Jayde (Jess) reads in 2013!

Hi 75ers. It is nice to be back on LT.

I hope to read more books than last year ( only 20 non-text books). Added to the challenge ths year will be finishing grad school, teaching K-2 students, and my 18 month old, Owen. I can do it!

I will post a picture of the munchkin as soon as I can remember how to post a pic!

Here is one from October:

Book list this year:

January

1. Spook - Mary Roach
2. The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein
3. Darth Vader and Son - Jeffrey Brown
4. 50 Shades of Grey - E.L. James *Kindle

February
5. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Marvel Illustrated
6. Finding Lost: Season Four
7. Anya's Ghost -Vera Brosgol
8. Between Shades of Gray - Ruta Sepetys
9. Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World - Sy Montgomery
10. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - Marc Weissbluth

March
11. The Land of the Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel
12. Impulse - Ellen Hopkins
13. Find Lost Season 6 - Nikki Stafford

April
14. Al Capone Does My Shirts - Gennifer Choldenko
15. The Names of Maine - Brian McCauley
16. Kipling's Choice - Geert Spillebeen
17. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - Maryrose Wood

May
18. The Arctic Incident - Eoin Colfer
19. The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
20. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Hidden Gallery - Maryrose Wood
21. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
22. Lost Trail - Donn Fendler
23. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

June
24. The Scottish Prisoner - Diana Gabaldon
25. Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
26. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse

July
27. The Incorrigible Children - Book 3 - Maryrose Wood
28. The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett
29. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer
30. The Poisionwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

August
31. Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
32. Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond
33. Watership Down - Richard Adams
34. She Said Yes - Misty Bernall
35. The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
36. Sketches of the History of Windham, Maine 1734-1935, the Story of a Typical New England Town -Frederick Howard Dole
37. The Host - Stephanie Meyer
38. Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code - Eoin Colfer
39. Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception - Eoin Colfer

Septemeber
40. Heroes, Volume
41. The Artemis Fowl Files - Eoin Colfer

October
42. Fables: The Mean Seasons - Bill Willingham
43. Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goleman
44. Death of a King - Andrew H. Vanderwal
45. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton

November
46. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony - Eoin Colfer
47. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox - Eoin Colfer
48. Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex - Eoin Colfer
49. Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian - Eoin Colfer
50. Brazil - Lonely Planet
51. Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
52. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton

December
53. The Lost City of Z

Welcome! Mary Roach is a fave. Have you read her others?

I have read Bonk and I have ordered Stiff. I really enjoy her writing!

Welcome back!

Here are my really short reviews:

1. Spook
I really like Mary Roach's writing style. She is funny, scientific, and informative. Spook nails all of these traits. Everyone wonders what happens when they die. Roach examines what scientists and others have done to examine this throughout history. Highly Recommended.

2. The Art of Racing in the Rain
I am always hesitant to read animal books because they most always are sad and/or heart wrenching. You know within the first chapter of this book that Enzo - the dog is old. I almost put it down. However, it is a fantastic book told through the viewpoint of a dog. I wonder if my dog thinks she is as dignified as Enzo? Highly recommended.

3. Darth Vader and Son
This is a quick comic that my son gave his father for Christmas. My DH is a huge Star Wars fan and thoroughly enjoyed more than I did. I was able to get a few chuckles though. Recommended for a SW fan.

This week I need to think of a problem statement for my Action Research project for grad school. This is my final class for my masters. I need to research a problem at school, develop a strategy to help solve that problem and test it out. The next 14 weeks will be busy, so my reading is on the lighter side. I can not wait until I can tackle my TBR pile in May!!

I found you! I found you!

Owen is 18 months old???? No way! What a precious little "muchkin"... is he a handful? Great picture! He looks way too sweet to cause any trouble ;-)

I read The Art of Racing in the Rain too and loved it. I have yet to tackle Mary Roach, but I hear her books are great.

Almost done with you masters?!? Very cool!
Good luck with your problem statement.

I love the picture of Owen! Hard to believe he is 18 months old, Jess!

Hi Claudia - he is a very sweet handful. He has been a great baby. We are hitting the toddler stage full force right now. He reminds me everyday that he can do things by himself. "No" is a popular word around here too... The independent streak is balanced by cuddles and kisses, so it all works out for the best.

