Robin M Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Happy May! Today is the start of week 18 in our quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks. Welcome to everyone who is just joining in, welcome back to our regulars and to all who are following our progress. Mr. Linky is all set up on the 52 books blog to link to your reviews. The link is in my signature. 52 Books Blog - Q is for Queen. Since all eyes on England due to the royal wedding, a bit of trivia about the royal house. Did you know May is Get Caught Reading Month, Better Hearing and Speech Month and Creative Beginnings Month. See this site to see what else is being celebrated this month. What are you reading this week? Link to week 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 This week I read "The Sandlewood Tree" by Elle Newmark. Fabulous historical fiction novel. Also read "Hush" by Cherry Adair - romantic suspense with a tiny bit of paranormal thrown in. Not sure what going to read next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglei Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 This week I finished: #30 - The Fortunate Calamity, by "Pansy" (Mrs. G.R. Alden). An old book (c1927), its' appeal was the author. Pansy was a pen name for Isabella Alden, who was the aunt of Grace Livingston Hill and who encouraged Grace in her writing. It was as expected - easy reading, uplifting. #31 - Leaving a Trace: On Keeping a Journal, by Alexandra Johnson. The second subtitle is, "The Art of Transforming a Life into Stories." Quick reading. Some good ideas. Encouraging. The author intersperses quotes and stories from those both famous and not who have kept journals, and the ones who have parlayed them into something more. Am currently reading: #32 - Bryson City Secrets, by Walter Larimore, MD. This is the third (and I think final) in this non-fiction series, whose cover description is, "Even more tales of a small-town doctor in the Smokey Mountains." Along with the first two books, Bryson City Tales and Bryson City Seasons, he details his and his family's transition into his first medical practice in a small, rural area. Quick reading, filled with his adventures - and misadventures. Many of his stories incorporate his Christian faith. Not sure what I'll read next, but my list of "wanna-reads" is growing, as is my desire to reread some books . . . So many books, so little time . . . :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 This week I read "The Sandlewood Tree" by Elle Newmark. Fabulous historical fiction novel. This looks really, really good. Adding it to my (ever-growing) list. I read Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli, who runs one of the biggest HP fansites----The Leaky Cauldron. Interesting look at the crazy phenomenal success of Harry Potter, as well as a look at the fans themselves. Who would've guessed Harry Potter would even inspire a new genre of music? Wizard Rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Reading an extremely painful book, which I keep thinking that I should not be reading since I'm such a wimp. Very important nonetheless. The Holocaust, history of Israel, Anne Frank ... all of that fascinates me and gets me going. I just love, love, love Israel and cannot wait to re-visit there in a few months. :) Yet, this book is horribly sad. :( :( :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 (edited) I managed to get very little reading done this week. Still working on A Red Herring without Mustard. Books read in 2011: The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag People Die Three Ways to Capsize a Boat The Perfect Man The Abyssinian Food Rules Empress Orchid Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel A Voyage Long and Strange All the Names When We Were Orphans Her Fearful Symmetry Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun The Guinea Pig Diaries 13, rue Thérèse The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno Twelve Fingers Fatu-Hiva Apartment Therapy Haroun and the Sea of Stories The Broom of the System Well-Schooled in Murder Edited May 1, 2011 by Stacia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 (edited) Reading an extremely painful book, which I keep thinking that I should not be reading since I'm such a wimp. Very important nonetheless. The Holocaust, history of Israel, Anne Frank ... all of that fascinates me and gets me going. I just love, love, love Israel and cannot wait to re-visit there in a few months. :) Yet, this book is horribly sad. :( :( :( Wiesel is difficult to read, though he captures the heart ache and despair of the camps. My dh and I both were mesmerized by Wiesel, he kinda broke my heart. Finished 2 GREAT books this week: Grooming the Next Generation for Success by Dani Johnson. LOVE what this woman has to say about parenting! And I read, The Necklace. LOVED it!! Can I throw a movie out there too? Against all odds: Israel Survivors. Good stuff. Edited May 1, 2011 by laughing lioness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Didn't read anything for the week ending last Sunday, but finished Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes yesterday. I enjoyed the parts about the house restoration and will be trying a few recipes, but I tended to get bogged down in the parts about being a tourist in Italy. Not sure what I'll pick up next--got several new titles from my Dad's wife over Easter. 