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Water for Elephants

November 16, 2019

“Water for Elephants,” written by Sara Gruen, is a fantastic whirlwind novel about the up and downs and the toll that the circus life can have on the circus people’s lives.

Water for Elephants   This novel takes the reader on the journey of a young man by the name of Jacob Jankowski and after the jumping of a train, results in a decision that ultimately changes his life forever. Once on the train, he quickly becomes the circus by telling the ringmaster that he is a Cornell Graduate from Veterinary School. He goes on to help train the recent circus purchase of an elephant named Rosie. Jacob also finds unexpected love with the ringmaster’s wife, Marlena. This causes trouble for Jacob and the young lady over time.

In the other half of the book, it shows where Jacob is now at the age of 85 in a nursing home and quickly declining. Even though at times, he may not know whether he is talking out loud and not remember who his favorite nurse, Rosemary’s name is or even his children at times. He still remembers his love for the circus and the incredible life he was able to form from his experience on that train.

It follows the story of the “Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth” and the ultimate demise of the show as well.  From the pressures of putting on the “Most Spectacular Show on Earth” during the Great Depression period in America to the greatest joys and greatest heartbreaks and everything in between.

The book will have you on an emotional rollercoaster at times. A book that with leaves, you want more. A novel full of love, heartbreak and animals. What more would you want?

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

October 23, 2019

“Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” ~ J.K Rowling is another mysterious journey of the boy wizard! That shows not only his heroism but also Harry’s most vulnerable side. A story that will leave you satisfied but wanting more at the same time.

The 4th book in the Harry Potter series doesn’t start like every other Harry Potter Books! In the first couple of books, he escapes the Dursley’s household one way or the other and goes to Hogwarts for another year. No, it starts by the Weasley’s picking Harry up at the Dursley’s and heading to the Quitch World Cup. It is the events that occur at the Quitch World Cup that kicks off the theme for the rest of the book.

He-who-shall-not-be-named supporters start to take over the muggle owners of the Quitch venue, and the Dark Mark appears in the sky. The beginning signs that LordIMG_20191020_131113.jpgVoldemort is slowly regaining power. What will this scary moment mean for the only Voldemort survivor Harry Potter?

Another significant event that occurs throughout the book is the Triwizard Tournament. A tournament where other wizards’ schools come together at Hogwarts and kids volunteer to participate is a series of quests. That will ultimately end with a Triwizard Champion.

What will occur when Harry’s (who is underage) name pops out of the goblet and is now forced to enter this dangerous tournament? Who put his name into the goblet in the first place? Will Harry overcome his procrastination and figure out how to get through the competition? Also, what does the burning he is famous lightning-bolt shaped scar all mean?

This story is another fantastic novel written by J.K Rowling and an intriguing continuous on the journey of the boy wizard!

Where The Crawdads Sing

September 23, 2019

“Where the Crawdads Sing?” ~ Delia Owens is a book about murder, isolation, prosecution and independence.

Where the Crawdads sing

This book is set back in the 1940’s – 1960’s and takes the reader on the journey of a girl Kay Clark as she navigates her way through life in The Marsh fields of North Carolina.

It all starts when Kay’s mother walks out on the family and never comes back. Shortly there after her closes brother and only brother that still lives at home leaves as well. Leaving only her drunken father and her to fend for themselves.

This sudden abandonment forces young Kay to grow up and find ways of survival on her own. The town that she lives in makes her feel alone as well with the children in town making fun of the so called “Marsh Girl.” and besides a few locals helping out, no one in town seems to care about this child.

What happens when the 2nd of two boys that Kay falls in love with suddenly dies after breaking Kays heart? What will the town really think about the Marsh Girl then? Will they come together and rally around her or will they once again turn their backs on a girl who has been abandon all her life?

This book hits on a lot of hard hitting topics and in my mind will wined up in the classic file in no time as a must read book for all school age children. ❤

 

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

September 22, 2019

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban ~ by J.K Rowling is another magical, action-packed wizardry novel.

Harry Potter book 3

In 3rd installment in the series, Harry begins by trying to get the Dursley’s to sign a permission slip allowing him to go to Hogsmeade with his other classmates. However, right before his uncle decides to sign it something goes horribly wrong. Which results in Harry making an escape and heading back to Hogwarts early. Without the slip signed.

While at Hogwarts the teachers refuse to sign the permission slip as well because a deathly prisoner (who escape from a high security prison) is on the loose and the teachers and administrators are afraid that his is out to get Harry.

