I hope to be back later today to catch up on postings! I can't believe how quickly I get behind!!
If you have an ereader here is a great site for info. Check it out!!
http://ebooknovel.com/forum/index.php
Happy Reading!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Bad Blood
I recently read Bad Blood by John Sandford. It is the forth book in the Virgil Flowers series.
I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick and entertaining read. Fast passed as most of Standford's books are - it starts out with a bang and just keeps right on going. I love reading this style of book in between the more serious fiction I typically read. It gives me a break from the heaviness of books such as A Reliable Wife or Sarah's Key. Although some of the subject matter in these books is not for everyone (a lot of sexual content in this one) it is still a nice blend of suspense and drama without having to think too much!
Bad Blood gets four out of five stars for me. Not the best book ever but very enjoyable just the same.
I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick and entertaining read. Fast passed as most of Standford's books are - it starts out with a bang and just keeps right on going. I love reading this style of book in between the more serious fiction I typically read. It gives me a break from the heaviness of books such as A Reliable Wife or Sarah's Key. Although some of the subject matter in these books is not for everyone (a lot of sexual content in this one) it is still a nice blend of suspense and drama without having to think too much!
Bad Blood gets four out of five stars for me. Not the best book ever but very enjoyable just the same.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
You've Been Banned!
National Banned Book week starts today. As a book lover seeing these two words so close together kind of frightens me! I'm not sure how this ever became an option.... I mean, what happened to my inalienble rights? What happened to my right to choose? What I find more laughable is this: When you tell someone not to do something the natural reaction is to do it; therefore, you crazy book banning people - you've just made the book interesting for a whole pile of people who would have never read it if you didn't tell them not to. HA! Take that!
I am proud to say that I have read 8 of the top 10 "Most Banned Books". I think I'll read the other 2 now just because I can!! Take a look at the link and see how you did! http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm
I read an article that suggested forming a book club around books that have been banned. After looking at the list I think it's a great idea! There would be a wide variety and no shortage of material.
Here is another list of books the have been banned or challenged. Some that might surprise you. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20100924/en_ac/6827290_10_surprisingly_banned_books
With several books on this list being children's books I find myself wondering - Do you think it would be better if your child just didn't read at all? You could go that route too - if you think that's best. It's YOUR job to instill morals and values in your child - not the book's. If you teach them right from wrong they will be able to discern that while reading. I'm just saying......
Until next time - Happy Reading!! If you are looking for something to read, may I suggest starting with the #1 most banned book! It's an all time favorite of mine.
I am proud to say that I have read 8 of the top 10 "Most Banned Books". I think I'll read the other 2 now just because I can!! Take a look at the link and see how you did! http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm
I read an article that suggested forming a book club around books that have been banned. After looking at the list I think it's a great idea! There would be a wide variety and no shortage of material.
Here is another list of books the have been banned or challenged. Some that might surprise you. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20100924/en_ac/6827290_10_surprisingly_banned_books
With several books on this list being children's books I find myself wondering - Do you think it would be better if your child just didn't read at all? You could go that route too - if you think that's best. It's YOUR job to instill morals and values in your child - not the book's. If you teach them right from wrong they will be able to discern that while reading. I'm just saying......
Until next time - Happy Reading!! If you are looking for something to read, may I suggest starting with the #1 most banned book! It's an all time favorite of mine.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It Brings me Joy
Even though I own a e-reading device (the Nook to be exact) few things bring me greater joy and peace than going into a book store. I will never stop buying "real" books. I have the e-reader for convenience and space issues more than anything. I do love it but that doesn't change the feeling I have when I walk in a book store. ESPECIALLY an independent store. You know, they kind you find on vacation and WISH was in your home town.
I don't remember the name of it, but I was in Bozeman a few years back and they had this amazing book store on the main street. I just fell in love with the place. It was all wood and warmth, with cozy little areas for piling up a stack of books to look at.
Here, in Fargo, I do have a special affinity for Zambroz Variety Store. It has a good selection, not only of books but of gift items, cards, home decor - a little bit of everything. My only wish is for a cozy spot to sit for a bit.
This morning on a tweet that I received I found the article posted below. I lived in the Twin Cities for about 10 years. I loved it there. I am ashamed to say I have only been in one of the stores on the list. It is my goal to hit the other nine in the very near future. I see a weekend trip on the horizon.
Do you have a favorite store in your area?
http://wcco.com/10best/best.independent.bookstores.2.1912643.html
I don't remember the name of it, but I was in Bozeman a few years back and they had this amazing book store on the main street. I just fell in love with the place. It was all wood and warmth, with cozy little areas for piling up a stack of books to look at.
Here, in Fargo, I do have a special affinity for Zambroz Variety Store. It has a good selection, not only of books but of gift items, cards, home decor - a little bit of everything. My only wish is for a cozy spot to sit for a bit.
This morning on a tweet that I received I found the article posted below. I lived in the Twin Cities for about 10 years. I loved it there. I am ashamed to say I have only been in one of the stores on the list. It is my goal to hit the other nine in the very near future. I see a weekend trip on the horizon.
Do you have a favorite store in your area?
http://wcco.com/10best/best.independent.bookstores.2.1912643.html
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Couple of Things.....
First of all, I should wait until my book club meets but I need to talk about this book now! We just read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Now, I loved the premise of the book. I loved the idea of being able to taste someones feelings as you were eating. Not that I really want to posses that quality but I could buy that as someones "gift". That said, the book was just plain strange! I found myself reading and mid paragraph I was like.....What??? When did we switch from this to that? Not only that but......(SPOILER ALERT) what's with the brother?? I mean come on! You want me to believe he's a chair??
If you've read the book, I'd love to hear your comments. Maybe I completely missed something. My group gets together next Tuesday and I can hardly wait. This was not at all what I expected this book to be. I think the original idea was great but somewhere...it went sadly wrong.
Second, have you ever read a book, liked it, but could never really understand what all the excitement was about? I have that problem right now. The Help is one of those books for me. I bought it (over a year ago), read it, liked it but cannot, for the life of me, understand why it's been on the best sellers list for 66 weeks in a row. It was a good book - interesting characters, nicely written, especially for a first novel but for me, it lacked any lasting impression. I don't find myself going back and thinking about the characters and wondering what they are doing now - I don't have any interest in reading it again - i just don't really get it.
So, could someone explain the ongoing fascination? Again, I LIKED the book, it was a good read but I just don't see it as a classic, or worth 66 weeks on the best sellers list with no sign of an end.
If you've read the book, I'd love to hear your comments. Maybe I completely missed something. My group gets together next Tuesday and I can hardly wait. This was not at all what I expected this book to be. I think the original idea was great but somewhere...it went sadly wrong.
Second, have you ever read a book, liked it, but could never really understand what all the excitement was about? I have that problem right now. The Help is one of those books for me. I bought it (over a year ago), read it, liked it but cannot, for the life of me, understand why it's been on the best sellers list for 66 weeks in a row. It was a good book - interesting characters, nicely written, especially for a first novel but for me, it lacked any lasting impression. I don't find myself going back and thinking about the characters and wondering what they are doing now - I don't have any interest in reading it again - i just don't really get it.
