Abigail Laura's Blog, page 2
August 22, 2020
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
I am only really discovering Roald Dahl as an adult. I remember reading “James and the Giant Peach” as a kid, but that was it. As an adult, I’ve read “Matilda” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” I really enjoyed both of them and I’m excited to keep reading his books! “Fantastic Mr. Fox” was a read a loud to my boys . . . and by that I mean that I mostly read it to Frog, my oldest, and Toad joined in on a few occasions. After we finished the last chapter, I asked the boys what they thought. William adored it, but Edmund was not sold (maybe because he didn’t hear the whole thing – ha!). We all gave it a rating from 1-5 stars. I gave it 4 stars because I liked it a lot, Frog gave it 5 stars because he loved it, and Toad gave it 2 stars because he didn’t like it that much. I thought it was really cute and hilarious how they rated it. I love hearing their thoughts on everything, so this was no exception. After deciding on the stars, they ran off to play.
I have to stay, I really like Dahl’s writing. It’s so descriptive and fun and easy to read (especially when you’re reading out loud). I thought this particular story was so clever and funny. Mr. Fox is a proud husband and father who is trying to get food for his family when he finds himself being hunted. Before long there is an epic stand off between the foxes and the three farmers: Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Things escalate as the foxes get more and more hungry. But Mr. Fox is not called ‘Fantastic’ for nothing. He comes up with a fantastic scheme and only time will tell if it pays off or not! There are so many clever details and funny lines which makes the book read quickly.
Have you read “Fantastic Mr. Fox” or any other Roald Dahl books?
Summing it up: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to reading more of Roald Dahl. : )
Best, Abbey
August 19, 2020
Gillette Castle Adventure – Summer 2018
Gillette Castle Summer 2018
The day we went to Gillette Castle was the day that we first ‘went rogue’ and the day that our nickname, ‘the rogue three’ was born! We actually weren’t planning on going to Gillette Castle at all. We were going to Mystic Aquarium. On our way down, I saw the sign for the castle and asked the boys if they wanted ‘to go rogue.’ They said yes and then asked what that meant! I explained that it was changing plans and/or doing something unexpected. We had a great time exploring the castle and the grounds. The castle isn’t open all year, but we lucked out and were able to tour the inside. It is beautiful and interesting and very eclectic. There was a little green house area off the main part of the castle that had a lot of plants growing and a tiny pond. It was very cute and my favorite room. The castle looks over a river and has paths that lead down to it. After we had seen all the rooms, we took the winding path down and got to bank. It was an absolutely beautiful day and I was so happy we got to see inside the castle – that was a first for all of us!
Then it was on to the aquarium. Aquariums are my happy place. I’ve always loved them and I can spend hours watching the fish, jellies, sharks, belugas, etc. Even though the animals don’t change, seeing them never gets old. I have been taking my kids since they were babies and have had a membership on and off. It’s a bit of a drive for us, but it is worth it every time! This visit was no different. We walked all around and enjoyed and it was wonderful.
Afterwards, we went rogue again and found a little beach right around the corner from the aquarium. I cannot remember the name now, but it was absolutely wonderful to dip our feet in the water and enjoy the stunning day!
If you enjoyed this adventure, check out my first post in this series HERE.
Summing it up: going ‘rogue’ is the best and I loved this day. I highly recommend Gillette Castle, Mystic Aquarium, and being spontaneous! 
August 14, 2020
July 2020 Wrap Up
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July 2020 Wrap Up
This summer is floating by. Some days drag on and others pass by in a blink. It’s also been a super lazy summer. I’ve found that I go through waves of reading and waves of screen time! Sometimes my brain wants to zone out and other times it wants to get lost in a good book. There’s been some stress this month too – when isn’t there stress when you’re in the midst of a global pandemic?! Anyway, when I’m stressed, my reading life definitely takes a hit. It’s so easy to beat myself up about it, but I also think that is part of the beauty of reading – it’s there when you need it and books are always a welcome reprieve. I want to read all the books, but sometimes anxiety just takes over and I just need to ride it out, at least as far as reading is concerned.
One thing that I’ve enjoyed doing since last fall is reading seasonally. I pulled some summer books out – some say ‘summer’ in the title, some take place in the summer. It has been really fun and a great way to ease into reading when life is stressful. I read two in particular this month: “Sex and Vanity” by Kevin Kwan and “The Light in Summer” by Mary McNear. They were both excellent books. Actually, this whole month was filled with great books! Here is what I read in July, along with my ratings. There’s only one book not pictured and that is because it was awful (gave it 2 stars only bc I read (skimmed) the whole thing).
Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes ~ 5 stars
Where To Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Change in Our Crazy World by Cleo Wade ~ 5 stars
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan ~ 5 stars
The Light In Summer (Butternut Lake #5) by Mary McNear ~ 4 stars
The Blue Fox by Sjón, translated by Victoria Cribb ~ 4 stars
Invincible Summer by Alice Adams (not pictured) ~ 2 stars
Summing it up: I loved the books I read this month and I am trying not to be discouraged when I’m too overwhelmed to read. How do you keep your reading spirits up and do you read seasonally as well? : )
Best, Abbey
August 13, 2020
Kent Falls Adventure – Summer 2018
Kent Falls Adventure
I was looking through old pictures and thought that I would start a series of reminiscing adventure posts. Two summers ago, I was separated, living with my parents, and in the throws of a horrendous divorce. I decided that I would go on an adventure every week with Frog and Toad. It was a way to destress, get out of the house, and have special time with my boys. It was also one of the best decisions I made as a mom! We had a lot of fun and I’m excited to share all the things we did.
Our first trip was to Kent Falls in Kent, CT. Kent Falls is a gorgeous State Park in Western CT that has multiple levels of waterfalls. There are stairs all the way up, with look-outs so you can stop along the way to enjoy. There is so much green and it’s soothing to listen to the rushing falls as you climb up to see each one of them.
When we finished enjoying nature – and getting tired climbing up and down – we drove into the center of Kent and ran into a library book sale! It was so much fun to peruse all the books and pick out some new ones to enjoy. I loved seeing the boys really get into looking at books (they certainly take after me – yes!). We also got ice cream, which was perfect on a hot day.
There is nothing like time with my kids. Even though going through my divorce was difficult, there were so many highlights throughout it, like these adventures. It’s hard to believe that all of this was two years ago. And it’s all the more difficult because this summer is incredibly limited for adventures. It’s been good in a lot of ways, but boy do I miss library book sales and not being afraid to be close to other people. I certainly can’t wait to go back to Kent Falls!
Best, Abbey
August 7, 2020
Gingerbread
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Gingerbread by Helen Oyeymi
I decided to review this book, not because I loved it, but because it marked some personal growth as a reader. Does that happen to you? You read something and realize that it’s helping you evolve a bit? Well, “Gingerbread,” was that kind of book for me. I read a lot and some books have always been harder for me and I have not been able to really pinpoint why until I read this one. Turns out, the kinds of books I struggle with are surreal and abstract. My brain literally gets grumpy and is like, “no, no, no! We need to understand what we’re reading.” When I’m reading something surreal, I find that I run in circles trying to figure out what a book means. It’s SO important for me. It’s next to impossible for me to let go. With that backstory, it should make sense that this book was a challenge for me. Now, I should also note that I really wanted to read “Gingerbread.” I had heard about it for a while, had it on my tbr, and even went out and bought it! So, when I got about a third of the way in and was struggling, I started debating if I should put it down or muscle through. I reached out my bookstagram family and found that I wasn’t alone. I was also encouraged to enjoy the ride, so to speak, and enjoy the beauty of the writing (and let go of needing to “get” it). And this is where my evolution comes in. I decided that it was important to read and to try and learn a new way of reading . . . it was a beautiful opportunity to learn a different way of reading. I got excited and set aside some uninterrupted time to fall into the story and writing. The result? I’m glad that I did . . .seriously no regrets. The writing is exquisite. I honestly think that’s what got me through. For me, “Gingerbread” made absolutely no sense and I just couldn’t enjoy it.
Summing it up: I’m glad I read this book, but it was not for me! Are you someone who enjoyed surreal/abstract books? Or do you need to understand it? I’d love to hear your take and any tips you have for reading surreal books! I don’t want to permanently cross them off my reading list, even though I know I’ll likely never fully enjoy them.
