Goodreads- What are YOU reading?

Happy (Super Bowl) Sunday! I'm not a big football fan (sorry y'all, I just have a hard time getting into it) so I'm hoping to spend this Sunday reading and relaxing.

I just invested in a Kindle this week, and I'm really enjoying reading more. To help keep up with this goal, I'm getting back into Goodreads, which is like a social network for book lovers.

I really like Goodreads because it's a great way to find what to read next. You can peruse lists that have themes,  look at what your friends are reading, and even get recommendations from the site.

Listopia is my favorite feature because you can search by what you feel like reading. Want to read chick-lit? There are lists for that. Really into dystopian  fiction after reading The Hunger Games? There's a list or two for that, too. Some of the list themes are really creative. I like this one for February, since Valentine's Day is coming up:

Best Book Boyfriends

Anyway, join me on Goodreads so we can swap recommendations and such!

I'm currently reading:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

What are you reading? Are you on Goodreads? Find me and I'll friend you!

Stay beautiful,
Hannah

On The {Reading} List

Sorry this post is a bit belated!
I'm a major list-maker. I know a lot of y'all probably are too, so I thought I'd try a new type of post that won't necessarily have a regular, scheduled occurrence, but will pop up when I see fit. I'm calling it On The List. This first edition will be On The {Reading} List!
I thought I'd share some of the books I'm hoping to read soon. I'm trying to keep up free reading during the school year, which is something I've struggled with as an English major.
I'm hoping to get a Nook soon, so maybe that will encourage me a little more!

How Can You NOT Laugh at a Time Like This- by Cara Ulbrich

I'm SO excited to read this. As a Chronic Illness fighter and advocate, I don't see a lot of Chronic Illness related books that pique my interest. However, the sneak preview on Amazon had me nodding and laughing in total agreement. I definitely plan on reviewing this, because I think it looks like a great way to introduce what it's really like to live with Chronic Illness to those who don't have to experience it firsthand. 

Insurgent- Veronica Roth 

I still can't believe I haven't read this yet. This summer in Kiawah I got totally hooked on the first book in this series- Divergent. I read it in 2 days and passed it on immediately to my best friend and my mom. And then for some reason there was a delay in getting the second book and I got busy with my health... and then I felt like I needed to reread Divergent, and I just never got back around to it. 

Now, I need to read it. It's taunting me every time I go home. 

Safe Haven- Nicholas Sparks

It's almost Valentine's Day, so I think it might be the perfect time to curl up with a cheesy, wonderful Nicholas Sparks book. Especially since the movie is coming out soon! It's mindless, but that's the fun in it! 

The Fault in Our Stars- John Green

Ok, I realize that this list is not terribly new or exciting to y'all, but I'm trying to catch up on some of the popular books that have been out recently. I keep hearing that this is just gorgeous, sad, and wonderful. Hopefully I'll enjoy it! 

Ok, so that's the quick list for tonight! What's on your reading list! Please share, I'm always looking for good book recommendations. 

Hope you're happy and healthy! 

Stay beautiful,

Hannah 

The English Major on Vacation- Shopaholic Books

I will be the first to admit that I love to read fun, light reads on summer break. I am an English major through and through, and I love poetry and difficult fiction as much as any other English nerd, but I see value in the fun reads too. Not to get on my soapbox about reading (future teacher problems) but I think anything that keeps people reading, and enjoying the printed word is a beautiful thing.

Anyhow, I wanted to talk about a series I've been reading for years. Whenever I need a fun pick-me-up, I go to this series. There's something incredibly relatable about Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) and her shopping addiction. We all know that beautiful excitement that comes over us when we go shopping- it's infectious! Becky is a great character who is at once loveable and frustrating- just like any of your closest friends.
If you were turned off by the subpar movie rendition of this book, please trust me that the books are much, much better.
Here's a little more about the series by Sophie Kinsella:

The original- and maybe one of the funniest books. Becky becomes  a financial journalist and has to cover her debt and shopping addiction- too funny! 

Becky really comes into her own in Manhattan- plus, American readers can better relate to the shops! 

This may be one of my favorite Shopaholic books. Becky gets in WAY over her head (as usual) while  planning her dream wedding.

When Becky's long-lost sister is discovered, she imagines  the  true sister and shopaholic-in-crime she never had. Let's just say, Jess is a little more than Becky bargained for! 

Planning for baby Brandon requires tons of shopping, of course! Will Becky ruin things with her family or her husband in the process? 

Minnie may be as much of a Shopaholic as her mom- and she's only 2! Beyond that, she's a bit of a handful. I just read this one and enjoyed it as much as I expected!

So if you're a shopaholic yourself, or if you're just looking for a light read, I'd definitely check these out. If you've read any of the Shopaholic books before, let me know what you think! I'm going to do Summer break reading updates all summer!

-Hannah

Last Month of Summer

I think I imagined this summer so many different ways. There were trips planned and jobs started and summer classes and just so many things that should have, would have could have... but that's beside the point.
My summer classes are over and my last month of summer is upon me. I'm buying school supplies and picking out dorm room goodies and finally reading something other than my boring meteorology textbook!  I'm listening to new musicals, I'm reading fun light books and finally feeling better. I'm so grateful that my health seems to be going in the right direction.

What I'm looking forward to this month? 

I picked up this book today at the library. The concept is SO interesting! I'd explain it, but I haven't read it yet and I don't think I'll do it justice. Basically, it revolves around language and wordplay and the Linguistics and English nerd in me is SO excited to read this.  For more read about the author here!

Another thing I can't wait to do is find the perfect planner and go back to school shopping in general! What are your favorite planners? I'm not sure what to get... It's a tough decision, for sure!

I really like this Sarah Pinto Planner, and it's only $10. Pretty cute, right?

Lastly, I have a whole new BATHROOM to decorate!! I found out last week that I have my own room and bathroom, which I pretty much knew was coming, but I hadn't really been shopping for yet! Last year, when I shared with my three messy, unfriendly suitemates I pretty much avoided my bathroom and had NO desire to decorate it. Since this bathroom is all my own I definitely am looking forward to making it my own!

I love this Target Shower Curtain! My room is all pink, navy and green and I'll probably carry those colors into my bathroom.

I'm still searching for a makeup table so that maybe I can have an actual DESK this year... We'll see what I find! Hopefully this last month of summer is the best of the three.