August Reading Wrap Up

In August, I was able to squeeze in quite a bit of last minute summer reading – 12 books to be exact.

From the best memoir I’ve ever read (The Glass Castle) to the finishing my first ever read through of the most iconic series of all time (Harry Potter), I’d say my reading list in August was one of the year’s best.

The books I read in August were:

1. Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
2. Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
4. Tracks by Robyn Davidson
5. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
6. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
7. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
8. All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
10. Lucky in Love by Kasie West
11. Once and For All by Sarah Dessen
12. You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein

Keep up with my reviews of these books and what I’m reading next by adding me as a friend on Goodreads.

July Reading Wrap Up

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year to sneak in a little extra reading. Maybe it’s the heat that makes laying around with a good book and air conditioning so appealing, or maybe it’s the extra hours of daylight.

Either way, last month I was able to finish 11 books.

1. The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling
2. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
3. Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins
4. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
6. My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill
7. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
8. Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson
9. Geekerella by Ashley Poston
10. This Life I Live by Rory Feek
11. The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy

Check out my thoughts on this books and what I’m reading now by adding me as a friend on Goodreads!

6 Places to Explore in Kansas City this Summer

Summer is in full swing, complete with BBQ’s, sunburns, and temperatures exceeding 80 degrees well before noon. While many people regard summer as a time to sit back and do nothing for weeks on end, Kansas City has a lot to offer for those bold enough to embrace the heat and adventure that comes from leaving your own backyard. 

You don’t have to go far to have an epic summer experience. In fact, some of the best places to go and explore this season in Kansas City are:

Starlight Theatre
Whether you’re a Broadway geek, concert fanatic, or comedy guru, Starlight has a show for everyone. Catch a classic stage show like Mamma Mia or Something Rotten, or even laugh along with comics like Jim Gaffigan.  A beautiful venue in the heart of Swope Park, Starlight will have you humming showtunes all the way home. 

Kansas City Zoo
Get up close and personal with animals from all over the world at KC’s infamous zoo. Explore Africa, Australia, and even the cool off with the penguins, all in a single afternoon. If you’re feeling really adventurous, make the hike over the to free-roaming kangaroos who, quite honestly, terrify me. 

Cafe Gratitude
No summer quest is complete without good food. Cafe gratitude is a vegan, gluten-free friendly restaurant in the Crossroads that is just as hip as it is delicious.  

First Fridays
Let your inner artist shine at First Fridays by exploring the work of local creators at this monthly art fair. One of the most popular weekend traditions, this heartland staple is a great way to get to know a new part of town. 

Sporting Kansas City 
Ditch the stereotypical Kansas City sports teams and opt for a couple of hours in the Cauldron watching Sporting play soccer. At the top of the MLS leader board, SKC will keep you on the edge of your bleacher until the final whistle blows. 

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Escape the brutal heat with some free air conditioning and culture at the Nelson. With classic works as well as constantly-evolving new collections, this museum always has something new to teach you. 

What are your favorite Kansas City summer activities?

May Reading Wrap Up

How is it June already?

May flew by, with barely any time to pick up any books. Between the craziness of starting a new job and general beginning of summer madness, I was only able to squeeze in 5 books over the course of the month.

While I’m disappointed in the number of books I ended up reading, I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them – especially the novel by Mr. Man vs. Wild himself.

The books I read in May were:

1. Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly
2. The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
3. Mud, Sweat, and Tears: The Autobiography by Bear Grylls
4. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
5. Real Artists Have Day Jobs by Sara Benincasa

My summer reading list is piling up, and I’m hoping to be able to read way more over the next couple of weeks. What novel are you most looking forward to diving into this summer?

Top 8 Autobiographies to Read This Summer

Schools are out, temperatures are rising, pools are opening for the season, and summer reading is in full swing! To me, the best part about summer is being able to kick back and crack open a new book. While this season is typically known for lighthearted romances and young adult comedies, my favorite way to spend a scorching day is with an autobiography.

Autobiographies are the perfect way to learn more about your favorite influential figures, and immerse yourself in a different life for roughly 300 pages. Whether you want to hike a mountain or star in a hit tv show, an autobiography will take you on an incredible journey in a personable, insightful way.

This summer, opt for one of these eight autobiographies, and unleash an adventure unlike any other.

Mud, Sweat, and Tears by Bear Grylls
In his debut novel, adventurer Bear Grylls takes you through his days of intense training, ascent up Mount Everest, and forage into mainstream television.

Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham
Even if the Netflix reboot of Gilmore Girls left you as disappointed as I was, Lauren Graham’s writing will bring you back to Stars Hollow, and even the world of Parenthood, in a way that will leave you painfully nostalgic for your favorite fast talking characters.

Sully: My Search for What Really Matters by Chelsey B. Sullenberger
The hero of the Miracle on the Hudson tells you of his life’s journey, including a look into that fateful day, and why being a hero is far from the most important thing in his life.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Telling the uncomfortable yet cathartic story of how she ended up thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed captures readers with her honesty.

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
The couple may be famous for shiplap, but the Gaines’ book takes a deeper dive into how they got involved in the remodeling industry, and how their faith has kept them grounded throughout the HGTV chaos.

