Biographies

While returning the Tudor novels to the library, I picked up two biographies. One is an old one about Elizabeth I. It has that smell that comes from being around awhile. It kind of reminds me of the smell of Mammie's living room. Though very factual, it is surprisingly an easy read. I am only about 60 pages in, and find that there is a lot there to support the books from my last post.
The other is one on Louisa May Alcott. I wasn't going to bring this one home. I just saw it and peeked within. The author caught my attention quickly telling of her own experiences with "Little Women". I am through the introduction, and am hoping it continues to be interesting.

Question:
Did anyone read the "Shades of Grey" series? I have several people encouraging me, but I just am not finding it to be 'all that'.

It Happened

I finished the books I mentioned in my last post, The Gifts of Imperfection and In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.  I may have had quotes to share, but it was a long while ago that I finished them, so I don't remember what the quotes were.

 

I've also read Pilgrims: A Lake Wobegon Romance (fun read, I liked a lot of the humor) and Greygallows (an oldie but goodie Barbara Michaels book that I've read before at least once and just picked up as a quick read while in VT).  And I read Bloom again, because Tana asked to borrow it and I wanted a refresher in case maybe we wanted to chat about it... and because it's a quick, lovely read.

 

The most recent book I finished was Let's Pretend This Never Happened.  Mom bought and read it and gave it to Karen and Karen passed it on.  Because it's HILARIOUS.  Slightly offensive, yes.  But also super funny.

 

When I was in Vermont, Tana and I were talking about books and making suggestions and she said I had to read East of Eden.  I said it was funny she said that, because it was already on my nightstand.  So, that's what's next.

 

Anyone else?  (Nice to hear from Aunt Cindy!)

The Tudors Series

I don't know that that is the "right' label, but I just finished the entire series of books by Phillipa Gregory.
The books were not written in order of the women's lives, so I did not read them in order. I read what turned out to be the last one first, and then the third one second. Then, I realized there was a whole series, so I began with the 'first' woman and ended with the last. You will see what I mean....


Last spring, I found  "The Constant Princess". A book about Catherine of Arragon. What a cool chick! I had no idea that she was Isabella and Ferdinand's daughter. (Go figure.) Then, I had my 'aha' moment. So,  I skipped "the Other Boleyn Girl" as I read it awhile ago.  I moved onto "The Boleyn Inheritance" which covered Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard, as well as Jane Boleyn. That book only slightly mentions Catherine Parr. But, it ends with the death of Henry VIII. There were some lusty women back then.

"The Queen's Fool" begins with Elizabeth as a young girl living with her living stepmother and  her second husband. The book includes the rise of Mary, and the imprisonment of Robert Dudley and Elizabeth. The tale turns back and forth through the eyes of a 'holy fool' that serves both women. It was interesting to read the varied looks of these two historic figures.

"The Virgin's Lover" was by far the most captivating. I have heard of the likelihood of Robert Dudley and Elizabeth's affair. However, I had never heard of Amy Dudley. (She appears briefly in "The Queen's Fool".) The players in this book are all familiar, except those that Lady Dudley is involved with. There is much 'talk' of her heart ache and desire to win her husband back. She is a simple person, born and raised in the country. Her demise ends the relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley. Its turn of events has me at the library tonight, borrowing an older biography of Elizabeth.
Just wanted to share!
Oops! I forget to add that the last book in chronological order for the lives of these ladies is "The Other Queen" . I read that years ago as well.

Verdict for Snow Falling on Cedars

Hey folks, anyone there?

I finished Snow Falling on Cedars a few nights ago.  It's a beautifully written book with lots of wonderful imagery, detail, and emotion.  Also, a fun little tidbit: on the first page of the second chapter, they discuss the main happening of the book, which occurred on September 16th, and then just down the page they introduce a character named Abel.

