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Kayla's Only Heart

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Tag Archives: books

Book Review: Don’t Overthink It

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

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Anne Bogel, BakerBooks, BakerBooks bloggers, book club, book review, books, Christian, Christian living, don't overthink it, encouragement, hope, mental health, overthinking, personal growth, reading, self help

I received a copy of Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel from BakerBooks in exchange for a review. I also purchased a copy.

The delightful and bookish Anne Bogel did not disappoint with this book. It exceeded my expectations, giving me ample content to contemplate and apply to my life. In an early chapter she writes, “When it comes to overthinking, the same thing is true for many of us. We’re bothered by it, but we don’t do anything about it because we don’t know change is within reach” (28). She continues to share common obstacles and highly accessible and desirable information to make tangible progress. Using careful research within the chapters and leaving prompts and lines for reflection at each one’s end, she invites readers to do just that. Reading this felt like having a discussion with a mentor, and each time I set it down I felt a renewed encouragement for continued growth and even affirmation for some of the habits I already had in place. I highly recommend this book as well as the reflection and application sections (I know I sometimes gloss over them or intend to return to them later).

 

I am also a member of Anne Bogel’s Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club and recommend that community as well. It feels so good to be among those who are reading. We share the joy of reading and a mutual desire to make the most of our reading lives.

Book Review: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

25 Wednesday Mar 2020

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Alaska, book review, books, Eowyn Ivey, fairy tale, hope, love, marriage, reading, snow, The Snow Child

Eowyn Ivey’s The Snow Child warms your heart with its realistic grown up fairy tale. Jack and Mabel live in the 1920s where, rather than encountering a wicked witch, they face the Alaskan wilderness in winter as well as the loneliness of yearning for a child. After the first snow, they meet a little girl named Faina. She lives alone in the woods but befriends this sweet couple. Heartrending yet also hopeful, this story invites you to sit by the fireside to enjoy life and love. In the flickers of the fire, you glimpse the raw pain, tenderness, and joy of marriage.

Book Review: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

24 Tuesday Mar 2020

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adventure, book review, books, fantasy, reader, reading, romance, The Princess Bride, William Goldman

William Goldman’s classic fantasy adventure The Princess Bride provided the perfect escape for my Valentine season reading. It may do the same for COVID-19 social distancing too. Westley the farm boy and Buttercup the belle of the farm fall in love despite their odds. Though distanced for a time, they reunite when Westley rescues Buttercup from a kidnapping. Together and apart they face numerous foes, providing plenty of humor along the way. Full of comical quotes, Goldman lends a satirical voice to his story. It has delightful love quotes too, such as Westley saying, “Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.” Westley’s quest to marry Buttercup and the friends they gain along the way have you rooting for each person’s goal. This story has a perfect balance of romance and action that may suit many for a date night to discuss the book or watch the movie.

Book Review: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

18 Wednesday Mar 2020

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book review, books, Brooklyn, Colm Toibin, immigrant, Ireland, Irish, love, reading

Colm Toibin’s quiet and introspective novel Brooklyn delivers a beautiful character driven story about an Irish immigrant who lands in New York. Young and ready to work the job her sister and pastor helped her secure, Eilis adjusts to life in a new country. Sometimes she stands out due to her nationality, and others she sticks out because she upholds a higher level of ethic than her housemates. Her experiences feel so real, I believed I really could see through her eyes. The uncertainty she faces, the joy and love she discovers, and the hope she holds all keep me rooting for her. Realistic and raw, this story shares a universal optimism.

2020-03-18.jpg (4160×3120)

In case you were wondering about the movie, this is one of those few times where the film is as good as, or maybe even better, than the book. Somehow it made a quiet entrance at the box office and appearance at the Oscars, but it deserves to be noticed as much as Eilis does.

 

Book Review: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

05 Thursday Mar 2020

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book review, books, Chanel Cleeton, Cuba, historical fiction, history, reading, revolution

Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novel When We Left Cuba delves into a world of intrigue with its look at the United States during Kennedy’s presidency, Cuba during its tumultuous time under Castro, and young woman spy. Beatriz finds herself in Florida with her family after they left during the Cuban Revolution. Upset about the politics behind her transition, she consents to help the CIA. Secrets and dreams grow as Beatriz matures. The story holds interest with its historical and cultural aspects, and it has its engaging plot with espionage. The spy angle veered from my usual fare, but I enjoyed the thrill and especially appreciated Beatriz’s personal evolution.

 

I look forward to reading Cleeton’s backlist title Next Year in Havana and her upcoming new release.

when we left cuba

Book Review: Save the Date by Morgan Matson

29 Saturday Feb 2020

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book, book review, books, coming of age, family, Morgan Matson, read, reader, teen, wedding, YA

IMG_20200207_113150_323

Morgan Matson’s young adult book Save the Date makes a quiet yet humorous and heartfelt story surrounding a family gathering for an upcoming wedding. Charlie faces numerous common adjustments many readers may find familiar, and she faces them with an expected trepidation yet also with strength. It gets off to a slow start but becomes better as the events unfold and more of Charlie’s character gets revealed through her reconsidering how she views and engages in her relationships. The themes of family bonds, personal growth and reflection, making adjustments, accepting change, and moving forward all made positive messages.

