Silverthreads89: Third Down, Two to Go

Monday, August 15, 2011

Third Down, Two to Go

Third down, two to go sounds like football talk to me but even better is that I only have two more sessions of chemo to go. I guess I should have written sooner but this lasts session was a little tougher than the first two. I had more gagging with nausea so I took anti-nausea pills for several days for the first time since I started chemo. That led to more napping. I hope the next session goes back to skipping the nausea. It is so funny that after they fill you with all the drugs anything that goes wrong I am told to fix it with more meds but in pill form. Nauseous = pill, pain = pill, constipated = pill, diarrhea = pill, not sleeping = pill. That is the list of what I have ingested so far. I hate taking meds and in my life I can count on one hand how many times I have been sick since eighteen. Now this cancer doozy for almost eighteen months from start to finish.

I am starting to get chemo bills and I am blown away by how much this costs. I am just talking about chemo and I have radiation to follow and a full year of herceptin. Herceptin is so expensive and it is every three weeks for a year. If this stupid stuff comes back after this year of fighting I just might have surgery and stop at that. If you can't pay your bills what is the point of living to be realllllly old to torment your children. It really makes me madder than being sick. We all die at some point and although I really want to see all my grandchildren grow into adults I know my kids will do fine without me to help raise them. It is just a selfish wish to enjoy those sweet babies as long as I can.

Went to two movies in the last week and there was mention of cancer in both of them. In one a man is getting a divorce and his co-workers, when they find out about the divorce say, "At least it isn't cancer." I had to laugh because I thought the stress from getting a divorce and trying to support four kids was more stressful than cancer treatments. However, now that I am getting bills and am retired with a small retirement income I hope they take payments because the charges are more than I get each month. If they take payments I will get through this okay even if it takes a couple years. But I do NOT want to do this again!

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Books Read Recently

The Cypress House, by Michael Koryta. 5 of 5 stars.

Home, by Marilynne Robinson. 4 of 5 stars.

Learning to Swim, by Sara J. Henry. 5 of 5 stars.

W is for Wasted, by Sue Grafton. 5 of 5 stars.

The Husband's Secret, by Liana Moriarty. 5 of 5 stars.

Sisterland, by Curtis Sittenfeld. 3 of 5 stars.

This Must Be the Place, by Kate Racculia. 5 of 5 stars.

The Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay, by Beverly Jensen. 5 of 5 stars.

A Girl from Yamhill, by Beverly Cleary. 4 of 5 stars.

Beautiful Day, by Elin Hilderbrand. 4 of 5 stars.

Find Me, by Carol O'Connell. 4 of 5 stars.

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Wells. 4 of 5 stars.

Discover Your Optimal Health, by Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen. 3 of 5 stars.

The Engagements, by J. Courtney Sullivan. 5 of 5 stars.

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, by Alexander McCall Smith. 5 of 5 stars.

The Silver Star, by Jeannette Wells. 4 of 5 stars.

Love All, by Callie Wright. 3 of 5 stars.

Messenger of Truth, by Jacqueline Winspear. 5 of 5 stars.

West with the Night, by Beryl Markham. 4 of 5 stars.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. 5 of 5 stars. Reread for book group.

Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson. 4 of 5 stars.

The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout. 4 of 5 stars.

The Best of Us, by Sarah Pekkanen. 4 of 5 stars.

Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. 4 of 5 stars. Reread for book group.

What the Dog Saw, by Malcolm Gladwell. 5 of 5 stars.

Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes. 4 of 5 stars.

Pardonable Lies, by Jacqueline Winspear. 5 of 5 stars.

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson. 4 of 5 stars.

How It All Began, by Penelope Lively. Interesting example of "The Butterfly Effect" in the lives of a group of people after a 78 year old lady is mugged. Some thoughtful views on aging and reading and family and positive outlooks on life. 5 of 5 stars.

Island Beneath the Sea, by Isabel Allende. Historical novel of Haiti. Gives a very interesting history of Haiti as the island of the French and how the slaves were successful in taking it away and it becoming an independent nation. Also, information of early New Orleans and the numerous cultures there and how they interacted. 5 of 5 stars.

Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Adolescent novel of a young teenager who is in a plane accident in Canada and how he survives over two months alone before being found. 5 of 5 stars.

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Reread before going to see the remake of the movie. An interesting examination of how the thinking of old money is different from that of the newly rich and those who have not got the money to throw around freely. The love story is the vehicle through which we observe this thinking and acting. 5 of 5 stars.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. Fascinating thriller of a young reporter investigating the possible incidence of a serial killer in her home town. She is a pretty girl with an unhealthy past and going home is definitely not healthy. 4 of 5 stars.

Swim by Jennifer Weiner. A long short story or novella that eventually became the novel The Next Best Thing. 4 of 5 stars.

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner. Not the best of several books I have read by her. Story of a girl orphaned when young and raised by her grandmother. It tells how she turns her life around after moving to the west coast and having a relationship go bad. She recovers and moves on in an interesting way. Semi autobiographical about Weiner's journey in television and I didn't really find it too surprising or interesting how the back ground works. 3 of 5 stars.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. The story of a girl who grows physically extraordinarily large during her lifetime but tries to stay small in the impact she makes in society and in her own life. Tender tale of the impact people make on each others' lives both intentionally and unintentionally. 4 of 5 stars.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. Memoir of Jenny's interesting life. It had too many foul words to make it enjoyable reading. I don't feel the need to inflict that on my brain. Her life with emotional problems was interesting though. 3 of 5 stars.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. Reread story of the effect war had on the life of the people on a small English island off the coast of France during and after WW2. There is a lot of history of the war presented in an interesting was. 4 of 5 stars.

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult. 4 of 5 stars.

Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson. 5 of 5 stars.

The 7th Month by Lisa Gardner. Novella following a detective who is 7 months pregnant solving a murder. 3 of 5 stars.

The History of Us by Leah Stewart. Wonderful story of 3 kids raised by their aunt after their parents are killed in an accident. The effect it has had on the lives of the kids, who are now grown and on the aunt. 5 of 5 stars.

Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery. 4 of 5 stars.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult. As with her other novels things are not always as they seem when first presented. This is a story about 2 teenagers who supposedly plan to commit suicide. One lives, however, and what are the repercussions of the act on him and his family. The real story slowly comes forth and the effect this has on both families is heartbreaking. 5 of 5 stars.

The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. I wanted to like this book, but nope, I didn't. First of all there were no characters I liked. I think the reader should care about at least one character in a story. They were all flawed in such ugly ways that I didn't care if they solved their problems or not. Secondly, Rowling needs a good editor. If something can be said in 10 words she uses 20. Thirdly, it seemed pointedly British. Which is okay if that is your only target audience. But I had to work at understanding some references, some dialects, and some issues with the vacancy. I never developed a care about anyone or anything. 2 of 3 stars.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Our book group decided to read a classic from our past and chose this title. I had never read it but had seen at least one version in a video. It is a sweet story and I think it would appeal to many kids today but I didn't especially like the writing style. I find this often happens to me when I reread books I loved when I was a child. So that is my problem, I think, not the book. Two lonely children and a third outgoing boy meet and discover a forgotten garden they bring back to life. In doing so they reinvent themselves into healthier and happier children. I would love it if one of my grand daughters read it and gave me her opinion. 4 of 5 stars.

Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman. I love Hoffman books because she tells great stories with just a touch of "magic". In a small town in Florida and 12 year old boy runs away with the baby of a murdered woman. His mom and a police officer try to find him and the murderer before the murderer finds them. A fun and quick read. 4 of 5 stars.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Transferred from the French. A preteen girl and an 54 year old concierge for a upper class apartment building have their lives intertwined and changed when they become friends and help each other change their point of view of themselves. Both are extremely introspective until they meet a new Japanese tenant who helps draw them out. 4 of 5 stars.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. An extremely skilled college baseball star has a mental crisis on the field during an important game during his junior year. This has a great effect on his teammates, the college president and his family and friends. During the following few weeks of school their lives are dramatically changed. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I been in my 20s or 30s. 4 of 5 stars.

Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro. A collection of short stories with a view of unusual happenings from the point of view of a character who isn't at all one of the "usual suspects."
Although well written, I am not sure this was my cup of tea. The first story is about a victim of abuse by her husband. It is told from her perspective after he has committed a most heinous crime and she visits him in prison. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up. 3 of 5 stars.

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. Halpern's dad responds and talks without any political correctness in his thinking or speech. Some of the essays are very funny but the language is that of the gutter. The funniest thing about the book was that his dad has no idea he has crossed over the edge and is incredible candid with his opinions. The love between father and son shines through the crazy incidents and language, however. 3 of 5 stars.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Reread for book group. Interesting interaction between a man in his late 30s with his former mentor and teacher whom he hasn't seen since college. Mitch travels to visit Morrie who has ALS and talk, learn and assist the older man as he moves toward his death. Tender, insightful and loving conversations about living and dying. 5 of 5 stars.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. After having 2 miscarriages and a still birth Isabel discovers a baby washed up onshore of their island in a small boat. She and her husband keep the baby and raise her for several years until they return to the mainland and discover how their decision has affected the lives of others. Heart breaking decisions must be made by many good people that have tragic consequences for other good people. Justice and loss tug at the heart and mind. 5 of 5 stars.

A Town Like Alice by Nevel Shute. A complicated story of commitment and love during and after World War II. It follows the heroine on her march with other prisoners of war through the Malayan jungle until they are finally freed after the war. A few years later, back in England she inherits some money and returns to the last place she was a prisoner and helps the people who helped her. There she learns what happened to another prisoner who helped her stay alive and follows the lead to find him in Australia. 5 of 5 stars.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Considered the first true mystery novel. The murder mystery is told in the first person by multiple people who had contact with the victim. Characters are disguised or mislead or misrepresent themselves while trying to figure out who the woman in white is and how she figures into their lives. Inspired by a true story in the 19th century. 4 of 5 stars.

Night by Elie Wiesel. A short moving book about the author's life during World War 2 in a concentration camp. The inhumanity of men is mind boggling. My heart hurt all the while I read this even though I have read a lot about the war and the camps it never fails to move me to tears. 5 of 5 stars.

The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner. The third of a trilogy of books about Sarah and the Arizona territories. A lot of adventure and turmoil in the lives of those trying to settle the territory of Arizona before statehood. Author is a good story teller and researched what was really happening in history with Mexico and the railroads moving into the area. The work and trials of people living in the early 1900s makes life today in the West seems so easy. 3 of 5 stars.

The Third Angel: A Novel by Alice Hoffman. It was a good thing this title stated it was a novel. I thought it was a series of short stories and it certainly could have been. Each chapter tells a story from a different person's point of view and by the end they all come together to make sense and the reader sees how the lives of the characters have in a variety of ways had an effect on the other characters later on in years. When done I felt like I needed to go back and reread because the book is a flashback from 1999 to 1952. Very interesting. 4 of 5 stars.

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty. Unusual story of a woman who falls in love with a man who has a stalker. It tells the story from her point of view and that of the stalker. I love that I wasn't able to predict how everything would or would not be. 5 of 5 stars.

The Fiction Class, by Susan Breen. This was a second reading of this novel. I really love this book. Arabella is teaching a fiction class and her mother to write. Her mother is dying and Arabella is trying to make peace with her and with her own life. She is trying to write a book while teaching, dealing with her mother, working as an proof reader, and coping with her private life. Love the references to authors and books and writing exercises while telling a compelling, heartwarming story. I know I will read this again. 5 of 5 stars.

Final Appeal, by Lisa Scottoline. This is the author's 2nd novel written in 1995. Working as a lawyer with the US Court of Appeals, Grace believes the Chief Judge did not commit suicide and goes on to try to convince the authorities of that. While trying to work, juggle family, and find enough evidence to present to police she also struggles with her feelings for the dead man. 4 of 5 stars.

Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn. I have become a fan of this writer. She writes mysteries with a twist at the end. Libby is the only member of her family to escape the murderous rampage of her brother. Now he has been in jail for a couple of decades and she gets involved with a group called the Kill Club and her life is in danger again. 5 of 5 stars.

