Source: This one came from my personal library where it languished for a few years!



Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #76
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Magic Hour (audio version)- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #75



What Magic Hour is about:
Having retreated to her western Washington hometown after a scandal left her career in ruins, child psychiatrist Dr. Julia Cates is determined to free the extraordinary little girl she calls Alice from a prison of unimaginable fear and isolation. To reach her, Julia must discover the truth about Alice’s past—although doing so requires help from Julia’s estranged sister, a local police officer. The shocking facts of Alice’s life test the limits of Julia’s faith and strength, even as she struggles to make a home for Alice—and for herself. 


I've really embraced audio books and 2013 looks like it will be a fantastic year of listening to books. I'm so glad that I started with Magic Hour. I found it hard to tear myself away from the car when I would get to my destination because I was so engrossed in the story.  I needed to know who "Girl" was and how she came to be living out in the forest. For the most part I enjoyed the narrator, but I did find myself annoyed every once in a while when I thought she could have put more feeling behind some of her words.

Recommend? Yes, but just know that at times I felt that Suzanne's narration was lacking in energy.

Narrator: Suzanne Toren

Book Buddies who listened to this one:


Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #75
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tuesday Intros: The Likeness



 posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book
 she decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s).
 Feel free to grab the banner and play along!


My Tuesday Intro pick is The Likeness by Tana French. I loved both Broken Harbor and In the Woods, so jumping into this one was a no-brainer!!


Prologue

Some nights if I'm sleeping on my own, I still dream about Whitehorn House. In the dream it's always spring, cool fine light with a late-afternoon haze. I climb the worn stone steps and knock on the door--that great brass knocker, going black with age and heavy enough to startle you every time--and an old woman with an apron and a deft, uncompromising face lets me in. Then she hangs the big rusted key back on her belt and walks away down the drive, under the falling cherry blossom, and I close the door behind her.


 Would you continue reading this one
 based on the opening paragraph?


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading?



Mailbox Monday 
is a gathering place for readers to share the books that
came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.




I received Temple of a Thousand Faces from John Shors last week. He emailed me a few weeks ago and asked if I would consider reading and reviewing his newest novel. Having loved Cross Currents a few years ago made the decision to say yes, very very easy!! I'm really looking forward to this one!

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Hosted by
We discuss the books that we've read 
and what we're planning to read for the week.


Read and talked about last week:
My One and Only- adorable romance book by Kristan Higgins
Spotlight on Level 2 - very highly anticipated read by fellow book blogger Lenore Appelhans

Bookish Thoughts this week:
Magic Hour- audio book
Mockingjay- finally finished book 3!!

In my Bookbox:








FINISHED: Somebody to Love, After the Rain, Mockingjay, and currently reading The Fault in Our Stars!! Hoping to get to The Likeness this week!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Saturday Snapshot- field of wheat


Saturday Snapshot
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!)



This is a photo that I took about 5 years ago when my camera was still in pretty good working condition and I was able to get some great shots. This is the field behind my house when it was planted in wheat. The day was absolutely gorgeous with the blue skies. I've been thinking of blowing it up and putting it on the wall!!


Thursday, January 24, 2013

My One and Only- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #74



What My One and Only is about:
Divorce attorney Harper James can’t catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister’s destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she’s being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancĂ© back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.
Harper can’t help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick’s eyes, Harper’s always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend

This one took me a bit to get into but about 50 pages I was off and running! I liked Harper and realized early on that she was just afraid of being abandoned by those she loved and so I was able to accept   her crazy behavior!! Even though I felt some things were a bit improbable, I still enjoyed the story.

My favorite part was this:
The sun was so bright outside that for a moment, I couldn't see. But then I could, and there he was, leaning against the red Mustang, hands in his pockets, looking at the ground. He looked up, saw me, froze for a second...and then his lightning smile flashed, and I realized I was smiling, too.

In that moment this scene from my teens (a fave!) and might I add THE SONG (I love this song! Thompson Twins Rock!) flashed through my head....and I was totally in love with Nick!
P.S. You don't have to watch the whole thing, just the first 40 seconds will do the trick!


Reason for reading it? Because I'm on a bit of a romance binge right now!

Recommend? Yes. It was a funny, romantic story.

Source: Public Library



Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #74
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Tuesday Intros: Level 2



 posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book
 she decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s).
 Feel free to grab the banner and play along!

