Small and Simple Things

From Goodreads:    In these pages, Sister Hinckley shares some of the small and simple things she has gleaned from a lifetime of experience. Gentle encouragement, expressions of faith, and enduring advice for everyday problems will bring a smile to your face and gratitude to your heart for the small and simple things in your own life that make all the difference.







My Thoughts:

-    I've always admired Sister Hinckley's outlook on life. I thought this book would be filled with fun and uplifting things. It didn't disappoint.

-    I loved how she talks about food and shared some of her favorite recipes.

-    I liked how she mentioned to not over schedule your kids or yourself. It is good to leave time to spend together. Gnome is in preschool and dance. I'd like her to take piano lessons, but it is hard to know how much is too much. 

-    The book is mostly a compilation of Sister Hinckley's favorite quotes, scriptures, and poems. It was fun to read these.

-    I probably wouldn't read this again, but it is a little and quick read. I enjoyed it. 

Fan Art Friday: Anne of Green Gables

There was a TON of stuff for this book! I wish I could showcase them all.

I was surprised at how many paintings I found. I usually only find drawings and sketches.

If you liked a certain picture, and want to know who the artist is, the pictures are linked.

They are all so good, but the last one is my favorite. I just love seeing Green Gables and the surrounding area. I like the colors. The one of Matthew and Anne touches a tender spot in my heart too.

Which is your favorite?

Maus, I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History

Goodreads Says:    A story of a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe and his son, a cartoonist who tries to come to terms with his father's story and history itself.















My Thoughts:

-    This was a very unique graphic novel.

-    I was intrigued that this was a true story about the author and his father's story.

-    The story was captivating and sad. I read this in one sitting. I just couldn't stop reading.

-    I love the old man's accent. It was fun. 

-    The illustrations were dull. There wasn't much emotion or movement. I think they could have been better.

-    The ending was abrupt. I really want to read the second book. 

Anne of Green Gables

Goodreads Synopsis:    As soon as Anne Shirley arrived at the snug,  white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knew she  wanted to stay forever... but would the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not  what they expected -- a skinny girl with decidedly  red hair and a temper to match. If only she could  convince them to let her stay, she'd try very hard  not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes or blurt  out the very first thing she had to say. Anne was  not like anybody else, everyone at Green Gables  agreed; she was special -- a girl with an enormous  imagination. This orphan girl dreamed of the day  when she could call herself Anne of Green Gables.





My Thoughts:

-    I haven't read this for a long time. It was like revisiting an old friend.

-    Anne and her imagination are hilarious. This brought back so many memories of laughing with my family at Anne's shenanigans.

-    Matthew will always have a piece of my heart. He is so kind and understanding. 

-    Marilla, though stern, is also very kind. She has a rough exterior, but underneath she is a gentle woman. I love how she secretly laughed at things Anne did or said. 

-    Ah Gilbert. . . sigh.

-    Even after all these years, I still want to crawl into the book and live in Anne's world. Her life was simple, yet full. 

-    This story and these characters never leave you. They become a part of you. 

-    Definitely a story all young girls need to read. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall Books

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Books on My Fall To-Read List

 
 
 
 

The Continuous Conversion

From Goodreads:    I wrote this book because I know too many people who are giving up! One discouraged friend said, "I can't do this Mormon thing. I've tried, and the expectations are just way too high." … I know returned missionaries who spent their entire missions teaching about the Atonement, but now they have made some mistakes and feel like the Atonement won't work for them. I know people who have gone to the temple to be sealed and then never returned. I know others who are feeling burned out in their callings. Too many Latter-day Saints feel like they will never measure up. I wanted to write something that will provide hope and motivation next time we or those we love are tempted to toss in the towel. I wanted to write something that would remind people why we do what we do and that it's worth it--not because of all we are earning, but because of all we are learning. Instead of just going through the motions, I wanted people to read this book and once again feel the emotions of discipleship. That's what they are missing. Whether the challenge is getting more out of the temple endowment or dealing with callings or juggling the many aspects of our lives and feeling like we are dropping too many balls, I wanted to provide a shot in the arm.

My Thoughts:

-    I enjoyed this book better than The Continuous Atonement. This one spoke to me more.

-    It is nice to know that others have the same questions and struggles that I do.

-    I learned a few things about me and the gospel. It was good.

-    I really liked the story of the old man juggling for Jesus.

-    There are times where I feel like God asks too much of us, but we can only do our best. 

-    I liked the theme of this book. We are constantly being converted to the gospel. It isn't a one time deal. We will always be learning and striving to be better throughout our whole lives. 

Bloggiesta Goals

It's the Bloggiesta starting line!

My Goals:

Link Fan Art Friday picture sources

2 Mini challenges

Comment on 5 new blogs

Get ahead on Fan Art Friday

Get ahead on Top Ten Tuesday

Participate in a Twitter Chat

We Were Liars

Goodreads Says:    A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
 
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. 
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

My Thoughts:

-    I love the writing style. There were short choppy lines, but most of the book wasn't . I liked how the author mixed those styles. It worked really well.

-    The random fairy tales were weird. I could see how they applied, but I didn't think they were needed. It just took time away from the story.

-    There was a lot of heavy swearing, lots of F bombs.

-    The book was slow. The characters do a whole lot of nothing.

-    I was told the ending had a big crazy twist that I wouldn't see coming. Well, I figured out what was going on pretty quick. The book had an M. Night Shyamalan feel to it, and once I thought of his movies, the ending was pretty obvious. 

-    I wasn't a big fan of this one. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I've Only Read Once

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Authors I've Only Read One Book From but NEED to Read More


Maggie Stiefvater - I've only read Scorpio Races. I want to read Raven Boys really bad.


Leigh Bardugo - I only read Shadow and Bone and I really want to finish the series.

Pierce Brown - Red Rising was amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!

Jamie Ford - I was introduced to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet for book club, and I really enjoyed it. I want to read more of his stuff.

John Green - I've only read The Fault in Our Stars. I'd like to read more.

Alexandra Bracken - Brightly Woven blew me away. I read that book ages ago, and I've wanted to read more from Alexandra since then.

Sara B. Larson - I can't wait for Ignite!!

Zoe Marriott - Shadows on the Moon was unique and amazing! I want more!

Erin Morgenstern - The Night Circus is magical and so unique. She needs to write more stuff!

Elizabeth Ross - Belle Epoque is one of my favorite books this year! I would love to read more from this author.

Guardians of the Galaxy

My Thoughts:

-    I went into this movie with pretty low expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved it!

-    The characters are great. I loved Rocket (the racoon). He was hilarious! I also loved Groot. He was a heart warming character. Rocket and Groot reminded me of Han Solo and Chewy.

-    I laughed so much during the movie. Rocket's humor was right up my alley. The characters would do things that were so unexpected. I couldn't stop the giggles.

-    I loved all the cool gadgets and tech.

-    I loved seeing Thanos.

-    I thought the story was great. The villains were great!

-    There was a lot of language, nothing too heavy. There were also some dirty jokes. 

-    The CG and environments were awesome!

-    I want to read the comics now.

-    I would definitely go see this movie again. 

Fan Art Friday: A Series of Unfortunate Events

These books are fun. The movie was a disaster, but the books are fun. . . and frustrating.

So much talent! I love all of these in their own way. I can't really pick a favorite. They all speak to me and portray the stories perfectly.

Which is your favorite?