Pathetic, I know

This is kind of embarrassing since I did officially quit my blog, but I am signing up for a reading challenge.

It's just a quick fix, that's all.

It fits in with my other goals for 2010, so it's okay.

You see, when I return to school, I'm planning to major in history, and until I can actually get into a local university and finish my last two years, I'm going to take a history class from BYU Independent Study, read a lot of non-fiction history books (yes, this does excite me), and try actually paying attention to current events. (I ♥ NPR).

So those are [a fraction of] my goals for 2010, and then I stumbled upon this:

Details for the challenge here.

This will be a perfect companion to my other reading, and there are a lot of historical fiction selections I'm dying to get to.

It is taking all of my willpower to resist signing up for the "obsessed" option (20 books), but I'm going to practice some moderation and just go for "addicted" (12 books).

I'm not sure yet whether I will post reviews here or not. I'm mostly excited about getting some good ideas from other participants on what to read. I recently read Genghis: Birth of an Empire by Conn Iggulden after reading a post at Beth Fish Reads that highly recommended it and I loved it. I'm looking forward to the other two in the series.

I should go now--my youngest is getting ready for school without my supervision which is always risky. Instead of brushing her teeth, she might be "inventing" some new concoction in the bathroom sink.

FIVE MINUTES LATER...(Seriously, I'm not making this up. Do I know my daughter, or what?)

As I was going with my daughter out the door, she told my that she created a new recipe. . . for her hair. I asked her what was in the recipe, and she said it was a "secret recipe." I asked her to tell me in case I wanted to use it in my own hair. She told me that I probably wouldn't want to because sometimes it makes your head itch!! I still don't know what was in her recipe, but she told me she'd let me know after school. I can't wait!

ChainReading Farewell

Well, my break has turned into a decision to stop book blogging. It's been a great couple of years, and it definitely fulfilled me in many ways that I needed. It's been wonderful to find out about other "kindred spirits" who also love to read, and share thoughts about books we've read. I'm still amazed that there were people out there who would take time to read my blog. Thank you! It definitely has made me happy to see visitors and comments.

I'm on to other projects--hopefully a productive vegetable garden and going back to college, among other things. I most likely will not be able to resist reading my favorite book blogs. And of course I will still read books, although maybe not as much. I will just keep track of all of that on GoodReads.

I'm not going to delete or close the blog, just in case any of my posts are of interest to anyone at anytime. (I did however make my ChainNotes blog private. I didn't realize it would be a forum for students trying to get me to do their homework for them, and more recently a place to vent with profanity their hatred for certain books.) And, who knows, maybe in a few years I won't be able to resist starting up again!

Happy reading and blogging to all!!

Countdown Challenge Complete

I'm taking a quick little break from my break to list my books read for the Countdown Challenge. I tried to ignore it, but I was so close to being done I had to finish it. I haven't posted about all of them, but here's the final list:


2009
1. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
2. Honolulu by Alan Brennert
3. Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace
4. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
5. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
6. The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
7. Winnie's War by Jenny Moss
8. Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
9. The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket

2008
1. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
2. Nation by Terry Pratchett
3. The Memorist by M.J. Rose
4. The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson
5. Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
6. So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger
7. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
8. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2007
1. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
2. Zoo Station by David Downing
3. A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
4. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
5. The Shack by William P. Young
6. The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
7. Extras by Scott Westerfeld

2006
1. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
2.The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Volume I: The Pox Party by M. T. Anderson
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
5. Larklight by Philip Reeve
6. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

2005
1. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
2. The Penderwicks by Jeane Birdsall
3. Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
4. Ireland by Frank Delaney
5. Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway


2004
1. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
2. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Schmidt
3. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
4. Gilgamesh: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell

2003
1. The Kite Runner
2. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon


2002
1. Blessings by Anna Quindlan
2. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella

2001
1. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park


Thank you 3M of 1MoreChapter for hosting this challenge. I'm looking forward to Countdown 2010, which should start on 9/9/09 and end on 10/10/10!!

