Robin M Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 (edited) Hello my darlings! It is the start of book week 11 and Mr Linky is now up. Book week 10's mr linky is now closed. K is for K.M. Weiland. I'm spotlighting an author who is new to me and I plan on spotlighting more authors during the year. She's written a great e-book on crafting characters plus a couple interesting fiction books - historical and western that look very interesting. I finished Sartre and haven't decided what I'm going to read next. Once I make up my mind, will let you know. What's coming up on My Two Blessings this week however is a review of Phil Vischer's new "What's in the Bible" dvd series. Remember Veggie Tales. Now he's created a series geared towards kids about reading the bible. Very, very good! Be on the lookout for the first two dvds in the store. I have a request to make: We are having a lot of folks lurking on 52 books but not commenting. I posted a guest post by author Sneed Collard and no one commented. I hope to have more author guest posts in the future, but if no body is going to comment, it is embarrassing to say the least. I had to ask family and friends to comment on his post my blog. It's making me rethink asking for guest author posts either for my blog or 52 books. So would you please read the guest post on 52 books and leave a comment, thanking the author, I would really appreciate it. What are you all reading this week? Edited March 14, 2010 by Mytwoblessings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 This week I finished Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament, Dear Enemy, The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance, and Beneath My Mother's Feet. I'm nearly finished with Sea Glass and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is up next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I finally finished The Swan Thieves, along with a Pterry book and a book on Saxon math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Virginia Dawn Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I'm half-way through Foucault's Pendulum. About 1/4 of the way through I began to feel suspiciously like Alice in Wonderland. Right now I'm sure this book has to be satire or farce, which I didn't realize when I picked it up. It is pretty amusing if it is poking fun at books in that same genre as The Da Vinci Code, you know, where the historical and the mystical are all impossibly related at various levels. If it is not, it is just confusing, so I will maintain my belief that the nonsense is intentional. I will look up something about the author's intent after I'm done with the book. P.S. If you've read it, please, no spoilers. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I finished Alfie Kohn's The Homework Myth which I pretty much agreed with. I have Nurture Shock waiting for me at the library--we'll see how far I get in that this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I finished the other 2 Esquith books (Lighting Their Fire and There are no Shortcuts) as well as YAF Stargirl. Reviews in blog. Not sure about this week. I have a few books I haven't finished but might just move on. I'm looking for a fun and easy novel for the week...any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and am now in the middle of Katherine Stockett's The Help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I am still waiting on several books from the library, but my friend brought over a bunch of books for me. So I am reading The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglei Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I finished: #15 - The Scarlet Thread, by Francine Rivers. Always good writing by this author - I am so glad Hive ladies recommended her! I have FINALLY started a classic, with which I am almost done: #16 - Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton. I first read this as a college freshman and was privileged to have a prof who really knew how to bring books to life, including this one. I am actually re-reading this (for about the third or fourth time over a great many years), and am using my college copy which is literally falling apart - I have gumbands around it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 YIPES!!! I think I lost a week somewhere....But I am ok in the book dept. For weeks 10 and 11 I have read Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse...The 1rst 3 Percy Jackson Books. I am now reading Walkabout while ds reads Book 4. Walkabout is a short book about 2 children stranded in the Austrailian outback because of an airplane crash, their meeting with an aboriginie boy and the quest for safety. So far it is very interesting and I may use it as a living geography for my 11 and 15 y/o's. ~~Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I am still reading Walden by Thoreau but I decided this weekend that I need to read other books at the same time. Thoreau is a bit boring. So I have already finished Long Lost by Harlan Coben and am now on Book #12--Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (I think that is the title. It is so long, I always get it mixed up.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I just started The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt, and it's LONG. 700+ pages. Will have to find something short to read to break it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I'm reading The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, which I saw as a recommendation from someone here at WTM. Thanks, whoever you are -- great book! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Hello my darlings! :) What's coming up on My Two Blessings this week however is a review of Phil Vischer's new "What's in the Bible" dvd series. Remember Veggie Tales. Now he's created a series geared towards kids about reading the bible. Very, very good! Be on the lookout for the first two dvds in the store. We LOVE Phil Vischer. Did you ever read Sidney and Norman? I have a request to make: ...would you please read the guest post on 52 books and leave a comment, thanking the author, I would really appreciate it. I will be sure to comment more at 52 Books. I have a question. Since I don't post reviews at Reading Notes, only quotes and links that pertain to the reading I have been doing, would you mind if I participate by using the Mr. Linky posts and whatnot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 This week's reading was all over the map, and I loved every minute of it. Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry was amazing. I had read that it is a ghost story, and that didn't thrill me. Still, I picked it up from a library shelf on Wednesday and ended up reading through the night. I could not put it down. My son and I were having a discussion about eyewitness testimony, so I pulled Picking Cotton from my shelf to read a passage or two to him. I ended up reading the entire book again. The story is altogether heartbreaking and fascinating. I also read The Help. My thanks to those of you who recommended it last week! It was wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I just started The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt, and it's LONG. 700+ pages. Will have to find something short to read to break it up. I have The Children's Book waiting for me, too. It sounds so good that I can't say what has kept it from moving to the top of my stack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Still working on Quo Vadis..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 This week, I finished... The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers -- I loved it! Moers' creativity just blows me away. If you're looking for something that is not run-of-the-mill, check out Moers' works. and Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls -- I really, really enjoyed this tale of spunky Lily Casey Smith, the author's grandmother. She comes across as a tough, funny, hard-working, creative, and forward-thinking gal. I think the first 2/3 of the book was great, the last 1/3 was good (just not as good as the rest). As I've said before, I also like that Jeannette Walls always writes with an optimism that shines through her characters regardless of the adversities they face. Definitely recommended. Getting ready to start The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. __________________ Last Five Books I've read in 2010: 6. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro 7. Iron & Silk by Mark Salzman 8. Lottery by Patricia Wood 9. The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers 10. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls Loved it. Getting ready to start The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Oh, I really, REALLY loved Elegance of the Hedgehog. Such lovely writing, incredible characters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Oh, I really, REALLY loved Elegance of the Hedgehog. Such lovely writing, incredible characters... Good to know. It is on my list for this year. I hope I can get to it. Right now, I'd rather sleep than read. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I had a fun flick through a Janet Arnold fashion book, and a book on dressmaking with leather. I have no intentions of dressmaking with leather, but the book was $2, so I had to bring it home. You know how it is. :rolleyes: Also, inspired by the reincarnation conversation on here, I read a few books on past lives; Past Lives and Many Lives, Many Masters. I wasn't terribly well this week so I did a lot of reading. As well as the above, I finished off The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie and Mountains of the Dragon, by Helen Leete. I quite enjoyed the latter but was a bit so-so about Rushie's book. I don't really know why, either. Maybe I expect something wondrous from authors I've heard of or something. I've also listened to one of his stories on audio book. They are very dense and well written, but somehow leave me wondering what the point was in a way that I don't feel when I've read less dense, less well written but otherwise enjoyable books. Hmm, anyway... Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Trying to climb back in the wagon...I can't seem to do more than one thing at a time (reading OR homeschooling). I came across a decently priced boxed set of America: The Last Best Hope Volumes I & II by William Bennett at the used bookstore, so I'm reading volume one. While doing R&S Homelands of North America with my 11yo this year, I realized how very little I know about my country and it's founding. So far it's been an enjoyable read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I'm reading The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller. LOVE it. An excellent read for any believer, non-believer, sorta believer, don't wanna believer...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I'm trying to get through a good chunk of Susan Wise Bauer's The History of the Ancient World this week. I managed to get through 75 pages last week and hope to read about as much this week. I still have 300 pages to go. I'm also going to try and finish up Last Child in the Woods, I stalled out about 1/3 of the way through a couple months ago. Crissy, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed Her Fearful Symmetry. I loved The Time Traveler's Wife and have been a bit nervous about trying her next book because of mixed reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I finished The Blind Side - very disappointing. My review is up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 ... I am now reading Walkabout while ds reads Book 4. Walkabout is a short book about 2 children stranded in the Austrailian outback because of an airplane crash, their meeting with an aboriginie boy and the quest for safety. So far it is very interesting and I may use it as a living geography for my 11 and 15 y/o's. Faithe, There is also a movie version of Walkabout. I seem to recall it being something of an art film. I would recommend previewing before watching with children. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Loved it. I got totally drawn to the characters through their voices in their letters, how others described them and in what they did. Also, I was totally drawn into who Elizabeth was. Put that together with the love story and a part of WW II history I knew nothing about, and it was a hit with me. Of course, I've written over 1000 snail mail letters in my past & got a whole bunch too, so that may have made a difference. I don't write too many snail mail letters anymore, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Gate Academy Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I finished Master Your Metabolism by Michaels on Tuesday, but haven't had a chance to work on anything new. This week I'm still working on The Iliad and The Well-Trained Mind. I have Robinson Crusoe and a stack of books related to ancient Rome which I had better plan out before we start next week. Hopefully, I'll get through a lot more books this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 :) We LOVE Phil Vischer. Did you ever read Sidney and Norman? I will be sure to comment more at 52 Books. I have a question. Since I don't post reviews at Reading Notes, only quotes and links that pertain to the reading I have been doing, would you mind if I participate by using the Mr. Linky posts and whatnot? I haven't read Sidney and Norman. Thanks for pointing it out - added it to my wish list. Sure you can link your blog on mr linky each week. I enjoyed reading the different quotes you did. Gave me an idea of the writing and if I wanted to read the books. Great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 I'm having a giveaway of two gift certificates for Phil Vischer's (veggie tales creator) newest DVD series - "what's in the bible." Click on over to My Two Blessings and enter