The Friday Five: 1/22/16

Work is slow today so I figured I would post a little post. The Friday Five is pretty simple and fun so here you have it:

1. What I'm Reading: 

I just finished reading Lindsey Stirling's freshly new book, The Only Pirate at the Party. I assume everyone knows who Lindsey Stirling is but if you do not, get on the internet people!! (Disclosure: I had never heard of her until about 2 years ago. Paul told me he wanted to go to her concert. I bought tickets. He has good taste.) Lindsey is my bff an electronic violinist which basically means she kicks butt. She dances while playing the violin, well. Her book is about her childhood and experience getting to where she is now. I really learned a lot about who she is as a person and appreciate her music even more after reading the book. She's a down-to-earth person. No, really - she still drives a 2002 Toyota Echo. She's REAL y'all.

2. What I'm Eating:

What am I not eating is a better prompt. Currently I'm unhealthily obsessed with Subway's double chocolate chip cookies. I go into Subway and the deli dude frantically puts his gloves on so he can make me a sandwich. I just keep walking and grab the cookies and he's like wait, what? Yeah. That happened twice.

3. What I'm Listening to:

You probably could have guessed this - Lindsey Stirling. It makes excellent concentration music while I eat my cookies.

I can't figure out the name of the album, but the cover looks like this:

When I'm driving my 70 mile commute each day, I listen to old NewSpring sermons on the NewSpring app. I have found that I do a much better paying attention to the road when I have something to listen to. I do have a problem getting "bored" while driving so this has helped and I have learned a lot to help my emotional/spiritual state as well. Check it out. (It's free!)

4. What I'm Buying:

I love my home state. I just do. But my husband has so gently pointed out that we no longer live in South Carolina. I have decided to embrace this. I purchased a North Carolina Simply Southern garden flag today. I think he will be proud. {But no, I am not removing all my palmetto tree/SC decor that covers our kitchen.}

5. Memes I'm Loving:

Tell me you haven't thought this. 

I work in Insurance so... 

but really.

Grumpy Cat is the only cat I like.

HAPPY FRIDAY!! Stay safe if you're getting hit with this crazy winter storm.

What I'm Reading Lately

It's no secret that Diane Chamberlain is my favorite author. You probably know her from The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, her most popular novel. That was the first book I read by her and now I'm on number 16!

I'm currently reading a trilogy by Chamberlain. I just finished the second book and am about to start the third. They are so good so far!

This trilogy takes place in a quiet lighthouse town and focuses on a family filled with secrets. Each book reveals another layer of family secrets and depth. I feel like I know the O'Neil's personally. 

If you enjoy developed characters, a little bit of romance and a little bit of suspense then you will love these books. I highly recommend them! 

Find me on good reads to see what else I'm reading. :) 

Gone Girl

I finished this book in about 5 days. I don't know if I read it quickly because I was intrigued or because I was so disturbed that I wanted it to be over.

The synopsis of this book pulled me in right away:

Just how well can you ever know the person you love? This is the question that Nick Dunne must ask himself on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police immediately suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. (cont.)


Here's my take on the book -- The storyline was great, truly suspenseful and totally unlike anything I'd ever read. I could however, guess at a few of the "twists and turns," but was still curious to find out what really did happen to Amy.


What I didn't like about this book was the language. I understand some characters need to cuss to really show their personalities; however, this author took that to a whole other level. Every other word (no really) was f this, f that. It was ridiculous and completely unnecessary. The other problem I had was the, um, disturbing nature of the characters. I honestly just felt uncomfortable reading the last few chapters. It was odd and creepy and just not something I'd normally read. I know I'm being vague for a review but if I say anything else, I'll give away the ending.


If you don't mind cussing and super psychological thriller-ish characters, you'll like this book. I won't be reading anything else by this author, though. I gave it three stars because it didn't bore me, and was good, just not my typical preference.


I'm about to start The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain next. She is still my favorite author! 


Have you read anything good lately? I need more in my goodreads line-up!

Recently Read...

I read a ton last summer, slacked off a lot during winter/fall, and now I’m back at it! In the past week I’ve read two wonderful books. Both are by my new favorite author, Diane Chamberlain.

Secret Lives

Actress Eden Riley's decision to make a film about the mother she barely knew plunges her into a shattering confrontation with her own past. Through her mother's journal, Eden discovers a life of hardship, madness and secrets. Shifting gracefully between Eden's world and that of her mother, Secret Lives seduces with the power of its images and the lyricism of its prose. (picture and description taken from B&N)

Unlike Chamberlain’s other novels, this one took me a few chapters to really get intrigued. I wasn’t so sure about it but once I got passed the first 50 pages or so I was deeply involved with the characters and anxious to find out more of their stories. This book was a bit unlike the other Chamberlain novels I’ve read but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Eden and Ben made me mad at times and happy at other times. I didn’t understand Uncle Kyle and I thought Eden’s mom was extremely interesting. Read this book and let me know what you think!

The Escape Artist

When Susanna Miller loses custody of her eleven-month-old son, Tyler, to her ex-husband and his new wife, she dyes her hair, changes her name and escapes from Boulder, Colorado, leaving behind everyone she knows, including Linc Sebastian, the man who has been her best friend since childhood and who knows her better than anyone. She lands in Annapolis, Maryland, alone, frightened, and always looking over her shoulder for someone who might recognize her. Just as she's beginning to feel safe in her new surroundings, she stumbles across information that could save the lives of many people . . . if she's willing to go to the police. But going to the authorities means revealing her identity, admitting her guilt, and worst of all, losing her son.
Equal parts family drama, love story, and thriller, The Escape Artist is the poignant story of a mother's unbreakable bond with her child and the resiliency of a love that transcends distance and time. (picture and description taken from B&N)

Oh my goodness. This is my 2^nd favorite Chamberlain novel ever. (Secret Life of CeeCee will always be my fav.) Susanna is a strong-willed, determined mother. She is way stronger than I think I could ever be. I admire her and pity her all at the same time. There are definitely some classic Chamberlain twists and surprises in the novel. Those are my favorite! Just when you think you’ve figured everything out, you get a new twist! I can’t recommend this book enough. I’ve never read a book so fast. I read it on my phone and only put it down when my battery was down to 2%. Not even joking!

Let me know what you think of these books if you chose to read them! I really, really loved both of them!

I need another book to read and want a little change-up from Chamberlain. Any suggestions??

Also, don't miss my giveaway!