four books...

On occasion, I have sat in front of my computer, and my mind draws a blank. Sure, I've had plenty of ideas of what I've wanted to blog about, but once I start a post, it stops. The creative juices, I mean. Basically I sit down, open the laptop, look at a blank "create post" area, write a few sentences, and then nothing. I can't find the words. So, I close the laptop, and pick up a book.

And that's basically what I have been doing this week. Among other things- which I will actually be discussing tomorrow (!!!). But to me, it's ok. Because I love reading... there is no doubt about it. I love how a book can transport you to a different place and time, it can enlighten you, it can motivate you, it can scare you, and it can impact your day to day life. Reading for me, is my escape from reality.

Today I am going to tell you about four books that I have recently finished, and let you in on four more that I plan on reading by the end of the year...

The Ersatz Elevator | Lemony Snicket

I had always wanted to read Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events series... and I'm sorry I did. Though I really liked the books, they sometimes seemed to drag on- with the same endings. The series follows three orphans- Violet, Klaus, and Sunny- after the death of their parents and in each book of the series- there's 13- they are "handed" to some type of family member/guardian. Unfortunately, the first guardian wants their fortune and keeps trying to "get them" by all means possible. The movie staring Jim Carey angered me, and my recommendation is this: if you are interested in the series, head to Wikipedia and read all of the plot summaries- you will save a lot of time.

I Heart my Little A-Holes | Karen Alpert

I love when I hear that a blogger has turned into a real life author- it just give me warm fuzzies of hope. Alpert is the blogger behind Baby Sideburns and her book is downright hilarious. I couldn't put it down. She talks about how even though we love our lil ones to death, they do, on occasion, tend to be little miniaturized A-Holes. Hands down funniest book I have read all year.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Ransom Riggs

This book really surprised me. In the beginning, the main character watches his beloved Grandfather die, and then a few months later, visits the island where he grew up. Without giving anything away- the book has just the right amount of suspense, fantasy, & adventure combined with interesting photography. Loved it.

A Time to Kill | John Grisham

I think that Girsham is my new favorite author; I really love his style of writing. In A Time to Kill, which was actually his FIRST novel, is set in 1980s Mississippi, and the key players are a black man on trial for the murder of the men who beat, raped, and left for dead his 10 year old little girl, and the white attorney who represents him. A Time to Kill explores racism, a parent's rage, and the difference between what is right and wrong. Also, if the title seems familiar, it's because it is- A Time to Kill was made into a movie starring Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey in 1996.

And four books on my "to read by the end of the year" list...

The Devil in the White City | Erik Larson
Why Not Me? | Mindy Kaling
The Book Thief | Markus Zusak
Go Set a Watchman | Harper Lee

Do you enjoy reading? If so, have you finished any good ones lately?