Book Review: How I Survived My Childhood by Marilyn Meredith

 

You've been fascinated by the writing of Marilyn Meredith for decades. Now, it's time to learn her story from the very beginning. 

How I Survived My Childhood is Marilyn Meredith's first memoir. Taking the reader through her years growing up during World War II in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, through to her marriage to her beloved Hap, this is a story of the ups and downs of life, memories of a time when life was simpler--at least in some ways, and of a young girl who grows up, graduates high school, and finds the man she will marry and start a family with. 

How I Survived My Childhood tells of her father and his work at Paramount Studios, how he could build just about anything, and how he influenced Marilyn's life. It is a story of school days, childhood friends, and childhood antics. It is a story of leaving childhood behind, becoming a young woman, and then a wife. 

If you enjoy a trip down memory lane, then How I Survived My Childhood is a great read. It gives you insight into the life of a well-known author's early years and all of her fond memories growing up in an American suburb. For me, this book allowed me to get to know a good friend on an even more personal level, and that is a true blessing.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CT9W2RFX
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ 31 Months LLC; 1st edition (January 24, 2024)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2473 KB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 173 pages

I purchased a copy of this book for my Kindle. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Chirp Book Review: The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott

 

Journey back in time with children's Christmas stories of old from beloved author Louisa May Alcott. The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott have been compiled by Dreamscape Media and are performed by an award-winning narrator.

Let me say, though I know the work of Louisa May Alcott, I didn't recall that she wrote so many Christmas stories. Yet, here they are, compiled in one delightful audio collection for middle graders on up. Some of my favorites from this collection are:

• "Bertie's Box,"
• "A Hospital Christmas,"
• "A Christmas Turkey," and
• "A Merry Christmas."

With audio books, the narrator can make it or break it for me. This narrator did an amazing job!

If you are a fan of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, or classic children's literature, you will want to listen to this charming collection.

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Unabridged Audiobook

I downloaded a copy of this book from Chirp. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas by Sarah Young

 

If you are looking for a beautifully illustrated, meaningful devotional for Advent and Christmas, Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas by Sarah Young needs to be on your list. 

Including excerpts from Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling, this heartwarming devotional is filled with prayers, reflections, and Bible verses. At the end of the 40 days, which runs from December 1st - January 6th, the reader will find blank, lined pages to write down their Christmas prayers.

I loved everything about Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas: the format, the stunning illustrations, the carefully crafted devotions and reflections, and the choice of verses. The illustrations display the beauty of God's nature, the symbols of Christmas and the peace, love, and joy that fills the season. A gold ribbon allows the reader to easily keep track of their progress. Perfect as a gift for others or for you, Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas will be one of the most touching gifts received. I look forward to reading this book again next Christmas.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson (October 3, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1400244242
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400244249

This is a book from my personal collection. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Promises for 2025

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.    

Welcome back to Tuesday! Here we are at the second Tuesday of the year. How is your week going so far? 

Today, we are sharing our Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2025. I've always liked the word "Promises" better, because it kind of tricks my brain into completing more of them. Mom always told me not to break a promise. I'm all for some brain trickery if it helps me feel more productive. Here are my...

Top Ten Bookish Promises for 2025

Complete my Goodreads challenge

This year, I set my goal at 80. Goodreads is kindly telling me that I am two books behind schedule. What it doesn't know is that I am actually three reviews behind schedule. This promise might be aggressive considering the real estate year I plan to have and the other promises I am declaring, but I love working toward this challenge each year.

Read 15 books from my TBR Pile.

This is the same promise as last year. I tend to read more review books throughout the year, but I would love to whittle down my TBR Pile. I read 16 from my TBR Pile last year, so this seems manageable.

Read 4 leadership books.

Having read three last year, I plan to dedicate more time to these skills in 2025. 

Read 2 personal or professional development books.

Audible makes it easier for me to read these books, some of which I don't want to own in print. Like leadership skills, consistently developing these skills is a focus in 2025. 

Read a book in a genre I don't usually read.

This is a standing promise to expand my horizons each year by reading a book in a genre that I don't tend to read often or at all. 

Complete Amelia's Mission.

If I do nothing else with my writing in 2025, I want to complete my middle grade historical. It will still need a ton of work, and I will need to brush up on my market research, but this is the year I either hide it in my digital drawer or write the end.

Complete Sheltered Hearts.

This is the second book in the series I started with my 2023 NaNoWriMo project, Home for the Heart. I'm impatiently waiting for news on that one. If the agent accepts it, then this promise will move to the top of the list.

Invest in a new author website.

It's time. My knowledge has taken this website as far as it can go. I'm hiring a professional to redesign my author website. The wallet won't be happy, but the site needs a more professional look than I can give it. 

Plot the last book in the series.

I already know which character will be the focus of the last book in the series, but I don't know her story yet. Some ideas are tumbling around in my head, but until I finish Sheltered Hearts, it will be challenging to plot out another novel. 

Complete NaNoWriMo.

If I am able to plot out the last book in time, then I should accomplish this. 

I would add in that I would still like to make room in my schedule for two to three paid editing jobs. Not sure how feasible that is. 

What are some goals/promises on your list? Which one is your top priority this year? 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Jan 13

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.    

Welcome back to Monday! Missed posting last week because my schedule was crazy. Listing photos for my upcoming listing, a listing consultation, showings, meetings, and then we left Friday for Wilmington. Drove through a bit of snow on Friday night, but we made it there safely. We flew home yesterday, and a more regular schedule is taking over now we are beyond the holidays. 

