Music, Books, Miles, and Looks of June

So June wasn't exactly all sunshine and roses as I went through a break-up and experienced a set back with my foot, but it was still better than May as I enjoyed the sweet freedom of not having to study!!  I'm one month closer to CFA results and the year is now officially half over!  Woo hoo!

Music:



People Like Us by Kelly Clarkson - Yes, I like Kelly Clarkson's music, don't judge.  This song is about rising above crappy situations so it isn't surprising that it's a favorite song of mine these days.

Books:

I had another strong month of reading as I finished 6 books.  Not having to study and not watching much tv means I'm reading more than ever these days, and I really enjoyed all of the books I read this month.

The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain -   I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down at night as I just HAD to know what happened next.  It's the kind of book where you want to reach through the pages and turn the course of the main character's life, as you know the decision she is making is going to have long-lasting, horrible ramifications.  In a way, it reminded me of The Light Between the Oceans as it deals with taking something that isn't yours to take.

Beach Music by Pat Conroy - I've got to be honest, this book was a bit of a struggle for me to get through as it was really long and there were SO MANY DETAILS and, in my opinion, insignificant stories shared that didn't necessarily add to the book.  But in the end I liked it enough to give it 4 stars.  I just think you could have cut at least 200 pages out of the book and it still would have been great.  But I am not a huge fan of lots and lots and lots of details...

I Remember Nothing:  And Other Reflections by Nora Ephron - This was a short, fast, fun read.  You could probably read it in the span of 2 hours.  It was fun to read about the experiences and thoughts of the mind behind two of my favorite movies, "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally." 

Making Piece:  a Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie by Beth Howard - I really loved this book and am so glad my friend Becky recommended it to me. It's a memoir written by a women who loses her husband very suddenly at a young age. To overcome her grief, she turns to her love of pie, and crust by crust, comes through the grieving process happier, healthier, and more hopeful. My favorite line was: 'you are like a trapeze artist. You have to let go of one swing in order to grab the next one. There is that moment of being airborne in between when you are holding on to nothing, and trusting that the other swing will come toward you. That 'in between' is where you are now, grasping for air.'

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple - Well I read this book in just over 24 hours so that should give some indication of how much I loved it. It is quirky and unlike any other book I've read. It's written from the perspective of Bee, who is the 15-year old daughter of a woman that suffers from a form of agoraphobia. The mom, Bernadette, is hilarious and so quirky, and also so messed up at the same time. But you can't help but love her.  It is definitely a unique read but worth checking out!!

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - I loved this book.  The subject-matter is heavy as the main character is a care taker for a quadriplegic and it deals with assisted suicide, but the author somehow manages to brings humor into the story and the characters are so likeable.  It's definitely a tear jerker so consider yourself warned.

Miles:

I am hoping and praying that eventually I will actually have miles to add up and report in this section but that is so not happening anytime soon unfortunately. :(


Looks:

Please ignore my hair in this photo.  All I can say is that I was not built for humidity, and it was horribly humid the day I wore this outfit.  It's one of the new outfits I bought at Banana Republic at the end of May with a 40% off coupon.  Oh and it was one of the very few days this month that I wasn't in the boot or tennis shoes.  Navy and green is my new favorite color combination.  I also bought a color-blocked dress in these exact colors.