Bossypants (Audio)- Bookish Thoughts #8

What Bossy Pants is about:
Tina Fey tells the reader about her childhood, how she fell in love with improv, worked her way through crappy jobs to finally land a prime writing spot on the Saturday Night Live team and create her own television show, 30 Rock.

Why I wanted to listen to this one on audio: I first became interested in this one because of Kathy's (Bermuda Onion) review of the book. Then I read Stacy's (Stacy's Books) review of the audio version and I just knew that I needed to listen to this one!

Source: My public library

• I laughed while listening to this one on my way to work and laughed going home at the end of the day. That is a wonderful way to start and end each work day....right?
• I liked Tina's self-deprecating humor. She is pretty darn humble and easy to like.
• Most of her stories were pretty funny. Even though she's a "STAR" I think many of us could easily identify with her as she went through those stages of awkwardness and self-doubt in our teen years. 
• I really enjoyed the fact that we're very close in age so when she was talking of her childhood I felt like I had come home!
• Her stories about SNL and 30 Rock were interesting to listen to and I've since watched some of the 30 Rock episodes that she talked about and found myself going..."Oh, so that is what she meant!"
• She's a strong woman in a man's world and she's making her mark! 

I love my blogging friends and they were spot on with their reviews. This was a fun book and the audio was just what I needed. I really enjoyed listening to Tina tell her story! And I loved the PDF that she included on the last disc...the pictures cracked me up! 

Bookish Thoughts #8

© 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. 

What Happened to Hannah- TLC Tour Book

Short Synopsis:
As a teenager, Hannah Benson ran away from home in order to save herself. Now, twenty years later, the past comes calling and delivers life-changing news: her mother and sister have passed away, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece. Returning home to bitter memories and devastating secrets, Hannah must overcome her painful past to pave a future with her niece, the last best chance at a family for both of them. 

First Thoughts after finishing: "What an emotional roller coaster ride and a satisfying read."

I am always looking for a book that keeps my attention all the way through to the end and this author delivers! I loved Hannah and her toughness, her need to keep everyone at arm's length, and the harder-than-nails exterior that she worked so diligently to keep in place. The author let Hannah tell the story of the reason why she left her home town in the middle of the night over twenty years ago and I thought it made the story work. Slowly, as you turn the pages, Hannah lets her guard down a little bit at a time. She begins to trust Grady and is taken aback at how much she loves her niece, Anna.  This was a tough look at child abuse and you know that even as you read this review, a child or woman is being abused. That's hard to deal with, but we need to read their stories and we need to see that some eventually overcome their days of terror, learn to love and hopefully realize that they are worthy.

Recommend? Absolutely! I thought this was a really good solid story that captivated my imagination and had me wondering what was going to happen next. I read it in less than two days and every time I had to sit it down, I found myself anxious to get back to it. A great story of love, forgiveness, and second chances!

Mary Kay McComas started her writing career twenty-five years ago. To date she's written twenty-one short contemporary romances and five novellas; What Happened to Hannah is her second novel. She was born in Spokane, Washington, and now lives in a small town in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three dogs, a cat, and her four children nearby.

Source: TLC Book Tours and William Morrow
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Published:  February 7, 2012

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours 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.


Review Book #4
© 2011, 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. 

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.

February Host is: Metroreader

The Pioneer Woman- it mysteriously showed up in my mailbox...not sure why but thank you to William Morrow!!!

Mariana- review copy courtesy of Sourcebooks/NetGalley...I'm very excited about this one!! Fave author!

---------------------------------------

Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read 

and what we're planning to read for the week.

Reviews last week:

Irish Lady- loved this one!! Highly recommend

The Shifter- courtesy of a my fave student Ryan

Bookish Thoughts:

A Cottage by the Sea- loved it!

Unlikely Friendships- wonderful book!

Books featured on my blog this week:

The Diary of Mattie Spenser

What Happened to Hannah

Bossy Pants (audio)

In my book box:

A Moveable Feast- still reading for February Read-a-long

Explosive Eighteen- listening to in the car

Still Life- reading on my Kindle

Six Sentence Saturday and Saturday Snapshot

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.

I took this photo of Lily and Daisy because it goes with the title of the book that I am going to talk about below. Theirs is an unlikely friendship because of their sizes and attitudes. Lily is a moose and at first she used her size as a weapon to abuse Daisy. She wasn't that thrilled when Daisy came into her home. She liked being spoiled and wasn't ready to give up the spotlight. After plowing over Daisy and being put into time out on several occasions, she no longer tries to smash her into the ground. As for their temperaments, Lily is very laid back while Daisy is so high-strung that it drives the humans in the house crazy!! Daisy is very hyper and always on the go, whereas Lily is the exact opposite. But even with all of that, these two have come to forge a true friendship and a bond of sisterhood!!