So, could someone explain the ongoing fascination? Again, I LIKED the book, it was a good read but I just don't see it as a classic, or worth 66 weeks on the best sellers list with no sign of an end.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Oprah Factor
Did you hear the news? Oprah picked her new book! I think you'd have to be living under a rock to not hear the big news. Funny, I've been trying to go on a media fast, (it's a long story but trying to get the negative out of my life and frankly, the only thing that make the news is bad news, the drama.....think about it) but even in my avoidance of the news and newspapers I would have heard about Oprah's book announcement one way or another.
I have to tell you, I was disappointed on so many levels. The book, in case you haven't heard, is Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Here are a couple of my reasons: First of all, the book was already a huge seller even before the announcement. Critics and bookworms have been waiting for it's release for months. Secondly, the author totally disregarded his good fortune at being selected by Oprah with a previous book, The Corrections. I think he already had one windfall because of her and I'm not sure he should get a second chance after the first book was only moderately good in the first place.
Now, don't get me wrong. I normally read Oprah's picks and I usually enjoy them. I started reading them on the very first pick, The Deep End of the Ocean. I love to read and wasn't in a book club at that time, and it was a great way to be a part of a group. Some of my all time favorite books have been Oprah selection, I Know This Much is True, White Oleander, Here on Earth, just to name a few. I will miss the Queen of Talk when her show ends after this season. It is just my wish that she would have picked someone new - someone unheard of, someone not already famous.....
All this said - I planned on reading Freedom even before the announcement. I had downloaded a sample to my Nook, Gatsby, and enjoyed what I read. I am willing to give Mr. Franzen one more chance, I guess maybe that was Oprah's view too.
I have to tell you, I was disappointed on so many levels. The book, in case you haven't heard, is Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Here are a couple of my reasons: First of all, the book was already a huge seller even before the announcement. Critics and bookworms have been waiting for it's release for months. Secondly, the author totally disregarded his good fortune at being selected by Oprah with a previous book, The Corrections. I think he already had one windfall because of her and I'm not sure he should get a second chance after the first book was only moderately good in the first place.
Now, don't get me wrong. I normally read Oprah's picks and I usually enjoy them. I started reading them on the very first pick, The Deep End of the Ocean. I love to read and wasn't in a book club at that time, and it was a great way to be a part of a group. Some of my all time favorite books have been Oprah selection, I Know This Much is True, White Oleander, Here on Earth, just to name a few. I will miss the Queen of Talk when her show ends after this season. It is just my wish that she would have picked someone new - someone unheard of, someone not already famous.....
All this said - I planned on reading Freedom even before the announcement. I had downloaded a sample to my Nook, Gatsby, and enjoyed what I read. I am willing to give Mr. Franzen one more chance, I guess maybe that was Oprah's view too.
It's Typical
Seems I've been gone for a while again. I have a habit of doing that....I start something and I'm all gung ho and then I get distracted. I still have the intentions of doing what i set out to do, I think about doing it but.....somehow I don't get it done. It's the story of my life really. There have always been too many choices, too many interesting things to do, too many people to meet, too many jobs that sound fun, too many drinks to try, too many places to visit, too many books to read......and I start them all, at least in my mind, it's the finishing things that's tough.
That said, lets try again....
That said, lets try again....
Friday, June 4, 2010
What's your passage?
Do you have a favorite passage from a book? Something that you connected with or that touched you in some way? I have many but here is one of my favorites.
Nobody took me away, Mother. My hand never slipped from your grasp. That wasn't how it went down. I was more like a car you'd parked while drunk, then couldn't remember where you'd left it. You looked away for seventeen years and when you looked back I was a woman you didn't recognize. So now I was supposed to feel pity for you and those other women who'd lost their own children during a holdup, a murder a fiesta of greed? Save your poet's sympathy and find some better believer. Just because a poet said something didn't mean it was true, only that it sounded good.........
From White Oleander
by Janet Fitch
Nobody took me away, Mother. My hand never slipped from your grasp. That wasn't how it went down. I was more like a car you'd parked while drunk, then couldn't remember where you'd left it. You looked away for seventeen years and when you looked back I was a woman you didn't recognize. So now I was supposed to feel pity for you and those other women who'd lost their own children during a holdup, a murder a fiesta of greed? Save your poet's sympathy and find some better believer. Just because a poet said something didn't mean it was true, only that it sounded good.........
From White Oleander
by Janet Fitch
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
...By the way
I did manage to read one book and start another in between my last week post and this one. If you are a crime/mystery story fan I recommend the Prey series by John Sandford. Lucas Davenport never fails to entertain me. It's an escape to the familiar grounds of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Storm Front was a quick read that kept you turning the pages. Maybe not his most intense book but action packed just the same. All the old favorite characters were there including Virgil Flowers from his new branch off series. (although he did get his start in the Prey books Virgil is making a name for himself as the lead character in his own series....loves those too)
Now I'm on to House Rules, which I'm reading for book club. I need to wrap it up though so I can sink my teeth into The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest.....immediately upon arrival. (it better not disappoint now after all this waiting!)
Now I'm on to House Rules, which I'm reading for book club. I need to wrap it up though so I can sink my teeth into The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest.....immediately upon arrival. (it better not disappoint now after all this waiting!)
Today's the Day!!
Today is the day I've been waiting for for months. The release date for the final installment of the Millennium Series. The book has been pre-ordered so now I have to wait for it to ship.....a fatal error on my part as I would have gladly taken the day off to sit home and read it! I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a book release! What a great week it is going to be as I've also already gotten my tickets for the Sex in the City 2 movie for opening night.....ah.....it's gonna be a great summer!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
It's a new day.....
So - I have been totally out of the habit of posting. That is not to say I haven't been reading!
I've read several books including The Help, The Double Bind, Worst Case & have re-read In the Gloaming & started rereading The Great Gatsby.
I have continued to purchase (as well as download FREE books with my Nook) at a completely ridiculous pace, wondering when I'll ever have time to actually consume them all. In fact, after work, I will be driving to Barnes and Noble to purchase the latest John Sandford book and am waiting with great anticipation for The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest which comes out next Tuesday. Both of which I will need to sit down and read immediately, without regard for whatever else I have already started. -Sigh-
With spring in the air I guess I got sidetracked from my writing but I will make an effort to make updates & get back into my summer reading groove!
In the mean time, I would love to hear what you've been reading! Anything that's a must read?
I've read several books including The Help, The Double Bind, Worst Case & have re-read In the Gloaming & started rereading The Great Gatsby.
I have continued to purchase (as well as download FREE books with my Nook) at a completely ridiculous pace, wondering when I'll ever have time to actually consume them all. In fact, after work, I will be driving to Barnes and Noble to purchase the latest John Sandford book and am waiting with great anticipation for The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest which comes out next Tuesday. Both of which I will need to sit down and read immediately, without regard for whatever else I have already started. -Sigh-
With spring in the air I guess I got sidetracked from my writing but I will make an effort to make updates & get back into my summer reading groove!
