Book Club...

It has been so long since I have posted for the Book Club, you're probably thinking I gave up reading!  Ha Ha ...not even sort of!  This has been a fantastic summer for reading...here are some of my favorites:

* The Deathly Hollows by JK Rowling...I just had to do a reread of this amazing book before the final movie in the series came out.  There are several reasons I love these books and character development is on the top of the list.  She writes these kids so well, their growing up is absolutely believable and she's captured their idiosyncracies so well.  There are many people I've heard complaining about the movies vs the books...nonsense!  Each series, the movies and the books, are unique and amazing.  You really have to treat them independently of each other.  That said, I just love this book!

* The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Lorraine DesPres...I asked a friend of mine to name her all-time favorite book and this was the first title she mentioned.  It's interesting to intentionally read someone else's favorite book!  The title does not dissappoint...this is a bit meatier than a beach read and you'll be cheering for Sissy at the end.

For some reason I've read a couple really interesting books about traumatic brain injury...
* The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan...this book explores the relationship between best friends and what happens when one is critically, personality-changingly injured. 

*Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson...remember 50 first dates?  This book sort of starts there...the main character wakes up and doesn't know who she is or where she is.  She finds photos on the mirror and notes around the house.  Eventually she finds a daily journal she's been keeping, with a note on the front page that clearly states don't trust your husband.  The mystery surrounding this story line will keep you reading and keep you guessing.

* Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese...I have been seeing this book all over and kept putting off picking it up.  Once I started, I was hooked.  It's an epic with international and medical storylines that surround twins born to a nun in an Ethiopian hospital.  I can't possibly do this story justice in such a sort format...read this book - you won't be disappointed!

and...

* The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb...Here's one of my favorite things about my Kindle.  I pre-ordered this book a couple of months ago.  The other day I turned on Kindle and there's the book, ready and waiting to be read!  This author is amazing!  I have read all her books {and talked about them in the Book Club} Her style is outspoken and brash...she doesn't mince words.  Her characters are flawed and real.  This story will break your heart but you will be standing on the couch cheering for these women at the end.  If you don't read anything else this summer, read this book!

These are not all the books I've read this summer, but they are some of my favorites!  What have you been reading?  What is your all-time favorite book? {I want to read it!}  Have you read any of these?  What did you think?

Happy Summer Reading

Book Club Friday...

Happy Friday everyone!  It's been a while since we've had a Book Club Friday!  It's good to be back, regularly posting and blogging.  I'm excited to hear about what you've been reading and what you're looking forward to reading.  If you're new to the Book Club...this is the most low-key Book Club you'll ever join.  I'll share what I've been reading and what I am looking forward to reading...you join in the comments.  Have you read the same book?  Are you reading something different you'd like to share?  It's all about sharing a love of reading!

Do you remember in high school, reading the book and then watching the movie?  Well, I have been waiting to see the production of Wicked for about 5 years!  Last weekend was the big day...this show is amazing.  If you get the chance, see it!  I was blown away...the music is phenomenal, the stage & costumes are wonderful and the story is captivating. 

I've told people that Wicked is, to me, much like Harry Potter.  A fabulous book and a fabulous show that have characters & settings in common.  The production of Wicked does not begin to take in the breadth of the book...but it tells a perfect story for that context.

Ok...it is the Book Club after all!  Prior to the show I decided to start re-reading the book.  I have read all three books in the trilogy by Gregory Maguire...Wicked, Son of a Witch and  A Lion Among Men.

Book:  Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Why Did You Pick it Up?  As mentioned, I wanted to reread the book before I saw the show.  As it turned out, I had a very busy week and didn't finish the book.  Actually, I'm still enjoying it today.

Why Did You Keep Reading?  When I read A Lion Among Men, it had been a couple years since I had initially read Wicked.  There were many references that I didn't remember and I had a hard time really recalling the story line.  This time through Wicked, I have the background of the whole trilogy {and the lovely memory of the show!}  It's made the book much more vivid.  There are references and foreshadowing I am noticing that I hadn't recognized before and the symbolism & metaphor of the basic story line are much easier to pick up and understand.  (love that runon sentence!)  The book is so peculiar, it's interesting.  I am completely engrossed in the story.

