Stories are the stuff of life….

As I predicted, I’m surviving, but not with much grace.  Tutoring has taken over my life, but I love all my kids, so it’s good–as long as I can stay awake.

What I’m listening to:  The Knife of Never Letting Go - I heard about this book from a friend of mine last year.  While I wasn’t sure about it at first, I’m really enjoying it.  It’s sort of dystopian, but it’s about the settlers on a new world. The most exciting part is that I haven’t figured it out yet.  :-)

What I’m reading: One of Our Thursdays is Missing - This is the newest installment in the Thursday Next series.  I’m still not very far in as I took a break and read another book, but it’s a really fun read so far complete with the usual shenanigans by various famous literary characters.

What I finished: Dead Reckoning – Not my favorite Sookie novel, but still good.  I found it as exciting as the others with a good mix of her life and troubles, but I felt like the end was a bit unresolved.  We shall see what she does with it in the next book, I guess.

What I finished: The Mountain Between Us – A few years ago, I discovered Charles Martin.  I LOVE this author!  He’s such a fantastic storyteller.  The way he weaves stories is beautiful and heart wrenching and moving and hopeful all at the same time, and this story was no different.  I found this book to be a bit different from his others in that I didn’t see the twist coming AT ALL.  As I thought back over the story, I should have, but I didn’t.  I laughed; I cried; I threw the book across the room when I finished it.  It was GREAT!  If you haven’t read his stuff–DO IT!

School just started, and things are NUTS, but I think I’m starting to get back into the swing of a schedule complete with three new kids to tutor.  I’ll survive this year, but it might not be with much grace.

What I’m listening to:  Dead Reckoning - I love Sookie Stackhouse.  This is the newest installment, and so far, I’m enjoying the new angles of her mysterious life.  I am a bit surprised that Bill doesn’t show up for at least the first 1/3 of the book.

What I’m reading: One of Our Thursdays is Missing - This is the newest installment in the Thursday Next series.  I’m not very far in, but it’s a really fun read so far complete with the usual shenanigans by various famous literary characters.

What I finished: Tempted - Another House of Night novel.  These are okay–mindless to listen to.  I actually liked this one more than the last couple in the series, so maybe it’s getting better.

What I finished: First They Killed my Father – Wow. Just. Wow.  I’ve traveled to many countries with tragic histories.  However, I’m still so surprised by what people have done to whole countries.  It is SO not okay.

What I finished: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - I ended up liking this more than I thought I would.  I’m still not a huge fan of his teen “slang,” but by the end, I was engaged and might even read the next in the series.

What I finished:  Jericho: Season 3, Civil War - A friend of mine got me into the TV series this summer and then told me about the book.  While not as good as another season, it was a good little Jericho fix.

What I finished: Fallen – This is a series new to me.  It was okay, and I’ll probably read the next, but I was disappointed with some of the gaps throughout the story.

So, maybe not weekly, but better than I’ve been doing, and as Elizabeth said, no guilt.

What I’m listening to: Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper–This is kind of a modern retelling of, you guessed it, Romeo and Juliet. It’s okay.  It modernizes it in an interesting way complete with gangs and racial issues. It’s okay.

What I’m reading: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare–I fell in love with this series a few years ago and was so excited when I heard Clare was expanding the trilogy with three more books. Not too far into it yet, but liking it so far.

What I’m reading: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson–I’m reading this with one of the girls I tutor.  I’m enjoying the story and am intrigued with the unique elements of the fantasy. However, I’m a little surprised at the writing which isn’t as great as I thought it would be as Patterson is such a well known and loved author.

What I’m reading: First they Killed my Father by Loung Ung–I’m also reading this with one of my tutor kids.  Wow!  I often find myself moved by the story, and the further into the story I get, the more endearing I find the 6 year old girl who lived through so much.

What I finished: Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver–Yep, read it.  It’s good.  I’m still working through much of it as that’s the kind of book it is, but it’s beautifully written and has so much to make you think.

What I finished: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah–Very good.  Sometimes, I just can’t believe the evil and sadness in this world.

