Recent Reads - May

Here's what I finished reading the past few months:

My Name is Mary Sutter (Audio Edition)

I had high hopes for this one, but it was eh.

I do enjoy historical fiction, especially books set during the Civil War and I loved how the author entwined known historical figures into the story of a woman becoming a surgeon. The narrator was a bit harsh though and her voice just got to me. 

Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin and the Race of a Lifetime

The HBO movie of the same name was based on this book. Although the entire 2 plus hours of the movie was about Sarah Palin, the book maybe dedicated 50 pages to the entire McCain campaign. What impressed me most about this book were the details of the Democratic party's primary. Of course, I don't know what's true and what is rumor, but it was fascinating to read about personality clashes and quirks. It wasn't a boring politically motivated book, but a look at both sides, their mistakes and their triumphs. Fascinating. Like I didn't want to put it down and looked forward to my lunch hour to read not eat.

And my favorite recent read Unbroken

Woah. Seriously woah.

I've owned this book for a year when everyone was raving about this book. Even the most cynical people in my life were obsessing about this book.

It did not disappoint.

I listened to the audio version of this one too (thanks, Patty!), and the narrator was incredible (well, how could Edward Hermann not be amazing??).  

Yes, the subject matter is brutal (not giving anything away here), but the story of survival amidst dire circumstances coupled with a crazy beautiful ending made it so worth it.

If you're looking to read one book this year, make this it. 

What's on your reading pile?

Current Reads

I have a goal of reading 30 books in 2012. It was also my goal in 2011 and I nearly reached it, but thanks to a few crazy long books, I came up short. So far I am ahead two books but that gap tends to close in the summer. 

We'll see.

My favorite book thus far is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

I listened to this because I don't think 

I would ever get through the actual novel. 

Oh my word, it was wonderful. Perfect narration, intricate story. 

Just loved it.

This book stuck with me, haunted me (in a good way), 

and will be a hard book to beat.

I haven't seen the film yet. I forget plots quickly, so I will wait a little while until I won't be picky about the missing plot points.

I also read the play Women's Minyan.

It was a quick read, but again, I felt so connected to the characters even though they are worlds away in an Orthodox Jewish community in Israel. I think this was a 1.99 Kindle download and it was definitely worth the price and then some.

After 44 hours of listening (and being freaked out, confused, and then terrified) I finally finished Stephen King's It.

My husband is a huuuuuge Stephen King fan. Has nearly every single one of his books. Loves them all.

I've always been turned off by the ginormousness of the books. Oh and the sheer terror that is supposed to accompany reading them.

But then 11/22/63 was being published and all the people who reviewed it were so thrilled about the links between It and this new book, so I caved.

It was really flipping long.

Realllllly long.

But it was satisfyingly good.

Now I am reading 11/22/63 and it is quite possibly in the top ten books I've ever read.

The story starts right up, no draggingly long back story, no set up, it just starts.

And bonus, it's not scary.

What have you been reading lately?

Favorites in February - Books

I have always been a reader. I have vivid memories of walking down to the corner to visit the mobile library as a kid in the summer. And I was always a member of our summer reading programs at the local library.

My dad has been an avid reader, so I like to think my love of reading came from him.

I used to be obsessed with keeping every book I bought, but now I have realized they just grab dust and I tend not to read books a second time anyway. Plus, now I have a Kindle, so I don't need to have all the clutter of all those books.

When I moved out of my parents' home, I only brought with me those books that really mean something to me. Here is a list of some of my most favorite reads:

The Lovely Bones

I read this when it first came out and remember it as one of the very few books that made me cry. Sob, actually. So touching.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Not a book I would ever have picked up without the help of a Border's associate. And I loved it (I am reading the sequel, Girl Who Played with Fire now). It is a mystery/adventure/action book, keeps your attention the entire time. Fast read. Enthralling.

Velvet Elvis

We all know I have an obsession with religion/spirituality. I think my whole life I will be on the quest to come to terms with belief in my life. It was hard picking one book to represent how I want to believe, but Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis is the best choice. Live with love. Love with all your heart. Be the person who does what is right. Act with kindness. You get the point.

The Life of Elizabeth I

Ah, Tudor England. I could read constantly about the mundane details of food, clothes, and drama.

White Oleander

The first book I read that I highlighted. The imagery is just awesome. The story is chilling.

I Know this Much is True

A HUGE book (I think over 700 pages) and very worth the read.

Madame Bovary

I hate classics. I really do. I try over and over to read them and rarely enjoy them. Except for Madame Bovary. I guess because it is risque and dark.