What Are You Taking Away From the Book?  I am fascinated by the development of the characters.  A couple of the highlights I made:
 " 'I don't read very well.  So I don't think very well either.'  Glinda smiled. 'I dress to kill though' " 

 " 'Look, the poor - I mean are they the poor? The hungry of Oz? From the failed farms? Or is it just the - the surplus? The expendable human selvage?' " 

There is so much going on in this story...so much to think about and hold my own ideas up against.  It's a challenging book ethically, morally, politically...it's fascinating!

I hope your week was a good one and that your weekend will bring you adventure and joy?

See you next week!

Still taking a break...but...

...I couldn't resist responding to this Working Mommy Wednesday prompt...

Do you enjoy reading?  What are some of your favorite books?

I am fond of saying that I read like some people breathe.  Really, I read all the time...every day!  At times it's more like an addiction...if I don't read I get cranky and jittery and cranky...really cranky!

So, yes, I enjoy reading.  In fact I have a weekly Book Club right here on this very blog...

you can join me every Friday to hear about what I have been reading, chime in on the books you've read and share your own favorites.  I will actually begin posting the Book Club again this week, so pop back over on Friday.

What are some of my favorite books?  Wow...that's a tough question.  I truly read everything and my favorite is often the most recent book I've read.  If I were to think about all the books I've read though, these are the ones that stand out as my all-time favorites...

•  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - this is my favorite because it was my introduction to Ms. L'Engle.  I have read and I own every book she's written.
• Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson - I read this at least 10 times when I was growing up...my inner 13 year old couldn't get enough
• Centennial by James Michener - he's my go-to author when I need an epic, sink-your-teeth-into-it novel and this is my favorite so far
• The Outlander Series - I love these books...great detail, great story line, and really long (my habit gets expensive!)
• Jodi Picoult- I know she's an author but I've also read everything she's written and she is one of my favorites
• Barbara Kingsolver- I know, I know another author...seriously it's hard to pick just books.  I have read all of her books as well and there's a great deal of variety in her story telling but I love the common themes.
• Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature by David Quammen - this is the first collection of science essays or articles that I ever read.  It's still my favorite and introduced me to a whole new genre which I love!
• Winnie - the - Pooh by A.A. Milne - I never get tired of the life lessons shared in the 100 Acre wood.

My tastes are eclectic and I'll read almost anything.  What are some of your favorite books?

Linking up with the Julia and the other moms for Working Mommy Wednesday...

Book Club Friday...

I hope you've all had a fantastic week!  Mine has been excellent...this week I celebrated my oldest son's 12th birthday, and my own birthday too.  We share the day, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I've been a bit spoiled this year, and have been enjoying reading on my new Kindle the past couple of days! 

The book I have to share this week is so much fun...

The Secret Lives of Dresses by Eric McKean

Why did you pick it up?  Actually, I was wandering through a book store with my mom and she picked it up first.  I was in the middle of a book that wasn't really captivating and this one sounded more interesting.

What kept you reading?  I immediately cared about the characters.  Dora is called back to her home town following her Grandmother's stroke.  The whole book takes place within just a few weeks time.  Dora has never really examined who she is and who she wants to be.  Her grandmother's hospitalization, provides that motivation.  Dora's grandmother owns "Mimi's", a vintage clothing store.  One afternoon a customer prompts Dora to look for a "secret life" and Dora discovers a collection of short stories, all focusing on the secret lives of individual dresses.  It is through these secret lives, that Dora discovers her real one.

What stuck with you?  I loved reading about the relationship between Dora and her grandmother.  Though my relationship with my Gram is much different than Dora's, it is equally strong and motivating.  The thought of being so intentional about what you wear, how it is a window into who you are, is an interesting idea also and something I have pondered in the last couple of days since I finished the book.  Finally, I was intrigued by the coming of age story of Dora...it was a bit predictable in terms of story line, but touching and I truly enjoyed reading her story.

What are you reading?  I would love to hear. 

