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Literary Junkies (February)

I love linking up with the Literary Junkies book club each month to discuss one of my favorite hobbies: reading and books!

Literary Junkies

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Literary Junkies (December)

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I have loved being a part of the Literary Junkies Book Club since it’s beginning a couple of years ago. It is so much fun to get together with other women to discuss a favorite hobby! We have read some amazing books I never would have read otherwise thanks to them! I am excited to link up with them today for our monthly book chat!

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.
 
– I am reading Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop. It is the one I started the day before Christmas and I haven’t quite finished it. I’m hoping to complete it in another day or two. It is a cute story, but definitely not as good of a sequel as I would have hoped for.
2. What were your favorite reads of 2015?
 
– I loved The Lake House by Kate Morton. It was by far my favorite! I also enjoyed Ladies’ Night by Mary Kay Andrews. 

3. What was your book-read total for 2015? Did you make your goal for the year?
 
I’m embarrassed to say – 11 books. My goal was only 20. I normally read a lot more than that, but it was not in the cards for me this year.

4. How many books would you like to read in 2016?
 
– I guess I will give 20 a go again! I would really like to read more than that because there are so many I need to catch up on and several new books coming out this year that I would like to read.

5. What is the number one book sitting on your Must Read list right now?
 
I’m not really sure about this one. I have a couple sitting on my shelf, but I am most excited to read the new Emily Giffin book releasing in June! Any suggestions for me?
 
What are you currently reading?
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Literary Junkies Book Club: August


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Here are this month’s questions:



1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.

I’m Reading Save The Date by Mary Kay Andrews! I loved Ladies Night and couldn’t wait to read the next book of hers on my list. I feel like she write great summertime books. I am really enjoying this one so far, but I’m only about 60 pages in. I can tell it is going to be a good one, though!

2. What books do you have on request at the library? or What books have you just picked up lately?

I just bought The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street at Target totally on a whim. It looked and sounded great! I love historical fiction and you know how I am with catchy cover art. I noticed it and had to have it. Plus, ice cream. It has to be a good one.

3. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

I used to read several at a time, but lately, I have only had time for one book at a time. 

4. What makes you love a book?

Umm… Pretty cover art? A great title and obviously a wonderful story that I can’t put down. They don’t necessarily have to be fast paced, but they do need to be interesting and keep my attention and leave me wanting more. I love a book that makes me think “man I didn’t want it to end. I hope they write a sequel.” 

5. This one is totally random but Fall is just around the corner and we want to know…what’s your favorite cookbook?

I love this question! I am not a great cook, but I try! I love to bake, but I am not a great baker either. I actually just talked to my husband about how I really want to start trying a new recipe once or twice a week to expand my menu this fall. I am going to start in the next couple of weeks and will be sure to share the recipes that turn out well. Right now, I love to use a cookbook that my grandmother’s church put together a few years ago. A lot of the women added their own recipes to it and they combined them and put them in a book. My grandmother gave it to me for Christmas one year and it is my favorite go-to! 

What is your favorite cookbook? Anyone have a great recipe or book I need to try this fall?

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Literary Junkies Book Club – July 2015


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Here are this month’s questions:



1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.


The Royal We by Heather Cocks – It is SO good! Of course, I’m a sucker for all things “royal.” It really is so interesting and really makes you look at the paparazzi a lot differently. I am enjoying this book a lot and would be finished with it by now if it weren’t for two certain babies around here! haha

2. What book reminds you of summertime as a kid?




The Secret Garden is one of my favorite classics of all time because I read it all the time when I was growing up. I also watched the movie at my grandmother’s house every summer. Also, The Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys were always on my summer reading lists!

3. What book did you have on your summer reading list that truly nailed it as a summer reading favorite?


Eight-Hundred Grapes has been my favorite so far this summer. I LOVED it! I was really excited to read it, but it definitely did not disappoint. Review coming soon!!

4. Who is your favorite author and why? Give us your top recommendation by them.


Kate Morton is probably my favorite. She hits it on the head every time and always surprises me. Just when I think I have one of her mysteries figured out, she shocks me. I love her books and she even has a new novel coming out in October!! I would honestly recommend any of her books, but my favorite was The Forgotten Garden.