Best, Abbey
August 5, 2020
Tolerance Tykes – Author Visit with Brooke Aiello
Tolerance Tykes by Brooke Aiello – Author Visit
A little over a year ago in April of 2019, I had the pleasure of attending an author visit at River Bend Bookshop with the sweetest author, Brooke! At the time, I was so excited to blog about it, but my personal life went south. I had to deal with a lot, so my blogging took a hiatus. However, I never forgot about the delightful visit and held onto my photos so I could blog about it later. And the day has finally arrived! Brooke is wonderful. She read her book to all the kids and had a craft for them to do as well. Her book, “Tolerance Tykes” is about a school of kids from all different walks of life who come together with kindness and teach about tolerance and acceptance. One child has anxiety, one has cancer and another is adopted, etc. Each page is from the perspective of each child and is all written in verse – so impressive. The illustrations are sweet and done by Brooke as well. My favorite thing about this book is the message – “Kindness is our #1 Rule.” I have been teaching my boys for years to be kind to everyone (especially each other!!) and I always love reading books that teach this as well.
In the last year, Brooke has published two more “Tolerance Tykes” books, so there are three you can get for your collection, which is very exciting! It was truly a joy to meet her and even though this post is overdue, it doesn’t diminish the great day we had!
Summing it up: I highly recommend Brooke’s books and hope you get a chance to read one or all of them!
Best, Abbey
August 3, 2020
Blueberry Picking
Blueberry Picking – Summer 2020
It was such a breath of fresh air to get out of the house and go blueberry picking. We went towards the end of the day, so only the owner was there picking. It was a relief to be able to keep to ourselves. Because of COVID, we wore masks until we knew we were alone and our only company was an adorable bunny. It was a warm, humid day, but there was a breeze and some shade. All four of us enjoyed being together, being outside, and being amongst the blueberries. There were so many berries, so we hardly moved at all to fill our buckets. It was the perfect socially distanced outing!
I am so grateful for family time, especially on the weekends, as we get every other weekend with our boys. We try so hard to savor every moment with them, whether its snuggling, playing video games, reading, or finding an adventure out of the house. It’s the little things in life that matter and it’s those things that I choose to focus on.
Summing it up: It was everything to get out and go on an adventure. We loved doing something different and being together. What are your favorite family adventures?
Best, Abbey
July 31, 2020
The Blue Fox
The Blue Fox by Sjón
It’s the last day of July and I sat down and read “The Blue Fox” as a way to wrap up my reading month. I’m in the middle of about a dozen books and just wanted the sensation of hunkering down and reading a book in a sitting. I conferred with the other bookworm in the house – Josh – to discuss my best options and he suggested “The Blue Fox” because it’s a slim book and one I wanted to read! I was very excited because it’s also translated from Icelandic (LOVE translated literature). Well, I sat down, snuggled with my family, and read. It was perfect. And this book was an experience. I was immediately caught up in the story, though story doesn’t really convey it. This book has been compared to a song . . . a composition, and after having read this work, I can say that it makes a lot of sense. There is a flow and a return to a theme (like a chorus). The tale slowly reveals itself as you read and it is a rollercoaster. You get bits and pieces until the end when they all fall into place. I have to say, it was one of the most interesting books I’ve read. To say it was “good” would do it a disservice because it was so deep and haunting and vivd.
It essentially follows two people: a priest/hunter named Baldur and a young man named Fridrik. The book begins with Baldur hunting a blue fox and continues throughout showing what happens on the hunt. Frederik takes in a young girl with Down Syndrome and the other part of the story follows them. One of the beautiful things about this book is its message about people Down Syndrome and how they are worthy. It’s compelling and vividly portrayed by a stark contrast between those who value and distain the two people with Down Syndrome (at times it was very harsh, fyi, and at other times it was breathtakingly beautiful). Other than that, I feel like I can’t say any more because it would tarnish the beauty of Sjón’s writing. What I can say is that this book is definitely worth reading. And I highly recommend reading it in one sitting!
Summing it up: I highly recommend this incredible book. It was small, but powerful and I think that it’s the kind of book that you will find something new on each reread! How about you? Have you read “The Blue Fox” or any other work by Sjón? I’d love to know!
Best, Abbey
July 13, 2020
How I Rate My Books
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How I Rate My Books
There are so many different ways to rate books, aren’t there?! Some people rate 1-10, some 1-5, some with halves or three-quarters, and some don’t rate at all. It’s a beautiful, varied book-rating world! I thought it would be fun to share how I rate books, and I would absolutely love to know your way of rating.
