The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

I'm not really sure what originally drew me to this book.  I don't know anyone personally that had read it but I seemed to keep running into it on Shelfari.com and it has very high marks.  It took me a while to finally decide to read it because it has nearly 900 pages, and as I've said before, I am not the fastest reader.  Giving myself permission to take my time and not feel rushed I finally picked it up probably mid-March.  WOW!!!  I never felt rushed because there is so much action in this book that I had no problem getting through.  I {love} The Pillars of the Earth.  Being a historical fiction, it already had me captivated.  It is a book that, after finishing it, left me missing the characters and the story line.  I had to give myself some time before starting another book so I could 'come down' from this one.  I would HIGHLY recommend to everyone!!

This book tells the tale of a twelfth-century monk driven to do the seemingly impossible: build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever known.
Everything readers expect from Follett is here: intrigue, fast-paced action, and passionate romance. But what makes The Pillars of the Earth extraordinary is the time—the twelfth century; the place—feudal England; and the subject—the building of a glorious cathedral. Follett has re-created the crude, flamboyant England of the Middle Ages in every detail. The vast forests, the walled towns, the castles, and the monasteries become a familiar landscape. Against this richly imagined and intricately interwoven backdrop, filled with the ravages of war and the rhythms of daily life, the master storyteller draws the reader irresistibly into the intertwined lives of his characters—into their dreams, their labors, and their loves: Tom, the master builder; Aliena, the ravishingly beautiful noblewoman; Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge; Jack, the artist in stone; and Ellen, the woman of the forest who casts a terrifying curse. From humble stonemason to imperious monarch, each character is brought vividly to life.

Goodreads

Happy Reading!



Instagram

I'm new to the Instagram world.  It's only been on the Android market for about 2 weeks and I'm still trying to figure it all out.  I like that I can touch-up my pics and share them all from one spot.  Someone described Instagram to me as Twitter with pictures.  Fun!! 

I found a blog, fat mum slim, that is doing an Instgram challenge.  This sounds fun so I'm gonna give it a try!!  You can click on the link above for more details but it's pretty much up to your imagination.  Make sure you use the hashtag #photoadayMay.

I just got in on this challenge today so I missed days 1 & 2.  Here's my pic for day three...something you wore today.

I got these Sanuk's in Myrtle Beach last summer and they are my favorite!!  :) 
Let me know if you decide to take on the challenge...I'll be looking for your pics! 

Blog Hiatus**CANCELED**

After being on a blog hiatus for several months I'm attempting to get back on track.  There are several reasons I stopped blogging, some selfish, some personal, and some lazy!  Blogging, for me, has a double-edged sword.  There are things I feel led to blog about but refrain from as some are too personal and would make me feel pretty vulnerable.  I read other blogs and they are able to get passed that barrier that I have yet to tear down.  Kudos to them!  Maybe one day God will gently coax me into being a little more transparent, but only in a way that will bring honor to Him.  I will be more prayerful in the way God wants to use me and this blog.