Weekly Feature - To Read Tuesday

As an obviously avid reader, I have a TON of books on my "To Be Read" list. There is a spot inside a cabinet where I specifically stack the ones I already own. It's ridculous (ly awesome).

Since I have so many books that I want to read (and the list continue to grows every day), sometimes the choice of what to read next is too overwhelming. Thus, To Read Tuesday was born. I need YOUR help to pick which book you want to see reviewed next.

So - check both of these out and leave me a comment with your vote!

Book Review - The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman

The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
Publisher - Picador
Publish Date - 7/16/13
Genre - Fiction
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads












My Rating:

I managed to read 2 ½ books on our Dominican vacation and this was the second one. I love to read on the beach (well really, I like to read pretty much anywhere) but I tend to want a bit lighter reads than I might typically gravitate towards. I had heard about this book from various sources and was eager to pick it up and read it and thought it would be the perfect beach companion. While I loved the book, it was really not the best beach read. It takes a bit more concentration than I like to give when I'm soaking up the sun and sand.

Nathaniel Piven is an up and coming writer in New York’s literary scene. He now has his pick of writing assignments and a book deal that any author would be envious of. Not only is his writing career thriving, so is his love life. He also seems to have his pick of women from Juliet, a savvy business woman, Elisa, his beautiful ex-girlfriend and Hannah, who is "almost universally regarded as nice and smart, or smart and nice."

Summer Sangria - Make this Now!

The weather has definitely heated up around here so, I think it's safe to say that summer is officially here!

Anyone who knows the littlest bit about me knows I love wine. I mainly stick to reds which gets a lot tougher during the summer. When the weather is hot, you just want something cold and refreshing. A warm glass of Merlot doesn't usually do the trick.

One of my absolute FAVORITE things to drink during the hot summer months is Sangria. You just can't go wrong with a mixture of wine, sweet fruits and ice cubes.

I am a bit of a Pinterest addict and I have a ton of different Sangria recipes in my collection. This recipe I'm sharing with you now though is my most favorite Sangria of them all. It has the perfect amount of sweetness, yummy summer fruits and best of all - BUBBLES!

Book Review -Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck
Publisher - Deckle Edge
Publish Date - 9/4/2012
Genre - Biographical Fiction
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

My Rating:

This was one of the books that I brought with me on our vacation to the Dominican last month. I figured it would be the perfect mix of one of my favorite (but sometimes heavy) authors and a light, easy beach read. I was right. This book was the perfect pair to sunshine, sand and some frozen cocktails. 

Hemingway’s Girl takes place during the Depression in Key West, Florida. The novel follows the story of Mariella who comes from a mixed Cuban-American family. After her father’s passing, Mariella’s mother has a difficult time coping so supporting the family falls onto Mariella’s shoulders. When she gambles her wages on a boxing match, she attracts the attention of two men – Ernest Hemingway, famed author and Gavin Murray, a WWII veteran.

A New Beginning

WELCOME to Books and Barrels!!

I have been so incredibly anxious to share my new blog with all of you that I could barely contain myself. I’ve spent the last few weeks prepping all of my new ideas while the new design was put into place. Isn’t it awesome!? This incredibly talented girl over on Venus Trapped in Mars did the new layout – go check out her blog template services. You won’t be disappointed!

Feel free to browse around – and make sure that you follow my new blog either on Bloglovin or by email so you get all of my updates. You’ll find that all my previous reviews are here so if you are behind, catch up!

I’m excited to share a bunch of new things with you guys here including some fun new weekly events like “Winery Wednesday” and “Throwback Thursday”. I will also have a Blog Tour stop coming up in July so stay tuned for that as well!

There are a few features on the new layout that are still under construction so make sure you come back often to check them out.

My FIRST official Books and Barrels book review will be coming up soon and I know you don’t want to miss it.

Thanks everyone for coming along on this new adventure with me – it’s going to be a blast!

Bloglovin

Many of you may not have heard of Bloglovin or know what it is. Well - I'm here to tell you that it's an awesome tool!

Bloglovin is basically Instagram for Blogs. It's free to sign up and gives you one centralized place to easily follow along with all your favorite blogs. Whenever someone you follow posts something new, it shows up in your feed.

It's a great way to discover some really great blogs and keep them all organized in one neat little package.

Go sign up today and discover the amazing world of blogging for yourself!

Oh yea - and follow me too.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin