Five Favorites -- Book Club Edition

For this week's rendition of "Five Favorites," I thought I'd switch it up a bit: instead of listing five products (or whatever else) I'm digging at the moment, I am going to tell you about five books that I've loved in the past few months, three of which I've read with the most amazing book club in the history of book clubs. (Seriously, the women in this group are absolutely wonderful, and I am so thankful for the time that we get to spend together each month.)

As I compiled this list, I got to thinking how much I appreciate amazing books and how quickly I read them when they engage me. I also got to thinking how I haven't read an absolute page-turner in a few weeks. The last book we read for book club was This Is Where I Leave You, which was entertaining but not necessarily one of the best books I've ever read (and was clearly written to be a movie more than it was to be a book). I tried reading Wild, thinking it would help me be a strong, independent woman again (since Eat, Pray, Love was so pivotal in my "recovery" from a previous failed relationship), but it seemed a bit repetitive, and I only got about halfway through. Now, I'm reading Beautiful Ruins, and while I think the story is getting interesting (finally), I am having a really, really hard time engaging with it -- and I'm halfway through.

Perhaps reading the aforementioned not-so-stellar books helps me appreciate the amazing ones even more.

And, without further ado, here they are!

1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

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This is quite possibly the best book that I have read in a really long time. There were somewhat mixed reviews at book club (i.e. pretty much everyone liked it, but not everyone loved it as much as I did), but I stand my ground: it. was. amazing.

Essentially, 20-something Louisa lives at home with her parents who are struggling financially, and she is hired by a super wealthy family to be the caretaker of their quadriplegic son, Will, who was once extremely adventurous, active, and quite the popular bachelor. The book focuses on the two characters and the relationship that builds between the two as Lou tries to convince Will that happiness can still be found, that life is still worth living.

Ugh. So good.

2. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

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This is probably my second favorite of the books I've read recently, only next to Me Before You. This story is set in the 1980s, a midst the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. When 14-year-old June's favorite Uncle Finn dies from the disease, she is left all alone -- until she secretly befriends her uncle's long-time partner, Toby, a man who makes June feel as understood and uniquely amazing as Finn did.

The book centers on the friendship between June and Toby and the escalating tension between June and her family. It is an absolutely beautiful book that I literally read in two days.

3. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

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This is another book that I read in about two days. This story focuses on busy single mom, Kate, and her bright prep-school daughter, Amelia. After getting a call that she needed to pick up Amelia from school due to plagiarism and subsequent suspension, Kate heads to the school to find Amelia dead, apparently from jumping off the roof. Shortly thereafter, Kate receives a message that says that Amelia did not jump.

The book centers on Kate's search for the truth and is interspersed with emails, text messages, and conversations that Amelia had with her peers. There is crazy-suspense throughout this completely unpredictable book.

As a teacher of high school students, I thought the portrayal was very accurate and realistic, albeit extremely frightening. This was an excellent book.

4. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

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I totally jumped on the Gillian Flynn bandwagon. I first read Gone Girl, which I liked and couldn't put down, and then about a year later I read both Sharp Objects and Dark Places in quick succession. And, I'd have to say that Dark Places was my favorite.

In this gripping thriller, the protagonist, Libby Day, was the only survivor of The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas, when her mother and sisters were killed, and as a small child, Libby testified that it was her brother who committed the brutal murders. As an adult, Libby was approached by the "Kill Club," a group set on proving her brother's innocence.

The story focuses on Libby's quest for the truth from that dark night, and the plot twists and turns at every angle, leaving readers also searching for what really happened.

I loved it.

5. The Language of Flowers

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I really enjoyed this book. But, I have to admit: I had super high expectations for this book, especially since my mom loved it so much. While the story didn't necessarily reach those high expectations, I still enjoyed reading it.

This book is about a young woman, Victoria, who was recently emancipated from the foster care system with nowhere to go and with no skill set -- other than knowing the meaning behind (the language of) flowers. The story alternates between Victoria's present-day as well as her past, specifically focusing on her history with the foster mother who sparked her interest in flowers and who first showed her love. The plot thickens when Victoria encounters someone from her past and is forced to make difficult decisions as to how to handle her painful secrets.

It was a really interesting book (especially in regard to the different meanings of flowers and the relationships between the characters), and I read it in about three days.

What are the best books you've read lately? Any great recommendations? I need a new book for as soon as I finish Beautiful Ruins. :)

Find previous "Five Favorites" here:

• Five Favorites 3
• Five Favorites 2
• Five Favorites 1

Sleepy Time

Today is going to be a short post.  Sorry (or, maybe, you're welcome).  I'm absolutely exhausted.  And honestly, I'm a little cranky that I'm not jammin' to Kid Rock right now.  Oh, and I stood up for myself for once, and I'm a little emotionally wiped out from that ordeal.

It's not been fabulous.  And now I'm done whining.

The day started with a bowl of Cracklin' Oat Bran.  I know this is not the best cereal to eat, but I was really craving it when I was at the store, and it really kept me full all morning.  I almost didn't even want to eat the banana I brought for my mid-morning snack.

After teaching for four hours, I went straight to my student's house for a tutoring session and then practically sprinted home because I was famished.  I whipped up a quick turkey sandwich (yum) and then hit the pool with one of my new friends.

And now?  I'm fried.  Like, beet red.  Oops.  Apparently I should've put sunscreen on sooner than two hours into our afternoon swimming session.

Immediately when I got home, I popped in 30-Day Shred.  I knew that if I sat down for even one second, I wouldn't work out.  Now I can barely move: I am so sore!  I'm not sure I'll be shredding tomorrow, but I am planning on waking up at the crack of dawn to run three-and-a-half miles.  We'll see if I can actually peel myself out of bed an hour early to make that happen...

My final endeavor for the evening was to hit the mall for another pair of my new favorite pants:

They're from Express of all places.  But I have been LIVING in them the last week, and I figured since that is absolutely disgusting, I'd better get another pair.

I also felt like I should buy this tanktop since it was a buy-one-get-one-half-off deal.  It's cute and will be even cuter when I'm a smidge more toned.

This weekend I bought this sweatshirt in charcoal gray.  I LOVE IT.  The pockets are rouched, and it fits perfectly.  I've already worn it nearly every day, even though it's been 110 degrees outside, so I know I'll get good use out of it.  I could probably get it in pink as well and do just fine, but I'm going to make a good decision and not do that.  :)

I strongly recommend all three of these pieces.  You'll love 'em.

My sister-in-law has been recommending Chi Running, so I went to Barnes and Noble as well and bought a copy of that.  She said it's a great book that shows how to not expend so much energy while running.  Since I'll be tackling 26.2 miles soon enough, I thought this would be a great thing to know!

Of course, I couldn't just leave with one book.  I also bought a running memoir: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.  I've heard of this book before, possibly in Runner's World.  It's a memoir, which I love, and it's Murakami's journal from training for the New York City Marathon.  I need all the motivation I can get!

Finally, I bought a "for fun" book:

To Kill a Mockingbird is my all-time favorite book, and this is a collection of essays as to how the book changed people's lives.  I'm really, really excited to read it - and I like that it's a book that doesn't have to be read all at once: I can read a few chapters in between other books, etc.

And speaking of books, I'm going to head to bed and read for a little while.  I wanted to get my two pieces of writing for tomorrow done tonight, but it's just not going to happen.  My creativity is non-existent, so I think a good book and a good night's sleep are calling my name.

Ciao, bellas.