Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Brisinger is the most recent instalment in the Inheritance Cycle. The first two books are Eragon and Eldest. The books tell a familiar story about a peasant boy, Eragon, who discovers there is more to him than meets the eye. He finds a dragon egg, it hatches, and he becomes a Dragon Rider. Thus starts an adventure of self discovery where Eragon and Saphira (his dragon) must battle fantastic creatures, befriend Elves, Dwarves and Men, and find a way to destroy the evil King Galbatorix.
I enjoyed the first 2 books and was excited to read the third. I liked it, but was a little disappointed in the movement of the plot, I felt it was slow. I was also bummed because I was about 3/4 of the way through the book when I realized that it is not the last book. The author originally planned for 3 books, but when writing Brisinger he realized that the story was too long for one book and made the series into a cycle! I'm bummed because I didn't get a conclusion as I was hoping, and I have to wait for the next one to come out.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Not to be confused with the John Jakes Civil War novel of the same name, this novel is set in Victorian England at the height of the Industrial Revolution. It is a gentle love story between two people from vastly different backgrounds; it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice. If you have a chance to see the BBC adaptation for TV, be sure to check it out.

The Darcy Connection by Elizabeth Aston

I preferred this story to Mr Darcy's Daughters. It is about Mr and Mrs Collins Daughters and their first London season.
These books all seem to follow the same formula, but, I find them to be fun quick reads.

Mr Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston

This book follows Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's daughters through their first London season. Lizzy and Mr Darcy are abroad and their daughters are staying in London with Mr. Fitzwilliam and his wife.
This is a fun easy read. If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice you will probably like it. It is not the best writing, but, a fun story.

Label

I have gone through and added my name on my posts in the labels so you can look the book up who recommended it. If others would do it too, that would be great!

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Patillo Beals

Warriors Don't Cry is the story of the "Little Rock Nine" told by Melba. They were the nine students who volunteered to integrate Little Rock High School in the late 1950's. They are amazing and suffered extreme persecution and ugly racial hatred. It was a war zone and the students really did risk their lives and I'd even say sanity by attempting to defy the segregationists. But what they did was valuable and their sacrifice did eventually bring about positive change for a racist country. I read the abridged version, which wasn't great by literary standards (I read it for book club and my library only carried the abridged version). The courage and sense of purpose these teenagers had was overwhelming. It is a very powerful story.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Meet Denver, a man raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana in the 1960s; a man who escaped, hopping a train to wander, homeless, for eighteen years on the streets of Dallas, Texas. No longer a slave, Denver's life was still hopeless-until God moved. First came a godly woman who prayed, listened, and obeyed. And then came her husband, Ron, an international arts dealer at home in a world of Armani-suited millionaires. And then they all came together.
But slavery takes many forms. Deborah discovers that she has cancer. In the face of possible death, she charges her husband to rescue Denver. Who will be saved, and who will be lost? What is the future for these unlikely three? What is God doing?
Same Kind of Different As Me is the emotional tale of their story: a telling of pain and laughter, doubt and tears, dug out between the bondages of this earth and the free possibility of heaven. No reader or listener will ever forget it. (Barnes and Noble.com)

This is an amazing story! I was continually impressed at how just one person can make a difference in the lives of so many. It was inspiring and moving.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall begins from and eventually returns to the point of view of gentle Gilbert Markham as he endures what he thinks is an unrequited love of the mysterious and independent Helen Graham. But as the story progresses, a far more interesting tale emerges from the pages of Helen's own journal. In this novel within a novel, we learn of Helen's painful past as the devoted, devout, and often tortured wife of the handsome, alcoholic scoundrel she unwisely chose to marry. ( from http://muruch.blogspot.com/2008/10/anne-bronte-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.html )

It has been a long time since I read this, but, I was thinking about it again and thought it needed a post. I love this book. I thought it was an interesting and well told story! I also love the movie if you get a chance to see it, do!

The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly

This novel takes place entirely within the confines of a Burmese Prison.  The main character, Teza, is a political prisoner.  He has been sentenced to 20 years of solitary confinement, but finds ways to free his mind and spirit through small and powerful means.  The writing is very well done and one gets such a good sense of the political situation in Burma.  The author does a wonderful job of pointing out beauty in what would seem to be a beauty-free environment.  It is a tribute to the human soul and all that is good about people.  The back cover says, "The Lizard Cage is an urgent, necessary addition to the canon of fiction about political oppression . . . the novel tells the story of the friendship between a Burmese political prisoner and a young orphan boy.  Set entirely in a prison called the Lizard Cage, it is a gripping exploration of how human connection can liberate one's spirit despite unimaginably, cruel circumstances, as seen through the eyes of an idealistic revolutionary who inspires in a child the bravery to escape a life of confinement."  It is a powerful story, and a book I think everyone should read.

