What I'm reading this week

Friends recommended all three of the books I'm reading this week. 

 I'm enjoying each of them immensely which surprised me.

 I'll rate and review them when I'm finished and so far, so good.  

Really good.      
 

June 2013 Book Recommendations

This is my summer of reading. I L♥VE books and this month I'm devouring as many as I can get my hands on.  This past week I've read the three shown above.

The Glass Castle - 4 stars

A courageous and true to life memoir of  Jeannette Walls.  I found the book both enlightening and disturbing and at times extremely painful to read.  I knew a family like this years ago and I tried to help them but in my limited experience I realized that adults with mental illness and addiction problems that are not willing to help themselves, can't be helped, and unfortunately their children suffer immeasurably.  It's a story of perseverance and unlikely love I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Secret Daughter - 4.5 stars

! I chose this book for our July Book Club and I'm glad I did. I Loved this book! It is a deeply touching fictional story of two mothers, Somer - a San Francisco physician who is unable to have children, and Kavita - a poor mother from India who makes the heartbreaking choice to save her daughter by giving her away to the orphanage, and how their lives are tied together by their daughter, Asha.  "Compulsively readable and deeply touching, Secret Daughter is a story of the unforeseen ways in which our choices and families affect our lives, and the indelible power of love in all its many forms"

Half Broke Horses - 3.5 stars

I recommend you read this book before you read The Glass Castle.  Jeanette Walls wrote this "true novel" about her maternal grandmother Lily Casey Smith.  It's an entertaining read and clearly Jeannette Walls inherited her best traits from her grandmother.

 

What I'm reading - The Kitchen House

Have you read The Kitchen House?  I just finished reading the reviews on Amazon {over 900!} and it looks like a good read.  Ten seconds later and it's now on my Kindle ready to go.

I love rainy days, a roaring fire and a good book to read.

Book Club Questions - Heaven is Here

“There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire, 

which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity,

 but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.” -Washington Irving

 

Book Club was here at my house on Wednesday night and I choose Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen to discuss.

Problem was I could not find discussion questions anywhere.  I searched book sites, read reviews, and asked around.

Nothing.  Nope.  Nada.

So I wrote my own...questions for the discussion that is - or should I say I attempted to write them because heaven may be here but heaven knows, I'm no writer.

Just for you and anyone else who might need a few questions for Book Club...

Book Club Questions for Heaven is Here

1. Before Heaven is Here was published, did you know who Stephanie Nielsen was or were you familiar with her story?  Do you follow her blog The Nie Nie Dialogues?

2. How long did it take you to read Heaven is Here?    Did you pour through it or take your time?

3. Stephanie grew up in a large family surrounded by love, teasing and “…always something to do”.   Did you experience something similar when you were growing up or was your home life very different?

4. Her book takes you through her romantic courtship with her sweetheart Christian. How did you feel about Christian and Stephanie’s love affair?  Can you relate?

5. Stephanie writes about the early days of marriage and parenthood comparing them to the fantasy she always dreamed about.  Is this similar to your own experience? 

6. At what point in your life did you develop interests, hobbies and traditions?  What are they and why are they important to you?

7. How do you feel about Stephanie and Christian’s decision to pursue his life long desire to become a pilot?  Would you be as supportive?  What about other passions or careers in life that are risky like extreme sports or a law enforcement career?

8. After the plane crash, what follows is a candid account of the gruesome days and months to follow: the extreme low points, the suffocating darkness, the piercing pain of her wounds and endless treatments.  What are your feelings about her experience? Did you find this part of the book difficult to read or comprehend? 

9. Have you experienced suffering in your own life?  How did you manage?

10. After reading Heaven is Here, did you come away feeling like you’re ready to tackle your own obstacles in life, or discouraged because life can be challenging and overwhelming?

11. Have you had an experience where you and/or your husband, children and family have struggled to heal and regain a normal and even joyful life?

12. Do you feel you can live your life with the same strength and courage that Stephanie describes in her book.

By the way, our meeting lasted 4 hours!!  We had a blast.   Lots of laughter, stories, discussion and food.   It's totally a girls night out.

Book Club rocks!

 

a perfect weekend

I spent my weekend splitting iris rhizomes in my flower garden, prepping the soil for my summer vegetable garden, and re-reading a favorite book. 

My perfect weekend.

I ♥ Books

My latest book read is Water for Elephants.  I read it in two days and enjoyed it so much that I shared it with Mr. CHiPy.  He liked it as much as I did so we decided to see the movie version on his birthday.

It was a good choice.

Now I need summer book recommendations.  Care to share? 

Pioneer Woman's Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

Just added this to my 

Christmas wish list...

I

Releases February 2011.

Autumn with Susan Branch

I have enjoyed reading Susan Branch's books and cooking from her lovely cookbooks since I was a newlywed many moons ago. Since that time, I have collected every single book she has written. Now that it's Autumn, I'm revisiting this cookbook...

It's sitting here right next to me just waiting to be opened.

Here's a little bit about this lovely...

Autumn: From the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch. Cozy up to fall delights! Inspired by brisk mornings and gorgeous autumn colors, you'll find new ways to appreciate this wonderful time of the year everyday, plus thoughts on decorating with the season, special dinners, and holiday celebrations.

Love, love, love it!