I decided to join a new challenge, the Something About Me Reading Challenge This one sounds really interesting. Each participant makes a list of at least 5 books that tell something about them. Then all participants choose to read a selection of books (as few or as many as they like) from the other lists. What a cool way to learn about other people. I just didn't realize how difficult making my list would be! Anyway, here are some books that I think say something about me.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. This book is set in all my favorite places: libraries, used bookstores and archives. I share interests with both of the main characters, one loves to research and the other is a writer. The main reason I pick this book is that I really, really enjoyed it....I think it's one of the best new books I've read in years! (fiction)
Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. This is the book that started it all! Anyone who knows me knows that I love Russian history, particularly late Tsarist era/Revolutionary Russian history. Well, this is the book that sparked my interest. My senior year in high school I was writing a paper on hemophilia for health class and came across this book while researching. Robert Massie's research is impeccable and his writing make this book read like a novel. I still go back and read it from time to time. (non-fiction)
Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth about Miscarriage by Jon Cohen. I experienced five miscarriages before getting pregnant with Helen and this is the book I read during that time that I thought was the best. Jon Cohen and his wife also experienced multiple miscarriages so he writes with intimate knowledge of what miscarriage is like for a couple. He also includes current research about miscarriage and many stories of other couples who've experienced multiple miscarriages. I also appreciated that some of the stories he shared did not end with the woman successfully carrying a baby to term, sometimes that's just not the "happy ending" that a couple receives. Anyway, this is a good book, especially if you or someone you love has experienced multiple miscarriages. (non-fiction)
Generation Next Parenting by Tricia Goyer. This is a parenting book specifically about being a Gen X parent and how our parenting style differs from that of our Baby Boom parents. I actually won a copy of this book in a contest on one of my favorite blogs and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. Tricia Goyer uses all kinds of fun 1980s pop culture references to make her points so, if nothing else, this book is good for a trip down memory lane. Really, though, Goyer provides lots of tips and encouragement for Gen Xers trying to raise godly children. (non-fiction)
Enduring Love by Ian McEwan. I'm choosing this book for a number of reasons. First, I had an ex-boyfriend who was kind of a stalker once so I'm familiar with the panic and fear the main character feels when being stalked. Also, I'm often plagued by the "if only" and "what if" questions of life, much like the main character. I am a huge Ian McEwan fan so I thought it was appropriate to include one of his novels here (if you don't want to read Enduring Love, I also highly recommend Atonement...it's probably better but I don't think it's exactly "about me"). (fiction)
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter. This book is about me simply because it is set in Spokane and features a lot of familiar locations. For the record, I am not an ex-con, I'm not in the witness protection program and I don't hang out with "women of ill repute." Still, this is a fun suspense novel with very interesting observations about politics (it takes place in 1980, right before the Reagan/Carter election) and life. (fiction)
I guess that's my list. It was harder than I thought it would be to narrow my selections down...there were so many more I could have included. I really wanted to include Pride and Prejudice (because I have a crush on Mr. Darcy) but I noticed that it is on another list so I decided not to repeat. So many books, so little time!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Maryanne's List
This has been harder than I thought. When I decided not to be so serious and brooding, and just be myself, I began having fun! Here's my list:
1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This is how I love, with a fiery passion that lasts and lasts and lasts. I've actually watched the movie before I was able to read the book, and when I finally got the book and was ready to read it, I hesitated. I wondered how I would react if the book would come across as very different from the movie. Indeed it was different, and I loved the book more than I loved the movie! Funny thing is, I don't know how to cook at all. This is one of the books that made me realize that the best cooks of all are the ones who cook with love.
2. The History Of The Siege of Lisbon by Jose Saramago. Because I'm working on a book of history at the moment, and I am also plagued by the issues that the main character was worried about. I'm hoping to triumph in the end, like he did! Women writers are said to view history differently, and ask different questions, no matter if they were trained the same way as the men. Right now I'm deep in the work, and although I am currently on a much-needed break, everyday I stop and wonder about all the books of history out there, and how our lives would have been different had they been written differently.