5. Fall Book Reading lists are starting to make their appearances. What are you excited to read that’s being released this fall?


I’m excited for Nicholas Sparks’ new book – See Me coming out in October as well as Kate Morton’s new book – The Lake House also coming out in October! They will both be on my list along with Nora Robert’s Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy!


What is on your fall reading list? What was your favorite Summer read?

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Literary Junkies Book Club – June 2015


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Here are this month’s questions:



1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.


eight-hundred-grapes



– I’m reading Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave and loving it so far. I was seriously hooked from the first page. It is so addicting and I can’t wait to see what happens! Read the synopsis from Goodreads here!

2.  What are your top 3 reads for summer?


– Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
– The Royal We by Heather Cocks
– The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert 

3. Do you have a favorite book that you like to re-read?


– The only books I’ve ever re-read are Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 

4. Do you have a favorite reading spot?


I love to read in bed before going to sleep. I also love to read in my chaise lounge. It is so comfortable. Unfortunately, it is at my parents house at the moment. 

5. Do you enjoy sipping on a beverage while you read? If so, tell us your favorite drink pairing!!


– I do love a good cup of coffee while I read! Coffee + a good book = perfection.


Check out my 12 Books You Should Read This Summer!


What are you currently reading?

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Literary Junkies // September

 

 
1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.
 
I’m finishing up The Wife, The Maid and The Mistress for our chat tomorrow night! I am loving it so far! I have been listening to it on audio and I am a big fan of audio books now. 
 
2. There are a ton of movies coming out soon that were based off of books. Are there any you’re particularly excited to see?
 
I’m excited to see Mockingjay for sure. I am also really excited to read and then see If I Stay. A good friend of mine just finished it in less than two days and said it was incredible. I have it on my list to read very soon. 
 
3. With fall finally here for some of us, are there any books that you’re particularly looking forward to reading in the season of big sweaters, blankets and hot chocolate? 
 
I would love to read The Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy by Nora Roberts. I have book #1 but because they are about witches, I feel like it is the perfect time to read them. I love Halloween, and I feel like they will definitely put me in the mood for the season! I just hope they aren’t scary. I don’t do scary. Just fun.
 
4. We only have 3.5 months left of 2014. Did you participate in any reading challenges? How are you doing?
 
The only challenge I set for myself this year was to read 25 books. I have read 19 so far. I’m hoping I can finish in time! 
 
5. What has been the best book you’ve read so far this year?
 
I love The Husband’s Secret and The One and Only. Both of them were surprising story lines for me, and they were great! I’m really not sure about any others because I feel like the last several books I’ve read, I’ve been a little disappointed. 
 
What are you reading? 
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Literary Junkies (August)

 
Literary Junkies is an online book club that I am a part of where we read one book a month and discuss it on Twitter. It is such a joy to be a part of and this month, we read one of the best books yet – Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult.
 

 
1. What are you reading? Tell us about it!
 
I’m still finishing up Lone Wolf, although, I will be at my friend’s viewing so I will not be chatting with y’all this week. 🙁 I am absolutely loving it, and the situation with their dad has really hit close to home for me these past two weeks. It has been an emotional book for me to read right now, but really good at the same time.
 
2. Do you read one book at a time, or read multiple books at once?
 
I usually have one book on my kindle and one hard book that I keep going at the same time.
 
3. What is the first book that made you fall in love with reading?
 
I grew up reading fairy tales with my grandmother. They are what made me fall in love with reading. A good book is a nice escape for every day life. 
 
4. Do you prefer a physical copy of the book or an electronic version?
 
I actually prefer a physical copy. There is just something about holding a book in your hands and turning those pages…
 
5. What are three books currently on your To Be Read list?
 
3? Out of 1,000? haha I still want to read the Dream Trilogy by Nora Roberts, The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani and so so many more. Check out my 2014 must-read list!
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Literary Junkies // July

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1. What are you reading? Tell us about it!


I just started reading The Devil Wears Prada. It is one of my favorite movies and I have never read the book, so I thought it was time, especially because Ryan bought me the sequel a couple of months ago! I wanted to read this one first because I know how different movies are from the books, and this is no exception. It is really different so far, but so good! Definitely a must read for every fashion lover!

