Books Everyone Should Read

There are so many books out there that it can get overwhelming when you are looking for a new read. Well, I will throw my favorites out there for you to go over, and maybe you will find a title that grabs your attention.

1. Anything by Tim Flanagan
2. The Living by Matt De La Pena
3. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
4. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
5. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
6. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
7. Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
8. Blood On My Hands by Todd Strasser
9. Kill You Last by Todd Strasser
10. Can't Get There From Here by Todd Strasser
11. The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
12. Hate List by Jennifer Brown
13. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
14. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
15. The Midnighters Series by Scott Westerfeld
16. Tales of Aradia The Last Witch by L.A. Jones
17. Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
18. Glass Heart by Amy Garvey
19. Anything by Alyson Noel
20. No Safety in Numbers Series by Dayna Lorentz

I hope this list helps you find something good to read. Getting lost in the pages of a book is the best!

Three Wishes

Every author needs one of these!

I posted on my FB wall a simple question: If you had three wishes what would they be? I had a lot of great replies. Now my three wishes:

1. I wish that my family had good health (I'll go ahead and stick myself in there too) I wish Tyler's migraines would be cured, and that he would never have to suffer through another one. I would wish that Adam's migraines would disappear, his epilepsy would never bother him again, his arthritis would go away, and that his breathing problems would never plague him again.

2. I wish that I could meet my favorite authors: Elizabeth Scott, Alyson Noel, Elizabeth Chandler, Scott Westerfeld, Todd Strasser, Jay Asher, Michael Grant, Jessica Verday, L.M. Momtgomery(admittedly difficult on the last one)

3. My final wish would be to be a published author. That would be a dream come true.

Book Review Two!

Today I have two amazing books that I would like to share with the blogging world. They are both by one of my favorite authors, Todd Strasser.

Wish You Were Dead is an amazing book. Todd Strasser has outdone himself in his creative style and edge of your seat story telling. Anyone that picks this book up will have a hard time putting it down. This mystery is thrilling from beginning to end.

If Wish You Were Dead is an amazing book, Blood on My Hands is outstanding! The mystery along with the romantic aspect of this storyline are thrilling from start to the jaw dropping ending. Anyone that knows me for five minutes knows that I am not afraid to state my opinion whether good or bad. I truly have nothing negative to say about this book. It is a must read.

I have read many of Mr. Strasser's books, and I have enjoyed them; some more than others, but these two books will not disappoint. Mr. Strasser's writing style is at it's best. In at least one of his other books the style seemed dated and stiff, but now it seems to flow freely. These books get an A+ from this reader.

The Things That Stick

Sometimes thing just stick with you. You pick them up in different places, and at different times. Some are good, and some are bad. These things can come from books, people, and more importantly, from God.

I have picked up a lot this week. I hope you will finish reading this, because they are important to me. The first thing I learned is that I have a lot to learn. I need to be more humble and prayerful. I need to stop and give thanks for my many blessings. Like everyone else, I pray for things I need or want, get caught up in my own day to day life, and forget to thank God for all that I do have.

I learned that to have a loving family and home are the most important things in this life. I learned that from an incredible author, Todd Strasser. He wrote Can't Get There From Here. I highly recommend this book. It stays with you and helps you to realize that family and home are such amazing blessings.

I also learned this week that Heavenly Father puts you in places you need to be, whether that is to learn an important lesson or to help others. I was feeling so alone today, so isolated from the world. That happens when you are dealing with a child that has ongoing health problems. Out of the blue, a sweet friend called me. She has children that have health problems as well. She could relate to everything I have been feeling. We stayed on the phone for over an hour. She listened, gave advice, helped me see things from a new perspective, and offered her help. That is exactly what I needed today.

Family first. I have learned that I need to be here in the present; in the here and now. If my child needs me, that has to come before anything else. If my dear husband needs me, that has to come first on my priority list. Other things have to fall by the wayside. I should not and must not feel guilty if I can't do all and be all. I also learned that it is okay to reach out and ask for help.