Sunday, February 3, 2013

So Many Books, So Little Time

 I LOVE BOOKS!

Always have, always will.

When I was a little girl, I would bike to the library and check out the limit of 4 books, then, sit on the lawn and read a few of them and return them and get more before I went home.  I remember reading Trixie Belden books, Happy Hollisters, and of course my favorite Little House books.

I like to read all kinds of books now too, fiction and nonfiction, books for kids, both little and not so little.  The only genres I usually steer clear of are westerns and sci~fi, and nowadays ~ romances.  {Used to love those back in the day!}

I have just finished these 2 books.

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This is quoted from Amazon.

"Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own—between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis—a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control."

This was good, but I was surprised by the ending.  If any of you remember the movie The Bad Seed, this reminded me of that.
{not a spoiler, as I am not giving away how the book ends, but just the feel of the book reminded me of the way that movie made me feel.}

This is the other book I just finished.

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Again, from Amazon

"Marriage can be a real killer.
   One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
   On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
   With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around."


I am currently reading this book for my February Book Club.

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It is embarrassing how little I know about American History.  I think most of my knowledge of the Civil War came from reading Gone With the Wind about 50 times when I was in junior high.  {I can still recite the first paragraph if you'd like...}

So, I am enjoying this book.
I did read a book about Lincoln and his wife when I was in high school called Love is Eternal by Irving Stone.  The reason I remember the title is that is what was engraved in the Lincolns' wedding rings.  That appealed to me and I remembered a few years later and had it engraved in our wedding bands too.
I don't really remember the book, I think I should reread it.


I am also reading this book.

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I have a lot of design books and I am enjoying going through them for inspiration.

And then I just finished this book.  This is a book for my granddaughter that I had never read before.  She is in second grade and I think I will wait till next year to give this to her.  It is a delightful book and I know she will like it, but the characters are a little older and I think she will like it better next year.  I like to read most of the books I give to children so we can talk about them.  

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This book is in my devotional basket.  I'm almost finished, the goal is to be done by Ash Wednesday.

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And lastly, I am reading this classic.
I have really tried to keep a classic going at all times.  I just read a little of it every morning, and you'd be amazed ~ you'll be through a big fat book in no time!

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So that about wraps up my current reading material.  I will start a new children's book soon.  I am always open to suggestions.  Especially if you are in a book club and have read something great.  I think our club needs 2 more titles to finish the school year.

I may do a post like this every now and then, I thought my blog should reflect a little more of the things I like {besides my grands of course!} and reading has always topped my list of favorite things to do.

Please share your favorites, for both big and little people:-)

{Sorry for the big random space at the bottom of this post.  I can't seem to get rid of it.}

Joining Richella for her Grace at Home party.   



       








                


4 comments:

Love Being A Nonny said...

Thanks for these suggestions! I clicked and ordered An Affair With A House!

The Martys said...

That is a lot of books. I may have to add a few to my growing list of books to read.

Debbie said...

Great suggestions! I have been interested in the Lincoln one since reading some other great reviews of it.

It's an odd thing to confess, but In recently months I have been a pitiful reader. I don't know why it is that I can't sit down and enjoy a book right now. It seems that I'm too easily distracted.

I would enjoy posts like this from you again, especially if you find some new treasures for children.

WendyBee said...

What an inspiring list! I read Killing Lincoln last month, and found it terribly interesting. I too loved GWTW (if I can say that having only read it once), and could discuss anything about the Civil War for hours.
I don't think I could read Defending Jacob. I hate the way I felt when watching The Bad Seed, and avoid it when it airs on TCM.
I loooove books for children of all ages. Most especially the Anne of Green Gables books, and even more so Little Women (and all the others by Miss Alcott). There is a wealth of spriritual instruction in LW. I loved this book and read it a few times growing up, but was very confused. We were friends with an antique book dealer, who gave me a "sanitized" version, where Beth doesn't die, and Jo doesn't break Laurie's heart, and all the essays on abstract concepts (charity, faith, duty, etc.) were removed. I re-read it a few years ago, for the first time since coming to know Christ as my Lord and Savior, and was thrilled to find the author's comments on faith matters. I seem to be going on and on. You've inspired me. I think I'll adopt your approach to the Classics.