Last 5 books - August 2013 edition

Yup, you counted correctly. My last 5 books list has 6 books. I was on vacation and read these 6 in the last 2 weeks. I love vacation!

After trudging through a book as long as "A Prayer for Owen Meany", I was looking for some quick, non-fiction reads. Thus, "Naked" by David Sedaris, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me" by Mindy Kaling and "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed. This is the second Sedaris book and besides enjoying the Raleigh setting of his childhood (my undergraduate college town), I love the humor in his stories. Since the Office is my favorite show ever, I was excited to read something by the illustrious Kelly Kapoor. She did not disappoint in this story from childhood to Hollywood career - I laughed out loud multiple times. 

"Wild" was not what I was expected - having received a recommendation for this book from some older friends at a Bible study. Since this tells the story of Cheryl's hike along the Pacific Crest trail from the Mojave desert to the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia river, I was expecting redemptive human discovery. I was surprised by the one night stands, hippie values, and heroin use. Not a bad story - just not what I thought I was in for. Since the last part took place in Oregon, I read it on the flight back from my vacation. A good transition.

I had also packed in some southern beachy reads - because I was vacationing by a pool in South Carolina. That lead me to "South of Broad" by Pat Conroy  set in coastal Charleston, SC and "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks set in Southport, NC. I love everything I have read by Conroy and have already added "Beach Music" to my "TO READ" list. I know people think Nicholas Sparks is a bit predictable, but I always get lost in his characters. 

I cannot explain why I chose "Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs other than I have been wanting to read it for months. I would have waited had I known the sequel wasn't coming out until January.  This book was all fiction and fantasy and, a surprisingly quick read about (not) dead peculiar children from WWII. 

Next 5 books up:

1. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
2. Quiet by Susan Cain
3. Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo
4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Last five books I have read - July 2013 edition

I was thinking I would talk about what I have read in July - but work has been so busy and 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is such a hefty book, that I only read two books this month. So I am dipping into June so I can talk about the last 5 books I read.

Speak (Laurie Halse Anderson), Maisie Dobbs (Jacqueline Winspear), Firefly Lane (Kristen Hannah),

A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving), and Summer Rental (Mary Kay Andrews)

These are diverse books.

'Speak' is "a young adult novel that tells the story of Melinda Sordino's rape, recovery, and confession" and was a fairly intense little book. I liked Anderson's style of writing and have already added another one of her books to my "to read" list. 

'Maisie Dobbs' is a mystery set in Post WWI England. Think Sherlock Holmes, but female and in a later time period. It was a fun, quick read and is the first in the series. There may be more of Miss Dobbs in my future.

'Firefly Lane' was about a friendship between Tully and Kate that spans 3 decades and, I am almost sure the story will move you to tears. This is not earth-shattering literature, but is a friendship story set in the pacific northwest that has a summer time feel which made it a great read for me personally.

'A Prayer for Owen Meany' was my book club's selection. I loved John Irving's 'The Cider House Rules' so I was excited to read another one of his works. 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is a BIG book (my paperback was a whopping 640 pages) and explores the heavy themes of faith and fate while making you laugh at the ridiculous adventures of John Wheelwright and his friend Owen. Irving has a way of infusing wit and humor into even the darkest of topics. Despite that fact that it took almost all of July for me to get through this book, it was a good read.

'Summer Rental' was a departure. It was June and, like the characters in the book, I was away from work (on a plane to a conference back east).It felt right to read about people on a summer vacation. It was your typical summer beach read: girl meets boy, plot thickens with complicated mystery friend, drama ensues. I can't say much for the story except that it made the 5 hour flight go quicker.

Next up: 

'Naked' by David Sedaris

'Safe Haven' by Nicholas Sparks

'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs

'South of Broad' by Pat Conroy

'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?' by Mindy Kaling

What I have been reading lately?