Thanks Stasia. 18 months has flown by!!

Yes, it has! The years pile up too, unfortunately. It is hard to believe that my 'baby' just turned 22.

My first "baby" is turning 40 on Sunday!!! yikes.
The independent streak has lasted - but the cuddles... well, it's been awhile.

I have been caught up in writing a Literature Review on how cooperative games can affect recess behavior, which will be the topic of my action research project. There is not much literature on the subject :(

On the other hand, I have finished a book on my kindle - although it was a horrid one! I won't go into much detail, because much is already said about it... Here are my thoughts on 50 Shades of Grey:

Book 4: 50 Shades of Grey

Okay, I was sold by the hype surrounding this book, especially by my friends and co-workers. But I found the writing atrocious! Ana is a weak female lead, and the plot is silly. The only character I found intriguing is Christian, and mainly because I am interested in his back story (not even the sex appeal). I highly disliked Twilight and I did not find out this was fan fic until after I purchased ALL THREE books for my Kindle!!! Definitely an oops on my part. I started reading this book 8 months ago and had to stop because I couldn't take the writing. I picked it up again on a car ride to Connecticut because my kindle has a light to read in the dark.

The only good thing is that the reading is light (although awful) and with my workload and life load right now, I am finding it difficult to read anything but graphic novels and brain candy.

I may have to finish the other two books in the series, only for the fact that I bought them, instead of borrowed them.

Another thing that I realized is that my friends do not have a great taste in books because they LOVED this series (or maybe just Christian Grey). Thank goodness for LT!!!

Welcome Back! Your muchkin is adorable!!!!

Thank you Linda! I am in love with him!

Here we are playing in the snow after Christmas:

Book 5: The Picture of Dorian Gray - Marvel Illustrated Series
Read: 2/5-2/6/13

I am on light reading lately, which mostly consists of Graphic Novels or YA literature. This is an adaption of Oscar Wilde's masterpiece. Marvel tries to stay true to the author's words. The illustrations are decent. I liked it!

Beautiful shot of Mom and son :-)

And, I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray!

Heavens--I'd been mildly curious about 50 Shades of Grey, but didn't remotely know about the connection to Twilight (which will keep me away!). I can't believe there's been so much talk about that book, and I had no idea of the connection. oi--well, I'm sorry you had to go through it (and may feel like going through the others!), but I thank you for the heads-up :)

>17 -Cee-:: Claudia, I enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray as well when I read it. I am such a visual learner that the graphic novel enhanced my appreciation for the real thing.

>18 whitewavedarling:: I will gladly give a heads up, I wish I had known sooner. However, I did not spend as much time on LT last year, so I did not find out about the Twilight connection until it was too late.

YEAH to the Blizzard of 2013!!! We have about 30" of snow in our back yard. The DH just dug us out and it looks wonderful. If I can get my literature review done today, then there will be skiing tomorrow!! However, I have been arguing with a cranky toddler who is refusing to nap for the last 2 hours.... I usually hide out at the library or Panera Bread, but today I am snowed in. Maybe earplugs will help? :)

What a great photo of you and your wonderful son!

>20 Whisper1:: Thank you Linda.

It has been a difficult reading week. I am trying to get through The Land of the Painted Caves, but it has not been easy. This book is just not like the rest of the series. It is dry and boring, and the characters were already fully developed in the other books that nothing new and exciting has happened and I am already 400 pages into it! Here's hoping to the plot picking up speed, but I am not counting on it!

Book 6: Finding Lost: Seaon Four

I am a huge Lost fan and even though the series has been over for three years, I have watched the DVDs. These books are nothing extraordinary, but they are a nice easy recap of the show. This is a book that I can pick up if I only have a few minutes.

Book 7: Anya's Ghost

This is a graphic novel that is smart and funny. Anya is a Russian- American high school student trying to fit in with the popular crowd. She falls down a well and meets a ghost who wants to befriend Anya. The drawings are well done and the plot was interesting, but not deep. Recommended for a light read.

My reading this week may not appeal to everyone, after a year of barely any reading, it is nice to be able to pick up a book - even if it is a graphic novel. I feel more accomplished this year. I did find Between Shades of Grey at the library that I am looking to get into this week while I am on vacation.

Yay for you - reading what you want ;-)

Enjoy your vacation and your reading!!!

