Recent Reads

Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting yesterday, but my actual job and real life have been a bit hectic, and I didn't want to throw up a post just for the sake of having one. I know you all understand, so I'll just move on to today's post!


I'm joining in a bit late on a summer reading challenge with the Blonder Side of Life!  One of my main goals this year has been to read more, and thanks to my Kindle I have been a reading addict!  Today I'll be sharing the books that I read in July along with a mini review.  I hope you enjoy, and let me know what you've been reading! Make sure you also check out the Thinking Out Loud linkup!

The Blonder Side of Life

 

Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong

10/10 Stars 

Simply put, this story is life-changing.  Lomong details his horrific childhood, in which he was kidnapped by Sudan rebels, then later escaped with older boys and ran for three days across the savannah to Kenya.  He eventually became an American citizen and Olympic athlete, even getting the opportunity to hold the American flag in the 2008 Olympics.  His story is inspiring, amazing, heartbreaking and full of hope.  This passage is my favorite from the book, which demonstrates his attitude the entire book:
I knew some who chose to feel sorry for themselves, who complained constantly about their lot in life.  What is the point of such complaining?  After all the whining and complaining is over, you still live in a refugee camp.  All the complaining in the world will not make your life any better.  Instead, you must choose to make the best of whatever the situation in which you find yourself, even in a place like Kakuma. 

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!  It's a really easy read, and portions of the proceeds from the book go to Lomong's foundation, 4 South Sudan. 


It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander

6/10 Stars

If you're looking for an easy read for the summer and like romance novels, this is a decent pick.  I finished it really quickly and enjoyed the story line and the characters.  It had the typical young-adult romance twists and turns, so it wasn't anything particularly special or interesting.


A Dark Lure by Loreth Anne White

8/10 Stars

I loved this book, which combined thriller and romance (my favorite!).  The main character is a woman who was abducted and tortured, then eventually escaped.  She changed her identity and ended up working at a remote ranch in Canada, where her kidnapper finds her years later.  The book is an easy read with lots of action, and isn't overly graphic like some books in this genre can be (hello, Gone Girl!).   Highly recommend!


Wreckage by Emily Bleeker

9/10 stars

I just finished this book, and could not put it down!  The story is told from two points of view and follows two timelines.  One takes place in the past, when the two main characters survived a plane crash in the South Pacific.  The second timeline is present day, when they are each being interviewed about their life stranded on an island.  It was a great read with lots of twists, turns, heartbreak and a surprise ending. 



What books have you read recently?
Has any book ever affected your outlook on life?

Comments

  1. wreckage sounds interesting, i will have to check it out!

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  2. Great suggestions! I am looking for a good book to take with me on vacation (aside from schoolwork, lol) and A Dark Lure may be the ticket!

    I really do love the quote from the first book - I frequently remind myself (and others) that complaining will get you nowhere!! It's all about your attitude and how you perceive things. :-)

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    1. It's such a great book! And I'm glad you liked the quote..it's really inspiring!

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  3. I love any post with book recommendations! I think I'll check out Wreckage and Running for my Life. I should probably check out that link up too. I feel like I am always looking for more things to read. Right now I am reading Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.

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    1. I think you'll like both of those books! And definitely check out the linkup..some great stuff in there!

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  4. I finished Go Set a Watchman last week, which was interesting. I know people are split about it and there doesn't seem to be any middle ground. I found it to be more a peak at the editing process and taking an idea that eventually becomes a book.

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    1. I'll have to look up a summary of the book..sounds interesting! Thanks for the recommendation.

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  5. I really want to read Wrecked. I think books can absolutely help me view the world/my life in a different way. They push me to think, help inspire me, and sometimes teach me a thing or two :)

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    1. I completely agree with you! I like to read "heavier" books with meaning like that once in a while..but easy/beachy reads are nice too :)

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  6. The 1st book reminds me a lot of Victor Frankl's experience in a concentration camp. Love that message. I will definitely check out Wreckage! I just ordered Scott Jurek's book Eat and Run.

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    1. I'll have to jump on the bandwagon and get that book as well :) He seems like a great guy and I'd love to learn more about him!

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  7. There isn't enough room in the comment section for me to go on and on and on about books, but I'll try and say it fast. One of my top three favourite quotes is in Lawrence Hill's "Book of Negroes" and it goes like this: “To gaze into another persons face is to do two things: to recognise their humanity and to assert your own.” I could go on. And on. And on. AND ON about how much this quote means to me and changes the way I see the world around me. But anyway, it's such a great book.

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    1. Wow, I'll definitely have to check that book out. Sounds like another life-changer. Thanks so much for the suggestion Suzy!

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  8. Can't wait to try out A Dark Lure! I've been forcing myself to read at night to put myself to sleep, and I see a library trip in my future.

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    1. It's such a good book! Plus it's not TOO scary. I hope you like it!

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  9. I'm impressed that you've read so much this summer! I was actually thinking of my favorite books and "Unbroken" is one of them. The movie didn't do it justice! It didn't change my life but it def. reinforced my mind-set - the human spirit is amazing!

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    1. Thank you! It was definitely a goal of mine. I'll have to check that book out- thanks!!

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  10. Wreckage sounds particularly interesting to me :) no worries about not posting when planned - we all understand!! I just read The Glass Castle and enjoyed it a lot :). Have you read it?

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    1. That book is awesome and I hope you like it! Never heard of The Glass Castle but I'll add it to my list! Thanks :)

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  11. Yes! Wreckage is on my list!! I want to read it so bad! My library doesn't carry it so I had to request it from a sister library!

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    1. Ah i hope you like it when it comes in! So good!

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