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Week in Review

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Good morning. I hope you had time to do a lot of reading last week! I had a little time over the weekend as I traveled out of town for my brother's memorial service. But I haven't made as much progress in the books I'm reading as I would have liked. I think I'm at a point where the reading will pick up, though, so I'm sure I'll be starting something new very soon!

Reviews and Blog Posts
I got a couple reviews written last week, as well as a list of books that will soon be movies. I can't wait to see most of them!

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Book Review: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
10 Books to Become Movies in 2015

Reading
I'm still reading The Shining by Stephen King in memory of my brother, who passed away earlier this month. It's a bit different than I was expecting but I'm enjoying it. It's getting very freaky at this point! I also started reading Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, which my son, who is 10, read recently. The next book in the series is available at the library now, so I'm sure he will start that one this week, and then I'll read it when I'm done with my other two books.

M, who is almost 8, is still reading Maleficent by Elizabeth Rudnick. She also re-read the two Al Yankovick books we have: When I Grow Up and My New Teacher and Me!

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. Tanya @ Moms Small VictoriesJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    So sorry about the loss of your brother. I haven't read The Shining. I'm a big chicken so my first SK book was 11/22/63 and I didn't finish it yet but I will. Have a great reading week!

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 26, 2015 at 10:43 AM

      Thank you. I don't read a lot of horror, but I usually enjoy it when I do. I don't like gory stuff, though. But so far The Shining is a lot more freaky than gory!

      Delete
  2. Sheila (Bookjourney)January 26, 2015 at 12:34 PM

    OOH you are reading the Shining - I have a post coming up later today where I talk about that book. I have never read it but seen the movie.

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 26, 2015 at 2:57 PM

      I've never seen the movie but am enjoying the book. Can't wait to see your post!

      Delete
  3. Brooke BumgardnerJanuary 26, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    Al's book looks like lots of fun. :)

    Brooke at http://www.brookeblogs.com

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 27, 2015 at 9:15 AM

      They really are. We went to a signing last year for the second one.

      Delete
  4. Cheriee WeichelJanuary 26, 2015 at 8:53 PM

    I suspect that Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will make an interesting movie. I'm not sure about the rest of them. I thought The Maze Runner was ok, but it is pretty violent. I wasn't compelled to read any more of the series anyway.

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 27, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      I found The Maze Runner pretty violent too, so haven't handed it off to my son. Of course, he read The Hunger Games, so he's probably fine with it.

      Delete
  5. Just Plain MarieJanuary 27, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    That "my brother's memorial service" was kind of slipped in there, but it defies ignoring. I am so very sorry to hear of the loss to you and your family. Please accept my deepest condolences.

    At the moment, I'm not reading anything, but I usually read gardening/homesteading books. I just finished How to Have a Green Thumb Without An Aching Back, by Ruth Stout. A classic for good reason. :) I'm going to stay away from The Shining - we live out in the middle of the woods and we're in the middle of a blizzard! People have joked with my husband that we're so remote he's going to turn into the father in The Shining!

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    1. JulieJanuary 27, 2015 at 2:19 PM

      Oh dear! Yes, stay away from that book! Thank you for the condolences. I appreciate it.

      I need to find some good gardening books as it's getting close to planting time. I should actually be getting the onions and carrots into the ground in the next couple of weeks!

      Delete
    2. Just Plain MarieJanuary 30, 2015 at 8:54 PM

      You must be warmer than we are. Everything will still be buried in snow until March. My main garden goes in the first week of June, and I'm already itching for it!

      Delete
    3. JulieJanuary 31, 2015 at 8:18 PM

      Yes, North Carolina is cold right now, but I'm guessing you wouldn't consider it cold! I relocated here from New England 14 years ago and would never go back! I usually start my carrots and onions in February.

      Delete
  6. Sue JacksonJanuary 28, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    Glad you are enjoying The Shining - it's a good one!

    Weird Al wrote books?? Too bad they weren't around (or I didn't know about them) when my kids were little - my sons LOVE him!

    Enjoy your books this week!

    Sue

    P.S. So sorry to hear about your brother. Thinking of you.

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 29, 2015 at 8:56 AM

      Thanks, Sue. Yes, Weird Al wrote books! It was pretty cool to meet him at the signing we went to last year. Although the kids had no clue who he was - aside from his role as an author!

      Delete
  7. Myra Garces BacsalJanuary 29, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    I'm truly sorry to read about your loss. Sending you prayers and good vibes across a thousand miles.
    Loved Stephen King when I was younger - I have yet to reacquaint myself with his newer novels. :)

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    Replies
    1. JulieJanuary 29, 2015 at 8:57 AM

      Thank you! I enjoyed his movies when I was younger, but never read his books. Now that I've read The Shining, I will definitely be reading more!

      Delete

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