Weejane's Challenge: The Books Strike Back!

Thought it was time for a new thread! Although I attempted to post a picture of my kidd-o I was again thwarted by html coding gods. Oh well. I hope to keep plugging along on the reading!

Anyway, below is a list of books read so far this year. Enjoy!

January:
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
The Kane Chronicles: Book 1: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
First Family: Abigail and John by Joseph J. Ellis
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution, by John A. Nagy

February:
Run with the Horsemen by Ferrol Sams
Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories by Ian Fleming
Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott
Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King

March:
Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero by David Maraniss
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely
Heat by Bill Buford

April:
Hoot by Carl Hiassen
The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose

May:
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer
The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I by Miranda Carter
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

June:
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Good Enough is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood by Becky Beaupre Gillespie

July:
Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

August:
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Post-American World: Release 2.0 by Fareed Zakaria
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I finished The Imperfectionists this afternoon while at the gym. It was a great book and I gave it 4 1/2 stars. The only thing that held me back from giving it 5 was the fact that it was so sad. For some reason, that just detracts for me. Despite the sadness, it was beautifully written! The author wrote these very tight and poignant vignettes about different characters (many of them reporters) who have a connection to an English-language newspaper based in Rome. Interspersed with these vignettes are flashbacks to the beginnings of the paper. The stories are wonderful, as are the flashbacks. The vignettes are like separate threads that the author weaves together to create the overall story and it works wonderfully.

Now I will need to take a hard look at my long list of TBR books. I would like something that I can finish by the time the new Rick Riordan book comes out.

I'm back, and you're starred!

starred your new thread. :-)

Thanks for stopping by Kath, Anne and elfchild!

I decided to finish The Unlikely Disciple since I had already started it about a month ago. In deciding what book to read next, I pulled several down from our shelves. One of those books as Three Cups of Tea which is one of my wife's all-time favorite books. (Although she may have enjoyed Stones into Schools more). Anyway, I saw this morning on The New York Times that some of that book (Three Cups of Tea) was called into question on 60 Minutes last night. (The video can be seen here.) It was interesting to watch. The New York Times article did not seem to add too much. I think the most interesting thing is what Jon Krakauer said in the 60 Minutes piece - that Mortenson has done much good and that should not be overlooked, but we should be questioning his motives when (possibly) fabricating certain tales; what is the point?

Following along with your new thread. :)

Hope you have some fantastic reads ahead of you!

Hello Friends! And thanks for stopping by Valerie!

I'm about half-way through The Unlikely Disciple. I always forget how busy spring is and it doesn't help that early spring at boarding school is always hectic because the teenagers start acting out.

Anyway, my mother-in-law is hosting her book club in June and wants me, Whitney and Whitney's sister to be there. The book is going to be Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch. (No touchstone). Has anyone read this book? It doesn't look like my cup of tea, but my mother-in-law is really just like a mother to me, so I really want to be there to support her. I'd love any thoughts on the book!

Well, I'm off to a super-busy day. Hopefully I'll get some good reading done on the 1 1/2 hour bus ride to our game this afternoon!

Good luck on your game today. We are still waiting for spring here. Today I woke to snow in the air. Hangman's Daughter sounds familiar but I don't know why. Let me do some research and I will let you know if I come up with anything.

#9 - Thanks! Our game went surprisingly well. The bats finally came alive, our pitcher was stellar and our defense behind was superb, leading us to a 12-0 win and the pitcher racking up a no-hitter!

I finished The Unlikely Disciple. It was a good book that really only got better as it went along. The premise is the author, a student at Brown University takes a semester "abroad" and "infiltrates" Liberty University. He wants to find out what the students are like as well as everyday life at America's largest evangelical university.

The writing was well done and I appreciate that Roose discussed his struggles about attending Liberty even though he is a "closted" secular student. He very candidly spoke about his religious struggle as well as being honest with his friends at Liberty who have no idea that he is not one of him. I think the last chapter and epilogue may have been the best. I would certainly recommend it. It really showed that despite some very divergent religious and socio-political views, people can get along. (I know that sounded hokey, but it's true.)

Nice review!
Any news about your interview? Have a great weekend.

The Unlikely Disciple caught my eye a time or two..
it does look good, but won't make the TBR pile..
just the maybe someday list in my mind.. so many books!

Anne - Thanks! No word on the interview. . . I'm still really nervous. I should hear this week thought.

Kath - Yeah, the book probably isn't for everyone. I found it interesting because the author graduated from the school were my wife and I work and live. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have picked it up.

I started Three Cups of Tea last night and am hoping to make some good headway on it today.

Looking forward to seeing what you think of Three Cups of Tea. It was one of the books that I kept seeing at the bookstore for awhile but I never picked it up so I don't have any idea what the book is about.

Good Morning LT Friends!

Well, I did not get the job. :( *BUT* There is a good likelihood that there will be one or two additional sections of history and both the department chair and division head want me here, so we'll see what they can come up with. Politics played into the decision (they gave the job to a really qualified woman because they wanted her husband as the new college counselor and she wasn't too keen on coming, they were moving from CA). But it's okay. I know she will do a fantastic job and the family sounds like they will be a nice addition to the community.

I keep plugging away at Three Cups of Tea. I'm not really liking this Greg Mortenson guy, he comes off as a bit holier-than-thou and self-centered. The book also jumps around a bit which is difficult for me to follow.

Bummer on the job... but crossing crossables for the future opportunities.. !

I read the ebook that Jon Krakauer released concerning Three Cups of Tea (it's online somewhere?) and found it very interesting how much concrete information he has... lots of former employees of the CAI coming forward and lots of footwork done in the same region Mortensen was in, to investigate his claims. If you can find the ebook, I definitely recommend reading it once you finish Three Cups of Tea!

Sorry to hear about the job Brit but you have a great perspective on things! One door closes just means another one is opening. :)

#16 - Thanks Kath!

#17 - Hey Faith, I really want to read the Krakauer short. It's available for the kindle, so I plan on getting it after reading Greg Mortenson's book. I really want to read Stones into Schools as well. I'm just worried because I'm losing steam on Three Cups of Tea. Thanks for the recommendation!

#18 - Thanks Valerie. There's a Quaker saying "Way opens" that has become my mantra this week.

It's been a really busy last couple of days. Just lots of running around and an away softball game yesterday. Three Cups of Tea is going a bit faster which is good because my wife pre-ordered me Rick Riordan's new book, The Throne of Fire. It is the second book in the Kane Chronicles and I should be getting it on May 3rd. Yay!!

*jealous*

Don't worry Anne - I'll let you know how I like it!

***offers some fresh-out of the oven chocolate chip cookies***

Ooh! Why thank you! Mmmmmmmmm!

I reserved The Throne of Fire at the library. I'm number 147. I do look forward to your thoughts:)

Book # 17 Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

How to start, how to start? A few years ago, my wife had read this book and it transformed her life. She immediately went on Amazon and bought ten copies to hand out to family members and friends. I can see why she did this. The underlying premise of the book is impressive and uplifting. Unfortunately, there were several parts that made the book fall short of my perhaps high expectations.

I have been wanting to read this book for a while, mainly because my wife said it was so profoundly amazing. And I agree - to an extent. I agree that a more productive way to stem religious extremism (not necessarily just Islamic extremism) is by secular education, especially among women and girls. The book meets this goal, but I was struck by how few lives I feel the schools changed. The book really only discusses a couple.

Unfortunately, the writing itself was a drawback for me. The chronology was all over the board and difficult to keep track of. One minute Mortenson was building a school, the next minute he was in San Francisco trying to get money.

Now, I know the other reason I read the book when I did was probably because of the recent controversy surrounding the book. It has been alleged (and I say this because I have yet to read these sources) that Mortenson fabricated portions of this book, as well as Stones into Schools and misappropriated funds from the underlying foundation, the CAI. First, the introduction, written by co-author Relin, seems to imply that Mortenson admitted having trouble remember when certain events occurred as well as the sequencing of events: "I choose to side with Greg Mortenson. Not because he doesn't have his flaws. His fluid sense of time made pinning down the exact sequence of many events in this book almost impossible, as did interviewing the Balti people with whom he works, who have no tenses in their language and as little attachment to linear time as the man they call Dr. Greg." (For the record, the book also suffers from a lack of attachment to linear to time).

