Summer time and the livin' is easy.....

How smart was it to start a new blog in the summertime when the kids are out of school and craziness ensues?! Not the smartest thing I have ever done, but not the dumbest either;)

I have decided that I have to take a break from reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. I am so enthralled with this book that I want to give it my full attention and those of you who have children know that that is not possible when chaos is the word that describes my day! So it is on hold and there it will stay until 2 of the 4 children go back to school! In the meantime I have been reading other incredible works of joy!

1. A Far, Far Better Place by Anita Stansfield

Anita Stansfield has long been a favorite author. Her books are easy reads that take me out of my world and into another. She incorporates life struggles and faith. In this series Chas is the owner of a quaint little B & B that is obsessed with Charles Dickens. Which means my curiosity is now sparked. I will be diving into Dickens soon! The setting makes me want to go on vacation to a nice COLD spot since it is about a thousand degrees here in AZ right now. I love how the characters have their struggles and work through them in a healthy way. That's all I am going to say about that since I don't want to give anything away:)

2. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Can I just say I am now a fan of Mr. Sparks! This is a very high school meets the real world book. I like how the main character, Ronnie, comes out of her selfish ways to become a beautiful person. She finds an identity beyond the one that her parents want her to have. Not that her talent with the piano is negative in any way, but it is something she discovered as a child. I feel like it is important especially for girls to find out who they are before they delve into being a wife and mother. I am so glad this had the happy ending I was looking for. It was fun to escape to the beach with this book! Can't wait to see the movie;)

3. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

I read this book right after I finished "The Last Song" so I was still in Nicholas Sparks mode. I don't want to give anything away for those of you who haven't read it yet so this is an official **SPOILER ALLERT**.

I don't quite know how I feel about how this book ended. You could tell throughout the book that something was going to happen with Tim and Savannah. On the one hand Tim is such a great guy and you love to see him get the girl because he certainly deserves happiness. On the other hand John and Savannah have that undeniable connection that says they should be together. Why do both men have to be so good and honorable? This would be so much easier if one of them was horrible or even a little bit bad in some way, but they both have their qualities that draw you to them! Darn you Mr. Sparks!

4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I am about half way through this sequel to "The Hunger Games". I am hooked! I will post more when I am finished with it!

What is next!! I always love to have a book waiting for me. Here is what I am considering. Got any opinions or prefrences please share!!

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Fablehaven book 5: Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

I do have some books coming in the mail soon so that may sway my interests in a different direction all together!