Some of my favorites and 2 book reviews

I am trying to focus more on being positive and looking at the wonderful things that are a part of my life. One of the things that I need to remember is that that are good things in life. There are things that I enjoy and that bring a smile to my face. Some of my favorite things recently are:

Love this competition!

Love this show!

Love this team!

What are some of the things you love or that bring a smile to your face??

Another thing I really love and enjoy doing, even if I don't have a lot of time to do it is to read. I hope that maybe if I review books on this blog that I will stay motivated to read. I recently read 2 very good books.
(both of which I got from the library, so they didn't cost me anything!)

THE MIRACLES OF SANTO FICO by D.L. Smith

This book was a departure from the normal type of books that I like to read. I am trying to expand my horizons, ( I think part of my discontent is that I am stuck in a rut!).  This book expands on the lives of of a few men and women whose lives are entertwined in a small, remote village. The book includes deceptions of loved ones, and the passion or lack of passion for life of some people, loss of belief in life or what is important, loss of belief in God, and the struggle to overcome these obstacles and thrive mostly done with the power of love. I found the book to be a very good read, and a touching tale. There were parts that seemed to drag on and to not really make sense. There was some parts that could have been left out and the point would have still been the same. At the same time, I wish that a couple of the minor characters would have been more developed. Overall, it was a good read and I am glad that I took the chance.


SHEM CREEK by Dorothea Benton Frank

This book features the life and challenges of main character Linda Breland, who decides to uproot her daughters, almost on a whim and to move back to her hometown of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She arrives with no job, no permanent home and no idea of what the future holds. As the story unfolds, you see Linda being welcomed home with open arms, making new friends, discovery things about herself that she had forgotten or had not known was there. She finds love and friendship and lavishes her second chance on life. This was a great read. It really gave me courage and hope that things will be okay if I take chances. Not all chances pan out, but what is important is that you live your life for yourself and you do what is best of you! Now if only I could make that work for me in real life...lol...This was a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more of Mrs. Frank's works.

So there are some of my favorites and 2 book reviews. What are some of your favorites? What books have you enjoyed reading?