Friday, November 26, 2010

Let's Read


I got this from Willa at Wicked Wonderful Words. She asked if
you have stopped by Quinn's blog "Seeing Dreaming Writing" - http://www.seeingdreamingwriting.blogspot.com/? and she recommends that you do. Willa said that Quinn has just posted a really thought-provoking list from the BBC - according to BBC you are well-read if you have read more than 6 books from this list. So I decided to check the list for myself.
In addition to the orignial instructions I have books in my TBR pile printed in red.
Instructions:

• Copy this list.

• Bold those books you’ve read in their entirety.

• Italicize the ones you started but didn’t finish or read only an excerpt.

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
The Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien

Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
Harry Potter series – JK Rowling
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The King James Bible (I will finish it, I keep reading and rereading parts)
Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Nineteen Eighty Four (1984) – George Orwell
His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
Little Women – Louisa M Alcott
Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy
Catch 22 – Joseph Heller
Complete Works of Shakespeare
Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
Birdsong – Sebastian Faulk
Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger
The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
Middlemarch – George Eliot
Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh
Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame
Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis
Emma - Jane Austen
Persuasion – Jane Austen
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis De Bernieres
Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Winnie the Pooh – A.A. Milne
Animal Farm – George Orwell
The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving
The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins
Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery
Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
Lord of the Flies – William Golding
Atonement – Ian McEwan
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
Dune – Frank Herbert
Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons
Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen
A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth
The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon
Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
The Secret History – Donna Tartt
The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
On The Road – Jack Kerouac
Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy
Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding
Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie
Moby Dick – Herman Melville
Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
Dracula – Bram Stoker
The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson
Ulysses – James Joyce
The Inferno – Dante
Swallows and Amazons – Arthur Ransome
Germinal – Emile Zola
Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray
Possession – AS Byatt
Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell
The Color Purple – Alice Walker
The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro
Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert
A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry
Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton
Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad
The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks
Watership Down – Richard Adams
A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole
A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute
The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas
Hamlet – William Shakespeare
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

It would be hard to pick a favorite so I will list some that I really liked. To Kill a Mockingbird is way at the top of my favorites list. I loved Watership Down. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are among my all time favorites as are The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. The Kite Runner was really good. I could go on, I hate to stop there...... :)

So what about you? How many books on this BBC list have you read? What are your favorites?

I was suprised at some of the books on and off the list. I think that to be well read is a relative term depending on your interests and why you are reading. It would be a shame to read a lot of things you have no interest in or desire to read just to conform to someone else's idea of what being well read is.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

All I Want For Christmas


"All I Want For Christmas" is a seasonal meme hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words. Every week until Christmas Danya invites bloggers to share a book on their wish list. Sounds like fun! The next book on my Christmas wish list is:


It's 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Mailbox Monday & It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Knitting and Sundries will be hosting Mailbox Monday in November. “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists." Here are the books I received in the mail last week.

Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards
The horse Susan Richards chose for rescue wouldn’t be corralled into her waiting trailer. Instead Lay Me Down, a former racehorse with a foal close on her heels, walked right up that ramp and into Susan’s life. This gentle creature—malnourished, plagued by pneumonia and an eye infection—had endured a rough road, but somehow her heart was still open and generous. It seemed fated that she would come into Susan’s paddock and teach her how to embrace the joys of life despite the dangers of living.
An elegant and often heartbreaking tale filled with animal characters as complicated and lively as their human counterparts, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope and the ways in which all love—even an animal’s—has the power to heal.

Tomb With a View by Casey Daniels
Cemeteries come alive for amateur sleuth/reluctant medium Pepper Martin. Cleveland's Garden View Cemetery is hosting a James A. Garfield commemoration. For tour guide and reluctant medium Pepper Martin this means that's he'll surely be hearing from the dead president himself. And when she's assigned to help plan the event with know-it-all volunteer and Garfield fanatic Marjorie Klinker, she'll wish Marjorie were dead...too bad someone beats Pepper to it.

Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Thomas E. Sniegoski
Still mourning the loss of his wife, fallen angel Remy Chandler has immersed himself in investigating dangerous supernatural cases. His latest: the theft of a cache of ancient weaponry stolen from a collector who deals in antiquities of a dark and dubious nature.

Armadillos & Old Lace by Kinky Friedman
Little old ladies are dropping dead at an alarming rate in the vicinity of the family's ranch/summer camp in Texas, and Kinky is asked to investigate. A faded photograph of ten pretty girls is just the clue he needs to unravel a devious scheme of revenge for personal wrongs and social snubs.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. This meme is hosted by Book Journey.

I am reading:
Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout
"A Day Of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life As An Animal Surgeon.

Blood Memories by Barb Hendee
Eleisha Clevon has the face of a teen angel, but she is no angel. Unlike most vampires, she doesn't like to kill, but self-preservation comes first.

I'm listening to:
The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory
The first in a stunning new series, The Cousins’ War, is set amid the tumult and intrigue of the Wars of the Roses. Internationally bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings this extraordinary family drama to vivid life through its women – beginning with Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

All I Want for Christmas


"All I Want For Christmas" is a seasonal meme hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words. Every week until Christmas Danya invites bloggers to share a book on their wish list. Sounds like fun! The next book on my Christmas wish list is:




Roberta Gately’s lyrical and authentic debut novel—inspired by her own experiences as a nurse in third world war zones—is one woman’s moving story of offering help and finding hope in the last place she expected.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

W...W...W...Wednesdays

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?



What am I currently reading?
Click on the books to learn about them. A Kiss.... is the start of a new series for me. So far I'm liking it. I'm a sucker for dog stories and that little fellow on the cover was too cute to ignore. I'm enjoying this one too.








