Summer Reading

I'm not much of a fiction fan; I am kind of addicted to learning-type books. Lately "BORN FOR LOVE" by Maia Szalavitz and Bruce Perry is my FAV! It's all about the way the brain develops - and the ways that neglect and trauma effect our minds. SO FASCINATING and very useful in helping to understand my fellow humans! Dr. Bruce Perry's other book "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" is also insightful - these are truly lessons/concepts that I think EVERYONE could benefit from knowing! Our brains are the centre of who we are!!!

The books that I have enjoyed lately are...
The Irresistable Henry House by Lisa Grunwald
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet by Jamie Ford
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Hush by Kate White
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
I've been on the look out for the Dragon Tatoo Girl books at the library with no luck. Going to have to break down & buy them.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Read it for book group. Was dragging my feet to start it and not only could I not put it down, it is one of my all time favorites now.

Sorry, I just posted and forgot a GREAT book to mention! Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas. I read it in one day and as soon as I finished it, I had to re-read it. It is an absolutely beautiful story. I buy it for gifts and people always rave about it.

I just read The Piano Teacher. It is really good. I also liked Dragon Tatoo and Played with Fire. Have to get the next one.

'The Girl Who Played With Fire' was my favorite of the 3 books--- so thrilling!

Love this post! I just read The Passage by Justin Cronin. It is very long and drags in places. I was disappointed at the end to realize the story is not finished yet. I read on-line it is the first of a trilogy. I LOVE anything by Kristin Hannah. Jodi Picoult is good, but I agree with another comment about her endings! Lee Child is also GREAT! I have loved all of his books!

I picked up "The Thorn Birds" to read while on vacation this summer. I remember watching it as a mini-series on TV with my parents way back when I was in High School. I remembered the outline of the story, but am enjoying the complete details as the story now unfolds again before me. I always enjoy the book more than the movie, don't you?

So far this summer I read Elizabeth Berg's newest...she's one of my FAVS! I can only describe her writing as a delicious dessert...ugh...so GOOD! I also read "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Kartina Kennison. Oh my! Every mother should read this book. Especially before their children get too old. I LOVED it! It was exactly the book I was suppose to read this summer. Now I am completely shifting gears and reading Jen Lancaster's newest "My Fair Lazy". She cracks me up. Seriously, I read her first book "Pretty in Plaid" on vacation with my hubby last Oct. and I was caught laughing out loud by the pool at the Ritz Carlton in Cancun...need I say more? I love to read! Don't get to spend enough time reading and seem to do it in chunks of time but I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good book!!! Happy Summer Reading Ali!

Ali I have a huge favor to ask of you.
My stepson, Michael Fuchs, graduated from Lane Comm College with an Assoc Graphic Design degree as I believe you have. He needs a mentor.
Or at least someone to review his work and give him some objective feedback.
Ever since your tutorial on layered templates showing Simon at the U of O basketball game I have followed your blog. You are an amazing talent and if Michael had one-tenth the talent you have I could not ask for more. Contact me directly and I will forward his phone/email address.
MICHAEL FUCHS Eugene, OR 97402
If you could at least reach him, I know he would be so impressed. And I will forever be in your debt.
from a worried stepmom: BBF

I have recently gotten back into reading...and LOVE it! Sometimes life just doesn't allow for it though. I'm one of those that gets stuck on an author...right now it's Nicholas Sparks! LOVE his books...so easy to read...just what I need! LOL! I'm reading "The Last Song" right now...

As the mom of 2 teenage sons "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" sounds like a book I need to find...NOW! Thanks for sharing!

Loved "The Help"!! Great book

I just bought "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" as per your recommendation. I can't wait to start it. I wonder if the movie is any good??

Oh I *love* summer reading! I'm on a book binge myself, so it's fun to read all of the replies (though my list grows ever longer, lol) I just finished up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and have the 2nd book in my pile.
Recent faves are:
The Physick book of Deliverance Dane/Katherine Howe
The Forgotten Garden/Kate Morton
In my pile to read:
Sarah's Key/Tatiana DeRosnay
Summer at Tiffany/Marjorie Hart
Garden Spells/Sarah Addison Allen
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle/David Wroblewski
A Vintage Affair/Isabel Wolff

I recently discovered Jeffrey Archer and LOVE him. Just finished Kane and Able and I also read A Prisoner of Birth. Both books are amazing. Nothing like a great storyteller!

Ali once you read The Girl Who Played with Fire, you will immediately need to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest.... you'll see why.
All great reads!!

i loved Eat Pray love and really looking forward to the movie as well! I read it last year and really enjoyed it!

Michelle, i read Water for Elephants this past Christmas and it took me 3 tries, but when i pushed through i really enjoyed it! It was well worth it! Hope you enjoy it. Girls with the Dragon Tattoo is next on my list. Reading some Paulo Coelho, who i really enjoy as well!!

I agree, but they were fun to read and you kinda have to, to stay up to date.