My Reading Blog

Goodreads Summary:  " Marriage can be a real killer. One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work "draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction." Gone Girl's toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn. On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, ...

Goodreads Summary:  " At the height of Prohibition three sisters in a genteel Massachusetts family turn rumrunners to save their family. Desperate to provide for their newly widowed mother and little brother, they use the family’s pleasure schooner to smuggle whiskey from Canada. Kate, the bookworm, hatches the plan, sacrificing her last year at Wellesley to make every grueling and dangerous trip. Rosalie risks her engagement to a clergyman to help on the home front, and tends Kate’s gunshot wound from rum-pirates. Aggie, a dazzling flapper hungry for adventure, uses the undertaking to become involved with a man she doesn’t realize is a vicious killer. Kate’s courage in the face of storms, crooks on both sides of the law, and the treacherous tides of the Bay of Fundy change her view of the world. It also changes the lives of those around her. The Portuguese-Irish fisherman she hires to captain Pa’s Folly earns money enough to provide previously unimagined options for...

The calendar says "The First Day of Fall" The temps are cooling down The mornings and evenings are refreshing The humidity is almost non-existent The hummingbirds are scarce The deer have turned their darker colors The sun rises later The sun sets earlier The dogwoods have started turning red The leaves have started to fall No air conditioning  No heat Soon we'll light a fire "just to take the chill off" A time to sit on the front porch, enjoying A cup of coffee Listening to the quiet and peaceful day And as one season ends and the next begins We feel relief from the heat and humidity And look forward to a long, long Fall before the snow and cold decide it's time to push it's way in.

This past weekend we celebrated with family and friends as we gathered together to attend our son's wedding.  It all began with our drive to Illinois on Thursday to arrive for a home cooked meal and a glass of wine and an early bedtime since the rest of the weekend would be a whirlwind of events. Mani & Pedi on Friday morning, naptime with M & P, rehearsal and a pig roast completed the day. Saturday began with me enjoying a delicious breakfast surrounded by five fantastic guys (including the groom and my hubby).  Then to meet the girls for hair, makeup and getting dressed.  I was the designated driver for M & P since Momma was a bridesmaid and Daddy was a groomsman.  To the church we went all ready for the BIG "I Do". M & P were flower girls and couldn't have been cuter!  They walked in just before the bride.  We had practiced walking in and out and talked about all the people and where Momma & Daddy would be.  At rehearsal,...

Last week's post was about a stray lightening bug that ended up in our bedroom  http://myreadingblog-jac.blogspot.com/2013/09/tuesday-solsc-9213-just-one-little.html. Michelle left a comment regarding my last sentence - "How can one little lightening bug create such a BRIGHT light in the darkness?"  Michelle commented:  "I'm pondering your question at the end...I think that sometimes we all think we can't do something or make a difference, but we can. Just think what that lightening bug was capable of doing." And so, I, too, have been pondering this question.  Yes, we are only one person, but what an impact we can make on other individuals.  We can: Give a hug Smile Send a note or card Visit an elderly person Pray Call someone you haven't spoken with in a long time Bake a treat and deliver it to a neighbor Read a book to a child or elderly person Stop and help someone in need Give encouragement and praise The list is en...

Just one little lightening bug Arrived in our bedroom Unknown to us The lights were out The eyelids were growing heavy And then a BRIGHT flash Just over our heads Then darkness - we didn't say anything thinking the other hadn't seen it Until... Another BRIGHT flash on the other side of the room Hubby says, "Did you see that?" And I replied, "You mean that BRIGHT flash?" Once again darkness Then it blinked a third time We both got up, turned on the lights Searched the ceiling for this minute little creature that created such a BRIGHT light in the darkness. Got him and back to bed we went. How can just one little lightening bug create such a BRIGHT light in the darkness?