These is My Words, by Nancy E. Turner. A good story told in diary form of what life was like for a woman and her family in the Arizona territories in the late 1800s. Interesting story and parts of it really pushed you to read further. But not as good as A Lantern in Her Hand. It is the first in a trilogy but I was told the second wasn't very good so I think I will read the third. 4 of 5 stars.

Blue Nights, by Joan Didion. Heartbreaking is the only word I can come up with to describe her look back on the death of her daughter and how it has affected her. She also talks about growing old and how that has shocked her by its intensity. 4 of 5 stars.

The Age of Miracles, by Kare
n Thompson Walker. What would happen if the earth started getting slower every day in its rotation? This story examines some possibilities through the eyes of an 11/12 year old girl as she looks back when she is in her early 20s. Fascinating ideas of how changes could occur and how that could then affect our personal life. 4 of 5 stars.

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. This is the best mystery I have read in years. It reminded me of Presumed Innocent that I read decades ago. This not so nice guy's lovely wife vanishes on their 5th wedding anniversary. He is, of course, presumed to have done her in but they can't find a body. The twists and turns are great and the ending was a shocker. I can't wait to read her other 2 books. 5 of 5 stars.

One Day, by Davis Nicholls. Thought I would read this romance part way to see if I wanted to spend money on the movie. Read the whole thing and now can't wait to see the movie. I thought the couple met one day a year for 20 years but it visits the day they first spent together, every year for 20 years whether they are together or not. Loved the realistic way both characters are portrayed with their strengths and weaknesses. Ending was a totally unexpected surprise. 5 of 5 stars.

The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn. Through an ancient verse in Isaiah, the events of America from 9/11 onward are foretold. The revelations are specific and reveal the future of our nation as we have turned from a Christian centered nation to a carnal and materialistic one. The fictionalized story is the same as many in the Bible and Book of Mormon: when you turn away from God there are consequences that will bring nations back to God or destroy them. 3 of 5 stars.

Lone Wolf, by Jodi Picoult. When Luke and his daughter are in a devastating car accident, his son must come back home after 6 years away to make life and death decisions. What follows are alternating chapters from the view point of many characters telling the life of Luke and his family and how those events lead up to the the final decision the family makes. One of my favorite authors but more info on wolves than I wanted or believed - how do we know what wolves think? 4 of 5 stars.

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro. What does it mean to be human? That is the question 3 friends uncover as they grow up in a sheltered and protected environment without parents. The realization of who they are and what their destiny is becomes increasingly clear as they and all those they grew up with leave their childhood residence and embark on life in the unsheltered world. 5 of 5 stars.

same kind of different as me. by Ron Hall & Denver Moore. True story told in alternating voices of a sharecropper/homeless man's meeting and life changing experience with Ron Hall and his wife in 1990s. Great example of the many changes a single person can make with some desire and efforts put forth. Partial final sentence: "... this earth ain't no final restin place. ... we is all homeless-just workin our way toward home." 5 of 5 stars.

Summer of the Monkeys, by Wilson Rawls. A 14 yr. old boy spends much of his summer in the late 1800s trying to catch monkeys that escaped from a circus. Great and amusing story of a boy leaving childhood behind and gaining the understanding of adults. Some of the writing quirks annoyed me as an adult reader but I doubt adolescent readers would notice. 4 of 5 stars.

Noah's Compass, by Anne Tyler. I have read many of her books and this is my least favorite. Forced to retire at 61, a schoolteacher tries to make sense of the life he has led. The review I read said this was humorous, I thought not. Just very sad and pathetic at how someone can live so unconsciously until 61 and then wonder how to fix it. 3 of 5 stars.

I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer, by Emily Watts. Humorous look at ways to exercise our bodies and spirits to get the most out of our lives. Accepting the craziness of life and being a better person in spite of it. 5 of 5 stars.

The Good Soldier, by Ford Madox Ford. Story about 2 couples who spend 9 seasons socializing together in parts of England and Italy, showing forth a good impression to outsiders. Within each of them, and within each couple much drama is going on to the sad finale. These are four pathetic self delusional people. 2 of 5 stars.

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler. Very smutty, sometimes funny, mostly uncomfortable read. I know some of this is just exaggerated or made up but it was mostly sad. Won't read any other of her books. Worse than her TV show. 1 of 5 stars.

