#BookWorm: Eleanor & Park

#BookWorm: Eleanor & Park

Hello fellow readers,

I took a little break from the crazy thrillers I’ve been reading lately and picked up a book I got for Christmas, Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. It’s about two high schoolers in Omaha, Nebraska. Eleanor is the new girl and sits down next to Park on the bus. At first he is less than thrilled to have the girl who everyone nicknamed “Big Red” sit next to him on the bus. But overtime he starts to fall for her. Their adorable but unique love story starts to unfold. But Eleanor has a troubled past that seems like it may catch up to her and make her fairytale like romance with Park have some speed bumps. 

This was an easy read, very easy to sit down and get lost in it. You fall in love with the characters and their stories individually and together. It reminded me of other high school romance books, but was unique enough to make it a special book worth reading. I am always a fan of books that tell the story from multiple points of view, and this one is no exception. I also love that the author is from Omaha and wrote a book that took place there. Another thing that I love is when authors throw some personal features into their work (which many do). It also won some awards including the Michael L Printz Award and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award. If you like the Young Adult genre, this one is worth your time. I’d give it a 9/10. 

Spring is officially upon us (even though Durham can't seem to make up its mind about what temperature it should be) and summer is just around the corner! We have our big West Coast trip planned for May, and with many train and plane trips in the works I hope to get a lot of books read. Please, please, please keep sending me suggestions! If you’ve read what I’ve posted about let me know your feelings on the book or movie that goes with any adaptations! I love to hear other people’s opinions and debate books with anyone who shares a love for reading! Happy blooming season everyone :)

- Olivia 

Wifey Wednesday: All Things Aldi

Hey everyone,

So if you haven't read this portion of my blog before, it probably is because it has been a while since I have done a Wifey Wednesday. While I have been still doing deals and saving money, I hadn't been doing anything too new or different. I still love Target as much as before, and Swagbucks and Ibotta are favorites too. But I had been wanting for a while to try out shopping at Aldi. We have had many people recommend Aldi for meat and produce especially, but I just never took the time to go over there. I hate traveling to multiple stores to get what I want for the week, and Target was sufficient typically. However, I wanted to just go see what all the raving was about. So I have been a few times now, and wanted to share what I found!

This post will mainly be a comparison between Target and Aldi since Target is where I primarily shopped before this.

5 Items I LOVE to buy at Aldi:
1) Cinnamon (and other spices)
Typically $4+ for 4oz of Target brand cinnamon, only $1 for 2.3oz at Aldi! Say whaaaat?! I use cinnamon SO much when I bake. This was an amazing find.
2) Tortilla chips:
Typically $2.79 at Target for the 12 oz organic blue chips, only $1.79 for 9oz at Aldi! Another staple in our house. We do turkey tacos every week with blue chips and salsa.
3) Ground turkey and Frozen Chicken:
16 oz Jennie-O brand at Target is $4.99 for the lowest fat percentage. 19 oz at Aldi is $3.29! Yes I am for real!! The frozen chicken grilled strips are $5.50 at Aldi and $7 at Target!
4) Crackers & Cheese
Target brand whole wheat crackers: $1.69, aldi brand $1.39. Colby jack cheese Target brand $2, Aldi $1.79. I have started eating whole wheat crackers with cheese with my lunch, so this deal at Aldi was AWESOME!
5) Normal brands of candy
I saw M&Ms at Target on sale for $3 for the 10oz bag, they were $2.79 at Aldi. Starburst jelly beans: $2.50 on sale at Target, $2 at Aldi, Brach's classic jelly beans $2.50 on sale at Target, $2 at Aldi. Literally BRAND NAME things. That is pretty legit guys.

There are others that we have bought, but we will have to have them pass the taste test before I post about them. Do you shop at Aldi or buy the items listed above for a better price elesewhere? Let me know! All stores have sales that have good prices, (i.e. Publix BOGO sales) but Aldi seems to be pretty darn good for the taste vs price factor. I also like that they do a lot of organic and local produces and meats. There definitely are things that are cheaper at Target than Aldi, but you just have to know which is which. I couldn't do all of my grocery shopping at Aldi, but it is worth driving 5 minutes down the road to get a few items. Just like Sams Club is worth the drive for certain things too. Also I have found nothing that beats Kroger brand vanilla frozen yogurt YUM! Let me know about your Aldi experience!

Thanks for reading,
- Olivia

#BookWorm: Behind Closed Doors

Hello fellow readers,

Another great and disturbing thriller/mystery book knocked off of my stack. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris was highly recommended by a patient’s wife and it was worth the read! Why are these books scary? Because they could be true! This one was about Grace, who married Jack after falling quickly in love with his calm manor and southern charm. Also his love for her sister, Millie. They seem like the perfect couple, always inseparable, but nothing is ever as it seems. Why are they so inseparable? Does Grace ever do anything alone? Read to find out!!

This book can literally only be described in one phrase: wtf. It literally makes me want to scream because as I said before, it could be true. Today’s society has so many sick minds and cruel people. Don’t worry, the ending of this book makes it worth the read. But it’s sad that people go through things like this. Ugh. Overall rating? 8/10. Anyways I only have one thriller book left before I am off that train for a bit. I need another YA book and maybe a based on real life book to get these ones out of my head. I still think that Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is the best of these thriller/mystery books that I have found thus far. Still kind of disturbing, but such an incredible read. 

What have you been reading lately? Have you read this book or others like it? Let me know!

Thanks for reading with me,

- Olivia