What did I recently finish reading?
Click on these books for my review. My copy of Vixen was an ARC for the B&N First Look Book Club. It is a YA historical romance set in the roaring 20s. Side Jobs, by Jim Butcher is a book of short stories previously published in anthologies. I am a fan of the series so I had to read this one.










What do I think I'll read next?
Click on the book to learn about it. This is part of a series that is new to me. I've read other novels by Barb and JC Hendee that I thought were really good so I'm looking forward to reading this one.




Sunday, November 14, 2010

Mailbox Monday

Knitting and Sundries will be hosting Mailbox Monday in November. “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists." Here are the 2 books I received recently in the mail last week. Click each picture to read about the book.




Things we couldn't say is the true story of Diet [pronounced Deet] Eman, a young Dutch woman who, with her fiance, Hein Sietsma, risked everything to rescue Jews imperiled by Nazi persecution in occupied Holland during World War II.





Southern belle Leelee Satterfield leaves her beloved Memphis to follow her husband's pipe dream: to manage a quaint Vermont inn. But when Leelee is left swindled and snowbound, she's forced to confront the true depth of her Southern grit.





Cindy’s church is getting ready to celebrate Easter, and Jeremiah’s Temple is preparing for Passover when Cindy literally stumbles over the body of an unknown man lying dead in the sanctuary. The church was locked, and a bloody cross necklace on the floor seems to be the only clue. The killer is likely a member of the congregation, but there are hints that similar deaths have happened in the past. Are Cindy and Jeremiah dealing with a serial killer? They have to unravel the clues before Easter Sunday arrives and more people die.



The MacArthur Study Guide Series continues to be one of the best selling study guide series on the market today.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

All I Want For Christmas

"All I Want For Christmas" is a seasonal meme hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words. Every week until Christmas Danya invites bloggers to share a book on their wish list. Sounds like fun! The next book on my Christmas wish list is:



This is the 4th book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series which I have really been enjoying. This book is next on my wish list. Can't wait to get it!

Read about it here.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mailbox Monday


Knitting and Sundries will be hosting Mailbox Monday in November. “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists." Here are the 2 books I received recently in the mail last week. Click each picture to read about the book.

The first short story collection in the #1 New York Times bestselling series-including a brand-new Harry Dresden novella!

Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher-a compendium of cases that Harry and his cadre of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new, never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger ending of the new April 2010 hardcover, Changes. This is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan as well as a perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago's only professional wizard.


Daily Guideposts 2011: A Spirit Lifting Devotional, from the team at Guideposts, pretty much tells the reader exactly what is to be found inside the pages. A devotion has been written for every day of the calendar year from New Year's Day to its eve in December. The 2011 version is significant because this is the 35th annual edition of the devotional.



Thursday, November 4, 2010

W....W.....W Wednesdays


WWW: Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three questions....

*What are you currently reading?
*What did you recently finish reading?
*What do you think you'll read next?
My answers:

What are you currently reading?
I'm almost half way through "Side Jobs" by Jim Butcher. It is a book of short stories about Butcher's character Harry Dresden from his Dresden Files novels. They have previously been published in anthologies.






What did you recently finish reading?
I finished "Grave Goods" by Ariana Franklin. It was the third book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and I really enjoyed it!






What do you think you’ll read next?
I think I'm going to read "Tell Me Where It Hurts" by Dr. Nick Trout. On the front cover it says: "A Day Of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life As An Animal Surgeon.

All I Want For Christmas

"All I Want For Christmas" is a seasonal meme hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words. Every week until Christmas Danya invites bloggers to share a book on their wish list. Sounds like fun! The next book on my Christmas wish list is:

I read The Apothecary's Daughter by this author and enjoyed it. So I checked out her other books and decided I would like to read this one.


Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.
But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.
He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Mailbox Monday & It's Monday What Are You Reading?


Knitting and Sundries will be hosting Mailbox Monday in November. “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists." Here are 3 books I received recently in the mail. Can't wait to get to them! Click each picture to read about the book.
Mailbox Monday Info from its creator.




This is an ARC of a YA novel that I will be reading for a discussion group at Barnes and Noble.





I was browsing and ran across this book. It is set in the 40s in Hollywood and Montana. I like stories from this time period and it sounded like it would be a good read.







I've read several books by Barb and J.C. Hendee and enjoyed them so I thought I'd try this one out.







It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. This Meme is sponsored by Book Journey. It's fun so join us!


I am listening to:

The Charlemagne Pursuit
In bestseller Berry's fourth thriller to feature ex–Justice Department agent Cotton Malone (after The Venetian Betrayal), Malone embarks on a search for answers about his father, Capt. Forrest Malone, after learning that instead of dying in 1971 in a nuclear sub accident in the North Atlantic, his father actually died while on a secret submarine mission to the Antarctic. Meanwhile, bad guy Adm. Langford Ramsey schemes to become the next ranking officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two story lines merge as a group led by Malone races to Antarctica, where they find a strange underground city belonging to the Aryans, an advanced race who inhabited the earth at the dawn of our own civilization.

I am reading:

Vixen by Jillian Larkin
Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.
Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
Rich period detail supersedes suspense in Franklin’s second historical novel to feature twelfth-century forensic investigator Adelia Aguilar. A graduate of the Salerno School of Medicine, Adelia is one of the few female doctors of her era. But her professional efforts are often thwarted by those who believe her to be a witch. King Henry II isn’t one of them. When Glastonbury Abbey, one of England’s holiest sites, is burned to the ground, Henry summons the “Mistress of the Art of Death” to identify two skeletons found among the rubble. Could they be the bodies of the legendary King Arthur and his Lady Guinevere? King Henry hopes so.