3. How To Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton. Because I'm a single girl living alone in the big city. I also have a thing for shoes. This is really a how-to book, which I found so endearing, because it provides instructions for eveerything, including how to unwrap a cd, how to hire a plumber, and how to burp in public!
4. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Because when I was young I used to believe in vampires and ghosts. There was a period in my young life when, during summer, I'd pretend to fall asleep and then when everybody else was asleep, I'd get out of bed and peer out the window towards the lot of our next-door neighbor, about 300 kilometers away on the farm, and try to see those strange lights that old wives used to talk about. In the farm, where I grew up, everybody believed in ghosts and spirits and superstitions.
5. Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Roald Dahl. Simply because I looove chocolate!
1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This is how I love, with a fiery passion that lasts and lasts and lasts. I've actually watched the movie before I was able to read the book, and when I finally got the book and was ready to read it, I hesitated. I wondered how I would react if the book would come across as very different from the movie. Indeed it was different, and I loved the book more than I loved the movie! Funny thing is, I don't know how to cook at all. This is one of the books that made me realize that the best cooks of all are the ones who cook with love.
2. The History Of The Siege of Lisbon by Jose Saramago. Because I'm working on a book of history at the moment, and I am also plagued by the issues that the main character was worried about. I'm hoping to triumph in the end, like he did! Women writers are said to view history differently, and ask different questions, no matter if they were trained the same way as the men. Right now I'm deep in the work, and although I am currently on a much-needed break, everyday I stop and wonder about all the books of history out there, and how our lives would have been different had they been written differently.
3. How To Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton. Because I'm a single girl living alone in the big city. I also have a thing for shoes. This is really a how-to book, which I found so endearing, because it provides instructions for eveerything, including how to unwrap a cd, how to hire a plumber, and how to burp in public!
4. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Because when I was young I used to believe in vampires and ghosts. There was a period in my young life when, during summer, I'd pretend to fall asleep and then when everybody else was asleep, I'd get out of bed and peer out the window towards the lot of our next-door neighbor, about 300 kilometers away on the farm, and try to see those strange lights that old wives used to talk about. In the farm, where I grew up, everybody believed in ghosts and spirits and superstitions.
5. Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Roald Dahl. Simply because I looove chocolate!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Stephanie's List
Wow. I've been having such a hard time coming up with a list that I was actually starting to stress about it. I finally came to the realization that I was making it way more difficult than it should be. So, I sat down this morning and found 5 to add. And here they are:
- Lincoln by David Herbert Donald. This is a non-fiction bio on Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in Illinois, a stone's throw from Springfield, I've been to every "Lincoln Site" about 10 times. From the Old State Capitol Building to Lincoln Law Offices, from Lincoln's tomb to New Salem State Park, I've seen them all! This looked like a good book to throw into the "Stephanie" mix.
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin - Although no one that I know from my life here in Peoria nor my college life would believe it, I actually GREW UP on a farm! I read this when I was a kid and although she's a little more wholesome, I think I did get some of her spunk!
- Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter - This is the story about a girl in high school (for me it was college) that is a nonconformist and who values individuallity. She dresses "Goth", wears all black. Then one day her smart mouth gets her in trouble at school. (Hmmm...now THIS sounds like me!) She wakes up to find that whole world has gone Goth and she is no longer different....but POPULAR! I've been known to wear a LOT of black, even lipstick and nail polish. I always liked being different. Guess this one is really me!
- I am Legend by Richard Matheson - HUGE vampire fan here. Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted to be Buffy (not the dumb movie version, but the totally A** kicking TV one!) And this is one of the Classics of the genre. "Robert Neville is the last living man on earth ... but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood. By day he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn."
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My very favorite book. I read this in high school and fell in love with it. Can't have a list without this one.
That's it for now!! Later!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Wendy's List
Here's the final list!
