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Sunday, February 17, 2013

What I've Been Reading - February 2013




It's been 2 months since I've done a "What I've Been Reading" post, so I thought it was about time to get caught up.  I've been given so many great books over the last few months - I feel guilty for not getting to them all!
 
One things I've changed is that I've become a lot pickier about what I read - I'm perfectly fine not reading an entire book.  Life's too short for bad books must be my new motto.
 
Instead of my typical chronological order, I'm going with 3 categories - books I loved, books I really liked, and books that were pretty good.  I guess a "3 to 5" scale.  I didn't finish, or bother to pick up, anything I thought might be a 1 or 2 in my estimation.
 
So, here is what I've read over the last 2 1/2 months!
 


Loved These Books
 
We read "Wild:  From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" for the Litwits' (my evening book club) January pick.  I truly enjoyed reading this over Christmas break.  The author lost her mother and went through a divorce, pretty lost.  On a whim she picked up a book on the Pacific Crest Trail (a much newer trail from Arizona to Washington State than the Appalachian Trail) and decided to hike 2,000 miles.  On her own.  Having never really hiked.  With an immensely heavy backpack.  Very little money.  And brand new hiking boots.  Crazy?  Yes.  I alternated between rooting for her and wondering how she's still alive.  I highly recommend this read if you like non-fiction.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.


 
 
I received Chloe Coscarelli's vegan cookbook for Christmas and immediately flagged all the recipes I wanted to try.  I don't know much about her background, but I read an article on this book and it referenced her Food Network's Cupcake Wars win.  The recipes look great - regardless of your diet plan.  I'm really looking forward to making time to try several out this year.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Here’s a way to enjoy family favorites and her coveted desserts—including the first publication of her Cupcake War-winning vegan cupcakes—without busting your belt.





Really Liked These Books


 
Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is one of the only ones I religiously return to.  All of the 'teen ones in this serious (thirteen, fourteen...) got a little stale for me.  I think one or two of them I didn't even read all the way through - just jumped ahead.  This one though, I liked.  The bounty hunter portion of the book seemed a little more rooted in possible reality than her cartoon-type characters that pop up pretty regularly.  And the Stephanie-Ranger-Morelli storyline was a lot of fun too.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what a Tiki tells you to do.
 
 
 

I also received this book for Christmas, a follow up to Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project".  I was anxious to read this one as we started our own local Happiness Project.  I think it's a great follow-up.  While the first book covered broad life quests from religion to parenthood to pursuing passions, this book is focused squarely on one's home, extended family, and neighborhood.  Similar, but not overlapping.  More in-depth and additionally supportive to the project we're in the middle of. 
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - With her signature blend of memoir, science, philosophy, and experimentation, Rubin’s passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire readers to find more happiness in their own lives.
 
 
 

 
Reached is the third in the Matched trilogy, and a satisfying conclusion.  I didn't care for the second book, as it seemed to try for the Hunger Games audience and felt somewhat out of place in comparison with the first book.  This third book though had a great pace and satisfying storyline.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again.
 
 

My mom gave me this book when we were at home for Thanksgiving.  I have never read Ann Patchett but several book club friends recommended Bel Canto.  State of Wonder is a fascinating story set in the Amazon rainforest.  No spoilers but the "twist" wasn't my favorite part.  Still a good book.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - ...a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love.





David put this little book on his wish list and he and I both just finished it.  It's a great book on what to eat to get the best nutrition.  It's not diet-specific and is quoted everywhere - a great read if all of the diet/fitness/health/nutrition advice seems to contradict itself - like I feel like it does!
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Written with the clarity, concision and wit that has become bestselling author Michael Pollan's trademark, this indispensable handbook lays out a set of straightforward, memorable rules for eating wisely, one per page, accompanied by a concise explanation.
 
 

 

 
And now, feel free to laugh at my math books!
We've gotten to a point where the boys' math homework is somewhat beyond my reach.
And there's going to be an issue if David has to travel and the boys need support!
I vaguely remembered some of the topics, but haven't used those formulas and techniques in years and years.  I started with Basic Math & Pre-Algebra in December, then moved straight to Algebra I.  They were a great review for me.  Most of the first book I got pretty easily, but the review was nice. 
 
I'd recommend these two if you're looking for an Algebra review.
 



These Books Were OK
 
 
I did not know much about this book before I ordered it - probably not a good thing.  I really thought it was going to be more focused on parenting than a series of case studies on programs in inner-city schools that helped kids achieve their academic goals.  There were a few nuggets of good information I could use, but primarily aimed at educators.  And I would be happy to give it to you if it's of interest.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - It tells the personal stories of young people struggling to say on the right side of the line between success and failure.
 

One night on facebook a friend linked to this book on amazon - it was free as a Kindle download for the next couple of hours.  I don't have a Kindle, but then I saw where she mentioned there's a free Kindle app for the iPad.  Well, who knew?  So I downloaded it and read and highlighted sections that I thought David would be interested in.  The author is not a medical professional.  He suffered a heart episode and decided to research heart disease to be able to understand how to improve his health.  It's a good read with sound science, but probably too detailed for most people to just pick up and read.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - No matter our age or condition, Don’t Die Early is a plan of wellness and longevity, written for the everyday person who no longer wants to be at the mercy of their provider but wants to take control and become the healthiest that they can.
 
 
 
A great example of a series that I return to, but may not going forward.  This fourth book in the Richard Castle series just couldn't hold my attention.  I read through it, but I never got caught up in it.  I may think twice before checking out the next one at the library.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Facing relentless danger as someone targets her for the next kill, Nikki's search will unearth painful family truths, expose a startling hidden life, and cause Nikki to reexamine her own past.
 
 

 This is our March read for my daytime book club, As the Page Turns.  I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise.  I've read two other Barbara Kingsolvers and thought they were pretty good, but I'm not the huge fan that many people are.  This story is set in Appalachia and involves love, marriage, and climate change.  Rather mystical and magical at times.

One sentence goodreads.com description - In the lyrical language of her native Appalachia, Barbara Kingsolver bares the rich, tarnished humanity of her novel's inhabitants and unearths the modern complexities of rural existence.

 
And that's what I've been reading the last few months!
In an effort to "Share in the Interests" (one of my February Happiness Project goals), I've started reading the Rick Riordan books that my boys really love.  Along with Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, it'll be nice to have another series to discuss!
 
And, what have YOU been reading?
 

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