Book a Week in 2012 - Week 15

[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

Breaking 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.

[luvnlattes]

nm.

Edited April 11, 2012 by luvnlattes

[ladydusk]

I read How to Write a Sentence (And How to Read One) by Stanley Fish. I loved the first half ... I was really eh about the second half.

 

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

13. How to Write a Sentence by Stanley Fish

[thessa516]

24. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

 

Decent to pretty good. I was hot and cold with this book. I would think that it was the best, most exciting book I've read this year, and then I would hit a dry patch and slog through. Interestingly enough, I thought this book might make a better movie than book. I've never thought that about a book before.

 

---

 

23. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

22. Crazy Love by Francis Chan

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

[Lizzie in Ma]

Still working my way through the Spencer novels but also read Polly Shulman's The Grimm Legacy. Liked it very much.

[Pink and Green Mom]

#23 - Catherine the Great, by Robert Massie. Nonfiction. I enjoyed this, although it was a bit long and my eyes glossed over a few times. I have his book about Nicholas and Alexandra but have never read it (started it once a few years ago) so I'll read that at some point this year.

 

Not sure what is next. I was able to get the new book about introverts from the library, but I'm needing a good fiction story before getting into that. Maybe Outlander since I enjoyed The Winter Sea.

[Guest kayt3]

I'm new here- hope it's o.k. since I'm a home school student and not a mom. This week I read Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I thought it was interesting, but depressing. I do recommend it though.

[aggieamy]

I'm new here- hope it's o.k. since I'm a home school student and not a mom. This week I read Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I thought it was interesting, but depressing. I do recommend it though.

 

Welcome! I remember reading Frankenstein in high school and haven't read it since. Depressing is what I remember.

 

I'm also the first hour into Half Moon Investigations. Imagine a seedy dark 1930's mystery. Phillip Marlow. Sam Spade. You know what I'm talking about. The men drink gin and are rugged. The women are all beautiful ditzy dames. The bad guys are oh so bad. Now imagine all of the language and feeling of a book like that except it's set in modern day Ireland and the characters are all 11 years old. Yeah. It's awesome. I'll reserve judgement until I see how it ends but so far I'm really digging it.

 

I finished Half Moon Investigations and I still liked it. I'd say it started off a five and ended a solid three and a half to four. There was a section in the middle that I thought was pretty silly and I had to remind myself that it was still a YA/children's book. Still really enjoyable though overall. The audiobook narrator was fantastic.

 

In progress:

 

 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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

Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan (read aloud)

Father Brown Mysteries by GK Chesterton (audiobook)

 

 

2012 finished books:

 

 

43. Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer - Audiobook (****)

42. Half Magic by Edward Eager (***)

41. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede - Read Aloud (****)

 

Books 1 - 40

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

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

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

[Robin M]

I'm new here- hope it's o.k. since I'm a home school student and not a mom. This week I read Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I thought it was interesting, but depressing. I do recommend it though.

 

You are more than welcome to join in. I have to agree the book was rather depressing. Dr. Frankenstein irritated the heck out of me.

[Guest kayt3]

Thanks! I'm thinking of The Count Of Monte Cristo, by Dumas for next week. Any thoughts?

[Stacia]

Thanks! I'm thinking of The Count Of Monte Cristo, by Dumas for next week. Any thoughts?

 

Hi, Sarah! And welcome!

 

Agree w/ you about Frankenstein. It was quite different than what I expected. Even more depressing than the book is Mary Shelley's real life. :sad: (I read a biography of her when I read Frankenstein.)

 

Love, love The Count of Monte Cristo -- one of my favorite books.

[VeganCupcake]

Upthread someone mentioned The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong. Another one of hers that I really loved was Through the Narrow Gate.

 

I haven't actually read any of works about religion; I've only read her memoirs. I should put some of her other works on my to-read list.

[Stacia]

Upthread someone mentioned The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong. Another one of hers that I really loved was Through the Narrow Gate.

 

I haven't actually read any of works about religion; I've only read her memoirs. I should put some of her other works on my to-read list.

 

I feel like I'm in the minority here.... I read her book A History of God years ago & didn't really care for it. To me, it seemed as if she didn't present any new info & it wasn't all that interesting to read, imo. I guess I didn't really care for her overall writing style.

 

Seeing her mentioned so much lately makes me wonder if I should try some of her other, non-religion-related books...??? :bigear:

[Halcyon]

Finally posting here again-life has been crazy with the house-buying chaos. I HAVE been reading :) which is good....

