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Kayla's Only Heart

~ Always learning. Always progressing.

Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: hope

Book Review: Because of Winn-Dixie

30 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

book review, books, children's literature, dogs, friends, hope, Kate DiCamillo, Newbery, support

So far I have adored every Kate DiCamillo story I’ve read, and her Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie tops my list. Young Opal rescues her new dog Winn-Dixie, but the canine saves Opal as much as Opal saves her. Together, they embark on a journey to find a place to belong. The courage Opal finds with a friend by her side warms my heart, reminding me of the importance of support. Those brave steps forward lead to new friends and shares hope with readers as they sympathize and laugh with Opal. The characters give the story a perfect flair.

*Link is to my Bookshop affiliate page.

Book Review: Head Over Heels

04 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Uncategorized

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2020, abuse, book review, books, hope, love, love story, reading, romance

I read Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein with a friend as a fun way to connect while we don’t get to see each other. The story follows a predictable but fun romance plot when would have been Olympic gymnast Avery reconnects with another former athlete when she moves back to their hometown and they start working together. Their shared goal to get a talented gymnast into the 2020 Olympics makes a good central point for discussion points like the abuse scandal, career and purpose, healthy relationship dynamics, and more. While these issues don’t get detailed responses on the pages, the characters, particularly the women, make positive models for how empathy and empowerment can grow when people reflect and adjust. I would have loved to see more character development there but appreciate the strong frame. Overall, it makes a quick but fun and motivating read.

Book Review: Lost Lake

01 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, books, hope, lake, Lost Lake, love, magic, magical realism, reading, Sarah Addison Allen, summer

Sarah Addison Allen weaves magic into real life, and the enchanting Lost Lake does not disappoint. Emerging from her initial mourning period, widow Kate takes her daughter to Lost Lake for fresh perspective. The destination that used to draw crowds for vacations no longer holds its allure, but it still pulls Kate and Devin into its orbit. They connect with the regulars at the lake as they too face new adjustments. Together, they find hope and resilience no matter their ages. Rich in backstory, small town camaraderie, and love, Lost Lake has you rooting for its characters to reach their next growth point.

Book Review: Don’t Overthink It

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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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

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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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: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

22 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, community, family, hope, reading, small town, strong, support, women

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts tells the story of a young woman who gives a baby girl birth alone in a Wal-Mart. Gaining the attention of the nation and then new friends in the small town of her temporary “home,” Novalee develops an unconventional family. The support she garners as she connects to the community help her raise her daughter, learn new skills for education and a career (appropriately rooted in the library), and grow personal strength. While the premise sounds odd, the characters welcome you right into their hearts. Their hospitality and support for each other makes you wish you could move into their town too. Novalee demonstrates we all have potential and that it may best come to realization with a support system.

Book Review: What You Wish For by Katherine Center

16 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, hope, Katherine Center, love, love story, new release, reader, reading, romance, sweet, Texas, uplifting, wish

As usual, Katherine Center delivers an uplifting and sweet story in her latest release What You Wish For. Set in Galveston, Texas, the story follows school librarian Sam as she faces significant changes in her workplace, the most significant involving the reappearance of an old, massive crush. However, love worthy Duncan seems different than Sam last saw him. Together, they learn how to open their hearts to trust and love. The school changes seem not to be the only change in this story. Center alters her balance in character growth in this story, and it makes the development a little off kilter. The focus seems to rest on Duncan, and Sam takes a backseat even though she experiences growth too. That said, it still makes a sweet story and I still recommend it. Katherine Center books always get bumped to the front of my TBR pile when I get them.

2020-03-16.jpg (432×512)

This hits shelves in July, so add it to your summer reading list!

Meeting Autumn

03 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Poetry/Lyrics, Uncategorized

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Tags

autumn, beauty, believe, cleanse, doubt, dream, fall, forward, hope, leaves, light, love, poem, poetry, rain, seasons, sun

autumn dream

 

The rain falls before

the trees set aflame

a fresh cleansing

for love’s claim

 

For sunlight’s ease

shortens like the days

but remains steady

through this phase

 

The light awoke up

made us believe dreams

fears retreated, doubts cleared

and reality ripped seams

 

As we shift seasons

taking a step forward

we shed a dead layer

knowing what we move toward

 

Lively green sets aflame

beauty before death crunches

a shedding, a preparing

for fruit’s new bunches

 

 

 

 

September 23/24, 2019

A Future Awakened, Embraced

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Poetry/Lyrics, Uncategorized

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Tags

dreams, embrace, first sight, future, hope, joy, love, love poem, lover, plans, poem, poetry, romance, romantic, trust, vision

You lifted me up

when I felt down

brought hope and joy

as I turned around

 

You told me plans

to take care of me

I felt secure

wrapped tightly in your arms

 

I returned the embrace

trusted your vision

as our words built a world

of our future divined

 

For first sight burst

forth an awakened love

glimmered a reality

of our deeply hidden dreams

 

 

 

 

September 25/26, 2019

American Dream

14 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Poetry/Lyrics, Uncategorized

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Tags

American, American dream, choice, choices, connection, doubt, dream, honesty, hope, love, lover, poem, poetry, reality, romance, truth

Every day becomes

second chance at happiness

I choose you always

 

become what you make

the reality of your

American dream

 

Accepting the truth

honesty defeats the doubt

steadfast connection

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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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