One big bookclub post !

Hello,my bucket list friends! I know it may seem like it but I have not forgotten about the Light Heart bookclub. I’ve just gotten really behind. However I’m caught up now I even have done June’s book. From now on I decided to make things a little simpler. I’m not going to be  including an activity with my book discussions anymore. However I will still be discussing a book each month. I’m going to be doing reviews of a three books in this post so I can get caught up.As always there is just one more thing. The following post contains major plot points ( Spoilers ) for the book . If you want to read the book and haven’t yet, I suggest you wait to read this post until you have finished the book. Now, let’s get into our discussions!

My secret guide to Paris by Lisa Schroeder
I enjoyed reading this adventure filled book. Even though it was a major part of the book I wish that Nora’s grandmother would not have died. I personally feel like the story could have been told with her grandmother still alive. However that being said I did enjoy reading about Nora going on her epic scavenger hunt. I liked how Nora made a new friend on her trip. I also enjoyed seeing Nora and her mother grow closer.I would recommend this book Even though the subject matter is a little heavier then the books I usually read for this bookclub.

Real Beauty: 101 Ways to Feel Great about You by Therese Kauchak and Carol yoshizumi – This book from the American Girl library is a self help style book that is written for girls. However this book contains information that is valuable to any age. We all need a self confidence boost every now and then and this book may help you get one.

Hello Utah by Martha Day Zschock – I got this book at a gift shop in Utah. It is a children’s book for young children but it’s so cute,fun and light hearted. The pictures in this book are are so fun to look at. I couldn’t think of a better book for this month. This book is a very fun and very short read. I highly recommend this book.

Light heart book club January 2021 book discussion

Hello, my bucket list friends ! I’m very excited about this month’s book discussion for two reasons one because this post is on time and the other reason being I really loved this book! This month’s book was Amazing Acrobats by Meredith Costain and illustrated by Danielle McDonald. As always there is just one more thing. The following post contains major plot points ( Spoilers ) for the book . If you want to read the book and haven’t yet, I suggest you wait to read this post until you have finished the book. Now, let’s get into our discussion!

My favorite part of the book – I had so many favorite parts in this book but one that stands out to me was when Olivia found out about a free circus skills workshop. I was happy that she had found a better place to practice her circus skills other than her back yard and I’m pretty sure her mom was too after what happened to her vegetable garden!

My least favorite part of the book – It was hard seeing Olivia’s friend Matilda struggle with her fear of hanging upside-down but I was so happy for her when she overcame that fear.

Activity – In the beginning of the book Oliva begans practicing her acrobatics on the playground at her school. She practiced on the monkey bars a lot.When I crossed off go to three playgrounds in one day off my bucket list I made sure to visit the monkey bars. However I’m not near as skilled as Olivia is !

Rock On – Christina Epperly

New American Girl books!

Hello, my bucket list friends! I’m a big fan of American Girl Books and every year American Girl Comes out with a new girl of the year doll and with that doll they make books! On Saturday after work I went to Barns and Noble and got both of the new American Girl books. The girl of the year for 2021 is named Kira and she helps to rescue wildlife. I can’t wait to read both of her books! I also got a My Little Pony book that is five books in one and a book about Disney World. What books have you gotten lately.

Rock On – Christina Epperly

January 2021 book club pick

Hello, my bucket list friends ! I know I’m late getting this post up but here it is! For this year’s first book club book, I decided to choose a book that I got at Goodwill. It’s called amazing acrobats and it’s written by meredith Costain and illustrated by Danielle McDonald. This book is part of a series called Olivia’s secret scribbles. This is the first book I’ve ever read in this series. However I can tell you that I am enjoying it already and I can’t wait to discuss it with you when I finish reading it.

Rock On – Christina Epperly

November 2020 Light Heart book club pick !

Hello, my bucket list friends ! I’m very excited to tell you about the book that I’ve chosen for this month’s book club.This month’s book is Courtney changes the game by Kellen Hertz. When I heard that American Girl was coming out with an 1980’s themed doll ,I was excited to read the books about her. I’ve already started reading this book and I can’t wait to do activities inspired by it and to discuss it on this blog. Happy reading ! Rock On – Christina Epperly

Light heart book club August 2020

Hello,my bucket list friends! Since it’s August 18th ,I figured now would be a good time to announce my book club pick for August. Without anymore delay let’s get to it!

I had a hard time choosing this month’s book. I had one in mind but when I started reading it, I didn’t know if it would be a good fit  for the book club. I actually ended up choosing a book that I got at the Goodwill on Saturday. The book is part of the whatever after series. The title of the book is Dream On and it’s written by Sarah Mlynowski. I’ve already started reading this book and I can’t wait to discuss it later this month! It’s a fun adventure story that I think is perfect for the Light Heart book club!

Rock On – Christina Epperly

Light Heart book club July 2020 discussion

Hello, my bucket list friends! I know I’m behind on my book club posts but I’m ready to catch up. July’s Light Heart book club pick was Melanie’s Last Ride by Joanna Campbell and Alice Leonhardt. As always one more thing before we dive into the discussion. The following post contains major plot points ( Spoilers ) for the book . If you want to read the book and haven’t yet, I suggest you wait to read this post until you have finished the book. Now, let’s dive into our discussion.

 

Light Heart book club July 2020 discussion

My favorite part of the book – My overall favorite moment in this book is when Melanie’s father shows up at camp and surprises her. Throughout the book Melanie is upset that her father’s work schedule often prevents them from spending time together. I was so happy for Melanie when her dad surprised her!

My least favorite part of the book – The part of the book I liked the least was when a fire threatened the horses! Lucky Melanie and the other campers were able to get them to safety.

Overall view of the book – One thing I really liked about this book was that it took place at a summer camp. It was fun reading a book that was set in the same season that it was in real life. Another one of my favorite parts was when the campers went swimming and there was a rope swing that you could use to jump into the water. This is actually an item on my bucket list! This book gave me memories of being at summer camp and I really liked that. One thing about the book that I didn’t like so much is that there was a good amount of drama happening but that’s how kids are at that age. If you like horses I would recommend this book just remember it is full of age appropriate drama!

Activities

Art activity – For this book’s art project I knew just what to make. I had gotten this arts and crafts kit at Goodwill awhile ago where you make paper plate animal faces. Since a horse was one of the animals that you could make with this kit. I knew it would be perfect to make for this book’s art project. It was a quick and easy project to make. I was happy with the was this project turned out.  If you are not able to find a kit like the one that I used it’s pretty easy to make this project on your own. You can use a regular paper plate and cut out your own shapes.

Question – This next activity is a little different but I has fun with it. Did you ever notice how race horses have really long and sometimes funny sounding names? When I was probably around 12 years old I used to play this horse racing video game. I remember thinking about how silly some of the horse’s names were. For this activity I asked myself if I had a race horse what would I name it ? I think I came up with the perfect name for a race horse and that name is Sunshine City Coffee ! It’s long and funny but also cute! I would love to see your answer to this question in the comment section.

Happy reading !

Rock On – Christina Epperly

 

 

Light Heart book club July 2020

Hello,my bucket list friends! I’ve been out of town for awhile but now it’s time to catch up with blogging.  Without anymore delay it’s time to announce this month’s book club pick.

Light Heart book club July 2020

This’s month’s book is going to be Melanie’s Last Ride by Joanna Campbell and Alice Leonhardt.  This book is number #29 in Thoroughbred series. I had never heard of this series before but when I saw this book at the Goodwill it looked interesting so I chose it as this month’s book. Horses are one of my favorite animals and I enjoyed watching the Saddle Club TV show when I was younger. I hope I really like this series because I’m always looking for new books to get into. As an added bonus there is a character named Christina!

Rock On – Christina Epperly

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Book club discussion June 2020

Hello,my bucket list friends! Now is the time to discuss June’s book for the Light Heart book club.This month’s book is Genie wishes by Elisabeth Dahl. There is just one more thing to say before before we dive in to this month’s discussion and activities. The following post contains major plot points ( Spoilers ) for the book . If you want to read the book and haven’t yet, I suggest you wait to read this post until you have finished the book. Now, let’s dive into our discussion.

 

Book club discussion June 2020

My favorite part – My absolute favorite part of this book wasn’t just one part it was reading all of Genie’s blog posts. Her posts are scattered throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading them. I wish she was a real blogger so I could subscribe to her posts.

My least favorite part – My least favorite part was watching as Genie and her best friend Sarah slowly grew apart. Now, this is something that often happens in life especially at this age but it’s its still sad. I liked that it was written as happening slowly and naturally instead of being dramatic.

Other things I enjoyed about the book – I liked Genie’s school it was a private school. It’s seemed like a fun school to go to. I wan’t a fan of school as a kid but I wonder if I would have enjoyed going to this school. It sounded like they got good food everyday and I know I would have enjoyed that. I also know that I would have loved junk food lunch! I also liked how Genie was very creative when it came to her Halloween costume. I would never thought to be a house for Halloween!  One more thing I liked was how Genie and Sophie’s friendship developed.

Overall view of the book – I really enjoyed reading Genie’s story. It’s seemed at times that I was reading about a real 5th grader and her class. The book flowed really nicely and it was easy to read. I would highly recommend reading this book.

Activities

Dream journal – Genie and her class are given an assignment to keep dream journals for a week and to record their dreams for at least four nights. I tried keeping a dream journal once but I didn’t stick with it. I don’t remember most of my dreams but if you haven’t tried doing a dream journal before it might be a fun thing to try.

Wishes –  At the end of her blog posts Genie made a wish that went a long with the content of that post. In total she made 22 wishes in the book. I thought it would be fun to make 22 wishes of my own . Feel free to write your own wishes in the comments.

  1.  That one day I won’t have to worry about money
  2.  To Own my own house before I turn 40
  3.  That this summer continues to be fun
  4. That I get to go swimming soon
  5. That one day I’ll have my own swimming pool
  6. That my 30th birthday is a lot of fun
  7. That I will go full time at work soon
  8. To live in LA
  9. That I cross everything off my bucket list
  10.  That animals would start talking
  11.  That I get to go to Disney World again
  12. That they open a Five Below near me
  13. For my anxiety to go away and never come back
  14. That I start finding more Lisa Frank items when I go thrift shopping
  15. That money will never fall out of my pocket again ( or anything thing else that’s important )
  16. That I get to ride a carousel this summer
  17. That I get around to getting my hair cut soon. It’s getting long and crazy!
  18.  That I can get Coral’s leg fixed soon. ( One of my American Girl Doll’s leg fell off! )
  19. That can get a massage soon! ( My poor shoulders need it badly ! )
  20.  That I get a really awesome birthday cake this year
  21. That I get to go to a Five Below sometime this year !
  22. That  I never have to go back to school again!

 

Rock On – Christina Epperly

 

June 2020 book club selection

Hello, my bucket list friends ! It’s almost June so,that’s means it’s time to announce the book I’v chosen for the Light Heart book club for June 2020. Without further delay this month’s book is Genie Wishes by Elisabeth Dahl. When I read the description of this book I just knew I had to read it for this book club. Not only does it seem like the perfect fun and light hearted read for this book club it also has to do with blogging ! I’m very excited to discuss it with all of you next month. Happy reading!

Rock On – Christina Epperly

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