2. Do you find yourself reading more of a particular genre during the heat of summer? 

I like to read light-hearted things because I read serious stuff all day and it’s nice to relax with a book that doesn’t make me think too much. I do love classics and historical books as well, but during the summer, it’s nice to focus on reading “fun” books.

3. Who are your favorite book villains (either to love or to hate?)

Miranda Priestly, obviously. And because I can’t think of another one right now…

4. If you could choose one author’s writing powers to harness, who would you choose and why?

Jane Austen. Because, she’s Jane Austen.

5. Do you read one book at a time, or read multiple books at once?

I’ve tried reading multiple books at one time, but I always end up focusing on one more than the other. I do however have one book on my kindle and one paperback book going at the same time. I like to read my kindle when I run on the elliptical or bike. The rest of the time, I read my book.

6. What are some of your favorite non-fiction books? 

I don’t read non-fiction. 
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Literary Junkies (June)

Book Club

1. What are you reading? Tell us about it!


I’m reading Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter for our Twitter chat tonight! 

2. Library or bookstore?


Bookstore. I don’t even own a library card anymore. I get impatient when it comes to the whole waiting list thing at libraries. I love to shop for books at discount stores, garage sales, and the clearance section at BAM.


3. What book(s) have you read and re-read several times?

Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Twilight SAGA, Nora Roberts Bride Quartet, Pride and Prejudice, Secret Garden, Fairy Tales

4. What is the first book that made you fall in love with reading?


The secret garden quotes

I’ve talked before about how my grandmother read fairy tales to me throughout my childhood. I fell in love with reading, then. I also grew up reading Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, Hardy Boys, and The Babysitters Club. I loved all of those and had to read the new ones as soon as they came out. I also love The Secret Garden, again because of my grandmother. I grew up watching the movie but then read the book when I was a teenager and it instantly became a favorite of mine. Plus, it’s a classic! 😉

5. Who’s your favorite author? Tell us so we can binge-read!


Wow, I have several: Nora Roberts, Kate Morton, and Adriana Trigiani are the ones coming to my mind right now.

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Literary Junkies (May) + Re-Branding

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1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!






-I just finished The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes. Ohh my, so good! I’ll get a review up soon. For now, here is the synopsis from Goodreads: 




In 1916, French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything – her family, reputation and life – in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.





Nearly a century later and Sophie’s portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting’s dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened…





In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for the thing they love most – whatever the cost.





2. Do you judge a book by its cover? What cover elements make you not want to pick up a book?





-Most of the time, yes unless I’ve heard really good things about it, then I’ll read it any way. I do look at the cover art because you can actually tell a lot about a book by it’s cover. Some of them do surprise you, though.





3. Do you participate in any other bookish link-ups? Tell us about them so we can join next time!





-I participated in Waiting on Wednesday last week where you share about anticipated releases. It was pretty neat. 





4. Have you ever watched a movie that was better than its book version? Explain yourself!





-Nope. Never. In fact, I am starting to dislike seeing a movie after reading the book because they are always a disappointment. The latest movie I saw was Divergent and if you remember from last month’s discussion, I was pretty disappointed in it.





5. Summer is here! Do you read more often during any particular season?





-I usually read more during the Summer and Christmas break, but since having Hampton, I haven’t been able to read quite as much. He’s worth it though. 🙂





6. What is the worst book you’ve read this year? Why?





-I can’t think of any I didn’t like. I’ve read some pretty good ones so far this year. I guess Eleanor and Park was a little bit of a disappointment, but I didn’t dislike it completely. It just wasn’t what I expected. I can’t wait to read everyone else’s answers to this so I can avoid the bad ones.





Let’s be friends on Goodreads!





You may notice that I have a new domain name! I’m in the process of redesigning my blog and I’m leaving Southern Sunflowers and Coffee Beans and becoming Logan Can over the next few days. I will explain and go into more detail later. Please excuse any errors as I make these changes. I am trying to make them with little to no inconvenience for my readers. Thank you for being patient with me. 🙂

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