Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What I've Been Doing Lately

Reading!

I get into these reading ruts, where I'll read and read and read and ignore, ignore, ignore and then I'll stop. It's like a feast before the famine. I adore reading, but it tends to warrant me useless to my family.
Sorry, family!

Here is what I've been reading. Or have read. Lately:

Vanish With The Rose by Barbara Michaels
Pretty good. This is your typical 1980's type mystery. I read it for book club and although the mystery itself was Meh, the characterizations were fabulous.

The Lady In The Tower by Jean Plaidy
I ADORE British history, and so ready about Anne Boleyn was fascinating. Granted, it's historical fiction, but I could tell a lot of historical research went into this, and after discussing The Other Boleyn Girl (which I haven't read) with Julie P., it looks like this one smashes that one to pieces. At least in the "this is actually what really happened" realm. But who knows? Anyway, this has given me a desire to read more by Jean Plaidy --Henry VIII had six wives, thus, there are more books to be reading...

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
This book has just launched itself into my Top 10 of ALL TIME (not that have a top ten list, I'm just sayin'). It was FABULOUS. I loved it so much, I recommend it to everyone. However, you have to understand some things:
1. I love all things British (well, except the food).
2. I love history. Love it.
3. I love well-written and believable characters.
Not only did this book have all of that, but there were no plot holes and no boredom from me! I enjoyed every page. Oh! But I should warn you --if you have a queasy stomach when it comes to illness (especially of the bubonic plague variety), then maybe you should refrain from reading it. It wasn't that graphic (really, it wasn't), but still...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I just started reading this. Bythelbs sent it to me, and I have to say I'm intrigued! And I'm really liking it so far.

What have you read lately that I should read? When I get the chance? Someday?

9 comments:

Cardalls said...

Have you read "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society?" It is also British (although about the island of Guernsey) during WW II. I thought it was delightful and a sweet story!

Mother of the Wild Boys said...

You know I love history...I'm liking your book recommendations. Maybe this summer, when I'm done reading textbooks, I can read some of those. :)

I did just read Look Me in the Eye- My Life with Aspergers by John Elder Robison. I enjoyed it, especially since our Austin's recent Aspergers diagnosis. It was interesting to hear this man's perspective on Aspergers. We routinely get "expert" opinions in the media by those who study Aspergers/Autism...but this is from someone who lives with it. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to better understand our growing population of high-functioning Autistics.

Amanda D said...

I couldn't quit reading. I probably spend more time reading than I should, but I could never stop. The family just has to deal with it. :)

Right now I'm reading a Sophie Kinsella book (they are funny, and most the time I can ignore the language) and "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks.

When you get the chance I recommend "The Chosen One" by Carol Lyn Willaims or something like that. It's a YA Fiction book. I loved it. I was able to feel every emotion the main character was feeling. And since it was YA, it was quick.

Rachel Holtkamp said...

Ok, love, love, LOVE The Hunger Games! Couldn't put it down! That's basically a must read for every teacher at my school. We all love it! Enjoy!

Annette Lyon said...

Courting Miss Lancaster. Sarah M. Eden is my new favorite author.

Also, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jaime Ford. It's a NY Times bestseller--and with good reason. It's also a Whitney finalist. AWESOME book.

Stephanie said...

So, I'm not really into serious reading lately. I just re-read Pamala Aidan's Fitzwilliam Darcy series. It tells the story from his point of view, and is FABULOUS!!

I also discovered Georgette Heyer recently. She wrote regency romance novels (but we're talking squeeky, read them out loud to my stake president, clean) in the 1930's-50's. And there are about fifty books by her. I especially liked False Colors and The Grand Sophy.

Amy said...

I just finished reading "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley. It's a mystery with a precocious 11 year old heroine with a passion for chemistry and poisons, written by a Canadian 1st time novelist. I would be interested to hear what you think of it.

TaLaisa said...

I've read and LOVED the Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society! Loved it.

I have a ton of books to read, fun kids books, grown up books. Lots and lots of books. I belong to a book swap group that my aunt started. www.paulsbooks.org. We love reading Paul's Books.

My boys and I have been reading Judy Moody and Stink books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and currently we're reading How to Train your Dragon. Along with various fun picture books with excellent stories.

We love the Whoopi Goldberg book on Manners. It's awesome. And funny. And a great teaching tool.

Alison Wonderland said...

I wonder if LBS got a great deal on that book, she sent me one as well. LOVED it. I'm on to Catching Fire, the sequel and so far so good.