Friday, December 22, 2006

Catch Up

The later part of the year slowed down my reading and then somehow sped it up again.

I just finished reading some delightful books and continue to read one that I've not quite finished but still love.


"A Short History of Nearly Everything"
by Bill Bryson"

This book is seriously a short history of nearly everything. Bill Bryson is a fantastic storyteller who engages you in the telling and along the way teaches you everything you ever wanted to know. I've read quite a few of his books and this was one of my favorites (if it is possible to choose just ONE!) I'd highly recommend this book to everyone.

Next I received a book for my birthday and loved it so much that I read the entire book in just one day (a work day at that)!


"A Three Dog Life"
by Abigail Thomas"

When Abigail's third husband, Rich is hit by a car and suffers a head injury, she must learn how to live with a husband who doesn't remember his last action, yesterday or even last year. Along the way she gains two more dogs to her one and learns how to survive with a husband that doesn't always remember her. Rich ends up in an instituion and Abigail moves to a house closer to him so she can visit more often. It's amazing to me that through all this, she never thinks of leaving Rich. He would most likely forget her in due time but she remains true to her husband and through that creates a life as rich as possible. A lovely book.

I picked up this next book when I popped into Third Place Books to grab a book on South America. Instead my eye was drawn to this cover and an author's name that seemed very familar to me.


"The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories"
by Susanna Clarke"

Susanna Clarke has published a collection of short stories which may seem like a departure to fans of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell but is really where her desires lie. This was a delightful collection of stories and I wanted books written about each and every one of the characters. Jonathan Strange even takes the time to pop in on one group of ladies, making for a delightful addition. Wonderful collection!

I continue to read Hunger's Brides and this is quite a novel to read. With over 1,500 pages, it takes dedication to get through this novel but I am so interested that I will continue learning about Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Memories


"My Lover's Lover"
by Maggie O'Farrell

I love Maggie O'Farrell and a few years ago when I was in England, I picked up this, her second book. Once again I was enthralled and fell deeply into a story that made me feel like I was eavesdropping. What a delightful story!


"More Than You Know"
by Beth Gutcheon

This haunting story which combines two time periods tells the story of young love and lost in an island community. I loved the story and have found that it has stuck with me in the past few days.

Books read in 2006: 31 (or 100% done)

Friday, August 04, 2006

Whispering to Dogs


"Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems"
by Cesar Millan

Mot's Mom wanted me to read this book since I dog sit so much. I LOVE Cesar and have begun using his techniques on people and dogs alike. He has some great tips and the dogs I watch are becoming even better dogs than they were before.


"Shutterbabe: Adventures in Love and War"
by Deborah Copaken Kogan

Meg loaned me this book and while I wasn't sure that I was a fan of Deborah Copaken Kogan at the beginning, I did begin to enjoy her toward the end. She's lived an interesting life and had many adventures. Her life is an inspiration to aspiring journalists and photographers.


"Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World"
by Rita Golden Gelman

This book really resonated with me since I often tell people that I am living the nomadic lifestyle. Rita Golden Gelman decided to take life by the horns and live the life she had always dreamed of. She moved in to villages on the far side of the world as different from her life in Los Angeles as possible. She learned so much about other cultures and even more about herself. She's caused me to dream and realize that I too can make this happen if I can develop a plan to make it happen. I'm planning!

Books read in 2006: 29 (or 93% done)

Friday, June 16, 2006

Saying Yes


"The Year of Yes"
by Maria Dahvana Headley

A few months ago, I heard Dahvana Headley speak at a local bar. I decided to pick up her book after an eye exam and am wondering what inspired me to drop that kind of coin on what is at best a library book. I thought I would be inspired by her year of yes but instead I was turned off. In the end, I'm not glad I read this and it is too bad since I so wanted the inspiration!


"Marriage Most Scandalous"
by Johanna Lindsey

I'm on a romance book bender and I love it! This one was quite good!


"In the Bed of a Duke"
by Cathy Maxwell

As was this one!