The second quote, also from the introduction, illustrates that this book was written about a decade after Mortenson began his mission of building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Working on this book was a true collaboration. I wrote the story. But Greg Mortenson lived it. And together, as we sorted through thousands of slides, reviewed a decade's worth of documents and videos, recorded hundreds of hours of interviews, and traveled to visit with the people who are central to this unlikeliest of narratives, we brought this book to life." One has to wonder if, after a decade, some of the stories did not begin to merge together for Mortenson. This brings up another questions related to the allegations waged against Mortenson, if he has "hundreds of hours of interviews" why hasn't he released them in his defense?

Third, the part in the book about Mortenson being captured in Waziristan by the Taliban I think was fabricated. It has no logical place in the book and is placed in the book with very little context, in short it is random. In fact, the book would have benefited from being shorter and this story should have been left on the chopping block.

Anyway, there were several other things that struck me about the book as odd, but I'm getting a little too long winded.

In short, I think I would give this book an "eh" rating of 3 stars, mostly because the basic premise is laudable, but the telling of the story, combined with some fishy attributes bogs it down.

Of course, now the dilemma is - do I read Stones into Schools before reading the Krakauer piece? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

#24 hello Brit,
I was underwhelmed by this book as well. As with your expectations....I had the same experience with my dad who read it, loved it, and bought 10 copies for people he knew! He raved about it, but it didnt change my life unfortunately. I reckon you should read the Krakauer peice first as have heard Stones into Schools is not as good as Three Cups of Tea.

Hey Megan! Thanks for your thoughts. It's nice to know I wasn't the only one who was not fawning over the book. I think you're right and I'm going to read Krakauer's piece. My wife said that after reading the Krakauer piece I could always fill in any holes later.

I'm very interested in your thoughts on Greg Mortenson. I read Three Cups of Tea with skepticism - as I do with all memoirs! I thought the writing was all over the place because it was basically written by two people. I bought Stones Into Schools because he didn't use a ghostwriter for the second book. I suspect that his project got "out of hand" but that he had some good intentions. I'll probably wait until the 'scandal' settles down before reading Stones into Schools.

wonderful review! thanks!

Great review Brit! I didn't even know anything about the controversy surrounding the book. I always find it interesting how a book is raved by many people and then when I go to read it, my reaction is like yours...bleh....but it just goes to show how great books are - different people will react differently and it's always great to see the reasons behind those different reactions.

Book #18: Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way. . . by Jon Krakauer

4 1/2 stars

Bought this book after reading, Three Cups of Tea. It was excellent, but sad at the same time. It was clear that Krakauer did his homework and wrote a very well-written criticism of Mortenson. He alleges that the CAI could be doing some excellent work, but for Mortenson’s poor business and financial skills. Additionally, Mortenson has been reaping a multitude of financial benefits from the CAI, but not returning the favor. Krakauer’s ability to succinctly point out the discrepancies and inaccuracies was amazing. While Krakauer is correct that Mortenson may have an great idea underlying his foundation, he is not operating his foundation in an ethical manner; including the many fabrications contained in his books which he uses as fuel for donations to the CAI.

that is sad...
:(

So, I finished Three Cups of Deceit on the way to an away softball game yesterday. As soon I got back on the bus (after a very disappointing loss in extra-innings), I was itching to read something for the hour-long ride home. I had my kindle, but didn't want to buy a new book and I still didn't have my copy of The Throne of Fire (arg!). Well, I remember the wife reading and enjoying Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult, so I started reading that. I'm about 10% into the book and enjoying it.

Then, my wife came home today and told me she had a surprise. I thought for sure The Throne of Fire had arrived in the mail. Nope, but next best thing! The school librarian knew I was dying to get my hands on the book, so she gave it to my wife to give to me before she entered into the system!! Yay!! Hooray for wonderful school librarians!

I now have two books going (ack!) both of which are working for my first two TIOLI challenges.

In other news, it looks like there will only be one history section for me to teach next year and no dorm parenting. It will mean that I can go back to the law firm and rake in some corporate greed money though. . . all the sooner to buy my geeky mom station-wagon with! (I *will* keep up the positive thoughts for teaching openings next year!)

Positive thoughts... me, too! I'm glad you have other work to supplement limited teaching. Good luck to you, Brit. I'm going to put snacks for tomorrow's carpool into the lame mom minivan and go to bed!

>31 weejane:, I pretty much agree with you on Three Cups of Deceit and Three Cups of Tea. I've been struggling for the week or so since I finished Krakauer's piece to figure out what to say about it, and I think you put it pretty well. I like how your reading of Mortenson's book right before Krakauer's informed your review. It has been such a long time since I read the original that I couldn't remember all of the details. If I really wanted to be informed I should probably reread it, but I found it so tediously written the first time around I don't think I could bear it.

Thanks Anne!

Marcia - Yeah, I found Three Cups of Tea so poorly written that I did not think there was a way I could delve into Stones into Schools. Thank you for the kind words.

Okay, so I have made excruciatingly little headway on my books today. I had to take the kidd-o down to DuPont Children's Hospital for an ENT visit. It was our first visit and my wife and I were pretty sure he was a candidate for tubes.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

So, within 3 months of his first surgery (a much more traumatic one, if you ask me), the punk will be heading in for tubes. It's not that big of a deal - but really? Surgery is scheduled for next Thursday. I'm just hoping that the tubes will bring the punk some much needed relief. He's had this lingering ear infection (his 8 or 9th in the last 12 months) since about 5 days after his last surgery. Ugh.

Oh, poor little one! A surgeon once told me that minor surgery was surgery that happens to someone else. I'll be thinking of you, and hoping this provides some relief to him -- and you.

Oh, poor little guy! I suffered from chronic ear infections as a child, but never had to have tubes. I hope the surgery will help some!

Aww, poor Will! Hopefully like you said, short term pain and discomfort for long term solution and he won't have to deal with ear infections again!

I spent my early years with tubes in my ears and I survived :) ...the only thing for me was that when they fell out, one of the holes didn't heal over so I spent about a decade wearing earplugs in the shower and a bathing cap whenever I went swimming... honestly, I still can't put my head underwater now without a bit of panic due to the constant refrain of "don't get water in your ears!". At 16, I elected for a skin graft over the hole and everything's lovely now. My brother had tubes as well, and his healed without issue. And honestly, because I went in for surgery at such a young age, I'm not afraid of the 'knock-out' drug anymore (gas or needle), which I know often terrifies some people -- so that's a bonus!

Hope the surgery goes well and without fear, and provides the much-needed relief.

Thanks for all the well wishes, Friends!

#41 - The doc said that if the hole doesn't heal then they can go in and fix it. But he said that's a pretty rare occurrence.

Honestly, I'm really just more relieved that we're doing this than worried.

In reading news, I'm about half-way through The Throne of Fire. There is a *ton* of action and not much character development which is detracting a bit from the book. But I'm still enjoying it greatly!

I finished The Throne of Fire yesterday and loved it! Can't wait to hear what you think of it as a whole.

Book #19: The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

This book is a continuation of the Kane Chronicles trilogy. Riordan's series using Egyptian mythology as a background. I feel the same way about this book as I did The Red Pyramid. Even though I prefer Greek and Roman mythology, Riordan has woven an interesting tale. The main drawback of this book was that there was constant action. I felt that there was very little down time and character development, in that respect, it was also very different from The Lost Hero (differences in mythology notwithstanding). This also makes me wonder if Riordan's plots and writing are being hindered by his attempts to write two series concurrently.

4 stars

Happy Mother's Day to you!!!!

>44 weejane:, In re to the nonstop action in The Throne of Fire, if I recall correctly some of the middle Percy Jackson books were much more action-heavy than others in the series. Of course, it's been a while since I read them, so I could be wrong on that front. I like the Kane Chronicles because I don't know as much about Egyptian mythology so it's all more interesting and new to me.

Only 40+ messages behind, so I will just wave 'Hello' and hope to keep up from here on out, Brit :)

I am sorry to hear that The Throne of Fire is not as good as The Red Pyramid, which I loved.

Just trying to keep up with you :)

Thanks Linda!

Marcia - Yeah, some of the middle Percy Jackson books were a lot of action. I just think that the Kane Chronicles overall has more action than the Percy Jackson series of the Heroes of Olympus.

Hi Stasia & Kath!

Oh yeah, my laptop is "in the shop" so to speak, so I may be a little MIA this week.

I continue to plug away at Sing You Home. I've decided the husband is a jerk and I'm really just looking forward to the lesbian (ick, I hate that word), I mean, queer relationship to start. (Note: It's a personal thing as to why I hate the word "lesbian," I much prefer to call myself gay or queer - just didn't want to offend anyone!)

I also started George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm which I am enjoying.

And, I may have talked myself into an advance copy of The Centaur's Daught by Ellen Jensen Abbott! The woman who wrote Watersmeet. You can pre-order it on Amazon here. The author is an English here at school and a wonderful woman.

