Book a Week in 2012 - week 14

[Melinda in VT]

I think I missed posting for a week or two.

 

19. The Sense of an Ending--great book to discuss; the author is deliberately coy so you can speculate with abandon and no one can prove you wrong

20. Witches in Flight--fluff from my favorite fluff author at the moment

21. The Art of Fielding--I mostly liked this, but it bogged down around page 300 and I had to really work to get back into the book

[Guest]

Started Anna Karenina last night. Surprised at how readable it is so far, I have always been intimidated by it.

 

I am not getting very far in my reading this year. I feel like I've set more books aside than I've finished. That's never fun. :glare:

[Robin M]

I finished #12 The Bishop by Steven James and have read about half of #13 The Queen, also by Steven James.

 

I have Bishop. Thinking of moving it up the pile to read sooner than later, now that you mention it.

 

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Thriller. A woman wakes up daily having no memory or ability to form new memories. She quickly discovers that she has been keeping a journal, the first page of which tells her not to trust her husband. This one kept me guessing the whole book. I would highly recommend if you like thrillers/mysteries (and even if you don't).

 

I really really liked this one - it was well written and even though I kinda figured it out in the middle, that didn't hurt the story at all. Just made it a bit more suspenseful.

 

6. Soulless by Gail Carriger (***)

7. Changeless by Gail Carriger (***)

9. Blameless by Gail Carriger (***)

11. Heartless by Gail Carriger (***)

21. Timeless by Gail Carriger (***)

 

I've read the first two and look forward to reading the rest. Amusing and entertaining.

 

And I started Anna Karenina for the Russian Lit challenge. I'm on page 90 of 963 pages, so not even 1/10 of the way through, but I'm getting into it and like it so far.

 

Glad you are enjoying it. Always surprises me when I discover like the classics.

 

For the Russian author challenge, I'm working on The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. It's bizarre, & strange, & funny, & challenging. Loving it so far.

 

It really sounds intriguing. Will have to check it out.

 

For the Read a Russian Author challenge, I also chose Brothers Karamazov. What was I thinking? I may resurface in October. :lol:

 

Glad you are joining me. We'll cheer each other onward and upward.

 

You gals are too smart for me with the challenges. I'd love to join them but wouldn't even know where to start picking a book by a Russian author. I suggest a challenge for the slackers (like me!) of our group some month. :lol:

 

How are you enjoying the PD James audiobook? I love audiobooks and am always looking for suggestions.

 

Yeah, It does seem have been getting quite literary the past couple months. I'll have to come up with something - maybe judge a book by its cover again or pick a book based on a certain word.

 

I haven't read PD James. Loving J.D. Robb's In Death series. Discovered I prefer female narrators for audiobooks. The men sound too much like female impersonators when they do the female voices and it totally throws me out of the story. :lol:

 

 

11. Rainwater, Sandra Brown

 

What did you think of it. It was so different from her other stories but I enjoyed it.

 

Dr. Zhivago is waiting for me at the library so I can join in the Russian Lit. challenge.

 

If Brothers Karamazov doesn't grab me, this one is waiting in the wings.

[Robin M]

Started Anna Karenina last night. Surprised at how readable it is so far, I have always been intimidated by it.

 

I am not getting very far in my reading this year. I feel like I've set more books aside than I've finished. That's never fun. :glare:

 

 

Glad you are enjoying it so far. I think many times it is the length of the stories that intimidates, then when start to read, the writing. But once get going, get engrossed. Enjoy your reading and don't worry about the numbers. I've come across a few lately that just can't get into it. I think we all go through phases when some books just won't satisfy.

[Rosie_0801]

I've just finished reading Toying with God: The World of Religious Games and Dolls, by Nikki Bado-Fralick and Rebecca Sachs Norris. It was fun. :)

 

Rosie

[ladydusk]

I finally finished The Abolition of Man. You wouldn't think such a "short" book would take more than a year to read in fits and starts ...

 

Good to start clearing out my GoodReads list of what I'm reading ... down to 6 books there, but I wasn't actively reading any of them ...