Hiatus

There are a few other things demanding my attention right now, so I'm going to take a break from this blog for a few months. I've actually been needing to do this for a while, but keep saying to myself, "When I'm caught up on all my reviews, then I'll take a break," or, "When I complete this challenge or that challenge..." Like that's ever going to happen. Cold turkey is the only way to go.
Having said that, it does cause me a bit of anxiety to leave too many loose ends that may haunt me during my break, so I will take care of a little business before I fall of the face of the blogging world for a time:

Awards
I received a couple of awards that I want to say thank you for:


Yvette Kelly of True Crime Book Reviews gave me the Humane Award. Check out her awesome site that (obviously) focuses on true crime books. She has a directory of new books of the genre coming out, directories by author, title and genre, and of course reviews. I think I've mentioned to her before that I'm too much of a baby for most true crime selections, but I still enjoy reading her reviews and getting some ideas for gifts for friends and family who like true crime. Stop by True Crime Book Reviews for a visit, but be careful--if she likes your blog, she will "stalk" you!


Also, Amanda from The Zen Leaf gave me the Kreative Blogger Award. Check out Amanda's experiences at the ALA conference in Chigaco. Let me just say that I am jealous! I'll have to go to the conference someday. Along with this award, I'm supposed to name seven things I love (besides the obvious, my family and reading):

1. Hiking
2. National Parks
3. Homemade Chex mix
4. Steve Carell
5. Brit Lit Chick Flicks
6. Solitude
7. Pudding

Reviews
A few thoughts about some of the books I've read to date:

The Epic of Gilgamesh, author unknown. I really could do a big, long post on this one so I may come back to it someday. I first listened to the "new English version" by Stephen Mitchell. It was a great way to familiarize myself with the story, which, although very brief, carries with it some universal themes that I found pretty engaging. This audio version includes the reading of an essay by Mitchell (who points out that he did not translate this; he just retells what he gathered from other translations) that digs deeper into the story and brings up a lot of ideas to contemplate.
I then read the Penguin Classics version translated by Andrew George. I loved this version because it pieces together translations from the various tablets the story has been found on, and adds some variations of the epic from different time periods.
One question though: How am I supposed to be frightened by a monster named Humbaba?

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford A quick, sweet read about a Chinese boy who falls in love with a Japanese girl in Seattle during WWII only to be separated by the internment of the Japanese-Americans. This was a great selection for a vacation (especially since I was in Washington at the time). It's somewhat predictable, but sometimes that's what hits the spot. I could see this being a good movie.

Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery It was a big shock for me that I didn't love this one. I felt like I got swept through a few years of Anne's life a little too fast with not enough details of day to day happenings. I was also pretty irritated by Phillipa. She drove me crazy. Anne sees something in her that I don't. Fortunately, the ending makes up for what the beginning lacked. Oh, Gilbert (sigh.)

Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery Back on track with this one. Sure, all of the crotchety old ladies sort of meld into one in my head, and Anne is just too good (how can she actually say she likes the whole Pringle clan who is viciously plotting her downfall?), but I am entertained all the same and it just makes me happy. I do however wonder how there can be so many grumpy characters amidst one of the most beautiful settings in literature. You would think they would all be high on the beauty of Prince Edward Island! But I'm glad for the humor they provide.

Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond I just checked and I took 18 pages of handwritten notes while reading this book. I have to take notes on books like this or it would just go in one ear and out the other. Diamond's main premise (which he drives home again and again, which is great for someone like me) is that history followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among their environments, not because of biological differences among the peoples themselves. He goes into detail about what those environmental factors were, and goes on to show how this occurred in various parts of the world. I don't think I've ever thought that Europeans conquered other societies because they were racially superior, but it was enlightening to read of his theories as to why they were the ones to acquire "guns, germs, and steel." I have no expertise in the subject matter he presents, so I can't really make any critical comments on his theories, but I did find it quite fascinating and readable.