My Tuesday Intro pick is Lenore Appelhans (fellow book blogger and friend) debut novel, LEVEL 2 ( MEMORY CHRONICLES). I'm beyond excited for Lenore so I am doing my little bit to add to the buzz about her book and hoping that my book friends may even go so far as to get a copy! Lenore is such a positive force out there in the book blogging sphere. She writes an amazing YA blog, keeps us entertained with pictures of her kitties, and still finds time to visit other bloggers.

So without further ado here is the opening paragraph of her new book...........................





Chapter 1
I'll sleep when I'm dead. I used to say it a lot. When my dad suggested I turn off the flashlight I thought I so expertly hid under my covers. That time youth pastor Joe told us to pipe down at the church lock-in. The balmy summer night I convinced Autumn to sneak out after midnight so we could dance in Nidda Part, arms outstretched to the stars. But then I died.

 Would you continue reading this one
 based on the opening paragraph?

Monday, January 21, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading?



Mailbox Monday 
is a gathering place for readers to share the books that
came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.


IT'S HERE!!!!
I'm so excited to see my pre-ordered copy show up on my Kindle the other day!! I couldn't be happier for Lenore and I can't wait to read this one!!!!!!!!!! Lenore ROCKS!!
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Hosted by
We discuss the books that we've read 
and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and talked about last week:
After the Rain by Karen White- loved this one and really enjoy this author!
Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins- oh my!! I am adoring this author right now!

Bookish Thoughts this week:
My One and Only
Magic Hour- audio book

In My BookBox:






Finished: Somebody to Love, After the Rain, and currently reading Mockingjay

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Saturday Snapshot--Breathtaking morning moment


Saturday Snapshot
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!)



Last week I was driving to work around 7:20 a.m. when I look over to my right and see the sun starting to rise. I was immediately struck by the gorgeous colors and had to stop my car and take these pictures through the front window. 

  • No editing was done to this photo.
  • I added the frame and the copyright tag via picmonkey. 
  • Camera Phone Samsung Galaxy Proclaim

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Somebody to Love- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #73



What Somebody to Love is about:
Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist's assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn't the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn't the only thing that needs a little TLC….

2012 belonged to Jill Shalvis, but 2013 will be the year of Kristan Higgins my friends!!!! Holy moly, have I been living under a rock?? I'm so glad that I checked out two of Kristan's books over the holidays and that I decided to sit down early Sunday morning with this one. I read ALL morning long and if you were able to see my face I'm sure everyone would have been laughing at my expressions!! One minute I'm smiling like a dork, the next I'm crying, and before you know it I'm laughing, sighing, and basically just loving every single minute of this sweet, smart, romantic book!! I so loved Parker and all of her baggage, and James....be still my heart!!

Recommend? YES. YES. YES. If you like funny, sassy, smart characters with a lot of heart and flaws too, then this is an author that you must read. Seriously.

Reason for reading it? Because I've been following Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins Man Wars on Facebook and I've been meaning to read one of Kristan's books at some point.

Book Buddies who read this one too:


Source: Public Library



Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #73
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

After the Rain - Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts # 72




What After the Rain is about:
A novel set in the picaresque town of Walton, Georgia, where one woman is about to discover that the best journey is the one that brings you home.…

I know it sounds a bit cliche', but I was hooked by page 2 of this story and basically read until I finished the book! I loved this sequel and thought White did a fabulous job of putting the reader right back in lives of the characters from Falling Home. Oh my did I fall in love with the southern town of Walton, Georgia and yes, I fell in love with many of the people who walked those quaint streets. White has a way with creating a story line that doesn't seem far-fetched. My heart broke a few times as Joe learned how to be a parent without his beloved wife, how to trust another person with his children, and to allow himself the freedom to love again. Each character added something to this story and left an impression on my heart.

Recommend? Oh my, yes!!! But please read Falling Home first. It adds extra depth to this story and the characters might not really get to you without doing so!!

Source: Karen White and Fiona Brown @ Penguin Group
Disclaimer: Thank you to Penguin Group and Karen White for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.




Bookish Thoughts #72
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Tuesday Intros: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes



 posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book
 she decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s).
 Feel free to grab the banner and play along!


My pick this week is, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I accepted this book last year as a "possible" review book for 2013 and after seeing a lot of positive thoughts about it, I think I will read it for sure!!



Prologue
2007
When he emerges from the bathroom she is awake, propped up against the pillows and flicking through the travel brochures that were beside his bed. She is wearing one of his T-shirts, and her long hair is tousled in a way that prompts reflexive thoughts of the previous night. He stands there, enjoying the brief flashback, rubbing the water from his hair with a towel.


Would you continue reading this one
 based on the opening paragraph?

Monday, January 14, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What Are You Reading?




Mailbox Monday 
is a gathering place for readers to share the books that
came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.





These two ebooks came to my Kindle via St. Martins, Sourcebooks and NetGalley. I couldn't pass up the latest Darcy book and Katie Fforde was praised as a great Brit Chick Lit writer by a fave author Trisha Ashley so I wanted to check her out. Both of these look great to me!!!

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Hosted by
We discuss the books that we've read 
and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and talked about last week:
Discussion about re-defining my reading and having fun this year!
The Shadowy Horses- another stellar book by Kearsley
The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen- loved every single page!

Bookish Thoughts to share this week:
After the Rain by Karen White
Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

In My Book Box:








Finished After the Rain, Somebody to Love

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Saturday Snapshot- Beautiful Skies


Saturday Snapshot
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!)



The other night as my husband was leaving for work I looked over to my right and noticed the gorgeous colors in the sky as the sun was setting. I immediately pulled my phone out of my coat pocket and took this photo!! I never get tired of gorgeous skies....never!

No photo editing was done on this picture. I only added a shadow box to the outside and included my copyright and blog name on the bottom.!

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen - Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #71




What The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen is about:
The minute I saw the letter, I knew it was hers. There was no mistaking it: the salutation, the tiny, precise handwriting, the date, the content itself, all confirmed its ancient status and authorship… 
Samantha McDonough cannot believe her eyes--or her luck. Tucked in an uncut page of a two-hundred-year old poetry book is a letter she believes was written by Jane Austen, mentioning with regret a manuscript that "went missing at Greenbriar in Devonshire." Could there really be an undiscovered Jane Austen novel waiting to be found? Could anyone resist the temptation to go looking for it?

My very first thought after finishing this book was that I was so sad that it had to come to an end. Syrie James transported me back in time with her lovely book, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, and I have to say that she did it again with this story. I adored the Stanhopes and was absolutely captivated by Rebecca. I absolutely loved the way James set the plot  and how she introduces this lost manuscript of Jane's into the current time. The story never lags and at times I honestly thought I was reading Austen's words. I'm going to run upstairs right now and grab The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen off my shelf....I must read it soon!!!

Recommend? Absolutely! Each book that I've read of Syrie James has been wonderful and I swear she must somehow be related to both Austen and Bronte!!

Source: Berkley Trade via NetGalley



Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #71
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Shadowy Horses- Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #70


What Shadowy Horses is about:
Verity Grey abandons her comfortable job at the British Museum to seek adventure on an archaeological dig in the wilds of Scotland. But when she arrives on site, she discovers that the excavation is being led by a discredited and eccentric old man who has forsaken scientific evidence. Instead, the entire team is following the word of a local boy who claims that he saw a ghostly Roman soldier in the fields.

I will readily admit that Susanna Kearsley has me wrapped around her little finger. She writes something and I will read it. The best part is that what she writes is so incredibly wonderful, that being a Kearsley Fan Girl brings me nothing but joy!! This book was beautiful from beginning to end, the storyline was intricate, and the characters became friends.  Visiting her blog before reading one of her books is valuable because she almost always posts pictures from the sites that gave her the inspiration for her stories and she often times gives the reader a glimpse into where some of her ideas gained fruition. Kearsley has delivered yet another fantastic piece of historical fiction and I'm thrilled that I started 2013 with a stellar read!!

Recommend? Without hesitation! Read all of her books if you ever get the chance, you won't regret it!

Source: NetGalley/Sourcebooks



Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #70
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Re-defining what makes reading fun......



I think there may be a bit of a theme this 2013 with many book bloggers deciding to stop accepting review copies, posting just a few times a week, reading more from their own shelves, and some are even completely closing shop. I have to admit that I have flirted with all of these issues at one time or another. But this past year has really helped me put into perspective what I want to do with my reading and with my blog. Like many of you, I accept a book because at the time it sounds so damn awesome that I couldn't imagine not reading it. Then it arrives along with ten more books and before you know it they're all mating like rabbits! I open the door to my book room only to find that I can't get in very far because of the stacks upon stacks of books!  And then that terrible feeling descends on me and my sunshine attitude goes to crap and I am feeling anxious. The date for the review is looming near and I'm not even close to starting that book....and the anxiety goes up another level.

I've decided to step away from accepting review books for this year. I've been very good at saying no. It isn't easy but I've been doing it. I do have three author requests that I am honoring this year and I'm fine with that..most especially Beth Hoffman's new release...I love her, so I would read her book no matter what! I may even say yes to a few TLC books and once again ,because I truly love TLC and the ladies who run it. But I will be more selective and there will never be more than one every couple of months.