Handmaid's Tale

Oh, so up my alley. Fundamentalism, women's freedoms. Love it.

Bell Jar

Without a doubt the one book I read in college that I totally "got."

Catcher in the Rye

Loved this book in high school. Still remember reading it in Mrs. Beuser's English class.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Well, all the HP books are my guilty pleasure reads. I can read them over and over and over. And they never get old.

My virtual bookshelves

I am a reader and it was a little hard for me to donate a lot of my older/read books when I was moving out. I felt like reading them had been an accomplishment, but had to realize that they get buggy and had to go to people who might enjoy them.

And then I stumble upon goodreads.com. This place is too cool. I get to document all the books I have read, am reading, or want to read without really needing to hold onto the book itself. Just a great site.

I am still compiling my lists and want to review some of the books I read, but I am not going feel pressured to do so. That's also what's cool about the site - I'm not making it a chore. I think I have been adding books to my virtual shelf for a year, but I don't let it become an obsession. Reading and enjoying the books has to be the priority.

Ahhhh, time to go enjoy a few more pages of the Lady in the Tower about Anne Boleyn's fall with a cup of tea!

Summer Reading Update 1

So far, so good. Here are the finished books with short reviews:

Columbine – eh, it was good. I felt it was a little choppy, as the author constantly wrote about the event, then flash backed to before, then did psych profiles, then fast forwarded, so kinda annoying. I did love the last three chapters that discussed the event minute-by-minute and the updates of the survivors.

We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land – Also a little eh. Again, I think it was Carter’s re-write of his previous book, so nothing was new to me.

Wicked – Just fab. I loved the social justice piece of it, loved the witty language. Just a phenomenal read. Very engaging.

Current List:
The God Delusion – Still going strong with this. Deep man, way deep. The chapter I am currently reading is about morals, how we have evolved to acquire them. Interesting stuff.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – This is a re-read. I read the book two years ago when it came out in eight hours non-stop, thus I have forgotten most of it. The 6th movie made me want to read this again so I can remember what happened.

Kill the Princess – A study of how women still need to conform to societal expectations. Verrrrry interesting.

Science of Good and Evil – An examination of how people live by the Golden Rule, why, the role of religion. A weighty book, but a good one. I am reading little bits of it, but mostly the God Delusion first. It does get odd when these two books quote each other.

Happy page-turning!

Summer Reading

So based on a request from the wonderful Kate, here is my summer reading pile. There usually isn't any rhyme or reason as to why I pick such books and you will notice that sometimes huge contradictions exist. Links are to the books on amazon so you too can put them on your wishlist so that when you have to make a purchase for someone else, you can easily add one of these books to get the super-saver shipping when you spend 25.00.

Finished:
Shanghi Girls by Lisa See - I loved reading this account of two sisters as they move from China to Los Angeles. Moving and inspirational, but the ending slightly let me down.

Honky by Dalton Conley - This is SJC's freshman seminar choice and it was a touching memoir of a young white boy growing uo in the projects of NYC where he was the minority. Enjoyed this a lot.

Yes! Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer - Adored this little book! Totally need to integrate some of the ideas. I just loved the anecdotes and advice.

Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell - I struggle with my faith - A LOT, but Rob Bell's books always speak to me. Bell is a minister in Michigan and this book details how Christians need to reach out to the poor, displaced, disadvantaged. I was blown away by his message.

God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens - I told you, I read contrasting things. This book was a good read, though wouldn't say incredible. I did appreciate Hitchens' criticism of all religions, not just the top three we think of.

Currently Reading:

Columbine by Dave Cullen - I have been reading this for a few months. I like it, but find it a bit disjointed going back and forth in the story. But I love true crime books, so I'll eventually finish it.

We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land by Jimmy Carter - I love this man. The book resembles Carter's Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid that I read a year or so ago, so this is a little boring.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire - Loving this

Open the Door by Joyce Rupp - with my prayer group, we meditate on a day each week. This is a powerfully spiritual book and it is an awakening for me.

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins - I know about evolution, but not enough. Dawkins knows a lot. And so I am loving how he discusses intelligent design vs. evolution in an easy-to-understand way with lots of humor thrown in.

To-Be Read
Simple Happiness by Jim Ryan - A recommendation from Paige.

20-Something Manifesto by Christine Hassler

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy - I have owned this book for so long that the pages are yellow.

Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama - Started it a while ago and need to get back into it.

Son of the Witch by Gregory Maguire - Sequel to Wicked

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Prayer by Joyce Rupp

I reallllly want a book club...anyone at all interested. I promise I won't make you read the boring non-fiction I do adore :)

Happy page-turning!