Larklight or, the Revenge of the White Spiders or, To Saturn's Rings and Back by Phillip Reeve The title is quite revealing as far as the tone of this children's book. Quirky, swashbuckling, original, humorous, great fun. My son read it as well, and liked it (once he got past the spiders.) Another series that I would love to continue with, but am not sure if it will be a priority. This would be a fun read-aloud.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen Every rose has its thorn, and this one has some prickly ones. Of course, one would expect this from a book with accounts of the Holocaust. The twist is the link with the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Did I like the merge? It was powerful and disturbing, definitely original. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to anyone or not. I have such a heavy feeling just thinking about it. I had problems with classification: Fantasy? Young Adult? I don't think this novel fits into either category. It's very real and it's about an adult. (???)

Extras by Scott Westerfeld I was forewarned that this fourth installment of the Uglies series did not have much to do with Tally and David, and it's been a while since I read the other three, so I did not have any issues with a new cast of characters in a new city. I loved (hated?) the idea of a reputation economy in one of the new cities to emerge post-Specials. Asa Fuse is desperate to improve her "face rank" in a society where popularity is everything. All she needs to do is "kick" a good story, and all of her problems will be solved. It lagged a tiny bit in the end, and I had a hard time envisioning the way everything looks. Part of the thrill is the "page-turner" quality, but I would have appreciated a little more description. But then again, maybe it was there and I just skimmed over it in my rush to find out what happens. Good stuff! Want to read everything by him.

I plan to jump in again around Readathon time. I wouldn't miss that for the world. Or calendar issues. Please let it be on a good weekend.

Spice of Life Reading Challenge

About the challenge
Hosted by Rebecca of Rebecca Reads

I have been trying to be self-disciplined and not sign up for more challenges, but when one comes along that's right in line with something I've been thinking about doing already, I allow myself to go for it! This challenge is one of them.

I'm choosing the "Sampler" option of the challenge--choosing four books in four different categories. Here are the categories, and my probable choices:

Cookbooks Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen by Elizabeth Andoh (This is actually part of another project I've joined in on--"Washoku Warriors" hosted by La Fuji Mama, in which we will try a new recipe from the cook book each month.)

Non-fiction I haven't decided this one yet, although I've got my eye on a few.

Memoirs, autobiographies or essays Animal, Vegetable Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (I've wanted to read this for a while even though I've heard it's preachy. I could probably use a good scolding when it comes to my food consumption)

Fiction: The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (I received this from a giveaway a few months ago and have heard great reviews.)

As usual, I will keep track of my progress in the right sidebar.

So Brave, Young and Handsome

Author: Leif Enger
Narrated by: Dan Woren

Originally published : 2008 (Random House Audio)
Length: 8.5 hours
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 3.5/5
Amazon Rating: 4/5 (103 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 898 ratings, 3.69 average rating

This is a tough review to write because it is an audio book that I listened to at the beginning of the year and my memory is hazy. I had tried to take notes while listening, but decided that's just too impractical. Audio books are my housework survival tool, and it was difficult to stop and dry soap bubbles off my hands to go and type a chapter summary. (I do have incomplete notes from the first half.) I'll just share my general impressions of the novel.

The story is about Monte Becket, a struggling writer living in Minnesota in the early 1900's. He meets the enigmatic outlaw Glendon Hale, who wants to return to Mexico to make amends with his wife that he left many years before. The restless and frustrated Becket joins him, and they encounter a few adventures along the way.

I neither hated this book nor would wholeheartedly recommend it. While the writing is excellent, the story didn't make a big impression on me. I loved Peace Like a River, which I still think about from time to time. This one has sort of turned to mush in my mind. Monte's personal quest throughout the book kind of reminded me of the movie City Slickers--trying to find that "one thing" that matters. I will anxiously await another book by Enger, because I do enjoy his style of writing and the mood he is able to create. I'm holding out for another one like Peace Like a River. I know it's coming!

Other thoughts:
Book Nook Club
Shelf Love (with a discussion about audio books)
Thoughts of Joy
As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves
Bloggin' 'bout Books

If you have a review that I missed, let me know!

