Pictures From My Trip To Rome

I'm back from Rome and it was truly an incredible trip! Rome is such a magical city and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go. We saw so much history, beautiful art, and of course ate a lot of delicious food and drank a lot of great wine.  It will definitely be a trip that I remember forever, especially the moment I saw the Sistine Chapel. I was in awe! Too bad you cannot take any photos there, but here are some of my other favorite shots.  Enjoy!

The ceiling of the Map Room at the Vatican

Piazza San Pietro

The Colosseum

St. Paul's

The inside of St. Paul's

Me at the Castel Sant' Angelo

The Pantheon

View from Capri

Me at Capri

Trevi Fountain

I loved walking through the side streets of Rome

The busy Piazza Navona, my favorite piazza

 Quaint street in Trastevere

I hope you enjoyed my photos! Check out Leanna from Daisy Chain Book Review's photos from her recent trip to Rome. We missed each other by a week!  For now, I'm off to dream of drinking wine in the afternoon in a bustling piazza and devouring copious amounts of gelato. Ciao!

I gotta go where it's warm.....

I'm off tomorrow to sunny Florida for some quality relaxation as well as some sun and sand. It's only November and I'm already missing the beach. I guess it's one of the pitfalls of being a beach bum.


I'll only be gone for a long weekend, so I'll still be posting; in fact, I'm bringing my precious Mac with me.  I'm hoping to get some writing done for NaNoWriMo since I am already behind....I blame my full time job.  :)  And in true book geek fashion, I am bringing along Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klien, which has been extremely entertaining so far if you are a fan of historical fiction.  I'm also bringing along an ARC of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, which I am excited to read, especially because I adore Oliver's writing style.


I hope you guys have a great weekend and good luck to all the bloggers participating in NaNoWriMo.  

Happy Friday,

Back to the islands......

I'm heading off for my final summer vacation to Jamaica.  Things will be quiet around here and I only have a few memes scheduled.  However, I'm sure I'll get a lot of reading done while I'm away and I'll definitely post a few reviews when I return.


I went to Jamaica last year and fell in love with it.  I'm really looking forward to a week of doing nothing, but enjoying the sun, sand, my husband and good friends.  This time it's not a mini-vacation, so I'll be gone for a week.  Talk to you guys on August 12th! Until then, here are some pictures from last year's trip!

The infinity pool and ocean

My favorite reading spot

View from our balcony

Key West Photos

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm back from my trip and I wanted to share a few photos. Key West was a lot of fun; I love the vibe down there.  Everything is so laid back and anything goes.  There's no need to dress up for dinner or fix your hair. You just come as you are.  


I did get a lot of reading done so I'll be posting a few reviews this week.  I'm pumped for Philippa Gregory's The Red Queen, which comes out in the US on August 3rd and the UK on August 19th.  I adored The White Queen, so I am very excited to read this one.  


Thanks to my fellow bloggers who visited my blog while I was away. I appreciate it.  Here are a few photos from my trip.

The famous Key West Sunset

The Running of the Hemingways on Duval Street for Hemingway Days

Hemingway's typewriter in his writing studio

Me at the Southernmost point in the US

I love the Key West homes

Famous Sloppy Joe's Bar- Key West has great nightlife

Key West Bound

I'm off to Key West, Florida for a long weekend and a much needed getaway.  Key West is commonly known as America's Caribbean and since I am such a beach bum, I'm excited to explore this island.  Just to let you know, it's going to be quiet around here for a few days, but once I return, I will have some book reviews to post since I plan to get  a lot of reading done on the plane and under a palm tree.


I've been to Key Largo, but never to Key West.  Have any of you gone? Any recommendations?  

Many people have told me how great the restaurants and bars are. I'm excited to check them out.   Of course my husband, Mike, wants to buy Key Lime Pie, which you can apparently get on a stick and smothered in chocolate.  I am dying to see Hemingway's House, which is where he wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls, Death in the Afternoon, The Green Hills of Africa, and To Have and To Have Not.  Plus, I hear it is Hemingway Days while we are there, which Mike thinks I especially planned our trip around, but I swear it's a coincidence.  :)  We also want to visit Harry Truman's Little White House, where he spent eleven working vacations during his presidency.  Not a bad gig, right?  And lastly, I must check out the Pirate and Shipwreck Museum as well.....especially since I know some pirates at home whom are especially fond of rum.  


I hope everyone has a great weekend and don't forget to enter my giveaway for a signed copy of We Hear the Dead and my other giveaway for Shadow Hills.  

