Checked Out

My checked out book today is

 

Design Sponge at Home

 

By Grace Bonney

 

 

I admit, I have poured over this book!  I have read and looked and gawked for a week y'all.  There are pictures galore, fabulous how to's and before and after pics of furniture redos!  All sorts of fun to be seen.  I also noticed the use of fun wallpaper throughout. 

Man, the talents of some people!  So inspiring!

 

Checked Out Rating: 10

 

 

 

Checked Out: The Witch's Daughter

My book this week on Checked Out is

 

The Witch's Daughter

 

By: Paula Brackston

 

This book literally took me four days to read, which is pretty amazing that a book captured my attention and held it until I finished it.  I read every chance I got and loved it.  This book really had several intense moments.  It began in the 1600's and, towards the end of the book, wound up in the 2000's.  Wild.  I loved reading about the main character's garden and planting and herbs and concoctions that she sold.  Some of the witchy part I didn't understand nor believe in and I wasn't truly impressed with the end of the book although it left the story well. 

 

I have to admit something I did.  I was more than three fourths of the way into this book when I went on GoodReads.com to see what else this author had written and happened on reviews of the book that I was reading.  I wish I hadn't done this.  I like to pick up a book, knowing nothing about it, and read it.  I don't even like to read the outside or inside flap that gives you a little insight to what the book is about.  I don't like to form opinions about the book before I have read every word and reading a couple of reviews on this book made me think different of it by the time I got to the end.  I think I would have found it more believable or interesting if I hadn't read a negative review from another reader.  BooHoo.  I like the book anyway!  I want to go back and read the gardening parts.  They really did inspire me to work in my own herb garden.  I love making oils and extracts and such and connected with the character in that way.  Therefore I give the book a high rating.

 

Checked Out Rating: 9

 



Checked Out: Style Me Vintage

Style Me Vintage

 

By: Naomi Thompson, Belinda Hay & Katie Reynolds

 

What a fun book!  I loved flipping through the pages and discovering make up and hair tips and learning about how to care for and style vintage clothing from different eras.  You will find step by step instructions for retro and vintage looks.  I sewanee, when I came across the eye brow section I stopped reading and started plucking and felt much better. 

 

Checked Out Rating: A Fun 8

 

 

 

Checked Out

OK I am so hip hop crazy over this book it is ridiculous!  This book kept my attention the whole time and I never knew what was going to happen seriously! The book was written and laid out so differently.  It is actually letters and emails and the daughter writing some but it links together so nicely to where you can figure out who the people are and how the story all fits together. 

   I cannot and will not be a book spoiler so I won't let you in on details of this book.  You are just going to have to rent it for yourself to find out.  I even read it in the truck... when it was moving and Shaun was driving on the way to get our taxes done and didn't care if I got car sick nauseous from not watching where we were going.  My book this week is... besides well worth the three month wait at the library for me to get it...

 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

 

By: Maria Semple

 

Checked Out Rating: 11

 

Brilliant and fun, funny and crazy.  I loved it! 

Kudos to the author of immeasurable amounts.

 

 

Checked Out

I have done it again.  I have been to the library, gotten home with my books only to realize that I have rented this one before.  Which could mean I am very forgetful, or it might mean that the book was just that good.  In this case, I am forgetful.  But the book is good and I probably would have gotten it again anyway even if I realized at the time I had seen it already. 

 

This week's book is called:

 

JUNK Beautiful

Outdoor Edition

 

By: Sue Whitney, with Kimberly Melamed

 

Published Date: 2009

 

I like these gals and have checked out more than one of their decorating junk books and they are all good.  They even offer items that you can make throughout the book and instructional "how-to's" in the back.  The outdoor edition, however, seems to have a lot of set-up shots.  Which isn't necessarily a bad quality because these gals know what they are doing.  But some of the ideas aren't real practical for every day use, not in my world anyway.  It seems the wind and weather might run away with things.  But if you are having an outdoor party or gathering a lot of these ideas are perfect.  They do have a greenhouse shot that I love and that I feel inspired my dream greenhouse the last time I checked the book out.  I did find myself taking pictures of pictures in this book to print out for my inspiration journal.  Plus these seem like fun gals with a good sense of humor which leads to good and humorous reading.

 

Checked Out Rating: 8

 

 

Checked Out

As you well know, if you are a regular reader of my blog or know me personally, I am a library book nerd.  I like to be able to put my hands on what I am reading.  I enjoy requesting certain books and the wait involved while some sweet library soul delivers the books to the Goodlettsville location and my trip there each week to return books and pick up new ones.  I always have a book bag stuffed to the gills with children's books for the DC and inspirational books for me along with one to read before bed.  I wish to share some of them with you on a weekly basis.  You may be a library person yourself, or maybe one who downloads books to your iPad or whatever you have.  Either way I come across some good ones that really tickle my fancy and just might tickle yours too! 

 

Today I am sharing a home decorating inspiration publication.  One that kept me glued to it for over an hour last night.  This week's book is called:

 

Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces

 

By: Rachel Ashwell

 

Published Date: 2011

 

I love this book.  One thing I especially like is that the author has picked existing spaces to feature of people that she already knows, and has gone into their worlds.  Some very talented people might I add with beautiful, inspiring homes.  The pictures are gorgeous and she talks about each one with good detail.  They each show the owner's personality very well and offer wonderful ideas for decorating your own space.

 

Checked Out Rating: 10

 

 

Books like this are fun to look at and make me want to put up a cabbage rose shower curtain in the horse bathroom.  Sometimes I flip through a decorating book very fast and other times I get completely sucked in by the detail in pictures and ideas that they plant.