1. Place Last Seen, by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman - This book is a touching novel about a lost child and the search which ensues to find her. It represents me on a couple of levels. I have been involved in Search and Rescue for almost ten years now (the first 7 of those years was with a my Search and Rescue dog - Caribou- and now I'm a certified Tracker I for my county team). In addition, the child in this novel has Down's Syndrome. As a licensed Physical Therapist, I work with children and adults with developmental disability. McGuinn Freeman does an outstanding job of portraying both the search teams and the family of this little girl.
2. A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson - A non fiction memoir of the author's trek along the Appalachian Trail. I am a hiker and a lover of nature, and I have a good sense of humor. Bryson's account is hysterically funny and I found that although I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail, I could relate to his escapades!
3. In The Shadow Of Man, by Jane Goodall - Non fiction book about Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Africa. As a child I wanted to be Jane Goodall! I love animals and her job seemed like the perfect job to me. I was lucky enough to meet Ms. Goodall several years ago after she gave a talk at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California. I had a lot of things I wanted to ask her, but I was struck dumb in her presence! She is an incredible woman. My copy of this book is autographed, so I treasure it even more!
4. The Borrowers, by Mary Norton - This was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the idea of a family of little people living under the floorboards - with my wild imagination, I could almost hear them in my own house! I actually read the entire series several times, borrowing the books over and over again from my local library. I have vowed to get a copy of this series for my home library - I can't believe I don't have it already!
5. The Hotel New Hampshire, by John Irving - This was the first Irving book I read and the one that made me a die-hard fan of his. I grew up in rural New England (New Hampshire) and I was captivated by Irving's quirky characters. I think I relate to John Irving's novels because of his character development; the way he captures the eccentricities of people; the way he demonstrates the fine balance of weaknesses and strengths. And who can resist a book about a family with a pet bear?
1. Place Last Seen, by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman - This book is a touching novel about a lost child and the search which ensues to find her. It represents me on a couple of levels. I have been involved in Search and Rescue for almost ten years now (the first 7 of those years was with a my Search and Rescue dog - Caribou- and now I'm a certified Tracker I for my county team). In addition, the child in this novel has Down's Syndrome. As a licensed Physical Therapist, I work with children and adults with developmental disability. McGuinn Freeman does an outstanding job of portraying both the search teams and the family of this little girl.
2. A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson - A non fiction memoir of the author's trek along the Appalachian Trail. I am a hiker and a lover of nature, and I have a good sense of humor. Bryson's account is hysterically funny and I found that although I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail, I could relate to his escapades!
3. In The Shadow Of Man, by Jane Goodall - Non fiction book about Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Africa. As a child I wanted to be Jane Goodall! I love animals and her job seemed like the perfect job to me. I was lucky enough to meet Ms. Goodall several years ago after she gave a talk at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California. I had a lot of things I wanted to ask her, but I was struck dumb in her presence! She is an incredible woman. My copy of this book is autographed, so I treasure it even more!
4. The Borrowers, by Mary Norton - This was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the idea of a family of little people living under the floorboards - with my wild imagination, I could almost hear them in my own house! I actually read the entire series several times, borrowing the books over and over again from my local library. I have vowed to get a copy of this series for my home library - I can't believe I don't have it already!
5. The Hotel New Hampshire, by John Irving - This was the first Irving book I read and the one that made me a die-hard fan of his. I grew up in rural New England (New Hampshire) and I was captivated by Irving's quirky characters. I think I relate to John Irving's novels because of his character development; the way he captures the eccentricities of people; the way he demonstrates the fine balance of weaknesses and strengths. And who can resist a book about a family with a pet bear?
Friday, May 4, 2007
Suey's List
I think I’ve finally come up with my list. Sheesh, it wasn’t easy! I always struggle with deciding whether to pick books I’ve read already, or picking ones I WANT to read... so I did a little of both.
