The Age of Miracles

Hello Bloggy Amigos!

I'm back.  I spent all of last week following Armchair BEA blogs, Twitter parties, link ups, interviews, giveaway, UFF DA! Armchair BEA is the online following of the BEA in New York (Book Expo America). Publishers, authors, speakers, and readers all converge on NY for a few days of book-lovin' fun! Armchair BEA is for us poor saps who can't go. An agenda was provided with daily blog topics to link up with, Twitter parties to participate in, and even an Instagram challenge a day! It is great fun if you love to read, like I do!

So in the spirit of book blogging, I am here to share a review of "The Age of Miracles" by Karen Thompson Walker!

 
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

GoodReads Summary:
“It’s never the disasters you see coming that finally come to pass—it’s the ones you don’t expect at all,” says Julia, in this spellbinding novel of catastrophe and survival by a superb new writer. Luminous, suspenseful, unforgettable, The Age of Miracles tells the haunting and beautiful story of Julia and her family as they struggle to live in a time of extraordinary change.
 
On an ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, Julia awakes to discover that something has happened to the rotation of the earth. The days and nights are growing longer and longer; gravity is affected; the birds, the tides, human behavior, and cosmic rhythms are thrown into disarray. In a world that seems filled with danger and loss, Julia also must face surprising developments in herself, and in her personal world—divisions widening between her parents, strange behavior by her friends, the pain and vulnerability of first love, a growing sense of isolation, and a surprising, rebellious new strength. With crystalline prose and the indelible magic of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker gives us a breathtaking portrait of people finding ways to go on in an ever-evolving world.

The Age of Miracles follows Julia and her family as the world, literally, changes. Somehow  for some reason, the Earth's orbit around the sun is changed, now revolving much slower. Blazing days and freezing nights are elongated, stretching out for 30, 40 hours now instead of the 24 hours we grew up knowing. This book is a fictional study about what would happen to gravity, animals, and humans if this were to ever happen.

I found this book extremely captivating, but basic as well. First, I will explain the latter. The idea of the Earth slowing is a novel one, I myself have never read anything like it. But I couldn't help but feel that this story was bred from the author's college writing courses. Most authors are taught to ponder "What would happen if.." and then breed a story from the answer. This book does that to a "T". So it does feel a bit formulaic.

Also, as the book follows Julia, a girl of middle school age, we don't often get to see the complex 'grown up' decisions and emotions that would follow a 'disaster' like this.

However! This adds a whole new view point. This is a coming of age story in the vein of Judy Blume, but set in a semi post-apocalyptic world. Julia has her foot in the Old World and the New World and thus can relate to us, with honest, open child eyes, all the changes happening around her.

I love the way the book is written, as if Julia is telling us the story from after the point. Sure, big events are never a surprise then, but it builds up the suspense. We know something is about to happen because Julia cryptically alludes to it, but we don't know what it will be, how it will affect her until after it is finally fully described.

The Age of Miracles may be slower paced for some, but even still, is one of those novel's you won't want to put down. This is the type of book you will think about for days, wondering what your own life would be like if the Earth slowed. Being somewhat short (269 pages? Really?? Felt like less!), it is an easy read. Add it to your TBR pile today!!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Check it out on Goodreads HERE or Amazon HERE.

 
No affiliate links were used. Photo source: Goodreads.com. I bought and paid for this book myself. All opinions are my own. Enjoy!

True & Co Review

Hello Bloggy Friends!

I tried a new subscription box company and cannot wait to share it with you! A lot of people are jumping on the Stitch Fix bandwagon, myself included, but I am discovering it isn't as personal as I had hoped. I received my third fix a few weeks back and didn't keep a single thing. I had requested skirts and accessories, and although I did receive a scarf, I didn't get a skirt.

Insert Big Frowny Face Here.

One shirt was the same one as a shirt I had sent back from Fix #2 but in a different pattern. Suffice it to say, I may be off the Stitch Fix for awhile. If I need new clothes, and can manage to have a happy, well-fed, well-rested baby AND mommy, I could always head off to Kohl's or Target. Or on especially adventurous days: The Mall. Two things I would still find it very hard to shop for even if the above conditions were met: swimsuits and bras. And while this new company can help with the latter, you are still on your own for the former!

