My Thoughts on Some Recent Reads

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Absolutely loved it.  A memoir about food, about connection, about life.  I told a friend about it, she finished it before I did, and gifted it to me on my birthday.  So very happy to own this lovely book.

A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick

This one was so hard for me to get through!  I started reading it in April and I think that is one of the reasons I had such a hard time getting through my fiction books on my book list this year.  It sounded good, a historical fiction about a woman who settled in Oregon with her husband.  It was just so depressing, she was so flawed and seemed to wallow in her weaknesses.  It never really resolved itself.  I finally did get through it.

One Bite At a Time by Tsh Oxenrieder

This is a ebook that I’m reading that I thought I would share here.  It is a book written by the creator of the blog The Art of Simple.  It breaks down simplifying your home into manageable weekly task.  My plan is to work through this book this year to help me work through one of my 2014 goals of simplifying my home.

The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

This was an interesting read.  A fictitious story about the afterlife, of heaven and hell.  As always, C. S. Lewis made me think of life, attitude, and choices in a new a different way.  I enjoyed reading this.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I love this book.  It is the story of a poor German girl in Nazi Germany, told from death’s point of view.  I had read reviews.  Some loved it, some hated it.  Those that didn’t like it thought it was too depressing, they complained that the ending was too sad.  I was reading and preparing myself for the worse.  I thought the ending, though sad, was also hopeful. 
 
Mr. Penumbra’s Bookstore 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

This book, easy enough to read, the story moved along, but not very interesting.  It is about a man who starts working at a Bookstore and discovers a secret society.

Getting The Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald 

This was a fun read.  I ended up getting it on CD and listening to it read by Molly Ringwald.  She talks about staying fit and taking care of ourselves after kids and as we get older. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling

I started watching the Mindy Project and decided to get her book.  It was a fun read about her life and her experience. 

Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

This was a really fun read.  As I was reading it, I thought it would be a fun one to read to the kids, but I didn’t want to give them any ideas of the crazy, mischievous things they could do.  The story is nothing like the movie, which I also loved.  I wanted to be more like this father, so involved with all of his kids, always providing opportunities to learn more and experience amazing things.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

This was a delightful read.  One that I will have to revisit as I get older.  She talks about finding herself as she gets older, as her two boys leave her home.  Beautiful to read.

Get Lucky by Katherine Center

A fun summer read.  A woman who is trying to discover herself decides to be a surrogate mother for her sisters babies.  I enjoyed it.