Modern Mommies discussion

Right now I have several books on the go.First and foremost is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore-a light hearted story about death and the fight between good and evil.Has a excellent definition og the Beta male that is not to be missed.
Also reading No End In Sight about the war in Iraq and a couple of books about Mindful living by Thich Nhat Hanh which I like to take my time with reading a little here and there.

I am currently reading The Thirteenth Tale, Solomon Sisters Wise Up, The Other Boleyn Girl, Babyville, and There's a Slight Chance I Might Be Going To Hell- I am always reading 4 or 5 books at a time. They are all good and much different genres.

How do manage that?Do you read a little from each book every day or do you read from what just interests you for the day,which is what I do.

I am amazed by people that can read so many books at once. I genereally only read two, one for me and whatever I am reading to my boys before they go to bed at night. The only reason I am reading three right now is that I am not really getting into "Eat, Pray, Love" so when I am looking for entertainment I have been going elsewhere. I just started reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and I am reading the Chronicles of Narnia to my boys (We are currently reading the Silver Chair).

I was an English Lit. major in college so I was used to reading 3 or 4 books at a time and writing papers about them. I usually grab whichever one I am interested in the moment, it usually matches how I am feeling. There are times I get so involved in a story I read until the very end quickly.

I really do think it stems from reading so much in high school and college.

I have just started reading again for pure enjoyment and for myself. Two years of homeschooling and 3 children left little room for me :) I have just finished, "Vows, the Story of a Priest, a Nun and Their Son" by Peter Manseau. Also "3:16 the Numbers of Hope" by Max Lucado. Both great reads. I am currently reading "Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn and "All You Need To Know About Raising Girls" by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff. By the way I loved the Chronicles of Narnia series, I read them about 10 yrs ago, had never read them as a child. I think reading them to your kids is a great idea. Think I may just have to start!!

I can only read one book at a time. I just started reading Dean Koontz books and now I'm hooked. I wanted something different and I got it. Right now I'm reading Forever Odd and have Whispers to read next, my Mom suggested that one. Any other Dean Koontz readers?

I used to read only one book at a time, but then I found somedays I wasn't in the mood for that book so I wouldn't read. I find with more than one I also read what I'm in the mood for.

Though sometimes, like now I just read one start to finish, either because it's so good, or in the case of Atonement, I hate it, but I have to finish it by Thursday for a book club meeting. I'm afraid if I pick up my other book I'll never get through this one.

I've been hearing that a lot from people that Atonement is a hard read and awful.I have looked at it a couple of times and always end up putting it back.Maybe it's some instinct warning me away :)

I've heard a lot of good things about the Odd Thomas books from Koontz and though I haven't read anything by him in years I'm interested in trying the Odd Thomas out.

I'm not sure if I just find Atonement hard to read or it's partly becuase I'm halfway through Dragonfly in Amber and I really want to find out what happens to Jamie and Claire. The characters in Atonement just aren't as fun, and to be perfectly honest when the main character is a child, who thinks and acts like an adult, that usually isn't a good sign for me. I'm halfway through it now. Though my bookclub cancelled again, so I quit them. This is the second book I read for them and the second time I they have cancelled.

LOL...you see Sherry I used Atonement for my chapter 3 bookclub selection in the Ultimate reading guide...sorry you might get a chance to read it after all.

Rhonda, I also read Dean Koontz although I haven't read one of his in a while. I enjoy his style and generally his plots are pretty original (and often disturbing).

Shea you are so right about Dean Koontz. Have you read any books by Jodi Picoult? I really enjoy her books but like Dena Koontz her books can be true to life but disturbing.

I drew upon Thich Nhat Hahn's teachings and smiled when I read about your URGBC selection.:)I can see why Attonement wouldn't measure up to Clare and Jaimie and whatever shenanigans they find themselves in now,really could anything?

I just finished A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore and am currently reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King.I've had it on my shelf for years and hadn't read it yet.

LOL... you're right Sherry, why even compare?

Rhonda,
I have read Jodi Picoult. I read Vanishing Acts and have just started Nineteen Minutes. My best friend keeps telling me that I have to read My Sister's Keeper because she thinks it is Picoult's best work. I haven't tried that one yet because I find the premise too disturbing.

Sherry and Little Saintina,
Have you read the Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati? A friend of mine (who also loves all of Claire and Jamie's adventures) recommended them. Claire even pops up in one of Donati's books (I believe the first one). They are great for when you are waiting for Gabaldon's next book to be published.

I've read the whole series and enjoyed them though with not quite the same fervor as the Outlander series.

