Loved this book...

I had no clue when I picked up this book at the library. No one had recommended it to me. I had never read a review or even heard of the author. I was in a hurry and the cover caught my eye. I quickly tossed it into my checkout pile and let it sit on my dresser for 3 weeks. I just finished it a few days ago and the story keeps popping up in my mind. It may not become a classic....but I thought it was really, really good. I'm not going to go into details, because I wind up feeling like either I am missing something important or that I am giving too much away! So, follow the link above and check out the book or check here for reviews. I don't think you'll be disappointed in Keeping The House.

Fall Reading Challenge Recap....

Well, the Fall Reading Challenge is over. I must say, I did thoroughly enjoy being a part of this challenge. (kind of sad to see it end....) Here's a little update on how I did with the challenge.

Did you finish reading all the books on your fall reading list? If not, why not?

Nope, I didn't. However, I did manage to read more then I have ever read since my BK (before kids) days. Let's take a look at my original list....the title in red have been read. (hehe...couldn't help myself!)

The Cat Who Dropped A Bombshell by Lillian Braun

The Longing by Beverly Lewis

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber

311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber

50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber

6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber

74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber

8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Can you Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella

A Sister’s Secret by Wanda Brunstetter

Dear to Me by Wanda Brunstetter

Allison’s Journey by Wanda Brunstetter

When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall

The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg

Who Holds The Key to Your Heart by Lysa Terkeurst

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

So, you can see, I really didn't do that badly.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?

I actually added a few books to my list...which is maybe why I didn't manage to finish my list. I read....

Just Shy of Harmony

Home to Harmony

A Sister's Hope

Blessings

The Secret's in the Sauce

A Sister's Test

Beginnings

The Tender Years

What was your favorite book that you read this fall? Least favorite? Why?

I think this question is probably next to impossible to answer for me. I really did enjoy most every book. I guess I probably enjoyed Debbie Macomber's Cedar Grove series the most. That might be because I have been reading them for the past month, so they are fresh in my brain. However, I did come to enjoy the characters and am looking forward to reading more from her. I think my least favorite books were written by Wanda Brunstetter. I just didn't get into them as much as I had hoped.

Did you learn something new because of the Fall Into Reading challenge?—something about reading, or yourself, or a topic you read about?

I learned that I really can fit reading into my life right now and I rediscovered just how much I love a good story. :)

What was your favorite thing about the Fall Into Reading challenge?

My favorite thing was actually having a reading plan of sorts. It helped keep me going to the library to check out books. I also liked checking in once in a while to see what others were reading.

If you want, you can check HERE to see how others did on their challenge.

More Fall Reading...

I am getting so many good books that are OFF my Fall Reading List. It's like one good book leads to another and then another. It all started with a catalog that made it's way into my kitchen. I sat down one day and glanced over the books they were selling. Then I looked them up online and decided to get a few from the library. While I was looking one up, I would stumble on another book. Ah, well....the list is still my Wish to Read this Fall list and I will probably manage it. However, I am going to add quite a few more to my actual "read" list.

Books I just finished:

Beginnings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Beth Quinn is struggling to find a place to belong in the Old Order Mennonite Community of Sommerfeld, Kansas. When she starts a business designing stained glass windows, two men-one a Mennonite, the other not-begin to vie for her attention. Andrew Braun, a member of the Sommerfeld fellowship, is dedicated to family and faith. Sean McCauley, the son of a successful businessman, may only be interested in Beth's talents. Will Beth look to her heavenly Father to fill the emptiness within, or will her desperate quest for love shatter more than one heart?

Well, can I just say that I loved this book. It is actually the second book in a trilogy, but my library did not have the first book. The third book in on hold and I am next in line to get it. So, hopefully I will have it in a week or two.

The Tender Years by Janette Oke

Author Oke continues the story of Marty and Clark from her "Love Comes Softly" series with this book focusing on their granddaughter Virginia. Just entering her teen years, Virginia is finding life in her household a bit stifling. Although she dearly loves her family, she is anxious to grow up and often finds the family rules and religious beliefs are getting in the way of her fun. When Virginia becomes friends with a lively, outgoing girl named Jenny, she suddenly finds herself questioning her need to obey her parents when she could be enjoying herself with her friends. Unfortunately, Jenny's headstrong behavior soon has tragic consequences.

