A Couple Winter Book Suggestions

I'm sure for a lot of you, especially those from the blogging world, needing to find a book to read in 2019 is the last thing you need. For the past 2 months, all the book bloggers have been posting their "Best Books of 2018" posts and their "Most Anticipated Books of 2019" posts...

But sometimes even they (gasp) just need to curl up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, hot chocolate and a book...and they can't decide what to read.



.  .  .
So you want to read a series?
(I cannot read that without imaging Cpt. America reading it, lol)

Series I great because you read it and then don't have to start a new story! You already know all the characters, the world...You don't have to get to know new book people (characters) you can just dive right in!
My suggestion?

The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

This is a six book series (with two short stories and two more series set in the same universe ) about a young ladies boarding school that secretly trains them to be *gasp* SPIES

Yeah, I know. There are a TON of books that use this same idea...but Ally Carter actually makes it work. Also, I loved the friendships in this book and that there's no girl-on-girl hate. The girl's at the school are all "sisters." Granted, some occasionally get on the nerves of the main character, but don't all sisters? (*sticks tongue out @ any sisters reading this*)

Pros:
Everything I just said
CUTE ROMANCE *heart eyes*
Lia and I really like it and will scream about it with you in the comments
Its awesome

Cons:
May get you hooked on spy stuff and next thing you know you'll be reading about the OSS (WWII spies...basically) and your brothers will never be able to watch James Bond without you kicking down the war chanting SPIES! SPIES! SPIES! SPIES!


.  .  .

So you want to read a light and cute modern day story but don't want to read a series?


My Contemporary Suggestions: (From most romance based to least)
(Don't worry...They're all clean!)

PS I Like You by Kasie West 

Do you know what my favorite romance type is? Love to Hate.  Enemies to lovers. "We hate each other SOOO much (and banter! Don't forget the witty banter!)" to "You're not actually a bad person? GASP. I LOVE YOU WHERE DID THAT COME FROM (And then more banter)

And yes...As high school contemporary romance goes...this is pretty cliche and you'll see everything coming from a mile away. But who cares? Its cute!

Pros:
Everything I just said
MAN BRACELET! (No, I will not explain)
She writes songs!
The characters are interesting
Well written families
SO MANY HORRIBLY AWKWARD MOMENTS *squeals*

Cons:
Predictable




 Love and Gelato by Jenna Evan Welch 
(And no, I cant write her name without thinking about grape juice)

Trigger warning: (Maybe? IDK how this works) Her mom dies before the book starts from cancer

A girl (Lina) is forced to go to Italy to live with her father she's never met. Meets a boy who lives near by and they become friends! She gets her mom's journal from when her mom studied abroad in Italy and starts reading it to retrace her steps.

Pros:
Everything I just said
Gelato
Italy
Fake accent

Cons:
Creepy people




Love and Luck Jenna Evan Welch 

(Trigger Warning: There is a nude picture that is taken of the main character. It happens before the story takes place, but is briefly talked about)


A spin off book about Lina's best friend, Addie. It's more of a book about healing and siblings then it is about romance. If you were looking for a book that had basically NO ROMANCE? Read this.
If that isn't what you're looking for, read it anyways. Because its good. Seriously. Read it just so you can read about her mom at the end.



Pros:
WELL WRITTEN FAMILY
Her mom!
IRELAND
Almost no romance what-so-ever...basically just two broken people healing together...but "they cute"
Road trips!
SO. FUNNY

Cons:
Less romance
Kind of serious
You can't punch whats-his-face because he's fictional



-KAT

We're Back!!!////Welcome to January 2019!




Yes that's us. WE'RE BACK!!!  I'm sorry that we let this blog to die. So many things just started happening at once and it got really crazy. But now we are back and not going anywhere. (if we do end up abandoning this again, feel free to hunt us down :D)


Hopefully 2019 will be a big year for Catholic Girl Stuff!! Now I have to run but I'm turning it over to Kat so she can welcome you into January!! I'll be back soon!!


Lia




ENTER KAT


Allo.

*ahem*





WELCOME BACK to Catholic Girl Stuff
AND 
WELCOME TO 2019!!!!! 


We're probably going to post a recap of last year to catch you all up on the crazy things that have been happening, but here are some of the big points: Lia has been blogging away and since she didn't abandon you all (*looks slightly guilty*) you kind of already know what she's been up to. (She also posted a very nice 2018 recap on her personal blog, The Singing Writer.)  I went to college! It was weird. I did good stuff. Ate 5+ dozen dounts by myself (Over the semester, not in one sitting) and also ate a embarassing amount of pizza... It was super weird to be living on my own, paying bills and shopping by myself. Like no. Stop. I cannot adult. And it was really sad going to church all by myself and never getting to see my besties. :( 

BUT NO WORRIES! I'M BACK ON BREAK AND CATHOLIC GIRL STTUFF IS NOT. BUCKLE UP AND GET READING FOR A RIDE INTO CRAZY LAND BECAUSE HERE WE GO!

-K