Book a Week in 2012 - Week 16

[Kim in Appalachia]

I recently finished The Goon Squad. It was ok. I liked the writing technique, but I found it overall a bit flat.

 

I am currently reading Life of Pi. That is a big departure for me. I don't normally reads those types of books, but I thought I would try it. The writer is very good. So far (I'm halfway) I'm sticking with it.

 

Next up is a biography, The Secret Piano, by Xiao-Mei Zhu. I even bought her CD for the Goldberg variations.

[Stacia]

Nope, your posts are great and much appreciated. :grouphug: Go ahead and post images when you have the energy. :D

 

Aw. Thanks!

 

I recently finished The Goon Squad. It was ok. I liked the writing technique, but I found it overall a bit flat.

 

I am currently reading Life of Pi. That is a big departure for me. I don't normally reads those types of books, but I thought I would try it. The writer is very good. So far (I'm halfway) I'm sticking with it.

 

I tried The Goon Squad earlier htis year but just couldn't get into it. I ended up not finishing it.

 

I'm very on the fence about Life of Pi. Let us know what you think when you're done.

 

In the meantime, I had some books come in at the library. One is Stephen King's 11/22/63 (which I had been waitlisted forever for...). I've started it since I definitely won't be able to renew it. I'm about 100 pages in & it's ok so far -- somewhat interesting premise, but I'm not sure why/how the book is so long & his writing is kind-of simplistic.... I'm going to keep reading for now. Also, I'm not thrilled because the library copy reeks of cigarette smoke, so I can't stand that part of it. :tongue_smilie: Gross. I have to hold it really far away from me to read it.

[luvnlattes]

In the meantime, I had some books come in at the library. One is Stephen King's 11/22/63 (which I had been waitlisted forever for...). I've started it since I definitely won't be able to renew it. I'm about 100 pages in & it's ok so far -- somewhat interesting premise, but I'm not sure why/how the book is so long & his writing is kind-of simplistic.... I'm going to keep reading for now.

 

Oh fun, we'll be reading it at the same time! :) I'm not quite as far as you though, only pg. 68.

 

I agree with your comment on his writing and was wondering about the length myself last night. I'm hoping it lives up to my expectations.

[Mom-ninja.]

I have a similar audiobook prejudice :tongue_smilie:, probably for the same reasons. I have a very hard time listening to audiobooks. To actually retain anything I've heard, I almost have to sit still, close my eyes, and just concentrate on the words I'm hearing (which kind of negates the benefit of listening to audiobooks while driving, at least for me... ;):lol:)

 

 

 

I listen to audio books while in bed putting my little one to sleep.

 

 

 

Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reece. I really loved this one and ended up buying it, which is rare for me to do. Reece found herself unemployed and ended up attempting to cook from scratch for her family. She does bread and butter, and jam and gets chickens and goats. She also does prosciutto and cheese and HOT DOGS. The things I loved about it was how practical she is and that she is a great writer. For each recipe she gives a bottom line (make it or buy it) and also parses out the hassle factor, the cost, and the taste so you can really see if it is worth it for you. Woven in between the recipes are really funny and endearing stories.

 

 

 

What are the recipes like? Would this be worth it to read if your family is gluten free?

[Alice]

 

 

 

What are the recipes like? Would this be worth it to read if your family is gluten free?

 

I read about 1/2 the recipes and then decided I liked it so much I wanted to buy it. I think it would be worth reading if you can get it from the library just because it's a really fun book, even if you can't use all the recipes. You might want to check it out first before buying. Just flipping through it I think it would be good for someone gluten free. There are a lot of recipes for things with flour (baked goods, etc) but there are also recipes and instructions for making your own cheese, yogurt, soups/stocks, jams, etc.

[Mom-ninja.]

I read about 1/2 the recipes and then decided I liked it so much I wanted to buy it. I think it would be worth reading if you can get it from the library just because it's a really fun book, even if you can't use all the recipes. You might want to check it out first before buying. Just flipping through it I think it would be good for someone gluten free. There are a lot of recipes for things with flour (baked goods, etc) but there are also recipes and instructions for making your own cheese, yogurt, soups/stocks, jams, etc.

 

Thanks, my library has it.

[VeganCupcake]

Next up is a biography, The Secret Piano, by Xiao-Mei Zhu. I even bought her CD for the Goldberg variations.

 

I bought this one a few days ago! I can't wait to hear what you think.