Philly Stakes, by Gillian Roberts. one of a series of books about an English teacher at a private school and her cop boyfriend solving crimes that seems to come into her life regularly. The books are fun and entertaining but how many murders can come into a teacher's life before she starts getting worried and moves to another town? Amanda is a delightful character with a fun way about her. I like the series but it isn't great detective writing since I usually figure out who the guilty party is before she does. 4 of 5 stars.

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. Amazing and true story of running Olympic participant, Louie Zamperini's life story. Deals mainly with his time as a Japanese POW and how he survives not only his time in the POW camps but the difficulty he faced after the war with trying to get his life back on track. Hillenbrand is an amazing researcher and story teller. Although I don't like war stories, fact or fiction, this book had me entranced. 5 0f 5 stars.

Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters. Although written in the 1970s the book takes place in the 1880s mostly in Egypt (with a little in Italy). A spinster in her early 30s embarks on an adventure to Egypt after the death of her father. Before getting there she rescues a young woman who has been abandoned by her fiance in Italy. Together they journey to take a trip up the Nile to see the sights. They get diverted by their interest in an archeological dig and much mystery and danger come their way. 4 of 5 stars.

The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. Very interesting, non religious telling of the possible story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah in Genesis. It tells the story starting with the meeting of Jacob and Rachael through their deaths, as well as that of Dinah. Dinah's life is hard as she overcomes a tragedy brought on by her older, selfish brothers. So little is told of women in the Bible, since they were thought so little of, that the imaginings of their lives and personalities is fascinating. 4 of 5 stars.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer. The effect 9/11 has had for several years on a mother and son after the husband/father dies in one of the towers. Very perceptive and thought provoking but also tender in the way the mother handles the tragedy's effect on her son. Interesting how smart the son is in tracking the meaning of a key he found in the dad's closet. But I was most interested in the story of the Grandmother and grandfather and how a different tragedy tore their lives apart. 4 of 5 stars.

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, by Gale Sears. What life was like in mainland China from 1949 - 1976 is told in letters from a mother to her 15 year old daughter, who was smuggled into Hong Kong at the age of 5. She is sent to live with her great-uncle, one of the first converts to the LDS church in Hong Kong. Touching but not overly maudlin and very light on the religious history. 4 of 5 stars.

The Bibliophile's Devotional, by Hallie Ephron. A great book for me to start the year reading. 365 summaries of what the author thinks are the books everyone should read at least once. I have read about a third of them and I don't agree with all her recommendations but I loved reading the summaries and now have a list of books to read or reread when I don't know what to read next. It was really fun to read all the summaries. 5 of 5 stars.

Dark Divine, by Bree Despain. Interesting young adult novel about a secret young Grace doesn't find out about until she is seventeen, which then changes her life. I didn't know it was young adult when I added it to my Kindle but it was interesting and a quick read. 3 of 5 stars.

V is for Vengeance, by Sue Grafton. Love this series and this book is one of the best of the series. Organized shoplifting, organized crime, gambling, and cheating husbands converge in a twisting and turning murder mystery. This book does not disappoint and I love it when I can't figure out how everyone connects. 5 of 5 stars.

7 Tipping Points that Saved the World, by Chris and Ted Stewart. Good book that explains a great deal of history that I never knew or understood. From 701 BC to 1939 the 7 events that the authors feel turned the tide of history toward the freedom so few countries enjoy today. It is amazing how brutal the world has been for so long for so many. 5 of 5 stars.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Reread this book after seeing the movie, now want to rewatch the movie. About how many white women in Mississippi during the sixties treated their black help. Wonderful book similar to the impact of To Kill a Mockingbird. 5 of 5 stars.

The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova. Psychiatrist tries to help a painter who is arrested trying to attack a painting. The story intermingles the story of the modern painter, psychiatrist, and the artist of the painting from the 1800s. A mystery and a love story intriguingly told. 4 of 5 stars.