To begin, I only rate books on Goodreads. I don’t put my ratings on Instagram (@the.willow.wood), or here on my blog – and there is literally no reason for this, other than I just haven’t! Because of this, I rate my books in whole numbers, 0-5. What’s interesting about this is that I am very consistent, but not 100% so. When I was looking back to see some examples, I was like, “I really gave that 3 (or 4 or 5) stars!” I was surprised because for some of them, I remembered them differently – I thought I would have given them more or less than what was on Goodreads. So, take my ratings with a grain of salt – ha! Without further ado, here are my general guidelines for how I rate my books:
0 stars – DNF (did not finish). If I don’t finish a book, I don’t feel comfortable giving it any stars, so I mark it ‘read,’ mostly to remember that I started it, and I tag it ‘dnf,’ which is one of my custom shelves. For example, “This Is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper – I didn’t like the tone and couldn’t get into this one.
1 star – I finished the book, but I didn’t like it, and I LIKELY skimmed parts. I do have a hard time giving one stars, but I feel like if I was able to muscle through it (for whatever reason), and I really disliked it, then 1 star is what it gets! For example, “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. I read this one because it was a gift from the publisher, but I really didn’t enjoy it.
2 stars – I didn’t enjoy this book, but I didn’t outright hate it. Something compelled me to keep reading, even if I wasn’t happy about it. For example, “The Bookshop” by Penelope Fitzgerald. I didn’t love the writing or plot, but the story was compelling in it’s misery and I just had to find out what happened. Spoiler: it has a very unsatisfactory ending.
3 stars – Meh. I didn’t like or dislike this book. I may have enjoyed parts, but overall, it wasn’t amazing. For example, “Normal People” by Sally Rooney. I really liked parts of this book, but I didn’t love it.
4 stars – I loved this book! These are the books that I will talk about, recommend, and the ones that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I probably won’t reread a 4 star book, but I’ll talk your ear off about it and recommend it! For example, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. I loved this book and remember saving quotes and feeling a huge impact from this book. As I’m typing this, I actually probably would reread it, but at the time of rating, I think I was satisfied. I’ve also definitely recommended it more than once.
5 stars – I loved this book so much and everyone should read it and I will reread it and I just adored it and so on and so on! These are the books I can’t get enough of and the ones that stay with me long past finishing the book. These are also the books I want other people to read and then talk about with me. For example, “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier. I loved this book so much and can’t wait to come back to it. I really think everyone should read it. When I was early dating my now finace, I suggested this one, and he read it (and enjoyed it)!
Summing it up: Ratings are never perfect – what is?! But they are fun and a good way to keep track of your thoughts and how you communicate about the books you read. How about you? Are we similar or totally different or somewhere in-between?!
Best, Abbey
July 10, 2020
Still Me
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Still Me by Jojo Moyes
Three years later (almost to the day), I am reviewing the final installment of Louisa Clark’s story! I read “Me Before You” and “After You” three years ago and fell completely in love with Louisa. You can read my view of the first two books here. I met a lovely friend on Instagram who was reading all three books and it was just the kick I needed to pull out my copy of “Still Me” and read along with her. I’m so happy I did. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, but I was hesitant because the second book was so hard for me to get into. Well, “Still Me” was incredible. I absolutely loved it and was so satisfied with how Louisa’s story continued after the second book.
If you haven’t read the first two, my summary will contain spoilers! We left Louisa agreeing to move to New York and that is just where we pick up in “Still Me.” Louisa is moving in with a wealthy New York family to be the companion/assistant to the wife, Agnes. Louisa must navigate Agnes’ moods, whims, and needs while she adjusts to being in a new city. The former is challenging; the later is exhilarating! Louisa falls in love with New York, which is good because her love life with Sam proves difficult. He isn’t patient or understanding with Louisa and he becomes very jealous. It was incredibly frustrating. His storyline does redeem itself in certain way (not gonna spoil it), so that helped, but . . . still! Louisa strikes up some wonderful friendships, which I absolutely loved – especially with Margot. That was one of my favorite parts of the book. My other favorite was how much Louisa grows. She truly finds her voice. I loved reading all the ins and outs of how she does this, and I hope you do too!
Summing it up: I was so pleased with this finale. I’d been worried if I would like it or not and kinda putting off reading it. So, I was just thrilled to love this book as much as I did! I honestly recommend the whole series and I’d love to know if you’ve read (any or all) of them!
Best, Abbey