My List of "Something About Me" Books:
The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini. My other consuming hobby, after reading, is quilting. I’m not very good at it, but it sure is fun to do! This book is the first in a series called The Elm Creek Quilters Series, and my friend seems to love them, so I’ve been wanting to give them a try.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. No one else has listed this book yet have they? I admit, I’ve been swept up (or should I say sucked into? LOL!) in the whole Twilight books thing! I love them! I love teen romance stories! I love Stephenie’s style! I hope to write like her some day. (In my dreams...) I’m also finding that I’ve been increasingly attracted to the whole vampire genre and I’m really anxious to read some more books like this.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I couldn’t list books about me without some kind of Victorian era classic. It’s truly my favorite genre. I picked this one because it’s about time I re-read it and because there’s just something about this one that gets to me. Something about doomed romance and haunted characters, and ghosts and all that good deep stuff.
Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald. Being from Utah, I find it funny that I’ve never read this book, written by the author of Great Brain fame. I’ve heard it’s wonderfully funny and that fans of the Little House series (I’m thinking that’s many of us) love it. It’s non-fiction but I think loosely based on his family stories.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Twice a year, I run the book fair at the elementary school. Often, I’ll read some of the book fair books and then talk them up. Last time, after talking about several books, a student raised her hand and said, "Did you read anything that WASN’T fantasy?" I realized that I hadn’t! I love YA fantasy and so I’ve picked this one because it’s been on my list forever to get to and maybe this will help me to finally do it! (Yes I know I’m supposed to read the books on everyone else’ list, but I figured I could read stuff on mine too!)
Anyway, so there you have it! Hopefully these books say a little bit about me!
My List of "Something About Me" Books:
The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini. My other consuming hobby, after reading, is quilting. I’m not very good at it, but it sure is fun to do! This book is the first in a series called The Elm Creek Quilters Series, and my friend seems to love them, so I’ve been wanting to give them a try.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. No one else has listed this book yet have they? I admit, I’ve been swept up (or should I say sucked into? LOL!) in the whole Twilight books thing! I love them! I love teen romance stories! I love Stephenie’s style! I hope to write like her some day. (In my dreams...) I’m also finding that I’ve been increasingly attracted to the whole vampire genre and I’m really anxious to read some more books like this.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I couldn’t list books about me without some kind of Victorian era classic. It’s truly my favorite genre. I picked this one because it’s about time I re-read it and because there’s just something about this one that gets to me. Something about doomed romance and haunted characters, and ghosts and all that good deep stuff.
Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald. Being from Utah, I find it funny that I’ve never read this book, written by the author of Great Brain fame. I’ve heard it’s wonderfully funny and that fans of the Little House series (I’m thinking that’s many of us) love it. It’s non-fiction but I think loosely based on his family stories.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Twice a year, I run the book fair at the elementary school. Often, I’ll read some of the book fair books and then talk them up. Last time, after talking about several books, a student raised her hand and said, "Did you read anything that WASN’T fantasy?" I realized that I hadn’t! I love YA fantasy and so I’ve picked this one because it’s been on my list forever to get to and maybe this will help me to finally do it! (Yes I know I’m supposed to read the books on everyone else’ list, but I figured I could read stuff on mine too!)
Anyway, so there you have it! Hopefully these books say a little bit about me!
Link Love!
Links to books on this list at discount prices!
