October in Review

Took this photo while waiting for the NASA rocket launch from VA the other night...which never happened!

October Blog Posts

Currently - 10/4/14

Blog - New Blog Design

Sunday Social - 10/12/14 | Final Week

Album Review - Mary Lambert | Heart On My Sleeve

Sunday Scoop - 10/19/14

Book Challenge - Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Preliminary List

Book Review - Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Book Review - Hit by Lorie Ann Grover
Book Review - When I Fall In Love by Susan May Warren

2

When I Fall In Love by Susan May Warren

Tyndale Blog Network provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Goodreads Rating: 4.51/5
My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Synopsis: Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she'd vacation, much less fall in love.  But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled -- or maybe yanked -- away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

     Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen.  Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii.  Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance.  But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away. 

     Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for.  And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires.  If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace's faith will face its toughest test yet.

My Review: Call me a sucker for a book about a chef, but I just love reading about them!  From the moment I opened this book for the first time, there was just something about the connection between Grace and Max that I didn't want to leave.  I read this book in pretty much one sitting, it was just that good!  I didn't even realize until I was about halfway through the book that this is the third book in a series.  Although I wish I had already read the other two books in the series, to know more about the characters, I don't feel that I was missing a thing.  This can be (and was by me) read as a stand alone novel, without feeling like you've missed a lot of the story from previous books.  Susan May Warren writes about characters who are just like us, and are facing challenges that people face everyday.  That's what makes her stories so readable and enjoyable.  

0

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

I was gifted a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

Goodreads Rating: 

My Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Synopsis: After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her.  That is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington.  Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings.  Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket.  One that will declare her feelings once and for all.

     Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

     But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when her glances away from the road and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her.

My Review:  What a story!  This is a fast paced story that will draw you in from the beginning.  In fact, I easily read this in one day, I just couldn't put it down!  My only complaint, if I had to have one, would be that I thought the book moved a little too fast.  The entire story is told over a three day period.  I have two reasons for wanting the story to slow down just a bit: the first reason is that I would have liked to know more about the 'relationship' between Sarah and Mr. Haddings, before the incident happened.  I didn't feel that I knew enough of their story before the traumatic twists and turns happened.  Also, I thought it was a little unbelievable how fast it all took place.  To have had the injuries she sustained, and to be released from the hospital so soon, just seems a little far fetched for me.  However, besides those facts, this was an incredible story!  I can't wait to read more by Lorie Ann Grover.  I definitely recommend you read this book!

0

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Bittersweet by  Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Goodreads Rating: 3.49/5

My Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Synopsis: Suspenseful and cinematic, Bittersweet exposes the gothic underbelly of an idyllic world of privilege and an outsider's hunger to belong.

     On scholarship at a prestigious East Coast college, ordinary Mabel Dagmar is surprised to befriend her roommate, the beautiful, wild, blue-blooded Genevra Winslow.  Ev invites Mabel to spend the summer at Bittersweet, her cottage on the Vermont estate where her family has been holding court for more than a century; it's the kind of place where children twirl sparklers across the lawn during cocktail hour.  Mabel falls in love with midnight skinny-dipping, the wet dog smell that lingers near the yachts, and the moneyed laughter that carries across the still lake while fireworks burst overhead.  Before she knows it, she has everything she's ever wanted: friendship, a boyfriend, access to wealth, and, most of all, for the first time in her life, the sense that she belongs.

     But as Mabel becomes an insider, a terrible discovery leads to shocking violence and reveals what the Winslows may have done to keep their power intact -- and what they might do to anyone who threatens them.  Mabel must choose: either expose the ugliness surrounding her and face expulsion from paradise, or keep the family's dark secrets and make Ev's world her own.

My Review: If you are looking for a page turner full of suspense and family secrets, this is the book for you!  About half way through the book, I seemed to loose interest, but it was after I had to put the book down for a while.  So, I don't think the lost interest was due to any fault of the book.  Every single time you think you know what is going to happen in the story, you turn the page and find out another secret that changes everything you've already read.  I love these stories as they keep you on your toes and it's hard to become 'bored' while reading the book.  There was definitely a love/hate relationship with each of the characters.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, and I can't wait to read more of Miranda Beverly-Whittemore's books!