What can you expect when you visit Life in The Thumb?

  •  Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading participation
  •  First Chapter First Paragraph participation
  •  Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts
  •  Six Sentence Movie Thoughts
  •  Saturday Snapshot participation
  •  Random posts....sometimes I surprise myself with a topic.
  •  Dewey RAT participation

Anxiety and reading should not go hand-in-hand. I want to enjoy the experience. I want to relish each and every book that I decide to read. I want to have fun again. I want to explore my library and actually read a few of the books that come home with me. I want to browse my own bookshelves and finally take one down that has been patiently waiting for me to discover the tale within the covers. I want to clear out some books that are languishing on my Kindle. I want to read for me.

Happy Reading Friends!
Staci

Monday, January 7, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading?




Mailbox Monday 
is a gathering place for readers to share the books that
came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. 
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.




All of the books that made their way into my home over the past few weeks was via my Kindle.
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Hosted by
We discuss the books that we've read 
and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and talked about last week:
When Snow Falls- fun romance
Rapture in Death- another stellar audio book..IMHO...
Twelve Days of Christmas- adorable and made me feel as if I was in England for just a little while.
Every Secret Thing- another hit by a favorite author of mine, Susanna Kearsley!
A Fatal Grace- fantastic mystery with a great cast of characters...love this series!

Bookish Thoughts to Share this week:
Shadowy Horses 
The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen

In my Book Box: (these are my picks for the month)



Saturday, January 5, 2013

Saturday Snapshot- Ice


Saturday Snapshot
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!)

frame/copyright tag added in picmonkey

The weather has certainly taken a turn for the brrr here in Michigan. I've been watching
this particular bit of ice on my bushes for over a week now and it's still holding on!
This photo was taken January 5, 2013 @ 7:35 a.m.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Wrapping up 2012 reads....

After stepping away from blogging on a schedule for the past two weeks, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things and get back to posting again. But before I can do that I have to post about the final books that I read in 2012. These will be short and sweet.....as usual!


When Snow Falls (Whiskey Creek #2) by Brenda Novak
Super short synopsis: Family secret, waiting for Mr. Right, and discovering love.
Source: NetGalley
Reason for reading it: Set during the holidays and the super-cute cover!
~This was my first Brenda Novak book and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to know the two main characters and found myself falling a bit in love with the "bad boy" Dylan Amos. Liked it enough to read the first book in the series, When Lightning Strikes.




Rapture in Death (In Death #4) audio version by JD Robb
Super short synopsis: Someone is controlling people's mind with virtual reality games and making them committ suicide with a smile on their face!
Source: Audible.com
Reason for reading it: I am totally addicted to this series and quite frankly, I adore Eve. I love her bad-ass attitude and how she never gives up until she has the right answer. Roarke is still as hot as ever and they are certainly getting their marriage off to a smokin' start! The narrator, Susan Ericksen, absolutely makes this so enjoyable!!





Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley
Super short synopsis: Holly's husband died before Christmas so now she does everything in her power not to be happy nor to celebrate Christmas. But house sitting in a manor house on the Lancashire Moors during the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring changes to her life.
Source: Purchased .99 cents from amazon.com
Reason for reading it: I was still in the mood for reading fluffy chick romance and found this book that took place in England. Sounded perfect and it was! I loved this story and the characters. Made me want to book a ticket to their little village and hopefully be asked to stay!! I will be reading more from this author!



Every Secret Thing (Kate Murray #1) by Susanna Kearsley
Super short synopsis: Journalist Kate is unwittingly embroiled in a murder that happened during WWII and has to run for her life in order to bring the aging murderer to justice.
Source: Purchased from amazon.com earlier this year
Reason for reading it: I absolutely LOVE everything that Kearsley writes, so when this was available on my Kindle I bought it immediately. I loved Kate and thought the whole story was brilliant. I always enjoy how Kearsley weaves the past and the present quite seamlessly and makes the reader believe it all. I hope she continues on with this series.


A Fatal Grace (Three Pines #2) by Louise Penny
Super short synopsis: Someone electrocuted the hated CC de Poiters in the middle of a frozen lake, in front of the entire village. Yet no one saw anything.....
Source: Public Library
Reason for reading it: After reading A Still Life, I knew that I would continue on with this series and can I just say that I made the right decision? There wasn't one thing that I didn't love about this book. Chief Inspector Gamache is becoming a favorite character of mine and I love Three Pines with its eclectic cast of townspeople. Fantastic way to spend a cold winter day.....




Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #65-69
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.