With the help of Ron Weasley’s brother George and Fred, Harry finds a way to join his classmates on their first field trip to Hogsmeade. It was there that Harry finds out why the teachers are so terrified that Serious Black is after Harry and his special connection to the prisoner. It also leaves Harry with more questions than answers about his parent’s connection to the dark side and their death?

This makes Harry determined to find the murderer himself.

Here Harry is being himself trying to save the day being the hero at the end of the day.

Will Harry be able to capture this monster? Will he ever find out the truth about his parent’s past?

J.K. Rowling does another fantastic job bringing her imagination to life and taking the reader in another whirlwind journey with the boy wizard!! 🙂

 

Rich People Problems

September 1, 2019

“Rich People Problems” ~ Kevin Kwan was another action-packed family drama, full of twists and turns! That will have you having all of the emotions in the book

In the 3rd and final installment of the Crazy Rich Asian series Rich People Problems, the whole family gathers as the monarch of the family is passing away. Surprise guest show up to make a few last minute piece offerings before it is to late. The real questions are: 1.) Will Su Yi forgive those who have wronged her in the past? And 2.) Who will wind up inheriting the famous Tyersall Park Estate after her passing? Since Su Yi only son Philip Young abruptly moved to Australia and Su Yi gave the house to his son Nicholas Young and after Nicholas went on to marry Rachel Chu against everyone’s wishes. It is still up in the air in who will get the famous estate.

Throughout the storyline another huge scandal erupts. As Astrid Leong and Michel Teo are in the mist of a huge five year long divorce and custody battle over their only son Cassian. Charlie Woo her first ever love, wins her heart over and proposes marriage to her in a elaborate way. However, through plotting and scheming Astrid and Charlie exs are trying in every way to get in their way of a happily ever after.

Kevin Kwan has done a fantastic job wrapping up with this Asian family drama and action-packed novel. It will be having you laughing and crying all the way through. It surely does not disappoint.

China RICH GIRLFRIEND

August 10, 2019

“China Rich Girlfriend” ~ Kevin Kwan is crazy entertaining, family drama filled novel. That will certainly being leaving you shocked and laughing to the every end.

In the 2nd installment of this amazingly entertaining trilogy Kevin Kwan does not disappointment. He takes us on the journey of Rachel finally getting to meet her biological father and his family. Also Alistair girlfriend Kitty Pong, who made such a stirring at the wedding of the century in the last book, returns with a mission on taking on the Signapore elite crowd with the help of Nick Young’s cousin Oliver T’sein.

How will Rachel react when she finally gets to meet and know he biological father and will his already well establish family open their arms to his illegitimate child?

Will Kitty Pong ever get her wish of gaining peoples’s trust back after her first relationship. Also, what will happen in her new relationship now that is a child involved?

You will have to find all this out by reading the 2nd book in the Crazy Rich Asian sersies, Crazy Rich Girl.

Kevin Kwan does another fantastic job bringing us into the lives the incredible Singaporean elite! 🙂

Searching for Sylvie Lee

July 12, 2019

“Searching for Sylvie Lee” ~ Jeane Kwok is a mysterious story of family, friends, love , grief and betrayal. Twist and turns at every corner that will have you at the edge of your seat.

This story is about two sisters and how when one of them goes missing, the other sister won’t give up trying to find her. The search takes her from New York to the Netherlands where her sister was visiting family right before her disappearance.

Along the way the sister that is searching finds out the truth behind her older sisters marriage, love interests and childhood. Where her sister was sent to the Netherlands to live with distant family friends because her newly immigrated parents couldn’t afford raise her in New York.

To be honest, it is slow at first trying build up and fit the pieces of the puzzle together. However, the end is worth the wait. It is a family drama like no other!

I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a family drama and mystery rolled into one!

Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone

July 4, 2019

“Harry Potter & The Sorcerer Stone” written by J.K Rowling is action packed, mystery fill story of wizardry and witchcraft in the land of Hogwarts.

 By now most everyone on the planet has read the famous Harry Potter series and have watched the movies. However, I am a bit late to the party and I just finish listening to Book One in the series “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer Stone.” Through the Audible app. Here are my thoughts on the first book.

It starts with the birthday boy Harry Potter finding out he is a Wizard and is accepted into the elite Wizardry and Witchcraft school Hogwarts. Soon Harry is confronted with his sudden celebrity like status and dealing with the truth behind his parents’ death and family history.