(For those that may care, the prisoners speak like prisoners and behave like prisoners, so don't expect it to be a Pollyannaesque story). 

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Ok, so Oprah just named this her newest book club book, so now I'm feeling all Jonny-come-lately, and I did start this post before her announcement, I just never got around to finishing it.....but whatever. Ok, actually, it deserves the publicity.

It's been a long time since I read a book that caused me to totally neglect my kids and everything else that I was supposed to do around the house in order to read just a few more chapters. So I loved it for that.

The central character is Edgar Sawtelle, a young teenager growing up in mid-century Wisconsin on the farm where his father and mother are raising a fictional breed of dogs, the Sawtelles. Edgar is also born mute and communicates with his parents and also with the dogs through sign. The story itself derives a lot of its elements and characters out of Hamlet, but Edgar himself would choose to identify more with the characters and elements of Kipling's The Jungle Book. Certainly one of the most interesting aspects of the story is the relationship that Edgar has with the dogs, and specifically one dog that he's been especially close to since birth. But this is way more than a boy-and-his-dog story (because I don't even like dogs).

The pace of the story telling is gentle and I felt that it was through this pace that the reader really comes to understand Edgar and his world of silence.

It was one of the most enjoyable and satisfying reads I'd had in a long time.

ps. Anna, it's nice and long (like 555 pages), so I know you'll like it.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

You've probably already heard about this book, even if you haven't read it. It's a kind of memoir/life-affirming lessons/inspirational talk by 47 yr old computer science professor, Randy Pausch, that grew out of the actual "Last Lecture" that he gave upon his retirement from Carnegie Mellon University after learning of his terminal cancer.

The "Last Lecture" is a series that CMU does with each retiring professor, but Randy Pausch turned it into a way to give his very young children a sense of who he was and how to live their lives after his death. The lecture itself became a YouTube phenomenon and because of that, he expanded the lecture into a book. I watched the lecture before I read the book and I really enjoyed it. I came to really like and appreciate him as a person (and feel inspired by him) from even this tiny glimpse into his life.

The book does follow the outline and spirit of the lecture, but it adds a lot of background info about his childhood upbringing with his parents, his relationship with his wife and their dealing with his cancer, and it expands upon many of his lecture's premises.

It was moving but not sentimental. And, frankly, I was relieved that it wasn't heavy-laden with how terminal cancer can bring a person down. Actually, it was just the opposite. Mostly, it was this really upbeat, successful, hard-working and funny guy telling about the things that he'd done in his own life, what he'd learned from doing them, and what he was grateful for that other people taught him along the way.

It's a great read.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

I am a huge fan of Nick Hornby.  I loved High Fidelity, and About A Boy.  Hornby writes about below average humans and makes you like unlikeable people.  And sometimes he even gives his characters some redemption.  This book is no different.  It is told from the point of view of four different Londoners.  All  meet up on a rooftop, New Years Eve, where they were all planning to take their lives.  There is an older woman who has been taking care of her son who has been in a vegetative state for twenty odd years, a punk totally messed up teenage girl, a washed up tabloid-fodder talk show host, and a musician who has never been able to get his career going.  Anyway, they decide to help each other want to live instead of killing themselves.  Hornby doesn't go for feel good solutions and keeps things starkly realistic.  It is darkly humorous, and surprisingly touching, just as all his books are. (Hornby also uses the F-word a lot, so if that bugs, don't read this book or any of his others).  

A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich

This book was given to me by my dear friend years and years ago but I just barely got around to reading it. It was written in 1928 and is the classic story of Abbie and Will Deal - pioneers who left everything behind for a new life on American Frontier. This book reminded me a lot of These is My Words - but much shorter. It was a little cliche and somewhat over-sentimental and while I was reading it I wasn't sure I was going to post about it. However, after I finished the book I felt that I really did enjoy it and it was a touching story. There are not many books that evoke tears but I was definitely touched by the story of this woman. I appreciated her perpsective of having kids and watching them grow and become individuals and make their own choices. If you liked These is My Words - I think you will like this book. Good, good story.

Note: This image of the book cover is from an old edition. The newer edition has a more "romance novel" look to it and I didn't want to use it.

Question?

What were some of the books that sucked you in and you could not put down? I am not necessarily asking for the best written books ever just ones you get caught up in quickly?
Some of mine are: the Twilight series, Jane Eyre,
Memoirs of a Geisha, Harry Potter series, most Nicholas Sparks books, I am sure I have a lot more I just cant think of any right now.
I think I must be a shallow reader, but, I seem to have a hard time with some books. I may like them, but, I have a hard time if they don't grab me at the beginning!

