The BEST Baby Books

We officially have a favorite author: MY SISTER!!! She is a child psychologist and simply the best. Just a few of our favorite books ...

See Amazon for her FULL list. My absolute favorite might be Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?!!? Bahahahahahhaa. They are super duper cute books and wonderful reads. The best part eBooks go everywhere with you and are fun yet educational toys. Xoxo-BLC

Fully Booked

I use to read ALL the time. They say law school graduates never read the same because all that reading burns you out. I am determined to prove that wrong. I read the most right when I finished college. I lived alone in a carriage house without cable or computer. I worked as a paralegal by day and at Lilly in the evenings/weekends. I checked out all my books from the same library my mom use to stroll me to as a toddler. Currently, I've tried to shift from watching less TV (now that Gossip Girl is dead ... what is TV!?!) to reading more and here is the result:

My closest friends started a Bible Study (best idea ever) and we read "The Gospel of Ruth" by Carolyn Curtis James. I reallllly enjoyed it and will never ever look at the book of Ruth the same. I highly recommend you dive in. I devoured the most recent Sophie Kinsella book "Wedding Night." She is my favorite author and of course I loved it ... but my favorite is still a toss up between Twenties Girl and the Shopaholics. 

 On my first OB visit, my doctor handed me a preggers book that could make an insomnia sleep (even though I still have plans to read it). I opted for Rosie Pope's "Mommy IQ" book instead and it was verrrry informative. I read it entirely on our ski trip opting for the Kindle version to keep our news mum. While at the beach, my bestie Effie recommended Melanie Shankle's "Sparkly Green Earrings." I am half way through and have laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed. If you are preggo, these two are must-reads in my book.

 Next up: "The Power of the Praying Wife" by Stormy Omartian (because I need to pray for my sweet husband more) and Jen Hatmaker's "An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" (do I even need to say why ...).  I am hoping to read more serious books while still slipping in my is-this-for-teenagers/this-is-funny-and-dumb/hi-Nicholas-Sparks-I-missed-you. Dish: what are your favorite books!?! Must reads? New reads?!! After I posted Heaven Is Here, you all made quite a few good suggestions in comments/emails/tweets that were much appreciated. Xoxo-BLC

Heaven is Here

My husband has noticed one major change in me since law school graduation: my reading habit. I use to devour a book a week. Now, I can count on one hand how many books I've read in full since June 2011. Determined to get back at it, I picked up Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson. My familiarity with her went as far as a magazine article and her blog: the Nie Nie Dialogues. I was captivated by her story, with her beauty, and, more importantly, her triumph through such difficulty. My favorite lines: 

"At first I thought stubbornly that the one thing that would make me happy was for life to look like it did before the accident. But no one could give that to me, and no one else could make me happy. 

Happiness was my choice, and though it is hard won, I am the only person who can stand in the way of it. 

As I gradually accepted responsiblity to choose happiness every day, I rediscovered the beautiful life I had always wanted. I still have to remind myself to choose happiness almost every morning when I wake up in pain, and I expect I will need reminding throughout my life, but the amazing thing is the more I make the choice to see and feel joy, the more joy there is to see and to feel."

This is a must-read. Stephanie's story is powerful and inspiring. You cannot read it without gaining appreciation of your own life and its blessings. To further echo above, I believe happiness is a choice. As Christians, I think we are called to choose happiness. It's not easy but it's definitely worth fighting for. Don't let yourself stand in the way of happiness. We must appreciate the sun while it shines because rain and storms their season too. So dish: have you read this? What other must-reads should I add to my library list? Xoxo-BLC

Mini Shopaholic {Mini Giveaway}

It has arrived!!! Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (aka Madeleine Wickham) is out in bookstores and I just had to snatch it up. I usually patiently wait for books to become available at my local library and then check them out. How old fashion!? Well, when it comes to new Sophie Kinsella or Madeleine Wickham book, I just cannot wait!!! I am one chapter in and I already love it. Life is too short to read dull books.

Anyhoo, Ale and I are traveling again this weekend and I cannot wait to devour the rest of the book. I am sure to be finished by Sunday ... so why not a mini-giveaway!??

Yes, I want to give one lucky TCSK reader my copy. I will mail it first thing Monday morning. To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post by midnight on Sunday, September 26, 2010. I will select the winner via random.org. As always, many thanks for reading TCSK!!! Xoxo-BLC

Collars Up!!!

True prep: (n.) New book by Lisa Birnbach!!!

Pearls

Lilly shifts

Pocketbooks

Cable knit sweaters

Ruffles

Tennis

Textbooks

Argyle

Cocktails

Feathers

Paisley

Golf

Flowers

Diamonds

Oxfords

Bows

And most of all ... collars up!!!

What is a true prep to you!?

