I need book suggestions. Please help.

I’m needing some suggestions on what to read. I’m looking around my house at my bookshelves and am realizing that I don’t feel like reading any of those books yet. I am currently in the process of reading two books 1) Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman by Phyliss Chesler and 2) Off the Record by Elizabeth White.

My tastes in books are rather unusual…I tend to read just about anything as long as it keeps my interest. I usually read the classics, with some chick-lit when I don’t want to think. I also tend to read non-fiction on whatever subject strikes my fancy at the time or if I’m doing research on whatever topic is of interest at the time. Lately I have been reading Christian Fiction and blogging about it. I like to read young adult and children’s books also.

So anyway I was wondering what you, my readers, have to suggest for me to read. I’m running out of books and need help. Let me rephrase that…I’m running out of books that I feel like reading at the moment and need help. I don’t think I will ever run out of books because I keep buying more and haven’t read all that I already own.

So dear, dear readers…help me. Help me find some books to read. All suggestions are most welcome.

Also don’t forget about my book giveaway that ends Friday at midnight, October 12. I am giving away a copy of Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee. You can read about the author and the first chapter of Demon on my Feature Authors page. Saturday morning I will randomly draw a winner. This contest is open to those with a U.S. address only.

Today

Today has been an interesting day. Since hub and I have been running fevers we stayed home from church today. It has been nice. I had forgotten how relaxing the weekend can be. Hub took a nap this morning while I played Hide-N-Seek with the kiddos.

Hide-N-Seek was fun considering there really isn’t anyplace to hide in our house. Hiding consists of putting a blanket over you and hoping nobody notices you. We don’t play for the hiding aspect of it; we play for the fun. I mean really…we once played Hide-N-Seek in the car while waiting in line at McDonald’s drive-thru…where can you hide in a 5 passenger sedan…you can’t.

This afternoon I took a nap. I wanted one but had no intentions of taking one but my body has a will of it’s own and overruled my brain. After my nap I took a bubble bath and started reading Off the Record by Elizabeth White.

While I was napping the kiddos were playing games on the computer and I’m not sure what hub was doing. I know at one point he was playing Pokemon with the kiddos.

So yes, today has been a day of rest and relaxation and I’m praying we are feeling better tomorrow.

I have Demon: A Memoir to Giveaway! I have Demon: A Memoir to Giveaway!

I have a copy of Demon! I have a copy of Demon! I have a copy of Demon! Nana-nana-booboo! I have a copy of Demon!

Oh yeah…right…I’m not supposed to brag and rub it in. My mom did teach me manners…I just choose to not use them most of the time.

Where was I? Oh…right…I have a copy of Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee…and you could too! Yes, you read that right! You could have your own copy of Demon just by leaving me a comment. This giveaway is open to those with a U.S. mailing address only. This giveaway ends Friday, October 12. On Saturday I will randomly choose a winner.

Then the winner and I will have Demon! The winner and I will have Demon! The winner and I will have Demon!

(It’s a good thing my mom doesn’t know how to work a computer!)

**To read the first chapter in Demon: A Memoir visit my Feature Authors page.

October’s Feature Author

Don’t forget to check out my Feature Authors Page. This month’s feature author is Tosca Lee author of Demon: A Memoir. On this page you will be able to read the first chapter of her book. If you’ve been reading my blog you will know that I absolutely loved this book. This is my review of Demon.

As a member of the FIRST blog alliance I post the first chapter of the author’s latest book on the first day of the month. Another perk is I have been able to read and review the books! I love my life! If you are interested in joining click on the FIRST button in my blogroll.

Books I’m Reading and Wanting to Read

I am currently reading two books and working on more. The first is Scoop (The Occupational Hazards Series #1) by Rene Gutteridge. I’m about a 1/3 of the way through and have actually laughed a couple of times. That is a good thing because I tend to be too serious.

The second book is Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson. Hollywood arrived in the mail today and I was so excited I had to start reading it. I am loving it so far! Lisa Samson and this book will be on my feature author page in November so I’m happy to be reading it. Don’t worry, I’ll have a book review before then.

I am waiting for Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman by Phylis Chesler. A friend of mine is reading this book and kept talking about how excellent it is so her, another friend and I will be reading it together and then discussing it. It should be interesting. Our next book to read will be The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. That book will bring some interesting discussion. I have been wanting to read Mystique for several years. I tried reading it when my youngest was a baby but kept falling asleep due to the fact I had a baby and was getting no sleep. Now that kiddos are a little older my interest has been awakened. (Ha. Ha.)

Let’s see…I don’t see any other books in my immediate future. I do want to read Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1) at some point in time. I checked it out from the library a few weeks ago but didn’t get around to reading it.

Oh! I know what I want to read! Best Friends kiddo is reading the Dear America books. One of the books K has read is My America: Our Strange New Land, Elizabeth’s Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One (My America). K enjoyed it so much that I wanted to read it also. I love finding someone who loves to read as much as I do especially someone as young as K.