 

Not sure what I'd already indicated I'd read, but in the past few weeks, I've read

19. Grace Walk by Steve McVey--enjoyed this.

20. Holy Roller Girl - found this to be fairly interesting. About a girl raised amongst "holy roller" tent revivalists. The writing was good and it's a quick read.

21. New Testament-not sure how to count this! But I spent a lot of time on this over the last few weeks. Review? Thumbs up :tongue_smilie:

22. the hypnotist by lars kepler If you're a fan of Girl With A Dragon Tattoo, you'll probably like this!

23. Fifty Shades of Grey. Yes, I read it, and I'm not embarrassed to say so. However, I thought it su**ed. Really bad writing. Really, really bad. :tongue_smilie:

 

Currently reading Death on a High Floor, a murder mystery that I borrowed from Amazon Prime. After that, it's Mosquito Coast, which I haven't ever read, but always intended to!

Edited April 13, 2012 by Halcyon

[Halcyon]

Night Elf-I had my son try and read Westing Game earlier this year, but he found it too confusing--no wonder! Sounds like it's....too challenging :tongue_smilie: But sounds like I would enjoy it!

[Guest kayt3]

Hi, Sarah! And welcome!

 

Agree w/ you about Frankenstein. It was quite different than what I expected. Even more depressing than the book is Mary Shelley's real life. :sad: (I read a biography of her when I read Frankenstein.)

 

Love, love The Count of Monte Cristo -- one of my favorite books.

 

 

 

Then I think I will read it next! :)

 

I might have to start it this week though to make sure I will finish it by next week. That is a long book.

[Stacia]

Then I think I will read it next! :)

 

I might have to start it this week though to make sure I will finish it by next week. That is a long book.

 

Yes, it is a long book. I'd definitely plan to spend more than a week on it. I think it deserves a luxurious reading that stretches out over a few weeks....

[Guest kayt3]

That's a good idea. I might read a few short books with it then, just so I don't get behind.

[Mom-ninja.]

Thanks! I'm thinking of The Count Of Monte Cristo, by Dumas for next week. Any thoughts?

 

I know it's heresy to say this but the movie really is better.

 

 

 

 

Finished Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves. Love it.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Kleine Hexe

[aggieamy]

Finished Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves. Love it.

 

Those are some of my favorite books. I think I have a literary crush on Bertie.

[Mom-ninja.]

I think I have a literary crush on Bertie.

 

Me too. :) I'd also love to have Jeeves in my house. He knows everything.

 

Have you read anything else by Wodehouse?

[Jane in NC]

Those are some of my favorite books. I think I have a literary crush on Bertie.

 

Me too. :) I'd also love to have Jeeves in my house. He knows everything.

 

Have you read anything else by Wodehouse?

 

Psmith (the P is silent) is my man.

 

For some reason a heap of Threepwoods, especially Lord Emsworth, have endeared themselves to me. You'll find them in the Blandings stories.

 

And don't forget Love Among the Chickens set in Lyme Regis.

[Sparkle]

This was kind of a slow reading week for me, but I read #40 Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters by Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow - really good book, well-written and moving, had me tearing up in a few places.

 

And I read #41 The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2012 since I'm going to Disneyland in a week (woo-hoo!)

 

I started on Dr. Zhivago - haven't got too far, but I'm liking it, although there sure are a lot of characters. :001_smile:

 

Another Wodehouse lover here :D His books are so funny.

[aggieamy]

Me too. :) I'd also love to have Jeeves in my house. He knows everything.

 

Have you read anything else by Wodehouse?

 

I haven't read any of his other books. There are so many of them I'm kind of overwhelmed on were to start.

 

Psmith (the P is silent) is my man.

 

For some reason a heap of Threepwoods, especially Lord Emsworth, have endeared themselves to me. You'll find them in the Blandings stories.

 

And don't forget Love Among the Chickens set in Lyme Regis.

 

Of course, I could start with any of these. :)

[Rosyl]

I added 2 more this week and I might even get to finish The Core tonight. I hurt my back so I have taken such an inconvenient turn of events to read, read and read. ;)

 

31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good.

30) Big Decisions Linda Byler

 

 

29) Mockingjay Collins

28) Catching Fire Collins

 

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

26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher

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

[Stacia]

I (finally) finished Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox. Even though I enjoyed it, for some reason, I feel like it took me a long time to read it.

 

I was thoroughly swept away reading about Lynne Cox's swims in rivers, lakes, & oceans around the world. Wow. Her swimming feats are totally amazing. I do wish there would have been a few maps in the book to detail some of the bodies of water where she was swimming. Also, there were a few parts where I felt like she 'named too many names' (i.e., all the doctors, cameramen, watchers, etc...) for a few of the swims. I'm sure she wants to thank all those folks, but it gets tedious to read so many names when they're not really major players in the book -- more of a once or twice mention in a chapter.