 

2012 Books Reviews

1. Lit! by Tony Reinke

2. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

3. Words to Eat By by Ina Lipkowitz

4. How to Tutor Your Own Child by Marina Koestler Ruben

5. Evening in the Palace of Reason by James R Gaines (spectacular)

6. The Cat of Bubastes by GA Henty (Audio from Librivox)

7. The Last Battle by C S Lewis (Audiobook)

8. A Praying Life by Paul E Miller

9. Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonesca

10. Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody (fantastic read aloud)

11. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

12. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

[Mommyfaithe]

I am still here...just took a book break to listen to audio lectures...which don't count!...lol.

 

This week I am reading The Homemake by Dorothy Canfield....and I can already say I HATE IT!!! I am halfway through and I feel cheapened, angry, and even sick from this story....ick!! I see where the author is going, I get the point she is trying to make, but BLAH!!! I will finish, because it is a quick read....but....BLAH!!!!!

 

 

Did I say I hate this book?? HATE.

[Mom-ninja.]

Finished Daughter of the Sea which is a free Nook book. Ugh. I wish I could get the hours back and use it to read a good book. Horrid. The plot had so many many holes. Then the book just ended. It's like the author was interrupted and just stopped typing.

 

I'm reminded of why I don't usually venture into the world of fiction of today. It makes me appreciate Austen and Dickens so much more.

 

I'm glad I'm still listening to Nicholas Nickleby. Not much compares to Dickens. Love him.

[Just Robyn]

I adored Brautigan in high school, his poetry and his novels. I think my favorite of his is The Hawkline Monster.

 

It's nice to see others reading him. I remember how excited I was the first time I heard the music duo Trout Fishing in America.

 

The Hawkline Monster, noted. It is a shame I only first heard of him a few years ago. I think I too would have adored him in high school; I think I would have liked him more then than I do now.

 

I've just finished reading Toying with God: The World of Religious Games and Dolls, by Nikki Bado-Fralick and Rebecca Sachs Norris. It was fun. :)

 

Rosie

 

That does look fun. I'm trying to decide whether to order it through ILL or just hope it becomes available on paperback swap. Hmm...

[Stacia]

For what it's worth, I associate Belgium with moules, frites, and lambic. Yum!

 

Most definitely! :001_smile: (You threw me for a minute there because you used 'moules' -- the French term. :lol: Dh is from the Dutch-speaking areas. So, really it should be mosselen friet. None of that French stuff, you know!)

 

Boy, all this talk is really making me want to hop a plane to Belgium. I think Brugge & Antwerp sound like perfect destinations today. The cities are just beautiful & the food is so good! <Sigh>

[Kareni]

Re-read and enjoyed the urban fantasy Moon Called by Patricia Briggs.

 

Also read Deadly Sins by Lora Leigh. This one would probably be described as romantic suspense and is the second in a series. I'd read the first book some time ago and have to admit that I had trouble keeping straight the various characters as there's quite a cast.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[VeganCupcake]

ad I'm still listening to Nicholas Nickleby. Not much compares to Dickens. Love him.

 

Dickens really is incomparable. Some modern fiction is just terrible, I agree. I often think I want my hours back!

 

I am having difficulty facing the Karamazovs. :lol: I read the first page and sighed. I do love Russian lit, but I really don't love Dostoyevsky. I did some searching and found a contemporary Russian book that's gotten outstanding reviews: Daniel Stein, Interpreter. I bought a used copy on Amazon in the middle of the night and hopefully it will get here soon.

[Storm Bay]

I read Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (not sure if I mentioned it, but it's done) and am reading the 5th Mother/Daughter Book Club book as dd read it & we read the first 4 at the same time before. I found that the woman who wrote the Jane Austen mystery is fairly good at keeping the style (there are definitely some modern novel elements in it, though) and am wondering if it's worth while to read the others.