In the mean time, I would love to hear what you've been reading! Anything that's a must read?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The List!
Well, here is The List, or at least the start of it. I know a few of you are still working on yours. I will continue to add to it & update it as I get more in. Thank you for participating. It was really fun to see the results. Top 25 are in orange. I just thought I would include the rest of the votes because it's interesting. Thanks again! Keep sending them in!
#1 - Gone With the Wind
The Great Gatsby
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harry Potter Series
Wuthering Heights
Little House on the Prairie Series
The Kite Runner
The Godfather
The Complete work of Wlm Shakespeare
Twilight Series
White Oleander
The Lovely Bones
Charlotte's Web
Pride & Prejudice
Catcher in the Rye
Loving Frank
Sarah's Key
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Lord of the Rings
The Bible
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
I Know this Much is True
Jane Eyre
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Color Purple
A Clockwork Orange
The Grapes of Wrath
Drangonlance
Memoires of a Geisha
Sea Glass
East of Eden
Of Mice & Men
The Shack
Artemis Fowl Series
The Little Prince
The Chronicles of Narnia
The DaVinci Code
Welcome to the Great Mysterious
A Time to Kill
The Space Trilogy
My Sisters Keeper
The Host
Winnie the Pooh
The Dark is Rising
The Tenth Circle
The Wind in the Willow
Where the Red Fern Grows
She's Come Undone
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Grinch who Stole Christmas
Grimm's Fairy Tales
The Hobbit
1984
Frankenstein
The Prince of Tides
The Vampire Chronicles
Body Surfing
Bridges of Madison County
The Diggingest Dog
A Canticle for Liebowitz
Plain Truth
The Last Lecture
Dracula
Little Women
The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe
Bel Canto
Lord of the Flies
The Wizard of Oz
Bury My Hearth at Wounded Knee
Confessions of a Shopaholic
The BFG
The Millennium Series
Atonement
Old Yeller
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Time Machine
Don Quixote
The Song of Solomon
Zoya
#1 - Gone With the Wind
The Great Gatsby
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harry Potter Series
Wuthering Heights
Little House on the Prairie Series
The Kite Runner
The Godfather
The Complete work of Wlm Shakespeare
Twilight Series
White Oleander
The Lovely Bones
Charlotte's Web
Pride & Prejudice
Catcher in the Rye
Loving Frank
Sarah's Key
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Lord of the Rings
The Bible
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
I Know this Much is True
Jane Eyre
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Color Purple
A Clockwork Orange
The Grapes of Wrath
Drangonlance
Memoires of a Geisha
Sea Glass
East of Eden
Of Mice & Men
The Shack
Artemis Fowl Series
The Little Prince
The Chronicles of Narnia
The DaVinci Code
Welcome to the Great Mysterious
A Time to Kill
The Space Trilogy
My Sisters Keeper
The Host
Winnie the Pooh
The Dark is Rising
The Tenth Circle
The Wind in the Willow
Where the Red Fern Grows
She's Come Undone
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Grinch who Stole Christmas
Grimm's Fairy Tales
The Hobbit
1984
Frankenstein
The Prince of Tides
The Vampire Chronicles
Body Surfing
Bridges of Madison County
The Diggingest Dog
A Canticle for Liebowitz
Plain Truth
The Last Lecture
Dracula
Little Women
The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe
Bel Canto
Lord of the Flies
The Wizard of Oz
Bury My Hearth at Wounded Knee
Confessions of a Shopaholic
The BFG
The Millennium Series
Atonement
Old Yeller
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Time Machine
Don Quixote
The Song of Solomon
Zoya
Monday, March 8, 2010
In The Gloaming
I've been thinking about a short story I read a while back called "In the Gloaming".
It was the story about a mothers last few days spent with her son who was dying of AIDS. It was an amazing, heart wrenching story. One that has haunted me for years.
I looked for my copy of this story over the weekend & can't find it. I wanted to reread it as it was on my mind. It was in a bigger book of short stories, "The Best Short Stories of 1994" that I had bought for my grandma as a gift one year. When she passed away I knew I wanted to have that book. I'm sure my grandma probably skipped that particular story as it wouldn't have been a subject she would have liked. Dealing with AIDS would have been something you wouldn't talk about and like so many people of her generation, was just something they didn't understand.
Christopher Reeve made an HBO movie out of this back in the mid 90's. Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda, David Strathairn, Whoopie Goldberg & Robert Shawn Leanard were all in it. I loved the movie adaptation as well. It was well acted and moving. I highly recommend seeing it but I warn you now, have tissue handy.
I use to read a lot of short stories. I'm not sure when I quit or why. After reflecting on this story over the last few days though I've decided it's time to start reading them again. In doing a little research for this post I noticed that this story made it into John Updikes "Best Short Stories of the Century", I think that will be a good place for me to start.
Do you have a favorite short story?
In the Gloaming 5 out of 5 stars.
It was the story about a mothers last few days spent with her son who was dying of AIDS. It was an amazing, heart wrenching story. One that has haunted me for years.
I looked for my copy of this story over the weekend & can't find it. I wanted to reread it as it was on my mind. It was in a bigger book of short stories, "The Best Short Stories of 1994" that I had bought for my grandma as a gift one year. When she passed away I knew I wanted to have that book. I'm sure my grandma probably skipped that particular story as it wouldn't have been a subject she would have liked. Dealing with AIDS would have been something you wouldn't talk about and like so many people of her generation, was just something they didn't understand.
Christopher Reeve made an HBO movie out of this back in the mid 90's. Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda, David Strathairn, Whoopie Goldberg & Robert Shawn Leanard were all in it. I loved the movie adaptation as well. It was well acted and moving. I highly recommend seeing it but I warn you now, have tissue handy.
I use to read a lot of short stories. I'm not sure when I quit or why. After reflecting on this story over the last few days though I've decided it's time to start reading them again. In doing a little research for this post I noticed that this story made it into John Updikes "Best Short Stories of the Century", I think that will be a good place for me to start.
Do you have a favorite short story?
In the Gloaming 5 out of 5 stars.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
What's on your list?
I read a lot of lists about books. I search for lists on line to see what other people are reading. I always read the New York Times book review and best sellers lists. If there's a list out there I'm on a quest to find it! So I thought it might be fun to do one of my own. I'd like some group participation though! I will recruit my book club to help me out as well, the more the merrier!!
I'd like to know your list, if you'd be so kind as to share it & in the end I'll post the master list here for you to see. What I'd like to know is this: if you were building your own personal library and had to start from scatch what 25 books would have to been it right off the bat? I will assign 1 point for the 25th book on your list and 25 points for the 1st book, in the end giving us an idea of how many we have in common. I bet we'll be surprised! The more people who participate the better!
If nothing else I bet this list will compile a great reference if you're looking for what to read next! If you just read along and don't have an account, email me. If you could have your list to me by March 12th that would be great! I can't wait to see whats on it!
