Booklist: Summer Olympics

 

The games start today!

Who will you be watching?

I'm partial watching to Gymnastics, Basketball, Track and Field, and Swimming

Catch up on some books while you wait for your favorite sport(s):

Happy Reading and Happy Watching! 

Review: Coming Up For Air

* Last book in the Hundred Oaks series *

Swimming has been Maggie's focus for as long as she can remember. She spends her days swimming, eating, and sleeping. Then does it all over again the next day.  She's hoping to make the Olympic team one day.

Because of her goal, she hasn't lived the normal high school life. She hangs out with her friends at least once a week for a night out - food and laughter. But she's missed out on having boyfriends.

Now she after an incident at a party, she doesn't want to be embarrassed by her lack of experience with guys. So she asks her best friend and fellow swimmer for lessons on hooking up - which could be the best thing that ever happened to her or a complete disaster.

My Thoughts: I really love this series and I'm sad that it's over because I would keep reading it forever. But I do love how it ended, especially with the epilogue. I loved seeing favorite characters and knowing what's happened to them since we left them last.

I loved this friends to lovers story. And I love how focused both Levi and Maggie were on their swimming goals. Of course I love how much Maggie had to eat all the time. I loved their moments together and their conversations. I love how supportive they were of each other during their swim meets. 

I'm eager to read whatever Miranda Kenneally writes next. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Get this series for your library! Strong female characters with amazing sports skills, great friendship, and of course romance. 

Review: Matter of Heart

Abby's amazing at swimming. So amazing that at age 16, she's hoping to qualify for the Olympic team. She's on track.

Until she faints after a race. Her coach makes her get checked out by a doctor before she's back in the pool. Abby assumes that she'll be back swimming before the end of the week. But the doctor hears something with her heart.

Abby goes for more tests, not believing that her dreams could come crashing down. Who is she without swimming?

My Thoughts: I couldn't put this book down, I devoured it in one sitting.

I felt horrible for Abby - working so hard on this dream and then to have her world change. She struggled so hard  and went through the stages of grief. Abby is strong, determined, and at times reckless. There were times when I hated her choices, but ultimately, I admired her drive and determination. 

I loved the moments of her teaching the kids - especially with Alec.

I really liked Jen - how she researched the disease and tried to talk sense into her friend. 

I wasn't a fan of Abby's boyfriend. He seemed too focused on perfection on the outside. He wasn't there for her. Plus he pressured her. 

I liked the tension between Alec and Abby - despite his rivalry with Connor.

I liked Abby's parents. I liked the moments between her and her father - especially the late night chats. I felt badly for him for having his dreams ripped away from him. But then he put all his hopes on his daughter. 

I really loved how this book was about chasing your dreams and then dealing with the aftermath of losing them. 

Cover Thoughts: Ok - doesn't really speak to me or say what the book's about
Source: Book sent for review

Final Thoughts: A powerful book about finding yourself when everything around you is crumbling. This one is a must read - add it to your list.