What I finished: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman–I love Gaiman.  Creative, original, well written, unique.

What I finished:  Flight Volume 6–Years ago, one of my students brought in Volume 2 for me to read.  While I spent a bit of time looking at a couple of the stories, I didn’t read it all.  I liked it as it isn’t my usual reading fare, and as is typical for most anthologies, I liked some stories more than others.

So, I’ve been meaning to be better about posting reviews, but alas, it doesn’t ever seem to happen, so I’m going to try something different.  I like the idea of Sunday Salon, but am going to adapt it a bit.  Once a week, I’m going to try to post what I’m listening to, what I’m reading, and what I’ve finished.  So, here it goes–

What I’m listening to: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman–I love Gaiman.  He’s got great voice and style and imagination, and this book is no different.  I’m about half done, and I’m enjoying the characters and the trouble they get into.

What I gave up on: Kiss by Ted Dekker–It may have been the audio, but I just couldn’t do it.  I couldn’t ever sympathize with the main character, and it was downhill from there.

What I’m reading: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah–I’m reading this with one of my tutor students.  It makes me really sad to read all that these child soldiers lived through, and I think the contrast makes the beautiful writing even more spectacular.

What I’m reading: Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver–I’m liking this.  It’s beautifully written and has much interesting wisdom and is especially interesting with my religious background.

What I finished: Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind–I found the TV series based on this book last summer and loved it, so I knew I wanted to read the book.  Then, one of my students started reading the series this spring and gave me the first book at the end of the year.  I LOVED it!  It’s different from the TV show, but so good!  I’m excited to read the next one!

Okay, I swear. This is it. no more, but this isn’t really tied to specific books; it’s simply a challenge to Outdo Yourself. The idea is to read more books than you read last year. It looks like I’ll finish somewhere between 71-72 which is definitely more than I read in 2009, so I’m going to try to read 1-5 more books next year putting me somewhere between 73-78. Maybe I’ll even try for an even 80; we’ll see how the year goes.

So, I LOVE the Gilmore Girls!  It’s one of my favorite shows EVER!  For years, I’ve been working on Rory’s Recommended reading list, but somehow, last year, I missed The Gilmore Girls Challenge, but I’d definitely joining this year. I’m going to be brave and join at the Rory level (10 books) which I haven’t picked yet, but I’ll post my list when I do.  Yay!  Gilmore Girls!

What’s in a Name 4 is a new challenge for me. This past year, my first year of joining any challenges, I stuck to pretty general challenges with loads of freedom as I thought I’d have more success, but it sounds fun to try to expand my horizons and explore some books that might be out of the ordinary for me.

So, last year, I signed up for just a few Reading Challenges thinking I’d be able to meet them no problem as I was pretty selective only signing up for four with some pretty significant overlap.  Alas, the best laid plans and all that.  I am proud of the number of books I read, but I really didn’t do well with the TBR 2010.  In fact, I’m pretty sure my students would call it an epic fail: I only read 3 (I’m finishing 3 as we speak) of the 12.  So, I feel that I really HAVE to try this one more time: surely I can decide on 12 books at the beginning of the year and finish them by the end!  So, my second challenge shall again be TBR 2011 (the original, but I did consider the Lite version).

I definitely should be grading.  In fact, I had totally planned to grade while I watched the Packers game, but then I got sucked in to looking at Reading Challenges for 2011.  I didn’t do great with the actual challenges this year (I think I’ll finish 2), but by New Year’s Eve, I will have read over 70 books which is more than I’ve read in years, so I’m happy.  So, I just signed up for my first challenge for the new year!  I love the 2010 Reading Challenge, so I’m going to do the 2011 Challenge this year!  Can’t wait to get started, but I have to finish the 2010 Challenge first!

What Reading Challenges are you joining?

