Summer Library Challenges Goals and Survey

The Book Monsters

I'm here today to show you my current pile of library books and also to fill out the library book survey. 

I'm going to be updating you on my current pile of Library books every week of this challenge. I love pictures of books especially library books. Yes, you may see some of the same books every week, but I'm hoping that I will have new ones added in there also. Frog Princess by E.D. Baker, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan have been on my pile for a month already. 

I just finished Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner and started The One and Only by Emily Giffin. 

1. What’s the name of your library and how close is it to where you live?

I go to Siouxland Library which is made up of 13 branches. The closest one that I usually go to is about 5 miles from our house. We also like the new one which is probably 10 miles in the opposite direction. 

This is kind of an old picture, but not much has changed. The far right is the nonfiction section. The first two shelving sections in the middle are YA and the other two are Adult Fiction. The very front to the picture that is the children's section. 

2. How frequently do you go to the library?

I usually go to the library about once a week or once every other week. I usually have quite a stack that I could go less often, but I like to return the books I have finished. 

3. What is the first section you normally go to when you get to the library?

I don't walk around the library as much as I used to. I usually just pick up my holds and leave. Since we are such a big branch system it is easiest to just have the holds sent to the closest library than looking through the library for my next great read. 

4. Share a link to your library’s webpage. How often do you use it and what for?

http://siouxlandlib.org/. I go on the library's website almost every day to check if they have a book, request books, see if my holds are in, check when books are due, renew books. 

5. Does your library have a summer reading program for your age group? Do you participate and why or why not?

I believe they do, but I do not participate. 

6. What is one thing you can think of that would make your library better?

The one I go to needs a wider selection, but for the most part this library system is great. 

7. Does your library have a self checkout station and do you use it more than the circulation clerks?

We have to ask the librarian for our holds although I could tell you where they were at. Then we are encouraged to use the self checkout machine, which is super simple. 

8. What programs have you attended or thought of attending at your library?

I don't attend programs. I have thought about the book clubs, but never have managed to attend. 

9. Do you have family that utilizes the library with you? Who is your “library buddy”?

Me and my sister are regular library users. 

10. What is the best thing about your library?

The best thing about my library is that they are able to help me keep up my reading habit without breaking the bank. I would not be able to read 60 books a year if I bought every book. In fact I would probably only read about 5 books a year if I bought all the books so my library is a great resource to be able to read books. 

Book Review: Heaven Changes Everything by Todd and Sonja Burpo (no spoilers)

Book: Heaven Changes Everything
Authors: Todd and Sonja Burpo
Publication: October 9th, 2012
Source: Audiobook from Local Library
Read: April 20-26th, 2014
Summary (From Goodreads):

How does a visit to heaven change your life?

 Todd and Sonja Burpo's almost-four-year-old son Colton made an unforgettable trip to heaven and back during the darkest, most stressed-out days of their lives. Times were tough, money was scarce, and the bills, frustrations, and fears were piled high.

 How did Colton's visit to heaven change things for them individually and as a family? And what does any of this mean for you and your life?

 Todd, and for the first time ever Sonja and Colton, from their perspectives, share what has happened since the release of their "New York Times" bestseller, "Heaven Is for Real." Through their own experiences, and after hearing from thousands of the more than eight million readers who have shared how the story has affected them, they show you how believing heaven is for real will help you survive hardships here on earth, including the death of a loved one or the loss of a child through tragedy, miscarriage, or even abortion.

 Todd, Sonja, and Colton answer questions such as: - Is it really okay to struggle with and question God? "Really?" - What hope is there for me if I've lost a child or a loved one to death? Will I ever see them again? - What does heaven feel like? - Can I know for sure that I'm going to heaven? - Does God really hear me when I pray? They also explain how their story can help you keep thoughts of eternity in mind in the midst of your own overly busy, stressed-out lives. Heaven truly "is "for real, and believing it changes everything

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My Thoughts

I enjoyed Heaven Changes Everything almost just as much as I enjoyed Heaven is for Real. I knew after I finished Heaven is for Real I wanted more of Colton's story. I found it in Heaven Changes Everything. I have to say I still don't believe in everything that was said in this novel or Heaven is for Real. As I mentioned in my review I do believe Colton had an amazing experience so that he could share his faith with the people on Earth. 