2011 Reading List 24. Under the Tuscan Sun-Frances Mayes 23. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother-Amy Chua 22. These Three Remain-Pamela Aidan 21. Chocolat-Joanne Harris 20. Where the Red Fern Grows-Wilson Rawls 19. Duty and Desire-Pamela Aidan 18. An Assembly Such As This-Pamela Aidan 17. Left Neglected-Lisa Genova 16. Classics in the Classroom-Michael Clay Thompson 15. True You-Janet Jackson 14. The Samurai’s Garden-Gail Tsukiyama 13. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet-Jamie Ford 12. God’s Middle Finger-Richard Grant 11. Kristin Lavransdatter-I: The Wreath-Sigrid Undset 10. The Housekeeper and the Professor-Yoko Ogawa 9. A Lucky Child-Thomas Buergenthal 8. Three Cups of Tea-Greg Mortenson 7. Run-Ann Patchett 6. The Red Queen-Philippa Gregory 5. Agnes Grey-Anne Bronte 4. The Daughter of Time-Josephine Tey 3. Mythology-Edith Hamilton 2. Phantom Toll Booth-Norton Juster 1. Her Fearful Symmetry-Audrey Niffenegger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Wiesel is difficult to read, though he captures the heart ache and despair of the camps. My dh and I both were mesmerized by Wiesel, he kinda broke my heart. Yes, this is not a book that I will easily forget. Thanks for the movie suggestion. :) Will look into it. And I read, The Necklace. LOVED it!! This looks very good and I've added it to my wish list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Reading Remarkable Creatures due to someone on this list. :) Also reading Growing Up Global based on Rosie's rec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edithcrawley Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Finished "Oryx and Crake" by Atwood This week: "100 years of Solitude" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I'm reading A Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague http://www.amazon.com/Year-Wonders-Plague-Geraldine-Brooks/dp/0142001430in between chapters of the other book. So far, so good, and I have two other books by her waiting. Her second novel is about the father from Little Women, and I'm looking forward to that one, but want to read her fiction in order (Geralding Brooks.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhrice3 Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Ok, so I had "I Am Messenger" to read, but I tried several times and could not get into it SOOOOOO I felt immediate pressure, no really just desire, to find another book. I found this book and it fit with my theme of WWII books. It is called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. It was a "Librarian's Pick" and when I read the jacket, I thought "why not?" It is wonderful. I have read "A Book Thief" and "Sarah's Key" in the last few weeks, and they all deal with WWII in different geographic locations and in a different, more creative, interesting way. This book follows that theme! It is heart warming and interesting, and I would recommend it to anyone. It is, also, a shorter read than "A Book Thief" so I was able to finish it after starting it mid-week. Have a great week reading - ReneeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Reading Remarkable Creatures due to someone on this list. :). I read this! I found it fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Reading Remarkable Creatures due to someone on this list. :) Added this to my wish list. Looks good. :) Also reading Growing Up Global based on Rosie's rec. My dh's cousin wrote this :D. She's the sweetest, nicest person. She blogs from time to time on Huffington Post. Ok, so I had "I Am Messenger" to read, but I tried several times and could not get into I didn't like this one much either. I finished it, but not that great of a book. Quite a let-down after Book Thief. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" It is wonderful. I have read "A Book Thief" and "Sarah's Key" in the last few weeks I really like the Guernsey book and The Book Thief. I'm sure I'll read Sarah's Key eventually. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I read this! I found it fascinating. I guess it was your post that interested me in the book. :001_smile: My dh's cousin wrote this :D. She's the sweetest, nicest person. She blogs from time to time on Huffington Post. Cool. So far most of her suggestions I already do. I'm loving her books suggestions. Many of them are on my wish list, and now I want to get them that much sooner. Maybe I should read the Guernsey book then since I like Book Thief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 My daughter and I are nearly finished with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban- we're a tad bit behind. We hope to finish today. Then we will be starting "The Safe Zone, A Kid's Guide To Personal Safety." My daughter is 10 1/2 and just starting to get more freedom this spring in regard to venturing off our block with some of the other neighborhood kids, so I think this is important (in conjunction with the Judo classes she takes and the conversations/roleplaying activities we sometimes do). As for me, I've finished "Unwind" by Neal Shusterman, which I really liked, and I'm now reading the latest Black Dagger Brotherhood book by J.R. Ward- "Lover Unleashed." Ah, good old vampire erotica! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I am starting "The Undaunted" this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Reading Remarkable Creatures due to someone on this list. :) Loved Remarkable Creatures! Actually, I love all her books. I'm reading The Tenth Song by Naomi Ragen this week. I've loved all her books, too, but this one is really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 [quote name=rhrice3;2681049. It is called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. It was a "Librarian's Pick" and when I read the jacket' date=' I thought "why not?" It is wonderful. ReneeR Maybe I should read the Guernsey book then since I like Book Thief. It's a good book. My aunt has suggested it, but since she is someone whose taste I normally ignore, I didn't read it until someone on last year's book a week challenge recommended it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medieval Mom Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I'm still reading Children of the New Forest this week. :) We've been turning the house inside out getting ready for guests who'll be staying with us for a few weeks. I haven't had too much time to read... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Just finished The 5 People that you Meet in Heaven by Albom. Very tender towards the end. The last 2 "people" that the main character meets were really touching; I found myself getting choked up. A sweet, quick read, along the lines of "It's a Wonderful Life." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Maybe I should read the Guernsey book then since I like Book Thief. IMHO, not nearly as good as The Book Thief, but still very good and worth reading. Just finished The 5 People that you Meet in Heaven by Albom. Very tender towards the end. The last 2 "people" that the main character meets were really touching; I found myself getting choked up. A sweet, quick read, along the lines of "It's a Wonderful Life." One of my favorites. I just love all of his books - Tuesdays with Morrie - every one of them. The movies are fabulous also. Very well done. My dh and I enjoyed them a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slug hollow Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm reading The Secret Garden in parallel with my daughter. It is a great kids read for springtime. I also started the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Someone gave me a copy and recommended it enthusiastically. I'm not very far into it yet. It must be time to add in another short story to have finished something this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 This looks really, really good. Adding it to my (ever-growing) list. I read Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli, who runs one of the biggest HP fansites----The Leaky Cauldron. Interesting look at the crazy phenomenal success of Harry Potter, as well as a look at the fans themselves. Who would've guessed Harry Potter would even inspire a new genre of music? Wizard Rock. Loved that one!! This is currently, our favorite wizard rock song... It makes me cry and I think the chorus completely captures what I love about books in general and Harry in Particular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I was all over the place this week. Started Swamplandia, not sure if I like it. My Mom saw an ad for it and thought I'd like it. Started The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, definitely interesting and started FableHaven and am enjoying it. Wasn't really a good week for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss on Saturday. I am working on How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer and Hood by Stephen Lawhead. I read Hood last year, but am reading it again as I'd like to read through the whole series this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I am reading and enjoying The Three Musketeers, but it is taking a long time. In the mean time I'm keeping up with the kids SL books which helps me keep pace here. 1: Graceling 2: Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3. A Single Shard 4: The Fiery Cross 5: A Season of Gifts 6: Otto of the Silver Hand 7: A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver 8: Harry Potter 9: Watership Down 10: Master Cornhill 11. A Breath of Snow and Ashes 12. Catherine Called Birdy 13. Shadow of the Bull 14. I Juan de Pareja 15. The Second Mrs. Giaconda 16. Leonardo DaVinci 17. Mary, Bloody Mary 18. Luther: Biography of a Reformer 19. To Kill a Mockingbird 20. The Shakespeare Stealer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsbaby Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I have fallen behind these last few weeks. We had family living with us.....my SIL, her dh, and their 3 kids! Serious chaos! Anyway, this week I am reading Seeds of Vengeance by Sylvia Noble and Ashley Judd's memoir (which is surprisingly good). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Dd and I finished our read aloud, "The Silver Chair" by C.S. Lewis this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 This is currently, our favorite wizard rock song...It makes me cry and I think the chorus completely captures what I love about books in general and Harry in Particular. Very sweet. Thanks for posting the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss on Saturday. I am working on How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer and Hood by Stephen Lawhead. I read Hood last year, but am reading it again as I'd like to read through the whole series this time. The King Ravin Series is one of my all time favs. LOVE Lawhead. I like How Shall We then Live. Have you seen the DVD's for them? I read Schaeffer's The God Who is There earlier this year. Fantastic and challenging! Negin- thanks for the movie info. I didn't know that there was a flick of 5 people. Adding it to my library queue! Picked up a couple Chiam Potok books today. Talked myself into reading him again after perusing "Father Abraham." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 The King Ravin Series is one of my all time favs. LOVE Lawhead. I like How Shall We then Live. Have you seen the DVD's for them? I read Schaeffer's The God Who is There earlier this year. Fantastic and challenging! Did not know these existed - will have to look into them! Thanks. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Finished Anna Karenina tonight. Whew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I finished Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Worthwhile (if a bit crass at times) reading with both writing tips and thoughts to ponder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I also started the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Someone gave me a copy and recommended it enthusiastically. I'm not very far into it yet. Loved this series. :D The first book is quite boring and confusing in the first 60-70 pages. Hang in there. It does get better! They are quite graphic. But I tend to look beyond that and just focus on the story. Love the story. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Ended up getting a prescription for my illness, stuck with the Heyer books. I think I'm Heyered out for a bit ... I think maybe 2 during any month or six is enough :) This was, however, the first that I would say, I didn't like it (for what it was ... I know this is not great literature, but pure mind candy) My 2011 Reviews: 1. Her Daughter's Dream - Francine Rivers 2. Island of the World - Michael O'Brien (AMAZING!) 3. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress - Rhoda Janzen 4. Cinderella Ate My Daughter - Peggy Orenstein 5. Devil's Cub - Georgette Heyer 6. Keeping a Nature Journal - Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E Roth. 7. Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Audio Book)- Anthony Esolen 8. Excellent Women - Barbara Pym 9. The Abyssinian - Jean-Christophe Rufin 10. In the Company of Others - Jan Karon 11. One Thousand Gifts - Ann Voskamp 12. Regency Buck - Georgette Heyer 13. Bath Tangle - Georgette Heyer 14. The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Decided to go back to Chaim Potok and read Old Men at Midnight. It's a trilogy of stories about (what else) WWI and II. The last story was confusing. The second one creepy. All fantastically written. Also, reading Zebra and other stories (Potok) YA short stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K in MI Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Finally, after 3 weeks, I've finished 3 of the books that I previously started. 24. Snowstruck: In the Grip of Avalanches (Fredston) 23. The Doctor Wore Petticoats (Enss) 22. Faith Behind the Fences (Taylor) 21. Nurse! Nurse! (Frazier) 20. Usborne True Sea Stories 19. Usborne True Stories: Crime and Detection 18. You Want Me to Declaw WHAT?! (Toia) 17. Before My Heart Stops (Cardall) 16. The Deadly Dinner Party (Edlow) 15. Across the Red Line (Karl) 14. All My Patients Have Tales (Wells) 13. Ten Days in a Madhouse (Bly) 12. Heaven is For Real (Burpo) 11. Silas Marner (Eliot) 10. Doctor of the Heart (Rosenfeld) 9. White Fang (London) 8. Ask The Animals (Coston) 7. Call of the Wild (London) 6. The 7 (Beck) 5. Rogue Wave (Moriison) 4. Mockingjay (Collins) 3. Catching Fire (Collins) 2. Hunger Games (Collins) 1. Tales of An African Vet (Aronson) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Finally finished King's Speech. It was good and provided much more back story to the movie. It was a little slow in places, but I really enjoyed the history. I had no idea this had even happened. I'm glad for the movie. I'm not sure where this puts me in the book count, but I think I'm still a little behind. Need to get those started books finished! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I finished "Pride & Prejudice" this week! It was the last Austen novel we will read for our Jane Austen Lit Study with my dd and her friends. We read the six main novels plus "Lady Susan" over the past school year. It's been great fun! We actually chose the "Insight Edition" for this one and it had lots of little comments and notes in the sidebar. I can't believe I'm up to date with my reading. 18. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen "The Silver Chair" by C.S. Lewis "The Girl Who Chased the Moon" by Sarah Allen "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith "The Candlestone" by Bryan Davis "Emma" by Jane Austen "Turtle in Paradise" by Jennifer L. Holm "It's a Jungle Out There!" by Ron Snell "Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman "The Diamond Throne" by David Eddings "Adam and His Kin" by Ruth Beechick "Persuasion" by Jane Austen "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephenie Meyer "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis (carried over from 2010) "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Here's a link to week 19 :). http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271920 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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