Let me know if you decide to pick up "The Secret Lives of Dresses" and what you think!

Book Club Friday...

Ahhh...Spring Break!  I have had a great week...lots of time to play with the kids...lots of time to curl up with a good book!

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Why did I pick it up?  I have read all of the author's earlier books and really enjoyed them.  I actually pre-ordered this book and it showed up on my Kindle the day it was released.

Why did I keep reading?  One of the things I enjoy about her books is the light weaving of magic throughout the story line.  It's not a fantasy book, it's grounded in the modern day but...there is this little thread of magic that dances through the story line.  I love the stories she tells.  Like her other books, The Peach Keeper was primarily about relationships and finding oneself.  This one was also a bit of a mystery.  The story was engaging and the characters were people I cared about.  I was particularly interested in the idea of a social club started by the grandmothers of the current members.  The idea of three generations of friends intrigues me.

What stuck with me?  I loved this quote, "She walked out into the sunshine, smiling.  Fate never promises to tell you everything up front.  You aren't always shown the path in life you're supposed to take." Looking back on the story, it was perfect for relaxing at the end of a busy, full day.

What have you been reading?  Is there anything that's stuck with you?  Share it!

Happy Weekend...Happy Reading!

Book Club Friday...

I read a really good book this past week, and I've been looking forward to sharing it with you...

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

Why did you pick up this book?  A Facebook friend suggested the title, saying that she couldn't put it down.  I'd seen it on a couple of book lists and had already been considering it, so with her recommendation I read it.

What kept you reading?  I enjoyed the voice of the storytellers.  The story is about three adult sisters who, for a variety of reasons, have returned home.  The story is told in plural first person, as though all three sisters are telling the story.  It's an intriguing way to tell a story and I don't remember having read anything like it.  I was completely pulled into the story of these sisters as they uncovered why they were home, how their relationships worked {or didn't} and the way they dealt with their mother's cancer treatment.  There were also some great lines..."We were fairly certain that if anyone made public the various and variegated ways in which being an adult sucked eggs, more people would opt out entirely."    "Because despite his money and his looks and all the good-on-paper attributes he possessed, he was not a ready, and, well, let's just say that is the sort of nonsense up with which we will not put"     "We have always wondered why there is not more research done on the children of happy marriages...How can we ever hope to find a love to live up to that?"

What stayed with you?  I have always been curious about the realtionships between adult siblings.  The sisters stuck with me because they weren't perfect, in fact they were very human.  Their past was very much a part of their present, and in some ways they were stuck because of that.  Once each sister realized her potential, separate from the other two, she was able to move forward into something new.  It was interesting to read and very well written.

What's next?  As I was closing out this book, a new book popped up on my Kindle's home screen.  I preordered, The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen  quite a while ago and I get to start reading it tonight!  I loved the author's previous books and I am imagining a delightful read.  Of course, I will share it with you all next week.

Your turn...what are you reading?  Have you read any of the Book Club books?  I love to hear about all the good reads out there...leave a comment and share.  Have a fantastic weekend!

Book Club...

I have had a really busy couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading up a storm also.  Reading is my escape and my relaxation...so when the days get long and busy, I am often burning the candle at both ends as I read {like a deep, relaxing breath of fresh air} long into the night.  I have a couple of great books to share...

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult...I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan and this book did not disappoint.  It's told in several voices which is a story telling style I really enjoy.  It gives such a deeper perspective when you hear parts of the story in the characters voice.  As with many of her books, there is an ethical issue central to the theme and I was hooked into this one.  Spoiler Alert... this story dealt with gay marriage & relationships, religious conviction & religious bullying and frozen embryos.  Wow!  I loved every minute of this story and often wondered where it was going to end.  The only disappointment for me was that the author incorporated music into each chapter...since I was reading it on my Kindle, I didn't have access to the music.  This is the first Jodi Picoult book I have read on my Kindle and, frankly, I am pretty sure I want to have the actual book on my living room bookshelf.  So, I'll get the CD when I buy the hardcover book.  I would love to hear from any of you who read this book...there are a few points that would be interesting to discuss!

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom...I found this book wandering through book lists on Amazon and it really surprised me.  The story is set in the late 1700's on a plantation.  Two voices tell the story, Belle - a slave who is the daughter of the white plantation owner, and Lavinia - a young white indentured servant who is given to Belle.  The author takes a reader through the lives of the owners and slaves over about twenty years.  Not always easy to read, the story is compelling.  I have always been intrigued by books that open a window into another life and this one does that so well.  The characters had amazing depth and I was drawn to their stories and their lives. 

I would love to hear about what you're reading, especially if you've enjoyed one of these two books.  Join me...leave a comment and share what's on your bookshelf!

Have a great weekend...Happy Reading!



Book Club Friday...

Happy Friday everyone...I hope you have all had a great week with great books!

This week:  I am so excited to talk about...

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

This book just grabbed me and I felt like it was written for me.  My favorite aspect of this story is the blending of science and mythology.  The main characters are a witch and a vampire, living in a modern world that also includes daemons and humans.  The witch, Diana, has chosen not to use her powers in order to excel in her career on her own merits.  She's a Scientific Historian with an emphasis on Alchemists.  The background on alchemy and early alchemists that the author brings to this story is fascinating.  The vampire, Matthew, is 1500 years old and a doctor several times over.  He's currently studying the DNA of vampires, witches and daemons in order to understand their evolution.  The references to Darwin along with Newton and other scientists are perfectly intwined with the notion of vampiric evolution.

The heart of this story is Diana and Matthew's introduction and thier journey to learn about a book, about each other and, of course, to save their world.  The story has all the best elements of a good, well-told story...believable, rich characters, romance, heroism, a secret capable of destroying their world and a rush to save the world.  There is nothing trite or 2-dimensional about this story...it's an epic told in the best way.

The only disappointing thing about this book is the fact that it is the first in a trilogy...there is no conclusion, merely the end of a chapter and when a reader turns the page there is no more.  I hope Deborah Harkness is writing quickly!

I also read & enjoyed:

Room by Emma Donoghue ...trust me on this one!  It came highly recommended from a good friend of mine and I nearly gave up on the first chapter.  Keep reading...it's worth it!

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah...it was interesting that I read these two in this order.  Magic Hour has some similarities to Room, that make them an intriguing pair.

Next Week: I will be sharing my thoughts on Sing Me Home by Jodi Picoult...actually I will be curling up with that as soon as I post this to my blog!

Now it's your turn...what have you been reading?  Have you read this book?  I would love to hear about all the amazing books on your end table!

Disclaimer:  I get no compensation from the author's, publishers or Amazon.  The links are merely to make it easier for you to visualize the book.  I have purchased and read all the mentioned books on my own, and the opinions are all mine.

Book Club Friday...

It's the last Friday in February, so it's the last of my All-Time Favorite Books book club!  I have really struggled to decide which book I want to share with you this week.

When I finished reading Centennial by James Michener, I declared that it was one of the best books that I had ever read.  I've since reread the book, and I've read many of Michener's other books.

There are several aspects of Michener's books that I truly enjoy.  Centennial  is the complete story of a place in Colorado.  As is true of many of Michener's books, this one starts with the geology of the place.  He tells the story of the mountains, rising from the actions of tectonic plates and being eroded away.  I realize this might not be appealing to everyone, but the scientist in me loves reading the geology through a narrative.  Michener follows the geology, with the indigenous plants and animals, touching on the evolution of the organisms that occupied the place long before humans.  Once the place is established, Michener tells the story of the people. 

The back of the book sums it up much better than I can, "Here is the story of the land and its people - of Lame Beaver, the Arapaho chieftain and warrior, and his Comanche and Pawnee enemies; of Levi Zendt, fleeing with his child bride from the Amish country in Pennsylvania; and of the cowboy Jim Lloyd, who falls in love with a wealthy and cultured English woman, Charlotte Seccombe.  It is a story of trappers, traders, homesteaders, gold seekers, ranchers and hunters - all caught up in the dramatic events and violent conflicts that shaped the destiny of our legendary West."

