A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah

This is a book that really opened my eyes to the things that have been and continue to go on in a part of the world we hear little about. A sometimes graphic description of the horror of civil war in Sierra Leone, it was hard to imagine a child seeing, doing, participating in, and living through some unbelievable things. It made my own problems seem pretty insignificant.

Twilight

I realize that I'm not in the target demo for this book (it's from the "young adult" section of the bookstore) but EVERYONE at work has been RAVING about it for months, so last night I picked it up to read over the holiday weekend.

I read it last night and today when I was home in bed not feeling well.

I liked it. A lot. I didn't love it at first--I thought that the first few chapters were quite rocky, and I was getting ready to just give up on it and decide it wasn't for me, but then it picked up and got interesting. It wasn't hugely surprising, ever, but nicely written, easy to read. I think what is most universally loved about this book is the relationship between the two main characters--he just genuinely loves her and protects her more than anything I ever see in the real world. I think that people (especially girls) love that, because they love the idea of a man like that who would adore you above everything and take care of you. Of course, I don't think that most people imagine that person also to be a vampire, but that just makes it more interesting and gives the story somewhere to go.

Now I guess I have to get the other two and read them. *sigh* I'm not obsessed like my coworkers, but I am curious to see where the author takes it from here.

My Life In France, by Julia Child

Maybe it is because I worship the ground she walked on, or because Paris is my favorite city in the world, but I'm really enjoying this little look at her life and her take on French life, cooking and food. Before having kids I was an avid cook and loved to whip up fancy meals for no special reason. Since the kids came along we've used more convenience foods and eaten lots of leftovers. I've come up with a few recipes over the last two years (hands down the best babyback pork ribs you'll eat!) but haven't cooked as much as I'd like to. This book has inspired me to get back in the kitchen with Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

The Alphabet Series, by Sue Grafton

When I was a teenager these were my favorite book, and as my parents have been cleaning out their basement I inherited a bunch of them that I hadn't read yet. It is a mystery series about a private detective, written in first person, quick read. I've really enjoyed reading them. Pointless purposeless reading for a rainy day. :-)

Harry Potter 7

I didn't buy this book right when it came out because I didn't want to purchase it. I haven't bought any of the other ones, so I thought it would be lonely. I just figured that I'd borrow it from someone eventually, but there was so much hype and things kept getting out, I decided that I needed to read it before I had heard second hand EVERYTHING that happened in it.

I bought it at Costco on Saturday night, and now I'm about 250 pages into it. There is a lot of book left to read, but I'm crazy busy at work and I also have a final that I still need to take for school, so who knows when I'll have time to read the rest...

Anyway, I hear it's good. And I'll be ready to discuss soon.

This will be the only book I've read in a long, long time that isn't required for school or work.

I Am a Mother, by Jane Clayson Johnson

My husband got me this book for Mother's Day and it was just what I needed. It's a huge confidence boost for any mother who is run down, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It's a great reminder of how important a mother is. There are several quotes from famous people in the book to the effect that the fate of the world rests on how children are raised. She also comments on LL'S question in her Freakonomics blog, on success.

"At the Harvard Business School, the model of success included one word: achievement. A few years ago, however, Harvard took another look at the model and added a few more words: happiness, significance, and legacy. Is there any other person who can bring more happiness to her young charges, has more significance in another's lfe, or has the potential to leave a greater legacy for those who come after her than a mother?"

It's a great book and a quick read. It's definitely one to put on your list.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Thanks LL for starting this blog. I love to know what good books are out. I finished reading Twilight a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to get on 'til now. It's a fiction book that is making the rounds at my school. The teachers and students love it. It was sold out at Christmas in every bookstore here in Utah. It's about a girl who moves to a small town in Washington and falls in love with a Vampire. It sounds weird I know, but if you're looking for something fun to read I highly recommend it. The author graduated from BYU and so she does lectures and book signings around here all the time. She said the plot came to her in a very detailed dream. There are two more books in the series, one is out now called New Moon and then the third hasn't been released yet.