North River by Pete Hamill

I really enjoyed this book.  My library has a "readers choice" section and that is where I picked it up.  This is the story of Dr. Delaney,  a WWI veteran who lives in the Village during the depression.  Then, it was an enclave of immigrants and mobsters.  He is a doctor, who has been abandoned by his wife and daughter.  In many ways he is damaged goods, until his daughter abandons her son on his front step bringing life, love, and happiness back into Dr. Delaney's life.  One of my favorite characters in this book is the depresion era New York City Pete Hamill brings to life.  It was a good story.

For those that might care there was some swearing and a few "adult" scenes.

Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King

Filippo Brunelleschi's design for the dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence remains one of the most towering achievements of Renaissance architecture. Completed in 1436, the dome remains a remarkable feat of design and engineering. Its span of more than 140 feet exceeds St Paul's in London and St Peter's in Rome, and even outdoes the Capitol in Washington, D.C., making it the largest dome ever constructed using bricks and mortar. The story of its creation and its brilliant but "hot-tempered" creator is told in Ross King's delightful Brunelleschi's Dome (amazon.com).

I was hesitant to read this but ended up really enjoying it. I found it fascinating and interesting - and not too long. There were definitely parts that got a little too technical for my understanding but I muddled through. Now I just have to go to Florence, Italy to see the dome in person!!! (By the way - this is the cathedral that Lucy Honeychurch sees out her window in Room With a View).

Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

The book starts three months after the end of Peter and the Starcatchers.^[3] Slank returns to the island with more of the Others, including a certain Lord Ombra, to reclaim the trunk of starstuff lost in the previous book. When they learn that the Starcatchers have taken the trunk back to England, they set sail for London. Peter follows, fearing for Molly's safety, and with Tinker Bell's help conceals himself on their ship.

Once in London, Peter does not know where to find Molly. After unpleasant encounters with beggars, traders and the police, Peter finally gets directions from J. M. Barrie to Lord Aster's house, and rescues Molly from Lord Ombra in the nick of time. However, Louise Aster -Molly's mother- has been kidnapped by the Others, and the children must find Lord Aster who is guarding the starstuff.

Meanwhile, back on the island, the pirates are hunting the Lost Boys. They capture the boys to use as bait for Peter, not knowing he is not on the island. (from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_the_Shadow_Thieves)

I Liked the first book more, but, I really did enjoy this story also. I will be reading the third book in the series soon!

The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd

This is the third novel written by Edward Rutherfurd that I have read. I also read Sarum and London. I will be the first to admit that these historically based sagas are not for everyone. These books are historical fiction and are very long (we're talking 800-900 pages!). Often, the book will begin in the early 1st or 2nd centuries and continue following family lines up through modern times. His characters are fictitious (and also very similar from book to book I am learning) but they are based against actual historic events and individuals. I really liked Sarum which is based in the geographical area around Salisbury and Stone Henge and I also enjoyed London. I enjoy a good book that keeps you hooked for a long time! The Princes of Ireland - which ends in 1500 AD (the sequel takes us into modern Ireland) - got a little tedious with some of the military and political events, but I still enjoyed it. If you like historical fiction and interesting tales of romance, mystery, betrayal and war then you would enjoy these books. Rutherfurd's writing is a little predictable and nothing out of the ordinary but I definitely plan on readying the sequel.

People of the Book

Written by the same author as Year of Wonders (which I loved), this story follows the fictional journey of the real Sarajevo Haggadah from 14th century Spain to modern-day Sarajevo through a series of clues found in the ancient book's binding. A hair, a splash of water, the wing of an insect - all spark the curiosity of a book restorer, who attempts to put together the story of how this remarkable book survived 500 years of Jewish exile and persecution. It is a fun book to read! The writing is okay - it bugged me that the author didn't really change the voice through the different eras of history, but it was obviously well-researched. I especially liked the idea that people of Muslim, Jew & Christian faiths all had a hand in the miracle of the book's survival -- "there were people who could see that what united us was more than what divided us."

Little Britches by Ralph Moody

My Grandma recommended I read this book, and now I second her recommendation, and will tell you basically what she told me.  This certainly isn't fine literature, or deep material, but it is a good story and I loved the relationship between the young son, Ralph, and his Father.  It is the story of the authors childhood.  His family, for health reasons, left New England and made a go at a life as ranchers outside of Denver in the early 20th century.  Ralph is in love with his new cowboy life and gets into lots of mischief, but is always guided by his fathers wisdom, love, and goodness.  The writing is somewhat abrupt and not terribly refined, but the story and narration kept me going. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the sequels.