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy….”  At least, that’s the theory.  Unfortunately for me, my summertime was filled with a number of things other than reading, so I didn’t get to do as much reading as I wanted, and I definitely didn’t do as much blogging as I intended, but I guess that’s life, and when it comes down to it, I’d always rather lay in the hammock and read.  Unfortunately, that means another catch up post, but I guess it gets the job done.  Tonight, I’m only doing fiction, and as usual, I’ll be grouping some and skipping some, but that too is life.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Genre: Teen, Adventure Fantasy

I loved this series!  In the first book, Percy discovers that he is a demi-god, son of his mortal mother and Greek god father.  In each book, Percy, with his friends Annabeth and Grover, must successfully complete quests in order to, ultimately, save the world.  The books follow a pretty typical hero cycle, but are creative in the reinvention, explanation, and reference to many different aspects of Greek Mythology which, according to the books, shifts in physical proximity with the shifting of power in the world, so Mt. Olympus is now above the Empire State Building, Hades is under LA, and the labyrinth passages meander under all of America. The author also uses pretty typical American landmarks in creative ways which keeps you wondering.

Rating: 4/5

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Modern, Character

Chronicling the life of two girls who meet and become best friends in 7th grade, this book really does go through the ups and downs of life that these girls face as they grow up and take different paths in life.  The book follows these friends through the decades as they experience high school, college, first jobs, career and family.  These women really travel the hard road of life together and, literally, drop everything when the other is in need.  At times, it is doubtful that the relationship will survive, but, ultimately, when it comes to it, they are “best friends forever.”

This is definitely a book that I had a love/hate relationship with.  I loved the authentic feel of the relationship between these two and resonated with the ups and downs of their friendship.  The hate relationship with the book came at the end.  It’s sad–really, really, really sad.  So sad, in fact that I thought about it for days and started crying every time I thought about it or talked about it.  I’d definitely recommend it, but be prepared for tears….

Rating: 4/5

Nightwalker series by Jocelynn Drake

Genre: Vampire Fantasy

Mira has everything she wants: a pretty solitary lifestyle and control of her beloved city.  That is, she has everything she wants until a vampire slayer tracks her to tell her that her worst enemies, the naturi, are working to break the seal and release their queen from the prison she’s been in for the past centuries.  As little as she likes working with one who has killed so many nightwalkers, she abhors the naturi and will do anything to stop them.  In the process, Mira uncovers plots and schemes, kills her share of naturi, and discovers more about herself than she ever wanted to know.

I enjoyed these books as a nice diversion and some light reading, but I didn’t find them to be much more than that.

Rating: 2.5/5

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Genre: Spin off

In an old house where Jane Austen once lived, the long awaited, long anticipated memoirs have been found. At least, that is the guise under which James writes her novel.  Weaving in details from Austen’s books, James explains how Austen’s life inspired much of her writing as she tells the elusive story of Austen’s life.

I enjoyed this book.  I loved recognizing the bits and pieces of each of Austen’s novels, and I loved James’ telling of how Austen became the author I love.

Rating: 4/5

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Genre: Classic

Fanny Price, not a typical Austen heroine, is the daughter of a poor sister who married for love.  To help her poor Sister Price, Fanny’s Aunt concocts a plan for Fanny to come live with their third sister and husband, to be raised at Mansfield Park, to be given advantages that Fanny could never hope to have in her home.  The story follows Fanny as she grows up, falls in love, receives a proposal from the wrong man, comforts her family at Mansfield Park, and eventually, begins the life she’s always wanted with the man she loves.

I love Jane Austen. Period. The end.  That being said, this isn’t my favorite of her books.  Fanny is too perfect, and her aunts are too despicable.  Add to that a love story that is so subtle it’s easy to miss, and you get my less than favorite Austen, but it’s okay because it’s still Austen, and I still love her stories!

Rating: 4/5

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Genre: Modern Romance

Following the life of Father Tim, the rector of the local Episcopal church, the story covers the trials and troubles of a small town shepherd. Father Tim must contend with everything from raising a boy, praying for a heart transplant, helping a neighbor, and discovering a jewel thief to taking a vacation, perhaps the most difficult of his trials.

I read this book because my mom has, for some time, been a fan.  I liked it and thought it was sweet, but it was a little too sweet, too perfect; I didn’t find enough realistic humanity to make the characters or stories believable.

Rating: 2/5