I will be excited to see what you think of Sing You Home when you are done with the book because just based on the cover of the book it didn't seem very interesting and it is the only Picoult book that I haven't picked up yet.

Interesting thoughts on Throne of Fire! It's sitting on the coffee table, waiting for me...

The punk's "surgery" went well this morning. He had tubes put in both ears. It was extremely quick! I barely got any reading done! Now we're at home and he's just playing away!

I'm hoping to get some reading time later this afternoon because I really need to pick up my pace on the George, Nicholas and Wilhelm book.

#51 - Valerie, I will certainly let you know what I think of it.

#52 - Faith, Yeah, I'm thinking that the Egyptian mythology just doesn't grab me in the same way Greek and Roman does.

I'm glad the little guy's surgery went well! I'll be interested to see what you think of Sing You Home, too. I'm not a big fan of Picoult's in general, but if it has a well-written queer relationship I might just have to pick it up.

Glad all went well this morning :)

Glad to hear everything went well with your son. I almost bought a copy of George, Nicholas and Wilhelm today but figured I'd wait to see what other LTers thought of it.

That's so great to hear that all went well with the surgery and it looks like it took Will no time at all to bounce right back. Hopefully that will be the end of all the ear infections! :)

Just playing away -- great news! Glad things went so well, and thanks for letting us know the good news.

Glad to hear that the little guy's surgery is over and done and he is already up and running again :)

Thanks for all the well wishes, Friends!

I'm still working on George, Nicholas and Wilhelm. The book is interesting, so far. Wilhelm just came to power in Germany, Alexander III is still the tsar in Russia and George is still only 2nd or so in line for the English Crown (thanks to Victoria for sticking around forever!). Right now, I have two bones to pick with the book:

1. The editing job was poorly done. I've come across many typos and poorly worded phrases that I have caused me to re-read the sentence.

2. The author cannot seem to settle on what to call Edward (Victoria's son who will succeed her). She switches between Bertie and Edward, sometimes in the same paragraph and I find it confusing.

Right now, I'm trying put most of my reading time into this book because I have to finish for my World History class.

Anyway, I didn't sleep well last night and so I'm off to make another pot of coffee and read.

Too bad about the editing in GNW, Brit. I may give second thoughts to reading that one.

Dear god! Has it really been just about a week since I posted!? Eeek. Too busy.

Let's see, in the reading world. . . I'm enjoying Sing You Home. It's nice and light, but has some appropriately serious parts. One thing that I find a bit incredible (and annoying) is how I feel that Picoult bought into some of the queer stereotypes, most specifically the "what-does-a-lesbian-bring-on-her-second-date?" joke. But I am still enjoying it. Much better than George, Nicholas and Wilhelm.

In that book, Queen Victoria just died and the interrelated European royals are still all being annoying. At this point, I'm just ready for WWI to start!

In other news. . . well, still chugging. WillWill is exploding with language right now and is constantly naming everything he can. It is so much fun. We're just ready for summer to start, mainly because these high school boarders are all driving us nuts!

I'm ready for summer, too. Soooooooo ready! Not too much longer!

What a fun age your son is now. It really is a language explosion. Enjoy! Hope you are taking some videos or writing the gems down.

Sometimes the fluff books are better reads than expected..Picoult can write..
and so her books do well for light reading, imo.

Fun time with Will.. soon it will be hard to remember when he didn't talk to
you. :)

Did you listen to the CD that came with Picoult's book? Was it any good?

#63 - Anne, he is soooo much fun right now! We are taking lots of videos, but sometimes he does the funniest things when we don't have the camera handy.

#64 - Kath, while I agree that Picoult can write, I've realized that I should have stuck with my gut and stayed away from her books. They are just to sad and emotional. See below for more. . .

#65 - I did not listen to the cd because we bought the Kindle version. I wish I had been able to listen to it though.

#20 (!!) Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.

I'm not sure how many stars to give this book. I would give the book a 4 1/2 for writing. 4 for plot and story. But probably a 3 on enjoyment value. Picoult's book is complicated relationships in the 21st Century. Zoe and Max Baxter begin the book married with serious fertility problems, that later almost cost Zoe her life.

***SPOILER ALERT****

The book starts with a very difficult scene in which Zoe delivers her stillborn son. Even typing that is difficult! Then Max leaves Zoe and (after a bit of time, but not really too long) Zoe falls in love with a woman. Zoe then marries the woman. Here is where I feel like Picoult falls into the trap of stereotyping lesbians. These two characters marry after 3 months and I feel like Picoult just bought into the whole "what-does-a-lesbian-bring-on-her-second-date?" joke. (The answer: A U-Haul). Anyway, the story then really takes off when Zoe wants to use three remaining frozen embryos of which her and her-now-ex Max are the biological "parents."

In many ways this book hits close to home and perhaps that's why it was difficult to read. It's easy to not think about the over 1,000 benefits same-sex couples do not get because they are not allowed to marry (under federal law). But when you read about it and then you are reminded that your wife had to adopt her own son because the law doesn't recognize my marriage to her, it's hard.

Anyway, the story is very emotionally difficult, at least it was for me and that took away from the enjoyment value in the end. I now remember why I let my wife read these books and stay far far away!

Off to finish, George, Nicholas and Wilhelm!

Great review, Brit. I have only ever heard good things about Jodi Picoult, but I have never been able to make myself read her -- her books certainly cover hot-button modern ethical issues. There's never been a time I felt I would willingly take on such an emotionally charged novel guaranteed to wring me out. You have such a personal connection to this particular issue -- I can see how it would be hard to read. I'll be staying away, too.

I too, have trouble with very sad stories.. especially when the have no hope. Hope can save a story for me. The Road for instance...I HATED it. No hope.

As for the situation with same sex couples. It is abhorrent, and impossible to
understand how that can be allowed to go on. So sad .. and angering!!!

I have only read one of Picoult's books and that was enough to make her not a writer for me. It sounds like you are in the same boat.

I have read several.. she is far from being a go to writer for me, but if one falls in my lap.. I will read it. My sister likes her, so several have come my way. She worked for me if I wanted fluff....it has been a while though.. Since Penny hooked me, I more often look for mysteries for fluff :)

#68 - Thanks! Yeah, it's funny because I've stayed away from her novels for so long but my wife loves them! We both love to read, but it's rare when we find a book that we both love.

#69 - Kath, thanks for the kind words. As I said earlier I try to just not think about it. I spoke to a 9th grade health class about the process of getting pregnant and being a gay mom, one of the questions was "What is the hardest part of being a gay mom?" My answer: Not being married. I almost started to cry, but I held it together.

#70 - Stasia, nope she's not for me. I always thought that, but now I have confirmation!

#21 - George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, by Miranda Carter

This book was a bit disappointing. While some parts are really good, others are not very well written or put together. The book’s title implies that it is about these three cousins. While each cousin is talked about, it is really more a book about Wilhelm with the other two as afterthoughts. George actually doesn’t come to the throne until 3/4 of the way through the book.

The “road to WWI” is extraordinarily long and the writing is a bit convoluted. She attempts to write both chronologically and topically, but the result is that she circles back on herself, ends up re-telling portions of the history, and sometimes does not adequately introduce a topic until she has already mentioned it. Additionally, the author would inconsistently refer to different people with different names; for instance, she would change from calling Edward VII to Bertie without notice. The book served its purpose for me (learn more about Wilhelm and his character), but I probably would not recommend it for any other purpose.

3 Stars

Too bad about that one. I may give it a go some time in the future, simply because of my interest in the subject matter, but not any time soon.

I hope your next read is a dandy, Brit! You are due!

Just checking in Brit! Sorry to hear that Picoult wasn't to your taste. I think it's great that you and your wife have different taste because it can be such a variety and every so often, venturing outside our realm of the usual isn't such a bad idea. :)

#67 wow, that book sounds like it really packs in the drama. I dont know if I could cope.

#74 Stasia - I hope to read a good book soon too! I have many on-deck and the other night I just finished I really random one I picked up in our school library (see below).

#75 Valerie - Yeah, at first I was excited about trying something new. But the emotional turmoil in the book really only vindicated my stereotype of Picoult's writing.

#76 Megan - Lots of drama. Most of it was packed into the last 75 pages though which just made it difficult.

#22 - The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

A very good, quick read about a finger puppet named Origami Yoda. You might ask why I decided to read this book (aimed at 5th - 6th graders), well a few reasons:

1. I needed something light and fun.
2. My book from Amazon had yet to come.
3. I couldn't decide which book to start on the Kindle (The Hangman's Daughter or American Wife).
4. I have a Star Wars obsession, so as soon as I saw the book, read it I must.