Books read in 2006: 26 (or 83% done)

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Obsessive Reading


"Sharp Objects"
by Gillian Flynn

My boss recently received some advance reading copies of books coming out in the Fall. This one caught my eye and so I quickly gobbled it up. It is the story of a reporter who returns home intent upon finding out why little girls are being killed in her town. Along the way, the reader learns about her strained relationship with her family and who is behind the murders. Great read!


"I Did (But I Wouldn't Now"
by Clara Lockwood

After such a heavy read, I decided to settle into something lighter and this book was just the ticket!

Lily Crandell finds herself married to a rock star and learns the hard way about his affair with an actress. Lily escapes to London and into the arms of a former flame. Lily's life goes from bad to worse when the paparazzi finds her.


"The Undomestic Goddess"
by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is always good for a great read when traveling and since I was traveling, I picked up her latest novel in the airport. Kinsella never disappoints! Twenty nine year-old, Samantha Sweeting is on the verge of partnership at the prestigious London law firm Carter Spink, something she's been working toward her entire life. Just before the partnership decision, she finds she has made a terrible, costly mistake. In a moment of panic, Sweeting jumps on a train and ends up in the middle of the English Countryside. After stopping at a house to ask directions, she finds herself hired as their new housekeeper. Kinsella keeps the reader on their toes as Sweeting's life spirls out of control.


"Everyone Worth Knowing"
by Lauren Weisberger

After Weigsberger's debut novel, "The Devil Wears Prada", I wasn't sure if she could live up to the hype with her second novel. Was I ever wrong! "Everyone Worth Knowing" was entertaining, spellbinding and wonderful! I laughed, I sympathized, I wondered if Weisberger was spying on my thoughts. Great wonderful read!


"Halfway House"
by Katharine Noel

This book haunts me. Noel's use of words and imaginery drew me in and wouldn't let me stop reading until the pages ran out of words. This book tells more than the highs and lows of battling mental illness, it tells of how mental illness affects more than just the person with the disease.

Set in rural New Hampshire, Halfway House is about Voorster family, whose lives are torn apart when 17-year-old Angie suffers a breakdown and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Angie goes from hospital to dorm room to halfway house to hospital, as each member of her family deals in their own way. Pieter, Angie's father retreats into himself while Jordana, her mother, begans an affair. Luke, her brother looks for love in his girlfriends. Familial relationships break and are reinvented. In the process, each memeber of the family confronts their own demons in order to come to terms with the crisis.

Books read in 2006: 23 (or 74% done)

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Slow Reading


"Better Than Chocolate"
by Susan Waggoner

My Mom gave me this book and while I feared it might be hokey, it was highly amusing. I especially loved this book because it dealt with food publicists and since that is what I do, I really appreciated it. A good quick read!


"Guns, Germs and Steel"
by Jared Diamond

It took me almost a year to read this book but I enjoyed every moment. I learned more about the world than I ever did in any college class. I almost wished that Jared Diamond been one of my professors. His knowledge is vast and his teachings eye opening. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Now I can't wait to read Collapse, his follow-up book to Guns, Germs and Steel.

Books read in 2006: 18 (or 58% done)

Friday, April 21, 2006

Catching UP!


"The Artist's Way"
by Julia Cameron

I did the Artist's Way and read the book over a 12 week period. The exercises opened my mind and lifted my creativity to new heights. I feel ready to take on new challenges!


"In a Sunburned Country"
by Bill Bryson

I adore Bill Bryson's writing and after getting a few of his books from the library for my parents, I noticed that I had neglected to actually read this one. What a delightfully funny and educational book on Australia. It left me wondering about the aborginals and wanting a trip to Australia.


"Devil in Winter"
by Lisa Kleypas

Because sometimes on a rainy Saturday, you just want to read a thrashy romance novel and this one was good! I really enjoyed it but am now wondering if I missed the second one in this series. Might be another trashy novel reading session coming on soon!

Books read in 2006: 16 (or 51% done)