 

Good morning dolls! Today is the start of week 14 in our quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks. Welcome back to all our readers, welcome to all those just joining in 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 - Read A Russian Author Month. Highlighted the first chapter of The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky

 

 

 

Would a book of Chekov plays count for a Russian author? I just can't bring myself to read something very sad (Dr. Zhivago--I saw the movie, so know it's sad) or depressing anymore.

 

 

I'm still working on Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox. Fascinating & well-written, but still makes me feel like a total, lazy slob considering all she's accomplished! :tongue_smilie::lol:

 

Dd & I read that a couple of years ago (if there was a Book a Week challenge then, I would have posted it, and I think there was). I found it very interesting, but do NOT have a body that can handle such cold water:glare:!

 

Upon Karin's advice I started reading The Housekeeper and the Professor. Charming so far.

 

Charming, eh? I mainly suggested it for you because of the math :)

[Negin]

Finished Daughter of the Sea which is a free Nook book. Ugh.

I'm reminded of why I don't usually venture into the world of fiction of today. It makes me appreciate Austen and Dickens so much more.

I'm glad I'm still listening to Nicholas Nickleby. Not much compares to Dickens. Love him.

I have found that pretty much every single free e-book is a waste of my time.

I agree with you on Dickens and Austen. Both are my all-time favorite classic authors. I have to admit that I've put them aside for now at this point in my life. I can't handle them at the moment, I can't handle all the concentration required. I look forward to reading them again in the future.

[KidsHappen]

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

The Hunger Games Companion

The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head

Spontaneous Happiness

The New Bi-Polar Disorder Survival Guide.

New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder

The Giver

Unnatural Selection

Breking Dawn (again)

Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them

Trick or Treatent

Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making US Sicker & Poorer

 

Currently reading: Sybil Exposed and The Lost Empire of Atlantis. Stephen King's new book is next on the list.

[Negin]

Dd & I read that a couple of years ago (if there was a Book a Week challenge then, I would have posted it, and I think there was). I found it very interesting, but do NOT have a body that can handle such cold water:glare:!

Me neither. Hence why I live in the tropics. :)

[Just Robyn]

I just finished up Into the Wild (my review is here) and just found it to be such a downer of a book. You know from the beginning that the guy is dead, but I really thought that I was going to feel different about him following his dream about living off the land. Instead, I just felt upset for his parents and sister that he chose to cut them off and they're left with no closure. I guess as a mom I'm hoping my kids never do that to me.

 

Oh, I really liked that book when I read it a few years ago. One of the main reasons I liked it was because I thought the author was very respectful. It seemed like he made sure nobody thought the guy was stupid. I always have it in the back of my mind that I'd like to read something else by that author.

[KAM]

I was doing so well reading a book a week for awhile. Then I failed for a few weeks. This week though, I have already read the Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Can't put these books down!

[Stacia]

Oh, I really liked that book when I read it a few years ago. One of the main reasons I liked it was because I thought the author was very respectful. It seemed like he made sure nobody thought the guy was stupid. I always have it in the back of my mind that I'd like to read something else by that author.

 

I'm not sure I want to read Into the Wild (not sure I'd be thrilled w/ the subject matter). However, since you want to read something else written by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend Into Thin Air. Amazing book. I highly recommend it.

[Robin M]

Hey gang,

 

I'm having the biggest author ever ( for me) making guest appearance on 52 books and My Two Blessings - Frank Peretti. Squee! Please please please drop by either blog and comment. If this goes well, I may be able to arrange other guest appearances for us in the future.

[cjgrubbs]

Well, I'm behind on this goal. I was doing well but Ahab's Wife really slowed me down and then I guess I kind of burned out. Then I got sucked in to researching algebra curriculums and American History curriculums for next year.

 

Here is what I've read so far this year:

1. Radical

2. The Vikings

3. Beorn the Proud

4. A Midsummer night's Dream

5. Ahab's Wife

6. Books that Build Character

7 .Shadow Spinner

8. Adam of the Road

9. The Mystery of the Roman Ransom

 

I am currently working on Raising Real Men and The Bible that Jesus read. I've requested BarnHeart and it should arrive at my library this week. Maybe I can get caught up!