I am all about reading. I am starting to see my kiddos start to enjoy reading. They love reading the Bone graphic novels. So does R (Best Friends kiddo). When R is over at our house, it is not unusual to see them sitting around reading Bone. (This is of course after they have all gotten hurt or in trouble and have to settle down). Anyway, back to books and reading.

I love to read. If I do not have a book started and another planned I don’t know how to act. I start to get panicky and start looking for something to read. It’s like the world is falling apart. Books and reading are a part of me. Books are my passion. I don’t think I can go a day without reading…as a matter of fact, I will schedule it into my day if I have to. That is how important reading is to me.

I am always looking for new reading material so feel free to leave suggestions.

Demon: A Memoir Book Review

Much to Best Friend’s happiness I have finished Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee so she can now read it…only hubby has picked up the book and is now reading it. Since he’s my husband, he gets to read it before her. Oh well.

From the back cover:

Recently divorced and mired in a meaningless existence, Clay drifts from his drab apartment to his equally lusterless job as an editor for a small Boston press–until the night Lucian finds him and everything changes with the simple words, “I’m going to tell you my story, and you’re going to write it down and publish it.”

What begins as a mystery soon spirals into chaotic obsession as Clay struggles to piece together Lucian’s dark tale of love, ambition, and grace–only to discover that the demon’s story has become his own.

And then only one thing matters: learning how the story ends.

My thoughts:

This book had me from the beginning. I read about the book on Camy Tang’s blog. She featured the book and an interview with the author on her blog and I knew I had to read it. Actually, I was scared to read the book because I’m a chicken when it comes to anything that might be suspense. I have to say again, this book had me from the beginning. It was very hard to put down. It made me think and stretch my imagination. It made me rethink everything I thought I knew about angels and demons and ultimately God. The images I had in my head based on her words are unbelievable…remarkable.

The images…scenes…wow! My mind is still reeling. I am still digesting the fall of the angels. Creation was one of my all time favorites…I think that is when I started underlining. I love the way the author, Tosca Lee, was able to use mere words to create paintings in my mind. There were several times during Lucian and Clay’s conversations that I would have to pause and reread what was written so that I could think it about it some more. I would go to bed at night thinking about Demon and wake up in the morning still trying to dissect it.

Lucian’s tale not only became a part of Clay but ultimately a part of me. I am still pondering this tale and am very glad to have read it. This book is not for those who will not stretch their minds. Sadly, I know a few people like that. This book is for everyone who will read it as a work of fiction based on the Bible. To see God’s plan of salvation through the eyes of a demon is amazing. I challenge everyone to read this book. Hopefully, you will be deeply affected by it like I was.

Sushi for One? Book Review

I have finally gotten my hands on Camy Tang’s book Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1). Everyone… I asked my library to order this book because I thought others would also enjoy it. I was ecstatic when I found out they ordered it and kept it for me so I could be the first to read it!

From the back cover:
Lex Sakai’s family is big, nosy, and marriage-minded. When her cousin Mariko is gets married, Lex will become the oldest single female cousin in the clan.

Lex has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the perfect man. But the one man she keeps running into doesn’t seem to have a single quality on her list. It’s only when the always-in-control Lex starts to let God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

My thoughts:

I loved this book. I was actually sad when it ended. I mean I read the final sentence and was sad that I wouldn’t be able to look into these characters lives any more. I was totally immersed in what was going on with them that to end it is ending a part of me. That’s how much I was drawn into the book. While I was formulating my review in my head I was reminded of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Classics). Not that Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1) was similar to Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Classics) but because I had the same feeling when it ended. These were characters I had fallen in love with and wanted to see more into their lives.

The back cover blurb does not give Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1) enough credit. This book is so much deeper than that. Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1) is not just a cute, light read. It may be chick-lit but it’s chick-lit with power. Camy Tang dealt with some deep truths in what it means to be a Christian. There are Christians by name and then there are Christians who actually try to live the way Jesus taught. We are not perfect. Lex was definitely not perfect yet she strived to live what she believed. She didn’t settle for anything even when she was desperate.

Camy Tang’s first novel is a must read and I can hardly wait until her next novel, Only Uni (Sushi Series), comes out in February 2008.

Learning

I am constantly learning. It is my goal to find something in my day that I can learn from. It can be keeping a good attitude when my day doesn’t go as planned or it can be through something I have read.

I learn from life. Mostly, I learn from it’s tedious interruptions. I have observed that my attitude and how I look at situations is what makes a learning moment. For example, I can yell at the guy who just pulled out in front of me in traffic causing me to hit the brakes so that I don’t hit him. Or, I can also quietly be upset and realize I too have pulled out in front of someone thinking I had more time than I did or I didn’t see the other car. It’s not about me. I don’t own the roads and I can’t control what others are doing.

