Well this was my worst month as far as reading. But I finished all my books from the first round of the Book Challenge!!! I’m so excited I finally get to read all my selections for the Bonus Round! I’ve been anxiously waiting to start them. Also this month, Alison, Michelle, and I have some exciting news for our Reading Lately link up! Keep reading to the end to see!

Reading Lately

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
I saw the movie before reading the book, so I think that’s leaving me feeling a little uncertain about how I really liked it. It was a little slow at times, but it was a nice read. Like most books, it adds a lot more background information than what you see in the movie. Although, I hadn’t seen the movie in a long time so maybe I forgot? A teenage girl, Grace, is riding and laughing with her best friend on a snowy, icy road when a big rig truck comes around the corner. The girls can’t get out of the way in time and tragedy strikes. One thing that I really disliked about the book was how gruesome the details of the accident and Pilgrim’s injuries were. The remainder of the book is about healing the emotional wounds caused by this accident. The last half of the book is completely different from the movie, and I don’t just mean leaving out some petty details to make a shorter movie. The ending of the book was very unexpected, it actually shocked me. But it was great to read about overcoming your inner struggles and healing relationships.

Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
I had read some negative reviews (after selecting this book, purchasing it, and about to read it) that people disliked Bill O’Reilly and that put me off a little bit. But I like history and I knew I could change it if I really didn’t like it. But I am SO glad that I read it! I loved it! Killing Lincoln reads like a murder mystery (not like a boring history book that just lists facts and data). You already know the ending, but O’Reilly adds suspense and anticipation to the story. I found myself hoping that the odds would be in Lincoln’s favor and that he wouldn’t get shot (I know, I’m ridiculous..) but I love the way the book was written. It gives you so much background information on people, the war, and the events that lead up to his assassination. The book also includes concerns and rumors about conspiracy theories and suspicious events. But it was super interesting to learn more about Lincoln’s assassination.

Coming up Next

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Now for the exciting news with Reading Lately!

Get Featured on Reading Lately

We have decided to feature our favorite images on Instagram from those of you who use the #readinglately hashtag. This will begin next month, so start sharing those pictures of what you’re reading for a chance to be featured.

Reading Lately Giveaway

We have ALSO decided to do a giveaway this month!! The prize is a $30 gift card to Barnes and Noble (can I enter?!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Here are the ground rules for the link-up:

• On the last Friday of every month, create a post about what you’ve read over the last month.
• Grab the button and include it in your post or include a text link back to the link-up.
• Comment on at least one other blogger’s post from the link up.
• Feel free to share on Instagram with the hashtag #ReadingLately.
• Enjoy!