Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reissue edition (October 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062195166
• ISBN-13: 978-0062195166

To face the future, a woman must let go of the past. . . .
Returning to her childhood home in the golden hills of Northern California means regret and pain for Karla Esterbrook. Yet she can’t refuse when her ailing grandmother, Anna, asks her to help settle her affairs. After all, Anna raised Karla and her younger sisters after their parents’ death twenty years before. But from the beginning a powerful clash of wills separated Karla and her grandmother, leaving them both bitter and angry.
Little does Karla know that a very determined Anna will do everything in her power to bridge the chasm between them. But can the wounds of the past truly be healed? For Karla, opening her heart could lead to more hurt—or perhaps to reconciliation . . . and a love the likes of which she has never known.

My Thoughts

I enjoy a good story about families especially ones involving sisters. When I read about the reissue of Things Remembered, I knew I would love to read this book.

Anna has raised her three granddaughters after they lost their parents at a young age. Karla, the oldest is the only one who really remembers her parents. She owns a coffee shop and is recovering from a failed marriage. Heather is the mother of two young boys and is expecting a new daughter. Grace, the youngest is a struggling actress.

Anna has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and wants to tie up some loose ends while she can. Karla puts her life on hold to go to Anna to help settle her affairs. While spending time together, the two women face the past. Karla hopes to reconnect with the memories she has of her mother but has no intention of being warm and fuzzy with Anna. Karla is cold and all business. Anna is hoping to make amends.

While Karla is helping settle Anna's affairs, she meets Mark Taylor, a veterinarian and single father. Karla is not ready to give her heart to Anna nor Mark. She has walls up and she is not going to let anyone in! You could say she has a bit of a hip on her shoulder. Will Mark and Anna be able to break through the wall Karla has built?

I enjoyed this story. It was a nice read for a rainy day. It is a nice family story that has a bit of romance involved. The women are strong willed which kept me on my toes while reading the book. The ending left me satisfied and content.

The back of the book includes some recipes from the story and from the authors friends and family. That was a nice touch especially since I found myself very hungry every time there was a scene in which food was mentioned. There is also discussion questions in the back which makes it a nice read for your book group.

About Georgia Bockoven

Georgia Bockoven is an award-winning author who began writing fiction after a successful career as a freelance journalist and photographer. Her books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. The mother of two, she resides in Northern California with her husband, John.

I read this book for TLC Book Tours for my honest review.

Gone Girl

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Crown; First Edition edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030758836X
ISBN-13: 978-0307588364

Summary from Amazon

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

My Thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found myself hating the main characters. They were horrible and self centered. I thought they deserved each other. It was hard for me to decide who was the victim. The main characters are as twisted as they come. Still, I found myself riveted to the dark storyline.

Then came the ending. Oh boy! I was so disappointed! I kept reading the last page over and over hoping I had misread it. Nope. The ending was abrupt and I hated the way it ended. I despised the characters even more, after I read the ending.

To sum it up, I hated the characters, hated the ending but still found myself reading the book. It was like watching a train wreck. I found myself covering my eyes, so to speak, to keep from seeing the wreck but kept peeking through my fingers to watch the wreck happen. I think it takes talent to write about despicable characters and keep the reader immersed in the story, which Gillian Flynn definitely does!

If you like dark, twisted thrillers, this might be a book you will enjoy. I just wish it had ended differently.

I bought this book and read it for the Just For Fun Reading Challenge

Mailbox Monday October 15

It's time for another Mailbox Monday post. This month's host is Marcia at Mailbox Monday.

Just a quick post this morning. It's back to work for me today. The weekend was nice and relaxing. I managed to get a book read. Stayed tuned for some reviews this week.

I got this book for review as a surprise awhile back but somehow I overlooked it when I posted my MM.

Yes, Chef; A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson (courtesy of Random House)

The next three books are purchases I made. One was on a trip to Barnes and Noble. It's been a very long time since I went to the bookstore and I was shocked to see how much it had changed. It was more of a toy store. I also noticed how few employees were there. It made me sad. Our bookstore used to be a bustling place. Not so much the night I was there. I was looking for a copy of Blackberry Winter but they didn't have one copy. I had to go home and order one. I really wanted to support my local bookstore but sadly, it didn't work out that way. I did buy the Ray Bradbury book and some sketchbooks for my daughter.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

Have you read any of these books? If so how did you like them?

Dewey's Readathon Wrapup and Lasagna Recipe

My wrap-up post is going to be short and sweet. Somewhere about midnight last night, I realized I had been sleeping for awhile when my book smacked me in the face. I tried to start reading again when I felt my eyes getting heavy. I decided it was time for bed. I slept clear through until 10 this morning! I must have needed some sleep.

I didn't finish the book I was reading but I did make a huge dent in it. I did a couple of mini-challenges. I did manage to visit some new to me blogs and also made stops at some favorite blogs. I took a very relaxed approach to the readathon this time. As always, I had a great time!

I did make some Crockpot Lasagna yesterday which was delicious. If you want the recipe you can find it here. The recipe is posted on the Crockin' Girls website where they even have a video where they show you how to make it. I have their cookbook which is delightful. I have made several of the recipes in it and have been pleased with all of them.

I am looking forward to the April readathon and hope it falls on my weekend off again.

Dewey's Readathon Midway Post

I am doing okay. I just had dinner and am getting ready to clean that up. Then I think I will move to the bedroom to read for awhile. I get my second wind in the evening so I should be good for awhile.



Mid-Event Survey

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired? The eyes are okay and I am not tired yet. I work nights so this is when I get my second wind.
2) What have you finished reading? I haven't finished my book yet.
3) What is your favorite read so far? Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven since it is the only thing I have read so far
4) What about your favorite snacks? Crockpot lasagna-it was delicious
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love! I found some new blogs and commented on them. I always meet new friends during the readathon!

Dewey's Readathon..It's Here!!!

Dewey's Readathon has started. I am about to begin my day of reading. I slept in this morning since I worked last night but I am ready to go. It is a rainy day which is perfect reading weather! I don't have a stack of books to read yet but I do have the book I am starting off with.

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

I filled out my introductory questionnaire even though I am starting late.


Introductory Questionnaire

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I am reading from rainy Wisconsin

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Not really a snack but I am trying out a new recipe today...Crockpot Lasagna

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I am the mom to three young adults, a spoiled dog and three spoiled cats. I recently went back to work full time after being a stay at home mom for 25 years. I love to read many different genres of books.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I am starting much later than usual since I worked last night. I usually start pretty early but not this year. I don't have tons of snacks either as I am going to try not to overeat which I did last readathon.


Let the reading begin!

Mailbox Monday October 1

It's Monday and time for another Mailbox Monday post. This month Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Mailbox Monday, where it all began!

Not sure what is going on with my blog layout today. It was fine when I went to bed last night. When I woke up this morning, everything was askew. My sidebars are at the bottom of my layout but when I go to change the layout, it shows them in the correct place. Blogger is driving me nuts today! I will see what it looks like when I get home from work tonight.

I am excited about the books in my mailbox this week. One is a win, one is a purchase, and three are for review. One is for a TLC Book Tour.

The Letters by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger (this was a purchase)

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven (this is for a TLC Book Tour on Wednesday, October 17th)

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan(courtesy of Riverhead Books)

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton(courtesy of Atria Book Galley Alley)


The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani(won from Leah at Amused By Books. Thank You, Leah!)

That is what came to my home. What wonderful books made their way into your home?