The thing I liked about this novel is that it emphasized that people are not perfect, but God loves them anyways. You have to have a relationship with God to get to Heaven, but nobody is perfect except Jesus so when we sin we are forgiven. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and go to Heaven. Even pastors and their families are not perfect. 

Keeping Heaven in mind changes everything. Todd and Sonja talked about how they can't wait to go to heaven and see all the love ones that they missed. I'm excited to reunited in eternity with my loved ones also. I think the christian faith just makes end of life so much easier because we don't have to worry about our life here on earth being the end. We have heaven. I think it going to be exciting to finally meet my savior and be in heaven. Of course I'm not ready now, but like Todd and Sonja I do look forward to heaven. I think this book gave me a better perspective of how to anticipate heaven without wishing life here on Earth away. Jesus is praying for us to join him up in heaven and honestly I want to meet him at the end of my life here on Earth. 

Todd talked about his struggle with faith. After all he is a pastor and pastor's should never question God, but like normal people Todd is not perfect. I myself have questioned God. Why he makes bad things happen to good people I still can't explain? I have been mad at God for long periods of time because I don't understand. Let's take my dad losing his job for example. After 14 years of employment my dad was let go. This was a very hard time in our family. My dad was working on his 2nd masters at the time and had to drop at school because we couldn't afford it. My dad losing his job was a blessing in disguise. He got a new job that wasn't as stressful and allows him to spend more time at home with us meanwhile he was able to finish his master, but at a better more interactive online setting. Almost the same thing happened to my mom 2 years later. She is now home more and not as stressed at work. Although I blamed God for both of their hardships I now see that he was trying to give our family more time together. I do believe everything happens for a reason and although there are still some things I will never be able to see the bright side on I do believe it is normal to be angry with God. 

The last point I want to highlight is when Sonja talks about Child- Like Faith. I loved this in the last novel that Child-Like faith is such a pure form of faith. Their third child Colby has begun to pray to the lord to help people and has become a comforter much like Colton. A point that stuck out to me last book is when Colton told the man in the hospital that "the first person he would meet in heaven is Jesus." Now Colby is displaying that same type of faith in Jesus. Sonja talks about her passion for children and her love for youth ministry. Colton keeps telling Todd that "Jesus really loves the children." Sonja wants church to be a welcoming place for children just as the Sunday School rooms are. I think this highlights on the point that we can learn something from the Child-Like Faith Colton and Colby share. We can learn that God doesn't want us to pray using flashy terms, but to pray like we mean it. 

I have highlighted some points in the book that stuck out to me. Overall I believe this was a great book and gave me a lot of think about. I think this would be a great book for people to read. There are so many places in the books where I remember places in my faith I can improve on. It stregnthen my faith and my walk with God. 

May Wrap Up and June TBR

I have been out of college for about three weeks now and boy am I enjoying the stress free life. At first I started out with almost too much free time. I didn't know what to do with all the free time because I'm so used to be crazy busy. I am enjoying summer so much and even got some sun yesterday. I am taking one class online this summer, but it is pretty easy class so far anyways. I am not working this summer, but I have Kindercamp coming up next week. Kindercamp is a one week program for future Kindergarten students to adjust to school. We have two separate classes over a two week period. I have done Kindercamp for the past two years and I'm excited to come back for a third year. I think it is a great experience for my future career as an elementary teacher or special education. My dream is to teach Kindergarten or 1st grade. While some people don't like the newbies. I love starting from scratch and watching these kids grow and learn.