I'm off to Margaritaville,

 (Pictures from parrotkeyresort.com)

The Ultimate Beach Reads

To me, there is nothing like reading a good book by the beach and just simply relaxing.  I can be found at the beach on most weekends in the summer and you will always see me there with a book in my hand.  Many people, whether it be my students, friends, or family, always ask me what books I recommend for great beach reading.  And since I am most definitely a self-proclaimed beach bum, I thought I would compile a list of some of the great beach reads I have read in the past few years.  I will showcase a few and be sure to check out my reviews of the titles that have links.  I hope you enjoy!  Now I'm off to the beach.....have a great weekend!

• For adults who would like some mind candy:

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (or any other novel from this series)


Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling


The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley

Goodreads says, "Even readers who don't normally enjoy Arthurian legends will love this version, a retelling from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Morgaine (more commonly known as Morgan Le Fay) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh spelling of Guinevere) struggle for power, using Arthur as a way to score points and promote their respective worldviews. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Young and old alike will enjoy this magical Arthurian reinvention by science fiction and fantasy veteran Marion Zimmer Bradley."

• For fans of Chick-lit:

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (or anything else by this author)


Sweet Life by Mia King

Goodreads says, "What if you got away from it all--and then it all got away from you? When her husband gets a new job, Marissa Price leaves the island of Manhattan for the island of Hawaii. Paradise seems like the perfect place to find herself, save her marriage, and reconnect with her daughter. But Marissa discovers her new life is less about beaches and beautiful sunsets and more about cows and lava flows. Their new home is a fixer-upper. But what most needs fixing--her marriage--is the first thing to crumble when her husband announces he wants time apart to find himself. Pulled in opposite directions, Marissa is faced with the most important decision of her life--a choice that will define who she is, what she wants, and where her happiness lies."

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (or anything else by this author)


Summer Sisters by Judy Blume


Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson


The Last Summer by Ann Brashares

Goodreads says, "From the author of the multimillion-copy, #1 bestselling series The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants comes a heartbreaking first adult novel.  Ann Brashares's series, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, has made her one of the most successful contemporary authors, shipping more than 8 million copies over the last five years and winning even more millions of passionate fans. Now, like Judy Blume (Summer Sisters) before her, Brashares turns her spectacular gifts to adult readers. In The Last Summer (of You and Me), Brashares uses her remarkable storytelling, emotional insights, and talent for capturing relationships to weave a rich, textured, mature novel that will resonate as clearly with readers in their forties as in their twenties.  Set on Long Island's Fire Island, The Last Summer (of You and Me) is an enchanting, heartrending page-turner about sisterhood, friendship, love, loss, and growing up. It is the story of a beach community friendship triangle-Riley and Alice, two sisters in their twenties, and Paul, the young man they've grown up with-and what happens one summer when budding love, sexual curiosity, a sudden serious illness, and a deep secret all collide, launching the friends into an adult world from which their summer haven can no longer protect them.  As wise, compelling, and endearing as her Traveling Pants series, and as lyrical, thoughtful, and moving as the best literary women's fiction, this novel is sure to win an entire new generation of adult fans."

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger


Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah


Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells


Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani (or anything else by this author)

Goodreads says, "Set in the glittering, vibrant New York City of 1950, Lucia, Lucia is the enthralling story of a passionate, determined young woman whose decision to follow her heart changes her life forever. Lucia Sartori is the beautiful twenty-five-year-old daughter of a prosperous Italian grocer in Greenwich Village. The postwar boom is ripe with opportunities for talented girls with ambition, and Lucia becomes an apprentice to an up-and-coming designer at chic B. Altman’s department store on Fifth Avenue. Engaged to her childhood sweetheart, the steadfast Dante DeMartino, Lucia is torn when she meets a handsome stranger who promises a life of uptown luxury that career girls like her only read about in the society pages. Forced to choose between duty to her family and her own dreams, Lucia finds herself in the midst of a sizzling scandal in which secrets are revealed, her beloved career is jeopardized, and the Sartoris’ honor is tested.  Lucia is surrounded by richly drawn New York characters, including her best friend, the quick-witted fashion protégé Ruth Kaspian; their boss, Delmarr, B. Altman’s head designer and glamorous man-about-town; her devoted brothers, Roberto, Orlando, Angelo, and Exodus, self-appointed protectors of the jewel of the family; and her doting father, Antonio. Filled with the warmth and humor that have earned Adriana Trigiani hundreds of thousands of devoted readers with her Big Stone Gap trilogy, Lucia, Lucia also bursts with a New York sensibility that shows the depth and range of this beloved author. As richly detailed as the couture garments Lucia sews, as emotional as the bonds in her big Italian family, it is the story of one womanwho believes that in a world brimming with so much promise, she can—and should be able to—have it all."

