Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Theif
Author: Markus Zusak
Purchase on Amazon

Book Synopsis

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Book Review
I have heard a lot of really wonderful things about this book but I just couldn't get into it. When I say I tried to read it for months, I mean it. I think I picked this book up in August 2016. I just couldn't stay with it. The format is a little unusual and the type of story is different. I wanted to love this book. I was told it was a tear jerker. Honestly I couldn't even finish reading it. Which makes me really sad. I don't want to give this book bad markings but I don't think I have any other choice. Based on my normal rating schedule this would be a 1.5 book but the writing was very well. And others really like it a lot. So I think this is just my own issue. Because of that I am giving it a 2.5 star. Just super disappointed...

Hi Ho Hi Ho Back to work we go ...

When that alarm goes off at 4:15 in the morning you know you immediately regret that the vacation is over. That is exactly how I felt this morning when it was time to wake up. Last week I was feeling ready to go back to work because let's face it, for mothers, work is an escape!

Now as I am facing down the 45 min drive and the long day of working on spreadsheets and emails I am starting to feel that dread... no vacation can't be over!

The only plus side is I already have 4 books downloaded to start/finish reading this week, remember I have to get at least 2 books read each week to meet my goal of 100 books.

I am reading two at a time right now and I am really enjoying both of them. Hopefully I will have one done by tomorrow so I can post a review. I really want to get that 80 reviews a year done too.

Last night we had our last family meal of the vacation and mhmm it was good. Steak, baked potato, and spinach salad. The family is starting day 3 of the gluten free (not new) processed sugar free life style. Ugh that headache that comes with it really really is a killer.

There is nothing quite as annoying as knowing just picking up a Dr Pepper would cure the headache but push you back at least two days in your new life style. Note I say life style not diet because it isn't a diet it is a new life choice, a change in the norm.

What kind of books are you planning on reading this year?

I love a good mystery but I think I am going to keep up my trend of an eclectic sort of stories.

I am currently reading a cozy mystery, a fiction novel and then i am not quite sure what i would classify this other story as, possibly fantasy.

I love all good books!

Alright so think this is enough rambling for the moment ... after all it is now time to wake the kiddos up and do the mom thing. Gotta get them off to school and then onto work for myself.

Life as a working mom never ends. And it is by far the best experience / job in the world.

Don't forget, leave a comment with your email and you will end up with a free ebook in your inbox for the "Ashley Randomness" posts.

2017 Goals - A New Year, A New Me

Hello there blogging world. It has been a while since I wrote any of my fun "Ashley Randomness" but I am feeling some randomness today and felt the need to write about it.

2016 came and went so quickly that I wasn't even sure all 365 days were full of experiences that I remember. I do know that I surpassed my goal of 80 books read in 2016. But I failed miserably at posting reviews. But honestly that was the only true "goal" that I had. So I guess that means I batted 100% for my 2016 goals.

And that feels kinda lame ....

So for 2017 I am going to work harder. I am going to plan goals and achieve more than one thing. And here they are .... in no particular order.

• I will finish writing two books - one taking place during Nano
• I will read 100 books and post 80 reviews
• I will home cook 5 out of 7 dinners each week for my family
• I will yell less at my kiddos ... or at least yell softer ...
• I will let go of more small things and not dwell on the past
• I will write at least one blog a week
• I will find more 'me' time each week that way I can rejuvenate better
• I will stick to my healthy living life style and have no more than 1 cheat day a week, at most.
• I will have all Christmas presents bought and wrapped by Dec 1 this year
• I will save at least 200/month from my paychecks to put into savings
• I will find a way to be grateful for something each day
• I will do something each month to give back and help someone other than my family

Some of those are easy and some not so much. Since we got the two kids my 'me' time has been pretty non-existent unless I'm on the brink of exploding and let's not even begin talking about writing time ... what is that? Yeah ... doens't exist. 

The cooking I do for the most part already but putting something in writing holds you more accountable.

This year, 2017, I am not only going to be gluten free but the whole fam is going to attempt processed sugar free as well. Yes that does sound like hell but apparently it will help our health like crazy so it's worth it right?

What are some of the goals that you have? I am sure everyone has some kind of goal.

I don't want to call it a "New Years Resolution" because that's not what I think my goals are. I think they are life style choices/changes and not just because it is a new year but because it is the right thing to do.

Good luck to everyone out there who is following their goals with me. Let's be a good support for one another.

And remember ... I posted at the end of 2016 that anyone who comments on an "Ashley Randomness" blog with their email address will receive a free book from my collection of stories up to 5 per year. So don't forget to post!