I'd like to know your list, if you'd be so kind as to share it & in the end I'll post the master list here for you to see. What I'd like to know is this: if you were building your own personal library and had to start from scatch what 25 books would have to been it right off the bat? I will assign 1 point for the 25th book on your list and 25 points for the 1st book, in the end giving us an idea of how many we have in common. I bet we'll be surprised! The more people who participate the better!
If nothing else I bet this list will compile a great reference if you're looking for what to read next! If you just read along and don't have an account, email me. If you could have your list to me by March 12th that would be great! I can't wait to see whats on it!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
This is Where I Leave You
I finished the book This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper last night. I'm not sure if it is just because I've been reading so many books from other eras lately or if it was just that great of a book but I really enjoyed it.
The story is about the Foxman family. They are your typical dysfunctional American family. Three brothers, a sister and a mother who can't seem to remember she's past her prime. (I kept picturing Joan Collins from the Dynasty years)
The book begins with Judd, the character from who's point of view the book is written, finding out about the death of his father. The fathers dying request is that the family sit Shiva for a week. The thought of spending that much time with his family is really not what Judd is up for....you see he just found out that his wife is having an affair with his boss. Ah, the plot thickens!
Through the next week we follow Judd through coping with the death of his father, dealing with the demise of his marriage & rediscovering his crazy family. Of course the story wouldn't be complete without a bombshell delivered by his estranged wife right in the middle of it all. (As if him finding her in bed with his boss wasn't enough) Oh, and did I mention that his mother was famous for writing a book on how to raise children? You just KNOW that is going to lead no where good!
The story ends without really putting together all the answers for you. You are left to assume what you well however, it was good enough for me. I didn't find I needed all the i's dotted or t's crossed. It was a story about life & family after all & when do we really ever get to know all the answers when it comes to our own life & family?
This book is not for everyone. There are some graphic scenes and lots of language & talk about sex but I have to tell you I laughed out loud. I could just SEE these things happening. Like when Judd's little nephew came to the dinner table proudly displaying the "poop he made in the potty" you just couldn't help but visualize the scene in your own dinning room with your own family. And when the poop landed on someones plate through a series of unforeseen events....you couldn't help but wonder who's plate it would have landed on in your house. Or the time when the family went to Synagogue & somehow or another a joint appeared....you can imagine how that turned out.
I loved the Foxman family and their quirky neighbors and friends. I'm pretty sure I know them......
Four out of Five Stars
The story is about the Foxman family. They are your typical dysfunctional American family. Three brothers, a sister and a mother who can't seem to remember she's past her prime. (I kept picturing Joan Collins from the Dynasty years)
The book begins with Judd, the character from who's point of view the book is written, finding out about the death of his father. The fathers dying request is that the family sit Shiva for a week. The thought of spending that much time with his family is really not what Judd is up for....you see he just found out that his wife is having an affair with his boss. Ah, the plot thickens!
Through the next week we follow Judd through coping with the death of his father, dealing with the demise of his marriage & rediscovering his crazy family. Of course the story wouldn't be complete without a bombshell delivered by his estranged wife right in the middle of it all. (As if him finding her in bed with his boss wasn't enough) Oh, and did I mention that his mother was famous for writing a book on how to raise children? You just KNOW that is going to lead no where good!
The story ends without really putting together all the answers for you. You are left to assume what you well however, it was good enough for me. I didn't find I needed all the i's dotted or t's crossed. It was a story about life & family after all & when do we really ever get to know all the answers when it comes to our own life & family?
This book is not for everyone. There are some graphic scenes and lots of language & talk about sex but I have to tell you I laughed out loud. I could just SEE these things happening. Like when Judd's little nephew came to the dinner table proudly displaying the "poop he made in the potty" you just couldn't help but visualize the scene in your own dinning room with your own family. And when the poop landed on someones plate through a series of unforeseen events....you couldn't help but wonder who's plate it would have landed on in your house. Or the time when the family went to Synagogue & somehow or another a joint appeared....you can imagine how that turned out.
I loved the Foxman family and their quirky neighbors and friends. I'm pretty sure I know them......
Four out of Five Stars
Saturday, February 20, 2010
It's Girl Day!
I'm just going to warn you right off that this blog has nothing at all to do with books.
Today is "GIRL DAY"!! It's a day I look forward to having as soon as the last one ends. It's a day where 3 of my oldest and closest friends, all of them from grade school, get together and spend the day. We don't really care where we go or what we do as long as we have a complete, uninterrupted day together. Although I will say we've done some pretty fun stuff! We've gone to plays and art exhibits, shopped, toured historic homes and found fabulous places to eat. It's a day where we each can leave our troubles behind if we want or bring them with to sort through with the people who know us best. The thing I think I look forward to the most is the laughter. I know when I come home there will have been a days worth of memories made and laugh lines creasing my face.
Although none of us live that far apart it always seems to be a challenge to get together. We have lofty goals and ideas but life gets in the way and we're lucky to make it happen twice a year. I am so lucky to have great friends, all of them, and I hope they know how much they bring into my life.
Today we are just hanging out in Fargo, meeting for coffee, a movie and an early dinner. I can almost hear the conversation now.....
You know, since we are going to be downtown that could mean a trip to one of my favorite stores, Zambroz, and guess why I love it? They carry an amazing selection of BOOKS!!! (guess I was able to work books into it after all)
Today is "GIRL DAY"!! It's a day I look forward to having as soon as the last one ends. It's a day where 3 of my oldest and closest friends, all of them from grade school, get together and spend the day. We don't really care where we go or what we do as long as we have a complete, uninterrupted day together. Although I will say we've done some pretty fun stuff! We've gone to plays and art exhibits, shopped, toured historic homes and found fabulous places to eat. It's a day where we each can leave our troubles behind if we want or bring them with to sort through with the people who know us best. The thing I think I look forward to the most is the laughter. I know when I come home there will have been a days worth of memories made and laugh lines creasing my face.
Although none of us live that far apart it always seems to be a challenge to get together. We have lofty goals and ideas but life gets in the way and we're lucky to make it happen twice a year. I am so lucky to have great friends, all of them, and I hope they know how much they bring into my life.
Today we are just hanging out in Fargo, meeting for coffee, a movie and an early dinner. I can almost hear the conversation now.....
You know, since we are going to be downtown that could mean a trip to one of my favorite stores, Zambroz, and guess why I love it? They carry an amazing selection of BOOKS!!! (guess I was able to work books into it after all)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
What are your reading habits?
Do you ever go on a buying spree and then run out of time to read? Or maybe you buy so many that you don't know where to start....I have these problems. Now not only to do have too many physical books to read but I have too many virtual books as well.
Do you reread your favorites? Have you ever hated a book so much and then had this amazing discussion about it and had to read it anyway? Have you ever started a book and then a year or two later finally gotten around to finishing it? If you answered yes to any of these questions raise your hand.
Or how about this one....have you ever read a book that took so much out of you that you couldn't read again for a really long time? I had that happen to me a few years ago when I read I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. It was a long book & it took me a while to get into it but Oprah loved it so I kept reading. When I finally finished it, it had taken so much out of me emotionally that I literally didn't read another book for a year. I just couldn't imagine ever being that invested in another book.
