Summer Reading

I've finished my first book of the summer (I know I know..I should have a ton more finished by now) and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my next. Just to start of, my reading style is a little darker than most. For some reason I love a good scary, mystery or cry-worthy book. Don't ask- I just do. Something about tear-drops on pages and pure emotion makes me not want to put it down. For example, my absolute favorite book was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. His two books that came afterwards were just as great but nothing has beat the raw emotion and writing style that Khaled delivers in his first book. I also enjoy the occasional Jodi Picoult (that should tell ya right there...)

The book I just finished was good in the sense that I didn't want to put it down so I could see what happened next....but it wasn't as 'scary' as I had anticipated from the reviews. If you've seen the movie The Conjuring' then you will have a vague storyline idea of this book. (But don't get me started on The Conjuring- hands down the best written and directed horror film I've seen in years! Whew!)

Help for the Haunted by John Searles

“I was completely consumed by Help for the Haunted; I read it in one sitting. I just can’t decide what I loved the most: its perfectly pitched teenage narrator; the ghost story that kept me riveted; the thriller that made me say, Oh, just one more chapter.” (Jodi Picoult, New York Times-bestselling)

“Wonderful...A coming of age tale that is poignant and touching...and will scare the living hell out of you. I loved every page of this novel: I loved the sisters and the story and the page-turning mystery. I just may never go downstairs into my basement again.” (Chris Bohjalian, bestselling author)

Next up on the list? The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle should be arriving in my mailbox today. If anyone has read this one let me know what you thought! Also, now that you know my reading style, if ya'll have any recommendations let me know!

“Thanks to the author’s exceptionally fluent narrative skill, [this] novel... becomes utterly compelling.... [A] heartbreaking story.” (Kirkus Reviews)

A young widow raising two boys, Sarah Laden is struggling to keep her family together. But when a shocking revelation rips apart the family of her closest friend, Sarah finds herself welcoming yet another troubled young boy into her already tumultuous life.
Jordan, a quiet, reclusive elementary school classmate of Sarah's son Danny, has survived a terrible ordeal. By agreeing to become Jordan's foster mother, Sarah will be forced to question the things she has long believed. And as the delicate threads that bind their family begin to unravel, all the Ladens will have to face difficult truths about themselves and one another—and discover the power of love necessary to forgive and to heal.

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Also, with football season a little over a month away (can you believe it?) I found a cute little gem to add to my collection and brush up on my play calling! This one has diagrams and even interactive worksheets and quizzes! It can never hurt to brush up! (Come on and make me proud this year Skins!)