Thoughts of a Grasshopper, by Louise Plummer. Collection of essays on variety of life's topics with LDS point of view without gagging you with sugar and unrealistic expectations. I enjoy the author's style and have read several of her fiction pieces also. One tidbit: "Sometimes living in a family means suffering." I hope to be able to find a copy to buy. 5 of 5 stars.

Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Wonderful story about a brilliant woman who gets early-onset Alzheimer's and told from her point of view. The author has a Ph.D in neurosience and very knowledgeable in this field. This is a sad and tragic story but one we all need to know about since we are living longer the chances of getting regular Alzheimer's is high. The symptoms are the same just the age and speed of progression is different. 5 of 5 stars.

Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen. Second novel by this highly acclaimed author. However, I am not intellectual enough to appreciate his writing. I wasn't fond of his first and not of this one. I thought the characters were annoying, although true to life. I don't want to know this much about unhappy people. It follows the long unhappy (?) marriage of a couple into their 50s. The husband is helplessly in love with his wife most of the time, but she is never sure of her feelings until into her 50s. They were tiresome people but that may be because they are so realistic. I'm not pedantic enough for his writing. 3 out of 5 stars.

Rescue, by Anita Shreve. I think this is the 9th or 10th book of hers that I have read. Great story teller, although not a "great" author. I like her take on what could be an ordinary story but she looks at it in an interesting way. This one is about an EMT who helps to rescue a drunk driver in an accident and how they come together. Not my favorite of her books but interesting. 31/2 of 5 stars.

Laughed 'til He Died, by Carolyn Hart. This is one of the series called Death on Demand. Death on Demand is the name of a bookstore in a vacation community on a South Carolina island. It's owners are wealthy and attractive and everyone likes them and they solve murders. The writing is mediocre as is the plot and the solving of the murders. Characters are explained more than shown. I won't be reading more of this series. 3 0f 5 stars.

Indemnity Only, by Sara Paretsky. This first of the V. I. Warshawski novel reissued this year. I can see why this series is popular. I liked this complicated case of murder and it was not easily figured out "who done it" and why. I will read more of this series, but I can also see how this could be improved as Sara as an author honed her craft. 4 of 5 stars.

Birds of a Feather, by Jacqueline Winspear. Reread this book that I read last year. Don't know where I got it last year but it was the abridged book and this was not. This one did not have all the errors in it and had more info, therefore, much more enjoyable to read and a good follow up to the first book which had so much background info in it. 4 of 5 stars.

1776, by David McCullough. This was a read for Independence Day 2011. I have been meaning to read it for 3 years and finally got around to it. Every adult should read it to know what a difficult time it was for the colonies to first declare independence (on July 2, 1776) and then to achieve it. It also took a long time until we were granted independence and the war with England ended. Then perhaps we would be more understanding about those countries we help win their independence. We did not fight alone; we too, had help from other countries helping us fight England. McCullough writes for the average reader to understand and not just history buffs. It is easy to read and understand. 5 of 5 stars.

The Double Comfort Safari Club, by Alexander McCall Smith. The 11th book in my favorite series. Mma Ramotswe solves the problems that are presented to her in a gentle, humane way. She remembers the things she has learned. "Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can do to bring others such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself." 5 of 5 stars

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. A great classic that I had never read completely. Not the typical novel as it doesn't have a plot but a great coming of age story. I had thought it was a teen read but it is definitely written for the adult reader. It was originally written as a memoir but changed to a novel. The men are not in general portrayed at strong but the women are so interesting. I loved Francie's mother, Katie, she was a great role model. The friendship and support between brother and sister was amazing. Francie and her family grow from extreme poverty to a very comfortable living situation but her observations of people and places is spot on. 5 of 5 stars

Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. 1st book in the series. Takes place in England just after WWI, but written about 9 years ago. Very good mystery and background story to set up the series. Maisie is a determined independent young woman who has been mentored by caring people to be able to step out of her class enough to be independent. Women were like possessions and she had few opportunities in that time in England, but with her intelligence and mentors she overcomes many obstacles. 4 0f 5 stars

Strong Poison, by Dorothy L. Sayers. British mystery written in the 30s. Interesting, amusing but dated mystery writing. I found it interesting that the main female was okay with living with a man but wanted nothing to do with marriage - and this in the 30s not 90s. 3 of 5 stars