You just can't find a better epic novel than James Michener.  With all the snow and winter storms, now is the perfect time to settle into a wonderful read.  My favorites of his include Centennial, Hawaii  and Alaska.

I hope you have wonderful reading!  I'd love to hear about your favorites!

The regular Book Club will resume next Friday...I will be sharing my thoughts on A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.  Please join the conversation if you're reading this one, or please share whatever books you're currently enjoying.  If there's enough interest, I will add a linky tool so you can link up your own posts.

More of my Favorite Books...

I've been looking forward to sharing this week's selection of favorite books....

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

 

I was introduced to Harry Potter by Chris, a 4th grader I had in my class several years ago.  At that time we ended the day with a read aloud and Chris really wanted me to read Harry Potter.  From the first page, I was hooked!  I have loved every word on every page.  Prior to the release of the 6th book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I reread the entire series.  Though I had thoroughly enjoyed the books on my first trip through, it was in the rereading that I truly came to appreciate the genius of the author.  Knowing the whole story, upon rereading I was impressed with how clearly she knew the entire story when she began writing.  There are small details and pages of fore-shadowing that weren't nearly as recognizable on my first trip through the books.  

The character development is astonishing and I came to love the characters.  I was also surprised with the author's ability to continue to surprise the reader.  It's not often, that I fall in love with an entire series.  Too frequently, I feel like the author loses quality in the story line in response to audience pressure to release books.  That is not the case here...the final book is actually better than the first. 

I am not the only member of my family who fell in love with Harry Potter.  We were all able to visit Hogwarts and Hogsmeade (at Universal Studios: Islands of Adventure) last November.  My oldest son, Connar was chosen by Ollivander himself for a custom wand fitting ...

...and we all had fun brandishing our wands throughout the park.  Our imagination was so captivated, that for an afternoon we were in Hogsmeade, brushing shoulders with the wizarding world. 

If you haven't yet dove into the world of Harry Potter, I so encourage you to pick up that first book.  They make delightful read-alouds...particularly if you like to do different voices while you read...and the stories will carry you effortlessly to a wonderful, magical world!

Just one more week of favorite books before we return to our regular book club...

What are you reading?

More Favorite Books...

I am really excited to share this week's book.  Ok, it's not a single book at all...I can't narrow my library down that much.  It's an author, though I have a couple of favorites within her collections.

Jodi Picoult is another of my all-time favorite authors.  As with last week's author, I think that I have all the books she has in print (and I was excited to find her "Kindle Short" last week...three short stories.)  With each of her books, Jodi explores aspects of human nature through events or circumstances.  Her character development is amazing and I am always slightly tired after reading one of her books.  It's almost as if I am sharing the experience with her characters.  

"The Pact" is the first book I read by Jodi Picoult.  It chronicles the relationship of two teenagers, from childhood into High School.  At the same time the children are building a relationship, so are their mothers and families.  Through several circumstances, the kids decide to make a suicide pact...tragically this results in the death of one and the survival of the other.  This talented author dives into the mind and the hearts of all the people involved and explores what happens to the relationships and to the people left behind.

I've read "Nineteen Minutes" a couple of times.  In the opening pages of this book a boy walks into a school and in 19 minutes wreaks havoc with a gun.  The book tells the story in two directions...what led up to the shooting and what happened after.  As a mom of boys, as a public school teacher...this book has something compelling to share.  I often find myself asking, "Would I do things the same way?  How is this mother like me?"  

Jodi provides a context to examine my opinions and my feelings, to reflect on similar circumstances, to wonder.  I love reading books that open a window to a world that is not my own, but a world in which I am invited to take temporary residence.  Her books are thoughtful, insightful, powerful and wonderful. 

I am particularly excited to read her newest book...pre-ordered through my Kindle. On March 1, I'll open my book and be greeted with "Sing You Home".  You can bet, I'll tell you all about it.

Have you read any Jodi Picoult?  What's your favorite? 

Happy Reading!

My Favorite Books...

This month the Book Club is all about Favorite Books...