[scholarly]

Last week I finished #30 An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History by Hillary Rodham Clinton. It was informative, but stiff.

 

This week I am working on Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian, Timeless by Gail Carriger, and a few others.

[aggieamy]

I'm not sure I want to read Into the Wild (not sure I'd be thrilled w/ the subject matter). However, since you want to read something else written by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend Into Thin Air. Amazing book. I highly recommend it.

 

Eiger Dreams is another good one. It's a compilation of his short stories and they are all facinating. I'd love to have the guy over for dinner and just hear him tell stories of things he's done or seen.

 

Hey gang,

 

I'm having the biggest author ever ( for me) making guest appearance on 52 books and My Two Blessings - Frank Peretti. Squee! Please please please drop by either blog and comment. If this goes well, I may be able to arrange other guest appearances for us in the future.

 

I stopped by to say hello!

[VeganCupcake]

I've been doing a little light reading lately. I just finished Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman. It was a very quick read, but very helpful, and taught me that I have been using my left foot incorrectly for years.

 

Now I'm reading Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's cute and light.

[Melinda in VT]

I've been doing a little light reading lately. I just finished Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman. It was a very quick read, but very helpful, and taught me that I have been using my left foot incorrectly for years.

 

Now I'm reading Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's cute and light.

 

I didn't know she had books! I subscribe to her blog. She's very funny.

[Narrow Gate Academy]

I finished and reviewed two more books. #12 - The Boggart and the Monster by Cooper and #11 Macbeth by Shakespeare. Not sure what I'll be reading next.

 

Books 2012

 

10. The Boggart by Cooper

9. The History of the Kings of Britain by Monmouth

8. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Aiken

7. Winning His Spurs by Henty

6. The Song of Roland by Sayers

5. Sink Reflections by Cilley

4. A Midsummer's Night Dream by Shakespeare

3. Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Verne

2. Beowulf by Heaney

1. Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half by Economides

[Robin M]

I stopped by to say hello!

 

 

Thanks Amy.

[aggieamy]

I'm having difficulty rating A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond. It was a Newbery book and had beautiful writing. I either identified with the characters or knew people just like them. They had faults but were likeable. The setting was Northern Wales and I could imagine the scenery with the writing. The plot was unique. So why am I having trouble rating this book? It was fantastic, right? I don't know. I felt like at any point I could have put the book down and walked away from it completely. I wasn't hooked until the last 50 pages of a 400 page book and it was more perseverence that got me through the book rather than a love of the story. I'm going to clasify it as a worthwhile read but not a fun one. Imagine a spinach salad at a really nice restaurant loaded with strawberries, candied pecans and feta cheese. Pretty darn good when you look at everything combined but it's still a spinach salad and not creme brulee.

 

I've started Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton and it's completely opposite. Fast moving and entertaining but not thought provoking or meaty. To continue the food analogy, it's looking like warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. :001_smile:

 

 

In progress:

 

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede (current read aloud)

Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton (recommended by Beth)

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Casino Royale - James Bond by Ian Fleming (book club)

 

 

2012 finished books:

 

37. A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond (***)

36. Thirteen at Dinner by Agatha Christie (***)

35. Girl Reading by Katie Ward (***)

34. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Senzlak YA (****)

33. SuperFoods for Babies and Children by Annabel Karmel (***)

32. Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (***)

31. The Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois YA - Read Aloud (****)

30. The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston (***)

29. The Inimitable Jeeves by PG Wodehouse -audiobook (****)

28. Cooking with Fernet Blanca by James Hamilton-Paterson (****)

27. Freakin' Fabulous by Clinton Kelly (*)

26. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer (****)

25. Home to Woefield by Susan Juby (***)

24. Oh No She Didn't by Clinton Kelly (***)

23. They Do It with Mirrors by Agatha Christie (***)

22. The Third Choice - A Woman's Guide to Placing a Child for Adoption by Leslie Foge (****)

21. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway (**)

20. The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (*****)

19. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (****)

18. All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque (*****)

17. Arabella by Georgette Heyer (****)

16. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie (***)

15. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (***)

14. Nim's Island by Wendy Orr YA (***)

13. Abandon in Old Tokyo by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (*)

12. The Moving Finger: A Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie (***)

11. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor YA (***)

10. The High Window by Raymond Chandler (****)

9. Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson (**)

8. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (****)

7. Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (****)

6. What I Wore by Jessica Quirk (**)

5. How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp (*)

4. The Georgraphy of Bliss by Eric Weiner (**)

3. The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty YA (*)

2. The Anybodies by NE Bode YA (**)

1. The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi (****)

 

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

***** - Fantastic, couldn't put it down

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

[laundrycrisis]

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children;

Celestially Auspicious Occasions

2. The Mysterious Benedict Society; The Invention of Hugo Cabret

3. The Picture of Dorian Gray

4. Wuhu Diary

5. The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child

6. Kingdom of Children

7. Values: Lighting the Candle of Excellence : A Practical Guide for the Family by Marva Collins; Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder, The: New Revised Edition by Stephanie Marohn

8. Ordinary Children, Extraordinary Teachers by Marva Collins

9. Marva Collins' Way

10. Parenting a Child With Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies by Brenda Boyd

11. Tales from Shakespeare by Tina Packer

12. Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills by Alan T. Sohn

13. Hitchhiking through Asperger Syndrome by Lise Pyles

14. Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian (John Elder Robison); Quirky, Yes---Hopeless, No (Cynthia La Brie Norall)

In progress:

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting; The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

[Mom-ninja.]

Just finished Everyday Icon. It was fun and I loved the pictures.

[Kareni]

I'm having difficulty rating A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond.

 

... Imagine a spinach salad at a really nice restaurant loaded with strawberries, candied pecans and feta cheese. Pretty darn good when you look at everything combined but it's still a spinach salad and not creme brulee.

 

I enjoyed your analogy above! My daughter, who is a big reader of fantasy, did not finish A String in the Harp after reading about fifty pages; I guess she needed to read another 300!

 

I've continued on my re-reading of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series and have now finished

 

Iron Kissed

 

Bone Crossed

 

Silver Borne

 

all of which I've enjoyed again. (Though that reading until 3:00am bit makes getting up the next morning a challenge!)

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Rosyl]

26) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book

27) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher

 

On deck I have book 2 an 3 of the Hunger Games, I hope too finish them by Sat.

 

25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs

24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio

23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher.

22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio

21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio

 

20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher

19) Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro

16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book)

14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book

13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman

12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher

11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler

 

10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter

9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray

8) The Dark Tide

7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio

6) Winter of the Red Snow.

5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory.

4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher

3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury.

2) Little Women by Alcott

1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

[VeganCupcake]

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children;

Celestially Auspicious Occasions

2. The Mysterious Benedict Society; The Invention of Hugo Cabret

3. The Picture of Dorian Gray

4. Wuhu Diary

5. The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child

6. Kingdom of Children

7. Values: Lighting the Candle of Excellence : A Practical Guide for the Family by Marva Collins; Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder, The: New Revised Edition by Stephanie Marohn

8. Ordinary Children, Extraordinary Teachers by Marva Collins

9. Marva Collins' Way

10. Parenting a Child With Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies by Brenda Boyd

11. Tales from Shakespeare by Tina Packer

12. Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills by Alan T. Sohn

13. Hitchhiking through Asperger Syndrome by Lise Pyles

14. Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian (John Elder Robison); Quirky, Yes---Hopeless, No (Cynthia La Brie Norall)

In progress:

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting; The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

 

 

I am reading Bringing Up Bebe too. What do you think?

[laundrycrisis]

I am reading Bringing Up Bebe too. What do you think?

