You gotta do what you gotta do.

I just devoured Girl in Translation yesterday. I mean that literally. I picked it up from the library around 2, and by midnight I'd finished it. I read while Aspen napped, and then got really serious after she went to bed.

Jean Kwok used a lot of her own life experiences to write this novel, and I'm just amazed at what immigrants go through in order to make a life for themselves in America. Although I sometimes daydream about up and leaving my city, I never think about relocating to a new country where everything is foreign to me.

An element of the book I liked a lot was the use of Chinese phrases- like, the literal translations of what would have been said between Kimberly and her family/friends/coworkers. It's so hilarious how things come across the cultural barrier.

For easy summer reading, definitely read this book.

Due back in 3 weeks

As a lover of books (I just went to the library again today!) I think this would be the perfect notebook for me to keep in my purse. The cover is an upcycled library card! Inside are blank pages, just waiting for me to jot down a recipe, a wishlist, or a happy thought about my daughter.

Visit Crab Apple Designs for more.

I loved Reading Rainbow

Barnes & Noble wants you to love reading or playing with your kids. That's why they're offering a 50% discount on $20 worth of items from their online stores.

Take advantage of this one-day Groupon and spend only $10 to have $20 of toys, books, games, or whatever else you fancy at Barnes & Noble. Love it!

Book locket available in my Etsy shop.

Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card!

I started a book club in November and it's been so nice to read with the knowledge that I'd be able to get together with friends and discuss the book. It's much more satisfying, and it challenges me to pay more attention to my books.

The first book we tackled is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It's a real-life tale of her childhood years and how she and her siblings overcame their parents' weaknesses and managed to grow up not insane.

In December we read The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. I basically devoured this book. I could not put it down. Edwards writes a fictional story (based on popular beliefs in the 70s) about a family unknowingly torn apart by down syndrome.

If you're interested in joining the book club, please do! We meet in person as well as via Facebook (for those who are unable to attend in person). We have yet to pick our book for January, but we've entertained the Hunger Games series as well as a fantasy book by Edit Pattou entitled East. If you've recently come across a book you love, or would like to read then do share. We're open to all sorts of genres as a means of keeping the book club diverse and interesting.

But please please please do not suggest the Wheel of Time series. Kev adores it but I couldn't get through the first half of the first book (but I did go with him to a book release party, so I'm a supportive wife).

My new friend Frederick.

Mandi and I went to Weber State's book sale (hosted by friends of the Stewart Library) and found ourselves some treasures. I love the book Mandi bought (but since it's a gift for someone else, I'm going to keep my mouth shut!) and I managed to get 6 books for Aspen for $5.

SCORE.

"Frederick" by Leo Lionni is probably my favorite. It's about a sweet little mouse with sleepy-looking eyes who knows how to stop and smell the roses. Since my copy is an old one from WSU's library, it needs a little repairs. But that's nothing that some tape won't fix!

Get a copy today for your little one and you'll be pleasantly surprised at little Frederick's insight.

I always worry about getting mugged at the Weber County Library, but I keep going back..

I checked out 7 books three weeks ago. I'd like to recommend the ones that didn't suck:

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
Change of Heart by Jodie Picoult
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder by Rebecca Wells
Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner (so-so)

Also, I purchased Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and absolutely loved it.

The Jodi Picoult books are kind of emotionally charged, much like the novel by Rebecca Wells. I probably should not have read them while pregnant. Much sad/happy crying occurred. Rebecca Wells also wrote Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood, which I haven't read, but I saw the movie on a bus once.

Lisa See's book was amazing. I could not put it down. I even had dreams about having my feet bound that woke me up freaked out in the night.

I'm happy my thirst to read for fun has start resurfaced. I realized how tired I was getting of watching TV in my spare time instead of curling up with a book. Now that the weather is warming up, I look forward to taking them outside with me under the apple tree. Books make me think so much more than HGTV or reruns of America's Next Top Model.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up my shows entirely. Just switching gears for a while.

It's a two-for-one deal!

I borrowed The Time Traveler's Wife from Kristie and I love it so far.

Pick up a copy and enjoy it yourself! It's really helping me get a grip on the time travel in LOST, which I can't wait to watch again when the new season starts.

Books are so useful.