Finished 3 books last weekend
Mood:  happy

Wow didn't know I was so behind on my reading. I finished Robert Crais new book "The First Rule" a Joe Pike novel. The title of the book pretty much says it all. The first rule in Pike's rule book is "don't mess with my friends." I think the second rule is "if you do, there will be a body count." I was so busy I didn't have time to just sit down and read it which is why it took me two weeks to get the book done. But I carried it with me everywhere and read one chapter here and one chapter there. I finally got down the the last 40 pages Friday night and turned off the phone, ignored the dirty dishes and finished the book.

The second book I finished was "The Practice of the Presence of God: Conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence." I downloaded a copy from netlibrary but if you go to http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/ you can print off a copy or read it online. It's only about 20 pages, but it is very worthwhile reading. It took me nearly a month to read because after reading each conversation and letter I let the ideas and thoughts sink in. It's like reading a devotional. I enjoyed it very much.

Finally I read a new author Colleen Coble called Distant Echos. The book is set in Hawaii and the authors writing and description of the island of Kauai are incredible, as well as the culture and language of the Hawaiian people. The mystery was awesome too. Kaia works with dolphins, one dolphin in particular, Nani,  trying to bridge the language gap between men and dolphins. The navy enlists hers and Nani's help in trying to find saboteurs of a very important missle test. In the meantime Commander Matthews makes Kaia's life interesting. She wants to strangle him when he orders her around but he's the first one she runs to when there's trouble. Why does the Pele Hawaii group have such a hold on her brother and why is her bosses wife so interested in Kaia? Will she ever be able to bridge the language barrier between herself and Nani? Will it take a life or death situation before they can communicate?

Thr3e
Mood:  cool
Topic: Reading
Wow! Ted Dekker is awesome. I finished Thr3e (Three) on Monday and I was spellbound throughout the entire book. Kevin Parson has finally gotten his life together after a tormented childhood. He has his home, a future and peace. But what happens when good and evil intersect in one life. A bomber blows up his car, then a bus, then the school library he attends. And the common thread of everything is the number 3. Slater wants to destroy Kevin but Jennifer and Samantha love him and only want to protect him. But who can he trust. Who is the enemy and who is going to save him?

Island of Saints
Mood:  lazy
Topic: Reading
I finished Island of Saints by Andy Andrews. His books are so hard to figure out if they are fiction or true. This one is classified as fiction but as you're reading it you feel like it's a true story. The book is set during World War II on the Gulf Coast. Helen has had a hard life and is angry at the whole world and particularly at any German after the death of her husband in England at the beginning of WWII. Most Americans don't know that German U-boats are patrolling the Gulf of Mexico or that they destroyed 56 vessels in the Gulf from 1942-1945. When Helen finds a wounded U-boat sailor floating in the Gulf she hauls him out of the ocean only to discover who he is. A part of her wants to kill him but another part is led to help him. Over time Helen learns the value of forgiveness and the freedom it brings.

I love bad weather
Mood:  chillin'

I love bad weather, I got to stay home all day Friday, part of Saturday and Sunday. I was a happy camper, books, food and coffee. So I fished one of Terri Blackstock's new books "Double Minds." Parker James is a Christian singer/songwriter working at a recording studio and trying to work on a recording contract. She's already well known for her songs. But suddenly the receptionist covering for her is murdered. She hardly knewBrenna and feels guilty about the girl's death. While offering her condolences to the Brenna's family and friends she picks up scraps of information indicating that everything was not what it appeared to be. First the Brenna is the daughter of a famous Christian recording artist and a recording mogul. Why was she working at a small time recording studio for free? Then Parker's dream comes true and with the help of her friends and family she gets to go on tour with her best friend, Serene, who is an up and coming Christian singer. But in the middle of this she has strange thing start happening to her. Strange phone calls, someone following her, her house broken into. Then Brenna's mother suddenly comes out with a new song, one of Parkers songs. As her world spirals, Parker's only constant is God and the love of her family.

Then I read Andy Andrews first book "The Traveler's Gift" after reading "The Noticer" I just have to read this book as well. David Ponder has hit rock bottom. In one year going from a successful business executive who has his whole life planned on a timeline, to an unemployed, uninsured father whose daughter is very sick. He can't face the future and then God sends him a journey into the past and future where he meets famous people who teach him what is truly important and give him a letter, so that he can learn and then teach seven simple life lessons. This is a beautiful book about looking forward, learning from your mistakes and moving on.

The third book I read this weekend was "The Help" by Kathleen Stockholm. It's not a mystery, it's a historical fiction about the civil rights movement of the 1960's. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, Skeeter Phelan wants to be a writer more than anything. First, Skeeter comes home from college to discover the maid has quit and no one will tell Skeeter anything about her. Then when she watches her best friend humiliate a maid. As the south is rocked by civil rights unrest, Skeeter approaches a publishing company with an idea. She will write the stories of maids in the south. What it's like to raise other people's children. The good and the bad of their jobs. The joy of being part of the families they work for and the anger of being treated like second class citizens. The women all know the consequences of telling their stories. If anyone finds out they be fired or worse killed.

