What I Read: September & October

I haven't had as much time to read lately so I combined the last two months in one post. :)


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Of all the books and series I've read, Harry Potter is, and always will be, my favorite. There is just so much depth, character development, and pure magic woven throughout the series. I've said it before, but J. K. Rowling really is a genius and master story teller. It amazes me how much she wove through each of these books and how everything comes together in this final book. I have loved listening to the audio books this time around. Jim Dale is absolutely amazing. I don't know that I can go back to just "reading" the books now! I took my time getting through this last one because I knew it would be bittersweet and I'm glad I did so that I could enjoy it longer. I have that feeling I had when I first read the series -- happy that it was such a great ending and a great journey, but so very sad to say goodbye to these characters and their stories. Is it too early to start another re-read?! :P


The Kill Order by James Dashner
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I can't quite decide how I feel about this book. I am a huge fan of the Maze Runner series and was so excited to get this book to see how it all started. It didn't feel quite as gripping as the Maze Runner and I was not as fully invested in the characters in this book. It took about 3/4 of the way through to get to where I couldn't put it down. It was quite gross and disturbing, which I really should've expected since I know what the virus does to people. It was interesting to see these characters experiences through the flashbacks of when the sun flares happened and their journey a year later when the virus was released. But it was all just so .... sad and depressing. As interesting as the prequel was, I'm not sure the trade of was worth it. I dunno, still on the fence on this one! 3.5/5 stars

Intrinsical by Lani Woodland
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It took me about a week to read 60 pages -- never a good sign for me! The main character, Yara, just really grated on my nerves. I think the author was going for witty/sarcastic, but she came across as bratty and obnoxious. The boy love interest was just as bad. I just couldn't bring myself to keep reading a book I was NOT enjoying. :/



Hidden by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a great end to the series. The romance aspect of it got to be a little too much for me at times, though. I found myself rolling my eyes and wishing they'd get on with these life and death situations already! :P Overall, a fun series to read.




Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't expecting to like this book. I didn't really care for the second in this series and it had been so long since I read it that I couldn't remember what happened. I was surprised to find that I couldn't put it down! Nora has lost her memory at the beginning of the book so she was just as blind as I was while trying to piece things together. There was so much happening in this book and I loved the way the revelations and memories came back to her (and me!). I also fell hard for Patch in this book. I've loved his story and transformation even more than Nora's. I'm so glad the last book comes out in a couple weeks because I am dying to see how it all ends!


11/22/63 by Stephen King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I kind of had a love/hate relationship with this book. I went into it having absolutely no clue what it was about and I was instantly intrigued. I loved the writing style, I loved the main character, I loved the narrator (audio book), and I loved the concept. There were times when Jake was in Derry and it was so intense and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. But once he left Derry, I found it to be a little slow. There were some interesting things going on and maybe it's my aversion to politics, but I didn't really care too much about the plans to stop the assassination and I found my interest waning. There was also a lot of adult content and language, much more than I am comfortable with. I finally decided to stop reading and read a synopsis online. I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to finish it because it sounds like some really good twists happened. At the same time I'm satisfied with what I did read and okay with my decision to stop. A good book if you don't mind the content (and the length of the book). It was just a little too much for me. :/


Flesh and Bone by Jonathan Maberry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a little disappointed in this final book in the series. Most of the book felt long and drawn out, mostly because there were so many things happening at the same time with different characters. The entire book only takes place over the span of a day or two. There was a lot going on but I just didn't feel the "on the edge of your seat" moments like I did with the first two books. And then everything just ended so abruptly. I'm one who likes all (if not most) ends tied up and I definitely didn't get that from this book. I just had a feeling of sadness and disappointment. Overall I enjoyed the series and would recommend it, but I just wish that after I had invested so much into these characters there was a little more hope at the end. :/

Update ....Whew, I just saw that there will be a 4th book in the series! If Flesh & Bone wasn't the ending to the series then maybe it wasn't so bad after all. As long as I get more closure in the next book then I can live with the ending of this book. :)


My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This is becoming one of those series I don't really love, but can't seem to put aside. I don't like Kaylee and I don't like Nash. They both just kinda bug me. I'm also not crazy about the writing. Yet I still find myself wanting to read the next one! Maybe they'll grow on me as the series goes on...

-marie

Halloween Floating Frames

I just LOVE the floating glass frames Chelsea made and had to make some of my own.  These are such an easy and inexpensive project to make.  I'm thinking I need to make some for other holidays, too!

To start off, I used some old frames that I had.  I spray painted them white and used sandpaper to rough up the edges.  For this one I used a cherry wood frame and I like how both the cherry color and natural wood color come through. 

 I removed the back of the frame and added a dab of glue to each corner to keep the glass in place.  

I also added ribbon to mine so I could hang them, but they look cute sitting on an entryway table like Chelsea's, too!

 I used my cricut to cut some black vinyl.  I used the Paper Dolls cartridge for the skull and tree and and svg file for the bat.  

I just love the way they turned out!

-marie

Frugal Friday: Jack-O-Lantern Shape Matching

My kids LOVE Team Umizoomi so I was excited to see these cute printable pumpkins on nickjr.com.  I printed the pumpkins on orange paper and the shapes I printed on white but then colored them with a marker.  I laminated everything, cut them out, added magnets and now the kids have a fun, reusable game that's perfect for Halloween and learning their shapes! 





We used dollar store cookie sheets for ours but they would also be fun to play on the refrigerator.  You don't even have to use magnets if you don't want. 

 

-marie

WIWW: Purple Scarf

 I am really loving scarfs right now!  I think they are a great accessory for a Fall wardrobe.  However, they can get pretty pricey.  I was doing some grocery shopping at Ralph's (a Kroger store) the other day and happened to see a display of scarves.  They were all super cute and only $4.50 each!  I decided to pick up this cute polka dot one.  I love getting a bargain.  :)

Shirt & Jeans: Kohls

Scarf: Ralph's

Boots: Discount Shoe Factory

-marie

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

Halloween Subway Art

Last year I shared with you some Fall Subway Art I made.  I decided to utilize the back of that one and turn it into some Halloween Subway Art.  Two for the price of one. :)

I used my Cricut to cut out a bunch of Halloween related words onto cardstock.  After painting the board black I used Mod Podge to adhere the words on.  I added another coat of Glossy Mod Podge over the entire board to seal it all in. 

I also wanted to show you these platters.  I picked them up at a thrift store for maybe a dollar each.  I love that they are a nice, solid metal (not like the flimsy dollar store ones) and they already came tarnished and vintage-looking.  Add a dollar store crow and some spider webs and they are the perfect Halloween decoration!

-marie