Book Club

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Bachelorette JoJo Week 7

This is one of my favorite episodes of the series. During the hometowns, there is so much to dissect on how people grew up. Their houses always look so perfect…do you think ABC helps orchestrate that?

  • Chase is up first. It has to be hard knowing that there are three others after you.
  • Divorce does create a wall. Unfortunately, you have a hard time trusting your feelings when it comes to love. I appreciate Chase’s words about it as well as how difficult it could be for someone who comes from parents who have been married for decades to understand. (Tom and I have had conversations about these differences A LOT. I come from divorce, and his parents have been married 40 years.)
  • Apparently they all have “wounds” she didn’t realize was there.
  • Chase’s house is lovely….and very clean. Oh wait the stairs aren’t done…there you have it.
  • That was awkward timing to confront of his dad why it didn’t work out with his mom.
  • Love is more than just a word.
  • I don’t want Chase to force saying it though. Yes it is something you need to have, but don’t just say it because you think you need to.
  • Chase talking to his mom made me cry. All I could think about is someday I will be talking to George about his love. Not ready.
  • Jordan taking JoJo to his high school-I don’t know how I feel about it. It seems weird to live in his glory days.
  • Hot library romance. My kind of date!
  • The whole Aaron Rogers brother thing seems weird…I have felt that he is always seemingly a down to earth guy. It is odd that his entire family doesn’t talk to him.
  • Ahhh JoJo loves Jordan!
  • It makes me a little nervous that she is so scared of Jordan. It seems like she knows her heart is telling her that it is a bad idea, but there is so much attraction that she wants to stay in it.
  • Can we talk about how nice Jordan’s parent’s place is? Wowza.
  • St. Augustine seems like a place I want to visit!
  • Have you ever noticed the women never have purses? I am sure her handlers have all her personal items, but I would feel naked and out of place without my handbags full of chapstic and snacks.
  • I LOVE Robbie’s family. They just seemed so lovely. It is just fueling my desire to have a big family.
  • I think this ex gf social media drama is getting Robbie off the show.
  • Or maybe I am wrong since she told his MOM that she was falling in love with Robbie.
  • I mean Luke is from Texas so that seems just perfect for her.
  • Oh goodness, that is intimidating to meet so many people at this picnic.
  • Luke’s dad is just precious. He gave some really good advice but was very supportive.
  • I want their property. So beautiful.
  • You can tell she wants to say I love you to Luke.
  • THIS IS THE MOST ROMANTIC THING. Luke is wonderful.
  • Jojo looks great in blue.
  • Wait JoJo’s facial expressions to Luke are odd when he pulled her aside to talk to her in the hangar. What do you mean it changes things? You obviously were fawning all over him during the family date? Were you going to send him home? I didn’t see that coming!
  • Luke is your best life partner.
  • If you make a mistake, you find someone else and will make it work. That’s how it works. You could always pull a Mesnick.
  • Really!!!! You pulled me along for two hours and then you didn’t even tell me who she picks?!? I hate it when you do that to me. Of course I am coming back next week. You don’t need to tease me.
My favorites: Luke and Chase. Chase got back on the radar with the way he talked about his emotions and his development.
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‘Like a River from Its Course’ Book Review and Kindle Prize Pack

Travel back in time in Kelli Stuart’s new novel, Like a River From Its Course, as the city of Kiev is bombed in Hitler’s blitzkrieg across the Soviet Union. This sweeping historical saga takes the reader on a captivating journey into the little-known history of Ukraine’s tragedies through the eyes of four compelling characters who experience the same story from different perspectives. Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with Ukrainian World War II survivors, Like a River From Its Course is a story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.

I really could not say enough about this book. I loved it! It is a definitely 5/5 for me. This is by far the most compelling time period for me to study. I took a class specifically on the Holocaust, and it is always so humbling to learn more about the harrowing stories. What I liked about this book is that it is showing how non-Jews were also affected, and in a different setting than Germany. These were Ukrainians and one German who were greatly impacted by what was asked of them during this time. It showed how destructive Hitler’s mindset was and how far-reaching it was.

Stuart did not shy away from the vulgarity and realness of what these people saw. While they were all fictional, I definitely felt that she had done her research to honor the true stories. It was very respectful. The characters were all different ages; some from different families. I liked this twist of showing four completely different perspectives on the same war. You get to saw raw emotions, and she writes them so well it’s as thought you are watching it all unfold.

This is a story about love, hope, faith, and redemption. It discusses how people triumphed through the painful and atrocious ways they were treated. This book shows how even in that darkness there were still glimmers of love and friendship that carried them through. I really appreciated those light moments where you could see how the relationships were so impactful to make change.