I read quite a bit. So, when thinking about the blog it only makes sense to recap a few of my favorite recent reads.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I didn't read this book; I consumed it. I sat down on a Friday evening and didn't get up until I had finished the story of Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters - and their cancers. Yup, it is a story of children and cancer. But, man-alive, is it a story. I love Jenny Larson (AKA the Bloggess) and I read this post she wrote before I read the book. I should have taken it as a warning! You should, too. It is a good story. I was a sobbing heap.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

This book touched two places in my heart. This is a story about a foster kid and it is seamed through with horticultural references. The subtitle I have seen on some copies of this book is "anyone can grow into something beautiful". It is a truthful story of growth in a realistic, flawed character. I have already recommended it to friends.

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

This might be my new favorite. This book is technically young adult literature, but deals with some heady topics with religious undertones. The snipet on Amazon says "Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been controversially charged with murder. Their journey is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers, and its remarkable conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates." Again, I have loaned my copy out twice already.

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton 

This is a contemporary romance the story of Caroline. She is an interior designer who hasn't had a fella in quite a while. Her noisy neighbor moves in next door and she nicknames him "Wallbanger" (I bet you don't even need your imagination here). Granted, not my typical read. I might would recommend this one for when you are sitting on a sunny beach. For me, it was pure escapism.

If you want to know what I am reading or what I have been reading, check out the Reading Page.

Book Club

Recently my book club read The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog and other Stories From A Child Psychiatrist's Notebook by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz.

This fascinating 2006 non-fiction publication is written by Bruce Perry, an MD and PhD. The book uses case studies of child trauma, neglect, and/or abuse to discover how children are impacted in these situations and how the mind recovers from these situations. The cases include a genocide survivor, a witness to a parent's brutal murder, children raised in closets and cages, the Branch Davidian children, and victims of violent families.

The most moving story for me was about a child who was left at home all day as an infant. The parents had hired a babysitter who, unbeknownst to them, took another job, but didn't want to stop getting paid to babysit. She would show up in the morning, feed and change the baby, put it in the crib and leave for another job only stopping by during her lunch break to feed and change the baby again. She would always make it back to the house before the parents came home. Not surprisingly, the child began to show signs of "failure to thrive." The parents only found out when the mother took an unexpected sick day and came home to find her child all alone. This had gone on for 18 months before the neglect was discovered.

Our discussion was rich, but partly because the content was so connected to the members of my group. We had a former child services worker who studied child development. I have family adopted out of the foster care system. And, two-thirds of the book club group also volunteers with a foster care ministry here in the Willamette Valley.

Our next read is: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. The only other Hemingway I have ever read is "Old Man and the Sea" which I hated (granted it was 9th grade). I am not sure it is a good idea to dive into 400 plus pages of more Hemingway. However, at the rate spring term is going, I am not sure I will find time to read this one anyway.

So, what do you think? Have you read For Whom The Bell Tolls? Are you a Hemingway lover? Are you interested in reading The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog?

Books Books and More Books

I love books.
I love to be around books.
This list looks like 30 vacations I would want to take.

So, I was delighted to find that living in Corvallis brings me near a few very good places to find cheap books. Of course, I already talked about Powell's when I visited there during Spring Break 2011. You cannot beat Powell's for selection but I can beat them on price.

There is a book sale at the Philomath Rodeo grounds in the fall and there is yesterday's sale at the Benton County Fairgrounds. As a "Friend of the Library" I got to enter at 4 when the public cannot enter until 6. I came home with 14 new books in about an hour and for under $30. Becoming a Friend is only $10 and helps support the local library. Yes, please!

This is my second time going to one of these and here are a few tips: 1) You have to come with a list. 2) Bring something to haul your load. Some people bring boxes or dolly carts. This time I borrowed a reusable shopping bag from my friend who drove! Arrive early for the best selection but know that by the end they are almost free. We went to the special opening yesterday and paperbacks were $2. By Sunday, you can fill an entire box and whatever fits is $5. Check out my reading list for the items that were bought for the "TO READ" shelf.

I am getting in some good practice before the sale in Eugene in April. It is a bit larger.

Besides book sales, I visit St.Vinnie's in Albany for their used book selection. This is a Thrift Store that is connected with Catholic ministries. The fact that it is categorized by author and subject, and that books are only $2 means that I can go with a list and find what I want. And, the money goes to charity.

I think I need to go buy another book shelf!