I have not, thank you for that, I will take a look at those once I get through the 15 books on my shelf...lol.

She is right...My Sister's Keeper is one of her better books. I also like Plain Truth but I'm interested in the Amish and it's about them.

Well I gave up on Atonement, and I start the Alchemist's Daughter. So far I'm loving it. Not sure if that's becuase it's so good, or Atonement was so bad...lol.

It's funny what you get used to. I was reading that and looked at the pages and they were strange to me. This book doesn't have the title at the top of every page. It feel so odd...maybe I'm just odd...lol.

Rhonda, Thanks for that tip. I have added "Plain Truth" to my to-read list.

I finished "Nineteen Minutes" and enjoyed it more than I expected. I blew through "Beyond Eden" by Catherine Coulter and am now going to start "The Lovely Bones."

The boys and I will soon be done with the Chronicles of Narnia and then are going to start on a E.B. White compilation of Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan.

Beyond Eden was one of my faves by her.

I am reading "Raw Shark Texts".

Sunshine and I are trudging through "Emerald City" but neither of us are much interested in it. It just doesn't read like the other Oz books that we have really enjoyed. We are also reading a book about Never Fairies that is really cute. It is like an informational guide to the land and lives of the Never Fairies.

I really enjoyed Raw Shark Texts.It's really different.

I thought I'd branch out and try some sci-fi so I'm reading Ender's Game.

I had just finished The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and still find that book in my head a lot.I was born a couple of years before the book came out and Plath was of the same generation as my mother and stepmother.I could hear the voices of my mothers in that book and it gave me a deeper context in which to understand them.

Also having a daughter who had a serious problem with depression added another dimension of interest for me.

I just finished Dreams From my Father by Barack Obama which was a fabulous read. Its his story before politics. Written 10 years ago.

That is a great way to describe RST, Sherry. As I neglected all the things I should have been doing and reading in front of the fan, (it was SO HOT!) I was thinking to myself yesterday, "Self, why do you like this book so much?" And that is exactly it. It is something I have never read before...it is new and different. I am completely intrigued with what is happening and what is possibly going to happen next.

I loved some of the concepts htat was incorporated into the story,I found myself reading some of them to my son who thoroughly enjoyed them.Overall,I thought it was very clever book.I thought the love story was a nice touch as well.

I have finished "The Lovely Bones" and found it quite good. I am now reading "A Winter Marriage." I am having some trouble getting into it. So far I do not care for the main character, Hannie, as a person. So far I really don't care what happens to her. I found this book at the gift shop of the hospital where I work. They sell donated books for $0.25 to $2.00 as a fundraiser. By book shopping there I end up reading a lot of books that I would never find in a library or at a bookstore. It is how I stumbled upon the Outlander series so I am forever grateful (-:

Wow!Did you get the Outlander series for that little as well?If so what great luck.

No, I wish! I bought "The Fiery Cross" for $2.00. It looked brand new and was hardcover with dustjacket. I took it home and was so excited to start reading it. Only then did I realize it was the FIFTH book in the series. So, I checked the rest out of the library and read them straight through (including the Outlandish Companion). I decided I loved them enough to read them again (and again) so I bought 1-4 from Amazon with my Christmas present money. Then when "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" came out I got it at Sam's Club. If I am going to buy a hardcover book (which I rarely do) I almost always get them from Sam's. It is where I bought all my Harry Potter books amd where I will continue to buy my Outlander books until she is done writing them (-:

What's Sam's Club?I've never heard of it.

BTW your avitar pic is adoreable!

Isn't Sam's Club a sister company to Costco? I've heard of it, but I have never seen one.

Maybe something just in the states then.

Sam's Club is a competitor of Costco. They are similar in that they are both wharehouse clubs. Sam's Club is owned by the Wal-Mart coorporation. We don't have a Costco near us but I hear they are very nice. Thanks for the compliment on the on the picture. Those are my boys and that picture was taken about 3 years ago. I have always thought it was adorable but it was not the picture I picked for my package because you couldn't see their faces. I got it Smiles by Wire from JC Penney.

We have Costco in CA where I live and I love it! They put their books right at the front...REALLY hard to walk passed it without looking and more than likely buying!

I just finished Witch of Portobello and really liked it. It was a pretty quick read for me.

I just started Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Not that far into it, but am really liking it so far. I have a 5 hour flight tomorrow, so hopefully can bust through it. That is if I can get my daughter to fall asleep!