John Adams by David McCullough

This is an amazing book, which I think should be required reading for anyone who claims American citizenship.  John Adams was an eyewitness and participant in the founding of our country and this book is taken from his letters to his wife Abigail, and her letters to him.  It is a wonderful read and you will have a serious appreciation for John Adams and the other founding fathers after reading this book.  Fascinating.  (I believe they just made an HBO series based on this book.  I'd love to see it).

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Follow the story of Santiago, a shepherd's son, who fantasizes of grander adventures than his current situation warrants. Then one night he dreams that he must go to the Pyramids in Egypt to seek his fortune. Along the way he meets, a gypsy, a king, a thief, a merchant, a beautiful girl and finally the alchemist. Some mean to help, others to hinder him, but eventually Santiago must look inside to find truth in life.
It is an incredible journey, with set backs and hardship but also enlightenment and success. Written like a fable or parable, it is very inspirational and applicable to all. The book will not take long to read, but it is one that you will want to return to again, for further insights. The book was originally written in Portuguese, and has been translated into more than 50 languages.

Joy In The Morning by Betty Smith

I recently posted about one of my favorite books, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.  This book is by the same author, and is a very good read as well.  It is about a very young, just, married couple.  He is a college student in the midwest and she joins him, from Brooklyn.  It is about her efforts to adjust to a totally different life in a totally foreign culture.  It is about their first year of marriage.  Smith really captures the ups and downs of newlywed life, the insecurities, the financial struggles, and the effort to mesh two different lives together.   She really captures what it is like to love someone. It is a gem.  

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

If you are looking for a quick short read, I would recommend this story.  It is not quite long enough to be be called a novel, but not quite short enough to be called a short story.  Anyway it is about an orphan girl in the early 1900's that receives money, anonymously,  from one of the orphanage's trustees to go to college.  It is a collection of her letters to her sponsor about her college life and it is charming.  It is a very quick read (two hours, tops) and you can read it for free online here.  I first read this in junior high, remebered it last year and read it online once while my baby napped.  I love it.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
from http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/thehost.html

I read this in about two days. It is not the best book ever written, but, I like it. I thought it was entertaining. It is not too sci-fi and I think it is better writing then Twilight. It is a fun read if you don't expect too much.

Question?

So what was the last great series you read? These don't have to be the best books ever, but, something you enjoyed and were able to be caught up in, with the added bonus of more to come!
I for one have enjoyed Twilight, and Harry Potter. I also loved all of the Anne of Green Gables books and all other books by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The Inspector Lynley Mystery's by Elizabeth George are another I enjoyed.
What about you?

Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors

In 1632, the Emperor of Hindustan, Shah Jahan, consumed by grief over the death of his empress, Mumtaz Mahal, ordered the building of a grand mausoleum to symbolize the greatness of their love. Against scenes of unimaginable wealth and power, murderous sibling rivalries, and cruel despotism, Princess Jahanara tells the extraordinary story of how the Taj Mahal came to be, describing her own life as an agent in its creation and as a witness to the fateful events surrounding its completion.

To escape a brutal arranged marriage, Jahanara must become the court liaison to Isa, architect of the Taj Mahal. She is soon caught between her duty to her mother's memory, the rigid strictures imposed upon women, and a new, though forbidden, love. With exceptional courage, Jahanara dares to challenge the bigotry and blindness at court in an effort to spare the empire from civil war, and to save her father from his bellicose son, Aurangzeb, a man whose hatred would extinguish the Islamic enlightenment from the Mughal Empire. To do so she must enlist her Hindu friend, Ladli, and her guardian, Nizam, as spies, and urge her brother, Dara, the designated heir to the throne, down from the ivory tower of his philosophical inquiries. The stakes become ever greater when Jahanara must deceive her husband as to the true father of her child, and must protect those closest to her from her enemies' retaliation.

As a princess and a mother, as a sister and a daughter, Jahanara will find herself faced time and again with impossible choices, and will discover the real meaning of her regal birthright. In Beneath a Marble Sky John Shors recreates an historical Hindustan brimming with breathtaking intrigue and containing the secret truth of the Taj Mahal for a world still in awe of its enduring majesty. (from http://www.beneathamarblesky.com/thestory.html)

I bought this book because I thought it was this one. I was however very glad I read it I liked it very much.

Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang

With China so much in the headlines this would be a great time to pick this book up.  It is an amazing story of three generations of women and simultaneously the history of China in the 20th century.  The story is amazing and totally gripping.  One reviewer said, "Wild Swans is a riveting account of the impact of history on the lives of women.  This is a powerful, moving, at times shocking story of three generations of Chinese women...."  I would definitely consider this book in the category of must-read.  It will really open your eyes.

Still Life With Rice by Helie Lee

I will confess it has been ages since I read this book, so the details are quite fuzzy, but I do remember it being an amazing and important story.  The book is based on the incredible life of the author's grandmother who was born in Korea, married, and lived a very traditional Korean life, which in and of itself is fascinating.  Then throw in the part where her grandmother is caught up in the historical event of the Korean division. This is one of those amazing stories and as I remember a great story of mothers and human strength and sacrifice.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

If you haven't read this classic coming of age story yet, you absolutely must.  It is a story of a young Irish girl in Brooklyn at the turn of the century (the last century that is).  I love this book and it is one of my all time favorites.  A gem.

The Elm at the Edge of the Earth by Robert D. Hale

It has been a few years since I read this book so I actually had to read a synopsis to remember the details. But what I do remember is what a great story it is and how often, even years later, scenes from it will pop into my head and make me wonder.
David is a young boy who is sent to a country institution while his mother is seriously ill. There he makes friends with the inmates, each a little stranger than the last. But his best friend is Rose, a woman convicted of killing her husband with a butcher knife. Throughout his stay David and the reader, learn from his friends about the intricacies of life through humor and heartbreak.
You may have some trouble finding the book, because it's no longer in print and a lot of libraries don't have it (Amazon does have some copies for sale). However, it is worth whatever searching you have to do.

How Green Was My Valley

Set in a Welsch coal mining village, this book is a poetic and nostalgic coming-of-age story. I loved the beautiful language of the book, although it took me a little while to get used to the unusual dialogue. I loved the protagonist, Huw Morgan, who has a very unique and strong voice. He describes his large family, the valley they live in, the community and society they share, so vividly and with such integrity, you feel as if you are seated around the hearth and walking the hills with him. At times it was painful to read of the difficult life the coal miners lived, but I loved to read of the strong community ties, respect for family and God, and just the basic integrity and decency of the characters.

Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginnining, by Lemony Snicket and read by Tim Curry

This is a two-for-one recommendation. One for the book, one for the audiobook recording. Last year my family became a little addicted to audio books after we listened to all of the Harry Potter series read by the award-winning narrator, Jim Dale (maybe this is a three-for-one recommendation as I highly recommend the narration performance in this series too). Ever since, we've had to have something to listen to when in the car driving around, and we've been through a handful of books now.

No matter how great the book, we've learned a lot about the importance of a good narrator. And so I have to get the word out there about Tim Curry and his reading for the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I should say upfront that I think that I've had a crush on Tim Curry ever since I his performance opposite Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters in Annie, and then I can't even tell you how many times I've seen the movie Clue, but all that bias aside, he's still a really fabulous narrator and our whole family has been enjoying his performance of this very clever series. In fact, we've been spellbound.


Caveat: for whatever reason, books #3, 4, & 5 are narrated by the author and not Tim Curry. As talented as the author was in forming these characters and putting their adventures together, not to mention, introducing all sorts of advanced vocabulary words in a really fun and disarming way, he is a pretty lousy narrator. Actually, my kids haven't complained about it very much because the story is still so fun--it's me who was so disappointed. Still, if you've got a long drive ahead, check your local library for the set.

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

This is a beautiful book for lots of reasons. First, the writing is tremendous and the stories and characters are rich and compelling. And second, the author's own story is also just as compelling and interesting.

The book is made of two short novellas both taking place in June 1940, the first about Parisians fleeing the city on the eve of the German invasion; the second in a small French town during the German occupation and is about the fraternization of the French townspeople and the German soldiers stationed there. The book was intended to be a suite, much like a symphony taking place with multiple acts, but with some variations on a theme with an ensemble of characters that are intertwined and overlapping throughout the different acts. The author intended the book to have five acts total, but was only able to complete these first two.

The author, who was born a Russian Jew and immigrated to Paris at 18yrs old, converted to Catholicism, but was repeatedly denied French citizenship. She was writing this while in hiding in France in 1940, but was turned over by the French and taken to Auschwitz where she died later that year. Her manuscript was saved by her 10 year old daughter thinking it was a journal. 50 years later it was published in France and became an instant best-seller.

Even considered "unfinished" as far as the overall work is concerned, I felt that the two novellas still felt complete as works on their own.

p.s. It makes a great Book Group book, not only because of the amount of information available for discussion, but also if you have a ward that reads only books with a PG rating.

