As a mom, sometimes getting time to yourself is harder than getting tickets to a Bon Jovi show. I should know, but that’s a different topic for a different time. Seriously, though, getting time to yourself is so important. It can really help keep you sane and recharge your batteries. With that said, you don’t want to waste it doing dumb things like laundry or cleaning your house. Hitting the gym and reading a good book often top my free time list. While I enjoy some “Goodnight Moon” and “Green Eggs and Ham”, I need some grownup pages to turn.

What’s more grownup than the “50 Shades” trilogy? I often brought it with me to the gym and noticed my fellow gymsters staring at the covers. What kind of mom would I be if I didn’t read these books? Come on! Anyway, some of the guys would stare at the cover with intrigue and silliness. Some women would give me the “oh yeah, I’m reading that too” look, while others looked on in disgust. I wanted to tell those onlookers, “Hey mama, you don’t know what you’re missing!” That is until you get to the last book. Oh E.L. James, what a let down! I won’t spoil it for those of you who may still be drooling over Christian Grey. But, let’s just say I was 50 shades of disappointed! I don’t know how I wanted it to end, but I didn’t want to end it the way it did.

On the total end of the spectrum is a book by a friend of mine, Rosemary O’Brien. Her new novel “Scraps” is 50 shades of a good read. While there’s no Christian Grey or any of that craziness, there are some real honest to goodness characters and story lines that will suck you in faster than a buy one get one free sale. I can truthfully say I read through this one faster than any of the three “50 Shades” books. Sometimes you just need a good story, especially one that will get you a little misty at the end. That’s when you know you’re invested in a good book. If the characters can make you feel something, then you’ve sold me, and this one did just that.

Speaking of characters that make you feel something, open a page to any of the Nicholas Sparks books. He is my favorite author. I can say I own and have read every one of his books. I’m currently into “Safe Haven”. Of course, I love it! All of his books suck me in and make me want more. Seriously, what a talent! Unfortunately, the movie adaptions weren’t always on my list of favs, but I guess that’s okay.

Okay, enough writing for now, time to spend some quality time with my book and my little book light. I know it’s nerdy, but it’s one of the best gifts I ever got! What are some of your favorite books and authors? I’m always looking for some new pages to turn!