Today I am featuring my all-time favorite author and the book that introduced me to her

I have been reading Madeleine L'Engle since I was in the 5th grade.  I can actually remember Mr. Nelson starting to read this book aloud to us in class.  He read about two chapters and was the first teacher to say to me, "That's all I'm reading.  If you like it, now it's your turn to read."  I was already an avid reader but I devoured Madeleine's books.  She does feel like a close personal friend.  

 A Wrinkle in Time is one of two books of Madeleine's that I have autographed.  I also have a collection of "covers" of this book.  I have four different covers, though I only had two at hand when I took the picture.  This book has really stuck with me through my whole life...it was an introduction to characters that I followed through 5 more books, and an introduction to an author that I have been reading ever since.  I own every book of Madeleine's that is still in print, and several that are out of print.  Her books feel like close personal friends.

A Wrinkle in Time is an intriguing book, one that is difficult to slot into a specific category.  On the surface it's a fantasy...three children traveling through time and space to rescue their father.  But beneath that superficial story is so much more.  There's a story about the lengths we'll go to, to save someone we love.  A story about evil, and how insidious it can be.  A commentary on the world and world politics.  The foundation of an enduring love story. A metaphor for religion.  This book is phenomenal!

Many people know of A Wrinkle in Time, and this book is part of her collection that is more oriented towards young adult readers.  She also has several fictional books for adults, several collections of poetry and a collection of non-fiction.  My favorite non-fiction book is, A Two-Part Invention, in which she writes of her marriage.  I have been inspired, comforted, challenged, and rewarded by the books of Madeleine L'Engle...she has a very special place in my heart and on my bookshelves. (In fact there's at least one of her books on every shelf I have!)

I'm excited to share some of my favorite books with you this month...what are some of your favorites?

I Love Reading...

I ran across a great book this week that I have really been enjoying...
You Know When the Men are Gone by Siobhan Fallon

This is a collection of short stories all centered around Fort Hood, a large army base in Texas.  The author tells stories of military families.  She talks about what it's like when husbands deploy for a year.  How couples deal with the separation.  She tells stories of Iraq and Afghanistan  and how the soldiers stationed there feel.  She talks about how hard it is, on wives and husbands, when the men return.  The author paints a compelling portrait of the life of soldiers and their families.

I highly recommend this collection.   One of my favorite sorts of books is the type that gives a reader a glimpse into a world that is not her own.  This book does just that...lets us look into the world of an army wife, the world of a soldier and gives us a chance to understand.


In honor of Valentine's Day, all February Book Club posts will be about my all time favorite books.  What are your favorites?  Could you choose just four?  Join the conversation and share the books you love!

Book Club Friday...

I just finished the best book and I can't wait to share it with you...

Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen  I have been enjoying Anna Quindlen lately and I am still reading her collection of essays, Loud and Clear.  This book, Rise and Shine is set in New York and tells a story of sisters, a story of finding yourself, a story of relationships and growing up, and a story that pulls the reader in and doesn't let go until the last page.

A quote that stuck with me, "There are no sides.  You love somebody and you help them, and you give them a break.  And they do things you don't like but you love them so you go along."

I also appreciate her perspective on being a mom, "Children blow up your life and then they leave."  This book runs the gamut on emotions and tells a story that captivated me. 

What's next? I think I am going to stick with Anna Quindlen for a bit and pick up Black and Blue.  I really need a book that I can sink into right now, and this one seems like it has nothing in common with my life. 

What will you be reading this weekend?

What have you been reading?

 

There are simply too many good books in this world...I am doing my best to get through them all but they keep writing more!

What I've Read...

Water Witches by Chris Bohjalian  I have always liked Chris Bohjalian and this is one of his books that has been on my wish list for a while.  It was perfect reading for winter vacation.  The book is about a family of water dowsers, one of whom is married to a lawyer who's a lobbyist for the ski industry in Vermont.  He is also the point of view through which the story is told.  Through the story his personal ideas about the environment are shaken and challenges him professionally.  It's a compelling story about how our atitudes and perspectives change, particularly as we see the world through the eyes of our children.  This book is so good, I highly recommend it!