May was a pretty good reading month. At first I thought I was being pretty slow and there was no way I was going to make it through the giant TBR list I have for the summer.  I do think I was able to accomplish a lot this month and make a dent in operation TBR. I started the month off with Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. This was a perfect summer read. It was a beautiful written debut with music, friendship, and romance. Then I started to reread The Book Thief by Markus Zusak while at the same time reading Just Destiny by Theresa Rizzo and Phoenix Overture by Jodi Meadows. I loved The Book Thief, Phoenix Overture was good, and I disliked Just Destiny. Then I read a short novella Cinderella is Evil. I didn't enjoy it as much as Killing Snow White, but it was good. Then I read Sunlight and Shadow by Cameron Dokey which as you will see by my review it was magical and I was totally enchanted. I liked Sleeping Beauty by Jenni James, but I had some complaints and the same goes for Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel. Although I liked the story and tackled the book quickly I was expecting more. Then as my last novella of the month I read The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer, which I enjoyed. As you can see above mostly 5 star reads this month.

I'm currently reading Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner.

My TBR did not go well for May. I was only able to get 2/5 books on my TBR list done. It seems that all my library books came in at the same time and I usually read library books by new releases first because I usually can't renew. Since I want to limit my TBR to five books I didn't get to choose many new books this month. The books I hope to read this month are The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker, Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, The One and Only by Emily Giffin, and The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston. I want to read book that blows me away because I just don't feel like I have found one of those books in a while. 

Don't forget to sign up for the library books readathon starting in just 9 days now. I'm so excited to spread the library love. Sign Up Here

Also one of my new blogs I follow is a primary school librarian and is giving away If you Give a Dog a Donut.

74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber (Cedar Cove #7) Character Follow Along (Spoilers Included)

Terri Miller Polgar is the main focus of this novel. I really did not like her in the last novel and I still don't overly enjoy her characters. Her marriage is still good to be true in my mind there is no way it would last in real life. Bobby and Terri barely spent any time together before getting married. In this novel Terri is being threaten by *gasp* a Russian Chess player who wants to beat Bobby. He threatens Terri and puts Bobby into a depression that lasts most of the novel. Meanwhile Terri finds herself pregnant, hides the pregnancy from her overprotective husband, who is overjoyed and buys the baby everything money can buy. Bobby beats the Russian chess player and their problems are over. I just made that sound really cheesy and truly it was because there was no mystery. It was easily figured out and we all knew Bobby would never lose.

Rachel Pendergast has a big decision to make in this novel. Does she marry Nate and move to San Deigo or does she stay in Cedar Cove? Terri believes that Rachel really does love Bruce, but Rachel says that she is just there for Jolene. Bruce begins to realize his feelings also and begins to show Rachel his love. Rachel goes to a political rally with Nate and realizes she could live this lifestyle. When Rachel is kidnapped by the Russian Chess Player's Body Guards and thinks she is going to die it is Bruce she thinks about not Nate. She breaks up with Nate and confesses her love to Bruce. Bruce doesn't believe her at first, but eventually believes her and they get together.

Linnette Macafee was one of the other big characters of the novel. She decides that she can't watch Cal Washburn and Vicki be together so she is leaving Cedar Cove with no destination. She ends up in Buffalo Valley, North Dakota where she meets Pete Mason. Pete Mason rescues Linnette from a tornado and she tells him the whole story. Linnette is working as a waitress where Pete comes to eat. Linnette believes that Pete Mason is rude, but he is just patiently waiting for her heart to heal. Maybe a romance will blossom in the next novel.

Will Jefferson, Olivia's brother, moves to Cedar Cove into Linnette's apartment. He is going to take over the Harbor Street Gallery. The town originally thinks he is going to create problems in Grace Harding's marriage and although he tries nothing happens.

