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Week in Review

       aaa1

Good morning. I hope you had a fabulous week. The sun is shining brightly today and I think it's supposed to get up to about 60, so I'm in a great mood. It also helps that it's a holiday here, so I'm not working today. Instead, I'll be getting together with friends and taking the kids to see Penguins of Madagascar, followed by a trip to the playground to enjoy the weather.

Reviews and Blog Posts
I only wrote a couple things last week because I've been very busy with updates to the blog.
Mini Winter Bloggiesta
Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

Bloggiesta is continuing through today since it's a holiday. I've completed most of my list. I just have to write some reviews and put a few on Amazon, then I'll be done. Check my new pages:
Books Read in 2014
2015 Challenges
Bookish Links

Reading
I finished reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I really enjoyed it. Now I'm reading The Shining by Stephen King! Big difference!

C, who is 10, is reading Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. I'm planning on reading that one when he finishes. We have the next two books in the series on hold at the library.

M, who is almost 8, is still reading Maleficent by Elizabeth Rudnick. She also read Lucy Steps Through the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, which gave her a taste of Narnia. I think I'll try to convince her to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe now since she liked the short story.

What are you reading this week? It's Monday! is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, so hop over there if you'd like to see what others are reading too. You can also check out the younger version of It's Monday!
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Comments

  1. KayJanuary 19, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    One of my students talked me into reading King's The Shining. I had nightmares for weeks! I loved the whole Giver series, and Gathering Blue surprised me. It did not end where I thought it was going to, but that was okay.

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:45 AM

      My son finished Gathering Blue so I need to take the time to read it now! Hopefully I will be able to sleep after reading The Shining! I haven't picked it up in a few days (been working on the blog instead of reading).

      Delete
  2. LindsayJanuary 19, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    I have the Liane Moriarty novel on my tbr pile, looking forward to it, and glad to read that you enjoyed it. I don't think I could read the Shining, too scary for me! happy reading :)

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      The Liane Moriarty books is very good. Definitely pick it up and read it soon!

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  3. Read-at-Home MamaJanuary 19, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    I'm another one who can't handle the scary Stephen King stuff! I love that your kids seem to be so interested in reading, and I can only hope that my 3-year-old is such a bookworm when he's old enough for chapter books!

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      My son has been a bookworm since he was very young. My daughter is less so. But she's getting a bit better now. It's funny how two kids can be so different!

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  4. Melinda OttJanuary 19, 2015 at 3:55 PM

    Do you think "Maleficent" would be appropriate for me to read to my almost 6 year old? She has seen the movie (and liked it).

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:47 AM

      If she has seen the movie, I would think so. However, I say that as someone who has not personally read the book. I do know it follows the story of the movie, though. So reading it aloud to her should be similar to her watching the movie since it's the same storyline.

      Delete
  5. Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid ReaderJanuary 19, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    I must make a point of reading Big Little Lies soon, as I meant to read it last year and never got around to it. I read The Shining way back when I was in high school. I loved that book.

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:48 AM

      I'm so glad to hear you loved The Shining. I was having a hard time picking a Stephen King book to try. I never saw the movie (and have seen some of the others) so figured I'd try this one.

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  6. Sue JacksonJanuary 19, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    Hi, Julie! I've been so overloaded, I haven't had any time for blog visiting for weeks, so I appreciated your stopping by my blog last week. Not quite the start to a new year I'd envisioned!

    So great you are reading The Shining - I think that was the first King novel I ever read, back in high school - each time a new one would come out, we'd pass it around my family - my mother, father, and I. We still love sharing books.

    I really want to re-read The Giver and then the rest of that Lowry series - maybe I will get to it this year finally! I heard the movie wasn't very good, but I want to see it anyway.

    I;m so excited for you that your daughter is getting interested in the Narnia books! My second grade teacher read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe aloud to us, and I was HOOKED - went right to the school library and read my way through the entire series. We read the whole series aloud to our own sons, and they loved it, too. Such great books! Don;t you love seeing your kids discover your own childhood favorites?

    I'm very impressed with your work on blog improvements - I;ve barely had time to post a few reviews lately! Good for you.

    Enjoy your books this week -

    Sue

    Book By Book

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:50 AM

      Sue, it's always great to have you stop by. :-) I'm glad to hear you liked The Shining! Yay! Definitely re-read The Giver. My book club discussed it, which was interesting. I really need to get to the next book in that series!

      I'm hoping M will read the full Narnia book. She's been working through Maleficent for about a month now, though! So it might be a while before she gets to it. C read a few of the books in the series but never got through all of them. I don't think he liked some of the later ones.

      Have a great week!

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  7. AdrienneJanuary 20, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    I've got Big Little Lies on my list. The Shining?! So scary. That movie gives me chills just thinking about it.

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    1. JulieJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:51 AM

      See, I never saw the movie so I figured it would be a good book to read. I am reading it with Jack Nicholson's face in my mind though! :-)

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  8. Myra Garces BacsalJanuary 22, 2015 at 3:55 AM

    I enjoyed The Shining - read it when I was in my university years - I do wonder how I'd take to the novel now that I'm older. Enjoy!

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    1. JulieJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:18 AM

      It's pretty freaky so far! I'm anxious to see how this is all going to end! It didn't help that I read part of it in a hotel over the weekend!

      Delete

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