August 2015 archive
It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee atUnleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.
What a week! Work exploded and kept me hopping (and will for the next few weeks). We survived our day at the hospital (we got good news–at least the lesser of several evils). Best of all, my husband made it home after spending two plus weeks fighting forest fires in Oregon. Despite the weeds which have completely overtaken our garden, it is producing a bumper crop of veggies. Saturday we canned seven quarts of whole tomatoes and 21 pints of pizza sauce. Sunday we went back and picked butternut squash, more tomatoes, bell peppers, cutie peppers, watermelon and more to share with our friends. Yum!
I finished…
Absolultely nothing! Instead of sharing books I finished, I will leave you with this poem:
My reading has flittered here and there like a butterlfy
sipping words from magazines, drinking deep from the well
of a thought-provoking book, pausing on poetry every day.
I’m currently reading…
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What Have You Lost edited by Naomi Shihab Nye – The poems this week all seemed to be about the passing of time–old barns falling down, houses and neighborhoods from childhood staying. I couldn’t help but think of the beautiful picture frames my husband makes from old barn wood. Even when the barn no longer stands, it lives on in a new form. I think much of loss can be that way if we are willing to let it.
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Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – The last two chapters we are reading and discussion are on keeping the Sabbath and givng up things for a spiritual purpose. i have finished the Sabbath chapter and long to recover Sabbath time for myself. I know I need time to rest even though it is hard to for me to sit still and just be. I’m working on it.
Coming up…
Two new books came my way this week that I am looking foward to reading. A friend from church passed on Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes. I enjoyed the last book she passed on to me (Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos), so I expect to enjoy this one as well. My husband brought back a book from his fire trip. (He knows me.) No End in Sight by Rachel Scdoris and Rick Steber tells Rachel’s story of dog sled racing in the Iditarod even though she is legally blind.
What have you read this week? Thanks for all the suggestions for my waiting room reading last week. I wasn’t able to concentrate enough to read very much, but I look forward to finding the tiltes later to read.
Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.
It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee atUnleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.
This week has been filled with balancing work with my daughter’s soccer schedule. They played four games in a week. At least three of them were home games. I’m glad next week slows down with just two games (Thursday and Saturday) before our big tournament Labor Day weekend. Thanks to my daughter, I’ve learned to enjoy watching soccer. I love the green of the pitch and the movement of the players across the field–especially when both teams are playing well. As an avowed non-sports person for much of my life, I’m delighted to find poetry in the game.
I finished…
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The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, narrated by Richard Davidson – Thanks to this one, I looked forward to mowing while my husband was gone fighting forest fires in Oregon. If I can talk him into trying an audio book, this is a book I think he would enjoy as well. Junger combines the danger and hard work of commercial fishing with one of the largest and deadliest storms to hit the northeast. The story of the crew of the Andrea Gayle, lost at sea in the storm, holds together a story that encompasses information about commercial fishing, the history of the New England fishing industry, weather and storm formation, and ocean rescues. At times I was overwhelmed by all the information, but I never lost interest. For anyone who thinks (as I used to) that nonfiction is dry and boring, this is another excellent choice that might change your mind.
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The Seer of Shadows by Avi – I am always amazed at the depth and variety of stories that Avi creates, and this one is no exception. Horace Carpetine is decidedly scientific. He appretices to a photograher in 1872 New York City to further his understanding of the scientific principles behind the new industry of photography. Into this focus on history and science, Ave weaves a most chilling ghost story. When the master photographer that Horace is apprenticed to decides to fool wealthy society matron with pictures of the “spirit” of her “dearly departed daughter,” Horace is shocked to find that his first real photos reveal, not a trick, but a real ghost. Through his friendship with Pegg, the black servant girl, he learns the truth about the dead Eleanora and her death. Can Horace use his scientific knowledge of photography to stop this vengeful ghost before more people die?
I’m currently reading…
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What Have You Lost edited by Naomi Shihab Nye – I found an old favorite poem among the ones I read this week–Jane Kenyon’s “What Came to Me.” There is something about that spot of gravy on the gravy boat that pulls at my heart every time I read it. Several of the other poems also focused on those small details that seem insignificant but are so poignant.
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Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – Our group had a good discussion on the chapter about worship this week. Don’t worry, we don’t have all the answers, but we are all more aware of what we can do each week to contribute to worship together. That discussion will lead right into the chapter we are reading this week on hospitality. What I am finding as I read and discuss this book on spiritual disciplines is that they are all interconnected. I am also excited that most of the group wants to continue another week to read and discuss the chapters we missed.
Coming up…
Sync YA may be over for the summer, but I still have lots of titles I downloaded through the summer that I have not listened to yet. I also have a few more chpaters in Soul Feast to finish. Beyond that, I am open to what the week surprises me with. I will be looking for just the right book to read in a hospital waiting room later this week. I need something that will distract me and hold my interest but that won’t require too much heavy thinking, Any suggestions?
What have you read this week?
Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.