[Stacia]

Oh fun, we'll be reading it at the same time! :) I'm not quite as far as you though, only pg. 68.

 

I agree with your comment on his writing and was wondering about the length myself last night. I'm hoping it lives up to my expectations.

 

Well, I've decided to ditch it. Here's what I wrote about it on Goodreads:

 

All right, after trying my first-ever Stephen King novel, I'm giving up after about 100 or so pages.... The book premise is pretty cool & enticing, but so far the characters & setting are pretty boring, SK has been repetitive in describing things (I can already tell that there should have been some serious editing in this book), & I can already forsee a lot of where this plot is going (which I just confirmed by reading some reviews w/ spoilers). What a waste of a great premise. So, I'm not impressed, haven't become a SK fan, & I'm happy to return this one to the library so a SK fan who is waiting for the book can go ahead & read it.

 

Btw, if you want a smart, funny, well-written book with time-travel, I highly recommend "The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack" by Mark Hodder. What makes it really interesting is that there really was an unknown character terrorizing London who was referred to in the press as Spring Heeled Jack. Hodder has done his homework, selected some great characters (including using Richard Burton, explorer, linguist, Renaissance man), & created a taut, mesmerizing tale. Too bad that SK hasn't managed to do the same thing....

[Kareni]

Just finished another historical romance -- Sarah MacLean's A Rogue by Any Other Name -- which I enjoyed. It's the first in a projected series of four and I have to admit that the teaser of book 2 has me interested in reading more.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[LibraryLover]

I am not reading anything intellectual...:D I am enjoying it, although I am speeding through it. Don't hate me. lol The title is Winter Bloom.

 

Last week, I read The Power of Serving Others (worth a read!), and The Happiness Project (which annoyed me no end).

Edited April 18, 2012 by LibraryLover

[Heather in Neverland]

The Happiness Project (which annoyed me no end).

 

please elaborate.:D

 

I have heard all these rave reviews of this book and I contemplated reading it but I am afraid it will be a lot of navel-gazing which I hate.

[Pink and Green Mom]

I picked easy reads this week I guess, since I've finished 3 books so far.

 

#25: The Expats, by Chris Pavone. As I said earlier, Sweet Valley High was better written. The ending was a hot mess. I'm wondering if I don't like books written in the past few years - they seem so, I don't know, shallow? Poorly executed?

 

#26: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt, by Caroline Preston. I hesitate to count this as a "book" since it is written as a scapbook with lots of old pictures and ephemera and snippets of "story" added in. It is a scrapbook of Frankie's life in the early 1920s on her way through highschool, Vassar, and early adulthood.

 

#27: Once Upon a Secret - My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath, by Mimi Alford. The book is more about what the relationship did to her life as opposed to the "relationship" itself. Alford was a 19 year old intern at the White House, a job she never applied for and was given to her after she met JFK while interviewing Jackie's secretary for the Miss Porter School newspaper. I must be naive - is this how these things get started? Here's a drink, here's my wife's bedroom, oh you've never done this before - I'll go slower...? The book was believable and depressing.

 

No idea what I'll read next.

[NanceXToo]

Finished #24 - Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. I started it at 2 in the afternoon on Thursday and stayed up all night to finish it. I really liked it. I'm on the waiting list for Books 2 and 3 at the library. I'm not usually a fan of series so we'll see how this goes.

 

That's my favorite.series.ever! LOVE those books!

 

okay, I'm a little behind and haven't posted to this thread in a few weeks, but here's where I'm at:

 

 

COMPLETE

 

1. Envy, by J.R. Ward (Fallen Angels series)

 

2. Kiss of the Highlander, by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander series)

 

3. The Ramayana, A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic, by R.K. Narayan (with my daughter for school reading)

 

4. Dark Highlander, by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander series)

 

5. The Immortal Highlander, by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander series)

 

6. Spell of the Highlander, by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander series)

 

7. 11/22/63, by Stephen King

 

8. The Traveler, by John Twelve Hawks (Fourth Realm Trilogy, Book 1)

 

9. Into the Dreaming, by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander series)

 

10. A Judgement In Stone, by Ruth Rendel

 

11. The Dark River, by John Twelve Hawks (Fourth Realm Trilogy, Book 2)

 

12. The Golden City, by John Twelve Hawks (Fourth Realm Trilogy, Book 3)

 

13. Forbidden Pleasure, by Lora Leigh

 

14. Relic, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

 

CURRENT

 

15. House Rules, by Jodi Picoult

[partyof5]

Been away from the boards for a while but still reading, though not as fast as I would have hoped. Working at catching up. Have never finished 52 books in a year before, but I'm hoping that my summer reading will get me ahead since I typically read more than a book a week during that time.