I spent this morning to myself while the munchkin was at "school" to finish Between Shades of Gray. What a great book!! This was another fantastic LT 75er's find. I don't think that I can do a review justice. In 1941, Lina, her brother, and mother are herded onto a cattle car and are deported from Lithuania by the NKVD. They hope that their father is okay, and keep on fighting for life by holding on to hope and the little things that come their way. I have read many books on the Holocaust, but few on the Soviet atrocities of World War II. I can not even imagine being deported to a Siberian labor camp for twelve years!

And thankfully this book is not at all related to a series with a similar sounding title :)

>24 jayde1599: I remember hearing about that one and how people were getting it confused with 50 Shades and vice versa. Glad to hear it's the better of the two!

And I'm a huge Lost fan too, I was thinking it might soon be time for another rewatch...

>25 LibraryLover23:: We re-watched the series last year, but I read the books this year. I think I need to re-watch again. She didn't add anything special, but I like does offer a good recap.

Book 9: Temple Grandin - Sy Montgomery

I love Temple Grandin! I have heard her speak at a conference, and think that the work that she has done for animals and people with autism is amazing. I have read her books, but when I saw this biography at the library, I picked it up despite it being aimed at a juvenile/young adult crowd. I did learn some insight into her earlier years that I did not know. (I never watched the HBO movie with Claire Danes). The book is told in a fashion that is similar to the way that she speaks. I believe the author did get a chance to interview Temple. I recommend this book as a beginning read for those who are interested in Temple Grandin and what she has done.

Book 10: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - Marc Weissbluth

Ehh, this book was not my cup of tea. I know that children need sleep - which is the whole point of the book. I don't necessarily agree with the way that he suggests how to go about getting a child to sleep. I did give the book a try because we are still working on getting our toddler to sleep through the night :)

Now that vacation is over, my reading will slow down again. I am happy that I read all 4 books that I borrowed from the library this week! My project for class is beginning to take up more time. We are getting into the big part of the research.

Today was a great day, despite receiving another 12" of snow on a Sunday! (If it had just waited 24 hours, my vacation would have been extended). But, today I was able to make mini veggie/ham quiches (for munchkin's lunches), banana bread, vegetable soup & corn bread for tonight's dinner, and butternut squash macaroni & cheese for a night later this week. My two cooking goals for this year are to learn how to make some freezer meals - and be organized/prepared to actually spend the day cooking them. And to start getting creative with veggies. Munchkin has been turning his nose up at them... I feel very productive today. Although, I did not get the data sheets done for my research project.

Book 11: The Land of the Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel

The last book in the Earth's Childeren series is a big disappointment. The book lacked an engaging plot and repeated many of the same themes and ideas over and over again. If the repetition had been removed the book would have been considerably shorter than 828 pages! It was nice to see how the story of Ayla and Jondalar came to a close, but compared to the other books, it was quite boring.

I can't believe that it has been more than 2 months since I have been on LT! I am finally finished grad school for a degree in special education-inclusion. I will graduate this weekend with straight A's. I wish I could have done that in high school and undergrad. My final thesis was how cooperative games impact recess behavior.

Now that it is finally done, I have time to read for fun. I am horribly behind in posting what I have read, but I hope to catch up soon. I just need yo get through the end of the school year and piles of IEP paperwork/meetings! I also hope to catch up on threads.

Congratulations !!!!!

You did it!!!! Great job.

Congratulations!

Congrats! Looking forward to see what you've been reading. :)

Here is what I've read so far... going back to March! Yikes!

Book 12: Impulse - Ellen Hopkins
I really enjoy these books by Hopkins. She writes about difficult teenage subjects such as cutting, addiction, and death. And she writes it all in prose. After reading her biography, she has based some of her books on her daughter's life and experiences with addiction. Compelling YA read.

Book 13: Finding Lost Season 6 - Nikki Stafford
Nothing exciting to write about this book, other than I like reading about how others experienced the TV series.

Book 14: Al Capone Does My Shirts - Gennifer Choldenko
This was a fabulous YA book set in the early days of Alcatraz. The story is about a boy who moves to Alcatraz island because his father is a warden. He tries to protect his sister who has autism from the everyday challenges that she faces.

Book 15: The Names of Maine - Brian McCauley
Interesting book about how the Maine cities and towns got their names. I had seen this book in local shops for awhile now, but I found this copy at the library.