Around the World in 80 Days
Topic: Reading
Well I finished Around the World in 80 days. And it only took me 80 days to read it. I was exciting in places but overall it was just a very interesting story of traveling around the world in the late 19th century. I read it through Dailylit.com and it came in 81 installments. Phileas Fogg is a hero of heroes, doing what is the honorable thing in every circumstance, not allowing emotion, fear or discomfort to influence his decisions. Followed by a detective determined to arrest Fogg for a crime he did not commit. It's a wonderful book about determination and what is really important in life.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
I finished "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. This is an amazing book. I won't be donating this copy to the library (sorry, I'll buy another one for the library). It took me nearly 3 weeks to read because I stopped to make notes in my prayer journal and my bible. There were principles in it that I had to stop and think about and figure out how they applied to me. For all of us who struggle with trying to live the example of Jesus in this busy and hurried world this book is a guide to the daily walk we all face.

2 childrens books, 2 cute
Mood:  happy
Topic: Reading

The theme for January 12 Story Time was Winter and I read two books to the children that had the same idea, baby bear cub isn't ready to for his hibernation. The first book was "Little Brown Bear won't Take a Nap!" Little Brown Bear waits until his parents are asleep and then goes outside and follows the geese south for winter. But after a while of playing in the sand he gets homesick and wants to go home. The book is written and illustrated by Jane Dyer. The touching artwork and the story of Little Brown Bears stubbornness and then his homesickness are wonderful. The second book I read to my Story Time kids was "Little Bear's New Friend" from the  Little Animal Adventures series put out by Reader's Digest Young Families. The story is by Muriel Pepin adapated by Deborah Kovacs and illustrated by Marcelle Geneste. Little bear doesn't want to miss the first snow of winter. So, after Mama bear goes to sleep he goes outside to play. He finds a playmate in a wolf pup who also snuck away from his den to play in the snow. However, when Mama Bear and Mama Wolf discover the missing babies they search the forest for them finding the pair fast alseep in another bear's den. The illustrations are beautiful with the forest scenes accurately depicted. The adventures of the little runaways along with the danger that they are unaware of give an aura of suspense to the story.

Children's book
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Reading
During Story Time on January 5 I read a book we had recently purchased for our collection called "One Winter's Night" by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Simon Mendez. This is a beautiful story of a badger who saves a fox, mouse and rabbit who were willing to share the last that they had with him. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is touching and teach children the blessing of giving.

New Years weekend books
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Reading

 

Over New Year's weekend I read two books and started on another one. I read Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. The mother and daughter writing team combine their favorite characters to entertain readers with a mystery whodunnit on the high seas. Alvirah and Willie Meehan are invited to join the inaugural cruise of the Royal Mermaid aptly named the Santa Cruise. The Meehan's invite their good friends Luke and Nora Reilly and Jack and Regan Reilly to join them. From ghosts of long-dead authors to "extra" Santa's aboard to thieves trying to steal the Commodore's mothers ashes there is suspense, humor and romance afoot  between Miami and Fish Island.

The second book I read was Unspoken by Francine Rivers. The short book is part of the Lineage of Grace series about Bathsheba an example of grace, forgiveness and consequences. Most know the story of Bathsheba who committed adultery with King David but between the lines is a story of God's grace and forgiveness and the long-term consequences of sin and betrayal. Bathsheba is listed in the genealogy of Jesus (along with Rahab, Ruth, Tamar and Mary). Rivers takes what written in the bible and fills in the gaps from her study of traditions and culture of the time and place. This is a historical fiction novel that will help you think about the consequences of your actions, not just tomorrow but for generations.

I started reading  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha world Saturday night. I attended a ladies class which used this book as the basis for the study. The teacher hit the highlights of the book but like a good book review it made me want to read the who book. So, when I had the opportunity to buy it I did. I will blog more when I finish it.

 

 

 

New Year's Resolution
Mood:  party time!
Topic: Reading

December 31, 2009

      Here are my 10 Reading Resolutions for 2009 and how I managed:

My 10 reading resolutions for 2009

1. I will read a book I loved as a child to my grandchildren. I read The Velveteen Rabbit.

2. I will read a least 3 classics this year. I read Wuthering Heights, Walden and Murder on Rue Morgue.

3. I will read a book from the year I was born. Hidden Window Mystery by Carolyn Keene (a Nancy Drew Mystery)

4. I will blog more about what I'm reading 28 blogs, Uh yep.

5. I will attend a book club sometime this year. Sorry, missed this one.

6. I will read through the bible this year. Yes, just finished the minor prophets

7. I will read a book about a place I've never been. Glasgow, Scotland

8. I will reread a book I "didn't get." Wuthering Heights

9. I will read a book written by and about another culture.  Botswana, Africa

10. I will read 25 books this year along with my granddaughter. (If she can do it, so can I) I read 32, Yeah!

So what about next year? Well here are my thoughts about next year…

2010 Reading Resolutions

1. I will read 50 books this year.

2. Will read the Apocrypha.

3. I will attend a book club.

4. I will read at least 5 new authors.

5. I am going to start reading teen books.

6. I will start blogging about the children’s books I read.

7. I will read a book in a genre I don’t usually read.

8. I will read at least 3 biographies.

9. I will read a book written by an international author.

10. I will read more to my grandchildren.