Summer Reading

I have read both books you mentioned, Ali, and agree about both. I totally loved The Time Traveler's Wife, while Her Fearful Symmetry was something entirely different. Now, the Dragon Tattoo trilogy ... OMGosh! I have not read a series of books that were completely enthralling. I could NOT put them down ... wait til you get to The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest ... sooo good. I was so sad to end the novels, but these are keepers to re-read and re-read and re-read. Happy Reading!

I just read The Help, which was really great in a low-key way (which actually is appropriate for its subject matter -- the civil rights movement of the early 1960s and how it comes to three women in a southern town). And I also just finished The Double Comfort Safari Club, the newest No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book -- it was so good. Next up for me is Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which one of my favorite book blogs raved about a couple of weeks ago.

Ria,
I was glad to read your comment about Little Bee. It's on my nightstand, I've started it, but am having trouble getting into the story. From your comment, I am going to give it another try tonight!

I recently finished My Life in France by Julia Child and loved it.
I've done three types of albums from three trips to Italy: one was done in a watercolor book called My Italian Sketchbook... I used the actual pictures in the book as background for my pictures and memorabilia. Another one I did by taking a Moleskine sketchbook with me and journaling and gluing things in as we went along and then printed my pictures half size for the book. For the last trip I did a 100 page Shutterfly book. I love it because it's just about the pictures and journaling. I just used the standard Shutterfly layouts... no digital embellishments or anything. It looks like a coffee table book. I divided the book into the different places we went... many of the same places you did. Wish we could sit down and reminisce about it!! Can't wait to see more of your pictures!

I just finished "The Possibility of Everything". It's a memoir about motherhood as well as a travelogue. It was interesting, though I don't know that I'd say I agree with everything.

I also wanted to add that you need a Kindle (or an iPad!) I read so much more now that I can have a book with me anytime in my purse.

I hate her endings too! And after I bought and read at least 6 of her books...

Coming Home was incredible. A really long read, but such a great slice of life in that time period. I think I read it in December and January.

I have read The Clan of the Cave bear at least 6 times and I never get tired of it. However, my undergrad is in anthropology (archaeology) so that might be part of why. Some other people have a hard time handling some of the themes of the book. Personally I liked that the mental models of the characters were so foreign to modern people, because they are not supposed to be "like us."

Hi Ali! I love to hear what you are reading. The Time Traveler's Wife is one of my all-time favorites. I will have to check out her new book. I just finished The Help. I read it in less than a week. I couldn't put it down and would think about it when I wasn't reading it.. I'm still thinking about it. I love books that haunt me... (in a good way). The last book to "haunt" me like this was I Know this Much is True. My Mom just finished The Forgotten Garden and raves about it - so that will probably be what I read next. But I can't wait to read Little Bee and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Currently reading The History of Love by Nicole Krauss - beautiful book and just finished The House at Riverton by Kate Morton, which I could not put down and would definitely recommend!

Love Devil in the White City. Especially since I can then go to the places described. I love Chicago architecture!

This is one of my all time favorite books as well. I haven't like the sequels but this first one was phenomenal.

The Outlander series is definitely one of my all time favorites. I've read them all and have listened to them on audio-they are that good.

I too have read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and needless to say it's fabulous; and I'm planning to read The Girl Who Played With Fire. :)
I've read a couple in the last few months that were awesome - The Last Song, Have a Little Faith and The Help.
On my table is Outliers, it's ok - not too good and not too bad. Then waiting for me and vice versa is Hot, Flat and Crowded - I'm hoping that's going to be a good one!

I just finished "Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah - it was excellent - but have the tissues handy. I am now reading "the Island" by Elin Hilderbrand - alot lighter summer reading . . .if you have not read Sarah's Key by Tatiana De rosnay- I highly recommend that. Loved Water for Elephants too- now being made into a movie, just like Eat Pray Love

I loved Same Kind of Different As Me and highly recommend it!
Another good one was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman... he also wrote Coraline and I know that this one will also be made into a movie, and I can't wait to see it.
Right now I'm reading The American Girl by Monika Fagerholm for a book club. It's won a ton of awards and is very well reviewed, but it's making me crazy because of overuse of the phrases "in other words," "namely," "so to speak," "that is to say," etc. I'm really tempted to keep a tally but since I'm already 200+ pages in I'd have to start over and I'm not willing to do that. I'm just trying to get through it!

Hey Ali, timely question .. I just joined a book club. We had our first meeting last night and picked The Help. I will let you know what I think. I have never jointed a book club before. Should be fun.

I read Adoration of Jenna Fox - very interesting and quick read. I normally don't read Sci-Fi - but lately I have been totally hooked. I too am an English teacher and I have gotten on this sci fi kick. Loved the Hunger Game books and Life as We Knew It series. I just finished The Host and LOVED it too.

Have read all of the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" books. They are very compelling (dark at times), the plot twists and turns keep you guessing until the end. Enjoyed the mysteries.