 

I'm currently reading The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim and love it! I'll finish it today (#12). Just started Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but not sure I'll like it enough to stick with it.

 

Finished in 2012:

1. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone (audio) by J.K. Rowling

2. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (audio) by Annie Barrows

3. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

4. All the Pretty Horses (audio) by Cormack McCarthy

5. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

6. Bossypants by Tina Fey

7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (audio) by Alan Bradley

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

9. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets (audio) by J.K. Rowling

10. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

11. 1776 by David McCullough

 

All your book lists are an inspiration! Good to be back!

[luvnlattes]

Well, I've decided to ditch it.

 

Btw, if you want a smart, funny, well-written book with time-travel, I highly recommend "The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack" by Mark Hodder.

 

I guess I'm on my own! I'm kind of funny because once I start a book, I have to really hate it to stop reading it. I'm not hating this book so I'll most likely stick it out.

 

Thanks for the tip on the Hodder book. I'll add it to my list :) .

[Stacia]

The Happiness Project (which annoyed me no end).

 

:iagree: (I didn't like it because I'm not an OCD list-maker. If you are, the book might be for you. But, to me, 'happiness' is not creating a checklist, then checking things off, which is what the book felt like to me. I was hoping more for a book that looked at finding true joy in your life & soul, but found it was more of a make a list, get the list organized, make another list, check it off type of book. YMMV.)

 

I'm currently reading The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim and love it! I'll finish it today

 

I've been wondering if I would enjoy this book....

 

I guess I'm on my own! I'm kind of funny because once I start a book, I have to really hate it to stop reading it. I'm not hating this book so I'll most likely stick it out.

 

Thanks for the tip on the Hodder book. I'll add it to my list :) .

 

Sorry to bail on you. :tongue_smilie: You know, if his book were about 200-300 pages, I might have stuck w/ it. But, since it's 800 pages, I'm just not interested in investing that kind of time in it; I just don't like it enough for that & haven't found any indication that I'll suddenly like it better/more if I read longer.

 

Hope you enjoy Hodder's book. I really found it brilliant & fun. One of my favorites.

[aggieamy]

I'm currently reading The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim and love it! I'll finish it today (#12). Just started Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but not sure I'll like it enough to stick with it.

 

Read the descriptionof Calligrapher's Daughter and that sounds really interesting. I think I'll add it to my to-read list. Thanks.

[Angel]

Finished #14 Monday night, North by Northanger by Carrie Bebris. I am really enjoying these Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mysteries :D I think this one was my favorite so far!

 

I haven't been on the boards for days so I will have to get caught up on this thread in a little bit. We just got back from Boston where dh ran his first Boston Marathon. I'm trying to catch up. Though I'd like to post a pic of him later today. I'm kind of proud ;)

[VeganCupcake]

:iagree: (I didn't like it because I'm not an OCD list-maker. If you are, the book might be for you. But, to me, 'happiness' is not creating a checklist, then checking things off, which is what the book felt like to me. I was hoping more for a book that looked at finding true joy in your life & soul, but found it was more of a make a list, get the list organized, make another list, check it off type of book. YMMV.)

 

That's exactly how I felt about The Happiness Project. I am not a list person, either, so I just found it annoying, too.

[aggieamy]

Finished #14 Monday night, North by Northanger by Carrie Bebris. I am really enjoying these Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mysteries :D I think this one was my favorite so far!

 

I haven't been on the boards for days so I will have to get caught up on this thread in a little bit. We just got back from Boston where dh ran his first Boston Marathon. I'm trying to catch up. Though I'd like to post a pic of him later today. I'm kind of proud ;)

 

I love P&P and I love mysteries so I really should check these out. Which one should I start with?

 

That's awesome about the Boston Marathon. What an accomplishment for your DH!

[Angel]

I love P&P and I love mysteries so I really should check these out. Which one should I start with?

 

That's awesome about the Boston Marathon. What an accomplishment for your DH!

 

Thanks!