Book 16: Kipling's Choice - Geert Spillebeen
Rudyard Kipling always wanted to be in the military, however his nearsightness prevented him from joining. He used his pull as a famous author to get his son in the military, even though his son had the same difficulties with his eyes. The story is told through his son's point of view, as he lay mortally wounded in WWI. Kipling senior struggled with guilt after his son's body was never found.

Book 17: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - Maryrose Wood
A fun children's book set in England about 3 young children raised by wolves in early life, now being raised by a young nanny.

You are reading some great books!
I loved Al Capone Does My Shirts. I believe it rec'd. a Newbery award.

Kipling's Choice was a favorite of mine when I read it a few years ago.

Kipling is a fascinating study. He was indeed VERY pro Britain, advocating war and the necessity of it for Britain to be superior. I found it interesting that Kipling had a different perspective after the loss of his son to war.

Here are May's books:

Book 18: The Arctic Incident - Eoin Colfer
Fun book with the evil boy genius - Artemis Fowl. This was nice to get off my TBR shelf. I still have the rest of the books in the series waiting to be read.

Book 19: The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
A beautifully illustrated juvenile book that I had eyed for awhile in the Scholastic book orders years ago, but finally picked up at the library.

Book 20: The Hidden Gallery - Maryrose Wood
Book 2 of the Incorrigible children. I did not get into this was as much. I wish she tied up some of the mystery instead of leaving the questions dangling. I really dislike slow mystery series...

Book 21: Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
Another YA book about addiction that leads to the teenage protagonist's troubles. I read it as a teenager with the belief that it was a true diary, but I have read elsewhere that it was written by an adult. Either way it is a good book, despite being a bit dated.

Book 22: Lost Trail - Donn Fendler
A graphic novel adapted from the children's book about a 12 year old boy who was lost on Mount Katahdin (Maine's highest peak) in 1939. Lynn Plourde (another Maine author) helped Fendler write this adaption.

Book 23: Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
I struggled getting into this book. But, it turned out to be a fantastic book. I am looking forward to watching the movie!

Many of the books these past few months have been YA or juvenile books, but I needed some easy reading to get through my last class. I have 126 books to read on my TBR book shelves. School will be out in 1 1/2 weeks, so I am looking forward to making a dent in that pile!

Wow! Great reading...

I LOVED Cloud Atlas! I wonder how the movie will be???

Book 24: The Scottish Prisoner - Diana Gabaldon

I am a huge Gabaldon fan. I have enjoyed the Lord John series just as much as the Outlander series. The Scottish Prisoner was a decent read, except for the ending. For some reason the book fell flat with me. I did enjoy the increased Jamie presence in this book as compared to the other Lord John books.

39: I don't know how the movie will be... I have heard reviews that one should read the book or will be utterly confused. I think I will try this with my husband, as he will not read the book.

Book 25. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

I read a children's version of this book when I was a child. I do not remember reading the full unabridged version. I really enjoyed it. This copy was my husbands; so it is the unedited, original. I have always liked Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. I can imagine that this book was powerful in its themes for the time period that it was written.

See, I want to read this as an adult too. I have it waiting for me :-) I'll have to see if it is unabridged...

Rain Rain Go Away!!



It has been a very wet spring/summer!! I sent the Little One off to school, so I can clean the house today. We were going to go camping this weekend, but the weather forecast looks grim. I guess it is time to figure out a Plan B.

Up on my list begin Guns, Germs and Steel.

I finished Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse yesterday.
I will post a review soon!

Book 26: Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse

Synopsis: A boy, disenchanted by his life as a Brahmin's son, sets off on a journey to discover the meaning of his life. He joins the Samanas and lives a beggar's life in the forrest. He listen's to the teachings of Buddha. After awhile, he becomes restless and moves on again. This time to a woman named Kamala, who teaches him about love and riches. He finally finds peace at an old age from a ferryboat man and the spirit of the river.

Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, after I got through the first chapter. I took the meaning of the book as one can not find happiness/enlightenment from just a single experience in life. It is all of life's experiences (including pain and suffering) that truly make one enlightened.

Read: June 24-27, 2013

Pages:102

Highly Recommended!