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

Whew, I will never ever ever ever ever ever eat fast food again, and if you love fast food and don't want to give it up don't read this book.  Okay, this book was totally fascinating.  It was kind of long and I thought it would take me a few weeks to plow through, but it read very easily and was very interesting.  It has loads of information in it.  One of the most interesting parts of the book was the history of fast food and Ray Kroc (McD's founder) and Walt Disney.  The book covers the history of the industries involved with fast food, the workers, the meatpackers, the processors, the ranchers, e coli, advertising to children, and much more.  It has some truly important things to say and will definitely raise the bar on your social awareness.  I really do recommend this book to anyone.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

This book is written for kids grades 5-8 but I thought it was hilarious. There was so much buzz about it at the last book fair that when I saw it at Costco - I decided to pick one up for my kids. When I had a couple of minutes I sat down to peruse the book. Before I knew it, I was loving the story and totally laughing out loud!

Greg Heffley is a middle school student trying to learn the ropes of fitting in, looking cool, and how to avoid as much schoolwork as possible. He keeps this "dairy" of his experiences that are so familiar and crazy at the same time. Having been through middle school made it even more recognizable and funny. I was wondering if my 4th grader would understand some of the humor but she is enjoying it so far. This is worth reading! It is such a quick and easy read (could easily be read in one evening) - and will give some good laughs. I guess there is a sequel already out that is supposed to be great and another one expected in the future. I also found a website for the book here.

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

I remembered this book yesterday when I heard the author interviewed on The Diane Rheam show on NPR.  This is a twisty, turny, crazy book.  It is about an old, well established boys school in England and how it is sabotaged.  It is dark at times and will surprise you several times.  The author also wrote Chocolat which I would love to read.  My sister hated the book, but I found it intriguing, so I guess it isn't for everyone.

The Unquiet Nisei by Diana Meyers Bahr

A Nisei is a second generation Japanese American and this book draws on a collection of oral histories of an incredible woman, Sue Kunitomi Embrey and her friends and family. In 1942 Sue, along with nearly 120,000 other people of japanese anscestry, was removed from the West Coast to what were called "relocation centers". Sue's experiances in this internment camp transform her into a life long activist speaking out against racism, prejudice, and moral injustice her entire life. Sue did all this in the face of great hostility from both Japanese Americans and mainstream communities. She worked tirelessly for more than three decades to make her particular internment camp a historic site as well as gain congressional acknowledgement and a presidential apology for those she suffered with as well as to remind us of what can happen in war time chaos so that it will not happen again.

This story is absolutely inspiring. Sue did what she felt was right and became an activist in a time when there were few voices for those who were considered less than, and in direct opposition to her upbringing and japanese culture.

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

"At age nine, Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with a potentially terminal cancer. When she returned to school with a third of her jaw removed, she faced the cruel taunts of classmates. In this strikingly candid memoir, Grealy tells her story of great suffering and remarkable strength without sentimentality and with considerable wit. Vividly portraying the pain of peer rejection and the guilty pleasure of wanting to be special, Grealy captures with unique insight what it is like as a child and young adult to be torn between two warring impulses: to feel that more than anything else we want to be loved for who we are, while wishing desperately and secretly to be perfect." (Amazon)

The book was originally published in 1994 but in 2003, author Ann Patchett who was Lucy Grealy's best friend added an afterward. She wrote that Grealy wanted to be recognized for the quality of her writing and not just for the emotional impact of her experience. I thought that the writing was excellent and the story was powerful.

I am currently reading, Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett which is sort of a companion novel to Autobiography of a Face. Patchett give many insights into her friendship with Grealy.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

I know this is a fairly widely read book, but I wanted to post about it anyway.  This is the true story of an amazing man, Greg Mortenson.  After an unsuccesful attempt at summiting k2 in Northern Pakistan, Greg wanders into the little village of Korphe, where the good people take him in.  He feels indebted to the village and when he sees that the girls have to sit outside for their school vows to return to the village to build a school.  So begins his life mission of forming family-like relationships with the tribes of Afgahanistan and Northern Pakistan, people who have little to no education and have been ignored by their governments, building schools, and fighting terrorism and ignorance in the only way possible: through education and friendship.  It is a great and inspiring story.  People that see a need and fulfill it and make a huge difference by following their gut really inspire me.  

