Quiet.

Right there with you on The Tenth Circle. I just got her new one from the library and it already seems better.
I LOVED the Poisonwood Bible. I agree it was hard to get going but it is so so good. Worth the effort. Kinda like the Red Tent, I was slow to warm up to that one but then so glad I stuck with it.
I have started and stopped The Kite Runner a couple times- just too depressing. But my friends tell me that I have to finish it.
Love summer and good books!

I too just finished the tenth circle! I was disappointed. I couldn't put it down for the first half, but then and just kept waiting for something unexpected to happen, but it never did. Bummer. I do love the way she writes though.
Amy

I felt the same way about the Tenth Circle. I've read every one of Jodi Picoult's books and her newest is one of the best. I think my two favorites are Perfect Match and My Sister's Keeper - the emotion in those books is breathtaking. I remember The Poisonwood Bible being slow at times but I do consider it one of the best books I've ever read. I am totally into Middlesex right now (that is one of my pick up put down books and now that Oprah's chosen it, I figured it's time and I'm so glad I tried again!) I read your blog daily because you are so inspirational to me (thank you!)- but I never post. Today I did - have a happy day!

The Backyardigans - don't you love they way they sing!!!
enjoy Ali!

I'm a huge Kingsolver fan, but Poisonwood Bible, while good and worth reading, is not my favorite. Loved Prodigal Summer. Have fun with the summer reading.

Oh, Kingsolver is my favorite author! ...but Poisonwood took some getting used to. But push on. You'll be glad you did. I agree with the other ladies -- Prodigal Summer was lovely, but my absolute fav is the first one I read of hers called "Pigs in Heaven" so great. It is a follow up to The Bean Trees.

All of Barbara Kingsolvers books are very similar in style, theme and content, with the exception of Poisonwood Bible. It is a much tougher read with a story line that is so different from the other books she has written. Stick with it, you will be happy you did. If you haven't read any of her other books, I would highly recommend them!

The Red Tent was absolutely fantastic to me -- my BA is in anthro/religious studies focusing on ancient texts, so I realllllly loved it. Could not get back first 5 pgs of Poisonwood Bible.
My favorite book of all time: [just finished it last week!]
Run with the Horsemen by Ferrol Sams
Amazing book. So excited to discover it is first in a trilogy! Yay!

Started to read Poisonwood several times, each time thinking it was probably not something I'd enjoy--and it was so long. My book club read it, and I've got to say it turned out to be one of my favorites, and I learned so much about the Congo's history and our negative effect on primative peoples of the world. I laughed, cried, and learned so very much. It's an eye opener.

I love The Poisonwood Bible, but it is definitely a book that has to be read in the heat of the summer. I am still waiting for your playlist from CKU Anaheim (I loved the music during Friday's A Week In The Life class.) I need some good music as I am almost finished with my album. It is truly an amazing story, even my husband thinks so!

Kingsolver is one my my very favorite authors but I have not yet read the Poisonwood Bible. Animal Dreams is my favorite, the Bean Trees is wonderful too (Pigs in Heaven is the sequel to it and it is "OK" in my opinion). I picked up the Tenth Circle in an airport last year but just couldn't get attached to it. Enjoy your summer days!

Hey Ali!!!
Josh loves loves loves the Backyardigans!! Everytime that song comes on he pulls up to stand and dances away!! Love it!!

Hey there, Ali. In response to your request for ideas fo planets for Simons room...this is late and not something you make , but if you go to the Discovery website and look for the "Moon in my Room" nite lite. It's a real cool remote control light that depicts the phases of the moon. A friend has one and all the kids love playing with it.
My daughter just went to her summer school today ( Dad took her on a train trip to Portland yesterday.) and i got to have some me time...well, i actually had to work on a project for the Oregon country faire fruit booth, but i got to pull out the paints and make cardboard fruit cutouts, which for me is playing.

hey ali,
i started and stopped the poisonwood bible too, finally finished.
right now I'm reading The Glass Castle, very good, and I can't put it down.
i also read the memory keeper's daughter, good but not great.
love this summer reading.

I loved The Poisonwood Bible. It is one of my faves. I am a bio and history buff though... when it comes to reading, so you can understand my love.
Also, I took your Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow class waaaay last fall (in Edmonton) and just wanted to let you know that it happens to be one of my daughter's favorite things ever (since it is all about her). She even brought it to school with her.
Another one of my favorite books is The Time Traveller's Wife. I think I was walking around in a daze for a few hours after finishing it. I fingered it at a bookstore and a woman nearly jumped over the table to tell me to read it. Since she finished it and then promptly started it again, I thought I had better pick it up. I loved it! And you may too.

funny, I have started and stopped The Poisonwood Bible at least that many times as well. If you hear it's worth it, and from other comments, I see it might be, maybe I'll try again.

ummmm, I too have started that book about 6 times....I just can't get into it....it is almost depressing. I think I finally gave it away....best of luck to you and finally finishing it! I will watch to see if you like it!
Wendy

I had the same problem when I read The Poisonwood Bible; fortunately it ended up getting selected as the monthly selection for my book club. Once I was able to get into it, I really appreciated and enjoyed the book.
As far as Jodi Picoult goes, I felt the same way about The Tenth Circle; it was the second book I'd read by her, and, after My Sister's Keeper, it was a bit of a let down. Since then, I've read a couple more, though. Second Glance really held my attention, as did Heart of the Matter. If you are looking to try more of her books, I'd recommend reading those two next.
Enjoy the quiet!

i've become a jodi picoult addict and "my sister's keeper" has been by far my fave.
runner up... "the pact"
happy reading :)

Thanks for the Backyardians. We love them here as well. Has Simon seen Soccer Monster? Mark loves that one along with Surfer Dude. Costoc has a bunch of the videos at a good price:)
Jessica

I am really enjoying The Tin Box by Holly Kennedy right now. It is a really enjoyable read.

poisonwood bible is in my top three faves EVER....I really hope you get into it!
and I LOVE your bathroom art!
xo

That's so interesting that so many of us found Poisonwood Bible to be a slow starter... I thought the same thing, but once I got into it, I was unable to put it down. Then I passed it on to my mom! We really had a personal connection with the story, as my childhood church has long supported missionaries to the Congo/Zaire (the parents of Christian music group Selah's founding members Nicol and Todd Smith). I found myself wanting to hear their perspective on the historical events and such.
Second the vote for Timetraveler's Wife - very interesting one to try to wrap your mind around.

Wow! Haven't stopped by in a few days and ironic that I did today - needed to add in this late comment.
Agree on Poisonwood being hard to stick with. Had no trouble w/Prodigal Summer.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Jodi Picoult. My kids made fun of me because I went back thru the comics to find the message. My fave is The Pact, but all of hers are hauntingly good reads (does that make sense??)
Two other good reads: Icy Sparks and Ain't She Sweet

Wow! Haven't stopped by in a few days and ironic that I did today - needed to add in this late comment.
Agree on Poisonwood being hard to stick with. Had no trouble w/Prodigal Summer.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Jodi Picoult. My kids made fun of me because I went back thru the comics to find the message. My fave is The Pact, but all of hers are hauntingly good reads (does that make sense??)
Two other good reads: Icy Sparks and Ain't She Sweet