Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Books

Reading Roundup // 12

June 8, 2015January 4, 2021 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 2 comments
Reading Roundup // 12

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I had a relatively low-key weekend. A friend came over on Friday for a writing night and I went on a shopping trip that included a stop at Lush (more on that later this week). After church on Sunday I spent the rest of the day clearing out my Bloglovin’ feed (I can’t remember the last time I was at zero unread posts!) and reading.

Speaking of reading, I wanted to talk about a few books that I’ve read recently. I’m planning to switch up these book review posts a little bit, so this might be the last “reading roundup” that I write. I’ve enjoyed writing reviews for the book tours that I’ve participated in recently and would like to dedicate that kind of attention on the other books that I read, instead of quick reviews, as I’ve been doing with these posts. I’m still thinking about how to incorporate them into my blogging schedule, but I’d like to start to writing book reviews more often so that I only have one (or two) books to discuss in each post.

So here’s (possibly) the last reading roundup!

The Coming Generational Storm: What You Need to Know About America’s Economic Future by Laurence J. Kotlikoff and Scott Burns

This book basically discusses the trouble that the U.S. is in financially and explains how the country got to this point. The authors give their idea of what needs to happen with the national budget in order to try to pull out of debt and ends with ways that the reader can prepare for their own economic future, as well as the future of their family, in the event that the country doesn’t make the changes it needs to in order to pull out of debt.

As you can probably tell, this isn’t my typical read. A coworker and I have started a book club, where we get to choose every other book to read. This was his pick for the first book and I’m really glad that I read it. It’s not the most uplifting book to read, but the authors presented the economic situation as it was at the time that the book was written with humor, which definitely helped while reading this book! I appreciated that the author’s pointed out what both Republicans and Democrats did to help bring the U.S. to this point. They also discussed the social aspects that have contributed to the economic future of the country, which was fascinating to read about. This book was written in 2004 and last year they released a new book, which I recently checked out from the library. (So did my coworker!) I really appreciated reading this book as we prepare for elections, and I’m sure I’ll appreciate the new book as well.

Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia lives in a world where couples are paired up by the Society to match ideal mates. So when Cassia hears that she’s been matched with one of her closest friends Xander, she believes that he’s the choice for her. But then she sees another face across the screen and it’s the face of another boy she knows, Ky. The Society has assured her that seeing Ky’s face was a rare glitch, but Cassia can’t stop thinking about him.

This book has been on my radar since it was released, but I didn’t picked it up until now because I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. I’m so glad that I gave it a chance, because I really enjoyed it! I will say that I had trouble imagining how society got to the point that it’s at in this novel and Xander and Ky weren’t standout characters for me (although after the first book, Xander stood out a bit more than Ky), but I really enjoyed following Cassia’s story. I loved her family and learning about them and their different experiences with the Society. I also enjoyed following Cassia as she started to question their way of life and grew suspicious of the Society. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did well. She really brought Cassia to life! After I finished this I immediately checked out the second audiobook from the library!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Note – I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sophie Kinsella’s debut YA novel is about Audrey, a fourteen-year-old whose life has been disrupted by an anxiety disorder following a bullying incident at school.

I love Sophie Kinsella, so when I found out that she was releasing a young adult novel, I was really excited! Once I read the synopsis, I was curious to see how she’d handle the subject matter. I wouldn’t describe this book has being funny, but it wasn’t a heavy novel either. I loved that the characters were a little quirky, as the characters in the Kinsella novels that I have read are. I quickly grew to love Audrey as a character–as well as other members of her family. I found her mother to be a little too over-the-top, however the more that I learned about her, the more that I understood why she did the things she did (even if I wouldn’t have). Sometimes it felt like Audrey’s recovery was moving a little fast, but I also thought that the book needed to move at the pace that it did in order to be a standalone. As I read, I wondered what someone who has an anxiety disorder would think of the novel.

That being said, I really liked this book. As I stated earlier, I quickly grew to love Audrey and was invested in what happened with her. I also liked many of the side characters and, even with the over-the-top actions of her mother, I really enjoyed that part of the storyline. I liked that the parents were present in this novel, as were Audrey’s siblings. Kinsella included transcripts of a home video in the narrative and I loved how the transcripts added to the story. As usual with Sophie Kinsella novels, I teared up a time or two as the book came to an end.

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE? WHAT HAVE YOU READ LATELY?

// PS – My last reading roundup and a book discussion for The Buried Giant.

>> Follow me on: Bloglovin’ // Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest // Facebook

About Crystal

About Crystal

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

Post navigation

5 Books I Want to Read this Spring/Summer
On My Bookshelf // 01

2 comments

  1. Samantha Marie says:
    June 8, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    Those sound like good books. I really need to find time to start reading again!

    Reply
  2. runwright says:
    June 9, 2015 at 4:19 am

    I haven't read any of these but I'm looking forward to that Kinsella novel. I was a big Becky Bloomwood fan for a while. Love me some English characters.

    Reply

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

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.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unvent Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unventful Northern Lights tour the night before and slipped in a few hours of sleep before meeting our bus for the Golden Circle tour. Our tour guide was @busdriver_annie and she was amazing! Pictured: Faxi (the small waterfall) Gullfoss (the big waterfall), a wool market where we also saw some animals, and Geysir (the hot springs area). Geysir is actually the most famous geyser in the world but it doesn’t erupt anymore. However, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. I’ll share more photos from the tour soon!
Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 am, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and went exploring. We saw HallgrĆ­mskirkja, the amazing view from the bell tower, the rainbow street, and walked down Laugavegur. Swipe to the end to see the view from our apartment!
Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam apparently.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope
  • Christmas Playlist // 2022
  • Life Under Construction

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (52)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (57)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (224)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Ā© 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.