(This is me and my daughter Sierra ... Finishing some mother daughter time )

The Best of 2016 Books, Movies, Memories...

Here we go again ... another year in the books no a slew of books and movies to go through.

Picking the best of the best is always hard but I am up to the task this year. I read over 80 books in 2016 which was my challenge to myself. So picking the best of those is going to be a bit difficult. Luckily Goodreads is there to help remind me which books I liked the most and which ones will be put on the "must forget" list.

And here we go in 3 .... 2 ....1 ....

THE BEST OF 2016

BEST BOOKS

(In no particular order)

Seeds of Control: Generations to Execute By Lawrence Verigin

SCIENCE-FICTION

Oh My Goodness was this book a killer read. This had everything in it from a completely plausible plot to a lovable main character to an evil despicable bad guy who just wanted everyone to die. This was by far the scariest book of the year as well because every time I now eat a piece of food that isn't organic ... I wonder. Is someone trying to kill me? Seriously go buy this book!

Kim Law's Sugar Spring Series

ROMANCE

Do you ever just want to get away and read one of those cheesy romances that take your mind off of everything? Then this series will do just that. Thank god they were KU books because I knocked them out back to back without even batting an eyelash. They were fantastic. Her writing style was phenomenal and she kept you begging for more with each book in the series. Def a must read for anyone who loves a good romance.

The Bitter Season by Tami Hoag

MYSTERY

First off, the fact that I FINALLY met my favorite all time author has nothing to do with this review. Tami Hoag's writing was top notch again and this book brought a whole new twist to the relationship of these detectives I have come to love. This is prob about the 5th book in this series but it is a good stand alone. If you like mystery then this was the winner of the year.

Just A Little Death by A.L. Kessler

URBAN FANTASY

Now some of you may say whoa there Amy is your friend and she can't make the top list ... but I assure you this series is worth it. I LOVED these new characters. And Oh M G! Death was great! Seriously if you are looking for a new author or series that doesn't give you the expected when it come to a good urban fantasy book then pick up A.L. Kessler's. She has a few series I really enjoy but this was her best 'first' book in a series and I truly loved it!

BEST MOVIES

(In no particular order)

DEADPOOL

I am not sure I even need to explain this one because it was just absolutely fantastic. Ryan Reynolds who isn't known for his super hero skills was killer. The writing, the music, everything was amazing and this movie left me laughing and smiling throughout it. BEST movie of the year for sure!

BRIDGET JONE'S DIARY

I never watched this series when it came out originally so I was majorly skeptical about the excitement of this movie. But after binge watching with the hubby we were quite excited to head off to the movie to see who was the father of Bridget's baby. This was a feel good movie for sure and it left me smiling. And that's the sign of a good flick.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

The Harry Potter world is growing and this one is a winner. This movie brought a very loved magical realm into the great country of America and opened our eyes to others who possess this great skill of magic. I loved this movie, the kids loved this movie and the hubby loved this movie. For all you HP fans you will love it too.

MOST DISAPPOINTING MOMENTS

INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURRECTION and BATMAN VS SUPERMAN

These two films had every opportunity to be awesome but they fell majorly short. I was super sad they killed off Will Smith in ID4R and in BVS they gave the women the worst lines when when they were the best actors in the film. I just wish these two films had been better written so they would have increased their world universe instead of making me want to never travel into their realms again.

I just hope Ben as BATMAN gets better because our SUPERMAN really makes me sad.


BEST MEMORY

February 2, 2016 - Tony and I adopted Aaron and Sierra. The day you officially become a parent is the best day of your life. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the court and who came out to the celebration three days later. Hearing someone call me mom, momma, mommy will always be the best memory in the world.


And there we have it ... 2016 in a nut shell. Here's hoping 2017 knocks it out of the park.

A Look Back on 2016 ...

My goodness, I don't even know where to begin on the insanity that has been this year. When I say it feels like a million things have changed, that is no overstatement or exaggeration. This year my number one major thing to report back on, are my children. My wonderful babies that I couldn't live without.

Followers of this blog will remember my previous posts, there were just a few, about my husband and my road to adoption. When they say that anything worth having is worth fighting for, that's no freaking joke. This past year, really eighteen months has been a journey for the books. There is absolutely nothing like one day having no responsibilities to the next being a monther of two. So much changes that you don't even think about.

I thought for sure I would still get time to write and work on my books. Wrong. For sure I would still get privacy, I mean I am adopting teens it isn't like they need me to feed and dress them daily, wrong.

That old commercial from the 90's and early 2000's that says "A baby changes everything" flashes through my mind all the time when something happens that I just didn't think would happen in this point in life.