 

You should start with Pride and Prescience same author, Carrie Bebris. You need to be open to the mystery/slight paranormal aspect. I felt the author stayed true to the characters otherwise. If you are an Austen purist, these are not for you. I have read some Austen spin-off's that were utterly horrid, some that were ok, and then I have enjoyed a select few. These are among the select few. I'm not a purist but I do like them to stay true to the characters. I can accept some character change if the story explains and makes it believable. Hmm, not sure that made sense. My brain is a little foggy after the 14-15 hour drive yesterday :tongue_smilie:

[aggieamy]

Thanks!

 

You should start with Pride and Prescience same author, Carrie Bebris. You need to be open to the mystery/slight paranormal aspect. I felt the author stayed true to the characters otherwise. If you are an Austen purist, these are not for you. I have read some Austen spin-off's that were utterly horrid, some that were ok, and then I have enjoyed a select few. These are among the select few. I'm not a purist but I do like them to stay true to the characters. I can accept some character change if the story explains and makes it believable. Hmm, not sure that made sense. My brain is a little foggy after the 14-15 hour drive yesterday :tongue_smilie:

 

The only times I'm wary of trying spin-off's is if I'm concerned they'll ruin the original story for me. I've wanted to try some Sherlock Holmes stuff for a long time but I love the original so much that I just can't bring myself to to do it becasue so few stay true to the characters. Sounds like Pride and Prescience would work though.

[Pink and Green Mom]

That's my favorite.series.ever! LOVE those books!

 

 

 

Can the Outlander books be read out of order? It's going to be a few weeks until I can get Book 2 from the library, but I was able to get Book 3 at a used book sale. Thanks:)

[NanceXToo]

Can the Outlander books be read out of order? It's going to be a few weeks until I can get Book 2 from the library, but I was able to get Book 3 at a used book sale. Thanks:)

 

No, I wouldn't! I'd wait and read them in order!

[luvnlattes]

That's exactly how I felt about The Happiness Project. I am not a list person, either, so I just found it annoying, too.

 

I am a list person and I still found the book annoying :tongue_smilie:.

[Negin]

I am a list person and I still found the book annoying :tongue_smilie:.

Yes, she annoyed me. The book annoyed me. The whole thing was just annoying. :lol:

[aggieamy]

I ended up putting Moonstone back on the nightstand for the time being. It was just too hard to read in short snippets so I picked up And Then There Were None and really enjoyed that. I had no idea who the killer was until the end! All of my guesses were way off. It was funny too because in the back of the book they had a list of other suggested mysteries to read and Moonstone was listed.

 

In progress:

 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

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

Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan (read aloud)

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (audiobook with DH)

Father Brown Mysteries by GK Chesterton (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

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

[VeganCupcake]

Daniel Stein and I are finally starting to click! I'm enjoying the book a lot (Daniel Stein, Interpreter). It's given me a lot to think about in terms of culture, religion, and the impact of the Holocaust. But it's not unbearably heavy, which is a major plus--serious and intellectual without making me want to crawl into a hole and hide forever.

[Stacia]

We just got back from Boston where dh ran his first Boston Marathon. I'm trying to catch up. Though I'd like to post a pic of him later today. I'm kind of proud ;)

Oh, that's cool! Congrats to your dh.

 

Daniel Stein and I are finally starting to click! I'm enjoying the book a lot (Daniel Stein, Interpreter). It's given me a lot to think about in terms of culture, religion, and the impact of the Holocaust. But it's not unbearably heavy, which is a major plus--serious and intellectual without making me want to crawl into a hole and hide forever.

:001_smile: Can't wait for your final review once you're done. Sounds like a good book!

 

Seems like the books I've been waitlisted for are all coming in lately. I picked up & started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. At least (so far) I like it a lot better than the Stephen King book. I'm also still working on The Dream Life of Sukhanov for the Russian challenge.

 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e886b0648970d-800wi

[thessa516]

 

Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reece. I really loved this one and ended up buying it, which is rare for me to do. Reece found herself unemployed and ended up attempting to cook from scratch for her family. She does bread and butter, and jam and gets chickens and goats. She also does prosciutto and cheese and HOT DOGS. The things I loved about it was how practical she is and that she is a great writer. For each recipe she gives a bottom line (make it or buy it) and also parses out the hassle factor, the cost, and the taste so you can really see if it is worth it for you. Woven in between the recipes are really funny and endearing stories.

