March 2007 Book Challenge

[Bufomander]

Okay, I'm giving in and starting the new thread.

Basically, this is just a place to check in and share what you are reading and/or get some good ideas for what to read next. Some people make a goal for the year, some people number their books just keep track, and some people just say what they've just finished. (I think most people's numbers started in January.)

[Bufomander]

#40 Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by Mark Salzman

Author of Iron & Silk. Just a memoir/autobiography of his childhood/young adulthood. It was fun. From the back cover:

As Salzman recalls coming of age with one foot in the Connecticut suburbs and another in medieval China, he tells the story of a boy pursuing a dream in spite of his father's skepticism, his kung fu teacher's withering abuse, and the patent absurdity of a teenager trying to attain enlightenment before he's learned to drive.

[konamama]

January and Feb books;

At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks
ok, not great, not as good as his other books, short...

The Real Animal House - Chris Miller
the extended version of the movie, written by the same man who wrote
the movie and lived the story, ok as well, not wroth moving to you list
unless you loved Animal House...

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (part 4) (YA)
love this series but this just wasn't up to the same level as the other 3

Baby Proof - Emily Griffin
couple meet, both discuss not wanting to have children, marry, one of
them changes their minds, story continues from there.

Family Tree - Barbara Delinsky
Couple have baby, has african american features, story continues.

Blue Bloods (YA) - Melissa De La Cruz
nyc, elite are vampires, something is killing them, seems to be part on
of a possible series.

and the reading continues...

[Thalia the Muse]

Currently reading:
Little, Big -- John Crowley (this is EXCELLENT)
And rereading Emma

[stelly]

Just finished
The Silent Knife by Nancy Wainer Cohen, about c-sections and VBAC
Born in the USA by Marsden Wagner, expose of modern obstetrics

Currently working on
Blind submission by Debra Ginsberg. I've read her other non-fiction books, Raising Blaze and Waiting so I'm looking forward to reading her fiction debut

Shopaholic and baby by Sophie Kinsella. I did not like the other shopaholic books much, but I do love to read things set in England, and I thought this will probably be an easy, light read.

Him her him again the end of him by Patricia Marx. I heard her on NPR and asked the library to order the book for me... I'm trying to get up the enthusiasm to read it.


Recommendations:
One Good Turn, by Kate Atkinson - brilliant. Loved her other book, Case Histories.

The Man of My Dreams, by Curtis Sittenfeld. As good as her debut, Prep.

I love these threads! I love to know what other people are enjoying.

[ColoradoMama]

I need to stop reading this website and go read a book!

[shelf]

I'll play because I want to read more. I haven't read anything in a while until this week.

I just finished Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner.

I need to go get my library card. I haven't been since we moved.

[PeacefulSeams]

I'm going to try to finish off the books I got from the library so I can start on the new books I got from the bookstore. I have left:

1.Chocolat (currently Reading)
2.The Wonder of Boys (currently Reading)
3.The Joy Luck Club
4.Protecting the Gift
5.Boys of Few Words
6.Happiness
7.Going on Being
8.Freakonomics
9.The Secret of Natural Readers
10.Real Steps to Enlightenment

[jenn72]

I just started the first Harry Potter book. I think I am the only person in the world who hasn't read it yet...

[nancy926]

#18: Monkeyluv by Robert Sapolsky

This is a book of essays by a primatologist at Stanford. He is darn funny. He discusses mating, the ecology of religion (this was fascinating), what attracts people to other people, rabies, and People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. Along with a LOT of other topics.

Very good, if you like that sorta thing. As a dropout from a PhD program in ecology, I did!

[cathe]

"Larklight" by Philip Reeve

Buf - thanks so much for the recommendation on this. It was great - some really funny lines and I loved the sister Myrtle.

For those who missed the description in last month's thread, this is a unique blend of historical novel (takes place in mid 1800's) but is sci-fi with colonies on all the planets and moons and all kids of weird creatures - but the main characters are proper english children. A really great adventure, great writing, and lots of imagination (and I am not a sci-fi fan but I really got into this one).

[***Heather***]

#15 Urgent Message From Mother: Gather the women; save the world
by Jean Shinoda Bolen

Non fiction. Loved it. Very interesting. Talks about womens roles in history, religion, politics, the world... The difference between men and women. Here
I'm not very good at explaining it! I'd recommend this book to everyone!

#16 The Brief History of the Dead
by Kevin Brockmeier

Fiction. Ok. Here's my problem with this book. It's supposed to be on the creepy/chilling/interesting side. The IDEA of the book was interesting and it started off good. But the story was so boring and he didn't take it to the level he should have. It was one of those books that you get to the ending and you say "that was it?!" Blah. Some people might enjoy it, it was ok, but it was no Dean Koontz!