 

Reading Recommendations: January 2, 2020

02 Thursday Jan 2020

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books, Brooklyn, health, mental health, Nancy Drew, New York, New York City, reading, recommendation, resolutions, short story, Taylor Swift, wellness

The New Yorker shared Shirley Jackson’s eerie short story The Lottery.

This Mayo Clinic article shares important insight regarding self-esteem and the importance of identifying negative thoughts.

I recently have read my first Nancy drew mystery. This Book Riot article examines the history of the series and its writers as it has evolved.

 

Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York”

I enjoyed some reading time in the New York area as I read the wonderful The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, and Brooklyn by Tolm Toibin. I highly recommend all three.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean Book Review

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Always and Forever Lara Jean, book review, books, decisions, future, Jenny Han, love, relationships, teen, teens, To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Moving from romantic comedy to realistic teenage angst, Jenny Han wraps up the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy with another sweet chapter of Lara Jean’s life in Always and Forever, Lara Jean. This story finds the titular character and her crushworthy boyfriend Peter awaiting the arrival of their college acceptance letters. As they navigate their future together with their school goals, Han hits a more realistic level than the previous books. It carries a more serious tone, but it still has its share of laughter. Once again, Lara Jean makes a positive role model.

The Rest of the Story Book Review

25 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book, book review, books, friends, friendship, lake, life, reading, Sarah Dessen, summer, summer reading, teens, The Rest of the Story, YA

The Rest of the Story

Sarah Dessen’s latest novel The Rest of the Story hit shelves just in time for summer reading. It even takes place at a lake during summer as Emma Saylor visits her maternal grandmother she hadn’t seen since early childhood. As she reunites with her mother’s extended family years after the loss of her mother, she starts to learn some background. Dessen tackles developing new family relationships, handling the risks of alcoholism, and first love all within the view of a North Carolina lake. The slowly budding romance brings both sweetness and depth as Saylor develops her identity. Though generally revolving around teens, the story delivers a reminder to readers of all ages that we can learn more about ourselves and family by acknowledging the details, flaws and all, rather than ignoring them.

Katrina lake

I had the pleasure of reading the last part of this book set on a lake resort at a lake at a state park with my best friend. We read it together for our long distance book club, this time reading the final section and discussing it in person.

Summer Beginnings

17 Monday Jun 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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books, connection, family, lake, love, North Carolina, ocean, relationships, roots, Sarah Dessen, summer, water

The first day of summer coincidentally also begins the weekend. As another season starts, I recommend these fun stories that take place during the summer. They have an easygoing flow yet still have depth as the characters face new circumstances and face the heat.

 

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen: This book came out this month, just in time for summer. Emma Saylor finds herself reuniting with a grandmother she hasn’t seen since early childhood. As she connects with cousins at North Lake, where her parents met, she discovers more of her deceased mother’s history. In turn, she learns how to root her identity to grow into her future.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen: With a character going by a similar name in a similar storyline (even the same state) to Sarah Dessen’s latest, this Sarah’s novel follows Emily Benedict as she ventures to her grandfather’s house in Mullaby, North Carolina. She too reconnects with the community of her mother’s past and finds a connection to another family. Learning about her mother’s past, she overcomes some generational obstacles in a magical setting.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks: Ronnie also returns to North Carolina, this time to stay with her dad for the summer. Having struggled since her parents’ divorce, she grows in her new scenery as she develops stronger roots with her father. Between the summer, the beach, and a love interest, Ronnie experiences the ocean’s beauty, waves, and tides.

How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal: Baker Romola welcomes her stepdaughter-in-law to her home and develops a new relationship as she aims to save her bakery. As they grow closer, Romola examines her own roots. A summer she spent with her aunt as a teenager shapes her future familial relationships.

 

 

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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  • Starlit Darkness 
              As it felt like I continued to fall deeper into darkness, I reminded myself to keep dreaming positively. My stars matched my pajamas to encourage my sleeping dreams as well.  The following weekend I ventured out with my friends to attend a Taking Back Sunday and The Used concert. Surrounding […]
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  • Falling
          These plain manicures go back to the fall. The season marked a time of change and a new look at my world. Perhaps the perspective in what I held in my hands stole some of the focus and expression I would normally have for my nail art.  I went from a bold […]
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  • Plain Sparkles
    After the Top Shelf plain manicure, I had another plain one with some sparkles added. I just didn’t feel spirited enough to enjoy my me time. I still made myself go through the motions though. I might not have been applying makeup regularly, but I kept my nails polished. The little touches kept me from […]
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