BBBC August: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

BBBC: Beauty Blogger Book Club

I cannot believe how quickly this summer flew by!!! It wasn't until the last week of the month that I realized I hadn't picked up the book for August, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (picked by Lisa from Blush and Back Roads) and realized I needed to get on that! 

August BBBC pick: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train is the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between two women, Vivian and Molly, who have both faced hardship and struggles in life due to the fact that they became orphans as young children. The book toggles between past and present telling both women's stories in a seamless manner. Molly, a teenage foster child, is sentenced to community service. Her boyfriend pulls some strings and she ends up at the house of a rich elderly woman, Vivian, to help clean out her attic. In the process she learns about Vivian's past and how the two of them are not so different after all.

As soon as I picked this book up, I got into it. I read the whole book in one day. It was THAT good. And if I'm being completely honest, I wasn't expecting it to be. The story intrigued me, but I didn't expect it to consume my day the way it did. Lol. I was amazed to learn that orphan trains actually existed and took children from cities in the east, like NYC, to the midwest for "adoption". The thought of what some, if not most, of what these children went through and survived amazes me. Some children were adopted by families that wanted a child, others went to family that wanted "indentured servitude" or, for lack of a better word, slaves. It makes me grateful for what I have and for what my kids have. But what truly captivated me about this novel was the friendship that developed. Even though Vivian is in her 90s and Molly is a teenager, they become friends. It just goes to show to you, age really ain't nothin' but a number!!! ;-)

Excellent pick, Lisa! Even if you are not into historical literature, this is an excellent read and I'd recommend it. Check out what the others thought:

Michelyn at Brains, Beauty & Basketball

Ashley at If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather at Love To Be Busy

Lisa at Uncommon Wife Life

Lisa P. at Blush and Back Roads

Next Month:

I had the distinct honor of choosing our book for September... So I had to go the YA route. Because that's what I love to read. I chose the book, I Was Here by Gayle Forman. I have read her books If I Stay (now a major motion picture) and it's sequel Where She Went. They were amazing. I'm (almost) ashamed to admit I read them both in ONE day. (I really am a book nerd.) I'm looking forward to I Was Here. Let me know if you have any recommendations!!! xoxoxo

BBBC July Book Review: Paper Towns by John Green

BBBC: July Book Review ~ The Wonky Brow

It's the end of the month and that means it's time for my July Beauty Blogger Book Club book review. Lisa, from Uncommon Wife Life, chose our book this month and her choice was Paper Towns by John Green. I was excited to read this novel for three reasons... 1). It has been made into a movie. 2). It was my first John Green novel. And 3). I'm always down for a Young Adult novel. 

July Pick: Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns is the story of Quentin Jacobsen (a.k.a. Q), a reserved, band geek (who isn't even in the school band) and his life-long crush and next-door neighbor, Margo Roth Speigelman. Margo disappears the day after taking Q on an all-night adventure filled with payback, vandalism, and breaking and entering. However, she leaves behind clues as to where she has gone and Q is determined to find her. As he follows her clues, he learns a lot about the Margo he thought he knew... But he learns even more about himself.
This was a great book. The way it was written had me engaged from the very beginning. The characters were realistic and relatable. And they were funny. I lol'ed a few times while reading this. (If a book can make me laugh out loud, it's a winner.) Also, the story took place, for the most part, in Orlando, Florida (my city!). But the ending is what I appreciated the most. It didn't feel rushed or unresolved and it left me thinking... I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone. 
Check out what everyone else thought of Paper Towns: Ashley at If you Give A Girl A Ring Heather at Love To Be Busy Lisa at Uncommon Wife Life Lisa P. at Blush and Back Roads Michelyn at Brains, Beauty & Basketball  (Michelyn is on maternity leave and will be back with us soon!!!)
For August, Lisa P. from Blush and Back Roads has chosen the novel, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This one looks good!!! Read along with us!

August Pick: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

xoxoxo,

Beauty Blogger Book Club June Review: The Year We Left Home

Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC)

Happy July Everyone!!! A new month means it's time for my book club review! For the month of June Heather, from Love To Be Busy, chose the book, The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson. This book follows the story of an Iowa family from a farming town through a few decades, cities, and  trials and tribulations.

June Pick: The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson

The synopsis I read for this book had me intrigued... But I must admit, this was a hard read. It took me a long time to really get going, and I just never really got into the book. I found the characters very hard to relate to and annoying, actually. By the end of the book, I just didn't get the point. It didn't feel like there was enough conflict or tension and absolutely no climax. And then it ended! I was like "whaaaaaa?!?!?" 

Next month we will be reading Paper Towns by John Green. Picked by Lisa, from Uncommon Wife Life. I haven't read any of John Green's novels and can't wait to dive into this one! 

July Pick: Paper Towns by John Green

Don't forget to check out what everyone else thought of The Year We Left Home:

Michelyn at Brains, Beauty & Basketball

Ashley at If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather at Love To Be Busy

Lisa at Uncommon Wife Life

and 

Lisa P. at Blush and Back Roads.

Did you read along with us? What was your reaction?? Let me know!!!

The Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC)

This post is a little bit different... I joined a book club! And not just any book club... A BEAUTY BLOGGER Book Club. Could life get any more perfect??? 
I have always loved to read and when I saw my friend Heather's post at Love To Be Busy about the book club she's a member of, I immediately wanted to join. So I did. While I love to read, I always have a hard time settling on a book! So it's a good thing I didn't have to choose the book for the month... YET. Lol. 
I thought this would be a fun activity since it's a pastime I love and great way to connect with other bloggers! There are 5 other bloggers in the group. Feel free to check out their thoughts on last month's read, Where'd You Go Bernadette? By Maria Sample:
Michelyn at Brains, Beauty & Basketball Ashely at If You Give A Girl A Ring Heather at Love To Be Busy Lisa at Uncommon Wife Life Lisa P. at Blush and Back Roads
This month we will be reading The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson. 

Don't have a blog? That's okay... Read along with us anyway! And don't forget to look out for our "book reports" at the beginning of each new month! xoxoxo