Don't get me wrong I love my kiddos and there is no one in this world who could take them from me or change how I feel about them. But I really miss being an active author.

I saw a need in my daughters life. She needed more homework time, she needed more attention to detail. She needed to learn how to study and function. As a result of that I had to switch jobs. This was the best decision I have made in a long time work wise. Now I leave my house every morning at 6am and I am home by 5:15 every day. As a result of this, my daughter is now an honor roll student. I couldn't be more proud! We work on homework together, we read books, we color, play and even knit. She is just the most shinning star in my life.

My son, my dear sweet stubborn son. I don't think I could find anymore ways to be proud of him than I already have. We got him into a private charter school and my god how it changed his whole world. The best thing we could have ever done for him was get him in that program. His vocabulary skills have increased at an exponential rate. His math skills are moving closer and closer to the level in school he should be on. And he is making A's, and is happy and loves school.

These kids are my whole life and my 2016 was fantastic because of them.

Then, there is my husband. The head of our family, the leader, the dad. He and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary yesterday. Quite the milestone that a lot of people, especially individuals from my generation never see. I never thought I could love him more, but I do. Seeing him as a dad is the most exciting thing in the world to me. He makes our home a happy home. He brings laughter and love and excitement. Twelve and a half years after I met this man I love him more today than I ever dreamed of.

Yes 2016 is one for the books but it is one of great change and excitement. It is the year I will remember that not only did my family finally feel complete, it was the year that I learned that in order to be rich in life you must first be wealthy. Not wealthy with money or possessions but with love. Yes, we are now wealthy, we have more together than any of us had apart. And that gives us more riches than any bits of money could buy. 2016 ... thank you for my family.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary to my Husband

3,650

Over 3,650 nights I've awoken by your side

Every one of them filled with pride

Over 3,650 smiles we've shared

Every one of them showing we cared

Over 3,650 nights we've slept side by side

Every one of them knowing you wouldn't wash out with the tide

Over 3,650 adventures we've taken

Every one of them never getting us too shaken

Over 3,650 sunrises

Over 3,650 sunsets

Over 3,650 kisses

Over 3,650 hugs

Never could I picture this voyage of life with another by my side

Never could I endure this voyage of chaos and adventure without you

Never could I imagine this voyage taking us where we have gone

Never could I fathom this voyage happening so fast

Ten years ago today I changed my name

Ten years ago today you promised me a future

Ten years ago today we set sail together

Ten years ago today we made a promise

Through ups and downs we weathered the storms

Through ups and downs we grew closer and stronger

Through ups and downs we found our way

Through ups and downs we always maintain

Our love is that of stories

Our love is that of riches

Our love is that of angels

Our love is that of mystery

My best friend

My lover

My partner

My lobster

3,650 Days Beside you ...

3,650 Days As Your Wife

I love you with all my soul

I love you with all my being

I love you more than you could know

I'll love you through the end of time

Blog Revamped 2017

Hello all you wonderful readers in the blogging world. I hope you all have been well. I have really missed this place. And because of that I am going to be doing a little revamping and then posting more too.

Blogging seemed like a family there for a while. You had your regulars but once I got the kiddos my whole online life like vanished and now ... my blog just isn't the same.

So we are doing a few changes here in Ashley land and this is what's going on ....

What to expect in 2017 ....

A fresh Ashley's Randomness post each week. This can be anything from a random idea I had to a rant about a movie or book to a long winded review of a movie (Look up Man of Steel review for reference to what I mean) or just well anything. Whenever I tag something as an "Ashley's Randomness" if you give me a decent comment (meaning more than 4 words) and leave your email then you will receive a surprise free ebook from me (will be one of the books I hold the rights to in order for me to give away for free, duh.) limit 5 free ebooks per person.

More book reviews ... I read all the time but I have gotten super lazy on posting up reviews so I am making a vow to myself to post at least 80 reviews this year.

More movie reviews ... I go to a decent amount of movies each year and I have a blog, I might as well write a review ....

More blog tour posts. I'll be honest ... hosting for other authors and tour companies helps my own business so I need to keep doing that. So when I am not posting an Ashley Randomness post I hope to go back to helping other authors gain exposure.

I may even try to redesign the blog too layout wise.

I hope all of you out in blogger land enjoy these updates and changes and I hope to see more people commenting and sharing posts. Remember ... we're all in this together so let's help one another!

See ya later Blogging land ...

( This is the Six Million Dollar Man being taken for a strole by Barbie. My hubby set this up, I just snapped the pic. A little Ashley Photography to go with today's reading. Enjoy! )