Summer Reading

Two books that I recently read and recommend are Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and Lift by Kelly Corrigan. I am just starting The Hunger Games. I am enjoying reading everyone's recommendations!

This summer I have read a few books but my absolute favorite was "My Name is Memory" by Ann Brashares. It reminded me of Time Travelers Wife. I think you would love it, please check it out. Happy Summer reading everyone!!

I've been reading "Life with Pop: Lessons on Caring for an Aging Parent" by Janis Abrahms Spring, Ph.D. and really have enjoyed it. It opened my eyes to how much our lives come full circle with our parents and the struggles that we face and will face as they grow older. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. She wrote snippets here and there of her experiences with caring for her father.

I quite enjoyed Little Bee when I read it several months ago. It's always a happy day when the Newsletter comes in the mail from the local bookstore with a whole new crop of reading possibilities.

No side note.. My mom used to wish I get in reading. I just don't.
but want to say... lovely picture of you at beach with sun flares!

This is awesome!! love the recommendations!
Some of my summer favorites are Secret Life of Bees, loved it! I, Capure the Castle was wonderful, really like the writing style! Loved Mr. Darcy's Diary, tastefully told from his perspective. Just finished Major Pettigrew's last Stand, very feel good book. And to through this in my all time favorite book Jane Eyre!

I just finished "The Help" and haven't read a book that touched me as much as that one did in so long! It was so good.
I have "Dragon Tattoo" on my Kindle but haven't been able to get into it. I have a feeling it's one I'll need to start when I'm not about to fall asleep.
For a quick, fun read, I enjoyed "Garden Secrets" just before I read "The Help."

I too knew the ending before I got to it! i still enjoyed reading the story :)

Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda.
I recently finished it for the 2nd time and loved, Loved, LOVED it (yet again)! It was just as hard to put down this time as the first and I finished it with in a few days. The characters are so real, and believable. It is rare when I actually will buy a book...but I received this one as a gift after raving about it.
Currently in the middle of Looking For Anne Of Green Gables : The Story Of L.M. Montgomery And Her Literary Classic by Irene Gammel
Although it is interesting to see what might have inspired Gammel, it seems a little dry at times...still I am determined to finish it!

I'm not doing too much reading at the moment.

I read the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks about two months ago after hearing an interview with the author on public radio. I loved it! It was never a book I would have just picked up, but after hearing the interview, I ordered it immediatly from Amazon. I have tried to recommend it to friends, but no one else seems interested. I was thrilled to hear that you are reading it.

Loved Devil in the White City. Not the type of book I usually read - but so fascinating. Who knew what all went into the making of the World's Fair?

ditto

Last two reads were the first two Scrapbook mysteries by Joanna Campbell Slan 'Cut, Crop & Die' and 'Paper Scissors Death' Good reads when you just want to be entertained. Currently reading 'Atlas Shrugged'. Quite a social commentary! Keep looking at the Tatoo series - may have to get the sample on Kindle.

The Middle Place was one of my favorite books I have ever read. Can't put into words exactly why but it is just a good story and all the better because it is real life. Very touching! I read her newest book: Lift but did not care for it as much.

I'm not much of a fiction fan; I am kind of addicted to learning-type books. Lately "BORN FOR LOVE" by Maia Szalavitz and Bruce Perry is my FAV! It's all about the way the brain develops - and the ways that neglect and trauma effect our minds. SO FASCINATING and very useful in helping to understand my fellow humans! Dr. Bruce Perry's other book "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" is also insightful - these are truly lessons/concepts that I think EVERYONE could benefit from knowing! Our brains are the centre of who we are!!!

The books that I have enjoyed lately are...
The Irresistable Henry House by Lisa Grunwald
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet by Jamie Ford
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Hush by Kate White
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
I've been on the look out for the Dragon Tatoo Girl books at the library with no luck. Going to have to break down & buy them.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Read it for book group. Was dragging my feet to start it and not only could I not put it down, it is one of my all time favorites now.

Sorry, I just posted and forgot a GREAT book to mention! Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas. I read it in one day and as soon as I finished it, I had to re-read it. It is an absolutely beautiful story. I buy it for gifts and people always rave about it.

I just read The Piano Teacher. It is really good. I also liked Dragon Tatoo and Played with Fire. Have to get the next one.

'The Girl Who Played With Fire' was my favorite of the 3 books--- so thrilling!

Love this post! I just read The Passage by Justin Cronin. It is very long and drags in places. I was disappointed at the end to realize the story is not finished yet. I read on-line it is the first of a trilogy. I LOVE anything by Kristin Hannah. Jodi Picoult is good, but I agree with another comment about her endings! Lee Child is also GREAT! I have loved all of his books!

I picked up "The Thorn Birds" to read while on vacation this summer. I remember watching it as a mini-series on TV with my parents way back when I was in High School. I remembered the outline of the story, but am enjoying the complete details as the story now unfolds again before me. I always enjoy the book more than the movie, don't you?

So far this summer I read Elizabeth Berg's newest...she's one of my FAVS! I can only describe her writing as a delicious dessert...ugh...so GOOD! I also read "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Kartina Kennison. Oh my! Every mother should read this book. Especially before their children get too old. I LOVED it! It was exactly the book I was suppose to read this summer. Now I am completely shifting gears and reading Jen Lancaster's newest "My Fair Lazy". She cracks me up. Seriously, I read her first book "Pretty in Plaid" on vacation with my hubby last Oct. and I was caught laughing out loud by the pool at the Ritz Carlton in Cancun...need I say more? I love to read! Don't get to spend enough time reading and seem to do it in chunks of time but I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good book!!! Happy Summer Reading Ali!

Ali I have a huge favor to ask of you.
My stepson, Michael Fuchs, graduated from Lane Comm College with an Assoc Graphic Design degree as I believe you have. He needs a mentor.
Or at least someone to review his work and give him some objective feedback.
Ever since your tutorial on layered templates showing Simon at the U of O basketball game I have followed your blog. You are an amazing talent and if Michael had one-tenth the talent you have I could not ask for more. Contact me directly and I will forward his phone/email address.
MICHAEL FUCHS Eugene, OR 97402
If you could at least reach him, I know he would be so impressed. And I will forever be in your debt.
from a worried stepmom: BBF