Lynness: Just My Type

Well, I read about Just My Type somewhere and wanted to read it, but my library didn't have it.  Then all of the sudden they did, so I got it and just finished reading it.  I was rather disappointed.  It was interesting, but not well organized, lack-luster, and worst of all, didn't illustrate (literally) the points it tried to make or define the basics of the type industry.  It did show snippets of many fonts, but the author would repeatedly talk about the relative merits this font or details of that letter WITHOUT SHOWING THE FONT (but showing a picture of the creator of the font...), leaving me to wonder if I had those fonts on the computer to compare...but who has time for that?  Or there would be talk of the Roman influence, or Gothic or Italic, or Egyptian, with no graphic or description of what details makes a font more this type rather than another type.  Bottom line: could have been so much better.

Lynness: finally

Finally read The Help- she did an amazing job- I loved it!
Finally joined Goodreads and just spent waaaay too long rating books and looking into getting other ones.  Can't wait to check out some of my recommended reads.
Checked out 3 other Mark Dunn books (of Ella Minnow Pea fame)- couldn't get into any of them, really.  I was disappointed.

Time for bed- I'm supposed to drive a vanload to the DC temple tomorrow!

Lulu: Forgot to mention this one--

I also read The Birth House, by Ami McKay, recommended by Abby, and LOVED it. It's exciting to read on the heels of beginning my doula certification, and just exciting anyway, with what a great story it is!

Lulu: My reading

Looks like we're all of the same mind here; I read The Help several months ago and loved it. The movie was really well-done, too. Recently I've read:

The Thirteenth Tale (Diane Setterfield) - I adored this book and didn't want to read anything else afterwards, because it was just too good. I recommended The Help to Liz and she recommended The Thirteenth Tale to me; we enjoyed several occasions of quiet, intent, tandem reading while I was at her house through the month of August.

Peace Like A River (Leif Enger) - Recommended to me by Abby and Aunt Beccy a couple of years ago, this was the book I read after The Thirteenth Tale. It was so beautiful! So I passed it on to Liz.

These Is My Words (Nancy E. Turner) - Recommended by Abby and Aunt Beccy, also a couple of years ago, I finally got around to reading it and I'm sad I'm done.

The Book Thief (Marcus Zusak) - I got 48 pages into this addictive book before it was lost in my floating-around-space suitcase that Delta still can't find. Very annoyed about that. I've requested it from our teeny-tiny branch library, so I'm just waiting. But I might end up buying it.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis) - I can't believe it took me so long to read this! I was really missing out. I read it to the kids out loud, after we had finished The Mysterious Benedict Society and were taking a break before diving into the second one. They loved it, Reed especially. I was so happy to read him something that is so richly symbolic of Christ, and written by someone who was a follower of Christ. Aslan makes me cry happy tears. Lucy and Susan make me think of my sisters. I'm really excited to read the first one (I hadn't realized that LWW was the second in the series) and the third! At the moment, we're finishing the Overlander series (Suzanne Collins); we're in the last book. And eventually we'll do the second Benedict book. It's nice to have a long queue of interesting books for their night-time reading. Makes me look forward to bedtime.

Reed is reading the first Harry Potter book! I am so pleased I could cry. While his vocal reading fluency isn't a strength YET, his comprehension is wonderful, and he gets zeroed in on Harry with intense interest when he's reading it to himself.

I'm also perusing several books on the art of writing, both the technical elements and the creative side of it.

In the process of moving and putting all my books on the shelves, I am re-realizing how many books I own that I haven't yet read. Furthermore, a lot of classics and "necessary" reads that I haven't touched....like....(oh, it shames me to admit this!)....To Kill A Mockingbird. Never read it. And too many others that I know I ought to read. I'm happy to have finally read These Is My Words and Peace Like A River, as those were on my shelves for a couple of years before I opened them. But I know, too, that it would be great if I'd read more of my own books!

Liz: P.S.

I also read Ella Minnow Pea, a couple years ago, and found it engaging, funny, and thought-provoking. I'd like to read his next book.

Liz: What I've been reading

Left to Tell by Immacule Illibagiza. Had a profound impact on me and still will forever. Highly recommend.

Peace Like a River by Lief Enger. Exquisitely written. Loved the style. Loved the miracles. Highly recommend.

The Help. Awesome. Highly recommend.

TRYING TO READ BUT IN SPURTS: The Parenting Breakthrough by Merilee Boyack. Seven Habits-Covey. Total Money Makeover-Dave Ramsey.

Love you all!

Raehink: Eclectic Recommendations

The Help is also on my list of recommended titles. I thought it was fantastic, although some black scholars have criticized its white author. You just can't win, I guess. I too am looking forward to the movie - one of these days...

Qait - I know you enjoy nonfiction - if you liked The Help then you might like The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. It's about the massive black migration from the South to the North after Reconstruction. It's incredibly well-written and made me really feel my own history (even though I wasn't around). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in that period of history.

