What Would You Do? #NabloPoMo

Image Credit: Deep Creek Vacations

If time and money were no object, what would you jump into right now? I know I wouldn’t mind jumping in a hot tub right now! This one is really sweet!

Image Credit: Up Hill Writing

I also wouldn’t mind jumping into a new book – though I can’t decide which one. I started the 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge at the first of the year and did really well – for a while – but I have been slacking for a while. *hangs head in shame* Time to get back at it!

I am participating in June’s BlogHer and BloggerPR #NabloPoMo posting challenge.

Today’s prompt: What is something you’d like to jump into if you had more time/money?

What Inspires You?

What Inspires You ~

Today I was reading over Evolution Parenting and clicked on “Inspire” on the Menu. I really love this category on Evolution Parenting. I especially liked of the posts about books. As most of you know I am doing a reading challenge this year. I have challenged myself to read 60 books for Goodreads’ 2012 Reading Challenge. I am on book #15 for this year so far and, admittedly, I have gotten kind of lazy on this one. However, Goodreads states that I am still “on track” so I guess I am doing okay. :)

Image Credit: Evolution Parenting

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“Night Road” by Kristin Hannah {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

Night Road ~

Night RoadNight Road by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first introduction to Kristin Hannah was the book “Firefly Lane.” Admittedly, I bought the book because of the pretty cover (as all her books seem to have, I’ve since learned). But, as I soon realized when I read the book, it was fabulous! It did take me a while to get to another book by her, though, as romance or chic lit type books aren’t usually my go-to choices.

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“High On Arrival” by Mackenzie Phillips {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

Mackenzie Phillips and High On Arrival ~

High on ArrivalHigh on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow. I think this was definitely the hardest autobiography I have ever read. I can’t even really decide what my opinion is on this book. At moments I loved it and at moments I just felt so bad for Mackenzie that I had a hard time getting through the rest of the book. And yes, sometimes I wanted to knock some sense into her.

 

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“Always Looking Up” by Michael J. Fox {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

Michael J. Fox ~

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable OptimistAlways Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I started reading this book really not knowing much at all about Michael J. Fox, except for the fact that he has Parkinson’s Disease. Of course I knew that he was in “Family Ties” and “Spin City” (although I watched neither show), and I probably watched “Back To The Future” somewhere along the way although I can’t really remember it, so his acting career wasn’t a big lure in me deciding to read this book. The way I have seen him deal publicly with his debilitating diagnosis is what drew me to this book.

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“A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

A Thousand Splendid Suns ~

A Thousand Splendid SunsA Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of two women from Afghanistan. This story is about the heartbreak and unique suffering that women in this area of the world must succumb to at the hands of men, societal judgments, and seemingly never ending war. It’s horrifying to read what these two women have to go through, suffering that I can only imagine, thankfully. Yet, these women endure and carve out little pieces of hope in their unforgiving existences.

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“Not Without Hope” by Nick Schuyler {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

Not Without Hope by Nick Schuyler ~

Not Without HopeNot Without Hope by Nick Schuyler

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book tells the story of 4 men who go on a guy’s fishing trip. One of the men was getting ready to leave for NFL training camp (2 were on NFL teams and all had at least played in college) and this was going to be their last time together for the foreseeable future. What should have been a great day of relaxation turns into 2 days of terror after a series of bad luck and bad decision making ends in their boat being overturned 70 miles off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. Four men leave on the boat and only makes it home alive after he watches helplessly as all of his friends succumb to hypothermia, dehydration and exposure.

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“From This Moment On” by Shania Twain {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

 

From This Moment OnFrom This Moment On by Shania Twain My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who knew that this woman who once lived so far out in the bush in Canada and had such an impoverished childhood that food and running water was a luxury would grow up to be one of the top selling music artists of all time? I found her childhood story fascinating and not at all what I expected. She overcame a tremendous amount of adversity to get to where she is today. I couldn’t imagine how she felt when she was thrust into the role of parent to her siblings in her early 20s due to the tragic passing of her parents. She took on her new role as breadwinner to her smaller siblings and was still able to reach her high goals she set for herself.

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“On Mystic Lake” by Kristin Hannah {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

On Mystic Lake ~

Image Credit: Goodreads

I found this book to be very easy to get through and a fast page turner. On Mystic Lake is the second Kristin Hannah book that I have read and, although I didn’t like it quite as well as I did “Firefly Lane,” I did like this book quite a lot. There are many very likable characters in this book, especially Izzy. I also really like Nick and felt a lot of empathy for him.

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“The Time Of My Life” by Patrick Swayze {Book Review} #2012readingchallenge

Patrick Swayze ~

Image Credit: Simon and Schuster

I had no idea that Patrick Swayze had done so much in his life. I always loved him because “Dirty Dancing” is one of my favorite movies and I love “Ghost” and “Point Break” as well. Of course, I knew that he was an actor and a dancer, but I had no idea that he was so talented in so many other areas. I will discuss some of these further, under the spoiler section, so you can skip them if you would like.

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