Xoxo-BLC

PS: A very happy birthday to two of my favorite prepsters: Apsy and my sweet cousin-in-law!!! Wishing you two the very best birthday ever. :)

Shoo & Tell

I read it front to back. I loved every page of it. I think you should read it too. Shoo, Jimmy Choo! by Catey Hill is a fantastic financial read. I am blessed to have two financial gurus in my family, Mamatella and my sissy Elsie. They would be so proud that I actually read this book and I am heading its advice! Catey Hill is witty and charming. She covers everything from how to make a budget (and follow it) to managing student loans to curbing car loans to climbing the corporate ladder to r-e-t-i-r-e-m-e-n-t!!! Don't we all want to retire in Palm Beach!?? I do!!! This book makes saving, planning, and security seem effortless and seamless. Mamatella and Elsie are such great role models for being financially fit and I am blessed to be in their good company. Cheers to good reads and pink piggy bank savings! Xoxo-BLC

PS: Happppppy Birthday to my sissy Lala! I hope you have the best day ever. Cheers!!! And a big congratulations to my oldest nephew!!! He is officially smarter than a fifth grader ... because
                                                                                                    he is a fifth grade graduate. Wooohoooo! :)

She's Back

She's back and she is BITTER! And better ...

Amy Allen, author of This Little Piggy Went to Prada, got the big D and wrote This Little Piggy Got Divorced. I expect it to be lighthearted but bitter and bold. And we all know the BEST revenge is being better than before. Count me for helping Amy get her revenge with this soon-to-be BESTseller!!! Xoxo-BLC

The Wedding Girl

I have been craving a wedding-read like no other. I recently read A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve and The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. Both great, but not the quench I needed. Anyhoo, I picked up The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella's REAL name) and ooooooh was it divine!!!! This book hit the spot!!! With so many unexpected twists and turns, I just could not put it down until all 326 pages were read in full. Aisle be just fine because I'm now all wed up! Hehe. Xoxo-BLC

Twenties Girl

Sophie Kinsella, by far, is my favorite author! And she has done it again --- her newest book, Twenties Girl, stole my heart. I read the entire book this weekend at the lake. Traveling with Lara through this read makes me want to explore my family history, travel to London, learn the Charleston dance, and wear a dragonfly necklace!!! The book was phenomenal!!! Add this to your must-read-list! Twenties cheers to you and yours. Xoxo-BLC

Well Read

Many thanks to The Pink Tutu for the bookworm tag! Her novel request, to share my favorite childhood book. I currently sleep within reach of my new found, absolute favorite kiddo-read: This Little Piggy Went to Prada by Amy Allen. I rank these utterly frivolous, yet uber witty nursery rhymes as very-well-read! I tag Life in Fun Size, One Flew Over The Henn's Nest, Family of Riches, Coterie Books, Sweet Tea Diaries, and you! Xoxo-BLC

Book Worm

Dish! What are your summer-must-reads!?
I am currently devouring New Moon.
Cheers to frilly, fun, flirty books!
Xoxo-BLC

Ooopsy Daisy

Camera. Check!
Fun outfit. Check!
Pretty in Plaid ready for Jen's signature. Check!

Mommatella in tow. Check!
Wrong date. Checkkkkk!
Oooopsy daisy!
Xoxo-BLC

Starve the Fever

Chills and sweats. Remember, I have the fever. And, it is baaaad! I just read the leaked version of "Midnight Sun" on Stephenie Meyer's website (you can too, here) and omgoodness was it fabulous! Reading 264 pages in one sitting is not healthy. This fever is out-of-control and I am totally channeling my inner tween. Regardless, I am willing to beg Stephenie Meyer to pullleaaaze keep writing from Edward's perspective!!! Off to starve my fever ... wish me well! Xoxo-BLC

Read Me Something Pretty

Blog awarded, again by sweet K at Good Gals Inc. Here goes ... [1] Grab the nearest book. (Oh, dear ...) [2] Open to page 56. (Do books go that high?) [3] Find the 5th sentence. [4] Post the text of the next 2-5 sentences and these rules. [5] Pick the closest book (not the favorite, cool, or intellectual). [6] Tag 5 peeps!

And my nearest book ... "You and the Law" [*cringe* sorry ladies], "The courts in several states that had passed such statutes agreed, and so did the United States Supreme Court; payment of such transportation expenses does not violate the United States Constitution. In some states, however, the courts have held that payment for transportation to parochial schools does violate state constitutional provisions similar to that of the First Amendment." Woof. I hope your "nearest" book is better! The winners are:

Living in Dallas and Loving It

The Pink Tutu

Lou Lou in Lilly

Amanda C. Bee

Preppy 101

Read me something much prettier girlies! Xoxo-BLC