 

I really like the idea of the cadre and teaching kids to wait from an early age. I also think I need to read the book about French women not getting fat. I was inspired to eat a huge snack of cheese today ! I'm sure I need to fine-tune this idea ! :D

[Night Elf]

I've started Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton and it's completely opposite. Fast moving and entertaining but not thought provoking or meaty. To continue the food analogy, it's looking like warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. :001_smile:

 

Oh I hope you like it! Your rating system makes me nervous! :tongue_smilie: If you like it well enough to try the second, just let me warn you it isn't about Lori at all. But the characters from the second book join Lori in the rest of the series. :)

[VeganCupcake]

I really like the idea of the cadre and teaching kids to wait from an early age. I also think I need to read the book about French women not getting fat. I was inspired to eat a huge snack of cheese today ! I'm sure I need to fine-tune this idea ! :D

 

Yes, give me some good French food any day! Yum.

 

Some of it seems kind of "well, duh" to me, though--not some revolutionary French parenting miracle. I am really curious about The Pause and "doing his/her nights" too. I just don't want to experiment with my next baby because breastfeeding is such a priority to me.

[laughing lioness]

Hey gang,

 

I'm having the biggest author ever ( for me) making guest appearance on 52 books and My Two Blessings - Frank Peretti. Squee! Please please please drop by either blog and comment. If this goes well, I may be able to arrange other guest appearances for us in the future.

 

Very cool! I haven't read anything by Peretti for a long time but I'll be checking out Illusions! Nice interview, Robin!:001_smile:

[Pink and Green Mom]

This week...

 

I started The Art of Fielding, got to about page 150 and could not stand it anymore. I hate to stop reading a book in the middle but I just couldn't find anything to like so I cut my losses.

 

Finished:

 

#21 - Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague, by Geraldine Brooks. Historical fiction about an English village that imposes a self-quarentine when residents come down with the plague in 1666. Page 1-260 of the book were fabulous. The last chapter and the epilogue completely ruined the story for me.

 

#22 - The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. Easy read about a father and son travelling south in some sort of post-apocalyptic world, searching for warmer weather in which to survive. Not exactly my thing, but it was ok. It's one of those books with no quotation marks around speaking parts and that drives.me.nuts.

 

Currently reading a biography about Catherine The Great. We really need to get with the program for school these next few weeks so I hope to be able to keep up with reading.

[Mom-ninja.]

Finished Nicholas Nickleby. Loved it of course.

[Sparkle]

This week I read #37 Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye - YA fiction, I enjoyed this quite a bit. Young Palestinian Arab-American girl moves with her family to Israel and becomes friends with a Jewish boy over her family's objections.

 

Also #38 A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax and #39 Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station, both by Dorothy Gilman. I thought these were fun, suspenseful books, and I love how all the books in this series are set in different countries and really give you a good feel for the cultures.

 

I have not started yet on Dr. Zhivago and I really need to, but I probably won't get to it for at least a few days.

[aggieamy]

Finished Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton today and I'm so glad Beth recommended it to me. I really enjoyed it. It was fun, light, and had a happy ending. Just the way I like my cozy mysteries. The author had a way of writing that made you feel like you really knew Bill and Lori. I'm going to request the next one from the library!

 

In progress:

 

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede (current read aloud)

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Casino Royale - James Bond by Ian Fleming (book club)

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Five Minute Face: A Makeup Guide for Every Woman by Carmindy

Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

38. Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton (****)

37. A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond (***)

36. Thirteen at Dinner by Agatha Christie (***)

35. Girl Reading by Katie Ward (***)

34. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Senzlak YA (****)

33. SuperFoods for Babies and Children by Annabel Karmel (***)

32. Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (***)

31. The Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois YA - Read Aloud (****)

30. The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston (***)

29. The Inimitable Jeeves by PG Wodehouse -audiobook (****)

28. Cooking with Fernet Blanca by James Hamilton-Paterson (****)

27. Freakin' Fabulous by Clinton Kelly (*)

26. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer (****)

25. Home to Woefield by Susan Juby (***)

24. Oh No She Didn't by Clinton Kelly (***)

23. They Do It with Mirrors by Agatha Christie (***)

22. The Third Choice - A Woman's Guide to Placing a Child for Adoption by Leslie Foge (****)

21. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway (**)