I loved Ella Minnow Pea and have his newest book on my to-read list (the title escapes me at the moment). I also have Just My Type in the house to read as well. I absolutely LOVED my first reading of the new RS history book. My counselors are reading it now and we also discussed using it for our 1st Sunday lessons next year. Good minds thinking alike, Lynness!

I am halfway through Anne Patchett's State of Wonder and am really enjoying her writing as well as her plot. Hope it maintains my interest all the way to the end. I have also read the first two Alan Bradley mysteries starring Flavia de Luce. She is an eleven-year-old delight! If you enjoy mysteries, I recommend Bradley's series. Another recent set of mysteries is set in post-World War One England and stars Maisie Dobbs, a former war nurse. The author is Jacqueline Winspear.

I also read a Steve Berry book but was less than impressed. Read an old title for youth called House of Stairs. It's a psychological thriller written back in 1974 or so. Quite remarkable for its day. Last but not least, I will recommend another nonfiction title: The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs. It will make you feel good about reading at all :)

Love to all of you...and Happy Reading!

Lynness- Re: The Help and other books

I've had The Help on hold at the library for a month now- it'll probably be another month before it's my turn.  Over our vacation to see Jon and Janis et. al., I read the Ender's Shadow series, which I enjoyed and which made me want to go re-read Ender's Game to see how it fits together, which I did.  I also read Ella Minnow Pea (say it fast, Mad-Gab style)- a quick, quirky fiction about losing letters of the alphabet.  I read about a book about fonts called Just My Type, but my library doesn't have it (yet, anyway- I'm hopeful).

And, of course, I'm reading the new church publication about the history of the Relief Society.  I'll probably use it for 1st Sunday presidency messages in the new year.

Q- The Help

Have any of you read The Help by Kathryn Stockett? If not, you're so missing out!!! I LOVED it.
I love books full of such real characters, people you feel like you've either known or would love to know.
I also really enjoyed the subject matter; this woman Skeeter is told to write about what bothers her, and the same things would bother me! At the same time, I feel like I understand better...
The book centers on Jackson, Mississippi in the 60s, when many (MANY) black women were maids for white families. I've always hoped I would never treat a black person unkindly, and while I still have the same hope, I think I'm humbled to the point that I can admit if I had lived at that time, I would have been very affected by society and rather ignorant about my White ways.
(Of course, I still feel sure I wouldn't be despicable like some women in the book).

So! I LOVED this book. So much. As always, there's no way the movie will be as good (you just can't fit all of that in, and the book goes into the women's minds the way a movie can't). But I'm really excited to see it some time!

love, Q

Lynness- finally read it...

Well I finally read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and agree with Rae- everyone should read it.  It's got science, but not too much- very accessible; it's got a human story full of depth.  Rebecca Skloot did an amazing (and highly time-consuming, evidently) job on this.  It didn't take me this long to read it b/c I was busy- it had over 80 holds on it at the library when I put it on reserve: obviously a lot of people are interested in it.  I love nursing!! I have an excuse to sit down for a few minutes and read!  I read it over a couple of days and just couldn't put it down.  I read all the other ones I had reserved (except the one on dark matter- I just couldn't get into it, even though the subject seemed like it would be interesting) and added All Clear, the 2nd half of Connie Willis' Blackout.  I was looking for some books to recommend to a friend and ran across Read My Pins, a memoir from Madeleine Albright that I think looks good- I'll let you know how that goes.

Lulu: Brief Update

Hi, beloved ladies! I'm (re)reading one of my favorite authors (from when I was 15 or so), John Bellairs. I can't remember what I was reading before that, oddly enough--or not oddly; I'm a little overwhelmed with all I have to do to prepare to move. I'm reading The Doll People to the kids; jury's still out on that one. I'll probably read The Birth House next and hopefully really start reading my doula books in earnest if I hope to be certified in the allotted time. :)

Liz: What I've been reading

Hi everyone! You ladies are so smart! I'm always so impressed with what everyone's reading, especially nonfiction. For some reason, I have always leaned more toward fiction. I read The Thirteenth Tale recently, and I just noticed that the quote atop our blog is from the book. A friend shared that quote with me a few years ago, and although it resonated with me, I only read the book some months ago. I adored it so that I purchased my own copy to read anytime I like. I will be reading and rereading that one. I love the way she writes. So fluid and inspiring. Just makes me want to write!

I just finished Being the Mom by Emily Watts. Uplifting, funny, brief and positive-very enjoyable and worthwhile. I heard her speak recently at a Time Out for Women, and she is a cool person! I feel like I might have several things in common with her, too, including a love of words.

I am currently reading the Mitford series books-on #2, Mom! Remember I bought #1 in Boston? Guess that means it's your turn! Should I send it to Payson? I really like how I can count on these books to be squeaky clean, humorous, and uplifting and inspiring. They are comforting.

Listing these out makes me realize: "Wow, I do make time to read! Even if I'm not sure exactly how . . " Also, I am reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. Excellent book. Pat & I are both reading it, in fact, and excited as we apply it.