What I'm Reading...

Loud and Clear by Anna Quindlen Here's another favorite author of mine.  I stumbled across this collection of essay's and articles while I was shopping in the Kindle Store :)  I appreciate the author's opinion and perspective on the world, and on raising a family.  It's been fun to have a collection of essays on my Kindle because sometimes I don't have time to settle into the book I'm reading.  These are like reading snacks!

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes my good friend has been raving about Sushi for Beginners by the same author.  When I searched for it, I realized that I had already read that one, but The Other Side of the Story looked like fun.  Right now, with going back to work and settling back into the regular routine, I am in the mood for a fun, light story.  I am only into the first chapter...but it's definitely going to be a fun read. 

What are you reading right now?  What great books have you recently finished?  Join the Book Club!

My Favorite Books of 2010...

For the Book Club this week, I am going to share with you my favorite books of 2010! 

• The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson...I read all three of the Millenium Trilogy books but this one was my favorite.  Reading them out of order, I read this one first, and was completely captivated by Lizbeth Salander.  This is a must-read series!
• Resistance by Anita Shreve...This book is set during WWII and tells a compelling story about a Belgian woman and an American pilot.  The title says it all...on many levels...  This is my favorite of all of Anita Shreve's books that I have read.
•  Baker Tower by Jennifer Haigh...I love an epic and this was also the first book I'd read by this author.  She tells a 60 year story about a mining town and the relationships & connections between the people who live and work there.  It was an excellent book!
• The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan...Kids need amazing and compelling stories to read!  Rick Riordan captivated my 11 year old and I just had to see what the fuss was all about...his stories appeal to the imagination, blend historical fiction and twisted fairy tales, and pull you into a great hero's journey!  Fantastic!  {The movie was ok...but you have to read the books first}
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett...I avoided reading this book for a long time and I'm not sure why.  I finally picked it up on the suggestion of a book-loving friend {thanks Colette} and I was hooked.  This is a story that I hadn't really considered before.  One of my favorite types of books are those that set the reader down in a time and place that are unfamiliar and teach you something new about a way of life.  This book accomplished that brilliantly!
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Schaffer...This is one of the best books I have ever read.  For weeks after I finished it, I tried to talk everyone I know into reading it for themselves.  It's so artfully written and tells such a compelling story.  I love books with rich character developement, so much so that you feel each character is a real person.  This is brilliant and you won't regret reading it...in fact pick it up right now if you haven't already read it!  You must read this book!
• The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen...I just got swept away by this author and read everything she has in print.  I wrote in my book journal that this was my favorite of all her books.  She artfully combines just a little bit of magic into an otherwise lovely story about life.  Just that little touch of magic lends such a touch charm...in this book, books follow the main character Chloe around, as a way of telling her something important.  This is a really fun, relaxing read.
• The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb...I also got swept away by this author and read all of her books this summer.  She has such an irreverant style of writing, that simultaneously cracked me up and reduced me to tears.  Her books handle heavy life issues with this touch of serious irreverance and the result is a truly satisfying read.
•  The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah..This was a delightful summer read.  Her characters are well written and this was a really good story.  Loved it!
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins...I read all three books in this trilogy and the first one was my favorite.  There so many dimensions to this story line, and frequently I thought about how I would teach this or discuss it with my own kids.  Reading the trilogy, especially Mockingjay, also challenged my opinions of censorship for kids.  I enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity, if only within my own mind, to use the book to examine my opinions.  These are pretty powerful books.

So there it is, my top 10...although I cheated a little and included series and trilogies.  It was hard to narrow down a whole year's worth of reading to just 10 books.  Are any of these on your Top 10?  Are any of these decidedly NOT on your Top 10?  I'd love to hear your opinions as well as your favorite books of the year!

Happy Reading!

Winter Reading...

Winter is one of my favorite times to curl up with a good book!  Ok, who am I kidding, it's just my current favorite time to curl up with a good book...I love all seasons really...

I recently finished Fall of Giants by Ken Follett and I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Why did I pick it up?  I was looking forward to settling in with a great epic novel.  I've read Folletts books Pillars of the Earth and World Without End and they were tremendous!  I was hoping for that ability to sink into an amazing story with this book.

