teacups and bookmarks

  The Giver by Lois Lowry Published 1993 “There's a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same” Memories by Maroon 5   As a kid, I missed out on reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. I think my friends were probably reading it in middle school when I was reading the Fear Street series by R.L. Stine and graduating on to things like Carrie by Stephen King.  Not the point though… I missed out on reading The Giver as a child, so as a 35 year old mother of two, I thought now would be a good time to read this book. What was I possibly thinking? The society as a whole is deeply flawed. They are striving for sameness or some sense of equality, but ultimately end up stripping away all real identity from the people within the community. And Jonas, dear sweet Jonas, figured this out. He questions his place within the community and in doing so we realize he understands that people cannot thrive in a society...

  Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards Published 2020 I'll be home for Christmas; You can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe And presents on the tree. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Bing Crosby All Mira wants is to be home for Christmas, but when her final flight home is grounded due to an incoming blizzard, she wonders how or if she will make it home in time. Harper, who sat next to Mira on the flight, has the perfect solution - she's renting a car with her friends and isn't going to let a little snow keep her from making it home for the holidays. Harper asks Mira if she wants to ride with her and her friends. She seems nice enough and Mira wonders what could possibly go wrong. In a last-ditch effort to get home for Christmas, Mira agrees to ride with Harper and her friends. Only, it becomes very clear that these friends aren’t exactly friends. Harper is the kind of girl who immediately befriends anyone she speaks to. Before she has time to second-gu...