The book is full of unexpected friendships and villain dealings. All the while Harry is trying his best to fit in and win the house cup for his schoolhouse Gryffindor. Trying to beat out the other houses, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and the most hated Slytherin. All the while trying to steal back the Sorcerer Stone that is hidden deep with the school grounds. Will he to get pass all the obstacles in his way to be able to the stone or will he get caught and expel from one of the biggest wizards school around? Also, he becomes a sudden star in the Wizardry sport of Quidditch. He takes on The Seeker role with pride and determination!

J. K Rowlings does a fantastic job developing a book that takes you into the worlds of wizardry and witchcraft with beloved characters and quests that will leave you on the edge of your seat and not wanting to put the book down.

I would recommend this book and series for anyone who is into wizardry and wants to find a world that will you captivate you from the moment that the first spell is casted!

Girl, Wash Your Face

April 4, 2019

“Girl, Wash Your Face” written by Rachel Hollis is an inspirational and motivational memoir. That takes you are a journey of the ups and downs of an ordinary girl just following her dreams.
Rachel Hollis is an author and motivational speaker who while trying to grow from the trauma of her childhood was able to build a successful media company and become a best-selling author.
To all the women out there: have you heard things like: you’re not good enough or that I am better than you! Yes, I am sure you have! However, this book tells you that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
One thing that I took away from the book was in the chapter “I’ll Start Tomorrow.” Everyone makes every excuse in the book to start their dream tomorrow. However, I learned that if you keep telling yourself “I’ll Start Tomorrow” you will never end up actually starting it. Just start! No matter where or how long it takes at least you started on the path to follow your dreams, or you will regret ever trying. It is about the journey not the destination.
Another thing that I learned was in the chapter “I Am Defined by My Weight.” Except for me it replace the word “weight” with “height” I stand at a proud 4’3” and obviously that is the first thing people notice. However, with what I lack in height I make up with in my personality. I am a loud, hardworking and positive person. The lesson learned was not letting one thing define who you are.
This book was sort of a kick in the butt for your goals and that they are not achieved overnight. It will take time but don’t ever give up. It highlights all the trials and triumphs that Rachel had to face along the way as well. Whether it was the years of therapy with coping with the loss of her bother, bad boyfriends, a rocky adoption process or the ups and downs of her business. She bravely lays it out there for the reader to take it and feel that you are not alone.
I would recommend this book to any women who is looking for motivation to get off their butt and follow their dreams. I would recommend this book to any guy who would like to learn how girls think and maybe how to respect women a bit better.
Rachel did a great job with this book and can’t wait to read her other best-selling books!

Girl, Wash Your Face pic

Me

April 1, 2019

Bridget, Bridge, B, Auntie B, Auntie Bridget (when my 2-year-old niece is mad at me). I go by many names but I will always answer to all of them. I am a 22 year-old purchasing assistant that just loves to read. Books to me are a way to escape from everything but on the other hand learn about everything. 

I figured if I am becoming a blogger, I want my followers to know me better to understand where I come from and some of my favorite things.  

Here are some important and fun facts about myself:  

1.) Hometown: Dracut 

2.) Favorite Color: Orange  

3.) Favorite Subject: Reading/ English 

4.) Favorite Band: Jonas Brothers 

5.) Favorite Female Singer: Demi Lovato  

6.) Favorite Male Singer: Luke Bryan  

7.) Favorite Song: Sorry Not Sorry 

8.) Favorite Book Right Now: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama 

9.) Favorite Role: Becoming an Aunt to my two nieces  

Last but not least  

10.) Most important thing to me is: My family and friends! Oh and dogs! I love dogs!!  

I am the youngest out of seven children and love being a part of a large family. I have two nieces that are the two of the best little girls in the world. I love them to death. I also have two doggies Captain America and Scout. They are just amazing!! My family is my biggest support system and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I love them all so much!  

I went to a trade high school and majored in Business Technology. I got my Associates degree in Business and my dream is to one day be the CEO of my own company or brand. I am still at my first place of employment, which I got through the Co-op program at school. I am a Purchasing Assistant at a local lumber yard, Friend Lumber. I absolutely love my job and co-workers. They took a chance on me and I cannot thank them enough. 

I stand at a tall 4’3” and I am very proud of this fact. I have a condition called Noonan Syndrome and short stature is one of the many side effects. However, I have never let it define who I am. It has actually made me push harder and try harder for everything that I have and want to achieve in life and for that I am incredible proud and humble.  

I am a hardworking, dedicated, fast learning individual who loves to make people laugh and loves to laugh myself.  

Once again, I can’t wait to go on a journey with you as we all embrace the importance of reading and learning!!   

#Hadleybooks 
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