The book is about a group of middle school boys and one member of their group who is on the fringe. His name is Dwight and one day Dwight comes to school with a home-made finger puppet he made out of out origami - Origami Yoda. Origami Yoda begins handing out advice to various middle schoolers on everything from homework to whether or not to ask a girl to dance (it is middle-school). It was a cute book, nothing earth-shattering. I would recommend it to a young middle schooler.

#78: It sounds like a fun book, Brit! I am glad you enjoyed it while waiting for your Amazon shipment to arrive.

ETA: It looks like my local library has the book, so I am going to give it a try. It won the Bluebonnet award here in Texas.

Hi Brit! Just trying to catch up with you ~ hope all is well..
There are lots of reasons to read a book.. most importantly..
you just want to read it.
:)

Sort of the opposite of why you don't want to read
a book.. just do not want to..
:)

#79 - Stasia, I hope you enjoy it!

#80 - Kath, indeed those are perhaps *the* most important reasons!

I added The Strange Case of Origami Yoda to my wishlist. I have a son in middle school who loves Star Wars it looks like a good read for him over summer vacation. Currenlty we are reading the Harry Potter series and are on Prisoner of Azkaban.

I had never heard of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda until I subbed in an elementary library one day and about 20 boys asked me for it. Clearly it's a good choice for that age group, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Now I need to check it out myself:)

#82 - I think it would make a great summer read for your son! The Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite book of the Harry Potter series. I hope you both enjoy it!

#83 - kind of weird to think that my tastes align so nicely with middle school boys!

Why is it that this time of year is always so busy! I'm trying to get ready to go back to work at the law firm (4 1/2 days) and finishing grading is just eating up my time. Not to mention the wife and I have a wedding to go to (in Detroit) this weekend. So, with all the busy-ness I hardly have time to get on hear and see what is going on!

The good (or bad news) is that I'm staying up waaaaay too late at night to read The Hangman's Daughter. The bad news being I'm losing sleep, the good news being it's a pretty good book. Although, I would hardly classify it as young adult. College age seems more appropriate. I'm about 2/3 of the way through it and hope to finish it this weekend!

Sounds like you are busy busy Brit! Glad to hear that you are able to squeeze in some time to read, but hopefully not at the expense of much needed rest. :)

This is no time of year to be so busy..!
Hope you get some down time..

Have fun at the wedding!

Well, I was on duty last night and the Internet was not working. On the one hand it was very frustrating because I could not do any work; on the other hand it was nice because I powered through the rest of The Hangman's Daughter.

#23. The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch

The book has a grim and graphic beginning which made me think that I would not enjoy it; however, I was determined to finish the book because my mother-in-law wanted all three of her girls at her book club at the end of the month. I am glad I continued with the book as I was pleasantly surprised.

The main plot is a mystery surrounding the mysterious deaths and disappearances of the town's orphans. Pretty quickly the town blames and imprisons the midwife. The town hangman, however, does not believe the midwife had anything to do with deaths and disappearances, most of which occur after the midwife's imprisonment. The hangman is joined on his quest by his daughter and the young town physician.

Overall, this was an engaging read and I would recommend it. It gives a very interesting insight into the role of the town hangman as well as political structures and cultural life in the 17th century. The one drawback, other than the torture, was the end kind of felt a little scooby-doo-ish. By that I mean that at the end bad guy was kind of like "I would have succeeded had it not been for those pestering kids - er, I mean hangman."

4 stars

The wife and I are leaving for Detroit tomorrow morning and I think I'm going to re-read Eat, Pray, Love and possibly start Good Enough is the New Perfect.

I love it when persistence pays off.
Safe and happy trip to you

#88: Nice review, Brit! I will have to look for the book.

Have a great time on your trip!

I really enjoyed your review Brit and will be adding that to my list. :) Hope you have a great time in Detroit!

Safe travels!

Home from Detroit. We had a great time. It was just Whitney and I (the punk had a weekend with Nana) and I really needed this weekend away! We went to the Detroit Institute of Art which was a *fabulous* museum! It was only enhanced even more by an amazing Diego Rivera mural on industry.

The wedding was gorgeous and fun. A little heavy on the religious for my taste, but it wasn't my wedding! :) The bride and groom were just so happy to be marrying each other! It was so cute!

I got some good reading done, though have yet to finish either book.

Tonight I read Jamberry to WillWill and he finally likes this book! I used to read it all the time when he couldn't voice his own opinions, then once he found his voice he didn't like it, but now since he has discovered a train in it, it's cool-ness value has greatly increased.

Hi There

I've added The Hangman's Daughter to the tbr pile.

It sounds like you are having a unique and wonderful time away.

I've never been to the Detroit Institute of Art. I'm scurrying off to find the website to see which paintings are there that I might like.

Oh, My! I note the museum has one of my favorite Pieter Bruegel paintings -- The Wedding Dance.

What a great time you must have had enjoying the art!

safe home! Glad to hear it was good . . .

Linda - The art was fantastic! But what really made the museum so interesting were all the facts about the different paintings and artifacts. There was also some neat interactive pieces for younger kids. Whitney is not very interested in Roman and Greek history even found those exhibits so neat because of the explanations and additional information provided. It was really cool. I would totally go back there!

Kath - It was good! Thanks!

I'm such a junkie! I was checking out Rick Riordan's blog because I hadn't read it in a few days and there is a sneak preview of Son of Neptune! So exciting! Except that I have 4 agonizing months until I can read the whole thing!

#88, the Hangman's Daughter wasn't at our library :-(
Never mind, I'm sure if I'm meant to read it it will crop up somewhere. Now...back to my blueberry pancakes with banana and maple syrup *drool drool*

So what will you do this weekend?
Sleep in?
Read? Swim?

What are you reading now?

Glad to see you back safe and sound, Brit! Sounds like you had a nice trip.

#100 - Hey Kath! This weekend is Commencement, so Will and I will be trying to support Whitney anyway we can. We will certainly go swimming, spend sometime at Nana's. I'm still working my way through Eat, Pray, Love (re-read) and Good Enough is the New Perfect. Now that my class is done and grades turned in, I'm hoping I can get more reading done!

#101 - Hello Stasia! We had a very nice trip! It was very nice to have some adult time without worrying about my punkadoodle!

Hi Brit! Glad to hear you guys are all home safe and sound. :) Having a trip away from the kiddo sounds heavenly to me right now, but I think we are still a couple of years away yet in achieving that...sigh.

Hi Brit

I'm glad you had such a lovely time away! Thanks again for sharing the information regarding the art museum!

#103 - Valerie, Whit was a little wary of little Will, but I was all about it! He'll be (gasp!) 2 next month and it felt good. He stayed with Whit's mom. You should think about just an overnight or something - a night away can really rejuvenate!

#104 - I really hope you get to the museum one day, Linda. It really was amazing.

Well, friends, I am having a problem. This doesn't concern books, but you all are such a supportive bunch I've decided to discuss it here. It's my newest video game. I bought Lego Star Wars 3 several months and it's just no good. Usually I'm all about the Lego games and getting 100% on the came. I'm just under 70% and played it last night for the first time in several weeks. I am sorely disappointed with the game. I get frustrated and annoyed everytime I play it (and not in a good way). I think I'm going to trade it in and use the money towards the game I'm really looking forward to: Captain America: Super Soldier.

It's just a hard decision. It's much like when I find a book I don't like and I feel as though I have to plow through it. The wife says it's not worth my time. And she's right. But I just have such a hard time!

I think your wife is right, Brit - let it go! Life is too short for bad books or bad games.

yep.. let it go!

Thanks Stasia and Kath! Yesterday evening the punk and I traded the game in! I used the money to put towards the new Captain America game and Assassin's Creed Revelations.

WillWill and I are having a great morning and it's not even over yet! We went to a local restaurant that serves local and organic farm fresh food, played on some golf carts, and are now headed out to the local dairy for some fresh milk and see the cows and goats!

Yes, ditto what Stasia said.

I think trading it in for a game you like better would be more worth the time and the money. :)

Looks like the trade-in was a good idea!

Aww.. sounds like good times with Will!
I love hearing (seeing) those stories.

Hi Brit -- just passing through and trying to get caught up! Hope you're havign a good week.

Hello Friends!