I Still Dream About You, Fannie Flagg. A delightful novel about "older" ladies, one in particular. Maggie is not happy with the way her life as gone since becoming an adult and comes up with a plan to solve her unhappiness but something keeps interferring with her perfect plan. "[The novel] is equal parts southern charm, murder mystery, and that perfect combination of comedy and old-fashioned wisdom...." 4 of 5 stars

Leaving Home, by Jodi Picoult. Short stories by an excellent story teller. 5 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson. Very good conclusion to the series. Lisbeth fights for her life on multiple levels and her "friends" fight for her to prove her innocence and expose corruption in the government of Sweden. 4 of 5 stars

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman. Totally charming and moving story of a young girl who is moved from a sadly deplorable life into the southern comfort of her great aunt's home, and how this changes not only her life but who she thinks she is. Great first novel by Hoffman. 5 of 5 stars

The Christmas Gift, by R. William Bennett. A quick entertaining Christmas story that is sentimental but not excessively sugary. It is a lesson we could all do with a reminder to remember more often that things are not always what they seem. 3 of 5 stars.

The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. Three good books that you must read together to get to the end. I really enjoyed reading them but didn't think the girl was really 17-18. She just didn't think or behave like one so I had to give her the benefit of the doubt that her society would make her more mature. She seemed more like a woman in her mid twenties to me, as did the men who loved her. But a fun read and good discussion books. I would not recommend to any of my junior high kids, just high school. 4 of 5 stars

Follow the River, by James Alexander Thom. This was a reread for my book club. The novel is based on a real woman and her escape from an Indian tribe who captured her and her two children, after killing her mother and others in their small settlement. She walks over 800 miles in early winter with only a blanket and another old woman who escaped with her. It is really an amazing story and highly recommended reading. 5 of 5 stars.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. Delightful romance about an English widower in his late 60s and a Pakistani widow woman in her late 50s. The English sense of humor took a while for me to understand but when I did I had to go back and reread some to see what I had missed. A charming and happy read. 4 of 5 stars.

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson. Bill and a friend of his decide to walk most of the 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way he gives the reader an amusing look at the trials they endure and an interesting look at the history, as well as editorial comments on the history and events of his journey. He is a funny writer of the things he observes and writes about. 4 of 5 stars.

The Silence of God, by Gale Sears. An historical novel about the first LDS family in Russia. It takes place during the Russian Civil War when the soviets were taking over and not letting people use churches. Gale is a neighbor and has written other books but this is my favorite. It has enough notes so that I understood the politics of what was going on in Russia during this time. 4 of 5 stars.

Smart Women, by Judy Blume. Yes, that Judy Blume - but this is for adult women not young girls. Interesting story but she is definitely a youth writer. The writing is not very sophisticated (? I think that is the word I want to use.) but the story does ring true for many of the situations. I read it many years ago and just reread it - I will now give it away. 2 0f 5 stars.

Fly Away Home, by Jennifer Weiner. Senator's wife takes off for her childhood vacation home when she finds her husband has cheated on her. While there she evaluates her life, her husband's and daughters'. The three women go through major trials and meet at the oceanside home to reassess their lives. Nothing profound but Weiner is a good story teller though I missed the humor from her other books I have read. 3 of 5 stars.

becoming Kate, by Dixie Owens. Very clever plot idea. A young girl is given a brain transplant from a young mother who died in a car accident. Stirs some very interesting questions. I think the story moved a bit too fast and there were many other problems that could have been hashed out but on the whole it was a great quick read. 3 1/2 stars of 5

Last Night in Twisted River, by John Irving. Covers life of young man 12 years old into his 60s and how he deals with major events and losses during that 5 decade span to the present time. We don't have always have a choice on who comes into and out of our life; we only have a choice on how we deal with them in a positive or negative way to the benefit or detriment of our life and memories. 4 of 5 stars.

A Nun in the Closet, by Dorothy Gilman. I read this for our book club selection. A short, quick mystery read. It is rather dated in many references but that adds a bit of charm. 3 of 5 stars.

