whatcha readin'? {2016::book 14 - goal 12}

August 1, 2016 Arlene Giddings

oh alice hoffman...
you have done it again.
you have pulled me in
with vivid colors
and beautiful words
and imagery...

so many lines in this book
that i just wanted to read
and reread...
to sink into and absorb...
her writing is lyrical and evocative.

the story is based on some true elements...
Camille Pissarro, a famous artist of the 20th century,
is one of the main characters but she
brings you into the life of his mother...
and all of the beautiful messiness
involved in being a family
and loving/letting go.

i am hoping there are more books
by her that i have not yet read...
and if there not,
i may have to re-read what i have already read,
she is that good.

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP: THE KITCHEN HOUSE - KATHLEEN GRISSOM

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 13 - goal 12}

July 26, 2016 Arlene Giddings

i LOVED this book

i could not put it down.
the writing, the imagery, the story line, the characters.
i don't know if i was partial to it because
it takes place by water
and there are many references to small town living
and lighthouses
and ships and sails and fishing,
that made it feel like home to me...
but i do know that it drew me in
right from the very first sentence.

read it. you won't be disappointed.
(and...if you are, you probably shouldn't follow my advice any more
when it comes to books...i will lead you astray.)

and i just gasped cause i just realized
it's coming out as a movie!!!

and yay!!!! i have surpassed my
(somewhat measly) goal of books
to read in 2016!!!
Yay me!
(and if truth must be told,
then you should know that i have
read TWO more since this one...
but i am very behind on blogging.
it's summer, you know...i hope you
can cut me some slack...if anyone is
even reading...heeheehee)

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP: THE MARRIAGE OF OPPOSITES - ALICE HOFFMAN

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 12 - goal 12}

July 11, 2016 Arlene Giddings

well.

i didn't love this book.

it was ok. it was interesting.
but
i didn't love it.
the idea was interesting
but the writing didn't draw me in,
didn't carry me along...
i wanted to love it...i mean...it's Margaret Atwood!
but
it was ok....
just not really my thing...
elvis and marilyn,
end of time,
livin' in your car,
fear and conspiracy and futuristic and fatal...

i'm sorry, Margaret Atwood.
i didn't love this one...but it's because of me, not you.

tuesday truth::you are here...and here is good.

July 5, 2016 Arlene Giddings

i have not been here in a while...
weddings are in full swing,
work is busy,
the weather is too nice to be inside...
there are books i want to read,
music i want to listen to,
naps i want to take.

a four day weekend that went by in a blur
silly group selfies, family bbqs and fireworks,
sharing a bag of popcorn
and cold cans of pop in a darkened car
while we waited for showtime to start.

wedding on saturday...
beautiful day and a bride and groom so sweet,
their vows made me tear up
along with many others watching.

and then lots of time to work on the bullet journal
and finish up the instagram challenge that
i was late for
#doodlewithusinjune
and even got caught up on
the inner excavation book
i am doing a read-a-long on...

monday was a drive to the trails in bonshaw,
super-perfect doughnuts from the blue goose...
getting a little lost in the woods
and a bit of an irrational adrenaline rush fear
that a pack of wild dogs
might get me...
a racing heart,
a couple of dirt roads,
a snack while sitting on big rocks by a river barefeet in the sun.

Sundays are sweet...

June 26, 2016 Arlene Giddings

today was laying on the deck, sunshine, recuperating from last night's wedding, reading a full book from cover to cover, orange popsicles, elle king, diet coke, and lunch at the dairy bar.