 

It's interesting to learn about how she preps for such challenging swims in very cold water, the distances she swims, & so on. Last year, I read The Man Who Swam the Amazon: 3,274 Miles on the World's Deadliest River by Matthew Mohlke (river guide) & Martin Strel (the swimmer who routinely swam anywhere from 40-70+ miles a DAY for months on end). I think it would be fascinating to hear both of these swimmers get together & 'talk shop'. I didn't plan to read two books about long-distance swimmers, but I'm glad I did, just to see the similarities & differences.

 

Overall, I'd definitely recommend Swimming to Antarctica, especially for those who enjoy non-fiction travel/adventure/sports books.

 

----------------------------

My Goodreads Page

Completed the Europa Challenge Cappuccino Level (at least 6 Europa books: #s 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 19, & 21 on my list).

 

2012 Books Read:

01. Mozart's Last Aria by Matt Rees (3 stars)

02. Oh No She Didn't by Clinton Kelly (2 stars, if you're in the right mood, lol)

03. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (4 stars)

04. In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut (4 stars)

05. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (5 stars)

06. The Infernals by John Connolly (3 stars)

07. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (2 stars)

08. The Coral Thief by Rebecca Stott (3 stars)

09. Zeroville by Steve Erickson (4 stars)

10. Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky (4 stars)

 

11. Hygiene and the Assassin by Amélie Nothomb (2 stars)

12. The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (3 stars)

13. The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall (4 stars)

14. The Nun by Simonetta Agnello Hornby (4 stars)

15. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (5 stars)

16. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (3 stars)

17. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino (3 stars)

18. The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston (3 stars)

19. Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson (4 stars)

20. Stone Junction by Jim Dodge (3 stars)

 

21. Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous (3 stars)

22. Colony by Hugo Wilcken (5 stars)

23. Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox (3 stars)

Edited September 12, 2014 by Stacia

[Negin]

I (finally) finished Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox.

Sounds really interesting, Stacia.

I know this sounds a bit weird to say, but I'll say it anyway :lol:, I do like how she's not all emaciated, skinny, etc. It's a nice and refreshing change. :) Sounds like an amazing woman.

[Stacia]

Sounds really interesting, Stacia.

I know this sounds a bit weird to say, but I'll say it anyway :lol:, I do like how she's not all emaciated, skinny, etc. It's a nice and refreshing change. :) Sounds like an amazing woman.

 

I heard about the book from a couple of others on here! :001_smile:

 

She does talk in the book about how her body fat helps her withstand the frigid waters where she swims. She also talked about how a cab driver in England (who was taking her to Dover beach where she would swim the English Channel when she was 15yo!) said she was too fat to be a swimmer & how that had hurt her feelings. She participated in quite a few scientific studies on how her body adapted to cold water, etc... & it seems that her body is perfectly 'in tune' w/ the ocean as far as buoyancy, ability to withstand frigid water while protecting her core organs, etc....

 

I think you'd definitely enjoy this book, Negin.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Stacia

[TravelingChris]

I haven't added any books in weeks. I have been so busy and so tired. Anyway, read two books this last week.

 

#22 Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny= This is a mystery that I think is part of a series- set in Quebec province. I liked it and will read more by this author. It was a selection for my mystery book club.

 

#23 Sacred by Dennis Lehane. Quick read, lots of bodies, enjoyable.

[Negin]

She does talk in the book about how her body fat helps her withstand the frigid waters where she swims. ...it seems that her body is perfectly 'in tune' w/ the ocean as far as buoyancy, ability to withstand frigid water while protecting her core organs, etc....

I think you'd definitely enjoy this book, Negin.

Yes, the body fat thing makes sense.

Adding this book to my wish list. Thanks, Stacia. :)

[Robin M]

Link to week 16 - please continue conversation in new thread

[Heather in Neverland]

This week...

 

Started reading:

 

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

 

Completed so far:

16. The Constantine Codex

15. What the Dog Saw

14. What is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

13. Gods and Kings

12. A Skeleton in God's Closet

11. My Hands Came Away Red

10. The Omnivore's Dilemma

9.Dead Heat

8. Redeeming Love

7. Family Driven Faith: What it Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God

6. Organized Simplicity

5. Year of Wonders

4. The Holiness of God

3. The Paris Wife

2. The Peach Keeper

1. Relic