Ashley’s Comments (group member since Apr 05, 2015)

Ashley’s comments from the 2017 Reading Challenge group.

Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line by Michael Gibney

It doesn't have food in the title, but it's about the food industry. Interesting insights, but I could have done with more about the industry and less about the personal relationships after hours. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Beautiful, heartwarming story that brought tears to my eyes several times. August Pullman, a fifth-grader with severe facial deformities, goes to school for the first time after being homeschooled and experiencing both bullying and true friendship. A glimpse of what could be...

Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
Interesting to see the various people groups represented in New York. I liked the quotes he shared, either from the people photographed or about the situation. I may try his sequel, Humans of New York: Stories.

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
Inspiring account of how a stray cat and a recovering addict found each other and improved each other's quality of life.

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller
Very well written book by a woman who grew up with parents who were hoarders.

Book about an inspiring person(s): The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines. This book provides a lot of background about them personally rather than being a behind the scenes look at their show, Fixer Upper, on HGTV. I loved the insight into their lives, their history, their struggles, and their successes. Wonderful book!

2017 Challenge
Goal: 30 books

I've read 16, and I have 13 more on my "to read" list for this year. I set my personal reading challenge for this year at 30 books, so I'm one short right now - but I know I'll fill that spot soon. My coworker and I are always recommending things to each other.

Science fiction, please! I try to put them in the right categories, but my iPad app just dumps it to general...

Newbery winner. Former students had always encouraged me to read this. They'd be happy to know I finally did!

This was a great read for the LGBT category, which I initially wanted to avoid. Both heart-breaking and heart-warming, Alan Cumming shares what his life was like as a child and intertwines it flawlessly with the summer he experienced many personal revelations and the present. Tastefully written and engaging.

I enjoyed the movie. Then long after, I found out it was based on something F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote. I've been wanting to read it for a while now, but I never made the time. Last year, I read the graphic novel to fulfill one of the categories, but I didn't really enjoy it. I determined that I would make it fit somewhere this year.

I downloaded it for my Kindle yesterday, surprised that it's not actually a book but a short story in a larger collection of Fitzgerald's writings. I read it all last night and was a little disappointed that there wasn't more to it. Still, it was good. Now I've seen the movie, read the graphic novel, and read the book. This is one where I can say I actually liked the movie better.

BTW, does a short story count? I promise I won't make it a habit.

Loved this book! Drew me in immediately and was absolutely believable!

Miss Julia Lays Down the Law by Ann B. Ross

This is a guilty pleasure read. It's not earth-shattering or exceptional literature - just another humorous situation Miss Julia, an elderly Southern lady gets herself into.

I tried to read this book a while ago, but I hated the writing style and I hated death as the narrator. I just couldn't understand all the rave reviews the book was getting. So many people said they loved it! When I saw the category about a book never finished, I decided to give it another shot. I made it through - over the course of 6 weeks. I liked it, but I didn't love it. The story was good, but the writing style was annoying. I'm still not a fan of death as the narrator, but now it makes more sense.

This was slow to start, but I stuck with it because my friend said it was really good. I did, and I was rewarded with an intriguing story with quite a surprising twist.

I just finished these for my trilogy. I liked them, but they were constant action. Very little time to "rest". Fast reads!

I read this one a few years ago so I don't remember the author, but I do remember it was an excellent book with a heartwarming message. It was a quick read, too. I highly recommend it if your looking for something set during Christmas.

Biblically-based Inspirational book that makes you think about what you have, what you really need, and how to meet the needs of others.

Raunchy and a bit boring in some places, it's an overall good read. I guess it's a good thing I don't remember much from the one time I watched the movie. I need to see if Puzo wrote more along the lines of this book (a sequel perhaps?), because I might just need to keep reading.