The Bridge from Me to You

I started this book because I found the author on twitter, and she sounded wonderful. The book took some really beautiful expected turns. It sometimes made me sad, it opened my eyes to the harsh realities of life without the loving parents I have, but also to the miracles of finding yourself within a family that isn't biologically yours, but loves you endlessly.

It's filled with all the truths of finding yourself at a crossroads: in tragedy, or graduating high school; deciding your future, or having no control over it. It's a story of finding hope and allowing yourself to be loved by right right people, and finding your true identity inside of that. 

There is sooo much love in this book: adorable kids, adoring grandparents, a father who shows his love by over-analyzing and pressurizing, best friends who truly understand and need each other, an incredible coach, a small own coming together in support of a family.. Just. A lot of love. This was a great read.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

This is a classic American roadtrip story, but it's not just a journey through different lands: it explores the ups and downs of dealing with grief and loss. It's really fun and sweet and genuine. Right from the very start, and all the way through, I found myself saying 'people are soooo nice in this book!' The real estate agent's email, Roger, Barb at the lonely rest stop, Bronwyn, Drew and his friends, Lucien, and the many strangers they encounter along the way.. So much genuine kindness! It was so delightful and refreshing. 

But the story as a whole, felt real. I felt Amy's sadness and the depth of her regrets and pain. I felt Roger's longing for closure with Hadley, and his gentle way of caring for Amy. I felt the tug of a fluttery crush and I felt the sense of awe looking up at the stars or out at the surrounding mountains. 

Ofcourse the book made me want to go on a roadtrip and adventure through places I've never been! I want to see the trees and taste the burgers. The pages of the book are filled with photos and drawings and playlists of bands I love and bands I've never heard of, and I can't wait to listen to them all. 

It's a book filled with life lessons, quotable moments, and wonder-filled connections. It's a little like Elizabethtown, but it's also like nothing else in the world. It's a beautiful journey in itself. One I'd highly recommend, and one I will definitely be giving as gifts. 

Ps, here are some really lovely answers to questions you may have after reading it. From the author, to your heart. They made me smile.  

"To the stars and through adversity." Xo 

Winter reads ❄️

I thought it would be fun to make a list of my favourite wintery books. I reread them all the time, almost always in bed under a duvet. I absolutely recommend reading all of these with an endless supply of hot cocoa. 

These are the magical, chocolate Christmas family reads. They're nostalgic and wonderful and warm. The first Harry Potter book reminds me of my childhood, and makes me smile about the beginning of a long journey through the books. Chocolat always makes me want to speak French and live in a tiny town. It draws me to visit little chocolate shops and believe in the good in people. 

These two are romantic and hopeful love stories. Beautiful Disaster is an intense 'bad boy falls for good girl and everything changes' story, filled with danger and cute friendship, and sexiness oooh! Shiver is gorgeous. A gorgeous start to a trilogy that won my heart over and over again. It's got poetry and sassy girls, fantasy, beautiful teenage truths, but mostly it's a sweet sweet love story. 

I haven't reread this book as many times as I do the ones I just mentioned. I think, because it's grip is the suspense as the story progresses. But if I'm honest, it's because it's written so well that I lose myself in it and everything around me became part of the story. -The terrifying story! It's brilliant, and beautiful! But scary. I'm scared just remembering, but remembering how good it is makes me need to read it again! If you've seen the film, you'll remember the mist and the mystery that makes me associate it with winter. It's so good you won't want to put it down even though you're petrified. 

Mmmm winter! What are your favourite winter reads? Xoxoxo