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#scsbc14 Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge: Second Update

July 9, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
#scsbc14 Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge: Second Update

Once again, I am a little late in posting my second update for the Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge. And once again I have only read two books. I am slowly but surely making a little bit of progress. I went through my preliminary list again and decided to change it up a bit. I’m excited about the books that I have on my list now and have already pulled a few out so that I can get started. I am currently “reading” (listening to)  Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott that will count for the “Read a book that was written before you were born” category and am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.

Here are the two books that I read in June:

10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.


The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, by Claire Legrand (352 pages)

When Victoria’s friend Lawrence goes missing, she believes there’s more to it than the excuse his parent’s give, so she starts to investigate the mysterious Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, where children go in and come back out different, if they come back out at all. I have had this on my to-read list since I read an interview with the author shortly before its release and all I can say is that this book did not disappoint! I loved seeing how Victoria changed throughout the novel and my heart went out to her at times. I loved that there was a bit of spookiness to the story and I would love to see this as a movie one day.

15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the
challenge. (Yes, you will have to wait until the first check-in to
choose this book! So no one will be able to finish this challenge in
only one month; sorry!)

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green (337 pages)

Hazel and Augustus meet in a cancer support group and start to bond over their shared love for a book, but as they become more attached and start to fall in love Hazel is worried that her precarious health will only cause Augustus more pain in the end. What is there to say about this book that hasn’t been said already? Not much. I cried while reading this, of course, even though I knew how it would end ahead of time. My favorite thing about this book is that while it’s about teenagers who have cancer, it wasn’t as depressing as I expected it to be. There was a lot of humor so I found myself chuckling a lot, particularly at the beginning. They do things that I would not have expected when I picked up this novel. I loved all of the different layers and I thought that they added a lot to the novel. While I don’t think the book would have felt like something was missing without them, I definitely think they added a lot to the story. That’s a really vague comment, but I don’t want to say too much. I greatly enjoyed this novel and am excited to watch the movie–although I’m not sure I’ll see it in theaters. I have a feeling that I will be crying in the movie as well.

Previous Total: 20 points
Total for June: 25 points 
Current Total: 45 points

Check out Megan’s post for the second update to see what everyone else has been reading. 

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.

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. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 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. “The water looks cold,” 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. 😂)

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. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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