So tell me, what are your reading habits? What pit falls do you encounter? How do you get out of a reading slump? How do you finally dig into that book that you've been putting off forever? Is there a book on your shelf that keeps calling your name? What is it and why haven't you read it? I'm curious....am I the only book lover who has to talk themselves into reading from time to time?
I leave you with this final thought. It's my favorite paragraph from I Know This Much is True. I'm not to proud to say, I read it with tears streaming down my face. Both because I found it so fitting (to the book as well as my own life) & because I had finally finished the journey.
"I am not a smart man, particularly, but one day, at long last, I stumbled from the dark woods of my own, and my family's, and my country's past, holding in my hands these truths: that love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; that mongrels make good dogs; that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things.
This much, at least, I've figured out. I know this much is true."
Do you reread your favorites? Have you ever hated a book so much and then had this amazing discussion about it and had to read it anyway? Have you ever started a book and then a year or two later finally gotten around to finishing it? If you answered yes to any of these questions raise your hand.
Or how about this one....have you ever read a book that took so much out of you that you couldn't read again for a really long time? I had that happen to me a few years ago when I read I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. It was a long book & it took me a while to get into it but Oprah loved it so I kept reading. When I finally finished it, it had taken so much out of me emotionally that I literally didn't read another book for a year. I just couldn't imagine ever being that invested in another book.
So tell me, what are your reading habits? What pit falls do you encounter? How do you get out of a reading slump? How do you finally dig into that book that you've been putting off forever? Is there a book on your shelf that keeps calling your name? What is it and why haven't you read it? I'm curious....am I the only book lover who has to talk themselves into reading from time to time?
I leave you with this final thought. It's my favorite paragraph from I Know This Much is True. I'm not to proud to say, I read it with tears streaming down my face. Both because I found it so fitting (to the book as well as my own life) & because I had finally finished the journey.
"I am not a smart man, particularly, but one day, at long last, I stumbled from the dark woods of my own, and my family's, and my country's past, holding in my hands these truths: that love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; that mongrels make good dogs; that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things.
This much, at least, I've figured out. I know this much is true."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
My Nook has arrived!
I have to admit, I've been like a little kid at Christmas lately. I can't remember the last time I was so excited to get something. Although I like gadgets and electronics I don't generally spend the money on them. I saved for the better part of a year so that I could buy myself this Nook. Those of you who know me know saving money is not something I am good at......This was a pretty big deal for me.
My Nook, hereby known as Gatsby, arrived on Thursday after a month long wait. I didn't have time to do more than get it out of it's packaging (which was a bit tricky) and charge it up.
I brought Gatsby with me to work on Friday. It was my last day at the VA and a couple of my friends there are thinking of getting one and wanted to see it. I didn't have it fully up and running so we couldn't play much but they were able to see it in person and get a better idea of how it's suppose to work.
I was done early so I stopped at the local B&N, hopped on their Wifi and got registered. Here is where the fun started. After I registered, the books I had previously purchased didn't show up in my library nor was I able to purchase anything while I was in the store. I went to the Customer Service desk to ask for help. The first person I talked to, although nice, admitted to knowing "absolutely nothing" about the Nook. He called someone else, presumably a manager, she came up and told me she "was the most electronically challenged person around". Again she was nice but could only offer to call CS. (this much I could have done) The guy I talked to on the phone explained to me how to "side load" the books that I had ordered. Now I don't mind doing this but am thinking it takes a little of the fun out of having a gadget. To top it all off, Gatsby had a tendency to freeze up on me. (typical man) I'm getting a bit worried at this point.
I went home, sideloaded the books I had. They still didn't show up in my library but were there as documents so I could still open and read them. Connected, without incident, to my home Wifi but still wasn't able to purchase things on line. I was able to get to the online shop, go through the order process but kept getting an error telling me it didn't go through. Now at this point I am nearly in a panicked state....what have I done! I've given up my BOOKS for this......THING! UGH!
I then went to B&N's web site. Watched a few tutorials, read more of the manual, got on the boards & searched for answers. While on the nook web site I found that a new update was released yesterday. During the next week it would automatically download to my Nook however, if I wanted, I could manually download it now. I decided to manually do it. This process went easily and painlessly and I'm happy to report ever since the update all of my issues have gone away. My books showed up in my library, I was able to scroll through the covers, I made a purchase from the unit and nothing froze up. Gatsby and I then settled in for the night. When I woke up this morning my copy of the New York Times was already waiting for me & I read it in bed.
As of right now I love my new toy. I am looking forward to a weekend of reading and getting to know Gatsby better. We are planning a trip back to B&N to check out the "in store experience" as soon as I'm done posting this.
I hope Gatsby & I continue to be happy together and are able to go on many amazing journeys!
Until next time, happy reading!!
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
--Groucho Marx
My Nook, hereby known as Gatsby, arrived on Thursday after a month long wait. I didn't have time to do more than get it out of it's packaging (which was a bit tricky) and charge it up.
I brought Gatsby with me to work on Friday. It was my last day at the VA and a couple of my friends there are thinking of getting one and wanted to see it. I didn't have it fully up and running so we couldn't play much but they were able to see it in person and get a better idea of how it's suppose to work.
I was done early so I stopped at the local B&N, hopped on their Wifi and got registered. Here is where the fun started. After I registered, the books I had previously purchased didn't show up in my library nor was I able to purchase anything while I was in the store. I went to the Customer Service desk to ask for help. The first person I talked to, although nice, admitted to knowing "absolutely nothing" about the Nook. He called someone else, presumably a manager, she came up and told me she "was the most electronically challenged person around". Again she was nice but could only offer to call CS. (this much I could have done) The guy I talked to on the phone explained to me how to "side load" the books that I had ordered. Now I don't mind doing this but am thinking it takes a little of the fun out of having a gadget. To top it all off, Gatsby had a tendency to freeze up on me. (typical man) I'm getting a bit worried at this point.
I went home, sideloaded the books I had. They still didn't show up in my library but were there as documents so I could still open and read them. Connected, without incident, to my home Wifi but still wasn't able to purchase things on line. I was able to get to the online shop, go through the order process but kept getting an error telling me it didn't go through. Now at this point I am nearly in a panicked state....what have I done! I've given up my BOOKS for this......THING! UGH!
I then went to B&N's web site. Watched a few tutorials, read more of the manual, got on the boards & searched for answers. While on the nook web site I found that a new update was released yesterday. During the next week it would automatically download to my Nook however, if I wanted, I could manually download it now. I decided to manually do it. This process went easily and painlessly and I'm happy to report ever since the update all of my issues have gone away. My books showed up in my library, I was able to scroll through the covers, I made a purchase from the unit and nothing froze up. Gatsby and I then settled in for the night. When I woke up this morning my copy of the New York Times was already waiting for me & I read it in bed.