 

I guess I'll be the dissenter. I was looking forward to this book and was disappointed. I disagreed with her make/buy decisions so much I complained to my poor DH for almost an hour while I thumbed through the book. For a few of them I thought, "This lady is out. of. her. mind. if she thinks we should make that - I have and it's a major pain in the butt - just buy it already!" :D There were also a few recipes that I thought she got wrong the other way - things that are so good / easy-to make homemade and she recommended buying them (she recommends buying burritos - really? They are so easy to make!) However, I did enjoy her little vignette on her chickens.

 

 

I guess I've gotten lazy on posting images, plus I feel like my posts are so long that maybe I better cut something.... :lol:

 

 

Post away. I'm another who enjoys your posts.

 

I read The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion for my book club this month. It is the story of her year of grief after her husband died at the dinner table. Her magical thinking was the expectation that she could do something to bring him back; that he was still there. Well written, completely different worldview on death and God, but much to consider and think about.

 

:iagree: OOoh, I had forgotten about this book. This is a good book. I don't subscribe to her belief system, but it was still special to share in her loss.

 

-----------

 

My regular reading has been supplanted by all books towards classical education. I'm slowly making my way through Norms and Nobility. I just finished #25. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Esolen. Wow - it was a fantastic book. Funny and thought-provoking. I may have to purchase this book.

 

24. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

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

[Mom-ninja.]

I ended up putting Moonstone back on the nightstand for the time being.

 

I love Moonstone. Reminds me that I should get another one of his books.

 

 

 

I just finished #25. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Esolen. Wow - it was a fantastic book. Funny and thought-provoking. I may have to purchase this book.

 

 

This has been on my list forever.

 

 

 

I read Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris. I really liked it. He is to the point, doesn't try to be PC, and says what he thinks. It takes a lot of courage to do all that as an atheist.

[laughing lioness]

Re-read The Screwtape Letters this week. My review here. (weird linking this week?)

Loved it, as always. Great discussions about education, the "real world" etc.

 

Ran in to some great book words in The Swerve:

A particular type of socery- Bibliomancy

A psychological obsession- bibliomania

[LibraryLover]

please elaborate.:D

 

I have heard all these rave reviews of this book and I contemplated reading it but I am afraid it will be a lot of navel-gazing which I hate.

 

In fact, Heather, I think you might enjoy it. It's a very business-like book. She makes lists, charts, sets certain goals to be done in a certain time frame etc. I thought it was going to be more 'fluffy', but it's more a 'how to' book. You really could change a whole life by doing all she suggests and how she suggests. She tackles cleaning closets, forcing herself to slow down, enjoy, and spend time with her kids, do charity work etc. I came away feeling exhausted. lol

 

Her background is also interesting. She is an overachiever to the nth degree. Went to Yale Law, was editor of the Yale Law Review, clerked for Sandra Day O'Connor, met her future husband at Yale Law, although her dh now works in hedge funds, and her fil is no other than Robert Rubin, former Treasury secretary to two US presidents. She has certain wonderful resoruces, and is a go-getter beyond go-getters. The book in a Project, not a feel good type of self-help book.

 

There wasn't anything new, but I liked imagining her writing it in her gorgeous Upper East Side triplex. I giggled when she and Jamie argumed over whose turn it was to get up in the morning with the children so the other could get more sleep; I knew for sure they have a nanny, or nannies. :) All in all, an easy read that might make some feel guilty, although she has a blog and many people have felt empowered by her work. She has a large fan base.

 

If one is OCD, this book could be a disaster, but for the more sluggish it might be inspiring. For the go-getters (that would be you, Heather :)), it might make one feel among kindred spirits. :)

Edited April 20, 2012 by LibraryLover

[LaMere Academy]

I think I'm on books 14 and 15. They are These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner and I'm loving it And I just started Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, which is not the type of book I'd normally pick up but my daughter is reading it and I peeked and it looked good so I started it.

[LostSurprise]

 

Finished in 2012:

1. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone (audio) by J.K. Rowling

2. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (audio) by Annie Barrows

3. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

4. All the Pretty Horses (audio) by Cormack McCarthy

5. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

6. Bossypants by Tina Fey

7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (audio) by Alan Bradley

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

9. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets (audio) by J.K. Rowling

10. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

11. 1776 by David McCullough

 

All your book lists are an inspiration! Good to be back!

