No New Books- Just 2 old favorites

In between al the BBQ’s, hair appointments, brunches, church and friends, I re-read two of my favorite books this weekend. Something Borrowed & Something Blue by Emily Griffin.

These are two of my favorite books (the one I missed my bus stop for back in 05), although Blue did not grow on me until this weekend. I read these books for the first time two summers ago and loved them then, passed them around my old office and still love both of them today. In fact, I’m not even sure if I could give a good review of these books. I can say that I have re-read them both several times and I started to notice a pattern of when I would pick them up- When I need a pick me up and need to believe in two important things:

1. Things always work out- no matter how messy- no matter how messy things are today, no matter how queasy your stomach feels when you think about that situation- things always work out. No necessarily for your own good- especially if you are doing wrong, but somehow things always work out for the best.

2. What Goes around does come back around

3. True love always wins ( or close enough anyway)

I don’t agree with man/ fiancé steeling. Rachel was still wrong- even though I routed for her and not just because she was “ the underdog” but because she truly loved Dex AND Darcy and after these past two years, I’ve realized that sometimes life puts you in these crazy situations and you have to deal with them and make the best of them.

After this weekend I can only hope that things work out- not even in the Rachel Dex way but in the Darcy/ Nathan way.

I’d like to think that in my life I’ve elevated past the superficiality of wanting Darcy to loose that I had the first few times I read Blue- to the “happiness” I felt for her while reading this weekend. Finally understanding and appreciating her growth by the end of the book. Although that made the book not as juicy as borrowed- I’m happy that I’m able to appreciate it at this point in my life.

So when I start to loose hope or have even lost it (as I have now) I go like to read these books to remind me of those two things. And hope that it traverses over to my life. AND SOON.

And maybe soon- I’ll post and honest review of both of these books.

*I also love her newest book (now in paperback) Baby Proof- for reasons # 1 & 3 above- mostly number 3. In fact it has given me more hope for number 3. That we can make a mistake, but if it’s what’s meant to be- it will be.

Finding Noel

Finding Noel

Richard Paul Evans

***** ( 5/5)!

This novel COMPLETELEY made up for my disappointment with Dear John. This has to be one of my favorite stories- Christmas or not. I read this book and actually shed a tear or two. I picked this up on the way to my hair appointment and finished it before my hair was even dry ( it tied to stop and save it , but I couldn't). You know it had to be good to a) finish it that fast and b) shed a tear or two in the beauty shop.

I’m a fan of The Christmas Box, which my teacher read to my class way back in 7^th grade. The entire class was moved by that story and I usually pull it out and read it when I need to get back in the Christmas Spirit (ok sometimes I cheat and watch the movie). Anyway, so I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up this book, but I had no clue how good a treat.

Mark Smart was at the end his rope one snowy night when he stops off for a cup of coffee and meets Macy Smart. What happens next changes their lives forever. Macy offers Mark a shoulder to cry on and Mark and Macy forge an intense friendship. Weeks later, Mark proposes to Macy, but Macy declines and forces to Mark to comfort some issues of his own. Returning home his stepfather tells him "sometimes it's the fight that makes a thing worth having" as the reason not give up- especially where Macy is concerned. I think that is my favorite line of the book. Each chapter also starts with a beautiful quote.

I absolutely loved this book. I love the Christmas theme, but I think this is a book that transcends it and I see myself re-reading it anytime (who says you can’t have Christmas in July?). This is a great love story and a great Christmas story, and is one of the best of the former and may be the best of the later (besides the original story of Christmas of course!). I think it has even replaced The Christmas Box as my favorite.

Five plus stars! Go get this one! I just passed it on to a coworker and she read it over the weekend and loved it as well!