True and Co. is changing the way women shop for bras. Fill out a two minute quiz to determine bra size, while never using a measuring tape?? Count me in! After filling out the quiz, you are brought to your own personalized lingerie shop with bras in your sizes in all sorts of colors and fabrics! You get to choose three of your own picks and then two are chosen for you and kept a surprise for when you receive your box in the mail!

The Nitty Gritty? Yes there is an initial deposit of $45 dollars, BUT that is fully refundable if you do not choose to keep anything in your box. True and Co will charge you only for what you keep, applying the $45 towards your purchase. You have seven days to try on the possibilities before returning what you won't be keeping in a prepaid box. Sadly, this part means I do actually have to go to the post office. I haven't tried their other clothing products, but they do offer underwear, sleepwear, and accessories.

Admittedly the first box will be trial and error. I received five bras in three different sizes. But I got to try them on in the comfort of my own home and take my time checking them out from every angle. For a new mama who did some minor breastfeeding....that is a big deal!! From this first box, I narrowed down my new mama size and got to keep one new gorgeous bra!

I highly recommend this for new moms. YOU DESERVE SOME GOOD SUPPORT! And while that may awkwardize me to say it, it is so true. Wearing nursing bras past the nursing stage is just not a great way to feel good about yourself, much less sexy.

Give it a shot! You have nothing to lose! Try it here: True and Co..


All opinions in this post are 100% mine; I was not compensated in anyway! This post may contain referral links.

Stitch Fix!

Hello Beautiful Bloggy World!

I am not even sure the first time I heard of monthly subscription boxes, all I know is that I was instantly intrigued. What could possibly be more awesome than receiving gifts in the mail once a month?? I love the feeling of knowing there is a package on its way to my house. I let out a holler whenever I get some 'real' mail. It is sad how far and few that 'real' mail comes. Thus, I believe monthly subscription boxes were MADE for me!

notice those cute baby feet!!

I jumped on board with Stitch Fix. Stitch Fix is a personal styling service sending you boxes full of clothing tailored to your tastes! This subscription was great for me. I have not always been 'with it' when it comes to fashion. I just don't care what the latest trend is! Most of the time I think the latest trend is ridiculous and looks horrible on me anyways. Plus now that I am a mother, I don't have the time I once did to go out shopping for new clothes. My body has completely changed from what it once was. I am not sure what fits me well anymore and my wardrobe has drastically shrunk! Having a personal stylist is such a blessing to me.

Once you are accepted you fill out a style profile, it is quite in-depth asking you questions about not only your size, but lifestyle and budget. Then you schedule your 'fix' and wait while your personal stylist chooses clothes they believe you will fall in love with. After receiving your box, you have three days to try everything on and decide what to keep and mail the rest back. You only have to pay for what you keep, but if you keep the whole box you receive 25% off.

Each time you get a box you can fill out a survey about how each item fit and whether you liked it or not. Thus, the next time you schedule a fix, they can further tailor the clothing choices to your size and style! Here is my first Stitch Fix items:

Small cross necklace, jeans, purple blouse, striped dolman shirt, and black cardigan

Attached to each item is a card with a description and pictures helping you visualize how best to wear it. 

This is the card that came attached to my black cardigan. I LOVE CARDIGANS! You can bet your bottom dollar I kept this item! I love these cards and plan on keeping them as a fun reference when I am stuck on what to wear. 

The only downside, for me, to Stitch Fix is the cost of the clothing. The jeans they sent me were $128! I hardly buy jeans costing more than $20. Hubby wouldn't even let me try them on. I probably would have kept all three shirts, but chose only two (the cardigan and striped dolman) because of the price. Obviously because of the higher cost, however, the clothing is better quality than I would ever by for myself at the local Kohl's. 

Also, although dubbed a monthly subscription box, you get to schedule when you receive a box! It can be once a month, every two months, etc. That is going to be awesome! Because I am super excited about it, and I need to beef up my wardrobe a little, I scheduled another fix for next month already, but after that I might go every two months to fit it in the budget better. 

Conclusion: check it out if you want to add some beautiful piece to your wardrobe without ever leaving your home.

Want to check out Stitch Fix yourself?? Click my link below and I will receive a $25 dollar credit! Thanks friend!!
http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3043916