It seems that with summer upon us we are all desperately trying to keep up with each other's threads. I have just signed on quickly to post about finishing Eat, Pray, Love. (see below). Of course, I'm still working on the mom-work book, but I want to read something new and exciting, especially since we are headed to the beach at the end of this week. The current top book is American Wife (touchstones being touchy). It is for our book club, but I would like to have another book. Not sure what it will be yet. . .

#24: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book was a re-read for me. I first read it a little over a year ago and it had a profound impact on my life. I know that may seem over the top or cliché, but it is the truth. This book has been criticized for being too self-centered or arrogant, but it is a memoir about a woman's personal journey so what did these people expect?

The book was just as good the second time around. In fact, I think may have enjoyed it a bit more. I remember feeling that the Bali section lasted forever but this time it seemed just fine. This book was good for me. And, at the risk of sounding totally odd, it found me at a time when I needed it - at least last year. This re-read allowed me to truly enjoy the book even more than the first time.

I have this book sitting on my shelves for what seems like forever. Even when the movie came out I didn't get the chance to read the book so both are on my to do list at some point. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Did you ever watch the movie?

I am one of the people who enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love too, Brit. I am glad to see it was good this time around for you too!

hmm quite a few vacations coming up for 75ers...

YAY!

#117 - Valerie, I did see the movie and enjoyed it. I really liked the book much better though because of the depth of detail and stories she tells about the places. When you're dealing with a two hour movie, so much just gets condensed or cut.

#118 - Stasis, glad to hear it. Did you read Committed?

#119 - Hooray vacations!

Still needing to figure out which book from my TBR list I will be reading at the beach.

I'm glad you enjoyed Eat, Love and Pray. Unfortunately, while many people love the book, I simply could not relate to it.

The author lectured at the college where I am employed, and she did a great job in her well attended presentation.

Thats very true about cutting things down in movies. I will for sure read the book first before I even try to watch the movie.

No, I have not read Committed. I will have to give it a go some time though.

Stasia - Committed was different from Eat, Pray, Love. Not bad, just different.

I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should bring any of my school reads with me to the beach. We leave tomorrow. I'm going to American Wife though which is for a book club that my wife and I belong to. She's really enjoying it.

Take the books. That way you have them if you want them :)

My vote is for taking the books. :) I don't think I can go on any trips without a book or two in my bags. Whether I read them is always a questions mark but it's almost like a comfort thing knowing they are in my bags..haha

If you are not flying.. no reason not to take as many books as you can squeeze into the car.
I am traveling next week, too. And Taking nook.. loaded. I also have to lug a book for my daughter that I forgot to put into the box I sent ahead. Blast. Be safe, have fun, use sunscreen :)

Oh how I enjoy you my friends!

The only reason I wasn't going to take the books is because they are for school. I was hoping to read to read something a little lighter. But I've decided to take one of the books. It's Fareed Zakaria's new book. I'm not too excited about reading it because I generally don't like him. But since the class I'll be teaching (Hiroshima to 9/11) uses it, I will need to!

I also just added Charlie Wilson's War to the TBR because I think that will be a good book for the class.

The class is a look at modern world history from Hiroshima to 9/11 with a focus on the Middle East/Arab world.

The class sounds fascinating, Brit!

What stas said :)

*waves*
Hi, Brit!
I'm slowing trying to work my way through all the unread threads - man, I've been gone too long!

Stasia & Kath - I'll keep you all updated on my reading for it (of course that should go without saying!)

Amber - Yes, you have been missed! Don't worry too much about catching up though, I know I am waaaaaay behind on many many threads!

Book #25 (yay 1/3rd of the way there!): Good Enough is the New Perfect, Becky Beaupre Gillespie.

This is proof that a book can truly find you when you need it. The authors are working moms who conducted a survey of about 900 mothers over the course of a year (or two?). Their results were fascinating. It was a very validating book for me because I often feel very alone while trying to balance wanting to be stay-at-home and working. I think this book would be excellent for any woman trying to find that balance. The authors discuss traditional gender roles and how they have changed over the years.

The only drawback is that it was a bit repetitive towards the end.

4 stars

(Since I'm on vacation, this is just going to be a short little review).

ETA: I'm now reading Charlie Wilson's War which I was very happy to find on the shelf at our beach house!

Hope you are having a lot of fun.. be safe and happy!

We are back from a fabulous time at the beach. While it was hard to get any reading done with all the kids running around and constantly keeping an eye on WillWill, it was great. Will's vocabulary practically tripled while we were there. He is even starting to put together simple sentences! I will (hopefully) update my blog later today. My goal had been to post daily while we were there, but the plan was thwarted when I found out that I had purchased a defective digital camera connector kit for my iPad. (yes, I now own an ipad, and it was worth every cent!)

Oh yes, still reading Charlie Wilson's War, but need to get cracking on American Wife. Also need to find a book about toddlerhood since Will is clearly 2.

I love hearing your stories of Will! These are such special times. My grand daughter is now eight and I'm amazed at how quickly the time flew by. I think of the Abba song slipping through my fingers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfObZZshunA

Yay for talking in sentences! It seemed like it took Charlie forever to start (and he's still a bit reluctant to do so frequently); his first ever 'real' sentence came out when I stubbed my toe on the table leg and was hopping around making hurty noises - Charlie walked up to me and said, "Are you okay, Mommy?" How adorable, eh?

So glad to hear that you had a great time! Good on Will!
None of the books are about Will... musch as I love books..
I would like to burn all child rearing books.. starting back in the 70's.
He has good moms.. watch and learn.. he will tell you all you
need to know. That and Remember who is in charge and you are good to go.

hugs

Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation Brit. I also love hearing about Will and about how much you love being his Mom.

Kath

I assume you would burn the terrible book written by Dr. Benjamin Spock! God, that was a terrible one!

All of them. That one first.
I was only 19 when I was given it when Adam was born.
I read about 15 pages and chucked it.
srsly. I am more of a seat of the pants flyer......

Glad to hear you had such a great trip Brit, even if there wasn't as much time for reading. :) Kid's putting sentences together is super adorable and such a fun stage to watch them go through. My eldest nephew is constantly saying things like, "tomorrow is my birthday," and "yesterday is my brother's birthday, " which confused my husband and I for the longest time because neither statement is close to being the truth. My brother in law explained that he didn't have a firm grasp of tenses and time yet so everything in the future is "tomorrow" and everything in the past is "yesterday" which gave us a good chuckle. :)

Hello Friends! I am sorry I have been MIA this week (or at least so far this week). It's been busy because we still had my sister-in-law and her two kids in town. So I would get home from work and then run-run-run until I practically collapsed into bed! They leave tomorrow though, so hopefully I can have some more "me" time. Although, what am I thinking? I have my kid's birthday party to prepare for!

Will's party is on Sunday. We're doing a brunch thing with a Thomas the Tank Engine theme. I did a test run of the train cake today, with frosting and everything and it looked great! (I'll try to post the pictures I took). The rest of the menu is: Watermelon, Blueberry & Mint Salad, homemade blueberry muffins, homemade granola-bar-type oatcakes, personal mini-frittatas and then, of course, cake and ice cream.

Well, enough about me . . .

#136: Linda - That is a great song! It is amazing how time flies! It's also nice to know I don't bore you all with my stories!

#137: Amber - Love that story! So cute! How I wish we lived closer so Will and Charlie could have playdates! (And we could too!)

#138: Kath - Yeah, I'm wary of parenting books, but my wife really likes reading them. She likes reading about everything. Which I suppose is a good thing. I would really just like a book about discipline. I know that sounds silly, but Will does a couple things that I would like to curb (like biting me - and only me - when he is tired/hungry).

#139: Pat - That was such a nice thing of you to say! I do love being Will's Mom. I think being a Mom is absolutely awesome! It's funny because my wife is home now during the summer and I just started back to work part-time in the mornings. And she is always annoyed on the days that he doesn't go to daycare because she feels like she can't do anything. I told her to just do the stuff and bring him along, he does fine! I have no idea how she thought I was doing the errands when I had him by myself all day. . .

#142: Valerie - So true that kids have no concept of time. It's very interesting. Will will look at me and randomly say "goats" and I will say to him "Yes, we saw the goats the last time we went to the diary." (See message #109) And then he holds up his finger and says (in a very garbled way) that the goat bit his finger. I then kiss his finger and say yes, that the goat did bite his finger but that was a long time ago and it's all better.

For those of you who were interested in The Hangman's Daughter, I went to my mother-in-law's book club last night where the book was discussed. The overrall consensus was that it dragged in some places and was mainly a plot-driven book. Nobody loved the book, most liked it and few thought it was "laborious."

They also discussed The Hunger Games which I really want to read. The facilitator of the book group said I should definitely read it.

