Required Reading

Finding time to read has gotten a bit harder lately.  My husband happens to be very good at his job, and as such, he is in high demand.  He has been requested by other offices to travel and do some work for them.  In today's economy that is a good thing.  It does make it a bit more hectic around the house though, and makes my day stretch out to about 10pm each day.  That leaves me about a half an hour to either read, check emails/Facebook, catch some Law and Order, or write a blog post.  Its why I haven't posted much lately; I've tended to go with emails and Facebook.  And a little bit of reading.

First, I read this.  It was okay.  Just okay.  Typical James Patterson.  It was good while I was reading it, but when trying to recall details for this post, I couldn't.  I actually couldn't even remember the name.

Now, I have moved on to the latest Patricia Cornwell book:

Its horrible.  HORRIBLE!  I loved the first 8 to 10 Kay Scarpetta books.  They were well written, interesting, and entertaining.  I looked forward to each new book in the series.  Then, something happened.  I came across some interviews with Patricia Cornwell while googling for an image of this book cover.  The lady is crazy.  And it shows in her writing.  I commented at Goodreads that I suspected she had a series case of depression.  Now, after reading the interviews and news reports, I am armchair diagnosing depression wrapped up in a whole lot of crazy.  I suspect I won't even finish this one, and that I will stop reading her books all together.  I am about 100 pages in and I don't even think Kay Scarpetta has gotten to the dead body yet.  Instead, I've been reminded how smart, rich, paranoid and unhappy Lucy is, just in case I missed any of that in the past 20 books.  I've also been reminded how odd Scarpetta and Benton's relationship is, just in case I forgot.  Trust me, I've tried to forget the whole "Benton is dead, no he isn't" plot line that took place a few books ago.  And Marino is still angry.   And drinking.  Shocker.

Jeez Louise.  I think I just finally convinced myself it is okay to just return this unfinished to the library.

That will leave me time for this:

I've been looking forward to this and have even read a bit of it, and I think it is going to be good.  I have read another book by this author, and really liked it.  A teenage boy goes missing more than a decade ago.  Someone is now returning him to his family one bone at a time.  Intrigued?  I know I am.

I have some doctor appointments coming up and will be spending time in the waiting rooms and can use some reading suggestions.  So, what are you reading?

Required Reading

So, what are you reading?  I am always on the lookout for a good book, either for myself, or for my kids.  I recently read The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman.

I am going to go as far as to say that I highly recommend this book.  I wavered for a bit as I had a problem explaining to myself why I liked it so much.  In the end, I realized it was because the author did a great job of making me like and dislike each of the characters in the book.  At times I sympathized with one or the other and later found myself placing my loyalty with a different character.  While not a book that caused me to get completely lost within its pages, I did find myself looking forward to the time I set aside each night to read.

I started two new books this week. One I am reading myself, the other, I am listening to as my youngest son reads aloud.  It is his first ever chapter book and he is so stinking proud of himself!

Junie B., First Grader. An absolute favorite in this house.  When my oldest child first discovered the Junie B. Jones series and had me read them out loud to him, I will admit to being horrified.  Junie B. DOES NOT use the English language in a way that would earn her a good grade from an English teacher.  I found myself correcting the words (for example, saying "more fun" rather than the "funner" that was in the book.)  But the spirit of the book was lost.  Junie B. is a riot!  I actually am shocked that Hollywood has not knocked down Barbara Park's door and turned this into a tv show or movie. There is a little girl who attends school with my younger two children who IS Junie B.  She would be perfect to play the part.  

 This is my grown up read.  I'm going to say, that I am highly doubting that James Patterson is doing anything other than contributing a chapter, or editing skills to all of the books he is churning out.  I am only about 40 pages into this, and like all his books, they are a very quick read.  Not loving it, but that is not unusual. These are meant to be a distraction, not literary gold.  It is serving the purpose and allowing me some time each day to unwind.

Tonight, before bed, we read another favorite.  Even my 12 year old listened - after all, it is his book.

As we wait to see what weather Mother Nature is going to deliver to our doorstep next week, it seemed fitting to read a book about her trying to get her wild child, Autumn, to bed.

That is what is being read here.  What books are you leaving dog eared on the sofa arm?

Required Reading

I love to read.  When most people say they love to read, they usually mean they love putting their feet up on their deck and reading for a while.  Or taking a book to the beach.  Or reading a chapter or two before bed.  When I say I love to read, I mean I love to read in the sense that I am often tempted to forgo food, drink and caring for those I am responsible for if I am in the middle of a good book.  My Mother's Day dream gift is a gift card to the book store, where I will stop and buy a book before checking into a hotel room where I can stay and read uninterrupted until check out the next day.

I read a lot and I read across all genres.  I am always looking for something new to read and am always open to any suggestions/recommendations.  But today, I am going to share just a few of my favorites with you.

1. Favorite Kid's Book

This book was a gift to my daughter from my godparents.  I loved it.  She loved it.  It is now the book I give to anyone who is having a little girl.  You should too.  My daughter has wanted to dress as The Paper Bag Princess for Halloween, but no one ever knows who we are talking about.  And that is a shame.

2. Favorite Book I Read While Teaching

If you work with middle school aged children, or have some living in your home, or soon will have middle school aged kids, run, don't walk to the store to get this.

3. Favorite Required Reading From High School

Fell in love with my husband all over again when he turned to me shortly after my first son was born and said "Hey Lennie, careful with the puppies" while I was smooching Conor's chubba cheeks a bit vigorously.

4. Favorite Thriller

If I was forced to stick with one genre from this point forward it would be the Mystery/Thriller.  This is always the section I check out first at the library or on Amazon.  I debated between two books to pick as my all time favorite thriller.  But in the end, Watchers by Dean Koontz narrowly beats out The Stand by Stephen King.

5. Favorite Bandwagon Read

I try not to look a gift horse in the mouth and to me, anything that gets more kids and more adults reading is a good thing.  No, its a great thing.  But I do often find that I am disappointed with the quality of writing.  Not so in this case.  The Hunger Games was a great book, as were its follow ups.

6. Favorite True Crime

If you think you know the Andrea Yates story, you are probably wrong.  This is an amazing read.  Again, I was torn between two books for this category.  But the story of Andrea Yates beats out Columbine by Dave Cullen.  Both were fascinating as they detailed the real story verses what was reported as well as the lack of follow up by the media to correct misreports.  You won't go wrong if you were to chose either of these books.

7.  Favorite Current Read

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is getting a lot of attention this summer.  If it is half as good as Dark Places, I am excited to read it.  I'm not sure what year Dark Places was first released and why it didn't generate more interest.  I am now on the waiting list at my library for both Gone Girl and Sharp Objects.

8. Favorite Series and Characters

I was introduced to Robert B. Parker's books and characters while in the ICU in Boston.  A nurse brought me some books once I was well enough to read.  I devoured them and when I was released, I soon requested each book, in order of publication, and enjoyed the stories, the character development, and the introduction of each new character.  I was upset upon learning of the passing of Robert B. Parker and thought that would be the end of Spenser, Hawk, Susan and others.  But, Robert B. Parker's estate, headed by his wife Joan (the inspiration behind Susan) hired Ace Atkins to continue writing the series and I was not disappointed with his first Spenser book.  I don't think you will be either.  Easy reads, with well developed characters, plots and dialogue.

What are you reading this summer?  What are some of your favorites?  Again, I am always open to recommendations and suggestions.