Ok...can I say, I love this one, too!! Hehe. It is rare that I don't just love a book, so forgive me! I honestly had never read any books by Janette Oke, but I had seen some of the Love Comes Softly movies from Netflix. They were really good. I didn't realize when I read The Tender Years that Marty and Clark were the very same Marty and Clark from the movies. It's been a while since I saw the movie! Now, I am looking forward to reading more of this series....but I will wait until I get some more of my reading list under my belt!

There is something about reading a good book. I wind up stuck in my book and stay up later then I should on most nights. Then during the day while I am doing my routine stuff, I will sometimes think about the book and look forward to some down time when I can pick it up again. Then, comes the end....the last page. I read it and feel satisfied and sad all at the same time. It's hard to have a smile and a frown on your face at the same time...but that is what I often feel like. Ever feel that way???

Hope everyone is in the middle of a good book! If not, get thee to the library!!!

Fall Reading Challenge Review

Just thought I would check in and share where I am at with my Fall Reading List. I think I have done pretty good. :) It has been fun having books laying around. I have always loved reading, but with young kids my reading time was pretty much limited to magazine articles. You know, things that could be short and sweet. There are different kind of readers in this world and I happen to fall into the group that has a hard time putting a good book down. That is especially true once I pass the 3/4 mark. ;o) Yeah, I can't help myself. I've been known to make a meal with a book in my hand. Of course, it wasn't a gourmet meal....but it was edible! Now that we are down to just one kid at home, it seems that I have more time to read. I have taken advantage of that and the best thing is it has been encouraging the kid to read more, too. Can't ask for better then that!!

So, anyway, back to what I have read. I have 15 books on my list and I am currently reading #5. Books 6 and 7 are sitting on my dresser waiting for my attention. I did want to share about two of the books. I am keeping track of the books I have read in a list on the right hand side.

If you have read and enjoyed Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series, I would like to recommend her other books. I think they are BETTER then her Shopaholic books. They are not part of a series and each one stands alone. The Undomestic Goddess and Can You Keep a Secret? are fun, light reads that I have enjoyed the past few weeks. In fact, before the Fall Reading Challenge I read another one of her books called, Remember Me. It was really good. You can click on the links to read some reviews.

Currently I am reading Beginnings by Kim Vogel Sawyer and it is NOT even on my list! I just like making things more challenging for myself. hehe

Fall Reading List

Wow...I have quite a list going already. I love reading and this is a perfect excuse to keep me reading during the fall. :) Of course, I am sure to find other books that grab my interest along the way. That's ok, I'll just add them to the "Books I Read for the Fall Challenge" List. Most of my list is just "fun" reading. I like it that way. It's not to late to join us!!! Just pop on over to Callapidder Days and get the details. You can check here for the official launch post and check out everyone's book lists!!

The Cat Who Dropped A Bombshell by Lillian Braun

The Longing by Beverly Lewis

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber

311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber

50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber

6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber

74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber

8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Can you Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella

A Sister’s Secret by Wanda Brunstetter

Dear to Me by Wanda Brunstetter

Allison’s Journey by Wanda Brunstetter

When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall

The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg

Who Holds The Key to Your Heart by Lysa Terkeurst

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

reading challenge

Fall is fast approaching and with the cooler weather and grey skies, what better way to spend the day then curled up on the sofa reading a good book? Ok, maybe that's just fantasy for some. I never get to spend a day reading...but, I do love reading. Callapidder Days is having her 3rd annual Fall Into Reading Challenge. It begins on Sept. 22nd and ends December 20th. All you need to do is put together your list of books that you hope to read during the fall. Don't worry, it really is a no pressure deal. You post your list on your blog and link it back to her site. Then at the end you post a followup talking about the books you managed to read. There is even a prize to one random blogger and a weekly drawing for a free book. Make sure you read all about it here. I'm going to work on my list!! :)