I would highly highly recommend this. If I was teaching sociology or history still, I would seriously consider making this a suggested reading. It was so good. It definitely reads as fiction. But with the history aspects, I think it would definitely be good for a book report or spark in-class discussions.

Celebrate the release of Like a River from Its Course with Kelli by entering to win a Kindle Fire Prize Pack.

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One grand prize winner will receive:

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Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on July 18th. The winner will be announced July 19th on Kelli’s blog.

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Bachelorette JoJo Week 6

After another week off, here is another episode of our favorite drama.

  • Alex with the one on one…maybe she will come to the conclusion there is no chemistry. Yes I am judging.
  • They just seem like they are more like friends.
  • That bus sounds like it is going to break, but it looks really cool. Also I have never been on a public bus.
  • The rapping was pretty solid on the bus, but it was almost too good to be on the fly. Also they have a lot doowap group moments in this season.
  • That horse whisperer…my jaw dropped to the ground when he started petting it like a dog.
  • I still don’t see a relationship with Alex. It seems very forced and just because of the horse is making it magical.
  • Watching people kiss is weird.
  • I am finding this scene with the horse to be very odd. Aren’t there like horse flies around? That’s all I would be concerned about.
  • Watching JoJo when Alex say he is falling in love with her was really awkward.
  • I appreciate that JoJo is upfront about how she feels.
  • I called it. She doesn’t feel it with Alex.
  • That timing does suck though that he confesses his feelings and she is like nope.
  • Ok Bachelor, you aren’t even trying to make it appear like they are eating with the table basically being at their feet.
  • And then there is Jordan who has so much chemistry with her.
  • Guys, grape stomping is gross.
  • Y’all are drinking grape juice…
  • Wow Jordan is airing out family laundry for Aaron Rogers. I would never have called that Aaron wasn’t close to his family.
  • That’s more of the reaction you want when you tell someone you love them.
  • A slumber party date?
  • This makes me not want to eat french fries…
  • I always hated truth or dare at slumber parties. I didn’t like sharing stuff and wasn’t brave enough to do anything.
  • Ok James, stirring things up is sad.
  • The three men and JoJo cozying up on the bed is weird. Just weird. (I guess dating them all at one time is also weird.)
  • That is pretty funny they are watching the Bachelor equivalent on the date. I wish they would have shown more commentary on that.
  • I think Robbie is getting the rose on the date.
  • Chase isn’t opening fast enough, he seems like a great guy though.
  • I think she wants to like James, but he is more of a best friend for her.
  • James isn’t super confident in himself.
  • Robbie has a point, that none of them know fully what the other relationships are.
  • Chase and James seem very drunk and somber in the limo.
  • That’s like the perfect date for Luke. Laid-back and outdoorsey.
  • Luke is the one JoJo.
  • James needed to go home. He was letting the drama affect his personality.
  • Those scalp things are amazing!
My favorite: still just Luke. But I have a feeling Jordan will stay until the end.
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Bachelorette JoJo Week 5

We are at the halfway point, and also up to the time where she decides whose families she will meet. The drama is rising.

  • I think she does fall in love with two people. Oh the irony.
  • What do you think the locals think of all these cameras and random groups just standing around waiting for instructions?
  • That hotel is gorgeous with all that character and little details.
  • Wouldn’t that be funny if Alex is on the two on one again?
  • Wow Wells admitting that he hasn’t kissed her yet. And then how random with all of them talking about it and giving him advice. Why are you giving advice on how to make the moves to someone you are also dating? Sometimes the sociology of this show is weird.
  • Why is he supposed to kiss her? Let it be natural guys. Why so much focus on Wells kissing her? There is too much pressure that he is going to over think everything.
  • That suspended pool looks really cool. It’s like a big slip and slide.
  • They had their moment! But it was a little weird that JoJo screamed, “You did it.” It just seemed like he was getting praised as a child.
  • I think JoJo is second guessing her connection with Wells. I don’t think she is believing he wants to find love. He just doesn’t seem to let his walls down for her, and he doesn’t seem to believe in finding that fairy tale love.
  • I think Wells will go to Paradise.
  • The guy coming in to get Well’s luggage was eerily creepy.
  • Poor James and his confidence amongst the guys. James you have so many people’s hearts. Your hair alone got me swooning.
  • Yes James made a goal! You are a sexy dude!
  • I feel like I shouldn’t be watching the passion between Luke and JoJo.
  • Derek looks like Jim Halpert’s brother.
  • James, this jealousy is not becoming on you.
  • I hope that there was more conversation between James and JoJo that they didn’t show, because it just seemed awkward to go from talking about Jordan to asking for a kiss.
  • JoJo is so blunt when calling out people.
  • I am not understanding where this tiff with James and Jordan is coming from. All from a poker game?
  • Jordan coming back from talking with JoJo was so awkward. Him drinking the wine and fidgeting was weird.
  • Alex and Robbie watching Jordan and James arguing was intense.
  • Whew Jordan is stewing.
  • I don’t really blame him because it was James talking behind his back, but there does seem to be some entitlement behavior going on. I really liked Jordan at first, but watching him react to Chad I can see what James was saying a little. But it also seems like James is just trying to save himself because he is feeling so insecure.
  • I would pick Chase over Derek going into the 2:1.
  • They are not good at tango.
  • Derek is going in for it!
  • Did I miss something with Chase and JoJo having issues? I am so confused.
  • It’s ok Jim (Derek), you are supposed to be with Pam anyway.
  • Also this is hilarious editing with Derek crying to “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.”
  • Chase seems like the strong silent type that will be a protector but emotions are hard.
  • Oh.My.Goodness. Her blue dress is BEAUTIFUL!
  • I don’t understand Alex with JoJo.
  • Boom she about gave them a heart attack with the two last roses for James and Alex.
  • Aww her smile for James is very telling.
  • Alex is being a pig about it being a pity rose. She could have sent you home dude.
  • Did anyone else see Jordan arm hug James? So did they make up?
  • All these dudes have great heads of hair.
  • “My body is about 40% pizza.” Yes. True story.
My favorites: just Luke. I am done with everyone else.
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Bachelorette JoJo Week 4

