World WIthout End

In December of 2011, I posted about the mini-series, Pillars of the Earth.  Reelz is now showing World Without End - the sequel to Pillars of the Earth.  I just started the second episode, and apart from one discrepancy, it's proving to be as good as the first mini series.  If you're interested, it comes on on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Reelz.  I re-read the book a few months ago, and it just confirms what an extraordinary historical fiction writer Ken Follett is.  Like I said a few posts ago, I read his latest and greatest, "Winter of the World," a few weeks ago.  He can make any age interesting by creating characters that bring the era to life.

One of the books I've read in the past month of so (I can't remember which one) mentioned "Tess of the D'Uberville's" several times in the book.  So, I decided to put it on my reading list.  I picked it up at the library last week, and for the life of me, I can't get through it.  I seem absolutely hopeless at reading "Classics."  Pride and Prejudice, this book, and several other well known and broadly read books, I just can't get through.  As a bookworm, this frustrates me because I feel like I should read EVERYTHING.  But, I just can't - they bore me and I end of falling asleep.  Or, I miss something vital to the plot line, and I can't catch up from there.  It just bothers me, because I feel like the classics are something I should read!

So anyway, I'm moving on to my next book.  Amazon recently released its "lending library."  There is a fair amount of books - fairly new releases and best sellers - that are available.  I "checked out" Wild Montana Sky," which is on my list, so I'll let you know how it is!  And if I can get through it!  I only have a set amount of time to read it, because it's rented.  After that, it's Kate Morton's new book, "the Secret Keeper."

John Grisham's new book, "The Racketeer," came out yesterday.  Usually with his books, Austin's grandmother buys the book, reads it, gives it to Austin's mom, who reads it, and then she loans it to me.  I'm going to try to be patient, since I have a whole stack to read, but I may end up ordering it :)

-khl

Another Updated Book List

Because I haven't had the time to do a post for each book I've read lately, here you go!!

I left off in August with the House at Riverton.  Another fabulous book by Kate Morton.  I just ordered her new one, The Secret Keeper.  It will be here tomorrow :)

I need to do a complete post on the Pittacus Lore Series.  I'll put that on my To-Do/To-Blog list.  Stay tuned - I promise I'll write it!

Another book I picked up in Virginia Beach - and finished that week.  It's about three adult sisters, that all went their separate ways, only to discover what they had done was the complete opposite of what they wanted for their lives.  Could totally relate to that, by the way!  Brought together by their mother's illness, they are forced to come face to face with reality, and all three help each other to find the lives they always wanted.

 

My sister in law, Emily, recommended this book to be while we were in VA beach too.  (Yes, it was heaven for me- I ate, slept, read, lived books that week).  Oprah's book review states this perfectly:

"She's Come Undone is a deeply affecting, often hilarious novel that centers around one of the most extraordinary characters in recent American fiction: wisecracking, ever-vulnerable Dolores Price, whose life we follow through her fortieth year."  I really enjoyed this book too - throughout the book, I found myself saying, "I feel like that sometimes, but I've never known how to express it!!!"  It's kind of racy in some parts, but I could totally relate to the crazy-girl psyche!

The Peach Keeper has been on my list for a while, and I picked it up at the library last month.  It interested me because of the southern, cross-generation theme, and it was an easy and fun read.

State of Wonder was absolutely my favorite book of September.  (How nerdy are you when you can say that?!?!?!)  Dr. Marina Singh sets off into the Amazon Jungle to get information from her colleague, Dr. Annick Swenson.  Dr. Swenson is studying a tribe of native women who never go through menopause, and continue to give birth late in life.  Dr. Swenson is working to create a drug that will help other women reproduce and bring this miracle into the know world.  Marina goes in search of Dr. Swenson, and finds more than she ever bargained for.  I'm not going to ruin this book for you - it is absolutely amazing.  Jenny sent me a text the day I finished it asking for a book suggestion.  I immediately send back "State of Wonder - YOU HAVE TO READ IT!"  I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did.  The plot and content is so much different than anything I've read lately.  That's refreshing when you read as often as I do - the plots all seem to run together.  But this was new and fresh, and I was unable to put it down!

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave, has gotten rave reviews, but it wasn't my favorite.  I finished it, and thought, "What was the point of that?"  But, to each his own!

Last but certainly not least, is Ken Follett's second book in his Century Trilogy, Winter of the World.  Set in World War II, it follows the next generation of the families introduced in his first installment, Fall of Giants.  I love historical fiction, as you know, and I especially loved the stories of the families trying to live normally as their lives fell apart around them.  It shows both the fighting and the homesteads.  And of course, Follett creates unforgettable characters and stories.  The third and final installment is due in 2014 I think - it's such a long time!!!  Definitely re-reading the first 2 before I read the third!

Okay, seeing this list (5 weeks of books) is complete confirmation of what a nerd I am.  But when such great books are waiting to be read, how can you help it!?!?!  Anyway, next up is The Secret Keeper, of course, and whatever I happen to pick up at the Library this afternoon.  Happy reading!

The Casual Vacancy

Every time I say I'm going to get better at this blogging thing, I go missing for months at a time!  I've been busy with work (Shopping Extravaganza) and a church committee I'm chairing, so I have a so-so excuse :)

Last night, I finish J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy".  The book has gotten mixed reviews, with many claiming it's too boring, involves to many "taboo" subjects, and again, is boring.  Last night, a friend asked me what I thought of the book.  I told him that I liked the book, but subconsciously, I might have an obligation to like the book because of who wrote it.  Does that make sense?

I will admit, this book does not have the fabulous, can't put it down, Harry Potter-esque plot line, but the way Rowling develops the characters is classic for her.  You know these characters intimately, and while I couldn't personally relate to any of them (their life situations and mine don't jive) I honestly felt like I knew each and every one of them. 

The story, set in a small English town, begins with the death of Barry Fairbrother, a town councilman.  Suddenly, the council has a void, and three men step up to run for the position.  These men, and their families, are put through the political paces, with scandal touching each one of their lives.  It's hard to explain the "plot" of this story, because there really isn't one - the timeline is basically that of the political race.  The books follows these expertly crafted characters through their days, and trials and tribulations. 

If you're looking for a thrilling and exciting read, this is definitely not the book for you!  But, if you love characters, and live and breathe with them, and enjoy living someone else's day-to-day life every once in a white, this is one to put on your list!