Book change for January

I decided to change my January book to Les Miserables. Partly on account of the movie coming out which I'm excited to see, and partly because it is probably one of my favorite books of all time. It's a book that should be read and re-read so even though I'm sure you've probably all read it at one time or another, I think it's time to read it again!

The Mansion

Good idea! Let's read The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke. Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

P.S. I am in the middle of Reached right now and it's addicting!

December Book

Since I know how the holidays can get really busy, I wanted to find a nice short Christmas story that we could all enjoy for the month of December. But I don't know what to choose! I am afraid I'll end up choosing something really cheesy or it will be innapropriate because books don't come with ratings like movies do! Over Thanksgiving break, I read Home for Christmas by Anita Stansfield hoping that it would be a good one for our book club. It was ok. Pretty cheesy. But an entertaining and quick read. Last year I read The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck but wasn't too impressed by that one either. So I am open to suggestions, does anyone out there know of a good Chrsitmas story that we can read???

Heaven is Here 2

This was such a good book! I just finished it yesterday (I was on the waiting list at the library forever) and I can't stop thinking about it. So inspiring. Thank you Bekah for choosing it!

This book taught me: that family is everything, about the joys of motherhood, that our bodies are so incredibly amazing and that we should never take ours for granted, that a foundation of faith is so so important when we are faced with trials in our lives, and that there truly is life after this one and that angels are on the other side of the veil assisting us here on earth. I could go on and on . . .

I would get teary-eyed just about every time I would pick up this book to read. Some moments in it were so tender and touching. I loved the part towards the end when she was reading Stuart Little to her children and they were all crowded around her on the couch.

Since reading this book, I think I've had a greater appreciation for my life and for my relationship with Tom. Nienie is so inspiring and I think is would be really cool to meet her someday.

Heaven is Here

I loved this book.  I read it in a day.  I have been following her blog for quite some time so I thought that it would be a lot of repeat but she opened up a lot more in the book than she does on her blog.

Some things I learned--Faith.  This woman has been through so much, but her faith is still strong.  Yes she still has hard days but she is so so so faithful.

Humor.  I loved her humor with the different stories about her courtship/marriage, and her family.

Family! All she wants to do is raise a righteous family.  And she's doing it.

I cried at the end, it was a beautiful message.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ps what is November's book?

Updating Our Book Shelf!

So, I don't know about any of you, but sometimes it's hard for me to choose a book for the month, so I've been thinking that we should update our list of books to read on the blog.

I think we should all find at least three books that we would want to read or might be interested in reading some day that we can put on our list of books to read, then, if we don't know what to pick for our month we can just select one off of the list.

We all know people that like to read, so I say we just ask around for reccommendations and then we can add them to our list.

What does everyone think about this?

November's Read

The book I've been reading is:

What to Expect While You're Expecting

Ender's Game

Okay, so I put this one off for a while, but for September I thought we could read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.  I hope you enjoy it!

Summer Break

So Kimberly and I were talking and we think it might be good to take a month off.  So no book in August.  And Lori do you want to take September?  Please let us know as soon as you choose a book let us know!

Love you guys!

Book for July

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is the book I chose for July because it is a very easy and fun read. I think it will remind us all of the little girls we once were and the dreams we had as children. This story reminds me a lot of the Anne of Green Gables series which are some of my absolute favorite books to read so even though you're busy in July I really encourage you to pick up and get lost in the beautiful and sometimes funny world of Rebecca's with me!

So i don't know how to change the reading list.  Sorry it's so late. For the month May will be

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles.

No guarantees, but it sounded good.

Austenland 2

Like Kimberly, I also finished reading Austenland. It was a really fun read! I think when the movie comes out we should make some girls night plans...

The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking about what it would be like to go to an 'Austenland' and act the part of a lady etc. It would make me feel so ridiculous! I think I even had a dream about it one night...but don't worry, I am not obsessed with Jane Austen stories.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading anyone else's comments. Oh,  Kimberly and Hannah, I will be back in June and I think it's my turn to do book club meeting so I will be in touch with you both!

Austenland

I just finished Austenland last night (it took me 3 days?) and thought I should write about it soon while I still have the motivation in me. Sorry I have neglected to post on the last few books, but I have been reading them! Hope you are all out there still participating too!

I had read Austenland years ago when Bekah introduced me to it, but reading it again made me realize how much I had forgotten. I had totally forgotten how it ended which made it that much more fun and exciting to read. I had also forgotten how funny this book is. I rarely laugh out loud when I am reading books but this one made me do it a few times. My favorite was the "rubbing your nose in the poop of my happiness" line. Where does she come up with these things? I like her candid writing style in this book, it's like reading someone's blog.

Anyways, it was a fun book. Not really much to discuss in depth, just an easy read to help pass the time and make you laugh. I think we all need a book like that once in awhile. Thanks Bekah.

Looking forward to seeing what the movie is like!

April Showers!!!

Hello friends.
I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to get on here and pick a book.  I chose a book that is a personal favorite of mine from one of my favorite authors.  Shannon Hale also wrote Princess Academy.

This book is fun, charming, and easy read.  I figure, it can be a little spring break for us all.   I wish I could attend the "meetings" you've been having but I'd like to hear what everyone's favorite parts of this book are.  I have several.

FYI...a movie has been made from this book.  I don't have a release date yet, but it'd be fun to see the movie together.

Book Club Gathering Numero 3

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, March 24th at 11 a.m. at my apartment! We will be discussing Angela's Ashes . . . and whatever else we feel like. Feel free to invite friends. Treats will be provided. Looking forward to seeing you!

February Brunch Saturday 18th 11a.m. My house

First Meeting

I'm so glad we were finally able to have a meeting. I like being able to discuss books. I feel like I get more out of them.

We discussed The Giver and the deep symbolism throughout the story (well we may not have gotten to deep). We talked about how the society is truly Lucifer's plan. There is no pain or suffering, but because of that there is really no joy, emotion, pleasure, love, happiness. You live in a world where all your decisions are made for you - which sometimes sounds kind of nice. Everyone is polite, respectful, and responsible - because they are required to be. At first glance, the movement of 'sameness' makes sense. There's no crime, no poverty, no class system, no unemployed. Everyone holds a necessary position, everyone contributes, and no one is in physical need.

When you delve into what all this means you observe how artificial and truly pointless this kind of life is. In fact, life isn't valued at all. There is no understanding of death. People are rightfully released when they get old or when they just don't 'fit' into the society's mold. You also come to understand that the 'rules' are different for every person. Life isn't honest or responsible. Life is to serve the community and to do as the society tells you. And no one questions it.

It was hard for me to understand who would sign up for this. How could people want to give up what makes us people? Individuality, love, trials, suffering, true friendship. Taking pills for the 'stirrings'? Who would willing sign up for that?!?

I liked the outcome of this book and the explanation of what we are really about. That we are willing to help those in need. And give of ourselves to ease others suffering (the acts of service Jonas bestows upon Gabe).

Great read. Understand it a lot more now than reading it in the fourth grade.

I hope you all enjoyed it.

First Book Club Meeting!

I just wanted to remind everyone of our first book club meeting! It will be held at my house at 6:30 Friday, January 13th. I'm excited to see everyone there and discuss The Giver!