This made my week....

Last night I went to have a beer at the Civil Life Brewing Company. It is a local micro brew in St. Louis. The atmosphere was awesome - all wood paneling and decor, done very simply but looks amazing. I walked upstairs since the bar was full and at the top of the stairs there was a library!!! That's right, a library in a bar! I was so excited. They had an eclectic mix of books and a few games as well. It was called The Library at The Civil Life. After taking a picture and being fully amazed, I went back downstairs and asked the bartender if I could have a bookmark (I saw them sticking out of the books and I collect them). He said yes especially since I collect them :). On the bookmark it states the books are curated by Hurley House. As soon as I got home I looked up the website. Come to find out Patrick Hurley was one of the bartenders and brewers at Civil Life. His website and blog are interesting and I think I'm going to have to look into buying books from him. I kind of want to go back today and talk to him about books! I love finding bookish things in everyday life and especially someone who loves books and would like talking about them. This totally made my week!

The Library at The Civil Life

Did you have any bookish finds this week? I'd love to hear about them.

Booking Through Thursday: Picking & Choosing

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...


Overall, what factor most influences your choice of your next read? And what is it that makes you want to read a book by an author you've never read before?


Well my next read usually depends on what I am in the mood for. Sometimes I stick to the same genre for numerous books then want to mix it up a bit. As I am finishing a book I usually have an idea of a couple books I will pick from to read next. When it comes to reading authors that are new to me, I am always doing this. I tend to read anything that the story line grabs me so I am open to reading books by different authors. 


How do you choose your next read? And what makes you go for a new author? I'd love to hear your answers so leave a comment!

July RAK: Wrap Up

Another great RAK month! I missed June RAK so I was happy to get back into it. In case you were wondering, RAK is Random Acts of Kindness. It is hosted by Book Soulmates. Those who participate share their wishlist and others can send books as a Random Act of Kindness. Pretty awesome!

This month I sent RAKs to...

Devan @ Bookstrings
I sent Devan The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

I received RAKs from...

Emily @ Doodle's Book Blog sent me The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

And Christa sent me Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

So excited to read both of these books! Thanks for another wonderful month of RAKs!

Picture Post (Aug. 1)

I just got home from an AMAZING last trip as a Travel Director, in Ireland. Ireland was one of my favorite places I've ever been. We stayed in Killarney, at a hotel right on the lake. The weather was great while we were there - sunshine with little rain. I kissed the Blarney Stone, went on a ghost tour of Killarney, visited Ross Castle, at yummy food, went shopping and of course made a couple visits to the pubs. I can't wait to go back to see more. I'm sharing 5 photos this week that sum up my trip. Enjoy!

Blarney Castle

The ghost tour bus. Wish I would have gotten a
pic of the inside, the decor was awesome!

Derek telling us the tragic love story that
took place at Ross Castle (all love stories
end in tragedy in Ireland apparently so I was
told not to fall in love with an Irish guy - bummer.)

Muckross Abbey at night = creepy!

Beautiful view from our final function at the hotel.
I was in love with all of the bright flowers.

Teaser Tuesday (July 31)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here are my teasers...

Please, God, take care of my sister. Bring her back home.

p. 141, In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long 

Feature & Follow Friday #26

Q: Summer Reading - What was your favorite book that you were REQUIRED to read when you were in school?


A: I think The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was my favorite required reading and I have read it again since. I remember enjoying To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee but I really need to re-read it for the details. I will be adding this to my list. Oh and Life of Pi by Yann Martel was good too. I have that on my nook to re-read also.


What was your favorite required reading? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Booking Through Thursday: Reading

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...


Do you have a favorite season of the year that you read more? (example - during snow storms, rainy weather, sunny/warm weather) Where is your favorite place to read - on the beach, inside, outside?


I read all times of the year. With traveling the past couple years there has not really been a certain season that I have read more than others. I love snuggling up on a cold, rainy day and reading just as much as I love taking my book to the pool to read while I work on my tan. Favorite place ever to read would be on the beach with my toes in the sand!


What is your favorite season and place to read? Leave me a comment and let me know!