 

What a great list of books. :)

[-M-]

Paring my virtual itinerary even further freed up time for longer morning walks and, of course, for more reading, so I have some additions for this week:

 

■ Timon of Athens (William Shakespeare)

Play. With the Misses, in anticipation of this.

 

■ The Pen Commandments (Steven Frank)

Non-fiction. With the Misses. Although the Misses are far from reluctant writers, they both responded to Frank's playful, youth-oriented humor and agreed that students would appreciate his clear approach to what, for some, is a painful exercise. Recommended.

 

■ The Difference (Jean Chatzky)

Non-fiction. Chatzky was a guest on one or another WGN program a few months back, and her pragmatic financial sense was appealing. When asked to give the audience a plug, she referred listeners to her website and The Difference. The book seems to be pitched to those who have made or are making a number of financial errors (e.g., failing to save), but it could be used as an introduction to the subject of personal finance.

 

■ iDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession with Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us (Larry D. Rosen)

Non-fiction. I think I saw an ad for this in the same issue of The Atlantic that carried the feature "Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?" I appreciate that sort of synchronicity, serendipity, and synthesis -- so much so, that I took it even further: I read Rosen's survey of the mental health concerns amplified and exacerbated by the overuse of technology on the Kindle. Heh, heh, heh. The chapters on narcissism and OCD are particularly eye-opening.

 

 

Books read in 2012 -- 39 to date

■ iDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession with Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us (Larry D. Rosen; non-fiction, psychology/technology)

■ The Difference (Jean Chatzky; non-fiction, personal finance)

■ The Pen Commandments (Steven Frank; non-fiction, writing)

■ Timon of Athens (William Shakespeare; play)

■ Going Bovine (Libba Bray; YA fiction)

■ The Memory Palace (Mira Bartók; memoir)

■ Mr. Monster (Dan Wells; fiction)

■ I Don't Want to Kill You (Dan Wells; fiction)

■ The Fiddler in the Subway (Gene Weingarten; non-fiction, journalism/essays)

■ The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins; fiction)

■ The Taming of the Shrew (William Shakespeare; play)

■ The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg; non-fiction)

■ Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books (Leah Price; non-fiction)

■ Sister (Rosamund Lupton; fiction)

■ The Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Emmuska Orczy; fiction)

■ Immortal Bird (Doron Weber; memoir)

■ Defending Jacob (William Landay; fiction)

■ Sweet Tooth Vol. 4: Endangered Species (Jeff Lemire; graphic fiction)

■ Sweet Tooth Vol. 3: Animal Armies (Jeff Lemire; graphic fiction)

■ Sweet Tooth Vol. 2: In Captivity (Jeff Lemire; graphic fiction)

■ Sweet Tooth Vol. 1: Out of the Woods (Jeff Lemire; graphic fiction)

■ The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (Jan-Philipp Sendker; fiction)

■ Thirteen Reasons Why (Jay Asher; YA fiction)

■ Stop Acting Rich... And Start Living Like a Real Millionaire (Thomas J. Stanley; non-fiction; personal finance)

■ Our Town (Thornton Wilder; play)

■ Wool 5 (Hugh Howey; fiction)

■ The Crucible (Arthur Miller; play)

■ Wool 4 (Hugh Howey; fiction)

■ Wool 3 (Hugh Howey; fiction)

■ Adventure Unleashed (______ __. _________; unpublished fiction)

■ Wool 2 (Hugh Howey; fiction)

■ Wool (Hugh Howey; fiction)

■ The Project (Brian Falkner; YA fiction)

■ Like Shaking Hands with God (Kurt Vonnegut, Lee Stringer; non-fiction)

■ The Autobiography of an Execution (David R. Dow; non-fiction)

■ Feed (MT Anderson; fiction)

■ Coriolanus (William Shakespeare; play)

■ Artist's Journal Workshop (Cathy Johnson; non-fiction, art)

■ The English Teacher (Lily King; fiction) __________________

[aggieamy]

I had almost forgotten that I had requested The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt as an ILL about a million years ago and then it magically showed up at the library a few days ago. For what it was, it was excellent. This book was recommended on the old fashion and style thread we had a few months ago. If you are fashion challenged and want to do something about it then this is a great book, particularly if you have a big clothing budget because after reading you're going to want to buy a lot of stuff but it also gives you good suggestions on just how to buy clothes that fit and look good in general. I'm giving it five stars because it's the best book on style I've read ever.