to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I'm having a giveaway of two gift certificates for Phil Vischer's (veggie tales creator) newest DVD series - "what's in the bible." Click on over to My Two Blessings and enter to win. How fun! I entered :D Now I gotta go read :gnorsi: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Whew! I finally finished Inside the Victorian Home. I learned a bit, and frankly I wonder if the woman in the future, reading a book about our time, comes away thinking we were all crazy and baffled at what seems to her to be common sense. For example in my mind it is plain common sense to wash one's hands with soap and water. But before we knew about germs it wasn't common sense. So what things do we do that 150 years from now people will think nuts and tsk tsk at? I will say it took me a long time to read this book because I kept falling asleep. Maybe it was because I was awake a lot at night with my sick baby. However, I found myself nodding off anytime furniture descriptions showed up on the pages. I've started What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew. So far the writing is not quite as dry. Then I think I'll need a break from the Victorians! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Whew! I finally finished Inside the Victorian Home. I learned a bit, and frankly I wonder if the woman in the future, reading a book about our time, comes away thinking we were all crazy and baffled at what seems to her to be common sense. I've started What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew. So far the writing is not quite as dry. Then I think I'll need a break from the Victorians! Is there anything in this book that may be inappropriate for a young teen? My 14 yo dd is a lover of all things Victorian, including literature, history,architecture, furnishings, fashion, you name it. Inside the Victorian Home sounds like something she would really enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Is there anything in this book that may be inappropriate for a young teen? My 14 yo dd is a lover of all things Victorian, including literature, history,architecture, furnishings, fashion, you name it. Inside the Victorian Home sounds like something she would really enjoy. Not at all. She mentions s*x in a footnote saying that it will not be discussed in her book. She talks about how pregnancy was handled then...as in it was not talked about as it was such a private matter, and also that doctors began to take the place of midwives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Not at all. She mentions s*x in a footnote saying that it will not be discussed in her book. She talks about how pregnancy was handled then...as in it was not talked about as it was such a private matter, and also that doctors began to take the place of midwives. Thanks so much! It sounds perfect for my dd (me too, actually!) I have no problem with mature themes, but would like to avoid books with gratuitous or graphic s*x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txbloobonnet Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I posted a comment. I understand how awkward that could be and I really enjoyed learning more about Mr. Collard. I am behind in my reading but I know I will catch up as soon as this busy part of the school year gets wrapped up. (I am so thankful for beginnings AND endings!!!! So ready for a break!!) I just finished The Solitary Envoy for book club. Not a favorite. And I am currently reading The House at Riverton. I loved The Forgotten Garden by the same author (Kate Morton) so had high hopes for this book. I am not quite sucked in yet...but I still have hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Does anyone count read alouds? I keep a list each year of the books I read. I'm wondering if I should include read alouds? I don't mean picture books of course, but some of the classics maybe? For example I just finished The Enchanted Castle BTW, it'll be a long time before I read another Nesbit. That book took me forever to read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) This week I finished: The Substitute Guest - Grace Livingston Hill I, Claudius - Robert Graves (this is a re-read - a favorite! I need to get the next one too, Claudius the God) Astra - Grace Livingston Hill Edited March 20, 2010 by Dana in OR finished the books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I, Claudius - Robert Graves (this is a re-read - a favorite!) I read this in February after a recommendation on these forums. (Was it you? :)) It was fabulous! I really enjoyed it, and can see myself reading it again. I finished The Crystal Cave last night. Excellent! I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. Now I need to find something else fun and light for vacation reading on the beach in Cuba next week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Finally finished a book! Man, I have kicked so many books to the curb in the last 2 weeks. Here's my latest read. Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of the Species by Sean Carroll. And my review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I've started What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew. So far the writing is not quite as dry. Then I think I'll need a break from the Victorians! If you like that sort of book, there is one about Elizabethan England called Elizabeth's London by Liza Picard. The subtitle is Everyday Life in Elizabethan London. There are even photos of artwork, etc, from the era, some of them in colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 Start of a new book week -- Link to week 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 This week, in addition to reading more of SWB's The History of the Ancient World, I read two silly YA Fairie-genre books: Wondrous Strange and Darklight. The writing wasn't so great but they were quick reads and I wasn't feeling well, so I had the time. I wouldn't really recommend either of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanAR Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 May I post here?:001_smile: I'm not sure which "reading group" I joined:tongue_smilie: So... I finally finished Sharon Penman's trilogy - When Christ and His Saints Slept, Time and Chance, and The Devil's Brood (wow, almost 2000 pages total) I learned a lot but need a break before I read more of her books. The Chatham School Affair http://www.amazon.com/Chatham-School-Affair-Thomas-Cook/dp/0553571931 - very thought-provoking The Dogs of Riga http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Riga-Henning-Mankell/dp/1400031524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269207737&sr=1-1 Last night I started The Girl With a Dragon Tatoo. The last three are very different from what I usually read, but I needed a few light reads. KWIM?? I plan to read Middlemarch next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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