I learn from my children. They make me slow down. I have to enjoy them and their eccentrics or otherwise life is too difficult. I have fun through them. They make me be social. They make me come out of myself. Again, it’s not about me.

I learn from books. Aaaahhh, books. My passion is books. I have always loved reading. What I love about reading is what I can learn. I can go anywhere in books and learn about anything from books. I have to make myself learn from life and my children…with books, I can learn anything at any time.

Books are my life. Books are a part of me. I have always learned from books. It’s how I learn about other cultures, history, people’s lives, character traits, and so much more. From the reading of books, I am then able to pass what I have learned to my children. And pray that in turn, they are also picking up a love of learning from reading.

I want to pass a love of learning on to my children. I want them to see that if for a moment we pull out of our shells of selfishness, there are many opportunities for learning. There is so much we can learn if we will just take the moment to look for it.

Is it always easy? No, sometimes our most opportune learning comes through our mistakes or the mistakes of others. That’s one of the reasons I love reading so much. It allows me to observe others and their reactions without having to live it myself.

This post was written for Scribbit’s September Write-Away Contest.

Productive Saturday and Other Ramblings with a Book Mentioned Also

Today has been a very productive Saturday. This is what I have accomplished…nothing. Absolutely nothing and I planned it that way. I take that back…I did go running this morning…but after that I did nothing.

Saturdays are my day of rest. The rest of the week is busy with children, school, household duties…everything. Sunday is church day and it doesn’t matter what you think…Sundays are not restful. Now, I enjoy my Sundays. I love going to church and corporately praising and worshiping God with my church family, however, it is not relaxing. Maybe it is more relaxing when you don’t have children to get ready for church, but I’m not there in my time of life. I am here. Sundays are not relaxing.

So my day of rest is Saturday. AAAAAHHHHH! It’s so nice and peaceful. It’s even more peaceful since the kiddos are at their grandparents and hub is asleep on the floor and dog is asleep in the kitchen. Such a rare moment of bliss. Heaven. So nice and quiet. Silence. I love it. It’s almost like taking a relaxing bubble bath…except I’m at the computer instead…although, in my head I am taking a hot, relaxing bubble bath and reading a book.

Speaking of which, the book I am reading now is Demon by Tosca Lee. Wow! I am loving this book. It is making me open my mind. For some reason, I have a view of what heaven, angels, demons, and whatnot should be…this book is challenging that. I know several people who will not open their minds to enjoy this work of fiction. That is sad because this book is truly wonderful. On the other hand, I have several friends who are patiently waiting for me to finish this so that they may read it and we can discuss it.

Enough about my musing of nothingness to do. Enough about my books. I am going to go back to nothing and enjoy every minute of it because eventually my kiddos will be home and my hub and dog will wake up.

Movies Based on Books

I should know better. Never watch a movie that is based on a book. It is always different and I usually hate it. The one exception is Sense and Sensibility (Penguin Classics).

In all honesty, I haven’t watched very many movies based on books. I get disgusted at the movie and disappointed with myself for thinking this one might be better.

I remember when Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition) was coming out and I wanted to watch it so bad. I hurried and finished the book so that I could watch it. (I have a rule that I have to have read the book before I watch the movie. That way I’m not influenced by someone else’s interpretation and I don’t picture their cast characters. I have my own picture in my head based on the author’s words.) Anyway, Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition) came out…and the story line was completely different! I still loved the movie for a movie, but it was nothing like the book.

I’m always afraid people will think they don’t need to read the book because they’ve seen the movie. AAAAGGGGHHHH! I want to hit them. Yes, I know hitting is wrong.

I would rather take the time to sit for hours reading a book than the instant gratification I would get from watching a movie. Don’t get me wrong, every once in awhile I enjoy watching a movie. Let’s say…once or twice a year. Actually, I have the desire more often, I just like silence and it’s hard to get silence with children and a husband. Especially, if your husband is an Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie fan and feels it’s his duty to ruin the movie experience for his wife. Although, that only happens if I pick out the movie.

Back to movies based on books. I recently finished reading Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Book 1). I enjoyed the book so much I thought I would watch the movie. AAAGGGHHH! Why did I do that?! I couldn’t even like the movie for a movie. I should have known better. I almost stopped the movie in the first 20 minutes but decided to finish it out. This is one movie I could not enjoy. I don’t know what happened. It wasn’t too different from the book. I don’t know…I think a lot of the emotion didn’t carry over from the book to the movie. I have a friend who thinks it did, but I didn’t see it. I have to say the book is definitely much better.

So, now you know. I don’t like movies based on books. Although, I do have a confession…If Sophie Kinsella’s book, Can You Keep a Secret?, is ever made into a movie I’ll be one of the first in line. I laughed all the way through that book and kept trying to figure out who I would cast as whom. That is one book I would love to see as a movie.