Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Thanksgiving & Christmas Movies



Hey friends! My latest Knoxville Moms Blog post is up, and it's all about our favorite holiday movies for Family Movie Night. This includes those few, elusive Thanksgiving movies! You can check it out here.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas movies?

Monday, December 10, 2018

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Book Review



Do you know when you finish an amazing book, but you weren't quite ready for it to end? So you delay beginning something new, just because you'd like to spend a little more time with just these characters in your mind? That's how Hank Green's An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is for me. It was so lovely and insightful, I just didn't want it to end. Also, never fear, there are no spoilers here!

This book is so weird, y'all. I tend to put things on my to be read list months before I read them, and then forget what they're about when my turn at the library comes about. So I went into this knowing it had a fabulous title and nothing else. The plot this novel follows is incredibly odd and twists and turns with the characters, but the basic premise is this:

NYC graphic designer discovers giant sculpture in the middle of the sidewalk, proceeds to investigate.

I'm sure the book jacket does a better job of summarizing, but I think going into this book open minded and without expectation really allows you to immerse yourself in the story and suspend your disbelief. That's where the real magic happens.

There are many things I love about this novel, but one that stood out immediately is this: the main character is bisexual, and that's not what the book is about. It's just a part of her, as naturally as my heterosexuality is for me. One of the many reasons I get so engrossed in books is the opportunity to walk in another person's shoes- someone different from me, but also alike. There are ways in which I'm like April, the protagonist, and there are ways I'm different. But our differences don't make us enemies. They just make us different, and able to learn from one another. I really enjoyed being in the mind of someone different from me, but not having those differences be the point of the story. It's just a part of who she is.

I really adored this main character. April was really great at being able to tell when she was being self-destructive and when something might ultimately become a temptation for her. I think that kind of self-awareness is incredibly valuable (although some is acknowledged as hindsight). But what I love most about her is her ability to see the good. She has a natural inclination to believe the best, even when she's been shown the worst. Yet she perseveres in her good natured belief, and I love seeing that played out in a new and unexplored arena.

I also love the inside look at the potential consequences of viral video fame. This book delves deep into the world of internet fame versus other types of fame, and it's enlightening. It's easy, especially with social media influencers and YouTube stars, to see the persona instead of the person. It's also simple to assume they're one and the same, and not that the persona is a carefully curated and palatable version of the person. There's always more to the story than meets the eye.

The inherent risk of always having to 'be ahead of the story' is also explored in a way that many books with journalists as protagonists miss. Pressure and adrenaline affect decision making, and the pressure of making those decisions, followed by endless content creation decisions, is overwhelming.

If you're itching to read this now and not later, here's the Kindle link on Amazon:




I'm obsessed with the Kindle and the ability to highlight books without damaging them, and I love how you can link to Goodreads and see your highlights long after the library book has been returned. You can see some of my favorite highlights here, but be warned: there may be spoilers in the highlights, or you may be able to deduce things, so proceed with caution!

If you'd like to follow me on Goodreads to see what I'm reading or wanting to read, you can do that here!

Have you ever had a book unexpectedly knock your socks off? Do you read books without refreshing your memory about the plot?


As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is like a commission from Amazon and is of no cost to you.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide



Tis the season to be gift giving, fa la la la la. I love giving gifts.  It allows me to show love to people near and far. One of my love languages is definitely gift giving. My best advice is to find something they wouldn't think of getting for themselves, but that they would enjoy. Here are some ideas for those hard to shop for loved ones in your life!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That just means I get a commission from Amazon at no cost to you if you follow my links! It's a simple and easy way to support a blog you enjoy.

For the pet parent:

This special dog tag will love on them and their pup at the same time! And it's completely customizable.


Other options include leashes and collars in their favorite team colors, or this super comfy looking pet bed with a one year warranty, washer safe material, and a design pretty enough to fit in with their furniture!


For the Toddler

Toys and puzzles are wonderful and lovely, and will be enjoyed and exclaimed over. But the real hit, I've often found, is kid sized furniture. They get a kick out of furniture just their size, and it's useful and enjoyable. Whether it's a couch, table, or chair, they're going to enjoy it and feel extra special every time they use it. (Of course I picked Disney. My kid's have this in Lion Guard and when they first got it, they napped on it- that's how much they loved it!)




Best Books for Teens

If you've got a teen in your life that loves to read, selecting books can be difficult. Here are my favorites! They appeal to a wide range of interests and have thought provoking plots.


You can find my review here.





You can find my review here.




This is the perfect choice for your Hunger Games fan!


For the Book Lover

Buying books for bibliophiles is challenging. The natural choice is books, but what if they've read it or it isn't in their taste? Try these alternatives instead.

A book store scented candle may just help them read what's on their to-be-read pile rather than buying more books, and either way, you're helping them set the mood for a perfect evening spent reading.


Book Log: Keeping track of what you've read can be tough. Try these pretty book to keep a list of what you've read and when!




If you're looking for a stocking stuffer idea, bookmarks are great. Magnetic bookmarks are my favorite, as there's no fear of losing your place if a certain toddler runs off with your book. Follow this link to see one adorable option, and then search for magnetic bookmarks for more designs to find the most suitable for your recipient.



For the Busy Mom

The best gift you can give a busy mom is a free babysitting coupon! The gift of time is so valuable. An afternoon to herself while knowing her kids are being loved on is the best.

If you live far away, you can give her the gift of indulgence. Some yummy chocolates and bath fizzies for after the kid's bedtime will give her some at-home pampering.





For the Doting Grandma

I love to give photo gifts to my mom. From when she was a kid to my babies, a photo gift is something that will bring joy and practicality that'll be used and enjoyed daily. Whether it's a canvas collage, a photo mug, or a calendar, she appreciates the thought and effort that goes into making it as well as getting to enjoy it and wax nostalgic whenever the desire arises. I use Snapfish and Shutterfly to craft my photo gifts.

The Big Gift
If you're looking to be a little more spendy and are shopping for something for your reader, be they a wife, kid, or in-law you want to impress, I highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite. I adore mine, and use it all the time. It's full of great features, from instantly downloading library books without any cords to having a built- in booklight that automatically turns itself on when you need it (then you can keep getting stubbed toes like me as you walk through the dark house reading and not watching where you're going!). They are on the expensive side, but my husband gifted me this one for Mother's Day and it's definitely one of the top two gifts he's ever given me (the other one being a KitchenAid mixer for my baking addiction). Bonus- they're now making them waterproof for the bath reader in your house!


Or if you want the one that's similar to mine without the built-in book light and a little less expensive:



What are your favorite gifts to give and receive?