Unfortunately, I didn't really mark where any of my favorite excerpts were.  Oh wait, I did find again one of the parts I really liked and was inspired by (this is just a bit what she says): "We bend our heads, we bow and are silent, because we understand that by ourselves, alone, we are nothing at all, dust in a strong wind, while the hakujin believes his aloneness is everything, his separateness is the foundation of his existence.  He seeks and grasps, seeks and grasps for his separateness, while we seek union with the Greater Life..." (p. 201).

As for what I'm reading next, I haven't really decided yet.  I've been staying up watching the Olympics the last few days, so I haven't read much before bed.  Except bits of The Gifts of Imperfection.  I guess that's what I'm reading now, though I have In The Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day next to my bed too, so I guess that will be next.

Anyone else reading anything good that they'd recommend... or that they think isn't worth a read?

Secret Scripture–Finished

I finished The Secret Scripture.  I was not surprised by the ending because I had already guessed it.  A little bit trite.  But some of the characters were very good and much of the writing was “luminous and lyrical,” as the cover says.

And although I think “scripture” is kind of a strong word, I do think what Roseanne wrote was sacred.  It was her truth, to the best of her knowledge, and therefore it was to be revered.

I posted a couple quotes in a comment on the post below, and here are some more I marked:

“But we are never old to ourselves.  That is because at close of day the ship we sail in is the soul, not the body” (p. 177).

“I would have if not happily, at least gladly, openheartedly, fiercely, finely, murdered him” (p. 226). <—EMOTION

Next I think I’m going to read Snow Falling on Cedars, another book from the pile I took from Karen’s books.  I hope everyone is enjoying some good reading!

The Secret Scripture

For everyone reading The Secret Scripture, please use the comments of this post for “discussion.”  I think sharing of favorite excerpts and characters and details would be cool, but do as you wish… and hopefully don’t give anything away in case others are reading at a different pace!

Happy Reading!

The Night Circus

I stayed up late last night and finished The Night Circus, which I borrowed from Karen.  It was fantastic and I totally recommend it.  A really cool concept with so much amazing imagery, all wrapped up into an excellent story.

I’ve also read The Help since I last posted here, which was also good, though I’d seen the movie and  so much of what happened in the book was known and anticipated.  And also Bloom, which is by a woman whose blog I read all the time and absolutely love.  The book was excellent, very moving, emotional, sentimental.  She has a wonderful way with words and with making the every day extraordinary.

Next, as seen below per Grama, I will be reading The Secret Scripture.  If you’re joining us, hopefully we can have some discussion on here.  On May 1, I’ll do a post and we can start a discussion in the comments, if that works for everyone?

Happy reading!

NEW BOOK IS STARTING !!!

As most of you know, Chrisite and I read a book together every year. This year we are reading :The Secret Scripture" by Barry. I am inviting thosre of you who wish to read and discuss it with us to get a copy and be ready!! May 1 is the day. We have procrastinated long enough.
You can see a complete detail of the book and order of course, if you wish, on Amazon. You should also be able to get it at your local library.
Come on!! Let's read!!

The Hunger Games

Well, I gobbled The Hunger Games trilogy right up. At first I was underwhelmed, wasn't really digging it, I guess put off by the idea of children fighting to the death, ehh whatever. But next thing I know, I'm absorbed. So many times I'd be reading before bed and plan to turn out the light at the end of a chapter and then get to the last line and need to go on to see what happens next. Needless to say, there have been some late nights, and even some naptimes, spent reading in the past ten days. When I finished the third and final book just a few minutes ago, I had that disappointed feeling when a good book or series of books end. I'm not sure the books are for everyone, but I thought they were so, so good. I laughed, I anticipated, I choked up, I gasped. SO good.

And even though I didn't know what the big deal was before, my heart beats a little faster when the movie trailer plays. I know it will never be as good as the books, because the movies never are, but I am eager to see them anyways. It's the only way the story can continue at this point, by being portrayed on screen.

Ugh, did I mention how much it stinks when a good book or series of books come to a conclusion? You're still thinking about all that's happened in what you've just read, but there's also a void because you don't want it to be finished yet! Maybe that's dramatic, but anyways, I'm not sure what I'm going to read next. There is a box of Karen's books in my trunk, so I think I'll go through that and pick something.

