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Reading Roundup

April 11, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Reading Roundup

I thought I’d try a new system for writing book reviews, especially for reviews that come after a reading spree like I just had. Instead of choosing one, I’ll write a little review for all of the books that I enjoyed and would recommend. Today, I have three reviews to share.

The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult. This novel is about the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor who discovers that an acquaintance was a Nazi during WWII when he asks her to forgive him for his involvement and help him end his life. It’s been a few years since I read a book by Jodi Picoult, although I used to be obsessed with her novels. I thought this novel was different than her others, which I appreciated, especially given the subject matter. It really made me think about how something like the Holocaust could have happened. The way that the book is written was fascinating. As usual for one of her novels, it’s told from multiple POV’s, but the way she organized the POV’s was different than she usually does, but also incredibly effective. I actually didn’t notice how she put it together until halfway through the novel. I also appreciate how much research Picoult does for her novels as it really adds an extra layer to the novel. I was turning pages and only read it as slowly as I did because I was traveling at the same time. As soon as I finished it I requested the two books of hers that I haven’t read from the library.

The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty. An Australian housewife discovers a letter written to her from her husband to be opened in the event of his death while he’s still alive. There’s a lot more to this novel than that, but I’ve had this book for awhile and this is all that I remembered about the synopsis so I was a little confused how some of the characters factored into the story when I started reading the book. That being said, as the novel picked up it all became clear. I guessed some plot points ahead of time; however I didn’t know exactly how everything would be resolved and I was turning pages to find out. I loved all of the different elements to the novel and was interested in most of the characters and the different story lines. I also requested another one of her books from the library as soon as I finished this one.

Thanks for the Memories, by Cecelia Ahern. After a woman receives a blood transformation to save her life she wakes up with memories and skills that she never had before. The beginning of this book is a little intense and I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening (although if I had read a synopsis, it would have clued me in) for awhile, but I really enjoyed the story. It was a little bit of a lighter read than the last two, which was nice because I read all of these in a five day period. From what I’ve seen, reviews for this book are extremely mixed, but I really enjoyed it. I think you need to be willing to go with the flow, even if some of the plot points seem farfetched and just enjoy the escape, which I certainly did. I actually really liked the characters and the journey that they went on throughout the novel.

Have you read any of these? What books have you read lately?

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.

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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.

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.
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