Hello and happy Friday! We made it through another five day week and I am excited to share my favorites with you. I am linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea to share my sunshine and books favorites!
Favorite 1: WELCOME TO PARADISE!! I read Elin Hilderbrand’s new book this week and it was amazing. She tweeted that her sister thought this was Elin’s best book ever so my expectations were high. This book did not disappoint. Elin departed from her usual Nantucket setting and headed to St. John, USVI to share her latest story. I loved the characters, felt their angst, and cheered for all of them to come out on top. I have added St. John to my “must visit” list after visualizing the beautiful island while reading. Elin spends about 5 weeks there each winter to write so she knows the island and really makes you feel like you are there. I don’t want to give away too much but the story starts when a wife finds out her husband died in a helicopter crash, a woman finds out her best friend died in a helicopter crash, and two men find out their father died in a helicopter crash. Each of these people is going through their own struggles when they get this news and Elin artfully weaves their stories together as they mourn the dead and figure out how to move on with their lives. This is the first in a trilogy set on St. John and ends with a major cliffhanger. The only thing I don’t love about this book is that I have to wait an entire year to read what happens next! **I got a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Update – The book is actually called Winter in Paradise. I am not sure why my goodreads shows it at Welcome to Paradise.
The cover of the book in my Goodreads…
Favorite 2: ZOOMA RUN! I recapped my Seaside Challenge runs last weekend on Amelia Island in Florida on Wednesday. I loved both of these runs even though the hills on Friday evening surprised me. This is definitely a challenge I am going to do again. It was fun with my mom, kids, and sister and it would also be a fun girls’ weekend!
Favorite 3: KARMA WILSON!! Karma Wilson, author of the Bear Snores On series came to my school on Monday morning. She was an incredible storyteller and captivated our students from pre-K to fifth grade for the entire assembly. She read her newest book, Bear Can’t Sleep, and A Dog Named Doug to our school. This was the first time she has ever told either of these stories to a school! That was pretty exciting!
After the full school assembly, she came into the library to sign books that students ordered. This is one of my favorite things. Amy, who works in the library with me, and I get to talk to the authors and learn more about them, their writing, and share fun stories with them. It was no surprise to me that Karma used to do daycare because her books are so perfect for the earliest learners and readers with their rhyme, loveable characters, and repetition. I have to tell you, Karma Wilson is funny, fun to hangout with, and generally cool! It was probably my favorite way to start a Monday!
Favorite 4: SUNSHINE!! We got a little dose of summer sunshine in the fall last weekend! A little beach time, some pool time, golf courses, and stadiums. Sunshine on my cheeks is ALWAYS a favorite!!
Favorite 5: AMAZON!! We have been pretty busy lately and Amazon has been saving the day. I am not even a little bit embarrassed to admit that I had two separate Amazon deliveries on Wednesday. There was a box on the porch when I got home and another box later in the evening when I went out to get the mail. We have Amazon Prime-d Halloween costumes, books, baseball pants, advent calendars, birthday presents, and some early Christmas presents. I usually like to browse stores, but lately there just hasn’t been time. Amazon Prime is a definite favorite this week!
That’s it for this week. I am reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis and it is great! I heard that the second half is better than the first, so I can’t wait to keep reading! We have a fun weekend planned and I’m hoping all this rain we are expecting doesn’t change anything. We are going to Jeff’s school for a football game or to meet author Jason Reynolds tonight, depending on the weather. On Saturday, Luke has soccer and we have our neighbor’s Halloween party. That party is always a good time! On Sunday, our town has their Inaugural Cider Stroll downtown. I picked up our mugs at the farmers market last week and am looking forward to all the yummy ciders.
Have a great weekend full of sunshine and books!
☀️ 📚 😎
OH I can’t wait to read Elin’s newest book! My husband and I honeymooned in the Virgin Islands and I just LOVED St. Thomas so it will be fun to read about St John. The Bear Snores On was always a favorite series in this house and I just love meeting authors. How fun!