The Lost by Daniel Mendlesohn

The Lost begins as the story of a boy , Daniel Mendlesohn,who grew up in a family haunted by the disappearance of six relatives during the Holocaust—a subject that captured his imagination from childhood. Decades later, motivated by the discovery of letters written to his grandfather in 1939 by this lost great-uncle, Daniel Mendelsohn sets out to find the remaining eyewitnesses to his relatives' fates. This journey eventually takes him to a dozen countries on four continents, and forces him to confront the discrepancies between the histories we live and the stories we tell. And it leads him back to the small Ukrainian town where his family's story began, and where the answer to the mystery is found.Moving between past and present, inter-weaving his world wide journey with childhood memories of a now-lost generation of immigrant Jews and ruminations on biblical texts and Jewish history Daniel Mendlesohn has written a masterpiece! At times suspenseful this deeply personal story is always poignant. I felt immediately inspired to do some genealogy and document some of my own families stories. This was really inspiring and beautiful.

The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther

This book is a portrait of betrayal and retribution set against a backdrop of Iran's tumultuous history, dramatic landscapes, and cultural beauty. The story begins on a blustery day in London, when Maryam Mazar's dark secrets and troubled past surface violently with tragic consequences for her pregnant daughter, Sara. Burdened by guilt, Maryam leaves her comfortable English home for the remote village in Iran where she was raised and disowned by her father. When Sara decides to follow her, she learns the price that her mother had to pay for her freedom and of the love she left behind.
The Saffron Kitchen is about the connection between mothers and daughters, roots and exile, our first love and the power of family bonds.Of course its also a political story, full of grief, turmoil and misunderstandings between continents.
This book is rich in emotion and written so well that these people become real. At times I wanted to shake them and ask what the heck they were doing! Good read.

Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki

Iwasaki was one of several geisha author Arthur Golden interviewed while researching his novel Memoirs of a Geisha. According to Iwasaki, she agreed to speak with Golden on the condition that her involvement would be kept confidential, but Golden revealed her identity by mentioning her name in the book's acknowledgments, as well as several national interviews. After Memoirs was published, Iwasaki received criticism and even death threats for violating the traditional geisha code of silence.Iwasaki felt betrayed by Golden's use of information she considered confidential, as well as the way he twisted reality, and denounced Memoirs of a Geisha as being an inaccurate depiction of the life of a geiko. Iwasaki was particularly offended by the novel's portrayal of geiko engaging in ritualized prostitution. For example, in the novel the main character Sayuri's virginity (called mizuage in the novel) is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Iwasaki stated that not only did this never happen to her, but that no such custom existed at all in Gion. Part of Iwasaki's displeasure with Memoirs may also have been because the character Sayuri seems obviously modeled on Iwasaki, with many of the book's main characters and events having parallels in Iwasaki's life. These people and experiences are often portrayed negatively in Memoirs, even when their real-life counterparts were positive for Iwasaki.
Iwasaki sued Golden for breach of contract and defamation of character in 2001. The lawsuit was settled out of court in February 2003.

After the publication of Memoirs of a Geisha, Iwasaki decided to write her real autobiography, contrasting with the fiction of Golden's book. Her book, co-authored by Rande Brown and published as Geisha, A Life in the US and Geisha of Gion in the UK, detailed her experiences before, during and after her time as a geiko to the outside world. It became a worldwide bestseller.

Mineko left home to begin studying traditional Japanese dance at the Iwasaki okiya (geisha house) in the Gion district of Kyoto when she was only five years old. She was legally adopted by the okiya's owner, Madame Oima, and took on the family name Iwasaki. She had been chosen as the house's atotori, or heir. When Madame Oima became too old to run the business any longer, it would be Mineko's job to take over. Mineko became a maiko (apprentice geiko) at age 15. By age 21 she had earned a reputation as Japan's best dancer and maiko.

I absolutely loved this book! When I was in Japan I picked up some of the feeling of respect and awe for these women and their lifestyle and was so excited to find a book which acurately depicts it. Another strong woman who yet remains obedient in the confines of her culture.

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan

For three and a half centuries, the Taj Mahal has haunted our imaginations. It is a tomb built by a grieving king of the Mughal Empire (1526-1858) in India in memory of his beloved wife.
But it was this woman's aunt, an empress in her own right, who was the most powerful queen of that dynasty. The Twentieth Wife is the story of this Empress Nur Jahan.

She is one of India's most controversial empresses. Her brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles and helped shape the course of the Mughal Empire.

Although a work of fiction, The Twentieth Wife is rooted in historical fact and detail culled from accounts of seventeenth-century travelers to Emperor Jahangir's court and the memoirs of the Mughal kings.