Why did I keep reading?  It was a good story.  The setting is just prior to, and during, World War 1 and as far as historical fiction goes this was pretty interesting.  I learned a lot about the political posturing from different countries leading up to the war and some of the ridiculous moves made by military leaders during the war.  It was interesting but it really wasn't riveting...which was what I wanted.

What stuck with me?  I was kind of glad when I finished to be honest.  The author intends for this to be a trilogy and I am not sure I will bother with the next three.

What's coming up for the Book Club?

• I am currently reading I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg and so far this is a captivating and intriguing book.  The character development is rich...I am only 29% into the book and I deeply care about what happens to these people.  The author is also pretty talented with foreshadowing and I am so curious about how this story will play out.  You can read along and share your thoughts about the book over the next couple of weeks.
• Next week I will publish my Top Ten list of books read in 2010 and I would love to hear about your favorites.  Start getting your list together and link it up next week!  

Happy Reading

What's on your Night Stand...

Last week at the Book Club, I shared that this is the season for the epic novel!



I have been reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follett.  This book is not a quick read, but I sure have been sucked into the story.  Reading on a Kindle is a bit different than a paper book, as I am not sure what page I am on but I am about 25% of the way through the book.

I have been introduced to a large cast of European characters from coal miners and house maids, to Russian soldiers to aristocracy.  The strings of the story connecting these people are loose right now, but I can see that they will be drawn together and connected further.  At the point in which I am reading Europe is on the brink of  World War l and the reader is privy to both drawing room speculation and working class participation in war preparation.

I love sinking my teeth into a deep, good book and this one is perfect.  I don't know much about World War l and while this is certainly historical fiction, I appreciate the sense of how people lived and how decisions were made.

If you're reading along, what are your thoughts?  If not, what are you reading right now? Do you have any great book recommendations?

Curling up with a Good Book...

The days are getting shorter...the weather getting colder...the rainy days more frequent...some people turn to comfort foods in the fall and winter.  I look around for a great book to submerge myself in.  There's nothing better than a cold day, a warm quilt and a great book.  Fall is my season for an epic novel. 



I am excited to start reading...

Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
This book is meant to be the first of three historical novels, called the Century Trilogy, and follows five families through World War 1.  Having read his earlier books, Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, I am looking forward to this massive book.

It's loaded up on my Kindle and ready for Saturday morning!

You can read along with me and share your thinking each week when I post the book club.  Or, please share any of the good books you're reading.  Fall is the season for curling up with a good book.

Book Club...

 Last week was crazy and I missed the Book Club.  We're back this week, though and ready to share some great reads.



I finished  The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Why did I pick it up?  This one was recommended to me by a friend who hadn't yet finished it when she suggested the book.  She said it was interesting, and was told through the perspective of a young girl.  I was intrigued enough to give it a read.

Why did I keep reading? This book captivated me.  The premise is that the main character, Rose, can taste the prevailing emotions of the cook in the food she eats.  This discovery is made while eating her mother's lemon cake... and she experiences the sadness of her mother.  Through a bit of trial and error, she is able to label her experience and begins a life of avoiding freshly prepared foods.  She finds that she can also identify factories, farms, and cities of origin of the ingredients in her foods.  I was interested in this perspective for telling a story and the authors idea of talents Rose's brother and father may have had.  Through the story, I kept hoping for Rose to find her own happiness and I was curious what form it would take.  I was surprised, but not disappointed.

What stuck with me? Rose learns so much about the people around her through the food they make, and is frequently taken advantage of for this very skill.  I wondered about how she was defined by this experience and how her life may have been different without this perception.  I have also spent some time thinking about her brother and the curious experiments and choices he made.  {I won't say more, you'll have to read for yourself!}

What's coming up...I have been thinking about generating more conversation about the books.  While I love to share what I am reading, it would be great to generate some conversation through the comments too.  This week, please leave a suggestion for books to read.  Next week, I'll post the list and an order for reading.  That way we can read and chat together.