I continue to plug away at Charlie Wilson's War. Since I don't really read it until right before I go to bed, I only get a page or two and then fall asleep. It's annoying and it's making me nervous about how I am ever going to finish American Wife. Oh well, I guess it will be done. . .

Off to start another impossible task - catching up on your threads!

hmm I still say that the books should go.. wife or no wife! LOL
But I am a grumpy old broad so...

Birthday menu sounds delish!
I am reading another thriller ( for vine) ..
then I think I am done with that genre for a while...
we shall see..

Kath - I may have to agree with you! After we got married and moved in together (very old-fashioned, I know) she bought a book about introducing our cats to each other. It was called "Cat v. Cat." At the time she took the book very seriously and I thought it was a load of . . . ., but she would have none of it. So being the good newly-wed, I tried to go along with it.

Now we look back at that book and laugh our butts off! All I have to say is "Cat v. Cat" and we're on the floor rolling in laughter.

I agree with Kath that the birthday menu sounds delicious. You should post pictures of the whole meal, not just the cake!

Mmm...salivating at the thought of watermelon salad since it's been hot and muggy the last couple of days here!

I haven't read The Hunger Games yet but I have all 3 books in the trilogy on my shelves so I plan on getting to it sometime in the future.

Your book review for Eat Pray Love (book #24) sounds great, I had heard the same criticisms and wondered the same thing you did. Come on.....it her personal journey, she's allowed (no- expected) to be centered on herself!

I havent actually read the book, but did go with my mum to the film. I heard the book was better and I have to say the film wasn't spectacular.

I know... I might have to make that watermelon salad, myself..

I'm excited for WillWill and exhausted already for you as far as the birthday party goes - good luck! We've only had just-the-three-of-us birthday parties for Charlie so far, but Charlie's already making some friends here in WI, which may mean a more serious party this fall. I second the motion for pictures, particularly of Will blowing out the candles! Happy Birthday, Mr. WillWill!

Good Sunny Saturday Morning Friends!

Pat - I'll try to post pictures after the party. I am way behind in posting pictures and sharing them with my own family as I still haven't posted our beach pictures!

Valerie - I love watermelon and so does the punk. We decided that we definitely needed some fruit at the party and watermelon just seemed like the obvious choice.

Megan - Thank you! I agree that the film wasn't spectacular because the book was in Gilbert's own words and she has a wonderful way with words.

Kath - Super-duper easy! :)

Amber - Yes, it's a lot of baking. But all the recipes are really easy, and love being in the kitchen. I've been listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows which makes it much easier.

What is everyone up to this holiday weekend?

Book #26: Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile

This was quite an eye-opening book. Parts of it read very fast and like a spy novel, other parts seemed to drag. Overall, it is certainly worth reading. It is amazing to read how only a few men (and yes, they were mostly men) were able to change the course of American foreign policy and foreign aid.

The author certainly has many great facts and a great story to tell. However, parts of the book seemed repetitive. Several times he refers to a crucial vote in Congress and how Wilson called in all his favors to get the measure passed. It's hard to imagine that Wilson had that many favors to continue to ask of his colleagues. There were also a couple parts where the chronology jumped around a bit and several minor editing errors. Overall though, it was a good book. I will be using parts of it for my class on modern Middle-East history.

Couldn't resist. Made the watermelon salad.. and it is yummy.

Happy 4th of July! I am participating in the Holiday Weekend Read-a-thon and I am just over half-way through American Wife. I am not really enjoying it, but I would like to finish it because it is for one of my book clubs. When I am finished I will certainly need some good young adult fiction. I'm thinking of The Hunger Games. . .

Will Will's party was a major success! I will post more later, even possibly some pictures. . .

Can't wait for pictures! Have a great 4th Brit!

Your should definately read The Hunger Games next. I think it is one you will love. Happy Birthday Will. My youngest turns ten tomorrow, it seems impossible. We did a big camping birthday party for him with lots of family.

Well, today is actually the kidd-o's birthday! So exciting! I am hoping that he does not think it is too hot to go out on his tractor.

#157 - I agree with you! In fact, here is a great perk of living at boarding school: Using the school library as your own personal library during the summer! I got the entire trilogy when I came home from work today! It's these types of perks that attempt to make up for the pit-falls, i.e. midnight fire alarms because of faulty smoke detectors. . .

Book #27 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling, audio version as read by Jim Dale.

An excellent book! I wasn't planning on re-reading it since I re-read the entire series last summer, but I needed something to listen to at work and this is the only audio book I have on my computer. It is so fabulous!

***SPOILER ALERT (although I really can't imagine who hasn't read the books)***

Although, I do have one gripe/frustration with the book: the history of the Elder Wand. I think that Rowling really stretches with this pivotal piece of the book. The Elder Wand and its power supposedly only transfer when a wizard/witch stuns, disarms or kills the previous owner. In the book, Grindelwald comes into possession of the wand by merely stealing it from Gregorvitch, the wandmaker.

Also, I think that the point about the wand's allegiance being transferred even though the physical wand has not been transferred seems tenuous to me. I understand that Draco disarms Dumbledore at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, so that Draco becomes master of the Elder Wand. But he never takes physical possession of the wand. In which case, since the Elder Wand is buried with Dumbledore, I really believe that Rowling is trying to make her story fit when Voldemort takes the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's grave. How is that any different than Grindelwald taking it from Gregorvitch?

I suppose there is a difference, but it seems a bit forced to me.

Anyway, there are so many things that happen in the last couple chapters of the book that I am very glad I re-listened to it before the new movie comes out.

Just caught up on your thread, Brit, and I'm glad to see you and the family are having a good summer! I love reading about Will's growth and adventures. It's almost enough to make me want to be a mom myself... someday lol.

I never read the Harry Potter books, but my partner loves them. Recently we watched the dvds of the first two and I am hooked. The author, as you well know, is incredibly creative. I admire a mind that thinks the way she does. How does she keep track of all the characters and personalities?

I love the Potter books and the movies.. I do not have even one of the books!
My sister has them. She would buy 2-3 copies at a time, and I would just wait around to get one to read :) I have read all of them twice....and I watch the movies every time I come across them on tv.

#160 - I'm glad my son and I can keep you entertained! :) Being a mom is the coolest thing I have ever done! I love it! (I just wish it paid better! So that I could justify being a full-time stay-at-home mom, at least while he is young.)

#161 - Linda, it's so true about Rowling's brilliance! I truly believe that someone like
her comes along once in a generation or so. Her ability to create this entire world reminds of both Tolkien and George Lucas. The movies are surprisingly well done too!

#162 - Kath - I usually will watch the movies if I come across them too! It's so neat to think that these actors really grew up with the books and the characters they portray!

Book #28: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

I read this book for our book club and it was a DUD. It is a highly fictionalized account of Laura Bush's life. There were very few parts I found interesting. I found the author to have a very arrogant and haughty writing style. Her use of language and word choice shouts of her need to show the reader her vast vocabulary (or good use of a thesaurus). The first half of the book or so also contains some pretty graphic sex scenes. I don't generally consider myself a prude, but I found the juxtaposition of her arrogant style and then these graphic scenes (which border on erotica) very unsettling. There was also a lack of character development which generally can be hidden if the plot is very well done, but unfortunately in this book it was not. Overall, I would not recommend this book.

Now I will be moving on to The Hunger Games! I certainly hope it is as good as everyone says!

I'll skip American Wife.

Thanks for the warning about this one.

I'll be sure to check for your impressions of The Hunger Game.

I never "got" Harry Potter, having just read the first one. Maybe the films would hook me better!
American Wife sounds like a hoax book, could anyone really put that kind of thing out about themselves? Weird. Ill leave it too :-)

Sorry that one was a dud... have you seen this one?
Untold Story: A Novel? They mentioned it on GMA
Not sure if I want to go there or not..

#166 - Yeah, I would not have chosen to read it except it was for a book club and felt compelled to finish it so that I could properly give my opinion.

#167 - Kath, I did see that book! In fact, it was reviewed in the New York Times the other week by none other than Curtis Sittenfeld! It was not a flattering review of the book, but after reading Sittenfeld's writing, I am much more likely to take whatever she says with a grain of salt. Alas, I think I'm going stay away from that one too.

Thanks for the heads up about American Wife. I think I will give it a miss.

Happy belated birthday from me to Will :)

I put it on my I will think about this list.. so I don't forget about it, but
I will wait and see for a while..

#169 - Stasia - Too many other good books out there! :) Thanks for the birthday wishes!

#170 - Kath, which book? The Diana one or American Wife?

