50 Books in 2014: 31-35

I am finally ahead of schedule (by 2 books) of my goal of reading 50 books in 2014. I am up to 35 books now! I really enjoy reading this much - it feels great to be reading as much as I used to. It was really hard to keep up reading for pleasure while I was in college, so now it feels so great to get to read whatever I want. Here are my reviews of my most recent five reads (p.s. become my friend on GoodReads!: goodreads.com/wildflowerchild)

Also, if anyone is wondering why I didn't post a Tumblr Tuesday today, it is because my computer is hardly working anymore and wouldn't let me copy the pictures...so if I randomly disappear, you can assume that my laptop has finally crashed entirely on me. :(


1. Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie by Laura Wittman

GoodReads says: "With 101 quick-and-easy projects for organizing your bathroom, kitchen, closet and more, Clutter Rehab takes the stress out of home organizing. As you painlessly tackle piles of toys, stacks of paper and over-spilling drawers, you’ll discover how to make de-cluttering your home an addictive pleasure."
Average Rating: 3.36/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "It was nothing extraordinary, but this book shared plenty of great ideas to simplify the home and reduce clutter."






2. Bhakti: The Art of Eternal Love by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

 

GoodReads says: "Hare Krishna shows love."

Average Rating: 3.36/5

I said: 2/5 stars, " As someone who is new to learning about Hinduism, this book was far too complicated and intense for me to understand. It also seems to be excerpts from a book, and is trying to sell you that other book. Perhaps this would be a resource better for someone who has a greater understanding of Hinduism than I do."

 

3.  The Cove by Ron Rash

 GoodReads says: "Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believe–just as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin..."

Average Rating: 3.63/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book started off a bit confusing to me because each chapter switches between characters, and it took me a while to catch on. Once I caught on, I became fully immersed in the story. The last half of the book was mesmerizing - I couldn't put it down until I had finished."

4. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

 

GoodReads says: "This is a story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules...people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves...people who know there's more to this living than meets the eye: they'll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed."

Average Rating: 3.74/5

I said: 4/5 stars, " I was quite thrown off by this book at first (it's about a seagull), but as I continued to read it, I was able to get past it and enjoy the story for the many messages it contained."

5. Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

 

 GoodReads says: "Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity. The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family."

Average Rating: 3.72/5

I said: 3/5 stars, " This book had a very interesting premise, but I was often overwhelmed at the drama that was created (as it is in real life) due to the reality tv aspect. I would have loved less of that reality show drama and more acknowledgement of simplicity. This book definitely explored simple living and included some important realizations about that lifestyle, but I would have liked to see more of it."