A Summer of Books

With the end of summer looming near, I have started to reflect on all that I have done this summer. The thing that stands out the most is the amount of reading I have been able to do. And not just any reading, FUN reading that I won't be able to do again until probably next summer. 

Some people might not think this is a great way to spend summer, but I have loved it. I don't get to do any fun reading during the school year, so I've been able to catch up on everything I've wanted to read from the past year!

Because I haven't been consistent about doing a book review for each read, I will not try to do them all in this one post. Instead, I will link each title with a webpage containing the synopsis for the book. But know, each book has given me a little bit of a new perspective to how I think, act, and live. 

West of Independence by Matthew Deane

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

Finding Emma by Steena Holmes

Armor Up by Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Anthony Sweat, and Brad Wilcox

The Matched Series (Matched, Crossed, and Reached) by Ally Condie

Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack

Olivia by Julie Wright

Paige by Annette Lyon

I think the books that have impacted me the most this summer have been West of Independence, Matched, and Daisy. 

West of Independence taught me about having love for everyone, no matter their beliefs.

Matched taught me to think for myself and to make my own choices.

Daisy taught me that my life really is blessed, and that some of your best friends can come from the most unlikely places. 

What books have you read lately? :)

Tres Leches Cupcakes

Culinary Mysteries by Josi S. Kilpack

So I've loved this series for a while. 

This book came out in Fall 2012, but because of school, leisure reading wasn't really an option.

My dad then gave it to me for Christmas! I was really excited and I have already finished it! I loved it! 

Josi did good again :)

This series is about a middle-aged woman named Sadie Hoffmiller. 

Sadie loves to cook and also loves to eat. She is kind of a "food connoisseur" if you will.

She also has an affinity for murder investigations, which then leads her to eventually end up in the middle of everything. Sometimes she sticks her nose where it doesn't necessarily belong, but a lot of the time these things just happen to her.

While she is in the middle of her adventures, she still finds time to try new foods and to make old, but good, dishes. Because of this, at the end of every chapter that a new food or recipe is mentioned, the recipe for that dish is listed.

It has made me want to cook more and become more domestic a bit!

*I know, weird right??*

The next book in the series, Baked Alaska, comes out Spring 2013! So excited!

This book, Tres Leches Cupcakes, is the 8th book in the series. 

Each book can stand alone, with it's own individual story, but there is a back story that goes chronologically throughout all of the books (personal life, previous experiences, family life, etc.). 

I first got into the series by reading the 4th book, Key Lime Pie, but then went back and have read the rest of the other books in order. 

I definitely recommend this book, as well as all the others in the series! I do suggest that you read them in order, it makes them easier to keep track of all the different characters and such. 

To learn more, visit Josi's website here.