Challenges for 2011

At this point, I have selected two challenges for 2011. I may decide to add one more but here they are.....

Support Your Local Library Challenge

If you are interested in joining this challenge, click here.

I am joining at the "Fun" Size so I will read 40 books checked out from the library this year.

Southern Literature Challenge

If you are interested in joining this challenge, click here.

I am joining at Level 4, since I live in North Carolina the least I can do is read four southern literature books.

Happy reading in 2011!

Giving the Gift of Books

I love to give and receive books as gifts especially at the holidays. This year is no exception!

For Chanukah,my husband got me - Tartine Bread

I just started reading the Tartine bread story and have not made anything yet but I can't wait to start baking.



A friend gave me - Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron


I haven't started reading it yet, but I know it will come in handy some day soon.








For Christmas, we got my mom - The Sunset Cookbook

It looks fantastic and I am sure that she will be able to find lots of good stuff to make in it!








We got my brother - Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes


I read this book earlier this year and immediately thought my brother would like to read it. I hesitate to say he would 'enjoy' the book since the subject matter is the Vietnam War but the book was well written and tells a compelling story.




What are books are you giving/receiving this year?

Books from Grandma Skip

I have clearly fallen off of the book blog train and then I got another box of books in the mail. I decided there was no better place to start then with a new box of books from Grandma Skip.

Here's what she sent -
- Tribute - Nora Roberts
- Deadly Game - Linda Lael Miller
- Lifeguard - James Patterson
- McKettricks of Texas: Tate - Linda Lael Miller
- Outcast - Joan Johnson
- Lone Eagle - Danielle Steel
- A Painted House - John Grisham
- The Cabin - Carla Neggers
- Home Before Dark - Susan Wiggs
- The Secret Hour - Luanne Rice
- Return to Summerhouse - Jude Deveraux
- Distant Shores - Kristin Hannah
- Catch a Dream - Mary Jane Meier
- Summer Pleasures - Nora Roberts

Any of these books catch your fancy? Let me know, I will happily send it your way.

Books from Grandma Skip

By the looks of it, I was busy in May. I did not get one thing posted to the blog. Here's hoping that June is a better month. I am starting off on the right foot by getting a box of books from my grandma. These titles were all included -

- Lucky Charm - Carly Phillips
- Runaway Mistress - Robyn Carr
- The Gift - Nora Roberts
- In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner - Elizabeth George
- Cherry Cheesecake Murder - Joanne Fluke
- A Summer Affair - Susan Wiggs
- Almost Like Being in Love - Christina Dodd
- One Day at at Time - Danielle Steel
- The Oath - John Lescroart
- The Whole Truth - Dacid Baldacci
- Firestorm - Iris Johansen
- Yours2Keep - multiple authors
- S is for Silence - Sue Grafton
- Just Breathe - Susan Wiggs
- Country Brides - Debbie Macomber
- Another Man's Son - Katherine Stone
- Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich
- Honeymoon - James Patterson
- The Pagan Stone - Nora Roberts
- L is for Lawless - Sue Grafton
- The Broker - John Grisham
- Just Over the Mountain - Robyn Carr
- Four Blind Mice - James Patterson

Whew! That's a whole lot of summer reading.

Review - The Unnamed - Joshua Ferris

From the front flap - "Tim Farmsworth is a handsome, healthy man, aging with the grace of a matinee idol. His wife, Jane, still loves him and for all its quiet trials, their marriage is still stronger than most. Despite long hours at the office, he remains passionate about his work, and his partnership at a prestigious Manhattan law firm means that the work he does is important. An even as his daughter, Becka, retreats being her guitar, her dreadlocks, and her puppy fat, he offers her every on of a father's honest lies about her being the most beautiful girl in the world. He loves his wife, his family, his work, his home. And then one day he stands up and walks out. And keeps walking."

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am still not sure how I feel about this book. At first, I was intrigued by the mysterious illness that affects Tim. Why does he keep walking? How has it gone undiagnosed for so long? I kept thinking that I would get answers but I didn't. The book was hard to read because seeing Tim and his family struggle was hard to read about. It was fascinating to see how each of the family members cope with this challenge and how it drastically affects all of their lives. That being said, the book left me feeling a little but unfulfilled. Like I said at the beginning, I am still not sure about this book.

Title: TheUnnamed
Author: Joshua Ferris
Publisher:Reagan Arthur Books
Source: Library
Rating: 3/5

Books from Grandma Skip

Every few weeks I get a box of books in the mail from my Grandma Skip. She reads books in her spare time and she has a lot of spare time. All of her books are signed on the inside flap with her name and the date and location of where the book was read. Occasionally, she includes a sticky note with some additional information for me. You can see from the list that she likes mysteries and romance.

April's box contains the following titles:
- Under the Boardwalk - Various Authors
- No Choice but Seduction - Johanna Lindsey
- At the King's Command - Susan Wiggs
- A Virgin River Christmas - Robyn Carr
- The Law of Love - Nora Roberts
- The Hunt Club - John Lescroart
- Eleventh Hour - Catherine Coulter
- Web of Love - Mary Balogh
- The Edge of Winter - Luanne Rice
- Irish Magic - Various Authors
- Sooner of Later - Debbie Macomber
- Last Kiss - Luanne Rice
- Angel's Peak - Robyn Carr

Added to the pile :)

One Word Review - The Help - Kathryn Stockett

In one word - LOVE (as in I loved this book and if you have not read it already it should be the next book you read!)

Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Publisher:Amy Einhorn
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5