 

DH and I are both reading a Bill Bryson book right now and listening to an audiobook by him. Sometimes I have to skim paragraphs or skip forward a few minutes because his politics and mine aren't the same but he's such a good story teller that I'm still enjoying it.

 

 

I love Moonstone. Reminds me that I should get another one of his books.

 

 

 

If you haven't read The Woman in White yet then you simply must. I really enjoyed it. I haven't given up on Moonstone, I'm just saving it for a time when I can dedicate more than ten minutes at a time to read it.

 

 

 

In progress:

 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

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

Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan (read aloud)

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (audiobook with DH)

Father Brown Mysteries by GK Chesterton (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

45. The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt (*****)

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

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

Edited April 19, 2012 by aggieamy

[Maus]

Completed:

Book #17 - "Frozen Assets: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month" by Deborah Taylor-Hough. Half "How-To," half cookbook. Not as many recipes as it looks like flipping through it, because she repeats them from chapter to chapter. I saw a few that would work for the whole family, but not many. The how-to part was okay.

 

Book #16 - "Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy" by Jonni McCoy.

Book #15 - "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.

Book #14 - "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain.

Book #13 - "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett.

Book #12 - "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.

Book #11 - "Extraordinary, Ordinary People" by Condoleezza Rice.

Book #10 - "The Pig in the Pantry" by Rose Godfrey

Book #9 - "The Virgin in the Ice" by Ellis Peters

Book #8 - "The Leper of St. Giles" by Ellis Peters

Book #7 - "St. Peter's Fair" by Ellis Peters.

Book #6 - "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" by Amy Chua.

Book #5 - "Monk's Hood" by Ellis Peters.

Book #4 - "Flash and Bones" by Kathy Reichs.

Book #3 - "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs.

Book #2 - "One Corpse Too Many" by Ellis Peters.

Book #1 - "A Morbid Taste for Bones" by Ellis Peters

[Paisley Hedgehog]

.

[Pink and Green Mom]

#28 - Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James. :svengo:

And I loved it. :leaving:

Edited April 20, 2012 by Pink and Green Mom
spelling

[Stacia]

#28 - Fifty Shade of Grey, by E.L. James. :svengo:

And I loved it. :leaving:

 

:lol:

[TravelingChris]

#24- Loving Frank by Nancy Horan I read this book for a book club otherwise I would not have finished it. Didn't like it at all. SOme of the reviews on Amazon say we should separate our feelings of the characters in the book from our feelings about the book. Well it is true that I didn't like the characters (though I do like some of FLW's architecture, however, I know that he wasn't what we would want today because his mechanical skills were lacking). However, it is hard for me to read such a depressing book. I know others find mysteries depressing but I don't. A lot of times the people killed in the mysteries I read are bad guys and good wins out in the end. Here nothing good happened and I know it is a historical novel but it seemed to some what glamorize the ugly choices Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright made.

[Heather in Neverland]

In fact, Heather, I think you might enjoy it. It's a very business-like book. She makes lists, charts, sets certain goals to be done in a certain time frame etc. I thought it was going to be more 'fluffy', but it's more a 'how to' book. You really could change a whole life by doing all she suggests and how she suggests. She tackles cleaning closets, forcing herself to slow down, enjoy, and spend time with her kids, do charity work etc. I came away feeling exhausted. lol

 

Her background is also interesting. She is an overachiever to the nth degree. Went to Yale Law, was editor of the Yale Law Review, clerked for Sandra Day O'Connor, met her future husband at Yale Law, although her dh now works in hedge funds, and her fil is no other than Robert Rubin, former Treasury secretary to two US presidents. She has certain wonderful resoruces, and is a go-getter beyond go-getters. The book in a Project, not a feel good type of self-help book.

 

There wasn't anything new, but I liked imagining her writing it in her gorgeous Upper East Side triplex. I giggled when she and Jamie argumed over whose turn it was to get up in the morning with the children so the other could get more sleep; I knew for sure they have a nanny, or nannies. :) All in all, an easy read that might make some feel guilty, although she has a blog and many people have felt empowered by her work. She has a large fan base.