As of right now I love my new toy. I am looking forward to a weekend of reading and getting to know Gatsby better. We are planning a trip back to B&N to check out the "in store experience" as soon as I'm done posting this.
I hope Gatsby & I continue to be happy together and are able to go on many amazing journeys!
Until next time, happy reading!!
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
--Groucho Marx
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sarah's Key
Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay was a very good read. I probably shouldn't talk about it yet as it was our book club pick & we haven't met yet but......here it goes any way.
Sarah's Key is written in two parts, one in the voice of a 10 year old girl who lived during a terrible time in our world history & the other the voice of a modern day journalist. Each chapter flips back and forth between 1942 and 2002. I loved this writing style for this book for two reasons. First because it really made you want to keep reading, you needed to know what happened in the next chapter. Secondly, because sometime you needed a break from reading some of the things that were too hard to think about.
The story is of Sarah, a young, Jewish girl, growning up in France during the war and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris 60 years later and how their lives are touched by a common bond. Julia is unable to go back to life as she knew it once she starts researching for a story and finds her connection to Sarah.
As a lover of history I always enjoy these types of books. A refresher course in things we should never forget. It is still sometimes hard for me to imagine that something so horrific as the Holocaust happened less than 70 years ago. That in my Grandparents life time we allowed something like this to happen is really hard for me to think about.
These two intertwining stories are beautifully written and easily join together in the end to bring resolution to the story. Although there are still a few things I personally would have liked more completed, over all I thought it ended with satisfaction and closure.
I highly recommend reading this book. It won't take you more than a few chapters to be sucked in. It is my hope that it will take you longer to forget it.
In the words of Sarah.
Zakhor. Al Tichkah.
Remember. Never forget.
4 out of 5 stars
Sarah's Key is written in two parts, one in the voice of a 10 year old girl who lived during a terrible time in our world history & the other the voice of a modern day journalist. Each chapter flips back and forth between 1942 and 2002. I loved this writing style for this book for two reasons. First because it really made you want to keep reading, you needed to know what happened in the next chapter. Secondly, because sometime you needed a break from reading some of the things that were too hard to think about.
The story is of Sarah, a young, Jewish girl, growning up in France during the war and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris 60 years later and how their lives are touched by a common bond. Julia is unable to go back to life as she knew it once she starts researching for a story and finds her connection to Sarah.
As a lover of history I always enjoy these types of books. A refresher course in things we should never forget. It is still sometimes hard for me to imagine that something so horrific as the Holocaust happened less than 70 years ago. That in my Grandparents life time we allowed something like this to happen is really hard for me to think about.
These two intertwining stories are beautifully written and easily join together in the end to bring resolution to the story. Although there are still a few things I personally would have liked more completed, over all I thought it ended with satisfaction and closure.
I highly recommend reading this book. It won't take you more than a few chapters to be sucked in. It is my hope that it will take you longer to forget it.
In the words of Sarah.
Zakhor. Al Tichkah.
Remember. Never forget.
4 out of 5 stars
The Scarpetta Factor
I recently finished The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell. I have long been a follower of the Kay Scarpetta series. I suppose I have read her books for 20 years. (Guess I moved on to the adult Nancy Drew version). I'm not sure when it happened but somewhere in the last 5 to 7 years something has changed with her books. The Scarpetta Factor was really no exception.
I really enjoyed her earlier books; The Body Farm, Cruel & Unusual, All That Remains. They were all intense and interesting. I liked the main characters a lot. I have images of them in my head as I read. (Marino looks a lot like Sipowicz from NYPD Blue) I love Kay's house in Richmond. I could imagine myself there eating one of her famous big Italian meals.
Somewhere in the last few years, I think it's really ever since she (Kay Scarpetta) left Richmond that I have found the books lacking. It's almost as if someone else is writing them, Kay has lost her voice and the other characters, such as Lucy and Marino, have become so dark.
For those of you who don't follow the series Kay Scarpetta is a powerful forensic psychologist. (not to mention a Chief Medical Examiner) She is a strong female character that the feminist in me admires. She is single, successful, came from humble beginnings & she (almost) always gets her man!
Somewhere over the last few years I've stopped admiring her and I positively hate what has happened to Marino. I would really love it if Ms. Cornwell would go back to the old Kay & write something gritty & a little less whiny.
All in all The Scarpetta Factor was a quick easy read. Time spent with familiar people. The story line jumps around a lot and I think she tried to tie too many things together. It ended up being a little predictable. There is nothing really wrong with the book other than it leaves me feeling nastalgic. I miss the old gang.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed her earlier books; The Body Farm, Cruel & Unusual, All That Remains. They were all intense and interesting. I liked the main characters a lot. I have images of them in my head as I read. (Marino looks a lot like Sipowicz from NYPD Blue) I love Kay's house in Richmond. I could imagine myself there eating one of her famous big Italian meals.
Somewhere in the last few years, I think it's really ever since she (Kay Scarpetta) left Richmond that I have found the books lacking. It's almost as if someone else is writing them, Kay has lost her voice and the other characters, such as Lucy and Marino, have become so dark.
For those of you who don't follow the series Kay Scarpetta is a powerful forensic psychologist. (not to mention a Chief Medical Examiner) She is a strong female character that the feminist in me admires. She is single, successful, came from humble beginnings & she (almost) always gets her man!
Somewhere over the last few years I've stopped admiring her and I positively hate what has happened to Marino. I would really love it if Ms. Cornwell would go back to the old Kay & write something gritty & a little less whiny.
All in all The Scarpetta Factor was a quick easy read. Time spent with familiar people. The story line jumps around a lot and I think she tried to tie too many things together. It ended up being a little predictable. There is nothing really wrong with the book other than it leaves me feeling nastalgic. I miss the old gang.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars
Monday, January 18, 2010
The problem is.....
Okay, I admit it. I have a problem. My friend Barb recently told me that there might need to be an intervention. You see, I buy a lot of books.....
I am always on the look out for a new author to follow or picking up a book that will "be perfect for book club". I buy books on line, I buy books in stores, I get books from friends that don't want them any more, boxes of books from auction sales - heck, I've even picked them up at garage sales. (probably the only thing I've ever bought at a garage sale) Everywhere I look there is a book that is still needing to be read.
I'm not selfish with my books. I'm happy to loan them out to people as long as I know they will be returned in the shape they left me in. I can't stand to loan to people who break the spine of my books or dog ear them or GOD FORBID highlight passages. Please be respectful or buy your own.
I am sitting here now, typing away, trying to ignore the ever growing pile by my computer that need to be read. I mean, where do I start? They all look good or I wouldn't have purchased them in the first place! Do I go with the current thriller? Maybe a good, solid classic is in order? Or there is the one I picked up that won the Pulitzer or that series my sister has been tearing through.......oh, the endless possibilities!