Book 27: The Incorrigible Children Book 3 - Maryrose Wood

The Incorrigibles are back on the hunt. This time trying to find an ostrich. They into the woods where they were found. Their governess, Penelope Lumley tries to sort out the answers to all of the questions. I enjoyed this book better than the second book. I wish the author would answer some of the questions though. This book gave hints of answers, but the clues led to even more questions.

#44 What a cutie! How old is Owen now?

Hi Claudia

Owen will be 2 next Friday!! I can't believe how fast time flies.

Another milestone: my Thingaversary was July 8. I have spent 5 years on here. I have really enjoyed all of the connections and book recommendations.

Now time to get ready for our camping trip to Acadia - one of my favorite places! It will be Owens first time camping too. Wish me luck...

Book 28: The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett - 1983



Dates read: 7/10-7/13/13
Pages:277

Thoughts:
I have been wanting to read the Discworld series for awhile. I have had the 1st book, so I thought it was about time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny and engaging.

The Discworld is a flat world sitting on the backs of 4 elephants who are balanced on a giant turtle. This book follows Rincewind, a failed magician and a strange tourist named Twoflower. I can't wait to read more!

I remember seeing a guide to the Discworld on here somewhere. I thought I saved it, I just need to figure out where!

For my 5 year Thingaversary on July 8th, I decided to go to a library book sale. I got:

The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
The Return of Merlin - Deepak Chopra
Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hamilton
The Laughing Corpse - Hamilton
Circus of the Damned - Hamilton
The Lunatic Cafe - Hamilton
Bloody Bones - Hamilton
The Killing Dance - Hamilton
Burnt Offerings - Hamilton

The 1st 7 books of the Anita Blake series were sold together that is why I bought so many of them. Guilty Pleasures has been on my wishlist for awhile. Here's to starting another series this summer!

Nice!

Book 29: Extremely loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer



Dates Read: 7/15-7/19/13
Pages:

Thoughts: I am still thinking about this book, in a good way. I guess I liked it because it is still with me. I write a proper review when I digest it a little more.

Happy 2nd Birthday to my little man! Two years has gone by fast!



My husband took the day off to do something special. We melted today at York's Wild Kingdom. We will go to the Yarmouth Clam Festival tonight or tomorrow. And then ride on Thomas the Train later this weekend. We had a joint party with my nephew before he moved, so we are doing a few excursions for his birthday weekend.

I picked up a few more books at the Yarmouth Clam Festival that I had on my wishlist:

Watership Down - Richard Adams
Tigana - Guy Gavriel Kay
A Girl Named Zippy - Haven Kimmel
Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
Aleutian Sparrow - Karen Hesse

And a hardcover copy of Eragon to go with the rest of the series which we have in hardcover.

This is one of my favorite local book sales of the year!

What a little sweatheart! Owen is adorable!

Happy birthday to Owen! And great book hauls--I'm still thinking about Watership Down and it's been years since I've read it.

55: thanks Linda. I couldn't figure out the sizing of the picture for that photo. It was the first time that I copied one from shutterfly instead of uploading it to LT first. I will try again when I am on my computer. I am using the iPad more and more lately.

56: I am excited about Watership Down as well. I think I will be reading that one soon. I just have a few that I need to finish first!

Book 30: the Poisonwood Bible -Barbara Kingsolver



Read: July 20-27, 2013
Pages: 546
Year: 1998

This is an interesting book about a family of missionaries in the Congo during the 1960's. Nathan Price, fighting his own inner turmoil brought his wife and 4 daughters to Africa to bring Jesus to the Congo. The story is told in the voices of Orleanna Price and her daughters. I am not sure if I really enjoyed this book. There were some exciting parts and then really dull moments. I did not find the characters easy to connect with either. I did find the history of the revolution in Congo interesting.

This is my first novel I have read by Kingsolver, and I think she did a decent job, just not my cup of tea, for the most part.

Book 31: Eat, Pray, Love - Eliazabeth Gilbert



read: July 28- August 4, 2013
Pages: 352
year: 2007
Acquired: 2013 - Yarmouth Clam Festival $1

thoughts: I am not impressed with this book. As many reviews before me stated, Gilbert comes across as whiny and self-inflated. I really love the idea of taking a year to travel to find oneself, but her voice just irked me. I don't understand how it lasted on the best-seller list for so long!