0

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Preliminary Book List

I love book challenges.  Ok, let's face it.  I love to read - and I've attempted several book challenges and I have NEVER finished a challenge.  I read a lot - but the minute I start a challenge, I seem to stop and find excuses to get out of reading.  Lately, however, I've not been reading at all.  Life is crazy, work is hectic, and I'm super stressed.  I'm hoping that this time will be different.  I hope that this challenge will actually get me back into reading!  Here goes nothing!  Wish me luck!!

Here is my preliminary list for Semi-Charmed Kind of Life's winter book challenge.  If you are interested in participating as well, head over to Megan's blog to check out the full details!

**And don't get me wrong.  Like I already said, I love to read.  However, I think one of my favorite parts of Megan's challenges are reading the new list of categories and searching for just the right book to read!!**

5 points: Freebie!  Read any book that fits the general rules.
...leaving this blank and will fill in when I must read a book not on the list!...

10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.
Mercy by Jodi Picoult

10 points: Read a book of short stories.
Women in Bed by Jessica Keener

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title.
Little Gale Gumbo by Erika Marks

15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you.
16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language.
...still searching for this book!  It's a tough one!...

15 points: Read a book written by a local author (from your state).
The Selection by Kiera Cass (attended college in and currently lives in Virginia)

20 points: Read a "bookish book" (in which books play an important role in the story).
Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title.
South of Broad by Pat Conroy

25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read.
Beach Remedy by Sasha L. Miller

25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title.
Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin
(Song "Love The One You're With by Stephen Stills)

30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.
The Dinner by Herman Koch and Breakfast in Bed by Eleanor Moran

4

Sunday Scoop: 10/19/14

Head on over now to link up with The Sunday Scoop!

3

Mary Lambert - Heart On My Sleeve

I participated in the Mary Lambert Heart On My Sleeve album review program as a member of One2One Network.  I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

Mary Lambert is a girl who knows who she is.  And she's ready to introduce herself to the world.  It's obvious by the album title, that she's putting her 'heart on her sleeve' and pouring out her soul in these songs.  You may have heard her on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' hit "Same Love."  As a former waitress and bartender who struggled both financially and personally, Mary Lambert is finally getting a chance to open up and share her thoughts, struggles and quirky personality with the world.

"Having an actual platform made me think about my motivations and what I want to put out into the world," Lambert says about creating the songs that appear on her debut full-length album, Heart On My Sleeve.  "So I made a list of goals."  These goals were to: 1. Have fun.  2. Create something catchy.  3. Create something that positively impacts the world.  4. Stay true to yourself.  5. Make money.  "I wanted to write a pop album that had profound emotional depth and interesting language, while being accessible and catchy," she explains.  "I wanted the songs to be poignant and raw, but I want to hear them on the radio.  I like to describe Heart On My Sleeve as a pop album with a conscience."

As Mary herself stated, these songs are all about "self-empowerment and challenging beauty standards."  Even though not everyone will agree with her choices, or understand what she is going through, you've got to give her props for putting her "heart on her sleeve" and sharing her true self with the world.  I love that she wrote these songs from her experiences and they are real life stories. 

While all of the songs on the album are fun and powerful, I especially enjoyed listening to Secrets, Chasing the Moon, and Heart on my Sleeve.  With powerful lyrics, catchy tunes, and a unique voice, Mary Lambert is one artist that you don't want to miss!  

To learn more about Mary Lambert and her new album, click on the following links:

Mary Lambert's Website

Mary Lambert's Twitter Page

"Secrets" YouTube Video

Mary Lambert's Facebook Page

If you are interested in hearing more, you can download the album today on iTunes or Amazon.

0

Sunday Social | Final Week

I've linked up with the super fun Sunday Social in the past.  Ashley and Neely have put this together for the past 123 weeks.  Incredible!  However, they've decided to move on from the Sunday Social and start a new link up beginning in November!  I'm excited to see what they come up with!!

Today, they decided to revisit the questions from the very first link up.

1. How did you come up with your blog name?
I'm a teacher.  But, I'm more than just a teacher.  I'm a dreamer, a traveler, an avid reader, interior decorator, and chef.  I created this blog as a way to document my life.  And I share who I am "beyond the gradebook."  Thus, the name.

2. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
While I haven't (yet) been to a blogger meet up, one of my favorite things about my time spent blogging is "meeting" so many fabulous people/bloggers.  I've been introduced to some awesome teachers and some amazing bloggers.  I can't wait to hopefully soon attend a meet up and get to meet some of these bloggers in person!  I also love what this blog is becoming.  I love going back through the archives and seeing what was going on in my life in the past.  It's a great way to document life.

3. What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now can't live without?
Even though I've only gotten one box, StitchFix is one of my blogging 'discoveries.'  I received one and can't wait to receive my next box, whenever that next box should happen.  And I just love reading other bloggers post about their StitchFix boxes!  StitchFix is a subscription service where a stylist sends you a box of five clothing pieces/accessories.  You try them on, decide which you want to purchase and send back the rest.  It's super fun and their clothes are so fun!  If you want to try it out, click here to learn more!

4. Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook.  By far.  I have a Twitter account, but honestly, I don't use it.  It's only for my online book club meetings and contest entries.  I just don't quite understand all the ins and outs of Twitter.  But, if I was asked to pick my favorite social media, It would definitely be Instagram.  Click here to follow me on Instagram!

5. If one celeb read your blog, who would you want it to be?
Wow - what a question.  If I had to pick a celeb, I'd probably pick Jennifer Garner.  She seems like such a down to earth girl and I would love to be friends with her.  And I think that if she was reading my blog, we would be pretty good friends ;)

6. What is something you want people to know about your blog?
This is me.  I use this blog to document my travels, share my favorite books and favorite products, and everything you read is 100% me!  I don't write to please others - I write for me!

4

Let's Talk Gold | A New Blog Design

If you're a returning visitor to Beyond the Gradebook, you probably noticed my new blog design soon after you arrived on the site.  And you might remember when I (just recently) designed my own blog design with bold patterns and bright colors.  And I promised that it was going to stay around for a while.  Well, time went on and I wasn't loving it more and more every day.  After doing some thinking, taking a blogging hiatus, and going through some of my favorite blogs, one of the things that I realized a lot of them had in common, and something that I loved about them all, was the minimalistic designs they had.  I knew that's the way I needed to go.  All the colors and patterns that I had on my design were too busy.  I just couldn't design what I was dreaming of having.

And then I re-discovered Designer Blogs.  A million blog designs ago, I had a pre made template from Designer Blogs.  It was super cute (and affordable), but it was green.  I chose it because I loved the design/patterns that the theme had, but it wasn't purple, so you can guess that it didn't stay around long.  And then I went though so many other designs, which I'm convinced were just small steps on the road to this design.

Upon my return to the Designer Blogs website, I realized that they had some GORGEOUS new themes and designs released recently.  I clicked on so many designs that I wanted, I was making a wish list that I figured I would take some time to think about and choose the right one for me.  And then I saw this design.  And I knew it was the one.

Anna, at Designer Blogs, put my theme together and made it all pretty.  And I'm in love with it!  Of course, the purple was one of the reasons I was drawn to this design, but so was the gold.  I used to HATE gold.  I refused to wear gold jewelry.  I still prefer silver over gold, but I'll wear gold here and there!  And lately, I've been doing a lot of decorating with gold.  So, I thought it a good idea to have gold represented in my blog.  And I love the way that this design seamlessly mixes the purple and gold together.

I still have a few more things on my "blog wish list" in terms of add ons.  But, I am LOVING this design!  Don't you!?  If you are in need of a new blog design, or even if you aren't...you MUST check out Designer Blogs.  They have a little something for everyone.  (And don't forget to mention my name when you checkout!!)

0

October Currently & A SALE!!

Wow.  When life happens, the blog surely gets deserted fast.  :(  No fun!  Hopefully, I'm back now!  :)

And I'm only a few days late for the new October Currently by Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade!

LISTENING: I've been loving the iTunes Top 50 Weekly Country Hits lately.  And Lee Brice is becoming a fast favorite!

LOVING: My new planners came in this week.  I'm in the process of setting them up - and I can't wait to share them soon!

THINKING: That this poor little blog didn't deserve to be deserted.  I hope I'm back to stay!

WANTING: A change.  I'm not going into too many details here and now.  But, I'm currently dreaming, soul searching and doing some hard core thinking about some things.

NEEDING: Sleep.  Self explanatory.

TRICK OR TREAT: Here's a treat for you!  20% off in my TeachersPayTeachers store.  This weekend only.  Go buy something fun for your classroom!  

2