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read. 
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom

Author: Jennifer S. Holland

Source: Public Library

Reason for reading it: Kathy@ Bermudaonion

Just look at that cover...look at it!! How can you resist reading stories about animals that in all reality shouldn't even like each other, but for some crazy reason end up comforting one another for a night or end up being best friends for years! This book offers up very original pairings of animals with pictures to confirm the stories. I read this over the course of two days and a few times I must admit to have been moved to tears. I've always thought that animals were God's gift to mankind. This is a must-read for anyone who loves animals and it confirms to me that animals have big hearts and old souls.

Rating:

Bookish Thoughts#7

© 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.

A Cottage by the Sea- Bookish Thoughts #6

What A Cottage by the Sea is about:
A remote cottage on the wild coast of Cornwall sounded to Blythe Barton Stowe like the perfect escape from the pain and humiliation of recent events in her Hollywood life. But soon she seems to be reliving a centuries-old tragedy, and the handsome owner of the shabby manor house on the hill appears vitally entwined in her destiny.


Why I wanted to read it: I have  several reasons......

1. My awesome blogging friend Jen @ Jenny Loves to Read, sent me a copy a LONG time ago because I expressed interest in the book after she reviewed it.
2. I am drawn to all things Cornwall...I swear one of my ancestors is from this area!
3. Kaye@Pudgy Penguin listed this as one of her favorite reads for 2010 and I made up a challenge for myself to read some of my favorite bloggers favorite books!
4. It was C in my 52 Weeks 52 Books Alphabetical challenge! 

Source: I read this one on my Kindle and the paperback (from Jen)

• As I stated above I love all things Cornwall and this book really set the tone and atmosphere for me. I will be visiting this lovely place before I die..which, I hope isn't until I'm like 98 or something!
• I really enjoyed Blythe and understood her need to get away from all things Hollywood and to get back to what was real and good in life.
• The whole time travel aspect is something I'm a sucker for...I love this type of book. I was really digging the way Blythe was able to see the past events...very very cool! I can't tell you how...I think that is a spoiler of sorts. 
• The love story...was absolutely captivating. I cheered for this couple and wanted their relationship to be real and meaningful.
• Reading about Blythe reading all of Daphne du Maurier's (who lived in Cornwall) books had me wanting to read all of her titles too! So, that is exactly what I'm going to do! I will be starting with Rebecca, then My Cousin Rachel, because I own both of those titles. Then I will be adding the others as I can get my hands on them. Did you know, not one of her titles is available as an e-book? My husband is lucky because I would have bought every single one right after I finished The Cottage!!!

I want to thank Jen and Kaye for recommending this book so highly. I absolutely loved the story and I'm glad that I bought it for my Kindle when it was free...now, I can go back and re-read it anytime I want! 

Bookish Thoughts #6

© 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. 

Wrapping up January!

Review Books:

• Secrets (Kindle/NetGalley for Sourcebooks) DNF
• Irish Lady (Kindle/NG for Sourcebooks)- finished
• The Night Sky (author request) review Jan. 18 with spotlight on Jan. 17th (finished

Read From My Shelves Challenge combined with 52 Books/52 Weeks

• A.B.C. Murders- finished
• Backseat Saints- finished
• Cottage By the Sea- finished
• Diary of Mattie Spenser-finished
• Emma-listening on audio- I only have 1.5 hours left before I'm done!

Read Fave Bloggers Fave (a challenge I created for myself):

• Margot- Joyfully Retired my choice - Still Life (copy on Kindle)-currently reading will finish in February
• Kaye- Pudgy Penguin Perusal my choice- Cottage by the Sea (own copy)-finished

Additional Books that I read:

• The Lost Wife
• Books Can Be Deceiving
• Smoking Seventeen (audio)
• Unlikely Friendships

11 books read for January 2012

Ryan's Review - The Shifter by Janice Hardy

The Shifter (Healing Wars #1)Synopsis: 
Nya is an orphan struggling for survival in a city crippled by war. She is also a Taker—with her touch, she can heal injuries, pulling pain from another person into her own body. But unlike her sister, Tali, and the other Takers who become Healers' League apprentices, Nya's skill is flawed: She can't push that pain into pynvium, the enchanted metal used to store it. All she can do is shift it into another person, a dangerous skill that she must keep hidden from forces occupying her city. If discovered, she'd be used as a human weapon against her own people. 

The Shifter by Janice Hardy was an almost flawless book! It was completely original and I loved how Nya makes decisions. She tries to remember things from her past and through the book it is heart pounding. I often stayed up too long reading it.

I have never thought about the dark power of a healer. Everything Janice wrote I could keep up with. I remember before I would fall asleep wondering what's going to happen next? I am very glad I grabbed this book off the shelf. I can't wait to get the next book, Blue Fire, in this trilogy.

I'm going to give this book an A+ and a round of applause! No book is a perfect book, but this was pretty close!

Recommend? YES, YES, YES a million times! I'm going to be as persuasive as I can to get others to read this book because was just spot on!

Rating: 9.5/10


Source: Middle School Library

Read and reviewed by Ryan B. Ryan is currently in the eighth grade and loves to read just about anything I throw at him! He stops into the library almost on a daily basis always  eager to find the next great book to read! Look for more reviews from Ryan in February, March, and April!

Click icon for more book review blogs @Barrie Summy