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.