The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larsson. This is the 2nd of a trilogy. (see below) A good mystery but the author tells too much back story for each and every one of his characters. He could have easily knocked off 150 pages of this book. Liked the story but he goes into way too much detail. 4 of 5 stars

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. This is the 50th year since publication and having read it in the 60s decided it was a great time to reread. It is more impressive now to read than it was when I was a teenager from the far north. It seems more real now, especially with the way people are acting over the illegal immigrant problem. So many of us do not learn from the past or even from the religion we profess to believe in. Maybe this should be required reading for adults rather than teens. This is in the top 5 of books I have read. 5 of 5 stars.

Birds of a Feather, Jacqueline Winspear. A mystery in 1929 London written in 2004 (?). The second in a series of Maisie Dobbs mysteries. Good story but the proof reading was annoying, more errors than I have found in any other books. 4 of 5 stars

Remembering Isaac, by Ben Behunin. An interesting Christian novel. A potter is hired to take over from an old potter who has died with interesting conditions attached. He learns some stories and "lessons" from those in the town who stop by to share a cup of tea and their story. 4 of 5 stars

The Constant Gardener, by John Le Carre. Le Carre is the intellectual mystery writer. The plot is complicated and the words are sophisticated and the story is heart breaking. Not a quick summer read but an excellent mystery. I would say he is the mystery writers' mystery writer. Now I am off to rent the movie, also. 5 of 5 stars

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich. Reread this book for the third time. One of the best written examples of what it is like to grow older. Each young person has hopes and dreams for the future that often do not come to fruition because of various circumstances. The next generation does not understand their parents and their choices because they don't seem to know the right questions to ask but family and love holds us all together. 5 of 5 stars

The Book of Awesome, by Neil Pasricha. Have been reading a few pages a day since receiving this for Mother's Day. Just delightful! Even went so far as to mark the pages I totally agreed with, LOL. Then I went to his blog so I could even read more now that I am done with the book. Helps make a positive outlook.
4 of 5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. It took me 100 pages to realllly get into this and then I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 4 in the morning trying to finish. Almost 600 pages but a real page turner with 2 mysteries (maybe 3) going on. Excited to get to the next in the series of 3.
4 of 5 stars

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, A Memoir, Laugh out loud funny remembrance of growing up in Iowa in the 50s. It did bring back the memories of growing up in Minnesota also during that time. Have read this twice (I really needed a good laugh) in the last few years and will go get another book of his soon.
5 of 5 stars

Look Again, by Lisa Scottoline. Good very quick read about an mother who adopts her son and then a few years later learns he had been kidnapped as a baby. I would have preferred a different ending but since Scottoline is a mystery writer the ending fit with her genre.
4 of 5 stars

The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young. Not impressed. Nothing new or novel in the book I didn't already think about. I don't get what all the hoopla was about that I was hearing on this book unless it is from people to whom belief in God is new.
3 of 5 stars

The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating book on the psycho/sociological reasons on what starts epidemics of ideas, fashion, products, crime, etc. Written so very easy to read and understand. Great follow up to his book Blink which was also great.
5 of 5 stars

Can't Wait to get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg. Fun book about an old lady who dies and comes back to life for another year before dying again. The lives she has influenced and the far reaching effects of her kind deeds are gradually revealed. I even made the "heavenly" cake recipe that was included. Have now read this twice in the last couple of years and even baked her cake for my book group.
5 of 5 stars.

Good Hope Road, by Lisa Wingate. Great read about a young woman and an old woman brought together by a tragedy and how they both change and grow to become better people and help those around them. Positive, inspiring story without being sappy. 4 of 5 stars.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, by Alexander McCall Smith. Love this series and this book is no exception. Precious is aptly named as a character - I love her! 5 of 5 for adults.

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave is quick read but sad read about how countries and individuals treat immigrants without concern about the individual situations involved with their immigration. It made me sad. 4 of 5 stars.

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale is great for the 8-18 but not for me. I totally would have recommended this when I was teaching to the young girls but I can't believe the reading group of over 40 women wanted to read this. I felt it was a waste of time so I listened to it on CD while quilting. 3 of 5 for adult women and 5 of 5 for teens.

Silverthreads89

Monday, August 15, 2011

Third Down, Two to Go

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