And the books are so cheap at Costco. You can't get everything there but what they do have is always cheaper than the book stores. My costco doesn't put them right up front, but I always head to that section first...lol.

I was able to finished Things Fall Apart. I really liked it, but also struggled with it. It is a sad story that was well "written"/translated.

I am now starting Death in Venice.

Stacie - enjoy Death in Venice! It is one of my favorite novellas and was made into a visually stunning film years ago.

I am also reading The Raw Shark Texts and am enjoying it far more than anything I have read in a couple of years - what a page turner! I am just over half way through and appear to be on target to finish it before my book club meets...

I'm also reading Crating Handmade Shoes: Great-Looking Shoes, Sandals, Slippers and Boots. I have been interested for a wile in trying to make my own shoes and am hoping to try some of the ideas in this book. I feel lucky that our county library had a copy to check out - it is over $100 to purchase!

Welcome to the MM club Vanessa!

I did enjoy Death in Venice immensely. It really was a great and thought provoking read for me. I kept thinking about Dorian Gray while reading it - the whole obsession of beauty and youth.

I am now reading The Body Artist by Delillo, as I await the arrival at the library of Book of Lost Things.

I finished There's A Slight Chance I Might Be Going to Hell... it was ok. I had to read it for one of my book clubs and it was a quick read... one I would recommend if you are looking for a funny read about meeting new people.

I am currently reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and Time Traveler's Wife for my book clubs. I am still reading a few other books I was reading at the start of the summer that I had to put aside to take care of my parents. I look forward to getting back into them.

I have so many books I want to read!!! My to-read list continues to grow! :)

Mona,
Let me know what you think about The Time Traveler's Wife. I read it and enjoyed it. Love across time and time travel in general are some of my favorite themes in books, TV, and movies (i.e. on my list are the Outlander series of books, Quantum Leap, The Love Letter (a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie), Dead Again, Somewhere in Time and The Lake House). I wasn't as engrossed in this relationship as Claire and Jamie's but I still thought it was good.

I am getting ready to start Book of Lost Things for my family reunion book club. It is funny, I come from a long line of bookworms! :)

Wow, lots of good suggestions here. I also read a bunch of books at one time. I have been reading House of the Seven Gables for months. It's my "I don't have anything else to read" book. And I am reading the new Jeffery Deaver book. Those of you who are Dean Koontz fans may enjoy him. And I am always skimming through a few non-fiction titles, mostly on parenting/cooking/homeschooling.

Finished Book of Lost Things...I really enjoyed it. I have been reading 1 Fitzgerald short story a day and am getting ready to start Lord of the Flies.

Ooh, I read Lord of the Flies in high school. I had an english teacher who made us read the book in a weekend and write a summary. Then we had to read it chapter by chapter and fill out ditto worksheets filled with questions. They would turn the side of your hand purple and we called it "Streling Syndrome" in honor of our teacher Mr. Streling. Then when we were done reading the book for the second time we would watch the movie. We did this with Lord of the Flies, the Great Gatsby, I Never Sang for My Father (we watched two different versions of this), the Quiet Man, and some story I can't name about a crazy woman and wallpaper in an attic room. I think there were others as well but I can't remember them all. I enjoyed Lord of the Flies, although it disturbed me at the time. I have been thinking I would read it again as an adult to compare my perceptions. Mr. Streling also made us write reports about Pink Floyd's The Wall, he was an interesting guy.

That sounds like an awesome class! My high school sucked and we didn't read ANY of those things. Honestly, the only thing I remember reading in high school was The Scarlet Letter! We had NO Shakespeare, nothing. That is probably why I left my senior year for college. I hear that the AP classes read some good stuff, but I highly doubt it.

Oh and I believe the crazy lady with the wallpaper was The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman. :)

Stacie,
Thanks! I think you are right it was "The Yellow Wallpaper." I did have pretty great high school English teachers, except when I was a freshman. I read lots of terrific books in high school and our teachers were really into letting us watch the movie afterwards. As a freshman class we watched Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet" and Mrs. Sivits told us to cover our eyes when Romeo's bare butt was shown. She said "Oh, I didn't know that was there." When we knew she had been showing this movie to every class since the movie was put on video. She was also an interesting character. She used to tell us how she shot squirrels with her shotgun and that she kept it in the closet in her classroom. She would tell us that if we acted up in class she would get out her shotgun. It's a good thing she retired shortly after I graduated since I doubt you could say such things in a high school classroom in these days and times.

I just started Bel Canto. I'm sure everyone in the world has read it but me.

Well I haven't even heard of it Vanessa...so I'm way behind the ball.