I'm about 50 pages into The Hunger Games. It is a good so far. Very interesting premise. I did make a mistake by downloading Civilization V on my computer, but I think that will be okay.

In other news, we had Will's 2 Year check-up yesterday. In short he is a very large, happy, healthy child. The stats: 37.5 inches (greater than 97th percentile) (he also grew 1.5 inches in the last 2 months) and 36 lbs. (again, greater than 97th percentile). . . My happy little giant!

ETA: According to the CDC government growth chart, the punk is the average size of a three year old. . .

Amen to a happy, healthy child!

Wills sounds like my nephlet Oliver. He is 2.5 and well over 3 ft tall. His weight is
only about 27th percentile so while I don't know what the weight is, I can say he
is thin. One of his favorite foods is black olives in a bowl with grapes. lol

Oh, and the Diana one..

#172: Good new about the happy little giant! :)

Yay for a healthy Will!!

Yeah for happy, healthy 2-year-olds! Happy belated b-day to WIlls!! T is on the small side (32.5" and 21 lbs), but no longer in danger of falling (back) off the bottom of the weight chart.

Thank for all the well wishes for Will!

#177 - We have friends who have a little boy who is 2 1/2 months older than Will, but small and they keep telling me how glad they are that Will is M's "protector"!

Just swinging by Brit to say HI after being away from LT for a week. *Pant Pant* It is hard work catching up with everyone. :)

Did you see the baby that was born recently at 16 pounds I think it was? And 24 inches long!
big baby :)

#180: My mother asked me if I knew about it. The baby was born in the town where she lives.

yeesh! that is one big baby..

Not the record though.. I didn't know that gestational diabetes could
have an effect on baby's size.

I am making your watermelon salad again..
yum.

Book #29: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

To all my friends on LT who recommended this book: THANK YOU!! I think this may have been one of the best books I have read in a while. It was so good. I initially thought the plot sounded a bit morbid and was not sure I would like it, but it was amazing. The story and plot was great, as were the characters. I generally felt that both moved the book along and the characters really developed throughout the story. It was a great book.

I will immediately be moving on to Catching Fire. However, I still have to plan a class for the next school year which includes much reading and self-educating. Thus, I am going to (attempt) to impose the following rule on myself. For every page read of Catching Fire, I must match that with the same number of pages read from a summer reading book. My limit on reading Catching Fire will be 50 pages before I need to go read my summer reading. I hope this will help, otherwise, I may just completely lose myself in Collins' trilogy!

Valerie - Hello! It is no fun trying to catch up on threads. I know! I feel like I'm constantly doing that!

Kath - I did see that! I could not believe that! I hope you enjoy the watermelon salad! Tonight I made eggplant burgers and coleslaw - so good! And all the produce was from a farm on campus! Hooray local produce!

Tonight I'm hoping the wife and I can read a bit of As You Like It. . .

#184: I loved that one too!

You can cook for me anytime Brit!

Yup! Aren't we all. ;)

Kath - I would love to cook for you! :)

Just starting Catching Fire. . .

Busy busy couple days . . . Will catch up soon - I hope!

*Waving* at Brit

Hello Stasia!! *Waves back*

So, let's see my last couple days have been quite the whirlwind. I really need to update my blog, but I'll give the quick version here, starting with Thursday afternoon.

Well, my wife and I have been talking about getting a new car for me by the end of the year. My dream car is a Jetta Sportwagon. On a whim, I went, by myself and without the wife knowing, to the local VW dealership. The had 3 sportwagons on the lot, including one in blue. I knew I was in trouble. The salesman did not have to do much work. It was a gorgeous blue one with many options (I think the only thing it doesn't have is a nav system). Well, after a test drive I was sold. And Whitney still didn't know I was there - eeeeekkkkk!! So, the saleman gave me some numbers to take home and discuss, including a realy good deal if we came back the next day. Here's the great thing - it was a 2011 model but considered used because it already had been titled, so the deal was really good.

When I got home, Whitney was caught off guard, but recovered nicely. We dropped the punk off at Whit's mom's house and then we headed to the U2 concert!

By the time we were at the U2 concert, Whit was ready to buy the car!!!!!!!

The U2 concert was awesome. Easily the best concert I have ever been too!

We didn't get home until super late - I think it was 1:30 am. And we were up the next morning and ready to buy my car! So, yes I have a new car! We never would have been able to afford this car if it was new! But it so close to being new! Even this model year!

Then, after buying the car on Friday, we went on a double-date and saw Harry Potter!!! Amazing!! It was quite a whirlwind couple of days.

Needless to say, Will was not the only person who took a long nap yesterday!

Congrats on the new car, Brit!

WOW! Well done !

Glad to hear that you got the car you wanted :)
I hate buying cars. Dan loves buying cars. Terrible dilemma.
I am slowly getting used to the silly Rogue.

I really want to see Harry Potter ! That on top of U2?
What a weekend you have had!

Brit. I loved the story about your new car. It sounds like it was meant to be!

Stasia - Thanks! I cannot believe it is mine!

Kath - We had an amazing weekend! I think it was the most consecutive alone time Whitney and I have had since WillWill was born!

Pat - I think it was - love at first at sight!

That is simply splendid ! That is the one thing about kids, they can make it hard
to find time for being alone with the significant other. Hope this starts a trend,
and that you two get time for each other more often.

Thought you all would enjoy this. Will threw a fit tonight because he thought he wasn't going to get a book to go to bed with. This is something new. Within the last week, he's been requesting to go to bed (either at bedtime or naptime) with a book. So tonight he laid down in his crib, all snugged up with his book, as Whitney and I recited Goodnight Moon. It was incredibly sweet.

It sounds blissful..

I am so happy that you have such a sweet and loving family. (((Brit)))

If all it takes is a book to get him to go to bed, count yourself lucky and hand it over :)

Congrats on the new car, the birthday, and the happy, healthy kid! Happy summer!

#198 - Thanks Kath!

#199 - I think the same thing! (But Whit is a little more reluctant. . .)

#200 - Hello Anne! It has been a happy summer!

Just checking in to say hello. I have been lax
in thread visiting, as the heat has been kicking my A$$
:P

Well, Kath - you haven't been lax in thread visiting lately, I have been lax on LT lately! I completely agree with you about the heat. We're all cranky and short-tempered in our house because of it. Not fun.

I'm just half-way through on both The Challenge for Africa which is blah, but required, and Catching Fire. I was really enjoying Catching Fire until last night. The twist of the Quarter Quell Hunger Games has me steamed and annoyed. Not sure I want to read another account of the Hunger Games. Hopefully I can work through this though.

I've also been hampered in my reading because of a new video - Captain America: Super Soldier. It's better than mediocre, but not fantastic.

Also, the kidd-o has learned to hop out of his crib. It made bed-time last night a freakin' nightmare. Although, on his last escape attempt he fell and bloodied his lip. While I feel bad, I'm hoping that was enough to make him stop. . .

Book #30: The Challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai

This book was assigned as summer reading for the history department of the school where I work. I think it would make an excellent textbook for a class on modern Africa, however, I do not think it is a good summer reading book for high schoolers. Maathai does a good job of laying out what needs to be done to strengthen Africa and its countries, but many times she is repetitive. While she is certainly an accomplished woman, there is also a bit much of her tooting her horn so to speak.

Several places she has great analogies that fit with her argument and/or topic, but they are front-loaded and the end of the book seems to drag. The last few chapters in particular. I would recommend to anyone who wants a closer look at current African problems and to see how one woman would make changes.

Overall, I think if you are going to assign high schoolers additional summer reading (above and beyond their English summer reading), then it should be something engaging and interesting. This book was anything but. If I was having trouble staying engaged and interested I really doubt my students were as well. (Note: I did not choose this book).

Congrats on the new car! So exciting. And Good Luck with the crib escape attempts - Charlie hasn't tried it anymore since the one time I related to you, but soon enough (hopefully - potty training officially starts tomorrow) we'll be moving him to a toddler bed, and I'm nervous about getting him to stay in that one.

Amber - the last few nights have been terrible. The punk went from being an extremely great sleep-trained kid to a force to be reckoned with. He puts up a minor rebellion everytime we try to put him down. Thank goodness for Whitney because I don't think I could so this without her! On the potty-training front - Will has pooped on the potty twice in the last couple of days! Good luck with Charlie!

Book #31: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Wow! What can I say? There was a point in the book when I thought I wouldn't like it and wasn't sure I could keep going, but I am so glad I did! It is such a great book and trilogy! The characters are great and Collins has a great way with the imagery of the book. I cannot wait until I start the third (and, sadly, final) book. . .

