Abby: Re Hunger Games, Garlic and Sapphire and reading assignments

Lynness, is Garlic and Sapphire a scriptural reference? The phrase seems familiar. (And I'm right here on the computer and obviously the internet so it'd be easy to look it up...but I'm not...)

Would anyone else be interested in giving out the reading assignment during Rae's hiatus? Also, if anyone else is bothered that I haven't updated our books read in the bar on the left or the books mentioned, if you have an interest in keeping up with that I can set you up as an administrator. We can have as many administrators as we'd like.

The Hunger Games is fiction and an alternate history (like The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and The Alliance by Gerald Lund). I guess I should give a warning that if you don't like any kind of blood or war descriptions, you won't like the book. Other than that? I loved it and read it very quickly.

Here's the synopsis from Library Journal:
In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Lynness re: reading blog

Definitely keep the blog going. This summer hasn't had much activity,
but 2 of us had babies, 3 of us moved, etc... we're still at my mom's
house until we close on ours and my computer (with all email
addresses, etc.!) isn't connected to the web, so I'm not sure how
often I'll get to post until we get set up in our new house. Rae, are
you still planning to make assignments? If not, do we want
assignments or just to read whatever and report on it? I personally
like the assignments, as it makes me look in new genres or pick up
books I might not have otherwise. Abby- tell us more about Hunger
Games.

By the way, I just read "Garlic and Sapphires: The secret life of a
critic in disguise" by Ruth Reichl (NY Times food critic). I enjoyed
it a lot, and there's recipes to boot. Bonus points to anyone who
knows where the title comes from! This has been my first real read
since Tabitha was born (6 weeks ago!!), since I moved 3 1/2 weeks
after that, and then John and Janis visited, and then school
started....and we're still trying to get a regular schedule together
while living in my parents' house.

My Shelf

I also wanted to say that I have many books on my shelf that I would LIKE to read before I venture to the library or book store, some of them I KNOW I might find difficult to read or get through BUT... I REALLY WANT to knock these out;
The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Number The Stars by Lois Lowery
Shiloh by Phillis Reynolds Naylor
Proffesor Diggins Dragons by Felice Holman
To Kill A Mockingbird
Pride And Prejudice
A Prophets Voice by Ed J. Pingar

... There ARE more...

To Keep Reading...

I just read Push, a Novel by Sapphire. There is a movie coming out based on the book, I saw the trailer and I was intrigued. The story is of a young girl who is molested both by her mother and father, gives birth to two children by her father before she is 17, is failed by the school system, police, and welfare systems. Its just a sad story that makes you mad to think that THIS COULD BE happening…It is not really a GREAT read, or something that I would recommend.

I was introduced to The Secret by Rhonda Byrne YEARS ago, but it seemed to be against what I believed as to where our focus should be. I was introduced to it again this year with a religious focus and I read it. I really enjoyed the read. Reading it with the mind set of religion, following the commandments, prayer, “righteous living” it was nice to have a refresher of my mind set. I found myself thinking positive. “All things are possible through him that strengthens me” I know this book is not for everyone but I really enjoyed it and would actually love to revisit the book!!

I have set a new goal to read 1 book every 2 weeks… I guess I will keep my fingers crossed LOL!! Happy reading to everyone!!

Abby: Yes, definitely

Well even though Rae will be busy in her new calling, I'd love it if we all still stop in here when we can to share what we've been reading. :) I'm with Lulu.

I just started Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) last night and am restraining myself from losing myself completely in the book! Hunger Games is the first book if you're interested in these.

Lulu, I would love to borrow The Graveyard Book when I come visit you soon (especially since I already read the first chapter while I was at your house...tee hee).

Oh! I am also reading Eat This, Not That: Supermarket Survival Guide (talks about the ingredients of several popular brands and goes on to explain what the ingredients do and why you should "eat this" (i.e. "Smart Balance") and "not that" (i.e. "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter") and You Are What You Eat. (This is from BBC America's Dr. Gillian McKeith who hosts the show of the same name.)

I've also started and am slowly working my way through:
Young Bucks by Troy Dunn (about teaching kids to earn money and manage it)
Running With Angels by Pamela Hansen (about losing weight, battling depression, and running a marathon)

And sitting on my shelf, waiting its turn:
In Defense of Food
Eat This, Not That: For Kids

What is everyone else reading? And have any of you read the books I'm reading? Hope you're all doing well in your own busy things. :) I know I am!

Lulu: Yes, please

Yes, Rae, I myself do want to continue this book blog.

Lately, I've read and loved The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Huh. I thought I had more to list. Apparently the previous books I read were not too memorable.

Raehink: Hiatus

Until further notice, I will be on a hiatus due to a possibly demanding calling. Please continue to post about books you have enjoyed and would like to recommend. In time, I will be back. If we still want to continue this book club. Love to all and as always...

Happy reading!