Does any one have a suggestion? Here is what I'm considering:
Her Perfect Symmetry
Olive Kitteridge
Ford County
Anna Karenina
Alex Cross's Trial
Five Quarters of the Orange
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet
Of Bee's and Mist
Twilight
You see the problem is not that I buy too many books, it's that I have to work to support my habit and run out of time to read them!! What were you thinking my problem was? (Actually, don't answer that)
I am always on the look out for a new author to follow or picking up a book that will "be perfect for book club". I buy books on line, I buy books in stores, I get books from friends that don't want them any more, boxes of books from auction sales - heck, I've even picked them up at garage sales. (probably the only thing I've ever bought at a garage sale) Everywhere I look there is a book that is still needing to be read.
I'm not selfish with my books. I'm happy to loan them out to people as long as I know they will be returned in the shape they left me in. I can't stand to loan to people who break the spine of my books or dog ear them or GOD FORBID highlight passages. Please be respectful or buy your own.
I am sitting here now, typing away, trying to ignore the ever growing pile by my computer that need to be read. I mean, where do I start? They all look good or I wouldn't have purchased them in the first place! Do I go with the current thriller? Maybe a good, solid classic is in order? Or there is the one I picked up that won the Pulitzer or that series my sister has been tearing through.......oh, the endless possibilities!
Does any one have a suggestion? Here is what I'm considering:
Her Perfect Symmetry
Olive Kitteridge
Ford County
Anna Karenina
Alex Cross's Trial
Five Quarters of the Orange
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet
Of Bee's and Mist
Twilight
You see the problem is not that I buy too many books, it's that I have to work to support my habit and run out of time to read them!! What were you thinking my problem was? (Actually, don't answer that)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I feel like a traitor
Well, I've finally done it. I swore I never would.
I have always loved books. Ever since I was a baby I have loved them. I remember well my dad reading the Little House on the Prairie series to me every night before I went to bed. I remember getting lost in the story of the young girl living in a time I could only imagine. Wondering about the drawings that accompanied the chapters. We once even took a trip to Desmet, South Dakota to take in a the Laurie Ingalls Wilder play.
I left Laura and moved on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I couldn't wait to go to a "big town" so that I could get the next book in the series. I never asked for toys or candy when we on a shopping trip. I always asked for a book. I couldn't wait to get into the car for the drive home and bury my face in chapter one.
I think of myself as a pretty accomplished reader. I've ventured off into many genres. I love the touch and feel of books. I prefer hard cover to paperbacks. If I have to buy the paperback I would rather get the trade paper size then the traditional. I have been lost for days in Barnes and Noble, Borders or B. Dalton. It has been a life long dream of mine to have a library room in my house.
So.....it came as a great surprise to me when I decided to buy an electronic reader. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adapt but I see the writing on the wall. As much as I love paper books I also love technology. E-readers are the way of the future. My Nook will be shipped to me February 12th.
The techie in me is excited for this new adventure but the little girl in me is a little sad. I'm glad I got to be that little girl who was read to from real books. I'm glad I grew up then because I think being read to from a e-reader may have taken a little of the fun out of it. It's some how not quite as dreamy.
.....and I still feel a little like a traitor.
http://nook.com
I have always loved books. Ever since I was a baby I have loved them. I remember well my dad reading the Little House on the Prairie series to me every night before I went to bed. I remember getting lost in the story of the young girl living in a time I could only imagine. Wondering about the drawings that accompanied the chapters. We once even took a trip to Desmet, South Dakota to take in a the Laurie Ingalls Wilder play.
I left Laura and moved on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I couldn't wait to go to a "big town" so that I could get the next book in the series. I never asked for toys or candy when we on a shopping trip. I always asked for a book. I couldn't wait to get into the car for the drive home and bury my face in chapter one.
I think of myself as a pretty accomplished reader. I've ventured off into many genres. I love the touch and feel of books. I prefer hard cover to paperbacks. If I have to buy the paperback I would rather get the trade paper size then the traditional. I have been lost for days in Barnes and Noble, Borders or B. Dalton. It has been a life long dream of mine to have a library room in my house.
So.....it came as a great surprise to me when I decided to buy an electronic reader. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adapt but I see the writing on the wall. As much as I love paper books I also love technology. E-readers are the way of the future. My Nook will be shipped to me February 12th.
The techie in me is excited for this new adventure but the little girl in me is a little sad. I'm glad I got to be that little girl who was read to from real books. I'm glad I grew up then because I think being read to from a e-reader may have taken a little of the fun out of it. It's some how not quite as dreamy.
.....and I still feel a little like a traitor.
http://nook.com
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I've created a monster!
I told my friend Liz that she really needed to read the book Loving Frank. I knew she'd love it and would have a lot to say about the book.
She finished it Sunday morning at 12:09am and I've been hearing about it ever since! :)
I thought that I had done some research after I'd read the book but Liz has found a number of issues that I didn't discover.
For those of you who haven't read the book it is about Frank Lloyd Write and him long time love, not is wife, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. The story is fiction but based on factual events and letters that were collected over time. I found it very easy to get caught up in their story & found it amazing everything they went through. It was all very scandalous for the times and we certainly had a interesting discussion in book club over the events. I loved this book and it was my favorite read in 2008.
WARNING! If you haven't read the book, don't read the rest of the blog as I'm going to ask questions to things that you don't want to know happen.
In doing research Liz found that they people in the community where Frank and Mamah built their house, it was widely thought that Frank set up the tragedy that happened. Do you think this possible?
What do you think of the fact that Frank got remarried twice after losing Mamah?
When Frank died he was laid to rest by Mamah, when Olga died, she had him exhumed and creamated, their ashes combined and burried together. What do you think of this?
If you've read this book I would love to know your thoughts and opinions!
Are there other questions you've been asking?
Liz, I expect complete answers from you! :)
http://lovingfrank.com/
She finished it Sunday morning at 12:09am and I've been hearing about it ever since! :)
I thought that I had done some research after I'd read the book but Liz has found a number of issues that I didn't discover.
For those of you who haven't read the book it is about Frank Lloyd Write and him long time love, not is wife, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. The story is fiction but based on factual events and letters that were collected over time. I found it very easy to get caught up in their story & found it amazing everything they went through. It was all very scandalous for the times and we certainly had a interesting discussion in book club over the events. I loved this book and it was my favorite read in 2008.
WARNING! If you haven't read the book, don't read the rest of the blog as I'm going to ask questions to things that you don't want to know happen.
In doing research Liz found that they people in the community where Frank and Mamah built their house, it was widely thought that Frank set up the tragedy that happened. Do you think this possible?
What do you think of the fact that Frank got remarried twice after losing Mamah?
When Frank died he was laid to rest by Mamah, when Olga died, she had him exhumed and creamated, their ashes combined and burried together. What do you think of this?
If you've read this book I would love to know your thoughts and opinions!
Are there other questions you've been asking?
Liz, I expect complete answers from you! :)
http://lovingfrank.com/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's all about the girl.....
I got sucked into a series a while back. I'm 2/3 of the way through it. It's with mixed emotions I await May when the 3rd and final book will come out. I will most likely find myself waiting at Barnes and Noble in the middle of the night to be the first one to buy the final book in the Millennium series.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo took me on a journey to another land. Admittedly, I struggled to get into it. There were so many characters and I kept trying to "see" the area in which the book took place, never mind the fact that I've never been to Sweden. However, after I set my mind to just reading it and stop trying to figure out all the towns and scenery, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to read the next part - but wait I did, a whole year!!!