Anyone other than me still have their Christmas decorations up? Since they went up so late this year, I didn't want to take them down right away. But I am in the mood for something a little different now. Not sure what I will do. Working on making life simpler, I'm hoping to go through some of the old stuff before I pack the decorations away. 

Breakfast at First Watch

Despite the cold weather, the pool fountain was running

Blueberry ricotta waffles at Blueberry's Grill

Saw this in the Lil' Princess' kitchen

(not sure which of the girls bought it--she lives with three others--but loved it right away)

Came home to a dusting of snow

In my reading world, I took two books with me to Wilmington, but I only ended up reading on the plane ride home. 

Loved everything about this devotional. Look for my review soon.

I am finished this audiobook I bought on Chirp. Hope to have my review posted soon. 

I've been reading this one. It's good. Find it interesting that there are so many points of view. 

I also started this one. 

I finished this book from one of my favorite authors. Also own the second book that continues her story after marrying Hap. Need to read that as well. 

I had downloaded this one from NetGalley this fall, but had issues with my shelf. Finally, have access to it and started this one.

These two are next.

Upcoming events:

• Review of Ghosting Academy by LS Delorme - Feb 3 (Review)

You can read the latest Christmas news at the Christmas Year Round blog. This week, I shared my last Christmas... in the news segment of the season. It is about the Castle Noel event for Hurricane Helene survivors, the next journey for this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and a special Christmas treat for elephants at the Berlin Zoo. You can find my post here.

That's about it from me. Lots going on this week. Still plan to share my bookish goals for Top Ten Tuesday tomorrow. Looking forward to checking in at your blogs today. Enjoy your week!

Cheryl's Three Words for 2025

 

At Modern Prairie, we choose a word to guide our year. Last year's word was "Discover." I also chose nine others to inspire my year in 2024. As I contemplated 2025, I really thought about what I was looking for, what was important to me, and what this year needed to be about to make me happy. That's when I landed on the perfect word: Truth.

From a very early age, I learned about telling the truth and how we need to be honest and act with integrity. Whether it was in school, at home, or from reading Scripture, the importance of truth was spoken often. 

Sometimes, however, the one person we aren't honest with is ourselves. We do things that don't make us happy or that we never wanted to do in the first place. We tell ourselves that we aren't pretty enough, smart enough, savvy enough, or good enough to have the life that we dream of. 

As I worked to discover more of my dreams last year, I realized that being okay wasn't enough for me. I wasn't being honest with myself. There are things I want to do before I leave this world. There is more to me than I let people see, and I want to explore that person in greater detail. 

As I explore that truth and live more of my truth, I must have faith in what I'm doing. And just like last year, I need to firmly believe that God's plan for my life will continue to unfold and come to fruition--in His timing, not mine--as long as I keep my heart and mind open to His guidance and direction. And as long as I keep love of God, love of self, and love of family and friends deep in my heart, success is bound to come. 

What is/are your word/words for 2025? What do they mean to you? 

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32

12th Annual First Book of the Year

 

Thanks to Sheila from Book Journey for coordinating The 12th Annual FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR. 

Here is one of the collages with my chosen book featured. This is the book blurb:

The extraordinary story of a young fisherman who became the Founding Father of Christianity, the most influential and enduring institution in history.

2023 Paris Book Festival Winner · 2023 New England Book Festival Winner

He’s one of the most well-known figures in cultures around the world, etched into stained glass, painted in frescoes, even caricatured as standing at the gates of heaven with a long white beard and keys in hand. But long before he was portrayed as a venerated and untouchable figure, Peter was simply known as Simon, a twenty-something fisherman in a far-flung Jewish province controlled by the Roman Empire.

Loyal and faithful, impetuous and passionate, Simon’s quiet life is upended by the arrival of a man called Jesus of Nazareth, rumored to be the long-awaited Messiah who would rescue the Jewish people from oppression. When Simon meets Jesus, the mysterious man tells him, “You will be Peter,” a prophetic statement that would slowly transform Simon’s life. Eager to be free of the Romans, Simon joins Jesus in hopes that he can guard this leader who will, undoubtedly, build an army to challenge Rome. But as Simon waits for the army to form, he watches Jesus show a compassion for others Simon has never seen before. The miracles Jesus performs—healing the sick, feeding crowds of thousands—show not a display of military might, but of service and love.

Real, relatable and impeccably researched, You Will Be Peter draws on the four Gospel accounts to weave Simon Peter’s story into one seamless tapestry. Readers get a front-row seat to Simon’s three-year walk with Jesus, as Simon watches the Son of Man feed the hungry, raise the dead, upend the status quo and challenge the elite during one of world history’s most pivotal seasons.

In perhaps one of the greatest miracles, we can see ourselves in Simon, this ordinary man Jesus chose to accompany Him. Simon wasn’t well-educated, but he was faithful and headstrong. Though he could rush to judgment and use a foul word from time to time, he was the kind of friend who loved fiercely and was doggedly loyal—until he wasn’t. Although he failed, Simon wasn’t cast away from Jesus’ mission. In fact, his failures and subsequent redemption made him a more empathetic and capable rock upon whom the Church was built.

With storytelling artistry that transports readers to the first-century world, with the sights, sounds, and smells of that time, You Will Be Peter shares an age-old story told from a new set of it’s possible for one ordinary person, however unlikely, to change the world forever.

What book will be your first this year?