• For adults who want a "smarter" read:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Goodreads says, "I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.... As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. As Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways."

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffengger


The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory


Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman


Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert


A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty White


Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Goodreads says, "From the Nobel Prize-winning author of One Hundred Years of Solitudecomes a masterly evocation of an unrequited passion so strong that it binds three people's lives together for more than fifty years. In the story of Florentino Ariza, who waits more than half a century to declare his undying love to the beautiful Fermina Daza, whom he lost to Dr. Juvenal Urbino so many years before, García Márquez has created a vividly absorbing fictional world, as lush and dazzling as a dream and as real and immediate as our own deepest longings."

• For Adults and Teens Alike:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner


Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (or anything else by this author)

Goodreads says, "It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.  A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend." 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares


Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald

Goodreads says, "Jenna may hail from the ’burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. So when her mom suggests they spend the summer at Grandma’s Florida condo, Jenna pleads instead to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada. Jenna is psyched at the chance to commune with this nature she’s heard about — and the cute, plaidwearing boys she’s certain must roam there. But after a few run-ins with local wildlife (from a larger-than-life moose to Susie’s sullen Goth stepdaughter to a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don’t play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers Jenna amusing tips on navigating the wilderness — but can she learn to navigate the turns of her heart?"

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han


Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz


Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown


Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare


The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting 


Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Goodreads says, "For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.  With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.  For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life."

Book Blogger Hop #7

Happy Friday, everyone! I met a lot of new bloggers participating in the Book Blogger Hop a few weeks ago. I have some more time this week and I am excited to check out new blogs today. Be sure to go to Crazy For Books to learn more about this awesome opportunity. Check out her post and come join the fun!




While visiting, be sure to check out my Signed Book Giveaway in order to win these awesome signed books!

Also, I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend. I might be MIA from blogging for a few days, because I'll be at the beach celebrating one of my favorite holidays, Memorial Day.  It's the official start of the beach season! I can't wait to hit up the beach with my book!

My Spring Break in Twelve Pictures

Ireland is a magical place that completely filled me with awe.  One of my favorite aspects of Ireland is the fact that you can drive down the road and pass an amazing castle. Castles were everywhere; it was like I lived in one of my favorite fantasy novels.  You definitely can't find that in Pennsylvania. I promised to share my pictures and it was hard to narrow them down to twelve, because we visited so many places.  I hope you enjoy them!

Me at Trinity College in Dublin

(By the way, the Long Room's library was pretty much my mecca.

Pictures weren't allowed in the Long Room though.)

View from the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin

The Rock of Cashel

On the way to the Ring of Kerry

Me at the Ring of Kerry 

(Yes, I wore this hat pretty much the entire trip.

Hey- it's windy there and I don't like doing my hair.)

Dingle Peninsula

The Cliffs of Moher

Chris, Krystle, Mike, and I at the Cliffs of Moher

Kylemore Castle, which is now an abbey

(A man built this for his wife! *sigh*)

Mike walking through Killarney at night

Me posing in front of traditional Ireland landscape

Just another day in Ireland

Five Things I Learned From Visiting Ireland:

1.  It's ok to disagree. You can still be friends. The Irish love to debate and argue, but they aren't overly sensitive about every darn thing like we are in the US.  Everyone speaks their minds and then they get over it.

2.  There's nothing a pint can't cure and it's ok to drink in the afternoon.  We do a lot of binge drinking at bars in the US.  In Ireland, most pubs close early (before midnight!), which surprised me. Most bars in the US are open till 2am and at the beach till 3am!  Most people in Ireland go to pubs for sports events, to socialize and listen to traditional music. In the US, the bar scene is entirely different.  People bring their instruments to spontaneously play and sing.  I LOVED the pub scene in Ireland.

3.  Imagination is important.  At every turn in Ireland there was mention of myth and lore.  Who doesn't love that?  I can't tell you how many times I made reference to Braveheart or Lord of the Rings while on this trip.  :)

4.  It doesn't matter what car you drive or what brand your clothing is.  In Ireland, they care more about racehorses than BMWs.  It's like stepping into the 18th century pace of life.  People don't get dressed up to go to bars and sport the latest "IT" bag like they do at home. I went everywhere in my favorite fleece, broken-in cords, and Chucks. I especially loved this.

5.  No matter how important a problem seems, you have to let it go.  Once you stand next to the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry, or next to a castle built many years ago, it dwarfs your problems.  It really puts things into perspective. 10 years from now will my problem really matter? 

Ireland is a reminder of a simpler way of life, a reminder of what is most important, and a reminder to never stop dreaming.