The Girl Who Played with Fire finally came out this past summer. I read it in about 2 days. No wading through names and places like the last time, just hit the ground running and don't look back! What a ride it's been so far.
The journey will end this spring and because of the early death of the author The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Nest will be the 3rd and final book. This is why I have such mixed emotions. I want desperately to know how it all ends but at the same time want there to be more. The main characters in this book have me hooked. They will stay with me for a long time I am sure.
These books have been a smash hit in Europe for a while. It took us awhile in the US to catch on to this new trend of Scandinavian Mysteries. My cousin and his wife have read the last installment and offered to send it too me.....We've joked about how the story would lose a bit in translation if I have to try to learn French at the same time. They've assured me the final book is every bit as interesting as the first two.
Steig Larrson, the author of the series, died shortly after he delivered the 3 manuscripts that would become the Millennium Series. He never got to revel in his success. There has been a lot of speculation about his death in the years since. In Novembers issue of Vanity Fair there was a particularly good article on Mr. Larrson & it appears some foundation to the theory of these books being more than fiction. It seems many people got quite nervous about some of the accusations made in the book. Of course this bit of salaciousness does tend to add to the intrigue of the books, doesn't it? Maybe his death was just plain luck for the publisher. It certainly makes for excellent marketing!
If any of it is true of not, I may never know. What I do know is these books have been an excellent read and a incredibly interesting escape. They are a quite graffic and not for everyone but if you like a good political thriller or just to read about another country, give them a try. I have not been dissapointed.
Lisbeth Salander I am pulling for you girl!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo took me on a journey to another land. Admittedly, I struggled to get into it. There were so many characters and I kept trying to "see" the area in which the book took place, never mind the fact that I've never been to Sweden. However, after I set my mind to just reading it and stop trying to figure out all the towns and scenery, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to read the next part - but wait I did, a whole year!!!
The Girl Who Played with Fire finally came out this past summer. I read it in about 2 days. No wading through names and places like the last time, just hit the ground running and don't look back! What a ride it's been so far.
The journey will end this spring and because of the early death of the author The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Nest will be the 3rd and final book. This is why I have such mixed emotions. I want desperately to know how it all ends but at the same time want there to be more. The main characters in this book have me hooked. They will stay with me for a long time I am sure.
These books have been a smash hit in Europe for a while. It took us awhile in the US to catch on to this new trend of Scandinavian Mysteries. My cousin and his wife have read the last installment and offered to send it too me.....We've joked about how the story would lose a bit in translation if I have to try to learn French at the same time. They've assured me the final book is every bit as interesting as the first two.
Steig Larrson, the author of the series, died shortly after he delivered the 3 manuscripts that would become the Millennium Series. He never got to revel in his success. There has been a lot of speculation about his death in the years since. In Novembers issue of Vanity Fair there was a particularly good article on Mr. Larrson & it appears some foundation to the theory of these books being more than fiction. It seems many people got quite nervous about some of the accusations made in the book. Of course this bit of salaciousness does tend to add to the intrigue of the books, doesn't it? Maybe his death was just plain luck for the publisher. It certainly makes for excellent marketing!
If any of it is true of not, I may never know. What I do know is these books have been an excellent read and a incredibly interesting escape. They are a quite graffic and not for everyone but if you like a good political thriller or just to read about another country, give them a try. I have not been dissapointed.
Lisbeth Salander I am pulling for you girl!
Recap
My book club is made up of a group of amazing ladies. The common connection, in the beginning , was me but I think after all we've shared and talked about this year I'd venture to say we'd call each other friends. I always find it interesting how 7 other people can read the same book and get something completely different out of it. That is the beauty of book club....you go in with one opinion and leave with 7 new ones!
Here is a recap of what we've read in the past year.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
The Color of Light by Karen White
The Wednesday Letters by Jason Write
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austin
After Anne by Roxanne Henke
We did a little poll recently and top favorites of the year were Loving Frank, The Wednesday Letters and the Guernsey book. It seemed that the main reason these books were picked was because there were characters in each that we couldn't let go of.
Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you been done with a book and yet found yourself wanting to know what happened next? Where would so and so be now? There are books that have haunted me. Followed me around for years! Loving Frank was one of them. The Poisonwood Bible, White Oleander, I Know This Much is True and East of Eden are all in the running as well.
What are your books that you didn't want to end or that you keep thinking about?
Here is a recap of what we've read in the past year.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
The Color of Light by Karen White
The Wednesday Letters by Jason Write
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austin
After Anne by Roxanne Henke
We did a little poll recently and top favorites of the year were Loving Frank, The Wednesday Letters and the Guernsey book. It seemed that the main reason these books were picked was because there were characters in each that we couldn't let go of.
Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you been done with a book and yet found yourself wanting to know what happened next? Where would so and so be now? There are books that have haunted me. Followed me around for years! Loving Frank was one of them. The Poisonwood Bible, White Oleander, I Know This Much is True and East of Eden are all in the running as well.
What are your books that you didn't want to end or that you keep thinking about?
Saturday, January 2, 2010
It's been a while
I have to admit, I'd kind of given up on blogging. Recently, however, I had a little brain storm....
I was watching Julie & Julia & found inspiration that she blogged about what she loved. Since she already took cooking I decided on another love.....reading.
My book club recently celebrated it's first year together. It has been an absolute joy for me. Even though I haven't loved all of the books I have always loved the getting together part. The joy of the written word and how it can be interpreted so differently.
The book club was a little scary at first....there were times when there were only 4 of us at a meeting but as the year closed we were 8 solid people strong with two more joining next month. I am excited for what the next year can bring.
I decided if I had that much fun talking about books once a month....why not a little more often??!!
I hope that some people will read my blog. Even more, I hope that someone will join me in discussions about what they've read, want to read or whats just collecting dust on the bed side table.
Speaking of that....I have two books going right now, one for book club and one for pleasure. Current reads: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay & The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell but the pile by my night stand is many, many books deep. It's kinda scary!
What's on your night stand?
I was watching Julie & Julia & found inspiration that she blogged about what she loved. Since she already took cooking I decided on another love.....reading.
My book club recently celebrated it's first year together. It has been an absolute joy for me. Even though I haven't loved all of the books I have always loved the getting together part. The joy of the written word and how it can be interpreted so differently.
The book club was a little scary at first....there were times when there were only 4 of us at a meeting but as the year closed we were 8 solid people strong with two more joining next month. I am excited for what the next year can bring.
I decided if I had that much fun talking about books once a month....why not a little more often??!!
I hope that some people will read my blog. Even more, I hope that someone will join me in discussions about what they've read, want to read or whats just collecting dust on the bed side table.
Speaking of that....I have two books going right now, one for book club and one for pleasure. Current reads: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay & The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell but the pile by my night stand is many, many books deep. It's kinda scary!
What's on your night stand?
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