Book 32 Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond



Read: July 1-August 5, 2013
pages: 494
Year: 2003 edition
Acquired: 2011 - Nonesuch Books

Thoughts: this book took me a month to read because I lost interest have way through it. The main topic question is interesting, "Why did some societies develop faster and better than other societies?"

Diamond begins by giving a brief history of human evolution. He then describes the expansion of agriculture, which in turn produced innovation such as guns, germs, and steel. These advantages crushed societies such as the Mayans, Incans, Aboriginals, and Native Americans, who were inventive in their own way, but were no match to guns and illness. If the editor cut out the repetition, I may have enjoyed this book more.

Book 33: Watership Down -Richard Adams



Dates Read: 8/4-8/9/13
Pages: 476
Year: 1976
Acquired: 2013 Yarmouth Clam Festival - $1

Thoughts:
A group of rabbits leave their warren due to foreseen destruction. They adventure through the land searching for a new home. The book is much more than a tale about rabbits. It is about survival, sticking together, and courage.
I put this book on my wishlist because of the television show LOST. I read the book making connections in themes with the show and the plot. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. It has been a long time since I have stayed up late reading a book and have wanted to skip ahead with anticipation about how it ends.

Book 34: She Said Yes - Misty Bernall



Read: 8/8/13
Pages: 140
Date: 1999
Acquired: 2013 Saco Library Sale

Thoughts: Cassie Bernall's mother tells the teenager's story in the aftermath of the Columbine shootings. Cassie was the girl who said she believed in God and then was shot in the head.The book explores her mother's relationship with Cassie in the years leading up to Columbine.

I was a senior in high school when Columbine happened, and remember it vividly. I could not imagine the horror that happened in the high school. This book does not cover much about the shootings, but shows what may have given Cassie the courage to say "Yes."

Hi Jess,
It was a long time ago, but I loved Watership Down. Loved it.

Someday, I will make it to the clam festival... didn't know they had books! cool.

Book 35: The Red Tent - Anita Diamant



Read: 8/9/13-8/13/13
Pages: 352
Date: 2007
Acquired: 2013 Saco Library Sale

Synopsis: This is the story of Dinah - the only daughter of Biblical Jacob. The book begins with Dinah's mother(s), as Jacob had 4 wives. Dinah was born to Leah, her last child, and only girl. The title comes from the women's tent - where they go when it is time for their monthly cycle. This is where their stories are past down to the daughters. Dinah got all of the stories.
Coming from Dinah's perspective, the story is a tale highlighting femininity in a time where woman were regarded as property.

I ended up enjoying this book, even though I was not sure that I would like it. Recommended

Book 36: Sketches of the History of Windham, Maine 1734-1935, the Story of a Typical New England Town by Frederick Howard Dole

Read: 8/18/13-8/20/13
Pages:
Date: 1935
Acquired: my Grandmother

Synopsis: A history of the town of Windham, Maine written in 1935 for the towns bicentennial. It was an interesting read to hear how the town was so very different, even just 80 years ago. There was a chapter on Duck Pond (now Highland Lake), which is where I live. The author says that this is a nice area to take a romantic stroll or paddle. Well, now it is quite built up, and a person would be lucky to stroll near the water! There is an area at the north end of the lake that is called "Scotland," and I always wondered why. A man named McIntosh came from Scotland in the 1800's. He paddled up the Presumpscot River from the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean and ended up at the north end of the lake, where he built his home.

I now want to visit the town's historical society!

Book 37: The Host: A Novel -Stephenie Meyer



Read: 8/12/13-8/21/13
Pages: 656
Date: 2010
Acquired: 2011 - Boarders closing

Synopsis: Alien beings invade the bodies of humans, taking over their minds. So humans, like Melanie, fight back, and refuse to go away. Wanderer is not used to a host body fighting her. At first she finds it annoying and frightening, but things soon change as Wanderer acquires Melanie's memories.

Following a guide in Melanie's mind, she makes her way to a cell of humans. There, she finds Jared and Jamie, two special people from Melanie's past. Now, if they can only get over Wanda, the alien in Melanie's body...