Next!

The Snow Angel discussed some pretty heavy topics, but it was a quick read. The story was nice and I thought his portrayal of the character's perceptions and memories as relevant to their hurt was meaningful and well done.

Next I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and read The Hunger Games trilogy. The author can say thank you to all the raves by others for my choice to do so.

I HAVE BEEN DEVOURING BOOKS!

Since I posted last,I have read books #2 & #3 of 'The Hunger Games', a James Patterson, Barbara Taylor Bradford, the newest Elm Creek Quilt Camp book and at least one more. I just started another Barbara Taylor Bradford this afternoon!! I have also been sewing...... WOW!!

My (Not So) Storybook Life

I finished My (not so) Storybook Life by Elizabeth Owen. She's also the author of the blog Mabel's House, which I've been reading for years. The book is a memoir that mainly discusses her life as it relates to her relationship with a friend who has cancer, which strongly affected her life view and actions, and especially her perception of God. Each chapter is started with a story about famous literary characters brought into the modern world, which act as introductions to relevant stories in Liz's life. I loved the stories and her epilogue and conclusion are meaningful and heartfelt.

Next I'm going to read The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck. Millie gave it to me for Christmas. The cover flap says: "The Snow Angel is a poignant tale about family, forgiveness, and the freedom to live a future free of the past." I don't know much about it, but it will be interesting to see how Glenn does with fiction.

WAITING FOR #2

I am anxiously waiting for the second and third books of 'The Hunger Games' trilogy to arrive. I blew right thru 'The Hunger Games', reading deep into the night to finish it. I thought it was excellent. Very well written for its genre. I felt like I knew the main character, Katniss, and then I realized she reminded me of the 'Girl With the Dragon Tatoo'. While there was much about them that was different, they were both survivors and had many of the same personality traits. I really enjoyed the book and while it was written for young adults, this 'young' adult is glad she took a chance and read it.

The Lovely Bones

was a pretty easy read.  Done in a month. Trylle is mostly finished too. It is a fantasy book about trolls that are almost human like. Brings back the theory of Changelings. Different, but not bad.

Mostly, for 'food', we've been reading about goats around the Phillips Funny Farm. Yes, folks, kids will be arriving, and we must be prepared!

Favorite magazines to devour: Hobby Farms, Hobby Farms Home,  and a variety of specialty ones for turkeys, chickens, and well, goats.

One Down

I stayed up late last night and finished The Swan Thieves. It was excellent. If you're unfamiliar, it's about an artist who attacks a painting at the National Gallery. Most of it is written from the perspective of his psychiatrist, who goes through a variety of means to figure out what caused the man to attack a painting. I had anticipated parts of the ending, but I was eagerly turning pages waiting for the characters to figure it out, and was delighted that there was even more to it than I imagined.

Next I'm going to read My Not So Storybook Life, which is by a woman whose blog is a favorite I've been reading for years.

Another Kristin Hannah winner!!

I finished reading 'Home Front', Kristin Hannah's new book, at 2:30 this morning. I couldn't put it down! I just got it and read it cover to cover in 24 hours!It dried up a little in a very few places but still compelled you to keep going. It is not a "happy :)" book, it is a "think about it" book. I am still thinking and probably will for a very long time. It is about women and men,love and war and the consequences of both. Read it... you will think too.

My current Book

I am striving to finish Inheritance, the 4th book of the series by Christopher Paolini. It took a bit to get into it, but now it is harder to put down. Roran is one of my favorite characters. He is not arrogant like Eragon. He is creative and daring. In this last chapter, he boldly turned back about 150 horsemen by sitting at a table with a jug of mead and some knuckle bones. Funny stuff.

First book of the year is:

A Game of Thrones.  Karen gave it to me to read.  Looks pretty good.  I'll let you know.......

P.S.  What about reading a book or two from 1962 to honor the 50 year old-to-be?