The Light Between Oceans by M.L.Stedman - Book Review - Favorite Books of 2016

"He smiled that Frank smile. "Oh, but my treasure, it is so much less exhausting. You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, ever day...we always have a choice. All of us" - The Light Between Oceans"

I just finished reading "The Light Between Oceans" by M.L. Stedman and omgitwassogood. I am so excited to be share this book with you, and my thoughts! I feel like I am the last person on Earth who hasn't read this book - but if you haven't read it, stop reading this review and head to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy. It is that good! I initially read this book because I was so intrigued by the grey moral decisions that this book explores....

My Number One Gotta Have It, No Cost, Sanity Saving Tip for Travel with a Baby - Off Topic Thursday

You see that baby up there. Cutest one in the world? He's mine : ) And while James is a sweetheart, sometimes car rides are a deal breaker for him. What baby enjoys siting in the car for hours at a time? Not this baby, and not this momma. But the day I landed on this tip, it was a total game changer for us!

Books on My Fall TBR List - Top 10 Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is Fall TBR. I have a great deal more than ten books on my Fall TBR, but realistically ten is proubably a good goal to have - here we go!

Irena's Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo - Book Review - Looking for the Helpers in Tragedy

As I began reading "Irena's Children", I instantly thought of the often referenced Fred Rodgers quote:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

"Irena's Children" is the story of a heroic helper, and many other helpers just like her, who rescued nearly 2,500 children from the ghetto of Warsaw. Tilar Mazzeo wrote a beautiful and engaging book that captures the tenacity and heroism not only Irena's story, but also her friend's and helpers, as well as the courageous stories of the many rescued children.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - Book Review - aka What Happens When I Read YA Fantasy?

"This Savage Song" has been blowing up #bookstagram for a while, and had a mile long waiting list at my library- so I knew I needed to pick up a copy and give it a shot! Typically, I read contemporary fiction that is written for adults- so "This Savage Song" was definitely outside of my comfort zone and I learned a lot about fantasy storytelling. But did I enjoy the book?

BOOK REVIEW// THINK HAPPY BY KAREN SALMANSOHN

"Positive affirmations, when consistently repeated, can wind up sinking into the subconscious mind- thereby affecting a person's sense of self and their behavior"

We all have an internal dialogue- and what we say to ourselves has a huge impact on how we act and how we feel. How many of those daily internal conversations are positive? "Think Happy" by Karen Salmansohn offers the right words to say during a difficult time. These easy phrases are simple to remember and can be used by anyone - yourself, friends, family- including kiddos! Check out some of my favorites below and my thoughts on the book.

BOOK REVIEW// THE LAST ONE- ALEXANDRA OLIVA

" The world in which I now move is a deliberate human perversion of nature's beauty. I cannot forget this. I must accept this. I have accepted this." - The Last One

The Last One by Alexandra Oliva  starts as a peek behind the scenes of a new TV show about strangers dropped into the woods. The competitors on the show complete various challenges, unless they decide they can no longer compete - in which case they can say ‘ad tenebras dedi’ or “ I surrender to the dark” and quit the show immediately. The main character of "The Last One", "Zoo" (her nickname on the show because she worked at a zoo) refuses to quit the show no matter how dire her situation. As the reader, you know much more than Zoo does about her own situation. You knows that there is a virus wrecking havoc, you know that the show proubably isn't going on anymore, and that Zoo is in real danger.

BOOK REVIEW // THE NEST BY CYNTHIA D'APRIX SWEENEY

The Nest has been blowing up on #bookstagram for a while, so I thought I should pick it up! This gorgeous book ( seriously the cover and spine are definitely picture worthy) revolves around the Plumb family and their "nest" - a fund their father set up for them many years ago that they have been anxiously waiting to access. So what happens when the long awaited money is used without their consent? Back stabbing, scheming, desperation, and denial- but also healing, forgiveness and growth. Read more to see a full synopsis of the book and my thoughts about the book!

Snoozefest at the Nuzzledome by Samantha Berger- Mom About Library #4

you guys-

This is one of the *cutest* children's books I have come across since reading books to my son. I absolutely love it and I will definitely be buying a copy for our house. This adorable read is about a sloth, Snuggleford Cuddlebun, who goes to Snoozefest at the Nuzzledome - a sleep festival for animals that love to sleep. As the adult reading, there were so many fun "grown up world" tie-ins to festivals, fashion, and more to enjoy. I loved reading this book to my son for the humor, but also the illustrations were so well done by the illustrator, Kristyna Litten. I really think this one will be a hit for lots of families and I definitely recommend it.

happy reading, y'all!

5 Essential ( and maybe unexpected) Things to Bring on Your Cruise - Off Topic Thursday

I decided to start a new series on the blog - Off Topic Thursdays. 99% of what I post on the blog will be book reviews, book talk, book wear...you get the idea. But! On the occasional Thursday, I want to share information that I think is of use to everyone- travel blogs, recipe ideas, product reviews etc. I definitely do not want it to take over the blog, or become the focus - Girl About Library will always be about books. But my husband and I went on a cruise and I really want to share the experience with the Internets!




Packing was *the* biggest part of the cruise prep experience for me. As a SAHM I am CPO ( chief packing officer) for my husband and I. This is by no means a complete list of what we brought but here are ten things that I did and packed that made our cruise a success!