Brit: Man, how things change once a wee one is around, no? Who ever thought we'd be so excited about someone pooping in a potty, eh? Ha!

#208 - No kidding! How's it going with your little man?

#209: Bah. I don't think he's quite ready for whole-hog no-diapers training. He just doesn't seem bothered by wet pants. Sigh. So, we put him back in diapers, although we're still working on having him sit on the potty (which he's quite happy to do, for up to 45 minutes at a time, only to pee his pants as soon as he gets up. Again I say 'sigh'.)

You have a good day too! Hopefully it will be loss hot and humid, eh?

#210 - Too bad about Charlie. Will is pretty good at recognizing when he needs to go, but not all the time. . . there is time though. . . Hang in there!

#211 - I did have a pretty good day! It was certainly less humid and I suppose it was *less* hot, although it was still too hot for me. . . Then again anything near and beyond 85 is too hot for me.

yoo hoo! What are you all up to this weekend?

Hmm. . . this weekend will be lots and lots of packing! We leave Tuesday for Seattle, then from Seattle we go to Hawai'i on Friday for a week. :) I'm very super excited!

I've taught Will how to say "Hawai'i" but comes out "aaahhhhEEEEEEEEEEE!" It's very cute. Also, I'm hoping to finish Mockingjay so I don't have to bring it with me, I have too many other books I want to bring!

This morning the punk and I had a good morning and capped it off with a trip to B&N to buy him some new books for the plane!

Sounds like a perfect day ... on the way to a perfect week or two

Ohmgosh, Hawaii!! Wow. So jealous right now. Hope you all have a ridiculous amount of fun.

#215 - Yes, it was a good day, up until about 5, when the punk decided that (a) was not hungry, (b) was exhausted, and (c) wanted to go home (we were at a close friend's house). It was okay though. The day was made brighter when I opened my package from B&N! I got three books, two for class (Hot, Flat, and Crowded and The Cold War and one for fun (The Help)!

#216 - It is true, we are headed to Hawai'i. We never would have been able to afford it, but it was my Dad's Christmas present to us. So we'll be on Molokai with him. It's the island between Oahu and Maui. I'm really excited! I'm hoping Will can sleep or at least play independently on the plane for a bit so Whit and I can read. . . but we will see.

So much to catch up on Brit! Sounds like you've had a whirlwind of a week. I come back to new car, concerts, and to cap it off a trip to Hawaii! I've never been there myself but from all the pictures I've seen and stories from friends, I hear its a beautiful place! And the fact that it's a free trip probably doesn't hurt..haha

Have a wonderful trip!

Safe journeys, Brit!

Take many pictures and then post them for us!
Some of us will never see Hawaii, no matter how much we would like to :)
Great gift from your dad... Have fun and be safe.
Has Will been on a plane before?
Go armed with children's dramamine just in case for Will. Be warned.
It has a side effect of drowsiness.

Oh, Brit, I hope you have a wonderful time!

#218 - Valerie, yes it has a busy month! Next month will fly be too and then summer will be over the school year will begin. . .

#219 - Thanks, Linda!

#220 - Thanks to you too Stasia!

#221 - Yes, Will has been on a plane before. Thank goodness we have direct flights. The only thing I'm really worried about is changing his diaper. The airplane bathrooms are not meant for you to be able to change a 3 foot toddler. . . .

#222 - Me too Anne!

To all - I will certainly do my best to post pictures, or least send you all link! I am bringing the iPad, so hopefully I will get to post while I'm out there. At this point, I could not imagine traveling anywhere with Will without the iPad!

Yes, please do post photos!

Dearest LT Friends,

As we prepare for our big trip, my wife would like an audiobook, but she doesn't know what to listen to. Any ideas?

What genre does she typically like?

#226 - She likes a lot of Jodi Picoult's stuff, she liked The Help. She'll read more chick-litty stuff than me. Good historical fiction, but it depends on the time period. Not really into fantasy or sci-fi.

Based on The Help, this is what LT recommends:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Room by Emma Donoghue
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

I'd have to add Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See to that list as it is a top contender as my favourite read for 2011.
Based on the list above, the only book I've read is Water for Elephants and really enjoyed it. The other ones, I've seen good reviews for them, but haven't gotten around to them yet.
Hope that helps!

You're my LT hero! Thanks!

may I add :
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

were good to read.. I am not a listener..

Excellent! Thank you Kath!

I also enjoyed The Help. I loved Water for Elephants on audio, just don't expect to like the movie. I also liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Sarah's Key. For Jodi Picoult I would have to say that Nineteen Minutes was my favorite.

Book #32 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Hmm. . . I just finished the book (like within the last 10 minutes) and I wanted to add it here before I left for vacation. My mind is still trying wrap itself around the book. It was a fascinating end to an incredible trilogy. The third book is such a departure from the first two, not necessarily in a bad way, just differently. I think the author's point about violence and war and its effect on youth could only have been made after such a lengthy story. It was a very good book and I enjoyed the trilogy immensely. I would it fascinating to teach as a trilogy to an English class of 8th-10th graders.

I promised Whit I would read The Help so that is in my carry-on as is The Post-American World: Release 2.0, of which I only have about 90 pages left. Hopefully, I can finish that on the plane to Seattle! Hooray!

I have to admit that the movie The Help looks good, my sister keeps telling me I would like it..
dunno... I will await your comments :)

Did you choose an audio book yet? I discovered last year that Jane Austen is delightful on audio.

Oh Molokai! Lucky you! Everytime I'm on vacation on Maui, I look longingly at it right acrosss the channel..so close, so far. One of these years.

Have you read any of the Three Pines books - Louise Penny? The reader is excellent!

#236: "Everytime I'm on vacation on Maui" - wow, how glamorous does that statement sound! Totally jealous of Joanne and Brit right now... :)

>237 scaifea: LOL I thought the same thing! Sounds wonderful! Sending lots of fun mojo your way Brit!

Hello Friends!

I am the local Starbucks in Seattle because my Nana does not have wi-fi and we only brought the iPad.

For those asking about audiobooks, whit wanted to get one from the library but then couldn't find one she liked. So no audiobook. But Anne, I really like the idea of Jane Austen on audio!

We leave for Molokai tomorrow and are super excited! We're teaching Will to say "aloha.". I'm going to need to get that on film!

Also, because I only have the iPad, I will not start a new thread until I return which means the thread police are sure to start hounding me. Perhaps if I get ambitious (as well as some quiet time) I will attempt to start another thread. . .

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying your respective summers!

Book #33: The Post-American World: Release 2.0 by Fareed Zakaria

I really did not think I would like this book at all because I normally do not like this author's columns, but I was pleasantly surprised! His thesis is not that America is in decline, but rather that several author countries, namely India and China, are on the rise. The argument is both well reasoned and well supported. I will be teaching from this book in the Spring Term of the upcoming school and am looking forward to many good discussions. I certainly recommend this book, bordering on highly recommending, to anyone interested in the current state of the world super powers.

Nice to hear from you ! I am so excited for your trip :)
Hope all goes according to plan or better :)
I do hope you remember to take pics, but understand if the whole pics thing gets lost in
the doing :(

#240: My local library has that one. I will have to give it a go. Thanks for the recommendation, Brit.

I hope you are having a wonderful time on your trip!

Hey Kath - While I may not have taken too many pictures yet, no worries because my Dad has!

Glad I could recommend a book for you Stasia. It certainly is interesting!

Book #34: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hmmm. . . I just finished this book and am not sure what to say. As a history major, the civil rights era is not one of my favorites to study. The book started out really compelling and interesting. Before I knew it I was 200 or so pages into it. But then it really began to slow. The middle just felt like a lot of filler and I think the book could have been strengthened by condensing a lot of what happened in the middle. I also was not satisfied with the ending. I don't want to give anything away, but I certainly expected to feel a bit more uplifted at the end. The author's essay at the end was good, although I almost wish she had put it at the beginning. Not my favorite read, but I am glad I read it so I know what all the fuss is about and feel like I can go see the movie. Also Whit wanted me to read the book, so it's not to have read it for her (even though she can't really remember anything about the book).

#244: I need to read that one. I have been hearing about it for at least a year now, I just have not managed to get it read.

Interesting... I may skip not only the book, but the movie.. I saw a clip that I found ..
disturbing :(

Have fun! yay on Dad and his pics :)

I am sure you are having a wonderful time on your vacation! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.
I have The Help as well but since it was a recent purchase I think it can stand to wait around on my shelves while older, more neglected books get read first. :)

New Thread Here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/122284