Words of a Reader

I have been hoping my 10-year-old daughter would catch the reading bug eventually. She was a very early reader, and I just assumed that went hand in hand with loving to read--wrong! I do try to be realistic and remember that just because I'm obsessed with reading, my kids won't necessarily be, and that's okay (maybe even good :-)). But she's finally caught it. I loved this note I found on the white board a couple of days ago:

Of course my son had to go in a little later and do some editing:



I'm happy to report that she got the book from school and finished it last night.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Originally published : 2004
Length: 224 pages
Award: Newbery Honor 2005, Printz Honor 2005
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (37 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 602 ratings, 4.13 average rating

There are some authors that for me are "love at first read." Gary D. Schmidt is one of them. I can't drool over Wednesday Wars enough, and I loved this one almost as much. His strength is in combining poignant depth and satisfying complexity with captivating stories. He even manages to weave in some great literary allusions.

Lizzie Bright is also an excellent piece of historical fiction. It is set in 1912 Maine, where Turner Buckminster is not only the new kid in town--he's also the minister's son. In Phippsburg, Maine, conformity is the name of the game. And money. The town elders plan to force the nearby islanders, a poor community founded by former slaves, out of their homes so that they will have more success with tourism. Turner befriends a young islander, Lizzie, and together they engage in a futile attempt to save the island. It's based on the true story of the descruction of Malaga Island.

As an award winning children's book, I have no idea if kids or teens will like it, but I really could care less. I love it, love Schmidt, and plan to read as much of his stuff that I can get my hands on!

Other reviews:

Bermuda Onion
Beth Fish Reads
Literary Fangirl

Any other reviews out there? Let me know.

Monique and the Mango Rains

Author: Kris Holloway, John Bidwell

Originally published : 2005 (Waveland Press)
Length: 240 pages
Personal Enrichment Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon Rating: 5/5 (61 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 369 ratings, 4.21 average rating

I've spent the last couple of hours reacquainting myself with this powerful book and researching information about and interviews with the author so that I could collect my thoughts for this post, but this video really provides a great introduction to what it's all about:



If you don't have time to watch the video, in a nutshell, it's about a Peace Corp volunteer (Kris Holloway, author) who forms a close friendship with Monique, the midwife of a Mali village. It's very readable, and you feel like you're right there as everything is happening. Halloway respects and absorbs much of the culture, but cannot look upon the violation of the universal rights of women without wanting to make a difference. The telling of her experiences in this book gives her a way to do this, while at the same time sharing the remarkable life of Monique Dembele.

This is definitely the ideal selection for a book club, particularly if it consists of women. Not that male readers would not find it valuable, but there's the potential to feel a connection with women in any place in the world. When it comes to my turn to host book club, I'll share our experience.

Website for Monique and the Mango Rains: Includes author interview, links to NPR interview, reader's guide, and how you can help.

Other reviews:

Books on the Brain (Who I won this from. Thanks, Lisa!)
Devourer of Books
Maw Books Blog
The Bluestocking Society
A Striped Armchair

If you have one to add, let me know.

Ireland

Author: Frank Delaney
Narrated by: Frank Delaney

Originally published : 2005 (Harper Audio)
Length: 20 hours
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4/5
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (108 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 650 ratings, 4.01 average rating

In the true spirit of storytelling, I listened to this on audio. It was a good choice--the author reads it brilliantly. He weaves Irish folk tales and historical accounts with the events in the life of the O'Mara family. Young Ronan O'Mara hears a traveling storyteller when he is nine, and it begins a quest both to learn the history and tales of Ireland and to find the storyteller himself, who always seems just out of Ronan's reach. Along the way he learns about himself, as well as some surprising things about his family.
I noticed on the back of the book that a couple of reviews resort to lists of adjectives to describe this novel:

"Dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic, slyly comic" (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"Gentle, poignant, charming, droll, tragic, triumphant, wise and unforgettable..." (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

It's really hard to resist, because the author manages to include such a wide variety of material. "Sprawling" is the word that comes to my mind.

Try it out an audio. And, just a warning, I needed Kleenex at the end. I won't say if they were happy or sad tears.