And we’re baaaaack! I didn’t know what to do with myself last week with the hiatus. Here are my thoughts on this week’s episode.

 

  • The protein ashes ceremony to say goodbye to Chad. My mind is just a mess of thoughts from that. Wow.
  • Actually you will see Chad again guys..It’s called the “Men Tell All” episode.
  • I can only shake my head at Chad. I also think they made this interaction to be a lot bigger than it was on the previews. Anti-climatic folks.
  • Jordan kind of turned me off with his “trying to be a bigger guy” conversation with Chad.
  • This celebrating Chad going home is turning into a weird party…but it’s nice they are all bros.
  • CHAD’S GOING TO BE IN PARADISE? WHY?!?!?!
  • They certainly have made this season about Chad, and now they can only still talk about Chad.
  • There are hidden agendas since you are all going after the same girl. You wouldn’t share game plays with the opposing team.
  • Chase getting those big bumper things was really cute. Way to lighten the mood.
  • Now Evan needs to go.
  • What is it with people writing poems on this show? Do these guys really write them outside of this realm?
  • I can’t blame these guys with roses already trying to get more time. This is an arena that you are trying to marry this lady. As Jordan said, “I am in this for me.”
  • Did anyone else catch that JoJo shortened the “rose ceremony” to “see you at the rose?” Man the English language has gotten lazy.
  • I think men’s dress shoes are sometimes weird looking and are big like clown shoes.
  • Of course you don’t know what she is thinking because you don’t know her.
  • Ughhhh, why Evan.
  • Daniel’s exit interview. Yes your personality stinks, and so do your comebacks. Better luck getting hit by lightning while you are shaving?
  • Ok so add Uruguay to places I would like to visit.
  • Man, they all looked pissed when Jordan got the one on one.
  • They sure did turn on Jordan fast with not trusting him.
  • Wait wait! I didn’t know they could have magazines! And now they are turning on JoJo.
  • Tom says that this is shady. That out of millions of Americans, JoJo is magically going to meet Jordan’s ex-girlfriend. Right…
  • This conversation about Jordan’s ex was awkward, but I think it is good to address it since he wasn’t mature during that relationship.
  • The fame that goes with this show can obviously be hard on people who have not been part of it before. That article by her ex seems awful and from what she is saying all for money.
  • That was nice that they comforted JoJo, but just 10 hours earlier they were not on her side…Also did it look like she was straining to make real tears to anyone else?
  • I thought they would be on dune buggies. Sand surfing sounds cool, but looks very dangerous (says the mom).
  • Luke seems very supportive, and they (him and JoJo) seem to mesh really well.
  • The jealousy has to be running rampant at this point.
  • Y’all are coming apart at the seams.
  • I would not want to jump off that cliff without knowing what I am jumping into.
  • I am not sure what Alex’s angle is…but his cockiness is off-putting. He is becoming the new bad guy for me.
  • How can Robbie say that he loves her when this is their first actual date?
  • Sometimes I think the guys have more drama than the gals.
  • I think Derek has merit to confront these guys, but I would have maybe done it one on one because people like Alex seem to thrive on the power of the group.
  • I love JoJo’s green dress.
  • Oh Evan…I feel bad for you dude.
  • Vinny, I just didn’t see that crying coming. Poor guy.
  • AHHHH does she love two people?

My favorites: Luke, James Taylor, and Chase.

As always I love this show.