The sequel, titled The Feast of Roses (Atria Books, May 2003) tells the story of Mehrunnisa's life as Empress. She rules in Jahangir's name for the next seventeen years, and in doing so, shapes the destiny of the empire. In a time when women were never seen and rarely heard, Mehrunnisa has coins minted in her name, owns ships that ply the Arabian sea routes, and commissions many of the gardens and tombs that still stand in India today.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. It is written beautifully and absolutely transports you. I was craving some saag paneer and naan for weeks afterward! I loved that she was a strong individual and yet still obedient to the confines of her culture, a balance I am always trying to find. I have not read the sequel yet but will post when I do.

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

Most have heard the story of how Roman soldiers killed Jesus, and gambled for his robe. This book tells the story of the soldier in charge of the crucifixion who also wins the robe. The affect that this experience has on his life is profound, and leads him on a quest to learn for himself the truth about Jesus. This book really gave me a different perspective on the well know stories of the life of Jesus. It is also a great story of personal change and faith. Plus you get a lot of adventure and some romance thrown in too.
Douglas wrote another book called Magnificent Obsession. This book is similar and has some strong Christian themes. However, it is more of a tale of one man's search for happiness, than strictly religion. Both books are incredibly well written combining great stories with thought provoking ideas.

Devil in the White City By Erik Larson

Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness.

Here, then, is your ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares.

Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction. ( Excerpts from the Devil in the White city website)

I loved this book. Two story's play out every other chapter and I found both fascinating.

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

In this ambitious debut novel, fact and fiction blend together brilliantly. While scholars have largely relegated Mamah to a footnote in the life of America’s greatest architect, author Nancy Horan gives full weight to their dramatic love story and illuminates Cheney’s profound influence on Wright. 



Drawing on years of research, Horan weaves little-known facts into a compelling narrative, vividly portraying the conflicts and struggles of a woman forced to choose between the roles of mother, wife, lover, and intellectual. Horan’s Mamah is a woman seeking to find her own place, her own creative calling in the world. Mamah’s is an unforgettable journey marked by choices that reshape her notions of love and responsibility, leading inexorably ultimately lead to this novel’s stunning conclusion. 


"Well, I must agree that Loving Frank is an excellent choice for a book club. I could talk about this book for a couple of weeks! I disliked the main characters from the start of the book. Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah were two very selfish people! Having said that...I couldn't put the book down. The writing is wonderful and the ending hit me right between the eyes. My husband is a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and I caught him scanning the book several times. :o) I am researching non-fiction books on Wright's personal life. Thank you for sending the book. I know my book club will be reading this one!"
—Glenda Spivey, Prima Divas, Tupelo, MS

Robert Twombly, author, description of Mamah: "She was a noble woman who valued her freedom more than motherhood, wifehood, or chastity, and who had the courage to live by her convictions." Frank Lloyd Wright: An Interpretive Biography, page 136.
(Excerpts from the Loving Frank website)
I loved this book even though the main character was selfish in my opinion. It is an interesting story that lots of people do not know.

These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 is a fictional journal of the author's actual ancestor who worked to survive in Arizona Territory. There are stories about Indians, cattle, family, heartache and love all told from Sarah's voice. She is an uneducated pioneer with a desire to learn and endure, which helps her through most of the situations in her life. My sister in-law introduced me to this book when I first moved to Arizona. I of course couldn't put it down, and for a few days I lived in an Arizona that was 100 years younger. It really is an incredible portrayal of the American West. There is also a sequel, Sarah's Quilt, if you are interested in more of her story. It was good, but I didn't like it as much as These is my Words.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

If you have never read Steinbeck I can only feel very sad for you.  If you have only read Steinbeck as a school assignment and not out of appreciation for the man's genius or out of sheer enjoyment I am afraid I can only pity you.  Steinbeck is one of my all time favorite authors.  That man is a word magician and the best story teller I've encountered.  I love all of his novels, and when I was first married I think I read almost every one of his novels.  I can't pick a favorite, but East of Eden was absolutely amazing.  It is the modern tale of Cain and Able.  Eden, as in all Steinbeck novels, is California.  It is an amazing story, wonderfully written, and completely absorbing.

Crossing To Safety and Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Again, I have read these books several times, but the last time was ages ago and so I don't remember all the details.  But I do remember Crossing To Safety being a very interesting and thought provoking story about the lifelong friendship between two couples.  Wallace Stegner is one of my favorite authors and is such an amazing author.  Another one of his that I love is The Angle of Repose, which I recommend just as highly.  The angle of repose is the angle at which rocks will no longer slide down but remain in place on a slope.  This is a book about a poorly suited couple who spend years finding the angle of repose in their marriage, and also one of their descendents finding the angle of repose in his life. These, in my opinion, are must read books.  They are incredibly well written, and provide some very interesting discussion material.  Be sure to pick them up.