It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks since we returned from vacation. My daughter is getting back into the swing of school and soccer, and I’m trying to savor every moment of her senior year. We are also enjoying lots of veggies from the garden, so I am busy canning and freezing and storing up lots of good things to eat through the winter. In between moments, I am finding time to read, of course!
I finished…
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The Living by Matt de la Pena – Oh my! That ending had me racing faster and faster as I listened. I loved that I could predict a few of the bigger picture things. (I had my suspicions about the disease from the time the guy jumped overboard), but de la Pena surprised me with most of the details. I am definitely looking forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold and follow these characters through the next book.
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The Gospel According to Harry Potter by Connie Neal – I picked this up thinking it was a different book dealing with Harry Potter and Christianity (one I had read before the last book came out and wanted to see the writer’s take on the last book), but I once I started reading I realized this one was a different one–that I hadn’t read. I enjoyed revisiting the series and seeing her “glimpses of the Gospel,” but it lacked the depth I was looking for. I do remember when the books first became popular that I taught students who weren’t allowed to read them, but that wasn’t as much of an issue later on. I do like her main point that readers can often find whatever they are looking for in a particular book.
I’m currently reading…
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What Have You Lost edited by Naomi Shihab Nye – Of course, I’m still reading it! Many of the poems this week were about loss of family or loved ones. They hit me a little harder as my daughter starts her senior year. I know I won’t really be losing her next year, but our lives will definitely be different without her in the house. There will be many things I miss.
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Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – I have so much to think about while reading this one. It is definitely a book I read with pen in hand. I also get a lot from discussing it with our group at church. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in my struggles to live my faith and practice the presence of God. Last week we discussed prayer and confession–both areas that I find difficult. This week we’re reading about worship and companionship.
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The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, narrated by Richard Davidson – After listening to The Living, I decided to stay with the monster storm theme and listen to the Sync YA title that was paired with it. I think I can safely say I’m glad I don’t make my living by fishing as sea. I’m especially glad I’m not stuck on a boat in the ocean in the middle of a huge storm. I am fascinated with the details and stories that Junger weaves together in this book.
Coming up…
I have several good reads to finish. Then I’m diving into one of the many stacks I have lying around the house. I’ll keep you posted next week!
I hope you have a great reading week. What have you read that’s good? What do you recommend?
Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.
It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.
I love vacation reading–especially beach reading! There is nothing better than sitting in the sand and listening to the waves crash on shore while I get lost in a good book. I actually didn’t spend much time sitting with a book on the beach (too busy walking or swimming), but I did enjoy our family’s vacation at Bethany Beach. I had long hours to read in the car on the drive out and back (so glad I don’t get carsick). I also got to discover new books from the stacks lying around the beach house we rented. Now I’m ready to dive back into work as my daughter starts her senior year of high school. I suspect this year will fly by for all of us.
Posts this week:
I finished…
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Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan – This is one of the books I found lying around the beach house. I’m so glad I did. I seem to be on a spy novel kick these last few weeks, but this is one of the best. It is quite the “literary” spy story. Serena Fromme is working as a lowly clerical worker with M15 in the 1970s when she is given an assignment to recruit a promising new writer to the cause. It sounds great–the writer gets paid to write and has complete freedom. M15 hopes they have picked a writer who will help their cause in the battle of ideas, but they don’t want to appear to be controlling their writers. Once Serena falls in love with “her” writer, things get a bit more complicated as she has to keep her secret. The end gives a delicious twist!
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Belong to Me by Marissa de los Santos – A friend from church gave this one to me, and I read it all on the journey back home. Three women come together in suburbia and find that their lives intersect and intertwine in ways they never could have imagined. Cornelia and her hunky husband fled the city to find security in the suburbs, but Cornelia struggles to find her place in this tight-knit community. She first meets Piper–the Queen Bee from your high school nightmares–who is dislikes Cornelia on sight. She thinks she has found a kindred spirit when she meets Lake, who has moved across the country with her son Dev. All three women hide secrets and pain–one of them a secret that could destroy their friendships completely.
I’m currently reading…
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What Have You Lost edited by Naomi Shihab Nye – I did not take this one on vacation with me (we had limited space), but I’ve read every day since I’ve been home. Some of these poems take my breath away.
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Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – I’m reading this with a study group from my church. I missed the first group meeting while on vacation, but enjoyed talking with others at church yesterday who are also reading it. The first two chapters are filled with underlining and notes scribbled in the wide margins. It is definitely a book to read slowly and to chew on thoughtfully between times I sit down to read. I’m looking forward to discussing the first two chapters on Wednesday.
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The Living by Matt de la Pena – I’m to the last section, and I can’t wait to see how it ends out. Right now there are so many loose ends I want to see come together. I have my own ideas and suspicions. Am I right, or does de la Pena have surprises in store that I haven’t dreamed of? I do hope that I learn more about Shoeshine. For some reason, those minor characters who seem to be much more than they appear fascinate me.
Coming up…
I know this week will be hectic with catching up at work and starting school and soccer again, but I’m looking forward to reading when I can and seeing what good books the week brings my way.
Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.
