The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...
When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?





This book has about several different storylines going at one time. Mrs. Fairbrother, recently widowed begins a relationship with her husband's beat friend. Fairbrother’s opponent, the Howard Mollison, is those stuck up rich people who think they are better than anyone else; Krystal Weedon, is a prostitute and her drug addicted mother, Terri; Krystal’s new social worker, Kay Bawden, who has recently moved to Pagford with her teenage daughter; the disaffected adolescent boys, Fats and Andrew; and a variety of local gossips and pot-stirrers.

I checked out the book at my university library. I wanted to read it but the price was a little too steep and I wanted to read it so imagine my surprise the library  actually had it. Honestly, Rowling's writing is still perfect, the description and everything. The story itself is just bland. I understand this is her first project away from the universe of Harry Potter, and there has been criticism on how she should have just stuck to writing Harry Potter books. One thing the literary world said "Can Rowling being the same magic to her adult fiction like in Harry Potter?" First off people need to stop reading it like it's a Harry Potter novel. I respect Rowling for taking her time with her writing and seeing it as a new original story. Every new series by an author I like I read their work with a fresh eyes, not comparing too much to their previous work. I didn't like the book too much, and maybe Rowling's next book will be good. The writing is good, but it just doesn't have that spark. Rowling still has it, it just may take a while for things non Harry Potter. 

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

My Favorite Jr Turned Sr for the 2013-2016

Now that the London Olympics is over, I am more than ever excited to see the upcoming talent of gymnasts for the 2013-2016 gymnastics season. And onto Rio 2016!

My first favorite is Sarah Finnegan. What was a shame was how Sarah couldn't get much international experience due to the stupid age limit rule.

 
Sarah Finnegan

Sarah is from the same gym as 2008 Ivana Hong, and 2004 Olympians Courtney McCool and Terin Humphrey. What I like about Sarah is her beam routine and her choreography.

Katelyn Ohashi

Katelyn trains under Valeri Liukin at WOGA, the same gym of Rebecca Bross, 2008 Olympics Champion Nastia Liukin, and 2004 Olmpic Champion Carly Patterson. What I like about Katelyn is how she is a mix between Carly and Nastia, and I like her beam, if only she would connect her standing arabian into her first layout series then her difficulty value would go up like crazy.

Polina Shchennikova

Polina is pretty much a mini Nastia. BOTH Russian and parents trained in gymnastics in the Soviet Union, both are coached by their parents, and both have what the Soviet was known for, artistry in gymnastics. 

Bailie Key

Simone Biles

Simone Biles has to be the most powerful gymnast I have ever seen, her vaulting is ten times better than Maroney, and she is currently working on a Yurchenko triple no woman has ever done this vault.

Amelia Hundley

Amelia is so happy all the time. She's not every powerful on floor, but she is trying to work on all four events. 

Lexie Priessman

Lexie is most likely an event specialist due to her vaulting and floor, her floor routine is good but she needs to work on her landings, and change her floor music to something less cheerleading.

Good luck girls, and make Team USA proud!

Baby & Bump by Brooke Moss

At thirty years old, caterer Lexie Baump has a lot on her plate. With a business to run, she doesn’t have time for any added distractions. But one momentary indiscretion adds a little hiccup to Lexie’s plans. She’s pregnant. With no relationship prospects.
But if Lexie thought fighting morning sickness while running a catering business was hard, enter Dr. Fletcher Haybee. Their connection is instant, and their love of vintage rock tee shirts and Elvis music is enough to bond them for life. There are just two minor problems.
One: he’s dating her oversexed best friend. Two: he’s also her obstetrician.
With events to cater, awkward OB appointments to endure, and her ever-growing baby bump making it impossible to close her jeans, Lexie has to find a way to curb her undeniable attraction toward Fletcher and focus on her new role as a working mother. But it certainly isn’t easy when its clear Fletcher himself feels the same magnetic pull toward Lexie.
Can Lexie leave the gorgeous Fletcher for her best friend to chew up and spit out, or will she cave to her feelings and find love in the stirrups? Life is about to get messy, and we're not just talking about crumbs in the car seat...


I have been trying to look for other books outside of the romance department but I was lucky to receive an ARC. What I liked the most about this book was there was more comedy than found in most chick lit books. There are moments that are full of embarrassment, and that will make you laugh and may spark some of the most embarrassing moments that happened to you at one time. If you're looking for a romantic comedy to read next, I highly recommend this book.