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Reading Roundup // 09

February 20, 2015August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 1 comment
Reading Roundup // 09

I think my reading slump has broken and now reading is one of the biggest things that I want to do these days. I really enjoyed all of the books in this post, so that definitely helped too!

A COLD LEGACY, BY MEGAN SHEPHERD

This is the third and final installment of The Madman’s Daughter trilogy, so I won’t really say much about this book. I loved it, though. I have read each book as they have been released and have really enjoyed the series; I don’t think there is one book that has disappointed me. I thought this was a satisfying conclusion. It introduced some new plot lines, but I thought the first two books naturally led to this one and nothing felt out of place to me. The series does have some disturbing and uncomfortable moments for animal lovers, but don’t let that turn you away if you’re interested in the story, because it really is a fantastic series!

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, BY PAULA HAWKINS

Rachel enjoys watching a couple eat breakfast on their deck as she rides the train each morning, until she sees something that shocks her and is unable to keep it to herself. This is the first book that has been compared to Gone Girl that I’ve felt was most similar, and if you liked the general premise of the book (missing person, not sure what happened or who’s responsible), but didn’t like the craziness of Gone Girl, you might like this one. I enjoyed both books, but I think I liked this one a little more because I thought it was more believable. It kept me guessing until a little over halfway through, but even once I had an idea of what happened I was second-guessing myself. I didn’t really feel a connection with any of the characters, but I didn’t want to either because I didn’t think they were likable characters at all. I was still invested in them, though, and I wanted to see what happened to them. If you like psychological thrillers, I definitely recommend this one. It was an enjoyable read. I listened to the audiobook and one day I walked into work while listening to this. Someone asked if I was okay because I looked annoyed and my response was, “I was! At a character!”

THROUGH THE WOODS, BY EMILY CARROLL

A graphic novel with “chilling tales” that take place around the woods. I put “chilling tales” in quotes, because that’s what I had in mind when I read the description. I thought it would be one of those books that are kind of creepy. You might shiver when you read one. But this book lives up to it’s description. It’s not going to give you bad dreams or nightmares. At least, I wouldn’t expect it to… I probably shouldn’t make a blanket statement like that in case it actually does! But it’s definitely a pretty creepy read. I think the format of this book is perfect; because the artwork alone would have been unsettling, but not creepy, and the words would probably have been the same way. The words and artwork together work well to provide an unsettling and creepy escape that I’m looking forward to returning to at some point soon. I think this is one that you’ll read over and over again and find new things to pick up on, both in the stories and art (which was absolutely gorgeous!). I got this from the library, because I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it, but I’m going to be picking up a copy of this soon so that I can enjoy it again and again.

JUST ONE YEAR, BY GAYLE FORMAN

This is the follow-up to Just One Day, which I talked about in my last reading roundup. I won’t say much about it other than that it’s Willem’s story. You may remember that I was a little disappointed with the first, but I definitely wasn’t with the second. I really loved spending some time with Willem and learning more about him. I think these two books work really well together. Reading this one gave me a greater appreciation for the first and having read the first definitely made me appreciate Willem’s story much more. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect. I heard that there was a lot of disappointment with the ending, so for those who disagree with me on its perfection there is a novella called Just One Night. I thought it was unnecessary, but it was also an enjoyable read and definitely something to consider if you love the two books and want to visit them again.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING?

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Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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One comment

  1. Loyal RUN says:
    February 20, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    I want to read The Girl On The Train! šŸ™‚
    I'm still reading Grimm's Complete Fairytales.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily ā€œI love you’sā€ are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
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