Next big YA book turned movie...I hope.

Pulseit.com gives you the ability to read free books from time to time. I has some time to kill at the office yesterday while waiting on others so I could lock up. I started Unwind by Neal Shusterman. This book is one of many Dystopians, trust me, I do know.
 It's the story of a world after a war fought over the importance of worth of life.Where every life is given a chance to prove its worth by the age of 18.If the person hasn't done that, they are unwound or harvested for parts.
 This book hooked me like no other in a long time. The stories of Conner, Risa and Lev are all interesting on their own. A slacker, a good-but not exceptional musician and a tithe (or sacrifice) all on the path to being unwound and how they grow so much after the death sentence. Great read!
 Now to grab up Unstrung!

Trying to be more health thoughtful

As I come,soon, to the end of a year of "the paleo lifestyle" I am sure of two things. One, I am on the right path for me and as anyone who is sure of something, I see how this thing could benfit others. But, it is HARD to talk to people about food without them feeling like you are judging them. Two, Eating whole foods is a darn near impossible feat in America today.
If you Pin rabbit recipes or how to cook Tongue to your food Pinterest , you get comment s like "gross" or " I could never..." But your ok with the merciless way meats and vegetables are grown and processed for your store shelves? The chemicals in the ingredients list that you have no idea what they are. It's scary stuff , it's time we wake up. "Food" is not safe. Don't believe me. Try it my way one month , document your health and mindset throughout the month and prove me wrong. If that's too extreme, cut sugar or grains for one month and tell me if anything has changed for the better or worse. As for me, it hasn't been an easy year, I have eaten things I knew were not good for me. ( heck, even today!) But I am thankful for the next year (or even the rest of today) to try again .  XOXO Ashley

Too Busy To Read?

A few days ago I got the chance to read and review "Blossom Street Brides"by Debbie Macomber. I was very excited about this opportunity because my Mom and I both love her books. But I had a small problem, I haven't read the other books in this series. So, I'm currently reading The Shop on Blossom Street and of course the characters and settings have me hooked even after just staring it Friday evening. I haven't has much time to read this weekend because I have been taking our ducklings out to play in the yard and enjoy the spring weather. They really enjoy chasing ants and snacking on grass.
We also have been working on our veggie garden and put tomatoes, cabbage and onions in this weekend. And I thinned out a bed of irises and moved them to another location.
The mornings are still cool here so while I waited to work in the yard, I worked on a yarn swift. I really enjoy working with wood and tools. I figured out the bolt I bought for the center is too long and will have to replace it but other wise its coming along.

Second Star by Alyssa B.Sheinmil

I waited a couple of days to write this review because this was one of those types of books that I read so quickly that I had to let myself process it.
Would I recommend this book? You betcha! I feel as if anyone could take something away from this book even though the target is mainly teen /young females.
  This is a modernazation of Peter Pan, which I loved as a kid. I watched the Sandy Duncan version so many times I could quote the lines with the characters. I even wanted to be Tiger Lily! So, I wasn't so sure I wanted Wendy to be a modern teen and I sure didn't want my beloved Peter to be a surfer dude. Please note the past tense of that statement, Alyssa Sheinmel made this work! She even worked in the names of the original players right down to Nana, which made me smile and was a great touch. I even found myself interested in the surfing.
The story that brought Pete and Windy back to me was deep without feeling like day time TV meets Disney and really wrapped me up in the story line. Very well done and I will be sure to read more by this author.

Time travel with a warning

This was the story of Prenna James, who was a time traveler. She, along with others were trying to escape a world left in ruins by going back to the past. There are very strict rules for her new life. But as she finds out sometimes the heart isn't good at rules.
I really enjoyed this book , I felt it was well written and gripping. I could not find out what would happen next, but I also had a feeling that I had read stories like this in the past. It soon dawned on me that this was the same feeling I had had while reading books like 1984. That someday, people would read "The Here and Now" and wonder how the author had known those things would happen. I wish I could say this could be a cautionay tale but I fear it may be too late.
I hope that there will be a sequil as a feel like there could be much more to Penna's story.

Finished another book and pictures of baby chickens

I was given a copy of The Removers by Andrew Meredith to read for the publisher.  This was a quick read and the subject matter was interesting in a dark, morbid way that almost made me feel strange for wanting to read. This is Andrews story about parts of his famly life and how that has effected his choices. It is also about his unique career as a remover. He explains that a remover is a person hired to move the corpse from its place of death to the mortuary.  I have to say that part of the story captured more of my interest than the family dynamic which just kinda seemed like a whiney excuse for a lazy person not to act like an adult. Over all, for me this book was good but not great. Thanks to the pulisher for letting me read it.
  Now, on to the cute baby chickens. I love chickens and we have had chickens in the past. I have been talking about chickens and looking at blogs about chickens for awhile now. So my husband and I found a local hatchery and brought home 10, mouth old chickens. We are super excited. The little rooster and I have really been having fun this afternoon and he will even eat from my hand already.

A weekend in Memphis

We traveled to Memphis last weekend to visit Tim's dad. We enjoyed our visit with him but didn't have much time to be tourists. We did learn that the Mall of Memphis has been torn down and that a few of the other malls are really struggling after the economic crash. The pyramid is in the process of getting a facelift. Memphis its self really is struggling, I hope soon it finds a way to turn around and become a nicer tourism spot.

Best book I've read so far this year!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for a review. That being said the views are my own and not swayed by their generous gift. Season of the witch has a little bit of every thing, romance, thriller aspects, and paranormal. Not one of these things makes this book fit into one of these genres though. We meet up with a thief who seems to be blowing in the wind as far as his personal life goes, until his ex girlfriend needs his help to find her stepson for her current husband. While trying to location him, he meets two sisters that will change his life forever in a very powerful way.
I really enjoyed this book. The setting was super. The players were interesting and the story kept me guessing.

Reading goals

A New Year a new book challenge. This year I again set my goal at 52 books to be read. If January is any marker for measurement, I will make goal. I have already finished 4 books this year! We will be doing a lot of traveling in the year to come so that means lots of reading time. Wish me luck. Now, off to read :)