20. The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (*****)

19. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (****)

18. All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque (*****)

17. Arabella by Georgette Heyer (****)

16. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie (***)

15. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (***)

14. Nim's Island by Wendy Orr YA (***)

13. Abandon in Old Tokyo by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (*)

12. The Moving Finger: A Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie (***)

11. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor YA (***)

10. The High Window by Raymond Chandler (****)

9. Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson (**)

8. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (****)

7. Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (****)

6. What I Wore by Jessica Quirk (**)

5. How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp (*)

4. The Georgraphy of Bliss by Eric Weiner (**)

3. The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty YA (*)

2. The Anybodies by NE Bode YA (**)

1. The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi (****)

 

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

***** - Fantastic, couldn't put it down

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

[VeganCupcake]

I finished Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. It was interesting--I actually liked it better the more I read. I was initially very skeptical because she seemed to have some holes in her research of U.S. parenting. But I come away with the sense that there is not one nationality of parenting that is ideal in every way, of course.

 

Now I've started The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm probably the last person in North American to read it.

 

I'm still waiting for my Russian book (Daniel Stein, Interpreter) to come. Hope it arrives soon!

[Stacia]

Now I've started The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm probably the last person in North American to read it.

 

I'm still waiting for my Russian book (Daniel Stein, Interpreter) to come. Hope it arrives soon!

 

You're not alone -- I haven't read The Help either. (I have seen the movie.) I haven't had much drive to read it. Too many other things on my to-read list, I suppose.

 

Daniel Stein, Interpreter looks like a fabulous book. Can't wait to read your review!

[ariasmommy]

#14 - The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. I listened to the Audible edition narrated by David Thorne, and really enjoyed it. :)

[thessa516]

I'm late to the party, but I made it!

 

I noticed someone above mentioned Into the Wild. There is a follow-up book (not written by Krakauer) that his parents have put together called Back to the Wild. It contains some personal photographs and journal entries. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but my oldest is getting it from the library. He read Into the Wild while in Alaska last year. It made quite an impact on him.

 

----

 

And for this week's books...

 

23. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - LOVED IT! Was that you Stacia who recommended it? Thank you! What a fun, magical book - I'd look forward to my reading time every single day. I couldn't wait to cuddle up in bed and enter the world of the circus. I hope she writes a follow-up centered on Bailey with Poppet and Widget, too. I love those kids.

 

22. Crazy Love by Francis Chan - some convicting and eye-opening view of God for me - lots to think about

 

----

 

21. Seven by Jen Hatmaker

20. A Garden of Eden in Hell by Melissa Muller

19. 29 Gifts by Cami Walker

18. The Feast Nearby by Robin Mather

17. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

16. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

15. The Cay by Theodore Taylor

14. Losing Control and Liking It by Tim Sanford

13. A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond

12. Simple Country Wisdom by Susan Waggoner

11. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

10. Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney

9. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

8. A Chicken in Every Yard by Robert and Hannah Litt

7. Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott

6. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

5. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

4. Ahab's Wife: or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund

3. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson

2. Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison

1. Little Sugar Addicts by Kathleen DesMaisons

[Stacia]

23. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - LOVED IT! Was that you Stacia who recommended it? Thank you! What a fun, magical book - I'd look forward to my reading time every single day. I couldn't wait to cuddle up in bed and enter the world of the circus. I hope she writes a follow-up centered on Bailey with Poppet and Widget, too. I love those kids.

 

I do recommend it, but I know I'm certainly not the first one to recommend it here; I read it because I had seen so many recommendations on this thread for it!

 

I agree that it was just a lovely, magical book. I loved it too. :001_smile:

[Just Robyn]

I'm late to the party, but I made it!

 

I noticed someone above mentioned Into the Wild. There is a follow-up book (not written by Krakauer) that his parents have put together called Back to the Wild. It contains some personal photographs and journal entries.

 

Hmmm... I'd like to see this. I put in a request for my library to buy it. Fingers crossed.

[Robin M]

Link to week 15 - please continue conversation in new thread