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short
Perfect for fans of old-school Saturday Night Life, Martin Short recounts his days growing up and into the world of comedy.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
A follow up to her first autobiography, Mindy Kaling gives readers advice on how to live their best lives, and not be afraid to go for their (seemingly impossible) dreams.

Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song by Sara Bareilles
A songwriter by nature, Sara Bareilles puts pen to paper in this book to tell readers how her music career came to be, and the stories (and rumors) behind her hit songs.

What autobiographies will you be reading this summer?

 

3 Summer Road Trips for 2017

Summer is the perfect time to pack up your car and take a road trip. Whether you are looking to get away for just a day, weekend, or an entire vacation, there are countless travel options when it comes to your Midwestern adventure.

With a tank full of gas, you can get just about anywhere, but here are the three best summer road trip destinations.

Nashville
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic night at the Opry, or exploring 12 South, Nashville has something for everyone. If you’re feeling super adventurous, plan to head to town during CMA Fest, where you’ll be greeted by hundreds of thousands of country music fanatics, and free concerts.

Omaha
A three hour day trip from Kansas City, Omaha is the perfect place to travel this summer. Full of historic museums and beautiful parks, this Nebraska city is a bustling metropolis in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention, Omaha has one of the country’s best zoos for people of all ages.

Denver
A trek to Colorado is one of the best ways you can spend your summer. Denver is a dreamland for thrill seekers, environmentalists, and families alike. Spend your days hiking mountains and reading at the Tattered Cover, and then spend your nights at the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. Only a nine hour trip from Kansas City, this town has an atmosphere unlike any other.

Where will you go this summer?

April Reading Wrap Up

April was a crazy month, but thankfully, I still found the time to finish 12 books.

These books all ranged in genres, authors, and plots, but each captured my attention in a way that wouldn’t let me put them down. I will tell you though – deciding to read Harry Potter for the first time may have been the best decision I’ve made so far this year.

The books I read in April were:

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
2. The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson
3. Bare Bones by Bobby Bones
4. Penelope by Rebecca Harrington
5. A Little House Reader by Laura Ingalls Wilder
6. The Love that Split the World by Emily Henry
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
8. Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer
9. Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz
10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
11. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher
12. The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

Follow along with what I’m reading now by adding me as a friend on Goodreads!

The Best Things About Baseball

In honor of the Kansas City Royals’ Home Opener today, I thought it’d only be appropriate to bask in the glory that is baseball.

Appropriately coined America’s Favorite Pastime, baseball is a classic summertime activity that millions of fans flock to each year. At just the mention of the sport, many start dreaming of Cracker Jacks, hot dogs, and catching fly balls while humming Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

But what makes baseball so great?

Fan Enthusiasm
No other sport promotes fan enthusiasm quite like baseball. One of the most family friendly outings your group can go on, baseball games are fun for all ages, without the overbearing rowdiness (and drunkenness) of other sports.

Passionate Pitchers
It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that I realized some pitchers intentionally hit other players on purpose. While that may not be very great sportsmanship, the anticipation makes for one entertaining game.

Eric Hosmer
Enough said.

Unpredictability
One of the best things about baseball is how unpredictable the game can be. Sure, there are 9 innings to keep everything on track, but you never know when the home team will score 8 runs in the bottom of the extra 12th, or if a foul ball will give you a nosebleed.

What are you looking forward to the most this MLB season?

Summer Reading Wrap Up

Labor Day is here, bringing with it an end to summer and long leisurely days of reading.

To me, no matter if I had vacation from school or was working full time, summer has always been the season for sneaking in a little extra reading. Something about the brutally hot days just makes one want to curl up with a novel in the A/C.

This summer, even with a new job and a long list of other things calling my name, I was able to read 23 books. Of those books, here are my favorites from the past couple of months.

(Psst – add me on Goodreads to keep up with my reading and score some awesome recommendations…)

A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness
We all have our monsters, and Patrick Ness brilliantly paints the story of how one boy comes to terms with his in this novel that is soon to be released on the big screen. I loved the shaded tone of this story and how Ness doesn’t treat the main character like the young boy he is, but rather, like any one of us facing a monster – a myriad of complicated and confused.

The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
A work of historical fiction, Hannah tells the story of two sisters and how each of them played intricate roles in becoming heroes of World War II. The differing dynamics of the women showcases the range of experiences in Europe during that devastating time, and flashes into the future keep the reader guessing up until the very end.

November 9 – Colleen Hoover
Telling the story of two people meeting every year on November 9th, Hoover crafts a heartbreaking story of friendship and loss. With alternating perspectives for each chapter, this novel is more like two books in one.

A Heart Like Ringo Starr – Linda Oatman High
Written in poem form, this book follows the journey of a young girl in need of a heart transplant, and what it means when one becomes available to her. A short read, this book moves forward effortlessly, and leaves the reader wanting more.

Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song – Sara Bareilles
For anyone who isn’t aware of the ironic story behind Bareilles’ radio hit “Love Song”, this book will tell you the truth about that middle finger to the music industry, and so many other just as hilarious happenings in Bareilles’ life. Full of attitude and honesty, this memoir showcases the true story of an artist as she makes her way with some of the best wit and talent the world has to offer.

What were your favorite reads of summer 2016?