And speaking of Dean Koontz I have 3 new library books to read by him! He shouldn't disappoint.


#1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, #2 Sacred Contracts, #3 Yummy Yarns, #4 The Face (Dean Koontz), #5 A Quaker Book of Wisdom, #6 Women of the Silk, #7 A Piece of Heaven (Barbara Samuel), #8 The 10th Insight (James Redfield), #9 Just listen (Sarah Dessen), #10 Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods Earth Plaster * Straw Bale * Cordwood * Cob * Living Roofs (Clarke Snell & Tim Callahan)#11 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix #12 Living Dangerously (Katie Fforde), #13 The Whole Parenting Guide: Strategies, Resources and Inspiring Stories for Holistic Parenting and Family Living (Alan Reder, Phil Catalfo, Stephanie Renfrow Hamilton), #14 An Inconenient Truth (Al Gore), #15 Urgent Message From Mother: Gather the women; save the world (Jean Shinoda Bolen), #16 The Brief History of the Dead (Kevin Brockmeier)

[***Heather***]

Originally Posted by jenn72

I just started the first Harry Potter book. I think I am the only person in the world who hasn't read it yet...

OMG I think you are!





Just kidding. I can think of at least 20 people off the top of my head who haven't read it and won't. Including DH. Although, I do read parts of it out loud to him. He just rolls his eyes and waits for the movie.

[Bufomander]

Originally Posted by cathe

"Larklight" by Philip Reeve

Buf - thanks so much for the recommendation on this. It was great - some really funny lines and I loved the sister Myrtle.

Yipee! I'm so glad you liked it! I'm looking forward to seeing what the next one is like -- the book flap said he's working on another one in the same world....

#41 Snobbery: The American Version

A somewhat academic book, just talks about all the different kinds of snobbery and how it has varied in different times. I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would -- I guess it just wasn't as dryly humorous as I was expecting...

[cathe]

"Forever in Blue" by Ann Brashares

I agree with the other posters on this. I enjoyed it but it wasn't as good as the others.

[Kaitnbugsmom]

Heavens I don't know what number books I'm on right now, haven't been keeping track. Most of them are on my blog under 'currently reading' since I like to use that for giggles...

I Just finished:

Mad Girls in Love and Crazy Ladies, both by Michael Lee West. Loved them both. I'm entranced by her writing...

Just Started: [b] All American: Why I Believe In Football, God and the War In Iraq by Capt. Robert P McGovern US Army. It's alright. Pretty dry but he's a lawyer and former NFL linebacker so I wasn't expecting much else.

Last month {february} I read through a ton, lastly Sisters, the new Danielle Steel. It was good. Not as trashy, boring and debutante esque as most of her post-son's-suicide works have been. Not on par with Zoya or Message From Nam, of course but not bad.

[chellemarie]

Every time I open these threads, I get intimidated. I love to read and want to read, but fall asleep. Every time. Someone has already read 40 books this year?!

Ugh.

I'm in for book a month. We'll see if I can gain momentum.

[Bufomander]

Originally Posted by chellemarie

Every time I open these threads, I get intimidated. I love to read and want to read, but fall asleep. Every time. Someone has already read 40 books this year?!

Ugh.

I'm in for book a month. We'll see if I can gain momentum.

: Ummm....Sorry? Just think about all the good productive things that you accomplish while I'm reading (sewing? great exercise? gardening?). also, we only have a two room apartment and dh does lots of cleaning and cooking. and i only have one child and i've always always been a fast reader. and we don't have/watch a tv.... ?Is any of this helpful? * : What's important is that you enjoy what you are reading!

#42 Joe Jones by Anne Lamott
Her fiction isn't as amazing as her non-fiction, at least to me, but this was a pleasant story nonetheless. About the workers at a restaurant -- the elderly owner, the cook, the owner's gay grandson, and various people who come in. death, love, honesty, fidelity.

*by helpful, i'm not sure what i mean -- just alleviating your "ugh" feeling in some way, i guess...?

[chellemarie]

My "ugh" is an expression of guilt. I tell people I don't have time to read but I have time to watch The Real Housewives of Orange County. So it's all on me.

Since posting that, I've read two chapters of a book I've been picking at. I'm on my way!

[Mamax3]

I just finished The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood, it was a good book. It reminded me A Lot of the books by Debbie MacComber (The Shop on Blossom Street) and (The Good Yarn).