A Book Challenge

I haven't posted much on this blog in 2012, and much of it has been of the crafty variety. But I still love to read and do quite a bit of it. Despite my not mentioning it here, I always list and give a brief review of every book I read (even the embarassing ones) on Goodreads. You can find my lists there. But it's time for me to bring back some posts about literature, good and bad. Here are some of my favorites from this year:

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

I really liked this book, even though it took just a little bit longer to get into it than most of the fiction I read. It is more serious and made me think more than most of the fluff I read too. And the writing was beautiful, that certainly pulled me in from the beginning. I found myself re-reading entire paragraphs just for the way the words flowed and made me feel. I don't read writing of this caliber nearly often enough. The first half of the book takes place in Minnesota & Manaus, Brazil...moreI really liked this book, even though it took just a little bit longer to get into it than most of the fiction I read. It is more serious and made me think more than most of the fluff I read too. And the writing was beautiful, that certainly pulled me in from the beginning. I found myself re-reading entire paragraphs just for the way the words flowed and made me feel. I don't read writing of this caliber nearly often enough. The first half of the book takes place in Minnesota & Manaus, Brazil, the second half deep in the Amazon rainforest. The characters are imperfect, but compelling. The whole thing is very Heart of Darkness, but somehow lighter without losing the impact. Cautions: an occasional swear word and mentions of sex (sometimes completely pointless) without details. also some native drug use.

Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady (Bloody Jack #2) by L.A. Meyer

	Read #1 first, Bloody Jack. That Jacky just charmed me again with her enthusiasm & love for others. I enjoyed reading about her adventures as a fine lady just as much as being a sailor. I was much more heartbroken at the end though, when she moves on. I'm really enjoying this series but am a little worried about them keeping up the high standards as the books keep coming.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

I'm glad I bought a copy of this book because I think it's something I'll read again. I also marked a couple quotes, and that's not something I normally do. I really enjoyed the writing and felt the author had a lot of great insights. I enjoyed the characters, especially seeing them grow & change - even some of the minor characters. I found myself smiling a lot while reading this, and the ideas just stuck with me. Even though it is a slower read, it was so charming and enjoyable that I didn'...morI'm glad I bought a copy of this book because I think it's something I'll read again. I also marked a couple quotes, and that's not something I normally do. I really enjoyed the writing and felt the author had a lot of great insights. I enjoyed the characters, especially seeing them grow & change - even some of the minor characters. I found myself smiling a lot while reading this, and the ideas just stuck with me. Even though it is a slower read, it was so charming and enjoyable that I didn't mind. And you still got some drama & action towards the end, which felt pretty improbably, but was still fun. The ending was a little neat but that's how I like them. We had some great discussions in book club about this book.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
this is my new favorite book that I recommend to everyone! such a great story with inspiring characters. I was very interested in the historical aspects and the cultural intricacies of long island - with a feel of a small town but so close to NYC. Holling Hoodhood is a national treasure & I hope my boys are something like him when they are in 7th grade. And I hope they have a teacher somewhere along the line like Mrs. Baker. and I want to read some Shakespeare now. this will make for an excellent book club discussion.

Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia #1) by Deanna Raybourn
A completely charming book with a lovable heroine that is strong but far from perfect. I liked seeing her personal introspection and the changes in her during the book. I loved the British setting and time period, also the parts about the Romany people. The characters were very interesting to me and the action and mystery thoroughly satisfying. I totally guessed the murderer early but for all the wrong reasons! I loved the interactions between the two main characters but also that everything wasn't wrapped up into one neat package and happily ever after. Marriage in and of itself doesn't bring happily ever after and now I can't wait to read book #2!
Many mentions of homosexuality, prostitution, STDs, etc. No actual sex scenes, but I still wouldn't recommend this for teenagers.
ps - I just read #2 of this series and enjoyed it maybe even a little more, because it was a little lighter.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I can't believe I had never read this book! In the end I absolutely loved it but have to give it 4 stars because it took me months to get through - the first parts were too slow for me I guess & failed to capture my attention. I'm so glad I perservered because as soon as Jane gets to Thornfield everything starts moving. The last few chapters were my favorite, as I'm sure they are with most women - so romantic and touching! This book feels completely like chick lit to me, just with many, many words I had to look up in the dictionary. I loved the auto dictionary feature on the Kindle app of my new Nook tablet!


We've spent a lot of time in Pinetop, AZ this summer, enjoying the fabulous weather, and I've had plenty of time to catch up on books. Not that I really need the encouragement, but I heard about a book reading challenge from my friend Susan's blog. (Hopefully all readers of this blog know that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, sometimes known as Mormons or LDS.) The LDS Publishers blog is hosting a Summer Book Trek to read books by LDS authors in August. They don't have to be about LDS topics or people, just written by an author who is LDS. You can read all about the details by clicking on the button to the right. And apparently they even have prizes, which sounds fun. You can join too! There are plenty of lists of authors and suggestions on their website.

Here's the list of books I'm planning to read in August:

Freefall by Traci Hunter Abramson
Crossed by Ally Condie
Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale
The List by Melanie Jacobson
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack