Book Review – Never Say Never

I received Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate to review from Bethany House Publishers.  It’s available for $11.99.  This book was a fun, fast read.  The storyline is interesting and gripped me from the start.  I couldn’t wait to finish it to see how it all worked out in the end.

According to the back cover:

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves.  She’s never put down roots – and she doesn’t plan to.  But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, TX, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence.  And when she meets hometown boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily – until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. 

Daily has always been a welcoming place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind.  Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store – especially when Aunt Donetta Bradford has cooked up a scheme.

There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud and parts that tugged on my heart.  I recommend it, and I can’t wait to check out more books by this author.

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of Never Say Never from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Book Review program.  I did not receive any other compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Book 6 - 52 Books in 52 Weeks

I have tried several times over the past 10 years to read the Harry Potter series. I started reading the first one when Logan was in about the 3rd grade. I tried again when Isaac was about that age. It's just not my style of book. I'm really not a sci-fi/fantasy girl. However, I picked it up again this winter, and decided I was going to finish it no matter what. Know what? I really enjoyed it. It was a fairly quick read. Isaac wants to know if I'll read the whole series. I don't know. I have a whole list of books I want to read in addition to ones I need to read and review. Emma wants to know when I'll read it to her. I don't know that, either. I'm holding off for now, but may read it to her later in the year or over the summer. I will preread anything in this series that I read-aloud to her to make sure they aren't too scary.

Book 5 - 52 in 52

The Friday Night Knitting Club was a fabulous book. I highly recommend it.

Book 4 - 52 in 52

I read Coming Unglued. This is book two in the "Sisters Inc." series. I enjoy this series, and I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series to come out.

Books 3 - 52 in 52

I read The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Iain Lawrence. I didn't really enjoy this book, but I did read it to the end.

Emma: 52 in 52

I'm updating Emma's 52 books in 52 weeks list of books she has read to date.
7. A Cheese-Colored Camper ~ Geronimo Stilton

This week (January 10-16), Emma read the following books toward her 52 books in 52 weeks challenge:

1. The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid ~ Geronimo Stilton
2. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count ~ Geronimo Stilton
3. Mouse Soup
4. Fancy Nancy
5. Katie Kazoo: I Hate Rules!
6. Katie Kazoo: Drat! You Copycat!

Isaac: 52 in 52

I have not been keeping up with his list. Here's an update:

2. Magic Keepers (an Eternal Hourglass book)
3. Escape from the Carnivale (A Neverland Book)
4. The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
5. Peter and the Star Catchers

Book 2 – 52 in 52

The second book I read for the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge was The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.  I know it’s been around for a while, and it’s one I’ve been meaning to read for a while.  I found a copy for sale at the library and picked it up.  I enjoyed it, and I may rent the movie one of these days.  Not sure.  I’m really not a movie person.

I’m currently reading Hole in Our Gospel (another review for Thomas Nelson Publishers) and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (from the top 25 Book Blogger suggestions list). 

Isaac’s Book 1 – 52 in 52

Isaac decided to join me in my reading challenge.  I bet he can read 52 books this year!  His first book was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. Every time we would go to the library, he would try to find this book series.  It was always checked out.  So, we bought him the first two books for Christmas.  He got the third in the series Monday at the library, and he finished it last night (Tuesday).  He’s currently waiting on book four to come in at the library. 

Book 1 – 52 in 52 Challenge

I read (and reviewed for Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Sweet By and By. You can read what I thought of it here. This is book one of my 52 books in 52 weeks challenge.

52 Books in 52 Weeks...

So, last year I set a goal to read 100 books. I didn't accomplish that goal. I read about 50 books. However, if I had counted books I read aloud to the kids, I would have met it. I saw a post about this challenge, and I decided it was much more reasonable for this busy mom. So, basically it boils down to reading a book a week for the year. If you're interested in this challenge, sign up here.