I expected to not like this book at all, based on my lack of enjoyment of the Twilight series. I detested Meyer's writing in that series. The first few chapters of The Host were difficult to get into, and I thought I would be brought back into awful writing, and wimpy, female protagonists. I am glad I stuck it out, as I was wrong. Wanda and Melanie are too completely different characters, who just share the same body. Both are relatable to the reader in different ways. The one thing I thought was odd, was that Melanie starts off strong and aggressive, but becomes soft and discombobulated around Jared. This was similar to Bella in Twilight. Maybe that is just how the author perceives relationships....

Jess, back up to post #59 and I want to say AMEN! So many loved and raved about Eat, Love, Pray. In all honesty I was very bothered by the book.

Her voice was irksome -- yes -- but more than that, she appeared to be VERY self centered and selfish.

I think if I take a year and have the luxury of travel...and should I write a book, I doubt that it would be me, me, me, me, me, me, me.

Cee: The Clam Festival is definitely worth the trip. Clams, lobster, music, parades, and books! It is very Maine-ish. :)

Linda: Thank you for your thoughts on Eat, Pray, Love. I thought I was the only one who did not like it! I have friends who loved it, but they also raved about Twilight, 50 Shades, and Jodi Piccoult - all of which I could not stand! To each his own I guess. That is what I like about LT.

Summer is almost over!!!!! I am debating whether to go in to work to set up my classroom, or go to the beach and read..... Owen is at school today so I have the day to myself. I just need to straighten up here, make a Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake, and pack for our visit to the in-laws in Connecticut this weekend.

The next book for me is Walden and I am stuck after only reading 10 pages. "I can get through it," said in my Little Engine That Could voice...

Wow! It has been a long time.

Well the start of school, the death of my cousin, and various fun activities for Owen have decreased my reading... That and the books that I was trying to read were just not working for me right now with everything that was going on.

I have put Walden and Wolf Hall on the back burner. I have Death of a King to read that is an Early Reviewer that I am trying to read now.

Owen is home sick today, so I may be able to do some catching up!

Here is my pathetic reading for September:

38. Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code - Eoin Colfer
39. Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception - Eoin Colfer
40. Heroes, Volume 2
41. The Artemis Fowl Files - Eoin Colfer

No reading is pathetic. With all you have going on - 4 books is good!
Glad to see you back :-)
I'm struggling to keep up on LT, but it's all good.
Life has a way of changing w/o notice from time to time.
Hugs to you and Owen!

Yikes - it has been over a month! Life has gotten ahead of me, and I have been spending less time at the computer.
This past month, I have had 2 family funerals, and some other unexpected life events.

In good news - my family is in good health, Owen is doing wonderful, and I just got back from visiting Brazil over Thanksgiving.

Here is my book list for November:

46. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony - Eoin Colfer
47. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox - Eoin Colfer
48. Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex - Eoin Colfer
49. Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian - Eoin Colfer
50. Brazil - Lonely Planet
51. Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
52. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton

I am happy to be finished the Artemis Fowl series, although it fizzled for me in Atlantis Complex. The Last Guardian was okay, but sort of anticlimatic for the end of the series.

I struggled through Wolf Hall - there were parts that I enjoyed, but most of the book was hard to follow. I want to look into Thomas Cromwell more. My husband is a fan of the era and he was able to explain a bit to me. I had some reading time on the long flights to Brazil and back, so that helped.

So far, Anita Blake is brain candy. The Laughing Corpse was okay. I know the rest of the series has awful reviews after a certain point. I bought the first 7 books at a library sale, so I am at least invested in the first seven!

Book 53: Aleutian Sparrow - Karen Hesse



A book about the forced encampment of the Aleutian Natives during WWII. Told through the eyes of a girl, who wonders why they had to move and what life will be like if and when they can return. Told in Hesse's prose style. Enjoyable read.

Getting ready to start the holiday travels today. Our agenda includes: Maine to Massachusetts to Connecticut to Massachusetts and back to Maine on Christmas Eve. Husband feels it is important for Santa to come to our own house and not the grandparents. This will be the first year in my 33 years that I am not celebrating with extended family on Christmas Day. I am a little nostalgic for the "old" times, but I know that we need to start our own traditions. Which means I may have to cook - which really means we may end up going for Chinese - a la "A Christmas Story."

Here are Owen and I getting in the Christmas Spirit on a sleigh ride courtesy of the Maine State Society for Protection of Animals:



They offered an open Holiday get together. What a wonderful way to help sponsor the protection of horses and other animals.

Merry, merry Christmas to you and your family, Jess!