Summer Vacation Reading Challenge

Summer's here! Time to join in on Molly's Summer Vacation Reading Challenge. I'm choosing the Globe Trotter option:

Globe Trotter: You will commit to reading 6 pre-selected books during this time frame, but you may substitute up to 3 books due to changes in travel plans. Cross-overs for 5 out of the 6 books are allowed, but ideally one book will be read for this challenge alone.

Since summer is supposed to be full of lazy bliss (unknown here in this household), I'm choosing the books on my TBR List that I feel will be light, fun getaway kind of reads:

1. Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (Prince Edwards Island, Canada)
2. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery (Prince Edwards Island, Canada)
3. Extras by Scott Westerfeld (Future?)
4. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (Wales)
5. Queens Own Fool by Jane Yolen (Scotland)
6. The Scarlet Pimpernel or The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy (France)

We'll see if any of my "travel plans" change. It was hard to choose. Enjoy your summer, everyone!

#Bloggiesta End

Probably the biggest shock for me was that it was all fun! I kind of went in with the same attitude I would having studying for a final--grab some snacks, get a few friends to study with, pull an all-nighter, get done what needed to get done, make it as painless as possible. You know, a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. But I really enjoyed myself. It made me wish I could spend a large chunk of time each day on my blog, but that is just impossible right now. Maybe at least I could pick one day a week that is "blog day."

Anyway, enough rambling. As I said before, I'm horrible at the timing thing. I had a little timer so I could keep track, but I would go do something else and forget to turn it off, or when I started again I would forget to turn it on. Plus after 99 minutes it restarts at 0 and that got me all messed up. I'm not real great with numbers in any way, shape, or form. I'm guessing I participated about 16 hours, and my goal was 18. But maybe I did 18--I'll never really know.

Anyway, enough rambling. I mean it this time. Here's what I accomplished, and what I didn't accomplish:

High Priority Reviews
Dear Mr. Henshaw
A Visit to William Blake's Inn
A Gathering of Days
Ginger Pye
Monique and the Mango Rains (to be published Tuesday, June 23)
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (to be published Wednesday June 24)
Ireland (to be published Monday, June 22)
Omnivore's Dilemma
So Brave, Young and Handsome
Briar Rose
(Post reviews on Newbery challenge site)

Lower Priority
Officially sign up for a couple of challenges I've been eying:
Narnia Challenge
Summer Reading Challenge (scheduled to publish Sunday, June 21)
Take a Chance

Update challenges on sidebar

Other reviews:
Larklight
Sammy Keyes books
Anne of Avonlea
Ten Star Trek episode reviews for 42 Challenge
Exercise DVD review for fitness blog

Housekeeping
Change name of book blog?
Figure out how to get the date back on family blog
Change layout of family blog
Update garden blog

Challenges Completed
Clean up your feedreader (Book Lady's Blog)
Grade Your Blog (Bookish Ruth)
Opinions and Lists (Beth Fish Reads)
Go Forth and Comment (Fizzy Thoughts)
Update a key page or post (Devourer of Books)

I don't know if my reviews are coherent. I found myself losing it on spelling as the time went on. I plan to try to do at least one of these each day until they're done.

Thank you Natasha for putting this on. Great idea! It was very organized and I really liked how the challenges were available throughout the whole challenge. Muy bien!

Bloggiesta Update

Well it's Saturday morning, and here are my thoughts halfway through Bloggiesta:

• I feel good already that I got some reviews done. I've learned that my blog isn't fun anymore when I get too far behind!
• I'm horrible at keeping track of time. I don't even know how many hours I worked yesterday, maybe 8? I'm just going to focus on my list.
• I ate too much yesterday. Must watch that today!!!
• I love a lot of the bloggers out there that spend the time to make their blogs excellent and try to expand their readership. They're awesome! I'm just not one of them. My blog is very casual and that's okay with me. I do love the visitors, comments and followers I get, though. But I think if I had too many, it would stress me out!!!
• Focusing on my blog so much is much more conducive to responding to comments. I really love to do that, but am often distracted by other things.
  

So before I begin another day of blog tasks, I'm going to take a shower and try to look decent. (I can often see my reflection in my laptop, and it can be scary at times.)