I love you all! Gotta go tackle the rest of those dishes. :)

Raehink: Coincidental Commonalities

Not only are many of us serving in Relief Society, but I have/am also been reading much of what Lynness has been reading. I love it when that happens. Nothing wrong with being a nerd at all!

I discovered Connie Willis a few years ago and just checked out Blackout from the Provo Library. I absolutely LOVED the Henrietta Lacks book. I think EVERYONE should read it. Great stuff! I've also dipped into The Disappearing Spoon (got distracted with other things and left it by my bed) and have read Napoleon's Buttons too.

I recently finished The Warmth of Other Suns and In The Garden of Beasts -- both historical nonfiction worth anyone's time.

Lynness, do you know about Goodreads? Most of us have signed up for it and it seems to be a great way to keep track of reading as well as a way to get ideas for new books. I love knowing what everyone is reading.

My summer will be busy. Relief Society. Working at Santaquin Library. Finishing the last 3 classes for my Bachelor's. New grandson. Walking to lose ten pounds. Finding a job for Ivan and Bill. And whatever else life throws my way!

Lynness: I am such a nerd

I think this blog has contracted the RSL plague.  (Relief Society Leadership)  Rae became a RS pres.  Now I am, and Becky's in a RS presidency.  So yes, I've been busy and haven't been reading as much, but I reserved some books today (too many, probably) and saw a bit of a pattern...

"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" (about the woman whose cells were taken- illegally- and cultured for research and opened the age of modern medicine)
"Blackout"- part one of the latest story by Connie Willis- most of whose books I have thoroughly enjoyed, especially "Passage", which I re-read recently for at least the 4th time
"The 4 Percent Universe" (about dark matter, etc)
"101 Theory Drive" (how memory works, supposedly)
"The Art of Immersion" (how electronic media is changing storytelling, from the movies to advertising)
"Promised Land" (another Connie Willis to try out)

All science fiction or science (hard and soft) non-fiction.  And the two books I got from the library before this?  Both about chemistry- one "The Disappearing Spoon" about the elements and the periodic table, and the other, "Napoleon's Buttons", about molecules (such as sugar, silk, pepper and rubber) have influenced the course of history.
Definitely nerdy.

Finally a Book In Hand

Well I have had the past 2 weeks out of school, and the first thing I did was pick up a book! I started and completed 'B is for Burglar' by Sue Grafton. I enjoy her character Kinsey Millhone, and the slight murder mystery. I also like that fact that they are easy reads which help me get back into the swing of reading the way I truly desire to read!
I started 'Eat, Pray, Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, which so far I am really enjoying! I am reading this by Audio and I am really enjoying the narration! I know that there has been huge hype over the book, and the movie, but I just thought it would be interesting.
This one might sound crazy but I also read '101 Fat-Burning Workouts & Diet Strategies' Its published by Muscle & Fitness and it is geared toward men, but they have workouts for all stages of athleticism. I found it at the library and was very interested.

I have some other books lined up to read:
The Good Earth
Alice In Wonderland
and the one I am most excited to read at this point is 'Cooking in Other Women's Kitchens, domestic workers in the south, 1865-1960' by Rebecca Sharpless

Lynness: What's everyone enjoying right now?

I feel like I haven't read anything since Christmas- I've been doing the
Box Tops program at Isaiah's school, going to bed very soon after the
kids (but at least I'm past needing naps during the day! We find out on
the 24th if it's a boy or girl), and doing lots of projects, like
transferring cassette tapes to digital, sewing for baby showers, and
teaching joy school and piano.
Anyway, our Box Tops contest is almost over, I have more energy, and I
need a good read. Anyone read anything wonderful lately?

EARTH TO QAIT!

I wrote this for my blog but thought I'd share since I've been neglecting this book blog. :) But this blog is in my thoughts fairly often! I've only recently let myself dive into books in a big way again...

Michael was trying to talk to me while I read my book, and when I finally realized it, I had to remind him that he has to call my name first or I'll miss at least the first half of what he says. 

Then, after our little conversation, I went back to my book. 

Back into its world, completely immersed.

So much so that when I talked to Michael later, he grinned and asked if I'd heard his little speech...and I hadn't! 

He said he tried a little experiment when I went back to reading. He spoke in a dull voice, like a bored horse-race announcer, and said "Kathryn Faith Wahlquist...I have spoken your name, yet you do not react..." (something like that, going on and on until he finished) "...this has been a message from Michael Wahlquist." 

I missed it! 

It made us laugh a lot, though, when he told me about it later. 

By the way? The book that had me completely bound is called "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. He's a Mormon author, not that it shows. And his style of writing is borderline for Deseret Book--they won't carry his sequel. But not for the same reasons they wouldn't carry the rest of the Twilight books. It's perhaps a bit graphic...well, yes, it is. It's very heavy material on the whole. The subject matter is comparable to Lord of the Flies at first, since it's a group of boys with no adult leader...but beyond that, it stands alone as a very original plot. Kind of post-apocalyptic, sci-fi in a very thought-provoking way. I loved it.