 

If one is OCD, this book could be a disaster, but for the more sluggish it might be inspiring. For the go-getters (that would be you, Heather :)), it might make one feel among kindred spirits. :)

 

You crack me up!!! Thanks for the book review and for the compliment (it was compliment, right? RIGHT???). :tongue_smilie:

[Jane in NC]

#24- Loving Frank by Nancy Horan I read this book for a book club otherwise I would not have finished it. Didn't like it at all. SOme of the reviews on Amazon say we should separate our feelings of the characters in the book from our feelings about the book. Well it is true that I didn't like the characters (though I do like some of FLW's architecture, however, I know that he wasn't what we would want today because his mechanical skills were lacking). However, it is hard for me to read such a depressing book. I know others find mysteries depressing but I don't. A lot of times the people killed in the mysteries I read are bad guys and good wins out in the end. Here nothing good happened and I know it is a historical novel but it seemed to some what glamorize the ugly choices Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright made.

 

I usually finish books but not this one! One always wonders if a book will turn a corner. Sounds like this one did not.

[Stacia]

I finished

(the link is a video preview of the book) by Ransom Riggs (after waiting months for it to come in at the library, lol)!

 

I thought this was a fairly entertaining book & enjoyed that it was built around some old, somewhat creepy photos.

 

The downsides:

At times, it definitely felt like a YA novel & at other times, it felt a bit older than that. The pacing was also off -- got off to a good enough start, lagged quite a bit in the middle, then picked up to lots of action at the end. The ending was so open-ended, it screams for a sequel. That in itself is not bad, I suppose, but I'm not much of a fan of series books. Also, some of the photos are never really explained or used for purposes of the story -- not sure if that's to show that there are just some things unknown by the character(s) or if it was an oversight of the author & editors.

 

The upsides:

The somewhat creepy photos lend the right touch to the story (though at times they seem more interesting & important than the story). I like the premise of using the unusual, thought-provoking photos & creating a unique story, a mix of adventure & time-travel w/ a bit of creepy/horror stuff thrown in. Overall, it's a fairly entertaining bit of fiction & a decent first book by Ransom Riggs. (Btw, if you like books built around photos & souvenirs from an earlier era, you might like "13, rue Therese" by Elena Mauli Shapiro &/or "The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt" by Caroline Preston.)

 

I did see some mention that Tim Burton will be doing a movie of it. You know, this is one of those times I could actually see a movie being pretty good & Burton seems like just the right one to take on this book, imo.

 

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

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).

Completed Robin's Read a Russian Author in April Challenge (#24 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 (4.5 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 (3.5 stars)

24. The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (4.5 stars)

25. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (3 stars)

[Sparkle]

Another slow reading week for me. I did read two books: #42 Engaging 'Tweens and Teens: A Brain Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students by Raleigh Philp. Interesting book - ideas on how to engage and challenge jr. high and high school students - mostly designed for classroom teachers but still some good ideas for parents. I liked the idea of using music, jokes, affirmations, exercise, etc. to break up the monotony of schoolwork.

 

#43 Miracle on the Hudson: The Extraordinary Real-Life Story Behind Flight 1549 by the survivors.

 

I was hoping to finish Decision Points this week but haven't yet. Also haven't gotten much farther in Doctor Zhivago.

[Rosie_0801]

Just finished reading Heidi to dd. We'll move onto the sequels now. :)

 

Rosie

[Lizzie in Ma]

I have finished reading the 39 Spenser novels. It was a re-read, one of many for the first 15 or so, I'd forgotten much about the later ones and I never even read the last two before now.

I am sad. There will never be another Robert B. Parker.

I found out that someone named Ace Atkins has taken over the series and his first is out in May. As much as I want more Spencer, I am not sure I am happy about this development at all. How can anyone fill those shoes?

 

Now I am off to revisit another favorite author, Clive Cussler. I love his Dirk Pitt novels and have read them multiple times as well. Time to check out one of his spin-off series, The Oregon Files, with book one, The Golden Buddha.

[Mom-ninja.]

Now I am off to revisit another favorite author, Clive Cussler. I love his Dirk Pitt novels and have read them multiple times as well. Time to check out one of his spin-off series, The Oregon Files, with book one, The Golden Buddha.

 

Yea! Another Cussler fan here. My dad got me started years ago reading them. It has been a long time. You've reminded that I should maybe pick one up.

[aggieamy]

A Walk in the Woods was an interesting book that was a combination of Bill Bryson's experiences while hiking and his typical sidetracked historical stories. I thought he spent too much time discussing acid rain and how much he disliked modern improvements and that took away from the story for me. Overall good story and great narrator.

 

In progress:

 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

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:

 

46. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (***)

45. The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt (*****)

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

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