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard (5.99)
Boys and Girls Forever - Alison Lurie (3.99)
The Black Book: Girls, Girls, Girls, Vol. 1 - Jonah Black (2.49)
The Amateur Marriage - Anne Tyler (7.99)
Charlotte's Web - E.B. White (2.99)
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (9.99)
The Complete C.S. Lewis (including Mere Christianity) - Lewis (24.96)
This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare (2.49)
Seven Blessings - Ruchama King (4.99)
Close to Shore - Michael Capuzzo (4.99)
Fresh-Brewed Life - Nicole Johnson (4.99)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (3.49)
Cheaper By the Dozen - Frank Gilbreth (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Borrowers - Mary Norton (2.99 9.99)
The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming - J. Nash (3.99)
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Geralyn Lucas (4.99)
Essays of E. B. White - E.B. White (5.99)
Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald (4.99)
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (3.49)
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova (6.49)
Heidi - Johanna Spyri (6.99)
So Many Books So Little Time - Sara Nelson (4.99)
My Desert Kingdom - Jill Koolmees (4.99)
The Childless Revolution - Madelyn Cain (4.99)
Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person - B. Jaeger (5.99)
Biblioholism - Tom Raabe (5.99)
Evensong - Gail Godwin (3.99)
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd (5.49)
The Quilter's Apprentice - Jennifer Chiaverini (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin (3.49)
The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde (4.99)
I hope this will help some of you who are on the fringe with some of these books. In most cases I tried to provide you with the cheapest available book. I didn't include some scratch and dent prices. Sometimes the hardcover was cheaper and sometimes the hardcover was available for only a dollar more. The best way to check on alternate prices with this site is to click on the author's name.
This site has been one of my favorite for years. They have the most reasonable shipping rates I have ever seen. If you are planning on making a purchase I suggest you register and sign in before filling up your cart because doing so can possibly clear your cart. Coupons are often available for this site. Here is a link to a coupon site. These sites are not always reliable so sometimes you have to mess with them. The discount coupons often end up covering the cost of shipping.
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard (5.99)
Boys and Girls Forever - Alison Lurie (3.99)
The Black Book: Girls, Girls, Girls, Vol. 1 - Jonah Black (2.49)
The Amateur Marriage - Anne Tyler (7.99)
Charlotte's Web - E.B. White (2.99)
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (9.99)
The Complete C.S. Lewis (including Mere Christianity) - Lewis (24.96)
Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare (2.49)
Seven Blessings - Ruchama King (4.99)
Close to Shore - Michael Capuzzo (4.99)
Fresh-Brewed Life - Nicole Johnson (4.99)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (3.49)
Cheaper By the Dozen - Frank Gilbreth (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
The Borrowers - Mary Norton (
The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming - J. Nash (3.99)
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Geralyn Lucas (4.99)
Essays of E. B. White - E.B. White (5.99)
Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald (4.99)
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (3.49)
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova (6.49)
Heidi - Johanna Spyri (6.99)
So Many Books So Little Time - Sara Nelson (4.99)
My Desert Kingdom - Jill Koolmees (4.99)
The Childless Revolution - Madelyn Cain (4.99)
Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person - B. Jaeger (5.99)
Biblioholism - Tom Raabe (5.99)
Evensong - Gail Godwin (3.99)
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd (5.49)
The Quilter's Apprentice - Jennifer Chiaverini (3.99)
Place Last Seen - Charlotte McGuinn Freeman (4.99)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin (3.49)
The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde (4.99)
I hope this will help some of you who are on the fringe with some of these books. In most cases I tried to provide you with the cheapest available book. I didn't include some scratch and dent prices. Sometimes the hardcover was cheaper and sometimes the hardcover was available for only a dollar more. The best way to check on alternate prices with this site is to click on the author's name.
This site has been one of my favorite for years. They have the most reasonable shipping rates I have ever seen. If you are planning on making a purchase I suggest you register and sign in before filling up your cart because doing so can possibly clear your cart. Coupons are often available for this site. Here is a link to a coupon site. These sites are not always reliable so sometimes you have to mess with them. The discount coupons often end up covering the cost of shipping.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
I know that the reading part of this challenge doesn't officially start until August, so I hope nobody minds if I start reading some books now. Some look really good, or were books I wanted to read anyway. So even if I read them early, now I'll be thinking aboout the person who suggested it and why.
My concern is there are so many books I want to read, how will I ever get the time? Since I don't have a time-turner like Hermione, pretending that May is August is my best chance.
My concern is there are so many books I want to read, how will I ever get the time? Since I don't have a time-turner like Hermione, pretending that May is August is my best chance.
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