Troy Davis, a rather minor character, reappears in this novel. He is the towns local sheriff and has always had a role int he novels, but never very big. Troy's wife Sandy died of MS two months earlier. His daughter Megan is at Troy's house constantly to keep her father's grief at bay. Troy begins a relationship with high school sweetheart Faith, but Megan believes Troy is not ready to move on after Sandy's death. So Troy does not tell his daughter about Faith. Meanwhile Megan learns she is pregnant. She is overjoyed until two months in she miscarries the baby. Troy feels guilty and breaks up with Faith just as she has sold her house in Seattle to move back to Cedar Cove. I believe they will rekindle their relationship in the next book. Megan has a health scare after her miscarriage. The doctor thinks she has MS too. We will find out in the next novel. Troy is very scared for his daughter.

Grace learns that her fourth Grandchild has arrived Kelly had her second baby Emma Grace. Olivia tells us that Justine is pregnant with her second child also. They are both going to have four grandchildren. Olivia has a health scare when her mammogram comes back funny. After a series of test it is discovered that Olivia has breast cancer. This makes the book very relatable. I have personally known many people who have had breast cancer. Most of the people I know have survived, but the person I know that is battling currently we know it is going to take her life and it has been terribly hard on us. The doctors are going to help her live as long as possible, but cancer is eventually going to take her life. Olivia is positive about her diagnosis. She is going to have surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. I believe Olivia will be a trooper through it all. This is a highly relatable part of these novels.

Jack does not handle the news well and starts going to more AA meets to keep himself from drinking. It brings back the painful past of when Jack's son Eric had leukemia. He doesn't want to lose Olivia. Olivia is strong for the both of them as always.

Maryellen and Justine didn't have a big part in this novel at all. I hope to see more of them in the next novel. Maryellen finds an agent for Jon so he finally can practice his photography.

Pastor Dave Flemming and his wife Emily are to be featured in the next novel. Emily finds earrings in Dave's office and believes he is cheating on her. That is what is to be found in the next novel 8 Sandpaper Way.

Book Review: 74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber (Cedar Cove # 7) (no spoilers)

Book: 74 Seaside Avenue
Author: Debbie Macomber
Publication: September 1st, 2007
Source: Local Library
Series: Cedar Cove #7
Read: April 21st-April 26th, 2014
Summary (From Goodreads):

74 Seaside Avenue

Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,

I'm living a life I couldn't even have" dreamed" of a few years ago. I'm married to Bobby Polgar now (you know, the famous chess champion who just happens to be the man I love!). And we've got this beautiful house with a view of Puget Sound.

 Lately something's been worrying Bobby, though. When I asked, he said he was 'protecting his queen' and I got the oddest feeling he wasn't talking about chess but about "me." He wouldn't say anything else.

 Do you remember Get Nailed, the beauty salon in Cedar Cove? I still work there. I'll tell you about my friend Rachel, who's got two men interested in her (count 'em, "two"). And I'll let you in on what I've heard about Linnette McAfee, who left town when her love life fell apart. ("That" kind of trouble I know all about.) Come in soon for a manicure and a chat, okay?

 Teri ( Miller) Polgar

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My Thoughts

I admitted in my review of 6 Rainier Drive that I wasn't too happy to have Terri Polgar as the main character of the next book and I was mostly right. The mystery in this novel was definetly lacking. Unlike the arsonist in 6 Rainier Drive this mystery had no suspense and was easily solved. 

Some of the more minor characters had a more important role in this novel such as Rachel from Get Nailed. Linnette Macafee also had an interesting storyline. Olivia and Grace were in this book more for not so happy times. I was glad to see the characters have a part in the novel. 

There was nothing really accomplished in this novel besides Rachel situation. I did enjoy it, but it could have been so much better. 

There seems like there will be more interesting developments in the next novel 8 Sandpaper Way. I can't believe I'm nearing the end of the Cedar Cove series. This is my least favorite book in the series, but I still enjoyed it. Debbie Macomber makes me feel like I know all of these characters. I will read the next book soon. 

Check Out My Character Follow Along if you have already read this book.